For a few of us, travelling alone is the one approach to get pleasure from some abroad exploration with out killing a journey companion out of frustration. For others, it’s a no-choice resolution made as a result of no person else was free.

No matter your purpose for hitting the highway by yourself, there are some plain perks to travelling solo. You’ll be able to go at your individual tempo, can do solely what you need to do, don’t have to fret about being woken up earlier than you’re prepared and may work together extra with pleasant locals as a substitute of staying in your bubble of journey companions.

On the draw back, you could be placing your private security at stake once you journey solo. However that’s a small worth to pay for a life-changing journey of self-discovery. Listed here are some suggestions that will help you survive and thrive by yourself.

1. Analysis the nation that you’ll be visiting

With out journey companions, members of the family or a tour information to chip in, all of the analysis to your journey falls upon you. We’re not saying you have to create a spreadsheet fleshing out each element of your itinerary. However regardless of how spontaneously you need your journey to be, it is best to examine the next earlier than you arrive:

• Do you want a visa? – Should you’re a Singapore passport holder, you received’t want a visa to journey to most nations, however there are some exceptions equivalent to India, Iran and Russia. You also needs to examine if you have to submit an Digital Journey Authority (ETA) software.
• Are you able to drink the faucet water? – Until you’re a camel, you’ll have to drink water quickly after you land. If the faucet water isn’t drinkable, you’ll want to purchase bottled water, replenish your water bottle at a consuming fountain or use a journey water air purifier.
• What security precautions do you have to take? – Should you’re travelling to a rustic like Japan, you in all probability received’t must take too many security precautions other than utilizing frequent sense. However in additional “harmful” locations, you might need to be additional cautious to keep away from pickpocketing, theft, scams or sexual harassment.
• Which neighbourhoods must you keep away from? – It’s particularly vital to know which neighbourhoods to keep away from in the event you’re staying in a residential space by way of Airbnb or related house sharing websites. You don’t need to inadvertently keep within the metropolis’s most infamous ghetto.

2. Familiarise your self with emergency numbers and your nation’s embassy

Hopefully, nothing unhealthy will occur in your journey (choy!). However simply in case, it is best to know what to do in the event you get right into a pickle.

To begin with, in case you are travelling to a non-English talking nation, apart from the standard “hiya”, “excuse me”, “sorry” and “thanks,” do memorise key phrases that you should use in an emergency, equivalent to:

• The place is… (the bathroom, the police station, the hospital)?
• I want to purchase a ticket
• Assist!

Subsequent, put emergency numbers on pace dial, together with the police, emergency medical companies, hearth division and Singapore embassy.

3. At all times be aware of your environment

There are few nations which are as protected as Singapore, the place it’s frequent to see folks fortunately strolling round with zero consciousness. Having fun with a leisurely stroll at 2am and crossing the highway with headphones on whereas observing your smartphone could be frequent right here, however you shouldn’t strive that abroad.

As a solo traveller, you’ll should be much more aware of your environment as you don’t have the relative security that comes from travelling in a bunch.

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Be cautious of pickpockets and snatch thieves. At all times make sure the contents of your bag can’t be accessed. You probably have a shoulder bag, for instance, you’ll need to maintain your arm over the opening.

When out and about at night time, persist with brightly lit and closely populated areas wherever attainable. Restrict your alcohol consumption and by no means depart your drink unattended.

Interacting with the locals is without doubt one of the most rewarding issues about travelling solo, however do analysis native scams and be cautious if anybody tries to ask you to go anyplace with them. The very last thing you want is to finish up embroiled in a rip-off at a “tea home” or “jewelry store” that your new “pal” has invited you to take a look at.

4. Be aware of the transport scenario

Getting round is quite a bit tougher once you don’t have a bunch of associates to separate taxi fare with. As well as, in some nations it could be safer to make use of public transport than to get right into a taxi or Uber alone, particularly in the event you’re a girl.

Fortunately, it is best to have the ability to discover quite a lot of details about the best way to get round on web sites like Wikivoyage. Begin your journey on the proper foot by checking upfront the best way to get from the airport to your lodging. You too can obtain maps of subway or bus networks beforehand to make life simpler for you.

Should you’re at a vacation spot the place one of the simplest ways to get round is by automotive sharing companies like Uber, Seize or Lyft, you may need to take into account shopping for a SIM card with cellular knowledge.

5. Purchase journey insurance coverage

You can not do with out journey insurance coverage once you journey abroad, particularly in the event you’re travelling alone as there’s nobody to look out for you! An excellent journey insurance coverage plan will make sure that your medical prices are paid for in the event you fall unwell or get into an accident, and also will compensate you for journey mishaps like misplaced baggage.

Undecided the place to look? Listed here are 5 journey insurers that may maintain you protected as you journey.

Bubblegum – MoneySmart Monetary now has its very personal insurance coverage plan, with Covid-19 protection besides! Better of all, it’s one of the inexpensive plans out there that covers adventurous actions equivalent to scorching air ballooning or scuba diving, and you should buy it in 5 minutes by way of MoneySmart or the Bubblegum Insurance coverage app.

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Allianz – It is a primary journey insurance coverage coverage with Covid-related medical and evacuation protection, and is appropriate in the event you’re seeking to have the principle bases coated. Their platinum plan being essentially the most complete overlaying leisure actions and cruises.

FWD – This insurer is understood for his or her inexpensive insurance policy. Their journey plan gives Covid-19 protection, however you’ll must buy a rider to get it. You too can get hold of protection for a spread of out of doors actions.

MSIG – All plans supply are fairly complete, however for greater protection, you’ll have to pay extra. It’s good if thorough safety is your prime precedence.

Starr – Their plan gives protection for cruises, snow sports activities, scuba diving and golf. Additionally they include free Covid-19 protection for medical bills—improve to the upper 2 tiers to get pleasure from protection for all medical and journey associated bills.

Observe: Premiums are calculated primarily based on a single 7 day journey to Thailand for one individual.

This text was first printed in MoneySmart.