The best tech hacks to travel alone safely
Tips for solo travelers
The tips we give in this article are not bad at all for people who travel in duos or groups. In any case, it is always good to take into account certain scenarios that could happen. The trick is not to let it take over your entire brain, because then the whole ‘relaxation’ of traveling is lost. Especially if you enlist the help of technology, you can save yourself from many more situations. Although we assume that those situations will not occur at all and that you can just enjoy yourself.
Download important things offline
Music on Spotify, a series on Netflix and most importantly: the map of the country/city where you are staying on Google Maps. You can download all of this for offline use and Google Maps is especially useful. This way, if you get lost, for example, you can still find your route via maps and you don’t have to look for WiFi. If you ask us, being able to use Google Maps offline is one of the most important factors in keeping yourself safe abroad. And: Google Translate, which also has the option to download language packs, so that you can make yourself somewhat understood in another country,
Don’t let them take you to your hotel
Whether it is an Uber, a regular taxi or someone you just met: it is wise not to be taken home to your hotel or hostel, but to choose a place nearby. This way you maintain some privacy, unless that person follows you of course. There is a good chance that that will not happen and that you can walk that last bit home safely. If you are traveling in a country where it is better not to walk alone on the street at a certain time, it is better not to follow this advice and just be dropped off at your hotel.
Share your location
You can share your location with others in the Uber app, via Live360, Google Maps and WhatsApp. That could be your mother, your best friend: even a group of people. This way they know that, for example, you are walking into an area where it is a bit quieter or where you think: something could happen here. Of course, there’s only so much your family can do if they see something weird, but at least it’s a way to at least let people know where you were last if something goes wrong. The sooner you can be found.
Make sure you have a charged power bank
Smartphones can sometimes run out of battery very quickly, especially if you are on the road a lot and use your smartphone a lot. A power bank can really be a lifesaver when you’re on the road. It can put just enough energy in your device to order an Uber to take you home, it can ensure that you can send that text message, and they can also provide your phone with a fully charged battery so that you can continue for much longer. Be careful on the plane, because you are not allowed to use them while flying: you also have to keep them close to you, so that you can quickly take action if something goes wrong.
Put an AirTag in your bag
Putting a tracker in your bag seems strange because you have it with you anyway, but if it is stolen or forgotten, you can at least see where it is with your smartphone. Especially if you hide it well, so that a thief, for example, cannot easily access it and therefore does not think about the fact that a tracker is traveling with it. It is also useful in your suitcase, so that you know whether your suitcase is where it should be.
Use a VPN
Many tips are to keep you safe as a whole, but if you also want to keep your online life safe, it is advisable not to just use public WiFi. Better use a VPN, so that you can at least surf anonymously. This way, a malicious person cannot simply access your personal data. A VPN can also ensure that you can still use those apps in certain countries where there are bans on apps.