Travelling alone may make you feel more vulnerable, especially when you are in an unfamiliar place. One of the ways to make yourself comfortable is to pick a hotel or serviced apartment that you feel comfortable with. 

Conduct research beforehand and only stay at hotels or serviced suites with multiple positive reviews and ratings, which are close to the major attractions. Travel sites such as Expedia and Tripadvisor usually have customer reviews and a rating system for you to refer to. These reviews offer an insight into what to expect from the hotel and its surroundings. You can also use these sites to determine the distance from the hotel and major attractions. 

A multiple-award-winning group, Pan Pacific Hotels Group manages close to 50 hotels, resorts and serviced suites around the world. Depending on your destination, you can choose the most suitable accommodation to suit your travel style.

Do extensive research on each destination that you intend to visit during your solo trip. For places of interest, make it a point to check on their opening hours, peak and non-peak season, as well as how you can get there. These prepare you to know exactly what to expect when you arrive. 

For each country that you visit, it would be helpful to learn a few key phrases in their local language if their native language is not English. Alternatively, you can download a translation app onto your phone to ask for directions or simple questions should the need arise. 

Check out our extensive collection of international travel tips sorted by countries and properties here.

family members, you have to lug your luggage on your own. Thus, you should only pack what you need. 

Ensure that you bring the essentials such as simple first aid items and medication like plasters and painkillers. If you fall sick, you cannot depend on anyone else to head to the pharmacy for medical supplies. Also, remember to prepare enough masks and hand sanitisers for your trip—Covid is likely to still be around. 

Check out the opening times of attractions you intend to visit and head there early. This way, you can avoid the crowds, and pack more attraction visits in a day. Do minimise going out late at night to be on the safe side, and avoid going to dodgy neighbourhoods (research the places first).

This is probably the most crucial task before your solo adventure. Pass a copy of your itinerary to loved ones, including the contact numbers of the hotels you are staying at. This way, they know where you are at all times, or can contact you should the need arises.

Beyond leaving your itinerary with close ones, do regular check-ins with them so that they know that you are safe and sound. Also, identify someone who can be your “helpline” among your friends and family. This person can be depended upon to help you in times of need and crisis, and may double up as your go-to person if you need help with some last-minute research or just someone to speak to. 

You may have all your necessary contacts on your phone, but make a copy of these phone numbers and email addresses on paper, keeping them with you at all times. This physical list of contacts comes in really handy should your smartphone be damaged or stolen during your trip. Be sure to include your country’s embassy numbers and emails in that list of contacts.

Female solo travellers may encounter unwanted attention on their trip alone. One of the ways to keep unnecessary attention at bay is to wear a “wedding ring”, even if you are not married. Strangers may be less inclined to strike up a conversation if you see that you are “taken” and are more likely to leave you alone. 

Before your trip, do prepare the necessary COVID-19 groundwork. Find out what are the protocols for each country you are visiting. Do also remember to check on mask requirements in these destinations. Do you need to wear masks indoors or just outdoors? What about the need for pre-arrival and post-arrival polymerase chain reaction (PCR) or Antigen Rapid Test (ART) results? Check out this article on your essential post-covid travel checklist for more information. 

Need recommendations for accommodations and attractions? Contact the team at Pan Pacific Hotel Group and we are ready to help.