How I Stay Safe and Enjoy Every Trip: My 7 Solo Travel Guidelines

Traveling with friends or family can be rewarding. There’s nothing like sharing epic scenery or experiencing a delicious local meal together. Plus, I’ve found the interests of others help expand my own choice of experiences. And, when things go wrong, it can be helpful to have another person there to help sort things out. I can also appreciate the cost savings of splitting lodging and transportation expenses.

But, despite all the positives of traveling with others, traveling solo comes with its own valuable rewards. I’m responsible for my schedule, able to change my itinerary on a whim, and more apt to meet other travelers during my journey.

While traveling solo can have added benefits, I follow this general set of rules to help ensure my trip goes as smoothly as possible.

1. Pack Light

My No. 1 rule is no checked bags for this girl. And, I may wear the same clothing multiple times. Traveling solo makes me less concerned about having a new look each day.

2. Have Backup Technology

Traveling solo means I cannot borrow someone else’s phone if mine dies or is stolen. I’ve had 2 phones stolen and another die, so traveling without a phone will not happen to me again.

I now travel with an extra, refurbished backup phone I purchased on Amazon for less than $200. It works great for everything except network calls and messaging, but I can add a SIM if needed.

3. Be Transport Savvy

Arriving late at night and not knowing how to get from the airport to my hotel is risky behavior. I use Rome2Rio to estimates transport costs and routes. Researching any local ride-share options and downloading the associated apps is also important.

I know the shuttle pickup locations and schedules (if available) and email the hotel in advance if I need to request pickup.

And finally, I’m prepared with backups should I have flight disruptions. I check for these before leaving home but I also have a basic Expert Flyer subscription to search for alternate flights in real time. It costs $5 per month for up to 250 searches.

4. Choose a Safe and Convenient Location

When I’m traveling alone, I want to be in a safe area but have access to restaurants, activities, and the local sights.

I use Google Maps to zero in on where I might select my hotel and review what’s available in the area. I can then use Google Street View to take a virtual walk nearby. Hotel reviews can also help me select the right hotel.

5. Select the Right Credit Cards

Hopefully, I’ll be able to use a credit card for nearly all my purchases, but each trip dictates the selection of cards I carry. Here are the cards I typically carry on any given trip:

Destination Expenses

Chase Sapphire Reserve^®

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

A top player in the high-end premium travel credit card space that earns points on travel and dining while offering top luxury perks.

Chase Sapphire Reserve^®

A top player in the high-end premium travel credit card space that earns points on travel and dining while offering top luxury perks.

Welcome Offer

Earn 100,000 bonus points + $500 Chase Travel promo credit after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. Get more than $2,700 in annual value with Sapphire Reserve.

100,000 points + $500 Chase Travel credit

UP's Offer Valuation*:

$2,000

Annual Fee

$795

APR

20.24% - 28.74% Variable

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.

Excellent

Why We Like This Card

If you’re looking for an all-around excellent travel rewards card, the Chase Sapphire Reserve^® is one of the best options.

The card combines elite travel benefits and perks like worldwide airport lounge access, with excellent point earning and redemption options. Plus, it offers top-notch travel insurance protections to cover you at home or on the road.

Don’t forget the more than $2,000 in annual credits, which can offset the annual fee!

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 8x points on all Chase Travel purchases
• 5x points on Lyft rides
• 4x points on flights and hotels booked directly

Cons

• $795 annual fee

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Card Highlights

• Earn 100,000 bonus points + $500 Chase Travel℠ promo credit after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
• Get more than $2,700 in annual value with Sapphire Reserve.
• Earn 8x points on all purchases through Chase Travel℠, including The Edit℠ and 4x points on flights and hotels booked direct. Plus, earn 3x points on dining worldwide & 1x points on all other purchases
• $300 annual travel credit as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year.
• Access over 1,300 airport lounges worldwide with a complimentary Priority Pass™ Select membership, plus every Chase Sapphire Lounge^® by The Club with two guests. Plus, up to $120 towards Global Entry, NEXUS, or TSA PreCheck^® every 4 years
• Get up to $150 in statement credits every six months for a maximum of $300 annually for dining at restaurants that are part of Sapphire Reserve Exclusive Tables.
• Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Coverage, Lost Luggage Insurance, no foreign transaction fees, and more.
• Get complimentary Apple TV+, the exclusive streaming home of Apple Originals. Plus Apple Music - all the music you love, across all your devices. Subscriptions run through 6/22/27 - a value of $250 annually
• Member FDIC

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 20.24% - 28.74% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

Chase Ultimate Rewards

The Chase Sapphire Reserve^® is my go-to travel credit card. It has excellent travel insurance benefits, but I use it more for my destination expenses. I earn 8x points on Chase Travel bookings and 4x points on airlines and hotels booked direct.

The Chase Sapphire Reserve card also gives me complimentary access to Priority Pass lounges worldwide. This benefit is useful, especially outside the U.S., and I use it frequently. Plus, when I arrive home, I can save a list of all my travel expenses from my card statement.

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

The Business Platinum Card^® from American Express

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

This card is ideal for business travelers who enjoy luxury travel and are looking for a card loaded with benefits!

Apply Now(at Amex's secure site)

The Business Platinum Card^® from American Express

This card is ideal for business travelers who enjoy luxury travel and are looking for a card loaded with benefits!

Welcome Offer

Earn 150,000 Membership Rewards^® points after you spend $20,000 in eligible purchases on the Card within the first 3 months of Card Membership.

150,000 points

UP's Offer Valuation*:

Up to $3,300

Annual Fee

$695

APR

18.49% - 29.24% Variable

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.

Good to Excellent

Why We Like This Card

The Business Platinum Card^® from American Express is a premium travel rewards card tailored toward business owners who are frequent travelers with a high number of annual expenses.

When you factor in the large number of perks that the card offers like the best airport lounge access at over 1,400 lounges, along with tons of annual credits, it’s easy to see why this card can is a top option for frequent traveling business owners.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 5x Membership Rewards points per $1 on flights, prepaid hotels, and short-term rentals and prepaid flight and hotel packages booked through Amex Travel
• Access to over 1,400 worldwide airport lounges as part of the American Express Global Lounge Collection (as of 10/2024).
• Get 50% more Membership Rewards points (1.5 points per $1) on eligible purchases in key business categories, as well as on purchases of $5,000 or more (on up to $2 million per calendar year)

Cons

• High annual fee of $695 (rates & fees)
• Airline fee credit does not cover airfare, only incidentals like checked bags

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Card Highlights

• Welcome Offer: Earn 150,000 Membership Rewards^® points after you spend $20,000 in eligible purchases on the Card within the first 3 months of Card Membership.
• The American Express Global Lounge Collection^® can provide an escape at the airport. With complimentary access to more than 1,400 airport lounges across 140 countries and counting, you have more airport lounge options than any other credit card issuer on the market as of 10/2024.
• Unlock over $2,000 in statement credits with business and travel benefits annually* on the Business Platinum Card. Terms apply. Learn more. *After meeting qualifying spend thresholds
• New! Enroll and get up to $150 in statement credits on U.S purchases directly with Dell Technologies on the Business Platinum Card and an additional $1,000 statement credit after you spend $5,000 or more on that same Card per calendar year.
• New! Enroll and get a $250 statement credit after you spend $600 or more on U.S. purchases directly with Adobe per calendar year on the Business Platinum Card.
• Fly like a pro with a $200 Airline Fee Credit. Select one qualifying airline to receive up to $200 back per year on baggage fees and other incidentals.
• Make the Business Platinum Card^® work even harder for you. Hilton For Business members get up to $200 back per calendar year when you make an eligible purchase at Hilton properties across the globe. Benefit enrollment required.
• 5X points on flights and prepaid hotels booked on AmexTravel.com
• 1.5X points (that’s an extra half point per dollar) on purchases at US construction material & hardware suppliers, electronic goods retailers and software & cloud system providers, and shipping providers, as well as on each eligible purchase of $5,000 or more, up to $2 million of these purchases per calendar year. Purchases eligible for multiple additional point bonuses will only receive the highest eligible bonus.
• 1X points on other eligible purchases
• Use the Business Platinum Card^® and get up to $209 back per calendar year on your CLEAR^® Plus Membership (subject to auto-renewal).
• $695 Annual Fee.
• Terms Apply.

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 18.49% - 29.24% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

American Express Membership Rewards

I also always throw in The Business Platinum Card^® from American Express or The Platinum Card^® from American Express to access any Centurion lounge I might encounter during my travels.

Airlines and Hotels

Whichever airline I fly — or hotel brand I stay in — I carry that branded credit card.

Selecting the right affiliated cards ensures I earn miles or hotel loyalty points for any expenses I incur, whether those are in-flight or on-site hotel purchases.

6. Organize My Currency

Fortunately, many destinations are becoming cashless, making it less of a requirement to carry a large amount of local currency. Still, I’m responsible for all my expenses, so I need to know exchange rates and organize my foreign currency.

I can always look up the currency exchange rate on my phone, but having a small cheat card and a memorized conversion ratio in my head serve as reliable backups. This knowledge is also important for determining the amount of local currency I need to withdraw from an ATM.

I use Coinmill to print out a quick summary of currency conversion examples and then calculate a formula to memorize. For example, if 100 Icelandic krona are worth 70 cents, I memorize a factor of 0.7. When using cash, I mentally convert the currency using the factor I’ve memorized, accessing the rate on my phone or referencing my cheat sheet, whichever is the most convenient. It’s a system that hasn’t failed me.

7. Mingle With Others

Finally, traveling solo doesn’t mean I want to avoid people. I actually look forward to meeting new acquaintances during my travels.

For this reason, I normally book at least 1 small group day tour or city walking tour. I use Viator to find local tours, as I’ve had good experiences with the company and like earning triple rewards on my purchases with them.

I have even met other travelers in the hotel lounges who invited me on excursions. Additionally, when available I may eat my meal at the bar versus a sit-down table, increasing the chance for interaction.

Final Thoughts

Traveling alone can be just as fulfilling as traveling with others. In some cases, it can be more so.

However, with the freedom of traveling solo comes the responsibility of ensuring I’m prepared for any potential derailments. There’s also the responsibility of making sure I have a good time. My top 7 rules help me organize, create plans that minimize disruption, and set the foundation for having a fun and rewarding journey.