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Being an independent budget traveler, I often put an emphasis on how to stretch my dollars during my travels. But sometimes, it’s important to spend a little more money if it means peace of mind and added security.
We’ve listed 15 examples of when paying for your safety actually pays off.
That’s not to say that you can’t be perfectly safe without spending more money, but if you’re worried about it, it’s an easy fix. It may also put your friends and family back home more at ease, especially if you’re a solo female traveler.
1. Paying for Help with Packing Light
There are so many benefits to packing light, however, you might not have thought about the safety aspect of it.
By packing less, you have fewer bags to keep track of which means there is less chance of losing your personal belongings, especially things like your phone, passport, and keys. You can keep your personal belongings with you on public transport and not worry about them getting stolen.
You will be more mobile which means you can get out of sketchy situations with more ease. Plus a large backpack or suitcase may mark you as a target for thieves.
Now that you know packing light increases your safety, what can you do about it?
Take the HPL Packing Method Course! You could go from overpacked and heavy luggage to traveling for a week in a personal item sized bag or even a handbag!
This is one place where it’s worth paying for some help rather than struggling on your own.
2. Booking a Private Room Instead of a Dorm or CouchSurfing
As much as I enjoyed my experience CouchSurfing, this might not make everyone feel comfortable or safe. Dorm rooms in hostels are fine for the budget traveler, but there’s nothing like the security of a private room, with its locking doors. Plus, you don’t have to worry as much about theft because your belongings are locked behind a closed door.
An apartment rental is another good place to look into booking (like through AirBnB).
3. Choosing a Female-Only Dorm Room
If a private room is out of your budget, consider staying in a female-only dorm room. Paying for your safety and staying in a female-only dorm, while usually a bit more expensive, can give you some extra peace of mind.
This is especially true if you don’t want to share a bathroom with any men, are uncomfortable changing with men around (or them changing in front of you), or think you’ll feel unsafe sleeping while men have access to the dorm.
- If you’re on the fence about booking a mixed dorm or a female-only dorm in a hostel, check out our blog post: Should I Stay in a Mixed Dorm?
4. Arriving During Daytime Instead of Night
Whether it’s planes, trains, or automobiles, prices tend to be cheaper if you’re arriving in the middle of the night. And while this is a good way to save a little money, arriving in a new city after dark can be nerve-wracking and downright dangerous in some cases.
Between trying to find your accommodation in the dark and not being able to see signs, you’ll be less stressed if you get there in daylight.
5. Choosing a Higher Berth on a Sleeper Train
In some countries, traveling by overnight train is an inexpensive way to get to where you’re going and save on a night’s accommodation. And in some places, specifically Asia and India, the price differs slightly for a higher berth sleeper than the lower berth.
Paying for your safety is worth it to have the higher spot to keep your bags and yourself out of prying hands.
- Check out our Ultimate Train Travel Guide for more train tips.
6. Opting for a Taxi Instead of Walking
Walking is obviously the best way to get to know a city, and it also saves you money on transport fees. But if you’re lost or caught up in a sketchy part of town, it’s probably better to go ahead and hail a taxi in favor of safety. It’s also usually safer to hop in a standard taxi in most cities over the moto taxis and public transportation of your destination.
A good tactic is to ask the owners of your hostel or hotel receptionist for reputable transport and companies.
You could also use Uber or Lyft in countries that have them. Make sure you have it downloaded before you go!
- Check out this post for Safely Using Rideshare Apps.
7. Staying Closer to Town Instead of Outskirts
The cheaper hotels and hostels are typically on the outskirts of major cities, but in places like Paris, this is where the crime is higher. It also puts you at risk when going between the city attractions and your hotel. Spend the money you would be spending on public transportation on a place to stay in the city center.
As a bonus, you’ll get more time to enjoy the city and less time spent on a train or bus.
8. Splurging on a VIP Bus Instead of a Local Bus
In areas like Asia or South America, it can be easy to cut travel costs by choosing slower, local options like slow boats and chicken buses. But it’s worth the extra cost, and the safety factor, to pay more for a “VIP” bus.
It won’t make nearly as many stops, cutting down on theft opportunities, and they usually undergo more vehicle maintenance so it’s a safer ride altogether.
9. Paying for Travel Insurance
If you can afford to travel, you can afford to pay for travel insurance. You may think it’s not necessary, but when you think about what situations it covers, you’ll be glad to have it.
Make sure it includes trip delays or cancellations due to political situations or weather. You never know what’s going to happen on a trip, whether it be theft, injury, or a government uprising.
10. Going on a Tour Instead of Independently
Pay for your safety by joining a group tour. Plus, you’ll get to make friends at the same time.
I don’t think going on tours instead of traveling independently is entirely necessary, but if you’re concerned about your safety, going with a tour group has the advantage of someone knowing where you are at all times. Your fellow travelers and tour guide will be able to guide you safely across town and make sure you get home safely at night.
For those who are interested in tours, Viator is a great resource. The site is basically a curation of tours across the world in one place making it simple to search and book.
11. Paying for a Local Phone or Roaming Charges
Bringing a phone with you and paying for roaming charges may cost a bit more, but it means you can call your hotel and ask for directions or call a taxi to pick you up if you need to. It’s good to have in case of emergencies as well.
You can also buy a local SIM card when you arrive to save on the roaming charges.
12. Preparing With Language Lessons
Another way to pay for your safety is to take language lessons or learn a few important phrases in the local language before you go. This can be done for free with the help of guidebooks or online resources.
However, ordering a more in-depth program like Rosetta Stone may allow you to communicate more freely if the situation arises (that’s if you did the work of course!).
13. Invest in a Pickpocket Proof Travel Purse
No traveler wants to be the victim of a pickpocket. Having your phone, money, or passport stolen while traveling can lead to all sorts of trouble. You could become stranded without a way to get back to your accommodation, you could lose access to your hostel or hotel room, or you may be unable to contact anyone for help.
There’s also the hassle of then replacing these things while you’re traveling.
One easy way to prevent this from happening is to invest in a pickpocket proof travel purse. An example is the Travelon Anti-Theft Heritage Crossbody Bag pictured above.
- Check out some of our other travel purse options in our post, How To Choose the Perfect Travel Purse (with Options).
- You can even buy some Stylish Theft-Proof Travel Clothing for Women.
14. Add One or Two Small Security Devices to Your Packing List
While we obviously advise packing light, there may be one or two small security items that you throw into your bag for some extra precaution while you are traveling. This may be a personal security device (you know the kind that you push a button and an alarm sounds), a door stop alarm for when you’re traveling alone, or a flashlight.
These items may be small, but they can help you feel more secure on the road.
- Take a look at our Packing for Your Personal Safety While Traveling blog post for more security device recommendations to keep you safe.
15. Keep an Emergency Fund
Now this one is just in case, and you may not even end up spending the money, but it is so important to be prepared. You never know when you are going to need something that is just a little bit out of your budget, whether that be a long Uber ride out of a situation you didn’t feel safe in or a last-minute hotel room when your hostel is giving you the creeps.
This may be some extra cash hidden in your bag or just some extra money in your credit card to use in case of emergencies. While you may not be planning to spend the extra cash, you don’t want to be stuck in an unsafe situation just because you don’t have money on hand to get out of it.
What did you think of these tips? Do you think paying for your safety is worth it?
These are all great tips! I’ve been following this site religiously ever since I took my first solo trip last August! One website that helped me a lot when I went to Mexico was duolingo.com. They offer many languages, and the website is easy to follow! I downloaded the app on to my phone, which was super convenient. The best part about it is that it’s free!
Great tip, Nicole! Thank you for sharing 🙂
With #1, I think even if you are couch surfing you should have an emergency fund just in case things don’t feel right. Any decent host is going to be okay with you (tactfully) saying you aren’t comfortable and, if they aren’t okay, they probably aren’t decent! Much better to have the peace of mind knowing you have an escape route.
Late night arrivals can be okay if you can find somewhere cheap near the airport. I’m flying into KL soon and arrive at stupid o’clock but there are hourly rental capsule rooms at the airport so I figure I can grab some sleep after I land. I find arriving in busy cities after an overnight flight + no sleep really hard to deal with.
You’re totally right, Kathryn, airport hotels or pods are a great alternative for late night arrivals.
Most of these cost money. What does the budget traveler do? Personally, I have been accruing “hospitality points” by hosting foreign students, which gives access to whole families of people happy to help with rides, tours, meals, beds, language lessons, etc. Also, my ConversationExchange.com Skype buddy has told me in no uncertain terms that I will NOT be staying in a hotel in Barcelona. 🙂
Oops, left out a sentence: My buddy and his family will put me up as long as needed, and will cook for me, too. I think a few days is all I’ll need.
Great tips! However, I personally do not feel really safe in taxis. I actually prefer to walk LOL.
But I guess, in some bad areas it is better to take a taxi…..but I have never been to bad areas I think.
x
Agree about taxis- lots of sketchy drivers who will overcharge if you’re lucky.
Ubers are much better, more accountability and I’ve never been driven out of the way in one, and they’re available in every country I’ve been to in the last 2-3 years. I was really surprised when the app fired right up in Warsaw over a year ago- they’re everywhere!