Why Solo Travel Is Dangerous

Don’t Travel Alone

Throughout this site, we repeatedly state that medical tourism vacationers should never travel alone.  It doesn’t matter how experienced, confident, or mature you are.  International travel brings certain risks.  Receiving health care brings certain risks.  When you travel internationally for health care, you face any number of uncontrollable variables.  There are many steps you can take to reduce these risks, but having a trusted companion is arguably the most important one. 

Why Traveling Alone Is Dangerous

We could talk at great length about all of the “what if” possibilities out there, but below are some of more pressing concerns: 

• What if your belongings get stolen?  You might lose your passport, wallet, medication, and essentials all at once.  Having a companion won’t necessarily stop you from getting robbed, but it definitely decreases the overall likelihood.  He or she can help you withdraw more money, buy more medicine, or apply for a temporary passport.  Even if both of you get robbed, you’ll still have a trusted friend to lean on when times get rough.

• Who is going to watch over you and your belongings when you go under the knife?  Will you be able to sign insurance forms, medical waivers, and legal papers when you’re heavily sedated?  What if something goes wrong with the surgery?  Will your family members back home be able to help you?

• There is safety in numbers.  Two people walking down the street will encounter fewer problems than one person walking down that same street.  This is especially true if potential criminals perceive you as vulnerable (a lone woman…a traveler with a disability….a senior citizen).

• Many health vacation travelers go abroad to correct some condition or medical complication.  What happens to you if you forget to take your medicine while scuba diving in Thailand or visiting temples in India?  Will bystanders know what to do?  Will they know how to administer medicine, contact health personnel, or get in touch with your family members if you fall unconscious?  Your companion will.

• Traveling with a companion offers you comfort and security in a strange land.  Language barriers, scams, money problems, and visa issues are all easier to handle when you have someone with you.

How and why you travel is ultimately up to you.  But if you’re serious about enjoying a safe and reliable medical vacation, don’t leave anything to chance.  Take someone with you.  We realize that buying an extra plane ticket and hotel room isn’t always convenient, but the benefits far away any disadvantages.  Why leave anything to chance?