Key Takeaways
- Research goes beyond instinct. Reading reviews of accommodation before booking helps avoid most avoidable problems.
- Where you stay matters as much as where you go; the right accommodation with reviews from other solo female travellers and strong security features make a real difference.
- Staying connected is one of the most powerful safety practices. Having a local SIM card and sharing your location with someone at home is crucial for peace of mind and a fast path to help if needed.
- It’s never a bad idea to trust your gut feeling. When something doesn’t feel right, it doesn’t feel right — remove yourself from the situation.
- The word “solo” doesn’t mean “isolated”. While travelling alone is great, group tours, social accommodation, and other travellers can also add safety and connection to the journey.
Intro
The most empowering thing I have done in my life is travel on my own, but it comes with different considerations than travelling with a group or a partner.
Through the years, I’ve found that a bit of preparation goes a long way towards confidence and safety, regardless of where I’m going. Here are the top travel safety tips I use when travelling as a solo woman.
Why Safety Planning Matters for Solo Female Travellers
The Reality of Travelling Alone as a Woman
I have found that travelling alone is deeply positive, but it does require more situational awareness than travelling with others.
- Being on your own can lead to unwanted attention more often, particularly in unfamiliar cities.
- There’s no travel companion to fall back on when things get tricky.
- Gendered norms may vary across cultures and influence how comfortable certain situations feel, depending on the destination.
- Feeling safe makes the whole journey more enjoyable, so I treat safety planning as part of the fun, rather than something to worry about.
What I’ve Learned from Years of Solo Trips
- As a solo female traveller, I can attest that if you take basic precautions, you feel safe the vast majority of the time.
- A trip that’s well-prepared in advance involves far less stress than one where issues are solved as they come up.
- Confidence and awareness make a huge difference — I notice it when I walk with purpose and avoid looking distracted, rather than staring at my phone.
Researching Your Destination Before You Go
What I Always Look Into First
Before booking anything, I research the specific safety landscape of my destination, not just general reviews.
- Government travel advisories for the country or region I’m visiting.
- Local laws and cultural norms around dress, conduct, and gender expectations.
- Common scams targeting tourists, which I look up specifically for solo travellers.
- Recent news or safety updates, especially for destinations with rapidly changing conditions.
Neighbourhood-Level Research
- I check online maps and forums to find out which neighbourhoods are considered safe for walking at night.
- I read reviews from other solo female travellers on accommodation listings, since their perspective is often more relevant than a general review.
- I look for a hotel or rental near well-lit, populated areas rather than isolated on the outskirts of town.
Choosing Safe Accommodation
What I Prioritise When Booking
We’ve found that where you stay plays a bigger role in overall safety than almost any other single decision.
- 24-hour front desk or reception, which adds a layer of security and someone to contact if needed.
- Reviews specifically from solo female travellers, since their comfort level is the most relevant benchmark.
- Well-lit entrances and hallways, which I check for in photos or ask about directly.
- Central, well-populated locations, even if it costs slightly more than a cheaper option on the outskirts.
Questions I Ask Before Booking
- Is the accommodation in a walkable, populated area at night?
- Does the listing include recent reviews mentioning safety specifically?
- Is there a secure lock on the door, and ideally an in-room safe for valuables?
- If staying in a hostel, are there female-only dorm options available?
Packing Smart for Safety
Items I Never Travel Without
A few specific items have made a noticeable difference in how secure I feel while travelling alone.
- A portable door lock or door stop alarm, which adds an extra layer of security in hotel rooms.
- A money belt or hidden pouch for cash, cards, and my passport, worn under clothing rather than in an outside bag.
- A whistle or personal safety alarm, kept easily accessible in a jacket pocket or bag strap.
- A crossbody bag with a zipped, slash-resistant strap, which is far harder for a pickpocket to grab than a shoulder bag.
Dressing to Blend In
- I research local dress norms before I go and pack accordingly, especially in more conservative destinations.
- I avoid clothing or accessories that clearly signal “tourist”, which can sometimes draw unwanted attention.
- I keep flashy jewellery to a minimum, opting for simple pieces that don’t attract extra attention.
Staying Connected and Sharing Your Location
How I Stay in Touch While Travelling
Staying connected has completely changed how safe solo travel feels, especially compared to trips I took years ago without reliable data access.
- I purchase a local SIM card or international data plan immediately upon arrival so I’m never without a way to contact someone.
- I share my live location with a trusted friend or family member through a location-sharing app for the duration of the trip.
- I send a daily check-in message to someone at home, even if it’s just a quick “all good today”.
Building a Communication Plan
- Before I leave, I share my full itinerary, including flights, accommodation, and any major activities, with someone I trust.
- I set a general check-in schedule, so if I go quiet for an unusually long period, someone knows to follow up.
- I save local emergency numbers and my embassy’s contact information directly in my phone before arriving.
Navigating Transport Safely
Getting Around Without Unnecessary Risk
Transport is one area where I’m especially cautious, since it’s often where solo travellers are most vulnerable.
- I use official taxi apps or pre-booked transport rather than hailing unmarked cabs on the street.
- I confirm the driver’s name and licence plate match the app before getting in.
- I sit in the back seat rather than the front, which creates a bit more distance and an easier exit if needed.
- I avoid travelling alone late at night when possible, opting instead to plan activities that end before dark in unfamiliar areas.
Public Transport Tips
- I research the specific safety reputation of public transport in each destination before relying on it.
- I stay near the driver or conductor, or in well-populated train carriages, rather than isolated sections.
- I keep my bag in front of my body and zipped at all times when riding crowded buses or trains.
Trusting Your Instincts
Why I Never Override a Gut Feeling
One of the most valuable lessons I’ve learned through solo travel is that my instincts are almost always right, even when I can’t immediately explain why something feels off.
- If a situation, person, or place feels wrong, I remove myself immediately rather than trying to be polite.
- I’ve learned it’s completely acceptable to lie about my plans if a stranger asks too many personal questions, such as saying I’m meeting a friend nearby.
- I avoid oversharing details about staying alone or my exact accommodation with strangers I’ve just met.
Practising Confident Body Language
- I walk with purpose, even when I’m not entirely sure where I’m going, rather than appearing visibly lost.
- I keep my phone in my pocket rather than constantly checking it while walking, which helps me stay more aware of my surroundings.
- I make brief eye contact and offer a firm “no thank you” when declining unwanted attention, rather than avoiding eye contact entirely.
Managing Money and Valuables
How I Protect My Finances While Travelling
- I bring at least two payment methods, stored separately, in case one card is lost, stolen, or doesn’t work.
- I keep a small amount of backup cash hidden separately from my main wallet.
- I avoid displaying large amounts of cash in public, especially at ATMs, which I try to use during daylight hours in populated areas.
- I photograph or scan important documents, like my passport, and store copies in a secure cloud folder before I leave.
Reducing Theft Risk
- I use a bag with secure, zipped compartments rather than open totes for daily excursions.
- I avoid setting my phone or wallet down on outdoor café tables, keeping them in a bag or pocket instead.
- I stay especially alert in crowded tourist areas, which are common targets for pickpocketing.
Handling Unwanted Attention
My Approach to Setting Boundaries
- I respond to unwanted attention firmly and directly rather than trying to appear polite out of social pressure.
- I move towards a public, populated space, like a shop or restaurant, if I feel uncomfortable rather than continuing to walk alone.
- I’ve learned to wear a wedding-style ring or mention a fictional partner in some situations, simply because it can reduce certain types of unwanted attention in specific cultural contexts.
When to Involve Others
- I don’t hesitate to approach hotel staff, shop owners, or even other travellers if I need help or feel unsafe.
- I look for a police officer or a marked official if a situation escalates beyond what I can resolve on my own.
- I remind myself that asking for help isn’t an overreaction — it’s a normal part of staying safe.
Preparing for Emergencies
What I Set Up Before Every Trip
- I purchase travel insurance that specifically covers emergency medical care and evacuation.
- I research the location of the nearest hospital or clinic to my accommodation upon arrival.
- I save my embassy’s address and emergency contact number directly in my phone.
- I keep a printed copy of important documents and emergency contacts in my bag, separate from my phone, in case of a dead battery or theft.
My Basic Emergency Kit
- A small first-aid kit with essentials like painkillers and any personal medications.
- A portable phone charger, since a dead phone in an emergency is one of my biggest fears while travelling alone.
- A written list of emergency contacts and important numbers, in case my phone is lost or stolen.
- A copy of my travel insurance policy number and provider contact information.
Connecting with Other Travellers
Why I Don’t Always Travel “Alone”
Solo travel doesn’t have to mean isolated travel, and I’ve found that connecting with others along the way adds both safety and enjoyment.
- I join group tours or day trips for activities in less familiar or higher-risk areas.
- I stay at social hostels or accommodation with common spaces when I want to meet other travellers.
- I use travel-specific apps and forums designed to connect solo travellers, especially other women, for shared activities or meals.
Building a Local Support Network
- I ask my accommodation hosts for their honest, personal safety recommendations upon arrival.
- I connect with other solo female travellers I meet along the way, since we often end up sharing useful, up-to-date local advice.
- I look into local women’s travel groups or expat communities, which can offer valuable, real-time local insight.