32 Essential Safety Tips Every Solo Female Traveler Must Know
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|Updated on November,22,2024|
Have you ever dreamed of exploring the world on your terms but hesitated because of safety concerns? I get you. It always seems scary at first, but trust me, once you try it, you will get so much confidence, and every new trip will be much easier for you and less scary.
Solo travel as a woman is an empowering and life-changing experience everyone should have. But safety concerns often hold us back from moving forward. That’s why 32 Essential Safety Tips Every Solo Female Traveler Must Know are key to feeling secure and confident while exploring the world on your own.
Nowadays, it is very common for many women to travel solo. But some have this idea in mind and never go anywhere by themselves because of safety reasons. Does it sound like you? Have you ever thought about taking a trip alone but were scared? I assure you that traveling solo can be safe if you trust your instincts, stay aware of your surroundings, and follow key safety tips.
It is common to feel nervous and unclear about the idea of solo traveling, but luckily, we live in the 21st century, where everything is widely available. Whether you’re planning a domestic getaway or an international solo adventure, taking time to prepare and learn the best safety tips for solo travel is essential.
In this guide, I’ll share 32 actionable tips to help you stay safe, confident, and fully enjoy your solo adventures. According to a 2023 survey by Booking.com, 76% of women consider safety a top priority when traveling alone. But here’s the good news: with the right mindset and actionable tips, solo travel can be safe and unforgettable.
Solo travel doesn’t make you a prime target for pickpockets or other threats—these risks can happen to anyone who doesn’t take precautions. Instead of focusing on potential negatives, shift your mindset, take necessary safety measures, and pursue your dream of exploring the world solo whenever you want.
Here are my best 32 safety tips for you (solo female traveler) which will not only keep you safe, but also help you feel more comfortable wherever you go and enjoy your trips without overthinking it.
32 Essential Safety Tips Every Solo Female Traveler Must Know
1. Trust Your Gut and Intuition
This is the most important tip. I always thought that my intuition was not working and that whatever I feel is not what it was in reality, but some years ago, I changed my mind. I am not sure if solo travel changed it or if there were other reasons, but I realized that my intuition is always right. So feel yourself, your needs, and your intuition. Hear what it tells you. It works. Nothing can be more accurate than your inner voice.
2. Carry Some Sprays
Not precisely the pepper spray, as in some countries it is prohibited so it can be any spray. Be it a perfume, mosquito spray, small hair spray, or even hand sanitizer. Anything you might have will work. Better have something than nothing. Just keep it handy, but hopefully, you will never need to use it.
3. Do Not Go Out at Night
Avoiding going out alone at night is a key safety tip for solo travelers. Personally, I always make it a point to return to my accommodation before dark. Even short walks at night can feel less secure when traveling solo, so prioritizing daylight hours for exploration helps me feel more at ease. This is just one of the 32 Essential Safety Tips Every Solo Female Traveler Must Know to ensure you stay safe and confident during your journey.
4. Avoid Engaging With People Who Behave Oddly
Most of the time, you’ll meet incredible people on your trip, but you might also encounter some individuals who behave strangely and try to engage with you. If that happens, try to find a crowd to blend in with, or seek refuge in a public place like a café or store. You can’t predict what’s on someone’s mind, so it’s best to avoid engaging with them. If you must decline, do so politely.
This is an important piece of advice. While it’s tempting to look picture-perfect for your travel photos, I’ve learned to prioritize comfort and practicality. When I travel solo, I choose simple, comfortable clothes with fewer bright colors (depending on where I’m headed), and I always stay alert. Dressing more inconspicuously helps you blend in and avoid drawing unnecessary attention.
This approach can also help minimize the risk of standing out as a target for opportunistic pickpockets or unwanted attention.
When I visited Portland, I had an experience that made me rethink how I approach solo travel. Although Portland is a cool city, I found some areas where I didn’t feel as safe, especially because there were many people who seemed to be struggling with homelessness.
One day, I was waiting for a train at Union Square when two people started following me. I got scared and ended up running to find a safer spot. Nothing happened, but I was shaken up and ended up going straight to the airport instead of seeing the waterfalls as planned.
This taught me to do better research about safety in the places I visit. While I can’t control everything that happens, being aware and ready to change plans if needed can help me feel safer and more in control.
6. Buy a Personal Alarm
I only discovered it recently while I was reading someone’s blog. This is such a cool thing, and I am sure it will save lives (in any dangerous situation). It is loud, has lighting features, and is compact. What else do we need? You can keep it easily accessible at all times. It has a key chain so you can add it to your bracelet, necklace, purse, backpack, or wherever you want. I highly suggest you get one.
Check out this article to learn about other travel safety products.
7. Keep Your Belongings Closer to the Body and on the Front
One of the best ways to protect your valuables while traveling, especially as a solo female traveler, is to keep your belongings close to your body and in front of you. Instead of wearing a backpack on your back, opt for a crossbody bag or a front-facing sling bag. This makes it harder for pickpockets to steal without you noticing.
8. Do Your Research
Research is a crucial step when you plan your solo trip. First, research the destination you are going to and the customs (some of them are pretty simple, but can cause you a lot of trouble if you are unaware of them). Research the safest neighborhoods at your destination, safe ways to navigate the city, the place’s safety in general, etc.
9. Wear a Ring
Whenever guys approach you and ask if you travel alone, show the ring and say that you are here with your husband. Then, make up the story. So they might leave you alone.
10. Find Like-Minded Travelers
When I travel solo, I always look forward to meeting new people. After booking my tickets, I usually post about my plans on Couchsurfing to see if I can connect with locals or other travelers. If that doesn’t work out, I try to make friends on the spot. For example, when I was in New Orleans, I met a fellow traveler at my hostel, and we ended up exploring together.
It was a great experience! Being with someone, even for a little while, can make you feel safer and more confident. The opportunities to meet amazing people are endless when you’re open to it!
11. Book a Group Tour
Want to explore the place but don’t feel comfortable going on your own? Book a group tour. It doesn’t have to be expensive (as most tours are). Instead, it can be just a free walking tour. I’ve taken several, and I should admit they are pretty good. It is an excellent opportunity to explore great places safely (where you wouldn’t go alone) and meet new people.
12. Dress Appropriately
As I mentioned a bit about it in safety tip #5, dressing appropriately is very important. Need to take nice pics? No problem. Keep your hair in a ponytail or gather hair in a bun and keep it loose temporarily to take a pic, similarly, for clothes. You can take an extra shirt or dress to change into for taking a picture and change it again to more basic garments after.
When traveling in areas where safety is a concern, it’s best to avoid wearing very short shorts, skirts, or dresses. Choose more modest and practical clothing to help you blend in and reduce unwanted attention. This simple change can help you feel more secure while enjoying your trip.
13. Avoid Listening to the Music in Your Headset
This habit can be quite distracting, especially when you’re traveling solo. It’s important to stay aware of your surroundings at all times. Walking confidently with your head up and looking people in the eye can help you appear more self-assured and less like an easy target. You need to stay alert, and headphones or music can take away your focus on what’s going on around you.
14. Arrive at Your Destination During the Day
I always avoid arriving late because I feel uncomfortable traveling to my accommodation in the dark. It feels much safer during the day, even if there’s nothing to worry about. Try to plan to arrive before it gets dark.
15. Going Abroad? Learn Key Phrases in the Local Language
When traveling abroad, it’s important to keep in mind that not everyone speaks English. This can make navigating a new country a bit tricky. For instance, when I arrived in Costa Rica, my Uber driver didn’t speak much English, and I had trouble understanding him.
Thankfully, I had arranged to meet with a local through Couchsurfing, so I called him to help translate. It turned out that the driver was telling me I couldn’t sit in the back due to local laws—a detail I wouldn’t have caught on my own, since my Spanish was limited.
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16. Avoid Drinking
Drinking can help us relax and feel more confident, but it can also cloud our judgment and lead to decisions we might regret. It’s important to stay mindful of how much you consume. If you decide to drink, try to limit yourself to one or two glasses to maintain control and stay aware of your surroundings.
17. Check the Weather
Checking the weather in advance can help you avoid dangerous situations during your travels. Unexpected weather events like tornadoes, floods, or volcanic eruptions can happen, especially in certain regions. To stay safe, always make sure to check the forecast before heading out, so you won’t get stuck in unsafe conditions far from home.
18. Stay Connected
Always make sure your phone is charged (and you have an extra charger), all your maps are working (download the offline map as well), and you have someone to talk to in case you need it.
19. Use Apps
There are some apps you can use to report incidents and get help. Some of them are MayDay, Trip whistle, and Noonlight
20. Be Loud if You are in Danger
If you get into a dangerous situation where someone approaches you and tries to convince you to do something or follow you, be loud and yell. Scream so you can get everybody’s attention. After that unexpected behavior, they will leave you alone.
21. Don’t Post Your Location on Social Media
Especially if your account is not private, do not tell strangers where you at, as it can be taken to their advantage. Instead, share your plans and destinations with your close friends and family so only they know.
Also, you can tell your hotel or hostel staff about your solo travel plans in the city, if you are up to taking a solo or group excursion, and when you plan to return.
22. Choose Safety Among Cheap
If you’re trying to save money while traveling and are considering public transport in sketchy areas, think twice. It’s better to use a service like Uber or Bolt for a safer, more secure experience. The same goes for accommodation—make sure to choose well-reviewed, reputable places, even if they cost a bit more. Your safety should always be the top priority.
23. Always Have Some Cash on You
I either never have cash on me or have little, which, most of the time, is not enough. In some places (like Mexico and Thailand), you will need to pay with cash for a bus or taxi or smaller purchases at the store, etc. If you like me thinking, oh, that’s not a problem; I can get cash on the spot from the ATM, that’s not a very good idea as sometimes you can stay in a place where there are barely any ATMs around, and those are not even working (that was the exact situation with me in Cancun). So, try to have some emergency cash with you all the time.
24. Don’t Carry Valuables With You
Please leave them in the hotel/hostel. They do not serve any purpose while you are exploring places and can attract unwanted attention.
25. Have a Plan B
- Don’t like your hotel/hostel? Make sure you have another place in mind where you can stay.
- Are Google Maps not working? Download offline maps before you head to your destination.
- Did you forget the address and name of your accommodation? Write it down on paper, save a screenshot, or even get a business card from your accommodation, which you can show to the taxi driver (if they don’t speak English). So they will know where to drop you off.
- Your phone died unexpectedly? Have handy an extra portable charger.
26. Make a Copy of Important Documents
If your originals get stolen (which is less likely to happen if you are very cautious about it), restoring them and proving your identity will be easier. This simple tip is part of the 32 Essential Safety Tips Every Solo Female Traveler Must Know to help ensure you’re prepared for any unforeseen situations during your travels.
27. Do not Go Out on a Tinder Date at Night
It’s okay to use Tinder when you travel, so you might find a local buddy who can show you the destination, but try to avoid going out with new people at night. Better stay safe.
28. Carefully Select Your Accommodation Location
Although the hotel or hostel may be lovely, the location plays a huge role in our overall safety as solo female travelers. It’s crucial to make sure your accommodation is in a safe area with accessible transportation and nearby essentials. Even the best places can feel unsafe if they are in sketchy neighborhoods. Always research the surroundings of where you’re staying to ensure you’re choosing a safe spot.
29. Be Nice, Kind, and Polite
Being rude or dismissive can sometimes provoke unwanted behavior from others. However, when you’re kind, polite, and respectful, people are more likely to respond positively. They are more willing to help, offer advice, or simply make a connection with you. It’s a simple yet effective way to foster safety and positive interactions during your travels.
30. Talk to Locals
They can share the best tips with you, point you to the right places, help to save money, and show you where to get the best food, where not to go, and what to avoid.
31. Don’t Walk With the Phone in Your Hands
That is a good sign that you are a tourist. It is very inconvenient to take the phone out of the purse all the time and put it back, but it is a safer way. I ignored that before, but I recently realized that it is essential.
32. Enjoy Your Trip and Stop Over-Thinking
And this is the last tip and not the least important one. We all have this problem when we overthink, especially about our travel. The most popular questions we ask ourselves are What if? How can I go there? How will I feel being alone? Is it safe? Etc.
But let me tell you. Stop thinking about it and wasting your time. Life is all about experiences; while others believe it, you are losing the great opportunity to experience a new place to learn more about yourself and others. Travel solo is very safe; you need to take all the precautions mentioned in this post, get ready, and enjoy.
Final Thoughts
Did you already start feeling safer? I hope so. These 32 solo female safety travel tips are all you need to take with you on your travel. Solo travel should never be complicated. Instead, it should be enjoyable and leave only good memories for you. Instead, it should be enjoyable and leave only good memories for you. By following the 32 Essential Safety Tips Every Solo Female Traveler Must Know, you can ensure that your travels are safe and worry-free, allowing you to fully enjoy every moment.
Thank you for reading. If you know more tips for traveling alone, please share them in the comment below. Happy travel!
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