Empowering Female Solo Travelers: Solo Travel Safety Tips and Insights
Traveling solo as a woman is one of the most exhilarating experiences you can have. I've traveled alone many times and have absolutely loved it. Solo travel is all about freedom, discovery, and embracing the world on your own terms. But let’s be real - safety is a big part of the equation. I wish this wasn't the case. I wish blogs like these didn't need to be written. But as women, we all know we have to take extra things into account when we do anything, particularly big things like traveling. I’ve been there, and I know how important it is to feel secure while exploring new places. Feeling physically safe can be the difference between an experience filled with memorable moments and personal growth, and one that leaves you holding your breath and counting down the days until you can go back home. So buckle up! I’m sharing my top female solo travel safety tips and insights to help you travel confidently and smartly. We can't eliminate all risks, but we can certainly take some steps to mitigate them. Let’s dive in!
Why Solo Travel Safety Tips Matter
Traveling alone means you’re your own boss, but it also means you’re responsible for your own safety. If you're thinking about traveling alone for the first time, don't let this put you off. It's not about being paranoid and spending your whole trip looking over your shoulder - it’s about being prepared. When you've done your research and know how best to protect yourself, you can relax and enjoy every moment of your adventure.
For example, when exploring a new city I do some research the neighborhoods I plan to visit, and do a deep dive on the neighborhood I plan to stay in. I read up on the destination in published travel guides (I'm a big Lonely Planet girl), browse online travel forums, and will ask questions if I can't find what I need. This helps me avoid potentially sketchy areas and stick to safe, welcoming spots.
Pro tip: Always share your itinerary with a trusted friend or family member. It’s a simple step that adds a layer of security and peace of mind.
Essential Safety Tips for Female Solo Travelers
Here’s where the rubber meets the road! These are the practical, no-nonsense tips I swear by when I’m on the road alone:
Stay Connected
Keep your phone charged and carry a portable charger. Don't forget to make sure that portable charger is full every morning before you go out - it's of no use if it's got no juice! Research useful local apps before your trip, and have them on your phone before you arrive. Having a physical local SIM card, an eSim, or a reliable roaming option on your mobile phone plan is a game-changer. In this day and age, there's no reason not to be connected. If you're solo hiking with no mobile service, have a satellite messenger device in case you run into trouble - the Garmin InReach is a popular, top-rated option.
Long gone are the days of traveling abroad and losing connectivity. Even these style SIM cards will soon be a relic of the past, with the rise of eSIMs. Pack Smart
Bring a small, secure day bag for when you're out and about. I'm a big fan of the Travelon Anti-Theft bags, which have a slash-resistant body, locking compartments, and RFID blocking. Getting robbed sucks in any situation, but it's even worse if it happens when you're alone.
My trusty Travelon bag and I posing up against a wall in France in 2022 Make sure the bag is also packed with essentials: a whistle or noise making device, pepper spray (where legal), a small flashlight, and copies of important documents. If you're abroad, should you carry your passport on you? Technically, many countries require foreign visitors to carry their original passport or government-issued ID on them at all times, and not having it can lead to fines or complications if police or authorities ask for an ID check. If you choose to carry it, it's safest in a money belt or hidden pouch, or at a bare minimum locked in a compartment inside an anti-theft bag that you won't go in and out of otherwise. Depending on where I am in the world, sometimes I have my cash and cards in a purse as I would at home, and sometimes all the valuables are in a money belt under my shirt. Do your research and do what makes you feel safest.
If you carry it on you while out and about, keep it as secure as possible Trust Your Gut
If something feels off, it probably is. As women, many of us are conditioned from birth to be friendly, pleasant, and accommodating, regardless of the situation. F**k that. Don’t hesitate to leave a situation or say no to someone. Your intuition is your best travel guide. Even if the person making you feel weird truly is well-intentioned, hurting their feelings (which they'll likely forget about in an hour) vs. potentially putting yourself in a dangerous situation? No contest. Always choose you.
Dress to Blend In
Avoid flashy jewelry or clothing that screams “tourist.” If you stick out like a sore thumb, thieves will have an easier time finding and targeting you. Also be careful with cameras, depnding on where you are in the world. A woman alone with a big fancy camera is going to stick out as an easy target. That's not to say leave the DSLR at home - taking photos is one of my favorite things to do when I travel! Just be aware of your surroundings before setting up that perfect shot.
I brought my camera and tripod on this trip to Zion National Park. It was a chilly winter morning and I had the place to myself, so I set up the camera and took some shots. Fancy cameras and solo travel can mix beautifully, in the right circumstances. Learning a bit about local customs and dress codes can also save you from unwanted attention. My first time leaving the western world was in 2005, when I spent a week in Morocco on a small, semi-private tour. I did no research on anything, and ended up on a brief stop in a small, non-touristy town wearing shorts and a tank top. No one said anything directly to me, and I never felt physically unsafe, but oh my, those stares! From both men and women. They pierced my soul and made me feel like a zoo animal. Lesson learned. I never forgot how I felt walking around for that hour or so, and now I always dress to respect local customs.
(l) the small, non-touristy town in Morocco we visited back in 2005; (c) me posing in my shorts and t-shirt just outside town, after my weird zoo animal experience; (r) me, older and wiser, in Egypt in 2019, covered up for visiting a small mosque in Cairo.
Use Reputable Transportation
Always opt for official taxis or rideshare apps. Avoid hitchhiking or accepting rides from strangers, even if they seem well-intentioned. And many of them will be! I watch a lot of male travel YouTubers, and I'm jealous sometimes that they get to do these kinds of things and have these wacky, wonderful experiences that feel like they're off limits to us. It sucks. But your safety has to come first. Always choose you.
Mugging for the camera with a face full of food on a Swiss train in 2025. Not every form of transit will be as safe feeling as a Swiss train in broad daylight, but sticking to the most reputable of your options is always the best bet. Stay in Safe Accommodations
Choose places with good reviews, secure locks, and 24/7 reception. Hostels can be great for meeting people, and while at age 42 I've retired from them, I have stayed in many when I was younger and had wonderful experiences. If you go the hostel route, private rooms or female-only dorms are the best bet. In my younger backpacking years my go-to accommodation was 4 to 6 bed female only dorms. If female only dorms weren't available, I'd share a room with men as a last resort. I never personally had a problem with my fellow male roommates (other than some wicked snoring and occasional questionable body odor), but I also met plenty of women during my travels who had some less than pleasant encounters in shared dorm rooms.
I stayed in countless 4 to 6 bed female dorms at the YHA properties in Australia when I traveled the country from mid 2011 through mid 2012. I liked sticking with a brand I knew and trusted. Now that I'm older and stay more often in hotels, there are still plenty of safety precautions to take. When checking in, avoid mentioning to hotel staff or strangers that you're by yourself. Request a room in a well-trafficked area of the floor, preferably not at the very end of a long hallway. If during the check-in process the front desk says your room number out loud where others can hear, ask for a different room.
Hotel front desk staff, even the females, aren't always going to be thinking about these issues - you are your own best advocate. When in the room, use every lock on the door, including the deadbolt, security latch, and swing-bar lock. I also bring a portable door lock and a doorstop alarm. They're both pretty cheap to buy and small for easy packing. The portable door lock provides an additional layer of protection and can prevent someone from opening the door, even with a working keycard. The door stop alarm wedges under the door and sounds an alarm if someone tries to open it.
The doorstop alarm and portable door lock I bring with me on my solo trips Learn Basic Local Phrases
Knowing how to say simple phrases, particularly in areas where English isn't widely spoken, can be very helpful. Obviously in this day and age we have translation apps that can do wonders, but if you lose or can't get to your phone, or just need to communicate something quickly, knowing how to say things like “help,” “no,” “go away," or “I need a doctor” in the local language can be invaluable.
I love this part of trip prep, I think languages are so much fun! Lonely Planet guides have great basic phrases in the back of the book. Keep Emergency Numbers Handy
Do you know many phone numbers by heart? I certainly don't. Look up and save local emergency contacts on your phone and also write them down somewhere accessible. Emergency service numbers are different everywhere you go, and you don't want to be stuck needing to call them and having no idea how to. In general, make sure you write down any phone number you might need and stick it somewhere safe. For example, I always write down the international phone numbers of any credit cards I am taking on the trip - that way if my bag and phone are stolen, I can still easily cancel the cards.
Limit Night Travel
If you can, avoid walking alone at night. Use trusted transport and stay in well-lit, populated areas. This, of course, isn't always going to be possible, so my advice here would be to trust your instincts and stay on alert. I had long walk back from the tube in London a couple of years ago that passed by an area that made me uncomfortable - that internal, woman's "spidey sense" was surging. The next time I needed to do the walk, I got off at a different station. It was a slightly longer walk to get to where I needed to be, but it went through an area that felt much safer to me. Stay on high alert when out at night alone, trust your gut, and don't be afraid to pivot.
Nighttime exploring can be magical, but it does bring increased risk Stay Sober and Alert
You're off having an adventure and are out seeing the world! It's ok to have a cocktail or a glass of wine. I know I certainly have in the past. Enjoy your drink, but keep your wits about you and absolutely NEVER leave your drink unattended. It's a rule we all do our best to follow even when we're at home, but it's even more critical when you're traveling alone. Being drugged anywhere, anytime, is absolutely awful, and it's b*llsh*t that this is something we have to worry about in bars, when we're just there to have a drink and a nice time. But being drugged when alone in a foreign country is even worse. It's so easy to let your guard down while riding that travel high, but don't do it. Have the drink. Enjoy the vibes. But don't ever leave the drink unattended, and be more conservative with alcohol intake than you might be at home.
Many of these tips might sound like common sense, but when you’re in a new place, it’s just so easy to get caught up in the excitement and forget them. I keep a checklist on my phone to remind myself!
How to Build Confidence as a Female Solo Traveler
Confidence is going to be one of your best travel companions! When you feel confident, you naturally attract positive energy and handle challenges better. Here’s how I boost my confidence before and during trips:
Prepare Thoroughly
The more you know about what to expect at your destination, the less anxious you’ll feel. Research your specific destination’s culture, transportation, and safety tips.
Practice Assertiveness
As I mentioned earlier, women are commonly unwittingly conditioned to be accommodating, often to our own detriment. Break that cycle. Saying “no” firmly and clearly is actually super empowering! Practice this at home if you need to. Seriously. It's like training for a sport or competition - you don't just show up and expect success. You practice beforehand, so that on game day you know exactly what to do and can do it in a way that feels like second nature.
Start Small
If you’re new to solo travel, try short trips or destinations known for being safe and friendly to solo women travelers. Even if your goal is to eventually spend 2 months backpacking through ***insert complicated destination here,*** you have to walk before you can crawl. Building confidence is key. The more experience you have under your belt, the more ready you'll become to tackle anything you set your mind to. Each trip you go on alone will help build your travel muscle.
Connect with Other Travelers
Join online communities or local meetups. Apps like NomadHer, Travel Ladies and Tourlina are great places to connect with other female solo travelers. Find a few female solo travel content creators and follow their journeys on social media. You can even use the comments as a place to chat with other women who are also keen to hit the road on their own. Sharing experiences with others can boost your confidence along with providing support and good on-the ground intel for your destination.
Celebrate Your Wins
Every time you navigate a new city or handle a tricky situation, give yourself credit. Heck, when you book your first solo trip give yourself credit! So many people, both men and women, are afraid to get out there on their own.
Remember, confidence grows with experience. Each trip makes you stronger and more self-assured!
How to Handle Uncomfortable Situations on the Road
Despite all of our preparations and vigilance, the fact remains that sometimes you might face uncomfortable or unsafe situations. Here’s my go-to approach for handling them:
Stay Calm and Assess
Don't panic. Easier said than done, but a panicked brain isn't the best tool to help you figure out the best course of action. Take a deep breath and then evaluate the situation as quickly as possible.
Use Your Voice
Speak loudly and clearly. Sometimes simply drawing attention is the best defense. Don't be afraid to look stupid or crazy. If you feel unsafe and shouting is going to draw the attention of others toward what's happening, then use that voice and use it loud.
Have an Exit Strategy
Again, easier said than done, but if something is starting to feel off, evaluate how to leave quickly and safely if it escalates.
Seek Help
Don’t hesitate to ask for assistance from locals, police, or fellow travelers. Local women in particular can sometimes be very helpful if you're feeling harassed or followed.
Have Your Tools Easily Reachable
If you choose to carry any tools in your bag such as a whistle, noise maker, or pepper spray, ensure you always know where they are in your bag and that they are aeasily accessible. That pepper spray won't help you if you can't find it or if it's always buried underneath a bunch of other items.
Document If Needed
If something serious happens, immediately take notes or photos discreetly to report later. Trauma can hinder our memories, so document everything you can.
Report Incidents
Reporting helps protect you and others. Many countries have hotlines or support services for travelers. Research your resources beforehand. No one ever wants to have to use them, but if you have a scary situation it's best to know what to do beforehand.
Remember, your safety is the priority. No adventure is worth risking your well-being. Always choose you.
Embracing the Solo Adventure with Confidence and Joy
I want to close with reminding you that there is a line between being vigilant and being paranoid. This post is all about the bad stuff - all the things that can go wrong. Don't head off on your trip scared. If you do, you may be one and done. While bad things do unfortunately happen and we do need to take care of our safety in ways that men don't, danger is not going to be lurking out at you from every corner.
Solo travel is such a powerful way to connect with yourself and the world. With the right safety mindset and preparation, you can turn every trip into an unforgettable adventure. It’s not about fear or paranoia - it’s about empowerment. You are capable, smart, and ready to explore. So if you're game to head out alone, then pack your bags, trust your instincts, and step out with confidence. You are a lioness, and she does not travel in fear. She walks into new environments with her head held high, commanding respect without saying a word. The world is waiting for you.
Happy travels, fearless adventurer!
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