9 Essential Solo Female Travel Tips
Solo travel is one of the most rewarding experiences for women to have. Arriving in new cities can help women face fears and become more confident and independent, all while living new and incredible experiences.
However, staying safe is vital and a concern many women have. It’s also very intimidating. Unfortunately, it’s not a perfect world out there, and there are safety risks that solo female travelers face.
Thankfully, there is more kindness out in the world than many of us imagine. But for those of you who are concerned, here is a list of solo female travel safety tips to help you enjoy and feel safer during your travels.
9 solo Female Travel Safety Tips
Table of Contents
Safety Tips
1. Avoid Traveling at Night
As a solo female travel, the best thing you can do to feel safer is to avoid traveling at night. Even if a city is busy and you’re familiar with it, limited daylight brings certain risks. Try booking your flights to arrive during the day and avoid overnight transportation.
During overnight transportation, you are more likely to fall asleep and could be prone to your belongings going missing. This doesn’t mean it’s not safe to travel at night, but you want to avoid it in certain places.
2. Keep Your Valuables Hidden
No matter where you go, there is a chance of having thieves and pickpockets steal from you. Usually, criminals target those who flash their valuables. Carrying a camera around your neck and having your phone in your hand makes you a target. Only have these items out when you have to use them.
If you are at a restaurant, keep your purse or backpack on your legs and not sitting on a chair. Also, put your phone away and not on top of the table. If you are on public transportation, especially on an overnight bus, wrap your small backpack or purse around your hand or foot for when you fall asleep.
You’ll be surprised to know that there are many pickpockets in cities that are considered safe and popular, such as those in Europe. However, don’t assume crime only happens in third-world countries. It can happen anywhere.
Lastly, don’t be paranoid about your belongings. Simply use common sense and good judgment, and everything should be okay.
3. Be Alert and Look Confident
When thieves and criminals are looking for targets, they look around to see who looks the most vulnerable. But, of course, as a tourist, you already are. So, try to walk around, appearing as confident as possible, even if you are lost.
If you aren’t comfortable pulling out your phone on the street to check GPS, go into the closest store and search from there.
Also, be aware of your surroundings. If a place or a person gives you bad vibes, leave. Remember that some touristy areas have more pickpockets. Be mindful of people that get too close or approach you to talk. Finally, keep an eye on your stuff.
4. Make Friends at Your Accommodation
Whether you stay in a hostel or a hotel, making friends in the city you visit is an excellent way for someone to know where you are. When staying in a hotel or hostel, you can let them know you are traveling alone.
Tell them where you’ll be for the day and when you plan to come back. You can also let them know not to give out your information to random strangers.
Hotel staff is knowledgeable about what areas to visit and what places to avoid, so go ahead and ask them for advice.
In a hostel, you can make new friends who are also traveling solo. You can explore the city together and have each other’s back, especially when going out at night.
5. Tell Someone Your Travel Plans
Make sure someone knows your plans whether your visit a city or head out to the wilderness. If a friend, family member, or hotel staff is updated about where you are, they’ll expect to hear from you.
Likewise, if they don’t hear from you, it will raise a red flag. You can also let someone know the name of the hotel you are staying at, and you can even forward someone your itinerary.
6. Protect Your Trip
Travel insurance is vital while traveling because it protects you from anything travel and medical-related. It ensures you have a safe journey. It would help if you had this to protect you from flight cancellations, stolen goods, or any injury you have while going on adventures.
If you are a US Citizen, you can enroll your trip with the nearest US embassy or Consulate through the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP).
9 Essential Solo Female Travel Safety Tips
7. Avoid Sharing Certain Information and Having Conversations with Strangers
Befriending hotel staff and other locals is fine, but sometimes, you’ll want to avoid sharing information with people you don’t sense a good vibe from. Perhaps you can tell the taxi driver you are meeting a friend instead of saying you are alone. If you don’t trust someone, you don’t need to share what you do and where you work. You can even lie about where you’re staying.
Also, it’s essential to know that some countries aren’t as liberal, and specific conversations are big no’s. For example, it is forbidden to talk badly about the Royal Family in Thailand, and in Cuba, Communism is a delicate subject. So make sure to know the customs and norms of each country before engaging in specific conversations.
8. Have Copies of Your Travel Documents
Losing your passport on the road can be an absolute pain to get replaced or to continue traveling. The best thing you can do is have a photocopy of it and keep it scanned on your computer and smartphone.
Then, if something were to happen, your local embassy can help you replace it. Do this for any other important documents such as vaccine cards, IDs, boarding passes, and any other important documents.
9. Know the Emergency Numbers
If you find yourself in an emergency, it’s important to know who to call. Keep important numbers of the local police and ambulance, as well as the hotel’s number. If you are on tour and separating from your guide for a bit, take down their number. Log all those essential numbers into your phone.
Nowadays, we rely on our cell phones to remember our loved one’s numbers. However, if you lose your phone and need to get in contact with someone, you can feel completely lost without a way to contact them. Therefore, memorize at least the number of your most commonly frequented contact from back home.
Things to Pack: Solo Travel
Travel Booking Resources
Book Your Flight:
To find cheap flights, check Skyscanner and Google Flights. These search engines check airlines to find you the best deals. The more flexibility you have, the better flight deals available.
Book Your Accommodation:
Booking.com is my favorite booking site for hotels but it also shows great deals on hostels and apartments. Plus, when you reach Genius Level, you get special discounts, included breakfasts, and upgrades on some hotel rooms. Hostelworld is specifically for budget travelers who enjoy hostels. This is the best place for finding great options.
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance and Visa Applications:
Travel insurance will protect you against theft, injury, illness, and cancellations. Sometimes unexpected things happen during a trip and protections will keep you covered. Two great options are: Safety Wing and World Nomads. Also, iVisa can help you get a visa if you need one.
Book Tours:
Sometimes the best way to see a place is through tours. I recommend checking out Get Your Guide for some fun and unique adventures wherever you go.
Check out my other travel resources to help you book your trip!
Disclaimer: Some of the links on this page are affiliate links. This means that if you click on a link and purchase a product, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. Please note I only recommend products and brands that I personally use or have used and believe in.
9 Essential Solo Female Travel Safety Tips
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