Staying safe is engrained in women, and for solo female travellers it’s just something we have in the back of our mind at all times. Yes, it would be great to not have to focus on women fixing the problem, but rather fixing violence against women full stop. But I must park that wee rant, and focus on sadly, the reality. As solo female travellers, we do need to look after our safety.
This blogpost covers solo travel safety tips, personal safety strategies, and practical advice for anyone planning to travel alone.
Why Solo Travel Safety Matters
There is great freedom and empowerment with travelling alone, but there are also potential risks. This is not about scare-mongering, and in all my travels I’ve had very few incidents. I take similar precautions while travelling that I do at home. The world is also full of people who will help you, and while it’s easy to label some countries as highly dangerous, we can be quite blind to the dangers in our own country.
If you’ve read my travel memoir, Dare to Travel Solo, you’ll know that the whole reason I travelled with a lightweight bag was so I could always keep my gear safe and with me. I didn’t have a companion to keep an eye on me of my belongings, so the small bag was my solution. But property safety is only part of the equation. Personal safety is the big one. For this blog, safety isn’t about fear. It’s about being prepared and confident.
Relaxing but still aware.
1. Solo travel planning: Research & Preparation
When researching your destination consider the local culture, safe neighbourhoods, and local laws. You’ll be looking at this regarding what your wear, so you’ll have an awareness building.
Plan your transport. Think about how you’ll get from the airport, using reputable taxis/rideshares, sitting on the train carriage where the guard is, or where there’s lots of people. Although currently having a flashback to my daughter and I arriving in Chicago and racing for the train, only to find ourselves in the last carriage, in an uncomfortable but not threatening situation.
I’ve started using hotel pickups if that’s available. It also removes the stress after a long flight.
Here’s a link to a great article I was sent recently about staying safe with taxis and Uber etc. It’s very thorough and works for home as well. In NZ and Australia, it’s common to get into the front seat of a taxi or uber to have a chat. But it’s becoming more common for passengers to sit in the back seat. And I love with apps like Uber you can check the driver details and follow your trip on your phone.
I try and land in daylight hours. Although that didn’t work so well, when my airline changed my flight from Dubrovnik and had me landing in Rome at 7pm instead of 3pm. The best laid plans, eh?
Share your itinerary: Let someone you trust know where you’re staying and your transport plans.
Don’t skip travel insurance. It’s essential for solo travellers. Comprehensive coverage protects you in case of medical emergencies, cancellations, or lost luggage.
Notify your home countries travel advisory authority. Consider registering your trip with your country’s embassy or consulate or travel safety authority. This way, you’ll receive important travel alerts and have support in case of emergencies.
2. Travel Safety Apps and technology for solo travellers.
Use safety apps: e.g., bSafe, Life360, SOS apps. To be honest, I don’t use any of these, but I know lots of people who do.
I share my itinerary on our family chat and usually comment each day, so they know I’m alive. Sometimes I have my adult children following my location. When I was on my first trip I posted every night on Facebook, so friends and family knew where I was. I tend not to post so often now.
Stay online: Keeping connected or at least having the ability to stay connected is important. I know plenty of travellers who just use wi-fi when they’re at their accommodation or at a café, but I always have a backup plan. More recently I’ve used an e-sim. It’s handy to have data if you need it.
Digital security. Use a VPN when connecting to public Wi-Fi and enable two-factor authentication on your important accounts. I’m a bit green in this area, so definitely do your won research on digital security.
Before you go, research common scams in your destination. Knowing what to watch for can help you avoid trouble.
Pack a power bank to keep your phone charged. Mine is quite heavy but I take it on multi-day hikes.
My favourite map app is Maps.me. The trick is to download the regions you are going to when you have strong data. On the free plan it is limited to 10 maps. But I find this particular app easy to use. My favourite feature is that I bookmark where I’m staying, or a great café, or where the bus pick up area was (if you’ve read Dare to Travel Solo – you’ll know why that’s important!)
When out and about, having the ability to be connected is super important for me.
3. How to choose safe accommodation for solo travellers.
Prioritise security. Stay in places with good reviews, secure locks, 24/7 staff or host, and in safe neighbourhoods. I often look for reviews by solo travellers. Solo travellers share great tips, and they know what people need to hear.
If hostelling, pack a small padlock as shared rooms have lockers. I have a clever lock that has an extendable, non-cuttable cord, so I can loop it through my bag and then a chair or table leg, or a bunk bed. It won’t stop a determined thief with bold cutters, but it will stop the opportunist.
I’ve met travellers who use door locks or portable door alarms to add an extra layer of security.
4. Stay aware when out and about...
Or as my mother always said, keep your wits about you. Trust your instincts. If something feels off, walk away.
As a solo traveller you will find you become hyper-attuned to what’s happening around you. My trick is to put my bag against the wall and scan the area. I duck into shops, cafes and pubs to check the map if I haven’t memorised it beforehand. I look like I know where I’m going – these are all tricks I learned nursing in London in the 90s. Going to different hospitals each night for nightshift at 9pm I would tuck my A-Z into my coat and march towards my destination looking like I was a local.
5. How to secure your belongings while travelling alone.
Anti-theft gear is promoted like slash-proof bags, lockable zippers, RFID wallets. I have a RFID card holder and a normal cross body bag. I split my money/cards, so not to carry everything in one place.
Keep some emergency cash hidden separately from your main wallet and cards.
Keep digital and physical copies of your documents like your passport, insurance, emergency contact list. It’s a bit more work before the trip but when you need it, you’re grateful that you took the time to do it.
Padlocks with extendable loops or a light chain are brilliant at securing bags when on trains and buses. It won’t stop a well-prepared thief, but may deter opportunistic thefts.
Pack carry on only! I nearly forgot to mention this. But seriously, the best way to keep your belongings from going walkabout.
My trusty daybag - all 24L and 5 kilos/11 pounds.
6. Personal & sexual safety while travelling solo.
Be social, but smart. Solo female travel doesn’t mean isolating. Tours and group meetups are a great way to meet people in a safe environment.
Don’t share too much too soon, especially accommodation details or that you're travelling alone. I often get asked where my husband is, and I say my friend is meeting me at the bar, restaurant, or hotel. I also end voice messages to myself, pretending I’m sending it to my friend…” Hey, I’m just in the taxi. I’ll be there in 10 minutes.”
When out at bars don’t leave drinks unattended and limit alcohol.
Solo travel is liberating, but it’s important to stay mindful of personal safety in all situations, including sexual safety. If you choose to be intimate, use protection to reduce the risk of sexually transmitted infections. Carry your own condoms so you know they haven’t expired or been compromised, and you’ve got them when you need them.
Be cautious with dating apps or meeting new people and always meet in public spaces first. Trust your instincts and set clear boundaries. If something feels off, it’s okay to walk away.
An STI is not the kind of souvenir you want to bring home.
Just photos and memories as souvenirs.
7. Health precautions for all travellers
Check that you’re up to date with vaccinations if these are required in the country you are visiting. Carry a basic first aid kit. I make sure I have enough things for 24 hours until I can get to a pharmacy. But if in remote places you’ll need to pack more. Always talk to your doctor about your health and travel.
8. Trust Your gut & set boundaries.
If something feels uncomfortable or unsafe, assert your boundaries and exit. I have found travelling solo has my gut and instinct highly aware of situations and I seem to be able to read people much clearer. It helps that I don’t drink so my clarity and inhibitions are never compromised by alcohol.
Learn polite exit phrases in the local language. And always know the local word for police and help in the local language. Although screaming needs no translating and speaking in a loud voice is very off-putting to attackers.
I always know what the local emergency numbers are.
9. Use personal safety tools.
I know some female travellers carry a personal alarm or whistle. I've got a whistle for hiking on my backpack - but I don't think it's particularly loud. Maybe I need to find my old hockey umpiring whistle - that would deafen anyone!
I did a self-defence training course with my daughter. The biggest thing it taught me was to act strong and defiant, shout, get them off-balance and then get away. Basic safety products like keyrings entwined in your fingers is an old trick.
10. Online & social media safety for solo travellers.
Generally the advise is to not broadcast your real-time location or accommodation publicly. I figure that I don't share my home address online, so I don't do it while travelling. My posts are often a few days behind schedule and sometimes my location is abit vague.
Use privacy settings so only trusted people can see your updates or set up a private Facebook group for close family and friends.
Posting pics a few days later - avoiding being followed /stalked.
11. Mental health & wellbeing for solo travellers.
Loneliness or anxiety can happen with solo travel. But with social media, WhatsApp and phones it is so much easier these days to reach out.
In Japan this year I hurt my neck and woke in the night in extreme pain. I felt so scared and wondered who I could ring. A friend said that she set up a group on WhatsApp, that if she needed someone to talk to, she’d post a message. With the friends all in different time zones there was always someone who’d answer. And by responding, the others would know she’d been replied to.
Plan check-ins with friends or family. Video calls are fun. I still remember taking my Mum and sister on a walk around the walls of Korcula in Croatia. It’s still one of my highlights of the trip having them there with me.
12. Cultural Safety on your solo journey.
I like to remind myself that when I am visiting a country it is a privilege not a right, and I am a guest in that country.
Colonisation has done a lot of damage to many places around the world, and as travellers, it’s on us to be mindful not to add to that harm.
I make a point of learning about local customs, the history, etiquette, and what’s considered respectful clothing before I go. It’s amazing how much more comfortable you feel (and how much more welcoming people are) when you make an effort to blend in and show respect for their culture. Even small gestures, like greeting people in the local language or following local dining habits, can go a long way.
It’s all part of staying safe and making the most of your solo adventure.
Final thoughts: Empowerment through preparedness.
Staying safe isn’t about fear. It’s about being wise, resourceful, and prepared. Every traveller’s risk tolerance is different, so pick what works for you. Travelling solo can be transformative and deeply liberating when done smartly.
When I’m weighing up whether something is a wise move while I’m travelling, I always ask myself, “Would I do this at home?” If the answer is a definite “no way,” then that’s my cue to give it a miss.
Just a wee reminder. This isn’t a comprehensive list, and everyone’s journey is different. Do your own research, trust your instincts, and tailor your safety plans to fit your destination and comfort level.
If you want to read more about my first solo trip, and there’s loads of stories in there about staying safe…and breaking my own rules!!! Check out my book, Dare to Travel Solo: Exploring Croatia and Italy with a light carry-on bag and a ton of determination.
And I’ll leave you with a quote that popped up on my Instagram page while writing this…
Danger is contextual. It’s not in the places you go – it’s in the choices you make when you get there. - Beck Sharron @betweenthedots.travel
