One of the most common emails I get from solo female travel hopefuls is in regards to safety. Maybe you’re worried that being alone will make you a target, your friends and family are telling you that you’re being irresponsible by going out into this big and scary world on your own, or your own inner-voice is holding you back with visions of worst-case scenarios.
Well screw all of that!
I’ve traveled for over three years now, almost exclusively by myself, and even in countries that are considered ‘dangerous’, with almost no issues whatsoever. What’s my secret? I believe that traveling alone has actually helped me stay safe. Why? My intuition is sharper, I am more aware of my surroundings because there’s nobody distracting me, and when locals see me, a girl on her own, they are more likely to want to help me than harm me.
The truth is, you already have the skills you need to stay safe when you travel. They’re the same skills you use at home to stay safe. But you don’t have to take my word alone for it. I asked 30 other solo female travelers to give me their best safety tips for traveling alone, and this is what they said:
Trust Your Gut
1. “Politeness is never more important than safety. While the world would be a better place if everyone was thoughtful and kind, sometimes people – especially women – let courtesy override our gut instincts because we don’t want to be rude or be told we’re “overreacting.” But we should always trust our intuition, stop worrying about what other people think, be nice when it’s warranted, and choose safety when it’s not.” – Katie, Domestiphobia
2. “It’s SO important to trust your instincts. If they tell you something is off, it probably is. And at the same time, if they tell you it’s all good, it probably is. It’s never let me down, ever.” – Milou, Explorista
3. If you’re couchsurfing and the situation feels uncomfortable, just leave! Aleah from Solitary Wanderer adds, “make sure you have alternate accommodation in mind. Print out or write down the addresses of nearest hostels so you know you have somewhere to go if your arrangements go south.”
4. Be open to positivity and don’t assume everyone is out to get you. As Dyanne from TravelinLass says, “I honestly rarely even think about ‘safety’ per se as I find most all folks friendly and helpful and not out to somehow harm me. Such harm can come via walking down the street of my home town after dark, and I see little difference if I’m backpacking across South Africa (yes, even in -OMG- Johannesburg), or skipping around Egypt.”
Stay Aware and Be Less of a Target
5. “One of my favorites: Conceal cash by rolling it up tightly and sticking it in an empty tampon applicator (unused!!). Slide it back into the wrapper and you’re set. Not many pickpockets will try to steal a tampon from your pocket!” – Sonja, Breadcrumbs Guide
6. Sofie from Wonderful Wanderings adds, “Don’t flaunt your valuables too much” which should seem obvious, but you’d be surprised how many people I see with their phones out on city streets or wearing jewelry when they travel! Just keep it hidden or at home. You don’t need to wear expensive rings and earrings when you travel.
7. “I wouldn’t listen to music with earbuds in while walking around in a city. It makes you less aware of your surroundings and also usually signifies to a would-be mugger that you probably have a smart phone in your pocket.” – Eva, Eva Explores
8. I’m a big advocate of walking with your back straight and your head held high, and looking people right in the eye when they address you. As Abi from Inside the Travel Lab jokes, “Learn to walk like a man.”
9. “Make sure you know of popular scams and problem areas within the city/region where you’re planning to travel. This isn’t to scare yourself silly before you start traveling, but rather just to be more aware of the place you’re heading to.” – Kasha, Lines of Escape
10. “Mind the booze. It is ok to have a couple of drinks but getting drunk in a foreign and unknown place could put you in danger and get you lost.” – Inma, A World to Travel
11. “Dressing appropriately can save you a lot of trouble, research about appropriate clothing for women wherever you go. Areas that are hot and humid are normally more comfortable in shorts and sleeveless tops, but it may not be suitable for certain traditions, cultures, and locations.” – Lyndsay Cabildo
12. When taking a taxi, keep your stuff with you in the back seat so that you retain control over when you can get out. It can be useful if the cab is taking a longer route, tries to overcharge you, or if things feel uncomfortable. As Stacey from One Travels Far adds, “I now put my bag in the back seat with me, and not the trunk so that if I need to jump out quickly I can.”
Talk to Locals
13. “I look for walking tours whenever I’ve arrived in a new destination while traveling solo. Walking tours give me the lay of the city, and help me find my way around without getting lost the first time. (Because otherwise, I ALWAYS manage to get lost.) Tour guides will usually point out any areas you might want to steer clear of, and I feel more confident about finding my own way around the city after being led by an expert.” – Britany, Travel Write Away
14. Combine fun and safety with this tip from Kristin of Souvenir Finder: “I love taking a ballet class at a local dance school to meet locals (you could do the same with a yoga or other class).” Locals can give you a great idea of where to go and what to avoid, plus, if they show you around that’s even better!
15. Do you already have connections in the country? Ask around on Facebook or ask locals. As Eva from Trevallog says, “When I was traveling in New Delhi alone, I asked a Tibetan friend whether he knew anyone in the town who I could travel together with. It turns out that he has a nephew who was enjoying school holiday and could accompany me to explore New Delhi the way locals do. I suggest to solo female travelers who are planning to travel to cities perceived as dangerous, to look around at their friends to see if they have any connections to local citizen at the destination city.”
16. “From my experience, women look after women, which is heartwarming. I travel solo, and local women are often really helpful. When I meet these women, I’m no longer alone.” – Teresa, Independent Travel Help
Transit Safely
17. “If I’m traveling solo after dark, I’ll often walk relatively close to a couple or a family. Usually, if I shoot them a smile, they’ll see that I’m not stalking them, but instead looking to walk with people. You’re less of a target if you’re by other people. If you ever do feel like you’re bringing followed, pop into the nearest restaurant or hotel. These usually have someone who speaks English and they’re more than happy to help.” – Stephanie, Travel Break
18. Another tip that came up several times is knowing when to splurge and when to save. After a bad experience in Hong Kong, Shing from The Culture Map says, “Don’t be a cheapskate is my new motto after spending a night in [a seedy place] alone.”
19. This counts for taxis, too. Personally, I always use Uber (If you want to try it, you can get your first ride free here) when I’m in South Africa or a country where taxis are often controlled by gangsters. The app tracks the driver and you, keeping both of your information in the system. Even better, the payment is done through the app via credit card so no money is exchanged. As Becky from The Girl and Globe adds, “Travel budgets are a good thing, but be willing to ‘splurge’ when it relates to your safety. Pay for taxis at night instead of walking alone.”
20. Another good taxi tip if you don’t have a SIM card to use Uber is to “take the driver who is least interested or maybe even sleeping. Chances are lower that he/she will have malacious plans!” – Manouk, Bunch of Backpackers
21. “Avoid traveling by train/bus/taxi by night if possible. Arrange to arrive at a new location in the light of day. Not only will you feel more at ease and be able to be more aware of your surroundings but there will also be more people around, giving you a more secure feeling.” – Cailin, Travel Yourself
22. “I always grab the business card or ask front desk/concierge to write down the name, address, and phone number of my accommodation. That way if I get lost or am in a cab and can’t communicate with a driver, I can hand it to them and I can get back home.” – Arnette, RTW Girl
Bring These With You
23. “Carry decoy money in a dummy wallet. Keeping most of your cash in your bra/money belt/wherever is great, but if someone wants cash from you and you have nothing to hand them, they could get angry or even violent. I always keep a few small bills in my wallet just in case, and the bigger bills elsewhere.” – Rease, Indecisive Traveler
24. In many countries, such as most of Europe, carrying mace or pepper spray is considered a concealed weapon. To get around this, I’d suggest using mosquito spray instead, or, as Lucy from WanderLuce suggests, “Use a miniature hairspray as a sneaky pepper spray replacement.” All of those hurt when they get into someone’s eyes.
25. “Most crimes are crimes of opportunity so its really all about putting yourself in the ‘too hard’ basket. Hence, I carry a personal safety alarm (the vigilante one) in my coat pocket that gives off a hell of a sound if I were to pull it.” – Britt, Roam to Wonder
26. “Invest in an alarm door stop (only like $15) that both slows someone in opening your door and also sounds an alarm when someone is trying to open it.” – Stephanie, Quarter Life Epiphany
27. “I put a flashlight in my shoe. If there’s ever an emergency at night I worry I’d forget a flashlight- but I’d always put my shoes on!” – Leyla, Women on the Road
28. Here’s MY biggest tip: Bring slash proof, RFID-blocking, and locking baggage with you. I religiously use my PacSafe cross-body bag and wire mesh bag protector and to date, knock on wood, have never had anything notable stolen. No method is completely fail-proof, but by using items like these, I make myself the most difficult and annoying person in the guest house or on the street to rob.
Stay Connected
29. “While you don’t have to check in with family or friends every day, it can be a good idea to regularly update some form of social media while on the road. Whether it’s Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, or even Foursquare/Swarm, these digital breadcrumbs can give peace of mind to others that you’re safe, wherever you are” – Edna, Expat Edna
30. “Let others know of your travel plans. I email people a copy of my itinerary and let them know if I change it.” – Valen, Travel Scamming
Most Importantly, Enjoy It
31. “Sometimes you need to be alone. To get some peace, to get space to think and to be at peace with the world and oneself. And sometimes this is only possible when there are no other people around, when you have time to talk to yourself, listen to yourself and leave go of all the hectic and stress of every day life. Enjoy this time. Take your time and do whatever YOU want. Go for a walk (in the daytime) just by yourself, sit in a café, go in a museum or do something adventurous. It can be anything. And try also not to speak to anyone. Just yourself. You will see that you actually enjoy your own company way more than you would have expected.” – Yvonne, Just Travelous
I hope these safety tips from these solo female travel experts help you stay safe and confident, and if you ever need a little encouragement, just remember how many women are out there traveling alone, and having a fabulous time doing it!
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Jenna Tarasco says
All of these are invaluable tips! Genius idea #24! I never would have thought of using Mozzie/hairspray as “Pepper Spray”!
Kristin says
I didn’t either until seeing it on a message board!
Elina says
These are all great tips, although for me personally some of them would be a little bit too much precaution – but I guess it depends on the place you’re travelling at. My go-to strategy is also to be the person who is the most difficult target, which also means looking confident when you walk around and generally a bit tough. I remember reading about some study that showed that muggers, pickpockets and whatnot don’t tend to go for people that carry themselves in a certain way.
I am also terrible with directions and maps, so usually I just wander off without knowing too much about the surroundings. If I do end up in a place I don’t know, I look for women and children. As long as there are both of them on the streets, I know the area is probably safe for me, too.
Kristin says
I agree with your tips and I think some of these are too much caution for Europe but just the right amount for South Africa, for example. Just depends on where you are but how you carry yourself is huge, I think!
Ijana says
There were a couple here that I never thought of before; picking an uninterested taxi driver is brilliant xD I have yet to visit somewhere that’s considered “dangerous,” and so far I haven’t had to use any more caution than I would at home. But these tips will be good to keep in mind when I do make it to those places.
Kristin says
A lot of these are overkill for most of the world but in Cities like Johannesburg I’d follow them all.
Sonja Riemenschneider says
Great tips, I never would have thought of some of these. This is getting me excited to do some more solo travel soon! Thanks for including my tampon tip, lol!
Kristin says
It’s such a great idea!
Brianna says
Definitely got a kick out of the tampon applicator tip. What I’m confused by is when you’ve stored your money in a tampon applicator (or bra or what have you), how do you just casually pull it out when you want to pay for something?
Kristin says
I am not that casual about it. No shame.
Aleah | SolitaryWanderer says
Great tips, Kristin. Thanks for including mine. I would love to have a personal safety alarm. I think it would be more effective than a whistle.
Dylan says
I really, truly appreciate how much time and effort and thoughtfulness you put into your posts (specifically) on solo female travel. Last year, when I was just starting to toss around the idea of long-term solo travel, your writing did so much to help me to start thinking of that as a viable option rather than just a daydream. (And it’s done a bit to calm my mom’s nerves, too, I think.) <3 You're rockin' it.
Kristin says
That’s so great, Dylan! It’s so encouraging to know that it helps women go live out their dreams. Happy travels!
bluebirdcab says
I appreciate your post! women has power we know it how to use it.
Lucy says
Awwww Kristin, I didn’t even realise you’d featured my bonkers tip (bonkers, but damn useful in a sticky situation!). Thanks girl 🙂
John says
I think by using common sense, making good decisions, and above all else, having confidence in yourself and your ability to travel on your own, you’ll be rewarded with rich experiences — and great stories to tell your friends.
Mahmoud says
Thank you for sharing the amazing tips! It is really great that you provided some useful tip to help keeping all of our solo travelers safe!
I’m sure there are too many solo would like to travel but they are not sure about their safety and comfort. Hopefully your shared tips will help more solo to travel.
Thanks
Katrina Peria says
Good read, Kristin! I really do agree with #20! Haha, especially when you live in our country (PH). Considering hundreds of islands you could choose travelling to. Security assurance is what most people here are concern about since you get to travel to different places via taxi especially when you’re a DIY-person. Anyway, thanks for these awesome tips and hacks! I love it! 🙂
Katrina Peria says
Good read, Kristin! I really do agree with #20! Haha, especially when you live in our country (PH). Considering hundreds of islands you could choose travelling to. Security assurance is what most people here are concern about since you get to travel to different places via taxi especially when you’re a DIY-person. Anyway, thanks for these awesome tips and hacks! I love it!
Morgan says
I totally agree with you! Traveling alone as a woman can be really dangerous, so it’s important to know the area well always be aware. These are great tips for staying safe! Thanks for the pointers!
larissa says
These are some great tips that I think everyone should know. I always make sure to be aware of my surroundings and to gauge the environment and the vibes I am getting from a certain place. As many said, it is so important to lean on your gut feeling.
emily bennette says
Staying aware and being less of a target is a smart thing for everyone to do. If you are wearing headphones and have your eyes glued to your phone you will be an easy target. It seems like it would be smart to learn personal safety if you travel a lot. That way, you and your loved ones will have peace of mind.
Monica says
I did quite a bit of solo travel 20+ years ago…before social media and all the fantastic info that is available now. I made a few mistakes in my youth…an Oktoberfest adventure for one, which looking back, I was lucky. Frequently, I would visit relatives in Rome but spend most of my time exploring on my own. Sad to say, I witnessed many muggings, but was never a victim myself. All of 5 foot nothing, I’m not an imposing figure but I carried myself with an attitude and awareness at all times. Now I travel to Rome with my husband and I can’t seem to make him understand that he can’t walk around with his head in the clouds like he does here in PA. Not to worry. I know how to keep us both safe! Be daring and adventurous…reading your blog is making me long for my solo travel days and think that I might still have some ahead of me!
Kristin says
I know plenty of married and coupled people who travel solo from time to time. I think it’s a great thing whether you’re single or hitched!
Yeah, I’ve known lots of people to have been robbed, but very few women, actually, who have had issues further than that. Like you said you just have to be very aware and let the whole world know that.
vittoria says
I’m planning a W or pheraps O paine circuit next march SOLO, my husband is always working so… thank you for all your advices and for how u encourage us to follow our dreams! Many greetings from Italy!
Kristin says
You’ll meet plenty of people. Have fun!
Karoline D says
Hey Kristin, being a solo traveler myself this was indeed an excellent guide for me. Trusting my intuitions has always been one of my greatest strengths while traveling alone. I am so fuelled by my adventurous urge that seldom people follow me to my destinations. So probably I will be traveling alone for a long long time. So thanks for sharing these tips which have indeed been a great help.
Kristin says
I feel the same, but I always meet awesome people wherever I go, so I’m never alone. I’m sure the same is true for you 🙂
Travel Lover says
This is really a great post. It is going to help me a lot when next time I will travel alone. Thanks a lot for sharing it with us.
Saha says
Thank you so much for sharing this article, I really enjoyed reading your blog post, keep writing guys.
kanchan Thakur says
Thank you for sharing amazing tips. Solo travelling is a challenge for itself, specially for women. It is the best option to self analysis. For my safety, cost and interest are really on high priority
Andrea says
Thanks for the tips, you girls are amazing!!!
Rose Clara says
Thanks Kristin for amazing or I will say few innovative tips too, I have been reading various blogs as I’m planning to travel alone and guess what you have written & shared some of the best tips… So thank you so much, i really appreciate for writing it for us..
Linnea Smith says
Hey Kristin these 31 tips are great and various inspirational for a girl like me to know these. As now I have started travelling to alone. I had just came from a trip to India and now ready to explore my bucket list..
#AswesomeTipsFromKristin
Kristin says
Awesome I’m glad you found them helpful and I think that’s super cool that you went to India! It’s still on my list.
Sorks says
My relationship is going south so as a reflex action I booked flights for myself a few months ago. I’m planning my first solo trip to London (it’s not a massive deal I’m just flying from Ireland) but it’s a big deal for me as this will be my first trip away by myself. I typed into Google places for female solo travelers and I came across your blog. I’m a bit nervous but finding your blog has really helped me. Especially the how to keep safe part as this is my biggest worry. I feel like when I come home from London in a few weeks I’ll be booking to somewhere further, maybe Vienna or Geneva. It’s made me feel better seeing that other women were nervous too at the beginning. Now I’m nervous and excited so thank you! People tell me that once I go away by myself and see how great it is just doing what I want to do, I won’t be able to stop. I hope that’s the case!
Kristin says
It’s certainly been the case with me! The freedom is amazing and it leaves so much room for meeting amazing people and having random, ridiculous, heart expanding experiences. Just be sure to join something social right away so that you meet people easily, like a walking tour or a food tour, or stay somewhere social like a hostel. Have fun! You got this!
viki says
I think these are all really good expecially trusting your gut after 2.5 years traveling by myself its the main thing i have learnt to do. also i would like to add having a cheap ring nothing special but being able to wear it on wedding finger as i noticed quickly in the pacific islands people looking at that hand and asking if i was alone i felt safer saying no with a ring on that hand rather than without.
Kristin says
If it makes you feel safer then it’s a simple little thing that doesn’t take up much space 🙂 I agree that the more time you’re on the road, the more your trust in yourself to make the right call grows.