Solo Travel Safety

by

Travelling Safely When Solo

There’s a specific look people give you when you tell them you’re traveling solo: a mix of awe and “are you out of your mind?” We’ve all heard the horror stories and the well-meaning warnings, and if we’re being honest, a little voice in our heads sometimes whispers them back to us while we’re packing. But here’s the truth: the world is far less scary than the headlines make it out to be. Safety isn’t about staying home; it’s about moving through the world with a sharp intuition and a solid plan. In this post, we’re moving past the fear-mongering and getting into the practical, no-nonsense strategies that keep us safe while we’re out there living our best lives.

They say the world is a book, and those who don’t travel read only a page—but for women, sometimes it feels like we’re told certain chapters are off-limits. Traveling solo as a female isn’t just a trend; it’s an act of independence. However, freedom and foresight go hand-in-hand. You don’t need a black belt or a bodyguard to see the world; you need a toolkit of smart habits and a healthy dose of situational awareness. Whether you’re navigating a bustling night market in Bangkok or hiking solo in the Alps, mastering your safety means you can stop worrying about the “what-ifs” and start focusing on the “what’s next.”

20 Useful Solo Travel Safety Tips!

1. When taking cabs from an airport to your hotel, travel in the more expensive airport taxis and ensure that the drivers have official identification.

2. When traveling from your hotel to the airport, go with a cab recommended by the hotel.

3. Try not to arrive in a new city or town late at night.

4. Travel in a group if possible if you are going somewhere considered dangerous.

5. If going to South America learn the basics in Spanish/Portuguese before you arrive . Don’t expect that people will speak English.

6. Keep your valuables hidden.

7. Avoid going on your own to remote areas/ruins where tourist would be expected to go. Seek local advice or take a guide.

8. Read the guide books and talk with other tourists to find out which areas are best avoided.

9. When leaving discos late at night take a taxi home no matter how close your hostel is. Outside most discos you’ll find a street vendor selling cigarettes. Usually these people know all the taxi drivers and can recommend a safe one.

10. When arriving in a new town, keep to your original plan and stay in the hostel that you have decided on. Don’t let the taxi driver persuade you that your hostel is fully booked and that he knows a cheaper and better one. He’ll be working on commission and the hostel probably won’t be in a safe part of town.

11. Even better, when arriving lane/train in a new city, try to reserve your hotel in advance, preferably with a hotel that has an airport/station collection service.

12. Don’t wear expensive looking jewellery.

13. On public transport have your day pack close to you at all times, preferably with the straps around your legs or padlocked to the luggage rack. On buses your backpack will normally go outside, either on top of the roof or in the external luggage compartments. On long distance buses ask for a receipt for your bags. On short rides just keep a careful eye out each time the bus stops to off-load bags. In the event of having your bags stolen, stay with the bus – you will probably require a declaration from the bus company accepting responsibility for the loss in order to claim any money from your insurance company.

14. Leave your valuables in your hotel safe when making day trips or longer tours. Obtain a receipt not just for your money belt/wallet etc. but for its contents, with each item listed.

15. If you have to leave your passport and credits cards together place the credit card in a sealed envelope and sign your name across the flap. At least when you return you know for sure no-one else has been using it.

16. If planning on going to market areas, crowded streets, fiestas etc. don’t go with all your valuables. Leave them in the hotel. If your planning on buying something expensive keep your money safely in a money belt. Try to be discreet when opening it! To protect small change in your pockets you can stuff a handkerchief in after.

17. If the pavements are really crowded, especially in market areas, walk in the road.

18. If you suspect someone is following you, stop and stare them in the eye until they go. If you really get a bad feeling about a place, go with your first instincts and leave. Bag slashing is rare nowadays but for added safety you can wear your day pack on your chest.

19. If it’s on your back try to walk without stopping. If you need to stop, sway your pack gently from side to side so that you can feel if anyone is tampering with it.

20. When putting your bag down on the floor, to take a photo or just to sit in a café, remember to put your foot through the strap. Not only will it be impossible to snatch, you also won’t forget it! This is the most common type of theft – tourists forgetting bags in cafes and on returning to ask if anyone has seen it, you’ve guessed it, it’s gone.

At the end of the day, solo travel isn’t about being fearless; it’s about being prepared enough to be brave. While the world will always have its “what-ifs,” those shouldn’t be the anchors that keep you at the dock. By setting your boundaries, trusting that gut feeling that’s never led you wrong, and moving with a bit of “don’t mess with me” confidence, you’re doing more than just staying safe—you’re reclaiming your right to explore. Safety is simply the quiet foundation that allows you to enjoy the loud, vibrant, messy, and beautiful moments that only happen when you’re out there on your own. So, pack the portable door lock, download the offline maps, and tell your mom you’ll text her when you land—but then, give yourself permission to get lost in the magic of it all. You’ve got the toolkit, the intuition, and the drive; now all that’s left is to actually go.

Safety Research & Planning

  • Solo Female Travelers Safety Index: This is arguably the best resource out there. It ranks countries based on real data from women travelers, covering everything from harassment levels to theft risks.

  • U.S. State Department – Women Travelers: The official government breakdown of safety, health, and legal advice specifically tailored for women abroad.

  • GeoSure: An app and website that provides “neighborhood safety scores.” It’s incredibly precise, letting you know if one street is safer than the next for women and LGBTQ+ travelers.

Community & Connection

  • NomadHer: A dedicated app for female solo travelers to connect, find verified hosts, and join local meetups. It’s a great way to meet “instant friends” so you aren’t always alone at dinner.

  • Hostelworld (Female-Only Filters): If your readers are budget-conscious, remind them to use the “Female Dorm” filter here to find highly-rated, women-only spaces.