14 Great Tips for Staying Safe as a Female Solo Traveler

As a woman who likes to travel solo, I’ve had my fair share of scary situations abroad. Luckily, over the past years, I’ve picked up a couple of habits that help me not only stay safe, but also give me peace of mind while traveling on my own. In this post, I’m sharing my best tips for staying safe as a female solo traveler.

1. Stay in touch with loved ones

Before you leave on your trip, share your itinerary with a few people you trust. Tell them where you’re staying and what you’ll be doing when. Keep them updated while you’re on your trip.

Check in with someone at home regularly. Schedule a time that you’ll contact them whether it’s daily or every couple of days.

If you’re traveling internationally, get a SIM card as soon as you can – preferably even beforehand. A great option is using an eSIM like Airalo (if it is compatible with your phone) – it’ll save you money and you’ll have reception as soon as you arrive.

Keep emergency contacts on hand, including local emergency numbers, your home country’s embassy, and someone you trust (at home).

2. Connect with fellow travelers

Connecting with other travelers and locals is a great way to not only stay safe as a female solo traveler, but also to enrich your travel experience.

Consider staying in social accommodations, like hostels. A lot of hostels host events and group activities that are great for getting to know new people. On top of this, you’ll likely end up saving money on accommodation.

Joining group tours and activities for sightseeing, especially in more isolated areas, will make you feel safer and less confused. One of my favourite type of activities to try when I’m traveling is a group cooking class. Not only do I learn about the local cuisine, but it’s such a fun way to meet fellow travelers with interests similar to mine. After all, what brings people together like food?

If you work while you travel, check out some local co-working spaces. They also often host social events for travelers.

Another great option is to volunteer during your trip. A fantastic way to do this is by joining Worldpackers, which has opportunities all around the world. For a small membership fee, you’ll be able to join volunteer programs in exchange for free accommodation. Usually, you only work a few hours a day and have the rest of the day to explore the local area. It’s a fantastic way to connect with like-minded travelers.

3. Choose the right destinations

It’s important to remember that some destinations just aren’t safe for a female solo traveler. Period. Do your research on the places you want to see before you plan anything. If you’re unsure, it’s better to travel with a group or a male companion.

There are several platforms where you can find group trips specifically for women. Many travel influencers nowadays host group trips, which can be a fantastic experience.

Some great companies to find these types of trips include:

• Adventure Women: A travel company with destinations across 5 continents. Group sizes are usually around 12 to 15 women.
• Sisterhood Travels: Specifically designed for solo female travelers above 45 years old.
• Intrepid Travel: Though not exclusively for women, the company gives you the option of choosing a women-only trip. They host trips to over 100 countries, including Egypt, Iran, Vietnam, and many more.
• Wild Women Expeditions: This company hosts nature- and adventure-focused trips for women to all seven continents.
• G Adventures: Another company that offers exciting women-only trips although it is open to everyone.

Alternatively, you can join Facebook groups like Solo Female Traveler Network and Women Who Travel.

4. Be careful when walking alone

While walking, especially at night, it’s really important to be vigilant and to blend into the crowds. Always take the longer route over the shorter, darker, more isolated shortcut.

Try to walk near other people, like families or small groups of women. If you ever feel like someone might be following you, find a restaurant, shop, or hotel to go to for help.

Often, I’ll pretend to be talking on the phone with someone. Or, better yet, actually phone somebody you know – it’ll deter potential attackers. If you’re always a bit paranoid like me, it’ll also help distract you.

I also prioritise taking public transport if I know I’ll be walking somewhere that’s a bit dodgy. If there isn’t public transport available, take a Bolt or Uber to your destination.

5. Use anti-theft gear

Using anti-theft items while traveling is a great way to not only prevent pickpocketing, but also paranoia. I personally only use an anti-theft backpack whenever I’m on a trip, especially if I’ll be walking around a lot. My backpack zips up in the back and has extra hidden pockets for valuables. If you don’t like backpacks, don’t worry – there are plenty of different bag styles with this safety feature.

Though a bag is the most useful anti-theft item, there are many options available. From secret wallets to scarves and scrunchies you can hide items inside, you can find tons of these on Amazon.

If you’re someone who uses their phone a lot (and let’s face it, that’s most of us), consider investing in a phone lanyard. There are some places in which phone snatching is quite common – and I don’t know about you, but I’d be pretty lost without mine.

6. Use safety apps

There are several apps designed specifically for personal safety while traveling. Here are some great apps I’d recommend downloading before your trip:

• bSafe: Includes features like live GPS tracking, emergency button that alerts pre-selected contacts, and fake calls.
• GeoSure: Great for checking the safety of a particular city or neighbourhood.
• Life360: This app has live location sharing to selected contacts.
• TripWhistle: Live location sharing to authorities and provides emergency numbers for local police, ambulance, and fire departments in different countries.

7. Stay aware of your surroundings

One of the most important safety tips for female solo travelers is to always, always, always stay aware of the things and the people around you. Be observant of the people going the same way as you (make sure no one is following you).

If you like to listen to something on earphones while walking or traveling, opt for Bluetooth ear-ins and try to avoid wearing both at the same time. This way, you can still hear everything happening around you.

8. Dress appropriately

Wearing appropriate clothing to the place you’re going is essential. Before your trip, do some research to make sure you’re not wearing anything that may be disrespectful to the culture.

In some countries, you may be required to wear modest clothing, which covers specific parts of your body. This is especially the case in highly religious or conservative countries. Not only will this make you less of a target, but you will fit in better with the locals wearing simpler clothes.

In other countries, tattoos are frowned upon. Though they’re not explicitly prohibited anywhere, you may be denied access to certain public places and also face discrimination as a result of showing tattoos.

Also, avoid wearing flashy, expensive items of clothing or jewellery, as this will make you more of a target for criminals.

9. Don’t overpack

If there’s one thing I hate while traveling, it’s lugging around a bunch of heavy suitcases. Not only does it hurt my back, but it makes me feel more vulnerable. If you are traveling with more than one suitcase or bag, you’re immediately more of a target.

That’s why I’ve forced myself to learn how to pack more efficiently (even though I’m definitely a chronic overpacker). In fact, nowadays, I mostly travel with just a backpack.

Check out my blog post here to learn my secrets for packing lightly. These are the habits I’ve implemented in my own packing to make it easy to travel with only the things you need.

10. Carry self-defense items

I always have at least one way to defend myself in an easy-to-reach spot in case something ever happens. There are many different items that can help you stay safe as a female solo traveler.

Pepper spray is a great option, because it’s an easy, non-violent way to defend yourself. Before getting pepper spray though, check whether it is even allowed in your destination. In many European countries, for example, it is considered a concealed weapon and is therefore illegal. Consider alternatives like mosquito spray or hairspray.

Some other items you can look into are personal alarms, punch rings, and stun guns. Again, just make sure they’re legal before you buy them.

11. Learn some self-defense techniques

Another fantastic way to not only protect yourself, but give you better peace of mind while traveling solo is to learn a few self-defense skills.

Now, I’m not suggesting that you become a martial arts master or anything. But it is always a good thing to have under your belt in case you ever get into a dangerous situation.

Check in your area for local self-defense classes or courses.

12. Connect with locals

No one can tell you what is and isn’t safe better than the locals. Don’t be afraid to speak to the local people about where you should and shouldn’t go. Ask the receptionist at your hotel or hostel, tour guides, and market vendors.

Of course, chatting with the locals also gives you a deeper understanding of the culture and ultimately enriches your experience. Also, remember to ask for general recommendations of the best things to do and places to see during your visit.

Consider staying with locals through Airbnb or Couchsurfing. Many locals are eager to share their culture with people who show interest in it.

13. Do research on the transportation

It’s important to remember that not all public transportation is equally safe. In some cities, you can take a bus without thinking about it twice. In others, you may be risking your life by doing so.

Before visiting any destination, read up on the public transport online. I find that I always get helpful advice by asking locals in their city or country’s subreddit. This way, you’ll probably get a very realistic overview from a bunch of different people who really know the place well.

Also make sure to check if taxis and car-sharing services are safe. In some countries, taxi services are run by gangs. In many places, it is a huge no-no to get into a taxi or even an Uber as a woman traveling alone.

14. Put your guard up around other people

Yes, I know I already said that you should connect with others – but hear me out. One of the most effective ways to stay safe as a female solo traveler is to STOP BEING POLITE for the sake of being polite.

It’s always better to be a bit wary of the people around you than to be too nice and put yourself in the position of an easy target. Luckily, you can usually sense (at least a little bit) when someone has outright bad intentions. Trust your instinct and get away from anyone that makes you feel even slightly uncomfortable.

Don’t meet up with new people in private settings – always do so in a public place that you feel safe in.

Extra tips

• Charge your phone as often as possible. I always carry a power bank to make sure my phone never dies.
• Try not to look confused, even if you are.
• Don’t ever leave your drink unattended.
• Consider getting a portable safe and keep your valuable items locked away.
• Avoid carrying too much cash.
• Avoid drinking too much.
• Try to do the bulk of your traveling when the sun is out.