10 Safety Tips for Solo Women Travelers That I Swear By

I love that there are so many intrepid, solo women travelers today, who are out there bravely setting their own course, exploring the world as they please, and living their best lives. Travel is so enriching, and it’s great that many women feel comfortable and safe enough to do it on their own.

Traveling solo is something I’ve also done many times, and I have to say, I love it! I know it’s not for everyone, but I take such pleasure in exploring a new city or town on my own. It is honestly one of the best natural highs for me. Give me 24-48 hours alone in a new city and I’ll be running around on a crazy endorphin rush the entire time.

However, if there’s one thing I’ve learned with all of my years of travel, it’s that there are certain precautions I take no matter where I go to ensure that I feel safe. Because if you don’t feel safe when you’re traveling, you’re definitely not going to enjoy it. And then, what’s the point?

So keep reading to learn more about 10 safety tips for solo women travelers that I swear by and do every time I travel on my own.

Safety tips for Solo Women Travelers

1. Stay at a Hotel / Hostel

One of my top tips for solo women travelers is to stay at a hotel rather than an Airbnb or homestay (unless you’ve done a thorough background check). Maybe I’m being overly cautious here, but I’ve heard too many stories of women who were attacked when they stayed alone at a home they’ve rented online. My philosophy is why risk your safety and put yourself in a compromising situation if you don’t have to? I’m not saying that nothing bad will ever happen if you stay at a hotel, but the odds are certainly reduced. And I sleep better at night knowing that hotels have security and staff in the lobby 24 hours a day.

2. Stay Connected

Another tip for women traveling alone is to have a working phone. This is important for a few reasons. First, you’ll have access to google maps so you always know your whereabouts, and second, in case there is an emergency, you will be able to reach local authorities and/or reach out to loved ones back home. If you don’t want to invest in an international data plan for your phone, find out how to buy a local sim card and install it on your phone.

3. Have a General Itinerary And Make Sure Someone Knows Your Plans

If you are traveling alone, it is helpful if at least one person knows your general whereabouts. Even if you’re a free-spirited, fly by the seat of your pants kind of gal, I recommend that at least one person is aware of your travel plans, in case something happens. Again, it’s better to be safe than sorry. So if you have a planned itinerary, share it with someone before you leave. If your plans are up in the air, update someone with your whereabouts once you arrive at a new destination or plan to travel to your next place.

4. Make Copies of Your Passport and Important Documents

This tip is an important one whether you’re traveling alone or with others. You should always have backup copies of your important documents. That includes your passport, visas, and travel insurance information. These days, I take an extra (and possibly easier) step. I take photos of everything and then store those photos in my dropbox account. That way, if there’s a worst-case scenario of my bag getting stolen with my phone and my passport, I still have a way to access the copies I need of my important documents.

5. Use Public Transport or Car Service Apps

When I’m traveling abroad, I try to use local, public transport or Uber, and similar car service apps, Why? Because these options are safer than hailing a random auto/tuk-tuk or taxi.

When you take public transport, you’re traveling with many people. (Of course, use common sense and don’t get on a subway if it’s the middle of the night, and always be mindful of your belongings.) With a car service app, it’s a safer option than a random taxi because you can track your trip. In addition, most ride-sharing apps also have the option to report a driver if you feel you’re in an unsafe situation.

There are certain cities where I will use official taxis. I’ve loved using them in Singapore, London, and Paris. That said, this is an expensive option, so I still think public transport and rideshare apps are the best way to go.

And let me finish this with the caveat that even on public transport or in a vehicle that’s part of a rideshare app, something can still happen. You’re never completely immune to a potential incident. So, just keep your wits about you and use common sense. If your gut tells you something isn’t right, follow your instincts and if necessary, get help.

6. Buy Travel Insurance

This tip isn’t just for solo women travelers but all people who travel – if you’re heading abroad on a longer trip, I highly recommend getting travel insurance. Hopefully, it is something you will never have to use, but god forbid, you end up in the hospital or your luggage is stolen or lost, travel insurance will cover you. You can purchase different travel insurance policies. Most will protect against damages and loss of your property as well as medical bills if you end up injured or sick.

Pro Tip – Certain credit cards like the American Express Platinum card cover you for travel abroad. It’s worth looking into the details of what your card might cover before you purchase travel insurance.

My go-to for travel insurance is World Nomads. I’ve used them a couple of times now and have been very satisfied with their service. You can even do everything online, and purchase your insurance within minutes. Their prices are pretty good too. For example, I bought travel insurance for a two-week trip to Cambodia and Vietnam and it was $76.

The other thing I would do is make sure that at least one person back home has the information regarding your travel insurance policy.

7. Always know Where Your Belongings Are

I’ve lived in NYC for the past 20 years, so I feel like I’ve earned my street cred when it comes to living in a big city. Whenever I go out, I am always careful about how I hold my purse or bag, and where I put it if I’m sitting down at a restaurant. I follow the same guidelines when I’m traveling abroad because there are petty thieves everywhere.

When I’m in a restaurant, I either keep my purse on my lap or if it’s between my legs, I keep the strap around my leg. I never hang my purse on the back of a chair or just leave it on the table.

If I’m walking on the street, I always keep my purse closed. If I’m in a crowded place, I will also wear my purse backward, so the opening is facing my body. Crossbody bags and fanny packs are great because they are harder for someone to snatch.

In the past, I wasn’t a fan of backpacks because you are easily exposed to pick-pocketing when wearing one. (It’s so easy to just unzip the top of your bag and grab something.) But I recently started wearing backpacks for comfort’s sake and the ability to carry more stuff with me.

One backpack feature has made a difference. I purchased a Target backpack that has an external zipper compartment in the back of the bag, which means it is adjacent to your back when you’re wearing it. If I need to carry my passport or a lot of money, I keep it in this part of the backpack, because when I’m wearing it, there’s no way to access this zippered compartment unless you literally pull the bag off of my body.

8. Learn a few phrases of the local language

This one goes for all travelers, not just solo women travelers. First, it’s a sign of courtesy to try to communicate with people in the language of the country you are visiting. Second, it can be very helpful if you’re in a situation where you need help. With today’s smartphones, we easily have access to other languages, so it’s worth making the effort to try to learn a few simple words and phrases.

9. Always Carry Some of the Local Currency

While in the U.S. you can now virtually pay for everything with a credit card, that’s not the case in many other countries. Cash is still king. My rule of thumb is to always carry a small amount of the local currency with you. It is helpful whether you need to purchase a bottle of water or if you’re not feeling safe somewhere and want to jump in a taxi or car that’s part of a rideshare program.

Pro Tip: In Asia, I’ve found that most of the drivers participating in rideshare programs prefer cash. In fact, they won’t pick you up if you have your app set to pay with a credit card. This is another reason to have the local currency on you.

10. Write Down Important Phone Numbers

You might be scratching your head about this tip but hear me out. These days, with our almost total reliance on our mobile devices, we’d be pretty screwed if we lost our phone or it got stolen. Think about it. We can call or text anyone with a click or a swipe. But how many people’s phone numbers do you actually know anymore? You might have a couple of key phone numbers memorized but I’m guessing you don’t know most of your friends’ or family’s phone numbers by heart. So, if you’re phone gets stolen and you want to be able to reach your family and close friends, you’ll be grateful you have this cheat sheet with you.

Are You Ready to Travel Solo?

So what about you? Are you ready to travel solo? If it’s something you’ve thought about but haven’t done, I hope you found these 9 safety tips for solo women travelers helpful.

And if you’ve never traveled alone but want to try it, check out my post with 5 tips to help you enjoy solo travel.

When I’ve been on the road, these safety tips have helped me countless times. I’m sure they will help you too. And if you have other tips that have been helpful for you, please share them in the comments below!