10 Tips to Stay Safe During Solo Female Travel

If it’s your first time traveling on your own, it’s likely there are many “what if’s” circling around your head worrying about everything that could possibly go wrong. Solo travel can ignite a lot of concerns that are all completely valid, but dangers can be found anywhere, even in your own hometown! Prevention is the first step in staying safe, so precautions should be practiced anywhere you go. Using common sense, prioritizing your own safety, and following these ten tips are how thousands of women are able to experience life changing but still safe solo trips.

1. Do Your Research

Planning and researching your destination is one of the most crucial parts of travel and starts before you even leave your house. Read up on weather, natural disasters, common scams, cultural norms, the current political climate, and anything else that might be of concern. Reading personal travel blogs and asking questions in Facebook travel groups is a great way to find out about people’s personal experiences.

2. Know Your Limits

Sure it’s fun to step outside of your comfort zone, but knowing your limit could be the difference between life and death. Don’t keep drinking when you can already barely walk or wear yourself too thin by committing to too many activities. Know when you need a break and don’t be afraid to get your body some rest when you need it.

3. Trust Your Instincts

While you’re bound to meet all kinds of amazing people while traveling, it’s important to remember that not everyone has your best interest at heart. The power of intuition is very real. If you’re not getting the best vibes from someone or you’re starting to feel uncomfortable about plans you made with a stranger, sometimes it’s best to listen to your gut and not proceed.

4. Invest in Safety Precautions

While we all want to save our money to spend on exhilarating experiences and good food, sometimes it’s better to be safe than sorry and spend some extra cash on a cab when you feel unsafe walking home at night. Buying self-defense gadgets like a rape whistle or carrying bug spray (since pepper spray is illegal in most countries) can help you feel more secure. Doorstop alarms are also cheap, easy to set up, and surprisingly effective in making sure no one can break into your room.

5. Dress Appropriately

Try your best to dress like the locals and blend in. The sad reality is that in a lot of countries, women can’t exactly dress however they want. Make sure you do some research in advance and be mindful of cultural norms; if you’re traveling to a Muslim country it’s important to note that showing your shoulders and knees can be offensive.

6. Start Small

If you’re new to the world of solo travel, it might be best to ease your way in rather than going all in and booking a three-month long trip to a country you’ve never been to. Starting by exploring nearby cities and states before taking a huge leap will result in a much more helpful transition.

7. Don’t Overshare

Be careful about what you say and who you say it to. Wherever you’re staying should be your safe haven, there’s no reason to tell strangers the name of your hotel or what street your Airbnb is on. Feel free to lie whenever necessary.

8. Know How to Get Help

Best case scenario, you’ll never have to use an emergency number, but it’s always better to be safe than sorry and know the local emergency numbers wherever you go. Learning how to ask for help in the local language is also a good idea. Apps like TripWhistle provide emergency numbers from all over the world.

9. Stay in Public Places

You’re bound to meet some awesome people while on the road, but remember they’re still strangers and you shouldn’t trust people too quickly. If you’re making plans with someone, plan to meet at a restaurant or landmark rather than giving them your address.

10. Fake It Till You Make It

Always walk with confidence and purpose. If you look confused or lost, you’re making yourself a bigger target to predators. Act as if you know exactly what you're doing and where you're going, even if you don’t.