27 Jun Practical Solo Travel Safety Tips to Help You Confidently Explore the World Alone

Posted at 10:35h in Solo Travel by
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Solo travel creates an incredible opportunity to see more of the world on your own time. But especially if you’re new to it, the idea can sound really daunting. The biggest concern many people have is safety.

How can you keep yourself safe while traveling alone?

Well as someone who’s traveled for years on my own as a woman to South Africa, Asia and now Latin America, I consider myself an expert in this area.

Below are my top solo travel safety tips that I follow on every trip just as a precaution (and let’s be honest, to give my parents some peace of mind). These will help you travel confidently and safely.

*This post includes affiliate links and I may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. By using my links you’re merely supporting what I love to do: write this blog! I only recommend products/companies that I use myself.

Woman walking down steps of Machu Picchu in Peru

RESEARCH YOUR DESTINATION

I cannot stress enough how important this is, especially if you’re a new solo traveler.

Researching your destination gives you the advantage of knowing what to expect when it comes to cultural customs, things to be aware of, current status of the country, and more.

When I research a destination it looks something like this:

  • Googling and searching on tik tok, youtube and Facebook groups to get an idea of what other solo travelers experienced in that country. I.e. searching what’s it like to travel alone as a women in ___.
  • Searching safety tips or solo travel safety tips/recommendations specifically in that destination.
  • Researching if there’s any cultural norms I should be aware of i.e. modesty 
    • Don’t take this the wrong way, I think women should dress however they please, but if I’m traveling somewhere that dressing a certain way goes against the cultural norm then I may feel like more of a target compared to somewhere where it would be normal. This is not always true, but research is partially how you figure that out.
  • Brushing up on any significant news to where I’m planning to travel. You can start off by heading to the U.S. Government Travel Advisory. I personally take their ‘Level’ recommendation with a grain of salt, but always check it anyways for awareness purposes.
  • Lastly, a quick search to see if there’s any scams to be aware of specific to my destination.

Now this might sound like a really negative approach, as if you’re expecting the worst from a place. But in my experience it’s the opposite. When I research, it helps give me confidence to visit because I know what to expect and how to be prepared. And often  online there’s really positive and useful feedback from solo travelers.

This type of research can also be paired with looking up inspo for places to see and things to do which will get you excited for your trip!

Did you know that when I write destination guides I always write it with other solo travelers in mind? This means in addition to giving you recommendations for what to see and where to stay, I also give you solo travel tips specific to that place 🥰

DOWNLOAD OFFLINE MAPS AND GOOGLE TRANSLATE

In an instance where you don’t have wifi or phone data, having offline maps and the local language downloaded to your phone can be really useful and a good precaution in case you get lost.

To download offline maps, you can either use the app called Maps.Me which automatically saves offline when you open it, or just use regular Google Maps. You can do this by navigating to the offline maps section via your profile and then downloading the selected area.

For offline translations, first download the Google Translate app and then navigate to Downloaded Languages to save your desired language.

Added tip: save the address of where you’re staying. You can pin it on your offline maps, I also copy and paste the address into my notes app just in case.

SHARE YOUR LOCATION AND FORWARD YOUR RESERVATIONS

While traveling alone, my location is always shared with two people: my mom and one of my sisters (I call them my “travel keepers”). I just do this through iCloud but you can also use Life360 or share your location through Google Maps.

I also make a habit of forwarding all of my reservations to my travel keepers. We have a group message together where I drop in updates of my whereabouts everytime I move location and screenshots of reservations if I haven’t already sent them via email.

This is a really good habit to get into and doesn’t take long.

SIGN UP FOR THE STEP PROGRAM AND GIVE SOMEONE A COPY OF YOUR PASSPORT

The STEP or Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (is a quick way to enroll your trip and notify the closest U.S. Embassy or Consulate of your travels. They’ll send you any important news for the destination you’re visiting and will help you the best that they can in emergency situations like natural disaster, civil unrest, or a family emergency.

STEP is for U.S. citizens and nationals but I’m sure other governments offer something similar.

I also give someone (my Mom) a copy of my passport before leaving. Hopefully you and I NEVER lose our passport, but as a precaution a trusted person having a copy to scan to you could make your life so much easier in that unfortunate scenario.

USE A CROSSBODY SLING OR MONEY BELT

Theft can be more or less a threat depending on the destination. But I think most places you go in the world you should be aware of pickpocketing or petty-theft. One of the best ways to avoid this is to always use a crossbody sling or money belt for your valuables instead of ever putting things in your pocket or even a purse.

Admittedly, I don’t use a money belt just because I personally feel weird going inside my clothes to grab my phone or a credit card. But they are a good option for somewhere that theft is very common or in certain scenarios like going out drinking.

What I use is a theft-proof crossbody sling meaning the zippers have an extra clip and you can’t cut the strap. Also whenever I’m in crowds or exposed I naturally always have my arm over it.

Unfortunately, sometimes petty-theft just happens even with precautions. But using one or both of these things is a good start.

Affordable Crossbody Sling / Lulu Lemon Dupe

Anti Theft & Recycled Material Sling

Money Belt for underneath clothes

PACK SAFETY ESSENTIALS

There are a few products that I always make sure to pack that help keep myself and my belongings safe while solo traveling.

TSA approved padlocks

These locks threads through zippers of your luggage so they cannot be unzipped without the combination. 

The padlocks can also double as a lock for a safe, which is essential if you stays in hostels. 

Note: Make sure to check if you have luggage that is compatible with these before buying. I use an Osprey backpack and it works wonderfully with these locks.

Portable charger

A portable charger is really useful while solo traveling so you’re never left on zero battery while out exploring.

Added door lock

When I stay on my own, this gives me so much peace of mind. It locks the door in a way so that even if someone had the key, they still couldn’t open the door.

Door alarm

This alarm goes off if my door is opened, which also gives me a lot of comfort when staying alone. There’s two types, one that goes underneath the door and one that goes in between the door and the wall. I prefer the second as I find it more compatible with different types of doors.

Waterproof fanny pack

This is super useful if you go to the beach alone and want to swim without leaving your valuables.

Keychain alarm and jabber

I keep this super loud alarm and “jabber” as I call it on my keychain. It isn’t so sharp as to be considered a knife, so I feel comfortable traveling with it, but it is a great self-defense item. Technically you should put it in checked luggage while flying, but I’ve had it in my carry-on multiple times by accident without problems.

Another self-defense item you could use is a reusable water bottle, especially those stainless steel ones that would really hurt if you hit someone with it.

I’ve also been asked about pepper spray a lot before. I personally don’t carry it (it’s illegal in most places) but I’ve heard of some people bringing it anyway in a checked bag. Alternatives though would just be a mini bottle of hairspray or bug spray. They might not be as strong as pepper spray, but right in the eyes would still work.

Not to be brutal…but you know 😅

FIGURE OUT PHONE DATA BEFORE YOUR TRIP

While traveling, I’ve met a lot of people that choose to just not have phone data during their trip. This is a personal preference, but for me, as a solo traveler I consider it an absolute necessity. Just in case, I always like to have the ability to call someone, order an uber, navigate my way, etc.

If you feel the same, make sure to figure out how you will be getting phone data before you start traveling. Check if your current plan offers international roaming. If not, consider other options like purchasing an eSim card or unlocking your phone with your provider so that you can purchase and insert a local sim at your destination.

→ If you’re looking for an eSim card, Airalo is a really good option. They have coverage almost everywhere and it’s easy to set up. Check it out here

Woman standing at the base of blue lake in Torres Del Paine Chile Patagonia

USE UBER IF POSSIBLE OVER TAXI

Uber or other rideshare apps are not always available in every city, but when they are I always use them over a taxi when getting a ride alone. Personally I just feel much safer in Ubers because you have data of the ride, the driver, and the car. I also really like that you can automatically share your trip with a contact.

Note that in some countries, Uber is available but technically banned. Meaning that drivers could get in trouble. I learned this the wrong way in two situations: once when a driver asked me to sit in the front so it looked like we were related vs. a driver + passenger dynamic; and secondly when I had to walk really far out of the airport to meet a driver which I don’t recommend doing. 

In countries like this, I recommend finding out what local rideshare apps are used and download those.

Again, this is where that research can come in handy.

AVOID TRAVEL OPTIONS WHERE YOU’LL LEAVE/ARRIVE IN THE MIDDLE OF NIGHT

Sometimes if you’re on a budget, it’s tempting to purchase that late night plane ticket or that overnight bus that arrives at 3 AM just to save some money.

But as a solo traveler, I think it’s worth paying extra for your safety and avoiding booking transportation that involves being alone at a bus station or a new place in the middle of the night.

Sometimes this might be the only option, I admit I’ve broken this rule, but the goal should be to avoid this if you can.

Note that this is not to say you shouldn’t take overnight transportation if you’re comfortable, I take overnight buses and flights all the time. It’s the arrival and departure times you want to be aware of.

→ Some of my go-to’s to book transportation is Skyscanner to find cheap flights and BusBud which makes purchasing bus tickets in other countries much easier.

DON’T SHARE YOUR LOCATION ON SOCIAL MEDIA IN REAL TIME

I don’t care how many followers you have, don’t share your location on social media. This includes geotagging, spelling out or saying where you are, and sharing obviously identifying pictures. You just never know who is watching.

I recommend applying this rule to all locations, but especially for the place you’re staying. You really shouldn’t share any info about your accommodation until you’ve left.

In fact, I have a story to prove my point.

Once while traveling in Mexico City, I posted a photo on my instagram story of my laptop in front of me, working from inside my apartment. In the photo, there was a window in the background that showed the street outside. This guy I had matched with on Bumble (but hadn’t met up with yet) replied to this IG story saying, “Not to be creepy, but I know exactly where you’re staying. I actually grew up around the corner.” …UM. I was shook. 

Nothing bad came from that situation, we actually ended up friends (if you reading this, you know who you are 😂) but had it been anyone else it could have ended up in a very different scenario. So ladies, let this be a lesson: don’t share evidence of where you’re staying until you’ve left.

TRUST YOUR GUT

I can share a hundred safety tips with you, but ultimately the most powerful thing is your gut. Always, always trust it. If someone is giving you weird vibes but you just don’t know why, trust your gut anyways. If you feel like you shouldn’t be somewhere, leave. You always know what’s best for yourself, trust that.

India

OTHER SAFETY TIPS

Of course, there are more things you can do to keep yourself safe. Mostly, as a woman there’s a lot that you probably already have to consider in daily life (unfortunately), and that still applies while traveling. For example, not walking alone at night especially with headphones in or being careful when drinking around strangers.

The level of seriousness and type of safety precautions can also depend on the destination – to some extent. Like I said, it’s usually worth it to do a little bit of more focused research to where you’re traveling just to be aware.

MY FINAL NOTE ON SAFETY

I share these solo travel tips because I think preparation and precautions are important tools to utilize to ensure you have an amazing trip. I also think that every woman or other person a part of a demographic that’s been oppressed has every right to be concerned about their safety when traveling alone.

That being said though, after traveling the globe for years solo I can also attest that the world is a safer place than many think and most people are more likely to help you than harm you. This statement is not meant to be cliche, but it’s what I’ve found to be true.

I also consider safety to be a really nuanced conversation with many, many layers. Those layers can be made up of individual experiences, sadly sometimes prejudice or misinformation, naive misunderstanding, different types of crime or risk, tourist experiences vs local experiences and other things.

This can make safety a really tricky conversation.

When considering traveling somewhere alone, do your own independent research and ultimately do what feels right for you. 

I hope these safety tips made you feel confident and more ready to take on solo travel. Trust me, it’s one of the best decisions you’ll ever make.

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1 Comment
  • Tony The Tiger
    Posted at 02:00h, 20 September Reply

    Thanks, Great information!

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