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Solo female travelling, according to this New York Times article, is on the rise! Since 2015, hostel companies such as Hostelworld, travel agencies, airlines, and even Google Trends have documented the steady increase of women exploring the world alone. However, with that also comes a heavy price – the increasing risk and execution of gender-based violence against women far away from home and familiarity.

In my opinion, Western Europe is a fairly safe part of the world, but even there it is 100% possible to endanger yourself by not trusting your instincts, being too naïve or being too innocent and trusting.

Therefore, these tips below apply to places as safe as Western Europe or as volatile as the Middle East.

I followed these rules whilst travelling through London, Paris, Amsterdam, Prague, and Copenhagen in 2019. They worked for me. So I know these will work for you wherever you may be heading to.

But beware! Make sure you get comfy, grab a bag of popcorn or some chips, and your fave beverage to sip on, because this might be a LONG one! Hope you enjoy these tips, and that they inspire you to take better care of yourself and your safety on your travels. Sending you much love!

The truth is that whether you believe it or not, the same skills you use at home to stay safe are the same skills you can use to stay safe as a woman when you’re a solo female traveller living your best life abroad. If not careful, you can be the target of danger and abuse ANYWHERE! Even in your own backyard.

But when done right, solo travel can be a beautiful, life-changing experience.

Disclosure: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I receive a small amount of compensation for my book addiction, at no cost to you. I only write about what I am passionate about and have personally used or experienced in my own life so that I can add maximum value to yours!

So, to avoid putting a damper on your trip causing you to feel scared, anxious, nervous or overwhelmed that something bad can happen whilst you’re exploring the world, here is the ultimate guide to keeping yourself safe as a solo female traveller, from your arrival to your departure.

BTW, before we dive in, make sure you grab your FREE “Globetrotter Girlie” Travel-Packing Checklist – a handy dandy tool to get you perfectly prepped for your next adventure!

Your Arrival

1. Do Your Research

Before you go anywhere, you MUST do your research. Learn absolutely everything you can about your destination(s) before going anywhere. Read personal experiences on blogs, read reviews, watch travel videos, browse and ask questions on online forums or Facebook travel groups, ask pro-travellers in your network, read guides and books, listen to the news and podcasts etc. Do whatever you can to increase your expert status.

It’s most important to know about the weather, tendency for natural disasters, national criminal activity, violent areas to avoid, political unrest, cultural norms and customs, and scams to be cautious of.

Once you know the facts, you can make a conscious decision on whether or not you’d be comfortable visiting as a solo female traveller, and if yes, exactly where you should stay. Once you’ve done your research you can choose both your destination and your accommodation carefully.

Never book accommodation that has zero reviews. Ensure you read up on couchsurfing, hostels, hotels, AirBnBs, and source the best reviews before booking your stay.

2. Tell Loved Ones Where You Are

Before you leave, make sure you tell your family and friends exactly where you will be staying and how they can reach you.

Give them a copy of your itinerary as well. You can even Drop a Pin for your location to your family and friends when you’re at a new destination so that they can track you and know exactly where you are in case of emergency.

3. Store Copies of Your Passport (And Other Important Documents)

When travelling alone as a female, it’s important to print copies of your passport and other important travel documentation just incase your passport gets lost or is stolen *knock on wood*

But better than that, email a copy of your important docs and your travel itinerary to your parents, closest family members, and/or most trusted friends. Plus, store an electronic copy of each on your Google Drive, iCloud or Dropbox so that you have multiple means of accessing your files just in case the copies are lost or stolen as well.

4. Leave Your Passport Behind

This may be an obvious one, but once you land and arrive at your accommodation, the first thing you should remove from your bags and store in a safe place is your passport.

There’s no need to take it with you to the beach, on a hike, for a night out, or a day of sightseeing, so make sure to keep it protected in a safe provided by your hotel, your locked suitcase, or any other way you can protect your most important valuables whilst you’re out and about.

The worst thing that can happen is to be robbed or pickpocketed and have your passport taken along with your money, phone and other valuables. Yikes!

5. Download Travel Apps

If you’re like me – no good with geography or directions – it’s important to download a few safety apps on your phone to ensure that you never look lost, confused or unsure of yourself.

Looking lost makes you a prime target for predators.

So make sure your phone is equipped with a GPS app like Google Maps, Citymapper or Maps.me.

Also, it doesn’t hurt to download a language translation app like iTranslate, Google Translate or TripLingo, so that you can communicate with locals and also understand what they are saying if you don’t speak the same language.

Trust me, it would be beneficial to learn the basics of the local language when it comes to asking for help or to prevent being ripped off. Foreigners can be an easy target when they are completely unaware of what is going on or what is being said.

Besides, locals actually show more respect to visitors who make an effort to learn some of their native language.

Oh! And before I forget, it’s crucial that you buy a portable charger as well to keep your phone in the green zone. GPS apps soak up a lot of battery life!

So make sure you’re equipped with a portable charger wherever you go just in case you’re lost, your phone is dying and you’re not yet back at your accommodation, you need to contact someone in case of emergency, you need to use the phone flashlight or you’re eating alone and you don’t want to look too approachable so you’re binge-watching YouTube videos or reading your Kindle whilst chewing your food 😉

This is the one I’ve got.

I never leave home without my portable charger. Not only has it saved me, but I have also come to the rescue for many friends whilst on a night out #LifeSaver

6. Get an International Phone Plan

Whilst on my travels through Europe I had a sim plan with a network named “Three” in the UK. This was the best plan I could have gone on because throughout every country I was able to use the same Sim and enjoy the data plan that I had bought. Whilst in the US on this exact same sim, I still got to enjoy my data plan via the T-Mobile network as a part of the “Go Roam” partnership this phone company is a part of.

Having international data is wonderful!

Not only did this sim plan save me hassle and headache, but it saved me money as well. And both my loved ones and I felt very comforted in knowing that we could call and WhatsApp each other no matter where I was.

If it’s not worth it or not possible to have an international plan, however, you can always use the free WiFi access available to you wherever you are, or purchase a local SIM card once you arrive in the city.

A WiFi Finder app can help you find free Wi-Fi to research or call for help in case you need it.

As soon as your phone is fully functional, you should also store important numbers as soon as possible. These include your accommodation’s phone numbers, your government’s consulate office in the country, and all local emergency numbers.

Get these numbers before you depart or ask the staff at your accommodation. Apps like TripWhistle can also help provide emergency numbers for you from all over the world.

7. Get Travel Insurance

It can be so tempting to trust in faith that absolutely nothing will happen to you or your belongings whilst on the road, especially since the trip in itself might have been pretty pricey and you don’t want to fork over anymore cash. However, the extra cost of travel insurance can save you thousands in the long run.

When it comes to being covered for potential health risks, theft, emergencies and more, it’s better to be safe than sorry. Especially if you’re travelling for over 1 month.

Duration

8. Dress like a Local

Depending on the country you visit, dressing like a local is so important. Especially countries where religious or cultural laws must be respected.

This can mean covering your hair, wearing long sleeves and pants, wearing loose clothing etc. Make sure to do your research on the local customs in your destination and how strict they are. Sometimes it’s better to blend in than to stand out when you’re a solo female traveller who wants to be left alone on the road.

9. Morning – Midday Arrival

Book your flight to arrive during the day instead of at night so you can get your bearings and also feel safer when you make the journey from the airport to your accommodation.

You’ll have the opportunity to explore your surrounding areas before dark to get a feel for how safe it is and not have to freak out if things don’t go to plan at your accommodation when you arrive e.g. your booking getting lost.

10. Trust Your Intuition

Your gut feeling never lies! Learn to trust it.

As a solo traveller you just might need to depend on strangers more than you’d expect or even like to if you need help with directions or something else. Most people are good, kind and helpful. However, we all know that you can’t always trust people at face value and some may not have the best intentions.

If at any point you feel uncomfortable, nervous or anxious deep to your core, get the hell out of your location or situation! At this point, when your inner being is speaking its concerns to you, the hairs raise on your arms and your ears are ringing, who cares about offending people or being rude.

Listen to your intuition and RUN! Self-preservation is the most important responsibility you have. You owe it to yourself to stay alive whilst in unknown territory. This is key especially when you’re in Asia, Africa, Latin America or any developing country where you may not speak the same language as the locals and you’re surrounded by millions of people, with fairly poor social institutions e.g. employment, public transport and healthcare.

On the road, the more you use your gut instincts, the sharper it will become.

11. Be Aware of Your Surroundings

I naturally practice this at home so doing it abroad is second nature. However, maybe you never thought to be aware of your surroundings at home because you come from a safe place where nothing happens.

This will have to change when you begin travel outside of your comfort zone. Make sure to look at the people and the cars in your surroundings – near and far. Look people in the eye. Every so often, look behind your back to see who’s walking behind you. Who is in close proximity to you? Look out for them as well.

When walking with headphones, leave one ear unplugged so you can still listen for sounds and activity around you. Listen to footsteps behind you. Watch for shadows. Cross the street when you feel uncomfortable.

With this type of body language, you’ll alert to predators that you’ve very aware of yourself and your surroundings just incase they wish to disturb you.

It’s better to be a bit more paranoid and on alert than to be harassed, robbed, or worse than that.

12. Group Activities

If you’re like me, you want to travel solo but you feel uncomfortable and lonely being on your own for long periods of time, doing group activities will be your new obsession.

You can book group tours that allow you to get to know your new city, maybe even better than the locals, and also make new friends you can hang out with later or meet elsewhere around the world. Can anyone say future free accommodation?!

If group tours aren’t enough, you can even book complete group trips. From digital nomad retreats in Bali to adventure tours in Costa Rica, you can be a solo female traveller, safely tucked away in the cocoon of an extended group. Network, grow your business, make friends for life, learn a new language, find your life purpose and have the best time of your life in the company of other like-minded individuals.

13. Book in Advance

In addition to booking your accommodation before you hop on any flight, booking travel experiences before you land can also save you from unwanted situations.

Instead of faffing about and wasting time wondering what to do when you arrive, you’d land with a healthy mix of pre-planned and/or pre-booked activities to keep you busy whilst keeping slots open for spontaneity.

14. Know Your Boundaries

As a solo female traveller, keeping yourself safe most definitely includes knowing your limits.

Please, whatever you do, don’t go overboard with the alcohol. Getting wasted whilst in the company of strangers is NEVER a good idea.

Don’t enjoy too many drinks whilst hanging out with random guys at a bar
Don’t go into deep bodies of water if you know you’re not the most confident swimmer or the waters are rough
Don’t overindulge in the consumption of unhealthy or foreign food – this can make you bloated, sick and / or gain unnecessary weight

Don’t try to keep up with the energy levels or daredevil tactics of those around you (especially if on a group tour or trip). Make sure you rest when you need to rest. Take a break. Take care of yourself. Re-fuel. Sleep. Stay far from the edge. Then go again.

That reminds me, make sure you carry along with you some pain medication, Vitamin C tablets, medication for diarrhoea, vomiting and bloatedness, and medication for cold and flu symptoms. You’ll be happy that you did!

15. Don’t Welcome Strangers In

Yes, you may meet some really cool people whilst on the road, but err on the side of caution and don’t welcome anyone into your accommodation – unless you feel comfortable and consensual.

STORY TIME!! Whilst on my own in Amsterdam I had drinks with 2 local guys at the hotel bar, happy to meet new people, but coming toward the end of the night I realized that one of them was encouraging me to show his friend my room because “he’d never been in this hotel before”. That sent alarm bells ringing through my entire body.

I was grateful that I was essentially safe in my own accommodation, but the part that took longer was getting those guys to go home without being overly rude or causing a scene (that’s just not my style). It took for his friend to force himself on me, moving in for a kiss, that made me throw politeness out the window and run upstairs.

Never in my life had someone made a move on me with such agility and swiftness. And it is actually that experience which inspired me to write this post to help other women stay safe as solo travellers.

Whether we are in “safe” Western Europe or volatile Middle East, we can be subject to men wanting to take advantage of us if we aren’t careful.

This may be obvious, but whilst in the moment we’re more naturally susceptible to throwing caution to the wind. As a female solo traveller, you will of course meet different types of people throughout your journey.

However, don’t mention where you are staying. When you’re outdoors, no one really needs to know the name of your hotel or the address of your accommodation, as part of conversation. And if they ask, be vague. Stalkers exist. As best as possible, if you plan to meet anyone you’re not too sure about, meet at a local landmark instead. Don’t invite them to your place or go to theirs.

You accommodation is your safe haven.

I know, I know…we all want to “post for the gram” and to boast about our whereabouts to make our fans and followers drool; but as a solo female traveller, you need to be extra careful about this.

Just do me a favour and don’t post in real time. Wait till you’ve left a certain location before you begin posting about it. And also don’t post notifications of where you will be and your future spots. There are crazy people out there who will take notice of your generosity in divulging information and keep tabs on you.

I don’t ever post in real time and I never say where I am going to be before I get there. Usually, at night before I wind down, or early morning before I head out again, I’ll update my IG with my stories and a post to my grid. You never know who’s watching or following your every move. So don’t make it easy for them.

17. Connect With Other Women

Another good idea is to surround yourself with other female travellers. For example, you can stay in an all-female dorm room whilst in a hostel, sit next to women on public transportation, join local female-only meet up groups in your new destination, ask another woman for directions if you need any, and join Facebook groups for female travellers only so you can reach out to anyone in the group if you need support, .

Out there in the travelling world there are a multitude of other women ready and willing to help other female travellers based on their own personal experiences. Connecting with other ladies will be a great decision.

18. Be Cautious After Dark

We all know that most times the threat of danger increases after dark. With fewer people out, you are more likely to be threatened in some way. Therefore, you can keep yourself safe at night by choosing to take an Uber or safe taxi at night instead of walking or taking public transportation.

If you must walk, walk fast and with the confidence and nonchalance of a local.

Keep your handbag or backpack close to your body at the front, with your hand and ensure that you’re in possession of the bare minimum – some money (only take what you need), your phone and your charger. Also, don’t put your phone or your money in your pockets. Everything else can stay locked away in your accommodation.

Or better yet, if you’ve made new friends, make sure you guys are always in a group when you go out at night, and ensure that everyone gets back home safe and sound.

Lastly, as best as possible, travel during the day.

19. Exude Confidence

More pivotal than anything else on this list is your confidence.

This one thing can keep you from harm’s way more than anything else. Yes, you will feel scared and apprehensive on your first solo trip, but to the best of your ability always make sure you’re exuding self-confidence.

Smile at others, walk with purpose and intent, keep your head held high and be calm and relaxed. Act like you’ve been there before and you know EXACTLY where you’re going.

If you look lost, confused, anxious, scared or unsure of yourself, others around you will definitely pick up on your energy, and you become an easy target for predators.

20. Self-Defense Gadgets

You never know when you’ll need to shove a plastic doorstop under your door to prevent someone from trying to come in, or when you’ll need to blow into a whistle to alert anyone nearby or when a small can of bug spray can act as a pepper spray replacement. Many great travel backpacks have built-in whistles in the straps now.

Having these gadgets in tow can make you feel more confident, safe, secure, protected, and prepared for anything once you’re on your own.

Be careful about fighting back though. If someone has a weapon, it’s better to just hand over your belongings. Unless you’re trained in self-defence or in the military. Playing the hero when you know you haven’t been trained is useless and dangerous.

21. Stop Being Too Nice & Trusting

Always remember that you don’t owe anyone your kindness and politeness, especially if they are coming across too strong. Men who especially prey on the fact that women are alone, tend to be polite, meek and accommodating.

Instead of being outright rude, we try to politely avoid uncomfortable situations in the fear that we come across as too aggressive. But sometimes you just have to be firm, blunt and don’t give a damn! Just say “no”! Especially when you’re approached or surrounded by people who make you feel uncomfortable or uneasy.

Some con artists (men AND women) have mastered the art of befriending unsuspecting travellers, making them feel comfortable in their presence, only to rob them before taking off, never to be seen again. Never leave any of your possessions in the hands of someone else.

Err on the side of caution. Take no one at face value, trust no one besides yourself and pay attention to your gut instincts (refer back to #3)

22. Safe Sex

Sex is prevalent on the road. Especially when you’re alone, surrounded by other attractive locals and foreigners, and with no one close to judge your actions.

But be sure to protect yourself as much as possible. Bring emergency contraception because depending on where you are it can be hard or impossible to get, and you can’t always rely on your partner to be prepared in the heat of the moment.

23. Don’t Flash Your Possessions

Most travellers have their smartphone, DSLR camera, tablet and laptop when they travel. Depending on where you go, these can be very delightful sights for thieves and pickpockets. Therefore, avoid flashing your valuable possessions around. Only take them out when it’s necessary to use them. And keep them within your reach at all times.

You should also avoid wearing flashy jewellery, clothing or accessories depending on where you are. You will undoubtedly attract attention to yourself if you’re sticking out like a sore thumb. If there’s something expensive that you’re carrying that will make you cry if you lost it or it got stolen, please be mindful of it at all times, or leave it at home.

In Conclusion

So there you have it! These 23 life-saving tips are some of the best ways that you can protect yourself as a solo female traveller, especially if it’s your first time on the road alone.

Print them out and take them with you so you’re always reminded of what you can do to stay safe and return back to your family in one piece.

Exploring the world on your own ought to be a safe, enjoyable, life-changing experience FOR ALL; so let’s help decrease the numbers of women who are abused whilst on the road by starting with ourselves.

Over to You…….

Which of these tips resonate with you the most?

Are you a female solo-traveller?

Are you tempted to experience a travel adventure on your own?

What other safety tips would you add to this list?

Share your thoughts and opinions in the comments! I’d love to hear all of them!

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