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Worried about safety while traveling solo as a woman? You’re not alone, and it’s a valid concern. Safety is often the top priority for many women considering their first solo adventure.
From navigating unfamiliar streets to making sure you feel secure in your accommodations, solo female travel can feel daunting at first. There is so much to learn about solo female travel safety, where do you even begin!
But here’s the good news—by taking a few simple precautions and planning ahead, you can explore the world with confidence.
As a solo female traveler myself, I’ve learned that traveling solo doesn’t have to mean sacrificing safety or peace of mind.
In this guide, I’ll share practical tips, real experiences, and essential safety strategies that will empower you to have the best experience and feel well versed in solo female travel safety ready.
Let’s dive in and start planning your next safe and unforgettable adventure!
What are some solo female traveling tips that all women should know?
Here are 19 Tips for Staying Safe as a Solo Female Traveler
- Do research. Research, research, research- sometimes spontaneity is not the right choice. Read Reviews. This goes with research. I deep dive on this one.
You can usually tell if it’s a paid review or a legitimate review so only consider the reviews you consider to come from actual people. - Keep copies of your passport on your phone and in the cloud. Keep the actual passport in safe in your accommodation
- Make sure your phone is always charged and you have a portable charger
- Make sure you have WiFi and/or a phone plan. E-Sims are affordable these days
- Always be aware of your surroundings and be alert
- Be smart on SOCIAL. DONT post where you are LIVE. You can wait a few days
- Ask someone you meet on a tour to go to dinner or what they are doing the next day
- Know your limits when it comes to going out at nightwhen it comes to alcohol same rules apply abroad as they do at home.
Don’t take a drink from someone – only accept drinks from bartenders, don’t leave your drinks unattended!
Don’t be in a situation where you are out of control - If you are going out at night, know how you are getting home before you go out for the evening. Know what time public transportation closes, know if there will be Ubers readily available from where you are going.
- We all want to save money but if it comes to saving money or your safety, spend the few extra dollars
- Take the Uber over the cab. I also use the extra protection in Uber where they have to provide me a four digit code to ensure they are my actual driver
- Confidence or fake it till you make it. If you act like you know where you are going and what you are doing people are less likely to target you.
I have gotten asked for directions in many cities which has surprised me but its because I had given off an aura of confidence even though I was completely lost myself - Travel Insurance – this is a must! Make sure it covers Medical Expenses!
- You get more with sugar than you do with spice. People are more willing to help you if you are nice to them. Even if you are frustrated, it’s not that persons fault.
- If you are scared, be loud and make noise. Who cares what you look like, if it deters someone that is all that matters
- Dress Appropriately for the Culture and for Respect. While this shouldn’t be listed because we should be able to dress how we want unfortunately I still have to list this in many parts of the world.
- Don’t wear bright colors- blend in!
- Never share the location of your accommodation.
- If asked you say you are traveling with friends and you are doing your own things that day/night, etc
How should a solo female traveler handle emergency situations?
If you are a US citizen enroll in the STEP Program. This enrolls you with the local embassy of where you are traveling to and you will receive any important updates from the embassy!
Download the Travel Smart APP
Know where your local embassy is, how to get there and have the number saved on your phone.
Know the number of the local police
Know where the closest hospital is and how to get there.
Planning for an Emergency During Travel: Safety Tips for Earthquake
I am not even going to pretend to know how to tell you to prepare for this. Do research! Know the area you are going. What types of natural disasters do they frequently get?
As someone who frequents these regions I want to make sure you are also aware of what to know and how to stay safe!
There are many countries that are in natural disaster zones or prone to earthquakes so its always best to be prepared ahead of time and know what to do.
Here are some resources on what to do in a Natural Disaster/Earthquake:
How to Prepare to Travel to an Earthquake Prone Region
What happens if i need to go to the hospital as a solo female traveler in another country?
So this happened to me in Japan, although I didn’t go to a hospital. I frantically was searching for an eye doctor because I didn’t want to go blind. Luckily I had travel insurance or this would have costs me a fortune.
Cell service and travel insurance are so important for solo female travelers.
Yes I am accident prone but accidents happen to anyone and everyone! I was frantically googling eye doctors but obviously I was in a small town none of them spoke English.
After a while I just went to a pharmacy and used the translation app and the nicest pharmacist helped me with a temporary solution until I could make it back to a bigger city where they had eye doctors who spoke English.
Here are some resources to deep dive into what to do for Medical Emergencies
Going to the Hospital While Traveling Abroad
Healthcare When Traveling Abroad
Solo Female Travel Safety: Advice for What Women Worry About
As Solo Female Travelers, we have a different set of worries than our male counterparts. Some of our worries include: Getting drugged, Getting abducted, Getting mugged, Getting assaulted and Getting robbed.
