Empowering Solo Female Travel: Safety Tips and Advice

Venturing into solo travel offers a great opportunity to explore new destinations and learn about different cultures. Did you know an astounding 80% of solo travelers are female? This trend includes a spectrum of women, including married, divorced, single, and those looking for a new adventure. Embracing their wanderlust, women go on international and domestic journeys, exploring the world on their terms through flying or road-tripping.

Through personal experience, solo travel has been a refreshing and empowering journey of self-discovery and healing. I can describe beautiful, peaceful destinations in detail, but once you go on your solo adventure, you will fully grasp its transformative power. So, while reading travel articles and planning your bucket lists is a great start, the real magic happens when you take that leap of faith and go on those trips. Trust me, the experience is beyond worth it, and you won’t regret it. Just do it! 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Jamie Ward (@fieldsandheels)

Taking precautions is important for personal safety. While traveling solo can be a liberating experience, safety is a priority. Throughout my travels, I’ve encountered only one unsafe situation, ironically closer to home. Having been through this life-changing incident myself, I understand the concern. Through therapy and healing, I’ve chosen not to let a negative travel experience overshadow my passion for solo exploration. This article provides practical safety tips to empower women travelers and ensure enjoyable journeys.

After several years as a travel writer, I have compiled a list of tips to assist you in your travels. If you have any questions, please drop them in the comments!

Here are some tips solo travel safety tips:

Keep Others Informed About Your Travel Plans:

• Share Your Itinerary: Inform a reliable friend or family member about your travel plans, including destinations and expected arrival and departure times.
• Regular Check-Ins: Regularly communicate with your designated contact person during your trip.
• Location Sharing: Enable location sharing on your phone with a trusted individual. This will allow them to track your movements in real-time.
• Location Tracking: Keep your phone’s location “on” while traveling. This will help others locate you in an emergency or if you get lost.

Familiarize Yourself with the Area: Before embarking on an adventure to a new town or county, study the local maps and practice your navigation skills.

Do Your Research. Before your travels, take the time to research the specific places and countries you plan to visit. Familiarize yourself with the local customs, laws, and potential hazards to ensure a smooth and informed travel experience, especially when traveling abroad.

Plan your arrival during daylight hours. Travelers often make their hotel or hostel their first stop in a new destination. I recommend arriving in the afternoon to have ample time to explore and evaluate the surrounding area. A safe neighborhood will always appear more inviting in daylight.

Be aware of your surroundings. Stay attentive to the people and objects around you.  Avoid walking alone at night, and be cautious when choosing where you park your vehicle.

Plan your transportation. If flying, arrange airport transportation to your hotel beforehand. Arriving in a foreign country, especially one where you don’t speak the language or understand the transit system, emphasizes the importance of pre-planning.

Consider anti-theft clothing and accessories:

• Utilize anti-theft clothing: Opt for pants, undergarments, tank tops, and jackets equipped with extra, concealed pockets, providing convenient and discreet storage for cash. Here’s a link to Amazon’s collection of pickpocket-proof items.
• Carry an anti-theft day pack or hidden belt pack:  You can take it with you during excursions or leave it locked to a fixed object in your room with your precious items inside for protection.

Have emergency money easily accessible. For emergencies, maintain a supply of cash. Some can be carried on your person, and some can be stashed in your luggage or backpack.

Stay Alert and Sober:

• Be aware of your surroundings and avoid distractions to enhance your safety.
• Prioritize sleep to maintain alertness and quick thinking.
• Limit alcohol intake. Excessive drinking can compromise your judgment and increase your vulnerability to crime.

Pack a doorstopper. A small, conveniently packable doorstopper can be useful when traveling, particularly in hotels. I always carry one with me on my travels, and this is the one I use. 

Listen to your intuition. When a situation feels off, it usually is. Have the courage to remove yourself from any environment that makes you feel uneasy.

Carry a personal alarm or protection device. Personal safety alarms can deter attackers and draw attention to you in emergency situations, making them valuable tools for personal safety. 

Consider carrying a firearm. Over the past several years, women’s concealed carry guns have become increasingly popular. More and more women, including myself, have elected to take their personal safety more seriously and invest in firearms for personal protection. Now, while you need to research where you are traveling to ensure you can carry your firearm, you can’t get much safer than a pistol when it comes to safely traveling as a solo female traveler.

Consider enrolling in a self-defense class. Acquiring essential self-defense techniques can boost your confidence and empower you to protect yourself in potentially dangerous situations. Often, your local police department offers classes.

Navigate the Public Transit System:

• Safety First: Familiarize yourself with the local transit system’s safety measures and precautions.
• Fare Facts: Determine fare amounts, payment options (cash, cards, passes), and potential discounts.
• Pass or Pay-As-You-Go: Consider whether a transit pass is cost-effective for your needs and travel frequency.
• Routes and Schedules: Identify the key routes and bus or train lines you’ll need to take and plan your journey accordingly.

Wear a wedding band. Wearing a wedding band while traveling alone can be a wise safety measure, even if you aren’t married. It may appear that you are in a committed relationship and help deter unwanted interactions. Surprisingly, a simple ring on your wedding finger can make a significant difference in how you are perceived, offering a sense of protection and reducing the likelihood of uncomfortable or dangerous situations. Have fun with picking out a cheap band for travel – here is an Amazon list of options.

Leave expensive things at home. It is advisable to leave valuable items like expensive jewelry, flashy clothes, and accessories at home to avoid drawing unwanted attention. 

Consider purchasing travel insurance. It covers medical expenses, lost luggage, and other unforeseen travel incidents.

Keep charged. Bring a fully charged mobile phone with you and carry a portable charger. or power bank. Purchase a local SIM card to make calls and use data.

Embrace Flexibility: Remember that unforeseen circumstances may arise when venturing. Be adaptable and ready to adjust your itinerary as needed.

Enjoy the Journey! Don’t let the multitude of tips overwhelm you. Many women already incorporate some of these into their daily lives. Solo travel is an amazing experience. So relax, have fun, and don’t hesitate to seek assistance when needed.

Other articles you might enjoy:

• The Best Travel Accessories on Amazon
• Road Trip Packing Essentials {free printable}
• Staying in a hotel? Hotel safety, guidelines and expectations

Pin it for later!