15 Safety Tips for Traveling Alone

15 Safety Tips for Traveling Alone

So, you’ve made the big decision to travel alone—how exciting! But if we’re being honest, the doubts are probably starting to creep in, right? And wondering if it’s even safe to travel alone is probably at the top of your list. I know it was at the top of my list.

Here’s the thing though – tons of women travel alone safely. You can, too!

There is an element of danger no matter where you travel. That includes traveling at home too. But, if you can manage to stay safe at home, you can also stay safe when you’re not at home.

Staying safe when you’re traveling solo is just an extension of what you already do. You are going to do all the things you do at home to keep yourself safe, except now you’re doing it somewhere else. 

Here are my 15 safety tips for traveling alone to make your solo adventure as safe and stress-free as possible.

1. Research Your Destination

This is a no-brainer but you’d be surprised how many people don’t know anything about where they are going. If you are traveling somewhere you’ve not been to before, do your research. Don’t just blindly go somewhere thinking “Oh, it’s such and such place, I will be fine.” Learn about the local culture, customs, and laws of where you are going. Know the areas to avoid and understand the current safety situation. Spend some time reading travel blogs and forums, and check for any government travel advisories.

2. Share Your Itinerary

Let a trusted friend or family member know your travel plans. Share your itinerary, where you are staying, and what you plan on doing. In case of an emergency, having someone who knows where you are is important.

I will send my grown kids all the details of my trip. Flights, hotels, activities…all of it. Not that I ever plan on it but, if I fall of the face of the earth, I want someone to know where to begin the search.

3. Check Reviews of Hotels

Before you book your hotel, make sure you check the reviews. Check the reviews from a few different websites too, not just one. If you find a few negative comments, pay attention to what they were for and how recent they were. If they appear to be similar and recent issues, you should probably choose a different hotel.

Booking websites like TripAdvisor, Agoda, and Booking.com are good places to start looking. So are travel blogs and Facebook groups. 

I usually search for and join Facebook group pages as soon as I have a destination in mind so I can start looking for recommendations. As a matter of fact, it was a Facebook group discussion that led me to change my hotel reservation in Frankfurt, Germany. When I arrived, I could see why. My original choice, while a nice hotel, was one street away from the red light district!

4. Don’t Dress Like a Tourist

When you are traveling solo, you don’t want to draw attention to yourself by looking like a tourist. Criminals often target tourists because tourists are unfamiliar with the area and are so easily distracted with sightseeing. In essence, you are easier to be taken advantage of. You want to blend in and dress like any other woman there. 

5. Stay Aware of Your Surroundings

Just like when you are at home, you’ll need to keep an eye on your belongings, especially in crowded places or public transportation. Be aware of your surroundings and trust your instincts. If a situation doesn’t feel right, remove yourself from it.

6. Don’t Carry Valuables

If you don’t want to lose it, or risk having it stolen, leave it at home. That goes for what you pack as well as what you have on you when you are out and about. Wearing flashy jewelry or expensive bling is just going to draw attention to you and tempt thieves. Just leave all that stuff at home.

7. Follow a Group of People

If you are walking alone, especially at night, it can feel safer to follow behind a group of people. It’s that whole safety in numbers thing. You don’t want to follow the group so closely though that it feels creepy, but close enough so that they could help you, if needed. 

There’s also nothing wrong with saying “Hey, do you mind if I tag along behind you? I’m just going a couple blocks down and I’d feel better if I wasn’t walking alone.” You’d be surprised how many people take you under their wing and make sure you get to where you are going.

8. Don’t Get in a Car with a Random Stranger

Yes, this is commonsense but it’s still worth repeating. Never take rides from random strangers. Even if you’ve been chatting with someone you just met, it’s still not wise to get in their car. Better safe than sorry with this one.

To help stay safe when you’re traveling solo, it’s best to just use public transportation, taxis, or legitimate ride-sharing apps.

Pro Tip: Make sure you carry the business card of where you are staying, or have the location pinned on your GPS map. If you’re in a place with a language barrier, you can always show your driver the business card or the pinned location.

9. Keep your Phone Connected

Yes, your phone will still work in another country, but you’ll want to make sure you activate international coverage first. If you don’t, you’ll pay a fortune in international roaming fees.

Before you travel, contact you service provider and ask about coverage for your trip. Most cell phone companies will provide international coverage for an additional fee of about $12 a day.

Another, less costly, option is to purchase a SIM card for the region you will be traveling in. A SIM will cost about $12 for enough data to usually last for a week. The biggest drawback for using a SIM is that they don’t work on phones that are not unlocked (paid off.) 

10. Be Careful Posting on Social Media

This is a hard one for me because I love to post on Facebook and Instagram when I’m traveling by myself. I find it helps me feel more connected to friends and family when I’m so far away. But social media posts and location tagging are seen by a a whole lot of people, including people you may not even know. 

Never post your real-time location. It can compromise your privacy and your safety. It’s best to be vague or, better yet, wait until you are home before you post.

11. Stay in Communication

Regularly check in with friends or family back home. Let them know where you are and what your plans for the day are. You may even want to set up a specific time for daily or periodic check-ins. 

Pro Tip: Turn on location sharing on your phone so that someone will always know where to find you. I have my location shared with my adult children even when I’m not traveling.

12. Have a Plan for Emergencies

If there is an emergency, would you know what number to call? In the US, we know to call 911 but 911 doesn’t work in every country. Know the emergency contact number for the local authorities and your country’s embassy or consulate. 

Keep physical copies of your passport and travel documents in case they get lost or stolen. It’s also a good idea to take a picture of your documents and email them to yourself and to a trusted friend or relative.

If you’re a US citizen, you can enroll in the STEP program before you travel abroad. The Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) is a free service through the Department of State. You’ll get real time updates about health, weather, safety, and security in the country. And it helps the embassy or consulate contact you if there’s an emergency like a natural disaster, civil unrest, or a family emergency.

13. Fake it Until you Make it

Act confident. Even if you don’t feel it, fake it. You never want to appear vulnerable. When you’re in public, don’t show signs of panic, fear, confusion, being lost, or getting overwhelmed. If you find yourself in a situation where your senses are getting the best of you, take a deep breath, stand up tall, and fake your confidence. Fake it just long enough to walk into a nearby hotel, restaurant, museum or someplace safe. Collect your thoughts, ask for help if needed, and continue on. You’ve got this!

RELATED POST: 10 Ways to Build Confidence to Travel Solo

14. Travel During the Day

Whenever possible, arrive at your destination during daylight hours, especially if it’s somewhere you’ve not been before. When you’re traveling solo, you need to be fully alert at all times. Arriving in the dark, especially after a long flight, significantly impairs your awareness and the ability to make good decisions. That’s how I ended up getting scammed into paying triple the price for a taxi after a 35 hour flight to Indonesia! 

RELATED POST: Embracing the Chaos: My Collection of Travel Mishaps

15. Be Mindful of Alcohol