15 Safety Tips for Traveling Solo, From My Own Experience

If you’re thinking about traveling alone, you’ve probably wondered whether it’s safe. And if you haven’t asked that question yourself, there’s a good chance a friend or family member has asked it for you.

I think many people, especially here in the United States, assume home is safe and the rest of the world is dangerous. But honestly, I’ve felt safer in some places abroad than I do at home. That doesn’t mean nothing can happen. It means being somewhere unfamiliar doesn’t automatically make it dangerous.

I’ve read advice about wearing fake wedding rings, booking hotel rooms for two people, and carrying personal alarms. Those things might help some women feel more comfortable, but they’ve never been my approach. I can’t live in a constant state of fear, and I don’t want to spend my trips that way either.

I do my research, take precautions, and pay attention. I’ve also made mistakes and learned a few lessons the hard way. These safety tips for traveling solo come from those experiences, including what I do now and what I would do differently next time.

If you’re still working out the details of your first trip, my guide to planning your first solo trip will help you get started.

1. Plan Your Transportation Before You Need It

Before my first trip to Indonesia, I’d done my research. I knew Bluebird was the recommended taxi company and that other drivers would try to get my business. But after about 35 hours of travel, I arrived exhausted, in the dark, with people constantly offering me taxis. I kept declining while looking for Bluebird, but I couldn’t find them, and it was overwhelming.

When someone else approached, I said I was taking Bluebird. “Yes, Bluebird,” he replied, leading me to a counter to sign a paper agreeing to the price. It was much higher than expected, and I knew that was a red flag. I signed anyway because I just wanted to get to my hotel. He then took me to a blue taxi, but it wasn’t Bluebird. The ride was fine, but I paid about three times what I’d expected.

Now, if I’m arriving somewhere new after dark, I would arrange a private pickup ahead of time. Being tired and overwhelmed made it harder to follow through on my research. Having someone waiting would be worth the extra money.

2. Research the Neighborhood, Not Just the Hotel

A hotel can have lovely rooms and good reviews without being in a neighborhood where you’d feel comfortable walking alone. I learned this while planning a stay in Frankfurt, Germany, when a Facebook group discussion led me to change my reservation.

Once I arrived, I could see why people had raised concerns. My original choice, while a nice hotel, was one street away from the red light district. I was glad I’d found that discussion before getting there!

Now I spend just as much time researching the neighborhood as I do the hotel itself. I look for recent comments about the surrounding streets, nearby transportation, and what it’s like returning in the evening. I also join destination Facebook groups early in my planning so I can read discussions and look for recommendations.

Look beyond the hotel’s overall rating. Read what guests say about the location, particularly women who stayed alone. My hotel booking tips for first-time solo travelers explain more about what I check before booking.

3. Check Your Room’s Door Lock

I once stayed at a well-rated hotel in Germany where the room didn’t have a deadbolt or security chain. The door locked, but there was no additional lock inside to stop someone with a working keycard from opening it. Nothing happened, but it still made me feel uneasy.

Check the door lock when you first enter your room. If something doesn’t work or you’re uncomfortable with the setup, speak with the front desk while you’re getting settled rather than waiting until bedtime to deal with it.

I’ve thought about taking a doorstop or portable lock, but I haven’t started carrying one. What I do know is that if I truly didn’t feel safe at a hotel, I would leave and find somewhere else. Good reviews wouldn’t convince me to stay somewhere that felt wrong.

4. Keep Backup Money and a Card Separate

When I go sightseeing, I take one card in my crossbody bag and leave another hidden in my luggage. I split my cash too, taking some with me and leaving some behind, separate from my backup card. Even in my crossbody, I keep my cash separate from the card.

I also carry my passport in my crossbody and leave a printed copy in my luggage. That’s my personal routine, and I don’t use hotel safes. Other travelers handle their valuables differently, but I want to avoid having everything together in one place.

Before leaving your room, think about what you’d still have access to if your bag went missing. Having another card and some cash elsewhere gives you options while you sort things out, instead of leaving you without a way to pay for transportation, food, or accommodation.

5. Keep Your Bag Close and Pay Attention in Crowds

In crowds and on public transportation, I keep my crossbody in front of me, check that the zippers are closed, and hold it close. I pay particular attention when people are getting on and off transportation or everyone is squeezing through the same space.

My phone is usually in my hand because I’m taking pictures or checking directions. Otherwise, I put it in a deep pocket where it won’t fall out when I sit down. Because I use it so often, it’s something I have to be conscious of throughout the day.

There’s plenty to distract you when you’re sightseeing, and of course you want to enjoy it. You don’t need to spend the whole day watching everyone suspiciously, but check your belongings regularly and notice what’s happening around you.

6. Keep Your Phone Ready, With a Backup for When It Isn’t

In San Francisco, I was on a long walk to watch the sunset at the Pacific Ocean when my phone battery started dropping much faster than expected. I switched on airplane mode, turned off maps, and did what I could to conserve power. I made it in time to see the sunset, but my phone died just as I was about to order an Uber back. I ended up going from person to person trying to find someone with a charger.

Now I take a power bank when I’ll be out for long periods, but I’m still surprised by how quickly maps and pictures can drain a battery. Make sure your power bank is charged and you have the right cable with you. It doesn’t do much good sitting back in your hotel room!

7. Give Someone at Home Your Travel Details

Before traveling, I send my grown children the details of my trip, including flights, hotels, and activities. I also have location sharing turned on, even when I’m not traveling. If something happened, I’d want them to have somewhere to start rather than trying to work out where I might be.

While I’m away, I usually post on my personal Facebook page every day and call every few days through WhatsApp or Facebook Messenger. It helps me feel connected to home while I’m off having my own adventure.

Make sure someone you trust has your itinerary and knows how to reach you. If your plans change significantly, send them the updated details. It’s also worth agreeing on when they should expect to hear from you and what to do if they can’t reach you, rather than leaving them guessing.

8. Keep Your Hotel Details Private

I have no problem telling people I travel alone. I say it confidently, even when some of that confidence is an act. I enjoy talking with people, and I don’t want to approach every friendly conversation assuming something bad will happen.

Of course, if someone gives me the heebie-jeebies, I’m more guarded. And one thing I don’t tell people I’ve just met is where I’m staying. I can have a friendly conversation without sharing my hotel name or exactly where I’m heading afterward.

Being approachable doesn’t mean you have to answer every personal question. You can keep details private, change the subject, or end a conversation if you’re uncomfortable. You don’t owe someone information simply because they asked nicely.

9. Think About What Your Social Posts Reveal

I love sharing my travels, and posting on my personal Facebook page helps me feel connected to friends and family. But there’s a difference between sharing an experience and giving people your exact whereabouts.

Before posting, look at what your photo and caption reveal. Can someone identify your hotel? Is your room number visible? Are you announcing exactly where you are and that you’ll be there alone for the next few hours?

You can share the excitement of your trip without providing a running account of where someone could find you. Wait until you’ve left before tagging a specific location, and keep accommodation details private. Also check who can see your posts rather than assuming they’re only reaching close friends.

10. Give Yourself Permission to Stop and Get Help

I try to act confident when I travel, but that doesn’t mean I always know what I’m doing. I’ve gotten turned around more often than I’d like to admit, and sometimes I need to stop and work out where I’m going.

If you’re lost or overwhelmed, you don’t have to keep walking while trying to figure everything out. Step into a café, hotel, shop, or another place where you feel comfortable. Take a minute to check your route, ask a staff member for help, or arrange a ride.

I don’t find “don’t look like a tourist” particularly helpful advice. I am a tourist. I’m taking pictures and looking at places I’ve never seen before. The goal is to pay attention and make decisions you’re comfortable with, without feeling you have to hide the fact that you’re visiting.

My tips for building confidence to travel solo may help if handling unfamiliar situations is one of your biggest worries.

11. Keep Emergency Information Available Without Your Phone

After my San Francisco experience, I know how quickly you can lose access to something you’ve relied on all day. That’s one reason I like having printed information as well as digital copies.

I keep copies of my passport, hotel reservations, flight information, and emergency contacts together in a travel folder. Knowing I can still find those details if my phone dies or goes missing gives me peace of mind.

Before traveling, find the local emergency numbers and keep your travel insurance contact details and relevant embassy or consulate information accessible. Keep a small written copy of your hotel address and an emergency contact with you too, so the information is useful while you’re out.

My travel documents checklist will help you organize your paperwork before leaving.

What if something goes wrong while you’re away?

My free Just in Case Travel Guide walks you through what to do if you lose your passport, your luggage doesn’t arrive, or your flight is canceled. It’s reassuring to have a plan before you need one.

Get My Free Just in Case Travel Guide

12. Be Mindful of Alcohol

If you choose to drink when you’re out alone, remember that you still need to look after your belongings, make decisions, and get yourself back to your hotel. Think about the whole evening, including the journey back, when deciding how much you’re comfortable drinking.

Keep your drink with you, watch it being prepared where possible, and don’t leave it unattended, including when you use the restroom. If you’ve left it out of your sight, get a new one.

You can enjoy a meal or an evening out while keeping your judgment clear. And if sitting down at a restaurant alone feels intimidating, my tips for eating alone while traveling can help with that part too.

Make Room for the Adventure

Things often sound and feel scary until you do them. That’s been true for many parts of my solo travel experience. Each trip has given me more practice making decisions, handling unfamiliar situations, and working through the occasional mistake.

I still research, pay attention, and make plans. I’m also willing to spend extra when it makes getting somewhere easier or helps me feel more comfortable. But I want to enjoy the reason I traveled in the first place: seeing somewhere new, meeting people, and doing things I might once have talked myself out of.

You can take safety seriously without spending your whole trip afraid. Prepare before you go, give yourself options, and let yourself enjoy being there.

For help preparing for the unexpected, download my free Just in Case Travel Guide. It walks you through what to do if your passport is lost, your luggage doesn’t arrive, your flight is canceled, or something else goes wrong.

What’s one safety habit you always follow when you travel? Share it in the comments.