Traveling solo always involves some risk. I prepare well and stay alert, but I do not want safety concerns to take over my trip. During my travels, I have heard stories from people who were robbed, scammed or harassed. This can happen almost anywhere. Risks can even differ between neighborhoods, transport routes and times of day. These are the solo female travel safety tips I personally use to lower the risks and feel more confident on the road. No safety tip can guarantee that nothing will happen. Being robbed or harassed is never the victim’s fault. Good preparation simply gives you more options if something goes wrong.
Prepare before your solo trip
1. Check the latest travel advice
Before you leave, check official travel advice, common scams and recent reviews of the areas you will visit. For Dutch travelers, the government uses four color codes: green and yellow mean you can travel, orange means travel only when essential and red means do not travel. Also check seasonal and natural risks. Earthquakes, hurricane season, flooding, extreme heat or wildfires can affect the best time to travel, transport and access to certain areas.
2. Share your travel plans
Give someone at home a basic overview of your route, flights and accommodation. They do not need to follow every step, but someone should know where you are expected to be. Save emergency numbers for your bank, insurer and embassy. I also keep a printed copy and make sure my bookings are accessible without depending on one device.
3. Arrange travel insurance and emergency money
Check whether your travel insurance covers medical care, theft, cancellations and the activities you plan to do. Surfing, hiking and scooter riding may have separate conditions. Official travel advice can also affect your insurance coverage. If you travel to an orange or red area, check the policy conditions or contact your insurer before you leave.
Keep enough emergency money available for a hotel, transport or a change of plans. Do not keep it all in one account or bag.
Protect your money, documents and phone
4. Bring more than one payment option
I always travel with at least two payment cards and keep them in different places. A card can be lost, stolen, blocked or refused by a cash machine.
I also carry some emergency cash. Check which currency is most useful for your destination instead of automatically bringing a large amount of US dollars.
5. Spread your valuables
Do not keep all your cards, money and important documents together. One stolen wallet should not leave you without any way to pay. I divide my backup items between two or three secure places. During overnight journeys, I sometimes use a hidden money belt on my body for my passport, one card and emergency cash.
6. Keep copies of important documents
Save secure copies of your passport, visa and travel insurance somewhere you can access online. Leave another copy with someone you trust at home. Do not store the only copy in the same bag as the original. Be careful when sending passport copies and remove details that are not needed.
7. Prepare for losing your phone
Your phone may contain your bank apps, bookings, maps and boarding passes. Use a strong screen lock and know how to locate or block it remotely.
I always bring an old phone as a backup. It stays charged and stored separately, so I can still access essential apps and emergency contacts if my main phone disappears.
Choose accommodation and transport carefully
8. Stay in a suitable area
For a solo stay, the neighborhood matters as much as the hotel itself. Check recent reviews about the location, reception, door locks, late arrivals and walking around after dark. I often prefer a small boutique hotel or guesthouse with personal service. A very cheap room is not a bargain when you need expensive taxis every evening.
9. Secure your room and luggage
I lock my main luggage when leaving my room. A lock will not stop everyone, but it adds an extra barrier. Use the hotel safe when it seems reliable, but do not place every card and document together inside it. Always lock your room while inside. Ask for another room when the door, windows or location do not feel right.
Don’t forget to empty the safe when checking out. I have seen travelers forget their passport and only discover it at the border.
10. Keep your hand luggage close
On buses, trains and boats, I keep my small bag on my lap, between my feet or somewhere I can see it. My passport, cards and phone never go into an overhead rack when I may fall asleep. When large luggage goes into a separate compartment, keep your valuables with you and check that the correct bag is unloaded.
11. Research each transport route
I do not automatically avoid local transport. A local bus can be practical in one place and uncomfortable or unreliable in another. In parts of Central America, I have used tourist shuttles because they were faster and easier with luggage. Ask your accommodation and recent travelers what currently works best for that specific route.
12. Check your taxi or app-based ride
Before getting into an app-based ride, check the license plate, car and driver details. Ask the driver who they are collecting instead of immediately giving your own name. Where transport apps are unreliable or unavailable, ask your hotel or restaurant to arrange an official taxi. I had this in Paramaribo, Suriname, where the hotel told me which taxi service was reliable.
13. Carry only what you need
You usually do not need every card, all your cash and every valuable item during a short walk or tour. Take what you think you need for the day and secure the rest at your accommodation. Check whether local rules require you to carry your original passport.
14. Keep valuables low-key
Avoid displaying expensive jewelry, watches and electronics unnecessarily. Do not leave your phone or camera unattended on a table. You can still dress like yourself. Just avoid making expensive items unnecessarily visible.
15. Ask practical local questions
Hotel staff, guides and local business owners often know which streets become quiet at night and which transport options are reliable. Ask specific questions such as, “Can I walk back here after dinner?” This usually gives you better information than asking whether an entire city is safe.
16. Be more careful after dark
A lively neighborhood can become very quiet at night. Ask locally before walking alone and arrange transport when the route does not feel right. I prefer to arrive at a new destination during daylight. When a late arrival is unavoidable, I arrange my first transfer and accommodation in advance.
For a late arrival, you can sometimes book an airport taxi through Booking.com. The driver waits for you in the arrivals hall, which makes the first transfer much easier.
17. Respect local customs
I look at what local women wear and adapt in religious places or more conservative destinations. This shows respect and may help you attract less unwanted attention. However, clothing never makes someone responsible for harassment. Observe local customs, but set clear boundaries whenever necessary.
Socialize without losing control
18. Stay in control of alcohol and drinks
Meeting people is part of the fun, but I still want to make my own decisions and arrange my transport home. Know your limit with alcohol and keep your drink in sight. I also stay away from drugs, especially in countries where the laws and consequences can be severe.
19. Learn useful words in the local language
Speaking some Spanish has helped me communicate throughout Latin America. You do not need perfect grammar. Being able to make contact with local people and explain a basic problem can already make a real difference.
20. Trust your instincts and show confidence
Walk calmly and with purpose. Confidence does not mean ignoring warning signs. When a person, taxi or situation feels wrong, leave. You do not owe anyone politeness when you feel uncomfortable. Move toward other people and ask firmly for help when necessary. Most people I have met while traveling were helpful and friendly, so do not spend your entire trip expecting something bad to happen. Prepare well, stay alert and then enjoy your trip.
Can solo female travel ever be completely safe?
No destination or type of travel is completely risk-free. You can take sensible precautions and still experience theft, harassment or another difficult situation. Safety is also personal. Your experience, language skills, neighborhood, transport and arrival time can all influence how a place feels. The goal is not to remove every possible risk. It is to make informed choices, have a backup plan and avoid letting fear control your trip. And as I wrote before: walk with confidence.
Final thoughts on solo travel safety
Many travel safety tips sound obvious. Yet simple habits are often the easiest to forget when you are tired, distracted or excited. I have traveled alone for many years. Experience has made me more confident, but not careless. Take practical precautions, listen to local advice and trust your instincts. Then put the safety worries aside and enjoy the reason you traveled in the first place.
If you are looking for more advice about enjoying your own company, meeting people and traveling with confidence, read my 10 solo travel tips for women. Or contacts me via Instagram.
