Part of me hates that I even feel the need to write this post: Solo Travel Tips for Women. Why should women have to go above and beyond to protect themselves? Why do we need to carry around extra stuff and dress a certain way when traveling solo? Well, that’s the world we live in. Traveling solo is an incredible experience, so if it takes a few extra precautions to make it happen so be it.
I took the plunge on my first solo trip this past year. After getting used to the fact that I was by myself (and had to figure out where I was going by myself) getting in the groove was easy and I ended up loving it. Solo travel is not for everyone, and that’s ok. As much fun as I had, traveling with friends and family will still be my preference. That doesn’t mean I won’t do it again, I certainly will!
The city I visited was a fairly safe, major U.S city, one I had actually been to before and loved. I wanted to explore it a little deeper, which made it a great choice for a first solo trip. I packed carefully, made an itinerary, and did everything else I would normally do to prepare for a trip.
It took about 10 minutes of being in the city before I realized my first mistake, being seriously overdressed. Traveling solo is a totally different monster. That brings us to the first tip…
Solo Travel Tips for Women
There are few things that make it super obvious someone is a tourist, and one of the big giveaways is how they dress. There are some obvious examples, like not dressing conservatively in a Muslim country or wearing sandals in Iceland during the winter time, but subtle mistakes can be just as bad.
Let’s use me as the example of what NOT to do. I was too excited, dressed up a little more than I normally do, and found myself looking extra as guac in a sea of yoga pants and hiking boots. I felt immediately out of place and an ideal target for crime.
After a quick Target run, followed by removing most of my jewelry and switching a large designer purse for a simple back pack I fit in and felt much better. Would I have done all that if I wasn’t solo? Honestly probably not, but understanding that going solo carries a unique set of circumstances is numero uno in getting it right.
This is a tough one for those of us who are directionally challenged, but another easy way to spot a tourist is seeing someone looking around for street signs, buildings, down at a map, etc. It’s unavoidable at times, but getting a basic lay of the land before stepping out is a big help.
Have a general idea of where you are going and walk confidently. If you find yourself lost, duck into a store or cafe to look over the directions. Don’t be afraid to take your time and look around, just keep that confidence up and be aware of your surroundings.
If you have to turn around, don’t be too abrupt. Pop into a store again first for a few seconds. Even better, if you can, walk to the next intersection and cross the street before going down the other side.
Make an effort to be back to your hotel before dark. That sounds so old fashioned, I know, but it’s the truth. Just don’t walk around at night. If there is somewhere you’re going specifically, this is the time to pay extra for an Uber or public transportation.
One thing to note: Skip the taxis, in many countries they are not regulated and it’s impossible to tell if the driver is legit. At least with Uber and other ride shares you can verify who is picking you up, their lisense plate and driver rating.
I will never travel solo without either a personal alarm or a simple safety whistle. These little gadgets can easily scare off an attacker or get someone’s attention if you need help. Keep them somewhere easily accessible. The last thing you want to be doing in an emergency is rummaging through your purse in the dark. The personal alarm is bulkier, but much louder. It even has a little flashlight built in that can come in handy!
A personal door stop is another essential tool to increase safety for solo female travelers. Simply sliding it under a hotel room door makes it way more difficult for an intruder to get in. You can never really be sure you’re safe, even in a locked room. These door stops are light, won’t take up much room in a suitcase and provide priceless peace of mind.
For some people it’s second nature to pop in ear buds when walking around or traveling. As nice as it is to drown out noise and traffic, it is also blocking our ability to really feel what’s going on around us. Not to mention it’s another thing that makes us an easy target.
Make sure someone has a copy of your itinerary, even if it’s generalized. Have specific days arranged to check in, a simple email or text will do just fine. What would happen if didn’t check in after a few days? The ladies at Crime Junkie podcast put together a detailed list of things your loved ones would need if you went missing.
Depending on where you are staying, there may also be the option of letting the hotel front desk know what you are up to. Especially if you’re doing something like going on a solo hike or driving to another city for the day, making sure SOMEONE knows where you are going and when you should be back is an added bonus.
Besides common tricks like pickpocketing and overcharging, different countries and areas have their own special ways to scam travelers. There is so much more to be aware of than just pick pocketing.
Check out this article from Nomadic Matt. He breaks down some major scams to be aware of.
Getting to know the locals can be one of the most rewarding parts of traveling. Meeting someone you enjoy talking to can be the highlight of a trip, but no matter how much your new friends share about their lives you do not want to overshare.
Never tell someone where you are staying. If being evasive is difficult or you feel rude not answering, lie. Simple as that. Plan a decoy hotel ahead of time so you don’t feel put on the spot. Turn the conversation around quickly by asking a question about something unrelated.
You are not traveling alone. Well ok you are, but no one needs to know that. Your friend or signifiant other is meeting you shortly.
This is a tough one, especially for bloggers, but be careful how much you share on social media as well. Sharing your location, where you’re staying and what your plans are for the day makes it way too easy for someone to find you.
Take a female self defense class! If there is a situation where you need to physically defend yourself, having a few moves in your back pocket can come in handy. Google self defense classes in your area, a lot of times they are offered for free.
That being said, if someone is trying to rob you with a weapon, just give them your belongings. Nothing you have is worth being harmed over. This is what travel insurance is for. I use World Nomads for travel insurance, find out more about it HERE.
Putting all these solo travel tips for women into practice will make you much safer on your next trip. Whatever you do, don’t let fear prevent you from getting out there and experiencing the world. Be aware of what you need to watch out for, and have the adventure of your dreams.
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Thanks for the tip to know how to defend ourselves. I want to pursue a nomadic lifestyle by traveling more. Your article helped me see the importance of learning about self defense first.
I'm glad that helped Daphne! It sucks that as women we have to take those extra steps, but better safe than sorry.
Great tips your share on this blog. Very helpful tips. Thanks for sharing.
This is truly helpful for all female solo travelers, even for male solo travelers as well. I actually learned a great deal about this post, especially about learning about the basic self defense, which most have forgotten about. I as well share this with my solo female travelers, and surely this is a big help. Thank you so much for sharing this with us.
I can imagine that your tips are very re-assuring for ladies who are not used to travel by themselves. Having been a female solo traveller basically forever, I honestly don't even think about it - how to behave, what to do and what not to do. Of course, I do avoid sketchy areas, especially at night, but that's something I would also do with a group of travellers. Other than that, I never ever experienced something that made me ponder on travelling solo.
Excellent tips! I haven't thought of letting the hotel front desk know where I was going for the day, but I'll start doing that. I also have a group chat with my close friends and let them know what I'm up to (sometimes with pretty photos too) :)
I've been wary of solo travels. Thanks for sharing your experiences and the tips.
You have written a very informative post here. Men or Women, our safety is in our own hands. It is better to be safe than sorry. So whether we are traveling or we are in our own city we should keep these safety tips in mind.
I believe those are some important points, especially the headphones one. A lot of time, we are lost in music and it certainly impairs our reaction time if something goes wrong.
Umm, "extra as guac" just became my new favorite phrase! But seriously, this is a great list. My first (and only) solo trip, I did so many things that put me in legit danger. I cringe looking back at it, but I had no idea at the time. I was so young and dumb, haha. I hope more women read this before they travel solo!
Wonderful list of things! it always helps to be prepared and ready for the unknown. Weve learned it the hard way and now started to create lists.