Honest Safety Tips for Solo Female Travelers: How to Stay Safe (2025)
These are the best and most practical safety tips for solo female travelers who want to enjoy the incredible benefits of solo travel around the world.
Traveling the world alone as a woman can seem scary. Truth be told, it’s just the same as navigating your home country. Using the same safety precautions you use at home will also keep you safe while traveling.
The name of the game is reducing the statistical probability that you will be a victim of theft and violence. This means avoiding locations where crime frequently occurs and not being an opportunistic target.Â
There are a lot of devices and gadgets you can get for safety. The downsides is that some might be too cumbersome to actually travel with. They take up a lot of space in your suitcase and can be really expensive. Additionally, even if you can get them packed in your suitcase and through the airport, you might not even end up using them on your travels.
That being said, having something simple like a door lock for hotels could give you tremendous peace of mind, and shouldn’t be an issue with airport security or luggage space. Pepper spray could save your life, but could get tricky with airports. And some countries do not allow it, so it could get seized if you forget it in your bag.
Check out the “common sense” safety tips for even more advice on how to stay safe everywhere, not just traveling (that shows just how much emotional labor women are doing just existing in the same spaces as men…)
Table of Contents
- How safe is it for a woman to travel alone?
- Honest and Practical Safety tips for Solo Female Travelers
- Additional Solo Female Travel Resources
I basically wrote a short novel when I created the The Ultimate Guide to Solo Female Travel, which is a basically a How-To manual for being a solo female traveler. It provides a wealth of information from planning a trip, health and safety, menstruation, dating, insurance, post-travel reflection, and much, much more.
How safe is it for a woman to travel alone?
It depends on the country. However, it’s always recommended to only visit safe countries. Being a solo female traveler carries the same risks as existing as a woman in your home country. If you take the same precautions you do at home, traveling alone as a woman isn’t any more dangerous. While the additional risks are small, there are a whole lot of benefits to traveling solo!
Below are the best and most practical safety tips for solo female travelers to ensure you don’t become a victim of a theft or attack.
Honest and Practical Safety tips for Solo Female Travelers
Research your destination
Familiarize yourself with the level of crime and common scams. For example, in London it is common for thieves to ride by on a motorcycle and snatch your purse right off you, or take your phone right out of your hand. For these reasons, it is advisable to not walk and use your phone at the same time. Also, use a discreet fanny pack rather than a shoulder handbag. In Brazil, thieves will peruse beaches looking for valuables to steal. They will often using varying tactics such as distraction to get victims to look away. If you’re new to solo travel, it is advised to go to a country that is generally considered safe. This way, you aren’t constantly worried about being a victim of a crime and can enjoy your trip.
Get local advice
Always ask your host or any other locals about safety and things to be aware of. They are usually plugged into the community and can reassure you that you’re in a safe place, or warn you about potential threats. However, keep in mind that if you ask a man how safe a place is, you will be receiving his perspective of existing there as a man. His perspective is often very different from existing there as a woman. Men often don’t get sexually harassed on the street or followed, so a lot of places that feel safe for him might not feel safe for you.
Arrive in daylight
Try to arrive to new destinations during the day. This helps to get your bearings and allows you to get a local SIM or go to an ATM while it’s still light out.
Don’t go out at night
A lot of criminals use the cover of darkness to commit crimes, and in an unfamiliar city you are at a disadvantage, especially if there is a language barrier. It is easier to get lost, and businesses are more likely to be closed so you can’t step in and ask for help or directions.
Don’t go to bars or nightclubs (alone)
Being inebriated in a place you’re unfamiliar with makes you incredibly vulnerable to being preyed upon. Many places have problems with drink spiking, which is the precursor to sexual assault, or worse, kidnapping. If you are going to go, do not go alone. Find other travelers in your hostel to go with you, or buy alcohol at a store and bring it back to your place.
Blend in
Try to blend in and dress appropriately. Don’t wear flashy valuables or otherwise draw attention to yourself. Thieves will often target those who look like tourists and who have a lot of money. It’s best to blend in as much as you can and don’t look too lost, confused, or vulnerable.
Beware of street theft
Pick-pocketing and bag snatching are common in crowded areas, public transportation, markets, and tourist spots. Thieves might work in teams to distract victims while stealing belongings. It is advisable to not display wealth or valuable items in any country you’re in as that can identify you as not only a tourist, but also a target.
Practice Empowerment
This might be the most useful safety tip for solo female travelers, and that is to practice saying no. You do not owe anyone your time or presence, especially if they are making you uncomfortable. Women in the West are often raised to be polite, accommodating, and to ignore their own needs in favor of the desires of men. This behavior can get you in dangerous situations, especially if you don’t know your way around. If you think you got into a scammer taxi, tell them you want to get out. If a man on the street won’t leave you alone, be direct about not wanting to talk to him and draw attention to the situation. Do not endure an uncomfortable situation for fear of making a man upset because you asserted yourself.
Secure your belongings
Keep your valuables, including passports, cash, and electronics, in a secure place. Try to only stay in hostels that have a locker (you usually need to provide your own lock). If you’re staying in a house (like Airbnb) make sure to lock all doors and windows (especially at night). Additionally, keep valuables out of sight of windows. Don’t walk around with your passport on you, because if you get mugged, its gone. Obviously, never leave your bags unattended on a bus, train, or in an airport. I met a guy who told me his stuff was stolen while he was asleep on public transit. He fell asleep with his arms wrapped around his backpack, and thieves used a knife to slice open the front of his backpack. They stole everything that was inside, including his passport.
Tourist-targeted scams
Scams such as overcharging for goods or services, offering fake tour packages, or inviting tourists to secluded areas under false pretenses may occur. Research thoroughly and use reputable tour operators. Ask your host how much things should cost so you can better negotiate. Also, just because a local was nice to you doesn’t mean you owe them money. A common scam is to offer to take your photo, and then they will ask for (demand) payment. They are trying to use the unspoken rule of social reciprocity to get you to give them money, which you are under no obligation to give them. You do not owe them anything. Side note: other travelers will be more than happy to take your photo for you, and then you can do the same for them! Additionally, do not go anywhere with someone who approaches you on the street.
Taxi scams
Unlicensed or unofficial taxis may overcharge or take longer routes to increase the fare. Always use official taxi services from designated taxi stands or call a reputable taxi company. Agree on the fare before starting the ride. Unfortunately, this is common in many countries, so always be sure you look up the taxi situation in every country before you arrive.
Police
Unfortunately, in numerous countries, the police are corrupt and can’t be trusted. In Thailand specifically, they will often hassle tourists for the sake of getting bribes. Even worse, in some places, scammers may pose as police officers to extort money or steal from tourists. Always ask for identification and offer to go to the nearest police station if in doubt. Always double check the country you are visiting for common crimes involving police and tourists.
Credit card fraud
Be cautious when using credit cards. Skimming devices might be used at ATMs or in some establishments. Stick to reputable ATMs in secure locations and regularly check your card statements for unauthorized transactions. However, a lot of countries, mainly in SE Asia and South America, primarily still use cash. After withdrawing money from an ATM, I rarely, if ever, used my credit cards. This reduces the likelihood of falling victim to this scam.
There’s a lot of fear mongering in the West, and while there are a lot of dangers out there, there’s also a lot of kindness, generosity, and hospitality. Don’t let the fear of being a solo female traveler prevent you from exploring this beautiful planet and meeting interesting people. Use these safety tips for solo female travelers (and common sense) and go have an adventure of a lifetime! There are a lot of benefits of solo travel, and even inspiring historical figures including authors, poets, and Saints have been spoken about the transformative power of solo travel.
