Solo Travel Safety: Essential Tips for Women Travelers
Traveling solo is one of my all-time favorite ways to explore the world. There’s nothing quite like the freedom of setting your own pace, discovering new places on your terms, and connecting with yourself in a new environment.
I’ve been lucky enough to travel solo all around the globe, and along the way I’ve picked up a few key tips for staying safe and aware when you’re out there on your own. So, if you’re planning to jet off solo, here are some must-know safety tips to keep you protected and confident while you’re livin’ your best life.
Tools: On-the-Go Safety Essentials
When it comes to solo travel, having the right tools can make all the difference. Here are three safety essentials that I like to pack with me on solo trips:
Hootie Personal Alarm: This little gadget is my go-to for peace of mind on solo trips. It’s easy to keep on hand—just clip it to your bag or keychain, and you’re set. If anything feels off, pull the pin, and Hootie lets out a 130-decibel scream (as loud as an airplane!) while flashing a high-intensity strobe light, instantly alerting help and deterring any potential trouble.
Door Jammer: Whether you’re staying in a hotel or an Airbnb, a door jammer adds an extra layer of security to your room. (After all, built-in door locks aren’t always foolproof.) This jammer installs without any tools and provides an additional locking layer that prevents the door from being opened from the outside—even with a key. It’s the perfect way to ensure peace of mind whenever you’re inside.
Pepper Spray: If I really want to feel protected when traveling, pepper spray is my go-to self-defense tool. The spray I use is small enough to attach to your key ring, sprays up to 16 feet for long-range protection, and even contains invisible ultraviolet dye to help identify an attacker. But just a heads-up: pepper spray is not always legal to carry (and it’s not allowed in your carry-on bag), so make sure you understand the rules where you’re traveling.
Tagging: Stay Safe on Social Media
We all love sharing our travel adventures on Instagram and TikTok, but when you’re traveling solo, it’s crucial to be smart about it.
First up, never post or share where you are in real time while traveling. Found a cute café with the most Instagrammable latte art? Snap your pic, but wait until after you’ve left to post it. This goes for any activities or landmarks, too. Always delay your posting so no one can pinpoint where you’re at in real time.
Also, as much as you might want to show off your chic hotel room or that amazing dish you had at the hotel restaurant, never tag or share your hotel until after you’ve checked out and left. Sharing these details while you’re still staying there can make it easy for someone to track your location.
Tips: Quickfire and Crucial Tips for Solo Safety
When you’re out there exploring on your own, it’s easy to get caught up in the adventure and forget to stay alert. But it’s important to think ahead and make sure you’re not setting yourself up for any sketchy or uncomfortable situations. Preventative safety is all about the little things you can do in advance to keep yourself safe and your trip stress-free.
Share your location: I always share my itinerary and my real-time location with someone back home in order to keep them in the loop about my whereabouts. I like to use the iPhone app “Find My Friends” to share my location with my emergency contacts back home.
Never admit you're alone: Whether it’s a front desk clerk asking how many room keys you need or a cab driver making conversation, never let on that you’re traveling solo. Say you’re meeting a friend or mention your “travel buddy” who’s joining you later.
Avoid wearing headphones: It’s tempting to zone out with music or a podcast, but when you’re walking around solo, it’s essential to stay aware of your surroundings. Keep your senses sharp and stay in tune with what’s happening around you.
Stay visible: Stick to well-lit, populated areas, especially at night. If you’re walking somewhere unfamiliar, try to plan your route ahead of time and avoid shortcuts that could take you through isolated areas.
Trust your gut: Last but not least… trust your intuition. If something doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t. Trust your gut and remove yourself from any situation that feels off.
Solo travel is one of my absolute favorite ways to see the world. There’s something so special about discovering new places while also learning more about yourself along the way. It’s an amazing way to explore a city on your own terms, but staying aware is key to keeping those adventures safe and stress-free.
With these tips in your back pocket, you’re all set to conquer your next solo trip with confidence. So, get out there, soak it all in, and most importantly—have a blast!
