16 Safety Tips for Solo Female Travelers (from an Expert)

I love solo travel. There’s nothing more empowering than landing in a new city completely on your own, free to see, eat, and do exactly what you want.

But as much as I thrive on independence, I’ve also learned that following a few safety tips for solo female travelers is key to living your best life…while not getting kidnapped.

Over the years, I’ve lived alone in Italy, Vietnam, Honduras, and Indonesia, and I’ve explored 17 additional countries on solo trips. I’ve made mistakes, learned lessons, and built routines that keep me confident and secure no matter where I go.

If you’re planning your first solo trip—or just want to feel more prepared—these are the safety strategies I personally use every time I travel alone.

Even though this guide is written for solo female travelers, the tips are just as useful if you’re exploring with friends or in a group. There’s really no such thing as being “too safe” when you travel.

Your Go-To Safety Tips for Solo Female Travelers

Traveling solo doesn’t mean throwing caution to the wind. As a chronic solo traveler, these are the tried-and-true safety tips I’ve learned from years on the road—practical habits that keep me safe without taking away from the fun.

With plenty of solo trips coming up soon (did someone say Sicily? 🤔), you better believe I’ll be using these tips to stay safe…and keep my parents off my back.

1. Keep Safety in Mind When Choosing a Destination 

The truth is, some destinations are safer for solo female travelers than others—but safety isn’t always as black and white as a government rating makes it seem.

The U.S. State Department Travel Advisory is a decent place to start, but it should always be taken with a grain of salt. Countries are ranked from Level 1 (safest) to Level 4 (do not travel), but those rankings don’t always reflect the reality on the ground.

The U.S. has its own safety challenges, yet those aren’t always fully reflected in its advisories. Meanwhile, some countries flagged at Level 2 or 3 can feel incredibly safe for day-to-day travel—especially in tourist-friendly areas.

When I’m researching a destination, I’ll glance at the advisory, but I put more weight on recent traveler experiences, local news, and feedback from solo female travel communities. Government ratings are one perspective—not the whole story.

Case in point: my move to Roatan, Honduras in 2021. I was terrified, and it was totally unwarranted. It remains one of my favorite places in the world to this day.

2. Insure Yourself—Always

Whenever I plan a trip, I always make sure to protect myself and my wallet with travel insurance. I’ve always booked travel insurance before trips, but I had to learn the hard way that not all travel insurance programs are created equal.

During the two months I lived in Thailand in 2022, I injured my foot on a weekend trip to Khao Sok National Park, which led to four months of limping around Southeast Asia and an eventual surgery in Canggu.

Since I was buying travel insurance month-to-month through AXA, none of my surgery was covered and I was out $3,500—even though I had active travel insurance at the time.

Since then, I started traveling with SafetyWing Travel Medical Insurance. It’s perfect for both short-term travelers and digital nomads since you can tailor it exactly to your dates and needs.

You can use it as a monthly subscription (what I usually do), or pay in full for a set date range. You can also take advantage of their useful add-ons like U.S. coverage (not for U.S. citizens, unfortunately), adventure sports, and electronics theft! Grab a quote below for your next trip 👇🏼

3. Choose Your Accommodation Strategically

Before booking accommodation in a new destination, I always check where it is on the map.

Accommodations outside the city center might be cheaper and work fine if you’re traveling with friends*, but when I’m solo I feel much safer staying somewhere central—where it’s well-lit, busy, and easier to get around without long, isolated walks.

*…and sometimes they’re not even fine in a group situation. Throwback to my Berlin trip during my study abroad semester when someone booked a hostel in the middle of nowhere—literally a 30-minute train ride outside of the city center. Nope.

Most booking sites (like Airbnb and Booking.com) have a map view, and I recommend using it along with doing some neighborhood research before making your final decision.

And remember: reviews are just as important as location.

I always look for comments from other women traveling alone, and I pay extra attention to red flags—like unsafe vibes, sketchy staff, or poor security. On the flip side, if a place has reviews praising how safe and comfortable it feels, that’s a huge plus.

And one last thing: check the amenities.

Private security, a 24-hour front desk, and in-room safes or lockers (especially if you’re staying in a hostel) can make a huge difference in peace of mind.

If only all of my solo travel accommodations were as luxurious as Tranquilseas Eco Lodge in Roatan 👆🏼 sigh.

4. Arrive During the Day

There’s nothing sketchier than landing in a new city alone and trying to find your way to an unfamiliar hotel in the dark. Whenever possible, I book flights, buses, or trains that get me in during daylight hours so I have time to get settled before night falls.

If schedules or prices don’t make that possible, I plan ahead. (Like my trip to Portland when I was forced to drop $70 on a taxi because I flat-out refuse to take a Portland bus at 12:00 AM.)

Instead of relying on public transportation late at night, I’ll research the local taxi/Uber situation ahead of time. Or, if I’m feeling a little unsure about the destination, I’ll coordinate a private transfer with my hotel.

It might seem like a lot to spend on something so unexciting, but trust me, it’s always worth it to spend a little extra dough when your safety is involved.

5. Set up Emergency SOS 

One of my favorite safety tips for solo female travelers is to take advantage of the features already built into your phone.

On both iPhones and Androids, you can set up Emergency SOS in settings. By enabling the “call with side button” feature, you can quickly reach emergency services by pressing the side or volume button five times in a row.

This is especially helpful if you ever need to call for help discreetly—whether you’re being followed, feel unsafe, or just can’t pull out your phone and dial normally.

For even more peace of mind, less than $20 on Amazon will get you a tiny personal safety alarm to keep on your person at all times.

6. Set Your Phone Up with a Local Data Plan 

In 2025, it’s never been easier to purchase and download a local data plan directly to your phone. And when you’re a woman traveling alone, nothing feels better than knowing you can pull up Google Maps, message a friend, or call an Uber at any moment.

A reliable data connection isn’t just about convenience—it’s one of the most important safety tips for female solo travelers.

Instead depending on random coffee shops for free WiFi, I use Airalo eSIMs to get connected the second I land. All you have to do is download the app, activate your eSIM, and you’re good to go with a local data plan.

No physical cards, no hassle, no stress.

👉🏼 Use code MADI10 for 10% off your Airalo purchase!

And remember, a phone with data is no good if your phone is dead! Buy, pack, and charge a reliable power bank for your trip (I like this one from Anker).

7. Drink Responsibly

I’m from Wisconsin, and nobody likes to drink as much as I do—yes, even on solo trips. But if you’re not as ahem experienced of a drinker, mixing alcohol with solo travel can quickly turn into the perfect storm.

The golden rule? Never let your drink out of your sight.

If someone offers to buy you one, walk with them to the bar and watch it being made. And once it’s in your hand, don’t set it down—even for a second.

Hostels and backpacker bars can make it super easy to meet people and make fast friends. And while that’s one of the best parts of solo travel, remember you’ve only just met these people.

Have fun, but don’t rely on new acquaintances to keep you safe. At the end of the day, that’s on you.

Although I’ve been diligent and lucky enough to have never been in this situation myself, I’ve seen it happen—recently. On a trip to Seville in 2023, my travel buddies and I made friends with a very young (19ish) solo female traveler in our hostel who was from Morocco and not very experienced with drinking.

Someone slipped something into her drink on the pub crawl, and we ended up having to call her an ambulance.

Ladies—I know a situation like this can quickly kill a night out, but remember that you would want someone to help you if the story was flipped. One night of your trip is worth someone’s safety—even if you don’t know them very well.

8. Be Smart in Ubers

Unfortunately, I’ve heard a lot of horror stories centered around Uber and other rideshare apps. The worst one that comes to mind happened while I was in Munich coordinating Oktoberfest trips for study abroad students.

(For some reason, Uber seems a lot less regulated in Germany than in other cities.)

A few times, the app didn’t even provide the license plate info, which is a major red flag when you’re trying to confirm you’re getting in the right car.

Since Uber went international, not every country has welcomed it. Europe especially has pushed back, with protests and taxi strikes when the app first arrived.

My best advice? Do your research before you go to see how rideshares are regulated in your destination. In most places they’re decently safe, but if you’re ever unsure, ask locals or the hotel/hostel front desk what they recommend.

And, if you do use Uber, Lyft, Bolt, or another rideshare app—always double-check the license plate and driver’s photo before getting in. For more tips on keeping yourself safe while taking Ubers, check out this comprehensive guide by Cutter Law.

9. Always Be Aware of Your Surroundings

This is good advice for everyday life, not just solo travel.

Always avoid walking alone late at night in unpopulated areas and, when you are walking, keep your headphones off. Even if you’re not listening to music, just having them in can make you look distracted—and like an easy target.

I learned this lesson the hard way on my first trip to the Amalfi Coast back in 2018. My friend and I had met another traveler at our hostel, and the three of us were walking from the Sorrento bus stop to our hostel in Sant’Angello around 11:30 PM.

Although I hadn’t noticed a thing, the girl we met quickly realized that a man was following us.

We hurried toward the hostel, and just as the entrance came into view, he jumped out and started “enjoying himself” right in front of us. Luckily, there were three of us together, and the hostel’s 6’2” security guard went charging after him.

But I still shiver when I think about how oblivious I was. If I’d been traveling alone, I never would have walked back so late on my own.

The takeaway? Stay alert, trust your instincts, and don’t put yourself in situations where you’re isolated and vulnerable.

The ✨ stunning ✨ Positano day trip we enjoyed before “the incident.” 👇🏼

10. Stay in Touch with Family and Friends 

One of the most overlooked safety tips for solo female travelers is also one of the simplest: always let someone know where you are.

Share the address of your accommodation and your local phone number, and if you’re heading out alone at night, text a friend or family member the names of the venues you’ll be visiting.

You can set a “check-in” time so they expect a message when you get back. My mom even requests the names and phone numbers of new friends I’ve made on the road.

Some might think this is overkill, but when it comes to travel safety for women, it’s always better to be cautious.

Technology makes this even easier. Keep Find My iPhone or location sharing turned on so someone you trust can see your whereabouts in real time.

When I was living in Lisbon, a friend of mine had a mom who went a step further—she strapped two Apple AirTags to her daughter so she’d never lose track of her, even if she lost her phone.

11. Take Care of Your Stuff 

The hotel safe is there for a reason—use it. The same goes for hostels, which almost always provide lockers or lockboxes for valuables. A lot of people skip them if the place feels secure, but my advice is it’s better to be overly cautious than to come back and find your passport and cash missing.

I also recommend carrying two credit cards: one for everyday purchases and one locked away in the safe. That way, if your wallet gets stolen or you misplace your card, you’ve got a backup ready to go.

Beyond the basics, here are a few other tricks I swear by:

• AirTags in luggage: I always slip one in my suitcase before checking it at the airport—or under a bus. Basically, if my bag is out of sight, it’s got an AirTag in it.
• Theft-proof bag: My go-to is the Thafael cactus leather anti-theft bag (use code MADI for 20% off!), but there are plenty of budget-friendly options on Amazon, like this Travelon Messenger Bag. Cities like Rome (my future home 🥰), Paris, and Barcelona are notorious for pickpockets, so better to be safe than sorry.
• Crossbody phone case: I love mine for two reasons. First, it keeps my phone on me when I’m near water—so if I drop it, it’s not sinking to the bottom of the ocean. Second, it makes it harder for thieves to snatch it from my hand, whether I’m on the back of a motorbike in Bali or just walking down the street.

Little habits like these might seem excessive, but they add up to a lot of peace of mind when you’re traveling solo and can’t afford to replace your valuables.

12. Respect Cultural Norms

Every country has its own cultural expectations, and respecting them isn’t just about being polite—it’s also about keeping yourself safe. As a solo female traveler, the more you can blend in, the less likely you are to draw unwanted attention.

Often the first thing people notice is how you’re dressed.

Don’t get me wrong—what you wear gives absolutely no one the right to harass you. But in some countries, it’s smart to adapt to local dress codes, especially where women are expected to dress more conservatively.

Respecting cultural norms goes beyond clothing.

In some places, drinking in public or talking too loud can instantly mark you as a tourist and attract the wrong kind of attention. In others, you might need to get used to gendered spaces or locals insisting on photographs (I personally hate this one, but when in Vietnam 🤷🏽‍♀️).

The bottom line? Blending in makes it easier to avoid scams, harassment, and inflated tourist prices—while also showing respect to the culture you’re visiting.

Peep my amazing solo trip to Kuala Lumpur 👀 where the dress code was a lot stricter than I was used to. 👇🏼

13. Trust Your Gut (It’s Usually Right) 

This is one of the most important solo female travel safety tips I can share: always trust your instincts.

If something feels off—even if you can’t explain why—listen to that feeling. Your intuition could be picking up on small cues your conscious mind hasn’t processed yet.

I’d rather look overly cautious or even offend someone than ignore that gut reaction and end up in a dangerous situation. At the end of the day, no one else is responsible for your safety but you—and your instincts are one of the best tools you’ve got.

14. Act Confident…Even if You’re Not 

Confidence goes a long way in keeping you safe while traveling solo.

People who look lost or unsure are more likely to be targeted—whether that’s for scams, pushy souvenir sales, or even harassment. If you walk with purpose and act like you know exactly where you’re going, others are less likely to see you as vulnerable.

It also helps to blend in as much as possible. If people think you’re a local—or at least not a wide-eyed tourist—you’re less likely to get hassled on the street or overcharged for taxis and tours.

Even if you’re secretly relying on Google Maps (me literally everywhere, even in my hometown), keep your head up and your stride steady.

15. Learn the Local Scams 

Every destination has its share of scam artists, and knowing how to spot them ahead of time can save you a lot of money—and stress.

Take Paris, for example. Around Sacré-Cœur, men will try to tie a “free” slap bracelet around your wrist. Once it’s on, they demand payment and get aggressive if you refuse.

In Italy, people—usually young women—are known to circulate fake charity petitions. They’ll shove a clipboard in your hands, pressure you to sign, and then demand money.

And here’s one of the most common tricks: simple distraction.

Pickpockets often work in teams—one person grabs your attention while another goes for your bag or pockets. Anytime someone suddenly bumps into you, drops something, or insists on speaking to you, be extra vigilant.

These scams thrive on catching travelers off guard. So if you feel unsure about a situation, walk away immediately. Better safe than sorry.

16. Be Friendly…Not Naive 

One of the best parts of solo travel is the people you meet along the way. I’ve made lifelong friends in hostels, on tours, and even on long bus rides.

But as much as I love connecting with new people, it’s important to remember making friends doesn’t mean you have to hand over your trust immediately.

Maybe don’t ask the cute guy you met at the hostel 15 minutes ago to watch your drink while you run to the bathroom. And your taxi driver? He doesn’t need to know the exact address where you’re staying—or that you’re staying there alone.

Solo travel comes with a balance: open yourself up to new friendships, but keep boundaries in place until people have earned your trust.

Solo Travel Safety Must-Haves 

Traveling solo is so much easier when you have the right tools on hand. Over the years I’ve found a few essentials that give me peace of mind and make staying safe way less stressful.

Add these simple items to your solo female travel packing list:

• Backpack Lock: Pickpocketing is common in busy tourist hubs, especially when solo traveling across Europe. A small lock for your backpack or day bag helps keep your valuables—cash, documents, and electronics—out of reach.
• Apple AirTag: Slip one into your luggage before checking it in at the airport or stashing it under a bus. If your bag gets lost or delayed, you’ll know exactly where it is with this lil’ tracking device.
• Hidden Camera Detector: Sadly, hidden cameras in hotels and Airbnbs do happen (how creepy is that?). A portable detector is lightweight and discreet, and it gives you extra peace of mind when you’re staying somewhere new.
• Phone Case with Strap: I swear by a crossbody phone case. It keeps your phone secure when you’re on boats or near water and makes it harder for thieves to grab it out of your hand—whether you’re in a crowded city or on the back of a motorbike.
• Personal Safety Alarm: Attach this little alarm to your bag or keys. If you ever feel unsafe, one press triggers a loud siren designed to draw attention and scare off potential attackers or pickpockets.
• Travel Insurance (SafetyWing): Don’t skip insurance. SafetyWing offers flexible coverage for both short-term travelers and long-term nomads, so you’re protected in case of illness, injury, or even theft while abroad.
• Anti-Theft Bag (Thafael or Travelon): Slash-proof material, lockable zippers, and crossbody straps make anti-theft bags a game-changer in pickpocket-heavy cities like Rome, Barcelona, or Paris. I love my Thafael cactus leather bag (code MADI for 20% off!), but Travelon also makes affordable options that are just as secure.
• Fake Wedding Ring: This one won’t deter everyone, but wearing a simple band can sometimes reduce unwanted male attention. Just be careful you don’t make yourself a target for theft with a $19 Cubic Zirconia ring.
• Portable Charger (Anker): Your phone is your lifeline for maps, rideshares, and emergency calls. I always travel with a high-capacity Anker power bank so I never risk being stranded with a dead battery.
• Reliable eSIM (Airalo): Staying connected is non-negotiable for safety. Airalo eSIMs make it simple to get instant, affordable data in almost any country—no hunting for SIM cards at the airport. Use code MADI10 for 10% off your purchase.
• Door Stopper Alarm: If you’re staying in a hotel or Airbnb alone, a doorstop alarm adds an extra layer of security. Wedge it under the door at night and if anyone tries to force it open, an ear-splitting alarm will sound.

Confident and Covered—Now Where To?

Some of my best travel memories come from solo adventures—but those were also the trips where I made sure to be the most prepared.

From choosing safe accommodations, setting up Emergency SOS, and staying alert in crowded places, to blending in with local culture and trusting my gut, these safety tips for solo female travelers are the essential steps that keep me safe while still letting me enjoy every moment.

Solo travel doesn’t have to be scary—it’s empowering. With the right habits, you can explore the world on your own terms and come home with incredible stories (and zero regrets).

I know that one of the trickiest parts of planning is picking the right destination—especially if it’s your first time. So let me be your solo travel bestie and help you choose!

I put together a fun quiz with destinations that I’ve personally visited solo, know well, and absolutely love. Take the quiz below and find out where your next solo travel adventure should be!

How to Spend 2 Days in Budapest as a Solo Traveler

The Best European Destinations for Solo Female Travel Newbies

Is Roatan, Honduras Safe for Solo Travelers?

PIN THIS POST