This is a post about tips for women travelling alone.
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Travelling solo as a woman can be one of the most empowering experiences of your life. You get to explore the world on your own terms, grow more confident and connect with people and cultures in meaningful ways. But it’s also important to be prepared. Safety is key and taking a few precautions can make a huge difference. These tried-and-tested tips for women travelling alone will help you feel confident and in control during your trip.
Obviously we’ll never be 100% safe but we can try our best to stay out of trouble! (which I must admit is something that didn’t even cross my mind during my first few years of travels which included hitchhiking, walking home alone late at night taking back roads and going out with no money…how times have changed!)
Here is the (non-exhaustive) list of important safety travel tips for women travelling alone:
Do Your Research in Advance
Before heading anywhere new, take time to look into key safety concerns.
- Is the area you’re staying in safe?
- What’s the local transport like?
- Do you need a visa?
- Are there common scams to avoid?
- Research medical information, local customs and cultural norms as well.
It also helps to find out what the popular attractions are and plan how to reach them safely and affordably.
Share Your Plans with Loved Ones
Always let someone know where you’re going and how long you’ll be gone for. This can be as simple as a quick WhatsApp message or more detailed like sending your itinerary. Some travellers even carry postcards or leave little updates like old-school travel journals for friends or family to follow along.
Don’t Overshare on Social Media
As someone who’s had an online stalker before, I can’t stress this enough. And I didn’t even use to share that much!! Try not to share where you are in real time. If anything, give it a few days… if you’re on Strava, for example, make sure your profile is either private or keep certain routes visible only to your followers. It baffles me when I see people sharing their every day running routes and exactly where they live and spend their time for the whole world to see!
Am I sounding paranoid? Well…did I tell you I had a stalker?
I’ve actually got a book recommendation on this for thriller lovers…it’s called People Like Her and it’s about an influencer who overshared on socials and what happens when a mad person got obsessed with her. It’s a pretty good thriller tbf!
A delightfully sinister story for the influencer age, People Like Her is the twisting, page-turning debut thriller from Ellery Lloyd. Perfect for fans of Liane Moriarty (Big Little Lies).
‘I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough’ – Abigail Dean, author of Girl A
People like Emmy Jackson. They always have. Especially online, where she is Instagram sensation Mamabare, famous for telling the unvarnished truth about modern parenthood.
But Emmy isn’t as honest as she’d like the fans to believe. She may think she has her followers fooled, but someone out there knows the truth and plans to make her pay . . .
'Grabbed me from the first few pages and didn't let go' – Alice Feeney, author of Beautiful Ugly
Have Emergency Contacts on Paper
Go analog! Write down important numbers like local emergency services, your accommodation and a trusted contact back home. Don’t rely only on your phone which could be lost or run out of battery. And make sure someone has the number of where you’re staying in case they need to get in touch and your phone is not available.
Buy a Local SIM or eSIM
Having mobile data is incredibly useful for navigating with Google Maps, calling taxis or checking safety information on the go. Many countries offer cheap prepaid SIMs or you can use an eSIM like Airalo which lets you install it before you even land.
Bring a Padlock
Whether you’re staying in a hostel or camping, a small padlock gives extra peace of mind. Use it to lock up your backpack, tent or hostel locker and help keep your belongings secure. Also if you’re trying to take a nap at an airport or train. A padlock will come in handy…
Use a Travel Card
Cards like Wise, Revolut and Monzo offer some of the best exchange rates and often let you withdraw cash without foreign transaction fees. Carry a small amount of cash as backup but use your card when possible for safety and better budgeting.
I LOVE my Monzo! Last month I had it stolen in Barcelona and didn’t notice. As soon as someone used it I got the notification. They used it twice and spent about £50. Straight away I notified Monzo at the click of a button on my app and they 1) refunded me, 2) cancelled that card and 3) replaced my Apple Pay card straight away so I could still pay for things (AMEX did the same AND I get loads of Avios through them – if you’re interested in getting a British Airways AMEX, use my link here to get 6000 points)
Dress to Blend In
This doesn’t mean changing who you are but being aware of cultural expectations can help you stay safe and show respect. In some places covering your shoulders or wearing longer skirts helps avoid unwanted attention. I didn’t think about that when I went to Albania recently, it completely slipped my mind! (granted, life had been so busy I didn’t book the first night hotel until a few hours before our flight).
I didn’t feel unsafe there wearing denim shorts but I could tell that was drawing attention. Besides, I couldn’t go into the beautiful mosques!
Avoid Arriving Late at Night
Try to book flights or transport that arrive during the day when things are open and well lit. If that’s not possible make sure your accommodation knows when to expect you and pre-arrange a trusted taxi or airport pickup. Or research public transport and the area where you’re staying.
Last time I went to Paris, I went to visit a friend who lived literally on the border of Paris and neighbouring town. I was arriving at Gare du Nord at night and was worried because it’s not a great area. However, there was a direct metro from Gare du Nord to my friend’s station and she said her area was totally fine. I didn’t have to leave Gare du Nord, just get to the metro (+ be vigilant of pickpocketing there) and hop on it.
Listen to Your Gut
Your instincts are your most valuable safety tool. If something feels off it probably is. Don’t worry about seeming rude if you need to walk away from a conversation or say no firmly. I feel especially as women we’re so worried about being rude and making people uncomfortable…better to make them uncomfortable than putting ourselves in dangerous situations!
Choose the Right Accommodation
Look for well-reviewed places that have female-only dorms or private rooms. Platforms like Hostelworld and Booking.com let you filter by review score and read comments from other solo travellers. You can also try Host a Sister on Facebook for a free place to cash or CouchSurfing. Although it’s funny…when I used to host and surf a lot during my student days, both my male roommate and I hosted. He always got requests from girls and I always got requests from guys. It was almost like a traveller’s Tinder! 😂
I had one instance where I stayed with 3 male students in… maybe Newcastle?! Can’t remember. They were lovely! My host took me out, fed me. We got back late and the 4 of us were drinking and chatting in the kitchen. When it was time to go to sleep one of his flatmates asked if he could knock on my door later to sleep with me. I said no and he left but it made me feel uneasy. I locked the door after that just in case.
I have a podcast with a friend (in Portuguese!) where we give a lot of tips for au pairs and we often say “do as I say and not as I do” 😂 because we just didn’t think about these things much when we were younger!
Stay Alert in Crowds
Busy areas like markets and train stations are prime spots for pickpockets. Keep your bag close to your body and use anti-theft backpacks if you can. A small crossbody bag with zippers is also a great option.
If you’re coming to Europe, don’t think that’s not a thing here… Europe is brimming with pickpockets! Especially Italy and Spain. Phone theft has become a part of daily life here in London so be careful, especially in the city centre!
Use Transport Wisely
In cities with good public transport systems like Paris or Berlin, metros and trams are usually safe. Still, avoid empty carriages late at night. If you’re using taxis or ride-sharing apps always double-check the driver’s info before getting in.
Take Care of Your Drink
If you’re going out for a drink, watch your drink being poured and never leave it unattended. You don’t need to skip nightlife altogether but do follow the same common sense you’d use at home.
Know You’re Not Alone
There are millions of women travelling solo every year. Join Facebook groups like “Solo Female Travelers”, “Host A Sister” or “Girls LOVE Travel™” to connect with other travellers, ask questions and even meet up.
This was a post about tips for women travelling alone.
