13 Travel Safety Tips For Traveling Solo

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I’ve done more than my fair share of solo traveling. I’ve been around the world (literally) and back on my own. The simple desire to see what else was out there has turned into the biggest adventure of my life. I took my first solo trip when I was 23. Maybe a late bloomer by many people’s standards today, but for me it was such a big step I wanted to ensure I did just right. I waved goodbye to my parents and jetted off to Vancouver, Canada (read about my first solo travel experience here). The travel bug got me good and to this day I still happily take solo trips for some me time, and more importantly not passing up opportunities for lack of people to travel with. But travel safety is the biggest thing I’m asked about, and ultimately “How safe is solo travel?”

Travel safety as a solo female traveler

I think this is the point where we find out if my Mum really reads this blog. I will admit that I have probably done a couple of things that maybe weren’t the smartest while traveling. And by the grace of God I’ve come through the other side just fine. Safety is, for the most part, just using your common sense. If you have some of that, then you’ll do great in travel (and in life).

I think then, the answer to the “Is solo travel safe?” question, is really all relative. We could all just as likely get hit by a bus at home as we could traveling. I could just as likely get pick-pocketed, bitten by a dog or worse here at home as I could on a global adventure. But to save you (and your mothers) some gray hair and worry lines I’m going to share a few of my travel safety tips for your solo travels.

How safe have my solo trips been?

Before I get to my top tips on safety, the sexiest travel subject there is, I’m going to share some of my stats with you. Statistics? Boring, I hear you say. But, this might actually help ease your mind with planning your first solo trip.

The biggest travel safety issues I’ve had

Like I said, I have thankfully had a rather un-interestingly safe solo travel existence. I know that’s a lot of luck, but I like to think that it’s also some good common sense and good judgement. Have I always been safe? No. I can think of the two biggest safety issues I’ve had while traveling other than the general uneasiness of walking alone, especially at night. One could possibly have been preventable. The other one definitely was.

Being robbed in China

Foreign Tourist Sticks Out Like Sore Thumb. That would be the headline if it was worthy enough of making the news. I lived in China for 2 years, a country I felt very safe in. That’s actually one of the reasons I chose to live in China over other options I had. It is considered a safe country compared to a lot of backpacker destinations. My only mistake was not being more alert. I was on a crowded bus (the norm in China) with my purse over my shoulder. It was closed (with a zip) but I wasn’t paying attention and when I got off the bus realized my wallet had been taken.

Preventable? Maybe. I was an easy target. Foreign tourist who appears to have money and not watching their stuff. Pick-pocketing, in my opinion, is the lowest of low. But it’s hands down better than being robbed with a weapon. It was annoying that I had to cancel my cards, lost a small amount of cash, and spend an hour in a police station. But it happens, and I learned to always be more careful on public transit with my belongings.

Being taken for a ride in a “taxi”

This one was completely my fault and I still kick myself at how stupid I was. I was in Paris, arriving at the train station. It was not my first time in Paris, I speak enough of the language to comfortably get by, and I was well aware that Paris is a hub for tons of scams. Standing in line for a taxi I was approached by a man who said I was in the wrong line. This was the line for the airport, and I needed to go to the other line. The staff of the station didn’t seem phased by him. Maybe he was right. So off I went. An unmarked black car pulled up and told me he was my ride. My Spidey senses were tingling.

I said I wasn’t getting in an unmarked car. He argued that he was an Uber like service for the city, and the marked taxis are for the airport. The first man started arguing that I was in the correct line and to get in this car. Some gesticulating and mansplaining and I reluctantly gave in. I vowed to use Google maps to watch where we were going and (Thailand rules) agreed on a price before I got in. 19 Euros. Long story short, we get to my hotel a roundabout way due to “roadworks/demonstration” or whatever he made up to tell me. The bill. 90 Euros.

I argued, he threatened to call the police. I told him to do that. He got on the phone to his boss (probably the guy at the train station wrangling tourists into unmarked sedans). They’re calling me all the bad words my high school French teacher pretended not to know, and giving me the shakedown for my hard earned Euros which I wasn’t losing without a fight. With my luggage in the trunk jumping out wasn’t an option. I figured I would have to begrudgingly pay more than necessary, but called on my China skills and bargained him down to 50 Euros. Steep, but not as bad as 90.

I’m lucky that all I lost was a bit of money and my dignity. Lesson learned: trust your instinct and don’t get into unmarked cars. It could have been worse.

Where in the world is it safe to travel solo?

I have traveled around Europe, Asia and North America solo. I have had moments of feeling like I should watch my bag a little more carefully, or follow the crowd instead of the street with no-one on it. But I have not really had too many big travel safety moments. Like I said before, I know I have been lucky. But I’m also an overly cautious person.

That said, there are activities that maybe I should have though twice about first. Riding on the back of a motorcycle sans helmet. Going on a hiking trip without a way to get back. Having more than a couple of drinks and then walking home alone in a strange city. I would go on but I can practically see my parents’ faces begging me to stop. The point is that how to stay safe while traveling solo is up to you for the most part. Don’t do stupid stuff, be aware of your surroundings and if it feels wrong, don’t do it.

How to take travel safety seriously while traveling solo

So I think at this point you know a little bit more about me, and about how I travel. Like many people, I’ve had the odd questionable moment on my travels, but overall I’m a very safety conscious person. I usually plan things well, I am more cautious than reckless when I travel. And of course the more I have traveled on my own, I have figured out some of the best ways to make sure I’m doing my part to be safe. So with all I’ve learned I want to share my best tips for solo travel safety.

Check in regularly

I’m 37 and live in halfway around the world, but my Mum still asks me to text her when my plane lands if I’m going on a trip. I communicate with friends, family and my boyfriend back home when I’m traveling solo. Text, email or call. Do whatever you want, but make sure you let people know how you’re doing.

Carry copies of your passport

If being pick-pocketed taught me anything it was that there are some things you can easily replace and there are some things you can’t. So if your passport is the difference between being able to continue your trip and not, then don’t risk it. Money hurts to lose, credit cards are a pain, but don’t carry your passport while out and about. You don’t want to risk losing that. Instead keep a copy of it in case you are asked for it (some countries may ask you).

Make use of the hotel safe

While you’re leaving your passport at the hotel, leave your money and valuables there too. Take only what you need for the day. That way if you do lose it/get it taken, then you didn’t lose it all. I make use of the hotel safe everywhere I go for my belongings. My friends make fun of me but when I’m in transit I also distribute my money between different pockets, wallets and even hide some between the pages of books. Just don’t lose your book or give it away when you finish it without checking the pages first.

Separate your cards, cash and phone

Having one big purse-like target is a recipe for disaster. Unless you have an anti-theft bag, most purses can be opened in a flash, or sliced open if you’re dealing with seasoned pickpockets. I try to keep cards in separate places so if I lose one I still have another. I’m the same with my money. And I don’t keep my phone where my money is. A lot of the time I ditch the easily grab-able wallet in favor of the purse’s zip pockets and my jean/jacket pockets.

Invest in a good bag

Depending on where you are traveling to you might want to leave the designer purse at home and instead use a cross body bag or an anti-theft bag. I prefer to opt for something that isn’t as easy to open in an instant. I also now prefer a bag which is in view while I carry it rather than on my back.

Don’t listen to music while walking

It’s tempting to just put on your headphones and go out for a walk. But when you’re traveling on your own headphones aren’t the best idea. For one, you might be an easy target as someone who is clearly more interested in your music than your surroundings. And for another, you might not hear traffic or warnings as easily, especially if you’re unfamiliar with the place you’re visiting.

Avoid poorly lit areas

Bright, well populated street or sketchy dark alley? Great options, but maybe stick with the less murder-y route back to your hotel. Explore away during the day, but as the sun goes down you’re safer in a place with a higher number of people. Shortcuts are great, but don’t chance your safety for them. If you’re got the big tourist X on your back, it’s easy for someone to follow you away from the crowds. It’s best not to give them the chance.

Make friends while you travel

I have found while traveling that there’s safety in numbers. You might want some company every now and again too. Hostels are a great place to meet new people. Like-minded travelers like yourself who are usually happy to find someone to have dinner with, go see a show or hike that trail you’ve heard all about. I wanted to visit Mexico for the day during a trip to San Diego, but didn’t really want to go on my own. I made friends with someone in the hostel (who also spoke Spanish: bonus) and I had a travel buddy for the day. If you’re not in a hostel think about joining a tour for at least one day of your trip. You’ll get a new experience and potentially make a new friend.

Let people know your plan

If you’re going on an excursion by yourself, let someone know where you’re going and when you expect to be back. It can even be your hostel roommate or new found friend if that’s easier. But if you’re not back, you want to make sure someone notices. Same goes for travel days. Make sure someone back home knows that you’re going somewhere new and let them know when you arrive.

Research where you’re going

Do you know the place you’re visiting? Have you been there before? If not, you might want to familiarize yourself with the dos and don’ts. For example if you’re going somewhere known for it’s prevalent pickpockets then take extra care with your belongings. If your travel destination has a bazillion deadly animals, a heads up could be helpful. The point is, you can’t be really careful if you don’t know the potential hazards. Make sure you know what to expect.

Plan for taking transit

We all want to be budget travelers, but just getting on a random bus isn’t going to help anyone. You’ll end up lost, or worse, so make sure you know how to get from Point A to Point B safely. After some of my own travel transit nightmares I now don’t go anywhere without knowing the best way to get from the airport/train station to my accommodation. Maybe that’s overly analytical of me, but I feel safer that way, and I’ve been taken for one too many rides not to have learned. Speaking of which…

Don’t get into unmarked taxis

Make sure your ride is on the up and up. If it doesn’t quack like a duck or look like a duck, it’s probably not a duck. Same goes for taxis. If the universal word taxi is not on that car, and it doesn’t have a meter, it’s likely not a real taxi. Likewise, an Uber or Lyft will have the sign in the car and you can track it on your phone. Travel safety tip #1: Don’t get in cars with strangers (legit taxi drivers and Uber drivers not applicable), any fourth grader can tell you that.

Trust your gut instinct

Instinct is a powerful thing. So if it feels wrong, maybe it is. Better to be safe than sorry, and all those other idioms you’ve heard a million times. Pay attention to them. They’re said over and over again for a reason. I said it before and I’ll say it again, common sense will get you a long way. If you’re not comfortable with something then pass on it.

Travel safety seriousness

If I have one piece of advice it’s to never take your safety for granted. No matter how popular a place is, how friendly the people are or how quiet it seems, there are still safety concerns. From the everyday accidents that can happen no matter where you are, to the more serious crime safety issues. I don’t want to scare people into thinking the world isn’t safe, but it’s incredibly important to just always be smart.

And when your parent tell you to be safe and check in, don’t roll your eyes, just do it. They worry about you, and it’s the least you can do to give them some piece of mind too. I will continue traveling solo, and every issue that comes up when I’m traveling is just something I learn from and in time remember as just a small part of a truly awesome trip. Don’t let these small things get you down and ruin the rest of your vacation.

If you’ve enjoyed this post please leave a comment or share using the social media buttons below. What travel safety tips do you stand by? Have any of these tips ever helped you in your travels?