Solo Travel Safety: 9 Ways To Feel Secure Abroad

Solo Travel Safety: 9 Ways To Feel Secure Abroad

Ready to travel solo? Follow these tips!

Interested in solo female travel? Have any concerns about your safety? You’re not alone. We’ve all seen the horror stories on the news, but traveling solo is a wonderful way to see the world. It’s empowering to take charge of your own adventure. Considering solo travel yourself? Here are some great tips to help keep you feeling safe and secure.

Table of Contents

Planning Ahead: The Foundation of Safe Solo Travel

1. Research your Destination

Start by researching the country or countries you are considering for your solo travel. A great source of information is the U.S. Department of State Travel Advisories. The State Department issues travel advisories indicating the levels of risk associated with traveling to a particular country.

2. Choose Accommodation Wisely

Check out recent reviews of accommodations, especially from women traveling solo. I prefer sites like TripAdvisor and Expedia, where you can view genuine traveler reviews and photos instead of the polished images on hotel websites.

Boutique Hotels

I strongly recommend staying in boutique hotels. The hotel capacity is typically much smaller than that of a chain hotel. Staff are often more attentive as well. For a more authentic experience, local short-term rentals can also be a good option. You’ll frequently find homes and apartments that blend with the scenery and culture.

Hostels

If you want to meet other people, nothing beats staying in a hostel. If you’ve never stayed in a hostel, you will feel right at home before you know it. Many people staying in hostels are also traveling solo and interested in meeting other travelers from around the world. Hostels will often plan social activities and day trips to help you get to know your fellow hostel-mates. I’ve found countless travel buddies by staying in hostels. I still keep in touch with people I met 25 years ago.

3. Plan Your Transportation in Advance

You have your flights booked and your passport in hand, but what happens when you arrive? When possible, plan your transportation before you travel. This means your airport transfers and travel around town. Public transportation is safe in many countries. When in doubt, use local travel apps. This way, you are protected. Stay clear of unmarked taxis or car /van services. These folks will often try to grab your attention as soon as you arrive at the airport. I usually book a hotel that includes airport transfers.

4. Health & Wellness Considerations

Always store personal medications in your carry-on bag. Some countries have chemists who may be able to provide medicines without a prescription, but not all countries do. Make sure you store your medication accordingly.

Travel Insurance

Travel insurance helps minimize your risks when unexpected situations arise. Most plans cover the following.

  • Trip Cancellations and Interruptions
  • Medical Emergencies Abroad – most U.S. plans will not cover foreign medical expenses.
  • Lost, Stolen, or Damaged Baggage
  • Travel Delays and Missed Connections – there is nothing worse than a missed connection. Instead of scrambling to find replacement tickets, let your Travel Insurance step in to help.
  • Emergency Assistance – many travel insurance companies provide 24/7 coverage for emergencies.

Prevent Jet Lag

  • Stay Hydrated – One of the easiest ways to prevent jet lag is to stay hydrated. Don’t wait until your departure day. Start drinking extra, preferably with electrolytes. My favorite is Drip Drop.
  • Eat small meals throughout the day to help regulate your blood sugar
  • Use exercise and/or caffeine wisely to help give you an energy boost. Refrain from either close to bedtime in your new timezone.
  • Set your watch and your “mindset” to your new timezone. – Try to eat and sleep on the schedule of your new timezone rather than the one you are leaving.
  • Especially if you can’t sleep on planes, plan flights that arrive at night so you can go straight to bed. This one works for me whenever I fly to Thailand.

5. Staying Connected: Solo Travel Tech Tools & Communication

  • Use smartphone apps like SmartTraveler, Google Maps, WhatsApp, etc.
  • Check in with family and friends regularly. iPhones allow you to share your location with other iPhone users. There are also apps like Life 360, where your loved ones can keep track of you.
  • Get a local SIM card or e-SIM so you can easily communicate even if you are not connected to wifi.
  • Register with Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). This site allows you to register your travel and receive information from the U.S. Embassy about safety conditions, which can help you in case of an emergency.

6. Smart Packing for Solo Travel

  • Essential documents: keep copies of your passport, tickets, and credit cards in case anything gets lost.
  • Consider a personal alarm. Doorstop alarms work well.
  • Pack a small first aid kit. Carry at least the basics like antibiotic, anti-itch creams, sanitary wipes, and bandaids.
  • Choose clothing wisely. Review local customs and pack versatile, modest, and weather-appropriate clothing.
  • Bring a crossbody bag and wear a money belt with RFID protection. These help against pickpockets. I always hold on to one of my bag straps as well.

7. Street Smarts & Situational Awareness

  • Trust your instincts If something doesn’t feel right, trust your gut.
  • Avoid scams
    • Be cautious of travel deals that seem “too good to be true” because they usually are. The exception may be where the U.S. dollar has a much higher value than the local currency. For example, you can stay at a 5-star hotel in Thailand for pennies on the dollar. Always verify offers through official websites and trusted platforms.
    • Book Wisely: This one can be tricky because I have successfully used sites like Booking.com and Travel.com with much success. If you have any doubts, use a travel agent or the official website of the provider.
    • Secure Payments: Refrain from sending payment through unusual means like wire transfers, gift cards, or cryptocurrency. Major credit cards usually give you the best fraud protection.
    • Stay Alert: Be aware of common scams in your destination, such as taxi overcharging, gem scams, tailor scams, bar bill scams, or fake officials.
    • Don’t Rush: Legitimate businesses won’t pressure you into quick decisions. Take your time to consider offers and verify details. 
  • Handling unwanted attention or scams.
  • Safe solo dining and nightlife tips.

8. Community & Confidence

  • Joining women-only travel groups or forums.
  • Finding safe solo travel communities online.
  • Encouragement: age brings wisdom—use it!

9. When Things Go Wrong: Emergency Preparedness

  • What to do if you lose your passport.
  • Reporting crimes or harassment abroad.
  • Local emergency numbers and embassy info.

Invite comments or stories from other solo female travelers over 50.

Reassure readers: safety is about being smart, not scared.

Encouraging a spirit of independence and adventure.

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