I’ve been traveling solo for over ten years now, so I figured I’d offer some tips and tricks I’ve collected along the way. Though most of these are especially relevant if you’re traveling solo as a female, many are applicable regardless of your sexual identity. 

These are some reality checks of traveling solo, but not intended to scare or deter you in any way. Just see it as sharpening your travel awareness. When you are traveling solo there are some basic street smarts we likely all have and then some acquired ones. These are ones you should at least have in the back of your mind when you’re away from home. Note that these tips are based on my own, personal experience.

1. Put Your Plans in an Accessible, Shared, Digital Document

I’m a big Google Drive travel lady. Be it a sheet or a document, I often detail out (as necessary) my trip plans, alongside any relevant links, within one of these. I always have the necessary Drive apps activated on my phone so I can easily pull up this information when I need to. This is especially helpful if you are backpacking or traveling to multiple destinations as you maybe don’t remember the name of your next stay, or that you’re supposed to leave in two days. Having a linkable, digital document is crazy helpful - I can’t tell you how often I open these during a trip. 

To be clear, this doesn’t just have to be your itinerary. I love to link to blog articles relevant to the area, restaurants or attractions people have recommended, etc. This document acts as a one-stop shop for details surrounding my trip. 

The great thing about a digital document is that you can easily share it with your travel companions (for trips where you aren’t traveling solo) so everyone can hold some responsibility and make adjustments. Whether they use the document… I can’t help you there.

2. Share Your Itinerary with Non-Travellers 

As a follow-up to number one, make sure you share your itinerary with at least two people who aren’t going to be on the trip with you. Not only does it likely alleviate the texts from family asking where you are (I said “likely” not definitely, they will probably forget you gave them access as well and repeatedly as you: “Where are you again?”) but it acts as a security for you, just in case you don’t end up where you are supposed to be. Better to have someone know where you’ve been and are planning to head, than not.

3. Have a Photo Copy of your Passport Saved on Your Phone

This has saved me such headache time and again, not to mention it removes the step of having to hunt for your passport when the physical version isn’t needed. Plenty of times when you’re traveling there will be a form where they want your passport number. This can be when you’re booking a flight from one country to the next or simply when you’re checking into your hostel for the night. Being able to easily pull it up on your phone can save you a lot of hassle. This can also be useful from a safety perspective as numero uno, your passport is your ticket home, if it doesn’t need to be out I’d keep it tucked away. Secondly, your passport gives some hints as to your origins. Different countries have different colored passports, I like to keep my mystery alive among strangers.

4. Download Offline Maps of the Area(s) Your Traveling To

I mentioned I like Google right? There may be another app you can do this in as well but my go-to is Google Maps. You can save offline maps of the area you’re visiting ahead of time, which is especially helpful if you’re going to be road-tripping but also just for walking around. In the event you lose (or don’t have) cell service, having an offline map is important. 

5. Pretend You’re Not Alone

Let people assume as they will but you never want to give the impression that you are alone in a foreign place. You’ll visit plenty of places where it’s obvious you’re a tourist, but they don’t need to know that you’re doing so completely solo (but good for you!). 

Unless I feel really comfortable with someone(s) I never mention that I’m traveling solo. I’m also more than happy to lie when necessary to say that “someone” is “waiting” or “meeting up” with me. It’s very important to imply that if on the off-chance something were to happen to you, someone would know quickly. 

 6. Save Important Spots on Google Maps

I do this all the time. Someone recommends a restaurant? Saved! I overheard mention of a great cafe? Saved! There is a line in a book about a famous library? Yep, saved! I have lists on lists in my Google Maps, for various interests. Rainy day activities, places to visit, restaurants to try, etc. So the first part of this is, do more to be like me. Just kidding, but it is nice to have a collection of spots on your radar, all over the world, so when you get there you already have some thoughts in motion.

Secondly, those little teal saves on your map can help you find your way back home. I always save the address of where I’m staying but also things like the bus lines and the nearest grocery stores. This way, if I need it or am taking a different route home - I just walk my blue dot to my teal location.

7. Create a Check-In Policy 

…and stick to it. This doesn’t have to be a daily thing cause - be so for real, that’s not likely going to hold - but have at least two people in play that you’re connecting with and who are keeping tabs on you. Traveling solo is the instance where I don’t mind a “big sister” vibe making sure I’m safely getting from point A to point B.

8. Contain Your Smiles

This one feels sad to type but in my experience, it’s been sadly true on several occasions. For some, a smile isn’t just a friendly I-acknowledge-you-as-a-human-being-near-me thing but can be interpreted as a sign of encouragement… in a scary way. I’ve had many cases where men took those smiles and followed me, tried to escort me somewhere else, etc. 

This doesn’t mean you need to be rude but, sometimes you don’t need to smile at people, and that’s ok. 

9. If you Feel Nervous, Step into a Convenience Store

There may come a time where when you’re walking down the street - singing do I ditty ditty dum ditty do… no? Ok. Anyways you’re exploring and something just feels… off. Convenience stores (or something similar) often have cameras throughout. Just pop in one, if possible, and hang there for a few minutes until you feel comfortable leaving. 

10. Know Who’s Supposed to Pick You Up

This doesn’t just apply to your Uber rides. If you’re working with a tour or your hotel/Airbnb/hostel offers pick-ups, know who they are. Ask their name. Ask how you will know it’s them (will there be a sign with your name on it? Will they be wearing a neon tracksuit?). Ask where they will be waiting for you. Confirm they will be taking you directly from your designated pick-up/drop-off to your destination and if not, where else can you expect to go. If someone else shows up with different details: Do. Not. Get. In. the. Car. Sometimes it works out, but we’ve all heard of a time when it didn’t and it’s not worth the risk. 

11. Find My Friends Can Keep You Safe (and Others Comforted)

In addition to sharing your itinerary, share your location with two people. One of those people needs to be a reliable person in the event of an emergency. I love my mom, but if I’m lost in a foreign country I’m looking to one of my friends to find me. Again, especially if you’re not used to it, this may feel dramatic, but it’s one of those comforting fail-safes in the event of something happening. Even if that something is a flat tire or simply a change of plans you forgot to tell them about.

12. Avoid Standing Out

Though sometimes this is unavoidable, do what you can to blend in with the crowd around you. You never know who is watching - which is creepy to even type - but basically, don’t give anyone a reason to see you as a target. This doesn’t mean you can’t be fabulous - just tailor it to your location, ok?

13. Keep the Expensive Items at Home (or Well Hidden)

Unless you are ultra-rich and staying in only the best of the best spots - which, honestly, I‘m honored you’re reading this far if you are - keep the fancy stuff at home. For the stuff you do take, be smart about when and where you use and/or wear it. Even things like your cell phone or headphones can attract the wrong attention. Apple products are expensive and not as commonplace in many areas as they are where plenty of us call home. Sometimes this sucks… I rode on a bus for almost four hours in Ecuador and since I only brought my airpods, and didn’t feel comfortable putting them in, I passed the time through the window. Which for a part was lovely but let’s be honest, I wanted something to help me pass the time at a point.

Final note, this also means you shouldn’t be casually holding up your phones, iPads, or expensive cameras. Those can so easily get snatched right out of your hands by a passerby, and you’ll never see them again. I remember a young chick taking photos of the Eiffel Tower on her iPad and a motorcyclist swooped by, grabbed it, and though she ran after him…. ‘Twas bye bye.

14. Keep Your Phone Close

To further emphasize the last point… honestly, it’s a close tie as to which I would be more agonized over losing on a trip: my passport or my phone. If you think about it, you have your phone set up with all your documents, all your apps, your accounts, and everything accessible within the blink of an eye. Keep a close watch on it (which is why I LOVE these zip-pocket pants for travel). Not to mention… phones ain’t cheap. I’d rather pay for a fun activity or my own Airbnb than have to spend the cash on a new phone.

15. Know Your Routes & Look Like You Know Where You’re Going

Before I go out adventuring, I study my maps/plans/what-have-you so I can walk as confidently down the street as possible. In some places you visit, you’ll feel more comfortable peeking at your phone, in others… you won’t. It’s best to have an idea of where you are going before you leave and adjust from there.

16. Be Extremely Aware of Your Surroundings

You will see all shades of lifestyles when you travel far and wide, be aware of those differences and adapt. If you’re somewhere where no one is taking pictures, don’t take pictures. There is probably a reason - even if you can’t see it - as to why things are happening the way they are, this is where you follow the crowd.

17. If Someone Unwanted is Trying to Connect with You, Be Firm and Keep Walking

This is not the time to sit in an awkward situation. There are a lot of people - for me, it’s only ever been men - who will see you and get way too close. It might be a guy selling a product or some rando “casually” strolling a market, don’t play. This does not mean be rude - even though it grinds my gears to say it, you might have to smile to get away because of frail egos - you don’t want to risk flipping any kind of switch in someone. 

Someone bold enough to approach, follow, or stay longer than desired… is probably bold enough to be dangerous. If you don’t want what’s happening, firmly decline and keep walking. If they keep at it, firmly tell them to stop and that you are not interested, and keep walking. Walk into a shop if you need to. 

18. Trust Your Gut

If something feels off, trust it. Nothing is worth risking your safety for and often our intuition is right. Walk into a convenience store, grab a cab, alert a bartender - whatever you need to do, get it done.

19. Take Your Safety Seriously

Travel is fun and freeing and you meet so many amazing people along the way. That being said, only you are responsible for you. Whether you’re going out for the afternoon or a night on the town, always be able to get yourself home. I no longer drink but when I did, and even now as a sober adult, I am always able to be clear-headed enough to get myself home when I need to. There was only one instance in college, where I wasn’t and thankfully I was with people who got me back to my apartment, but after that… never again.

Wow, I’m so wise. 

Solo travel is one of THE BEST life experiences. It pushes you out of your comfort zone, allows you to meet and experience people and cultures from all over the world, and teaches you life skills and things about yourself that you might not have unlocked had you not taken this leap. Stay smart and have an amazing time!

Disclaimer: This article contains some affiliate links for products I use during my travels (and highly recommend). By using these links you won’t pay any additional fees but support me to keep this site running!