Tips For Traveling Alone

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About to embark on another solo adventure and need some tips for traveling alone? I’ve got you covered. Luckily, I’ve been down this road many times. Including one particularly long road. Among my many travel adventures was a massive cross-country US road trip in 2019 that took me 2 months and 9,000 miles zigzagging all the way across and back again. All solo.

So trust me when I say I’ve been there, and I’ve got some pretty good ideas about how you can stay safe, secure, and strong on your own solo travels. In fact, you can find my entire collection of travel safety tips here.

To get you started, here are my top 12 solo travel tips for solo traveling women like you and me.

1. Research Your Destination

Do your homework before you go. Gather helpful tips and advice (including any mistakes to avoid) from your friends on social media, over Zoom, or if you can, over coffee. Especially if any of them are also avid travelers with lots of experience with where you’re going. I feel like I’m always seeing people ask for trip recommendations on Facebook, and I’ve used it a few times myself, to varying degrees of success. At least those posts always seem to get a boatload of responses. It might end up being an overwhelming amount of information, but that’s par for the course on the internet anyway. In this case, it might be nice to have as much information as possible, and you can take all the suggestions you get with varying sized grains of salt. Plus, you never know who you know who might be planning to go to the same place at the same time as you, you know?

Of course, besides friends’ tips, you should also read up on your destination from reputable online sources like Trip Advisor, Lonely Planet, and the CDC. Or you can go old school with travel guide books. There is something nice about having a physical book to flip through and bookmark and dog-ear. Especially on the plane (or other form of transportation) while on your way there. Who hasn’t seen that classic “flipping through the guide book and annoying the guy sitting next to you on the plane with random facts about your destination” scene? Then when you’re done, you can always gift that travel book to someone else to pass on all your travel wisdom and margin notes.

2. Share Your Itinerary & Stay Connected

It’s always good for someone to know where you are at any given time. At least one other person. Just in case. Even if you’re a super private person. Even if you’ve secretly always wanted to be a secret agent. Please don’t go off gallivanting without telling anyone. It’s not as cool as it sounds, and can really get you into trouble.

So before you leave on your trip, share your itinerary with someone you trust. Like that friend you always put down as your emergency contact without telling them. You’ll want to tell them this time. Make sure your itinerary includes a way to contact you while you’re gone, however you’ll be most reachable. Phone number. Whatsapp. Social media. Email. Whatever rings your bell (or phone).

Then stay connected. Both digitally (like on social media or apps like Find Your Friends) and physically (like leaving a note in your hotel room or informing the embassy), just in case you ever need to be tracked down. Imagine how much easier Liam Neeson’s rescue would have been if he’d had a faster way to track down his daughter in Taken. Sure that would have made a much less exciting movie. But in reality, you really don’t want to be this girl.

I am admittedly a bit of a worst-case scenario thinker. So I figure the more prepared I am for anything, the more easily I can relax and enjoy myself worry-free, no matter how many human traffickers are lurking about.

3. Stay Somewhere Solo-Friendly

If you’re going to travel solo, there are better and worse places to lay your head… if you want that head to stay untouched and safely atop your body. For example, not so good: a budget hotel in the cheaper part of town where a pushy taxi driver insists he knows the owners and can get you a great deal. Much better: a busy hotel or hostel packed with fellow travelers in a bustling, well-lit part of town.

Other good options include an AirBnB or B&B with a highly rated local host, a popular and well-reviewed hostel, or couchsurfing with other trustworthy locals (though this is understandably a tad riskier). Wherever you choose to stay, make sure you arrange it through a reliable, reputable website like Booking.com, Hotels.com, or HostelWorld. This is a huge part of ensuring travel safety, so please book wisely. Don’t half ass this step. Or whole ass it. Just don’t ass it at all.

4. Secure Your Valuables

Contrary to what some might suggest, I would caution against leaving your more valuable possessions in your room when you go out. But then it depends where you’re staying and how secure it is. If you have a room to yourself that locks, with a secure safe inside that also locks, that could be a better option than risk losing everything of value to a pickpocket or mugger all at once. But if you’re sharing a room, especially with a stranger, maybe err on the side of keeping your stuff with you on your person. You can always keep it more secure with a portable safe.

That way, even if someone grabs it off you, they’ll have trouble getting to the goodies inside. Wherever is the most secure, keep your real passport there. Then keep copies elsewhere as backups. If you do bring anything along with you, keep it well hidden. Like in this clever travel belt, this hidden bra wallet, or this underwear with a super stealthy crotch pocket.

You can also take a page out of the spy handbook and keep a dummy wallet on you. If you keep your phone in your pocket, make sure it’s a front pocket. Wear any bags, purses, and cameras across your body and keep one hand resting on it as you go. I also like to keep a spare $20 bill (or the equivalent in local currency) tucked away somewhere for backup, like in my bra or sock. If you lose everything else, $20 bucks can come in quite handy.

5. Get To Know Your Way Around

Study a map before you go, while on your way there, and again as soon as soon as you arrive. The more often, the better. A lot of the accommodations I mentioned above will have maps and guides available, and usually some very friendly people happy to walk you through them. Take advantage of that and put in some study time before you head out on the town.

Learn the major street names and general neighborhoods near you and your planned attractions. Get familiar with the public transit map, and make sure you know how one gets and uses a local transit pass. You should especially plan out your route before going out at night or to areas where you know you’ll have poorer reception. And whenever possible, plan to arrive places during daylight hours.

Then whatever you do, try to NOT open up those maps and stare at them while you’re out and about. This can call attention to you, and not the good kind. You might as well wear a “Hi I’m lost” sign. And that makes you look like an easy target. If you must reference a map, keep it folded small and subtle in the palm of your hand. Or better yet, stealthily reference the map on your phone.

If you take or rent a car for your trip, stay inside your car while you peruse your maps and directions. Park in a busy area and keep the doors locked, so you stay protected while your attention is preoccupied. Get your bearings quickly, but never fully take your attention off of your immediate surroundings. If it comes down to it, it’s more important to know what’s around you right now vs. where you’re going next.

Besides staying safer, the other benefit to knowing your way around is being free to focus on your surroundings and take your time with them. Especially if you’re traveling alone and don’t have anyone with you to keep up with or slow down for. You can go wherever you want, for however long you want, at whatever pace you want. We all have that friend who takes forever to go anywhere, or the friend who speeds through a museum like there’s a prize at the end. Imagine all the stress and guilt you’re saving yourself by traveling solo safely. It’s ultimate freedom and independence. And who doesn’t want that? Plus as a bonus, you’ll look more confident when you’re moving at the pace you’re most comfortable.

6. Fake It Till You Make It

Confidence is key to traveling safely, especially as a woman. But it’s easier said than done. Even the most badass highly trained of us struggle with feeling completely confident in new environments. It’s perfectly normal. Healthy, even. Overconfidence can make you too relaxed, and some uncertainty can help keep you alert. But you don’t want it to be obvious if you don’t feel entirely confident yet. So the solution is simple. Fake it.

Stand in a power pose. Put on a positive face and pretend to believe in yourself. Say a mantra to psych yourself up if you need. Then see what that does for you and your travels. Not only will you get around more safely and assuredly, but you’ll also start to build some real, actual, bonafide confidence. Social psychologist and TED talk speaker Amy Cuddy calls this the “postural feedback effect.” How we carry our bodies affects how we feel about ourselves and how we interact with others. It’s amazing how much you can get away with when you act like you know what you’re doing.

You also want to appear as if you know what you’re doing even if you don’t. While it’s good to ask when you need help and speak up for yourself, you still want to be wary of how much attention you draw to yourself. Especially in potentially sketchy situations. You don’t have to be friends with everyone. It’s okay to trust your gut. Depending on the situation or location, it’s sometimes smarter to stay low-key and blend in.

The point here is to avoid looking lost or confused, which would make you an easy target for those with less upstanding intentions. Plus it can’t hurt to maintain a little mystery. Don’t feel like you need to tell people everything about yourself. You don’t owe them any explanation for who you are or why you’re traveling alone. You can tell people however much or little as you want. Again, this is your trip on your terms. Remembering that will help you stay safe and strong. So get out there, walk tall, and fake it till you make it.

7. Do As The Locals Do

Part of faking it in a new place is pretending you belong there. Act like a local and see what doors that opens (literally and mentally). Learn the local culture and customs. Dress appropriately and respectfully. Learn the language. Wherever I go, I make a point of at least learning how to say these five words in the local language: “hello,” “please,” “thank you,” “sorry” or “excuse me,” and “cheers” (or in some cases, “to your health”).

As mentioned above, get to know the local transit system so well that you navigate it like a pro. And talk to locals. Because that’s what locals do. They talk to each other. Even if you memorize the city and metro maps, you probably still won’t know everything. That’s okay. It’s good to ask questions, as long as you do it with confidence and ease. There’s an art to doing it without looking naive or like an easy target. Keep your composure, stay calm, and be confidently curious. Remember, fake it till you make it.

Ask the concierge or front desk attendant where you’re staying. Pick the brain of your server or bartender when you go out. I got some of the best restaurant and live music recommendations from a bartender in Nashville. They’re usually eager to share their insider knowledge and you may make some new friends in the process. So make a point to make yourself a part of their world.

Now that doesn’t mean avoid the more touristy shit. So long as you’re enjoying yourself, I say do what you wanna do. You wanna brave the long lines and packed crowds to see the top of the Statue Of Liberty or the Eiffel Tower? Go for it. You do you, boo. Just be aware that many popular tourist attractions aren’t worth the time and money. I spent two days trying to see Mt. Rushmore, and by the time I finally saw it, I got tired of it after an hour and left feeling like the cost was so not worth it.

Then again, many group activities, tours, and meetups can be great ways to meet fun local people and fellow travelers. So once again, do your research and know what you’d be getting into. Weigh the costs against your own travel goals and make sure the experience will be rewarding for you before you commit. Don’t be afraid to be picky and do only what you want to do. It’s your trip. No one else’s.

8. Speak Up & Make Friends

Now just because you’re staying alert and cautious doesn’t mean you have to be cold. Frankly, that’s bound to make you stand out more. So put on a smile. Try being friendly. You’ll be amazed what a difference that makes. Just a simple smile and an open mind. That doesn’t mean believe and do whatever anyone tells you. Of course, you gotta be smart and keep your wits about you. But that doesn’t mean you can’t say hi, ask questions, and make friends.

As a woman traveling solo, you’ll be much less intimidating and easier to approach. That can be really lovely. Or sometimes a little annoying. Or yes, even dangerous. But I’m always amazed to discover how rarely I feel alone when I’m traveling by myself. And if you can surround yourself with friendly people wherever you go, you’re probably less likely to find yourself alone in a dangerous situation. That and, if something does happen, you’ll have plenty of witnesses around you.

I especially love making friends when I go out to eat solo at restaurants. It’s ideal (for you and for the restaurant) to take a seat at the bar or a communal table if they have one. Then you can chat up those sitting near you. I’ve made some lovely connections and had amazing adventures thanks to random dining conversations.

If you’re not sure how to start or what to say, remember you can just start with a smile and see where that leads. Sometimes that’s all you need to do. So don’t be afraid to ask your new friends for help when you need it. It’s good to ask questions, as long as you do it with confidence and ease. You have a voice and a brain, so use them. Speak up, be proactive, and you will be just fine.

9. Stay Alert, Light & Covered

Your ultimate goal wherever and whenever you travel to stay alert and aware of your surroundings, responding appropriately to the situations you encounter. There are a few things you can do to maintain that state of alertness and readiness.

First and foremost, watch your alcohol intake. Drink to enjoy, not to get drunk. And watch your drink! Or avoid drinking entirely if you’re in a country, like say in the Middle East, where it’s illegal. If you get drunk (or worse), your judgement and motor skills will be heavily impaired, meaning your ability to react quickly and intelligently. When I’m traveling alone now, I don’t let myself have more than two drinks in a night. (I’ve made some mistakes with this in the past, like getting blackout drunk at the Munich Oktoberfest in 2006, which gave me quite the scare to think something much worse could have happened.) So don’t let yourself get too intoxicated (or otherwise altered). You’ll keep your senses sharp, and it’ll be easier on your travel budget too.

You also want to keep your head up and looking around you, taking note of anything odd or suspicious you might want to avoid. Keep note of exit routes, in case you need to get away quickly. It doesn’t hurt to be seen looking around and paying attention either. And listening.

That means not wearing both headphones or staring at your phone. Both will prevent you from quickly noticing things around you, while also making you look like an easy target. It’s also good to have a handy makeshift weapon at the ready, like your keys between your fingers, or one of these other recommended self defense weapons. I always travel with a tactical pen like this one. And keep those eyes scanning. Though maybe try to do so in a friendly manner. The goal is to appear alert, not like an asshole.

You also want to stay light and ready to move. You never know when you’ll need to grab everything and run, either to catch a train or to evade a creepy guy who just will not leave you alone. Whatever the case, it’s good to be mobile-ready. So keep your things compact and portable. Use a spacious but light bag that has enough room for everything you need and not much more, and wear it cross-body so your hands and arms are free to grab that last thing you almost left behind. Or defend yourself.

If you’re carrying your laptop on you, make sure your laptop bag or backpack has enough padding to protect it, but not so much that it weighs you down. 

The point is to have everything essential you may need on you, but in such a way that you aren’t encumbered if you need to move quickly. 

As for staying covered, I mean this both physically, with proper weather protection, and theoretically, with proper travel insurance. If your destination has any chance of inclement weather, you’ll want to be prepared with a good compact umbrella, versatile rain or snow layers, and ideally waterproof (or at least water resistant) shoes. 

In terms of travel insurance, you can’t go wrong with World Nomads. And you could go wrong if you don’t get any. I know it’s easy to skip this step. But you never know what disaster may strike, like a canceled flight, or lost luggage, or a run in with a drunk driver. So as the cliche goes, it’s better to be safe than sorry.

Traveling, especially alone as a woman, is already a pretty courageous endeavor. You don’t need to take any additional unnecessary risks. That won’t make you any more of a badass. Just plain stupid. So don’t drink too much. Stay alert. Pack light. Bring an umbrella. Get insurance. And while you’re at it, do other smart protective things like, you know, buckling your seatbelt, wearing a helmet, and strapping on that bright neon orange life vest. Your safety is not worth the picture perfect selfie that will be like totally ruined.

10. Watch Out For Scams

Depending on where you’re traveling, there are a good many travel scams to watch out for. So do your research and know what’s common where you are going. Some are pretty universal in any large city. Like pickpockets, muggers, and homeless asking for handouts. Don’t let anyone hand you or put anything on you, like a bracelet or ring or pretty pin. It’s most likely a scam to then demand payment for that item you didn’t even want as soon as they’ve got it on you. Or to pickpocket you while you’re distracted. You also need to make sure you’re safe taking photos of tourist attractions or performances. This is especially true in African countries like Morocco, where street performers will often demand payment from you for taking their photos.

Also watch out for taxi scams and other transportation services. Especially in less developed countries where kidnapping is more common, it’s important to be wary of anyone offering you a ride. Even seemingly harmless people claiming to have their own taxi. If you’re going to be traveling in any of these countries, be smart. Use the legitimate taxi stands. Make sure they use their meters and charge you fairly. Or just book yourself a rental car from a reputable site like RentalCars.com before you go. It’s worth the extra cost to be safer than sorry-er.

There are also more tech savvy thieves who can steal your personal information without ever physically touching you. That’s why it’s important to keep your ID and credit cards in an RFID protect wallet. Ignore the fact that many of the best compact travel wallets are marketed as “men’s” wallets. It’s bullshit, I know. But they’re still damn good, damn sexy wallets.

It’s just as important (perhaps more so) to protect your identity as much as your stuff. So also be careful what information you give out about yourself. If someone is asking you for sensitive or private information, like your bank account or ID numbers, make sure you first verify who is asking. Ask to see their identification and if you’re still not sure, call their company to confirm.

If it’s a police officer or similar authority figure, ask to see their badge (nicely, of course) and maybe even write down their badge number and name. You have a right to ask for this information. And it’s a good habit to get into anytime you interact with law enforcement. You never know when that information could come in handy. And whatever you do, never ever give out your social security number, your passport number (except on that customs form on the plane) or your passwords. I hope that goes without saying, but I’m gonna say it anyway.

11. Trust Your Gut & Don’t Panic

Ladies, listen to your instincts and heed what they tell you. We women are known for our intuition. So use it to your advantage. When it tells you something is off, don’t ignore it for fear of being rude or making a mistake. Trust yourself. And don’t be afraid to say something or (better yet) leave. The best protection is prevention. If you can avoid a potentially dangerous or compromising situation altogether, so much the better. So when in doubt, just walk away. Or tell someone to go away. Don’t risk it.

You won’t do yourself any favors by freaking out. Or freezing. I realize this is easier said than done. It’s hard to know how you will react until you’re facing it. And it’s understandable to panic in the face of danger. But it’s imperative to your survival that you stay calm and in control of yourself. You can’t control the situation or what others may do, but you can control how you respond. And you are stronger than you think. So do like Frankie says and relax. Breathe. Think. And then act like the smart, Tough Cookie you are.

Panic isn’t helpful beforehand either. Even if your gut is telling you shit’s gonna hit the fan imminently. Yes listen to your gut, but with composure and reasoning. You won’t be doing your gut any favors if you freak out. Fear can be a healthy emotion. It’s your body’s way of keeping you alert and ready. But there’s a difference between trepidation and full-blown panic. It never helps to panic. 

So as you absorb and embody all of the advice I’ve given you here, remember above all to keep your wits about you and stay confidently calm, cool, and collected.

12. If You Must, Defend Yourself

For my final travel safety tip, I’ll say do what you gotta do girl. If you do find yourself in danger and you cannot avoid or escape it, then by all means use all of the means at your disposal to defend yourself until you can get away to safety. And that’s the most important part: Getting away safely.

Do whatever it takes, with whatever you can get your hands on, and as many words of warning and boundary setting and calling for help as you can muster. But only up until the point you can escape to safety. And no further. Or you may find yourself in even deeper trouble, legally that is. And in an unfamiliar city or country, that can prove quite the sticky situation. That’s extra drama you simply do not need. (Here’s where that travel insurance comes in handy again.) 

But don’t let these words of warning hold you back from fighting back. If it comes down to it, definitely defend yourself. Do what you gotta do to survive. I’ve been there too, so I get it. You won’t get any judgement here. Lots of advice and self defense training sure, but no judgement.

If you need help learning how to defend yourself, I’ve got you covered with my Tough Cookie Travel Self Defense Course. It’s the first truly comprehensive women’s self defense online course that’s designed FOR women like you BY a woman who’s been through it too.

Because you’re not alone. I’ve got your back. That’s how we do here at Tough Cookie. We Tough Cookies always stick together, no matter where in the world we may roam.

Want more tips like these? Read on to learn how else you can prepare and protect yourself for your safe travels.

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