Is It Safe To Travel Alone? – Ultimate Safety Travel Guide

Wondering if solo travel is actually safe and if you can do it too? This guide will give you an honest look at the realities of traveling alone!

The idea of traveling alone can feel really scary at first, and if you’re anything like me, you’re probably worried about your safety too. After researching solo travel extensively and going on my own solo adventures, I’ve gathered and learned all the essential safety information you need.

You’ll discover practical safety tips, potential challenges, debunked myths, and how to protect yourself from any possible challenges that could come your way.

By the end of this guide, you’ll know exactly how to plan a safe and unforgettable solo trip!

This post answers the question: is it safe to travel alone?

Is It Safe To Travel Alone?

Short answer: it depends on how you travel, but you can make it safe.

Safety comes from being prepared for the trip and the destination, being aware of your surroundings, and always picking yourself first, not someone else’s potential feelings.

But if you prefer to go with the flow without plans, you might be exposed to more dangers and risks than you think.

The Truth About Solo Travel Safety (Spoiler: It’s Not as Scary as You Think!)

Now, I’m not saying solo travel is 100% safe. Nothing in life is. But it’s definitely not the end of the world scenario as some people make it out to be. I will be honest; I was one of those skeptical people.

You should understand that the only time you naturally lower your guard is when you are surrounded by people you know and trust and in a very familiar area that you know is safe (aka inside your home, but sometimes you are not even safe inside your own home, so what should you do? Find a safer home!). And this is the only instance where you should lower your guard. I am saying this to give you a perspective that:

Traveling is not the same as staying at home, so don’t treat these two the same way. Always keep your guard up, be aware of your surrounding, and choose yourself first.

Here are a few of the myths we hear most often:

Myth #1: Solo travel is dangerous.

The truth is many things are dangerous. Eating junk food all the time is causing more and more health issues, endlessly scrolling through social media is making you more and more depressed, and staying at home in your comfortable room making you more and more isolated from society.

Because the dangers are eminent when you are traveling alone, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t do it. You just need to know that if you 1). take the right precautions, 2). always be aware of your surroundings, and 3). pick the right destination, you will be safer to travel alone in a foreign land than in your city.

Myth #2: Solo travelers are easy targets for criminals.

The truth is that most solo travelers I’ve met (myself included) are way more alert and cautious than your average tourist group. When you are constantly alert, it will be difficult to fool you.

Myth #3: It’s safer to travel in a group.

The truth is that group travel will not guarantee your safety. Sure, there is a sense of security in numbers, but what if the numbers are clueless, less aware, and less vigilant than you should be in an unknown land?

As a solo traveler, you are more flexible when traveling alone and can adapt to changing environments quickly.

When you blend in with the locals, you don’t stand out as a tourist so that fewer eyes will be on you. Remember, everyone lives in their own heads. The locals really don’t care about you, but they LOVE helping people. There is a sense of pride in helping foreigners.

Myth #4: You will get lost when you travel alone

The truth is that you will still get lost even with a group who are unfamiliar with the region. Getting lost is normal. I get lost even in my hometown if I ever try to be brave enough to travel without Google Maps.

Myth #5: Solo female travelers face unique challenges

The truth is that this myth does carry some truth to it. So this can be true depending on the country. Let’s use travel to India as an example:

I looked up the “travel advisory” page on travel.state.gov. As an American flying to India, I checked India Travel Advisory.

This website clearly states, “Do not travel alone if you are a woman.” Knowing this, would I still travel to India? No, especially not if it was my first time visiting.

But this doesn’t mean that every country is dangerous for solo travelers; it just means that stay away from India until things get better.

Another thing you MUST keep in mind is that, most of the time, it is not the country you should be wary of; it is specific regions within the country.

For example, Chicago is one of the most dangerous cities in the USA for locals. However, tourists are a lot safer when they stay in touristy areas. Touristy areas have more security, so that’s good for us ladies! LOL

Cities that reek of crimes but have remarkable landmarks have the safest touristy areas:

• San Francisco touristy areas like Golden Gate Bridge: SAFE and CLEAN and HIGHLY RECOMMEND
• Chicago touristy areas like the Loop: SAFE and CLEAN and HIGHLY RECOMMEND

Potential Safety Challenges of Solo Travel (And Why They Shouldn’t Stop You)

Now that we have debunked the myths about solo travel safety, let’s discuss the actual and potential challenges a solo traveler can encounter.

Potential Challenge #1: You will feel like people stare at you

Let’s say you are eating in a restaurant where each table is packed, but there is one table with just one person. Of course, you will start to “judge” them because they stand out.

Whenever you stand out from the crowd, people will look at you, and sometimes, you feel like they are even staring at you.

Most of the time, these are just harmless and curious stares, but if a bad apple sniffs you out as a tourist, you become the potential victim for them.

This doesn’t mean that you are doomed. You can steer them off by calling them out or asking for help. Even the locals do not like bad apples.

Tip #1: Try blending in with the locals as much as possible. Dress modestly when the locals are dressed modestly. Know which behaviors are considered rude. Learn quickly about what is expected and what is not when traveling. Be mindful and demure.

Potential Challenge #2: Personal Safety Concerns

Let’s address the elephant in the room: your personal safety. Your safety should be your priority at all times. This doesn’t mean traveling alone is dangerous, as I debunked earlier in the post, but you should seriously consider your safety wherever you choose to travel alone.

Many things could cause concerns for your safety while traveling.

If you are in a dark alley and start to panic, yes, that is a legitimate natural intuition telling you to get out and go somewhere bright and populated.

If it’s getting dark and you are far away from your accommodation, you should end your trip, even if you haven’t crossed off all the “things to do and see” checklist, and head back to your hotel room or a hostel.

If you stay alone in a hotel room, you might worry about your safety when you try to sleep. The paranoia could kick in right when you are drifting off. Get portable door locks. This will prevent the intruder from opening the door even if they have a key because if they try to get in, they will have to knock the door down. Also, make sure to close all the windows and make sure they are locked.

If you are in a very crowded tourist area or on a packed bus, there is a chance pickpocketers will try to steal things from your purse or pockets. Always keep an eye on your bags. You can also add an AirTag to your backpack and purse to keep track of where they have been.

If you are traveling to a country with an unstable government or civil unrest, you should do your research before your trip. However, if you are already there, sign up for the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). This is a free service for US citizens that will notify you if there are any emergencies and they need to evacuate you.

If you travel to countries that experience constant earthquakes or storms, you could be physically harmed without warning. Always check weather reports for the duration of your trip and do a quick search of common natural disasters in the region.

If you lose your documents or essential items, these could lead to safety concerns. If you don’t have your documents and look like a foreigner, this can get ugly. So, always keep extra copies of your documents and spread them around your bags.

Potential Challenge #3: Health Safety Concern

Traveling to a different country exposes you to microbes that your body is unfamiliar with. This is natural. Because of this, traveler’s diarrhea occurs.

Let me tell you, traveler’s diarrhea is the worst. You will never know what food caused an upset stomach, but thankfully, it goes away in a few days, like 3-5 days.

You just have to wait until it goes away, drink plenty of fluid with electrolytes, and minimize unknown food.

Another thing you could experience is if you take any medications, and you possibly run out of them or lose them, you could get into critical situations where you will need immediate care.

In this scenario, have a traveler’s health insurance covering your needs. Also, make sure to pack extra medications and place them in a separate bag.

Potential Challenge #4: Cultural Faux Pas

Cultural faux pas occur when one accidentally offend someone by not following other cultures’ customs or etiquette rules.

When you accidentally make cultural faux pas, you get really embraced once you realize what has happened—the grimacing emoji face.

Sometimes, the locals correct you, but that experience is never pretty. You may be caught off guard by sudden judgmental stares or remarks on your behavior, which could make you feel really uncomfortable.

One of the biggest challenges for solo travelers is dining etiquette. Each culture has its own set of rules, and they’re not always obvious. In some places you shouldn’t eat with your left hand, in other places you should leave some food on your plate or in other places you should not leave anything on your plate.

You can prevent these cultural faux pas by doing quick research online on the region, observing the locals, and asking questions. But don’t aim for perfection; aim for progress and growth.

It is okay if you unknowingly wear your shoes in the house where you clearly had to remove them but always try to learn to read the room and adapt to the new environment quickly by changing your behavior.

Potential Challenge #5: You could encounter unwanted interactions

Let’s talk about something that’s crossed every solo traveler’s mind at some point: unwanted interactions.

As a solo traveler, you might worry about being followed, scammed, or worse. Trust me, I’ve had my share of paranoid over-the-shoulder glances!

But here’s the truth: while these situations can happen, they’re not as common as your imagination might lead you to believe.

Most unwanted interactions are more annoying than dangerous. That said, your comfort and safety should always be your top priority. No matter how friendly they seem, you don’t owe anyone your time or attention. I’ve found that being assertive and firm but polite in uncomfortable situations, such as “No, thank you,” will deter most unwanted attention.

Potential Challenge #6: Language barrier

From my experience, language barriers do not cause as many issues as you think. You can communicate with just your body language and with hand motions. Language is a bonus if you want to talk to the locals directly.

So, for example, if you plan to sit at the cafe, you need to know the language basics to tell them you want a table for one. Or, ask if the food contains nuts if you have nut allergies. This is crucial information for you to know, but it must be communicated directly when talking to the locals.

That being said, if you travel to a foreign country that does not speak your language, sometimes knowing the basics of the language will take you far.

Fortunately, there are ways to overcome the language barrier. Once, I encountered a French citizen in Uzbekistan. He spoke no local language but communicated with the local woman using Google Translate. They spent hours chatting.

So, no, you don’t need to be fluent in the local language to have a good time; actually, not knowing the language makes it all intriguing.

Potential Challenge #7: You can be targeted by scammers

When you think of scammers, the thought of those robo calls comes to mind, or those big schematic plans that lure people in for the desire to get rich quickly.

When you travel, these scams are more nuanced and, at times, difficult to recognize when they are happening.

When you have just arrived and feel adventurous and optimistic, scammers will start swarming around you like a swarm of wasps.

Sometimes, you are given things for “free” but are very loudly asked for the payment after you physically hold it in your hand.

They will also make you feel very comfortable and chat in a friendly manner, but then you are asked to pay way more at the end of the service.

Every country has its unique scammer types. In touristy areas, there are overpriced souvenirs or people who plead for money because they are so “poor.” They don’t just ask; they plead, and they get all touchy (not in a sexual way, though). They will try to make you feel sorry for them so you will pay them. Locals fall for these scams, too.

Digital Safety on the Road (Because Hackers Don’t Take Vacations)

Digital safety is not something that you only think about at home; it is as important in a foreign land, too.

Digital safety becomes even more crucial when traveling abroad. Many travelers learn about WiFi security the hard way – through compromised accounts and data breaches.

The dark web regularly receives login details from unsecured public networks, making digital security a critical travel consideration.

My new approach to keeping my digital life secure

1. No free wifi
2. When connecting to the Internet, use your phone’s data, such as e-SIMs, not public WiFi. I don’t know if a VPN will protect you in the way you need it to.
3. Do not use the airport USB charging stations. Even the FBI sent out notices to warn people to be aware of this because hackers can access your phone through them. So, use the charging outlets directly with the AC adaptors; it’s that bulky thing you connect to the outlet and USB.
4. Do not post your pictures in real-time; if you have a public account, you don’t know who is watching your stories.
5. Turn off the Camera’s location access. If you have it on, then every image you take and share will have the exact location on it—scarily precise.
6. Set up two-step authentication for most of your important apps or websites where you must log in when traveling.
7. Turn off the “Ask to Join Networks” and “Auto-Join Hotspots” on your phone, If you have it on, then it will allow your phone or device to join any free and available networks automatically.

All this is important, and I recommend you follow them, too!

Pre-Trip Safety Preparations

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

Your safe journey starts before your travels. So here are some things you should do for in advance.

These are the action steps you should take before your flights:

Solo Travel Safety for Women (Ladies, This One’s for You)

Solo travel as a woman comes with its own set of challenges, but don’t let that stop you! Because these unwanted interactions are as much part of the travel experience as trying the best local dish.

Here is what you could face when you are traveling alone:

1. You might face unwanted attention, but it is mostly harmless (just annoying).
2. Cultural differences can lead to interesting situations (e.g., locals trying to set you up with their sons—true story!).
3. Scams happen, but they’re usually more about money than safety.
4. Your biggest risks? Probably minor accidents or getting sick from trying new foods.

Remember, the unknown is always scary, but most pre-travel worries won’t come true if you stick to the rigid rules you set before your travels.

To ensure your travels are safe, you should:

1. Choose a safe destination for solo female travelers
2. Select the housing accommodations that are tailored for solo female travelers.
3. Pack all your essential items and documents and make copies of each.
4. Inform STEP—the US service for US Citizen travelers—about your plans. This way, you will know that if anything does happen, the US embassy will help you out!
5. When you are traveling, try booking rides from online services. Most countries have similar apps to Uber.
6. Enjoy your trip while being fully present and aware of your surroundings.

Top Tips To Stay Safe During Your Solo Adventure

Here is a list of tips I have accumulated throughout my trips alone. Use this list to build rules for your trip to a different land. Knowing what I should and shouldn’t do when I am traveling gives me peace of mind. This way, I do not experience decision fatigue.

Tip #1: Blend in with the locals

Locals can tell when a tourist is in their down from a hundred yards away. It is not because of your ethnicity—sometimes, yes—but mostly because of how you dress and behave.

For example, wearing shirts with logos might be normal in your country but may not be considered a fashion style in another.

Don’t wear or carry expensive items while walking on the streets.

Tip #2: Ensure your items are always within your reach.

This goes without saying that you should always keep an eye on your bags or phone whenever you are in a crowded area.

Some countries are safe; I hear in Dubai, you can leave your phone charged in a McDonald’s, and you will still find it there when you come back a few hours later.

Other countries like Italy are seeing a rise in pickpocketers.

Tip#3: Be very mindful when you are drinking alcohol

Alcohol decreases self-awareness and has difficulty reading people. This would probably inhibit your ability to sense danger and act in time.

Tip #4: Be Home Before it gets fully dark

Something about the nights brings out the worst in humanity. But this doesn’t mean things only happen during the night, no.

When it is dark, criminals feel safe attracting others because of anonymity.

Stay home when it is dark unless you know who you hang out with. It does sound like a parent talking, but they were right all along, lol.

Tip #5: Don’t tell your new friends where you are staying

You don’t know who someone is on the first day you meet them. Most of the time, they are really nice and genuine people. But some rotten cucumbers always carry malicious thoughts and look for opportunities.

It will be your trip with your rules, but always remember that you will not know who someone is until they show their true colors.

Tip #6: Always trust your instincts

You might have read this hundreds of times already, and it might sound like a cliche by now. But always trust your instincts.

Don’t question the legitimacy of your thoughts. If you ask yourself, “WHY is he following me?” don’t rephrase it to, “Wait, IS he following me?”

Intuition is not when you feel a sudden jolt of energy, no. That is your flight or fight response.

Intuition is a neutral-toned thought that comes to you out of nowhere and makes you aware of your surroundings immediately.

So when you start to notice a person you did not think of 5 seconds ago and are fully aware of their presence, that is your intuition speaking. You don’t have time to sit and ponder the thought. Just get yourself out of there or ask for help when you can.

Tip #7: Don’t be an open book

Don’t tell people about your plans while traveling, not on social media or in real-time. Only tell people that you trust for your security and safety.

Try to be vague when talking about your plans. I know sharing your plans with just anyone is exciting because YOU are excited to be there. But not everyone will share your excitement.

Last random note: while I was writing about emergencies, that viral TikTok song kept playing in my head: “Paging Dr. Beat, Emergency, Emergency.” It totally felt inappropriate to dance while writing about emergencies.

Safe Ways To Make New Friends

Now that we have mentioned all the things that could go wrong when traveling let’s talk about how to actually make friends without the fear of getting kidnapped or lured into their pyramid schemes.

Make friends by joining group activities.

When you are in a group, you can easily meet new people, especially in groups where the main goal is to meet people.

As you have heard, there are run clubs you can join if you are a runner, or you can join the local cooking class if you like to cook. There are many activities you can do and make friends there.

Make friends from hostels.

Hostels are for solo travelers like yourself. You will meet like-minded people who also choose to travel without familiar faces in unfamiliar locations.

Just like you can make friends with your dorm mates in college, you can also make friends with your hostel mates.

Just like not everyone becomes best friends with their dorm mates, you shouldn’t expect that either. Sometimes, personalities just don’t match.

But it is a safer place to make new friends.

Use reputable apps and websites.

There are apps and websites designated for solo travelers to make new friends, like Trello.

Check them out and message who you think you will hit it off with. They are like the bumbles “Make friends” option.

Trust your gut and meet people spontaneously.

It is easy to read people once you know what to look for. You’ve met friends before, and you have probably let go of some.

Don’t feel like you have to make new friends with someone you share a room with. If they are not a match, then they are not a match.

The beauty of traveling alone is that you can make new friends a lot more easily than you can when you are traveling with someone by your side.

FYI: You can even make friends when you share a train cabin with strangers too.

Create an Emergency Plan

Hope for the Best, Prepare for the Worst

Emergency plans are probably the last thing you want to consider when planning your solo trip, especially the first one. But you can still hope for the best but plan for the worst, so you will be prepared when anything happens if it happens at all.

I suggest that you create an emergency plan for every trip you take that includes all the emergency information you will need.

For example, if you are going on a road trip and your car breaks down, you may be unable to fix it because you have no idea what went wrong.

So, get car insurance to cover the cost of repairing your car, and have the emergency phone number they will provide handy—ideally written in multiple locations.

Things to do when you get sick or injured abroad

If you get sick more often than others, it is highly recommended that you get traveler’s health insurance. Don’t assume you will be fine when traveling to new places.

Also, if you are traveling abroad, keep emergency contact info. 9-1-1 is not universal.

Carry your first aid kit wherever you go and your needed medications.

Ways to handle theft and lost essentials

If you lose or someone steals your purse with your cash, that could be the worst thing that happens to you if you put all your money in one place.

Instead, have multiple cards and place different cards in different bags. It is unlikely that you will lose all your belongings all at once, but it is a possibility, so carry a

Always keep a backup fund in your bank. Don’t cash everything out. Try to carry small changes in your pockets and hide large cash somewhere no one will think to check, like in your period pad.

Last thought: Should a Woman Travel Alone?

Absolutely, Yes! Don’t listen to anyone who says otherwise.

I have traveled alone, and many other solo female travelers have traveled alone. And many more women will choose to travel alone.

We are doing this because we know we can, and it is possible without putting ourselves at risk.