The simple fact is that regardless of where you are in the world, there is always an element of risk. That is just life. However, you can…and should take note of the following solo female travel safety tips to limit the risk.
There are so many people that will try and scare you before you have even traveled…this will happen…that will happen. It’s true…it might. Then again, it might not.
If you are going to travel solo as a female, you need to have a firm belief that you can.
The following tips are designed to reduce your risk when you get to a new destination. They are effectively signalling you to look a little deeper into the areas.
Regardless of where you go as a solo female traveller, you need to do your research. Google really is your friend here.
Solo Female Travel Safety Tips
Attitude
A smile and politeness are desirable qualities in people and it can get you a long way, especially if you need help. The reality is that you need to show some attitude if the situation calls for it. Plant your feet and stand your ground if the situation calls for it.
Sometimes, a smile and a show of politeness is mistaken for weakness. Stand tall and make direct eye contact. Hopefully you won’t get yourself into too many situations that calls for this…but be prepared. It may sound a little silly…but practice it. Trust me, this is a life skill that will serve you well.
Limit the alcohol
If you are a solo female traveller, you are in a more vulnerable situation. There are some that will try and scare you into not going but you are stronger than that.
That being said, the simple truth is that alcohol makes you vulnerable so it is advised that you resist. It lowers the guard and makes you vulnerable. By all means, have a couple of drinks if your mind stays sharp but getting drunk has to be a hard pass.
The ideal situation is that you meet a group of travellers where you can look after each other. This is the ideal situation. If you are alone and passing the time by drinking alcohol…think again.
Camouflage
It is always a good idea to blend in with the locals. Basically, you just need to make sure that you don’t stand out like a sore thumb.
If the dress of that country is conservative, then you too should seriously consider following their lead. If they cover up, so should you. This isn’t an issue of identity politics; this is simply good advice to keep you safe. At the end of the day, your safety is paramount.
Download maps
When you arrive at your new destination, you are at your most vulnerable. It is never a good idea to simply step off the plane without doing some homework.
A simple thing you can do is download maps to your phone so that you don’t need any data connection. It’s the safer option and the smart option.
Have somewhere to go when you arrive
As much as you want to wing things and go with the flow, sometimes it is a good idea to have some initial plans firmly in place. This is more important if you are arriving after nightfall. Roaming new places looking for somewhere to stay at night is not a good position to be in.
Therefore, book a place in advance where to can head to straightaway. It gives you some grounding to explore further without the stress of landing without any plans. Having no plan makes you vulnerable…it’s not worth the risk.
Trust your sixth sense
Your sixth sense is that nagging feeling that something is not right. It might be your environment or it may be people near you. If you get that feeling, trust your instinct and move on in a safe manner.
Don’t ever be afraid of offending people, they will get over it. The fact is that your safety is of paramount importance. Your job is to look after you…don’t forget that.
Get ready to make a run
This tip is for those that will be taking taxi’s. You already know that getting a taxi is a precarious task in a new country. You don’t know the city and the lay of the land.
Chances are that you may get into a dispute with the driver who is taking liberties. If your backpack is in the boot, you are limited in what you can do.
By keeping your luggage with you on the backseat, if you need to jump out, you have your things with you. Having it in the boot means that you driver has a distinct advantage.
If you can get an app-based taxi like an Uber, even better. Set up your account before you leave home.
Find a tour
Walking tours are great. Not only are they relatively cheap, they are a great way to meet new people and discover new places. Often, I find that I would have never found those places if I was alone.
They also provide you with a feel for the place. They may well point out areas to stay clear off and where you should go. If you do go on a walking tour, plan to do it on the first day. This gives you some basic knowledge of the place which will give you confidence to explore alone later.
Hide your money and valuables
Whether it is the hostel or on your person, it is wise and prudent to hide your money on you. There are plenty of techniques that you can use, it is worth reading this article about keeping money on you.
This tip really matters as it allows you to spread the risk. If you are a victim of a crime, you haven’t lost everything. Read the article and follow the tips. It’s important.
Secure your door
Your room may have a lock on it but don’t trust it. It is recommended that you invest in an alarmed door stop which will make a load alarm noise should somebody try to open your door.
They are not expensive and they are worth every penny. If you are not prepared to carry one, you should at least get a plastic doorstop. They cost literally pennies and weigh virtually nothing. Should an incident occur, you will be grateful you had one.
Leave a trail
Not a literal trail but a virtual one. You may have gone away on your own to get away from everybody but it is prudent to let people know where you are should something happen.
This may simply be uploading pictures onto your social media or updating the status on you messaging app. Whatever method you use, you know that your friends and family will be able to follow your movement without intruding on your holiday.
They have peace of mind and know that you are ok…you too have some peace of mind too.
I hope that these solo female travel safety tips give you something to think about. Remember, that there are thousands of solo female travelers that are doing it safely whilst having the time of their lives.
The advice is simple, use your head and follow your instinct.
Since you are here…can i ask a favor?
It would be really nice if you could share this image on your social media. It’s literally a few seconds for you but it means a lot to us here.
Thank you so much!
You may be interested in reading the following;
7 Best Ways For On Body Money Storage – The Ultimate Guide
How To Hide Valuables While Traveling