10 safety tips for females travelling solo for the first time

It can be very stressful to travel especially for females travelling solo.

Unfortunately, some places are safer than others.

Regardless, the following tips can be helpful in most cases.

I have done two solo traveling trips to Europe and in this blog post, I am sharing some of the things ladies should know before embarking on their first solo adventure. 

 

1. Stay in the touristy/busy areas

Most big cities have a touristy area/s as well as areas where it’s not safe to go.

Usually, around the touristy areas, there are a lot of people (safety in numbers) as well as there are more police officers.

However, where there are crowds there are also pickpockets so keep an eye on your belongings.

Do not go into random areas or alleys where there are no people around or away from the main parts. Dark, sketchy looking places should be avoided.

For example, when I was in Paris, I felt safe when I was walking around the touristy areas but the hotel was somewhere out of the way.

In that area, there were a bunch of suspicious-looking people just hanging around so I wasn’t feeling safe to go and walk around the hotel once it got dark.

 

2. Try to blend in with the locals

This one is very important!! Try and blend in with the crowd.

The less you look like a tourist who is all confused and lost, the less chance there is for someone to target you.

If I am traveling alone, I usually pack clothes that are not very flashy.

Usually, go for jeans or black tights and a simple shirt or a hoodie.

Also, I prefer not to wear anything too revealing just as an extra precaution.

I go for darker colored clothes (black, gray) instead of anything too colorful or with crazy patterns.

The less attention you draw to yourself the better. 

 

 

3. Don’t flaunt your cash/wallet, expensive jewelry or technology

Be discreet when you pay at restaurants and shops.

You do not want to show how much cash you have in your wallet or what kind of cards you have.

There might be pickpockets around looking to find their next victim.

When I travel solo I never bring expensive things like jewelry or fancy camera equipment.

I usually use my phone camera and wear cheap jewelry and a watch so in case, I lose them or I get robbed it would not be a big loss.

If you are engaged/married, leave your diamonds at home, and just wear a fake ring.

I have heard some girls wear a fake wedding ring to avoid men hitting on them. I have never done that as usually no one bothers me lol.

 

4. Don’t trust anyone

So many times I would ask someone on the street for directions or where something is and they would give me the wrong information.

And yes they were locals and yes they understood English.

So I have learned my lesson and I research things ahead of time or use my phone to figure out stuff.

Based on previous experiences, I do not trust strangers and try to figure out stuff on my own rather than ask.

Also, make sure you tell your family and friends where you at all times so, in the case of an emergency, they know where to find you.

Make sure you have a photocopy of your passport, visas, and other important documents.

 

 

5. Don’t walk around with your nose stuck in a map

Nothing says “tourist” more than walking around all confused with your nose stuck in a map.

I usually try and use Google Maps on my phone to make it less obvious or if I have an actual map I would sit somewhere and look at the map a bit more discreetly.

Sitting in a nice cafe and taking a break from walking and checking the next leg of your trip is also a good idea.

Sometimes I will take a pic on my phone instead of having to unfold and fight to open the actual map.

You still want to have the physical copy of the map with you in case your phone dies or you get really lost. 

 

6. Always be alert/vigilant

This one is very important!! Keep an eye on your surroundings and if you see any suspicious person or activity, leave the area immediately.

That can be people yelling/arguing or people who look like they are about to fight or cars driving weirdly etc.

For example, when my partner and I were in Brussels, our Airbnb was close to the EU government buildings. We were going down the subway when we saw a random guy throw this huge backpack on the floor and run out.

I got so scared thinking it was a bomb or explosives of some sorts so I was like we have to leave immediately.

Like why would this dude throw a huge backpack (which looked very full) right at the subway stop closest to the EU parliament and then runoff?

Either way, nothing happened but that would be considered suspicious activity. Better be suspicious and leave then get hurt. 

 

 

7. Keep an eye on your belongings

You won’t believe how many people I know who have been robbed while traveling.

Either the person got robbed directly or found out later when their phone or wallet was missing.

Thank God, I have never been robbed but I am also super suspicious of everyone around me.

Keep your backpack/purse in front of you instead of on your back where you cannot see it.

Don’t bring all your cash with you – always separate your cash and have some emergency cash hidden somewhere (I usually have a 100$ hidden in a new pad).

I prefer to put all of my stuff in one bag and always have it in front of me, instead of putting things in different pockets.

If you are really worried, get one of those money belts to be even safer.

I don’t use them because I never carry too much cash with me and I only bring a low limit credit card.

 

8. Don’t stay out late

Try not to stay up too late or if you do, make sure you know how to get back to your hotel/airbnb.

Needless to say, don’t drink too much as you might not be able to get your bearings.

Also, do not accept drinks from strangers as you do not know what could be in them (drugs).

I did this trip a long time ago and we were in Budapest and our tour guide got some drugs in her drink somehow and was totally out.

Good thing we were there to help her out and take her back to the hostel but if you are alone there won’t be anyone to help you out.

Drink responsibly and watch the bartender make your drink to be sure it is safe.

Don’t tell people you just met personal info (don’t tell people you are traveling solo) or where you are staying.

In this category also falls trying and arriving in a country during the day time.

 

 

9. Don’t sign any petitions

I don’t know what it is but everywhere I go I get asked to sign some petition on the streets.

You never know what those are!!

Even if they tell you what it is about, they could be laying and it could lead to identity theft or some other scam.

You do not want to sign anything period!!

Also, do not take things people hand you out coz it might look like it is free but then they ask for money and threaten you to pay them because you took the thing from them.

This has also happened to me before. It is super weird and uncomfortable.

When we visited Las Vegas a few years ago, this guy on the street had this really cool lizard.

I stopped to admire it and he was like “here hold it for a bit” so I did.

Then the guy demanded I give him 10$ for holding the lizard for legit 2mins.

I got all defensive and he started being mad so my exbf just gave him 10$ to leave us alone. 

 

 

 

10. Don’t buy things from people on the street

Almost anywhere you go, you will find people selling fake designer bags, souvenirs, or other trinkets on the street.

I do not recommend buying stuff from them even if it’s cheaper than the actual shops.

When we were in Paris, three people on our tour got robbed by the street sellers.

Apparently, they tried to buy something and the person told them lets say 3 Euros and then when they were about to pay they were like “no I said 5 Euros”.

Then a bunch of other people showed up and started arguing and eventually robbed them.

So since that time, I do not even approach anyone selling stuff or loitering around.

Some of them can be super persuasive (I am looking at you Rome) and try to sell you a selfie stick even though you are already holding one.

Just say “no thank you” and walk away or do what I do sometimes – pretend I don’t speak English and that I don’t understand lol. 

 

 

I hope these tips were helpful!

I don’t mean to discourage you to travel solo, I just wanted to mention a few points to make sure you are safe on your travels.

Again, better be safe than sorry!!

Be vigilant, don’t go to fishy areas especially in the dark, avoid interacting with the street sellers and keep an eye on your belongings.

Exercise common sense and you should be good.

And don’t forget to trust your gut, if you have even the slightest suspicion about something do what feels safe. 

If you want some inspo for your first solo trip, check out this post Top 10 Best Solo Destinations