Solo Travel Safety Tips, Stories, Strategies
- Bronwyn White
- Jul 30
- 6 min read
Summary
Safety is about confidence, not fear
Real solo travellers share raw experiences — from street harassment to emotional overwhelm
Smart pre-trip prep reduces risk: location research, local SIMs, trusted first-night plans
Emotional safety matters too: rituals, routines, and trusted human contact
Small group tours and community-led travel offer support without compromising independence
The most powerful safety tool? Trusting your gut
“I want to feel safe. But I don’t want to feel limited.”
That tension is real for many solo travellers. You’re stepping out into the world independently, not because you lack courage, but because it's a big deal!
Whether it’s your first trip or your fifteenth, safety isn’t about paranoia. It’s about preparation, awareness, and having the confidence to trust yourself. This is especially true if you are a woman.
Unfortunately, it is our reality when we travel.
Let’s unpack that tension with honest stories from my traveller interviews and my own experiences as a solo traveller.r
My Own Solo Travel Safety Experiences
From personal experience, I know what it means to navigate solo travel as both liberating and risky.
I’ve had moments of deep empowerment walking alone through early morning streets in Seville, it's my favourite part of the day in any city. And moments of discomfort that still sit with me, like when I was flashed at at an underground station in Paris.
I've felt unsafe, and I don't know why. My instincts just told me. I trust them always. Or when an airport official in Southeast Asia made repeated, unwanted comments while I waited for my bag.
We often talk about the beauty of solo travel. But honest safety conversations need to include the shadow side, the micro-moments that make us tighten our grip on our bags, or walk faster, or question our next choice.
The Stories We Don’t Always Tell
For many women, solo travel comes with a quiet calculation: the freedom it brings, measured against the unwanted attention it sometimes invites.
There’s a shared reality among solo travellers that being alone can make you a target. Not always. But enough times to remember. Here are a few real stories from my research with women.
“Men just assume you want to be picked up.”
“I felt constantly threatened in Egypt. I was covered head to toe. I was in my late 50s. The tour guide just said I looked different from their women. That’s why group travel really suits me. I feel safer.”
“I was on a cruise and this guy kept following me around. One night at dinner, he sat next to me and whispered in my ear: ‘Do you want to be pleasured?’ I nearly choked. I walked straight back to my room. Later, I found out he’d been doing the rounds.”
“I was flashed at while eating solo by the window of a Paris restaurant.”
“I’m not going to take silly risks.”
These aren’t stories to scare. They’re stories to name what we carry — and why so many of us are drawn to small group tours or well-structured travel experiences. Not because we’re fragile. But because we’re done tolerating discomfort to prove a point.
“Travelling as a small group abates many of our safety concerns.”
And that matters because confidence is a different kind of freedom — one that comes not from ignoring danger, but from being equipped to move through it.
Other Things Solo Travellers Really Worry About
Through interviews and real-life insights, some fears come up again and again:
1. The “first trip” fear
That moment before take-off when everything feels unfamiliar and overwhelming. It's not about lacking bravery—it’s about stepping into the unknown, with no familiar backup.
One woman told me,
“I was so nervous flying to New Zealand by myself. It was my first trip after divorce. But once I landed, I realised I was more capable than I thought.”
2. Being watched or targeted
Especially in places where you're clearly a visitor or alone. It doesn’t matter how experienced you are—being hyper-visible can feel exhausting.
3. Having no backup plan
Missed trains. Illness. Bad weather. Technology fails. When you're alone, there’s no one to troubleshoot beside you.
4. Carrying the whole mental load
From remembering directions to ordering food in another language, every decision rests with you. It’s exhilarating, but it’s also mentally taxing.
Solo Travel Safety Tips
These are a few strategies I’ve gathered over the decades and direct conversations with women who’ve been there. They’re not about control. They’re about confidence.
Before You Go
Research Neighbourhood Safety
Go beyond the city name. Look up forums, subreddits, and recent travel blogs. Find out which areas are vibrant and safe, and which are best avoided after dark.
Plan Your First 24 Hours in Detail
Know how you’ll get from the airport to your hotel. Arrange for a trusted transfer service. Choose a hotel or accommodation with a 24-hour reception.
Prioritise Visibility and Walkability
Book hotel rooms in areas with well-lit streets, close to main squares, shops, and transport—not tucked into side alleys.
Prepare a Personal Safety Pack
This includes:
Printed and digital copies of important documents
A small power bank
Local SIM or roaming-enabled phone
Small doorstop alarm or portable lock
Backup cash hidden away from your wallet
My favourite hack has been in use for at least 30 years. It still beats everything else.
Get a sports sock and an old-fashioned baby pin and turn it into an inside pocket. Place your cards in there, the bulk of your cash and keep a bit of money in your standard pocket.
Share Your Itinerary
Choose someone to be your home-base contact. Share your plans, updates, and emergency info.
Put printed copies of your itinerary in as many different places as you can - inside case, outside pocket, handbag, hand luggage, etc.
While Travelling
Listen to Your Gut Early
The moment something feels "off" is the moment to exit, change course, or ask for help. You don’t need to justify it.
Protect Your Narrative
When strangers ask if you're alone, you can say you're meeting someone later. It’s a boundary, not a lie.
Sit with Visibility
In restaurants or cafes, face the room. Stay near exits. Choose spots with foot traffic and staff visibility.
Map and Translate Offline
Download maps and phrases in local languages. Always know the name of your accommodation and the nearest metro station.
Know Exit Routes and Trusted Spaces
Identify embassies, hospitals, or large hotel chains near you even if you’re not staying there. They're helpful fallback spots. I've used a large hotel chain lobby many times.
Rotate Your Routines
Change up walking routes and routines. Don’t get too predictable in new cities.
Emotional Safety: A Key Part of Feeling Secure
Feeling safe isn’t just physical. It’s also emotional. Here's how seasoned solo travellers manage that part:
Bring Sensory Anchors
Small things that connect you back to yourself: favourite music, a scarf, herbal tea, a scent.
Seek Soft Connection
Cooking classes, guided walks, creative workshops—places where you can chat without pressure.
Stay in Places with humans.
Choose accommodation with a welcoming host or a visible front desk. It matters more than trendy decor.
Allow Rest
Being "on" all the time is exhausting. If you need to spend a morning in bed or an evening with Netflix, that’s valid.
Wisdom from Experience
"I always check the walk home from dinner before I book."
"I carry a doorstop. It weighs nothing and gives me peace of mind."
"I'm not afraid. I'm prepared."
"Solo travel isn’t reckless. It’s chosen."
Final Word: Safety as a Mindset
You can't eliminate all risk. But you can equip yourself with tools, instincts, and stories that make solo travel not just doable but deeply empowering.
This isn't about building fear. It's about building faith in your ability to handle what comes, and enjoy yourself along the way.
Let your solo travel style reflect not just where you're going, but how you want to feel getting there.
FAQs for Solo Traveller Safety
Is it safe to travel solo as a woman over 50?
Yes, many women over 50 travel solo and feel both empowered and safe. Preparation, local insight, and staying connected with someone back home all help. Many women also choose small group tours for a mix of freedom and security.
What should I pack for solo travel safety?
Include a personal safety pack: digital and printed documents, local SIM or roaming plan, portable charger, backup cash, a doorstop alarm, and a scarf or wrap that makes you feel comfortable in unfamiliar environments.
How do I avoid unwanted attention when travelling alone?
Dress based on local norms, stay in public or well-lit areas, and prepare a “cover story” — for example, say you’re meeting someone. Most importantly, leave if a situation feels uncomfortable.
Are group tours safer than solo travel?
For many, yes. Especially in destinations with cultural differences or lower gender equity. Small group travel often provides built-in safety, local support, and less visibility — without giving up the solo mindset.
What if I feel emotionally unsafe or overwhelmed?
That’s valid too. Solo travel brings emotional highs and lows. Build in time for rest, avoid over-scheduling, and seek a gentle connection like a walking tour or a friendly local café. Emotional safety is just as important as physical safety.
Looking for solo travel that’s independent, but not isolating?Explore our curated retreats and solo-friendly travel experiences — designed by women, for women who’ve been there. Bron xx