Essential Travel Safety Tips for Solo Travelers, Women, & More
Make sure your next trip isn’t memorable for the wrong reasons with this travel safety guide written by a solo female traveler who’s lived and traveled around the globe.
I’ve packed all the lessons I’ve learned around the world into this guide to tell you everything you should be thinking about before you embark on your next trip, especially if you’re going to a new country.
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Table of Contents
Travel Safety Before the Trip
Before you head off on your next adventure, get the items you will need to stay safe on your trip. Also, knowing the local culture and customs can help you blend in and avoid becoming a target for crime and scams. Even if the place you’re headed isn’t far from home, doing some research can prevent you from accidentally getting into trouble or even breaking local laws.
Safety Items
Here are some essential items I recommend packing to enhance your travel safety:
Carbon Monoxide Detector
There are many cases where tourists have died from carbon monoxide poisoning due to lack of detectors in some accommodations. Carbon monoxide has no smell and can quickly kill you without severe symptoms. Bringing a carbon monoxide detector can save your life.
Fannypack
Carry your items in a fannypack, money belt, or cross-body purse instead of in your pockets or a large backpack to keep your belongings close and in sight. This will prevent you from becoming an easy target to steal from.
Tracking Device
Place tracking devices like AirTags or Tiles in your suitcase, bag, and wallet. This will save you a headache in case you lose them.
Padlocks
Use TSA-approved padlocks to to secure your items on plane flights, in your hotel room, or in storage lockers. These can deter thieves.
Personal Safety Alarms/Whistles
A personal safety alarm or whistle can attract attention to you if you’re in trouble, especially if you don’t speak the local language and need to get help. Always be careful when alone, at night, or in secluded areas.
Door Stop Alarm
To sleep more safely, bring a door stop alarm that will sound if someone tries to enter your room. Just place it behind your door while you’re sleeping, and the alarm will wake you up in an emergency.
Local Clothing & Appearance
- Understand how locals dress
Are you visiting a country or attraction where dressing modestly is required, such as churches or countries with strong religious beliefs? Pack appropriate clothes like a sun-protective travel shawl to cover up when needed. Or, do people generally avoid wearing bright colors? You’ll want to understand these local customs so you can blend in with the crowd more.
- Avoid wearing showy clothing and jewelry, like clothes with big brand logos or items that appear valuable
Avoid showy clothing with noticeable brand logos or items that appear valuable. Even your wedding ring could attract unwanted attention (consider wearing a simple travel-safe ring instead). Expensive items and looking like you’re from another country can make you a target for crime.
Cultural Customs & Expectations
Other places can have very different cultures and laws compared to your home country. You can research important differences on the U.S. Department of State Travel website which provides up-to-date info on travel safety and warnings for every country. You can also enroll in the STEP program which will send you safety news and alerts for your destination.
Things to consider about your destination:
- Is it culturally acceptable to be loud or rowdy in public (restaurants, public transport)?
- Is your marriage status or sexuality legal in the country?
- Do you have any medicines that may be illegal or regulated differently?
- Does the country have different rules on alcohol consumption?
Respect the rules of the place you’re visiting, even if they are different from what you are used to. You don’t want to offend the locals or unknowingly break the law.
Prepare for Common Scams
Know the common scams and how to respond to them. For example, in some countries, taxi drivers don’t use their meter during the ride to upcharge tourists. In others, street vendors may use certain scare tactics to pressure tourists to spend money.
Travel Insurance
This is an optional travel safety tip, but if you want to be extra safe to cover the cost of any emergency, consider getting a travel insurance policy. The policy can cover an emergency evacuation, medical emergencies, or other unexpected events. But first check if your hotel, airfare, or activities have reimbursement policies for these cases.
Extra Copies of Personal Identification
Bring photocopies of your passport and/or ID in case they get lost or stolen. Carrying an RFID-blocking travel wallet can also help keep your ID, cards, and passport secure and organized.
Travel Safety During the Trip
Safety counts the whole time you’re on your trip. Here my the essential travel safety tips to keep in mind:
Don’t Carry Too Much Cash
Only carry as much cash as you need at one time. Using credit cards can be safer than cash if your card works at your destination.
Transportation Safety
Know the safe ways to get from one spot to the next. Have a plan for what types of transportation you’ll use and stick to it.
- Public transport: Subways, buses, trains
Public transportation can be tricky for tourists but a good way to save money. Plan your routes in advance and know the last departure times to avoid getting stranded.
- Private transport: Taxis, rideshares
Uber may be illegal in the country you’re visiting. There may be a local rideshare app you want to download (like Cabify in South America). Taxis can be safe, but you’ll want to know how to spot unofficial taxis to avoid getting scammed. Outside urban areas, you should arrange private transport in advance. If you’re staying at a hotel, sometimes they offer transportation or can recommend you to a reputable local company.
Health & Food Safety
Not all places have safe food and water for tourists. Make sure you understand what might not be safe to consume.
- Is the local tap water safe to drink?
If not, only drink bottled water and avoid ice made from tap water in drinks. You can always ask at a restaurant where the ice is from. You should also be careful when brushing your teeth or in the shower to avoid swallowing unsafe water.
- Is it safe to consume food from local street vendors or restaurants?
Make sure you’re aware if there are any types of food or sellers that commonly give tourists food poisoning. Food safety is an often overlooked part of travel safety, but you definitely don’t want to end up sick for a week.
- Do you need any specific medicines or vaccines?
Common precautions include malaria medicine for Africa or a yellow fever vaccine for parts of South America. Or maybe you just need to bring a can of travel-size bug spray to help prevent diseases from mosquitoes.
Adapt to Current Events
Unpredictable political events, protests, and other events can impact your trip. Stay informed about local events before and during your trip and avoid any potential hotspots. Pay attention to the news while you’re traveling to make sure you’re prepared to adapt your plans to any events that unfold unexpectedly.
Stay Aware of Your Surroundings
This one kind of goes without saying, but since this is the ultimate list of travel safety tips, I must include this: Keep your guard up when you’re traveling. If something seems off, always trust your gut. Your safety is essential for a good trip and to ensure you return home safely.
Travel Safety Tips During An Emergency
In case you do experience an emergency, here are a few tips on how to respond:
- Know how to dial the local emergency number in the country you’re visiting
- Carry extra doses of necessary prescription medicine (at least 5 days)
- Carry a portable phone charger (this one includes wires for many types of ports)
- If you need help, reach out to your government for support via the local embassy
- Follow instructions from local authorities
Conclusion
Traveling is one of the best experiences you can have, but staying safe is key to truly enjoying it. With these travel safety tips, you’ll be prepared for anything that comes your way. A well-prepared traveler is a happy traveler.
Safe travels!
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