12 tips for solo female travelers

Tips for Solo Female Travelers that will make your adventures epic!

Solo traveling is great, I tell’ya. Many women travel alone and it is a great experience, but let’s honest here- realities are more difficult for solo traveling women than men. I have travelled alone around Europe and it was great. In my opinion Europe is a good starting point for girls that want to travel solo. Most countries are very safe and it is quite easy to move around. Once you gain some confidence and experience in Europe, it is easier to start exploring other continents. Of course confidence does not mean you can start being reckless.

uyuni bolivia

I have prepared for you a set of some tips that I wish someone gave me when I first decided to hit the road alone. Fortunately I never experienced anything bad enough that would spoil my experience and stop me from my future trips, but I must say, I could have avoided some unpleasant situations and make my travels hassle-free.


Favourite travel resources:

  • Booking.com for searching best prices on accommodation.
  • Discover Cars is a great website as they search both local and international car hire services, so you can choose the best deal for yourself. Make sure though, that the company has a good reputation and reviews.
  • Get Your Guide is my place to go for searching and booking tours and excursions, especially when I travel solo.
  • World Nomads travel insurance. I like them because they have quite extensive coverage of different activities.
  • Jack’s Flight Club is a service that can save you hundreds of dollars on flights, it works especially well in Europe.
  • Trivago where you can search and save on hotels.
  • Go City is a perfect site for booking bucket list experiences and attractions all in one to avoid paying for multiple tickets. Easy and saves money.
  • Trip Advisor– amazing for good quality recommendations.
  • Skyscanner is a perfect website for searching flight routes and comparing prices.

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Here are the tips for solo female travellers

1. Keep your possessions safe

Use good judgment and never underestimate the power of common sense. Do not wear expensive jewellery or flash fancy gadgets as this will attract thieves and pickpockets. As they say in Colombia: Don’t give papaya- Don’t give a reason to be robbed. Don’t get paranoid though, be smart and enjoy your trip.

solo travel tips

2. Learn a few phrases in a local language

This is always helpful whenever you need a taxi, a pharmacy or in many other situations. Essentially learn some phrases you might need to use in an emergency, ask for help or explain your allergies. It is also a good way to meet people and have some conversations with locals.

3. Have emergency numbers in your phone and written elsewhere

It is always a good idea to have emergency numbers stored in your cell phone as well as written down and kept in a notebook or a wallet, just in case you lose your phone.

4. Make a photocopy of your passport and other travel documents

I usually keep my passport in a hotel locker and explore places only carrying a photocopy of my passport with a notary public stamp. This way I am able to prove my identity when asked by the local authorities and avoid loosing my passport. I also have a scanned copy sent to my email. If you lose it though, the copies, whenever on paper or digitally stored in your electronic devices, will help to obtain a replacement document from an embassy.

tips for solo female travellers

5. Regularly inform your family or friends of your whereabouts

This is an important part. Tell someone every day what are your plans and what hotel you are staying in, this way in case of an emergency someone will know where you are.

6. Whenever possible, travel during the day

Of course it is not always possible and some travel means are easier and/or cheaper at night, like airplane tickets. In this case whether you travel day or night doesn’t really matter, but moving around by local buses at night might not be the best idea. Do your research and plan.

7. Blend in

Well, you cannot fake looking like a local in many cases, however try to look like you know what you are doing. Know the customs of a country you travel to and respect them, for example by avoiding wearing clothes that uncover too much or are offensive to local culture or religion.

8. Look confident

Looking like a lost and unsure tourist will attract some people to take advantage of you. Try to look as if you knew the area well and if you need to look at the map, do it inside a shop or a coffee place. Remember: you are never alone- literally. There is always someone looking and observing, especially in places packed with tourists.

9. Avoid wandering on the streets after sunset

Even the safest places can transform dramatically at night into a jungle. It of course depends on the place you are, so I will repeat myself and say: do your research.

10. Trust your instincts

If you don’t feel comfortable when approached by someone, walk away and do not worry about being rude. It is your safety that is important and better not to take any chances. Do not risk your own safety!

San Pedro de Atacama, Chile

11. Carry small change handy

Never show big notes in public and try to have some coins easy to reach, like in a pocket or a small purse. The ‘fat’ money keep deep in a backpack or better in a small fabric pocket under your clothes. You can make it yourself by sewing two pieces of fabric together and attaching it to an elastic band. It is comfortable to wear on your hips and invisible under shorts or jeans.

12. Research the area and ask for tips from locals

Conversation with a taxi driver or a hotel staff is a great source of useful information. Apart from them telling you what dishes you should try to what places you need to visit, they can tell you what areas you should avoid and what scams are common in the country or the city to be aware of. They can give you advice that none of the guides provide, however it is always a good idea to have read a travel guide for a specific country. The more information you get the better, then you can just focus on making awesome experiences and memories. Here you can find many travel guides that will help you organize epic travels.


You might also like:

How to get free nights in hotels?

13 best countries for first female solo travel

Travelling solo to Thailand. Practical tips.

Make your flights easier. Mindfulness exercises for stressful flights.

Make long haul flights comfortable- what to pack in your carry on case.


I hope you find those tips useful. If you have any other advice for solo travelling girls, please tell us about it in a comment.

There is a great book full of advice especially for solo travelling females written by Lisa Eldridge, excellent for all the girls that plan their first ever solo adventure.

If you have been dreaming of a solo adventure, make your dream come true. Prepare yourself, do the research, be smart and enjoy your trip!

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traveling solo tip


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  1. Traveling is a deep passion of mine. Thanks for these great tips here! One more I would add is ‘go with the flow’ and have fun! That’s one thing I have found useful about solo traveling. There’s no pressure to please anyone else so no strict schedule to follow and it allows for a person to ‘go with the flow’ of whatever happens that day.

  2. Oops, I meant to post my info here…… Anna I think it’s simply awesome that you are so adventurous! So many people are afraid to do what we do, and it’s such a shame. I, too, posted travel tips on my website several years ago, after getting a rash of people shocked and stunned that I packed up my truck and dogs and started driving south from Minnesota, not returning for 5 months. You are right, it’s a little different traveling in the states, but truthfully, I’ve only had one marginally bad encounter so far, and it was very manageable. Safe travels this summer! http://prbradyadventures.com/fearless-travel/

    1. Thank you for an inspirational comment and sharing with us your experiences. Wish you a wonderful weekend.

  3. Great tips Anna! One of the benefits of traveling alone is no agenda, no schedule, going with the flow like Elda mentioned. Here’s to many more travel adventures for all of us!

  4. I read a book a while back by a wildlife photographer, which took some time out to explain the precautions she takes when she’s traveling alone. (Especially since she’s really alone out there in the wilderness.)

  5. Hello Anna,
    Great and very informative post. I am now 30 and so wished I could travel the world when I was 20 but coming from a conservative family made it hard. I wasn’t allowed to go anywhere alone. Time has gone by and now am married. Luckily my husband is very supportive and we’re now planning for near future travels. These points are helpful. Will sure share as many of my friends are about to go backpacking. Perfect advice for them.
    Thank you
    Wish you a great week.

    1. Hi Hema, it is never too late to travel. Wish you wonderful experiences during your trips with your husband.

  6. Such great tips here for traveling on your own or even with someone else. I have always been a firm believer in being smart while traveling but don’t be afraid to explore. I truly wish I had traveled more when I was younger but I’m trying to make up for it now. Thanks for sharing your tips.

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