10 Safety Tips For Solo Female Travelers

Being an independent traveler has been steadily climbing in popularity within the past few years, especially amongst young women.

While it's a common belief that men tend to travel alone far more often than women, according to Overseas Adventure Travel, a shocking 85% of solo travelers are actually women.

Most people have a romanticized vision of traveling the world, seeing countless diverse cultures, and finding themselves somewhere along the way, but the thing that usually stops people in their tracks is the fear of doing something they've never experienced before.

Of course, jumping into uncertain situations can be understandably nerve-wracking, but that shouldn't be the unbreakable barrier that stops you from achieving your dreams.

Here are the safety tips for women who love traveling alone from experienced solo travelers!

1. Make a complete travel plan before you start your solo trip

Before you depart for your life-changing trip, it's vital to set some time aside and assess where you'll be sleeping, what cities you'll be in, which public transports you'll be using, and how long you'll be staying in one area.

By organizing a general timeline for your journey not only will it fill up some unused downtown while out and about but it'll also take some of that uncertainty-based stress off of your shoulders.

2. Don't overshare personal details With Strangers

Without a doubt, you'll be sure to build bonds with complete strangers while traveling but it's important to keep in mind that you might not know their genuine reason for talking to you.

While avoiding certain topics like where you're staying, pinpointing where you're from, or any other super personal details, one thing you might not have thought of is what you're posting on social media.

Including your exact current location can be a genuine danger if the wrong person knows you're traveling alone.

While it isn't likely anyone will be watching your exact locations, it's best to keep it to yourself with the exception of some close family members or friends.

3. Keep yourself equipped and act like a local

Before you leave your hotel make sure you know where you're going. It's always great to bring a map or follow a route on your phone, but the more you look like a local the less likely it is you'll be targeted by people that want to take advantage of you.

When you hold up a map or look as though you don't know where you're going, you're signaling to others that not only are you a tourist and are unfamiliar with your location but that you're also an easy target for pickpocketing.

4. Always keep your valuables in your waist bag

When we think of touring countries, one of the first thoughts you'll have is someone with a backpack. And while that is a great way to carry your valuables, in dense cities, it's not always the best option.

By carrying your valuables in front of you in a waist bag, you're almost entirely eliminating the potential to get pickpocketed by those passing by. The most common places to be victims of pickpocketing are crowded public transports, cafes, and bars.

Another great tip to follow is placing your original identification documents in a secure place in your hotel room, and keeping printed copies in your waist pack just in case you need to identify yourself to any officials. 

5. Learn The Local Language

Learning a couple of common phrases, questions, and answers in the language of wherever you're traveling is a great asset to have while you're site seeing.

If you have a difficult time remembering phrases, you can make pocket-sized cue cards to carry with you with the translations on them.

If you're still having a difficult time conversating, Google Translate is there to save the day.

6. Connect with other women who are traveling alone

A really good way to not only stay safe but to genuinely feel safe is to be surrounded by like-minded people.

Locating either a local or traveling women's group to chat with will definitely ease some of the first-time travel anxiety from your shoulders.

Oftentimes, groups like that are able to give you tons of secret tips, tricks, and advice to get mileage out of your travels.

7. Trust Your Instincts while traveling alone

While abroad it's common to be targeted by people looking to prey on those just visiting and unsuspecting of any trouble. T

hat's why it's good to trust your gut instinct while traveling alone. Does it feel like someone's watching you or maybe even following you?

Are you buying an item from a stand and it seems like you're getting scammed? Always try to listen to your intuition, it's not often that it's wrong!

8. Do your research to avoid culture shock

Jumping into a new country can be a shock, especially if you weren't expecting an immediate change of culture.

Pre researching your next location's political and cultural customs will prepare you for the climate you're about to be going into and it'll help you blend in more.

While you may hold certain beliefs of your own, it's wise to respect the cultural norms of somewhere you're visiting.

9. Make sure your phone is charged and carry a power bank for emergency

Your cell phone can be your saving grace in a time of need like booking a hotel last minute, calling a taxi, or using it to pay for necessary items.

One of the most important things is to not only make sure your phone is charged before you head out but also bring your charging cable or a mobile charging block, just in case your phone dies when you're site seeing.

10. Bring Cash as well as Cards

We all know how frustrating it is when we lose our debit or credit card and we have to go all the way to the bank to get a new one, well it isn't that simple if you've traveled to a place that doesn't support your bank.

Carrying ample amounts of cash of you, in a secure spot, is an excellent backup plan in case your financial cards go missing.

Another great alternative is Apple Pay or Android Pay! Both apps can be downloaded onto your smartphone and allow you to spend your money online and in person at stores across the world.

Challenges in life are expected, no matter who you are or where you go you'll be sure to face a few.

Accepting difficulties as they come will keep you in a balanced and open-minded state to continue on your journeys, whether you're alone or with a group.

You only get to live this on this beautiful planet one time. Life is much too short to hold yourself back with "what ifs", so be confident in who you are, trust yourself, and your capability to handle tough situations as they arise!