While it is safe to travel abroad alone as a female, there are some things you should know first. Read on to learn the top safety tips for women traveling alone
Have you spent all summer watching your Facebook friends post about their amazing trips abroad? You may have picked the ultimate travel destination but discovered none of your friends have the funds to join you.
But that doesn’t mean you have to sit at home. Solo female traveling has become increasingly popular, and many women find that it helps them become more confident and independent.
However, some people may find women traveling alone an easy target for pickpocketing and other crimes. So, make sure you follow these tips to stay safe when traveling solo.
1. Research, Research, Research
The first step to planning any trip will be to research your location. But when you’re a woman traveling alone, you’ll want to spend extra time on this step.
Research the best countries to visit for solo female travelers. You’ll likely find tons of results outlining safe and welcoming countries.
Then, research which cities are the safest and which scams to be on the lookout for. You can never be too prepared.
2. Protect Your Valuables
Pickpocketing is one of the most common crimes that happen to tourists in other countries. The last thing you want to deal with is spending all day at the American Embassy because someone stole your passport.
Keep your passport, and any other valuables you don’t need to carry around, locked in your suitcase.
Use a cross-body bag to hold your wallet. This will make it harder for someone to grab it while your walking. Be sure to get one with a zipper or clasp and an extra zipped pocket inside, so nobody can swipe your wallet while standing behind you.
3. Always Be Suspicious of Strangers
You’ve probably heard those stories from solo female travelers about the friends they’ve met from around the world. While it’s true that locals and fellow travelers can make great friends, you want to keep a healthy dose of suspicion when dealing with strangers.
Don’t agree to go somewhere alone with someone you’ve only met once. If you want to start a friendship, ask them to meet you at a local cafe or crowded attraction to get to know them better.
The last thing you want is to end your trip looking at sexual harassment lawyers.
4. Look Confident
Many criminals in big cities tend to look for tourists as easy targets. If you’re walking around looking lost and confused, any nearby criminals will probably try to scam or pickpocket you.
The best thing you can do to stay safe is to look and act confident. If you’re lost, follow the GPS on your phone or ask an employee at a local hotel or shop for directions.
5. Unlock Your Phone
What would you do if you were lost or in trouble at home? You’d probably pull out your phone and call someone.
When traveling alone, you want to make sure you have a working phone as a safety precaution. Make sure you unlock your phone, so it works internationally. Keep the numbers for the local American Embassy and your hotel in your phone, so you have them if you need them.
How Women Traveling Alone Can Stay Safe
Don’t let not having a travel buddy hold you back. Solo female traveling can be a great way to see the world. Just be sure to follow our tips for women traveling alone, so you can enjoy a safe vacation.
Is your wanderlust out of control? Check out my travel blog for more great articles like this.
