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

Solo female travel tips are essential for making your journeys safe and enjoyable. Solo traveling is an incredible experience, I tell ya, but let’s be honest, realities can be more challenging for women than for men.

I’ve traveled alone around Europe, Asia and Africa, and it was amazing. In my opinion, Europe is a perfect starting point for girls who want to travel solo. Most countries are very safe, and getting around is relatively easy. Once you gain confidence and experience in Europe, venturing to other continents becomes much simpler. Of course, confidence doesn’t mean you should be reckless—it simply helps you make smarter, safer choices while enjoying the freedom of traveling alone.

uyuni bolivia

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

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 or stop me from future trips, but I must say, I could have avoided some unpleasant situations and made my travels hassle-free.

These tips include staying aware of your surroundings, trusting your instincts, dressing respectfully according to local customs, keeping digital and physical copies of important documents, booking accommodations with good reviews in safe areas, and connecting with local or online communities for advice and support. With a little preparation and common sense, traveling solo as a woman can be empowering, exciting, and completely safe.


Use my favourite travel resources to plan your dream trips

  • Booking.com for searching best prices on accommodation.
  • AirHelp helps to get compensation for cancelled or delayed flights.
  • Travel Payouts is my favourite platform for monetizing the blog.
  • 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 and EKTA travel insurance. I like them because they have quite extensive coverage of different activities.
  • WeGoTrip sends you audio guides to your mobile, so you can visit places while learning history and interesting facts easily and for little money.
  • 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. You can even save 50%.
  • Trip Advisor amazing for good quality recommendations.
  • Skyscanner is a perfect website for searching flight routes and comparing prices.
  • Airalo is my eSim choice for alternative data abroad.

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

I’ve found that learning just a handful of local phrases makes solo travel so much easier—and a lot more meaningful. Even knowing how to ask for a taxi, find a pharmacy, or explain an allergy can make a huge difference, especially in moments when you really need help.

I always try to learn simple things like “hello,” “thank you,” “I need help,” and “where is…?” before arriving somewhere new. Not only is it practical, but it also opens the door to small conversations with locals. People appreciate the effort, and I’ve often ended up having warm interactions or helpful guidance simply because I tried speaking their language

3. Have emergency numbers in your phone and written elsewhere

From my experience, I always make sure to have emergency numbers saved in my phone and written down somewhere else, like in my notebook or wallet. Trust me, you never know when your phone might die or get lost, and having a backup can make all the difference in staying safe while traveling solo.

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 step is so simple yet incredibly important for solo female travelers. Make it a habit to let someone you trust know where you are, where you’re staying, and what your general plans are for the day. It doesn’t need to be anything complicated—a quick message with your accommodation name, a screenshot of your itinerary, or even a shared location on your phone can make a big difference.

In case of an emergency or if something unexpected happens, having someone who knows your whereabouts can significantly speed up getting help. It also gives your loved ones peace of mind while you’re off exploring. If you prefer more privacy, you can share updates only when you change cities, go on a day trip, or meet new people. The key is consistency: a small daily check-in creates a safety net without taking away your independence.

6. Whenever possible, travel during the day

Whenever you can, try to schedule your travel during daylight hours. Not only is it easier to navigate new places when everything is visible, but arriving somewhere in the daytime generally feels safer and less stressful—especially if you’re trying to find your accommodation, figure out public transport, or get your bearings in an unfamiliar neighbourhood.

Of course, it’s not always possible. Flights are often cheaper at night, and some long-distance routes are designed as overnight journeys. In those cases, whether you travel by day or night doesn’t make much difference. But when it comes to local buses, regional transport, or moving around rural areas, nighttime travel may not be the best idea. Some stations are poorly lit, services are limited, and you may find yourself waiting alone.

A bit of planning goes a long way here. Check schedules, read recent traveler reviews, and always trust your instinct—if something feels off, adjust your plans. Your safety should always come first.

7. Blend in

You may not always be able to look like a local, but you can absolutely behave like one—and that makes a huge difference when traveling solo. Blending in starts with confidence: walk with purpose, look like you know where you’re going (even if you don’t), and avoid standing on street corners staring cluelessly at your phone or map.

It also means taking time to understand the customs and cultural norms of the country you’re visiting. Dress appropriately—especially in places where modest clothing is expected or where showing too much skin may draw unnecessary attention. Being respectful of local culture and religion not only helps you blend in, but it also shows that you’re a considerate traveler.

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 cities can feel completely different after dark. Streets that were lively and welcoming during the day may become deserted or poorly lit at night, increasing the chance of encountering unsafe situations. The level of risk varies depending on the city, neighborhood, and country, so it’s crucial to do thorough research before your trip. Check local advice, read recent travel forums, or ask your accommodation hosts for areas to avoid after dark. If you really want to enjoy the nightlife, stick to well-populated areas, use reliable transportation like registered taxis or rideshare apps, and avoid shortcuts through alleyways or poorly lit streets. Planning your route ahead of time can help you feel confident and reduce unnecessary risk.

10. Trust your instincts

Your intuition is one of your best tools as a solo traveler. If someone’s behavior makes you uneasy—even subtly—don’t hesitate to walk away or remove yourself from the situation. You don’t owe anyone an explanation, and it’s far better to be cautious than to risk your safety. Pay attention to body language, tone of voice, and the general energy of the environment around you. This principle also applies when booking accommodations, taking rides, or interacting with strangers: if something feels off, trust that feeling. Safety always comes first, and practicing assertiveness in these situations will help you travel more confidently.

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.


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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


Disclosure: Please note that this post included affiliate links, when you decide to purchase anything through these links I get a small commission at NO extra cost to you, it helps me to keep running this blog! I only promote products and services I use or would use myself. All images are the property of Postcards from the World and cannot be used without permission.


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8 Comments

  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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