A Solo Traveler's Guide to Traveling Safe

by Alex Temblador
Last updated:: 7:00 AM ET, Tue March 10, 2020

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Safety First

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Safety is the number one concern for any type of traveler, and for those who are considering traveling alone, it's a reasonable concern to have. However, there are many things you can do to limit your risk of danger, injury, or attack while on vacation alone. Ensure your solo trip is a safe and memorable experience by following this travel safety guide while exploring the world.

Stay in safe locations

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When booking a hotel , hostel, or rental accommodation, you should always check to see the area's safety ratings. What's the crime rate? Is it in a well-lit area or tucked away down an alley? Will you have to walk far to get to attractions or public transportation?

ADT has a great crime map for those traveling in the U.S. As for international travelers, check hotel reviews to see what other travelers have to say about the hotel's location in terms of safety, as well as do further research on the crime ratings in that area.

TripAdvisor Reviews

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TripAdvisor is a great safety tool if you know how to use it. No matter if you're booking a tour or a hotel or just checking out a restaurant, be sure to read the TripAdvisor reviews in search of red flags. To do this, scroll to the reviews and filter out those that are rated "Poor" and "Terrible," then read them. If you see a filter labeled "Traveler Safety," click the box to see reviews that deal with sexual assault, rape, drugging or robberies within the last year.

To see if the travel company or hotel has had reports of sexual assault or rape that go beyond one year, you'll have to unclick "Traveler Safety," then search all the reviews. We suggest searching through the reviews with keywords like "safety," "safe," "robbery," "sexual assault," "harassment," "rape," "drugging," and "danger."

Carry Protection?

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Many travelers wonder if they should carry protection while traveling. The answer is a bit tricky. You'll have to first research the laws of the country or state in which you're visiting. In many places around the world (including the U.S.), weapons like tasers, guns, or knives are illegal to carry, as is pepper spray. And if you're traveling by plane, you'll be subjected to airline regulations that may not allow you to pack such items. Additionally, if you're not trained to use such weapons, they could be taken from you by an attacker and used against you.

You can, however, carry a personal safety alarm that will emit a large blaring sound and draw attention if you're being attacked. As for pepper spray, leave it at home, and instead, carry bug spray with deet or hairspray. Both can stun an attacker when sprayed in their eyes, are legal to carry anywhere, and come in travel sizes.

Secure your room

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There are plenty of ways to secure your hotel room from anyone entering when you don't want them to. First, always use the deadbolt, as those flip locks are very easy to open. Second, consider investing in a door stop alarm and window alarms from SABRE. They sound off an alarm if anyone tries to break in and can be used over and over again.

You might also want to cover the door's peephole with tape as there are devices that allow people to look inside your room through peepholes. Never open the door to a stranger even if they say they're "maintenance" (call the front desk first). And always, make sure the phone in your hotel room works in case there is an emergency.

STEP

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If traveling abroad, be sure to enroll in STEP, or the Smarter Traveler Enrollment Program. This program is run by the U.S. Department of State and is a free service that enrolls your travel information with the nearest U.S. embassy or Consulate abroad. While traveling, STEP will send you important safety information about the country you're visiting so you can stay up-to-date on all concerning information like protests, wars, terrorism, natural disasters, or civil unrest. It's also a great program that friends and family can contact you through in case there is an emergency at home.

Red Eye Flights

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In-flight sexual assaults are more common than ever. In 2019 alone, there were 119 reported cases, although the FBI says that this is an underreported number. While it is never the person's fault who gets sexually assaulted or raped on flights, you can take precautions.

Red-eye flights are especially risky as the lights are turned down, so if you can avoid these types of flights, do. That being said, during long-haul international flights, the lights may be turned off for some time. Try to go to the bathroom when the lights are turned on, and if you can be awake and aware, it's always better.

If ever you feel uncomfortable sitting next to a certain passenger or you do experience assault or harassment, tell a flight attendant and asked to be moved. Lastly, be wary of drinking on planes, as there have been reports of passengers taking advantage of those drinking alcoholic drinks.

First Aid Kit

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A first aid kit is a great thing to add to your packing list. Purchase a compact kit for your carry-on luggage or a larger one for camping or exploring the outdoors. Be sure to include your own packets of medicine in your first aid kit as you may find it difficult to buy medicine in the destination you're visiting, and no one wants to be sick on vacation.

Self-defense class

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Feeling nervous about traveling alone? Take a self-defense class before you go. Instructors will provide you with information on how to lessen your chances of being a target for an attack, what to do if you're kidnapped, and a variety of moves to get out of different holds or situations. Better yet, taking a self-defense class will provide you with some confidence that you'll greatly appreciate when traveling alone.

Watch your drinks

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Alcohol dulls your senses, makes you less aware of your surroundings, and can be spiked with date rape drugs. That being said, you shouldn't feel like you can't visit bars while traveling. You will just need to be extra careful. Never leave your drink unattended and don't drink anything someone buys you. You might also want to bring along SipChips, or coin-sized chips that can detect the safety of a drink in 30 seconds.

If you ever feel unsafe in a bar, you can signal the bartender for help through a secret drink order, such as by asking for an "angel shot." All bars are different, and some put their secret code in bathrooms, while others don't have one. Just ask for help if you need it.

Upgrade your phone plan

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Cellphones can be a great safety tool for a solo traveler whether it's to call for help or Google directions or local laws. However, when traveling abroad, you'll most likely need to buy an international plan that will allow you to call, text, and access the Internet. While you could rely on Wi-Fi at times, it's best to have complete access to emergency services, authorities, your family, and maps of a city while traveling.

You may also want to turn on your tracking software while on trips. Though this does bring about privacy concerns, if anything should happen to you, you can be tracked by your phone. Alas, none of this will work if your phone dies so carry charging banks, solar chargers, or your charging cord so you can always stay connected.

Emergency Numbers

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When you're traveling alone, you should always have a physical and digital list of emergency phone numbers. The list should include local authority numbers like police and firefighters, as well as the numbers for the nearest U.S. Embassy or consulate. Don't forget to include the phone numbers to your bank, credit cards, or travel insurance company because if anything arises on your trip, you'll want to be able to contact them.

Have a plan to check-in

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Before you take any solo trip, set up a "check-in" plan with family members, friends, or a partner. This plan should involve multiple things. First, provide your contact person with your travel itinerary, which should include contact information for your hotel, flight details, copy of your passport, tour guide information, and travel agent if you used one.

Second, make a plan with your contact person to check-in at least once per day. If your contact person doesn't hear from you within a certain amount of hours (you decide how many hours), have a plan in order for them to contact the hotel, local authorities, hospitals, or the U.S. Embassy to find you. You may even want to check-in with your person multiple times a day like before and after you go to a bar or when you leave in the morning and return home at night. The more information your contact person has, the easier it will be for them to find you if anything should happen.

Anti-theft products

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Protect your information and items when traveling by purchasing anti-theft products like purses, suitcases, wallets, and passport holders. Anti-theft products such as those made by Travelon are designed to make it harder for pickpockets to take advantage of you. Consider buying items with RFID built-in, as it prevents pickpockets from electronically stealing credit cards, driver's licenses, and passports.

ATMs

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ATMs are risky places to get local currency. They are easy targets for robberies whether that's a physical robbery or a card skimming device that steals your personal information and the balance in your account. To be safe, try not to use ATMs that are located outside, and instead use ATMs inside banks or well-lit, public spaces like an airport. If you can go without using cash and instead opt to use a credit card without international fees, it may be safer.

Local news

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Before you book a vacation, do some research on the place you're visiting. Is the country going through civil unrest? Is there a terrorist threat you need to be aware of? Is a strike going to happen that would make it difficult for you to use public transportation or take a train ride? The U.S. Department of State Travel Advisory website is a good place to start, but be sure to check the local news coverage so you know exactly what you can expect on your vacation.

Download offline maps

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Even if you upgrade your phone service so that you have access to the Internet, you may find yourself in dead zones while traveling. Don't find yourself lost in an unknown place: download offline maps before you go. There are many apps in which you can download city or regional maps and use them without Internet access. If all else fails, go retro and buy a paper map.

Getting around town

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When traveling to a place you've never been, consider the safest way to get around town. Walking by yourself is fine, but make sure that you're not walking through a bad neighborhood to get to an attraction or in dimly-lit places at night. Calling a Lyft or a taxi may be a better option. Public transportation is also great, but consider the safety of riding a subway at midnight versus riding it during the day. Renting a car may provide you with ease of access, but if you can't figure out how to drive on the opposite side of the road or understand road signs, it could put you and others in danger.

Be aware of your surroundings

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The easiest thing a solo traveler can do in terms of their safety is to be aware of their surroundings. Know where the emergency exits and stairways are in a building and never sit with your back to the front door. Be aware of the neighborhoods you're walking through and keep an eye out for local authorities who could offer help. When in an Uber or taxi, pay attention to where you're going or map out the drive on your phone.

Look up from your cell phone, especially while walking, as this makes you an easy target. If you need your phone for directions, put one earbud in (don't walk with both earbuds in as it makes you less aware) and turn on the voice notifications, so that you can have your hands and eyes free.

Safety products

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There are a lot of personal safety products out in the world, and depending on your budget and where you're traveling alone, you may want to purchase one. Garmin watches can send your exact location through GPS, GLONASS, and Galileo to local authorities if there is an emergency. Plus, it provides maps and amazing features that are helpful in remote or deserted locations like hiking in the woods.

On the other hand, invisaWear products allow wearers to hit a button that sends a request for help to friends and family members with your exact location (keep in mind it can only be used in the U.S.). Other products include clothes with hidden pockets to hide your money, personal security alarms, small video cameras for hotel rooms, Wi-Fi hotspots, VPNs, and so much more. You won't need every safety product item to keep you safe, but it's good to know about them.

Hide valuables

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In-room safes are surprisingly not the safest places to store your valuables. They can easily be broken into with a key or by watching a Youtube video. Instead, hide your valuables in creative ways. You might want to buy a hairbrush or deodorant with a secret compartment to hide your cash. Travelers have hidden their valuables in other places like under an iron cover, taped on the bottom of a drawer, in dirty laundry, or behind TVs or artwork. Just don't forget your items before you leave!

Do as the locals do

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One of the perks of traveling alone is that you can more easily pass for a local. To do this, you shouldn't be reading your guidebook in public and should try to dress as the locals do. Read up on the local customs before you visit so you don't draw attention by doing something offensive to the local community. As far as language barriers go, download Google Translate so you can more easily communicate with locals or read menus in restaurants.

Proper footwear

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Pack proper footwear for your solo travels. High heels and flip flops can put you at a disadvantage if you're attacked or need to run for help. Boots and tennis shoes are your best bet, especially those boots with hidden money compartments.

Don't carry all your money

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Never carry all of your money, credit cards, debit cards, passport, or driver license in one place while solo traveling. If you're robbed, you'll find yourself out of luck without any money or identification. Instead, leave your passport safely hidden in your hotel room, and only carry a few of your cards and a handful of cash when you're out exploring a city.

Post on social later

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Yes, you just took an amazing picture of yourself at that coffee shop near your hotel, but wait to post it. Social media, tagging, and geotagging can put you in harm's way. People can follow your movements through geotagging, gather an idea of where you're staying, or see where you plan to go. The best way to use social media while solo traveling is to post a picture of a place after you leave that place, and most important of all, never geotag.

Meeting new people

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One of the joys of traveling the world is the opportunity to meet new people, and this is absolutely a possibility as a solo traveler, perhaps even more so. While there are bad people in the world, there are far more good ones to get to know on your travels. Granted, you'll want to be careful about the information you share about yourself such as your hotel or travel plans. Trust your gut in every situation and you'll surely have a great, safe trip and hopefully new friends.

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