15 Safety Tips for Solo Travelers – Stay Safe & Confident in Any Country (2025 Guide)

Traveling solo is one of the most rewarding experiences you can have. But let’s be honest, safety is the number one concern for most solo travelers.

I’ve backpacked through 18 countries alone, from crowded cities in India to remote villages in Peru. I’ve had my phone stolen, been followed, and even scammed once.

But guess what? I still travel solo, and I feel safer than ever.

Why? Because I’ve learned the right safety habits.

In this guide, I’ll share 15 real, practical safety tips for solo travelers (based on my own mistakes and lessons). Whether you’re a beginner or a pro, these tips will help you stay protected, avoid danger, and enjoy your trip with peace of mind.

🛡️ 1. Research Your Destination Before You Go

Don’t just book a flight and wing it.

Spend 30 minutes researching your destination:

Check your government’s travel advisory (e.g., travel.state.gov for US, gov.uk for UK)
Look up common scams (e.g., “fake taxis”, “overcharging”)
Know which neighborhoods to avoid at night

👉 Pro Tip: Search “common scams in [country]” on Google or Reddit.

📍 2. Share Your Location & Itinerary

Tell someone (a friend or family member) where you’re going and when you’ll check in.

Use apps like:

WhatsApp (share live location for 1 hour)
Find My (iPhone) or Google Find My Device
bSafe (sends emergency alerts to contacts)

Set a daily check-in time. If you don’t reply, they’ll know something’s wrong.

✅ Why it works: Most solo travel dangers come from being invisible. Stay connected.

👀 3. Trust Your Gut, Always

Your instincts are your best safety tool.

If a place feels off, a person seems too pushy, or a situation feels risky, leave.

I once stayed in a hostel that looked fine online, but the moment I walked in, something felt wrong. I left within an hour and later found out it had a history of theft.

👉 Rule of thumb: If you’re uncomfortable, it’s not worth the risk.

🎒 4. Don’t Flash Valuables

Avoid:

Wearing expensive watches or jewelry
Showing your phone in crowded areas
Carrying a flashy camera around your neck

Instead:

Use a hidden money belt or neck pouch
Keep your phone in your front pocket
Carry a decoy wallet with old cards and a little cash (if you’re worried about pickpockets)

🚖 5. Use Trusted Transportation

Tourists are easy targets in taxis and tuk-tuks.

✅ Do this:

Use ride-sharing apps like Uber, Bolt, or Grab
Book airport transfers in advance
Ask your hostel or hotel to call a trusted cab

❌ Avoid:

Unmarked taxis
Drivers who won’t use the meter
“Friendly” locals offering rides

🌍 In Bangkok, I once got into a fake taxi. It cost me $50 for a 10-minute ride. Never again.

🏨 6. Choose Safe Accommodation

Pick places with:

24/7 reception
Lockers or safes
Good reviews (especially from solo travelers)

Use sites like:

Hostelworld (filter by “solo traveler friendly”)
Booking.com (look for “Free Cancellation” and “Great Location”)

👉 Solo pro tip: Stay in hostels with female-only dorms or private rooms if you prefer privacy.

📵 7. Avoid Using Phones Late at Night

Walking and looking at your phone signals “I’m lost and distracted.”

This makes you a target.

✅ Instead:

Pull out your map before you leave a café or hostel
Memorize directions
Use offline Google Maps (download in advance)

If you must check your phone, stand near a shop or lighted area.

🧳 8. Lock Your Bag and Yourself

Use padlocks on zippers (especially for backpacks).

For extra security:

Use cable locks to attach your bag to a bed or pole in hostels
Never leave your bag unattended, even for “one minute”

💡 I use a TSA-approved lock so airport security can open it if needed.

🗣️ 9. Learn Basic Local Phrases

Knowing a few words builds trust and helps in emergencies.

Learn:

“Hello”, “Thank you”, “Help!”
“Where is…?”, “How much?”
“I need a doctor”, “Call police”

Even saying “No, thank you” firmly in the local language can stop pushy vendors.

🕰️ 10. Stay Visible After Dark

At night, stick to:

Well-lit streets
Busy areas
Main roads

Avoid:

Dark alleys
Empty parks
Isolated ATMs

👉 Rule: If you wouldn’t walk there alone at home, don’t do it abroad.

🧑‍🤝‍🧑 11. Meet People, But Be Smart

Solo travel is lonely? No, you’ll meet amazing people.

But not everyone has good intentions.

✅ Safe ways to connect:

Join free walking tours (great for meeting travelers)
Stay in social hostels
Use apps like Meetup, Couchsurfing (events), or Backpackr

❌ Red flags:

Someone who wants to meet you alone immediately
Pressure to go to a bar or private place
Asking for money or your accommodation details

✅ My rule: Meet in public first. Always.

📸 12. Don’t Overshare on Social Media

Posting “Alone in my hotel room, who wants to join?” on Instagram? Big mistake.

Avoid:

Sharing your exact location in real-time
Posting that you’re traveling alone
Showing your hotel name or room number

✅ Do this instead:

Post after you leave a place
Say “exploring [city]” instead of “alone in Room 203“

Privacy = safety.

🧾 13. Keep Digital & Physical Copies of Important Docs

Lose your passport? Big problem.

✅ Always have:

Scanned copies of passport, visa, ID (save in Google Drive and email)
Photo of your boarding pass
Emergency contacts written down

Keep one physical copy in a separate bag (not with your original).

🆘 14. Know Emergency Numbers

Not every country uses 911.

Common emergency numbers:

Europe: 112
USA or Canada: 911
Australia: 000
India: 112

Save them in your phone as “EMERGENCY”.

Also, save the number of your country’s embassy.

🛠️ 15. Use Safety Apps (They Save Lives)

Download these free apps before you travel:

App	What It Does
bSafe	Sends live location and alerts to contacts
TripWhistle	Global emergency calling
No More Woof	Fake phone call to escape awkward situations
Norton WiFi Privacy	Secure public Wi-Fi browsing

👉 Tip: Turn on offline mode so they work without internet.

✅ Final Thoughts: Safety Isn’t Fear, It’s Preparation

Solo travel is not dangerous, it’s about being smart.

You don’t need to be paranoid. Just be prepared.

Follow these 15 safety tips for solo travelers, and you’ll drastically reduce risks so you can focus on what really matters — the adventure.

🎒 Remember: The world is kinder and safer than the news makes it seem. Go explore it, wisely.