30 Safety Tips for Solo Female Travelers
Information
1. Before heading to countries or regions experiencing political unrest or frequent natural disasters such as volcanic eruptions, typhoons, or tsunamis, closely monitor the latest local developments. In addition to checking news and Ministry of Foreign Affairs safety alerts, try to search for the most recent traveler reports, or even contact tourists currently in the area to get safety advice. If you’re already there, stay well-informed and cut your trip short if necessary.
2. Fully understand the local situation, including which areas have poor security and what common scams locals use.
Avoid Risky Hitchhiking
Transportation
3. When hitchhiking in remote areas, try to avoid vehicles that look rundown or are severely overloaded; avoid night buses for long-distance travel; and do not take risks hitchhiking when road conditions are affected by severe weather such as heavy snow or rain.
4. Motorcycle accidents are quite common in regions like Nepal and Southeast Asia. Always inspect the bike’s condition before renting, wear a helmet, and be extra cautious when traveling mountain roads. Of course, the best option is not to rent a motorcycle and to steer clear of those on the road.
5. Avoid taking motorbike taxis or regular taxis alone to remote places at night. If you must take a ride, ask your hotel or restaurant to call one for you; prioritize pre-paid taxis over hailing them on the street.
6. Try not to hire a private car alone. If unavoidable, note down the license plate number, driver’s phone number, and take a photo with the driver. Share this information with family or friends in the driver’s presence.
7. Don’t hitchhike just to save money on transportation.
Choose Reputable Accommodations
Accommodation
8. Choose reputable accommodations. Check online reviews from other travelers beforehand. Don’t just go for the cheapest option—opt for those with good reputations and avoid places in overly remote locations.
9. For dormitory rooms, choose ones with personal lockers. Lock your camera, cash, and credit cards in the locker, or hide them under your pillow or beneath the covers while sleeping to prevent theft while you’re asleep.
10. Be cautious when strangers knock on your door. Even if they claim to be hotel management or staff, ask “What do you want?” before opening the door.
Personal Safety and Sexual Harassment
11. Keep the local police emergency number and your country’s embassy or consulate contact information handy.
12. When participating in outdoor activities such as hiking, rafting, horseback riding, or diving, choose companies with good reputations and follow the safety instructions of your guides. But if you feel the guide is unprofessional or lacks safety awareness, speak up and, if necessary, cancel the activity.
13. When asked if you’re traveling alone, say “No, I’m about to meet up with friends.” When asked if you have a boyfriend, unless you’re genuinely interested in the person, say “Yes.”
14. Don’t casually reveal details about your hotel or itinerary to strangers.
15. Avoid being alone with unfamiliar men away from crowds. Empty alleys, closed shops, or even quiet temples and churches are places you should be cautious of.
16. Don’t walk alone on the streets late at night.
17. Don’t go to bars or other entertainment venues alone, and never drink to the point of getting heavily intoxicated.
18. Be cautious when accepting drinks or food offered by strangers.
19. Pretend not to hear any harassment attempts—don’t worry about seeming “impolite.” Stay clear-headed when receiving excessive compliments.
20. Traveling with local women or families can help you avoid a lot of unwanted attention.
21. Carry a small personal alarm or a small bottle of mint oral spray. It can freshen your breath and also serve as pepper spray for self-defense.
Financial Safety
22. Many countries now allow withdrawals with UnionPay cards, and credit cards are accepted in most countries, so there’s no need to carry large amounts of cash. Turn on SMS and WeChat notifications for card transactions to prevent fraud.
23. Keep your cash in several different places. Hide large bills carefully and use a coin purse with just enough cash for the day.
24. Be extra cautious in crowded places like markets and buses. Wear your backpack in front or to the side and keep a hand on it.
25. Keep your passport and cash separate. If you’re carrying your passport with you, store a copy of your passport and visa in your main backpack, and keep a digital copy on both your phone and email.
26. Lock your luggage and bring a chain lock so you can secure it to the luggage rack while on trains.
Insurance
27. Purchase suitable travel insurance for your trip. For example, some policies cover outdoor activities like rock climbing or diving, while others are tailored for “risky” countries such as Iran or Myanmar.
28. Carry your insurance policy number and the 24-hour global assistance hotline.
Contact
29. Before you leave, share your itinerary with family or friends and keep in touch with them so they know your whereabouts. If you plan to visit remote areas without phone service, let them know in advance and inform them when you’ll be back in contact.
Intuition
30. After reading all these tips, do you feel like the world is too dangerous and that it’s better to stay home? In truth, there’s no one-size-fits-all safety guide. All advice is just that—advice. Ultimately, you must make your own judgment, and that judgment comes from intuition shaped by experience. The more you travel alone and encounter all kinds of people, the sharper your sense of danger will become. If something feels off, trust your gut and don’t push yourself.