Solo Travel - Backpacking and Traveling Abroad: 13 Smart Travel Tips for the Solo Female Traveler
Solo Travel: Are you Ready?
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How to Stay Safe and Minimize Risk as a Solo Traveler
In this day and age, it’s essential to take precautions while traveling. In addition, as a solo female traveling abroad, it’s wise to maintain a level of personal safety, as best as possible.
In this article, I am going to share the tasks I perform to keep me safe while traveling to unknown destinations. The list constantly grows and I welcome new ideas, feel free to add yours in the comments at the end.
Access Risk and Observe the Vibe
Whenever I visit and travel to a new city or area, I instantly have my feels out. When I say feels, what I mean by this, is I have all my senses on alert. My sense of smell, hearing, and eyesight, all is elevated as I observe and take in the new area. I am assessing my risk.
I am looking for anything that stands out. I read faces and body language, especially of the locals but also observe the mannerisms of foreigners. I will try to sense if there is fear in the area due to crime or a recent event. It’s almost like using my third eye for this task. I am looking for anything out of the ordinary and if I run into something noteworthy, I will make a mental note of it for future reference.
How I Communicate with Others
When I chat with locals and other foreigners in a new area, I am cautious. I do not give out a lot of information. I certainly do not tell whoever I am traveling alone. In fact, I may lie about it.
In addition, I use the following:
- I use “we” and “our” language. I use the word, “we” as much as possible even on “our” YouTube Channel.
- I don’t share where I am staying.
- I am vague about my life. I don’t share details and all sorts of stuff.
- I may wear a small CZ wedding ring or band even though I am unmarried.
- I use the language of the people. If I am in Mexico, I will speak Spanish as much as possible.
Talk with Locals
I like to meet new people and especially engage with locals. I will chat with local hairdressers, waiters, and waitresses, maids, to get to know them which helps in getting to know the area.
Clothing Choices
Let’s chat about clothing. Now, let me preface this by saying, that when I travel, which is every day for me now, I am a traveling minimalist. Which means, I bring the least amount of stuff with me. My travel gear is light, efficient, and practical. I bring the essentials with me and a few miscellaneous items.
When I travel, I meet a lot of people. I meet other expats, foreigners, and locals. I do not dress to impress, necessarily while traveling. I have several key items in my wardrobe that I rotate and wear frequently. They were chosen due to comfort, are typically wrinkle-free, have excellent pockets, and are unassuming. I bring all-season hiking/walking shoes and a pair of house flip-flops.
I do not wear jewelry when traveling. I do not wear necklaces, earrings, heck, I do not even wear lipstick. I do not wear a purse. I am not on a fashion runway. I love the simple life. More stuff to me, means more stress. I like living with less. Less is blissful.
Traveling, for me, is not a fashion show, I travel because I am collecting experiences. When I look back on my life, I doubt I will say, I wish I had worn a different outfit, instead, I hope to relish in the life experiences I’ve gained, and the great people I’ve met and allow the circumstances to morph and change my perspective of this world, for the better.
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Avoid Standing Out
When I am in a country I might stand out, just because I am a foreigner. With that, I try to blend in as much as possible even if is my first day in the city. In addition, I will walk with confidence even if I have clue about the area. Too, I avoid asking some questions that may make me look like I do not know the area.
I remember the first time, I was asked if I was a local in Mexico. It made my day. To me, I was doing everything right that day. I was walking briskly, I looked as if I knew where I was headed, yet, that was my first time walking down that particular street. It was a win-win.
Be Wise with Taxi and Uber Drivers
If you have watched some of our videos, I seem to have a knack for chatting it up with taxi and Uber drivers. I do this with some drivers deliberately. Check out these videos here and here and here for some interesting conversations I’ve had. There are, of course, some taxi rides where I will say nothing at all, deliberately.
However, taxi drivers can be one of the highest risks to take in a foreign country. Listen to the question(s) that a taxi driver may ask you. I had to learn the following by trial and error. When I entered the taxi, he asked if I was visiting the area. I said yes. My response was not the best. Later on, he attempted to charge me more than the market price for my ride. I should have said I lived there. Some taxi drivers are not looking to build rapport with you, they are looking to see how familiar you are with the area (or not) and looking to take advantage of you by charging you more than they should.
So, I have come to learn, it’s essential to ask a taxi driver the cost of the fare before you accept and start to drive. Too, always negotiate it. If you don’t ask, and they don’t tell you, the price will be marked up. Get the price upfront, so there is no upcharge because you are a foreigner.
This is one reason why I prefer Uber because there is no negotiating, the price is set within the app but watch for surge pricing. For Uber, if you wait 5-10 minutes, the price may drop.
Travel Gear
How I travel is just as important as what I bring with me. I choose to travel with a small backpack. It’s small enough that I can check it with most airlines, it carries everything I need, and easier for me to navigate with than one of those rollerboard suitcases.
In my opinion, the roller board suitcases are clumsy. If I were chased down a street I’d rather have my backpack, than a rollerboard. Backpacks in that sense are easier, so they are my preferred method to travel with.
Hairstyle Matters
Now, as I have stated earlier, I am not traveling to be part of a fashion show. Many days I choose to wear my hair pulled back in a clip. Let’s talk about why I do this.
- It’s a security measure. When my hair is pulled back and out of my face, my peripheral vision increases. I can see who is on my right or left side, and who is behind me easier.
- If I were in an attack such as a purse grab or phone grab, (even though I don’t carry a purse), and there was a physical struggle, my hair if in a fight would get in my way. With my hair pulled back, this eliminates this.
Limit Nighttime Activities
When I travel to a new area solo, I seldom go out at night. There are several reasons why.
- Traveling at night increases risk. I like to avoid scenarios that could possibly put me in danger.
- I’d rather do everything I need to do during the day.
- If I went out at night, it’s typically with a group of trusted individuals.
- I don’t see as well at night, so risk increases.
Be Mentally Alert
When traveling to a new area solo, it’s important to be alert mentally. Be aware if you are tired or sleepy. If you are not your best, for whatever reason, the level of risk increases. If I am tired, I head home. Being mentally sharp and focused on your surroundings at all times, is key to moving about a new city.
In addition, know yourself. Know your weak spots. Know your strengths.
Let Several People Know Your Location
Whenever you travel, it’s essential to let several key individuals know where you are at all times. There are apps for this on your phone that you can use so others will know of your whereabouts. Also, you can email or text your close connections and keep in close contact while traveling.
Keep Physically Fit
Watch what you eat and drink, as it leads to how physically fit you are. The more physically fit you are coupled with mental fitness will help to minimize risk.
Know Emergency Numbers
Make a list of the important local phone numbers and keep it handy. Know where the locations are too.
Traveling to a new country or city solo can have challenges. By being as prepared as possible can help to minimize risk so you can safely travel to your next destination.
Do you have other suggestions we forgot to mention? What other tips do you have that you can share? Drop a comment below!
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