Solo Female Travel Safety Tips (This 60sec Read Could Save Your Life)

Table of Contents

Self Defense Skills

Self-defense is a must for any girl—and I don’t just mean being able to physically protect yourself. It’s about the confidence that comes with knowing you can handle yourself if something ever goes wrong.

Now, ideally, you should always carry self-defense tools that help you keep distance from someone trying to hurt you. But if you don’t have anything on you (which you should fix), your last line of defense is your skill set.

That’s why I recommend learning Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ).

I know it might sound intimidating or even like overkill, but BJJ has been proven time and time again to help smaller people defend themselves against bigger opponents. It focuses on leverage, positioning, and escaping dangerous situations—not just brute strength.

If you have the budget, investing in a women’s self-defense course is 100% worth it. Here are a few of the best options:

• Gracie University’s Women Empowered Program – A beginner-friendly BJJ-based course designed specifically for women. It teaches how to neutralize common real-world attacks like grabs, chokes, and bear hugs while also focusing on awareness and prevention. You can take it online or find certified schools near you.
• Tough Cookie Travel’s Women’s Self-Defense Course – Created by a female solo traveler, this course focuses on realistic travel situations. It’s perfect if you want something practical and relatable from someone who understands solo travel.
• R.A.D. (Rape Aggression Defense) System – A widely available program often offered by police departments and universities. It combines awareness with hands-on techniques and is usually very affordable—or even free.

If you want to feel fully prepared, I’ve put together a list of the exact safety tools I personally use on every solo trip—everything in one place:

Changing A Tire

For road trips—and honestly just everyday life—this is a must. No matter who you are, you should know how to change a tire. It’s one of those basic skills that can save you time, money, and a lot of stress.

But if you’re like me… no one ever taught you.

After dealing with three flat tire emergencies, I finally took it as a sign that it was time to learn. And I’m so glad I did.

I highly recommend watching a few simple tutorials and saving them so you can come back to them when you actually need them. Trust me, in the moment, you don’t want to be figuring it out from scratch.

You should also keep a few basic car safety tools with you at all times—but I’ll cover those in the next section.

Here is the video that helped me the most:

- A Woman's Guide To Changing A Tire

Jumping A Car

( $69.99)

Another super important skill—one you don’t realize you need until you really need it—is knowing how to jump-start a car. And yeah… not knowing how can get a little embarrassing fast.

The good news is, you don’t always have to rely on someone else. There are small, portable battery jump starters you can keep in your car, and they make the whole process way easier (I linked one above).

But even if you have one, you should still know how to properly jump a car—it’s a simple skill that can save you in the worst situations.

Travel Apps

When you're traveling solo as a woman, your phone quickly becomes one of your most powerful safety tools.

The right apps don’t just help you get around—they give you peace of mind. From checking if an area is safe, to sharing your location, to even helping you meet other girls while traveling… these have made a huge difference for me.

Here are a few apps I personally use and recommend:

GeoSure (Safety Ratings You Can Trust)

This is one of the first apps I check when I get to a new place.

GeoSure gives safety scores (1–100) for different areas, including categories like crime, health, and even women’s safety. I’ve used it before booking places and even before going out at night—it’s honestly like having a local tell you where to avoid.

bSafe (Your Personal Panic Button)

This one makes me feel so much safer.

You can share your live location with trusted contacts, and it has an SOS button that can send alerts, record video/audio, and even activate with your voice. There’s also a fake call feature, which is super useful if you ever feel uncomfortable and need an easy exit.

NomadHer (Meet Other Female Travelers)

If you’re worried about feeling alone, this app is a game changer.

It’s made specifically for solo female travelers, so you can connect with other girls, find meetups, and even get real advice on places you’re visiting. I’ve found it super helpful for both safety and just making the experience more fun.

Google Maps + Maps.me (Offline Navigation = Safety)

This one is non-negotiable.

I always download my maps before going somewhere new. Getting lost is one of the easiest ways to end up in a bad situation, so having offline navigation is huge.

I also check reviews on areas before going and use maps to plan routes ahead of time—especially at night. It just keeps you in control of where you’re going.

e-sim card

( free)

This one is pretty self-explanatory—but it’s also one of the smartest things you can do.

If you don’t have data or internet, most of these safety apps won’t work… and that can put you in a really bad situation. That’s why I always make sure I have a digital eSIM ready to go.

You can download it straight to your phone before your trip, so you have data as soon as you land—no stress, no searching for WiFi.

Personally, I’ve used Airalo, and it’s worked perfectly for me. It’s easy to set up, reliable, and has a ton of good reviews. That said, you can use any eSIM app you feel comfortable with—just check the App Store or Play Store and pick one with solid ratings.

Airbnb Trick

This is a small tip that can add an extra layer of comfort—especially when traveling overseas.

When booking accommodations, some solo female travelers choose to book for two people instead of one. Sometimes they’ll list a second guest (like a brother or dad), even if they’re traveling alone.

The idea is simple: it can make it seem like you’re not completely alone, which may discourage unwanted attention.

Now, this isn’t something you have to do—and it’s definitely not a guarantee of safety—but it’s one of those small precautions that can help you feel a bit more at ease.

Set a Check-In Call

This is something I always try to do when I’m in a new place or going out alone.

Let a friend or family member know where you’re going, and set a specific time for them to call or text you. If you don’t respond within a certain window, they’ll know something might be wrong and can follow up.

It’s a super simple habit, but it adds a huge layer of security—and honestly just makes you feel a lot more at ease knowing someone is looking out for you.

Save Important Numbers (Offline Too)

This is one of those small things that can save you in a big way.

Don’t just rely on your phone—write down a few important numbers and keep them somewhere safe (like your wallet or bag). Things like a family member, your bank, your accommodation, or local emergency services.

If your phone dies, gets lost, or stolen, you’ll still have a way to contact someone—whether that’s using a stranger’s phone or even a public one.

It takes two minutes to do, but it can make a huge difference if something goes wrong.

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