Solo travel safety is highly important, and one of the top concerns that people have when they’re thinking about trying solo travel for the first time. Being on your own is scary, or at least it can be, unless you’re prepared. I’ve done some dangerous ass shit while traveling solo; I tend to jump off cliffs, climb things, run out of money, etc. but I’ve never once gotten myself into a situation that put me in a position for crime.

That’s because I know the main important techniques for solo travel safety, from doing my research beforehand, to being aware and avoiding situations in the moment. My number one piece of advice is to be smart. That means know what you’re getting yourself into and know how you look and come off as to a potential attacker, and know how to get out of dangerous situations. Here’s my solo travel safety checklist for traveling safe, and smart!

1. Do Your Research

Blogs

Before you start planning a trip somewhere, research what other people have said about safety there, and especially solo travel safety. This is what blogs are great for because it’s a first hand experience from someone who is likely much like you. You can also use them to figure out which areas are safe, and which are not recommended to stay in.

Government Warnings and Alerts

You should also check Travel Warnings and Alerts on your country’s Department of State website to see what areas are currently advised against traveling to. I just checked mine and saw, of course, the first alert is for the Philippines, where I’m going in a few weeks, so I checked it and saw that there is a warning about kidnappings of foreign travelers on certain islands…now I know which islands I will not be going to.

This is the website for U.S. International Travelers: https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/alertswarnings.html 

Cultural Etiquette

Not every country is a lax and easy going on etiquette as the U.S. is. In fact, it’s not only poor manners to not adhere to the country you’re visiting’s cultural etiquette, but it can also put you in danger, especially as a solo traveler. Make sure you check on the country you’re visiting’s Tourism Board for etiquette for travelers. You’ll find a ton of helpful information on customs, manners, do’s and don’ts, and even basic phrases.

For example, here’s what I’m using to research Japan etiquette: http://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/indepth/exotic/lifestyle/bow.html

2. Be Prepared

After you’ve done your research on where to go and stay, what’s currently going on, and how to not piss anyone off with poor etiquette, it’s time to prepare yourself for potentially dangerous situations abroad.

Itineraries

Many people like to just wing-it when they travel solo, but I’ve found that creating a detailed itinerary has not only kept me organized and out of sticky situations, but it has also helped my emergency contacts keep track of me, and send me information if I need it. I make sure to include flight numbers, times, terminals, hotel address and phone numbers, and any tours, excursions, or adventures I may be planning on doing, not only because I’m an over-planner, but just in case something happens.

Emergency Contacts Back Home

First you need to decide on a reliable emergency contact (or a few) back home. Mine is usually my mom, and a friend who also travels full-time that I know would be able to pick up the phone at any hour, and know how to get me out of an emergency situation. I email all of their information to myself, I write it down on paper, and I put it in my phone, and then I email them my exact itinerary, contact numbers, and important information like a copy of my passport and credit cards in case I lose them.

Emergency Contacts Abroad

Not every country uses 911 for emergencies, which is why it’s important to find out what the emergency number is for the country you’re planning on going to.

Here is a list of every country’s Police, Ambulance, and Fire emergency numbers: Emergency Numbers by Country

Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)

This is taking solo travel safety to another level, but it doesn’t hurt to be overly prepared! STEP is a free service that allows U.S. citizens traveling abroad to enroll their trip with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. This actually does have a benefit because the program will send you safety conditions about the country you’re going to, and it will help the U.S. Embassy in that country contact you in an emergency, as well as help your family and friends get in touch with you as well.

You can enroll here: Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)

Print Maps and Directions

Your phone’s GPS might not work where you’re going, and you might not have a driver that speaks English. To avoid getting lost, scammed, or stranded, print out the map with directions from the airport/train station to your hotel, and from your hotel to anywhere you might be going. If you’re going somewhere where you know there’s going to be an extreme language barrier, make “direction cards” with the address in English AND the language spoken there, and write in that language that you would like to be taken there.

The hotel I’m staying at in Tokyo, the Park Hotel Tokyo has this card already on their website for guests to print out and show to taxis:

Learn Basic Language Phrases

Before you go on your solo travel trip, look up basic phrases in the language there and try your best to learn things like, “Hi, how are you”, “Thank you”, “No thank you”, “Please”, “How do I get to”, and “How much is this”. It’ll not only help you out, but it’ll deter you as a tourist target if people hear that you speak the local language. I always write the phrases on the notepad on my phone, both in the way they’re written in that language, and phonetically how I would spell the pronunciation.

For example, I made this basic Spanish phrases sheet for when I went to Cuba: Hablo Español, Pero Muy Poco

Bring Back Up Money

In the unfortunate event that you lose a credit card or get your cash or cards stolen, you need to make sure you have a back up money plan so you don’t get stuck somewhere or starve to death. Both of the above happened to me in Thailand, and I wasn’t prepared, but luckily my mom had my bank account information and was able to wire me money through a Western Union.

Wiring money is an option, but a few more methods of back up money I use now are emergency credit cards that I hide somewhere in my luggage, and credit cards that I leave at home but keep the information on my laptop, just in case I need to cancel a card that got lost or stolen, and don’t have time or access to get a replacement. Traveler’s checks are also an option, and I believe come with insurance protection in case they’re stolen, but I’ve personally never used them.

3. Be Aware

Being aware when you solo travel isn’t just about keeping an eye out on your surroundings; it also means being aware of how you look, and how you’re coming off to others. You do not want to look like a tourist, or an easy target for crime.

Take Note of Potential Situations

Is there a creepy man lurking in the alley you’re walking up to? Are the group of drunk travelers eyeing you a little too much? Be aware of these types of situations, and avoid them at all costs. Walk in the opposite direction if it’s possible, or if it’s not, make sure your body language is coming off as someone not to mess with, and that you look around for a prospective escape or aid.

CONFIDENCE is Key

When I solo travel, people usually end up thinking I’m a local or that I’ve lived in that country for a while, because the way I walk makes it seem like I run the place. No one wants to mess with someone who appears to be smart and knowing what they’re doing. I walk fast and with purpose, with my shoulders back and my head up. I say “hi”, “thank you”, and “excuse me” to people I come in contact with when it’s necessary, and I make eye contact with EVERYONE. Nothing deters a potential attacker more than looking them dead in the eyes and showing that you’re aware that they’re there.

Dress and Act Appropriately

I’m not your mom, but I’m sure your mom would appreciate me advising you to keep any flashy, skimpy, and expensive clothing at home, and dressing in clothing that is appropriate, especially according to local etiquette. Showing some skin may get you attention, but there’s a good chance it’ll also get you unwanted and potentially dangerous attention as well.

Acting appropriately is also important. Don’t get wasted and be all loud and obnoxious. Drunk people, especially ones that solo travel, are very easy targets; both for theft, and assault. This also includes not flashing your expensive gadgets around. Keep your iPhone 6 away unless you’re using it to get out of sticky situations

Don’t Be Too Trusting

One of the greatest things about solo travel is meeting tons of awesome new people, just be sure you always keep in mind that not everyone has the best intentions. That cute, nice guy that keeps buying you drinks may be trying to get you drunk, or expecting something in exchange, and that idea to meet up with people you just met at a cool local location may be a trap or a set up. OR, it could all be awesome, which is why you need to be aware, assess the situation, and be prepared for it. Don’t be afraid to say no, or opt out of plans that sound sketchy though.

4. How to Get Out of Dangerous Situations

Although the main goal is to be prepared and avoid dangerous situations, it’s inevitable that one may occur. Even if you just feel like something dangerous is going to happen, it’s an awful feeling, but you need to remember to stay strong, focused, and on the defense. Here are a couple of things I always do when I feel like I’m being targeted for crime.

Master the Resting Bitch Face

I will 100% claim that my resting bitch face is what keeps me out of danger. It’s part of the whole confidence thing, except I only use it when I feel threatened or like people are looking at me weird for traveling alone. The resting bitch face says, “I’m a badass ninja bitch, that you do NOT want to f*ck with”. Mind kind of looks like an eye squint with lip snarl, and apparently it makes me look quite angry. Attackers want to attack people who are easy to attack, not ones that look like they would karate chop them in nuts or claw them in the face. Just saying.

Pretend to Be on the Phone

One thing I absolutely hate about solo travel, is the way people look at me because I’m alone. People have judged me and assumed I’m a hooker or escort, and looked at me like a piece of meat or an easy target because of my size. In the event that my resting bitch face still isn’t making me feel safe, and I have to keep walking in a situation that I feel is dangerous, I pretend to be on my phone (this is the exception to the keeping your expensive stuff away rule), and I pretend to talk to someone who is waiting for me.

For example I say, “I’m only about two blocks away, oh you can see me? Oh I see you too! Haha! What is that you’re wearing?” and then I proceed to have a conversation with an imaginary person so that it seems like A) I’m with someone, and B) They can see me, and thus, would see if anything happens. I also talk loud and clearly so that any potential attackers can hear me, and I say things with an attitude, or sometimes even something completely obscure like, “No, he got fresh with me so I punched him in the face and left.”

Ask For Help

For some reason asking for help is like the hardest, scariest thing to do. But, just remember that it’s even harder to do if someone ends up covering your mouth or throwing you off guard, so if you think you need to ask, do it. If you feel like someone is following you or getting too close to you, walk into a nearby shop or restaurant, and tell anyone working there that you think you might be in danger.

I’ve done this before and the person I thought was following me actually followed me into a bar; I told the bartender what was going on and that I was alone, and he ended up asking the guy to leave, and helping me call a cab instead of continuing to walk home.

Know Basic Self Defense Techniques

A couple of months ago it occurred to me that although I think I would magically become a ninja in dangerous solo travel situations, I don’t actually know any ninja skills (AKA self defense techniques). So I decided to take a self defense course and learn some basic moves, that way I’d at least be somewhat prepared in the event that I needed to be offensive.

As always though, the goal is to stay defensive, and avoid potential danger, so hopefully you’ll never need to use any of these techniques. These techniques should also only be used if you are in severe danger, or being hurt, because there’s a chance they might further prompt the attacker.

For my basic self defense technique blog post guide see: Self Defense for Solo Female Travelers

Or check out the video below!