5 Safety Tips for Solo Travelers

As an avid world explorer who’s made solo travel a priority for nearly eight years, I find solace in making safety a cornerstone of every adventure. While thankfully, I’ve never been in any real imminent danger on the road, there’s something reassuring about packing my go-to safety accessories and re-downloading trusted apps. It’s like having a safety net when I’m exploring. Once you feel prepared, traveling solo becomes less intimidating and far more rewarding.

Here are my favorite safety tips for solo travelers—practical, simple, and hard-earned from experience.

1. Get a pocket safety alarm

My mini alarm is my go-to travel companion and stays with me at all times—even in my home city. As someone who regularly stays at hostels, often in mixed-gender dorms, I sometimes sleep with it under my pillow, just in case. Fortunately, I’ve never had to use it in an actual emergency—only to demonstrate to friends and family just how loud it is. The sound is piercing enough to scare off anyone with suspicious intentions; I highly recommend keeping a mini alarm on you whenever possible.

2. Back up your travel documents—and share them with those you trust

I always print out my flight and accommodation details before traveling and give a copy to my parents. As a solo traveler, there’s something reassuring about knowing someone has my exact itinerary in case of an emergency. I also keep a printed copy for myself, locked away as a backup. This includes copies of my passport, license, hotel reservations, and more. You never know when your trusty device might malfunction or go missing, so sometimes traveling the old-fashioned way is the smartest move.

3. Download the Noonlight app

If I had to have only one app on my phone while traveling solo, it would be Noonlight. In those critical moments when reaching 9-1-1 might not be possible, it serves as a silent panic button. If you feel unsafe at any point during your travels, you simply press and hold down the app—releasing it and failing to enter your PIN will alert a Noonlight dispatcher, who will contact local authorities and share your exact location in minutes. You can also create a “safety network” of trusted contacts who can track your location in real time.

It’s important to note that Noonlight only works in the US. If you're traveling internationally, be sure to save local emergency numbers in your phone ahead of time. You also may want to explore alternative safety apps with global coverage, such as bSafe, which allows you to share your location, stream video, and send SOS alerts to your chosen contacts anywhere in the world.

4. Blend in and walk like a local

Ever see that one person in a busy city staring at their phone map or taking selfies in the middle of the street, completely oblivious? Don’t let that be you. Staying safe as a solo traveler means being aware of your surroundings and blending in as much as possible. Whenever I’m heading to a new restaurant or historic site, for example, I check Google Maps while I’m still in my lodging. I browse, get a feel for the area, take screenshots—and if I need a refresher while I’m out, I do it on a side street, away from prying eyes. Confidence is key. When you look like you’re a local and seem to know where you’re going, you’re far less likely to draw unwanted attention.

5. Never hesitate to make or fake a call

Unfortunately, being alone can sometimes make you appear like an easier target to those with bad intentions. If I ever feel uneasy or something feels even slightly off, I always trust my gut and call a trusted person. When I’m traveling internationally and long distances and time zone differences make it challenging to connect on a call, I use the fake phone call trick.   

“Heeey, yes, I’m at the XYZ bus stop…I’ll see you soon!” Sure, it’s not real—but they don’t know that. 

There’s actually a built-in “fake phone call” feature on the bSafe app, allowing you to trigger a realistic incoming call with a single tap. It’s a great way to deter unwanted attention and give the impression that someone is expecting you or monitoring your location.

. . . . .

While traveling solo can feel daunting at times, the most important thing to remember is to always trust your first instinct, avoid drawing too much attention to yourself, and take precautions. In return for those efforts, solo travel has given me so much: I’m more confident, street-smart, and grounded in the comfort of knowing I have friends around the world whom I’ve met along the way.