Staying Safe While Traveling as a Woman: What I’ve Learned on the Move

I’ve traveled through dozens of countries. I’ve stayed in luxury resorts, walked solo through unfamiliar cities, and driven hours with only my dog as company. And yet, no matter where I go, I never stop being aware of the fact that I’m a woman. That I need to look over my shoulder. That even in the safest of places, safety isn’t a guarantee. From solo hikes in Austria with my dog Buddy to luxury hotels in Bali, to road tripping across Europe in a camper van. And while I love the freedom and growth that travel brings, I can’t ignore the reality that women still face a different set of risks when we’re on the move.

This isn’t just a blog post. It’s a reflection of countless stories — my own, my friends’, and my readers’ — and a resource I wish more of us had access to earlier. Because while the world can be beautiful, it’s not always safe. And that’s something we need to talk about openly.

Whether you’re setting off solo or exploring with others, I hope this helps you feel more prepared, more seen, and more empowered.

Why Women Need a Different Safety Playbook

Let’s not sugarcoat it: being a woman on the road comes with a different rulebook. We don’t get the luxury of turning off our inner radar. We’re calculating risk even when we’re just trying to find a good gelato or hail a cab.

Personally, I’ve been locked in a cab in Marrakech, harassed in my own hometown (yes, really — five times in Amsterdam and Haarlem), and catcalled more times than I can count. None of these things happened because I was careless. They happened because this is the reality we live in.

It’s frustrating. It’s unfair. But we’re not powerless.

What Happened to Me (And What I Learned)

In Morocco, I got into a taxi and instantly felt something was off. The driver locked the doors — panic flooded in. But I had this instinct I’d trained into myself over the years. I always sit behind the driver — on the left — because if anything happens, I have control over the belt and the door.

I yanked his seatbelt hard. He couldn’t move, and I managed to open his door which unlocked mine and jumped out.

Was I shaken? Completely. But I got out.

These moments don’t define my love for travel, but they’ve shaped how I travel now — smarter, sharper, and with a firm belief that we can prepare without living in fear.

The Reality Behind the Photos

I can write about romantic getaways, solo hikes, and luxury hotels all day. But here’s the reality you don’t always see:

I’ve been catcalled in nearly every country I’ve visited, no matter what I wore, where I went, or how “safe” the area was.

I’ve stood at hotel reception desks while the person checking me in said my room number out loud — with men right behind me. I asked for a different room.

And more times than I can count, I’ve overanalyzed my words — wondering if being friendly sounded like a “yes.”
I’ve walked with keys between my fingers.
I’ve hidden my hair under hats.
I’ve skipped heels because they’d make running harder. And men lingering less.
I’ve faked phone calls.
I’ve said I had a boyfriend, even when I didn’t.

I’ve pretended not to see men staring at me.

These are not rare experiences.
They are daily precautions.

And we need to talk about them.

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What I’ve Learned (and Still Practice) to stay safe while traveling as a woman

Traveling solo, with your girlfriends, or even with a partner is liberating. But it also comes with an unspoken set of rules we’ve all learned — not because we wanted to, but because we had to.

Here’s what I do (and what I’ve learned to keep doing):

• I always sit behind the driver (left rear seat) in taxis. It gives me a quick exit if needed and less eye contact.
• I don’t share that I’m traveling alone — ever. I always mention someone waiting for me.
• I don’t give my real name unless it’s required.
• I share my live location on WhatsApp or Find My iPhone with friends.
• I change my room if the vibe feels off. You can always ask.
• I research every hotel, and I trust reviews that mention women traveling solo.

And most of all — I trust my gut. Every time. Even if it’s inconvenient.

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Expanded Safety Tips for Female Travelers (Without Victim-Blaming)

These tips aren’t about fear.
They’re about preparation — so you can travel smarter, more freely, and more confidently.

1. Book With Safety in Mind

• Choose accommodations with 24/7 staffed front desks, interior corridors, and strong guest reviews from other women.
• Avoid isolated properties unless you’re with a group or know the area well.
• If the receptionist says your room number out loud — ask for a new one. No explanation needed.
• I do not book an airbnb alone – call my suspicious but I’ve seen to many videos online of owners walking in – or other guests still having the code because it wasn’t changed.

2. Add a Layer of Hotel Security

These small Amazon items can make a big difference:

• Portable door lock
• Rubber door wedge (great for tiled floors)
• Mini door alarm (lightweight, loud, and easy to pack)
• Drink covers

These aren’t “paranoid” — they’re practical.

3. Taxis & Ride Shares: Always Be Strategic

• Sit behind the driver (left side).
• Share your ride info and location live with a friend.
• Avoid sharing personal details — no real name, no “I’m alone,” no hotel name. I always change the adress of Uber/Bolt to a few meters off so they don’t know where I’m really going.
• Ask the driver the name and destination before entering the car — not the other way around.
• I never post in real time, one time a guy went to the reception, said my first name and the lady behind the reception almost gave my room number and an extra key to him because he said he was my boyfriend. Another receptionist remembered me and thought I didn’t, she interupted and called my room first. I have never been more scared and switched hotels in the middle of the night and never closed my eyes and left the island instantly. If she didn’t speak up, he would’ve had access to my room in the middle of the night. All because he knew my first name, the hotel i was staying at and almost my room. It’s that easy.

4. Use Safety-First Apps

These are worth downloading before you leave:

• GeoSure – Real-time safety ratings, including by gender.
• TripWhistle – Instantly find local emergency numbers.
• MayDay Safety – Alerts emergency contacts if you feel threatened.
• SmartTraveler – Safety alerts by the U.S. State Department.
• Life360 – Location-sharing and emergency check-ins.
• Know the local emergency umbers

Here are a few common ones:

• 112 — most of Europe (police, fire, ambulance)
• 911 — USA and Canada
• 999 — UK and parts of Asia

5. Stay Vague with Strangers

You can be warm and kind — without giving away your itinerary, where you’re staying, or that you’re traveling solo. I know this is frustrating, the beauty is in meeting new people around the world. And being vague, ‘lying’ can be tiring. Trust me, I know. But please – stay vigilant.

Some safe lines:

• “I’m meeting a friend.”
• “My boyfriend’s just parking the car.”
• “I’m waiting for my group.”
• “I’m here for work with my colleagues for a big congress.”

6. Trust Your Instincts — They’re There for a Reason

If a street feels off, turn around.
If a driver gives you a weird vibe, get out.
If a hike or hotel feels wrong — change it.

You never need to explain your boundaries. You’re gut is your best travel Buddy. Don’t ignore it. I’ve asked couples around me several times if I could walk with them and told them that I didn’t feel safe.

7. Blend In Where You Can

This isn’t about “dressing modestly.”
It’s about choosing what feels smart and safe for you.

Some things I’ve done:

• Tucked my hair into hats.
• Avoided eye contact.
• Worn a fake ring.
• Order the taxi or Uber a few meters from your home/destination. This way they don’t know where you live exactly.
• Carried a scarf to cover up if I felt watched.
• I always put valuables in my bra or bottom of my shoe.

None of these are required. But they’re tools — for the days you want them.

8. Find (and Build) a Safety Network

• Follow female travel creators and bloggers for firsthand insight.
• Join solo female travel Facebook groups for real-time advice and support.
• Don’t be afraid to ask locals — especially women — what areas are safe or not.

9. Let’s Talk About Drink Spiking and Human Trafficking

This part isn’t easy to write. But it’s too important to skip.
Because it happens — way more than we think.

Drink spiking doesn’t just happen in loud clubs or wild party islands. It happens in upscale hotel bars, on solo dinner nights, in the most unexpected places.

That’s why I never leave my drink unattended.
If I turn around or leave it — I order a new one. Always.

What helps me now:

• Ordering drinks at the bar myself
• Watching it being poured
• Saying no to open bottles from strangers
• Carrying a drink cover when I’m at festivals or crowded events (yes, they exist and they’re discreet)

And if your gut tells you something feels off — trust it. Ask a woman nearby. Tell the bartender. Remove yourself. You’re not “making a scene.” You’re protecting yourself.

But here’s the thing that scares me more:
Human trafficking is real. And solo female travelers are often seen as targets.

It’s why I:

• Avoid telling strangers I’m traveling solo
• Don’t geotag in real-time on Instagram
• Never share my accommodation location until I’ve left
• Use aliases on room bookings when possible (some hotels allow this)
• Trust my gut over politeness

These aren’t things we should have to think about.
But they’re things we do — not to live in fear, but to stay safe, informed, and free.

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What Needs to Change

We can’t prepare our way out of broken systems.

What really needs to change is:

• Hotel training — never announce a woman’s room number aloud.
• Taxi and ride-share apps — more women-focused safety features.
• Legal access to non-lethal self-defense tools (pepper spray, personal alarms).
• A cultural shift — where safety isn’t our sole responsibility.

We’re not the problem.
And we’re not going to carry this alone anymore.

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Let’s Talk: What You Can Do

I’m not writing this just to share my story. I’m writing it to create space for yours.

Here’s what you can do:

• In the comments: Share your tips, rituals, stories — let’s learn from each other.
• With your friends: Send this article to someone who travels solo or is planning to.
• On social media: Start the conversation. Your voice matters.

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We Deserve to Feel Safe while traveling as a woman

I will never stop traveling.
I will never stop sharing these stories.
But I will also never stop demanding that the world be safer — for me, for you, for all of us.

If you’ve ever walked with your keys in your hand,
If you’ve ever second-guessed your smile,
If you’ve ever changed your path because you felt watched —

I see you.
I’m with you.
And we’re done staying quiet.

Let’s move forward. Let’s move smart. Let’s move together.
♥ Lisa

Safe while traveling as a woman should be normal. Need more tips? You’ll find it in the Solo Female Travel section — a space I’ve created to share not just guides and dreamy escapes, but real talk, too. For those of us doing it on our own. And doing it anyway.

Read more of our solo female travel articles:

• Is Oman safe for women? Guide by a woman, for female travellers
• 16 Tips for Solo Travel (table for one please, meet new people)
• Solo Travel in Antarctica: The Ultimate Adventure for Women
• 3 Week Ecuador & Galápagos Itinerary for Solo Female Travelers | Tips & Wildlife
• Surf camp in Bali – go alone