Preparing for Solo Travel: Safety Tips for Your First Trip

14 August 2025

So, you’ve decided to throw caution to the wind, pack a bag, and jet off into the great unknown… alone. Bravo, my brave friend! Or should I say, welcome to the club of sleep-deprived, map-confused, gloriously independent adventurers. Preparing for solo travel isn’t just about buying a plane ticket and posting a moody Instagram story. Oh no. It’s an art form. A delightful blend of common sense, Google sleuthing, a dash of paranoia, and a whole lot of YOLO.

If this is your first solo trip, you’re probably somewhere between “This is going to be life-changing!” and “Wait... am I going to die?” And honestly, that’s totally normal. But fear not, wanderer! I’ve compiled safety tips so useful, even your overly anxious aunt would approve.

Let’s unravel the mystery of staying safe without wrapping yourself in bubble wrap. You ready?

Why Solo Travel is the Best Worst Idea Ever

Let’s call it like it is. Solo travel sounds dreamy—sunsets over the ocean, new cultures, the freedom to do whatever you want, whenever you want. But then there’s the flip side: carrying your own luggage, choosing restaurants alone and pretending not to hear, “Just one?”.

Solo travel is an emotional rollercoaster with scenic pit stops. It’s empowering, awkward, liberating, and sometimes a bit scary. But with the right amount of preparation (and maybe a little luck), you’ll navigate it like a pro. Or at least like someone who isn’t crying in a hostel bathroom.

Do Your Homework (Yes, Even If You Hated School)

Before you step onto that plane, train, or questionable bus, do your research. And no, not just skimming pretty Instagram pictures with hashtags like #wanderlust and #soloqueen.

🎯 Know Where You’re Going

Read up on your destination. Not just the touristy stuff—dig into the nitty-gritty. What neighborhoods are safe? Which ones are better avoided after dark? What’s the local emergency number (Hint: it’s not always 911)? Is public transport user-friendly or a “good-luck-and-Godspeed” situation?

📱 Download All the Apps

No, Candy Crush doesn’t count. Think Google Maps (offline mode is your BFF), translation apps, local rideshare tools, and apps with emergency contacts or embassy info. Think of it as your digital Swiss army knife.

Tell Someone You're Alive, Occasionally

You’re not Jason Bourne. Going completely off the grid might sound cool, but it’s not exactly practical.

🧭 Share Your Itinerary

Even if your plans consist of “vibe here for a few days,” give someone at home the rundown. Include your accommodation details, flight numbers, emergency contacts, and that one bar you absolutely need them to find you at if you go missing.

📞 Check-In Regularly

I get it. Independence. Freedom. No one telling you what to do. But sending a “Still alive!” message to your mom once a day won’t kill the vibe. Plus, they'll sleep better. Which means fewer frantic voicemails for you.

Pack Like You’ve Got a Brain (Because You Do)

Solo travel packing is an art that falls somewhere between over-prepared Eagle Scout and minimalist influencer who brings only a toothbrush and vibes.

🎒 Essentials First

Copy this to your notes app immediately: passport, travel insurance, medications, phone charger, and copies of important documents (digital and physical). And yes, I’m looking at you—the one who always forgets something vital.

🔐 Safety Gear is Sexy

Nothing says prepared like a money belt, a doorstop alarm, or a portable phone charger. And pepper spray is basically perfume for creeps. Who knew personal safety could be so chic?

Accommodation: Cozy or Creepy?

Picking where you’ll lay your weary, travel-worn head is more important than deciding what filter to use on your beach pic.

🏨 Choose Wisely

Hostel or hotel? Airbnb or "I’ll wing it"? Look for places with heaps of positive reviews, especially from other solo travelers. Bonus points if they have 24/7 reception and are located in a well-lit, populated area (because, duh).

🔒 Lock It Down

Use those weirdo hostel lockers. Bring your own padlock. Keep valuables in a money belt, not scattered like fairy dust around your room. And always—listen closely here—lock every door behind you like your paranoid uncle taught you.

Act Like You Know What You’re Doing (Even If You Don’t)

Confidence is key. Even if your internal monologue is screaming, “WHERE AM I?!,” try to walk like you’ve got a purpose.

🧍‍♀️ Don’t Look Lost (Even When You Are)

Avoid pulling out a giant paper map in the middle of the street like it’s 1996. Duck into a cafe if you need to regroup. Pro tip: pretend you're checking texts while desperately figuring out where the heck you are.

🚶‍♀️ Walk Smart

Stay aware. Headphones off, eyes up. Avoid drunk-walking alone at 2 AM in sketchy alleys because “Google said this bar was fun.” Listen to your gut—if a place feels off, it probably is.

Blend In Like a Local (Or at Least Try)

We get it—you’re living your best Eat, Pray, Love fantasy. But you don’t need to scream “tourist” at every turn.

👕 Dress the Part

Respect local customs. If everyone’s dressed modestly and you show up in a crop top and flip-flops, congrats, you're now the main attraction—and not in a good way. A little research goes a long way.

🗣 Learn a Few Words

No, you don’t need to be fluent in every language, but learning “please,” “thank you,” and “where’s the bathroom” in the local language? Chef’s kiss. It shows respect—and might even earn you a friend or two.

Money: Hide It, Divide It, Love It

Carrying all your cash in one place is so 2007. If you lose it, you’re toast. And not the good kind, like brunch toast.

💸 Break It Up

Keep a bit of money in your wallet, some in your bag, and a stash in a “just-in-case” spot—like your shoe or a secret pocket. Variety is the spice of survival.

💳 Use Cards Smartly

Let your bank know you’re traveling so they don’t freeze your account mid-latte purchase. And watch those foreign transaction fees—they sneak up like a ninja.

Trust People… But Not Too Much

Yes, people are mostly good. Yes, the world is full of kind strangers. But also yes, some people are sketchy AF.

🙅‍♀️ Don't Overshare

The friendly guy at the hostel doesn’t need to know your exact plans. Smile, chat, enjoy—just keep the TMI to a minimum, okay?

📵 Beware of Oversharing Online

Delay those Insta-stories until after you’ve left the spot. You don’t want strangers knowing where you are in real-time. That’s not travel; that’s a horror movie.

Solo Dining Without the Awkwardness

Eating alone? Gasp! The horror!

Actually, it's not that scary. And no, the waiter isn’t judging you (too much).

🍽 Own Those Meals

Bring a book. Write in a journal. Scroll your phone like a food critic. Or—wait for it—talk to people! You’ll survive. And who knows? That awkward dinner could become the highlight of your trip.

Trust Your Gut (It’s Smarter Than You Think)

That little voice whispering, “Hmm, maybe don’t follow that stranger down a dark alley to see a ‘secret temple’”? LISTEN TO IT.

🧠 Intuition > Google Reviews

Your instincts have been honed by millions of years of evolution. Use them. If something feels shady, it probably is. There’s zero shame in walking away or saying no, no matter how polite you want to be. Safety first, people-pleasing second.

Stay Healthy, Stay Sane

Because nothing ruins your solo adventure quite like food poisoning, jet lag rage, or a mystery rash.

💧 Hydrate or Die-drate

Water is your best friend. But make sure it’s clean—check if tap water is safe where you’re going. Carry a reusable bottle and maybe even a mini water purifier if you’re feeling extra.

🧼 Sanitizer Is Your Co-Pilot

Germs are real. Bathrooms can be sketch. Hand sanitizer is basically your invisible forcefield.

The Exit Strategy: Always Have One

Let’s be real. Sometimes things go sideways. Be it a bad date, a weird tour, or a vibe that’s just... off. Always have a way out.

🚖 Know Your Ride Options

Figure out how to get back to your accommodation before you go out. Is it a bus? A rideshare app? Your own two feet? Have a Plan A... and a Plan B.

🆘 Know When to Bail

No trip is worth risking your safety. If something makes you uncomfortable, It. Is. Okay. To. Leave. No apologies needed.

Final Thoughts: You’ve Got This

Solo travel is one of those things that sounds terrifying right up until the moment you actually do it. And then, suddenly, you’re booking your next trip, befriending strangers at train stations, and laughing at that time you nearly cried over a missed bus.

You'll learn to trust yourself. You'll gain confidence. You might even come back a little bit wiser (and with a story you're too embarrassed to tell your mom).

Just remember: be smart, stay alert, and pack a sense of humor. Because no matter what happens, you’ll have one heck of a tale to tell.

Safe travels, you glorious solo adventurer.