Planning your next trip? There’s nothing better than making memories in new, exciting places. But let’s be real, there’s more to planning a trip than just finding the trendiest bars to hop or the most Instagram worthy cafés to check out.
Safety comes first, and it’s all about knowing how to prepare for any adventure.
Whether you’re planning to roam the streets of Europe, venture into the wilds of South Africa, or hop between cities on a new continent, here are 17 smart travel tips for women of all ages to travel all around the world confidently and safely.
How to Prepare for a Trip: The Smart Traveler’s Safety Checklist
Since I don’t travel solo, I usually don’t recommend that my female readers travel by themselves either. However, since solo female travel is becoming more popular than ever, I want to at least equip you with the best solo female travel safety tips.
There’s a lot that goes into trip planning, and no matter how thrilling your destination is, safety should always be part of the equation. Whether you’re traveling solo, with friends, or family, these steps will help you stay prepared and confident.
17 Smart Travel Tips for Women
1. Research Your Destination and Check Travel Advisories
Spontaneity is great, but when it comes to safety, a little research goes a long way.
Before you head to your destination, dive into research. Take some time to understand the local customs, laws, safety concerns, and areas that might not be the best for travelers to be respectful of local culture but also to help keep out of any potentially sketchy situations.
For instance, you can be more relaxed in some Western countries like the U.S. or Europe, but stricter laws apply in parts of Africa and Asia. Knowing what to expect will keep you out of trouble and help you respect local cultures. What may be completely acceptable or even a slight slap on the wrist in one country may be a serious offense punishable by prison or even death in other countries.
Not to scare you, travel should be fun. But, it’s easy to avoid. You can usually find this info on travel blogs, government travel websites, or even through quick searches on Reddit.
The US government developed an unofficial app called Smart Traveler to help travelers get access to up to date information for each country. Don’t forget to check your government’s Travel Advisories. In the US, these levels, ranked from 1 (Exercise normal precautions) to 4 (Do not travel), will help guide your decisions.
For U.S. travelers, programs like STEP (Smart Traveler Enrollment Program) allow the government to assist you in case of emergencies, civil unrest in foreign countries, and recover lost/stolen passports. Sign up for alerts and be informed about potential issues, travel advice, U.S. embassy locations, and more before heading out.
Prepare a contingency plan for emergency situations. Review the Traveler’s Checklist.
📌 Pro tip: Keep tabs on your destination by following real-time updates from the State Department or your country’s equivalent. You can also get a security report on the country you’re traveling to or set an alert on your browser of choice &/or social media for Travel News. Follow the Department of State on X and Facebook for up to date notifications.
Sign Up for STEP.
2. Make a Loose Plan (But Tell Someone)
While spontaneous adventures are the spice of any girls’ trip, having a general outline of where you’ll be and when can be reassuring for both you and your loved ones back home.
Share your itinerary with family members and maybe even the U.S. embassy in the country you’re going to. It doesn’t have to be rigid, just enough to give them an idea of your whereabouts.
This way, you can go with the flow but still have a safety net. And if you decide to change your plans (which, let’s be real, you probably will), just give them a quick update!
For creating itineraries, I like using TripIt when I want something simple, Wanderlog when I want a more detailed itinerary. Both apps allow you to share your itineraries with others. You can also collaborate with people on the itinerary, which is perfect if you’re traveling with a group or as a couple. They have free and premium memberships.
Google Maps is my favorite free app for navigating, finding new places, and creating an itinerary from your saved places, there’s just a bit more work involved. I’m going to share my step by step Google Maps guide in a blog soon!
3. Plan Your Travel Health and Emergency Prep
Your health matters and it goes hand in hand with your safety. You don’t want to be vulnerable in a foreign country at the mercy of other people if you don’t have to. That’s why it’s essential to be prepared for unexpected situations.
Before traveling, check out the CDC’s Travel Health page for advice on vaccines, common health issues, or any ongoing health alerts. Packing a mini first-aid kit doesn’t hurt either!
Whether you’re dealing with lost luggage, flight cancellations, or medical emergencies, reliable Travel Insurance can save you a lot of stress. Consider a travel crisis service like MedjetAssist for emergency medical transport or coverage if something goes wrong.
4. Book Safe and Well-Reviewed Accommodations
While it may be tempting to book that super cheap room with little to no reviews, where you sleep is crucial to your overall safety. Look for places with high ratings from other travelers, particularly when it comes to location and safety features. Also, look for safer neighborhoods.
Websites like Vrbo and Booking.com let you read reviews from fellow travelers who’ve stayed there… perfect for getting an idea of what to expect.
For extra peace of mind, also try to choose accommodations in well-lit areas close to public transportation. You’ll all feel a lot safer coming back after a long day (or night) of exploring if your place is easy to find and secure.
5. Get Travel Insurance
When selecting the best travel insurance, SafetyWing and World Nomads are excellent options.
- SafetyWing
Stands out for its affordable, flexible monthly plans tailored to travelers. It provides essential medical coverage, including medical emergencies like hospital stays, and ambulance services, even during ongoing travel. It’s ideal for long-term travelers, as coverage can be started and stopped anytime, even mid-trip.
Get SafetyWing insurance.
- World Nomads
On the other hand, World Nomads offers broader coverage and is especially popular with adventure travelers due to its comprehensive policy options, including medical emergencies, trip cancellations, and protection for over 200 adventure activities as well as trip interruptions. Like Safety Wing, you can buy at home or while traveling and claim online from anywhere in the world.
We receive a fee when you get a quote from World Nomads using this link. We do not represent World Nomads. This is not a recommendation to buy travel insurance
Stay tuned for my in-depth travel insurance blog.
6. Stay Connected
- Use eSIM Technology
Let’s be honest. None of us can travel without our phones. They’re our lifelines for everything from navigation to translation apps, and especially for staying in touch with people back home. When you’re on a girls’ trip, staying connected with each other is just as important.
There are lots of options out there to help you stay connected and get online, but my favorite currently is through an eSIM, which works worldwide without the hassle of swapping physical SIM card, carrying pocket WiFi devices in each country, or the questionable safety of connecting to public Wi-Fi hotspot.
Once you install the eSIM, you can keep using it worldwide—all you need to do is buy a data plan for your destination. Cool huh?
I really like is Truely’s Travel eSIM, for its affordability, reliability and fast responding customer service.
Another great option to stay connected to friends and family back home is through a free messaging app like WhatsApp, which keeps communication lines open, no matter where you are in the world as long as you are connected to WiFi. Just check that it works in the country you’re going to. (Is blocked in China)
7. Use Safety & Health Apps to Your Advantage
There’s an app for everything these days, and safety and health are no exception.
- Life 360
Before you leave, download a GPS app like Life360, which I personally use with my family. They allow you and your friends to track each other’s locations in real-time and get live SOS updates. With your group, the app also shares when your battery is running low, when you’re in a high speed car over the speed limit, when you’ve gotten into a crash, when your plane takes off and lands, and more. You can also message each other through the app.
- Safetipin
Safetipin is a free personal safety app available in 65 cities across 16 countries that helps users find the safest walking routes by analyzing factors like the safety score of an area, street lighting, nearby security presence, and public transport access, all based on crowd-sourced data. Ideal for exploring new areas or commuting safely, it gives real-time insights to make informed decisions about which paths to take.
- Duration Health
As someone who has a chronic illness and travels full-time, I’m often worried about what might happen if I can’t get care when I need it, so I always try to plan ahead.
Recently, I discovered Duration Health, which offers a “portable emergency room”, with customized emergency medical kits and online video consultations with board-certified doctors specializing in travel and wilderness medicine. Duration Health ensures peace of mind by equipping travelers with the tools to handle medical emergencies anywhere, even in remote areas where medical care is unavailable.
One of the reasons I like Duration Health’s kits is because they include prescription medications for urgent issues like infections and allergic reactions, tailored to your specific needs. After a one-on-one telehealth consultation, you’ll receive your kit with instructions, giving you access to life-saving treatments so you can treat urgent medical issues anywhere without needing to find a doctor or pharmacy.
Learn more at Duration Health.
- Sitata App
For a more comprehensive travel safety app, check out the Sitata app, which is designed to help you travel with peace of mind by combining travel planning and health information in one convenient platform.
Based on your itinerary, it provides updates on health risks, safety concerns, recommended medications, and flight details. You’ll also receive alerts about potential trip disruptions, such as disease outbreaks, transit strikes, or violent incidents.
If you feel unwell while abroad, Sitata connects you with travel medicine specialists via video call from the comfort of your room. You can also locate nearby hospitals or clinics if a physical check-up is needed.
Ladies, read my Dating Safety for Women blog for more helpful tips.
8. Book a Local Female Led Tour Guide
Award winning travel company, Greet Her, helps women travel safer by allowing you to book with verified local female tour guides in over 100 countries around the world. Their mission targets gender equality by reducing safety risks for women, which I’m all about. I never recommend women travel solo.
That’s what I love about Greet Her…
- You get a personalized travel journey and can even pick the meetup spot, time and activities.
- You’re supporting women while traveling safely.
- You get tips and recommendations before your trip even begins.
- You can explore destinations with a trusted local female
- Your tour guide is your unofficial content creator / photographer. 😉
9. Pack a Portable Charger (Seriously)
I cannot stress this enough: your phone is your safety net when traveling, so never let it die on you. Whether you’re navigating your way through a city or need to make an emergency call, a portable charger can be a total lifesaver.
Trust me… running out of battery when you’re lost in a new place is no fun. Invest in a lightweight, powerful charger that can give you at least a couple of full charges, just in case.
10. Know the Local Emergency Numbers
Different country, different emergency numbers. Take five minutes to save local police, medical, and embassy numbers in your phone. Also, write them down, because when your phone decides to throw a tantrum (because it always does at the worst time), you’ll want a backup plan.
While you’re at it, you should also know a few phrases in the language of the country you’re going to. For example, in Spanish, “Help Me” is “Ayuda Me”. Mexico’s emergency number is 911, just like the US.
11. Know How to Get Around Like a Pro
One of the best ways to feel more confident in a new place is knowing how to navigate it. No matter how safe and efficient the country is, knowing how to get around will save you a lot of stress and money (because if you don’t know how to get around, you’ll probably end up booking an expensive Uber).
Before you set foot on foreign soil, get familiar with local transportation. Whether it’s buses, trains, subways, or even tuk-tuks, knowing how to navigate will save you money and help you dodge any shady situations.
I really like using, Omio, which is the leading free booking app for transportation with over 1,000 transportation providers across US, Canada, and Europe. They’re basically like a one stop shop offering tickets for trains, buses, flights, and ferries, as well as car rentals and airport transfers. Give it a try!
If you’re walking, use My Safetipin which helps you find the safest walking routes by analyzing factors like street lighting, nearby security presence, and public transport access.
12. Try to Blend In
We all want to capture those Instagram-worthy shots, but standing out too much as tourists can sometimes attract unwanted attention. The key is to blend in! Before you travel, take note of how locals dress and try to adapt.
In some places, flashy gadgets and expensive-looking clothes might make you more of a target, so it’s worth dressing down a little. Blending in doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice style—it’s all about being low-key chic. But, in countries like Italy and France, more demure outfits are chicer anyway.
Of course, this also depends on where you’re traveling or staying. If you plan to lounge in a high-end resort all day, then, by all means, wear your flashy outfits!
13. Safety in Numbers
Most incidents happen when women are traveling solo. Try to stay with your squad or at least pair up with another friend if some friends want to go one place and some friends want to go somewhere else.
14. Wait to Post Your Trip Online
Why make it easier for creeps to follow your every move? So many girls can’t wait to post about where they are and what they’re doing but the reality is, that invites people with nefarious intentions (yes, I’m talking stalkers) to follow you anywhere you go.
I once had someone identify my location in a restaurant photo I posted on Instagram in Amsterdam and show up in person. I hadn’t even posted the location, but they were a local and recognized the spot. Luckily, my then boyfriend was there with me (the stalker didn’t realize I was not alone).
Don’t post live, wait to post until after you’ve left a location.
15. Safety Comes First: Tips to Stay Secure
When it comes to travel, staying safe is priority number one. Here are a few ways to boost your safety:
- Blend in with locals: Flashy gadgets, touristy t-shirts, and expensive-looking clothes might make you a target. Stick to subtle outfits that help you blend in with the crowd.
- Be aware of your surroundings: Nothing makes you look more like a tourist than needing directions. Those who appear lost are an easier target. Instead of being distracted by your phone or GPS in crowded areas, head to a café or hotel to check directions.
- Avoid walking alone at night: Stick to well-lit, busy areas and travel in groups whenever possible.
- Stay connected with your group: Apps like Life360 or Find My Friends can help you track each other’s locations, especially when you split up for activities.
- At bars and restaurants: Watch your drink to avoid “date rape drugs”.
- Avoid walking alone at night: Stick to well-lit, busy areas and travel in groups whenever possible.
- Stay connected with your group: Apps like Life360 or Find My Friends can help you track each other’s locations, especially when you split up for activities.
- At bars and restaurants: Watch your drink to avoid “date rape drugs”.
- Use a VPN: VPNs can really be useful while traveling. You can use them to access your country websites, and keep yourself secure while also using public Wi-Fis. The cost of VPN is not that high, and it can be very beneficial in multiple cases.
For more tips on keeping yourself safe, check out this Traveler’s Checklist for a comprehensive guide.
16. What to Pack: Travel Smart and Light
When it comes to packing, less is more. A great packing checklist ensures you’re ready for any adventure. Here are a few must-haves:
- Portable charger: You’ll need this to keep your phone juiced up all day.
- First-aid kit: Include bandages, pain relievers, and any medication you take regularly.
- Essential documents: Carry copies of your passport, travel insurance, and emergency contact info.
Get my “Ultimate Packing List for Every Traveler“.
17. Trust Your Gut
This is the golden rule of all travel tips: if something feels off, trust your gut. That weird vibe at a bar? A taxi driver who’s giving off creepy energy? Bye! There’s zero shame in walking away or changing plans. You came to have fun, not deal with weirdos.
Also, always be aware of your surroundings and who might be following you.
A girls’ trip is about fun and freedom, but that also means being free to remove yourselves from uncomfortable or unsafe situations. Don’t hesitate to walk away or change your plans if it means protecting yourselves. Your safety comes first, always.
Final Thoughts
Traveling with your best friends is an incredibly rewarding experience, but it’s so important to stay safe while you’re out there exploring. By trusting your instincts, planning ahead, staying informed and connected, and taking precaution, you can enjoy your trip without worry.
Remember, it’s not about over-planning every detail but rather being smart and prepared so you can travel confidently.
Now go and take that trip! You’ve got this.
TRAVEL PLANNING RESOURCES
Best Travel Insurance
Unfortunately, things can and do go wrong when you travel. World Nomads offers coverage for more than 150 activities as well as emergency medical, lost luggage, trip cancellation and more. Accidents happen. Make sure that you’re covered on your next trip. You can get a quote, make a claim, or buy or extend your policy while on the road.
Earn Travel Perks & Free Trips
Traveling doesn’t have to be expensive. Read my in depth travel rewards series on how to earn points and miles toward free hotel stays, flights, car rentals and more! Book smart, travel more.
Compare prices for car rentals, trains and flights
Discover best transportation deals with over 1,000 transportation providers offering tickets for trains, buses, flights, and ferries, as well as car rentals and airport transfers in US, Canada, and Europe. Book Omio here.
How to Travel with a Chronic Illness
There are ways to travel even with a chronic illness. Check out my chronic illness travel tips and how I travel despite having Lupus.
Packing Guide
Check out my packing guide curated to your personality.
Dating Safety
Every woman should be able to date without being the next victim. Check out my safety tips guide for women.
That’s a Wrap!
I hope this guide helped you learn some smart travel tips for women so you can go on your trip smart and healthy.
Do you have any other travel tips to share? Comment below and subscribe to the blog for updates on trips I’m hosting, travel adventures, tips & how to get in on travel rewards for free trips!
Thank you so much for your continued love and support! I wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for you. 🙂
If you enjoyed this post, you might also like…
This is a helpful reminder that safety planning should begin long before the trip even starts. Researching destinations and checking travel advisories is a simple yet often overlooked step for many travelers. With solo female travel on the rise, guidance like this truly helps women feel more confident and prepared on the road.
Safety and practicality are key for full-time travelers. These tips offer useful advice for women traveling long-term, ensuring trips are both empowering and well-prepared.
I’m so happy that you found my guide helpful Claire! Thank you for reading.
Super informative. I’m a nervous traveler but you have it all laid out . ty