Solo travel is statistically safer than most people believe. The vast majority of the world's 8 billion people are friendly, helpful, and curious about foreign visitors. That said, practical preparation matters. Here is what actually keeps you safe — no fear-mongering, just evidence-based advice.
Before You Leave
Register with your embassy's travel notification program (US: STEP, UK: FCO, EU countries: check your foreign ministry website). Share your itinerary with someone at home. Photograph all important documents — passport, visa, insurance card, prescriptions — and store copies in cloud storage you can access anywhere. Get travel insurance with medical evacuation coverage — this is non-negotiable, not optional. A medical evacuation from rural 🇳🇵 Nepal or 🇵🇪 Peru can cost $50,000 without insurance.
Money and Valuables
Carry money in multiple forms: some cash in local currency, a primary debit card, a backup credit card stored separately, and a small emergency reserve in USD or EUR. Use a money belt for large amounts and documents, but keep daily spending money in a regular wallet — fumbling with a money belt at every transaction advertises that you are carrying valuables. In cities known for pickpockets — 🇪🇸 Barcelona, 🇮🇹 Rome, 🇫🇷 Paris — use a crossbody bag worn in front.
On the Ground
The single most effective safety strategy is also the simplest: look confident. Thieves and scammers target people who appear lost, confused, or vulnerable. Walk with purpose even when you are not entirely sure where you are going. Study your route before leaving your accommodation. In unfamiliar neighborhoods, keep your phone in your pocket and navigate by memory or written notes rather than staring at Google Maps.
Trust your instincts. If a situation feels wrong — a taxi driver heading in an unexpected direction, a "new friend" who is overly insistent, a bar where the atmosphere shifts — remove yourself immediately. The social pressure to be polite is your biggest enemy in genuinely risky situations. You do not owe anyone an explanation.
Accommodation Security
Choose accommodation with 24-hour reception or secure entry systems. In hostels, use lockers for valuables — bring your own padlock. In hotels, use the room safe for passport and spare cash. When arriving in a new city at night, pre-book your first night and arrange airport transfer in advance. The hour between midnight arrival and finding accommodation is the highest-risk window of any trip.
Country-Specific Awareness
Different regions present different risk profiles. In 🇨🇴 Colombia and 🇧🇷 Brazil, the primary risk is opportunistic street crime — minimize visible valuables. In 🇮🇳 India and 🇲🇦 Morocco, aggressive touts and scams are the main nuisance. In 🇯🇵 Japan and 🇮🇸 Iceland, personal safety concerns are nearly zero. Context matters more than country-level generalizations — a tourist area in Bogotá at 2pm is safer than a deserted street in any major city at 3am.
💡 The Golden Rules
Don't drink excessively when alone in unfamiliar places. Don't accept drinks from strangers. Don't display expensive electronics or jewelry unnecessarily. Do tell your accommodation where you are going each day. Do keep emergency numbers saved offline on your phone. Do learn "help" and "police" in the local language. And remember: the overwhelming majority of your interactions will be positive.
