3 Travel Safety Tips Every Woman Should Know Before Her Next Trip

Q: What should I pack for travel safety?

Start with a secure anti-theft crossbody bag, portable phone charger, offline maps, a digital copy of your ID or passport, an emergency contact list, a personal alarm or whistle, and some cash in small denominations.

Traveling is one of the most empowering things a woman can do. Whether you’re finally taking that long-dreamed-of solo trip, joining a small group adventure, or planning a quiet escape to recharge — travel opens the door to freedom, growth, and joy.

But even the most spontaneous trips need a little structure—especially when it comes to travel safety.

As women, we carry a bit more mental weight when we pack our bags. We think about our passports, our hotel routes, our phone batteries, our surroundings, and—if we’re honest—how we’re being perceived. It’s not always fair, but it’s real. And that’s exactly why it’s powerful to plan ahead.

Over the years, I’ve taken trips where I felt completely in sync and secure—and a few where I learned the hard way what I wish I’d done differently.

So I’m not going to give you a long list of 27 “do this” and “don’t do that” rules. Instead, I want to share 3 simple, powerful travel safety tips for women that have made the biggest difference in my confidence and peace of mind—whether I was walking through Lisbon, hopping trains in Italy, or wandering side streets alone in Madrid.

Key Takeaways

A secure bag is your #1 travel safety companion. Don’t settle for a pretty bag with zero protection.
Use your phone wisely. Download your safety apps and offline tools before you go.
Stay connected. Share your plans with someone back home so you’re never totally off the grid.

Keep Your Valuables Secure with the Right Travel Bag
Use Smart Tech Tools Before and During Your Trip
Share Your Plans with Someone You Trust
FAQ

1. Keep Your Valuables Secure with the Right Travel Bag

Let’s talk about the one thing that can either keep you calm—or completely wreck your trip: your travel bag.

If you’ve ever felt your stomach drop because you couldn’t find your passport, wallet, or phone while traveling, you already know how quickly a moment of panic can take over. That feeling? It’s avoidable.

The foundation of travel safety is simple: keep your essentials protected. And the easiest way to do that is to carry a bag that’s actually built for safety.

Why You Need an Anti-Theft Bag

A cute tote isn’t going to cut it when you’re on a metro platform in Paris, checking into an Airbnb after dark, or navigating a crowded market. What you need is a bag that:

Stays close to your body (preferably a crossbody)
Can’t be easily opened or slashed
Protects your digital info (like your passport or cards)

A proper anti-theft bag gives you all of that and more.

Look for features like:

Lockable zippers to stop pickpockets from slipping in while you're distracted
Slash-resistant lining and straps to prevent grab-and-go thefts
RFID-blocking pockets to protect your cards and passport from wireless data theft
Hidden compartments to store backup cash or important documents
Water-resistant exterior in case of rain or spills

Brands like Thafael design anti-theft crossbody bags that don’t look like “safety bags.” They’re sleek, modern, and designed to keep you both stylish and secure.

I always keep my passport, a bit of emergency cash, my phone, and my itinerary in mine. The peace of mind that comes from knowing it’s all secure—without needing to check every 10 minutes—is priceless.

Need help choosing a safe yet stylish bag? Read How to Choose the Best Safe Bags for Travel

2. Use Smart Tech Tools Before and During Your Trip

Your phone is more than just a way to capture sunsets. Used wisely, it’s one of your most powerful travel safety tools.

But the real magic happens when you prep your tech before you actually need it.

📱 Safety Apps That Travel With You

Before every trip, I download or update the following apps:

bSafe: Lets you share your real-time location with someone you trust and trigger an SOS alarm instantly
GeoSure: Offers safety ratings and alerts by neighborhood, based on data and user reports
Smart Traveler (U.S. State Department): Great for alerts, embassy info, and safety guidance tailored to your destination

These tools help you feel more grounded—especially if you’re traveling solo or navigating a new country where you don’t speak the language.

Planning your first solo adventure? You might love 7 Easy Tips to Explore the World with Confidence

Don’t Get Caught with a Dead Phone

Nothing kills your sense of security like realizing your phone is at 2% and your charger is back at the hotel. Your phone will loose charge fast because you'll always be using it for maps, itineraries, photos etc...

Carry a small power bank in your day bag, and keep an extra cable in your travel purse. I’ve forgotten mine too many times—and it’s always when I needed it most.

🌍 Download Tools Before You Go Offline

Whether you’re heading to rural Tuscany or a city where Wi-Fi is unreliable, having your essentials downloaded in advance is key.

Download before you fly:

Offline Google Maps for every destination
Offline Google Translate, with useful phrases saved
Screenshots of: hotel addresses, emergency numbers, booking confirmations, and local transit maps

This isn’t just smart—it’s calming. You never have to depend on a signal to feel like you’re in control.

3. Share Your Plans with Someone You Trust

This one seems small, but it’s a game changer for peace of mind and travel safety.

No matter how independent you are (and I know you are), it helps to have someone in your corner who knows where you are.

A cousin of mine recently traveled across Europe for three weeks—just her and a carry-on. Before she left, she told me she’d set up 24/7 location sharing with her aunt back home. They didn’t talk every day, but just knowing someone could see where she was gave them both a sense of calm.

If something went wrong, her aunt wouldn’t be left guessing where to start. And nothing did go wrong—but that’s the beauty of it.

What to Share

The name and address of your hotel or Airbnb
Any excursions, day trips, or hikes you’re taking
Your basic daily schedule or city-to-city transfers
A copy of your flight info and travel insurance

You don’t need to send detailed play-by-plays every hour. Just a simple “Hey, I’ll be in Porto for the next three nights. Staying at [Hotel Name]. Will check in with you after dinner tomorrow.” goes a long way.

Best Apps for Location Sharing

If you want to go a step further, here are a few apps that make it easy to share your real-time location with someone you trust:

Life360 – Designed for families and solo travelers, lets you share your location, battery life, and even get crash detection alerts.
Find My (Apple) – Built into iPhones and AirTags, lets you share location with selected contacts.
Google Maps – Simple and effective location sharing for a set amount of time or indefinitely.
bSafe – Location tracking + emergency SOS features.

If you're planning a city-based trip, this Packing Guide for Italy is a great place to start your prep.

Set It and Forget It

Want to make this even easier? Create a shared Google Doc or Note with:

A copy of your passport
Emergency contact numbers
Basic itinerary
Any special instructions (medical info, embassy contacts, etc.)

That way, if anything unexpected happens, someone you trust has what they need to help.

Conclusion

The truth is: you don’t need to be fearless to be free.

You just need to be prepared. Thoughtful. A little ahead of the game.

Whether you’re finally booking that solo trip you’ve been dreaming of or just want to feel more secure on your next group getaway, the way you prepare can shift the entire energy of your journey.

So take your safety seriously—and then? Go out there and enjoy it.

You were made for this.

Your Journey, Your Way
– Arielle

FAQ: Travel Safety for Women

Is it safe to travel alone as a woman?

Yes—with preparation. Solo travel can be incredibly rewarding, and safety is about building the right habits and tools to feel empowered, not afraid.

What should I pack for travel safety?

Start with:

A secure anti-theft crossbody bag
Portable phone charger
Offline maps
A digital copy of your ID/passport
Emergency contact list
Personal alarm or whistle
Some cash in small denominations

Do I really need RFID protection?

RFID skimming is not very common. If your credit cards or passport are contactless, yes. RFID-blocking pockets prevent skimming, especially in airports or tourist zones.