10 essential Tips for Safe and efficient Solo Travel
My name is Mishana Sturdivant and I own Tad Bit Rad Travels. The purpose of this blog is to share tips, stories and recommendations to empower my readers to travel efficiently and unapologetically.
In this post I share 10+ ways on how I solo travel safely and efficiently.
Enjoy!
I began solo traveling in 2019, starting with North Carolina staycations before booking a weekend trip to Detroit and Chicago. Soon, I boarded a plane to Iceland for my first international solo trip. I was terrified, but I did it- and wouldn’t change a thing. Now it’s 2026, and I’m still traveling solo with no plans to stop. After six years, I’ve gathered my 10 best tips for efficient solo travel.
Get organized. Use a tool that consolidates documents, plans, addresses, activities, reservations-everything for your trip-in one place. I prefer Google Docs. This helps you plan your itinerary and spot gaps.
Don’t forget the basics: toiletries, first-aid kit, folder for printed docs, visas, etc., plug adapter, passports, portable chargers, and a fanny pack to keep important items on you at all times.
I'm not here to tell you to pack light and to bring only a backpack or carry-on; do what feels comfortable. Try both a checked bag and a carry-on to discover what works for you. Personally, I prefer carry-on only so I can get around easily. I avoid lugging a checked bag up flights of stairs and prefer to keep my bag in the overhead bin where I can see it to avoid lost luggage. Find what works best for you.
Share your location with loved ones back home. You can do that with apps or on your phone. In Uber, for example, you can share your trip details with others. I share my location with Apple's location services. For long-term travel, I created a Google Doc with my entire itinerary. It included hotel addresses and contact information. My loved ones had my flight information and knew exactly where I was at any time.
Don’t use taxis or unmarked vehicles for transportation. Use Uber, Grab, Lyft, or whatever is available in your destination. This way, you can confirm the location despite a language barrier. You don’t have to carry cash, and you can share your location or driver details if necessary.
Book an airport transfer in advance if Uber or public transport is not available. If public transportation from the airport is not straightforward and requires multiple modes, I opt out. I don't want to arrive and have to lug luggage on a train, then a tram, then a city bus, and then still have to walk a few blocks to my accommodations. When I was in my early 20s, I didn’t mind saving a few bucks. Now that I’m older, I prefer convenience.
If you arrive in a new country after dark, pre-arrange your transportation to your accommodation. Or, plan to arrive before dark.
Use discernment when meeting people. I enjoy connecting with fellow travelers and locals, sharing meals and experiences. Earlier, I was shy and kept to myself, never revealing I was traveling alone. Now, I share that information with other solo women but remain cautious, never giving out where I'm staying- only the general area if needed. Focus on building community while staying safe.
Enjoy nightlife. Nightlife is part of the culture of many destinations. Some people prefer to stay in at night, and that’s okay too. When I enjoy nightlife while I’m solo, I limit my alcohol consumption. I use Uber even for a 5-minute walk. I enjoy late dinners, cocktail bars, and rooftop bars. I avoid clubs because I wouldn’t enjoy the environment unless I was really tipsy and felt comfortable enough to let loose and dance.
Do not travel with valuable or expensive items. The only valuable things I bring are my cellphone and passport. To protect your cellphone, sync your photos and data to a cloud app. I recommend removing bank apps from your phone. Some people use lanyards to attach their phones to their wrists or necks. I just travel with a backup phone in case mine is lost or stolen. I keep my passport safe in my hotel room. I don’t use the hotel safe, but I keep it locked up. I also keep a printed copy of my passport in a folder and a photo on my phone, in case of an emergency. I don’t travel with jewelry, expensive clothes, or bags. I stay in many hotels and Airbnbs. You never really know what happens when you are not in your room. I don’t want to be a target for people with bad intentions.
Honorable mention: Keep multiple sources of money. Keep several cards and cash. Stash them in different places. I’ve used faulty ATMs and had to cancel my cards, lost cards in ATMs, and had money stolen from my bag. You don’t ever want to end up somewhere without money. Sh*t happens, and you have to be prepared.
Solo travel can be one of the most rewarding experiences that you can give yourself. It’s not as scary or as lonely as people may think. I promise. These are great tips to ensure you stay safe and travel as efficiently as possible. Don’t forget to have fun! Your experience will be what you make it.
