Featured image: This month’s best solo travel tips include ways to stay safe and women-friendly places to stay | Photo by prathanchorruangsak on Envato

Expert Advice from Our Community: Safety, Packing, and Practical Tips

Curated from our Facebook Group and Email Tips 

This month, we’re highlighting reader tips centred on safety, light packing, and practical travel strategies—ideal for avoiding those costly checked bag fees. Gathered from incoming emails and our private Solo Travel Wisdom Facebook group, we’re thrilled to present these firsthand solo travel tips. These recommendations aim to help you travel securely and efficiently. Have your own solo travel tip? We’d love to hear from you! (You can do that here!)

Tip: You can download these tips as a PDF or print them using the icons above!

August’s best solo travel tips

1. If you are travelling to Windsor in England go to the Ivy restaurant. It’s amazing. I booked a day return train fare so that I could go to Windsor Castle. I discovered the Ivy restaurant on my way there so I stopped for breakfast. The decor is out of this world. — Ann B.

2. Travel tip for Edinburgh, Scotland: instead of trying to find affordable nice accommodation in Edinburgh, take the train 25 minutes west to Dunbar, where the lovely independent hostel The Dolphin Inn sits close to the train station. Dunbar is a coastal village, has a few restaurants and shops, and is very nice and calm. Perfect if you’re travelling on an interrail card, or any other train card, but you could also go by car. Great place to stay! — Lotta A.

3. I wear leakproof undies, especially if it’s going to be a long day with unknown access to bathrooms. Knix is a good brand. Bring a spare pair, just in case. It is a pretty common issue, so we are fortunate now to have a wide variety of options for incontinence undergarments. HuHa is a good brand of undies, not leakproof, but UTI preventative (and Canadian). — Pia F.

4. Many airlines offer great opportunities to visit a city with long layovers. I’ve had long stopovers in Iceland, Dubai, and Japan, on several airlines that include city tours, hotels, and dinner. A great way to get a little extra vacation in. — Jenna B.

5. When travel planning, I use YouTube to visualize and get familiar with modes of transport in new-to-me countries. I am very thankful to the travel vloggers who record and explain routes from A to B, pit stops on bus trips, where to grab a snack before shuttles to new borders, and in particular, how to go through customs and immigration from Cambodia to Vietnam, when entering via a tourist boat on the Mekong. They may not take away all the surprises, but having had a video walk-through can make these transits a lot easier. — Maria F.

6. I always Google Street View where I am going to be staying so when I get there I know where I am going. I will have located where the grocery store is, the pharmacy, the subway stop, etc. It all looks familiar. – Joanne P.

7. When I travel always send a copy of my itinerary to my father. It always includes my flight information, where I am staying and the property’s phone number, what tours I am doing, and the tour company’s name and phone number. Also, write down all the same information and leave it posted at home. I write my emergency contacts (father, friend and one other person) down and make several copies. One copy goes in each bag and suitcase. Finally set up a special word or phrase with my contacts. Tell them if I call or text and use this word or phrase it means I am in trouble. — Stephanie M.

8. I download an “offline” map of the area I’m travelling on Google Maps. I rent a car. This was a lifesaver for me in Slovenia when I lost internet connection in a remote area. — Cheryl V.

9. For collapsable and retractable hiking poles that fit into a carry-on, Elaine H. recommends these Cline hiking poles.

10. When in Peru…. I found it helpful to drink coca tea in the morning for breakfast at the hotel when at high elevation. My guide also suggested bringing a bunch of electrolytes to add to my own refillable water bottle. I like Nuun or individual packets from Whole Paycheck. I bought a mosquito suit from REI to wear in Iquitos instead of taking malaria meds. That way I could be in a tank top and shorts and not load up on deet. I didn’t see a lot of bugs, but did still get bitten a few times in the dining area, despite double netting doors to enter. Be sure to make copies of your passport, everything in your wallet, your itinerary with names, addresses and phone numbers of hotels, etc. and save those things onto your phone and in the cloud. — Barbara K.

11. Lima is a super cool city! Be careful of the water in Peru – only filtered or bottled. Our guide told us as soon as we got to Cusco to start drinking coca tea to help with the elevation – as much as we could and after every meal because the high elevation also slows down digestion. We all had preventive altitude pills so you may want to talk to your doctor about that and traveler’s diarrhea pills. I got sick even though I was so careful! Cusco is awesome! To get to Machu Picchu you’ll be in Aguas Calientes which is a really cute town also. Have an awesome time and leave extra room in your luggage for awesome clothes and pottery. — Elana C.

12. When in Malta…. I would suggest staying in Sliema which is a 10-minute bus ride to Valletta. You can walk the promenade, find lots of restaurants, and enjoy beautiful views of the Med. St. Julian’s is busier with lots of cafes and restaurants but also more touristy and more expensive. — Donna M.

Tips on where to stay

13. Lyon, France: I stayed one quick night at the Hotel Globe et Cecil. I honestly can’t say anything about the area it is in – I just finished an exhausting full day driving from Aix, stopping at Gard du Pont, and I wasn’t paying attention. It is a nice small hotel, very clean, hospitable 4 stars. I ate in a very good restaurant in the hotel and then just crashed in my room. Give it a try. — Kitty P.  

14. Lyon, France: I stayed solo at Mercure Lyon Centre Beaux-Arts. A great hotel, very central. Highly recommend it! — Rachna N.  

15. Puerta Vallarta, Mexico: I have stayed here, and my son stayed here just a week ago: Hotel Portonovo – great location, budget friendly and clean. — Marlene R.  

 16. I stayed outside of Puerta Vallerta in Playa Escondido. The hotel is for adults only and has several pools. There is a shuttle or taxi into town, Sayulita, or you can walk. But the walk is rather long and hot – I would recommend taxi. Not as crowded as Puerta Vallarta but not too far away. — Kathleen B.  

For even more women-friendly places to stay, check out the Women’s Travel Directory here.

17. I recently had about four days in Glasgow. Here are a few of my recommendations. Stay at the Z Hotel just off George Square. Cheap but tiny. Kelvingrove Museum is a fantastic building that has a noonish organ recital daily by the cafe and great displays. Riverside is a new museum on the history of transportation in Scotland. On the river and a nice 20-30 minute walk from Kelvingrove. The Gallery of Art is a classical building with a whimsical/modern bent. A nice cafe and a library in the lower level. Just off George Square. All these are free. — Nancy C.

18. If you are a Rennie Mackintosh fan there is the Hunterian Museum, a house for an art lover and a trip to a hill house at Helensburgh. Also Burrell Gallery and Scottish coos/cows nearby and a tour of the piping centre where you can try the bagpipes. — Heather R.

19. When in Prague, Salzburg, Budapest, and Vienna over the Christmas holidays… Trains are a good way to see that part of the world, but in Austria, there are two different train systems and tickets are not interchangeable, so be careful when buying them. Salzburg is compact, and you can see the main attractions in a day or two, but the other three cities are … well, big cities. Vienna has great public transportation, so you can get around easily. Not sure about Prague or Budapest (haven’t been in either in over 20 years), so you may have to trim your list to give yourself more time in the cities you choose. (In Vienna, the Kunsthistorische Museum could easily occupy you for a whole day!) — Paula L.

20. I did Prague and Vienna last Christmas. Both are very easy to navigate. We took the train in Vienna to get to Schonbrun for the day. Wienmobil app is great to help figure out routes to things you want to see. Also, because of the timing of the train from Prague to Vienna, I opted for a private car transfer to Vienna. We made a few stops along the way that we wouldn’t have been able to see if we went by train. — Cari R.

21. When in the Netherlands… I’ve just had a short two days in Copenhagen Denmark while on my way to visit a son in Aarhus. I thoroughly recommend this country for women who are maybe making their first solo trip. This country is so safe. There is a strong culture of respect for each other and that goes for your belongings. I saw people leaving their laptops on tables while they went to the bathrooms and everyone openly uses their phones on the streets. Such a difference from my trip earlier in the year to Argentina. Everyone queues politely, they speak excellent English, and the food is tasty and healthy. In fact, I’ve never seen so many healthy and elegantly smartly dressed people. Everyone is on bikes. I booked a 3-hour bike tour to get a feel for the city and then I downloaded the donkey app and rented one of the street bikes. Lots of separate bike lanes but they do like you to use hand signals when stopping or turning. No cash is necessary here, cards are accepted everywhere and tipping is not expected. I flew Ryanair from the U.K. — Fenella C.

22. It’s a quick train over the bridge to Malmö, Sweden which is lovely. I stayed in September last year for £40pn single room with a buffet breakfast, absolutely fabulous. Walked miles out along the beach. Loads of nice coffee shops, took the train to some other places there was a nice art gallery and an indoor food market. I loved it. Copenhagen was wonderful as usual. The library is well worth a visit. You can also catch the DFDS ferry to Oslo and have a mini trip. You arrive early morning and leave late afternoon, they did coach trips for sightseeing for about £15 I saw the Olympic ski jump,( able to get out to view) saw all the sights as we drove around the centre with a commentary. Afterwards, there was time to yourself. The other option was to visit two museums Kontiki and the other which I can’t remember. You can walk on the Opera house roof my Danish friend said. The boat trip was great like a cruise with beautiful views of Hamlet’s castle as you go by. — Frances D.

23. I was in Cyprus this summer, and it was great! I spent most of my time in the north, staying in N. Nicosia and staying at a wonderful little female-owned and staffed hotel (TasEV Guesthouse). I rented a car and went to the Famagusta ghost town and the beach. Good food, cheap prices, and friendly people. Highly recommended! — Stacy K.

24. Venice, Italy: If you haven’t read the mysteries set in Venice written by Donna Leon, you must give them a try when you return home. There is also a book of walking tours of Donna Leon’s Venice. — Jackie H.

25. In Nice… My 18-day solo travel in the French Riviera was such a joy. I was in Nice and to attend a performance and I took a bus. Every year I go to Nice and Villa et Jardins Ephrussi de Rothschild and Jardin Exotique d’Eze stay on my list. — Daniela C.

Staying safe in Barcelona, Spain…

26. I suggest you keep an extra credit card in a separate location. Barcelona has excellent pickpockets. I took a cooking class in San Sebastian and loved it. I also recommend a local bus from San Sebastian to Bilbao to the Guggenheim Museum. — Jo V.

27. I am sure others have stated this – be mindful of what you are carrying and try to be mindful of the “scammers”. Too friendly American-looking guys, as one took me and my father for quite a bit of cash. He seemed to be trying to “help us ” in broad daylight near Park Guell…. and watch your cell phone. Locals repeatedly told me that cell phones are stolen often and quickly. — April B. 

28. Have you considered taking a detour from San Sebastián into France? You can take a bus to Biarritz in two hours. It is on the same coast. It has a rich history, beautiful beach views and you can even try your hand at surfing. Since it is still part of Basque Country similar to San Sebastián, it also has pintxos, but instead of filling your plate you choose from the chalkboard menu and get table service. The sunset from the lighthouse is amazing. Visit the Mercado Les Halles and chocolate museum. — Donna M.

29. Pre-book your ticket for the Sagrada Familia asap as it gets very booked up. We went to Barcelona last year in August and it was very hot but wonderful. I did a literary walking tour there too which was great. — Sam P.

30. We love food tours and the best one we ever did was with a guy named Keith offering a pinxo tour in San Sebastián. San Sebastián is the food capital of the country so definitely encourage you to try a tour. The groups are small and Keith has so much to share. Pinxos are the area’s word for tapas or small bites. He combines food, wine and history. — Jeni M.

31. Booking hotels… I always get better rooms through 3rd party websites. When I book direct I get screwed because I have fewer places to leave reviews and no recourse for a refund. — Dale D.

32. From the Kim Komando newsletter: “Ticket to scam: Boarding passes display your full legal name, ticket number and passenger name record. That six-digit code plus your last name gives anyone access to your booking info online (think email, phone number and address), and they can even change or cancel your flight. Do not post photos of your boarding passes on social.” — Jane C.

33. When arriving in Dehli… I would recommend taking an Uber to an Aerocity hotel. I like Andaz, Pullman, Ibis, and Roseate, but there are other good ones, too. (Please do not take the prepaid taxis – they are not reliable, and I don’t recommend them.) The other option is to hire a VERY trustworthy company to arrange a driver to pick you up and take you to the hotel where you will be meeting your group.  — Mariellen W.

34. Delhi “Aerocity” area is about 10 minutes by prepaid taxi (booth outside of flight arrivals area.) You might want to arrange a transfer with your hotel if you are nervous, but I have found the prepaid taxis to be safe and reliable if not a comical welcome to Delhi. Numerous hotel brands there, depending on your budget and loyalty. I’m a longtime Marriott member and there are several choices. — Carie H.

35. I stayed at the Aloft Hotel when I transited out of Delhi at midnight this spring. I was able to arrange transport through the hotel and then was able to call the hotel when I couldn’t find the ride. Businessmen fly in and out there for half-day visits and there is a whole system of cars run by the hotels. It felt very safe since the hotel was taking care of it. — Carol B.

36. When in Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan…. If you love wine Georgia has the oldest wine culture in the world, so you are in for a treat. If you can get out in the hills the scenery is stunning. — Fiona R.

37. I just returned from hiking in Svaneti Mestia and Ushguli in Georgia with a group and visited Yerevan solo. Caught Swan Lake at the opera and ballet theatre. Depending on your interests and fitness, old Tbilisi is lovely to walk around. I love the architecture in Tbilisi. In summer prices can be close to European prices at nice restaurants. Wine is good generally as is their brandy. I loved staying in old Tbilisi after Yerevan (took the minivan which takes 5-6 hours) each way. The genocide museum is recommended. The food is wonderful, and Armenian food is closer to Turkish. Also, I did the Sevn Lake and Dilijan as a day trip. Meant to add my hiking friends visited Azerbaijan for the horse riding and yurt experience. The landscape there from the photos is surreal. — Cindi S.

38. Beautiful countries! Be careful about crossing borders: Due to the Nagorno-Karabakh dispute (which I’m sure your guidebook tells you about), crossing between Azerbaijan and Armenia can be sticky; you’re better off going through Georgia. (I took a tour there in 2017, and that’s what we had to do.) I’m envious — it’s a beautiful and fascinating part of the world. — Paula L.

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