A Mindset for Solo Female Travelers

Travelling is so much fun. Yet, as a woman, people often tell me that I shouldn’t do it. I’m not listening to them.

Me in front of the Tower Bridge in London… not pictured: my big blue tote bag

Protect your identification. (That’s vague I know. Let me explain.)

The most important material items in your life are your identification, i.e., your passport, license, credit cards, COVID vaccination card, etc. It will allow you to get home and to buy things. A few months before I started to travel, I was robbed, and it was horrible. Thankfully, I was okay, and things could be replaced. This mindset stayed with me when I started travelling solo. I didn’t care that my jewelry, clothes, and other items were in a backpack that could be opened while I was walking through streets. What I did care about was my passport, credit cards, and COVID vaccination card. Those things, while replaceable, are considered part of your identity in today’s world.

The famous jacket! Protected my identification so many times. A half an hour after this, someone got pickpocketed. Feat. me eating a Belgian waffle.

How do I keep them safe?

I usually wore a jacket that had an inner pocket near my chest. This was helpful especially at the airport for easy access too. Also, any jacket with zipper pockets to keep them harder to pickpocket. I was on a trip where a person had their passport in a non-zipper jacket pocket, and it was taken out by someone. (They did get it back fortunately!) Another option is a fanny pack. You could buy a fashionable one or you can buy one that has RFID blocking fabric. Sometimes, people can scan purses and get credit card information that way. This fanny pack will prevent that and is much lighter and thinner than other ones. I wore it under my clothes always making sure it was touching my skin.

This is the one I bought and it was lightweight and comfortable. I bought it in tan to match the color of my skin to make it more concealed.

My go-to tote bag. Such a huge bag but kept everything safe. This was taken at the Roman Baths in Bath, England.

What if I’m not wearing that type of jacket?

It’s true, I didn’t wear that jacket all the time. Either it was too cold, or too hot for that type of jacket. Again, fanny pack, always good. If you want a purse, have one with a zipper. I always carried around a tote bag with a zipper and the zipper in front of me so I could always see it. A crossbody is also a good idea especially with a zipper. This way the bag is in front of you and always near you.

Remember, things can be replaced. Your life can’t. If you’re going to protect anything, let it be your identification and you. You got this and I believe in you. You’re going to have so much fun.