8 Tips To Stay SAFE Solo Traveling

I traveled to 10 states solo

Here is what kept me safe:

Disclosure: Please not that this article contains affiliate links, at no additional cost for you I earn a commission if you make a purchase. I would never recommend anything I don’t personally use.

1. Tell people where you are.
   Let at least 2 people know where you are, what you do and how long it will take. Update them and make sure they check in regular with you. I recommend it to be at least one of them that is also in the US, so not just your mom. Sorry babes but she can’t do much from your homecountry if you get stuck somewhere.

2. Turn on GPS.

   At least one person should have access to your location at all times! If you have an iPhone you can turn on your location over ‘find my’. Otherwise just share your live location over messenger or WhatsApp.

3. Don’t go out after dark.

   I know your are strong and independent but please don’t be stupid. Going out after dark as a female is NOT clever. Just make sure you’re back in your hostel/hotel when it get’s dark.

4. Have a security gadget

   I have always a little pocket alarm with me (Shown on the right). I can pull it as soon as I don’t feel safe and it makes a horrible loud alarm. So loud it makes you stop thinking. The good thing is you can take it with you on an airplane. If you travel just around your home think about a pepper spray.

But what if you plan to sleep in your (rental) car?

In that case you want to take extra steps to stay safe and especially find a safe space to park the car to sleep in.

1. Save parking

   For sure a free campsite would be the perfect situation and they’re are quite a few in the US. But otherwise you want to find a parking lot with light and in the best case with security cameras. This would be a parking lot from a hotel, (I recommend cheap ones, they don’t patrol them and ask you to leave) a Walmart parking lot (Well-known secret from van traveler, they allow 24 hour parking) or a parking lot from a mall.

2. Timing

   The time you park the car is important. Here you want to arrive after dark! This is to make sure no one sees you planning to sleep in the car.

3. Secure the car

   Lock the car, have the keys close to you, leave the driver seat free and park the car in a way you can immediately leave if you feel in danger.

4. Listen to your gut-feeling

   If your tummy feels funny after you found a parking spot, listen to it. Drive away and find another parking spot until you feel okey. And I don’t mean the feeling of being a little nervous because you do it for the first time. I mean the feeling you know something feels off. Maybe it’s a person who is also in that parking lot or something else. Your tummy knows best.

I honestly love to car camp. It’s cheap and you can stay super flexible with your travel plans!  

Travel safe until next week!  

Love Michelle, your AuPair bestie

Buy on Amazon