Introduction

As a female traveler who has visited over 30 countries, I deeply understand the anxiety about safety when traveling alone. My years of travel experiences have given me unique insights and knowledge. From luxury hotels in Dubai to hostels in India, from aurora lodges in Iceland to capsule hotels in Japan, each accommodation experience has deepened my understanding of travel safety.

I remember being a complete novice during my first solo international trip. I knew nothing then, only looked at prices when booking hotels, and didn't know to check the surrounding environment. As a result, I stayed at a remote, run-down hotel in Venice. Lying in bed, I couldn't sleep all night hearing footsteps and voices outside. This experience taught me that while saving on accommodation costs is important, safety should be the primary consideration.

Three Steps for Booking Accommodation

Choosing the right accommodation is truly the first line of defense for travel safety. Now I spend considerable time researching and comparing different options before booking. I learned this the hard way during my first independent trip to Barcelona, where I made several mistakes with accommodation due to insufficient research. Now I strictly follow a mature process when booking.

First is checking the property's exact location. Many hotels advertise themselves as "city center" properties, but their actual locations can be disappointing. During my trip to Rome last year, I discovered that some so-called "city center" hotels were actually near the train station, a notorious security blind spot. Train station areas often attract various crowds, making them feel particularly unsafe at night.

Now I'm very particular about checking property locations, always using Google Maps to examine the surrounding environment. First, I look at the distribution of 24-hour convenience stores, which not only provide convenience but also serve as safety points at night. Police station locations are also a key focus - while you may not need them, their presence provides peace of mind. The distance to subway and bus stations is also important, preferably within a 10-minute walk, so you don't have to walk too far when returning to the hotel at night.

I pay special attention to the condition of surrounding streets. Through street view, I can see whether the area is a bustling commercial district or a remote residential area. If there are many abandoned buildings or graffiti along the streets, it might not be a safe area. In Paris, I specifically avoided some neighborhoods that looked complex and chose a hotel in the shopping district - while more expensive, it was much safer.

Secondly, carefully reading reviews is crucial. I particularly focus on reviews from female travelers since we share similar safety concerns. For example, when booking a hotel in Tokyo, I saw a review mentioning that the bathroom had frosted glass with another building directly opposite - details that wouldn't be mentioned in official descriptions.

I've developed a habit of filtering reviews from the past three months. Hotel service quality can change over time, whether due to management changes or facility aging. I once stayed at a highly-rated hotel in Seoul, only to find the front desk service had become poor, later learning they had recently changed owners. So recent reviews are most valuable.

Pay special attention to reviews from nighttime check-ins, looking for mentions of noise issues, security conditions, or front desk service. Once in Singapore, I immediately switched to a hotel with 24-hour staffing after seeing reviews mentioning the front desk was often unstaffed at night. This decision proved correct as I had early morning flights during my stay.

Finally, confirming security facilities is often overlooked but extremely important. According to recent travel safety surveys, up to 78% of single female travelers prioritize accommodations with 24-hour front desk service. This statistic isn't exaggerated - having someone downstairs who can help during midnight emergencies is crucial.

I carefully verify basic security facilities in each room booking. Security chains are essential - this simple device can buy precious time in emergencies. Peepholes are also important, allowing you to clearly see who's outside your door. Safes are now standard in many hotels, but their locations and sizes vary - if you're bringing a laptop, make sure the safe is large enough.

Smoke detectors are facilities I pay special attention to. Many might think this is excessive, but in unfamiliar environments, such basic safety guarantees are essential. Hallway surveillance is also an important reference, especially for solo female travelers. I once stayed at a hotel in Bangkok and felt uneasy at night because the corridors had no surveillance.

Check-in Rules

Just booking a good room isn't enough - safety awareness during your stay is equally important. This reminds me of an experience in Tokyo last year, where a girl in the next room was stalked after sharing her specific hotel location on social media. This incident left a deep impression on me and made me more aware of safety issues during hotel stays.

Upon arriving at the hotel, my first task is thoroughly checking the room. Door locks are crucial - ensure the door locks properly and the peephole isn't covered. Window locks also need checking, especially in lower-floor rooms. I once stayed at a guesthouse in Seoul and found the balcony door lock was faulty - fortunately, I discovered this in time and contacted the owner for repairs, otherwise, the consequences could have been unthinkable.

Bathroom door locks shouldn't be overlooked either. Even in your own room, a properly functioning door lock provides peace of mind while showering. I once stayed at an established hotel in London where the bathroom door lock was very loose, and I immediately requested a room change. Some might think I'm too cautious, but with safety issues, it's better to be overly careful than careless.

Setting up an escape route is homework I do every time I check in. Many think this is excessive, but according to International Tourism Association data, over 60% of travelers delay optimal escape time during emergencies due to unfamiliarity with their environment. This statistic is alarming, so I carefully check the location of emergency exits every time I check in.

I count the steps from my room to the nearest emergency exit and check if the fire escape signs are clearly visible. At a hotel in Madrid, I discovered the fire escape sign light was broken and immediately reported it to the front desk requesting repairs. These details may seem trivial but could be life-saving in emergencies.

Daily safety habits during your stay are also important. For instance, don't share your location on social media in real-time - this is really crucial. If you want to post photos, wait until after you've left. My current habit is to only share general city names, never specific addresses or itineraries.

Extra caution is needed when using elevators. If you feel uncomfortable about someone riding with you, don't hesitate to wait for the next elevator. At a hotel in Miami, I encountered a suspicious person wanting to share the elevator with me - I pretended to have forgotten something and didn't get in, later finding that person lingering on my floor for quite a while.

Valuable Items Management

Regarding property safety, I've summarized a "Three No's Principle": no expensive jewelry, no large amounts of cash, and no keeping all documents in one place. These principles seem simple but are lessons learned from numerous experiences.

Speaking of valuable jewelry, I remember witnessing a girl being robbed of her luxury watch on the Milan metro. Since then, I only wear simple accessories when traveling - they don't attract attention, and I won't feel too bad if they're lost. If you must bring valuable jewelry, keep it in the hotel safe and only take it out when needed.

Carrying cash is also crucial. 2023 data shows that 40% of travel property losses occur because everything is kept together. I've learned this lesson too - now I distribute cash: daily amounts in my wallet, backup in the safe, just in case.

Passport, cash, and credit card storage also requires strategy. My current approach is: passport and backup credit cards in the safe, ID and daily-use credit cards in my carry bag, small amounts of cash in my wallet. This way, even if theft occurs, losses are minimized.

In Prague, I saw a girl lose her entire trip after her bag containing all documents and cash was stolen. So now I always prepare backup plans, like keeping electronic copies of documents on my phone and noting down important document numbers, so problems can be handled promptly if they arise.

Choosing a carry bag is also particular. I now use anti-theft bags with zippers on the back and hidden pocket designs. These bags are especially useful in pickpocket-prone places like Barcelona. Once on Las Ramblas, a pickpocket tried to steal from me but failed due to the bag's design.

Money management needs to be flexible. I usually prepare two credit cards from different banks, one for daily use and one as backup. This way, if one card has issues, there's an alternative. When withdrawing cash abroad, I only use ATMs in banks or large shopping malls, never small street ATMs.

Essential Scam Prevention Skills

Speaking of scam prevention, I've seen quite a variety over the years. From "friendly" strangers at the Eiffel Tower to "helpful" guides outside the Roman Colosseum, various schemes keep emerging. According to 2023 European Tourism Police Union statistics, scam cases targeting Asian female tourists increased by 35% year-over-year. This statistic is alarming - as female travelers, we're indeed more likely to become targets of scammers.

I remember in Paris, a "helpful person" said my bag was open and offered to fix it, actually trying to steal my phone. This technique is especially common in Europe, often targeting solo Asian women. Now I follow a rule: excessive friendliness from strangers might indicate trouble.

I stay highly alert when strangers approach to chat or offer help. If someone asks to check your documents or requires you to show your bank card, they're likely scammers. In Rome, scammers posed as police, claiming they needed to check if tourists' documents and cash were fake, then switched them during inspection.

Another common scam involves "free gifts." Near Notre-Dame in Paris, people often hand out bracelets to tourists, saying they're free, then harass you for money after you accept them. My principle now is to never accept anything from strangers and ask for directions only from store or hotel staff.

Be especially careful of "black guides" near tourist attractions. They usually claim to be official guides who can help you skip long queues, but often charge exorbitant fees. In Rome, I saw tourists being charged five times the normal price for "fast track" access. Now I always book tickets in advance through official websites and never trust street "special offers."

Online scams also need attention. When using public Wi-Fi while traveling, it's best to use a VPN. I've seen people have their bank accounts compromised at airports due to unsafe networks. Now I carry a personal Wi-Fi device, and if I must use public networks, I never log into online banking or enter passwords.

Emergency Plans

Regarding emergency plans, many might think it's overly cautious, but when traveling alone abroad, having an emergency plan is better than none. My current practice is to immediately save local emergency numbers in my phone when arriving in a new city, including police, ambulance, and embassy numbers.

Saving these numbers in your phone is just the first step - I also carry the hotel's business card. Often, local taxi drivers might not know the way, so having a card with the address is much more convenient. Plus, if your phone dies or gets lost, these physical contact methods become especially important.

Downloading local taxi apps in advance is also important. In unfamiliar cities, especially at night, knowing you can call a car anytime provides important peace of mind. I experienced a subway strike in London once - fortunately, I had downloaded the local taxi app in advance, so my schedule wasn't affected.

Emergency contact settings shouldn't be overlooked either. I let family or friends track my location in real-time and check in at fixed times daily. In Seoul, it was through this method that my friend in China discovered I had encountered problems and got help in time.

Learn to identify safe areas. Every city has 24-hour establishments like convenience stores and fast food restaurants - these are places where you can seek help in emergencies. In Tokyo, I particularly note the locations of Family Mart and 7-11 because these places are not only open 24/7, but their staff also speak English.

Final Words

Through these years of travel experiences, I deeply understand that safety awareness isn't being overly cautious but allows us to explore the world more confidently. While solo travel is exciting, safety is paramount. I hope these experiences can help sisters preparing for solo travel, making your journeys both exciting and secure.

Remember, the best travels not only have wonderful stories but also safe returns. Every travel experience is valuable treasure, letting us learn to protect ourselves while exploring the world.

By the way, if you also have unique travel safety tips, welcome to share in the comments. Let's create a safer travel environment together, allowing every solo female traveler to confidently explore the world.