Get Over Your Fears of Traveling Alone for the First Time

Have you ever wondered how so many women confidently take off on solo adventures, while the idea of traveling alone fills you with fear?

The thought of getting lost, dealing with emergencies, or just being alone in a new place can feel overwhelming. But what if you could learn how to travel solo without letting fear hold you back?

I’m Bing, the author of There’s Wonder Around the Bend: An Inspiring Guide for Solo Road Tripping, and I’ve been traveling solo for over seven years. During this time, I’ve covered more than 60,000 miles by myself. And guess what? I rarely feel afraid. Solo travel is one of the most freeing and empowering experiences a woman can have, and with the right knowledge and preparation, you can embrace it too.

Today I'm addressing some of the most common fears women face when considering solo travel and showing you how to deal with them head on, ultimately exchanging fear for confidence. 

Spoiler - you can find these tips (and more!) in my FREE Super Simple Guide to Solo Road Trip Safety.  Grab it ➡️ HERE

Why Does Solo Travel Seem So Scary?

The idea of traveling alone can seem intimidating at first, especially if you're used to having a travel companion or group. It’s natural to be concerned about safety, getting lost, or handling unexpected situations alone. The fear stems from the unknown—the unfamiliarity of the journey, the lack of control, and the potential dangers that seem so much more real when you’re by yourself.

But here’s the thing: much of that fear comes from a lack of understanding. Think about when you first learned how to drive. At 16, you were excited but also fearful. You understood that bad things could happen, but you didn’t let that fear stop you. Instead, you took driver’s ed, you practiced with your parents, and you learned how to stay safe on the road. Over time, you became confident, and driving became second nature.

Solo travel is exactly the same. It’s scary because it’s new and unknown, but with the right information, you can trade fear for confidence, and soon you'll be heading off on a road trip packed with adventure and bursting with freedom and wonder. Let me show you how.

Safety First: 3 Keys to Solo Travel Confidence

When it comes to solo travel, safety is often top of mind. The good news is that there are practical ways to stay safe and secure while traveling alone. In fact, safety doesn’t have to be a source of fear—it can be your foundation for confidence.

Here are the three essential keys to feeling secure during your travels:

🗝 #1 - Be Proactive: Play Offense, not Defense!

The first step to traveling without fear is being proactive.  Think through the situations that cause you anxiety and come up with a strategy for managing them.

For example, if you’re concerned about a medical emergency, have your medical info, emergency contacts, and a list of any medications you take readily available. Prepare an envelope with this information and store it in your car for easy access in case something happens.

Planning also means choosing your destinations carefully. If you’re concerned about being far from a hospital or medical help, choose routes or destinations where help is nearby. The goal is to take steps to create solutions for the issues that keep you anticipate potential issues and have solutions ready.

🗝  #2 - Know Before You Go: Educate Yourself

Reacting to the unexpected in real time is scary and often leads to mistakes you wouldn’t make if you had time to think. Educating yourself before you leave will simplify and speed up decision-making as events unfold.

For example, let’s say you have a fear of being in a car accident and not being able to extricate yourself. Well, there are practical tools you can take with you to help in those situations:

• Carry an emergency auto tool that is a flashlight, a window-breaker, a seatbelt slasher, etc. Emergency kit, flares, etc.   How cool is that?
• As before, make sure your medical info is in your console where someone can get to it if you are unresponsive.
• You can’t stop the accident, but there are things you can do to make it easier.
• Knowing before you go how to equip yourself to deal with a car accident.

   Link to flashlight ➡️  Safety-First Wish List!

🗝  #3 -  Have a Plan: Prepare for the Unexpected

While you can’t predict every situation, having a plan for common problems can ease your mind. What would you do if you lost your phone? If your car breaks down? If your wallet is stolen? Knowing your first steps in these situations can prevent fear from taking over.

For example, have a list of important phone numbers written down (in case your phone dies or you lose it), know what to do in case of a flat tire, have a backup money plan (like a stash of cash or an extra credit card).  You get the idea!  Create your own list of safety concerns and think through an approach for each. 

But before you spiral downward into the abyss of horrible what-if scenarios, remember that you're preparation is to empower you.  It is highly unlikely that you're going to have most of these problems, but in the rare event that something goes wrong, knowing how to handle it will prevent the situation from ruining your trip.

Keep Your Valuables Safe: A Sneaky Trick

One of the most common fears women have about traveling alone is losing their valuables. Whether it’s your car keys, wallet, or phone, it’s easy to feel vulnerable if something goes missing.

I recommend having a "top secret" bag hidden in your car or luggage where you can store extra essentials like:

• A spare car key
• Cash (a few hundred dollars)
• An extra credit card
• Copies of important documents (driver’s license, health insurance cards)

I use a slash-proof, lockable bag that secures these valuables out of sight. It’s discreet and keeps your items safe from theft.

For examples of "Top Secret" bags and mini-safes, ➡️  Safety-First Wish List!

Personal Safety Hacks

In addition to planning and prepping, there are simple personal safety measures you can take to feel more secure. Here are two easy ones:

1. Carry Mace and a Whistle

If you’re concerned about your personal safety, carrying mace and a whistle can provide peace of mind. I carry both with me at all times. Mace is a straightforward tool for self-defense, while a whistle can alert others if you’re in trouble.

The Birdie Whistle is an no-brainer option for solo travel safety. It’s small, attaches to your lanyard or keychain, and emits a high-pitched, loud sound when pulled.  The Birdie Whistle is effective for detering attackers, animals, and alerting others to your distress.

   Link to Birdie Whistle ➡️  Safety-First Wish List!

2. Use a Doorstop for Extra Hotel Security

When staying in hotels, motels, or Airbnb rentals, I always pack a heavy-duty doorstop. Simply place it under your hotel room door to prevent unwanted guests from entering. It’s a simple yet effective way to increase your security, especially if you’re staying in a place that doesn’t have top-tier locks.

Pro-tip - not every doorstop does the job well if there is carpet in the room.  Unfortunately, basic doorstops will just slide on the carpet.  Purchase a heavy-duty doorstop.  It should be taller, adjustable, and include a no-slide bottom surface, like this one:

  Link ➡️  Safety-First Wish List!

Solo Road Tripping Tools that Breed Confidence

Traveling alone is an incredibly empowering experience. and investing time to prepare before you head out is the best strategy for both a safe trip and building confidence as you go.  We've just scratched the surface today, but there are so many more questions you need the answers to!  How to set your car up?  How to hike safely?  Camp safely?  What about traveling with a dog for safety?  I do have a lot of those answers and luckily, so many resources to help you! 

📍 You can pick up my book There’s Wonder Around the Bend.  I wrote an entire chapter on safety, and it takes everything we’ve talked about today and drills down into tons more details and practical examples.  Link ➡️ Grab your copy!

📍Grab the ➡️ FREE Super Simple Guide to Solo Road Tripping Safety

📍 I’ve even created an ➡️  entire playlist on my YouTube channel devoted to solo road trip safety. 

Listen, my freedom-loving friend - You can absolutely trade in your emotions and solo travel for confidence.  Allowing me to be your guide is a great first step!  The more you educate yourself, the less scary and more exciting traveling on your own can be.

Road tripping on your own can be a transformational experience for so many reasons, and becoming stronger and more confident just about tops that list!