Travelling alone can feel riskier for a woman than for a man. But that doesn’t mean you should stay home and wait for the perfect travel partner to magically appear.

Just follow these 14 tips to travel alone as a woman so you can stay safe and simplify everything.

1. Plan your trip carefully

Plan your trip and do your research long before you leave. Learn everything about your destination, its culture, the best places to visit, and those you should avoid.

See if, as a woman, you will be expected to dress or behave a certain way. Study a map of the area, and learn at least a few words in the local language.

2. Consider staying in a hostel

If you want to socialize, make new friends, and perhaps connect with other women travelling alone, consider staying in a hostel. They are usually affordable and can feature great amenities.

Look for accommodations near restaurants, important shops, and main attractions.

3. Pack as lightly as you can

You will be travelling alone, so you must carry all your luggage alone. So try to pack lightly, and bring only the essentials.

Consider using a backpack instead of a suitcase, as it’s easier to carry around when you’re on the go.

4. Make copies of your important documents

You should print out your booking confirmations if something happens to your phone. And be sure to make copies of all your important travel documents.

If you feel safe, keep the originals at your hostel or hotel and bring the copies. You will still have those precious documents if your bag is stolen during the day.

5. Consider paying mostly with a credit card

It could be a good idea to pay mostly with a credit card but always have a bit of cash with you if you go somewhere where cards are not accepted.

Also, consider keeping one additional credit card in your room if the one you use gets stolen.

6. Leave plenty of room in your schedule

It’s normal to want to do and see as many things as possible during your trip. But be sure to leave plenty of room in your schedule so you’ll have time for unplanned adventures or simply to rest when needed.

And keep in mind you’ll be exhausted when you reach your destination, especially if you cross multiple time zones.

7. Share your plans with your friends and family

Travelling alone doesn’t mean you should keep your plans a secret. Let some friends and members of your family know where you’re going, and share your plans with them.

Contact them regularly during your travel to let them know everything is alright so they won’t worry about you.

8. Let someone else do the driving for you

If you are uncomfortable driving in an unfamiliar location, let someone else drive for you instead of renting a car.

An airport limo service is one of the most popular choices. You can also ride in taxis, trains, subways, buses and coaches.

9. Connect with other women who travel alone

There are different online communities where you can connect with other women who like to travel alone. You could make some friends there.

And if eating your meals alone makes you feel lonely, don’t hesitate to invite other solo travellers to join you. They’ll probably be happy not to eat alone.

10. Be sure to talk to the locals

Don’t hesitate to talk to locals. They might have great information to share about places you should visit or avoid. You could even make some friends!

Plus, making sure that some locals know and recognize you could be useful if you ever get into trouble and need help.

11. Don’t share too much information about yourself

While you should speak with friendly locals, be careful about what you say to them. Don’t share too much information about yourself with people you don’t know.

If someone asks you questions that make you uncomfortable, just walk away. Also, avoid posting everything you do on social media. Wait until you get home to talk about the places you visited.

12. Wear a wedding ring

It might seem silly, but wearing a ring that looks like a wedding ring can help you avoid unwanted attention from men.

13. Always be aware of your surroundings

Being aware of your surroundings will help you stay safe. Know exactly where you are and what is going on around you.

This should help you notice if someone suspicious keeps staring at you or seems to be following you.

14. Do your best to appear confident

The last of our tips for travelling alone as a woman is to always do your best to appear confident. Even if you get lost or have a problem, try not to look worried or panicked.

Stay calm, and get help from someone who seems trustworthy.