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I admit it; as a (previously frequent and) solo traveler, I was and am always ready to go off the beaten path to find little known places even in touristy cities. There is just so much to see and do, and most of us want something unique, something that makes others realize there’s so much more to, say, Paris or Brussels, than what we read online.
Think of Thailand, for example. With 30 million visitors a year, it may be hard to find something to see or do in Bangkok that hasn’t been visited or done by hordes of backpackers before you. But of course, there’s always something, right? You just need to look for it.
The only challenge is that visiting these so-called hidden gems can involve safety risks, particularly when you are a woman traveling alone.
Here are some tips to make these “treasure hunts” a little bit safer and definitely more enjoyable as a result.
Prepare for the Unexpected
Always.
When you venture out to remote places, there’s no knowing whether you will have access to food or healthcare. You will have to arrange accommodation in advance, otherwise you run the risk of arriving there and finding out that the single hostel is fully booked for the night.
Things can get particularly dicey if you get hit by an adverse weather event. Last year, tourists in Thailand were stranded in shopping centers and other places due to intense flash floods. Phone batteries died, and people failed to contact each other for long, distressing hours.
While such instances are not in our control, preparation certainly is. So, if you want to go off-the-beaten-path, make sure to bring:
- a first-aid kit with supplies to treat common injuries, including cuts, scrapes, swelling, and sprains. That means bandages, antiseptic wipes and ointment (like Betadine), gauze, tape, and small scissors. (I always carry a first-aid kit when I travel, and I used it—for the first time!—during our recent trip to Hurghada, Egypt, when my boyfriend brushed accidentally against a coral while diving and cut his finger.)
- basic medications for pain relief, diarrhea, allergies, motion sickness, and of course, prescription meds.
- insect repellent and sunblock.
- a fully-charged power bank.
- food and water, even if it’s just a pack of two of nuts and dried fruit.
Use Private Transport Sparingly
Transport can become a pain point when you’re trying to find as many little known places as possible. Many of these are off the grid (that’s why they’re little known in the first place), and lack connectivity to public transport.
From a safety perspective, buses and trains can offer the comfort of company. Fellow travelers can also guide you to your destination. Some European cities, like Vienna, have trams running through some of the oldest parts of town.
When private transport becomes unavoidable, prefer a trusted cab provider that has integrated safety features, such as audio recording. The active Uber lawsuit raises apprehensions about the company’s sense of responsibility for passenger safety. Several users across the U.S. have reported driver misconduct.
According to TorHoerman Law, the backlash against Uber stems from the company’s alleged refusal to address warning signs or screen potentially dangerous drivers. Thankfully, the lawsuit has encouraged service providers to strengthen safety provisions for travelers, particularly in remote areas.
If you have to take Uber or any similar ride-hailing company, make sure to inform someone you trust of your trip. Share your real-time location with them, if possible.
Insist also on using the available safety features in the vehicle, such as audio/video recording and emergency alarms. Better safe than sorry, so do not worry about coming across as paranoid!
Build Local Connections
A local contact can be immensely helpful when you tread off the beaten track. This could be your local tour operator if you have booked the holiday through a travel agency. It could be a fellow traveler you have met and formed a connection with. Think of people you interact with frequently in the place you’re visiting.
Local connections can take effort to build for introverted travelers, but investing in them gets you someone who has your back among strangers.
Besides keeping you safe, local folk can also open new experiences during your travels. Personal insights into touristy places can help you see them in a new light. You may discover truths and meanings that others before you have overlooked.
A 2024 McKinsey report notes that this trend is commonly seen among luxury travelers, many of whom are focused on meeting new people during travel. They don’t fret about disconnecting from digital devices.
However, when in doubt, always trust your intuition.
Here’s hoping these tips will keep you protected on your adventurous travels. The pursuit of little-known places when you travel makes our experience especially uplifting and empowering. Just make sure to observe safety precautions so you can continue traveling years down the road!
Aleah Taboclaon is a location independent writer, editor, and the travel blogger behind Solitary Wanderer. She's partial to slow travel, and prefers extreme adventures like hiking and caving over sightseeing. She likes running (completed one marathon, training for the next!), diving (PADI open water diver), and traveling with her Kindle. Follow her on Instagram and Pinterest!
Latest posts by Aleah Taboclaon (see all)
- Off-the-Beaten Path Travel: Safety Advice for Solo Travelers - January 10, 2026
- 3 Things Your Emergency Travel Budget Should Cover - November 19, 2025
- 4 Ocean Sustainability Tips for Eco-Conscious Travelers - October 31, 2025
