8 Must-Have Solo Female Travel Accessories for Safety and Comfort

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If I’m being completely honest with you, my packing list for a trip with my girlfriends doesn’t vary wildly from my packing list for solo trips, though I am a lot more meticulous about remembering the details, like toothpaste and shampoo. You’ll need the essentials anywhere you go, and these are my favorite solo travel accessories for any journey I take.

Birdie Personal Safety Alarm

solo travel accessories for solo travel for women — *My incredibly well-loved Birdie personal alarm. It might be time for an upgrade.*

This personal alarm is on my keys at all times, and I make sure I take it when I am traveling alone. When you pull the top off the alarm, it makes a shrieking, bird-like sound and begins flashing light. It comes in all different colors and makes you feel a little safer on a walk at night. If you’re a female traveling alone, this is a perfect, indiscrete safety tool.

Hiking Backpack

solo female traveling accessories — *My former much-loved travel backpack. I recently upgraded to the one linked above.*

In recent years, I’ve become a huge fan of a carry-all backpack for traveling. I’m not talking about a backpacking bag per say, but a more condensed version for day trips and excursions. Especially when you’re traveling alone, it’s always more convenient to be hands-free and not have to worry about lugging around an overflowing tote bag. The backpack keeps it simple and keeps you free to take as many pictures as you want along the road to document your solo travel!

Owala Water Bottle

solo trips for women accessories — *The neon yellow Owala on take on all my travels.*

I bought a 24 oz Owala water bottle before my last major road trip, and it has been a complete game-changer. It fits in my cup holders, in my backpack, and it’s just big enough to keep me hydrated throughout the day without weighing me down. I prefer the neon colors and currently own both the bright yellow and hot pink versions, but if you’re looking for a more muted palette, they’ve got those in store as well.

Baggu Go Pouches

solo travel for women accessories — *Baggu bag pouches in the fun fruit pattern. Far back is for hair care, front is for toiletries.*

My obsession with Baggu started when my stepsister showed me the versatility of their sport backpack. Now, I can’t go anywhere without at least one of their products. The go pouches are incredibly helpful when I’m solo traveling because I can designate each one for different products. Large bag is hair care, medium is toiletries, and small is meds and odds and ends. They’ve also pretty sturdy and I’m never nervous that a spill is going to wreak havoc on the rest of my luggage.

Reebok Sneakers

I’ve tried a lot of different kinds of sneakers on my travels, and I’ve found my Reeboks to be both the most stylish AND comfortable for long walks around different places. Obviously, if you’re going hiking, you’ll need a sturdier shoe or boot, but for walking around town and traipsing through the city, Reeboks are the way to go. You want to look and feel good even if you’re traveling alone!

A Good Book

*If this book doesn’t make you want to hike the PCT on your next solo trip, read it again.*

If you’re taking a solo trip, you’re going to need some entertainment (and your phone doesn’t count!). Wild is a great solo adventure travel pick- not only is this literally a story about a woman traveling solo, but it’s also an inspiring tale about redemption and the power inside each one of us. If you’re looking for a novel, try Elena Ferrante’s My Brilliant Friend. Also a story of female empowerment, there are four books in this series, so if you finish up the first one fast, you know exactly where to turn.

Silk Sleep Mask

I used to think that I was immune to the sensitivities of light while I slept. Then I realized that I woke up with the sun every morning, whether I’d slept enough or not, and if I wanted to change this reality, I’d need a solution. I got this sleep mask and never looked back (literally). It’s a game-changer for travel as well, because no matter where I am, I slip on my sleep mask and can block out any light or disturbances.

Moleskine Journal

You’re going to want to remember your solo trip, trust me. I have a special Moleskine journal that I take on each of my solo travel adventures to document what’s going on, how I feel, and the realizations I’m taking away from the journey. Moleskines are a little more expensive, but for a reason. They’re quite resilient and hold up even when they’re being lugged around in a backpack for several days.

Beyond these solo travel accessories, just make sure you have whatever you need to be comfortable on the journey. This trip is all about YOU and the things you bring are just meant to support you along the way and help you create your own solo travel aesthetic. Hit the subscribe button if you’re looking for more content about solo traveling as a woman in the 2020s.