Book Recommendation: A Guide to Travel Safety & Security for Solo Female Travelers
Are you a woman who wants to travel somewhere but hesitate because there’s no one to travel with you, or because you’re afraid to travel on your own?
If that sounds familiar, then this guide may be just what you need.
Recently, I read a very practical and visually appealing travel safety guide titled, A Guide to Travel Safety and Security for Solo Female Travelers written by S. Anne Marie Archer.
Although this guide was written specifically with Black women and women of color in mind, the information is certainly not exclusive to them. Women of all backgrounds can benefit from the valuable safety insights shared in this guide.
About the Author
Anne Marie Archer is an experienced traveler who has visited more than 40 countries. In addition to traveling extensively, she curates group travel experiences for women and has professional experience in the international development sector, where she was responsible for the safety of employees working in different parts of the world.
In other words, she knows what she is talking about.
Throughout the guide, she encourages women to:
Travel safely. Travel smart. But most importantly, travel joyfully.
That message alone resonated with me.
What This Guide Covers
This downloadable guide is concise and easy to read – about 41 pages in total – and includes:
- An introduction and conclusion
- 10 short chapters
- Practical travel safety strategies
- Numerous links to helpful resources
- Tips for planning safer travel experiences
The guide is sold as a downloadable PDF, and there is no print version currently available.
What I Liked About This Guide
One of the first things that caught my attention was the design.
The front cover is visually striking, featuring a fashionable bald-headed woman with an airplane flying above her. It’s colorful, modern, and inviting. Honestly, the design alone made me want to start reading.
Inside, the layout is equally appealing. The pages are colorful, easy to follow, and not overloaded with text. Photographs and visual elements support the content, making it a pleasant and engaging read.
And I appreciate that.
Because when something looks inviting, you’re more likely to read it.
But beyond the visuals, the real value lies in the practicality of the information. The author presents useful, straightforward advice that travelers can actually apply.
What I Personally Learned
Now, I travel quite a bit, so much of the information shared in this guide was already familiar to me.
However, and this is important, I still learned something new.
The section on ride-sharing safety stood out to me the most.
In recent years, I have started using ride-sharing services more frequently, particularly in places like Ghana, where services such as Bolt are commonly used. After reading this guide, I realized there were a few safety practices I had overlooked and honestly, that made me pause.
For example, one important reminder was not to tell the driver your name first. Instead, the safer practice is to ask the driver who they are picking up, confirm that they say your name, and then verify the license plate before getting into the vehicle.
Well… here’s my confession.
I had been doing the exact opposite.
I would mention the driver’s name first and wait for him to confirm it. Arghh! The totally wrong thing to do.
I also realized that I wasn’t consistently checking the driver’s reviews before getting into the vehicle which is something that now seems so obvious.
Thankfully, nothing bad ever happened, but reading this section reminded me that even experienced travelers can benefit from refreshing their safety knowledge and correcting small habits that could make a big difference.
I also appreciated the discussion about selecting hotels, including what questions to ask and what factors to consider when choosing both the location and the type of accommodation.
These are practical reminders that matter.
Who This Guide Is Best For
I would especially recommend this guide for:
- Women considering solo travel
- First-time international travelers
- Women who feel hesitant about traveling alone
- Travelers who want a quick-reference safety guide
- Anyone who wants practical reminders about travel safety
Even seasoned travelers may find helpful reminders inside.
Where to Get the Guide
This guide is available as a downloadable PDF and can be purchased directly from the author’s website. I did not see it listed on Amazon at the time I purchased it.
I will include the link below so you can explore it further if you’re interested.
I am sharing this recommendation simply because I found the information helpful. I do not receive a commission from this recommendation.
My Final Thoughts
Traveling solo can feel intimidating, especially in uncertain times. But with the right preparation and awareness, it can also be empowering and deeply rewarding.
This guide offers practical insights in an easy-to-read format, and I believe many women, especially those considering traveling alone, will find it helpful.
And even if you already travel frequently, as I do, it never hurts to refresh your safety knowledge and learn something new.
So here is where you can buy this guide:
