Is London Safe for Solo Women Backpackers? 11 Handy Tips (2022)

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Is London safe for solo female travellers + backpackers? I’ve rounded up 11 of the best tricks to staying safe in London for your next visit!

One thing you may be thinking if you’re a female solo traveller,  is London safe? If you’re thinking of exploring London by yourself, you’re going to want to know how to navigate the city and how to look after yourself. 

According to Smarter Travel, London is the 14th safest city in the world. That’s pretty high when you realise there are over 10,000 cities in the world! 

Nine times out of ten, I feel totally safe in London.

However, I’ve learnt the following ways to always make sure I feel safe. There have been fleeting moments when I’ve felt uneasy, or I’ve found myself looking over my shoulder, so it is important to know how to stay safe in London when you’re a solo female traveller or backpacker.  

As always, my DM’s on Instagram are always open, and if you have a question about staying safe in London, I’d be more than happy to answer!

🇬🇧 Moving to London? Check out my guides to Putney (the best neighbourhood to live in, in my incredibly biased opinion!)

🇬🇧 My London must-have: A wheelie backpack! Check out my favourite, the Osprey 65L wheeled backpack. It’s dreamy for long-term trips and when you need more than a carry-on!

Is London safe? Top 11 tips for staying safe as a female solo traveller

1. Stick to busy and well-known areas

London is a busy city. Chances are, you’ll be surrounded by people twenty-four hours a day if you stick to the right areas. Stay on the main roads, busy and well-known places if you’re walking alone. 

For example, whilst I lived in Bow (East London), there were a few streets I’d know to avoid if I was travelling alone.

This was because they were dimly lit, away from any busy areas and usually had loiterers hanging around.

This immediately makes a solo female traveller feel uneasy, and if it can be avoided, it definitely should be. 

🦉 TOP TIP: As a newbie to the city, it’s impossible to know where the ‘dodgy’ streets are. Your best bet is to stay away from any side roads late at night, and only walk in areas that have a substantial amount of other people around you. 

If you do need to cut through some side streets, always be sure to let someone know where you are.

Smartphones are great for sharing your location and letting others know your ETA and route. Do this – your friends would much rather you send them your location for ten minutes than see you get into an altercation late at night!

🗺️ My London must-have: A portable power bank. Don’t get caught short and lose your phone battery whilst travelling! If you’re solo travelling, you’re going to rely on it to get you from A to B, and not lose your way on the London Underground.

2. Keep your valuables close to you at all times

This may sound like an obvious one, but I cannot count the number of times I’ve seen mobile phones and purses hanging out of back pockets around London. Pickpockets DO exist in London, and they will manage to steal from you if you don’t hold your valuables close!

Don’t take out too much cash in one go, and keep all of your valuables somewhere that you can see them. Pickpockets are experts at noticing inexperienced tourists and travellers, so don’t fall into their trap!

🇬🇧 Visiting London for the first time? The London Explorer Pass gives your 30% discount on London’s top attractions. You can create your own PERFECT London itinerary! I’d highly recommend it for first-timers wanting to explore London on a budget. You can check it out here!

3. Save British emergency numbers in your phone

Knowing your emergency numbers is vital. Hopefully, you’ll never need to use them, but it’s so important you know them just in case! These numbers are totally free and even work with low signal. 

🦉 For all emergency calls, dial 999 or 112. 

If it’s not an emergency but you still need to speak to someone, dial 101. They’ll connect you with the nearest police station. 

🇬🇧 My London must-have: Solo travelling but still want to take photos?  📸 I’ve found the most perfect adjustable tripod that’s lightweight and easy to set up (you don’t want any awkward moments alone, I know how it feels!)

4. Trust your gut instinct

Although you’re an independent woman backpacking solo, you’ll find a lot of times you’ll need to rely on the goodness of strangers. 

Most people you talk to and rely on for directions or help are decent human beings, but we all know that sometimes people just don’t have the best intentions. This is when it’s vital to trust your gut. 

Don’t be afraid to lie. It’s way easier to get yourself out of a situation sooner rather than later. 

Be rude if you have to be.

Back in 2018 in Vietnam, my friend and I had to jump out of a taxi driver’s car mid-drive (I kid you not, I wish I had it on video) because he was giving us such scary vibes. We later found out he was scamming us out of $100.

It was awkward, but I immediately had a bad gut feeling about him.

Turns out when I checked my money converting app, I was right. 

🇬🇧 TOP TRAVEL BUY: I use my Insta Mini 11 to take photos on all of my trips. As they print instantly, they’re perfect for making a scrapbook and writing in all your favourite and funniest memories. I’ve even got my boyfriend joining in on it now too!

5. Avoid solo late-night public transport

This is a really annoying one as I believe we should all be entitled to use public transport at any time of day.

Ninety-nine percent of the time, the public transport in London is safe at all times of the day.

But, late at night and in the dark, you do get the occasional drunken man or group of rowdy men. It can be intimidating and something you can try and avoid. 

🦉 If you are going to use public transport at night in London, I’d advise jumping on the tube.

I’ve found the tube to be relatively busy at all times of the day. It’s quite rare you’d be on the tube alone or with just a couple of other people.

There are also emergency bells and levers you can activate to alert the driver immediately. 

If you’re going to use Uber, follow the steps I’m going to highlight in the next section. I’m a big fan of Uber, but it’s important to know how to use it safely. 

🇬🇧 TOP TRAVEL BUY: If you’re solo travelling, don’t forget to take earphones for busy London tubes and public transport. Listening to a podcast or tuning out from the noise is a lifesaver on a busy city trip!

6. Always let someone know where you are, especially if you’re in an Uber or taxi

Another way of staying safe in London is to always let someone know where you are. Similar to location tracking, smartphones are great at allowing anyone to track your taxi or Uber. This is so important when you’re travelling alone!

If you’ve ordered an Uber, be sure to double-check the license plate before entering the car. Following this, ask the driver who he is here for.

Wait for them to say your name; don’t tell him/her yours. This ensures you’re with the right, licensed driver for your journey.

I’d strongly recommend using a taxi company that has an app if you’re a solo female traveller in London.

If you use a minicab company or one you’ve found out and about, there’s no way your family or friends can track your journey.

When you’re sitting in the cab, you can use Google Maps to follow your journey home and ensure you’re on track.

Call a friend if you’re feeling uneasy, as it alerts the driver that someone knows where you are. 

🇬🇧 TOP TRAVEL BUY: Solo travelling in London? Stay safe by carrying your cash or card in a money belt. I know it sounds silly, but London can be chaotic and pickpockets are known to work in busy areas. it’s better to be safe than sorry!

7. Avoid using your headphones at night

I’ll admit, I’m guilty of this one.

But it’s common sense really. If you have Drake on full blast playing through your earphones and you can’t hear anything that’s going on around you, you’re going to be less aware of your surroundings, ultimately making you more vulnerable.

If you can go five minutes without listening to your favourite song, I’d strongly advise walking without headphones late at night. 

🇬🇧 TOP TRAVEL BUY: If you’re solo travelling, don’t forget to take earphones for busy London tubes and public transport. Listening to a podcast or tuning out from the noise is a lifesaver on a busy city trip!

8. Always carry a portable charger

If you’re travelling alone in London, I’d always advise you to carry a portable charger for your mobile phone. Not only is this needed for directions and communication, but it’s vital that you have a phone battery in emergencies.

Can you imagine that dodgy gut feeling sinking in and you have a dead phone? 

Portable chargers aren’t that expensive, and you can buy a tiny one that fits into your purse or pocket. It may seem annoying, but trust me, it could save your life! 

🔌 Whilst you won’t want to be glued to your phone whilst travelling London, I highly recommend carrying a power bank. Losing battery and not having a map would not be ideal! I use this power bank, and it’s not let me down yet! It easily lasts a whole week trip!

🎒Need new luggage? Check out my favourite, the Osprey 65L wheeled backpack. It’s dreamy for long-term trips or when you need more than a carry-on!

9. Prep your route before travelling, and know it well

Anyone can spot a tourist looking lost and confused on the street. Imagine the wrong pair of eyes see this? You could be putting yourself in a really vulnerable position by not knowing what you’re doing.

Always be sure to know your route home, especially if you’re travelling home solo. If you end up in a new bar or location, do a quick TFL or Google search checking your journey back so you’re prepared for your route back. 

Contrary to this, if a random asked where you’re staying or where you’re travelling to, don’t be afraid to lie.

It’s pretty normal to not want to let the guy asking you at the train station know where you’re going. 

📸 Solo travelling but still want to take photos? I’ve found the most perfect adjustable tripod that’s lightweight and easy to set up (you don’t want any awkward moments alone, I know how it feels!)

10. Act confident (even if you aren’t)

One of the best ways to stay safe in London is to fake it til you make it. Seriously. 

Even if deep down you’re feeling way out of your depth and like you just want to crawl up into a little ball and cry. You’re a solo, independent and fierce female traveller in one of the best cities in the world.

If you look scared, worried or confused, people will pick up on it. And quick. Walk with purpose, intent and confidence, fully aware of your surroundings (you can even bring sunglasses if you feel like that will add extra sass). 

Walk just like the independent queen you are. No one will dare to interrupt. 

🌎 Travelling for the first time? You’re in the right place! Check out my essential travel kit for EVERY type of trip, big or small!

11. Be KIND!

This may sound like an odd one when thinking of whether London is safe or not, but being kind to others will actually help you to stay safe on your trip to London. 

The last thing you want to do is treat the locals like a walking Sat-Nav or accessory. Treat them like a friend, engage in conversations and they will do the same in return.

And let’s be honest, we could all do with a few more people having our backs!

In general, people are good. People are kind. If you treat them well, they’ll do their best to return the favour.

Be conscious of your body language, your wording and look people directly in the eye if you’re speaking to them. Smile, greet them in their own language and say goodbye. It will make the world of difference!

Being kind will directly impact how safe you are on your trip.

I’m not saying it solves everything, but being nice to the locals will immediately bump you up from the typical busy tourist who hasn’t got a nice word to say to anyone. 

Useful apps for staying safe in London

• I’ll start off with Uber. I’m sure you’re familiar with Uber, but it’s a great way to journey solo as your family and friends can easily track the route as you travel. 

• Citymapper allows you to follow area maps even when you’re offline. Download some of your local areas before heading out to ensure you can travel safely on the right route at any time. 

• Shake2Safety allows users to input emergency contacts to which a message, location, audio or photo can be sent in an emergency situation. Simply shake your phone or click the unlock button 4 times to send the alert. This can also be used without wifi and when your phone is locked. 

• The Circle of 6 app allows you to save 6 contacts of your choice which can be notified in just two taps if you’re in an emergency situation.

• As horrible as it sounds, One scream works by being able to detect the scream of a panicked female. A loud siren will go off, and after 20 seconds an automated voice call and message will be sent to your emergency contacts. 

🇬🇧 Visiting London for the first time? The London Explorer Pass gives your 30% discount on London’s top attractions. You can create your own PERFECT London itinerary! I’d highly recommend it for first-timers wanting to explore London on a budget. You can check it out here!

What should I avoid in London?

When talking about staying safe in London, it’s best to use common sense and avoid the same things you would in any city.

For example, don’t walk around alone late at night, especially in quieter areas that have high crime rates. In general, London is safe at night, but it’s always important to keep your wits about you and be with others when possible.

Is London safe at night?

In general, London is a safe area to walk around, even for solo female travellers.

Of course, walking around anywhere at night is a bit more daunting than during the day, so as I said, keep your common sense hat on and you will be ok.

Is London safe? In a Nutshell

So, is London safe for solo female travellers? Overall, yes. London is a really safe city to travel solo in, and like I previously mentioned, there have been very few times in London that I have felt unsafe. 

In summary, be kind, be aware, be ready and notify friends of your location. Keep them in the loop – it could save your life!

I hope this post has helped you with some ideas for staying safe in London, and you’ll feel more confident to book that solo trip and explore the city! 

As always, my DM’s are open on Instagram, and if you have any worries or questions, you can contact me on there or in the comments below. 

Stay safe! 🙂

Jennie x

Like this post? check these out!

• Where to live in London: The Ultimate Neighbourhood Guide
• Fun Things To Do In Putney, London: A Local’s Guide
• Walks Near Putney: Putney Heath, Putney River Walk & Beyond
• Where’s Next For Us? A 2021 Update

Hey you! 🙋‍♀️ I quit my job in 2021 to become a full-time travel blogger + visit as much of the globe as possible. Come and join me on my chaotic and hilarious travel journeys!

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