Is London Safe for Solo Female Travellers? Tips From A Local
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Is London safe for solo female travellers? I’ve rounded up 11 of the best tricks and tips 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 completely 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 tourist.
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!
Other London posts:
- BEST Brunches in East London: A Local’s Guide!
- Best Pubs in Putney: A Local’s Guide
- Walks Near Richmond, London: A Local’s Guide
- Best Brunch in Putney: A Local’s Guide
Is London safe for solo female travellers? A Summary
Whilst it’s impossible to say whether an entire city is ‘safe’ or not, each city you visit will have a different feel to it. As someone who has travelled all over the world, I’ve been surprised at some of the cities I’ve found safe or unsafe (including finding a city in the US less safe than a city in Central America, for instance).
It’s important to remember that what might feel safe for me, may feel different to you. And what might feel dangerous to me, may feel safe to you. It’s all about the experiences, people and actions you take in a new city that will deem it to be ‘safe’ or not.
However, as someone who has lived in London all of their life (minus the long-term travel), London, in general, has shown me nothing but safety and comfort. I have travelled all over London, on trains, buses, bikes, tubes, on foot, at all times of the day. And for the majority of these times, I have been completely safe. Yes, there may be a builder who wants to catcall, or someone aggressively asks for money on the side of the street, but London is no different to any other city in that regard.
But of course, there are aspects of visiting London and staying safe that will come down to common sense. For instance; don’t wave your iPhone around in a busy area. Or don’t meet someone from a dating app in a private place. But again, these are general safety rules; not just for London.
In the following post, I discuss some of the non-negotiable rules I follow as a female in London. All of the tips in this post help me to stay safe on a daily basis in London, and to continue to love the city just as much as I do!
Where to stay in London as a solo female traveller
If you are visiting London as a solo female traveller, these are some of the best places to stay. From female-only hostels to cosy hotels, there are plenty of accommodations in London to make you feel safe and secure!
- For solo female travellers in East London: London’s FIRST female-only hostel! Hostelle London is located just a stone’s throw from Columbia Flower Markets and Shoreditch High Street. ➡ CHECK PRICES NOW!
- For budget backpackers: check out Kip Hostel in Hackney. ➡ CHECK PRICES NOW!
- For a cosy apartment just a few minutes away from Putney High Street and the woodlands of Putney Heath: ➡ BOOK APARTMENT NOW!
- If you’d rather stay in Richmond, a stone’s throw from the River Thames and Richmond Park, check out the beautiful Richmond Hill Hotel. ➡ BOOK A HOTEL ROOM NOW!
- For a fun and budget hostel in Southwest London, check out the PubLove @ Clapham! ➡ BOOK A HOSTEL ROOM NOW!
Getting around London as a solo female traveller
Getting around London is easy and safe for solo female travellers. The majority of the time, both the London Underground and London buses are safe to use. I have used the tube and buses on and off for the past sixteen years, and there have been exceptionally few times I felt unsafe (including at night).
If you do feel unsafe on a tube or a bus in London, don’t be afraid to get off. It’s rare, but when I have felt a little unsafe on the tube, I just get off at the next station and wait for the next train. Do whatever makes you feel comfortable.
However, if you are walking around at night and do feel nervous, you can get either an Uber or a traditional London Black Cab – which can be hailed from the side of the street. Both are considered safe modes of transport in London for solo female travellers.
There are regular trains until midnight and buses in East London 24 hours a day. The London Underground Central Line and Jubilee Line is 24 hours at the weekend, and there are certain night buses that run 24 hours a day, seven day a week. You can use your contactless card on both trains and buses in London.
There are many towns in London that are walkable and close to each other. Just be sure to Google Map your journey at the start to check the distance and timings (you don’t want to be walking from East to West London, as that would take hours!).
For cheap train tickets to and from London, check out Trainline. Overground trains in the UK are exceptionally safe and easy to use. We book with them whenever we are leaving the city, and want to get to other locations in the UK (including airports). ➡ CHECK TRAIN PRICES NOW!
Is London safe? Top 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.
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!
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!
I recently read a statistic online that said a phone in London is stolen every six minutes. In 2022, over 91,000 mobile phones were stolen, equating to 250 per day! It’s common sense to keep your phone close to you, don’t wave it around in busy areas, and don’t leave it hanging out of your pocket.
If you need to withdraw money, don’t take out too much cash in one go. Keep all of your valuables somewhere that only you can see them. Pickpockets are experts at noticing inexperienced tourists and travellers, so don’t fall into their trap!
3. Save British emergency numbers in your phone
Knowing your emergency numbers is vital, and something I encourage in every country in the world. 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.
🏥 For medical questions and non-emergencies, dial 111.
🚓 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.
4. Trust your gut instinct
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!
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. But, my gut was right.
Trust your gut instinct when staying safe in London. If something doesn’t feel right, avoid it and leave the situation.
5. Avoid solo late-night public transport
Most of the time, public transport in London is safe, regardless of it being at night or not. Personally, I have used the London Underground solo even past midnight. 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.
6. Always let someone know where you are, especially if you’re in an Uber or Black Cab
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, a 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. Nowadays, even the Black Cabs in London have an app (it’s called Gett). 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.
7. If you’re dating in London, always meet in a private place
This one isn’t just for London, but a general solo female safety tip for travelling. Whilst the person you are potentially going on a date with likely won’t want to hurt you, there have been too many stories in the past of women getting caught up with the wrong men from the Internet.
If you are dating in London (go you!) make sure to meet at a public place and somewhere that is busy. And, of course, let somebody know! Tell a friend what is happening, where you’re going and why. Forget embarrassment – your friends care about you. If anything were to happen, they’d never forgive themselves.
8. Avoid listening to loud music whilst walking at night
It’s common sense really. If you have music 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.
9. Always know where you’re going before you leave the hotel or hostel
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 to check your journey so you’re prepared for your route home.
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.
10. 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 awful 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! You can check out the portable charger I use to travel the world here.
11. Pre-download an eSIM
It’s worth downloading an eSIM on your phone to ensure you can use it for directions and avoid roaming charges as soon as you arrive. This also helps when wandering around London and needing signal for maps or directions.
If you get that icky gut feeling, the last thing you want is to not have any way to communicate with someone. There is wifi available in London, but you’ll often need a password (or even need to pay) to use it. Save yourself time and energy, and prep by downloading an eSIM.
ESIMs are easy to download and ready to use within a few minutes of purchasing, so there’s no longer a need to hunt down free Wifi! ➡ You can check out the prices and packages for eSIMs here!
12. Know at least basic English
This is for travellers who are from overseas. To stay safe in London as a solo female traveller, know some basic English. Basic English goes a long way when you’re in England!
If you know some basic English, it will also help you out if you’re stuck with something, or need help and advice. It really is key to staying safe in London. Download the Duolingo app and start practising at least 3 weeks before you arrive. As little as 15 minutes a day can help you with basic phrases!
13. Stay in hostels
As a backpacker myself, I’m a big advocate for hostels. Staying in hostels means you can make friends from day one, and there are people around you immediately.
During your stay at a hostel, you might become friends with a group of people and end up travelling around with them. Or, you might book tours and activities with the hostel, which again are always done in big, safe groups.
Hostels are a great way to stay safe whilst travelling in London. The reception desk is there to listen to you if you have any worries or fears, and they put your safety first.
14. Book a group tour or day trip
Another great way to stay safe in London is to throw yourself into a group tour. There are plenty of tours to choose from when visiting London (and I need to get round to doing them all myself!) But the point is, if you’re travelling in a group in London, you are immediately safer than travelling solo.
Booking a group tour, volunteering with Worldpackers or learning a new skill ensures you are in a safe environment. You’ll meet people with similar interests to you, at a similar age, as well as have a point of call in any emergencies. They’ll have your back from day 1!
Some of the best tours in London include:
- London Harry Potter World Tour: BOOK NOW!
- Hop-on, Hop-off tour: BOOK NOW!
- Day trip to the Cotswolds: BOOK NOW!
15. Act confident (even if you aren’t)
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’ve got this!
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. Act confident, even if you’re not.
16. 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.
Is London safe for solo female travellers? FAQs
1) 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.
2) 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.
3) Do I need a SIM card to travel around London?
Yes, it’s worth downloading an eSIM on your phone to ensure you can use it for directions and avoid roaming charges as soon as you arrive.
ESIMs are easy to download and ready to use within a few minutes of purchasing, so there’s no longer a need to hunt down free Wifi! ➡ You can check out the prices and packages for eSIMs here!
Is London Safe? In a Nutshell
So, is London safe for solo female travellers? Overall, yes. London is a safe area for solo female travellers. As I previously mentioned, there have been very few times in London that I 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 plan it into your England itinerary!
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!
- Fun Things To Do In Putney, London: A Local’s Guide
- Walks Near Putney: Putney Heath, Putney River Walk & Beyond
- BEST Brunches in East London: A Local’s Guide!
- Best Pubs in Putney: A Local’s Guide
- BEST Restaurants in Putney: Local’s Guide
MEET THE AUTHOR!
Hi! I'm Jennie! As a part-time travel blogger based in London, I'm using my 10+ years of travel expertise to encourage & inspire you to step out of your comfort zone through sustainable, mindful and purposeful travel.
If I'm not writing, I'm either reading, drinking coffee or taking a wild swim (all at the same time if I'm feeling impressive).
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