What should I do first when I arrive in a new country alone?

Get to your lodging by a ride you arranged or a licensed one, register with your first initial and no title, and run the room checks before you unpack. Then message someone you trust that you have arrived.

Is it safe to take a taxi from the airport alone?

The State Department advises arranging airport transport in advance with a licensed and reputable company, and says informal taxis can be dangerous for women traveling alone in many places. Check the country guide for local transport notes.

STEP is the State Department's free enrollment service for US citizens. You enroll your trip and receive alerts from the embassy or consulate for your destination. If you are not a US citizen, check whether your own government offers a similar service.

What should I tell the person back home?

Share your flight, your lodging's name and address, and how to reach you. The State Department advises making sure a friend or someone you trust knows your plans and how to contact you.

First 24 Hours Arrival Checklist for Women

Tick-off checklist

First 24 Hours Arrival Checklist for Solo Women

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Before you land

Enroll in STEP if you are a US citizen
The Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) is a free service for US citizens that sends safety and security alerts from the nearest US embassy or consulate and helps them reach you in an emergency. If you hold another passport, check whether your government offers something similar.
Source: US State Department, Women Travelers
Arrange your ride from the airport in advance, with a licensed and reputable company
Source: US State Department, Women Travelers
Write down your lodging's name, address and phone number
Add the address in the local language if you can, so a driver can read it. CDC's packing list includes your lodging information.
Source: CDC, Pack Smart
Install your eSIM or check your roaming plan before you leave
Best eSIM for international travel
Tell someone you trust your plans and how to reach you
Source: US State Department, Women Travelers

At the airport

Save the local emergency number and your embassy's contact details
CDC's list includes US embassy or consulate information for each destination.
Emergency numbers for 50 countriesSource: CDC, Pack Smart
Get only the local cash you need for the first day
Message your contact that you have landed

Getting to your lodging

Use the licensed ride you arranged, or a licensed taxi or app-based ride
The State Department says that in many places informal taxis or minibuses can be dangerous, particularly for women traveling alone, and advises against hitchhiking.
Source: US State Department, Women Travelers
With an app ride, check that the car and driver match the app, and share the trip with someone you trust
App-based rides keep a record of the trip, and some let riders require the driver to confirm a PIN at pick-up.
Source: US State Department, Women Travelers
Do not tell strangers where you are staying
Source: US State Department, Women Travelers

Check-in and the first hour

Register with your first initial and no title
Source: US State Department, Women Travelers
Run the room checks before you unpack
Look at the locks, the phone, the alarms and the emergency exit.
Hotel room safety checklist
Photograph your passport and other documents, and keep copies apart from the originals
Source: US State Department, International Travel Checklist
Find the nearest police station and hospital on your map
The State Department advises knowing where local emergency services are before you need them.
Source: US State Department, Women Travelers
Save your insurance policy number and assistance line where you can reach them offline
Compare travel insurance

The first evening

Take a short walk in daylight to learn the streets around your lodging
Watch your drink, and do not accept drinks from strangers
Source: US State Department, Women Travelers
Keep the evening simple, and tell your contact where you are going
Latch and lock the door whenever you are in the room

Next morning

Read the country guide for local scams, transport notes and the current advisory
Country safety guides

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Sources read

The women travelers page was read on 2026-10-08. It is advice rather than rules, but the State Department updates it, so check the page again if you are reading this long after that date.

US State Department, Women TravelersAirport transport, app-based rides, registering with a first initial, not telling strangers where you are staying, watching your drink, knowing where help is, and the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program.
US State Department, International Travel ChecklistCopies and photos of travel documents.
CDC, Pack SmartLodging information, and embassy or consulate information for your destination.

A checklist helps you prepare. It is not a safety verdict for any place, and it does not replace the official advisory for your destination. Read the safety disclaimer and check the country guide for where you are going.

First 24 Hours Arrival Checklist for Solo Women

First 24 Hours Arrival Checklist for Solo Women

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