Travelling solo as a woman can be an incredibly empowering experience, but safety should always be a top priority. Thankfully, technology offers a variety of apps designed to help you stay secure, connected, and organised on the go. Whether you’re navigating a new city, finding safe accommodations, or keeping loved ones updated, these must-have apps will make your journey smoother. Here’s a travel recap of the best apps every solo female traveller should download before her next adventure.
1. Money & Budgeting
Tengah – When shopping in markets or dealing with local vendors, haggling can be overwhelming, and it’s easy to overpay. Tengah is an essential app that ensures you never get ripped off, providing real traveller-reported prices for goods and services in the exact same location within the last three months. With its AI-powered image recognition, you can snap a photo of an item and instantly see what others have paid for similar products. Tengah also works offline, so you can access fair prices even without an internet connection. It doesn’t just save you money—it enhances your travel experience by fostering genuine, stress-free interactions with local vendors. If you want to shop smarter and stretch your budget further, this app is a game-changer.
For further tips on shopping overseas, check out our blog post – Haggling 101: Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Revolut / Wise – Avoid foreign transaction fees and manage multiple currencies easily. These apps also offer secure virtual cards for online bookings, and just in case you lose your ATM card.
Trail Wallet – Track your travel expenses effortlessly to stay within budget.
2. Safety & Emergency Apps
bSafe – bSafe is a must-have personal safety app for solo female travellers. It offers features like live location sharing, an SOS button that alerts emergency contacts, and a fake call option to help you get out of uncomfortable situations. The app’s ‘Follow Me’ feature lets trusted contacts track your journey in real-time, giving you peace of mind when exploring unfamiliar places.
Noonlight – Noonlight connects directly to local emergency services with just a tap. If you feel unsafe, hold down the button until you’re secure—if you release it without entering a PIN, authorities will be alerted with your location.
TripWhistle Global SOS – This app provides emergency numbers for every country, ensuring you can quickly contact local police, medical, or fire services wherever you are.
3. Navigation & Transportation
Google Maps (Offline Maps) – Avoid getting lost by downloading offline maps of your destination. Google Maps also offers real-time transit updates and walking directions.
Citymapper – Great for navigating public transport in major cities, Citymapper provides step-by-step directions, disruptions, and even the safest routes at night.
Uber / Lyft / Grab – Ride-hailing apps are often safer than random taxis, as they provide driver details, route tracking, and emergency assistance features.
4. Accommodation & Local Connections
Hostelworld / Booking.com – Find female-only dorms or well-reviewed hostels and hotels with verified guest reviews. Booking.com also offers free cancellation options.
Solo Female Travelers Network (Facebook Groups / Apps) – Connect with other solo female travellers for advice, meetups, and local tips. Apps like Tourlina (for women-only travel buddies) can help you find like-minded explorers.
5. Communication & Translation
Google Translate – Download languages offline to communicate easily, especially in places where English isn’t widely spoken. The camera translation feature is a lifesaver for menus and signs.
WhatsApp / Telegram – Stay in touch with family and friends via free messaging and calls over Wi-Fi. Share your live location for added safety.
Final Travel Recap: Stay Smart, Stay Safe
Solo female travel is all about confidence and preparation. By using these apps, you can enhance your safety, ease navigation, and make meaningful connections on the road. Whether it’s an emergency SOS, a last-minute hostel booking, or a quick translation, technology has your back.
Safe travels! Travel recap ✈️🌍💛