Travel Girls – Safety Tips for Meeting New Travel Partners

If you’re looking to team up with someone for your next trip, safety should always come first. Even experienced travel girls know that excitement can cloud your judgment when meeting strangers—especially in places you don’t know. People can look amazing online, but the truth is, not everyone has the same idea of safe and friendly travel.

Apps and social groups created for travelers make it easy to find like-minded explorers. But before you swipe right or answer that DM, you’ve got to be smart about how you check people out. There’s no shame in doing a deep dive into their profiles. Reverse image search their photos, skim reviews or comments from mutual friends, and trust your gut if anything feels weird. Your safety is worth five extra minutes of research.

• Choosing Safe Platforms and Apps
• Screening Potential Travel Partners
• Planning the First Meet-Up
• Staying Connected and Sharing Your Plans
• Trusting Your Instincts and Handling Issues

Choosing Safe Platforms and Apps

It’s honestly wild how many apps and websites claim to match up travel girls or solo explorers. But not all of them put safety first, and a sketchy site can connect you to people you don’t want to meet. The best move? Stick to platforms with verified users, built-in safety features, and lots of real reviews.

Look for apps like Tourlina (which only matches women with women) and Travello (with community reporting and trip verification). SafetyWing’s Nomad Insurance actually did a comparison and found over half of solo travelers choose Facebook groups, but dedicated travel apps have stronger safety checks. Couchsurfing, for example, has a profile-verification badge, but it’s best to double-check anyway because not all badges mean a full background check.

One thing people often skip: search for recent reviews of the app. If a bunch of users complain about fake accounts or scams, just move on. And remember, don’t give out personal contact info until you’re sure you’re talking to a real traveler. It might sound over the top, but identity theft and travel scams are a real risk in 2025.

“A good platform makes it easy to see who you’re meeting and gives you the option to flag suspicious users. Safety isn’t just about tech—it’s about giving travelers control.”
– Global Travel Security Review, 2024

Last tip: Platforms that let you choose meeting locations or suggest local events help you meet in public spots. That’s not just polite, it’s smart. When looking for travel partners, make travel girls safety your top filter every time.

Screening Potential Travel Partners

If you want to stay safe while looking for a new travel buddy, you need a solid screening process. Relying just on someone’s online profile is risky—a great smile and a fun tagline don’t mean you know what you’re getting into. Here’s how seasoned travel girls do it to avoid regret and awkward surprises down the road.

• Verify identities: Ask for their social handles, check LinkedIn or Facebook, and look for mutual connections. Someone legit won’t mind.
• Go beyond the app: Chat on video or voice call before you make any plan. Most red flags show up when you actually talk face-to-face.
• Mutual friends and reviews matter: Some platforms like Couchsurfing or GAFFL let users rate and review each other. Check these ratings for patterns. If you spot negative reviews or vague feedback, slow down.

Look for inconsistencies. If someone’s story changes or their social profiles don’t line up, trust that feeling. In 2023, a study by Statista reported that 68% of solo travelers used at least two platforms to cross-check potential travel partners—so you’re not alone playing detective.

If your partner dodges basic safety steps—like refusing a video call or acting cagey about details—move on. Plenty of people are looking for trustworthy travel mates; there’s no reason to settle for someone who feels off.

Planning the First Meet-Up

Meeting someone for the first time while traveling can be thrilling, but a little planning goes a long way to keep things smooth and safe. Don’t just rely on luck—lock down the details before you step out the door.

The golden rule? Choose a public place with plenty of people around. Cafés, hotel lobbies, or popular sightseeing spots are all smart calls. Avoid quiet parks or secluded areas, especially if it’s your first meetup. In fact, recent safety surveys show that 78% of solo travelers prefer busy locations for initial in-person meetings.

If you’re meeting after dark, make sure the spot is well-lit and easy to reach by public transport or taxi. Know how you’ll get there and plan your route home ahead of time. It’s helpful to send your location or meeting details to a friend or family member, just in case.

• Set a time limit for your meetup. Saying you have plans later lets you leave easily if you feel uncomfortable.
• Bring your own transportation. Having an exit plan gives you more control over your safety.
• If you’re in a country that uses ride-share apps, like Uber or Lyft, schedule your ride in advance. That way, there’s no awkward scramble if the vibe’s not right.

Keep your valuables close—wear a small crossbody bag or a money belt. Skip sharing personal documents, and don’t flash your passport or travel details to a new partner straight away.

Most importantly, let someone you trust know where you’re going and who you’re meeting. A simple text or shared calendar invite can make all the difference if plans start to shift during your meetup. Remember, being a travel girl is about adventure, but smart choices keep the journey fun.

Staying Connected and Sharing Your Plans

One of the best ways to boost your safety is to keep people in the loop about where you’re going and who you’re meeting. When you’re meeting a new partner on the road, never assume that your trip details are nobody’s business—whether you’re using WhatsApp, Messenger, or good old Instagram, tell at least one trusted friend or family member your plans.

It helps to send a simple itinerary. Include details like the name of your travel buddy, where you plan to meet, and any new stops coming up. Many solo travel girls use apps like Find My or Life360 to share their location in real-time. These tools let your chosen contacts see where you are, even if you keep your phone on silent. Don’t worry about being “too careful”—there’s such thing as just careful enough.

• Share a screenshot or direct link of your location when you meet up.
• Create a group chat with friends or family for regular check-ins—just send a quick text every couple of hours.
• Set up automated check-ins in your calendar. If you skip one, your contacts will know to check on you.

If you’re meeting someone in a foreign country, make sure you know how to access emergency services quickly. In Europe, 112 gets you help anywhere. The U.S. is 911, and Australia is 000. Have these numbers saved and also written down, just in case you lose your phone.

Being open with your circle isn’t oversharing—it’s your safety net when building new connections while traveling.

Trusting Your Instincts and Handling Issues

Sometimes you just get that "off" feeling about a person or a situation. Always trust your instincts—your gut is usually right, even if you can't explain why you feel uneasy. In fact, research from the University of Iowa shows that gut instinct comes from your brain processing small cues before you’re even consciously aware. So, if that vibe is weird, listen to it and don’t force yourself to stick around.

If you spot early red flags—like someone pushing you to meet in private, getting annoyed when you want friends around, or dodging basic questions—don’t ignore them. It’s not rude to step back or totally cut contact. Your safety matters way more than hurting someone’s feelings.

• Always have an exit plan. Meet in public places first, and know how to leave if things turn awkward.
• Share your location with a friend or family member. Apps like WhatsApp and Find My Friends make this easy.
• Set a check-in time with someone you trust. If you text them a simple code word, they’ll know to call or help out.

If something does go wrong—like if you feel threatened, someone’s acting aggressive, or a situation escalates—don’t hesitate to ask for help. Get a staff member in a café, call emergency services, or even just leave your stuff and book it out. No one will judge you for prioritizing your safety.

The most important thing for travel girls is remembering there’s no such thing as being “too careful.” Speak up, walk away, or get loud if you need to—your peace of mind is worth it. Loads of travelers have dodged trouble just by following that inner voice and refusing to play along when things get sketchy.