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How to Stay Safe While Traveling in Europe Right Now
I just spent several weeks traveling through Europe—from London to Edinburgh and Glasgow, and then across Ireland through Dublin, Galway, Cork, and plenty of places in between.
And now that we’re heading into shoulder season, when many of us are taking advantage of cooler weather, smaller crowds, and hopefully better prices, this feels like a good time to talk about something that should always be part of your travel planning: Safety.
Especially for those of us who travel solo. I am not somebody who believes you need to be afraid to travel. I wouldn’t travel as much as I do if I did. But there is a very big difference between being afraid and being aware.
And whether I’m walking through London, taking a train across Scotland, exploring Dublin, or traveling somewhere completely new, I am always thinking about my surroundings, my belongings, and how I would handle a situation if something went wrong. Because travel safety isn’t about being paranoid. It’s about making it harder for somebody to choose you.
Europe Is Not Unsafe—But You Still Need to Pay Attention
Let’s start there. Millions of people travel throughout Europe every year without experiencing a serious safety issue. But that does not mean you should walk around as though nothing can happen to you.
Petty theft, pickpocketing, phone snatching, scams, distraction theft, and crimes of opportunity are very real concerns in many heavily traveled European cities. The U.S. State Department currently advises travelers to the United Kingdom to exercise increased caution because of terrorism concerns and also notes that petty crime is common in popular tourist locations, including purse and cellphone snatching and pickpocketing. That doesn’t mean don’t go. It means pay attention.
And there is one city where I am especially vigilant.
London: Put the Phone Away
I love London. But London is not the place where I walk down the street casually holding my phone out in front of me. Phone snatching is a legitimate problem there.
London’s Metropolitan Police specifically warns that thieves on bicycles, mopeds, and e-scooters may grab phones from people walking near roads, outside train stations, around shopping areas, and in other busy locations. Police recommend staying aware of people approaching on bikes or mopeds and, when you need to use your phone outside, moving away from the curb and closer to a wall or building.
That is exactly the kind of practical advice travelers need. If I need directions, I am not walking for five blocks staring down at Google Maps.
I stop.
I move away from the curb.
I check where I’m going.
And then I put my phone away.
If I need to look again two minutes later, I stop again.
I also don’t leave my phone sitting on a café table, especially outside.
The Met specifically warns against leaving phones, wallets, or other valuables on tables at outdoor cafés, pubs, and restaurants.
Your phone has become one of the most valuable things you travel with—not just because of the cost of the phone itself, but because your entire life may be inside it.
Your email.
Your banking apps.
Your airline information.
Your hotel reservations.
Your photos.
Your passwords.
Your authenticator apps.
Potentially your digital wallet.
Losing it while traveling can create a problem much bigger than replacing a phone.
Protect the Information Inside Your Phone Too
Before you travel, take a few minutes to strengthen your phone security.
If you use an iPhone, turn on Stolen Device Protection. Android users should check the theft-protection features available on their device. London police specifically recommends using these built-in protections because modern phone theft is often about accessing the information and financial accounts inside the device—not simply reselling the phone. I would also make sure you have:
A strong passcode.
Face ID or biometric security enabled.
Find My iPhone or the Android equivalent activated.
Your phone backed up.
Message previews turned off on your lock screen, particularly messages containing verification codes.
A record of your phone’s IMEI number stored somewhere other than on the phone itself.
And make sure you know how you would access your important accounts if your phone disappeared tomorrow.
That last one matters.
We have gotten so accustomed to doing everything from our phones that many people have never thought through what happens if suddenly they don’t have one.
Your Crossbody Bag Should Actually Be Across Your Body
I love a crossbody bag when I travel. And yes, my Louis Vuitton bum bag is one of my favorites. But the point of carrying a crossbody bag is that it stays attached to you.
I don’t wear it hanging loosely behind me.
I don’t put it on the back of my chair in a restaurant.
I don’t put it underneath a table where I can’t see it.
And in crowded places, I want the zipper or opening positioned toward my body whenever possible.
Pickpockets work where people are distracted.
Train stations.
Escalators.
Crowded streets.
Tourist attractions.
Public transportation.
Busy shopping areas.
Festivals.
Anywhere people are bumping into each other. And do not assume Scotland is completely exempt. Police in Scotland reported a series of pickpocketing incidents in Edinburgh city centre in July 2026 and specifically reminded visitors to remain vigilant with wallets, handbags, phones, and other valuables in busy areas. Edinburgh and Glasgow felt very different to me than London from a security standpoint, but that doesn’t mean I stopped paying attention. The precautions remain the same.
Stop Making Yourself an Easy Target
One of the simplest things you can do while traveling is look like you know where you’re going. Even when you don’t. Before I leave my hotel, I generally know which direction I need to go. I know the nearest transportation station.
I have some idea of what my destination looks like. If I become confused, I step to the side and figure it out. I don’t stand in the middle of a busy sidewalk spinning around with my phone in my hand looking completely lost. That attracts attention.
Move with purpose. You don’t have to actually know what you’re doing. You just don’t need to advertise that you don’t.
Be Especially Aware in Train Stations
European train travel is wonderful. I use trains frequently. But train stations require your attention because you are often managing multiple things at once.
Your suitcase.
Your purse.
Your phone.
Your ticket.
The departure board.
Finding the platform.
Figuring out which carriage you’re in.
And somebody who wants your belongings knows that you’re distracted.
I keep my luggage physically close to me. If I am sitting somewhere with my suitcase, it is positioned so that someone cannot simply grab it and walk away without me noticing. I also don’t leave my bags unattended while I run into a shop or restroom. Not for two minutes. Not because I can still see them. Not because “everybody seems nice.” London police specifically advises travelers never to leave luggage unattended and to keep bags in their possession and close by.
If You’re Traveling Solo, Watch the Alcohol
I enjoy a cocktail. I enjoy wine with dinner. I am not suggesting that traveling solo means you have to sit in your hotel room drinking bottled water every night. But I also know that when I am traveling alone, I am responsible for getting myself back to my hotel safely. So I need to remain aware enough to do that.
Know what you are drinking.
Don’t leave your drink unattended.
Don’t accept drinks from strangers unless you watched the bartender prepare it.
And know how you are getting back to your accommodation before you get to the point where making decisions becomes more difficult.
The Metropolitan Police similarly advises visitors not to leave drinks unattended or accept drinks from strangers and recommends planning the journey back to their accommodation in advance. That’s not a Europe-specific rule.
That’s an everywhere rule.
Transportation Matters
I use public transportation extensively when I travel, including trains, buses, and the Underground. But transportation safety is partly about where you position yourself. I prefer populated train carriages rather than empty ones. At night, I’m more likely to sit near other passengers or nearer staff.
In London, the Metropolitan Police specifically advises passengers to avoid empty train and Underground carriages and recommends sitting closer to the driver on late-night buses. If I am taking a taxi or ride service, I confirm that the car and driver match what appears in the app before getting inside.
In London, black cabs can legally be hailed on the street, while minicabs must be prebooked. Those little details matter when you are somewhere unfamiliar.
Pay Attention When Using ATMs and Paying for Things
Europe is so card-friendly now that I use very little cash when I travel. But when I do need an ATM, I prefer one attached to or inside an actual bank rather than a random machine sitting on a street corner. I cover the keypad when entering my PIN. I pay attention to who is standing behind me. And if somebody is crowding me, I stop the transaction. In Ireland, Garda has specifically warned about “shoulder surfing”—someone watching you enter a PIN or other credentials and then using distraction techniques to steal the corresponding card or phone.
That is another reason I try not to conduct financial business while distracted.
Slow down.
Finish the transaction.
Put your card away.
Then move.
Hotel Safety Matters Too
Your safety routine doesn’t stop when you walk into your hotel. When possible, I prefer a room that is not on the ground floor. I also like being relatively close to the stairs without being directly beside an elevator. When I get to my room, I look at where the emergency exits are located. I use the deadbolt.
I don’t announce my room number where strangers can hear it. And if somebody knocks on my door claiming to be hotel staff and I’m not expecting anyone, I can call downstairs and confirm before opening the door. I also don’t assume a hotel lobby is automatically secure.
The London Metropolitan Police specifically notes that hotel lobbies can attract thieves and advises travelers not to leave luggage unattended there, even briefly. Your hotel may feel like home for the week. It is still a public building filled with strangers.
Don’t Put All Your Money in One Place
I travel with more than one credit card. And I don’t keep every card in the same wallet. Why?
Because if the wallet disappears, I don’t want my entire financial life disappearing with it. Keep a backup credit card somewhere secure. Have more than one way to access money. Know how to contact your banks. And make sure your banks know you’re traveling if your particular issuer requires travel notification.
I also recommend having copies of important travel documents stored securely somewhere you can access without your phone.
Your passport.
Travel insurance information.
Emergency contact information.
Airline reservation.
Hotel information.
Important banking numbers.
You may never need them.
That is the goal.
Share Your Itinerary With Somebody
Especially if you are traveling solo.
Someone at home should know:
Where you are staying.
When you are changing cities.
Your basic flight information.
How to contact you.
And when you are expected home.
I do not mean you need to give somebody a minute-by-minute account of your vacation. You are grown. But somebody should know roughly where in the world you are. For U.S. citizens traveling internationally, the State Department’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program, or STEP, is another option for receiving relevant embassy or consulate alerts and helping the U.S. government contact you or your emergency contact during an emergency.
Be Careful What You Post in Real Time
This one is difficult because social media is part of what I do.
But if you are traveling solo, think about how much information you are broadcasting publicly.
You do not necessarily need to tell the entire internet:
“I’m alone.”
“This is my hotel.”
“Here is my room.”
“I’ll be here until Friday.”
“I’m going out tonight and nobody knows where I am.”
There is a difference between sharing your travels and sharing your movements.
You can post that beautiful rooftop picture without providing strangers with your complete itinerary.
Crowds Require More Attention, Not Less
Shoulder season usually means smaller crowds than summer, which is one reason I love traveling this time of year. But major cities are still major cities.
Oxford Street is still busy.
Temple Bar is still busy.
Train stations are still busy.
Popular attractions are still busy.
And crowds give thieves cover.
Any time I enter a heavily congested space, I automatically become more conscious of my belongings.
Bag forward.
Phone away.
Zippers closed.
Nothing in an easily accessible back pocket.
Awareness up.
It eventually becomes habit.
Don’t Ignore Your Instincts Because You’re Trying to Be Polite
Women are often conditioned to worry about appearing rude. Travel is not the time to prioritize a stranger’s comfort over your own instincts. If somebody is making you uncomfortable, move. If someone is standing too close, create distance. If you don’t want help with your luggage, say no. If a driver makes you uncomfortable, don’t get into the car. If an area suddenly doesn’t feel right, leave. You do not owe strangers an explanation for protecting yourself. And if somebody wants your purse or your phone badly enough to threaten you physically? Give it to them. Property is replaceable. You are not.
Scotland and Ireland Felt Different—But I Didn’t Drop My Guard
During this recent trip, I traveled through Edinburgh, Glasgow, Dublin, Galway, Cork, and smaller towns and countryside areas throughout Ireland. Those destinations often felt less intense to me than London. That did not mean I stopped practicing the habits I’ve developed from years of international travel.
I still kept track of my phone.
I still watched my bag.
I still paid attention on public transportation.
I still knew how I was getting back to my hotel.
I still made sure somebody knew where I was.
That’s the thing about travel safety.
The best habits are the ones you use everywhere.
You Don’t Have to Travel Scared
I sometimes worry that conversations about travel safety—especially conversations directed toward women—do the opposite of what we intend. Instead of preparing women to travel, they frighten women out of traveling. That is not my message.
My message is this:
Go.
Take the trip.
Walk through London.
Ride the train through Scotland.
Spend the afternoon wandering around Dublin.
Explore Galway.
Have dinner in Cork.
Sit in the café.
Take the picture.
Talk to people.
Enjoy yourself.
Just travel with your eyes open.
The goal isn’t to spend your vacation anticipating something terrible happening. The goal is to develop enough good habits that paying attention becomes automatic. Because awareness doesn’t ruin the adventure. It helps protect it. And for those of us who travel solo, that confidence—the knowledge that we can navigate unfamiliar places, make smart decisions, and take care of ourselves—is one of the best things travel gives us.
Final Thoughts
Traveling safely doesn’t mean traveling scared. It means traveling smart. After spending the last several weeks exploring London, Scotland, and Ireland, I’m reminded that some of the most important things we pack for a trip aren’t in our suitcases. They’re the habits we’ve developed, the awareness we carry with us, and the confidence to trust ourselves when something doesn’t feel right.
And for my fellow women over 40, especially those of us who travel solo, I want you to remember this: You do not have to choose between being adventurous and being cautious. You can be both. Protect your phone. Secure your belongings. Pay attention to your surroundings. Have a plan. And then get out there and enjoy the world! Travel is therapy, and fear should never be the reason you deny yourself the opportunity to experience it.
Stay aware. Stay prepared. And most importantly, keep traveling!
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