Solo Travel, Safety Features

Solo travel is on the up, and long may that be. But beneath the Instagram shots, research reveals something concerning: over 90% of women and over 50% of men we interviewed cited safety as their main concern when traveling alone (SoloBudd Solo Travel Safety Survey, 2024).

That's not just a statistic—it's the difference between booking that life-changing trip or staying home especially when you have your worried family on your back.

The Safety Paradox

When Maria from Spain told us, "I don't feel safe on my own," she expressed something profound that traditional travel apps completely miss. Safety in solo travel operates on two levels: practical protection and psychological comfort.

This creates a challenging paradox: the same features designed to keep travelers safe often feel intrusive and anxiety-inducing when poorly designed. The result? Safety features then make make users feel less safe.As Laura from Manchester explained: "You never know who could be on the app." That uncertainty keeps millions of potential solo adventurers from experiencing the freedom and growth that independent travel offers.

Design That Actually Makes You Feel Safe

At SoloBudd, we're taking a fundamentally different approach. Our 70s-inspired design isn't just aesthetic—it's strategic. Those warm colours we mentioned in our last blog are carefully chosen to evoke feelings of security, warmth, and home—the exact emotional states that help travelers feel confident exploring new places. But creating true safety goes far beyond such color psychology. Our approach integrates three interconnected elements:

1. Trust Building That Feels Natural

Our comprehensive verification framework multiple layers builds reputation over time. Unlike uncomfortable verification systems that make you feel like you're entering a high-security zone, ours builds progressively through natural interactions.

As Julie from England noted: "Safety and security are the top priority, so things like verification would be important. A system to block or unfriend contacts would also be useful."

2. Location Sharing That Empowers, Not Tracks

Our SafeConnect feature balances connection with privacy. For Sandy from England, this addresses a crucial concern: "As a woman, I'm cautious about wandering around outside too late because it might be dangerous."

3. Local Connections That Prioritize Security

Our verified processes create real opportunities for authentic local meets while maintaining the security that Charlene from Australia emphasized: "If I'm somewhere I'm a little uncomfortable, I prefer to stay where there are other people." We even verify locals - hence you are entering a network of trusted local connections that help travelers feel genuinely at home in new surroundings.

Beyond Perception: The Reality of Solo Travel Safety

While perceptions of danger often exceed reality, we don't dismiss anyone's concerns. The World Tourism Organization data shows serious incidents affecting solo travelers remain statistically rare. However, the psychological impact of even minor incidents can be profound when you're far from home. That's why SoloBudd combines practical safety features with psychological comfort—helping solo travelers feel confident enough to fully embrace their adventures. Because real safety isn't just about danger prevention—it's about creating the confidence to say yes to new experiences.

The Future of Safe Solo Travel

Safety features are essential, but they work best when integrated into a platform that holistically supports the solo travel journey—from planning to experiencing to remembering. And the platform we're building: where safety enables freedom rather than restricting it. Where verification feels likes trusted community-building rather than a pain in the back.

Where connection happens naturally because the foundation of trust is already established.

We're not claiming to have eliminated all risk from travel - that would strip away the growth that comes from stepping outside your comfort zone. What we are doing is creating a space where normal, understanable and legitimate concerns are addressed thoughtfully, leaving you free to focus on the experiences that make solo travel so transformative!

Because when you feel genuinely safe, you can be genuinely present. By being present, you can just fun! And that's where the magic of solo travel happens.

Our App is on the way! Wahayy! Join our waitlist and help shape the future of safe, meaningful solo exploration.