15 Personal Safety Devices for Solo Travelers in Hotels

As a clumsy child, my mom would repeatedly tell me to be aware of my surroundings. This cautionary phrase took on a new meaning when she repeated it to me as I flew off to study abroad in London during my sophomore year of college. Sure, London was seemingly a safe place to go, but it was much bigger than the island of Bermuda where I grew up.

Fast forward to today, and I’ve been solo traveling for over a decade; while I’ve realized how liberating it can be, it also requires a certain amount of preparation to get the most out of these unaccompanied journeys. Luckily, there are many travel safety devices you can pack up to feel more secure, especially when it comes to solo nights in a hotel: think door stop alarms and portable carbon monoxide detectors that will give you peace of mind. And, most of them are available with the click of a button at Amazon. 

Travel safer and smarter in 2025 by stocking up on these 15 best personal safety devices for hotel rooms, Airbnbs, and even your own home.

Sabre Wedge Door Stop Alarm 

I love checking into a new hotel: I wrap myself in the fluffy robe and get comfortable as I familiarize myself with all the amenities. Yet, when it comes time to turn in for the night, I tend to get a little wary about knowingly being alone in a foreign place. This door stop alarm eases my anxiety about someone entering the room during the middle of the night as the 120-decibel alert would stop anyone in their tracks (and wake me!); plus, the grip stops the door from opening further. Its lightweight and compact design makes it easy to throw into any carry-on or luggage.

Sliding Door Security Bar

Given that not every door opens on a hinge, this sliding door security bar is perfect for an unconventional entrance. Its adjustable length also makes it versatile for securing windows, as one Amazon reviewer says they used it for “a smaller sliding window and [it] works just as well.” The same reviewer propped it underneath a door knob to prevent someone from opening the handle from the outside. While the size of the bar may look intimidating to travel with, you can disassemble it to a minimum length of 18 inches to fit in the majority of suitcases. 

RFID-blocking Sleeves

When I first started to solo travel, I remember my dad gave me a pair of RFID-blocking sleeves for my passport and credit cards. I used the one for my passport religiously, however, I reserved the credit card sleeves for locations where I thought I needed them more. While I hoarded the sleeves, the technology has become more widely available: now multi-packs are available so you can keep every card safe. While you might not need them during downtime in the hotel room, I always feel safer when my cards are tucked in these sleeves during check-in — especially in lobbies that are backed up with multiple people in close proximity to my belongings.

Apple AirTag 4-pack

While many travelers use their AirTags to keep an eye on their checked luggage en route to their destination, AirTags also come in handy at hotels. Let me explain: I love arriving early to destinations, but the one disadvantage to this is that my room usually isn’t ready. For this scenario, I use an AirTag to find peace in leaving my bags with the concierge as I set out to re-caffeinate and take advantage of my first few hours in a new city. These trackers are slim and lightweight, so there’s no excuse not to have one in your luggage at all times; plus, if you end up purchasing too many souvenirs on a trip and you need to check your suitcase, you’re already equipped with a tracker.

Outlet Extender With USB and Surge Protector

Having dealt with damaged devices after storm-induced power outages in my early years of solo travel, I am forever carrying a surge protector, whether an outlet extender or a converter. This particular extender has USB sockets and surge protection to ensure I can safely charge my electronics without the fear of damaging them in a foreign place. It’s slim and expands the single power outlet that’s usually next to a hotel bed so you can also keep your electronics close while working or sleeping.

Amir Portable Safe Box

I have a jarring statement: I rarely use hotel safes. It’s less of a lack of trust than it is more of an eccentricity — I like my valuables close by so that if an emergency were to occur, I could grab them and run. For this reason, this portable safe box is perfect as it can fit jewelry, money, a passport, and a wallet inside, meaning I could still grab it and go if something were to happen. While larger items, like a laptop or camera, won’t fit inside, this portable box is a great way to ensure all your smaller valuables are in one place. 

Carbon Monoxide Detector 

This four-in-one detector not only reads carbon monoxide on the road but also detects other combustible, explosive gases, like LPG (methane), propane, and natural gas. “The plug-and-play feature is incredibly convenient, making it easy to set up in any room or even take along for RV travel,” said one Amazon reviewer. “The detector is sensitive and reliable, ensuring that any gas leaks are promptly detected. This added layer of protection is invaluable.”

Portable Door Lock

For less than $10 (basically, skip your favorite latte one week and you can afford it!), this portable door lock will bring you comfort when your head hits the hotel pillow. Crafted from stainless steel, the lock is lightweight but durable and easy to set up. Just slide the claw between the gap in the door and adjust the screws until the lock is secure; then, tighten the butterfly screw, and rest assured knowing that you have an added layer of security on the door. One Amazon reviewer said they purchased three for a rental vacation home and used all of them: “So simple to install and peace of mind for an inexpensive price.” 

Door Jammer

Sometimes an extra lock just isn’t enough. If you want to add multiple layers of privacy to a hotel room, buy this door jammer that’s suitable for most inward-opening doors. It’s a simple installation that can withstand great force from inward thrusting. One Amazon reviewer loved it so much that they even use it at home to secure their two French doors that don’t have a lock. “It actually is really difficult to open the door when this is in place,” they said.

Hidden Camera Detector 

When you think about how many people have been in the hotel room before you, the mind can really wander about the veracity of hidden camera horror stories — and many will decide that it’s not worth the risk. This sleek multifunction device is worth the investment as it can detect hidden eavesdropping devices, pinhole cameras, wired and wireless hidden cameras, GPS trackers, and more within 5 centimeters to 15 meters. It also has multiple detection modes, including RF (radio frequency) detection, magnetic field detection, and infrared (IR) scanning. It’s slim and rechargeable so you don’t need to worry about bringing extra batteries with you on the road. 

Personal Safety Alarm

It’s always a good idea to keep a personal safety alarm nearby, whether you’re walking back from dinner in the dark or simply calling it a night and tucking the device under your pillow. Having an alarm like the She’s Birdie device that emits a loud sound when the pin is pulled could deter an intruder. “The alarm’s LOUD siren is truly attention-grabbing. It emits a piercing sound that’s impossible to ignore, making it an excellent deterrent for potential threats,” one person said. “Activating the alarm is straightforward, and the build quality feels sturdy and reliable.”

High Lumens Flashlight

A no-frills flashlight is perhaps one of the most overlooked travel safety devices. It can come in handy if someone breaks in and you need to shine a light to show there’s someone in the room, or it can help you navigate the room during a power outage. It can also come in handy if you need to evacuate during a fire drill or an actual fire. This portable size packs a punch: at less than one pound and around four inches, the light can shine up to 500 feet.

Privacy Cover for Peep Hole

While a simple tissue stuck in the peephole of a hotel door can add security in a pinch if you’re a frequent traveler, a cover explicitly designed for privacy is worth keeping in your suitcase. Just slip this over the interior door’s peephole and rest assured knowing that no one can use a device to see in. The cover is sturdy and hardly noticeable, so the cleaning staff will likely not remove it.

Hanging Door Alarm

If you’re a sound sleeper, you may want to buy this hanging door alarm that will alert you if someone tries to enter without your permission. Just hang it on the inside door knob (or hang it off a window lock if you’re more concerned about that point of entry), turn on the switch, and know that the 120-decibel alarm will go off should anyone try to get inside.

Motion Detector Alarm

A motion detector alarm may seem like overkill to some, but, as any solo traveler who’s ever experienced a scary incident will tell you, it’s better to be safe than sorry. This tiny, portable infrared motion detector doesn’t take up much space and is easy to install as soon as you check in. The alarm system will ring if motion is detected, which will both deter any unwanted visitors and wake you (if you’re in the room); if you’re out exploring, the alarm will likely alert nearby staff that there’s been an intrusion. Just be sure to switch it off if you know housekeeping is on their way — no need to give them a fright! 

Love a great deal? Sign up for our T+L Recommends newsletter and we’ll send you our favorite travel products each week.