Top LGBTQIA+ Travel Safety Tips for 2025
Real talk from queer travellers who’ve been there
We love travel. The new places, the food, the queer bars you stumble into at 1am that feel like home. But let’s be real, if you’re LGBTQIA+, travel also means research, back-up plans, and sometimes, holding your breath just to use a public bathroom.
That’s one of the reasons we built Shane. We were tired of googling “is it safe to be gay in X” and still not knowing what we'd walk into. So here are our top travel safety tips, based on our own lived experiences and what we’ve learned from the amazing Shane community.
Know What You’re Walking Into
Before you book a flight, do a quick check on the local laws and culture around LGBTQIA+ rights. Some places are loud and proud, others… not so much.
Pack Your Digital Toolbox
Let’s be honest: when things get weird, your phone is your lifeline. So, before you go:
Download Shane, (obv!) so you can find inclusive places, share your live location, and flag sketchy ones.
Grab a VPN if you’re traveling somewhere that blocks LGBTQIA+ content or social media.
Consider secure messaging apps like Signal if you want more privacy.
Listen to Your Gut (and Each Other)
If a place feels off, chances are you’re not imagining it. Don’t second-guess yourself. Leave. Trust your gut, and trust the community.
Shane users leave honest reviews about how places actually feel.
Red flags? Gender-policing, weird vibes from staff, or places that just feel... off.
Celebrate the good ones too! The joyful queer cafés, the affirming hair salons, the trans-owned hostels, we’re mapping those too.
Let Someone Know Where You’re At
Even if you’re a solo traveler who lives for spontaneity, having someone check in on you can be a literal lifesaver.
Use Shane’s live location sharing to keep someone you trust in the loop.
Going somewhere new or meeting someone? Set a check-in reminder.
Let your host or front desk know if you’re heading out alone, especially at night.
Documents, Meds & That One Folder in Your Phone
If you’re trans or enby, or traveling with meds like HRT or PrEP, the rules can get murky fast.
Always bring extra meds, and check what’s legal to carry where you’re going.
Save digital and paper copies of your passport, ID, prescriptions, and any documents you might need.
Some countries still have issues with ‘X’ markers or names that don’t match, prepare accordingly and allow more time for getting through security and border control
Be Visible, or Not. It’s Up to You.
Whether you’re out and proud or laying low, you get to choose how visible you want to be.
Shane lets you find safe, affirming places if you want to connect with local queer folks.
Or you can stay private, use the safety tools, and explore on your own terms.