Travel Safety Tips for Women
Hey there, fellow travelers! Today, we’re sharing tips for solo female travelers. Whether you are a solo traveler or a group of single women traveling together, there are extra considerations for women when traveling. Jocelyn is sharing her tips for staying safe while traveling.
Blend In
The best thing you can do when traveling is to blend in. Blending in with the locals makes you less of a target for pickpockets or scammers.
Of course, you can’t just look like a local anywhere you go. When we spent a summer in Beijing, there was no way for me to blend in with the locals. However, even in that instance, I can blend in with the expats by walking with a purpose.
You should also make sure you are dressing appropriately. Many destinations may require you to cover your shoulders or hair; doing this will help you blend in and be respectful.
I also like to carry a shopping bag from a local store. This is an easy and cheap way to blend in with the locals.
Research Cultural Norms
Beyond the cultural norms of how to dress, there are other things to know about the culture you are visiting. For example, in some cultures, it’s not ok for women to make eye contact with men. Some cultures are more strict than others, and it’s not always that you’ll get arrested if you make a faux pas, but you might make others feel uncomfortable, and as a guest in someone’s country, you should avoid that.
Don’t Overpack
Being loaded down with luggage can also make you a target. Traveling light makes it easier to get around, but it also makes it easier to react to situations when needed. If you are carrying a bunch of luggage and bags, you might not even notice if someone helps themself to your wallet. I like to keep my hands free.
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Don’t Bring Your Bling
Flashing jewelry and expensive accessories can also make you a target. The last thing you want to do is look like a wealthy tourist. I know some women who buy a fake version of their wedding ring, but a pickpocket or thief isn’t going to know the difference, so you could still make yourself a target.
Know What to Do in an Emergency
This tip has two parts. First, make sure you can say “help” in the local language, no matter where you are traveling.
The second is to know the emergency number to call for help. It’s not 911 in every country. For example, in Brazil, the police are 190 and the fire department are 192. If you find yourself in a true emergency, you don’t want to be googling and scrambling to figure out what to do.
Plan Ahead
This doesn’t just apply to doing research for your trip. You should also know how you are going to get from Point A to Point B. Google Street View is a great resource for planning your route around town. Once you arrive, pay attention to landmarks and anything that might remind you where you are staying. Maybe it’s an interesting piece of graffiti to remind you where to turn.
You can also talk to your hotel, servers, or tour guides about which areas to avoid and the safest way to get around. The advice may vary for different times of day as well.
Travel Basics
This may seem silly, but remember all the things you learned as a kid? They still apply, especially when traveling solo!
- Look both ways before you cross the street!
- Don’t take rides from strangers
- Don’t let people buy you drinks
- It’s ok to be suspicious of people, especially if they are offering unsolicited help
As women, we are taught to be polite, but if you are in an uncomfortable situation, don’t be afraid to be rude. It’s ok to just walk away, and sometimes you have to be stern with people.
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Have Self-Defense Skills
I think everyone should take a self-defense class. Even if you never use the physical tactics, having that knowledge gives you confidence, and confidence makes you less of a target.
Stay Sober
I love to have wine or cocktails on vacation, but when traveling solo, I am very cautious about drinking alcohol. I may have one glass or pace myself because I want to have my wits about me at all times. Make sure you have food with your drinks, and drink water between cocktails.
Have Travel Insurance
Most credit cards will offer some level of travel insurance, so start by learning what coverage you already have. The coverage you need will vary by destination, your age, and any health complications you might already have. A trip to the Outback of Australia requires very different coverage than a trip to Paris, where there is an established network of doctors and hospitals. Talk to your insurance agent at home if you’re not sure where to start.
Keep a Secret Stash
Never carry all of your cash and credit cards in the same place! I always keep some cash and an extra credit card hidden in my bag. In the unfortunate event that you are pickpocketed, you still have money to get back home. Once you arrive at your hotel, use the in-room safe to keep your extra cash, cards, and documents.
Keep Copies of Documents
Always have a copy of the following documents:
- Passport
- Credit and debit cards (front and back)
- Insurance cards
- Travel itinerary
I always have a copy hidden in my luggage, a copy in the cloud that I can access, and give a copy to friends or family.
Always Budget for Safety
Traveling solo can be expensive, as you’re not sharing costs with anyone. But never scrimp on safety. This can mean spending money on a taxi instead of walking or taking the subway. It might mean changing your hotel if you don’t feel comfortable with the location you booked.
When taking tours, choose the operator with good reviews, even if you have to spend a little bit more. You have to read the reviews, and sites like TripAdvisor will let you filter based on traveler type so you can look at reviews from other solo travelers. For classes and tours, never choose the cheapest option.
Check In With Someone at Home
Set a cadence for checking in with someone back home, and make sure someone has your itinerary so they know where you are. Keep in mind your access to cell coverage and wifi; if you’re traveling to a remote location, don’t promise to check in every day or you might cause unnecessary worry if you can’t get a message out.
Avoid Demonstrations and Protests
If you see a huge gathering, do your best to avoid it. You never know when things might amplify and the last thing you want on vacation is to get tear-gassed.
Use Protection
This can apply to so many areas of travel. In particular, seat belts, helmets, and condoms. Even though you are going to have travel insurance, you don’t want to use it just because you were too stubborn to wear a seat belt.
Be Smart with Social Media
Of course, you want to share your travels with friends and family back home. But be smart about sharing your location publicly. It’s a good idea to post a few days behind where you actually are. Of course, you can DM your family and keep them updated, but there’s really no need for real-time sharing.
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These are our tips for women solo traveler. Traveling alone can be empowering and exciting, however, there are additional things to consider when traveling by yourself, especially if you are a woman. Looking for more practical travel tips? Check out these blog posts!