How Can Women Stay Safe Abroad?
Since the pandemic, more people are traveling alone than ever before — especially women. Travelers of all kinds often share the same concerns: prices, getting lost or feeling homesick. However, for women traveling alone, there is always an additional concern about safety. How to stay safe abroad is a big factor that female-presenting people have to consider when preparing for travel. While most travelers do so without any incidents, it’s always good to prepare for the unexpected. Check out the following ten travel safety tips for women to help you minimize your risks when traveling.
Top Ten Travel Safety Tips for Women Travelers
1. Research Your Destination
When going on a trip abroad, it is a good idea to get to know the country before you set off. Set aside time to research local customs and laws so you can avoid potential misunderstandings. Check to see if there are any specific safety concerns related to your destination or areas that you should avoid. You can use the U.S. State Department website or your local embassy’s page for country-specific information.
The Five Safest Countries for Solo Female Travelers
The Women’s Danger Index measures how safe a country is for women and is a great resource when researching your destination. It takes eight different factors into consideration: street safety for women, intentional homicide of women, attitudes about violence against women, global gender gap, gender inequality index, intimate partner sexual violence, non-partner sexual violence and legal discrimination.
The following countries are regularly rated as the safest among women travelers, with low rates of gender-based violence and strong laws protecting women’s rights:
- Spain
- Singapore
- Ireland
- Austria
- Switzerland
The Five Most Dangerous Countries for Solo Female Travelers
The following countries regularly score the worst in terms of safety for women:
- South Africa
- Brazil
- Russia
- Mexico
- Iran
Keep in mind, it is possible to travel safely within these countries. You just need to be very aware of the laws and your surroundings. In these destinations, it doesn’t hurt to take additional security measures. You might make your budget a bit higher to stay in a known hotel as opposed to a hostel or to take taxis more often instead of public transport.
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2. Plan Your Itinerary
Many people enjoy solo travel because of the flexibility it offers them. You don’t need to worry about other people's interests or manage their expectations. However, if you’re a woman traveling alone, it’s good to have at least a basic idea of your itinerary. You can tell a friend about any plans you have for accommodation, transportation, or activities as an extra safety precaution. If you prefer to make plans as you go, you can set up a regular time to check in with someone and keep them updated on your whereabouts.
You can also report your travels to your embassy. For U.S. citizens, you can register your trip with the local embassy for free through their Smart Traveler Enrollment Program. If there is a national disaster or any sort of global emergency, your embassy is a great point of contact for travelers. The embassy will be able to help you more easily, and potentially quickly, if they already know you are there.
3. Dress Like a Local
Dressing like a local is key if you want to blend in with the population. Especially in more conservative cultures, you may find that covering your shoulders, chest and legs is expected — no matter how hot it is outside. Be prepared for this and pack accordingly, considering which type of material is best for your destination. Carrying a lightweight scarf can often be a quick fix for dressing more modestly. By dressing like a local, you can both show respect for the culture and minimize any unwanted attention.
4. Stay Alert
It’s important to always be aware of your surroundings, whether you’re at home or on the road. Don’t walk around with your nose in a map or constantly be looking down at your phone. A lack of awareness makes you an easy target for crimes. Staying alert also includes limiting your alcohol intake. When you drink alcohol, you dull your senses and slow your reaction time, which in turn makes you vulnerable to others.
Also read: Planing an International Trip
5. Trust Your Instincts
Following your intuition is crucial when traveling alone as a woman. Trust your gut: sometimes our bodies notice potential dangers before our minds do. By staying alert to your surroundings, you’re better able to listen to your instincts. If you are uncertain or uncomfortable about a person or a situation, it’s best to remove yourself from it. Try not to worry about being polite or hurting other people’s feelings. You should never feel bad for prioritizing your safety.
6. Don’t Overshare
Be cautious about sharing details of your trip or personal information with strangers. It’s perfectly fine to make friends and chat about activities you plan to do or see while traveling. However, it’s a good idea to maintain some level of privacy — your new friends don’t need in-depth details about your trip or to know your hotel room number.
Instead of calling attention to the fact that you might be trying to avoid answering a question, feel free to lie. Have a list of fake answers you are prepared to give if you think someone is being suspicious or intrusive. Learn the name of another big hotel in the area and pay attention to restaurants or common activities nearby. It’s often easier and safer to give fake answers before ending the conversation.
7. Carry a Personal Safety Device
Personal safety devices are a great addition to your packing list. Rubber door stoppers are small, cheap and can prevent someone from opening your door while you are sleeping or showering. You can buy clothing and bags that have secret pouches to prevent pickpockets.
Travel alarms are also an effective method for surprising and stopping potential attackers. Even a whistle can be enough to deter muggers by using the noise to draw attention to yourself.
Additionally, some women prepare to fight back. You might carry pepper spray or a tactical flashlight to help protect yourself. However, double-check the laws of your destination to make sure your personal safety devices won’t get you in any legal trouble.
You may even opt to take self-defense classes. These classes are useful both at home and abroad to give you techniques on how to physically defend yourself if needed.
Also read: Safety Tips for International Travel
8. Book Secure Accommodations
When researching your destination, find out which neighborhoods are recommended to stay in. Pick an area that is known to be safe as well as well-lit and populated. From there, read reviews of the different accommodation options. Pay particular attention to reviews left by other women. You might want to see whether the front desk is open all night or if the site has security guards. You should also consider transportation to and from your accommodation. Is the site well connected to public transit? Is it safe to walk from the subway or bus to the hotel alone after dark?
9. Connect With Other Solo Women Travelers
One of the best tips for traveling alone as a woman is to connect with other women! There are many social media groups catering to solo female travelers. These groups are a great place to find first-hand information about your destination. By talking to other women about their experiences, you can discover special travel safety tips for a particular location. Additionally, you may make a friend or two to meet up with during your travels.
10. Have Proper Insurance
Thinking about insurance might be the least fun part about traveling, but it is essential to your trip. In the case of an emergency, the last thing you want to think about is rebooking a flight or paying for unexpected medical treatment. Having an international insurance plan will prevent small mishaps from ruining your trip. For some destinations, it may even be a requirement to enter the country. There are a variety of different travel insurance plans with different protections and they aren’t always expensive as you might think. When planning your trip check the quality of the country's healthcare. Here are the 5 Best Countries for Women’s Health Care.
Our Recommended Travel Insurance Plan
Of course, a good travel insurance plan will cover many of the emergencies you can’t plan for, including accidents, illness, trip interruption and much more. One plan we recommend is the Atlas plan from WorldTrips. The coverage is good and the price is affordable. Click on the links below to learn more.
Atlas Travel Insurance
- Emergency medical, evacuation, repatriation benefits
- Choose between the basic and more extensive coverage
- Meets Schengen visa insurance requirements
- 24/7 worldwide travel and emergency medical assistance
How to Stay Safe When Traveling Abroad
Traveling alone is a unique experience that can give you a sense of independence and freedom. Solo travel really shows you just how much you are capable of. By using a little caution and following the tips above, you can minimize the safety risks inherent in traveling alone and focus on enjoying your trip!
Travel Advice Sites and Resources for Women Traveling Abroad
- A Guide to Travel Advisories, Warnings, and Alerts
- Safety Tips for International Travel
- Checklist for Safe Travel Abroad
- Safety Precautions for Women Travelers
- A Women Safe Travel Guide (Canadian government site)
- International Travel Information (U.S. government site)
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