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It’s no secret that women often have a different experience of the world than men do, and one of the areas that this is very apparent is when travelling. Are you a solo female traveller? Then these travelling tips for women exploring the world are for you.
It’s no secret that women often have a different experience of the world than men do, and one of the areas that this is very apparent is when travelling.
Safety concerns, cultural expectations, and logistical considerations all play a part in planning a trip, but don’t let that put you off booking those flights! With a little extra forethought and caution, women can immerse themselves in the travel experience just as fully as men.
From pre-travel preparations to handling emergencies, our travelling tips for women are vital, this actionable advice can help you to ensure a secure journey and prepare you to handle any hurdles you might encounter.
Though I’ve put this list together with women in mind, there are plenty of safety tips here that can apply to travellers of any gender.
Pre-Travel Preparations
Research Thoroughly
Before embarking on your journey, invest time in researching your destination. As a travelling woman, I know first-hand how much difference being prepared makes, especially when it comes to gender. It is important to understand the local culture, safety conditions, healthcare, and potential areas to avoid. Being prepared with our travelling tips for women can make it much easier for us to navigate the country we are visiting from the moment we arrive.
Some of the key things to research as a female traveller:
Cultural Differences:
Attitudes towards women differ from country to country, so scrubbing up on knowledge around this can avoid a social faux pas. For example – in some cultures, it is considered taboo to shake a woman’s hand, so offering your hand when greeting locals could cause offence. Doing prior research into cultural differences and the appropriate way to behave in a certain area or situation can make life a lot easier for female travellers.
Dress Codes:
It’s no secret that some countries have a more strict approach to modesty when it comes to women’s wear, so looking into this before you do your packing is key. Some destinations may require women to cover their hair, whilst other places might be specifically more offended by your midriff, feet or shoulders.
Taboo Topics:
Keep in mind that some things can get you in a lot of trouble if you say them out loud. In ESL teacher training, they taught us the acronym “PARSNIP” to remember things to avoid talking about openly. This stands for: Politics, Alcohol, Religion, Sex, Narcotics, -Isms, and Pork. By “-isms”, the acronym refers to things like racism, sexism, and feminism. Keep in mind that even talking about your period in public could be considered a no-go.
Medications:
The regulations of medications differ from country to country, so you should always do your research to avoid problems at customs. There are numerous cases of travellers being denied entry or even arrested for taking seemingly innocent medications across borders.
This also applies to the contraceptive pill and emergency contraceptives, which are heavily restricted in certain countries. Research the rules and regulations in the countries you are visiting and be aware that you might find it difficult to get hold of specific drugs. It’s often wise to carry a doctor’s note and prescription documents as well as the original boxes with the dispensary sticker on them.
No-Go Zones:
Look into the safety of areas you intend to visit, particularly if they have high rates of crime against women. In some cities, women are advised not to travel alone or at night. Read into the crime rates, look for local news articles and consult the government’s advice.
The UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) is a great source of information and recommendations but also look into news stories, reviews and personal accounts to try and get a well-rounded view of the place you are visiting.
Choose Reputable Accommodation
Selecting safe and reputable accommodation is crucial. Look for well-reviewed hotels, hostels, or guesthouses that prioritise security, and pay particularly close attention to the reviews left by women. Platforms like Host A Sister or Travel Ladies are great for travelling tips for women, offering a community-driven approach to finding accommodation with female hosts whilst fostering connection along the way.
Travelling Tips for Women
If you opt to stay in a hostel, try to go somewhere with split dorms, where men and women sleep separately. This will remove the risk of finding yourself sleeping alone with men you don’t know, which can feel quite vulnerable. It is always wise to check that there is also a safe available in hotel rooms for you to store your passport, money and important items.
Share Your Plan
Though spontaneity is a great part of travel, a great travelling tips for women is a level of forethought is behind safe travelling, especially for women. When you’ve got a plan, sharing it with a friend or family member will allow them to keep track of you and can be crucial in an emergency. Passing on details such as flight numbers, names and locations of hotels, or train times can come in very handy in difficult circumstances.
Pre-Plan Your Arrival
Considering your arrival time and how you get to your accommodation from your arrival point is a wise move. Aim to arrive during daylight hours when it is easier to navigate and generally safer to be out and about.
Many airports have taxis, tuk-tuks, or drivers nearby waiting for passengers, but arriving during the night might mean that they are less available. Look into reputable taxi companies or transportation apps that offer a safer way to get to your accommodation while you get your bearings in your new environment.
Get an eSIM
By setting yourself up with an eSIM before travelling, you can avoid the risk of losing connectivity on your phone. Apps such as Translator and Maps can make life on the road much easier and safer, but getting a new phone number could mean losing touch with people back home and paying for data roaming can be eye watering.
My personal favourite eSIM provider is Mobimatter, who offer some of the most competitive rates without compromising on service and coverage, but others include:
Airalo: Offers eSIM data plans for over 190 countries with competitive pricing.
GigSky: Provides global eSIM data plans, including options for travellers in Europe, Asia, and the Americas.
Truphone: Specialises in international eSIM plans for both short-term and long-term use.
Ubigi: Offers data packages for a wide range of countries, focusing on ease of use and instant activation.
Holafy: Has eSIM profiles for more than 200 countries, some with unlimited data.
Learn a Few Useful Phrases:
You don’t need to be fluent in the local language to get by when travelling, but learning some words and phrases such as “I need help”, “Police Station” or “I need a doctor” can make it vastly easier in an emergency. If you can’t quite get the hang of it, note down the translations for a local person to read should you need assistance.
Packing Essentials
Packing can be a bit of a boggle at the best of times, but there are some key things to consider taking with you to make your travels safer and more convenient.
Appropriate Clothing:
Make sure that you pack several changes of clothing that align with the cultural dress code and keep some handy to change into when you land so that you are ready upon arrival.
Personal Hygiene Products:
If applicable, make sure you have a supply of sanitary pads, tampons or period cups. In some places, it can be difficult to find your preference, or they may be very expensive.
Basic First Aid Kit:
All travellers should have some basic first aid products handy for an emergency. Think about things like dressings, diarrhoea medication and wound-cleaning items so that you don’t have to source some later.
Anti-Theft Accessories:
Invest in some items that can keep your belongings safe. Women can be easy targets for bag-snatching or pickpocketing, so bags with two straps or cross-body straps are a better choice than a tote bag. RFID-blocking wallets can keep your bank cards safe and money belts can keep your cash under wraps.
ID cards and Document Copies:
Always carry an ID card or a photocopy of your passport. If you don’t have an ID card, make a laminated card that has your name, nationality, medical conditions and emergency contact information. This way, if you are taken ill or injured, emergency authorities can quickly take the best course of action. Keep your passport and visa in a safe location and never carry originals on your person.
Local Currency:
Make sure that you have an appropriate amount of local money to hand. In some countries, it can be difficult to convert foreign money and this could come with a high fee. Consider how much you might need in an emergency and never pack this in your suitcase or checked baggage in case your luggage gets lost on the way.
Personal Safety Devices:
Carrying items such as personal alarms can alert bystanders if you are in danger. A GPS tracker such as an AirTag or Tile can be carried to help locate you if needs be. Wearable tech such as a smartwatch can also help with this, but be careful that this does not attract too much attention from potential thieves. A self-defence keychain can be easily carried should you need to defend yourself, but be sure these comply with local laws regarding carrying weapons.
Likewise, there are personal safety keyrings available that come with a flashlight, GPS tracker, and alarm combined. A doorstop alarm is a door wedge that not only helps to prevent someone from entering your room but sets off an alarm when pressure is applied. These are ideal for use in hotel rooms and hostel showers. Similarly, portable door locks can offer an extra level of protection should you be concerned about the security of your door.
While You’re There
Immersing yourself in your adventure makes travelling an incredible experience, and though female travellers may need to take extra precautions whilst we are overseas, this shouldn’t make things any less enjoyable for us.
Stay Connected:
Always keep someone back home informed if you change your plans or take any spontaneous trips. Keep in mind that in some countries, there are bans on using some forms of social media.
For example, in China, Facebook, Telegram and WhatsApp are blocked, so you’ll need to research alternatives such as WeChat or Zoom. Before you travel, look into which apps can be used both back home and in your destination and get friends or family to make an account.
You could also consider using a VPN, which you’d also need to install before you travel. This can help you keep your usual apps available, however, keep in mind that some countries also have strict restrictions on these.
Use Transportation Apps:
Using an app that tracks journeys and uses registered drivers can help keep you safe, provide your location, make sure that you arrive at the correct destination and help you reach a driver and avoid being stranded. Look into the most reputable app to use in the country you are travelling.
Avoid Oversharing:
Whilst meeting new people is one of the joys of travel, be careful about the information you divulge to strangers. Telling people you don’t know where you are staying or if you are travelling alone can make you vulnerable.
Know Emergency Services Number:
An easy thing to overlook is learning the different emergency services phone numbers in different countries, but this could save your life in an emergency. Some countries even have different numbers depending on the service you need, so memorising them and storing them in your phone is a must.
Observe Local Behaviour:
A key trick I use when navigating a new country is to learn from the locals. The way local people interact with one another, particularly women, can teach you a lot about the appropriate way to behave, dress and even sit. Respecting the customs and behaviour of the places you visit can help you to avoid accidentally causing offence.
Don’t Say You’re Single:
Though this might seem extreme, some advice I have been given in the past is to pretend you have a boyfriend, or even wear a wedding ring. There are some cultures where men are automatically respected more than women, and if men think that you may have a boyfriend or husband nearby, they will be less likely to harass you. It’s a sad fact, but the idea that you ‘belong’ to another man can automatically make you safer.
Handling Emergencies as a UK Citizen
Find out where the British embassy is based and how to contact them. The assistance provided by the nearest British embassy or consulate can be invaluable in an emergency, should you require legal assistance, lose your passport, are the victim of a crime or assist with a medical evacuation.
If your passport is lost or stolen, report it to the local police immediately and obtain a police report. Contact the nearest British consulate to apply for an Emergency Travel Document (ETD). Keep copies or clear photos of your original passport and visa to help with this process.
Always have travel insurance and keep your policy information printed and safe. In a lot of countries, there are no free health services, so without insurance, you may be left with a hefty bill that you have to pay upfront. Without this, you may even be denied emergency treatment, so it isn’t worth the risk.
You should also be aware of the quality of healthcare in the country you are visiting – many developing countries have poor facilities, so knowing a reputable hospital to go to can be life-saving. In EU countries, the GHIC can help you access treatment at reduced costs.
Final Thoughts
I love my freedom to travel as a woman. The places I visit, people I meet, and cultures I can immerse myself in open my eyes to so much beauty, and my gender does not mean I should miss out on any of that.
Approaching travel with preparedness and awareness means that I can feel secure whilst out on my adventures and still experience travel to the fullest. By researching your destination, being aware of local customs, staying vigilant, and leveraging supportive communities like Host A Sister, you can navigate the world with confidence and peace of mind.
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Anna xx
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