Personal Safety
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HAVE A SAFE TRIP:
Tips for Women Traveling Alone
July 2018
By Carol Lippert Gray
“Solo travel for women can be an incredibly fulfilling way to experience the world and an enormous opportunity for personal growth. It rewards you with time to reflect and to learn about yourself and the destinations along the way,” says Audrey Hendley, president of American Express Travel and Lifestyle Services.
So if you’re planning a solo trip for business or pleasure, just tuck away a few commonsense tips in your mental carry-on. They can make your trip safer and more pleasant.
Understand where you’re going: That means researching your destination thoroughly; this is so you’ll know which neighborhoods to avoid, how (and at what times of day) to use public transport, and the safety record of your hotel or other accommodations. When you arrive, ask female hotel staff where it’s safe for you to go and where it isn’t. Ask whether the street scene deteriorates at night and if you should use a taxi or ride-share service like Uber, instead of walking or taking public transportation. Hendley advises, “Trust your gut instincts.”
Handle your valuables with care: Even if you leave your most valuable possessions at home (and you should), your electronics, jewelry, passport, cash, and credit/debit cards are attractive to thieves. Don’t put these things (or your prescription medications) in your checked luggage or in the hold of a bus. While sightseeing, keep everything (except some cash, a credit/debit card, and your camera or phone) in the hotel room safe. Put the things you do carry in a safe place, such as a slash-proof bag, a special pouch that attaches to your bra, or a travel vest with interior pockets. If you have a purse or backpack, keep it close to you at all times (I’ve seen tourists in restaurants in New York hang their bags over the backs of their chairs or leave them unattended at the table while they use the restroom. Not smart.). If you’re making a purchase, hold your bag between yourself and the counter. While walking through busy tourist areas and city streets, keep all the compartments of your purse or sack zipped and snapped and sling the bag diagonally across your neck and chest.
Back it up: Make photocopies of your passport and other documents. Leave one set at home with a friend or relative and take one set with you in case the originals get lost. Give someone at home the password to your electronics. Also give someone at home your full itinerary and touch base periodically.
Don’t get chummy too quickly: Don’t immediately trust new acquaintances with your person or your stuff. As a corollary, manage your alcohol intake. Drink slowly and responsibly.
Avoid dressing like a “tourist” when possible: The idea is to blend in. Shorts, jeans, Nikes, and Birkenstocks aren’t always appropriate, and you don’t want to look conspicuous. Check out the dress code at your destination and follow it. In some places, such as the Middle East, it helps to wear a wedding ring.
Be aware of your surroundings: It’s best to scan your directions and maps before venturing out. Walk with confidence. If you need to consult a map or your phone, don’t do it in the middle of the street.
Be prudent about hotel safety: Never mention you’re alone, even to room service. When you go out – particularly in the evening - put the “Do Not Disturb” sign on your door and leave the TV or radio and a light on. Request a room above the first floor. Use the main entrance and valet service when possible.
Hold off on social media posts: Don’t advertise your absence. Post pictures of your sightseeing to social media AFTER you arrive home. You don’t want thieves to know you’re away.
Props to you: A few simple add-ons can make you feel safer. Consider setting up a portable door or window alarm. Use a selfie stick so you don’t have to hand your phone or camera over to a stranger. If you’re renting a car, use GPS.
Finally, remember that while you should keep your wits and your property about you, you also should savor every opportunity to enjoy your time away. Hendley recommends you travel with “a few of your everyday comforts – things that help you unwind or relax at the hotel, like a great pair of headphones, coupled with a perfect playlist and a good book to read.”
Bon voyage!
Be a Savvy Traveler
The U.S. Department of State Website: This site offers a wealth of information for traveling abroad. You will find information about passports, visas, and travel advisories, and you can also sign up for updated travel advisories.
Please note: The State Department’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) is a free service that allows you to enroll with the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate so you can be contacted in the event of an emergency, either in the country you’re visiting or at home.
Other sections: Traveling in Europe, Crisis Abroad: Be Ready, Your Health Abroad, Travelers with Special Considerations, and Driving and Road Safety Abroad.
Adventurous Kate’s Solo Female Travel Blog: This blog contains valuable information for women traveling solo. You can read about Kate McCulley’s experiences or link to resources providing lists and information about hotels, destinations, travel insurance, and travel and safety gear.
“Solo travel for women can be an incredibly fulfilling way to experience the world and an enormous opportunity for personal growth. It rewards you with time to reflect and to learn about yourself and the destinations along the way,” says Audrey Hendley, president of American Express Travel and Lifestyle Services.
So if you’re planning a solo trip for business or pleasure, just tuck away a few commonsense tips in your mental carry-on. They can make your trip safer and more pleasant.
Understand where you’re going: That means researching your destination thoroughly; this is so you’ll know which neighborhoods to avoid, how (and at what times of day) to use public transport, and the safety record of your hotel or other accommodations. When you arrive, ask female hotel staff where it’s safe for you to go and where it isn’t. Ask whether the street scene deteriorates at night and if you should use a taxi or ride-share service like Uber, instead of walking or taking public transportation. Hendley advises, “Trust your gut instincts.”
Handle your valuables with care: Even if you leave your most valuable possessions at home (and you should), your electronics, jewelry, passport, cash, and credit/debit cards are attractive to thieves. Don’t put these things (or your prescription medications) in your checked luggage or in the hold of a bus. While sightseeing, keep everything (except some cash, a credit/debit card, and your camera or phone) in the hotel room safe. Put the things you do carry in a safe place, such as a slash-proof bag, a special pouch that attaches to your bra, or a travel vest with interior pockets. If you have a purse or backpack, keep it close to you at all times (I’ve seen tourists in restaurants in New York hang their bags over the backs of their chairs or leave them unattended at the table while they use the restroom. Not smart.). If you’re making a purchase, hold your bag between yourself and the counter. While walking through busy tourist areas and city streets, keep all the compartments of your purse or sack zipped and snapped and sling the bag diagonally across your neck and chest.
Back it up: Make photocopies of your passport and other documents. Leave one set at home with a friend or relative and take one set with you in case the originals get lost. Give someone at home the password to your electronics. Also give someone at home your full itinerary and touch base periodically.
Don’t get chummy too quickly: Don’t immediately trust new acquaintances with your person or your stuff. As a corollary, manage your alcohol intake. Drink slowly and responsibly.
Avoid dressing like a “tourist” when possible: The idea is to blend in. Shorts, jeans, Nikes, and Birkenstocks aren’t always appropriate, and you don’t want to look conspicuous. Check out the dress code at your destination and follow it. In some places, such as the Middle East, it helps to wear a wedding ring.
Be aware of your surroundings: It’s best to scan your directions and maps before venturing out. Walk with confidence. If you need to consult a map or your phone, don’t do it in the middle of the street.
Be prudent about hotel safety: Never mention you’re alone, even to room service. When you go out – particularly in the evening - put the “Do Not Disturb” sign on your door and leave the TV or radio and a light on. Request a room above the first floor. Use the main entrance and valet service when possible.
Hold off on social media posts: Don’t advertise your absence. Post pictures of your sightseeing to social media AFTER you arrive home. You don’t want thieves to know you’re away.
Props to you: A few simple add-ons can make you feel safer. Consider setting up a portable door or window alarm. Use a selfie stick so you don’t have to hand your phone or camera over to a stranger. If you’re renting a car, use GPS.
Finally, remember that while you should keep your wits and your property about you, you also should savor every opportunity to enjoy your time away. Hendley recommends you travel with “a few of your everyday comforts – things that help you unwind or relax at the hotel, like a great pair of headphones, coupled with a perfect playlist and a good book to read.”
Bon voyage!
Be a Savvy Traveler
The U.S. Department of State Website: This site offers a wealth of information for traveling abroad. You will find information about passports, visas, and travel advisories, and you can also sign up for updated travel advisories.
Please note: The State Department’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) is a free service that allows you to enroll with the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate so you can be contacted in the event of an emergency, either in the country you’re visiting or at home.
Other sections: Traveling in Europe, Crisis Abroad: Be Ready, Your Health Abroad, Travelers with Special Considerations, and Driving and Road Safety Abroad.
Adventurous Kate’s Solo Female Travel Blog: This blog contains valuable information for women traveling solo. You can read about Kate McCulley’s experiences or link to resources providing lists and information about hotels, destinations, travel insurance, and travel and safety gear.
Carol Lippert Gray is an award-winning public relations professional and longtime freelance writer and editor. She has been published in fields as diverse as crafts and corporate finance, parenting and philanthropy.
