More and more women are traveling alone each year; whether you are a college student, retired or somewhere in between, if you are a woman, chances are good that you will travel alone at some point. It’s often fun to travel with someone else, whether that person is a spouse or romantic partner, a friend or a member of your family, but in some cases, you might prefer to take a trip or vacation on your own. In general, travel is safe as long as you remain aware of your surroundings and follow the recommendations set forth by the US government in regards to places that might be dangerous for anyone to travel into. Here are some tips to keep in mind if you are a woman traveling alone (and most can be useful for men traveling alone as well:
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Check the U.S. Department of State website. If you are traveling out of the country, whether you are alone or not, you should check to be sure that there is not a travel advisory for the area that you are visiting. In general, this usually applies to travel to certain developing areas of Central and South America, Asia and Africa, so be sure to know before you go whether there are any potential safety issues.
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Educate yourself on local customs. In some countries, women are expected to act or dress a certain way, particularly when not escorted by a male relative or spouse. If you are traveling to one of these areas, you’ll want to take special precautions to avoid drawing attention to yourself as a woman traveling alone. Dress as conservatively as the other women in the area if you are visiting a conservative country.
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Leave a copy of your itinerary with someone at home. This applies to anyone traveling alone, not just women. Also, while you’re at it, make a copy of your passport if you are traveling abroad, along with any other documents that you may need. In the unlikely event that your documents are stolen or lost while you are away, your contact at home can fax you the copies, allowing you to get back to your vacation with minimal hassle.
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Know where the less savory parts of town are before you go. You don’t necessarily have to stay out of those areas, but you will know to take greater precautions by not carrying a purse or wandering off of the main roads at night. It’s always better to arrive in a new destination while it is light out if possible; this allows you to get a good look around and make mental note of areas that might be sketchier once the sun goes down.
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Follow basic hotel safety tips. Keep your door locked, and if you receive a knock at the door claiming to be room service, call the lobby to be sure that someone was sent. Don’t leave your hotel key in plain sight, and don’t be afraid to ask the hotel staff for an escort to your car if you are leaving at night and feel like you are unsafe. You might consider bringing a rubber doorstop with you in your luggage; this will allow you an extra modicum of security if you feel unsafe for any reason in your room.
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Keep your attention on your surroundings. If you notice anything “off” or threatening about a person or situation, get yourself into the nearest public venue and wait to be sure that they pass. If an elevator stops and you feel at all threatened by the person already in the elevator, simply wait for the next one. Be less concerned about the potential to hurt someone’s feelings, and more concerned about keeping yourself safe.
You shouldn’t fear traveling alone whether you are a woman or a man. Using some common sense strategies and making sure that you don’t stand out in an unfamiliar culture will go a long way toward keeping yourself safe and sound. Traveling alone has its benefits, so be sure to enjoy them while on your trip!
