As women, we do have a different solo travel experience than men - just like there are differences in the precautions we take at home, and how ingrained these are in our behaviour and consciousness day-to-day, the same goes for when we are away. But beyond the fairly obvious "Don't walk alone at night" mentality, there are some really simple things you can adopt immediately as a 'first line of defence' to make your trip generally safer overall, and still have a great time.
1. Plan ahead
Where possible, have a vague idea of your schedule and share it with at least two people (family and a friend). Book your first few nights' accommodation and let people know as soon as possible if your plans look set to change. This in no way affects your freedom or ability to be spontaneous but instead provides peace of mind, knowing that others have an idea of where you are and when.
2. Share your insurance and flight details with your family or friends
This is such a simple tip but one that often gets overlooked. In an emergency, the last thing you want to be doing is reassuring local authorities that you have travel insurance or trying to find details of it in a rush, perhaps with limited internet access. One key family or friend phone number is way easier to remember right? Sharing these details with those close to you gives you an extra person to rely on if the information is needed.
3. Have a safe phrase to indicate an emergency or threat
This is absolutely one of my favourite personal safety tricks. Thankfully I've never had to use it but my parents know exactly what it means and what to do should I ever drop it into a rushed phone call (asking for money perhaps) or via email/text.
Pick a simple phrase that sounds every day, casual and mundane, but would never come up in an actual conversation with your parents or loved ones because it's irrelevant. For example, if you don't have a dog, agree that your safe phrase is "How's Rover?". Knowing that Rover is your imaginary dog, those who are aware of the phrase can use this to recognise that you are either in an emergency or under threat in some way, but can't talk about it openly. Equally should someone hack your email address, this phrase can be used to signal that it's really you asking for money vs. a scam. For me, my parents know to immediately alert the country's local authorities and the British Embassy if I ever utter my safe phrase. Only to be used in extreme circumstances of course.
4. Meet in public places
Never tell someone unknown to you where you're staying. It just doesn't make sense. There's no need for them to know unless you feel 100% comfortable with them. Generally aim to meet in open and public places, and arrange for safe transport to/from to your accommodation - you hostel or hotel will likely have a taxi company they trust or will be happy to call one on your behalf.
5. Tell people what you are doing
Your hostel or hotel will be more than happy to make a note of your plans for the day and when you're expected to return. It's in their interest to ensure you have a good time, and return safely so if you're heading out for the day or for an evening, just make them aware of your plans.
6. Respect the local people and culture
Disrespecting local culture can be one of the quickest ways to find yourself in a sticky situation - both in terms of gaining unwanted attention and, in some cases, with the law.
Always do your research on the country you're visiting to ensure you go prepared with basic knowledge of how to behave and dress. The latter being very important - dress can often be a sign of respect (and therefore an opportunity to cause offence if you get it wrong). Equally, your views on gender equality and women's rights won't necessarily be shared in all cultures and it's certainly not wise to use your solo travel adventure as an opportunity to challenge the status quo.
Observe the locals and how they behave in public and in places of significant interest, such as temples and historic sites. This can't be stressed enough - you are a visitor and a guest in a new country, representing both the travel community overall and your country via your behaviour towards, and respect for, the destination, the culture and the people who live there. It can be easy to notice differences between cultures but try to acknowledge the commonalities as well - it will naturally enhance your sense of humanity and your ability to make a connection with the local people.
Remember that not all countries are thriving with the same opportunities you experience at home. If you find yourself having to pay for things that feel somewhat unnecessary (such as someone handing you your shoes back outside a temple, when you could have picked them up yourself from 10 ft away, yes, this can be annoying but the likelihood is that the person asking for money has no other means of income and is simply trying to make a living. It may feel like a 'scam', of sorts, but making a fuss about it will be far more detrimental to your enjoyment of the trip and integration into the culture than simply paying up. Tap into compassion and pick your battles.
7. Be polite but firm
Unwanted attention is sometimes inevitable. As you familiarise yourself with solo travel, you'll be able to identify more easily whether it's the result of cultural norms vs. a real threat.
We've already spoken about the importance of dressing according to the culture but in many countries you may find people take an interest in you for a number of additional, genuine and non-threatening reasons. Simply being alone as a woman can be intriguing in cultures where women are typically accompanied by men. Equally, your appearance, for example pale skin and blond hair, can make you stand out. In some cultures, such as Sri Lanka, women don't generally drink or smoke, so engaging in one (or both) can be something local people notice. That's not to say you are a target or that attention will necessarily turn into an attempt to engage with you.
In the event that you find yourself being approached and you don't want to engage or return the conversation, it's key to stay calm, polite and firm. Antagonising any unwanted situation by responding defensively or with rudeness won't get you far. Simply say 'No thank you / I'm well / I'm actually on my way somewhere or to meet a friend. Goodbye' and keep walking (into the nearest shop or local attraction if you like!)
8. Keep your valuables safe
Take a few padlocks with you as your accommodation won't necessarily provide a locker or safe (although most do).
It can be worth carrying with you a fake purse containing an old credit/debit card, $50 and some loose change, as well as a cheap camera and phone. It offers a bit of a safety net in the event that someone tries to take your valuables from you and you have a chance to physically choose what to hand over.
Always carry a copy of your passport and never leave this in a bag that you're going to be separated from - e.g. in lower storage compartments of a bus.
Split your money up - keep it in several places on your person using a money belt and pockets inside jackets (bras also come in handy here). Take a couple of credit/debit cards with funds available on them (and make sure they all have access to internet banking so you can transfer between them should you lose one).
9. Be mindful of how much and what you drink
Sounds simple right? You'd be surprised how often this goes out the window. Yes, you're away and should absolutely have fun but getting to a point where you no longer feel in control in a new environment is just crap, and something you'll kick yourself for afterwards (trust me on this one). Buy your own drinks, cover the neck of your bottle and keep an eye on your drink at all times. This isn't so much a solo female travel issue specifically - drink spiking is incredibly common so exercise common sense and awareness of it whether at home or away.
10. Trust your instinct
If something doesn't feel right, refer to number 7 and just get out of the situation as quickly and as drama-free as possible.
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