10 Essential Safety Tips for Women Traveling Alone

Traveling alone as a woman can be both empowering and daunting. Whether you’re embarking on a solo adventure to discover yourself or traveling for business, staying safe is a top priority. Below are ten dos and don’ts to help you navigate your way through an unfamiliar city and a foreign land.

DO wear a wedding ring, even if you’re not married.

A simple band of gold signifies that you’re not interested and, even more important, that your husband or partner is somewhere close by. If you start picking up a weird vibe from someone you’ve just met, the faux, or real, wedding band provides a polite excuse to walk away.

DO travel during the day if at all possible.

You don’t want to be traipsing through a dark parking garage or left hanging around a deserted airport. Plan your itinerary to ensure you’re in safe surroundings at all times.

DO check in with your family, friends, or co-workers as you make your way.

Have them track your flight using an app like Flightaware, so they’ll know when your plane has landed and when they should be hearing from you. This way, someone always has a handle on your whereabouts. Additionally, have them watch the movie “Taken,” so they can do their best Liam Neeson impression if a phone call goes unanswered.

DO protect yourself against electronic theft.

Electronic theft is becoming increasingly common in tourist areas. Thwart it with radio-frequency identification (RFID) blocking shields. Individual RFID shields, wallets, and purses are plentiful. Companies like Travelon and Pacsafe carry a full line of items geared towards travel safety, some of which are not only RFID-blocking but also anti-slash.

DON’T flash your cash.

Stash your money in more than one place. Of course, you don’t want to be obvious paying for a cab with the money you pull out of your bra. Consider carrying a dummy wallet if you’re going to a place known for pick-pockets. Fill it with promotional credit cards you get in the mail and some small bills so it looks the part.

DO be loud.

If you’re not a screamer, carry a Personal Screaming Device or the Storm, the world’s loudest whistle. The Storm is so loud that even someone wearing a helmet can hear it. Noise can be a deterrent to those with malicious intentions.

DON’T offer personal information to people you’ve just met.

In fact, it’s a good idea to have a plausible but completely fictional story to tell those who are overly curious. And, not to sound too paranoid, but while you may be talking to someone who genuinely is who they say they are, the guy behind you could be making notes of your travel plans.

DON’T drink the water.

Bottled water is always safest and probably better tasting. Tap water can be fine if it’s properly filtered. However, filtered water tends to miss that pesky E.coli or rotavirus, so consider a travel water bottle with a purifier.

DON’T get drunk.

Intoxication reduces not only your inhibitions but also your awareness of your surroundings. That’s when predatory drugs (roofies, liquid ecstasy, and cat valiums) can get slipped into your beverage.

DON’T dress to impress.

When traveling safely in a foreign country, you will probably fail at blending in, so aim for not standing out. To make packing easier, choose a versatile wardrobe with a neutral-based color scheme of non-wrinkly clothes. Keep your jewelry at home. A woman alone doesn’t have to travel in constant fear. The best travel safety tip is to look like you know what you’re doing. Walk with determination and purpose. If you need to pick a stranger to ask for help, choose a family with young children or an older woman. Such choices are less likely to be serial killers in disguise.

Research where you’re going. The CIA World Factbook is a great resource. Realize that, in a worst-case scenario, bad things happen no matter how many precautions you take. Your job is to reduce the chance that those bad things will happen to you.

In summary, women traveling alone should stay alert, prepared, and confident. With these easy and simple tips, you can travel and explore new places safely and without feeling intimidated by the unknown.