Female travellers
Travel is one of life's great pleasures, offering the chance to explore new places, broaden your horizons and create experiences that stay with you long after you've come home. Women are leading the way when it comes to solo and independent travel, and for good reason. Travelling on your own terms, at your own pace, can be genuinely transformative.
At the same time, it's worth being honest: women navigate a different risk landscape when they travel. From unwanted attention to cultural expectations around dress and behaviour, the challenges women face abroad are real, even if most trips pass without serious incident. Being prepared doesn't mean being fearful; it means travelling smarter, with the knowledge and tools to handle whatever comes your way.
Our She Travels Safe campaign was launched to arm women with knowledge and practical tools to encourage more travel confidence. Here we've put together practical, first-hand guidance to help women travel confidently, whether you're heading off solo or with friends.
Before you go
Before you set off on your travels it’s a good idea to:
Do your research. Get to know the place you’ll be going and familiarise yourself with specific neighbourhoods, transportation options, local customs or current events that might impact you while you’re there.
Visit the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) website to find out how safe the country you’re visiting is, any specific guidance on the destinations and important local laws.
Buy suitable travel insurance that covers where you’re going and any activities you plan to do, as well as any pre-existing medical conditions you might have.
Pack appropriate clothes for where you’re visiting. In some countries you may need to cover your head or other parts of your body, in which case a sarong or something to cover your head, shoulders and legs is essential particularly if you plan to visit any religious sites. This can also help you avoid sun burn if you’re going somewhere hot.
Consider wearing a wedding ring. In some places this will help you avoid unwanted attention particularly from men.
Pre-book your transport and accommodation and give a family member or friend your itinerary.
Try to arrive during the day. It’s easier to get your bearings in the daylight.
Store the address of where you plan to stay and emergency numbers in your phone. You may also want to keep a printed copy of your itinerary, accommodation info and important numbers.
Learn some key phrases in the local language so you can get help in an emergency.
Share your live location with a trusted friend or family member.
For extra peace of mind, consider booking through an established and trusted travel provider or tour operator. Safer Tourism Pledge Partners commit to higher safety standards and many offer bespoke itineraries or small group tours (some of which are women only!), meaning you have the extra protection of a guide as well as 24/7 helplines.
Staying safe in your accommodation
As well as the usual safety precautions you should take when you stay in holiday accommodation, it’s also a good idea to:
Ask for a room that doesn’t face the street where possible and avoid staying on the ground floor if you can.
Use your first initial and no title (‘Miss’, ‘Ms’ or ‘Mrs’) when checking in to your accommodation.
Ask reception about access - do people need a key to use the lift or get onto the upper floors, are the front doors locked after a certain time, etc
Never leave your key where someone can see your room number.
Keep your door and windows locked even when you are inside your room. Use the deadbolt or chain lock when you’re in your room.
Use any spy-hole or chain on your door before opening it to unexpected visitors. You can also place a wedge under the door if you feel uneasy.
Make sure no-one overhears you telling the reception in your accommodation what you’re doing that day or when your room will be unoccupied.
Indicate your room is occupied even when you are out. Do this by using a “do not disturb sign” on your door or leaving the lights on.
Keep your money, valuables and any important documents secure in any safe provided by your hotel or hostel. For more on this see our guide.
While you’re there
Keep friends and family updated regularly.
Always have means to charge your phone.
Trust your instincts - if something feels wrong, leave.
Have backup plans for accommodation and transport.
Share your location with someone you trust.
Wait until you’ve left a location before posting about it on social media.
Don’t let people know if you’re travelling solo; staying vague or even telling a white lie is totally acceptable in this situation!
Seek out women-led tours or female guides
Connect with other like-minded travellers
Book with established travel operators who work with local providers - check out Safer Tourism Pledge Partners, many of whom offer women only trips or activities
Own the journey
No trip is entirely without risk, but preparation and trusting your gut are two of the most powerful tools any traveller has. Most journeys go smoothly, and knowing you've done your homework before you go makes a real difference to how confidently you travel.
For more tips, real-world advice from women who've been there and guidance on bystander techniques that could help you support a fellow traveller in need, head to our She Travels Safe campaign page.