Traveling Safe, as a Woman
10. Sep, 2008 
20 Comments
I arrived in Dublin yesterday, and it’s back to big city life for me. As I was exploring the city, I came to a beautiful little park with a little archway and a clock tower. I wanted to take some pictures, so I headed towards the entrance. There I found 6 Dubliners, each around 40 years old, clearly high or drunk (mid morning) and huddled around something they were doing with their hands. Oh crap, will they notice my camera and steal it? I had two choices, turn and run or smile and walk in. I chose to walk in, pulling my camera close to me, and noting if there were any other exits. There weren’t. I dawdled in the park for a bit, then made my way back out again. The drunken leader asked me if I would take his picture. I did. Harmless.
When you’re traveling as a woman, everyone wants you to be super duper safe. There are entire sites dedicated to female travelers, and the best way to travel solo. It bothers me, a little, that the assumption is that any male is better off than women in the world. There are 6 scrawny 18 year old boys here in the hostel, and let me tell you, I could take them. Seriously. I could beat them up, take their lunch money and make them call me uncle. My point is, that most people are vulnerable to someone bigger, stronger, tougher–regardless of gender.
But you don’t have travel afraid. Here are some little tricks I use.
1. Be Confident. Walk with purpose past those crack smoking weirdos, and don’t let it show that you’re nervous.
2. If you get a bad feeling about a place, leave as quickly as possible. In Lisbon, I swore I was being tailed by two men. Maybe I was paranoid, but I sat down in the first cafe that I could and ordered a drink.
3. Keep aware of your surroundings. If you hear someone walking behind you and don’t see anyone walking ahead of you, then this is a bad time to walk down an alleyway. Try to never put yourself in a situation where you’re alone and it would be difficult to call for help (or no one could see you). Stick to main streets unless you see a crowd.
4. Make sure that someone knows where you are (what country, hotel name, flight number etc) and keep in regular contact. (This is easy for me, my husband and I check in about 10 times a day!)
5. Keep it in perspective. In Boston, I felt perfectly safe, but the truth is, that city has a higher crime rate than most of places I’ve visited in Europe. So while the urge to assume that this unfamiliar city is more dangerous, statistically, you have a better chance of getting robbed at home (for my hometown anyway). You can’t control random crimes at home or abroad, so don’t make yourself crazy with worry.
In some ways, I think as a woman traveling solo, you are given a wider berth by men, who for cultural reasons, treat women with a certain respect. I try to balance being protective and still allowing myself to meet people and have strange experiences. I talked to a man in a bar about astrological signs (he was sure I was a virgo– I’m a pisces). I gave a homeless man 5 euros, because I didn’t have any change and he looked like he needed it. He hugged me and wouldn’t let me go. I’ve met pick up artists, an architect from Salamanca, a German translator, a Welsh bar owner, and a guy who spoke five languages better than I speak two. These were all chances I’m glad I took.
When you travel, what do you do to stay safe?
In general, I think common sense is the rule at hand. Would you do whatever it is you’re going to do at home? If not, then why are you doing it wherever you’re at? On the practical side, I think it’s good to avoid arriving in a new place at dark if you can avoid it. You’re probably tired from traveling and a good bit disoriented, and it’s much easier to get taken or get into a bad situation under those circumstances. Staying sober is also a good idea. I’ve always been a bit blown away by the people (and yes, in particular women, because of the risk of sexual assault) who go out with strangers and get totally wasted. A drink or two, sure. Falling over drunk, um bad idea. Keeping your wits about you is key, and that’s pretty hard to do when you’re blitzed.
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I agree with Theresa about the common sense. I also just trust my gut- the best radar of all. If I have a bad feeling about somewhere or someone, I get myself out out of the situation. Also, take a cab if it’s late and there aren’t many people out and about. A little extra spending on a cab to keep yourself safe is totally worth it!
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Very timely post! I was just researching deaths of Americans in Mexico for something I’m writing about the misconception that Mexico is teeming with robbers and rapists. The truth is that out of 200 American deaths in 2007, 80% were from two causes: auto related fatalities (either pedestrian or driving) and drownings.
I certainly second the stay sober comment above. I’d say that most of the trouble that tourists get into here is directly related to intoxication. They get drunk and aren’t aware of their surroundings (robbery, theft) and they make poor choices and do dangerous things (like go home with a stranger or invite them back to their hotel rooms). We are fortunate that there is very little violent crime, almost none against tourists.
As for the traffic deaths, you can’t assume that every country gives pedestrians the right of way. In Mexico, you wait until the road is clear or you risk getting hit by a car. Unlike some other countries, the drivers here are not expecting pedestrians to leap in front of their cars to walk across the busy street without looking. I wish I had a nickel for every tourist I saw in the middle of a busy street, oblivious to traffic, looking at a map or pointing out some quaint sight to their companion.
here’s the link to the state dept. report of unnatural deaths by region: http://travel.state.gov/law/family_issues/death/death_594.html
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I’m definitely another vote for common sense, awareness and confidence. I agree, too, Christine that gender is no guarantee of safety. My father gave me the best advice years ago…don’t ever be afraid of appearing rude if you are uncomfortable or feel unsafe – it’s not rude to not get in that elevator or to cross the road if the person/people there make you feel unsafe. I am by no means paranoid but a healthy dose of concern and awareness works.
I’ve traveled solo quite a bit, and it’s always good to be reminded of some basic safety tips. I also agree with what everyone has said–keeping your wits about you, as they say, is really the number one rule for me. Try not to look too much like a tourist, be aware of your surroundings, don’t put yourself in situations that you feel unsure about. I stay in hostels a lot, so it’s easy to meet people and tag along on a night out. It’s nice to have some safety in numbers when exploring a strange city after dark.
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I agree 100% on the whole gender thing. I am a communications major and throughout a lot of my classes gender communication comes up constantly. When I have traveled places with friends the one thing I do which I believe helps me the most is your #1: be confident (and avoid looking like a tourist
. And common sense helps too.
BTW, I was in Ireland a summer ago–if you get a chance you should try going to the little places in the country. I swear Ireland has every shade of green you can think of
Enjoy Yourself!
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Very informative & encouraging post. I agree with all the points you have mentioned & follow them whenever I am alone. Don’t move in dark or isolated places, look confident, no alcohol etc is what I follow. Well, in true sense I haven’t traveled solo as a tourist but for work & vacation to many countries.
Yes, you are right Europe is any day much safer than USA. In Europe also some countries are very safe.
And about India ? Oh though it is my own country I am so scared to travel here alone but will surely do this year and will write about the experience. India is not safe for solo women traveler unless you move to only bigger cities, travel in airplanes & stay in 5 stars. Language problem is another issue.
Now I am trying to help some foreigners with their journeys in India. In fact was looking for some solo women travelers with whom I can also move around. loll..
Nice article, thanks for sharing.
To Katie:- New Zealand’s countryside green is also awesome.
Girl power! Great post.
I agree, for the most part, that guys are equally as prone to bad stuff on the road. The one thing that still gives me pause is going out alone at night for dinner/drinks. I’m getting more and more comfortable with it, but I still have to really pump myself up and study maps and subway systems before I leave so I know exactly where I’m going and how I’m getting home. I’d love to say it’s easy for me to just belly up to a bar, start a conversation, and make new lifelong friends. But more often than not I feel overwhelmed, politely order, and stick my nose in a book…not much interaction with the locals. I’d love to hear how some of you other jetsetting women handle solo drinking/dining in a new city after dark.
Along with the ‘use common sense’ tips other people offered above, traveling alone is probably a time to dress a tad on the more conservative side–not the night for the plunging neckline, stilettos, and sparkly jewels.
I am possibly the most irresponsible person I know. I take stupid risks all the time and have gotten myself into some ridiculous situations but have never been burned – I’m knocking on wood right now. For me the trick is to trust my instincts and to put my trust in other people as well. I think that if you expect bad things to happen, they probably will. Plus I’d rather have a couple bad things happen here and there than spend my entire life living in fear, mistrusting everyone I meet and not really experiencing the places I visit at all. I could probably stand to use a bit more common sense and caution now and then but life has been good to me so far so I guess what I’m doing is working fine.
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I may feel I know a lot about staying safe – but I tend towards risk-taking anyway. An important thing for me is cultural savvy – knowing about a local culture, the status of women, general attitudes about women on their own… it helps interpret things. Sometimes, what might be seen as threatening in a Western context actually translates into a different emotion – shock or surprise – somewhere else.
My one must: I carry a whistle everywhere. Noise is often the best defense.
Also, I’m afraid that while it may be comforting and politically attractive to dismiss the gender issue when it comes to safety, there are ample statistics demonstrating that women are far more vulnerable than men to violence, especially sexual violence. Certainly men can also find themselves in difficult situations, but its far rarer. Also, women tend to be smaller than men – not always, but often. These are simply realities, in my opinion, not value judgments.
I absolutely concur that trusting your instincts is the way to go. I’ve traveled on my own around the world several times, usually for months at a time, and once for a full three years (including danger and war zones). Like Kirsty, I’ve been fortunate – I’ve avoided major problems but in all honesty, it’s been pure luck rather than anything of my own doing.
having never been a woman I can’t possibly grasp what it’s like…but from my own perspective, I’ve often been accused – or rather described – as having an intimidating look??..??.. I assure you I’m harmless, but when solo women travelers cross my path I can’t help but notice them clutch their purse a little closer and they give me a wide berth…my gruff voice has been known to strike terror into people, and launch the meekest of individuals into fits of crying. I suppose that in certain instances these things could be seen as an advantage, or maybe I should just get a haircut
I always get questions from females asking if it is safe to travel alone. I always tell them the same thing: if you are as smart about your surroundings as you are back home, you’ll be fine. just make sure you stay street wise.
i’ve known girls who have done africa solo. thousands due southeast asia alone.
When I get that question now, i’ll send them here christine. great post!
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I’m so glad that you posted this Christine! This is an issue that has irritated me for a long time. I do most of my traveling alone and have never had any problems. Still, I always get hundreds of lectures and comments about women traveling alone and how unsafe it is. I’ve never seen a guy have to deal with these assumptions, no matter where they travel. I live in Chicago and am very savvy about personal safety. I walk with long strides in a confident manner. (I make sure I can run in whatever shoes that I wear out) If I’m out at night alone, I never travel by public transit and I watch my surroundings and use common sense. I tranfer all of these guidelines to wherever I’m traveling, adding attention to cultural details. I don’t wear anything that I don’t see locals wearing and never wear jewelry or anything too suggestive. Some cultures do treat women as second class citizens and I pay attention to male body language. Any leering or trying to get close and I’m gone. This has not kept me from meeting interesting people and I’ve rarely felt uncomfortable or afraid. I can recall only 2 times I’ve felt afraid in visiting 15 countries solo. In Negril Jamaica, where I was stalked by a man every time I left the hotel. I hired a local guide and he kept him away. In San Jose, Costa Rica, I asked my inn manager about a good place to go to dinner and his reply was “vaya con Dios.” And he wasn’t just trying to get me to eat at the inn, they didn’t serve dinner. He gave me this long story about telling “good” people from “bad” people. I ended up eating around the corner from the inn and being very nervous about it but I still wonder if it was just his bias about a woman going out alone.
I rely a lot on my instinct. If something feels fishy, it probably is. One thing that is nice about Europe and a lot of other places around the world is that you don’t have to worry about violent crimes with guns. I never worried about getting shot in Paris, but it’s a real (albeit rare) possibility in Washington, DC.
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I agree that common sense is the rule of the game. I follow the same rules abroad as I do at home. It is all about perspective. I like in a place where it is safe for a 12 year old to walk around in midnight, and others act like it’s NYC or East side of Chicago. I’m telling you, comparitively this is Candyland. As long as you are alert and aware of what you are doing and pay attention to your woman’s instinct, I think most of the time, things will be ok.
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Love your blog a real travelers blog. Your keep safe tactics are great, I’ll link here to my sites http://www.wisequeen.com and http://www.italyexpat.blogspot.com
Great post – I think that women tend to draw more attention from men in general and it’s somewhat more difficult to remain inconspicuous – but the same is true of foreigners in many countries.
Good advice for women and men is to learn the cultural norms, customs, and faux pas of a locale before you go. This is add reason to instinct and go a long way in helping you avoid trouble.
Basically same rules for staying safe apply when traveling as you use at home. One additional thing I have encountered traveling in certain areas is pickpockets – don’t carry valuables, id, money, credit cards in your purse or pocket – I do use a money belt or the kind that hangs round the neck down inside of shirt – but this rule should apply to anyone male or female. I also read guidebooks and maps pretty extensively before traveling so I have some idea of where I want to go, and when I’m there where I am. Other than that, I leave it open and look forward to all the encounters and experiences !!