Safe Travel for Women:
How to Stay Safe During Your Trip

Safe travel for women is one of our foremost concerns when we decide to go on the road. Will we be safe? How do we protect ourselves? What do we do if faced with danger?

Admittedly these thoughts can be daunting.

But they needn't change our travel plans in any way. On the contrary, most women travel safely and chances of running into problems are pretty much the same anywhere.

However, cultures are different, perceptions and thinking may not be what we're used to, so what we do need is to be prepared and take travel precautions - and that can take a bit of time and effort. And we need to be aware. Being prepared and being aware are two things that can help us plan safe travel and avoid most major problems on the road.

What are those problems?

There are many kinds of safety when it comes to women on the road.

Women's initial travel safety concerns are all about preparation - research on your destination, airport and airline safety, physical training, self defence, packing the right kit, making sure you take the right information with you.

Where should you go? What are the safest destinations for women, especially those who are new to solo travel?

Another important concern about safe travel for women is how to stay safe once you're on the road. What happens if disaster strikes, such as an earthquake, hurricane or tsunami? What about safety for female hitchhikers?

Then there are the more expected annoyances on the road - unwanted male attention, street beggars, travel scams, and hostel and hotel room safety.

How do you avoid crime abroad? One thing you might consider is training in self defense for women.

And lets not forget all kinds of travel means - bus travel, boat travel, road safety...

Plenty of travel gadgets can help keep you safe - or at least make you feel safer! Your money and valuables should always be in a travel money belt. If you don't like wearing something around your waist, try a neck wallet or leg wallet for your documents. You can buy safety locks for your hotel room and mesh covers for your backpack. There are plenty of travel gadgets and safety goods on the market that will help you feel safer as you travel.

The issue of health is also a concern - proper vaccinations, allergies, prevention of illness, sexually transmitted infections and HIV, medical treatment while you travel.

The kind of traveler you are will also influence the safety measures you take. Are you a mature or senior traveler? A young girl on a gap year or junior year off? Are you a mother traveling with children? A lesbian traveling alone or with your partner? A woman taking a trip on your own for the first time? Each of these circumstances means you'll look at safety through a different lens.

How do you keep safe in dangerous places? What if you need to travel to a war zone or an area that's just been devastated? You will have to deal with the military or police, many of whom may be trigger-happy because of the unstable situation, with minefields or actual fighting going on.

For those of you who are religious, some travel prayers might help.

And for those who just need a little bit of help, why not take along a safe travel talisman or amulet - my green tin cup, called Kermit, never left my side through years of travel.

All this may seem bit scary - but it shouldn't be. Being prepared and aware will usually do the trick, and most of the time women can and do travel safely.

It just doesn't come naturally - we need to work at it.