How I Stay Safe on the Road as a Female Traveler
For the past three years, I have made travel a priority in my life. Although the world is actually safer than it’s ever been, many people still feel like traveling as a young woman is a dangerous pursuit. I’ve studied abroad, lived abroad, and took a long backpacking trip last fall, yet I’ve still never faced any real danger on the road.
I can’t help but feel like the sensationalized, 24 hour news cycle has something to do with the perception that traveling or living abroad is risky, along with the fact that many Americans do not have a passport and have never left the country.
However, this doesn’t mean that travel is all sunshine and daises — when you stand out as a tourist or land in a new country without doing any research, you may face unwanted negative attention, become a target for scammers, or end up in an unsavory and unfamiliar neighborhood.
I wish we lived in a world where women didn’t have to take extra precautions to keep themselves safe, but unfortunately, we’re not quite there yet.
When I travel, I have to take responsibility for my own safety and be wary of situations that could turn sour. Thankfully, my methods are sound, and aside from a little cat calling, I’ve managed to avoid sticky situations on the road.
If you’re a woman who dreams of traveling the world, but you’re hesitant to book that plane ticket because you’re worried about safety, I’m here to reassure you that you can do it — even if you’re traveling solo. Here are a few things I always do to stay safe on the road:
1. I do tons of research beforehand.
When I’m booking a hostel, I always read the reviews to make sure it’s in a good neighborhood. I look up guides written by other backpackers to get a good idea of which activities can be skipped and which areas should be avoided.
Most cities offer free walking tours, and I will usually sign up for one of these tours on my first day somewhere new so I get the lay of the land from a local guide. I ask locals for advice whenever possible — don’t be shy about asking staff at your hostel or your AirBnB host for a little guidance!
2. I dress in neutral, appropriate clothing.
I know that this piece of advice might be frustrating for some people, and I understand why — women should be able to wear whatever we want without hearing sexual comments from strangers, right? Unfortunately, this isn’t always how it pans out. Look, my hometown is at the beach — I love walking around in a bathing suit and shorts when it’s hot out. But when I went to Istanbul, I wore very modest outfits each day, despite the heat.
If you’re going to a touristy beach destination, this might not be a big deal, but if you’re going to a more conservative or religious area, you’ll want to blend in.
3. I rarely drink.
This is a personal choice, and I know that for many backpackers, the social scene revolves around partying and pub crawls. I choose to limit my drinking while traveling because I want to stay alert when I’m in a foreign country. I do drink while traveling sometimes, but not very often — plus, who wants to explore with a nasty hangover?
4. I learn the popular scams before arriving.
Seriously, just a quick Google could save you loads of trouble when it comes to dealing with scammers abroad. The common scams vary from city to city. If you’re in Rome and someone tries to tie a bracelet around your wrist, firmly refuse. If you’re in Athens and someone wants to hand you a flower, don’t take it — they’re going to charge you.
5. I try to avoid looking at maps in public.
This might seem excessive, but pulling out a huge map on a crowded street and studying it instantly marks you as a tourist, and if there are any scammers around, they’re going to notice and target you. I usually keep maps and directions on my phone instead. Look straight ahead and have a good idea of your route before you set out — you’ll come across as confident.
6. I use my common sense.
During my first trip to Europe, I went to Greece through a program at my high school. At the time, riots were occasionally breaking out in Athens. One night, we were out in the city when we noticed that tension was brewing — it looked like a group of guys were getting into a fight, and we knew that it could escalate into something bigger.
So we turned around and simply left the area without a second thought.
If you see something shady going on, your best bet is to remove yourself from the situation. If you notice that the neighborhood you’re walking through is starting to look a bit sketchy, feel free to reroute and go somewhere different. If you show up to your hostel and realize it’s a total dump, take a stroll around the block and see if there’s a safer hostel with empty beds (unless it’s high season in an area, you can usually find something).
Taking a few extra safety precautions when you travel can help you feel more comfortable in an unfamiliar place. A little extra planning and common sense can ease your worries, you’ll be able to navigate like a pro, blend in with the crowd, and enjoy your trip.
