Top tips for Travelling Abroad as a Woman
- Eva Gaffney
- Jul 7, 2022
- 3 min read
Updated: Jan 26, 2023
Travelling to a new country is always exciting. It allows you to experience different cultures, and see some of the most beautiful places in the world. As a woman, there’s a lot of worry surrounding travelling, so to help you make the most of your time abroad, I have compiled my top tips on how to stay safe and be travel aware.
Dress code:
When going abroad, choosing the outfits you’re going to wear while you’re there is often very high on people’s priority list! However, before packing your bags there are a few things to consider:
What will you be doing? / Where will you visit?
When visiting religious buildings and places of worship, appropriate clothing is necessary. For example, it's often required to have covered knees and no bare shoulders, and sometimes even sandals and sunglasses are not allowed.. For example, see Turkey advice as they recommend that you dress modestly if you’re visiting a mosque or a religious shrine to avoid offence. Certain places are stricter than others and they may reserve the right to turn you away if you don’t comply. As simple as it sounds this is a common mistake made by so many tourists, and a lot of the time, you would not even consider the need to cover up in a hot country. Make sure you have enough luggage space to pack acceptable clothing.
Location: Duomo Di Milano
Check the FCDO Travel Advice website and select the country you're planning on visiting to check any restrictions.
What is the day-to-day local dress code?
Researching a country's culture as well as their local laws, are very important to keep safe as a woman travelling abroad. Seeing what locals wear in your travel destination can be extremely useful in many ways and beneficial for women. Not only does this ensure you’re being respectful of the local culture and norms but it allows you to blend in. Not looking like a typical tourist makes you less of a target and will make it seem more likely you’re aware of your surroundings.
For example, In some Croatian town centres, you can be fined on the spot for inappropriate behaviour. This includes walking through towns shirtless or in swimwear or wearing clothing that promotes drug use. Most towns have signage to advise about prohibited actions and check the travel advice if unsure.
2. Accommodation
Where is your accommodation located?
Travelling can cost a lot of money and finding ways to keep the cost down is important, however, the location of your accommodation is a priority. Researching the area you plan to stay in, or recommendations on places near the centre can be extremely useful. When going home at the end of the day it can be dark and often unrecognisable. For women especially, it can be dangerous when you don’t know the area. Having a downloaded copy of the map, or directions home can be useful if you cannot access the internet. Make sure to research the public transport system to help keep yourself safe while you’re away.
Some really simple tips to help you be safe in/out of your accommodation:
Packing a doorstop is something that can make you more secure and feel safer. You never know how secure your lock/room really is and who has access to it.
Play the TV in the local language when you’re not in your room. This not only makes someone think that you're in your room, but that there is a higher chance you are from the area. This makes it less likely for someone to break in.
If there is a viewing hole on your door, always check this before opening the door to visitors, especially when you're not expecting anyone.
3. Sign up to travel alerts
An extremely useful tool on the Travel Advice website allows you to be notified if anything important changes in the country you are in or planning on travelling to. These only send you information that is important and alerts if you are potentially going to be in danger. They also can make you aware if covid rules change, or if the country will be going into lockdown.
4. Nights out
Whether you are just going for a few drinks at a local bar or going to a nightclub. Being abroad means there are more risks you need to be aware of. There are easy things you can do to prevent something bad from happening.
Purchase your own drinks
Be aware of your company and surroundings
When you’re heading home after a night out, be sure you are getting into a licensed taxi and taking note of the car registration. For example, if you're a passenger in an unlicensed taxi in Spain you could be fined up to 600€.
5. Some general simple safety tips
Learn simple helpful phrases in the local language
Keep a note/learn the local emergency numbers
Check-in with someone back home regularly
For further tips and information, this is a very useful article to review before you jet off!
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