How to Protect Yourself if You're a Woman Traveling Alone

More women are now choosing to travel solo than ever before. It's a great way to see the world, but here are a few safety precautions to consider as you plan your dream vacation.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Fake Wedding Ring
• Money Belts
• Silk Scarf
• Whistles
• Padlocks
• Telephone Calling Cards

1. Leave your jewelry and other valuables at home. Never travel with expensive or heirloom objects that may make you a target for pickpockets.

2. Be aware of the people around you all the time, and follow your instincts. If something doesn't feel right, trust yourself.

3. Stay in well-populated, well-lit areas. Don't take shortcuts down alleys, and don't walk alone at night.

4. Talk to the locals about safety. Ask them which areas they avoid and which areas become dangerous after dark.

5. Always wear your purse across your body rather than dangling it from your shoulder. Or better yet, leave the purse at home and find another way to carry the things you really need.

6. Be extra careful at night. Try not to go out without a group of people, and make sure you have a plan to get home safely if you will be returning late. Also, avoid wearing extremely revealing clothes, or bring a sweater or coat to cover you up on your way back to your hotel from a club or restaurant. The more vulnerable you look, the more vulnerable you are.

7. Bring a lightweight scarf with you. It's a great, inconspicuous way to keep your stuff close to you. Just tie it around your purse strap, and then loop it through a belt loop on your clothing.

8. Avoid discussing your travel plans in detail with people you meet along the way.

9. Call home at predetermined intervals so that relatives and friends can be sure you are OK and can call the necessary authorities if you don't call on the appointed day.

Tips & Warnings

• Bring a couple of extra passport photos with you; this makes it easier to replace important documents if they do get lost or stolen.

• Bring a package of safety or diaper pins with you, and then pin the pockets of your garments closed, with your valuables inside. Just make sure you can access what you need without having to undress completely.

• Buy something at a local grocery store, and carry some of your valuables in the plastic bag with the store logo. This is a great way to disguise your camera as a bag of cheese and carrots!

• Even people who seem nonthreatening can be thieves or scam artists.

• Think twice before listening to sob stories or getting into conversations, especially in airports and train stations. Some scam artists hang out in locker areas, telling people that their bags have been stolen and that they need money or food; others wait to see which locker you use, with the intention of breaking into it later.