Last updated on June 13th, 2022
FEEL EMPOWERED + CONFIDENT
Safety Resources for Women Travellers
Safety starts with the right mindset
While women have taken great steps forward in travel, representing two-thirds of all travellers, we are still having to confront the issue of personal safety when we travel. Safety starts well before you leave on a trip, in fact, for most women it’s an integral part of the planning process.
JourneyWoman has been leading the safety dialogue for almost 30 years, and even created the Government of Canada’s guide for solo travel for women, called Her Own Way, which is still in use today. This page includes links to some of our most popular resources and tips from women who have travelled the world.With a safety mindset and planning carefully in advance, women can take active steps to prepare for any situation, at home or abroad.
The pandemic has made women’s safety even more important
“As a woman, being able to move about freely all over the world without having to worry about personal safety, is my definition of safety in the context of future travel.”
Unfortunately, the pandemic has negatively affected women’s safety, going far beyond secure accommodations and personal safety to include medical facilities, transportation and health and hygiene. It has also made us realize that safety isn’t just a travel issue; it affects women at home too.
We must commit to ourselves to honour those moments when we don’t feel safe and actively take steps to protect ourselves. To do that, we need a plan, and we need practice. A safety mindset is a start, but by learning self-defence skills we can be empowered to take control of any situation and move into a position of control.
Top Safety Tips for Solo Travellers
Safety Tips for Women: At Home + Abroad
Latest articles
Expert Solo Travel Safety Tips for Young Women
Practical travel safety tips to help young women plan and prepare for their first solo trip, covering physical to online safety.
How This Woman is Making the World Safer for Women
Women’s safety advocate Tracey Breeden shares how women can protect themselves against online harassment, which data shows is intensifying.
Six Safety Tips for Women When Meeting Online
Women’s safety expert Tracey Breeden shares her top tips for women to stay safe in the digital world.
JourneyWoman and Safe4Life Host Special Self-Defence Class for Young Women
JourneyWoman and Safe4Life are offering young women a free self-defence class on Tuesday, September 28 to help them prepare for potentially threatening situations.
Survey Says Women’s Safety is Still an Issue, Even Without Travel
Our 2021 TravelReady Women’s Safety Survey shows that safety is still a major concern for women, at home and while travelling.
Women's Safety is Still an Issue
UN Women says 1 in 3 women are subjected to violence
Self-Defense Tips from an Expert
Lorna Selig shares her top tips to empower you
Staying Safe in Hotels
Women need their own checklist
COVID Resource Centre
Check local heath and safety requirements before you book travel
Pack Light Pack Right Stay Safe
Top tips and tricks for packing for every trip
Walking and Mobility Tips
Tips to avoid injury for the ‘slower-moving set’
RV + Road trip Safety Tips
Advice from experienced women RV owners
Planning for Natural Disasters
Tips to help you prepare for an earthquake or tsunami
What to Wear Guides
What you wear is an important part of safety.
Sex with Strangers
Tips for ensuring safety
12 Ways to Trick Thieves
Proecting your valuables on the road
Learn a few words in the Local Language
We’ll start with love… more to come!
Self-Defense Tips From an Expert
Let’s take back our power
Regardless of where we are, or what age we are, or whether we’re abroad or at home, we need to feel empowered and confident. Safety starts with the right mindset, using proven safety tips and common sense. The next step then is to empower ourselves with self-defense skills so that we can be ready for any situation, at home or abroad. We need not be victims.
Tip 1: Find your voice: scream, yell and shout!
Tip 2: Fight, Punch and Kick!
Tip 3: Run like hell!
Tip 4: Manage Your Adrenaline
Four Keys to Personal Safety
Lorna Selig of Safe4 Life recommends four keys to personal safety to keep you protected and safe, regardless of where you are in the world, of how you’re showing up and what your environment looks like.
#1: Be aware: Put the phone away, make eye contact, briefly, Trust your instincts, Walk confidently
#2: Establish and protect your boundaries: Step back. Walk around and go to the back of the line-up.
#3: Confidence and Skills: Learn self-defense skills and practice them.
#4: Have a Safety plan: It should include fighting, shouting, running to safety, and breathing.
Watch the video of our self-defense training to learn more
Destination-Specific Resources
Safety isn’t specific to a destination, but certain places require extra planning and preparation for solo women
Recognizing that safety is subjective, JourneyWomen recommend the countries below as more or less ‘safe’, based on their own personal experience.
Safety Tips for Morocco
6 Tips for Women Travelling Solo
12 Things You'll Find Difficult in Northern India
Be smart and follow your judgement
20 Things Women Should Know Before Visiting Jordan
Culture and etiquette tips
Preparing for a Solo Trip to Cuba
Be culturally correct in Cuba
20 Things to Know Before Visiting Turkey
Travel expert Sally Peabody shares her tips
Hiking the Camino
Practical tips for solo women
Best Places for Solo Travel, Recommended by Women
Safety Products
Safety products recommended by JourneyWoman to help keep you safe.
Top 10 Products Recommended by JourneyWomen
Tips: If you have an external protection device, carry it with you in your hand, not in your backpack. Know how to use it, because if you don’t it doesn’t serve a purpose.
JourneyWoman safety whistle and keychain
Coming soon!
Lewis & Clark Door Alarm
Available on Amazon
Recommendations for RFID-protected products
Citysafe CX Anti-Theft Mini Backpack
Learn more at pacsafe.com
Coversafe S25 Secret Bra Pouch
Learn more at pacsafe.com
Coversafe X100 RFID Blocking Security Waist Wallet
Learn more at pacsafe.com
SCOTTEVest
The SCOTTeVEST is an ingenious travel item that features multiple hidden pockets designed to foil pickpockets and to provide you with ample places to stash your travel items like wallet, passport, train tickets and anything else you want to keep close. Offered in a variety of formats: vests, jackets, skirts, cardigans and coats. Learn more at scottevest.com
Receive 15% off SCOTTeVEST sitewide with code VEST15
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