Extra Preparation
Women Travellers
Attitudes to women in other countries can be very different from the UK. The more you prepare yourselves, the better your travelling experiences will be. The following tips will help you.
Be Prepared
• Check and follow all relevant FCO Travel Advice.
• Get adequate travel insurance and check that the cover is appropriate.
• Get a good guidebook and get to know your destination. Find about local laws and customs. Take a phrasebook that you can use in emergencies.
• Find out about the culture and customs of the countries you will be visiting; for example, what you should wear when visiting religious and other cultural sites.
• Keep your family and friends informed of your plans.
• Leave a copy of your itinerary, passport, travel insurance documents and credit cards with someone at home.
• Take copies of all these documents with you and keep them separate from the originals in case any of them are lost or stolen. Keep originals in the guesthouse safe.
• Travel light. The less luggage you carry, the more independent you will be.
• Plan to stay healthy. If you are taking prescribed medication, check it is legal in the country you are visiting. Pack it in your hand luggage and take the prescription with you. If taking medication with you, also take a prescription and a GP's letter in case you are stopped by Customs or lose your medicine and need to replace it.
• Carry a list of British Consular Offices in the countries you plan to visit.
Clothing & Behaviour
• Think about how your clothing will fit in with local customs and attitudes. Look at what the local women are wearing if you feel you need guidance. Don't wear expensive jewellery. Wearing dark glasses can boost your confidence and reduce harassment, but remember to remove them when talking to people.
• Consider wearing a wedding ring even if you don't usually do so. It can help you avoid harassment.
• Be wary of new-found 'friends'. Don't tell strangers where you are staying or give out too many details about your travel plans.
• NEVER carry packages or anything else through Customs for other people. Always pack your own baggage and never leave it unattended. The penalties for possession of / or trafficking in Drugs in some countries can include long prison sentences or even death.
Travelling Around
• If you are travelling alone you may attract unwelcome attention and you may receive unwelcome propositions or remarks. It is usually best to ignore them.
• Act confidently. Plan your daily itinerary. Know where you are going and what you are doing. Leave details of your plans with your hotel or guesthouse. Make sure when you go out you know how to get back. Some guesthouses can give you cards that show you how to get back.
• Never accept car rides from strangers or hitchhike. Ask the local guesthouse to recommend a taxi firm and, when possible, try to double up with someone you know when travelling by taxi.
Hotels & Guesthouses
• Use only a first initial when checking in. Don't put 'Ms', 'Miss' or 'Mrs'.
• Never leave your key where someone can note your room number.
• Do not leave your window open if your room is on the ground floor Use a door wedge on the inside of your hotel room door for extra security.
• Use a door wedge on the inside of your hotel room door for extra security.
• Never open your room door to anyone - maintenance, flower delivery or whoever - without checking with reception to verify the service.
• If the guesthouse provides a safety box or safe - use it!
Going Out
• Avoid risky situations such as travelling or walking alone at night or drinking by yourself in a bar. Drug-assisted rape is a real and growing risk so never leave your drink unattended.
• Alcohol can affect your judgement and your ability to react. Be aware of your environment and stay in control.
Plan to stay in touch
• E-mail, telephone and write home regularly. You can make use of the International Poste Restante service for receiving letters and packages abroad.
• Tell friends and family where you are going. The more people know about your movements, the better protected you will be.
• If trouble flares up, contact family and friends. This will put their minds at rest that you are safe and well.