Safe female travel is easier than you might think. You don’t have to be afraid to venture out, and this can hamper your travel efforts. That being said, there are some steps you can take to increase your awareness of travel safety and feel more secure, whether male or female. From enquiring about hotel security features to checking reviews, here are some handy suggestions.
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Hostels are often the go-to accommodation when traveling on a budget. Despite the movies and TV shows, most hostels are actually pretty good, safe, and welcoming. However, the services are very limited, which is why they are cheap. Many hostels provide a bed, and that’s about it. So, when visiting a major city, you will need to store your stuff. For example, Sydney city luggage storage will come in very handy when you need to stow your valuables when visiting.
Not all hotels are the same. And even hotels that appear well-maintained might not have adequate security. There are tons of hotel security horror stories. So, to avoid something bad happening, there are some things you can check. Here are some suggestions you can try:
You could be at risk if anyone has full access to the hotel. Simple locks can make a huge difference to your peace of mind, and ground floor rooms are the most unlawfully accessed.
Guesthouses are a great alternative to hotels. Rather than a sterile cookie-cutter experience, guesthouses are a little more homey. However, safety is always a concern with more open accommodation. A 2021 survey found that 88% of women asked about their experiences stated they feel unsafe or threatened when traveling alone. To quell your fears, take some time to check reviews for the guesthouse. The more expensive ones are often safer and more secure.
One of the best security features for any accommodation is key cards. Key cards are electronically designed to open doors that lock automatically when closed. This means there is no keyhole that can be tampered with. However, key cards can be cloned, and master key cards can be stolen. To avoid any issues when you are in the room, also use additional security. For example, use deadbolts if available and put tape around door seals to indicate attempted entry.
All hotels and hostels come with reception services. However, some are only available during standard working hours. This could increase the potential for criminal motivation or activity at night. A hotel with 24 hour reception is less likely to be a target for crime because there is always someone watching. This includes ensuring no one tries to enter past the lobby and monitoring active security cameras. You can also report suspicious activity immediately.
If you feel you need more security for safe female travel, there are a few things you can do. Just one good security feature can provide peace of mind. But a combination of features is almost a guarantee that you can travel without having to worry about something bad happening to you.
Security cameras don’t prevent crime in some cases. However, they can prevent crime if they are monitored and help catch a criminal after the fact. Be sure to check CCTV actually works!
Besides sexually motivated crimes, most crimes are committed to take something from you. Store valuables such as cash, jewelry, and electronic devices, in the safes of your hotel room.
A quick Google check or search on a travel platform can reveal a lot about a location. Also, be sure to check the News tab after a Google search, as there might be a lot of crime in the area.
You can never be over cautious when it comes to security. If there are features you feel you need, then don’t stop until you find a hotel or hostel that offers them. Travel safety is a top priority for anyone, so also don’t be afraid to point out an issue to hotel staff when staying.
If you are traveling on a budget, then accommodation further from the action is usually the way to go. However, a central location is typically safer if you can afford it. No one is saying that a hotel in a suburban area isn’t safe, but there could be more potential for crime if you have to use public transport to get to tourist spots or walk alone at night. A central location means you will be around people all the time, with safety in numbers, and it takes less time to meet up.
It doesn’t really matter where you plan on staying. There are good areas and bad areas, whether you are in a central location or not. Before booking your stay, be sure to read about the hotel or hostel, where it is situated, and its reputation. Some neighborhoods might be pretty bad, but the hotel has excellent safety records. Or the area might be desirable, yet the hotel doesn’t have the best track record when it comes to safety. Educate yourself before deciding.
Solo travel as a woman is safer than you think, and untrue statistics shouldn’t put you off. Travel is one of the most rewarding things you can do. Despite this, 69% of women from one survey stated they had been told they would be assaulted if they traveled alone. Of course, safety is always an issue for men and women. You can reduce the chances of any issue by staying close to attractions, where you can mingle with others and meet friends or groups more easily.
Further to checking out the hotel, reviews can enlighten you as to the real nature of the place. However, not all reviews are genuine, and anyone can write them. So, to be careful, you must be vigilant. It is challenging, but here are a few tips to spot genuine or fake reviews:
A lack of profile data is a red flag, so be aware of this. Language issues are a common indicator for fake reviews. And if there are sporadic good reviews among mostly bad, avoid at all costs.
Booking platforms are excellent for the most part. They are easy to use, full of the info you need and contain reviews. TripAdvisor, Booking.Com and Expedia are good examples. They also take some of the work out of planning your trip. However, a key feature about some of these platforms is they contain relevant information about safety. For example, you can check which hotels have keycard access and safe storage and quickly see ratings based on user reviews.
Not all hostels are bad, but it helps to do some research for safe female travel on your next trip. Also, look for specific security features such as cameras, safes, and key card entry. Some research also goes a long way, and you should check reviews on Google or booking platforms. For more female safety tips must subscribe to TravelTillYouDrop!
Hi, Jill Here
Hi! I’m Jill, a Dallas, Texas girl traveling the world. After a career in the Air Force and touring over 50 countries later, my need to explore keeps going! It’s time to rock & roll and find all those places I never knew I was missing.
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