Safe Travel for Women, Top Tips for Personal Safety in Asia

Apr 11, 2010
Solange Hando

Women Travel, Asia - Solange Hando

Women of all ages can enjoy safe travel in Asia, providing they use their common sense, pay attention to personal safety and plan adequately.

Safe travel for women begins with being on one’s guard, just as one would be at home. In the exciting world of travel, it’s tempting to take risks and be lulled into a false sense of security. Awareness and common sense are paramount to ensure personal safety when travelling in Asia.

Women Travel Advice

Dress decently and respect local sensitivities. Female dress in most of Asia is conservative and it’s best not to draw attention with skimpy shorts or low tops. Married women are usually respected and a wedding ring, preferably fake, can be useful.
Always look confident. Taking a map out on the square in Kathmandu is not a good idea, go somewhere private, a reasonable looking café or better still, a loo. If needing directions, ask a woman and beware of self-appointed guides.
Avoid eye contact with men just hanging around and shake off nuisances with a firm ‘leave me alone’. Keep cool but don’t hesitate to raise your voice if necessary. In most Asian countries, respectable women travellers enlist support.

Personal Safety

Invest in a self-defence course before travelling. It’s just as well to be prepared. Most men have muscle power on their side but there are easy ways to escape as long as one knows how.
Keep valuables out of sight and only use a shoulder bag as a decoy. Be especially watchful at ATM machines where bikers may be on the look-out, ready to snatch and vanish in seconds.
Avoid trekking alone, whether in the Himalaya or Inner Mongolia. Hire a guide through a reputable agency or team up with fellow travellers. Remember however that danger can come from unscrupulous travellers as well as locals.
Demonstrations are frequent in Asia and however peaceful, it’s wise to keep away. The mood can change in seconds. Any foreigner can turn into a scapegoat and there’s the risk of getting into trouble with the authorities.

Top Tips for Safe Travel in Asia

Stay in a reputable hotel and talk to other travellers. Find out about places to avoid, in Shanghai or Mumbai, and curfews, frequent in some parts of Asia.
At night, keep to busy areas and don’t walk back through deserted lanes. Ask the hotel to pre-book a taxi, it’s dearer than hailing one on the street but safer. Even in the day, know how to identify official taxis.
If heading off the beaten track, inform the hotel of whereabouts and expected return. Carry a phrase book and if travelling by bus, be sure to have the number and destination in local script.
Keep photocopies of passport and other documents separate from originals and have suitable travel insurance. Read the small print and ensure all needs are covered, for instance helicopter rescue when trekking in Nepal.