Women Travelers

Women travelers may face extra health and security risks in some places. Review these safety tips for women travelers before you go.  

Customs and norms in other destinations can be very different from those in the United States. Some destinations have rules against certain behaviors or speech. Others may have different rules or expectations about women's clothing and appearance. Tight-fitting clothes, sleeveless shirts, or shorts, for example, may not be acceptable.  

Check the Local Laws and Customs section in the Travel Guidance for your destination.

Every destination has its own healthcare system. When you travel, bring health items that might be hard to find where you're going, like feminine hygiene products or birth control. 

Many destinations have laws that impact women's health in ways that may be different than where you live. For example, some destinations make certain reproductive health services illegal. Some may punish women who get pregnant but are not married, including victims of sexual assault. 

If you're pregnant, airlines might not let you fly in the later stages of your pregnancy. It's a good idea to have a note from your doctor saying it's safe for you to fly. Make sure your travel insurance covers pregnancy-related costs, or that your health insurance covers medical services abroad.

Review our information on Medicine and Health.  

The safety of public transportation varies from place to place. In many places, informal taxis or minibuses can be dangerous, particularly for women traveling alone. Check trusted sources, like local authorities or tourism officials, to find out what is safe. Also, review the Travel and Transportation section of your destination's Travel Guidance.

Consider these safety tips:  

• Arrange transport to and from the airport before you arrive, from a licensed and reputable company.
• Do not hitchhike.  
• Research taxi and other ride share companies before you go. Make sure they are licensed and reputable.
• Consider using app-based transportation companies, which offer a record of your ride. This is unlike hailing a ride on the street. Some companies also allow a rider to require drivers to verify a unique PIN upon pick-up. You can also share the real-time ride record to another phone. This record is useful to identify the vehicle and driver later.
• Avoid traveling in crowded sections of train cars or on crowded buses. Public transportation might create opportunities for inappropriate or unwanted physical contact. It also makes pickpocketing easier. 

Review our information on Lodging Safety and also do the following:  

• When registering, use your first initial and no title. Don’t use “Mrs., Ms., or Miss." 
• Don't tell strangers where you are staying.  

Stay aware of your surroundings

• Use your best judgement to stay away from unsafe situations.   
• Think ahead and come up with a safety plan to deal with unsafe situations, in the event you end up in one.   
• Ensure a friend or someone you trust knows your plans and how to contact you. 
• Consider bringing personal safety whistles or alarms.  However, confirm legality before traveling with items like pepper spray. 
• Consider taking self-defense courses before you travel.  
• In an unsafe situation, it can help to speak loudly. This may draw attention to you and prevent unwanted actions. Being safe is more important than being polite.  
• Use facial expressions, body language, and a firm voice to fend off unwanted attention.  
• Check where local emergency services, like police stations and hospitals, are nearby. This way, you’ll know where to go in an emergency.  

Violence against women and girls includes any act that causes or may cause physical, sexual, or emotional harm. This also covers threats of such actions.  It affects women and girls all over the world and occurs in both public and private spaces.

Women travelers can be targeted for these crimes, including:  

• Sexual or physical assault or harassment 
• Domestic and dating violence 
• Child, early, or forced marriage  
• Sex-related killing of women and girls, including female infanticide  
• Sex and human trafficking or other violent acts  

If you are a victim violence, please contact the Office of Overseas Citizens Services at 888-407-4747. If you are overseas, call +1-202-501-4444. You can also contact the U.S. embassy or consulate for your destination.

Drug assisted rape occurs when someone drugs another person in order to sexually assault them. Typically, the drugs are added to the victim's drink without their knowledge. Victims usually cannot tell that their drink has been drugged.  

Drugs like Rohypnol, ketamine, and scopolamine can make a person unconscious and defenseless.  

• Always watch your drink. Physically cover it with your hand if you can.
• Do not accept drinks from strangers.  
• Be aware of how much you are drinking. Notice any unusual physical symptoms outside of intoxication.  
• If you start to feel strange or sick, tell a trusted friend if you can. Call emergency authorities right away. You can call the local police or the U.S. embassy or consulate for your destination.  
• If you are sexually assaulted or raped, get medical care and resources.   
• Contact the U.S. embassy or consulate for information on getting help and medical care abroad. They can tell you if post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is available.  
• It's important to get medical care within 72 hours to prevent HIV and get emergency contraception. 
• The U.S. organization Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network (RAINN) helps victims of sexual assault and abuse. They can provide resources remotely or when you return to the United States.