Safe Travel Tips for Women

Traveling alone can be a wonderful experience. I've traveled cross-country twice by myself and several times when I was a teenager. Although the trips were quite different, traveling alone allowed me to set my own expectations and timelines. I mapped out each stage by the number of miles I expected to drive each day, and I was able to book my hotel room in advance. Knowing where I planned to stop each night also helped me use Google Earth to view the hotel and surrounding area.

Women who travel alone, either on business or on vacation, should carefully plan each stage of their trip. Knowing how to get from one point to another can save time and frustration. If you rely on paid transportation, such as a taxi, you want to arrive at your destination safely.

If you are traveling within the domestic United States, then language should not be an issue. However, many foreigners drive cabs for a living, and English may not be their most fluent language. It can be hard to carry on a conversation with some dialects, but I believe most drivers care about your trip and your safety.

Download and print the trip information before you leave your departure site. Maps are available online, and many other travel tools are available. You can print direct routes and alternate routes in the event of bad weather, traffic congestion, or construction.

When our son was ten, we took a family trip to visit the Smoky Mountains in Tennessee. On our first night of the trip, we checked into a hotel and took our bags to the room. I always checked the bathtub for cleanliness, and I was in the bathroom when I heard my husband shout, "GET OUT!"

The manager who checked us into the hotel less than 10 minutes before, opened the door of our hotel room using a keycard. My husband was outraged and forced the man from our room.

The manager offered no explanation for invading our room, and no apology.

Imagine a woman traveling alone, and having the same experience.

Personal safety while traveling can no longer be overlooked because you really don't know what other people, even employees are capable of doing.

Some car rental companies have partnered with hotel chains. When you leave the airport you can take the bus directly to your hotel. Once you check-in, you can contact a car rental agency, and they will deliver the car to your hotel.

Be aware that if you own a vehicle, you are not required to pay the heavy insurance costs that will be offered to you. If you get in an accident, contact your insurance company and they will handle the paperwork. Book the car before you start your trip.

Several years ago I pre-booked a rental car for a trip to Las Vegas. I carried full coverage on my vehicle and did not want to add insurance costs to my rental. The representative at the counter would not accept my refusal to use their car insurance. He was mad and went line by line through the lengthy policy and would not skip past it. He wasted my time, failed to get me to check the box, and he provided a really poor customer experience.

Today, you can just walk into the car rental section, select the car you want, and complete the paperwork before exiting the garage. However, this doesn't save you any more time than checking in at a rental agency.

Most people book their own travel and only use travel agencies when going overseas.

You can find travel deals on sites such as Expedia, Kayak, CheapoAir, Travelocity, Booking Buddy, and Orbitz that include hotel, car, and flights. If you are going to a large metropolitan city, public transportation may be easier than renting a car. If you arrive at your destination and determine that you will be traveling throughout the region, you’ll probably want to book a car.

There are many different sites to book a rental and in major cities this won’t be a problem. Check your options from Hertz, National Car, Enterprise, Thrifty, Avis and Budget.

You may be able to take advantage of discounts if you are a member of AAA, AARP or through your corporate travel department if you are traveling on company business.

There are some things you should check when you pick up the car. Ask for a map when you get the keys. Make sure the remote key works to lock and unlock the doors. Check the gas gauge and make sure that you have enough fuel to reach your destination. When you start the car, adjust your seat as well as the rear-view and outside mirrors. If you are using GPS to get to your destination, make sure that the right address is listed. Also, plug in your cell phone so that it charge as you drive. Make sure there is a spare tire in the trunk and keep the rental agency contact information in your purse.

Most cars today have a dash display that shows the current tire pressure in each tire. Scroll through the settings to ensure the tires are properly inflated. If you aren't sure what the proper inflation setting is, open the driver's door and locate the printed settings on the side of the driver's seat.

If you plan on using public transportation, make sure that you pre-arrange transportation. If you are in a large city like New York, catching a cab during rush hour will be difficult. Contact the company and arrange for a driver to pick you up at a certain time and place.

If you use the metro system, remain aware of who is around you and where you are. Stay away from the tracks until it is time to board. Keep in mind how many stops are located between where you are and where you are
headed.

Unfortunately, hotel room door locks are not sufficient to prevent unauthorized entry. Videos on YouTube show people using various devices to open locked hotel room doors.

You can add a layer of protection by packing additional devices to prevent someone from entering your room. One device is Addalock The Original Portable Door Lock which is portable security that works on most inward-swinging doors and is easy to install.

The Master Lock Compact Door Stopper probably won't fit in your carry-on bag but it should fit in a large suitcase. This device is customizable in height and fits under the door handle. The bottom of the device is rubber and can be pushed firmly towards the door. I use this for my front door and feel very safe.

Another portable safety device is the Sabre Wedge Door Stop Security Alarm. The door stop is placed under the door, and if the door is opened, pressure will be applied and the 120dB alarm should wake you. The volume should scare off an intruder and give you time to react.

There are a lot of transportation options available everywhere you go, but planning your trip in advance will help ensure that you arrive at your destination without any problems. Expect the unexpected, but plan for everything to run smoothly.