Many travel risks affect men and women equally, like getting lost, sick or injured.

But our research shows that unwanted attention and harassment are the most common gender-specific challenges, experienced by 23% of women travellers, compared to 15% of men. The data also reveals something important: the biggest impact on women's travel isn't always what happens, it's what women avoid to stay safe. Three in four women avoid walking alone at night, and half avoid exploring destinations after dark.

One specific area of concern is the action we take when we face safety challenges while travelling.

Women are less likely than men to change travel plans or to contact local authorities. They are also less likely to report incidents to their travel provider, accommodation or travel insurance. The main reason? Women tell us it’s because ‘it didn’t feel important enough to report’.

Understanding these patterns helps us plan smarter and identify potential areas of improvement for travel providers.

Start with the basics: do your research ahead of time, share your itinerary with someone you trust, arrive at new destinations during daylight when possible, and keep your phone charged with emergency contacts saved. Book accommodation with good reviews from other female travellers, and choose established travel providers where possible.

Most importantly, trust your instincts. If something feels off, it probably is. You'll find detailed safety tips in our Tips for Travelling Safely & Confidently section above.

There’s extra protection baked in when you travel with a tour operator, trusted travel provider or book through a travel agent. They can help with research, sharing pre-trip information and can offer guidance or help if anything happens while you are travelling.

Your safety comes first, always. If you feel unsafe, remove yourself from the situation if you can. Once you're safe, you have options: report the incident to your accommodation or tour operator, contact your travel insurance provider, reach out to other travellers for support, or contact local authorities or your embassy for serious situations. For UK travellers who have experienced rape or sexual assault abroad, the Foreign Office has an established process, including how to access medical treatment and legal advice. The Foreign Office also have a dedicated page for Reporting a Crime Abroad.

Don't hesitate to change your plans. It’s not overreacting, it's taking care of yourself. Our research shows women are less likely than men to report incidents, but speaking up helps protect other travellers too.

It's more nuanced than people realise. Our research shows that men actually experience more safety incidents overall, like theft, scams, and financial concerns. But the types of risks women face while travelling are different, particularly unwanted attention and harassment (23% of women vs. 15% of men).

Our findings show that women adjust their planning and travel behaviours in ways that men do not think about. For example, women are more likely to avoid walking alone at night, or steer clear of certain neighbourhoods they’ve been warned about. They are more likely to buy suitable travel insurance and plan their flights or trains to arrive during the day. They take more safety precautions before and during trips, perhaps even subconsciously or because they’ve learned from personal or shared experience.

It's not that women are universally "less safe"; they’re navigating a different risk landscape.

You should expect clear, proactive communication about safety from travel operators and activity providers. This should go beyond generic warnings and provide specific information about where you’re going, where you’re staying and what you can expect. This could include safety information about your destination, or guidance about local norms and laws. It could be advice about staying safe in and near your accommodation or detailed safety guidance about activities and trip types. They might also provide access to 24/7 support or helplines when you're travelling.

Our research shows that only about half of women are satisfied with the safety information providers currently offer. Look for travel companies that have signed the Safer Tourism Pledge. These operators prioritise traveller safety with clear standards and accountability. They also encourage travellers to report any incidents that may occur and are there to help you if something goes wrong.

Start by reading reviews specifically from other solo female travellers. These reviews are more likely to mention things that matter to women's safety and mention how safe the accommodation’s location feels. Look for accommodation with 24-hour front desk service, good lighting in common areas and entrances, and secure locks.

Check the location in advance on a map so you can get a sense of the neighbourhood, how easy it is to access, if it’s in a remote or busy area and if it’s accessible by public transport. You can also ask the property directly about safety. Properties that take women's safety seriously will welcome these questions.

When you’re booking, you can give your first initial, rather than a first name, so people are less likely to guess about your gender. When you check in, have reception write your room number down, rather than saying it out loud so there isn’t any chance that others hear it.

You can also consider booking through a travel agent who should be able to offer guidance about the best accommodation for your individual circumstances.

Do plenty of research before you go. Our research shows less than a third of women (32%) research local safety information before travelling. We recommend checking government travel advisories for specific destinations, looking for reviews or content from travellers who have been recently or even connecting with communities of women travellers to ask questions before you go.

If you want to join a group, or would rather travel with a trusted travel company, we would recommend considering providers who have signed the Safer Tourism Pledge.