Even if I would have liked not to have had to make a separate article for female travelers (this would imply that men & women are treated the same way everywhere in the world), unfortunately this isn’t yet the case. Here are a few tips for women travelers, whether you are traveling alone or accompanied.

You travel alone

1 / Prefer hostels to hotels

There are many hostels with dormitories for women only. Not only will it be cheaper (especially when traveling alone), but you will feel safer and make friends more easily. Who knows, in the end, you may travel with a group of friends you meet on your travels.

2 / Opt for rooms with a gap between them

If you prefer hotels or need to book a room at the hotel, ask to see the room first. It must have an in-betweener.

Because if you only rely on the room key, many will also have access to this key. The “key on the door” technique doesn’t work, because many doors can be opened from the outside when a key is already on the lock (inside).

If you really can’t find a room with such a lock, see if you can block the door with a chair.
The last resort is to put a door buzzer (Amazon link) that will ring as soon as someone tries to enter. This is a good deterrent, but it won’t be enough.

Since we’re talking about safety, don’ t leave with pepper spray. It is considered a weapon (and illegal) in many countries.

3 / Wear a fake wedding ring

The locals like to ask the travelers, especially if they are traveling alone, if they are married, with children. Invent a husband, or even children who are in France (with photos) and who will join you in a few days. In India, you can buy bindi (red dots) to stick on your forehead, it is a sign to show that you are married.

4 / Keep a diary of daily trips to communicate with your family and friends

I have a file on Google Drive where I put the name of my hotel/inn, the name of the bus I’m taking, the destination, what time I’m supposed to arrive, the flight number etc. This file is shared with my parents. And at the end of the day, I put “OK” so that my parents know that I am still alive.

You can find the template of this file here

Before going on a hike, whether for a day or several days, always let your hotel/inns know and let them know what time you plan to return.

You travel alone OR accompanied

5 / Travel very light

This rule applies to everyone, man and woman, accompanied or not. If you have two big bags for example, it’s very easy for a baggage handler to take one of your bags to “help” you and bring you to who knows where (a hotel where he has a commission for example). Opt for a backpack, a minimum of stuff (see my bag here). This will allow you to have a total freedom of movement and to be more reactive in case of danger.

6 / Covering garments

Unfortunately life remains unfair. While men can wear Bermuda shorts and enter pagodas/temples, or if they don’t have to ask themselves the question “should I wear the veil?”, the same rule does not apply to women. Provide covering clothing (at least a 3/4 sleeved top and pants) for temple visits. Most accept that you cover yourself with a scarf. In countries where women are mostly veiled (Qatar, Egypt), or cover themselves as much as possible (India, Nepal), opt for clothing that covers at least the shoulders and knees.

Topless tanning isn’t accepted/tolerated everywhere. In the United States, some states prohibit it, and Americans do not practice it
I advise you to have 2 swimsuits in your bag: a 1-piece swimsuit + a bikini.

7 / Period of the month

Stamps aren’t sold worldwide. Bring enough stock.

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You can also opt for washable protections such as washable sanitary napkins or menstrual panties (Thinx, Dans ma Culotte or Modibodi). Be sure to test them beforehand, especially if you have heavy periods.

In case the rules prevent you from doing certain activities (sports, water sports…), you can :

• or ask your gynaecologist to prescribe you a pill that almost completely stops your period. Be careful, it is better to test this pill 3-4 months before your departure because in case of intolerance or side effects, it is a pity to learn it in the middle of your trip. It is difficult to buy all 12 tablets at once, but a nice pharmacist will agree to sell them to you, provided that you have the 3 tablets reimbursed by the social security, and the 9 others paid for out of your own pocket.
• or use the free rule follower app as CLUE. This allows you to know exactly what day you will have your period and organize your itinerary according to your rules

I do not recommend the use of cups because you will have difficulty sterilizing them properly in youth hostels
Speaking of useless shopping, I also wrote an article about the Gogirl, a urinal for standing up to pee, which I find a bit gadgetary.

8 / Hair removal

The techniques are varied, but I find that depilatory cream is the most effective (no ingrown hairs, the process takes 5 minutes), not painful and not very bulky. Take the “sensitive skin” version, so that it is compatible with all areas of the body.

9 / A minimalist toiletries kit but a complete pharmacy

For those who are lucky enough to have a skin resistant to dust and sun, you can leave with 8 objects, decanted into small MUJI jars. It even fits in hand luggage.

1. gentle face cleanser
2. aloe vera gel
3. tamanu oil or argan oil (I like the roll-on from Melchior & Balthazar)
4. sun cream SPF 50
5. mosquito spray
6. toothbrush
7. toothpaste
8. cold-saponified, superfatted soap, which makes both shampoo & shower gel (the one from Melchior & Balthazar)

For those who have sensitive skin that buds for a little (like me), you can take inspiration from my face care routine during the round-the-world trip, or even go with the Clarisonic Mia Fit.

As for the pharmacy, you can get inspiration from the contents of our first aid kit – pharmacy here. I have been injured several times and have used it regularly. For daily trips, opt for an EDC kit (urban emergency kit).

10 / Cut your hair

The hot, high-pressure shower is a pleasant but… luxurious experience. Around the world, it’s very rare to have one like this every day. So to make the most of those few minutes when the water is still hot, the trick is to have… as little hair as possible. I had my hair cut up to my chin just before the world tour. Thanks to my new short hair, not only is the shower faster, but my hair dries faster too, and it is less damaged (because always out of the sun, under a big hat).