Essential Safety Tips for Women Traveling Together

Many women dream of one day traveling the world, whether that means visiting a continent like Australia or backpacking through Europe. There’s a small part in all of us that simply wishes this were possible without worry. Finances may not be a direct hindrance, but other factors can certainly be the deciding factor in whether or not you’ll ever see the world in all its glory.

Women-led group travel is up 23% as of 2024, with many women citing that they prefer to travel with groups when visiting popular cities in most countries. They choose these locations over smaller cities, even though they are aware this may create a limiting experience as they seek to explore different parts of the world.

One African American creator on TikTok, Sarah, shares her experience as a new resident of Sydney, Australia: "Let’s start with the positives. One of the greatest things about living here in Australia is the safety. When I was living in America, I was always anxious. I would go out to places and immediately start thinking, ‘What’s my exit strategy if someone comes in here with a g*?’ I grew up seeing school shootings on TV, and I think we’ve all been affected by it, right?”

Related articles: Psychological Benefits of Traveling Alone

Sarah goes on to mention things like the living conditions and her cons, which include the distance to other parts of the world and the cost of living. While this continent may not be the first place on your travel list when traveling with friends or groups, it’s certainly a great option. Sites like XE, Travelex, and even your nearest post office offer resources on where to find the best exchange rates for foreign currency, so if you decide to take the trip, be sure to check them out.

Women have always loved traveling with friends, but as media outlets continue to cover stories about tragedies occurring during these trips, many have grown skeptical about traveling with people they know. The death of 25-year-old Shanquella Robinson, who lost her life during a trip to Cabo with friends, still haunts us to this day. So, which is better—solo travel, traveling with friends, or joining a Facebook group and traveling with other like-minded women you may not know otherwise? Solo travel is, of course, a great option and one of my favorites. It’s an excellent way to spend time with yourself, experience things at your own pace, and mentally recharge. Hire a driver, a tour guide, and enjoy your vacation on your own terms and schedule.

“The trip finally made it out of the group chat” is a popular running joke for a reason—because getting everyone on the same schedule to actually book a flight and visit a new country can be challenging. Beyond scheduling conflicts, finances can also be an issue. While one friend may be generating extra income through TikTok, another may only have a traditional 9-to-5 job, making significantly less in comparison. This means one person may have to compromise on activities, accommodations, food, and transportation in many cases.

Lastly, there’s the option of traveling with an online group. Now, I can’t speak too much on this because I’ve never done it, but I can only imagine it would be a great experience. Each woman on the trip is like-minded, has paid the same amount of money, and has agreed to travel together on a specific date—eliminating confusion or last-minute cancellations.

Related articles: How to Travel Alone For the First Time 

Whichever option you choose, it’s essential to consider your safety at all times. Sometimes we let our guard down when we’re with friends versus when traveling in a group or alone. But if we’ve learned anything, it’s that friends can sometimes become enemies in as little as 72 hours. Here are five essential tips for women traveling together:

MEET AT THE AIRPORT HOURS BEFORE YOUR FLIGHT:
The airport is one place you never want to take lightly. Be sure to arrive three hours early, check in, and be ready to go. If you have friends who don’t take airport decorum seriously, keep a close eye on them. This could mean taking risks like arriving late or getting sloppy drunk before the flight, claiming, “I’ll sleep better.” This person is already proving to be a potential liability in a foreign country or a different state. Don’t overlook these small details.

HOTEL OR AIRBNB:
Always opt to get your own hotel room when traveling with friends, but try to ensure you’re all on the same floor. I know this isn’t always practical since renting an Airbnb is usually the cheaper option, but if you choose that route, be sure to bring a door alarm—these little gadgets are excellent for traveling with groups or solo. Simply install a new battery and carry a spare, flip the switch to ‘on,’ tuck it under your door, and go to bed. The alarm is loud, and if someone tries to enter your space, you’ll hear them!

Related articles: Digital Communication Tools for Long-Distance Couples 

MIND YOUR DRINKING:
It can be tempting to get blackout drunk when you’re with friends, but always reconsider. If you’re the one who’s highly inebriated, you can ruin everyone’s time when they realize they have to take care of you. On the other hand, if you have a friend who likes to overdo it on alcohol, have a conversation with her and let her know that you can still have fun without drinking excessively.

YOUR FRIEND GOES OFF WITH A GUY:
There are mixed feelings about this online—some women say they would go with their friend, while others say they would not. The Natalee Holloway case is a perfect example. On the last day of her graduation trip in Aruba, she left her friends to go off with a group of guys in a car, and her friends let her. While many consider this irresponsible and cold-hearted, self-preservation should always be at the forefront of your mind while traveling. If others aren’t willing to take their safety seriously, it is not your responsibility to do so. You should only travel with women who are just as cautious about safety as you.

Related articles: Single Living: How to Live On Your Own 

DON’T LEAVE THE GROUP:
We get it—sometimes, one friend may want to stay back in the room and sleep in while everyone else goes out for an activity or brunch. While this isn’t always ideal and some friends may make a fuss, it’s usually for good reason. If you need to stay back or step away from the group, it should only happen in the safety of your room—not while wandering through a party or shopping alone on a boardwalk. The tragic case of Kenneka Jenkins should serve as a warning to any woman—always stay with your friends and don’t wander off alone. If you’re staying back, make sure you’re in the room, and if possible, have at least one other friend willing to stay with you.

There you have it—some essential tips to consider as you prepare for your next vacation. Happy traveling, Missie!

by Harley Miller