Nearly all business travelers are women. Being able to travel alone safely, however, hasn’t gotten any easier. Along with unique obstacles and vulnerabilities, women traveling alone have a lot to watch out for. Knowledge is half the battle and with this article, you’ll find out everything you need to know to travel safely during a business trip as a woman.

Make the Right Accommodations

Although some businesses may set up all your accommodations for you, not everyone is so lucky. That’s why it’s important to do your research and make sure to find a hotel that is trustworthy and in a safe part of town. Bonus points if it’s located near a police station or has a place on-property to park your vehicle. If possible, try to find a hotel that is near the location where you will be visiting on your work trip.

Have a Plan

You know where you’re staying and you know how you’re going to get there safely. If your hotel ends up all booked up or your flight gets delayed, what then? Unexpected problems tend to crop up at the worst moments and that’s why it’s vital to have a backup plan just in case. Having an idea of other reputable hotels and transportation methods is an important part of staying safe when you’re on your own. If you’re lucky enough to have friends or family in the area, a quick phone call can easily solve the problem too. Be sure someone at your work has a copy of your travel itinerary as well.

Blend In

Traveling abroad can be an amazing experience even if it’s just for a business trip. However, it’s important to do everything you can to learn about the place you are visiting. Knowing how to dress, which hand gestures to avoid, and how to act in social situations is key to avoiding trouble. Likewise, there’s no reason to head out wearing your best stuff either. Leaving fancy clothes and jewelry at home can help to avoid being targeted by those looking for an easy mark like a tourist.

Know How to Call for Help

No matter where you’re heading, it’s vital that you find out who to call in an emergency. Most countries do not use the same emergency response number. In a similar vein, knowing how to make an international call is another great skill to have when traveling abroad. Depending on your destination as while as what phone you have, this simple task can quickly turn into a complicated ordeal.

Get the Right Insurance

It’s important to stay safe and do your best to avoid ending up in a terrible situation. Sadly, things aren’t always so easy. Sooner or later, something will happen. Thankfully, it’s rare for a situation to be too bad. That doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t have the right booking travel insurance. With the right insurance by your side, you can be sure that any problems that arise can be covered. Just make sure that you fully understand what your insurance covers beforehand.