Layover safety tips for women crew travelling alone

Layover safety for women crew on their own: local dress rules, drink safety, taxi and rideshare checks, telling a crew mate your plan, and numbers.

Smartraveller, the Australian government's travel advice site, has a page for women travellers and country pages for the places crew fly. This guide pulls out the parts that suit a 24-hour layover.

Tell a crew mate your plan

Tell one crew mate where you are going and when you expect to be back, then message them when you return. Smartraveller's advice is to guard the details of your travel plans and not to advertise that you are travelling alone. Our guide to keeping your layover private covers what to post and what to leave off.

Getting around

Smartraveller says to use official, licensed taxis and to be wary of people posing as drivers. Sit in the back seat behind the driver. In the car, you can act as if someone is expecting you, for example by making a call or mentioning that someone is waiting. Turn down offers from drivers who approach you.

For rideshare, the Government of Western Australia's safety leaflet gives a short checklist:

Check that the plate, the car and the driver's photo match the app. If they do not, do not get in.
Use the app's Share My Trip or ETA feature so a friend can follow the ride.
Sit in the back on the passenger side, which gives you more control for getting out.
Speak up if the driver takes a route you do not know. If something feels wrong, end the trip somewhere well lit with people around.

Our guide to taxi and rideshare safety abroad goes further, and walking alone at night covers the streets.

Drinks

Smartraveller says drink spiking can happen anywhere. Do not leave your drink unattended or with a stranger, and take only a drink you watched the bartender make from start to finish. Feeling drunker than expected, woozy or confused can be a sign of spiking, so tell a friend and get to a safe place.

In Thailand and Indonesia, Smartraveller also warns about methanol in poor-quality alcohol. It advises you to drink only branded, sealed drinks.

Dress and local rules

Smartraveller's advice is to look at what local women are wearing and, if in doubt, dress as they do. Its country pages give specifics for some crew ports:

UAE: dress codes are conservative, with extra care needed in Sharjah and Ajman, where authorities enforce Islamic law. Smartraveller suggests clothing that covers your shoulders and knees.
Qatar: cover your shoulders and knees in public places such as museums and government buildings, and check the dress code at attractions and shopping malls.
Indonesia: standards of dress are conservative in many parts of the country.
Malaysia: standards are conservative in many areas, including at religious sites and government offices.
India: dress codes are strict, and they matter most at religious sites.
Thailand: dress with respect at temples and other places of worship.

Numbers to save

Save the local emergency numbers and a trusted taxi number in your phone before you go out. Our list of emergency numbers for crew cities has the numbers by country.

Laws on sex and relationships differ. Smartraveller notes that sex outside marriage is a crime in some countries, and that victims of sexual assault have been arrested after reporting it or seeking medical care. If you are unsure, call your embassy or consulate for advice. Australian citizens can also call the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on +61 2 6261 3305. Tell your company as well, and follow its procedures.

A place chosen by crew

On Chocks pins only spots that other crew recommend, with walk times from where you are and a filter for what is open now. You can pick a place for dinner from crew picks instead of reviews from strangers.