The Price of Safety: Why Women Pay More for Secure Accommodation

In a brightly lit pod hotel lobby in the Piccadilly Circus area of central London, two nearly identical booking options appeared on a self-service screen. A capsule on a mixed-gender floor was priced at £35 (around Rp735,000), while a capsule on a women-only floor was sold for £45 (around Rp945,000).

The additional £10 charge did not provide a larger room, free breakfast, or a better view. The capsule itself was exactly the same: a compact space equipped with a mattress, mood lighting, and enough room to open a small suitcase. The nearly 30% surcharge offered a key-card access corridor, a floor without men, and the assurance of a more peaceful night’s sleep in an unfamiliar city.

Most female visitors at the location barely paid attention to the price difference displayed. Yet as they tapped their payment cards, a question arose: is peace of mind really worth the extra £10?

This phenomenon reflects what is known as a safety premium. The heightened risk of sexual harassment, physical assault, and unwanted attention means that travelling often demands financial compromise for many women. These compromises include the decision to pay for a strategically located hotel at a higher price, booking a taxi instead of walking at night, or choosing women-only accommodation over a cheaper mixed-floor option.

This situation is often compared to the pink tax, a term referring to products or services marketed to women that are priced higher than equivalent versions for men. However, in the context of travel, the cost incurred for a sense of safety often feels less direct, even though its impact on daily spending is real.