Portable Door Locks

I'm a senior woman who travels alone and it has never occurred to me to use something like that. I've traveled all over Europe and never had an issue needing that kind of security. However, I suppose it could depend on what types of places you plan to stay in. I've always stayed in 2 star hotels, b&bs, and small inns without any problem, but I tend to search for areas or neighborhoods that are reputed to be safe.

Admittedly, I'm not a woman, but I've never heard of such a thing. How would it even work?

I am a woman who often travels alone, and have to Europe and South America. For myself I have concluded that when I am alone would not want a lock that secures my door such that if I needed help no one could get in. But I have seen small portable alarms that hang on a door for travel. https://a.co/d/8KkdxR7 Note I am like one of the other travelers who posted here and I plan my stay where I am comfortable with the security the accommodation already provides.

I’ve seen the travel ads and looked at the door security items on Amazon. I have not bought any nor will I. If there is an emergency I don’t want to get locked in my room. Nor do I want to prevent emergency assistance from getting in. I’m a senior woman and a budget solo traveler.

I'm an older woman who travels alone and has always been uneasy at night.
I have 3 solutions:
Tilt a chair so the back is wedged under the knob, or push a chair against the door and put heavy stuff on it, or put my suitcase against the door. Problem solved.

I travel with a husband most of the time anymore but if alone, I'd never want to create a situation where emergency help couldn't get to me quickly. Over decades of travel, I don't recall ever being nervous about someone breaking into the room while we're in it... and we stayed in some pretty crappy places years ago.

I too am a senior female solo traveler and would be concerned about locking a door so that no one could access my room. I want the assurance that at least the hotel staff or police/EMTs would have access. I wouldn’t dream of getting a lock like you describe.

In almost 25 years of solo travel, there has only been one time where I was nervous going to sleep at night. The motel room was accessed by an old fashioned key (not a key card) and the door lock looked like it was messed with. I pointed it out to the hotel receptionist and she didn’t feel it was an issue and did nothing about it. So, yes, I was nervous. I only stayed one night and could have just cancelled and look for another place.

Also senior usually-solo female traveler.
I would never put one of those on a door, for reasons already discussed.
If I’m alone, I put a chair in front of the door and in front of a patio or balcony door too.
I have a loud personal alarm next to my bed at night.
I make sure the windows are locked, even if it’s baking hot outside (book accom with AC).
I never ever stay on the ground floor anywhere, and I make sure I know how and where to exit quickly in an emergency.

If I’m alone, I put a chair in front of the door and in front of a
patio or balcony door too.

But doesn't that create the same accessibility issue for staff/emergency crew as a portable lock?

I was once sent one of these to try out. I found that not only couldn't I get it to work properly but it didn't work on all types of doors.

What you can do to make sure emergency workers can get it and you're not locked in is to put your suitcase against the door. While it won't stop someone from opening the door, you will hear it as it's knocked about. That will wake you and then your voice (screaming) can do the rest.

If not your suitcase, then a chair flush up against the door does the same thing.

Thanks for the remarks and I have mentioned the issue of being locked in the room to my husband. He has now agreed that this door lock is not something that he insists that I get. Thank you, one and all!

Kathy, I’m sure anyone from emergency services would be able to get a chair out of the way.
I put chairs by doors so I can hear if someone tries to get in.
As Frank says, screaming will do the rest!
I can hit some very high notes if I try! ;)

Some hotels have a deadbolt or a secondary "flip lock" on the inside, so if that's the case there wouldn't be any point in packing along another lock. I agree with the others that it's probably a good idea not to use something like that, in case of emergencies.

Ah. I gottcha now, SJ.. I thought you meant that you put the chair under the door handle/knob, blocking it from opening.

Back in the old days, some people would pack a simple "doorstop", a wedge type thing to put at the bottom of the door, that prevented entry. Simple, light, small.

Given that many hotels/apartments have latches and locks already that cannot be opened from the outside, I would not be too concerned about somebody getting to you in an emergency. If you have an emergency, it is likely because you called them, you can unlatch the lock, or like in most cases, they will just break the door down.

All that said, it is not something I worry about.

As SJ says,

I put chairs by doors so I can hear if someone tries to get in.

I do the same. I will likely put something on the chair that will roll off and make noise, but often don't have such a thing. A maid in Stockholm tried to come in and the chair made her aware I was there and she immediately closed the door (I was there at an odd hour having felt ill at the time). She could have pushed the door all the way open, but again, it was enough to wake me.

Most of the European hotels I use, don't have an inside chain/lock so the chair works fine. I traveled with that foolish rubber door wedge for a few years. It never worked on any door so I finally threw it out. I do request my room be on the 2nd to 6th floor...if they go that high.

As for the travel lock, I, too, would rather emergency services can get in as that is more the probability than an intruder.

"* He has now agreed that this door lock is not something that he insists that I get. Thank you, one and all!*"

Connie, I am very glad you asked your question and that your husband has enough confidence in forum members' experience to relax a little about this. Enjoy your solo adventure!

(PS I looked at them and the one I saw weighed 4.6 oz. That's the weight of one of my SS tee shirts so I'd rather have a shirt than a lock, lol!!)