Travel Safety Tips: Enjoy Your Journey While Being Secure
Traveling to new places can be so exciting! It offers a glimpse into new and different cultures, perspectives, and experiences. But, your safety is the number one concern to having a positive experience. Stay safe while traveling with these tips.
Research Your Destination
When you plan your vacation, don’t just research desired activities. Familiarize yourself with local customs and laws. Knowing the legal expectations in advance will help you avoid any misunderstandings that could lead to potential trouble.
Before setting out on your journey, make sure you follow all health precautions. For example, some locations may require vaccinations before visiting. Get to know the health risks before you go.
Check travel advisories posted by your government. These can be found online by visiting websites like the UK Foreign Office or U.S. Department of State.
Travel Documents
Make copies of your travel documents – passport, visas, travel insurance, itinerary, etc. Have physical and digital copies available to you at all times. When you arrive at your accommodations, keep your original documents in a secure location. Also, only carry the digital and physical copies of travel documents with you.
Stay Connected
Determine your international phone plan before traveling. We have a great resource on International Phone Plans: Essential Tips for Travelers you can check out to learn more. Share your location and check in regularly with someone at home. You may also consider saving the contact information for the nearest consulate or embassy’s in your phone, along with any local emergency numbers.
Budget for Emergencies
In a perfect world emergencies would never happen, but it’s important to be prepared and flexible if one should arise. Notify your bank and credit cards of major travel to avoid your accounts from being frozen. Carry multiple cards and local currency to avoid being stranded. If you can, try to have emergency funds set to the side. We like to store some extra cash in a hidden compartment of our luggage just in case something happens.
Be Aware of Your Surroundings
Monitor the local news and weather for anything that could disrupt your travel. Pack light and avoid bringing any extra unnecessary valuables.
Keep track of personal items in large crowded areas. Discreetly make monetary transactions and keep your wallet in a zipped pocket if possible.
Stay clear of unknown and high-risk areas, especially after dark.
Personal Safety
Trust your instincts, if something does not feel right remove yourself from the situation. Don’t be afraid to ask for help if you need it by contacting the local authorities or partner up with fellow travelers if you feel unsafe at any point.
Blend in with the local residents and dress in a way that doesn’t make you stand out as a tourist.
If you plan to use local transportation, like a taxi, be sure to check it’s licensed.
Health and Personal Hygiene
Pack any prescription medication you need. We also recommend a basic first aid kit with things like bandaids, headache and stomach ache medicine, tissues, and hand sanitizer.
Be aware of the food and water supply. If you’re unsure where the water has come from, drink bottled or purified water.
If you have travel insurance keep a copy of it on hand. Some insurances will cover health emergencies, theft, and even cancellations.
While there are some things you can do to prepare for a safe journey, it will require a mix of preparation and common sense. Follow these tips so you mitigate risks and focus on creating memories that will last a lifetime. Enjoy your time learning about new cultures, trying new cuisines, and making new friends while navigating potential challenges with confidence.
Safe travels!
