Travel Safety: 20 Tips on How to Travel Safe

When it comes to traveling, it’s important to prioritize safety. While exploring new destinations and experiencing different cultures can be exciting, it’s crucial to ensure your well-being throughout your journey. This blog post will provide you with 20 essential tips on how to travel safe, so you can wander wisely and have a worry-free experience.

Travelling is an exciting adventure, but it’s important to prioritize your safety while exploring new places. By following these expert tips, you can roam with confidence and ensure a safe journey.

Research and Planning

Choose a Safe Destination

Before embarking on your journey, research potential destinations thoroughly. Check crime rates and travel advisories for specific locations to assess potential risks. Consider political stability and any recent events that might impact safety.

Health considerations

Ensure you are up to date with required vaccinations for your destination. Research local healthcare facilities and emergency services in the area you will be visiting.

I have added the one special template in Wanderlust Planner to track the vaccination status for the people with whom you are travelling to help you plan an organized.

Packing Essentials – Travel with Your Money Safely

Document and Copies

Carry essential travel documents such as your passport, visas, and identification. Make both digital and physical copies of these documents and store them separately from the originals for backup.

Safety gear and accessories

One important travel safety tip is to keep your money close to you. To prevent pickpockets from stealing your money, a simple solution is to wear a fanny pack or a money wallet. If you typically wear a backpack, consider wearing it on your chest when you’re in crowded places.

While it may look a bit odd, this tactic makes it difficult for someone to access your bag in bustling markets or crowded metro stations.

Furthermore, it’s crucial to avoid carrying too much money with you at once. Additionally, it’s wise to have a backup plan in case your wallet is stolen by storing some cash in a secret location, such as a second wallet.

Spend Money to Travel Safe

Investing in your safety is crucial while travelling. When you are travelling on budget you might want to take the Public transport in the new city. But in case when your flight is landing late then there are places in Europe where the public transport options gets really scarce.

Plan your trip accordingly and book your airport transfer or spend money on taxi. Don’t want to do that then how about staying overnight at the airport.

Dress Smart for Your Travel Safety

Blend in with the locals and avoid drawing unnecessary attention to yourself by dressing in a culturally appropriate manner. Leave expensive jewellery and flashy accessories at home to prevent becoming a target for theft.

Imagine the typical tourist, walking around with their head buried in a map or their phone, and a camera hanging from their neck. This kind of attention-grabbing behavior can make you an easy target for thieves and scams. However, there are several useful tips to help ensure your safety while traveling:

Plan your route ahead of time so you don’t have to constantly consult a map. The same goes for navigating between different modes of transportation. If you step off a train and appear lost, it’ll be clear to everyone around you.

Walk with confidence, as if you know the area well. This will make you blend in with the locals or at least give the impression that you’re familiar with the surroundings.

Consider the appropriate dress code for the country you’re visiting. Some places have stricter religious or conservative customs, and it’s important not to offend the locals by dressing inappropriately. By dressing more conservatively, you’ll also avoid drawing unnecessary attention to yourself and demonstrate respect for the local culture.

Buy Travel Insurance

One of the most important investments you can make is purchasing comprehensive travel insurance. This ensures that you are financially protected in case of any unforeseen emergencies, such as accidents, medical expenses, or trip cancellations or even loss of luggage.

Careful Where You Eat

Food plays a significant role in experiencing new cultures, but choosing where to eat can impact your safety. Look for clean, well-established restaurants or eateries with positive reviews. Avoid street food if you have a sensitive stomach or are in an area with questionable hygiene practices.

Tips to be safe:

Research Local Scams for Travel Safety

Every destination has its share of scams targeting unsuspecting tourists. Prior to your trip, research the common scams in the region you will be visiting to familiarize yourself with potential risks and learn how to avoid falling victim to them.

Know the Areas to Avoid for Your Travel Safety

Understanding the local area and knowing which neighborhoods or regions to avoid can significantly enhance your safety. Consult travel forums, guidebooks, or local authorities to stay informed about safe places and potentially dangerous areas in your destination.

Planning a trip can be an enjoyable experience, especially when it involves doing thorough research. As you embark on this journey, it would be wise to consult your government’s travel advice, which will provide detailed information on what you should be aware of.

This could include important alerts such as malaria risks, potential natural disasters, or safety guidelines specific to certain cities or regions. Additionally, it’s worth noting that your local government’s website is frequently updated to keep you informed of any changes.

Good to know: The government provides advice to inform you about the potential worst-case scenario. However, it’s important to remember that the chances of having an incredible trip are high, so there’s no need to be intimidated by the advice.

Free Travel Safety Tips

Alternatively, you can find free travel safety tips and resources online. Websites, blogs, and social media platforms often share valuable advice from experienced travelers who have firsthand knowledge of specific destinations.

Careful at ATMs

ATM fraud is prevalent in many tourist destinations. Use ATMs located indoors or those attached to reputable banks, preferably during daylight hours. Avoid using ATMs in secluded or poorly lit areas and be cautious of suspicious individuals nearby.

Due to the presence of ATM fees, it is quite tempting to withdraw a substantial sum of cash. Nonetheless, it would be advisable to refrain from doing so by taking out smaller amounts and utilizing a travel cash card that eliminates these charges. By employing this method, if the card happens to be stolen, its loss won’t be as significant of a concern.

Never Leave Your Items Unattended

Leaving your belongings unattended, even for a short period, can make them an easy target for theft. Always keep an eye on your belongings and consider investing in lockable bags or using luggage locks for added security.

Lock Your Bags for the Best Travel Safety

Whether you’re staying in hotels or hostels, adding an extra layer of security to your luggage is wise. Utilize sturdy padlocks or combination locks to deter potential thieves from accessing your personal belongings.

If you are on a backpacking trip in Europe and planning to stay in Hostels then make sure you carry padlocks with you because you will not get any at the hostels.

There are loads of great backpacks on the market made of anti-theft material we have talked about them here in Backpacks for Europe.

Tip: Padlocks are also great to use for your locker at your accommodation.

Know Emergency Information

Before embarking on your trip, research and note down emergency contact numbers specific to your destination. Familiarize yourself with local emergency services, medical facilities, and embassy or consulate contact details to have them readily available should you require assistance.

Share Your Route with Your Family and Friends

Inform your family or friends about your travel itinerary, including details of your accommodations, transportation, and activities you plan to undertake. Regularly update them on your whereabouts during your trip for added peace of mind.

One thing which I often do all the time is when I am travelling I add one of my family members in Google maps location sharing so that they can constantly look at my location.

The same setting is also enable in my Taxi app when I book any taxi the trip details are also shared with my emergency contacts there.

Don’t Just Tell Others Where You’re Staying

When discussing your travel plans with strangers, avoid providing detailed information about your accommodation. Instead, stick to vague descriptions and maintain a sense of anonymity to protect your privacy and minimize the risk of unwanted attention.

When it comes to booking taxis, a common scam involves a taxi picking you up from your accommodation and then returning later to steal your belongings. To avoid this, it is better to arrange for the taxi to pick you up from a busy, well-lit area near your location.

Furthermore, if you have pre-booked a taxi, make sure to wait for them to confirm your name so you can be certain it is not a scam. Another way to ensure your safety is by using taxi apps such as Uber or Grab, which provide reliable reviews of the drivers.

Avoid Unnecessary Danger

Travel safely by avoiding engaging in risky activities or venturing into dangerous areas, especially if you are unfamiliar with the surroundings or local customs. Use common sense and trust your intuition, taking necessary precautions to keep yourself out of harm’s way.

Travel Safety: Being Able to Save Yourself and Others

Basic knowledge of first aid, self-defense techniques, and emergency preparedness can prove invaluable during unforeseen circumstances. Consider taking relevant courses or joining workshops before your trip to enhance your ability to handle critical situations.

Travel Safe in a Group

Traveling alone is a delightful experience, but when you travel with a group, you benefit from having more people around to help keep you safe. Whether you make connections with fellow travelers at your accommodations or join a guided tour, it’s a fantastic opportunity to make new friends and ensure everyone’s well-being.

Nonetheless, even if you’re embarking on a solo adventure, the key to staying safe while traveling remains relying on your intuition, staying calm, and embracing the adventure. Just keep in mind that things that may appear risky are usually not as dangerous as they seem.

Register with Your Embassy

Most countries offer an online registration system for their citizens travelling abroad. Take advantage of this service and register your travel plans with your country’s embassy or consulate. In the event of a crisis or emergency, this will facilitate communication and assistance from your home country.

Be Aware of Your Drink

When socializing or enjoying nightlife in unfamiliar destinations, be cautious about accepting drinks from strangers. Unscrupulous individuals may attempt to drug unsuspecting tourists. Always keep an eye on your drink and, if possible, order and collect it directly from the bartender.

By following these expert tips on travel safety, you can confidently explore new destinations and have a safe and enjoyable journey. Remember that the key to a successful trip is being well-prepared and staying vigilant throughout your travels.

Remember: Drinks can vary significantly in terms of strength across various countries, meaning that the number of beers you can handle in your own country may not be the same when you’re overseas. Moreover, factors such as high altitude or heatstroke can further impact your alcohol tolerance.