Travel Safety

Travel safety is one important thing to keep in mind, whether you travel often or are embarking on your first trip. Nothing can put a dark cloud over your trip quite like being the victim of a scam, a thief, or putting yourself in a dangerous situation. With a few easy precautions, it is easy to avoid danger and stay safe when you travel. Keep reading to discover some travel safety tips that will come in handy whether you are traveling abroad to a far-flung locale or heading south for the winter.

Travel safety is a serious matter for travelers of all ages, genders, and group sizes. Some people mistakenly think that only solo travelers are victims of scams, but this isn’t true. The first step for staying safe on the road is doing your research before departure. Check if you need any immunizations, and read a few travel guides to learn more about your destination. Being respectful of the local culture will help you to blend in when you travel, so do a little reading before you leave home. In Italy, for example, it is essential to cover your shoulders and your knees when entering a church, while in Tunisia, women can minimize any potential catcalls by choosing clothes that expose as little skin as possible, as the locals do. Even during the hottest parts of the summer, these are the customs. Dressing appropriately will help you to blend in and not be an obvious target for petty crimes.

On the list of travel safety tips is always how and where you carry your money. Ideally, your hotel will have a safe where you can keep valuables such as your passport. It is not recommended to carry your passport with you on a daily basis, unless you are going to be crossing international borders. On this case, it is even more essential to have a good bag, one that can be worn across the body and has multiple zippers and pockets that would be difficult for pickpockets. Backpacks are not a good idea for carrying wallets or passports—these can easily be broken into—especially on public transport.

The one place where travel safety usually breaks down is nightlife. If you are going to enjoy bars and nightclubs, do your research first about areas of town, the availability of taxis, and local customs. As a solo traveler, and even in small groups, you don’t want to be walking around dark, empty areas at night. Stick to the main boulevards and only accept rides from marked, licensed taxis. Trains can sometimes be dangerous at night, so if possible, lock the door to the compartment of your train. Always keep an eye on your belongings, even during long bus rides, plane rides, or train journeys.

A list of travel safety tips could go on and on, but the key factor is using your common sense and being aware of your surroundings. Be sure to check for US travel warnings before departure, and always let friends and family know where you are going and how to get in contact with you. Before departure, make two photocopies of your passport. Leave one at home and bring one with you in case your passport is lost or stolen. Depending on your destination, it might not be appropriate to wear fancy jewelry, as this could make you a potential victim for thieves. Lastly, if you’re carrying a travel guide, be sure to check out individual instructions on how to stay safe during your trip.