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Traveling can be an exciting and enriching experience, but whether you're embarking on a solo adventure or a family vacation, staying safe should always be a top priority.
In general, the world is much safer than the media would have us believe, but that’s not to say that bad things can’t happen. From petty theft to serious bodily harm, there are, unfortunately, risks in the world – both when we’re in our home towns and when we’re out exploring.
To help you have a worry-free trip, we've compiled a list of 12 essential tips for safe traveling. But before we get to those those, here’s the big takeaway:
Be a hard target
A soft target is someone who has not taken basic precautions, appears unprepared to defend themselves or their belongings, and generally gives off the appearance that it would be easy to harm them and get away with it.
That’s not who you want to be.
You want to be a hard target – someone who has taken steps to make themselves an unattractive target for criminal behavior. Bad guys are going to go for the easy mark, so making yourself even a little more difficult to victimize can send them heading in a different direction.
Signal to the world around you that you’re not clueless, helpless, or lost – even when that’s not entirely true. The below info will help you do that.
Okay, on to the tips!
1. Research your destination
Before you set off on your adventure, take some time to research your destination. Familiarize yourself with the local customs, laws, and potential safety risks. Check travel advisories and register with your embassy or consulate to receive important updates while abroad. It can also be a good idea to mark the location of the nearest embassy or consulate on your map in case you need them (whether for an emergency or dealing with a lost passport).
US citizens can check for up-to-date travel advisories on the US State Department website. You can also register for the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP), which will automatically alert you of any advisory updates for your destination and informs the government of your presence in a particular country in case of emergency or evacuation needs.
2. Check the weather
This one is most important if you’re traveling to an area where serious weather concerns exist (like the Caribbean during hurricane season). Keep an eye on what’s happening and be prepared to act if a dangerous storm is headed your way. If things start to get really serious, be sure to monitor and follow any evacuation orders.
3. Be mindful of your surroundings
It’s a good idea everywhere, but especially when you’re somewhere new, pay attention to what’s happening around you. Don’t wander aimlessly into a crowd of angry protesters, be aware which general direction you need to go to get back to the central part of town if you’re exploring on the outskirts, and pay attention to what other people are doing. Keep an eye on your belongings and stay in populated areas after dark.
Trust your instincts; if something doesn’t feel right, get yourself out of the situation as quickly as possible (e.g. leave the bar, take a different street, head into the closest shop until you feel safe to continue).
4. Try to arrive during daylight hours
This one isn’t always fully within your control, but try to arrive at a new destination in the daytime. You’ll feel safer, be better able to get the lay of the land, and more people will be around to help you if you need it.
5. Plan transportation wisely
Use reputable transportation services and avoid unmarked or unofficial vehicles. Opt for registered taxis or rideshare services when available. If using public transportation, keep an eye on your belongings and beware of pickpockets. You can give yourself added piece of mind by following along on your map to make sure you are going in the right direction.
6. Stay Connected
Download maps of your destination so they can be used offline or with poor service. Get a local SIM card as soon as possible so you have data and aren’t limited to only being able to use your phone in locations with wifi. Keep your phone fully charged and carry a portable charger. Share your plans with family and friends, and consider sharing your real-time location with a select few so someone always knows exactly where you are. Check in regularly.
7. Be cautious with public wifi
Avoid logging into sensitive accounts, such as online banking or email, while using public wifi. Consider using a virtual private network (VPN) to secure your internet connection.
8. Be mindful of your social media use
Posting on social media is a great way to stay connected to your friends and family and let everyone know what you’ve been up to, but be mindful of how many details you’re revealing, especially on public posts. Don’t post about your real-time location or where you are staying while you’re still there. Also don’t post about where you’re going to be in any detail.
9. Carry only what you need
Leave unnecessary valuables at home and minimize the amount of cash you carry. Avoid displaying expensive jewelry or electronic devices that might attract thieves. Use a money belt or a secure travel wallet to keep your money, credit cards, and passport safe. Split your cash into multiple hidden locations (e.g. inside pockets of a suitcase or in your toiletries kit). If you’re in an area where street robberies may be a threat, consider carrying a “throw-away wallet” that contains only a small amount of cash and one or two expired credit cards. If held up, this will allow you to hand over something to deescalate the situation without actually losing your important documents or much money.
10. Secure your accommodations
Choose reputable accommodations with good reviews. Look for places with sturdy locks, safes or lockers, gates, and/or surveillance cameras. Keep your door locked and use any additional security features (like a chain lock or deadbolt). If you’re looking for extra peace of mind, you can bring a door stopper or travel alarm as well.
11. Be cautious with strangers
While meeting new people can be part of the travel experience, exercise caution when interacting with strangers. Avoid sharing personal details, travel plans, or your accommodation address with people you've just met. Pay extra attention to your intuition when accepting invitations for rides, dinners, home visits, etc.
12. Invest in travel insurance
Travel insurance is a vital investment, providing coverage for medical emergencies, trip cancellations, lost baggage, and more. Choose a policy that suits your needs and destination, and keep the insurance information readily accessible during your trip.
Bonus tips to keep your belongings secure
13. Use and secure zippers
Keep your valuables (e.g. wallet, passport) in zipped pockets to deter pickpockets. For an extra level of security, make sure the zippers on your bags can’t be slipped open by a skilled thief. There are many features that can help with this:
Some bags have a small loop (like a belt loop) over the zipper at the end that you can slide the zipper pull into, making it difficult to open unnoticed (it takes more intentional effort to push the end back out of the loop to unzip).
Padlock your zipper. This isn’t super practical for a bag that you’re going to be getting into multiple times a day, but can be useful for travel days or for any luggage that will be out of your sight (e.g. under a bus). You can also use a small carabiner to connect your zipper pulls together. While not as secure as an actual lock, it will send a pickpocket off to look for a different target.
Anti-theft bags come with many security features, including a clip that keeps your zipper secure. Here are some of our favorites.
14. Use your rain cover
Keep your bags protected from the wear and tear of travel and make them unlikely targets for thieves by using your rain cover (even when it’s not raining). This keeps everything contained, zippers inaccessible, and protects straps and clips from getting caught on things.
15. Minimize the number of bags you have
Not only are you more likely to forget something if you’re carrying around a half dozen different bags, but you’re also advertising yourself as an easy target. When we have all of our luggage, we already stand out as targets, but it becomes easier to snatch and run when there are small options dangling off every limb.
16. Use a wrist strap for your phone
Keep your phone secure with a wrist strap. As someone who has had a phone stolen directly out of my hand, I wish I’d had this sooner. It’s also an extra level of security when you’re taking pictures over balconies or on boats (i.e. places where you’re at higher risk of dropping your phone and not recovering it).
17. If it’s important, it’s with you
When you’re in transit, keep your most important things with you (not in the bag that’s under the bus or checked in at the airport). This includes electronics, medication, and any other hard-to-replace items (e.g. prescription sunglasses). I often like to keep this bag with me in taxis as well (rather than in the back).
18. Keep it where you can see it
As an add-on to the last tip, keep your most important items where you can see them. Ideally, this is at your feet or on your lap, but in some cases you may have to put your bag in an overhead bin (especially on flights or trains). If the overhead rack does not allow you to physically see your items (i.e. it’s solid rather than clear or slatted), consider using space across the aisle from where you are sitting so that you can keep an eye on your bag.
It may sound like a lot, but staying safe while traveling is very much like staying safe at home. Being in a new or unfamiliar environment adds some additional challenges, but with the proper preparation and an awareness of (but not obsession about) safety precautions, you’ll set yourself up for the best possible chance at a safe and happy holiday.
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