10 Journey Security Tricks to Assist You Keep Protected Overseas (Up to date 2023)

Posted: 12/15/23 | December fifteenth, 2023

Staying secure on the street is a high concern for….properly, everybody. Nobody needs to get scammed, damage, or sick on the street. Nobody needs to get robbed.

And, if you find yourself going someplace you may have by no means been earlier than, it’s regular be cautious. You don’t know what to anticipate or how you can play it secure. There’s plenty of unknowns.

Whereas each nation on the planet is completely different, there’s some normal practices and customary guidelines you should use to remain secure whenever you journey. A few of these guidelines are widespread sense, some had been sadly realized from first hand expertise!

Listed below are my 10 security ideas to make sure all the things goes easily whenever you journey:

1. Find out about widespread scams

Whereas scams are uncommon, they’re on the market, ready for unwitting vacationers to stumble into them. Most will solely price you a couple of dollars and a little bit of embarrassment, however others can fleece you. Make sure you learn up in your vacation spot to see if there are any widespread scams to pay attention to.

On my first journey to Thailand I used to be scammed a number of instances on my first day. It was just some bucks, thankfully, but it surely was nonetheless awkward and unsightly. Since that journey, I’ve all the time made positive to be vigilant and analysis scams earlier than I journey.

Frequent journey scams embrace taxis not utilizing their meter as a result of it’s “damaged,” individuals attempting to rope you into signing a petition (after which demanding a donation), or individuals promoting pretend (or overpriced) tickets to sights.

Evaluation this record of widespread scams earlier than you go so that you simply’re prepared for no matter is thrown your approach.

2. Purchase journey insurance coverage

One of many very first issues I do as soon as I ebook a visit is purchase journey insurance coverage. I do know, it’s not a enjoyable a part of journey planning and it’s a boring factor to learn (and write) about. However shopping for insurance coverage early ensures I’m lined in case I have to cancel my journey, if my flight is canceled or delayed, and rather more.

For simply over a greenback per day you get peace of thoughts, figuring out that, ought to one thing go mistaken, you gained’t should cope with it (or pay for it) alone.

I by no means go away house with out journey insurance coverage. You shouldn’t both.

If you happen to’re on a finances, SafetyWing is my go-to firm for inexpensive plans.

If you happen to’re actually involved and need somebody to name in an emergency, try Medjet.

Medjet has a safety response membership, MedjetHorizon, with 24/7 safety groups prepared to assist (and extract you if crucial). It might probably additionally get you moved house should you’re hospitalized. Most journey insurance coverage simply transfer you to the closest hospital, however Medjet will get you to your most popular facility in your house nation, no questions requested.

If you wish to study extra, you may learn my full evaluation of Medjet right here.

You will get a Medjet quote right here (there are tremendous inexpensive short-term and annual memberships).

For extra info on journey insurance coverage, right here’s a listing of all my really helpful journey insurance coverage corporations.

3. Know what your insurance coverage will and won’t do

Earlier than you permit house, learn over your insurance coverage coverage once more. Each firm is completely different, so it’s good to know precisely what’s and isn’t lined.

For instance, many vacationers suppose that in the event that they break their leg overseas, their insurance coverage firm’s medical evacuation advantages will get them house. That’s not all the time the case. Likelihood is, they’ll solely get you to the “nearest acceptable facility” and just be sure you’re handled there. You’ll then be by yourself to get house.

For safety threats and pure disasters, insurance coverage corporations typically require what’s referred to as a “arduous set off” earlier than they’ll or will help you. Which means the federal government should declare an emergency or evacuation order. If that doesn’t occur, you may be anticipated to get house your self, even when the scenario is dire (and even when it prices hundreds of {dollars}).

That’s why I all the time counsel Medjet to vacationers who need to make sure they get house it doesn’t matter what. It’s the final word in safety and disaster response. There’s a 24/7 disaster line that may reply to a wider vary of security threats with out the necessity for a tough set off.

4. Save your emergency contacts

After you have journey insurance coverage, save the contact quantity in your telephone. Save the emergency contact e mail in your inbox too. That approach, yow will discover it shortly when you’ve got a query or want help.

If you happen to suppose you may not have Wi-Fi or cellular phone service throughout your journey, write the quantity down in your telephone on a notes app simply to be secure. You may also need to hold a bodily copy of each in your pockets too, simply in case one thing occurs to your telephone.

Make sure you additionally e mail your self copies of all of your essential paperwork, reminiscent of your passport and license, in case you lose your pockets. Having printed copies of them isn’t a foul thought both.

5. Put together a Google Map

When you’ve booked your lodging, put it aside on Google Maps. That approach, yow will discover your lodging do you have to get misplaced and wish to point out the handle to a driver. You would possibly need to additionally take a bodily enterprise card out of your lodging when you arrive (it can have the handle and phone data on it, which could turn out to be useful).

Moreover, save different essential locations in your Google Map, reminiscent of the closest hospital, pharmacy, grocery retailer, and embassy/consulate. If you happen to really feel snug doing so with a trusted individual at house, you can too share your location by Google Maps. For many individuals, particularly solo vacationers, this gives peace of thoughts, figuring out that somebody on the planet is aware of their whereabouts.

6. Obtain the Protected Traveler App

When you’ve determined the place to go (and should you’re from the US), join the S.T.E.P. program. It alerts native embassies that you simply’re within the space in case a scenario arises. Subsequent, obtain the State Division’s Protected Traveler app. You simply punch within the locations you need to go to, and it’ll ship push alerts to your smartphone relating to any essential safety issues. That approach, you’ll be forewarned ought to something occur that you need to be conscious of.

7. Comply with embassies on Twitter

If you happen to use Twitter, observe your nation’s embassy within the vacation spot nation. It won’t solely point out essential native occasions and holidays however, ought to a scenario come up, additionally publish updates and knowledge there. Be sure to flip your notifications on so that you don’t miss something essential.

Following native information corporations on twitter can be a good suggestion, particularly if there’s a native english-speaking web site that has a Twitter account. That approach, you undoubtedly gained’t miss any essential happenings.

8. Separate your money and playing cards

When touring, don’t hold all of your money and playing cards in a single place. Maintain some in your pockets, some in your day bag, and a few in your lodging. That approach, should you lose your pockets or in case your bag is stolen you continue to have money and playing cards to fall again on.

It’s not unusual for banks to cancel or put a maintain on a bank card when you’re overseas both, so carry a couple of simply to be secure.

9. Ask locals for recommendation

While you test right into a lodge or Airbnb, ask if they’ve any security recommendation to share. Are there neighborhoods value avoiding? Are there any scams they suppose you would possibly encounter? Possibly some areas are secure throughout the day however not at evening. Ask for enter from locals; they’re in the perfect place to assist.

That stated, it by no means hurts to get a second opinion. Some locals would possibly think about an space unsafe, whereas others don’t. Make sure you store round for recommendation so you may keep away from any biases. Journey is subjective, in any case, so the extra opinions you will get, the higher.

10. Don’t share an excessive amount of info

If you happen to’re posting on social media, don’t put up in actual time. Wait a pair hours after which put up. That approach, would-be criminals can’t use that info to get your location and rob you or stalk you (that is particularly essential for solo feminine vacationers).

Furthermore, don’t give away an excessive amount of data to random strangers. Keep away from sharing your lodge title, and, if attainable, avoiding telling individuals it’s your first time visiting the town/nation as they might use that as an invite to attempt to rip you off.

It could seem to be the world is a harmful place, with hassle lurking round each nook, however that’s solely as a result of concern sells. I’ve been touring for over 15 years, and 99% of the time, issues go easily.

However for the remaining 1% of experiences, it’s finest to be ready. By arming your self with data earlier than you go and guaranteeing you may have complete insurance coverage and security protection, you’ll be capable to journey with confidence, figuring out that you simply’re prepared for regardless of the street throws your approach.