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….effectively, 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 will have by no means been earlier than, it’s regular be cautious. You don’t know what to anticipate or find out how to play it secure. There’s quite a lot of unknowns.

Whereas each nation on this planet is completely different, there’s some commonplace practices and customary guidelines you should utilize to remain secure once 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 suggestions to make sure every part goes easily once 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 value you a couple of bucks and a little bit of embarrassment, however others can fleece you. You’ll want to read up on your destination to see if there are any widespread scams to concentrate on.

On my first journey to Thailand I used to be scammed a number of occasions on my first day. It was just some bucks, luckily, 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.

Widespread journey scams embrace taxis not utilizing their meter as a result of it’s “damaged,” folks making an attempt to rope you into signing a petition (after which demanding a donation), or folks promoting pretend (or overpriced) tickets to points of interest.

Review this list of common scams earlier than you go so that you simply’re prepared for no matter is thrown your method.

2. Purchase journey insurance coverage

One of many very first issues I do as soon as I e-book a visit is buy travel insurance. 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 coated in case I have to cancel my journey, if my flight is canceled or delayed, and far more.

For simply over a greenback per day you get peace of thoughts, understanding that, ought to one thing go incorrect, you received’t must take care of it (or pay for it) alone.

I by no means depart dwelling with out journey insurance coverage. You shouldn’t both.

When you’re on a price range, SafetyWing is my go-to firm for reasonably priced plans.

When you’re actually involved and need somebody to name in an emergency, take a look at Medjet.

Medjet has a safety response membership, MedjetHorizon, with 24/7 safety groups prepared to assist (and extract you if vital). It may possibly additionally get you moved dwelling for those who’re hospitalized. Most journey insurance coverage simply transfer you to the closest hospital, however Medjet will get you to your most well-liked facility in your house nation, no questions requested.

If you wish to study extra, you may read my complete review of Medjet here.

You can get a Medjet quote here (there are tremendous reasonably priced short-term and annual memberships).

For extra info on journey insurance coverage, here’s a list of all my recommended travel insurance companies.

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

Earlier than you allow dwelling, 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 coated.

For instance, many vacationers assume that in the event that they break their leg overseas, their insurance coverage firm’s medical evacuation advantages will get them dwelling. That’s not all the time the case. Chances are high, 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 dwelling.

For safety threats and pure disasters, insurance coverage corporations usually require what’s referred to as a “arduous set off” earlier than they’ll or will help you. Meaning the federal government should declare an emergency or evacuation order. If that doesn’t occur, you’ll be anticipated to get dwelling your self, even when the scenario is dire (and even when it prices 1000’s of {dollars}).

That’s why I all the time recommend Medjet to vacationers who wish to make sure they get dwelling it doesn’t matter what. It’s the last 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 getting journey insurance coverage, save the contact quantity in your telephone. Save the emergency contact e-mail in your inbox too. That method, you will discover it rapidly if in case you have a query or want help.

When you assume you won’t have Wi-Fi or cellphone service throughout your journey, write the quantity down in your telephone on a notes app simply to be secure. You may additionally wish to hold a bodily copy of each in your pockets too, simply in case one thing occurs to your telephone.

You’ll want to additionally e-mail your self copies of all of your vital paperwork, similar to 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, reserve it on Google Maps. That method, you will discover your lodging must you get misplaced and wish to point out the tackle to a driver. You would possibly wish to additionally take a bodily enterprise card out of your lodging when you arrive (it’s going to have the tackle and call data on it, which could turn out to be useful).

Moreover, save different vital locations in your Google Map, similar to the closest hospital, pharmacy, grocery retailer, and embassy/consulate. When you really feel comfy doing so with a trusted individual at dwelling, you can even share your location by Google Maps. For many individuals, particularly solo vacationers, this offers peace of thoughts, understanding that somebody on this planet is aware of their whereabouts.

6. Obtain the Protected Traveler App

When you’ve determined the place to go (and for those who’re from the US), sign up for 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 Safe Traveler app. You simply punch within the locations you wish to go to, and it’ll ship push alerts to your smartphone relating to any vital safety issues. That method, you’ll be forewarned ought to something occur that you ought to be conscious of.

7. Comply with embassies on Twitter

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

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 method, you positively received’t miss any vital happenings.

8. Separate your money and playing cards

When touring, don’t hold all of your money and playing cards in a single place. Preserve some in your pockets, some in your day bag, and a few in your lodging. That method, for those who 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 deliver multiple simply to be secure.

9. Ask locals for recommendation

If you test right into a resort or Airbnb, ask if they’ve any security recommendation to share. Are there neighborhoods price avoiding? Are there any scams they assume you would possibly encounter? Perhaps some areas are secure in the course of the day however not at evening. Ask for enter from locals; they’re in the most effective place to assist.

That stated, it by no means hurts to get a second opinion. Some locals would possibly take into account an space unsafe, whereas others don’t. You’ll want to store round for recommendation so you may keep away from any biases. Journey is subjective, in spite of everything, so the extra opinions you may get, the higher.

10. Don’t share an excessive amount of info

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

Furthermore, don’t give away an excessive amount of data to random strangers. Keep away from sharing your resort title, and, if potential, avoiding telling folks it’s your first time visiting town/nation as they could use that as an invite to try to rip you off.

It could seem to be the world is a harmful place, with bother 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 best to be prepared. By arming your self with information earlier than you go and making certain you will have comprehensive insurance and safety coverage, you’ll be capable to journey with confidence, understanding that you simply’re prepared for regardless of the street throws your method.