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 highway is a prime concern for….nicely, everybody. Nobody desires to get scammed, damage, or sick on the highway. Nobody desires to get robbed.

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

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

Listed below are my 10 security ideas to make sure every thing goes easily once you journey:

1. Study 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. Remember to learn up in your vacation spot 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 instances on my first day. It was only a few bucks, happily, nevertheless it was nonetheless awkward and ugly. Since that journey, I’ve all the time made positive to be vigilant and analysis scams earlier than I journey.

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

Evaluate this listing of widespread scams earlier than you go so that you simply’re prepared for no matter is thrown your manner.

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 coated in case I must cancel my journey, if my flight is canceled or delayed, and way more.

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

I by no means depart 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 reasonably priced plans.

If you happen to’re actually involved and wish 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 vital). It might probably additionally get you moved house when you’re hospitalized. Most journey insurance policy 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 be taught extra, you’ll be able to learn my full overview of Medjet right here.

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

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

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

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

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 may 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 usually require what’s referred to as a “laborious 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 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 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

Upon getting journey insurance coverage, save the contact quantity in your cellphone. Save the emergency contact e mail in your inbox too. That manner, you could find it shortly when you have 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 cellphone on a notes app simply to be secure. You may additionally need to hold a bodily copy of each in your pockets too, simply in case one thing occurs to your cellphone.

Remember to additionally e mail your self copies of all of your essential paperwork, equivalent to your passport and license, in case you lose your pockets. Having printed copies of them isn’t a foul concept both.

5. Put together a Google Map

When you’ve booked your lodging, reserve it on Google Maps. That manner, you could find your lodging must you get misplaced and want to point out the tackle to a driver. You would possibly need to additionally take a bodily enterprise card out of your lodging when you arrive (it is going to have the tackle and make contact with data on it, which could come in useful).

Moreover, save different essential locations in your Google Map, equivalent to the closest hospital, pharmacy, grocery retailer, and embassy/consulate. If you happen to really feel snug doing so with a trusted particular person at house, you too can share your location by way of Google Maps. For many individuals, particularly solo vacationers, this offers peace of thoughts, understanding 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 when 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 manner, 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 you 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 manner, you undoubtedly received’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. Hold some in your pockets, some in your day bag, and a few in your lodging. That manner, when 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 whilst you’re overseas both, so convey a couple of simply to be secure.

9. Ask locals for recommendation

While you examine 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 suppose you would possibly encounter? Perhaps some areas are secure throughout the day however not at night time. 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 contemplate an space unsafe, whereas others don’t. Remember to store round for recommendation so you’ll be able to keep away from any biases. Journey is subjective, in spite of everything, so the extra opinions you will get, the higher.

10. Don’t share an excessive amount of data

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 manner, would-be criminals can’t use that data 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 resort title, and, if doable, avoiding telling folks it’s your first time visiting the town/nation as they might use that as an invite to attempt to rip you off.

It might appear to be the world is a harmful place, with hassle lurking round each nook, however that’s solely as a result of worry 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 might have complete insurance coverage and security protection, you’ll be capable of journey with confidence, understanding that you simply’re prepared for regardless of the highway throws your manner.