Are you planning an international trip soon? You’ll want to ensure you travel safely, as you can be more at risk when you’re a tourist.
We gathered all the essential travel safety tips below, so brush up on them before you leave for your trip!
1. Research Your Destination
First, you must research your destination. You want to understand the culture before arriving so you don’t accidentally attract attention to yourself.
Then, make sure to read online reviews from other travelers. You want to know what places are safe to stay and what areas to avoid.
You can start by Googling “(country name) culture,” “What to know about (country name),” and “(country name) etiquette.” The more informed you are, the better off you’ll be when you arrive.
Another good option is to spend some time browsing through Every Culture. The site is a massive catalog of all the world’s cultures, organized alphabetically. There are tons of information on each country’s page, including architecture, food, and etiquette details. It’s a great resource that you’ll want to use.
Taking the time to research will help you better know what to expect when traveling abroad, which can keep you safe.
To keep yourself updated and connected online as soon as you land, secure a prepaid travel sim card from Sims Direct with seamless internet and easy activation process. With Simify travel eSIM, you will no longer need to swap SIM cards in and out. The eSIM enables users to effortlessly switch between service providers without physically changing SIM cards.
2. Don’t Draw Too Much Attention
Next, you’ll want to avoid drawing a lot of attention to yourself. Limiting the amount of expensive jewelry and accessories you wear is essential since you could make yourself a target of crime. You’ll also want to be more discreet about using the GPS on your phone.
Knowing more about the country’s culture will help prevent you from drawing negative attention as well. You can wear clothing that doesn’t make you stand out and will understand what the people living there might think is offensive.
Many hotels and hostels also have lockers and safes that you can use. Store all your valuables in them, and don’t take them out when sightseeing.
3. Let Loved Ones Know Where You Are
Photo by Hassan OUAJBIR on Unsplash
You’ll need to make sure that you keep your family and friends updated on your location. Tell them when you’re leaving and planning to return, and ask them to check on you. You must stay in contact during your trip.
That way, someone always knows that you’re safe. If you suddenly stop responding, they’ll know to alert the authorities and tell them you’re missing.
Kidnapping and ransom can happen to anyone. You may want to consider getting reliable ransom insurance for your travel abroad. Tourists are targeted more than locals because they don’t know the area well, and criminals believe they’re more likely to pay. Having coverage can protect you from even more losses.
Travel’s a lot more dangerous when no one knows where you are or where you’re going. This is true no matter what country you’re visiting.
4. Be Skeptical of Public WiFi
Next, you’ll want to be careful when using public WiFi networks. When you access public WiFi, hackers can easily access your data, including personal information, credit cards, and even your Social Security number.
It’s crucial that you set up a virtual private network or VPN, so you can’t be seen on public Networks.
Setting up a VPN for international travel is also super easy. You only need to download the VPN software, open it on the device you want to protect and connect to a server. The software should walk you through the process.
So, while free public WiFi can be appealing, you’ll want to avoid using it.
5. Don’t Zone Out
You’ll need to remain aware of your surroundings during your entire trip. If you let your guard down for too long, you could easily be in a bad situation. Trust your instincts; if something feels “off,” get out of there immediately.
It can also help to become aware of scams. While scams are present in every country, some have more common ones. For example, the gold ring scam is prevalent in Paris.
Staying alert and looking like you know where you’re going can keep you safe.
6. Add Emergency Info to Your Contacts
In the case of an emergency, you probably won’t have time to search for the numbers of police or ambulances. You’ll want to add those phone numbers to your contact list beforehand. That way, you can contact someone immediately if something goes wrong.
Not every country uses 911 for emergencies; many even have separate numbers for police, ambulances, and firemen. You’ll need to check the emergency service number for the country you’re going to long before you arrive.
Overall, you need to know who to contact when you’re in trouble. You don’t want to waste precious time looking the numbers up online.
7. Check for Travel Advisory Warnings
Next, you’ll want to know that you’re not actively putting yourself in danger by traveling. The U.S. Department of State has a list of every country with a current threat level for travelers. Additionally, if your travel plans include Cuba, it’s crucial to be well-informed about the necessary entry documents; for more info about Cuba visa requirements and preparations, consulting reliable sources can ensure you’re fully prepared for your journey.
It’s also important to know your traveler’s insurance. If you go someplace above a set threat level, your provider might not cover you if something happens.
There are four different threat levels which mean the following:
- Level 1: Have an average amount of caution.
- Level 2: Have an increased amount of caution.
- Level 3: Consider not going on the trip. You’ll want to look into what’s happening in the country to help you determine whether you’d be safe.
- Level 4: Do not travel there!
It constantly changes, so you’ll want to check it occasionally before your trip.
It’s also recommended to wear a face mask during your trip to protect yourself from airborne viruses. Luckily, you can easily purchase them online like these Australian made face masks.
Have a Safe Trip!
Photo by Element5 Digital on Unsplash
You should be able to have a safe trip using these tips. Always research your destination thoroughly, avoid attracting attention, and let trusted people know where you’ll be. It’s also good to check the international travel advisories and add emergency lines to your phone.
If you can do that, you will surely be much safer during your trip! Don’t forget to have fun, explore, and learn from your new experiences. Most people you meet will be kind and exciting, but you still want to practice traveling safely.
