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 desires to get scammed, damage, or sick on the street. Nobody desires 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 loads of unknowns.

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

Listed here are my 10 security suggestions to make sure the whole lot goes easily whenever you journey:

1. Study frequent 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. Be sure you learn up in your vacation spot to see if there are any frequent 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, fortuitously, nevertheless it was nonetheless awkward and ugly. Since that journey, I’ve all the time made certain 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 faux (or overpriced) tickets to sights.

Evaluate this record of frequent 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 guide 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 far more.

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

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

For those who’re on a funds, SafetyWing is my go-to firm for inexpensive plans.

For those who’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 crucial). It could additionally get you moved house when 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 possibly can learn my full assessment 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 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 are going to 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 known as a “arduous set off” earlier than they will 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 state of affairs is dire (and even when it prices 1000’s of {dollars}).

That’s why I all the time recommend Medjet to vacationers who need to be certain 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 electronic mail in your inbox too. That approach, yow will discover it shortly if in case you have a query or want help.

For those who suppose 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 need to maintain a bodily copy of each in your pockets too, simply in case one thing occurs to your telephone.

Be sure you additionally electronic 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 nasty concept both.

5. Put together a Google Map

When you’ve booked your lodging, reserve it 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 may need to additionally take a bodily enterprise card out of your lodging when you arrive (it would have the handle and phone information on it, which could come in useful).

Moreover, save different vital locations in your Google Map, similar to the closest hospital, pharmacy, grocery retailer, and embassy/consulate. For those who really feel comfy doing so with a trusted individual at house, you may also share your location by means of Google Maps. For many individuals, particularly solo vacationers, this offers peace of thoughts, figuring out 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 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 state of affairs 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 vital 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

For those who use Twitter, observe your nation’s embassy within the vacation spot nation. It is not going to solely point out vital native occasions and holidays however, ought to a state of affairs come up, additionally publish updates and data there. Be sure you flip your notifications on so that you don’t miss something vital.

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

8. Separate your money and playing cards

When touring, don’t maintain 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 approach, 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

If 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 may encounter? Possibly some areas are secure in the course of the day however not at evening. Ask for enter from locals; they’re in the perfect place to assist.

That mentioned, it by no means hurts to get a second opinion. Some locals may contemplate an space unsafe, whereas others don’t. Be sure you store round for recommendation so you possibly can 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 info

For those who’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 vital for solo feminine vacationers).

Furthermore, don’t give away an excessive amount of information to random strangers. Keep away from sharing your lodge title, and, if potential, avoiding telling folks it’s your first time visiting the town/nation as they might 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 greatest to be ready. By arming your self with information earlier than you go and guaranteeing you will have complete insurance coverage and security protection, you’ll be capable of journey with confidence, figuring out that you simply’re prepared for regardless of the street throws your approach.