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

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

Staying protected on the street is a prime concern for….properly, everybody. Nobody desires to get scammed, harm, or sick on the street. Nobody desires to get robbed.

And, when you find yourself going someplace you could have by no means been earlier than, it’s regular be cautious. You don’t know what to anticipate or how one can play it protected. 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 need to use to remain protected while you journey. A few of these guidelines are frequent sense, some have been sadly realized from first hand expertise!

Listed here are my 10 security suggestions to make sure the whole lot goes easily while 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 price you a couple of dollars 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 frequent 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 only a few bucks, fortuitously, however it 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 embody 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 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 manner.

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 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, understanding that, ought to one thing go mistaken, you gained’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.

In the event you’re on a finances, SafetyWing is my go-to firm for inexpensive plans.

In the event you’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 needed). It might additionally get you moved dwelling for those who’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 study extra, you may read my complete review of Medjet here.

You can get a Medjet quote here (there are tremendous inexpensive 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 suppose 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. Likelihood is, they’ll solely get you to the “nearest acceptable facility” and just remember to’re handled there. You’ll then be by yourself to get dwelling.

For safety threats and pure disasters, insurance coverage corporations typically require what’s known as a “exhausting set off” earlier than they will or will help you. Which means 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 state of affairs 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 certain they get dwelling 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 manner, yow will discover it shortly when you have a query or want help.

In the event you 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 protected. You may also need to preserve 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 essential paperwork, equivalent to your passport and license, in case you lose your pockets. Having printed copies of them isn’t a nasty thought both.

5. Put together a Google Map

When you’ve booked your lodging, reserve it on Google Maps. That manner, yow will discover your lodging must you get misplaced and wish to indicate 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 call 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. In the event you really feel snug doing so with a trusted individual at dwelling, you may as well share your location by way of 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 Secure 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 state of affairs arises. Subsequent, obtain the State Division’s Safe Traveler app. You simply punch within the locations you need to go to, and it’ll ship push alerts to your smartphone concerning any essential safety considerations. That manner, you’ll be forewarned ought to something occur that try to be conscious of.

7. Comply with embassies on Twitter

In the event you use Twitter, observe your nation’s embassy within the vacation spot nation. It is not going to solely point out essential native occasions and holidays however, ought to a state of affairs come up, additionally publish updates and data 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 manner, you undoubtedly gained’t miss any essential happenings.

8. Separate your money and playing cards

When touring, don’t preserve 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 manner, 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 whilst you’re overseas both, so carry a couple of simply to be protected.

9. Ask locals for recommendation

If you verify 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? Perhaps some areas are protected through 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 may contemplate 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

In the event you’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 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 identify, and, if potential, avoiding telling individuals it’s your first time visiting the town/nation as they could use that as an invite to try to rip you off.

It could appear 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 guaranteeing you could 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 manner.