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

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

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

And, when you’re going someplace you could have by no means been earlier than, it’s regular be cautious. You don’t know what to anticipate or easy methods to play it protected. There’s lots of unknowns.

Whereas each nation on this planet is completely different, there’s some customary 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 discovered from first hand expertise!

Listed below are my 10 security ideas 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 bucks and a little bit of embarrassment, however others can fleece you. You’ll want to 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 occasions on my first day. It was just some bucks, thankfully, 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 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 faux (or overpriced) tickets to sights.

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

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

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

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

In case you’re on a funds, SafetyWing is my go-to firm for reasonably priced plans.

In case 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 could 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 popular facility in your house nation, no questions requested.

If you wish to study extra, you possibly can 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 helpful journey insurance coverage firms.

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 lined.

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 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 dwelling.

For safety threats and pure disasters, insurance coverage firms usually require what’s known as a “laborious set off” earlier than they’ll 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 1000’s of {dollars}).

That’s why I all the time recommend Medjet to vacationers who need to be 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 cellphone. Save the emergency contact e-mail in your inbox too. That means, yow will discover it shortly you probably have a query or want help.

In case you suppose you may not have Wi-Fi or cellphone service throughout your journey, write the quantity down in your cellphone on a notes app simply to be protected. You may additionally need to hold a bodily copy of each in your pockets too, simply in case one thing occurs to your cellphone.

You’ll want to additionally e-mail your self copies of all of your essential paperwork, corresponding 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, put it aside on Google Maps. That means, yow will discover your lodging do you have to get misplaced and want to indicate the tackle to a driver. You may need to additionally take a bodily enterprise card out of your lodging when you arrive (it can have the tackle and speak to data on it, which could come in useful).

Moreover, save different essential locations in your Google Map, corresponding to the closest hospital, pharmacy, grocery retailer, and embassy/consulate. In case you really feel snug doing so with a trusted particular person at dwelling, you can even share your location by Google Maps. For many individuals, particularly solo vacationers, this gives 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), 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 concerning any essential safety considerations. That means, you’ll be forewarned ought to something occur that you have to be conscious of.

7. Observe embassies on Twitter

In case you use Twitter, comply with 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. Ensure you flip your notifications on so that you don’t miss something essential.

Following native information firms on twitter can be a good suggestion, particularly if there’s a native english-speaking web site that has a Twitter account. That means, you positively gained’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. Maintain some in your pockets, some in your day bag, and a few in your lodging. That means, 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 convey multiple simply to be protected.

9. Ask locals for recommendation

Whenever you examine 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 in the course of the day however not at night time. Ask for enter from locals; they’re in the very best 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 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 data

In case you’re posting on social media, don’t put up in actual time. Wait a pair hours after which put up. That means, 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 lodge identify, and, if potential, avoiding telling individuals it’s your first time visiting the town/nation as they might use that as an invite to try to rip you off.

It might look like the world is a harmful place, with hassle 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 making certain you could have complete insurance coverage and security protection, you’ll be capable to journey with confidence, understanding that you simply’re prepared for regardless of the highway throws your means.