Staying safe when traveling abroad is a concern for many people. It’s important to know how to stay safe when you are traveling to a foreign country. So what are some safe travel tips you need to know of before you embark to a foreign country or land?
If you’re wondering, is it safe to travel right now? The answer is yes. However, It’s important to know where you’re going and what your destination will be like. Always research the destination before departure by looking up local landmarks, customs, and cultural norms. It may also be a good idea to read a travel guide and talk to locals who have been there before.
This will ensure that you feel more prepared for the experience of traveling and make the most of your trip. It will help you be aware of any possible safety issues you may face during your travels.
The following safe travel tips can help you stay safe when you are traveling abroad;
1. Avoid the most dangerous parts of any country.
This is one of the most basic safe travel tips but it’s important to state. When traveling to a country, it is important to ask local residents about the most dangerous parts of the country. This way, you can prepare yourself and avoid these areas. Also, do your research well in advance so you are prepared before you even get to the country.
If you have to pass through these areas to get to your destination, try to be in big groups and make sure someone knows where you are.
It is also recommended not to travel in unfamiliar areas without a trusted local with you who knows the area well.
2. Carry copies of your passport and other important documents
When traveling abroad it is important to carry copies of your passport and other important documents with you. This will help expedite any necessary customs inspections as well as provide peace of mind if anything goes wrong on the trip.
Make copies of your credit card and keep them in separate locations. The number one way to protect yourself from identity theft is to keep copies of your credit card. You can do this by taking a photo of the back and front of your card and keeping it on your phone or on a USB drive in a different location. This will allow you to have access if you need it but also protect these cards in case one is stolen.
Having copies of your passport, credit card, and other important documents, will also prevent being stuck in a foreign country because some airlines can manually enter your card details to book your flight back home and it can be easier for local police to help you find your documents if you have copies of what they look like.
You wanna keep these copies separate from the originals and you may want to have electronic copies saved as well.
3. Minimize walking at night, especially alone.
Whether you’re walking, running, or biking, it’s important to be safe. It’s not just cars that can cause accidents. In recent years, there has been an increase in assaults on pedestrians walking alone at night.
This is why it’s safer to explore a new place during the day than at night. Protect yourself by being aware of your surroundings and taking other safety precautions like staying in well-lit areas and making sure you have your keys ready to protect yourself if needed.
4. Don’t wear flashy jewelry or expensive clothing when traveling.
This is one of the most essential safe travel tips to know before you travel to a new country. It’s important to be aware of the cultural differences when traveling. In some countries, flashy jewelry and expensive clothing can attract unwanted attention. It’s best to dress conservatively or inconspicuously so you don’t call unnecessary attention to yourself.
When traveling you want to fit in as much as possible so you don’t stand out. It is more difficult to fit in with the locals when you are wearing flashy jewelry or expensive clothing.
The best way to avoid being a victim of theft abroad is to minimize the amount of cash you bring and to leave your jewelry at home. This is essential for safe travel when going abroad.
5. Don’t over-exert yourself.
While traveling, you may be tempted to do things, like go hiking and climb mountains, that are strenuous. You should always avoid any strenuous activity that could cause injury or harm to yourself or anyone around you.
Strenuous activities can cause physical harm and make it difficult to recover. You should always avoid any strenuous activity that could cause injury or harm to yourself or others while traveling abroad.
The last thing you want is to be injured in a foreign country or to be too exhausted from one activity that you don’t have the energy to do anything else or explore other things the place has to offer.
You also don’t want to be too exhausted that you can’t perform self-defense in the case of an attack.
6. Be careful about posting on social media while traveling
This is probably one of the most ignored on this list of safe travel tips but it’s important to note. Posting on social media while you are still at the location can make you a target because it makes it easier for anyone to know where you are and track you down.
Save your social media posts for a few days after you’ve left the place. But if you are a travel influencer for example, and have to post about your travels while you are still there, then avoid sharing the exact location.
7. Be aware of your surroundings.
One of the biggest mistakes people make is not being aware of their surroundings when they are walking. Especially when sightseeing a new place there’s never been to, before.
There are many ways to prevent accidents when walking by staying alert and scanning your surroundings. Always be cognizant of your surroundings. Check cars before crossing a street, and be sure to look both ways before crossing the street because it is dangerous to cross without checking for traffic.
While traveling, it’s important to always be aware of what is going on around you. For example, if you’re in a remote area and notice that no one else is around for miles, it’s best not to venture out alone.
If your travels take you to a different country where the culture could prove difficult for some people, try to stay in areas where there are a lot of people around so you are not isolated.
8. Avoid carrying large sums of money with you.
In general, it is always a good idea to keep your cash in the bank rather than carrying it around with you. This is also true when you travel. You should only carry the amount of money that you will need for that day. That way, if you lose your wallet or get mugged, you won’t lose everything.
The same principle applies to credit cards. Keep your credit card information safe and keep it in a separate place from your physical card.
9. Walk quickly and confidently, but don’t run.
When you are walking on a crowded street, it is important for you to be aware of your surroundings. This means that you should not walk too quickly or too slowly.
Walking slowly will make you appear as if you are lost or don’t know where you should be going. This makes you a target of theft or harassment.
You should also not walk in a way that would make people think that you are running away from something. This, of course, depends on the situation. In some cases where there is a threat to your safety or if you are carrying something that could be stolen, walking quickly is appropriate.
In these situations, it’s important not to draw attention to yourself by looking around and keeping a low profile.
10. Carry a map and a city guide with you in case you get lost or need help finding where you’re going.
It is always a good idea to have a map and city guide with you in case you get lost or need help finding where you’re going. But if you don’t want to carry them around, there are many digital tools that will provide the same information.
Google Maps is one of the most popular mapping applications. It can show you directions, public transportation routes, and traffic conditions. It also has an offline mode so that it can be used without an internet connection.
If you want something more interactive than Google Maps, there are other apps like CityMaps2Go which provides maps from over 200 cities in the world and allows users to download them for offline use as well.
Bonus!
11. Have important phone numbers written down in case you lose your phone or lose network.
If you are unable to find your phone, or if you lose your network connection, it is a good idea to have important phone numbers written down somewhere. That way, if you need emergency assistance, you can call them.
It is important to be aware of the emergency numbers in the area where you will be staying. The emergency numbers vary from country to country so it is important to do your research and find out what will work best for you.
Some important numbers to have written down apart from your close family members are the local police, your hotel’s phone number, and the local emergency hotline. These are important for safe travels when in a foreign country.
We’ve all heard the stories of people going abroad and getting robbed, being mugged, or having to deal with some other horror. But these are myths and don’t really happen all that often.
These travel myths are usually created by people who have never been abroad themselves, but also by people who have had a bad experience while they were traveling.
The truth is that you can go to any country in the world and be safe if you follow safe travel tips and guidelines.
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