Useful Travel Safety Tips

Last Updated on April 3, 2024 by ETC Team

You’ve chosen the the dream destination, your budget is planned to perfection, and your accommodations have been booked. Now it’s time to take the vacation you’ve been waiting for. But before you set off on your next adventure, a best practice is to think about travel safety tips.

It doesn’t matter where you’re headed on your next vacation, how long you’ll be traveling, or whether you’re traveling solo or in a group, keeping these travel safety tips top of mind will help ensure you have a safe trip.

For frequent travelers, you know that travel also comes with risks. If you’ve traveled often enough, you’ve probably encountered some sort of travel issues or troubles. You can have  something stolen, lose something, or get lost.

While sometimes these things are out of our control, there are many ways we can prepare ourselves to minimize the chances these things will happen to us.  A little pre planning and consideration can help overcome some of these situations.

In this post we’ll be sharing our best travel safety tips to help you plan plan a safe, fun, and memorable vacation. 

While we can’t always prevent mishaps or accidents, being prepared for the unexpected is never a bad idea.

Research you destination

This is one of the most important travel safety tips, and it’s why we mention it first.

When you begin making arrangements to visit a new destination, make sure to read about the general safety concerns in the area.

Become familiar with where your hotel is in relation to the places you will visit. Spend time looking into transportation options and figure out how you will get around from place to place.

Will you be close enough to restaurants, dining, and entertainment to walk or will you rely on taxi service? Is using public transportation an option? Maybe you need to rent a car if you plan on venturing distances, possibly for sightseeing or excursions.

It is also recommended to do a little research about travel scams that are common at your destination and how to avoid them.

Bring a copy of your passport

Traveling abroad can be an exciting adventure, but an important travel safety tip often overlooked is to always have a copy of your passport with you when you travel.

Whether it’s in digital or paper form, bring an extra copy along just in case the unexpected happens and you lose or passport and you find yourself needing proof of identity.

Whether you’re taking a day trip or setting off to explore a distant paradise, it’s best to be prepared for unexpected scenarios. With a copy of your passport in hand, you never have to worry about misplacing your identifying documents and can easily access them at moment’s notice.

Even when travel goes as smooth as possible, it’s a good idea to be over-prepared than under-prepared. So before packing for your next trip, don’t forget to make a photocopy of your passport to bring.

Try to blend in

This is subtle but important part of travel so we’ve included it in our list of travel safety tips. If you want to avoid becoming the victim of a theft or robbery, you’ll want to put a little effort into blending in with the locals.

Avoid wearing flashy clothes and jewelry if you plan to visit areas with a high level of poverty. When traveling to areas with modest or conservative cultural values avoid dressing in clothing that is revealing or provocative.

Tell someone where you are going

Always make sure a friend or family member knows where you’re headed before you travel. This is especially important if you are traveling alone but is a good rule of thumb no matter the size of your group. This should always be on your list of travel safety tips.

It’s important to have someone who knows you’ll be away and can follow up during your trip to make sure you’re safe. A person that is aware of your travels can also offer assistance if you run into any issues while away.

Trust your instincts

We all have them. That little voice telling you to steer clear of something or that gut feeling that a situation just isn’t right. This happens throughout life and you should always trust your instincts, especially when you’re traveling.

Whether it’s avoiding a certain spot or taking an alternate route – follow your intuition when you travel.

Appear as if you know your way around

You might not think of this when considering travel safety tips, but no matter where you’re going, or what time of day, do not act like you have no idea where you are. Your body language plays a big part in this, so try not to look lost or confused.

If you appear lost, you are inviting someone to help you. While many times this may be a friendly local, but it can also draw the attention of those looking to take advantage of you. Avoid constantly checking your phone and if using a map try to do so in a safe well lit area. You can’t safely assess your surroundings if you are always looking down.

If you really need directions, walk into a local business and ask someone who works there.

Use alcohol with caution

When you travel, it’s important to always be aware of your surroundings to ensure your safety. That being said, it’s especially important to be mindful when you’re drinking alcohol in a new city and in unfamiliar places.

It can be very easy and tempting to let loose and celebrate being in a new place, however drinking excessively when traveling can put you at risk for becoming disoriented or making poor choices.

Help keep yourself safe during travel by keeping an eye on your alcohol consumption and never leave your drinks unattended. If traveling in a group, help each other and always make sure everyone is accounted for.

Be discreet with money

When you get ready to go out for the day, you can prepare by carrying only the minimum amount of cash needed for that day’s activities.

Leave any extra cash and valuables in a safe place back in your room. If it’s necessary to carry a large amount of cash on you, spread it out and carry it in different places. Keep some money in your wallet or purse while keeping some in a backpack or waist pack. If traveling with more than one person, it is a good idea to make sure everyone has some money just in case.

Using credit cards can often be a safer option because in the event of loss or theft, the cards can be canceled to prevent any further spending.

When you do retrieve your cash to make a purchase, do not flash it around and use caution, especially in crowded areas.

Keep personal belongings secure

When traveling, it is possible you are going to encounter moments when you are among crowds while walking or using public transportation. You may even find yourself at a beach and you’ll want to enjoy taking a dip in the water.

Train stations, beaches, and crowded touristy areas are perfect for thieves looking for an easy target.

Whenever you’re entering a train station or other crowded space, move your purse or backpack to the front of your body. If possible hold your bag to keep it close to your body and always be sure to secure the zipper.

If your backpack or purse is behind you, it’s contents are much easier to steal. Again, be certain to keep your bag zipped at all times, and secured to your body.

While at the beach be sure to keep items of value out of sight. Storing them under blankets or towels can help but aren’t always theft proof. If possibly take turns swimming and leaving your area when traveling in a group. Another option is to use anti-theft beach bags or waterproof swim pouches. You can also ask neighboring beach goers for assistance with watching your belongings.

Unfortunately, it is difficult to decide who is trustworthy, so try to watch others around you and strike up a conversation with people who give you a good feel. People tend to seek families with kids or elderly couples who usually don’t mind such favors.

Consider buying travel insurance

Traveling is a fun and almost essential part of life, and travel insurance has become an important piece of travel safety.

Not only can travel insurance help you on a financial level, should the worst happen and your travel plans need to be canceled, become disrupted or delayed, it can also give you greater peace of mind while abroad.

Whether it’s lost baggage, medical emergencies, or travel delays, having travel insurance means that you’ll be secure knowing that you won’t have to bear the weight of any unexpected costs.

So make sure you check out the different travel insurance packages available before booking your next holiday, it could save you from a world of stress.

Know how to call for help in an emergency

This is an often overlooked, but very important travel safety tip.

Whenever you’re traveling to a new place, it is a good idea to become familiar with the emergency response system at your destination.

Make sure you know if emergency services like police and fire are available, and how to contact them.

Be sure to write down the address and phone numbers as well. You should also identify where the nearest hospital is, especially if you have health issues.

If you’re visiting a region with minimal services or no emergency response system, identify the nearest government building and embassy. You may even be able to inform your government of travel abroad by enrolling in a service such as The United States’ Smart Traveler Enrollment Program or STEP. This is a free service that allows U.S. citizens traveling or living abroad to receive the latest security updates and receive assistance from the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate.

Avoid protests, political or otherwise

Before you depart for your next destination, it can be helpful to read the local news at least a few days before you leave.

This can be especially helpful if there are any current or recent bouts of civil or political unrest. Knowing ahead of time what the political climate is like or if there is political tension in an area you plan to visit, you can figure out if it’s still safe to go or if the trip needs to be postponed or canceled.

If you encounter a political event or protest unexpectedly when traveling, do your best to avoid the area.

When tensions are high, these events can become dangerous and violent without notice. If you are specifically traveling to attend a political protest or event, use caution, and common sense.

Try to stay near the outer areas of the protest, and identify streets and sidewalks that you can use to get away from the area quickly if necessary.