Travel Safety

If you are going to be travelling, you might be intimidated or scared to travel. Let me tell you that there is honestly nothing to be scared about as long as you follow some simple tips and use a bit of common sense.

I have travelled solo all over the world for almost 20 years, and whilst I’ve had a few dodgy moments (haven’t we all?), I’ve never been in any serious danger.
Here are my tried and tested tips for staying safe whilst traveling.

Do your research on your destination

Before you travel, research your destination to learn about any potential safety concerns. This includes understanding local laws, customs, and cultural norms as it varies all over the world.
I personally recommend you learn a little of the language for basics or at least carry a translator app or book. Even just learning “do you speak English” and using a translation app, is better than nothing.
Don’t assume people will speak English!
Check your government website for global travel advice, for example the UK and USA government websites.
There are also other sites that give you an idea of the destination safety such as Travel Safe Abroad and Travel Risk Map.

Keep your valuables secure

Keep your valuables secure at all times. This includes your passport, money, and any other important documents. Consider using a money belt if this appeals to you. When staying in a hotel, use the safe to store your valuables when you are out.
I also recommend that you use bags that don’t have openings so people can’t just stick their hand in while you are on the bus or train. Use zipped bags.

Alcohol and Nightlife Safety

Many people drink alcohol while travelling. If you do this, please use common sense to keep your drink safe as there are many cases of people drugging peoples drinks.
Watch your drink being poured and never leave it unattended, and don’t accept drinks from strangers no matter how friendly they seem!
You can even get covers for your glasses and bottles to protect your drinks.

Be aware of your surroundings

Whether you’re walking down the street or taking public transportation, it’s important to be aware of your surroundings. Lots of people get less aware because they are too busy sightseeing, and this is why travellers are often targets.
If someone is following you, you could walk to the nearest police station, or if you are in a public place, I personally recommend making a scene by shouting “why are you following me all this way” or something like that. No one wants to hear that and they often will leave.
I once got followed by a man from the subway, all the way to my hotel which was a long way from the subway, where I alerted everyone to what he was doing, then he left scared because I made a scene.

Tell people where you are

Make sure someone at home knows your travel itinerary and how to reach you in case of an emergency. If they know where you should be and something happens, they can alert the police as to where you were.
You might also want to download a safety app on your phone that can alert emergency services and emergency contacts in case of an emergency. I personally use Hollieguard which is a free app (with optional in-app upgrades) that lets you alert your emergency contact as to where you are and what is happening.

Use transport safely

When using transportation in a foreign country, be careful as this is a place where people often get targeted for theft. Just keep your eyes open and your bags zipped up.

Blend in

Try to blend in with the local culture as much as possible. Avoid drawing attention to yourself by wearing flashy clothes, expensive jewellery or expensive electrical items. Remember that thieves often target obvious tourists because they are often less aware of their surroundings.

Staying safe while traveling is all about being aware of potential risks and just keeping your eyes open and your bags closed.
There is no reason to be scared or avoid travelling, just take your precautions, keep your belongings safe but most importantly, HAVE FUN!

Have Mobile Data Available

You should make sure that you have mobile data available which helps with safety because you can check apps such as map apps, public transport schedules, finding your way around, use translation apps or sharing your location with friends, as well as many other reasons.

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