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

And, when you find yourself going someplace you have got by no means been earlier than, it’s regular be cautious. You don’t know what to anticipate or find out how to play it protected. There’s a whole lot of unknowns.

Whereas each nation on this planet is totally different, there’s some normal practices and customary guidelines you need to use to remain protected whenever 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 all the pieces goes easily whenever 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 value you a couple of bucks and a little bit of embarrassment, however others can fleece you. Remember 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, happily, 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 embrace taxis not utilizing their meter as a result of it’s “damaged,” folks making an attempt to rope you into signing a petition (after which demanding a donation), or folks promoting pretend (or overpriced) tickets to sights.

Overview this checklist of frequent scams earlier than you go so that you just’re prepared for no matter is thrown your approach.

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 have to 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 improper, you gained’t need to take care of it (or pay for it) alone.

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

For those who’re on a price range, SafetyWing is my go-to firm for reasonably priced plans.

For those who’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 essential). It could possibly additionally get you moved house 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 be taught extra, you possibly can learn my full evaluation of Medjet right here.

You will get a Medjet quote right here (there are tremendous reasonably priced short-term and annual memberships).

For extra info on journey insurance coverage, right here’s an inventory of all my beneficial journey insurance coverage corporations.

3. Know what your insurance coverage will and won’t do

Earlier than you allow house, learn over your insurance coverage coverage once more. Each firm is totally different, so it’s good to know precisely what’s and isn’t lined.

For instance, many vacationers assume that in the event that they break their leg overseas, their insurance coverage firm’s medical evacuation advantages will get them house. 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 house.

For safety threats and pure disasters, insurance coverage corporations usually require what’s referred to as a “arduous set off” earlier than they will or will help you. Meaning the federal government should declare an emergency or evacuation order. If that doesn’t occur, you’ll be anticipated to get house 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 be certain they get house it doesn’t matter what. It’s the last 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

Upon getting journey insurance coverage, save the contact quantity in your cellphone. Save the emergency contact e mail in your inbox too. That approach, you’ll find it shortly when you’ve got a query or want help.

For those who assume you won’t have Wi-Fi or mobile phone service throughout your journey, write the quantity down in your cellphone on a notes app simply to be protected. You may additionally need to preserve a bodily copy of each in your pockets too, simply in case one thing occurs to your cellphone.

Remember 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 nasty concept both.

5. Put together a Google Map

When you’ve booked your lodging, put it aside on Google Maps. That approach, you’ll find your lodging do you have to get misplaced and wish to point out the tackle to a driver. You may need to additionally take a bodily enterprise card out of your lodging when you arrive (it would have the tackle and call information on it, which could turn out to be useful).

Moreover, save different essential locations in your Google Map, corresponding to the closest hospital, pharmacy, grocery retailer, and embassy/consulate. For those who really feel snug doing so with a trusted individual at house, it’s also possible to share your location by means of Google Maps. For many individuals, particularly solo vacationers, this supplies 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), join the S.T.E.P. program. It alerts native embassies that you just’re within the space in case a state of affairs arises. Subsequent, obtain the State Division’s Secure 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 approach, you’ll be forewarned ought to something occur that you have to be conscious of.

7. Observe embassies on Twitter

For those who 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. Be sure to flip your notifications on so that you don’t miss something essential.

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

9. Ask locals for recommendation

While you test right into a resort or Airbnb, ask if they’ve any security recommendation to share. Are there neighborhoods price avoiding? Are there any scams they assume you may encounter? Possibly some areas are protected through 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 think about an space unsafe, whereas others don’t. Remember to store round for recommendation so you possibly can keep away from any biases. Journey is subjective, in any case, so the extra opinions you may get, the higher.

10. Don’t share an excessive amount of info

For those who’re posting on social media, don’t submit in actual time. Wait a pair hours after which submit. That approach, 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 information to random strangers. Keep away from sharing your resort title, and, if potential, avoiding telling folks it’s your first time visiting town/nation as they could use that as an invite to attempt to rip you off.

It might seem to be the world is a harmful place, with hassle lurking round each nook, however that’s solely as a result of worry 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 finest to be ready. By arming your self with data earlier than you go and guaranteeing you have got complete insurance coverage and security protection, you’ll be capable to journey with confidence, understanding that you just’re prepared for regardless of the highway throws your approach.