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 street is a high concern for….properly, everybody. Nobody desires to get scammed, damage, or sick on the street. Nobody desires to get robbed.

And, if you end up going someplace you could have by no means been earlier than, it’s regular be cautious. You don’t know what to anticipate or learn how to play it protected. There’s quite a lot of unknowns.

Whereas each nation on the earth is completely different, there’s some normal practices and customary guidelines you should utilize to remain protected while you journey. A few of these guidelines are frequent sense, some have been sadly realized from first hand expertise!

Listed here are my 10 security ideas to make sure all the pieces goes easily while you journey:

1. Find out about 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 should definitely 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 unsightly. Since that journey, I’ve all the time made positive to be vigilant and analysis scams earlier than I journey.

Frequent journey scams embody taxis not utilizing their meter as a result of it’s “damaged,” individuals making an attempt to rope you into signing a petition (after which demanding a donation), or individuals promoting pretend (or overpriced) tickets to points of interest.

Evaluation this checklist of frequent scams earlier than you go so that you simply’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 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, figuring out that, ought to one thing go mistaken, you gained’t should cope with it (or pay for it) alone.

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

In case you’re on a price range, SafetyWing is my go-to firm for inexpensive 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 mandatory). It may well additionally get you moved dwelling if you happen to’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 be taught extra, you may learn my full evaluation of Medjet right here.

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

For extra info on journey insurance coverage, right here’s a listing of all my advisable journey insurance coverage firms.

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

Earlier than you permit 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 assume 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’ll solely get you to the “nearest acceptable facility” and just remember to’re handled there. You’ll then be by yourself to get dwelling.

For safety threats and pure disasters, insurance coverage firms typically require what’s referred to as a “arduous set off” earlier than they will or will help you. Which means the federal government should declare an emergency or evacuation order. If that doesn’t occur, you can 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

Upon getting journey insurance coverage, save the contact quantity in your telephone. Save the emergency contact e-mail in your inbox too. That approach, you’ll find it rapidly you probably have a query or want help.

In case you assume you may not have Wi-Fi or mobile phone service throughout your journey, write the quantity down in your telephone 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 telephone.

You should definitely additionally e-mail your self copies of all of your vital paperwork, akin to your passport and license, in case you lose your pockets. Having printed copies of them isn’t a foul thought both.

5. Put together a Google Map

When you’ve booked your lodging, reserve it on Google Maps. That approach, you’ll find your lodging must you get misplaced and wish to indicate the deal with to a driver. You may need to additionally take a bodily enterprise card out of your lodging when you arrive (it’s going to have the deal with and make contact with information on it, which could come in useful).

Moreover, save different vital locations in your Google Map, akin to the closest hospital, pharmacy, grocery retailer, and embassy/consulate. In case you really feel comfy doing so with a trusted individual at dwelling, you may as well share your location by means of Google Maps. For many individuals, particularly solo vacationers, this supplies peace of thoughts, figuring out that somebody on the earth is aware of their whereabouts.

6. Obtain the Secure Traveler App

When you’ve determined the place to go (and if you happen to’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 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 vital safety considerations. That approach, you’ll be forewarned ought to something occur that you ought 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 vital native occasions and holidays however, ought to a state of affairs come up, additionally publish updates and data there. Be sure you flip your notifications on so that you don’t miss something vital.

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 approach, you undoubtedly gained’t miss any vital happenings.

8. Separate your money and playing cards

When touring, don’t preserve all of your money and playing cards in a single place. Preserve some in your pockets, some in your day bag, and a few in your lodging. That approach, if you happen to 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 convey multiple simply to be protected.

9. Ask locals for recommendation

Whenever you test 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 assume you may encounter? Possibly some areas are protected in the course of the day however not at evening. 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 take into account an space unsafe, whereas others don’t. You should definitely store round for recommendation so you may keep away from any biases. Journey is subjective, in any case, so the extra opinions you will get, the higher.

10. Don’t share an excessive amount of info

In case you’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 vital for solo feminine vacationers).

Furthermore, don’t give away an excessive amount of information 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 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 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 of journey with confidence, figuring out that you simply’re prepared for regardless of the street throws your approach.