How to travel safely
Most travel trouble is ordinary: a stolen phone, an unlicensed taxi, a lost passport. A few habits, set up before you leave and kept up while you travel, make those problems less likely and easier to handle.
These tips apply almost anywhere. For the risks specific to your destination, including regional exceptions and health guidance, open its brief.
Use what fits your trip. None of this replaces current official advice for the place you are going.
Before You Travel
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Share your itinerary
Give a trusted friend or family member your accommodation details, general itinerary, transport plans, and expected return date. Let them know if your plans change significantly.
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Research emergency contacts
Save the local emergency numbers, your country's embassy or consulate contact details, your accommodation's phone number, and your travel insurer's emergency number before you arrive.
Look up emergency numbers -
Know the local laws and customs
Check important local laws, cultural expectations, prohibited items, photography restrictions, and rules that may affect travelers.
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Arrange travel insurance
Make sure your insurance covers your destination, planned activities, medical treatment, emergency evacuation, and the belongings you are taking with you.
Documents & Money
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Keep backup copies of important documents
Store secure digital copies of your passport, ID, visas, insurance documents, and important bookings. Carry physical copies separately from the originals where useful.
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Keep money and payment methods separate
Do not keep all your cash, cards, and identification in one wallet or bag. Keep at least one backup payment method in a separate secure location.
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Carry only what you need
Avoid carrying your passport, large amounts of cash, or unnecessary cards when they can safely remain secured at your accommodation.
Theft & Personal Security
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Avoid displaying valuables
Keep expensive jewelry, large amounts of cash, and high-value electronics discreet. Avoid making yourself an obvious target for opportunistic theft.
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Stay aware of your surroundings
Pay attention to what is happening around you, particularly in crowded places, transport hubs, nightlife areas, and unfamiliar neighborhoods. Avoid becoming absorbed in your phone while walking.
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Be cautious with distractions and scams
Pickpocketing often involves distraction. Be wary of unsolicited help, unusual commotions, overly persistent strangers, suspicious payment requests, and situations designed to divert your attention.
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Keep bags secure
Keep bags closed and under your control, particularly on public transport, in restaurants, and in crowded areas. Avoid hanging phones, wallets, or bags where they can easily be grabbed.
Getting Around
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Use reputable transportation
Use licensed taxis, official taxi ranks, established ride-hailing services, or transportation recommended by your accommodation. Avoid unlicensed or unofficial vehicles.
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Plan your arrival
Know how you will get from the airport, station, or terminal to your accommodation before you arrive, particularly when arriving at night.
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Avoid isolated areas when possible
Take extra care when walking alone after dark or through poorly lit, deserted, or unfamiliar areas.
Accommodation
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Secure your room
Lock doors and windows whenever possible and use available deadbolts, chains, safes, or other security features.
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Protect your valuables
Do not leave passports, cash, electronics, or other valuables openly visible in your room. Use a secure safe or another discreet location where appropriate.
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Protect your room information
Avoid unnecessarily sharing your room number or accommodation details with strangers.
Food, Drinks & Nightlife
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Keep control of your drinks
Do not leave drinks unattended or accept opened drinks from strangers. If you lose sight of a drink, replace it.
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Be cautious with alcohol
Alcohol can reduce situational awareness and make travelers more vulnerable to theft, scams, accidents, and other risks.
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Check food and water precautions
Where food hygiene or water quality is uncertain, follow current destination-specific advice regarding tap water, ice, raw food, and street food.
Phones & Digital Security
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Keep your phone usable in an emergency
Maintain enough battery for navigation, communication, transport, and emergency calls. Consider carrying a small power bank.
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Secure your devices
Use a strong screen lock, enable device tracking, and make sure important data is backed up before traveling.
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Be careful with public Wi-Fi
Avoid accessing sensitive accounts over unsecured networks unless you trust the connection or use appropriate security measures.
If Something Feels Wrong
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Trust warning signs and leave
If a person, place, vehicle, or situation makes you uncomfortable, you do not need to stay and investigate why. Move to a populated, well-lit place or seek help.
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Do not escalate unnecessary confrontations
If someone is attempting theft, intimidation, or a scam, prioritize getting yourself to safety over protecting replaceable possessions.
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Know where to get help
Hotels, staffed businesses, police stations, transport staff, hospitals, and other public facilities can provide a safer place to stop and assess what to do next.
Now check where you are going
General habits only go so far. Each destination brief shows the risks that matter there, where conditions differ by region, and the official sources behind the rating.
Choose a destination