Traveling the world visiting new countries and places can be a lot of fun. Until it isn’t. Things going wrong is basically a rite of passage for travelers. You’ll never know what misfortune is coming your way, whether it be a lost wallet, a scam artist, a pickpocket, or something more severe. It’s important you understand the realities of travel and know some basic travel safety tips to help you stay aware. These travel safety tips should help you both identify travel problems and allow you to avoid them, or at least lessen their impact.

  • Don’t Flash Your Valuables

    The golden rule for not having your valuables stolen is to look like someone with nothing worth stealing. To avoid people see you flashing, you can either not bring expensive things out with you in public during the day, or be a little more discreet with them. Think about tucking jewelry away under clothes and only bringing out your expensive electronics when you really need them. Ask yourself what you really need on your trip and leave unnecessary valuables at home.

  • Know Common Travel Scams

    Many people see tourists as a great way to make a living, but unfortunately some go about it by tricking, deceiving, or outright extorting money from travelers through scams. And every country seems to have its own varieties. There’s the closed palace scam in Bangkok, and the tea scam in China, as well as global scams like taxis with a broken meter. What you can do is do a quick Google search about scams in your destination so you have an idea of what to look for.

  • Know the Local Emergency Info

    Should something go wrong while you’re travelling, you need to know how to get help. This could be from the police, fire department, ambulance, or even your embassy. For each of those services, you’ll want to know the phone number, as well as where your embassy or consulate is located in the country you’re in. Still, it’s best to do a quick Google search before your trip and write them down, either on paper or in your phone.

  • Stop Using Your Back Pocket

    One of the smallest changes you can make to stay safe while traveling is to not put valuables in your back pocket. For pickpockets, the back pocket of your pants is one of the easiest places to steal from. Instead, put your phone, wallet, money, passport etc. in your front pocket where it’s safer.

  • Get Travel Insurance

    There’s a common saying among the travel community, “If you can’t afford travel insurance, you can’t afford to travel.” From accidents that leave you with giant medical bills, to situations that leave you with legal expenses or unexpected delays, travel insurance can be a life saver. If you are planning to stay abroad for longer than that, it’s best to get global health insurance instead of travel insurance.

  • Carry a Copy of Your Passport

    Of the things you don’t want to lose on an international trip, your passport is at the top of the list. Without it you’re going to have real trouble, so naturally you want to protect it at all costs. By having it out and about without you, there’s a risk that it could be stolen, lost, or damaged. To help you avoid this scenario, it’s a good idea to carry a photocopy of your passport around instead and leave your passport in a safe at your accommodation.

  • Know Your Limits

    Often enjoying yourself overseas can mean going for drinks with old or new travel companions, but it’s best not to let yourself get too drunk while you’re out. If you drink to the point of passing out, it can also signal to predators that you’re easier to take advantage of.

  • Never Take Illegal Drugs in a Foreign Country

    Some people take the fact that they’ve left their home country as permission to do what they like without thinking things through. While it might feel freeing, the consequences may be even more severe than you’re used to back home. This definitely applies to taking illegal drugs when you’re abroad, where laws may be more strict, or police more corrupt.

  • Avoid Traveling Alone at Night

    It should be no surprise that some safety tips apply just as much when traveling as they do back home. It’s best to travel in groups at nighttime to help make sure you and your friends get back to your accommodation safely.

  • Share Your Itinerary With Family and Friends

    If a natural disaster or terrorist attack happens, they’ll want to know if you’re in the area. If they don’t hear from you, they can then alert the police or embassy. Similarly, it can sometimes be tough keeping track of the news while you travel, so friends and family may be able to warn you of incidents that may have escaped your notice. It’s for all these reasons that you should also consider registering with your embassy and/or inform your country’s foreign affairs ministry or state department about your travel plans. Only when they know where you are can they do anything to help.