12 Important Ways To Stay Safe While Traveling

Each trip I take, I learn new things or am reminded about safety while traveling. Whether I am traveling with my family, as a couple, or on my own, there are core steps to take to ensure we can keep our items and ourselves safe.

Safety conversations aren’t the most fun during travel planning, but they’re essential and will give you confidence while traveling. Being prepared and having what you need will allow you to relax and enjoy yourself.

When planning your trip, write down any concerns you have. If you are working with a travel agent, share your concerns with them. These can include dietary restrictions, mobility issues, or comfort concerns. It’s important that you share these with your travel agent or whoever you are making reservations with.

Ways To Stay Safe When You Are Traveling

Several steps can be taken to ensure we are ready for travel and stay safe. While nothing is guaranteed, following the 12 ways to stay safe while traveling will help you be more proactive and alert during your trip.

When better prepared, we can relax more because we know what to do and expect. Also, our family and friends will feel at ease because we have included them in our plan, and they will never wonder how you are doing and if you are safe.

These are great tips to share with our grown kids so we know they will be safe while traveling, too. I feel like a mother never stops worrying about their kid’s safety, no matter how old they are . . . or am I the only one?

Here are 12 essential ways to stay safe while traveling:

Pre-Trip Preparation

Having what you need ahead of your trip will set the tone for your vacation. It will give you the confidence that you have what you need to be safe and prepared.

1. Research And Learn About Where You Are Traveling

Plenty of resources allow you to research the areas you plan to visit. These include countries, cities, neighborhoods, or specific streets and venues. Then, you can decide where you will visit and feel safe.

🔐 Know Safest Areas – Check travel advisories and government websites. These websites will give you safety levels, recent alerts, natural disaster warnings and updates, and health risks. Here are a few:

• U.S. State Department
• Canada Travel Advice
• UK Foreign Travel Advice

🔐 Research Crime Rates – I don’t mean to be a downer, but if you are visiting a big city, are trying to figure out the safest area, or want a better idea of stats, seeing the crime rates will help you decide. A couple of websites:

• Numbeo
• SpotCrime.com

Checking these may give you a better sense of the type of crime or any specific tourist-related crime.

🔐 Read Reviews From Travelers And Travel Sites—You can check travel forums, social media, and recommendations from others.

• Facebook groups for specific destinations
• Websites: Travel Advisor, Lonely Planet
• Use hashtags on social media to find specific reviews
• Consulting with a travel planner to help research and design your trip

2. Use Of Apps And Maps

It’s incredible how our phones and apps have changed the way we travel. However, if you are traveling to another country, be prepared. You want to know in advance what apps are available, what data access you will have, and be ready for any adjustments.

🔐  Use Safety Apps and Maps –

• Sitata – App helps you to plan your trip and avoid disruptions
• Smart Traveler App – Get updates from the U.S. State Department by enrolling in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)
• Google Maps – On desktop and phone
• Maps.me – Travel maps and places to see and do

3. Planning Your Transportation

Having your transportation planned will save you time and possibly frustration. Whether traveling to a busy city, a small town, or another country, you want to understand how to get there, as well as schedules, prices, and possible apps.

Researching the best way to get around will help you decide what is best for you, with safety being the most critical factor. For example, many say taking a taxi in Mexico isn’t a good idea. Don’t hail a cab; arrange your transportation before your trip. Here are a few ideas to help with any trip:

🚕 Local Transportation Options—Whether it’s local trains, taxis, buses, or ride shares, research the different modes of transportation in the area you are visiting and their reputation. Read travelers’ reviews on travel websites like Travel Advisor, in forums like Reddit, or groups like travel groups on Facebook. Look for reliable companies that are suggested and look at their websites to get more information.

🚕 Transportation That’s Verified—Only use verified taxis, licensed ride apps like Lyft or Uber, pre-booked shuttles recommended, or through your hotel.

🚕 Public Transit Option—Before your trip, Look at the bus and train options. Check out the maps and schedules, and make sure that you travel on these modes of transportation at safe times. Avoid late-night rides if at all possible.

🚕 Car Rentals— Use reputable companies. I learned the hard way on one trip not to go with the cheapest, and if multiple reviews are negative and similar, don’t ignore them because of the price! We had horrible service at check-in and pick-up. Because they were less expensive, they had long lines. I did see online that people gave specific feedback about this car rental at the particular airport, and I should have listened. It could also depend on the location; some rentals may be less expensive and have good service.

🚕 Arrange Transfers in Advance—You can contact your hotel to arrange a ride to the hotel or a transfer from a plane or train. You can also research the companies that work with the airport and have a location or office there.

4. Planning Your Accommodations

When researching lodging for a vacation, it’s important to consider the area you want to visit, the location of the hotel, and the transportation options.

I like Bed & Breakfasts, depending on the location. Sometimes, they add to the location’s charm and have great reviews. Other times, I feel safer staying at well-known hotel chains like Marriott or Hilton because I know what to expect. I still read reviews, but they are more predictable.

🏢 Use Google Maps and Tripadvisor to read reviews on hotels you are interested in.
🏢 Be clear on the location of the accommodations you are interested in. Look at maps to see if they are near major attractions or public transportation. Mapping out the distance from where you want to stay to the things you want to visit can help you narrow it down.
🏢 For extra confidence, you can also check how close accommodations are to essentials like a hospital or police station.
🏢 Most times, you won’t need to research this in-depth. However, if you are going to a larger city, a remote destination, or an international destination, knowing where the essentials are and how far you will be from attractions is important.

Prepared During Trip

5. Try To Pass As A Local

Dress like the area you are visiting. You don’t want to stand out as a visitor, so you aren’t an easy target. My husband and I did that when we went to Russia to get our adopted children. We blended in so well that people kept speaking Russian to me, and our guide, whom we had met previously, didn’t recognize us the second time we arrived at the airport.

Check what is worn when traveling abroad, being respectful of their culture. It is suggested to dress:

6. What To Have On Hand

Make a checklist of what you need to have with you on your trip. Here are some suggestions:

✋ Medications and prescriptions

✋ Have medication in the regular bottle, NOT a daily pill-organized container. People need to see that your pills are legit, and in the original bottle, if they go through your bag, like at the airport

✋ Take enough pills for your trip, plus an extra seven days

✋ Have vaccine info

✋ Have copies of all your IDs, travel insurance, and travel insurance number

✋ Delete sensitive information from the phone photo library, so your personal info isn’t vulnerable, especially while using a shared wifi network

✋ Like with family, have all your info at home with a pet or house sitter in case your phone is stolen

✋ Have phone numbers and address written down and kept in your suitcase in case your suitcase is lost, and have the airline contact you

✋ You can keep your info in a travel notebook so it’s all together and stays organized

✋ You may want a secret cash stash, like in your suitcase, AFTER arriving at the hotel. Do not check a bag with valuables, medication, or personal info other than a luggage tag

✋ Have a cash stash on you. You can hide in different locations, like a travel pouch under your clothing, a security vest, or inside pockets. You can also use a cross-body bag or clothing with hidden pockets

✋  Always be able to prove who you are. Always have your ID, have a credit card, and have cash

7. Storing Valuables

Never take a trip with valuables that aren’t replaceable. Leave those special, one-of-a-kind items at home. Here are a few ideas:

💍 Get a travel ring instead of wearing your original sentimental ring
💍 When out with your ID, cash, and credit card, use a cross-body bag that no one can cut through
💍 Use RFID sleeves and cards to protect credit cards
💍 Use the room safe if going to the pool and need to put your valuables somewhere; otherwise, keep items on you at all times

8. Hotel Room Safety

You can feel comfortable and safe in your room, whether it’s in a hotel, cruise ship, or anywhere else.

🔐 Secure your room using all the locks available on your door, and make sure your door is completely closed and secure

🔐 You can use a doorstop for added protection from someone opening the door

🔐 Make sure doors and balconies are locked when not in use

🔐 Verify who you let in; don’t take people’s word for it; you can always call the front desk to verify

🔐 Keep valuables safe

🔐 Know emergency exits, especially on a cruise

🔐 Don’t discuss your room or accommodation location with strangers, or keep your hotel room key out so people don’t see where you are staying

🔐 Keep your phone charged at all times, and keep a power pack with you

🔐 Keep your room organized just in case you need to leave quickly. Consider having an essential bag by the front door with your important items

🔐 Request a room change if you don’t feel comfortable or safe in your current room

🔐 Avoid hanging a hotel room sign on the door for too long, whether it’s the “Clean Room” or “Do Not Disturb”, so it signals your room is occupied

9. Checking In With Family and Friends

Having a plan, especially if you are traveling alone, will help you feel more confident and put your friends and family at ease.

Information you can share with friends or loved ones before your trip can include:

• Information on your travel insurance in case you lose it and need it
• Leave a copy of ID, passport, insurance, and any other important information, and let family or friends know where your essential items can be found
• Leave a copy of the travel itinerary, including flight numbers, accommodations, general schedule, and any essential numbers
• When you are arriving and returning home
• Flight info

If you miss a check-in with your family or friends, have a backup plan so no one worries. Having this plan gives everyone the assurance that you are safe and that you have what you need.

10. Staying Alert

You have heard many times that you should be aware of your surroundings. However, it’s so easy to get sucked into our phones and focus on where we are trying to go.

Some suggestions to help you stay alert while traveling:

👩🏻‍💼 Do not use Google Maps on speaker phone; use earbuds instead

👩🏻‍💼 Remain vigilant and alert

👩🏻‍💼 Listen to your gut

👩🏻‍💼 Pace yourself when drinking

👩🏻‍💼 Wear a watch to avoid taking your phone in and out

11. Travel Insurance Benefits

I know that people cringe at this topic. It may seem unnecessary, but it can give you confidence when planning a trip. It can depend on your trip and the cancellation policies. But it can also include other coverages, like in case you are in a foreign country, and your health insurance doesn’t cover emergencies.

There is only so much you can plan for and control. I got travel insurance for our Alaskan trip because of personal things and possible changes in plans, and we were going to another country for part of the trip. Even though I don’t like spending extra money, I like feeling confident and prepared.

There are companies from which you can get an annual travel insurance plan that may save you money overall and cover you for the year.

12. Travel Tool List

Travel tools can keep us safe and prepared by providing security, navigation, and backup options when technology fails.

Conclusion Of Important Ways To Stay Safe While Traveling

Not every suggestion will be necessary for every trip. Please ensure you have a system and everything you need for each trip, whether taking a short or long adventure overseas.

Keeping yourself and your valuables safe while traveling will give you confidence, allow you to focus on having fun, and ensure that you have everything you need.