Top 5 Travel Safety Tips

Traveling abroad is always an exciting experience, except when things go horribly wrong.

Here are a few tips to ensure you have a safe trip and perhaps avoid a few problems on the road.

1. Pick and Choose Your Valuables

I suppose it depends on how long you will be traveling for and what you’ll be using each item for but if you can avoid taking high priced valuables then certainly do so. If you can avoid taking laptops (I can’t!), iPads, expensive jewelry, etc it will be one less thing to worry about on your next trip.

2. Don’t Act Like a Tourist

Try to blend in with the locals so that you don’t stick out like a sore thumb. If you look like a tourist you’ll be treated like one. It is also not advisable to wear flashy clothes and jewellery in certain areas as you are simply asking for trouble and drawing much unnecessary attention to yourself. Avoid making yourself a target for pickpockets.

3. Take Photocopies of your Documents

Perhaps this may not seem important to you but I always take a photocopy of my passport, hotel/hostel reservations and airline tickets with me on my travels. The originals get stored in a safe place; usually locked away in a locker or safe box at my hotel/hostel. If someone steals your day bag at least they are only getting away with photocopies. I would advise keeping your most important documents either in a safe place at your hotel or worst case in a money belt worn under your clothes.

4. Label Your Luggage

Make sure you clearly label your luggage with the destination information and don’t forget to change the label before you return home. If you disembark your flight at your destination and there is no luggage waiting for you, at least it can be sent on to you because it is clearly labeled.

5. Carry Limited Amounts of Cash

Try your best not to carry large amounts of cash around with you if possible. Also, don’t make it obvious how much money you just withdrew from the ATM. Always keep enough cash for small items like food, drinks, taxis in your pocket and stash the rest away in your money belt or other safe haven.