How to Stay Safe When You Travel Abroad

Whether you travel often or are planning your first trip abroad, there are some simple tips you should keep in mind to avoid crimes like pick-pocketing, scam artists, and muggings.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• A good guide book

1. 
    

   First things first, check the travel advisories as www.travel.state.gov before you leave home to get the latest information on the place you're visiting ... for most people and most trips, this is no big deal, but you can register your trip with the relevant embassy(s) on this site just in case something happens.

2. 
    

   Next, empty your wallet before you leave home. Put back in your license, health insurance card, and up to 2 ATM and 2 credit cards. Everything else is better off at home. Write down the numbers of the cards you are taking and the phone numbers for the companies on the backs of the cards but do not write your name or address on it. Put this in a place separate from your wallet. Make photocopies of your passport. The idea here is that at all times, your original passport and your card numbers should stay either in a hotel safe or locked in your luggage. You will carry with you the photocopy and the real credit cards. Call your credit card companies before you leave. You don't want them putting a freeze on your accounts because to them it looks like irregular activity when you're abroad.

3. 
    

   Before you arrive, have a plan of where you are going and how you will get there. The last thing you want to do is be fumbling with all your luggage, a guide book, and papers with reservations on them when trying to find a cab. If you take a taxi, only ever get an official one from the registered stands. Once you arrive at your hotel, check in and get any maps they may have. Do not be concerned if they don't return your passport right away. In some countries, such as Italy, they routinely hold it for the first night in accordance with laws requiring the registration of foreign guests with the local police. This is part of why you brought photocopies.

4. 
    

   When you go out, have a plan for where you are headed. It is always preferable if you do not carry a map or guidebook in plain view. Try covering your guidebook before you go. It can be fun to wander and explore new places, just don't do it alone after dark. Carry with you the name, address, and phone number of where you are staying so you can communicate where you want to go.

5. 
    

   Finally, with money - whenever you can, use your credit card. That way if something goes wrong, you can always all the company as a recourse. For cash, use local ATM's - use ATM's attached to banks during the bank's hours of operation. When a foreign ATM eats your card, you really are going to want someone to be able to help you. The rates you will get charged on your cards, both ATM and credit, are lower than those you would pay for travelers checks or to exchange cash. Using your cards is simpler, cheaper, and safer so long as you followed my advice about calling the companies and copying the numbers for safekeeping. And, if you can bear it, men should not carry their wallet in their back pockets, and women should not carry a purse. Use any satchel you prefer, but carry cash, credit cards, and anything of value in front of you, across your body, and preferably, under clothing.

Tips & Warnings

• Try to avoid wearing anything that screams, "I'm an American," or that is obviously expensive.
• Use common sense about safety. If you wouldn't do it at home in the states, don't go doing it abroad.
• Never, ever let your bags out of your sights when in airports or train stations. Besides theft, you need to be certain that no one tries to make you their personal drug mule. Some countries have much harsher penalties than the US for getting caught bringing drugs into the country.
• If something happens, call the US embassy or consulate. Every decent guidebook has the phone numbers. They will advise you on what to do.