Traveling to a new country or continent? Many people might feel a bit anxious about traveling somewhere new especially if they don’t know the customs or the language. You may be wondering what are the best ways to travel safe. I am going to share my top 10 travel safety tips so that you can have an enjoyable and safe trip!

“The gladdest moment in human life, methinks, is a departure into unknown lands.” – Sir Richard Burton

1. Research your destination thoroughly-

Research the safest areas to stay, neighborhoods to avoid, and the safety of their public transportation. If you feel comfortable with the areas that you will be traveling to because you have done the research, you will feel more confident while out and about.

2. Wear a body wallet or get a safe bag–

Pickpocketing is a problem everywhere and a worse problem in some places. The best way to avoid this happening is to wear your valuables against your body out of site. Make sure your phone is not easily accessible from your front or back pockets!

3. Don’t trust people too easily-

Scammers target people who look like tourist. One way to have a bullseye on you is if you appear to not know where you are going. This actually happen to my husband and I when we were traveling to Brussels last year. He had his phone out looking for directions, two men came up and got too friendly and attempted to take my husband phone from his pocket but he stopped him. Definitely put a damper on our night and could have been prevented by not standing out by obviously looking for directions. So don’t trust too easily and also look like you know where you are going (even if you don’t).

4. Get Travel Insurance

Travel insurance gives you peace of mind like nothing else can. Sure in almost every case you will never need it until you do. From lost or delayed baggage, to health care, stolen credit card, terrorism, assault, lost passport, natural disaster, travel insurance will have your back. It can provide a safety net and can quite literally save your life. I highly recommend not traveling without insurance. And with so many online companies, you can find a great price. Personally we love World Nomads, use the handy tool below to get a quote.

Not sure if travel insurance is worth it? Here are the top 10 reasons to get travel insurance on your next trip.

5. Only take what you need 

If you are going on a day trip, leave everything not needed behind in the hotel safe. Don’t take all your cash, only take what you anticipate needing. Have multiple cards? Only take one with you for the day and leave the rest behind.

6. Have a backup of important documents stored digitally

Have a digital copy of your passport and credit cards. This way if these things were to get lost or stolen you have a backup. This is one of the most important travel safety tips because you don’t want to be stranded without your important documents!

7. Keep all your valuables together

Store all your important and valuable items in one bag and keep it with you at all times. This would be cameras, laptop, passports, that type of thing. If you are in a crowd wear your bag on your front. Traveling on a bus or train, put it in the compartment below you or hold on to it, never letting it out of your sight.

8. Be aware of your surroundings.

This goes for when you are walking down the street or on public transportation. Be aware of your surroundings at all times. One common scam is for someone to cause commotion on public transit and in the meantime people with pickpocket or steal bags. Just keep an eye out for suspicious behavior. If you need to leave your bag consider using a luggage lock that allows you to lock your back to something.

9. Learn how to ask for help and the emergency number

If you are traveling somewhere that you don’t speak the language it is wise to learn some basic things in case you need help or in an emergency. Also, make sure you learn the emergency number from the country you are traveling to. If you are from the United States, don’t assume it is 911 everywhere because it isn’t!

10. Trust your gut

If you are feeling uneasy about a situation, a person, or place then trust that instinct. Those feelings often prove themselves right. Be aware of your surroundings, trust yourself and get yourself out of a situation that you feel is dangerous or threatening. Take some precautions in order to travel safe but don’t live in fear.

Use these travel safety tips to travel safe but don’t live in fear. Be smart and aware and take some precautions to have a safe trip but also let go and enjoy yourself. Explore new surrounding, cultures, and food and have an amazing time!

You can find more travel tips here

Click her for the top 10 reason to get travel insurance