International Travel Tips | How to Stay Safe When Traveling to A Foreign Country

1. Note down the address of your hotel or accommodation.

They say home is where your heart is, but in your case, your home is your hotel, so learn your hotel’s address by heart, and write it down on a note just to be certain. Keep that note with you at all times when traveling the city.

You do not want to get lost in a strange and foreign country with no knowledge of where your hotel is located. In addition, take a picture of the address written in the language of the country you’re in, so that any local, regardless of how good their English is, can give you the right directions back to your hotel.

2. Avoid dark and foreboding areas.

Every city around the world, no matter which country, has its own undesirable elements, and as a visitor of a foreign country, you are the perfect target for thieves and muggers who lurk within said dark areas.

If you’re traveling at night, stay within well-lit and reasonably crowded places. You don’t want to be caught alone in a dark alley. You may even lose your life if, God forbid, you should encounter more than just a petty thief.

3. Try not to look or act like a tourist.

As stated in the previous point, tourists are favored prey to petty criminals; so it is a good idea not to give the impression that you’re a tourist (even if you are one). Don’t worry about the obvious difference of your physical appearance to that of the locals.

How you act in public is what’s more important. Unsuspecting tourists are usually the targets of thieves and conmen, so by giving off the impression that you are an experienced traveler, you are making yourself a less appealing mark. Try to act like you know the place and its customs, which brings us to our next point.

4. Learn about your destination and itinerary prior to the trip.

While experiencing new things is one bonus of traveling abroad, going on a trip blind can ruin your entire journey. Read a bit about your target country’s background to avoid getting too culture-shocked and saying inappropriate comments about their traditions.

You want to befriend the locals, not make them angry at you. Locals are more eager to help you if you’ve been good to them. Also, if you’re going on a group tour, study your itinerary in advance, so in case you get separated, you’ll be able to catch up to them in the next tour venue.

5. Don’t keep all of your money in one place.

Set aside a stash of cash hidden in your hotel room. In case you lose your wallet to pickpockets or from being too drunk to remember where you left it, you’ll have an emergency reserve to fall back on. You don’t want to lose the money you’ve brought with you all at once.

6. Travel with a friend or a group.

Traveling alone may seem like an exciting idea, and it is an option for the seasoned traveler, but if you don’t have much experience in traveling yet, it’s best to go with a friend or join a group tour. Alone, you are vulnerable. You’ll be safer in a group, and besides, shared experiences are more precious. As a bonus, your friend can also be your wingman and help you court the local ladies.

7. Keep checking in with your friends and family back at home.

It may seem like a hassle, but you’ll be doing yourself a favor by letting your friends and family know how well your trip is going.

Call them or send them a message two or three times a day. If something bad were to happen to you, they’ll be able to send you aid or even fly over to where you are and bring you back home.