When it comes to travel, good preparation and a touch of vigilance can make all the difference. Whether it’s a short trip or a long adventure, ensuring your safety should always be a priority. As a woman traveler who often explores the world with friends or a partner, safety has become increasingly important to me over the years.

Although I don’t consider myself a security expert, I’ve developed a set of strategies to minimize risks and avoid potentially dangerous situations. Whether it’s carefully choosing accommodations, staying aware of my surroundings, or having an emergency plan, each detail contributes to a safer and more enjoyable journey.

These habits and tips have guided me through my travels and helped me avoid mishaps. By following these precautions, I’ve been able to travel with confidence, fully embracing every adventure, and I hope my advice will help you do the same!

​

Safety Comes First

Your personal safety begins the moment you decide to travel. While I don’t often travel alone, I firmly believe in empowering women to travel independently when they feel ready and confident.

If you’re unsure or feel unsafe traveling alone, don’t force it. Consider your ability to handle unexpected situations: do you instinctively call someone for help, or are you self-reliant? It’s important to push your comfort zone, but there’s a fine line between calculated risks and recklessness.

Stay alert, and if solo travel feels daunting, consider traveling with a friend or partner. Choosing the right travel companion is also crucial to the success of your trip. However, remember that even when traveling in a group, it’s important to take safety precautions to fully enjoy your experience.

This post contains affiliate links. This means that for purchases made through my links I receive a small percentage that does not affect the price paid by the user, in fact it often lowers it. Letygoeson.co.uk is not directly responsible for any problems arising in purchases or performed without reading the terms of use of sites operated by third parties.

Travel Safety Before Departure

Government Travel Advisories

Most governments provide travel safety advisories for specific countries and regions. Websites such as the U.S. Department of State’s Travel Advisory page, UK Foreign Travel Advice, or equivalent resources in your home country offer detailed safety information and guidance.

Make sure to register your trip with your government’s travel registry (e.g., STEP for U.S. citizens or ROCA for Canadians). This can increase your chances of receiving assistance in case of emergencies like natural disasters or political unrest.

Save the contact information for your nearest embassy or consulate, along with local emergency numbers for police, fire departments, and medical assistance. These details should be accessible on your phone or in printed form.

Additionally, share your travel itinerary, including accommodation details, with a trusted friend or family member back home to ensure someone knows how to reach you in case of an emergency.

Passport, Visa, and Documents

Make copies of your passport, visa, and itinerary, and keep them in your luggage. This simple step can expedite the replacement process if your documents are lost or stolen. Store electronic copies in a secure cloud service like Google Drive for easy access.

Check your passport’s expiration date. Some countries require passports to be valid for at least six months beyond your travel dates.

Notify Your Bank

Many banks monitor for fraudulent activity and may block your card after the first international transaction. Inform your bank of your travel plans to avoid unnecessary inconveniences.

Some online banking services allow you to register your travel dates, but a phone call for confirmation adds extra security.

Secure Your Valuables

Store essential items like passports, cash, and credit cards in a money belt or under-clothing pouch. While hotel safes can provide additional security, they aren’t foolproof. Choose accommodations with good safety reviews and customizable safe combinations.

Avoid traveling with expensive jewelry or items with high sentimental value.

Prioritize Your Health

Make sure you have extra medications, glasses and/or contact lenses with you and put them in your carry-on luggage. Purchase travel insurance appropriate for your destination, length of trip, and activities you plan to do (for example, if you want to do extreme sports).
Also, keep a copy of the details of your medical insurance policy with you; in case of an accident, some of the information in those valuable documents will be crucial, especially if you are visiting a place where you don’t speak the language.

Check recommended or mandatory vaccinations for your destination. Some vaccines such as rabies, hepatitis B or Covid-19 require several doses and are valid for a limited number of months.

Travel Safety Tips

Common Sense and General Precautions

• Always zip up your bag securely, avoid keeping valuables in your pockets, and stay alert, especially in crowded places. Pickpockets are often very skilled and can take advantage of a moment of distraction.

• Backpacks are great for carrying weight and keeping your hands free, but they make you more vulnerable to theft. In crowded areas, wear your backpack on the front – it may look a bit odd, but it keeps your belongings safer.

• Never rely on strangers who offer you cheap rides or private transportation unless you fully trust them. Always choose authorized taxis or reliable public transportation.

• Keep your phone fully charged. If you’re planning to stay out for a long time, carry a portable power bank to ensure your phone remains functional throughout the day.

• If you purchase a local SIM card, update your contact details with any travel safety registry (e.g., STEP in the U.S. or similar services) so you can be easily contacted in case of an emergency, even if your primary number is unreachable.

Respect Local Customs and Norms

• Always be mindful of local religious practices, customs, and sensitivities. Maintain a discreet demeanor, dress modestly, and avoid actions that may draw unnecessary attention.

• In some countries, taking photos of certain locations, such as places of worship or other culturally significant sites, is forbidden. If no one around you is taking pictures, it’s a good idea to check for any photography restrictions before snapping away.

Hygiene and Health Precautions

• Observe good hygiene practices, avoid crowded or tumultuous areas, and stay away from protests or demonstrations.

• Keep in mind that locals may have a different perception of risk compared to you as a traveler. What feels safe to them may pose a significant risk to someone unfamiliar with the area.

• Whenever possible, travel with trusted companions. Being in a group reduces your vulnerability compared to traveling alone.

Avoid Substance Abuse

• Never take drugs, and avoid overconsumption of alcohol, especially if you’re traveling solo. Alcohol lowers your inhibitions, impairs your judgment, and makes you more vulnerable to people with bad intentions.

• Staying alert and clear-headed is essential to maintaining your safety on the road.

Split Your Money

Never keep all your money in one place. Divide your cash between the hotel safe and your day bag, or split it with your travel companion so each of you carries a portion. Store it in different, secure locations to reduce risks.

Withdrawing cash from ATMs is another situation that requires extra caution. While one of you uses the ATM, the other should face outward and keep an eye on the surroundings. This simple act of staying vigilant can deter potential thieves, as they prefer to avoid being noticed or identified.

A friend of mine had a clever trick to ensure everyone kept track of their belongings. Whenever we left a restaurant, bar, hotel, taxi, or tourist attraction, they’d say the code word “crocodile,” prompting everyone to check their valuables—wallet, keys, phone, etc. It was a fun way to prevent leaving anything behind during the trip!

​

Punctuality

If you’re traveling in a group and plan to split up temporarily, or if you’re visiting crowded places like festivals, it’s wise to set a meeting point and time. This is especially important if you don’t have mobile coverage or internet access at your destination—or if your phone battery is running low.

Think about how you’d handle this situation in the pre-smartphone era (though younger travelers might find this hard to imagine). Bring a cheap watch and agree on a time and location to reunite, just in case you get separated for any reason.

Be respectful of your travel companions and make an effort to be punctual. If someone doesn’t show up at the agreed time, it could be a sign that something’s wrong. Unless you’re in genuine trouble, always be on time!

Rental Cars

If you rent a car at your destination, always drive carefully and follow the local traffic laws. This includes adhering to speed limits and never consuming alcohol before driving (this cannot be emphasized enough!).

Always opt for insurance that covers accidents, theft, and damage to the car, including both the body and the engine. It’s better to be safe than sorry.

When parking, choose safe locations—well-lit, busy areas are better than dark, isolated side streets. If you’re unsure, ask the hotel staff for recommendations, or opt for a guarded, paid parking lot. It might cost more, but it provides extra safety for your vehicle.

Whenever you leave the car, ensure that no valuables are left in plain sight. If you need to store items, secure them in the trunk. Avoid leaving maps or other objects that might mark you as a tourist visible in the car.

Travel Safety After Returning Home

Check Your Bank Statements

Just because your trip is over doesn’t mean your vigilance about travel safety should stop. Review your bank statements carefully for any unauthorized or duplicate transactions.

It can be helpful to keep receipts from card payments during your trip, especially if there were currency conversions. These receipts can make it easier to cross-check and verify legitimate transactions on your card.

I hope this list of tips proves useful. Some of these travel safety tips may seem obvious, but it’s easy to overlook the basics when you’re caught up in the excitement of travel.

Do you have any additional tips to share?