Safety tips
Practical, non-exhaustive safety tips. Always verify against official sources.
Current city safety
- Save local emergency numbers in your phone.
- Avoid unfamiliar areas after dark.
- Carry a small amount of local cash.
- Keep a charged phone and document copies.
On-trip safety
- Confirm a safe route home before going out.
- Avoid demonstrations and crowds.
- Do not let valuables out of sight.
- Trust your instinct — leave situations that feel wrong.
Airport safety
- Use the official taxi rank or a pre-booked transfer.
- Beware of "helpful" strangers at arrivals.
- Keep documents in a front-facing pouch.
- Photograph baggage tags before checking in.
Road safety
- Avoid driving at night where road quality is uncertain.
- Never share rides with strangers.
- Plan rest breaks and fuel stops in advance.
- Carry water, a flashlight, and a paper map.
Hotel safety
- Use the in-room safe and a portable door alarm.
- Carry the hotel card with the address in the local language.
- Avoid posting room photos publicly.
- Identify the nearest fire exit.
Public transport
- Wear bag in front in crowded carriages.
- Avoid the last carriage at night.
- Keep tickets out of public sight.
- Use stations with active staff presence at night.
Disease prevention
- Confirm vaccinations and any required certificates.
- Pack basic medications in carry-on with a doctor's note.
- Use bottled or filtered water where indicated.
- Use insect repellent in malaria/zika-risk regions.
Digital security
- Use a VPN on public Wi-Fi.
- Enable 2FA on email, banking, and travel accounts.
- Back up document scans privately.
- Avoid unknown USB ports and chargers.
Money safety
- Carry a backup payment card stored separately.
- Use bank-lobby ATMs in daylight; cover keypad.
- Note your card support phone numbers.
- Watch for skimmers and shoulder-surfers.
Document safety
- Carry a copy and leave originals locked when possible.
- Store digital scans in two private places.
- Keep medication and prescription info with passports.
- Note your embassy/consulate phone number.
Insurance
- Confirm medical, evacuation, and theft cover.
- Carry insurance proof in printed form.
- Keep claim hotline numbers offline.
- Re-check before adventure activities.
Post-trip recovery
- Watch for symptoms (fever, GI, respiratory) for 14 days.
- Replace any lost or expiring documents promptly.
- File any insurance claims while details are fresh.
- Update your future-trip checklist.