How to stay safe while traveling

March 26, 2025

The thrill of being in a brand-new place is like no other. But some aspects of travel — such as discovering new cuisines, exploring rarely traveled paths or immersing yourself in a completely unfamiliar culture — can come with a measure of risk. The unexpected and surprising aspects of a trip are often what's making a trip particularly memorable, but it’s crucial to be prepared on many fronts. This guide covers essentials from do’s and don’ts of travel to tips on staying safe and avoiding trouble. You’ll also learn about the importance of SafeTrip travel insurance and how it can give you added confidence while you’re abroad.

What are the do’s and don’ts of traveling?

There are many ways to protect your safety while touring the world, including taking preventive steps, exercising appropriate caution while traveling, and having the backup protection of travel insurance, including plans that cover unexpected costs if a domestic flight is delayed or canceled (take a look at SafeTrip Travel Protection, for instance). Or if your travels take you beyond U.S. borders, consider a plan that helps you connect quality medical care wherever you are with travel protection benefits like SafeTrip International Travel Medical Plus plans. Some other expert-recommended first steps include:

• Research your destination: Dive deep into the details about your destination, including local customs, laws, and travel advisories. Take a little time to learn pleasantries and most-used phrases in the local language both as a sign of respect and to facilitate your travels.
• Respect local customs and norms: It’s fun to cut loose and unleash your personal style on vacation, but for the most part, try to blend in as much as possible and behave in a low-key manner. Recognize that acceptable behavior at home may differ in other countries, and be observant of how local individuals dress, behave, eat and treat each other.
• Create copies of key documents: If you lose a key travel document, your vacation could come to a screeching halt. Print up paper copies of your passport, travel insurance and flight itineraries so that if you lose your phone, you still have access to your details. Store your extra copies in a secure yet accessible place, both physically and digitally, and consider leaving a set with a friend or family member back home in case of emergency. Consider a travel protection plan that includes help in case of lost or stolen document, such as SafeTrip traveler's assistance services that help travelers replace essentials like passports or tickets, as well as helping with any emergency travel arrangements needed.
• Trust your instincts: If something doesn’t feel right, listen to your intuition and consider what you should do to protect your safety. Sometimes that means quickly removing yourself from a situation; other times, making noise and drawing attention to yourself can scare off someone who seems to be a little too interested in your belongings or self.
• Pack light: The more bags you bring along, the more you have to keep track of. Simplify packing and travel by limiting yourself to just one or two bags. Traveling with less will also minimize the risk of you losing or misplacing belongings along the way. But if you really need to bring and check an extra suitcase, consider adding travel insurance so that if a bag is lost or misdirected along the way, you have protection against the costs of replacing clothes, toiletries and other essentials.
• Avoid bringing expensive items: Jewelry, cameras, or electronics can draw unwanted attention from potential thieves, and crimes of opportunity can happen at unexpected times and places. Be discreet if you wish to wear your best jewelry or use high-tech items, and be sure to keep all items as close to you as possible to make it harder for quick-grab thieves to succeed. Consider locking these valuables in a hotel safe on days you are not using them. And protect your investment in your electronics and jewelry with travel insurance such as SafeTrip plans, so that even if these items are lost or stolen, you’ll have coverage to soften the blow.

How to stay safe overseas

Staying alert and well-informed is key to protecting yourself from the unexpected while traveling abroad. Whether you're navigating through busy urban centers or serene rural areas, a few simple precautions can greatly enhance your safety.

Keep an eye on local news and weather reports, and have local customs and laws in mind as you make plans and follow your itinerary. If you can, share your travel plans with a friend or family member before departure so that people know where to start if they need to find you.

Be sure to find trusted transportation services for local sightseeing and outings. Opt for licensed taxis or use well-known ride-sharing apps. You can ask train station or airport personnel for suggestions, or check with a hotel concierge for a recommendation. Before getting into a vehicle, always verify the driver and vehicle credentials.

To further safeguard your travels, consider investing in travel medical insurance. Plans like SafeTrip Travel Medical Plus can provide comprehensive coverage for a variety of unforeseen events, including reimbursement for trip cancellations, medical emergencies, and lost luggage, ensuring that you have a backup plan and financial protection throughout your journey.

How to avoid being targeted as a tourist

By choosing clothing and accessories that sync with what you see people wearing around your destination, you’ll avoid being spotted as a tourist, which can play a crucial role in protecting your safety. Be extra-alert in well-known tourist spots or landmarks, and avoid wearing clothes that feature locales or landmarks as those are a high-visibility sign of being from out-of-town.

Try to adopt the local way of moving and engaging with your surroundings, creating the illusion of being familiar with your surroundings, like being discreet when using maps. By making these small adjustments, you can minimize the chances of attracting unwanted attention from those who might prey on tourists.

Being mindful of your surroundings is another key to a safe journey. Keep a close watch on your personal items, and avoid keeping them in easily accessible spots such as outside pockets on your clothes or in easy-to-access tote bags. Use a money belt or a concealed pocket to safeguard cash, wallet and essential documents. A travel insurance, like a SafeTrip travel protection plan, offer coverage for the costs of lost or stolen items and can provide 24/7 emergency support.

What to do when there is a security evacuation

In the rare case of a declared emergency security evacuation, having your backup plans well-prepared is crucial. Register with your embassy before an international trip to ensure swift support in emergencies. Many embassies offer online registration, making the process easy. Research where your embassy offices are located at your destinations — taking this step means you’ll have quick access to information and plans if you need to be evacuated or face other crises.

Be sure to have on-hand access to all your essential documents including digital copies in a secure cloud service or in an email to yourself. This includes your passport, travel insurance, and any other identification or travel-related papers. That way, even if you cannot access your physical copies, you’ll still have the info you need to coordinate plans with officials.

Keeping up with local conditions is a key part of traveling safely. Before and during your trip, consistently check the official travel advisories from your government’s travel department. These advisories offer the latest details on potential security risks and can alert you to situations that might change your travel itinerary or even necessitate an evacuation. Some travel protection plans even include access to deep-dive information about destinations around the world — for instance, SafeTrip plans include destination intelligence with access to a pre-trip report including everything from health and security risks to information on local hospitals and documentation requirements.

SafeTrip travel insurance also offers a backup plan and financial security in the event of a declared security evacuation. These plans often cover the costs related to emergency evacuations, such as transportation and accommodation. It’s a good idea to carefully review policy details to understand the coverage. With this knowledge in hand, you can focus on your safety in a crisis without the added stress of financial concerns.

Stay safe and travel confidently

By following these safety tips, you can reduce the risks associated with international travel and enjoy a more secure and enjoyable journey. From researching your destination and respecting local customs to securing your valuables and staying alert, each individual step adds to your overall protection.

To further enhance your safety and provide financial protection, take a moment to look into how travel insurance can help. SafeTrip travel insurance plans offer robust coverage for unforeseen events, including trip cancellations, medical emergencies, and lost luggage, plus the knowledge of having a reliable backup plan, can give you more confidence and ease throughout your trip.