20 Safety Travel Tips
After 15+ years of frequent travel in the U.S. and abroad, I’ve learned to navigate freely in many countries and cities. As a frequent, solo woman traveler, I must always maintain a heightened level of observance. At times, there are country-specific tips I follow; however, the 20 tips below apply to any destination in the world.
1. Safety is always the top priority:
Safety is always the top priority. There is a delicate balance between sharing with strangers and remaining private for safety reasons. Have your story ready if you have an inquisitive taxi driver or flight passenger. Create an alias. You’re visiting family or traveling for work. Share what makes you comfortable, even if that’s nothing at all.
2. Learn common phrases:
Hello. How Are you? Excuse Me. Thank You. Yes. No. Generally speaking, most people learn the first few phrases fairly quickly and easily. English is a universal language, but it is not spoken in every corner of the world. Don’t rest on this privilege. The most basic attempt to communicate with someone in their language, especially as a visitor in their culture, is a sign of respect. Learning extra words or phrases can go a long way.
“If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his language, that goes to his heart.”
― Nelson Mandela
I would make the following additions. Help. Please. Stop. I do not speak X language. I do not understand. These simple words and phrases are powerful and worth remembering, even if for a few days. It can significantly shift your experience and save your life.
3. Private Driver:
I use a private driver with taxi and ride-share options in my home city and traveling elsewhere. With price surges on ride-share apps, you may be surprised to discover a private driver is similar in cost or sometimes cheaper. I use these options for the scenarios below.
Super early morning departures or arrivals, especially solo travel
Long distance from airport to hotel or final destination
Group travel
Many of us have taken a ride in an older car or taxi that is not entirely comfortable. After a long flight and fatigue, we need a breather to relax and avoid scammers in the airport. Private drivers are available through travel websites such as Viator or Blacklane Global Private Chauffeur.
4. Avoid Taxi Solicitors:
The airport hustle. Many airports prohibit unlawful ground transportation inside and near the exit doors. Guess what? It still happens in every state and country. When approached, ignore them or politely and firmly decline. Use the following for your transportation needs.
Airport Designated Taxi Lanes
Private Driver
Rideshare
Hotel Designated Transfer
Public Transporation
Family/Friends
Car Rental
5. Walk with confidence:
Even if you’re lost, don’t let worry show over your face. Calmly & cooly seek out assistance from others in a crowded area or head inside to a local business. Bonus: wear sunglasses to limit eye contact to avoid uncomfortable stares.
6. Food Safety:
Explore and enjoy the cuisine during your travel! Also, research the conditions for each destination. Is it safe to drink water? Can you try the local delicacy? The microflora in our gut is specific to each person. The resistance we develop varies with our environment and the food we typically consume. This is one of the reasons a local person may not get sick eating a dish, and next thing you know, you’re BFFs with the toilet. There are different standards of sanitation practices worldwide. I’ve had food poisoning as often in the U.S. as abroad. It happens. Explore freely and safely in all areas, including food.
Keep hydrated at all times. Pack hydration stick packets or tablets.
Drink bottled water whenever possible. Don’t forget about ice.
Trust your instincts. If you feel incredibly uneasy, simply avoid it.
Keep protein or granola bars handy if you can’t consume the food.
If the bathroom is questionable, don’t eat there.
Pack digestive relief tablets or liquid medicine.
Be extremely cautious if you have food allergies.
Carry an Epiphrendine pen, preferably 2.
Regarding food allergies, don’t make assumptions based on the norms in your country. Quick example: french fries are fried separately from meats and fish in most restaurants in the U.S. It’s not uncommon for everything to be fried in the same oil elsewhere. Having an allergic reaction abroad is scary; perhaps I’ll save that story for another day.
Make sure you can communicate your allergies in the language(s) of your destination(s). Unsure if you will pronounce every word correctly? Translate, take a screenshot and save to your favorite photos. “ I have a food allergy. I’m allergic to xyz. What options can I eat?” If you have spotty reception, at least you have the information needed to communicate with others. You may have to settle for a bland or alternative meal to remain safe and alive.
7. Customizable First Aid Kit:
Tailor your first aid kit to your activities, destination, and needs—painkillers, hand sanitizers, anti-diarrhea medicine, antacids, etc. Also, remember that a new environment may trigger your body in a new or unusual way, so be prepared. I use my inhaler for my asthma 1-2x per year, and luckily, I don’t have severe asthma. Due to the pollution in Delhi, India, my asthma flared up badly. I nearly emptied my inhaler over the course of 7 days! Pack an extra. You never know.
8. Emergency Services Number:
911 is not universal, but do you know the emergency number for your destination? I can’t remember any of the numbers I’ve visited however, there are a few apps you can download. One of my go-to apps. TripWhistlers App
9. Don’t Argue Over Insignificant Things:
Your life is the most valuable. This is one of the best pieces of advice I have read for solo travel; accept you will probably get scammed at least once throughout your lifetime of travel. This especially holds true for foreigners and women travelers. The taxi driver who takes a longer route, a faulty meter, or whose credit card reader suddenly doesn’t work with your card and requires cash-it's an annoyance.
Arguing your case for the principal or the extra $10-20 is not always worth it. Sometimes, there is a genuine misunderstanding and a language barrier. Other times, opportunistic scammers are looking for their next target. Before you argue or state your case:
1. Consider your surroundings and safety—research common scams for your destination.
2. If you need to escalate things with authorities for a significant offense, by all means, do so.
3. Carefully weigh each scenario with your safety in mind.
10. Navigate Offline:
Download your route on Google Maps to assess if cell service is unavailable or spotty.
11. Wear Earbuds:
It's an easy way to blend in with locals, even if you’re not listening to music. Bonus: you can listen to navigation while walking without everyone knowing you’re lost!
12. Portable Phone Charger:
Keep a portable phone charger with you. Your battery will drain faster than you think after 8-12 hours.
13. Money, Money, Money:
I always keep a $100 bill hidden on my body regardless of the currency I will need to use. If you have a credit/debit card lost, stolen, or locked for fraud protection, you have money to convert at a local currency exchange if needed. Use a money belt, the inside of your bra, and place it in a small jewelry bag to pin to the inside of your pocket.
In addition, I traveled with 2 different debit cards to withdraw cash. You should open a checking account with a debit card with no transaction and atm withdrawal fees. You can withdraw cash without significant interruptions during travels if your account is compromised. My travel debit card is my preference for paying street vendors because that account is not attached to my ACH deposits. My travel checking account is separate from my primary checking account.
Always carry a credit card with a sufficient credit limit to purchase a last-minute flight and hotel room. Lastly, set up an account for electronic pay such as Paypal, Venmo, Apple Cash, or Wise. I also recommend linking one of these accounts to your travel checking account. The more options, the better.
14. Medication/Supplements:
Ensure your medicine and/or supplement is allowed in your destination(s) and lay-over stops, regardless of whether you have a doctor's prescription in your home state or country. Some countries have significantly different and harsher restrictions that could carry a heft fine or jail time.
15. Passport and License Copies:
Make digital and paper copies for yourself and trusted family or friends. If a passport is not required for everyday travel, carry a copy or passport card.
16. Secure Your Valuables AND ROOM:
Use your hotel room safe or a designated spot inside your locked suitcase. Use AirTags to track lost items. Take pictures of valuable items if you need to submit a claim. Block your door with a stopper, alarm, and/or your suitcase. Also, pick a good hiding spot in your luggage or goods for items where no one thinks to look if given the opportunity—a vitamin or supplement container.
17. Be Mindful of Flashy Jewelry or Items:
Make yourself less enticing to be robbed. Wear items you enjoy and can easily replace
them if needed. This is especially true for solo trips as I try to blend in as much as possible. There are trips where I leave my valuables at home and travel with cubic zirconia earrings and trendy, inexpensive jewelry. There’s an entire industry dedicated to high-end faux diamonds, gold, and silver replicates for celebrities! If I wear my valuable jewelry, I may only reserve it for daytime wear and definitely avoid wearing it to the beach or club.
18. Research Your Housing Options:
In recent years, it’s so unfortunate others have lost their lives to carbon monoxide poisoning at hotel resorts or Airbnb. It’s understandable why many are choosing to pack carbon monoxide detectors. Check the history of your destination by researching online and/or asking travel agents. Travel agents will have insight into updates on a hotel or resort, significantly if impacted by a recent storm, undergoing construction, or bad reviews.
19. Speak With Locals:
Ask for tips and objective opinions. Is this neighborhood safe to visit at certain times or all day long for foreigners? Do you have access to transportation options if needed? Don’t rely entirely on someone’s else review. Does this travel company, restaurants, and club have a good reputation for you as a foreigner? I’m grateful that people are open and honest.
20. Enroll In STEP: