Travel Safety Essentials for Those Planning Trips in 2024

With more freedom to travel in 2024, you’re likely looking forward to taking a trip to somewhere new or a place that you once visited and want to experience again. No matter where you travel, you should think about your safety and what you’ll do before and during your trip to keep yourself out of dangerous situations.

Research Your Destination

Even if you’ve visited your intended travel destination on previous occasions, it’s still a good idea to do your research so that you can learn more about the location and how to keep yourself safe. You should know where the bad neighborhoods that have higher crime rates or inadequate infrastructure are located so that you can avoid them whenever possible.

It’s also advisable to look online for any travel advisories that may impact your safety or alter your trip itinerary. Learning where the nearest medical facilities are located, and the telephone numbers for emergency services will additionally be helpful if a catastrophe happens during your trip.

travel safety essential
Image by Grégory ROOSE from Pixabay

Think Twice About Bringing Fine Jewelry

As tempted as you may be to take your jewelry with you to wear so that you can show off your best look while on vacation, bringing your unique fashion accessories could have negative consequences. You should keep your eternity ring and other fine jewelry at home unless you plan to have each piece insured.

Thieves will be more likely to target tourists they see wearing expensive jewelry. Even if you store your jewelry in a hotel safe or a hidden place in your luggage when you’re not wearing any of the pieces, they could still go missing if crafty thieves can access them.

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Beware of Clever Scam Artists

Scam artists could be lurking in certain places while waiting for unsuspecting tourists to come their way. If someone approaches you and tries to aggressively panhandle or persuade you to donate to a supposed charitable cause, you should try your best to ignore them and continue on your way.

Some scam artists also try to hawk cheaply made goods by selling them at high prices to make a significant profit, and you should make an effort to avoid these scammers. Other scammers may try to “accidentally” bump into you to try to steal certain items that you’re carrying, so you need to be on the lookout for these thieves.

Be Mindful of Food and Drink Safety

Eating or drinking something that causes you to become sick can ruin your trip and cause serious health problems for you in extreme cases. Some unauthorized street vendors may offer food at low prices, but this food could also be contaminated because of unsafe food handling methods.

If you choose to get your food from a street vendor instead of a restaurant, you should try to look for authorized vendors who display health permits issued to them by the city. The drinking water in your destination may also be impure and cause you to get sick, so you should research to make sure that the water is safe to drink or consider buying only bottled water throughout your trip.

travel safety essentials
Image by Katja Just from Pixabay

Let People Know of Your Whereabouts

Friends and family members should have copies of your travel itinerary so that they can know when to expect your return. You can also let these people see the phone numbers of hotels or other places where you’ll be lodging. Suppose you fail to come home on the expected date and haven’t notified anyone about a change in travel plans. In that case, the people who you let know of your itinerary can inform the authorities in your travel location so that they can check on your safety.

You can have a better time and ensure greater safety if you follow the proper rules for travel. By taking the necessary precautions, you won’t have to worry about encountering danger and will have a better chance of returning home unharmed with all your belongings.

Essential Travel Planning Resources

Planning your next adventure?

Here are some of our go-to resources that we’ve personally tested over the years.

Find Your Accommodation

Whether you’re looking for hotels or hostels Booking.com is ideal for finding great hotel deals worldwide, with a wide range of options to suit any budget.

Book Your Flights

For unbeatable flight deals, we also recommend Booking.com Flights as they search across airlines and travel sites to ensure you get the best prices. It’s our favorite tool for finding affordable flights, no matter your destination.

Don’t Forget Travel Insurance

Travel insurance is a must-have! Protect yourself from unexpected events like illness, injury, or cancellations. Here’s what we recommend:

* TrueTraveler (only EU citizens): Perfect for long term travelers looking for comprehensive and affordable coverage.
* SafetyWing (for everyone) Great for digital nomads, long and short term travelers.

Rent a Car for Your Trip

Need the freedom to explore at your own pace? Renting a car is a great way to travel off the beaten path. We recommend Discovercars.com a fantastic comparison website that helps you find the cheapest rates from all the major rental companies worldwide.

Book Your Activities

From guided tours to skip-the-line tickets, use Get Your Guide to plan unforgettable experiences wherever you’re going. It’s one of the best platforms for activities and tours.

Try Housesitting

If you love animals and you prefer going local during your travels, try housesitting, which is an amazing way to travel the world while taking care of the pets whose owners are on vacation. If you use TrustedHousesitters with this link you’ll get $25 discount on annual membership.

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