How to prepare for a safer trip abroad

Are you taking these safety precautions when traveling abroad?

Traveling abroad at any age is one of life's great pleasures. New food, new faces, new adventures. But a little preparation goes a long way, especially when you're far from home. Here are ten practical safety tips that'll help you travel smarter and worry less.

The U.S. State Department offers a free service called STEP — Smart Traveler Enrollment Program. You register your trip online before you leave, and the nearest U.S. embassy will know you're in the country. In the event of a natural disaster, political unrest, or a family emergency back home, they can reach you and offer assistance.

It takes about ten minutes to sign up at travel.state.gov and requires nothing more than your itinerary and contact information. It's one of those things that feels unnecessary until the one time it isn't. Sign up, and then go enjoy your trip.

Free Wi-Fi at airports, hotels, and cafés is convenient, but it’s not always secure. Avoid logging into sensitive accounts like online banking when you’re on a public network. If you need to connect, using a VPN adds an extra layer of protection and is easy to set up before your trip.

A VPN app adds an extra layer of protection and is easy to set up before you travel. Most phones make it surprisingly straightforward. Either way, save the online banking for when you're back on a secure connection.

911 is a great number — in the United States. Abroad, emergency numbers vary by country. In most of Europe it's 112, in the UK it's 999, in Australia it's 000. A quick internet search before you go will tell you what to dial if you need police, an ambulance, or the fire department in your destination.

Write the number down somewhere physical — your phone might be dead or stolen exactly when you need it most. A small card in your wallet with key numbers, including your country's local embassy, is old-fashioned and absolutely worth it.

Travel insurance isn't just for worst-case scenarios. It covers trip cancellations, lost luggage, and most importantly, medical emergencies abroad. Healthcare in foreign countries can be shockingly expensive, and your regular health insurance often won't cover you once you cross the border. Don't assume. Check.

When you buy a policy, take a few minutes to understand what's actually covered. Some plans exclude certain activities or pre-existing conditions. Know what you're paying for before you need it — not while you're sitting in a foreign hospital trying to translate the paperwork.

Tell a friend or family member where you're going, where you're staying, and roughly when you'll be where. You don't need to check in every hour, but someone at home should have a general sense of your movements. If something goes wrong, it's a lot easier for people to help you if they know which country you're in.

A quick email with your hotel names and flight numbers is all it takes. Think of it less as being cautious and more as being considerate — your family will sleep better, and so will you.

Before you leave, take photos of your passport, travel insurance, hotel reservations, and any other important documents with your phone. Email the photos to yourself or save them somewhere easy to find. If your bag gets stolen or your passport goes missing, having those images handy can save you hours of stress at a foreign embassy.

Spend a few minutes organizing your documents before the trip, and future-you will be very grateful when things don’t go exactly as planned.

Tourist hotspots are pickpocket paradise. Busy markets, train stations, public transport, and popular landmarks are exactly where thieves like to work. When you're in a crowd, keep your wallet, phone, and passport somewhere secure — ideally in a front pocket or a bag that closes properly — and stay aware of what's happening around you.

The classic move is a distraction — someone bumps into you, asks for directions, or causes a small scene while an accomplice does the work. It happens more often than you’d think. Just keep an eye on your belongings.

Wearing your nicest watch, carrying a top-of-the-line camera around your neck, or pulling out a thick wallet in public marks you as a target. Thieves in tourist areas are experienced at spotting visitors who look wealthy and distracted.

This isn't about dressing down or being paranoid. It's about being sensible. Leave the flashy jewelry at home, carry just the cash you need for the day, and keep your phone in your pocket when you're not using it. Blend in as much as you can.

In many cities around the world, unofficial taxis — guys who approach you at the airport offering a great deal — are a classic tourist trap at best and a safety risk at worst. Stick to licensed cabs, official ride-share apps, or transportation arranged through your hotel. It might cost a little more, but it's worth it.

If you do take a taxi, note the driver's name and license number when you get in. A quick text to someone back home with those details takes five seconds and sends a clear message that you're not someone to mess with.

This one sounds vague, but it might be the most important tip on the list. If a neighborhood feels off, leave. If someone is paying you unusual attention, move on. If a deal sounds too good to be true, it almost certainly is. Your instincts are there for a reason, and ignoring them to avoid seeming rude is never worth it.

Travelers who get into trouble often say afterward that something felt wrong before anything happened. You don't owe anyone your time or your presence. It's perfectly okay to walk away from a situation that makes you uncomfortable, no explanation required.