Enjoy Your Trip - You have Cover
An important way to travel safely is to get proper travel insurance, especially a policy that covers flight delays/cancellations, medical expenses, emergency medical evacuation, and lost or damaged luggage. A comprehensive policy typically costs 4–10% of your total prepaid, non-refundable trip cost, though prices can range up to 12% or higher depending on the traveller's age and the level of coverage chosen.
Save the insurer’s 24/7 hotline on your phone, you never know when something might happen. Having insurance simply lets you travel with real peace of mind.
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Never Travel Without Your Own Meds
Health comes first. Pack basic meds: painkillers, stomach tablets, motion sickness pills, etc. For international trips, double-check the medication is allowed into the country. Never put them in checked luggage, keep them in your carry-on so you can use them anytime. Leave them in their original blister packs with labels so customs can check easily.
Also carry your medical records or a card with your health info, it helps doctors in an emergency.
Protect Your Valuables
In an unfamiliar city, watch out for thieves and bag-snatchers – it happens even in places rated “safe”. Keep cash and documents well hidden. Best to split money into different places and avoid carrying large amounts or expensive items in crowded areas. Use the hotel safe or ask reception to store valuable items for you.
Memorise Emergency Phone Numbers
Don’t forget your hotel address, hotline, and (if you have one) your guide’s number. Write them in a small notebook or save them in your phone. It’s a lifesaver if something happens in a foreign country, and it’s also handy to show a taxi driver so they take you to the right place.
Have Digital and Paper Backups of Everything
Besides keeping originals safe, make photocopies or scan: ID card, passport, driver’s licence, etc. If you lose your passport overseas, these copies make dealing with the embassy much easier. Also keep copies of your travel companions’ documents just in case.
Research Your Destination Thoroughly
Before you leave, read up on your destination: books, websites, or ask people who’ve been there. For international trips, note down the exact local emergency numbers. Proper research is the one thing you can’t skip if you want a safe trip.
Quick hack: Hit up Smartraveller.gov.au, Reddit threads, or TikTok travel accounts. Know the dodgy areas, common scams, and the local emergency numbers before you land.
Choose Appropriate Clothing
What you wear can affect your safety. Respect local customs and rules – some countries have strict dress codes. Dressing too revealing or inappropriately can cause unnecessary trouble, so don’t take it lightly.
Avoid Getting Too Familiar with Strangers
Making local friends is great for learning the culture, but don’t be overly trusting or get too close to people you’ve just met. You never know what might happen, so stay alert. Also limit eating or drinking heavily with strangers.
Public Wi-Fi Is Not Your Mate
We all use public Wi-Fi when travelling, but it’s not always secure. Never log into banking, work email or any private accounts on public networks. Stick to your mobile data to avoid nasty surprises.
Download Offline Maps and Translation Apps
Google Maps and Google Translate need internet most of the time, but you can download offline versions. Before you go, download the maps of your destination and the language pack for Translate. That way you can still get around and communicate safely even with no signal.
Stay safe out there and keep the good times rolling. Nothing kills a trip faster than a lost passport, a surprise hospital bill or a dodgy scam.