Travelling is all about giving yourself and your mind a break from the monotonous pattern of life. It takes us on a journey into new worlds that we would have never been exposed to. Travelling can be very exciting and memorable; however, there may be some critical or unpredictable situations that we have to be prepared for. It just takes a few seconds to ruin the fun if you don’t plan in advance. Prepare your own safety and security plan keeping the key travel tips in mind. Many factors influence the safety of your journey and that’s where these travel tips come in handy. Unwary tourists can make easy targets, be smart and reduce your risk of being mugged or robbed by following these tips for your safe travel.
Practice These 10 Travel Tips For Safe Travel
Share Itinerary With Family Or Friends
Once your travel plans are fixed, make sure someone else knows about it too. Don’t forget to share the full itinerary with a family member or friend. Keep them updated about your plans, like when you are leaving and when you are expected back. When you are away, make it a point to check with your family back home at the end of each day. It’s better to be safe than sorry!
Back Up Of Important Documents
Losing important documents can hamper your travel plans. Important identification or travel documents when lost might not even allow you to get home as per schedule and that could cost you a lot of your money. Keep three sets of your important documents like a passport, visa, tickets, and travel insurance handy. You can leave one set with a friend or relative and also a digital copy either on your mobile or email.
Avoid Posting On Social Media
The biggest mistake that one can ever make is posting your vacation details while you are still on it. Never post pictures of tickets, boarding passes, passports, etc. They reveal details that can be used to steal your identity. Only your closest circle should be aware of the details of your travel plan and most importantly avoid putting up details on social media. Posting information about your vacation can also be taken as an opportunity by criminals when you are away from home.
Essential Medical Kit
While you are on travel, the chances of being exposed to an environment that you are not used to is very high. In case you fall sick, quick access to medicines may not be possible if you are in the middle of your journey or in a remote area. Make sure to pack your travel health kit with some of the basic supplies to prevent illness, handle minor injuries and manage pre-existing medical conditions with a quantity that will last for longer than the duration of your trip.
Travel Insurance
Many travelers feel it’s not worth spending on travel insurance. No matter how careful you are, things can go horribly wrong. For safe travel, insurance is a must as it covers certain financial risks and losses.
Losses can be minor, like a delayed suitcase, theft, or last-minute trip cancellation, or major, like a medical emergency. Taking Insurance will protect you from all uncertainties and ensure that the journey would be safe and makes you feel completely relaxed.
Pack Right
There are a lot of things to consider before packing your bags, like the length of your trip, your itinerary, the weather, and any weight limits imposed by your mode of transport. Don’t overpack or under-pack! Imagine struggling to stuff everything back into your suitcase at the end of a trip or realizing that you didn’t even wear half the clothes you bought. Plan in advance to avoid last-minute packing to experience a stress-free vacation.
Protect Your Valuables
Keep in mind not to take more than what you need. Take only what you need for the day and the rest can be locked up in your room. Secure storage options like your room safe, lockers or a locked storage area can be used, and don’t forget to carry a small combination lock when you travel. Always be aware of your surroundings, and avoid flashing your valuables around.
Emergency Contact List
Generally, all-important numbers are saved on your phone or notepad, but in case you lose your phone, then what? Use a diary or piece of paper to create a list of contact numbers with whom you can get in touch in case of an emergency. You can also save the information on a pen drive, along with copies of your passport and other important documents. These small tips for safe travel come in handy during these critical and unpredictable situations.
Currency
Before taking off, sit down and make a rough calculation about the expenditure that you are going to incur during the trip. Earlier travelers used only cash, but now there are a variety of options to carry your money. Choose from debit/credit cards to ATM withdrawals that offer better exchange rates and lower fees. Make sure to inform the bank or credit card provider about your travel. There are times when cards and cheques don’t work, hence carrying foreign currency within permissible limits while visiting a foreign country.
Food Facts
Stick to your normal eating routine as much as possible. Eat at popular places, preferably where you can see the food being prepared. When you go for a long period of time without eating, you’re far more likely to pick up something unhealthy and fall sick. Go by the golden rule of eating something every 2-3 hours so that you don’t get hungry soon. Keep yourself hydrated by drinking plenty of water.
Now that you’re armed with these simple tips for safe travel, it’s time to get out and explore the world! Stop worrying about the potholes in the road and just enjoy the journey!
