Travelling the world is one of the most liberating experiences anyone can have, and those with the time and money to do so are incredibly fortunate. But how can you stay safe when travelling?
Nothing compares to the freedom to explore beautiful landscapes, wander through historic cities and experience new foods and cultures and fear for your safety shouldn’t put you off from these adventures. Everyone should take the opportunity to go travelling at some point in their lives.
The many benefits of exploring the world
Travel takes you out of your comfort zone, broadens your mind, and makes you more tolerant and understanding of other people and cultures. But these benefits do come with some minimal risk. Some travellers come back from their holidays with stories of being robbed or scammed, while others end up contracting horrible illnesses or injuries.
In general, most of the world is safe for travellers, but there is always some risk wherever you go. After all, you can get mugged walking down your own street.
So don’t let worries about safety deter you from your travel plans. Whether you’re travelling to Roma Qld, Malaysia, or the Swiss Alps, as long as you take various precautions, you can avoid anything bad from happening to you.
Here are a few tips to stay safe when travelling.
Let someone know your plans
Whether you’re alone or with friends, you should always let someone know your travel itinerary. This way, if something bad happens to you such as getting lost on a wilderness hike or your car breaking down in the middle of nowhere, someone can alert the authorities to your location. Keep your travel plan with a trusted friend or family member and keep them updated through your trip if plans change.
Get travel insurance
With any trip, there are so many things that can go wrong, either to your health, your belongings, or your travel plans. It’s a good idea to have insurance to protect you if unforeseen circumstances disrupt your holiday.
Many travellers neglect to take out a travel insurance policy, preferring to save their money and keep their fingers crossed that nothing will go wrong. Don’t take the risk.
If something was to happen – perhaps you need medical assistance or your expensive camera gets stolen – you’ll be able to receive compensation. Research different travel insurance providers to ensure you get the best deal, and read the terms and conditions carefully to watch for any loopholes and hidden fees.
Research common scams
Many popular tourist destinations are full of scammers ready to swindle vulnerable travellers out of their money. Depending on where in the world you are, these scams will vary, and they can often take tourists by surprise.
Common scams include being handed free merchandise and then being asked to pay for it, broken taxi meters, and fraudulent police who will take your ID then make you pay to get it back. Research the common scams in your location and keep a watchful eye to avoid them.
Wear appropriate clothing
Some places in the world have very traditional, conservative views on clothing, particularly when it comes to women. Avoid any confrontation by researching local dress etiquette in your destination and choosing your wardrobe accordingly.
We hope these tips to stay safe when travelling will give you confidence to explore new countries in a post-COVID world (whenever that happens!)
Bonus Tip: Know when to bring in a lawyer.
Being cautious and following the above advice is essential in staying safe while traveling, due to the fact that it reduces the chances of you landing in a difficult situation. However, it’s also important to remember that some accidents are unavoidable, for example, motorcycle accidents could be caused by other motorists or pedestrians, or adverse weather conditions, as opposed to the person driving the motorcycle themselves.
As a result, you should have some form of plan in place to protect yourself from the possibility of things going wrong. For example, it could be useful to note down the contact details of local hospitals or health centers, should you require medical attention. You should also be aware of your legal rights and the protections in place that are there to support you following an accident.
For example, you may want to hire a motorcycle accident lawyer, especially if your travel plans are cut short due to an accident or you require long-term medical treatment. Knowing when to reach out to a lawyer will provide you with much greater financial protection, especially if the accident results in a loss of income or mounting medical fees. Having this information to hand ahead of time saves you a great deal of stress, as you don’t have to scramble for information at a time when you will likely be distracted. Instead, you can focus on your recovery.
