Travel Safety Tips

You'll find some travel safety tips here for both travel in the United States and for traveling in other countries. The first thing you need to travel safely is to get a little information about your destination. Is there a lot of crime? Do you need vaccinations? Is it dangerously hot, full of mosquitos or unsafe water? What is the political atmosphere, and the crime situation like right now?

Where To Get Travel Safety Information

If you are traveling overseas, the U.S. Department Of State has a page on their website that you can link to here, which has Background Notes On Countries. you can find the country you plan to travel to on the list and click on the link to learn some basic facts about it. The State Department's Bureau Of Consular Affairs has their Consular Information Sheets , with more up-to-date information for every country in the world. They'll give you safety tips and tell you about the current state of affairs in each country. For health information on specific counties, use the link here to The National Center For Disease Control. There are more health safety tips and links below.

If you are traveling within the United States, you can find some information and tips for travel to each state and city at www.ohwy.com, although there isn't much related to safety issues there. Weather information can be important to safe travel, however, so for climate statistics and forecasts anywhere in the U.S., use the link here to Weatherbase.com.

You can get climate data and weather forecasts for other countries on weatherbase as well. Click on one of the geographical areas, and it will bring up a list of countries, and then from there a list of cities. Just find the city or cities closest to your destination.

More Travel Safety Tips

Money Safety Tips

Carry your money in at least three different places. These can include; under the sole of your shoe, in a pocket that you pin inside your clothes, in your shaving kit. Also carry two credit or debit cards in two separate and secure places. Have the "lost or stolen" phone numbers in another place. For more travel safety tips related to money and security, visit the page on Travel Money Belts.

What To Wear For Safety

Dress properly for the places you are going to. Not only do you want to dress for the climate, but you need to be aware if the area you are visiting has much crime, and if so, leave expensive watches and other jewelry behind. I sometimes carry a "decoy wallet" in my back pocket, with nothing in it, just so a thief can steal something and leave me alone (It has been stolen). The Consular Information Sheets linked to above have information on the crime situation in each country.

Health And Travel Safety

Use the CDC link above , and the Bureau Of Consular Affairs Entry Requirements Page to determine what vaccinations you may need for the country you are traveling to. Bring enough of your personal medicines, or check to be sure of their availability where you are going. If you want, your doctor can prescribe a general antibiotic for you to carry "just in case."

Transportation Safety Tips

For travel safety tips on using busses and taxis in foreign countries, visit the page "Cheap Bus Travel." On the page "Travel Money Belts" you can read the story of how I was robbed and learn from my mistakes.

Passports And Documents

E-mail a copy of your passport and other important documents to yourself. If they are lost or stolen, you can quickly get a copy from any internet-connected computer. It is also a good idea to carry a list of important numbers on your body when you travel. Have the phone number of the U.S. Embassy, and the collect numbers to call if your credit cards are stolen (1-800 numbers won't work in other countries). Keep two such lists in two places for safety.

Common Sense

The best one of these travel safety tips is simply this: Use common sense. I met several people that were robbed the last time I stayed in a hostel in South America. The girl who was alone past midnight on unlit streets was a typical and sad story. There may be parts of your hometown where you don't feel safe walking at night. Ask the locals about these things when you travel, and don't take chances hat you wouldn't at home.

When All Hell Breaks Loose

Here are some travel safety tips for when you are in trouble in a foreign country. First of all, it is recomended by the U.S. Department of State that you register with the Emabassy or Consulate where you are going , and even provide them with your itinerary, so they can find you if need be. You can do this online using the link here to their Registration Page.

If you need legal help while you are traveling in another country, you can get information on the State Department's Judicial Assistance Page. Of course, if you don't have access to the internet at the time, you'll need to contact the nearest embassy or consulate by phone. Use the list here of United States Embassies and Consulates to get the numbers you need before you go, and carry them with you.

For more tips on safe travel in other countries, visit the page, "International Travel Tips."