Safe Travels for Everyone
Safe travels are a major concern for everyone. After all, who wants to go on their dream trip and get injured or worse? If you believe the daily news, you would never leave your home’s (relative) safety. But, in reality, the world really is a friendly place ready to welcome your exploration. All you need is some basic safety and awareness tips to navigate safely. So let’s get to it.
Safe Travels and Pickpockets
One of the most common threats to safe travels for visitors is pickpockets. Unfortunately, avoiding pickpockets isn’t always the easiest thing to do. After all, they’re often highly skilled. Keeping an eye out for obvious red flags is important, especially in busy tourist areas where pickpocketing is common.
Crossbody Bags
Crossbody bags add greatly to your ability to travel safely, as it is much easier to avoid becoming a pickpocket target with one. A crossbody bag, with multiple compartments that zip closed, is highly recommended. This way, you will never have to worry about things falling out of your purse as it tumbles through a security screening.
I strongly recommend wearing your crossbody bag in front! With your crossbody bag in front, you can walk confidently down any street with your hands free and your purse easily within your view. Although you could still be a target, thieves generally look for the easiest victim in any given group. Remember, pickpocketing is a crime of opportunity, so don’t present one. This also applies to men who wear a fanny pack around their waist or over their shoulder!
What to look for in a Crossbody Bag.
Today’s crossbody bags offer enhanced safety features, like RFID-blocking technology so scammers can’t swipe your credit card details from afar. They also have locking compartments to keep valuables safe.
Make sure your bag has separate compartments for your passport (and a copy of your passport) money, boarding passes, etc. I keep my passport in a separate interior zip pocket and money in another separate zipped area. Change is readily available in a zipped exterior pocket. Keep your daily purse items (like lipstick, mirror etc) separate from what you need during your travel if possible, making it easier to retrieve travel items when needed.
Where to get a Crossbody Bag.
I’ve been using Baggallini bags for over 10 years, and I love them. The only thing I don’t like is they never wear out. As a result, I usually buy a couple of my favorite styles in different colors and switch them out.
The bags come in a variety of sizes, colors, styles, and prices, so you’re sure to find a style to suit your personal preference. In addition to Baggallini, you can also find a nice selection of cross body bags on Amazon.
Backpacks
We always recommend at least one carry on – and the best one is a travel backpack. There is nothing worse than arriving at your destination only to discover your checked luggage is temporarily “lost.” With a travel backpack, you can pack the essentials for a “clothing emergency,” along with your valuables. Believe me, the first time your luggage is lost or delayed you’ll be thrilled you packed a change of clothes.
The other “backpack benefit” is it frees your hands. This is important when trying to check-in using your digital boarding pass on your phone or are trying to extract some $$ for a tip or cab. Pickpockets and the like will see you as more capable with your hands-free. However, make sure your backpack is locked when in crowded areas.
Choosing a Backpack
Choose a backpack designed specifically for travel; one with multiple compartments and able to fit below a seat or in an overhead bin. Most importantly, the backpack must be flexible in size and shape with comfortable straps and even weight distribution. Amazon has a large selection from which to choose.
Traveling with Backpacks and Crossbody Bags
When traveling with your backpack and crossbody bag, always put valuable items in non-visible compartments or areas that aren’t easily accessible. Side pockets and outer pouches on the backpack are not recommended. If possible, get rid of any logos or brands names on your bags known as high-end or expensive. It’s a red flag to pickpockets that you may be carrying valuable items. This includes camera and laptop bags.
Although it’s fine to store backpacks out of sight on a flight, the same is not true on a bus or public transit. We’ve heard stories of thieves pretending to be bus conductors, telling people that bags must go under the seat! Of course, their thieving friends are in the seat directly behind you. Never believe statements like this and keep your backpack in your lap if you must! Our post, Anti-Pickpocket Travel Gear, gives you even more ideas on safety in clothing.
Safe Travel Tips when out and about
Keep in mind that theft can take place anywhere; from a busy street to an interesting tourist attraction or transit station, etc. The best thing you can do is always be aware of your surroundings and take precautions to protect your valuables.
Phone Etiquette
When out exploring, if you need your phone, stop, step aside and stand with your back to a building while looking at the phone. Far too many people stop in the middle of the sidewalk or even worse, walk with their eyes on their phone, trying to read directions to lodging, etc. Don’t do it! People easily lose phones this way as they are snatched out of their hands and gone before they even know what happened. In the same way, NEVER put your phone in your back pocket unless you want to gift it to a pickpocket.
Credit Card and Cash
One of the most common items that is on the radar of thieves is your credit cards, passport and currency. Make two copies of your passport and keep your original in the hotel room safe. (or a similar safe place.) Carry the passport copy inside your purse or jacket. While in Ecuador, we were asked for our passport when using a credit card so I carried them in a readily accessible inside zip purse pocket.
Keep credit cards and cash out of sight. It’s best to have small bills readily available for incidentals in an easy-to-reach pouch. If you know how much you’ll need in cash for that day, separate that amount from your larger bills. Never pull out a wad of money when in a crowded area. You may end up making yourself a target.
Jewelry
Depending on the economic situation in our host country, I often leave my wedding ring at home and wear a sterling silver “wedding band” instead. Although your jewelry may be unobtrusive to you, in a poorer country it may represent financial freedom to a local. The goal is to attract as little attention to yourself as possible.
In addition, don’t wear any jewelry that would devastate you if lost, especially rings. Just like a tropical climate can make your fingers swell, so can a cold climate cause the opposite effect. You do not want to lose a valuable ring because of a change in climate during your vacation. Same for your other jewelry.
Safe Travel in Taxis
Another event we read about was the woman who walked to the supermarket for shopping, then called a taxi to go home. The driver carefully loaded her groceries into the trunk, and drove her home.
Upon arrival, the woman exited the taxi, and walked to the rear, thinking the cabbie would once again help with her groceries. Instead, he floored it and took her groceries home to his family.
The moral of this story is, don’t get out of the taxi until the driver does. In other words, don’t get out and walk to the trunk to retrieve your suitcase while the cabbie is still seated inside. You just might lose your luggage. Wait for him/her to exit first.
Make sure your taxi and driver are legitimate. The taxi should have some sort of identifier and the driver should have an I.D. badge. Come to an agreement on price before getting into the taxi. Or, take an Uber. That’s one of the best things about it, the cost is upfront! You’ll find Uber is widely available in many parts of the world.
Be Prepared
If you end up being a victim of theft while traveling abroad, begin by writing down everything that is missing and then file a police report for immediate help. If you aren’t sure who to contact, reach out to a local American embassy who will be able to point you in the right direction. You may want to google the address and phone number of the American Consulate before you leave home.
Must Have Apps
Technology has made travel easier for everyone. There are a few apps you “apps-olutely” must download before traveling.:
Google Translate – This app is a necessity when traveling to foreign language countries. It will get you “unstuck” when you need it the most. I have typed in my question in English and handed my phone to many a proprietor while they type in the answer in their language. It truly breaks down language barriers.
WhatsApp – This app is used widely in many countries where cell phone providers charge for text messages, You can text, call or video with WhatsApp!
CityMaps2Go – Download your destination country and have a map wherever you go, wifi or not. This app even has footpaths throughout the UK and hiking trails in the Cajas in Ecuador. These are only two of the unexpected places we found that it tracks. Of course, it shows the usual streets etc.
Life360 – If you listen to the news, you know how important it is to stay in touch. In other words, SOMEONE should know where you are at all times, whether traveling alone or with a companion. With Life360, your family/friends can log on and you can see where everyone is. And it’s FREE! Don’t leave home without it.
And Finally…
We hope you found this article useful in your effort to ensure safe travels. For an additional post about walking hazards, please click here. You’ll find footwear suggestions as well as obstacles that may be encountered when walking.
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