Thu 21 Aug 2008
Safety Tips for Budget Travelers in Foreign Countries
Posted by guides under Travel and RecreationNo Comments
Every traveler must make a note of certain points before he starts the tour. One of your prime concerns is safety of your money. You also want to keep yourself and traveling companions safe from harm. Take care of these things to manage a safe and fulfilling tour.
1. Have a valid passport and all visas required for your trip. Make two copies of your passport. Keep one in a separate part of your travel luggage and the other leave with someone at home.
2. Try and get updates about travel warnings for your destination,if any. Find out about security and safety conditions in your destination.
3. Need less to say travel insurance is a must!
4. Ensure you have been vaccinated against any infectious diseases prevalent in the area you will be traveling to.
5. To make sure you can be contacted in case of an emergency, make a copy of your itinerary and leave it with someone at home.
6. Optimize on your luggage and do not pack valuables that you would not want to lose. Try not to carry jewelry but take an extra pair of glasses if you can not live without them.
7. You must give due respect to rules,regulations,customs and traditions of the places you would travel to. For example, if you are a female traveling in an Islamic state, be considerate of your dress.
8. Try and keep a low profile. do not go out looking like a tourist with a flashy camera and expensive clothes. Try to blend into the scenery.
9. If you are traveling on a public transport be attentive about possible theft. If you are traveling overnight, secure your luggage and sleep on top of it if possible. It is not uncommon for tourists to be drugged while on trains and buses so do not accept gifts of food or drink from strangers on public transport.
10. Only carry small amounts of cash on you. You should use credit card and travelers checks to meet expenses.
11. Watch out for pickpockets! Use a money belt and keep your purse/wallet in the front of your body. Report any loss or theft immediately to the local authorities.
12. Always keep a watch on your baggage. Apart from having it stolen or items from it taken, you could also become an unsuspecting drug courier.
13. If traveling with a partner, pack half your clothes in their luggage and vice versa. This way if you lose a part of your luggage, you will still have some clothes.
14. Keep your luggage locked and label everything.
15. Lock your hotel room. Keep money and valuables with you, not left unattended in your room.
16. It is advisable to be with a group and in places known to be safe. If you feel like taking a offbeat route so make sure you always take someone along.
If at any time you feel unsafe, whether it is on the streets or in your accommodation, get out. Follow your instincts. Stay under the radar, be aware of the downsides and observe the regulations of the places you are traveling in - budget travel guide - travel on a budget.