Preparing for your backpacking adventure takes months of organization and patience. You’ll probably pack your bag three times or more before you’re convinced you’ve got it right; you’ll know your itinerary down to the very last letter and you’ll have your budget meticulously planned to ensure your money will last. But have you given much thought to your safety whilst you’re enjoying your travels?
You might not have considered it until now, and while it’s pretty rare for things to take a dangerous turn, you can still plan and invest in your safety whilst you’re abroad. Read on for four ways to stay safe on your travel adventure.
1. Your Tech
You’ll want to document your adventures, save memories forever, so taking beautiful pictures is a must. The idea of losing all those beautiful images forever and an expensive bit of tech in the process is certainly heartbreaking.
Store your valuables in lockable compartments of your luggage, and make sure you take out an affordable and high-quality travel medical insurance policy. We recommend Patriot Internationa Lite, as it offers the best bang for the buck and allows each traveler to modify deductibles and premiums to fit their needs.
Password protect everything and backup everything as often as you can or at least before you leave if you’re able. Some travelers take travel-size portable hard drives with them so they can upload all their photographs at the end of each day. Or upload everything to a cloud to keep everything preserved!
🛡️⚕️ Patriot International Lite > Quick Quote
Use Your Tech to Book Accommodations and Car Rentals Wisely
When it comes to finding the perfect place to stay, it’s crucial to use reputable booking sites with reliable reviews. Here are some top tips:
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- Use well-known sites like Booking.com, Expedia, or Agoda and confirm their ratings with TripAdvisor.
- Read through recent reviews to get the most up-to-date information about the property’s condition and service.
- Pay attention to reviews from travelers similar to you (solo travelers, families, couples, etc.) for more relevant insights.
Remember, a little extra time spent researching can make a huge difference in your travel experience and safety.
Rent Cars from Reputable Companies
If you’re planning to rent a car during your travels, it’s essential to choose a reliable company. Here’s how to ensure you’re making the best choice:
- Use well-established car rental sites like Discover Cars or Skyscanner to compare options.
- Look for car rental companies with high ratings and positive reviews.
Invest in a Safe Daypack
When it comes to keeping your belongings secure, not all daypacks are created equal. After a decade of globetrotting, we swear by the PacSafe Venturesafe G3 28 Liter. Here’s why:
- Fort Knox Security: With interlocking zippers, cut-resistant fabric, and RFID-blocking pockets, it’s a pickpocket’s worst nightmare.
- Comfort is Key: Padded straps and honeycomb back support make long days a breeze.
- Space Galore: At 28 liters, it swallows laptops, cameras, and all your travel essentials. For example, we put two 14″ laptops, a drone with remote, electronic accessories, travel-size binoculars, a point-and-shoot camera, and much more in the bag with no problem.
- Built to Last: Ours has survived 10 years of adventure and still looks great.
🎒 PacSafe Venturesafe G3 > Buy Now
Yes, it’s pricier than your average backpack, but can you really put a price on peace of mind? Whether you’re navigating crowded markets or hopping on sketchy buses, this bag keeps your valuables safe and your mind at ease. Trust us, your future self will thank you for this investment.
Wash Your Hands
It’s not just the threat of theft you need to consider. If you’re traveling to a location that has poor sanitation then you need to remember to wash your hands as often as possible. After handling money, after using the toilet, touching handrails, and doorknobs, and before you eat. Also, take a good supplement like Emergen-C before and during your travel commute to keep your immune system firing on all cylinders.
If the hand washing facilities aren’t up to scratch then take a small travel-size bottle of hand sanitizer with you while you’re out and about. The last thing you want is stomach flu to ruin your travels.
Complete Some Research
You might know the area in which you’ll be staying, the places you want to eat and visit, etc., but have you:
- Are you staying in the most safe and best hostels?
- Done much research into the destination?
- Are there any customs you should be aware of?
- How to dress?
- Is your host country conservative?
- Are there any laws regarding drinking?
- Or any other laws or restrictions that travelers should be aware of?
- Are there any scams you need to know about?
Doing plenty of research into your destination will help keep you safe and out of trouble!
Don’t Overdrink!
Heading abroad and exploring the world means having fun and letting your hair down. However, you still need to apply the same common sense as you would on a night out at home. Don’t leave your drink unattended, hold onto your bag, and don’t feel pressured to keep up with everyone else.
It’s no one else’s business how much you drink. If you start feeling nervous about your level of intoxication then it’s time to head back to your accommodation. Ask the bar staff to call you a taxi rather than wandering around the streets looking for a ride home.
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BEST TRAVEL SEARCH ENGINES
🏘️ Book Accommodation
We use Tripadvisor to compare prices and reviews in advance and check availability
✈️ Book Your Flight
To find the cheapest flight options, use Skyscanner to find the most suitable choice for you
🚗 Reserve Rental Car
Use Discover Cars to compare prices and view the largest selection of vehicles