Even if this is not your first time traveling, you are still not immune from unforeseen situations along the way. From tickets and passports to handling money, you are at risk when traveling. However, it’s not difficult to protect yourself – just take some simple tips as a rule and follow them throughout every trip.
1. Don’t limit yourself to just one way to store money
Cash or plastic card is one of the main dilemmas that a traveler faces. There is no universal answer to this question, and the smartest thing to do, as they say, is not to put all your eggs in one basket. Distribute the money between “plastic” and cash, and the cash should be placed in different places. Keep some of the money in the hotel safe – this way, even if it is stolen, you will not lose all your savings at once. Check with your bank whether your card is suitable for payments in the destination country, and when traveling, try not to pay with it in untrustworthy shops and always ask for the payment transaction to be carried out in front of you.
2. Save money while walking
Keeping money in a safe is a great option, but don’t forget about the cash you keep on you. It’s best if there are few of them, especially if you don’t plan to spend a lot of money. You definitely shouldn’t carry your wallet in your back pocket or bag that isn’t securely closed. A backpack is also not the best option, especially in crowded places. The best thing to do is to always keep your bag in sight. Belt bags are coming back into fashion – today they are made neat and in a wide variety of colors – and this accessory will be indispensable when walking around the city. This bag will allow you to free your hands and remain attentive to its contents – enjoy your trip without forgetting about safety.
3. Make copies of your travel documents
None of us are immune from the loss or theft of documents and money, but when traveling this risk increases. It will be much easier to recover lost documents with copies of them on hand. To be on the safe side, make hard copies of all documents and store them in the hotel safe. In addition, you should definitely make digital copies of tickets and passports and save them not only on your phone, but also in cloud storage, which you can access from any device. These simple methods will greatly simplify the process of obtaining new documents, and you will be able to return to your country, saving time, money and nerves.
4. Don’t neglect insurance
Travel insurance is your guarantee of safety. This is perhaps the most worthwhile investment you can make before your trip, and it is certainly worth making not only for the sake of successfully passing your visa documents. Firstly, by filling out an insurance document, you will have the opportunity to receive advice via a 24-hour hotline in case of stressful situations. Secondly, you will be able to reimburse your medical or additional accommodation costs due to flight delays or cancellations upon your return. And thirdly, you will feel much more comfortable knowing that your journey is safe, no matter what happens. You should choose insurance depending on the purpose and destination of your trip. Here you can take out a travel insurance policy for OneTwoTrip.
5. Get the necessary vaccinations
An exotic country somewhere in Africa or Southeast Asia is a great destination for a traveler not used to following traditional routes. And the threat of an unknown disease is not a reason to abandon your plans. In most cases, problems can be avoided with a single vaccination. You should take care of this no later than a month before the expected date of travel: this is the time it takes for the body to develop immunity after vaccination. Keep in mind that while vaccination is voluntary when traveling to some countries, it will be mandatory to travel to others. Make inquiries about the epidemic situation in the state where you are going to travel.
6. Don’t give to the poor and be careful of street vendors
Being generous is great, but it can also be dangerous. Stopping in front of a homeless person—usually in a crowded area—and taking out your wallet in public makes you an easy target for street thieves. If passing by a disadvantaged person is a burden for you, put some change in your pocket so that you can easily get a coin if necessary. Be wary of street vendors, too, especially at crowded and colorful flea markets, where staring at an antique chest of drawers can cost you your wallet. Don’t let go of your bag and be extremely careful not only when looking for treasures on the cheap, but also when storing your own savings.
7. Learn local laws and customs
All of us, as a rule, go on a trip for the sake of new impressions and emotions that we will keep for the rest of our lives. A new culture is always an interesting experience, but getting to know it often requires caution. Local laws and customs are part of the national culture, and ignorance of them can lead to unpleasant consequences. And while in most European countries everything is more or less clear, in Singapore, for example, you can get a rather large fine for throwing chewing gum on the ground, and in Bangkok for feeding an elephant. By carefully studying the prohibitions in force in the country of your destination, you can protect yourself not only from losing money, but also from getting acquainted with the police. If you plan to travel by car, be sure to check your local traffic laws—it could save your life.
Convenient hotel website — OneTwoTrip.