Frequent Travellers Use These Travel Hacks To Stay Safe While They’re On The Go 

With airplane theft, pickpocketing syndicates in Europe and human trafficking scams in Myanmar and Thailand constantly making headlines these days, it’s no surprise if people have become more cautious about travel plans these days. And rightly so. 

But how can you stay safe and secure abroad? We tapped on the expertise of three frequent travellers: Alan, an architect who travels at least four times a month for work; Joey, a solo traveller currently on a trek across the world; and Pim, a flight attendant with over five years of experience. 

Here are their best tips to stay safe and secure while travelling, from pre-travel preparations to precautions to take during the trip.

Pre-travel preparations

#1: Book flights and hotels on reputable online platforms
Did you find an amazingly cheap deal on a website you have never heard of? Well, if it’s too good to be true, it likely is. Alan uses reputable online platforms to source his accommodation, such as Trip.com or Booking.com. He also opts for international chains like Marriott and Hyatt wherever possible. 

For flights, you can try scouring the net with Google Travel and Skyscanner and booking directly with the airline. For tours, look for highly rated options on Klook, especially those with free cancellations if you change your mind. 

#2: Dress down

Especially if you are a solo female traveller, blending in is a much safer option than dressing up in your best glam for the ‘gram. So dress down and look as much like the locals as possible. As Alan notes, black is his preferred colour to wear abroad. For Pim, she swaps her fashionable or branded handbag for a generic-looking tote bag.

We found TheBagPlace Tote Bag in K3 Black ($15.19) and Tigernu 9152 Anti-Theft Backpack ($38.32) (both pictured below) to be understated and functional. 

#3: Don’t look confused 

Even if you're lost, you don’t want to look it as that would make you easy prey for pickpockets and the like. 

Pim advises to plan ahead before heading to the destination and out of the hotel room. Have your itinerary ready, check your map and public transportation schedules, and walk with conviction like you know where you are heading. 

If you need to stop and check your bearings, do it discreetly than in plain sight. Pro tip: Google Maps allows you to download offline maps so you can access them even without the Internet. 

#4: Carry various types of locks with you 

If you’re staying in hostels, certain hostels provide lockers for guests to store their belongings. But Joey, who’s currently travelling around the world, recommends bringing various types of locks with you, as hostels vary in their lockers. 

To cover your bases, we recommend getting a lock and key, a combination lock and locks with wires and cables for keeping larger items like backpacks and suitcases locked. 

#5: Always buy travel insurance 

Travel insurance is not on everybody’s travel prep list, but it is one of those items that you don’t think you need until you really need it. So read the fine print and ensure that the travel insurance has adequate coverage minimally for personal accidents, medical, and loss of valuables.  

Tips during the trip

#6: Put a location tracker on all important items

From keys to luggage, adding a location tracking device such as an Apple AirTag ($33.20) can make it easier to locate valuable items. However, if you are not part of the Apple ecosystem, consider an alternative like the Baseus Wireless T2 Mini Smart Tracker, which has limited tracking distance. Just remember to tuck them away so perpetrators can’t easily identify and remove them. 

#7: Avoid leaving valuables in your lodgings

While we all want to travel lightly, personal valuables should be on you as much as possible so that you can safeguard them. Otherwise, use lockers or safes if they are available, advises Joey, or lock your luggage whenever you are not with them as Pim does. If your luggage does not have built-in locks, then consider luggage locks such as the Kiprun Luggage Lock ($5.44) and Crossing Luggage Strap With 3 Dial TSA Lock ($23.90).

#8: Conceal and secure

Cash, credit cards, and passports should be kept out of sight so they don’t become easy targets for pickpockets and thieves. Pim keeps her passport in the inner compartment of her bag while Joey uses a money belt or safety wallet tucked underneath her clothing. Additionally, she keeps her phone by her side using a phone strap and carries a photocopy of her passport instead of the real thing whenever possible. 

#9: Stay connected

The Internet has allowed us to stay connected from anywhere across the globe, so use it to stay connected to the Internet, local friends, and loved ones back home so that someone knows where you are in case of an emergency. Fortunately, SIM cards and eSIM are easy to procure online before departure from companies such as Wefly, or you can purchase them at the airport upon arrival at a telco provider. iPhone users can also share their location using the Find My application. 

#10: Book transportation via mobile applications 

Alan and Joey both use local ride hailing apps such as Grab, Uber, Bolt, and DiDi, rather than flag down local taxis. Not only would you not need to haggle prices with unscrupulous drivers, but the app also keeps track of your location, which will be helpful in case of any incidents.

Our articles may contain affiliate links. If you buy through these links, we may earn a small commission. Prices are correct at the time of publishing.