How to stay safe when travelling abroad

Whether you’re heading off on your first solo holiday or feeding your wanderlust with a round-the-world trip, your safety is one of the most important things to consider.

For the most part, travelling abroad is a safe and memorable experience. However, it only takes one pickpocket or wide-eyed scammer to make those memories worth forgetting.

To help make sure your trip is one to remember, we've put together a guide on how to stay safe.

Keeping yourself safe

Before you head for the airport duty-free or set up camp at your boarding gate, you’ll want to thoroughly read up on your destination.

Research is one of the most useful tools for protecting yourself on holiday. Taking the time to learn about the local culture, as well as some language basics, is an important part of this process.

If you ever find yourself in a sticky situation, being able to communicate with the authorities can make all the difference. So it's worth being prepared.

You should also take the time to familiarise yourself with the local area. You can do this by downloading Google Maps, which allows you to download a map of an area to access offline, which could help if your mobile data is unreliable.

If you're old school, then buy a physical map. This will give you an idea of your routes beforehand and could also be useful if you lose your bearings.

You need to be careful what you post on social media during your time away too, especially if your profiles are public. Advertising that your home is empty could prompt thieves to break into your property.

Keeping your belongings safe

First and foremost, you should prioritise your own safety while abroad. However, second to this is taking good care of your personal possessions. One way you can do this is by taking only the essentials with you, like your phone and credit cards.

We understand this isn’t always feasible, especially when you’re travelling for long periods of time. So, when your valuables do come exploring with you, try not to show them off to passers-by.

You can combat this by investing in a reliable bag and keeping things like your phone or wallet in there instead of your pockets. This will help to hide expensive items from prying eyes and make you less of an obvious target.

For an extra layer of security and reassurance, password-protect your phone and enable tracking technology. This will prevent thieves from being able to access your personal data should it go missing.

We also advise that you avoid using cash where you can. It might be tempting to carry cash around with you on holiday, but this is a surefire way to attract pickpockets. Instead, consider picking up a solid travel card that can be immediately cancelled if stolen.

What to do when something is stolen

No matter how hard you try, sometimes things go missing. The key is to relieve some of the stress in these situations by preparing for the worst.

One of the best ways to prepare is to take out comprehensive travel insurance, which will cover you for lost or stolen possessions. Remember to check the terms and amount limits on your chosen policy to make sure all your items are properly covered.

Regardless of whether you have travel insurance or not, you should contact the local authorities immediately if valuables are stolen. Make sure you know the local emergency numbers before you arrive at your destination. If your card goes missing, you’ll also want to be aware of your bank’s phone number.

If you’re one of the unlucky ones that has their passport stolen, you should contact your nearest British embassy or consulate. They will be able to issue you with an emergency travel document for travel back to the UK, which is covered under certain travel insurance policies.

To learn more, check out our guide on what to do if you lose your passport.

Quick-fire safety tips

Avoid carrying your passport around with you when you’re out and about. Instead, take a photocopy and leave the original somewhere safe.

To prevent your details being stolen, go directly into a bank to withdraw cash. A common method used by criminals who steal credit card details is to rig ATMs.

If you’re heading out for a meal or some drinks, go as a group. Looking out for each other is vital to staying safe in an unfamiliar place.

Stay in touch with your friends and family back home by keeping them updated on your location and travel plans.

For more information about Co-op Travel Insurance or to get a quote, visit our travel insurance page.