Traveling alone can make for a great experience, but can also make you more vulnerable to crime. Crime is something that you want to minimize. Keep reading for some great advice on staying safe when you travel.
Have pertinent information on your person at all times. Know where your embassy or consulate is and how they can be reached should you need to get into contact with them. You will need to contact the embassy if you have any trouble. They can help with any problems that arise.
Be careful, and remember any food allergies while visiting other countries. If you do have food allergies, it is a good idea to learn some words for food in the native language. By doing this, you can tell any wait staff or food handlers that you must avoid these certain foods or, even in a worst case scenario, you need to be able to tell medical professionals what is wrong.
Be aware that in some foreign cities many criminals will pose as policemen. Show officials your passport, but do not give it to them. If you are asked to travel to any offices, insist on walking. Never ride in a vehicle with a stranger, no matter how nice they are.
Pick the proper camera for your trip. You likely don’t want a camera with a rechargeable battery if you’re backpacking. You also want to pick out something that will focus almost immediately.
It is a good idea to register with a site that watches travel prices. Some websites will watch prices for you. When the price drops, you will get an email alert. This way, you won’t have to constantly check the site.
When shopping for the lowest price on a flight, make sure to check each airline’s official website. While you can find low fares on sites like Travelocity and Kayak, the best prices are on some of the official airline websites.
Give the travel itinerary of your trip to a relative. Then, people at home will always know where you are during your travels. Also, make sure to keep in constant contact with that person to ensure safety. Nobody will have to worry if you keep in touch.
Carry something with you that has the information for your hotel, like a matchbook or a business card. If you become lost, you can show it to a local and get directions back to the hotel. This is helpful, especially for those in unfamiliar places.
Rush Hour
If traveling by car, it is important to avoid a city’s rush hour traffic. Take a break from driving if rush hour hits. This may be an opportunity to stop for something to eat and give the kids time to get some exercise.
Be aware of your passport’s expiration date. Many countries have specific rules concerning your passport. If your passport is expired or close to expiring, some countries won’t allow you to enter. These periods usually range anywhere from a year to three months.
If you plan to use traveler’s checks, make sure you cash them before you go shopping or out to eat. Some places may accept these check, but they’re hard to work with. If you use them, you may find that you get shorted, so convert them to local currency before you shop.
Visit the websites of major airlines, and sign up for their email newsletters. They contain discounts not found elsewhere, including last-minute fare reductions. When you’re not looking to travel anytime soon, simply delete those emails without reading them.
To get the most enjoyment while vacationing, make sure to take projected weather conditions into consideration. Research the weather forecast at your vacation spot. There is nothing worse on your vacation than having to retreat from the weather when you least expect it.
As was stated in the beginning of this article, although traveling alone can be a great experience, you can become more vulnerable to crime. While safety and planning is better with others, you can still learn important information to use when you travel. Use these tips to keep you safer.