Safe Travel: The Most Important Safety Tips

2. Securing Documents – Copies Save Lives

Imagine this: passport stolen, no proof of identity, thousands of kilometres from home. This nightmare scenario can be defused with simple preparation.

• Photograph all documents: passport, ID card, driving licence, insurance card, vaccination certificate
• Store the photos in an encrypted cloud (e.g. Google Drive, iCloud)
• Email the scans to yourself – so you always have access
• Also print out paper copies and keep them separate from the originals
• Write down the passport number and date of issue separately

If your passport is lost, contact the nearest embassy or consulate immediately. With copies, issuing an emergency passport is much faster.

3. Emergency Numbers – Always at Hand

In an emergency, every second counts. The police number in your travel country is not always 110 – in the US it is 911, in the UK 999, in Australia 000. The Europe-wide emergency number 112 works in all EU countries.

• Local emergency number for your destination (police, fire brigade, ambulance)
• Embassy / Consulate – address and phone number
• International health insurance – 24-hour hotline number
• Card blocking hotline: +49 116 116 (reachable worldwide)
• Emergency contact at home – someone who can act in a crisis

Tip: Save all numbers in your phone AND on a small piece of paper in your wallet. If your phone is gone, you need a backup plan.

4. Avoiding Crisis Areas – Use Government Travel Advice

Before booking a destination, always check the travel and safety advisories issued by your government. These are continually updated and contain concrete warnings about political unrest, natural disasters, terrorist threats and health risks.

• Visit your government's foreign affairs website and enter your destination
• Register with the citizens abroad registry – so the embassy can contact you in an emergency
• Download the official safe travel app (free of charge)
• Note the difference: a 'travel warning' is stronger than a 'safety advisory'

An official travel warning means the government advises against travelling to that area. Your travel insurance may refuse to pay out in this case.

5. Digital Security – VPNs and Wi-Fi Protection

Public Wi-Fi in hotels, cafés and airports is a paradise for hackers. Without protection, third parties can intercept all your data traffic: passwords, bank details, emails – everything.

• Always use a VPN (Virtual Private Network) on public Wi-Fi – good providers cost from EUR 3 per month
• Disable automatic Wi-Fi connections on your smartphone
• Do not conduct online banking over public Wi-Fi – not even with a VPN
• Enable two-factor authentication for all important accounts before your trip
• Keep your operating system and all apps up to date

Tip: Set up 'Find my Phone' (iPhone) or 'Find My Device' (Android) before your trip. This lets you locate your phone or remotely lock and erase it.

6. Carrying Money Safely – Never All in One Place

The golden rule of travel security: Spread your money across multiple locations. If one hiding spot is compromised, you still have access to the others.

• Main credit card in your neck pouch or money belt
• Second credit card (different bank!) in the hotel safe or deep in your backpack
• Split your cash: some in your wallet, some in your shoe, some in the hotel safe
• Emergency reserve: EUR 50–100 well hidden as an absolute last resort
• In some countries cash is king – check the payment culture in advance

Inform your bank about your destination before you travel so your card is not blocked due to 'suspicious foreign transactions'.

7. Travelling Alone – Safety for Solo Travellers

Solo travel is a fantastic experience but requires heightened awareness. As a lone traveller, you are an easier target than a group – especially if you are obviously recognisable as a tourist.

• Share your travel itinerary with a trusted person at home – check in regularly
• Share your live location via WhatsApp or Google Maps with friends or family
• Choose well-reviewed accommodation in safe neighbourhoods – read reviews carefully
• Trust your gut feeling: if a situation feels wrong, walk away
• Learn the words for 'help' and 'police' in the local language

Tip: Join hostel group chats or local meetup groups. You will quickly find like-minded people for day trips and evening activities.

8. Staying Safe at Night

Most incidents while travelling happen after dark. This does not mean you have to stay in your hotel in the evening – but extra caution is advisable.

• Stick to busy, well-lit streets
• Avoid dark alleys and remote areas, even if the map shows a shorter route
• Use official taxis or ride-hailing apps (Uber, Bolt, Grab) instead of street taxis
• Never drink from a glass that you did not order or open yourself
• Do not hold your phone openly in your hand – especially at street corners (motorbike snatch)

In many Asian and South American cities, motorbike thefts are common: a passenger grabs phones or handbags while riding past. Always keep your valuables close to your body.

9. Safe Transport – Taxis, Buses and Rental Cars

Transport is one of the moments when travellers are most vulnerable – you do not know the route, may not understand the language and have all your luggage with you.

• Only use licensed taxis or ride-hailing apps – never get into unmarked vehicles
• With ride-hailing apps, check the licence plate and driver photo before getting in
• Always sit in the back of a taxi – this gives you access to both doors
• With rental cars: photograph any damage before collection and insist on written documentation
• Never leave luggage unattended in bus or train luggage racks – use a small cable lock

In some countries, night buses are notorious for luggage theft. Always keep your valuables in hand luggage that you carry with you.

10. Recognising Scams – The Most Common Tricks

There are tried-and-tested scams around the world that specifically target tourists. If you know them, you will not fall for them.

• The friendly stranger: Someone greets you effusively, offers a 'free tour' or a drink – and at the end a huge bill appears
• Taxi detour: The driver takes the 'scenic route' or claims the meter is broken. Insist on the meter or negotiate the price beforehand
• Money-changing trick: False exchange rates or missing notes in the change. Always count your change and know the approximate exchange rate
• Stain on your clothes: Someone 'helps' you wipe a stain off your jacket – while an accomplice empties your pockets
• Fake police officers: Plain-clothes 'police' want to 'check' your passport or money. Real police will take you to a station
• Overpriced restaurants: You are led into a restaurant by touts – the bill is astronomical. Choose restaurants yourself

11. Securing Your Accommodation – Hotels and Airbnb

Your accommodation is your safe retreat. Make sure it is actually safe.

• Only book through trusted platforms – read reviews critically
• Use the hotel safe for valuables you are not carrying (passport original, spare card, jewellery)
• On arrival, check door locks, windows and smoke detectors
• Memorise the escape routes – especially on higher floors
• Hang the 'Do Not Disturb' sign on the door when you go out – it suggests you are present
• Do not open the door to every knock – verify who is standing outside

12. Health and Safety – Insurance and Prevention

Safety also means being prepared for health risks. A medical emergency abroad can quickly become ruinously expensive without insurance.

• Take out international health insurance with repatriation cover – essential for every trip
• Pack a travel first-aid kit: painkillers, plasters, anti-diarrhoea medication, disinfectant, personal medications
• Check vaccination recommendations for your destination (tropical medicine centre, GP)
• In risk areas: only drink boiled or bottled water
• Know the address of the nearest hospital at your holiday destination
• Carry important medical information with you (allergies, blood type, medications)

Tip: Download a medical translation app or dictionary to describe symptoms clearly when abroad.