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TravelSafe Travel Insurance Review — Is It Worth It?

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Why Purchase Travel Insurance

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With every trip, there’s a chance something could go wrong. Your first flight could be delayed, causing you to miss a connection. You could get sick or injured. Maybe your luggage doesn’t show up at your destination. For any of these situations, you may have considered buying travel insurance. Whether you’re looking for a detailed policy that covers everything or a policy that covers one specific aspect of your trip, it’s likely available and affordable.

TravelSafe Insurance has been offering services to travelers since 1971. This privately-held company provides travel insurance plans for solo and family travelers, as well as business, student, and group travelers, plus plans aimed at golfers and Canadians. There are also medical-only plans, and all plans have 24-hour emergency assistance.

Before discussing the ins and outs of TravelSafe plans, let’s first look at why you might want to purchase travel insurance, then discuss why TravelSafe could be right for you. We’ll also discuss its plans, how they compare to other travel insurance providers, and how TravelSafe compares to the insurance available on several travel-focused credit cards.

Travel insurance is meant to protect the money you’ve spent toward a trip against losses; it’s also meant to protect you against additional expenses from the unexpected. That could include trips canceled at the last minute because of weather or hospital expenses if you become sick or injured while on vacation.

Travel insurance could help you with some of the following:

• You fall and break a bone during a hiking trip, needing to spend time in a hospital.
• Your child becomes ill shortly before a trip, and you have to cancel to stay home to care for them.
• You break a tooth when sampling local delicacies and need immediate dental care, but your health insurance policy from home isn’t in effect at your destination.
• Fighting breaks out at your intended destination, and it’s no longer safe to travel there.

The more nonrefundable expenses there are in your trip, and the more risks you’ll be taking during the trip, the more it makes sense to consider a travel insurance policy to protect you from financial losses.

With the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, many travelers had to change, cancel, or postpone their trips. Others found themselves with escalating costs after testing positive at their destination and needing to quarantine.

While these sound like typical situations covered by travel insurance, that may not be the case. Some companies have excluded COVID-19 from coverage under the terms of visiting areas with a known pandemic — terms introduced in the past, before the current pandemic.

Additionally, choosing to voluntarily cancel your trip for fear of getting sick or testing positive , thus not wanting to deal with the encumbrances, isn’t covered by travel insurance.

For a travel insurance policy to include coverage for COVID-19 , such as medical expenses or expenses related to quarantine, you must ensure the policy specifically lists COVID-19 as a covered reason. If not, you may need to add Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR) insurance . This is an optional add-on available for some policies, and adding it to yours will include additional costs.

Make sure you read the terms of any policy you’re considering so you know what aspects it does and doesn’t cover related to COVID-19.

Luckily, TravelSafe treats COVID-19 like other sicknesses rather than exempting it from coverage as a known pandemic. That means testing positive or getting sick can be covered by your policy without needing any special additions. Further details on the covered reasons , such as the threshold for testing types sufficient for a positive test, can be found online.

Before choosing a travel insurance company, ensuring the company is reliable and reputable should be your first consideration.

TravelSafe has an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau , an average rating of 4.3/5 on the travel insurance website Squaremouth (from 1,499 reviews), and a 4/5 average rating on consumeraffairs.com . Moreover, it is backed by the United States Fire Insurance Company, which has an A (Excellent) rating from financial rating company A.M. Best . Based on this, you can infer TravelSafe is reliable and worth considering for your next travel insurance purchase.

TravelSafe offers general and specific policies, providing options more likely to meet your needs. TravelSafe also offers CFAR (Cancel for Any Reason) insurance for those who need it. Let’s look at the possibilities.

Types of Policies Available

TravelSafe offers several types of travel insurance. Let’s look at the options within each type separately, as knowing what is included and what isn’t is important when evaluating your options.

These plans are available only for U.S. citizens or residents; coverage applies to domestic and international trips . Coverage within the Basic and Classic plans is divided into protecting your travel arrangements and coverage for your health and belongings. Here are the details of travel arrangement protections:

The key differences between the Basic and Classic plans include maximum coverage amounts and what the Classic plan offers that the Basic plan doesn’t. The Classic plan reimburses itinerary changes, pet kennel fees, and the option to add CFAR coverage. It also offers higher maximum payouts in every category.

These are the maximum coverage amounts for health and belongings:

Both plans include worldwide travel assistance to provide information and referrals during your trips. 

The key differences come in maximum payout amounts in all categories and offerings the Basic plan doesn’t have. These are evacuation for political or natural disasters and 24-hour accidental death and dismemberment coverage. Both plans have optional additions for rental car damage, sporting equipment rentals, and flight-specific death and dismemberment coverage .

Both plans allow for a waiver of exclusions for preexisting medical conditions , provided you make a deposit on your plan within 21 days of the first deposit for your trip and be fit to travel at the time of purchase.

These plans are offered through Trawick International . By providing information about your origin, destination, start and end dates of your coverage, and age(s) of the traveler(s), you can compare plan options.

These primarily focus on medical coverage, such as sickness, dental, death, evacuation, and dismemberment. Plans also should provide primary medical coverage. However, they include some travel-focused, non-medical coverage, such as baggage delay and loss protections, trip delay, and trip interruption.

GolfSafe plans are underwritten by Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company. To see pricing and plan details, you’ll start by providing your origin and destination, trip dates, the date of your first deposit, the age(s) of the traveler(s), and the cost of the trip.

It’s important to note that both the Secure and Secure Plus plans provide excess coverage secondary to what may be provided by an airline, your homeowner’s insurance, or other providers. Both plans can provide the coverage you usually associate with travel insurance — such as trip cancellation, trip interruption, itinerary change fees, trip delays, and more — but rental car damage and accidental death and dismemberment are optional add-ons.

Coverage maximums are the same in all categories , which is surprising. The real difference is the addition of CFAR coverage to the Secure Plus plan; this protection applies if you purchase your plan within 21 days of your first trip deposit (not available to NY or WA residents).

Interestingly, while these plans cover what you might think of for golfers — such as needing to rent clubs if the airline doesn’t deliver yours on time or lost prepaid green fees if your flight is delayed — you also can be reimbursed for the cost of buying drinks at the clubhouse if you or a traveling companion gets a hole-in-one .

The Basic and Classic plans detailed above are only available for U.S. citizens and residents. For Canadians, provide your destination country, age(s) of traveler(s), and trip cost. Two plan levels exist: Elite and Elite Package with optional CFAR.

Both plans provide the same coverage and coverage amounts in all areas but one: CFAR. The more expensive option offers Cancel for Any Reason coverage of up to 75% of your nonrefundable insured costs with a maximum of $100,000.

Getting a quote from TravelSafe is relatively simple. Head to travelsafe.com and click the GET A QUOTE button under the type of plan you want.

Let’s assume you’re looking for a standard travel insurance plan as a U.S. resident or citizen. You’ll provide information about your state of residence, the dates you want the policy for, when you made the first deposit on your trip, and your destination country. You’ll also indicate the number of travelers, their ages, and the trip cost.

On the next page, you’ll see the Basic and Classic plans compared side by side. This will show you the difference in cost for the 2 plans and the differences in coverage types and payout maximums. With drop-down menus, you can also add optional coverage, such as rental car damage or sports equipment rental in case the checked bag with your scuba equipment is delayed.

After choosing a plan, click Select this plan next to the price. You’ll be taken to the checkout page, where you’ll provide your details and then pay for your policy.

The Value of Travel Insurance Comparison Sites

Numerous travel insurance companies exist, each with multiple offerings. Comparing TravelSafe insurance policies against one another is relatively simple, but what if you want to compare these against other travel insurance companies? Enter the comparison websites.

• Squaremouth — Use this site to search for single-trip, annual, group, and sports/adventure travel insurance plans. While some plans may include medical coverage, you can’t use this site to search for medical-only coverage.
• TravelInsurance.com — Use this site to compare travel insurance plans that include travel medical insurance. However, no stand-alone travel medical plans are available.
• InsureMyTrip — Use this site to compare single and multi-trip travel medical policies; you also can search for comprehensive travel insurance plans.

How TravelSafe Travel Insurance Compares — Summary

To compare TravelSafe against competitors, we used Squaremouth to obtain a quote for 2 travelers from California, ages 35 and 34, going to Colombia for a week in March 2024. We estimated the trip cost as $800 per traveler, with the first trip deposit made in the last 24 hours.

Here’s how TravelSafe’s Classic plan compares to Trawick’s Safe Travels First Class and WorldTrips Atlas Journey Preferred :

TravelSafe’s plan is the most expensive at $126, while WorldTrips is charging $109 and Trawick is charging $113.43. Beyond the cost difference, let’s review the key differences in the plans.

Trawick offers $150,000 of emergency medical coverage, while WorldTrips and TravelSafe offer only $100,000. However, only TravelSafe’s plan provides primary coverage here . Moreover, only TravelSafe’s plan offers evacuation for non-medical reasons, such as political instability at your destination. But TravelSafe is also the only provider not allowing coverage extension if you’re forced to spend extra time at your destination through canceled flights or COVID-19-related quarantines.

Trawick provides the highest daily limit ($200) during travel delays, but it has the lowest maximum payout ($1,000) and requires a 12-hour delay. WorldTrips and TravelSafe provide up to $100 per day and up to $2,000 maximum, with WorldTrips providing coverage after a 5-hour delay and TravelSafe at 6 hours. All 3 plans provide baggage delay benefits after 12 hours, but TravelSafe’s coverage of $250 per person is the lowest. Conversely, TravelSafe has the highest maximum payout for lost luggage at $2,500 per person.

TravelSafe also has the highest maximum payout for 24-hour accidental death and dismemberment ($25,000 per person), but only Trawick automatically includes death and dismemberment coverage on a common carrier (up to $25,000 per person). And when it comes to sports and activities on your trip, TravelSafe is the only provider that does not include coverage for these activities.

Regarding trip delays from weather, Trawick is the worst, requiring a 48-hour delay.

Trawick also requires you to be at your job for 5 years before the layoff coverage kicks in if you lose your job and can’t go on your trip.

However, many aspects of these plans are the same, such as trip cancellation and interruption benefits, coverage for COVID-19 sickness, the ability to cover preexisting conditions (if specific terms are met), medical evacuation, and the option to add CFAR coverage.

You may have a credit card that provides travel insurance . Many travel-focused credit cards offer coverage sufficient for straightforward vacations, inexpensive trips, or those without significant nonrefundable costs. However, this type of coverage doesn’t include everything a comprehensive travel insurance policy might offer.

For comparison, let’s put TravelSafe’s premium policy (Classic) side by side with 2 premium credit cards offering robust insurance coverage: The Platinum Card ® from American Express and the Chase Sapphire Reserve ® . Before we get started, note that enrollment may be required for some of the Amex benefits described below.

It’s also worth noting that insurance policies on these credit cards are built-in, while purchasing a plan from TravelSafe will have an additional cost.

These credit cards look like they provide excellent coverage at first glance, but some coverage types are secondary. That means they kick in after your other coverage, such as homeowner’s insurance, auto insurance, or healthcare plan at home. You’d have to deal with those insurance companies first, meaning your auto insurance plan could be more expensive if you file a claim for a fender-bender on vacation. Travel insurance policies offering primary coverage mean you deal straight with them as your first point of contact. And while TravelSafe’s Classic plan doesn’t provide higher payouts for accidental death and dismemberment, it does provide higher maximums for emergency medical, emergency evacuation, and trip cancellation.

It’s possible to file a claim online and by phone. You can call toll-free in the U.S. at 877-539-6729 . It’s also possible to start your claim online .

You’ll start by providing your name and policy ID. From here, you’ll provide details about your claim, such as the reason and any costs you incurred, and attach relevant documents.

It’s important to provide as many documents as possible related to your claim. Receipts, doctor notes, a statement from the airline noting the delay and anything else you can gather will help claim evaluators process your claim more efficiently. You also should clearly explain what happened, focusing on facts and being brief. Anything you can do to help the claim evaluator understand what happened and assess your claim efficiently will benefit both parties.

While TravelSafe doesn’t provide a specific deadline for evaluating your claim and providing a decision, understand that this process typically takes 6 to 8 weeks with many providers. Thus, you should expect the same here.

Numerous travel insurance providers exist, and TravelSafe may not be the first name you think of. However, TravelSafe has a few advantages. Policies are easy to understand and compare when shopping through the website, additional policies focused on golfers and Canadians can help you get a tailored plan that fits your needs, and costs are similar to the competition when looking at comparable policies.

However, there are things you should consider before purchasing from TravelSafe. For example, other companies offer plans tailored to extreme sports ; if you’re bungee jumping or scuba diving on your next vacation, you might look into these plans, as extreme sports are excluded from TravelSafe’s plans .

However, if you’re looking for a plan that provides the most common types of coverage, is easy to understand, and can be purchased at a fair price with just a few clicks, TravelSafe may offer what you’re looking for.

For the car rental loss and damage insurance benefit of The Platinum Card ® from American Express, car rental loss and damage insurance can provide coverage up to $75,000 for theft of or damage to most rental vehicles when you use your eligible card to reserve and pay for the entire eligible vehicle rental and decline the collision damage waiver or similar option offered by the commercial car rental company. This product provides secondary coverage and does not include liability coverage. Not all vehicle types or rentals are covered. geographic restrictions apply. Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Car Rental Loss or Damage Coverage is offered through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.

For the trip cancellation and interruption insurance benefit of The Platinum Card ® from American Express, the maximum benefit amount for trip cancellation and interruption insurance is $10,000 per covered trip and $20,000 per eligible card per 12 consecutive month period. Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.

For the trip delay insurance benefit of The Platinum Card ® from American Express, up to $500 per covered trip that is delayed for more than 6 hours; and 2 claims per eligible card per 12 consecutive month period. Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.

For the baggage insurance plan benefit of The Platinum Card ® from American Express, baggage insurance plan coverage can be in effect for covered persons for eligible lost, damaged, or stolen baggage during their travel on a common carrier vehicle (e.g. plane, train, ship, or bus) when the Entire Fare for a ticket for the trip (one-way or round-trip) is charged to an eligible card. Coverage can be provided for up to $2,000 for checked baggage and up to a combined maximum of $3,000 for checked and carry-on baggage, in excess of coverage provided by the common carrier. The coverage is also subject to a $3,000 aggregate limit per covered trip. For New York State residents, there is a $2,000 per bag/suitcase limit for each covered person with a $10,000 aggregate maximum for all covered persons per covered trip. Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.

For the premium global assist hotline benefit of The Platinum Card ® from American Express, eligibility and benefit level varies by Card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. If approved and coordinated by premium global assist hotline, emergency medical transportation assistance may be provided at no cost. In any other circumstance, card members may be responsible for the costs charged by third-party service providers.

For rates and fees of The Platinum Card ® from American Express, click here .

Frequently Asked Questions

Is travelsafe insurance legit.

Yes, it is. TravelSafe insurance has been offering travel insurance since 1971.

What is the rating of TravelSafe insurance?

It depends on what rating you’re looking for. The company has an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau, an average rating of 4.3/5 on the travel insurance website Squaremouth (from 1,499 reviews), and a 4/5 average rating on consumeraffairs.com. Moreover, it TravelSafe is backed by the United States Fire Insurance Company, which has an A (Excellent) rating from the financial rating company A.M. Best.

Does TravelSafe insurance cover for travel to Cuba?

No. It did previously, but now it doesn’t. When using the menu to choose a destination (part of the process for obtaining a quote), you can’t choose Cuba. You also can’t select Sudan or North Korea, for example.

How much is the TravelSafe travel insurance primary coverage?

With the Basic plan, you’ll have up to $35,000 of accident and sickness coverage. The Classic plan increases this amount to a maximum of $100,000.

Does TravelSafe travel insurance have a Better Business Bureau rating?

Yes, it does. The company has an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau.

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About Ryan Smith

Ryan completed his goal of visiting every country in the world in December of 2023 and now plans to let his wife choose their destinations. Over the years, he’s written about award travel for publications including AwardWallet, The Points Guy, USA Today Blueprint, CNBC Select, Tripadvisor, and Forbes Advisor.

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Home | News | How to Travel Safely

How to Travel Safely

SafeWise experts have years of firsthand experience testing the products we recommend. Learn how we test and review . 

Beyond satellite safety and green strides, Apple's game-changer ? USB-C charging! Ditch those Lightning cables and pack just one cable for all your devices on your next adventure.

After once again getting used to going where we want when we want, COVID-19 dropped its latest variants . On September 11, 2023, the CDC approved new COVID boosters amid upticks in cases and hospitalizations across the U.S. And they encourage you to get it before your next trip.

“We have more tools than ever to prevent the worst outcomes from COVID-19,” said Director Mandy Cohen, M.D., M.P.H. “CDC is now recommending updated COVID-19 vaccination for everyone six months and older to better protect you and your loved ones.”

Knowing how to travel safely is always important, but during our current viral onslaught, safety is more crucial than ever. Amid a carousel of new variants and rising flu case counts, it can be hard to know what to do when it comes to travel these days. 

To help you satisfy that wanderlust safely, we’ve updated our travel safety guidelines. We added specific tips about protecting yourself and your fellow travelers during the ongoing days of the coronavirus.

It’s important to stay updated on the latest travel guidance from the CDC to keep you and those you visit safe and healthy.

How to travel safely during COVID-19

Before you leave.

• Travel safety tips for the whole family

Safety tips for air travel

• While you're on vacation

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Travel safety begins before you even leave the house. From making sure your home is secure to brushing up on current coronavirus restrictions wherever you're going, planning ahead sets you up for travel safety success.

Secure your home before you leave on vacation

To deter potential burglars, you want to make sure your home looks lived in even while you are away. Statistics show that burglaries tend to rise in the summer months, which is peak vacation time for most of us. And thieves know the best time to strike is when your home is vacant.

Here are some steps you can take to tighten security before you hit the road.

• Tell a neighbor your travel plans. Ask them to help keep an eye on your property and alert you of any suspicious activity.
• Lock all your windows and doors. Don’t forget about doors leading to the garage or second-story windows.
• Have mail and newspaper delivery stopped. A stack of mail and newspapers or garbage cans left at the curb are signs that nobody's home. You can temporarily stop delivery by contacting your newspaper carrier and the United States Post Office. And recruit a neighbor to bring in the garbage bins.
• Hire someone to help you keep up on yard work. An overgrown lawn or unshoveled walkway is a dead giveaway that no one's at home.
• Make sure any yard tools are put away. A ladder, rakes, and even patio furniture can all be used as tools to gain entry to your home.
• Don't post your travel plans on social media —if a burglar spots your post, it can turn your home into a target.

Some security systems let you stop and start professional monitoring without any contract or penalties. Find out if your home security system lets you turn on 24/7 monitoring while you're on vacation. That way you'll have someone keeping an eye on your house the whole time you're away.

Research coronavirus trends and restrictions

Travel can increase your risk of getting infected or spreading COVID-19 to others. Don't let the coronavirus ruin your getaway.

Take these steps before you leave to minimize your risk during vacation.

• Check coronavirus trends. Find out if coronavirus infections are spreading both where you're traveling from and at your destination. This can help you decide what risk you may pose to others and the risk they may pose to you.
• Research coronavirus restrictions. See if the city, county, or state where you're going has any restrictions on visitors. In addition to smart practices like social distancing and wearing a mask or other face covering, some places require visitors from COVID-19 hotspots to self-isolate for up to 10 days.
• Get tested. If you're visiting people who are at high risk for serious illness, or if you're not fully vaccinated, the CDC recommends a COVID-19 test one to three days before you travel. 
• Stock up on essentials. Make sure you have plenty of hand sanitizer and face masks. We recommend carrying a ziplock or other reusable bag where you can easily store and retrieve face coverings, sanitizing wipes, and hand sanitizer. This way, if you have to take off your mask, you won't lay it on a surface or throw it in a pocket or bag. It also makes it easier to sanitize your hands without touching everything in your bag.

Travel safety for the whole family

People have different travel needs, depending on things like age or ability. Make sure everyone who's traveling with you is safe and comfortable with these family safety travel tips.

Travel safety tips for kids and babies

• Bring a car seat. Whether you're driving or flying, youngsters that require a car seat need to have one during vacation. If you're flying and have a lot of stops, it might make sense to invest in a lightweight car seat that's easy to move from plane to plane. And make sure your car seat is FAA approved.
• Pack sanitizing wipes. Wipes make it easy to disinfect anything your child touches (including themselves) when you're on the go. Wipe down chairs, tables, airplane trays, and toys—especially if you have a little one that likes to stick everything in their mouth.
• Wash their hands. Whenever you have the chance, hit the sink. Wipes and hand sanitizer are great in a pinch, but nothing beats washing their hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
• Make masks fun.  Children over 2 years-old should wear a cloth face covering in public. To make this feel like less of a chore, get your kiddos some special masks for the trip. You can get masks with fun patterns, bright colors, or even find some emblazoned with their favorite characters.
• Social distance. Do what you can to keep your kids at least six feet away from others who are not in your immediate family. This can be especially crucial if you're visiting someone who's at high-risk for COVID-19 complications.
• Consider a GPS tracker . It doesn't take a pandemic to make us panic if we lose sight of a child in an unfamiliar or crowded place . Make things easier on your blood pressure and safer for your little one with a kids GPS tracker that lets you keep an eye on that tiny wanderer no matter where they go.

Travel safety tips for seniors

• Assess risk. You don't want a road trip or plane ride to end in illness. Because age can make the symptoms and complications of COVID-19 more critical, assess your health and the general health of each person you're traveling with or visiting. If there are any signs of illness, it's best to reconsider your travel plans.
• Wear sturdy shoes. Falls are always a threat , so stay steady on your feet, whether you're sight-seeing or rushing to your gate at the airport. Sacrifice fashion for safety with reliable tennis shoes or other supportive footwear that gives your body the balance and bounce it needs.
• Social distance. Make sure that to stay at least six feet away from older family and friends you see during your travels. If you're reuniting with folks you haven't seen in months, it's tempting to hug or plant a kiss on a loved one's cheek. But those momentary greetings can result in infection. Get creative with air hugs, elbow bumps, and other safe ways to show your love.
• Air it out.  It's fun to huddle around the dining table or share a family puzzle, but if you're seeing some people for the first time, it's best to stick to the outdoors. Have a picnic, go for a walk, or set up some lawn chairs for fresh air social distancing.
• Keep it small. The more people you interact with (especially in higher-risk settings like in the airport, a store, or in someone's home), the higher your chances of being exposed to the coronavirus. Try to get together in small groups—10 or fewer is best—regardless of state or city guidelines that may approve larger gatherings.
• Consider a medical alert device. If you have a medical condition that puts you at risk for a fall, fainting, or any condition that could leave you unable to call for help, a medical alert pendant can be a lifesaver. It also makes it easier for someone to access your medical records if you need help when you're far from home. If you already have a medical alert device, talk to your provider before you leave to make sure it will work when you're traveling.

Airports are full of people, all rushing to catch a plane or make a connection. On top of normal airport safety, if you decide to fly right now, you should take precautions to limit the spread of COVID-19.

Here are some travel tips to help you safely navigate the airport both during the pandemic and any time you fly:

• Watch your bags. You need to keep a close eye on your luggage at all times, even once you board the plane.
• Team up.  If you’re traveling alone, try to find someone in line to befriend. This is someone who could watch your luggage while at the counter or going through security.
• Protect your laptop.  When going through security, put your laptop on the x-ray belt last. This way, your laptop will come out after your carryon luggage and hopefully about the time you are cleared. You don’t want your laptop in the open for too long.
• Sanitize. Carry hand sanitizer or disinfecting wipes to wipe down your hands, bags, laptop, and phone after going through security. If you're cleaning your hands with hand sanitizer, be sure to use a generous amount and rub it into your hands for at least 20 seconds.
• Wash your hands. If you have time, stop at the nearest bathroom to wash up in soap and water—that's the best way to stop the coronavirus from spreading.
• Wear a comfortable mask. Both in the airport and during your flight, you need to wear a face covering. This will likely be the longest stretch you've had to wear a mask (unless you're an essential worker), so pack one that fits well and is comfortable. Fidgeting or adjusting it constantly defeats the purpose of wearing the mask.
• Store your carry-on nearby. On the airplane, if you don’t put your luggage under the seat in front of you, put it in the overhead bin across the aisle from you. You’ll be able keep an eye on your bag during the flight to ensure nobody is opening your luggage.
• Wipe things down. When you get to your seat, wipe down the seat, the safety belt buckle, the tray, and anything else that gets touched (especially if you're traveling with little ones).
• Try to limit contact. Airlines are no longer booking flights for social distancing, so chances are you'll be seated next to, behind, or in front of someone else. If possible, request a window or middle seat. We think the window is best because you won't have someone climbing over you or rubbing elbows when they head down the aisle to the bathroom.
• Don't be shy. If you see an empty row or end up next to someone who's sneezing or coughing a lot, ask if you can move to a different seat. This is no time to hesitate. It's perfectly acceptable for you to look out for your own health.

If you decide to skip the airplane and hit the open road instead, read our tips for a safe road trip during the pandemic.

While on vacation

You’ve successfully navigated the airport and now you’ve landed safety at your destination. Don’t relax on safety just yet. Whether at a theme park or at a fancy resort, there are a few safety precautions (on top of washing your hands and social distancing) that you can take to make sure you're as safe as possible.

• Stay off social media. Don’t tip criminals off by sharing too much information on your social networks. Refrain from posting photos, status updates, or “checking in” while on vacation. Even if you have the highest security settings on Facebook and Twitter, your personal information could still be seen by unwanted eyes.
• Tell friends and family at home your itinerary. It’s a good idea to tell family and friends about your plans. Always let someone know when you’re expected to be back and what route you’re planning to take.
• Go contactless. Whenever possible, choose contactless options to check into your room, get meals delivered, or purchase tickets if you're going to any events or venues.
• Keep cash and credit cards in separate places. Never carry your credit cards, cash, and passport at the same time. You’ll want to keep some cash in your wallet, and then stash the rest in a pocket or money pouch. If you have a safe in your hotel room, leave the majority of your cash there and only bring what you’ll need for the day.
• Make a copy of your passport. You’ll want to make two copies of your passport. Leave one copy at home with a trusted friend or family member and take another copy with you. When you go out sightseeing, take the copy with you and leave the original in a hotel safe until you are ready to travel again.
• Do a security sweep of your hotel room. Always keep your hotel door locked and never answer it for someone you don’t know. If you can, try to get a room near the front desk or the elevator.
• Do a sanitizing sweep of your hotel room. Even though hotels are stepping up their cleaning routines during the pandemic, you may want to roll up your sleeves and do some extra disinfecting. 
• Keep your mask on. During your vacation activities, it's important to keep up the habit of donning a face covering in crowded or indoor settings—even if it's just down the hall to the ice machine. On second thought, don't even use the communal ice machine.

You can never be too careful, especially when it comes to traveling. Make sure things are safe at home and while you are traveling by taking the necessary precautions.

Related Pages on SafeWise

• The Ultimate Guide to Preparing Your Home before Vacation
• Holiday Travel Tips
• How to Travel Safely With Your Kids on Vacation
• How to Find Pet Care While You’re On Vacation
• Tips for Traveling Safely With Your Pet
• How to Protect Yourself from Nosey Neighbors
• 5 Tips for Securing Your Vacation Home
• Best Home Security Systems

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Travel Insurance

TravelSafe travel insurance review 2024

Mandy Sleight

Heidi Gollub

“Verified by an expert” means that this article has been thoroughly reviewed and evaluated for accuracy.

Updated 9:07 a.m. UTC Nov. 13, 2023

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Best for missed connections

Top-scoring plan

Medical limit per person, medical evacuation limit per person, what you should know.

If you’re worried that missed connections could disrupt your trip, it’s worth considering TravelSafe. Some travel insurance companies only provide missed connection coverage for cruises and tours, but TravelSafe doesn’t impose that restriction.

• Best-in-class $2,500 per person in missed connection coverage.
• $1 million per person in medical evacuation and $25,000 in non-medical evacuation coverage.
• Generous $2,500 per person baggage and personal items loss benefit.
• Most expensive of the top-scoring travel insurance plans.
• No “interruption for any reason” coverage available.
• Weak baggage delay coverage of $250 per person after 12 hours.

TravelSafe travel insurance overview

TravelSafe insurance offers two travel insurance plans: Basic and Classic. Upgrading to the Classic plan increases your coverage to best-in-class missed connection and medical evacuation benefits. The TravelSafe Classic plan receives a 5-star rating in our analysis of the best travel insurance plans .

TravelSafe’s optional coverages include protection for rented sports equipment, cars and business equipment. With the Classic plan, you can also add “cancel for any reason” coverage that reimburses you for up to 75% of your nonrefundable insured trip expenses.

We break down both plans in this TravelSafe travel insurance review, including sample pricing and common exclusions.

TravelSafe travel insurance plans

TravelSafe offers two travel insurance plans to choose from: Basic and Classic. While both plans provide coverage for travel arrangements, medical, belongings and worldwide travel assistance, there are key coverage differences between the two. The Classic plan also offers additional benefits you won’t find in the Basic plan.

TravelSafe Basic plan

• Trip cancellation. The TravelSafe Basic insurance policy includes trip cancellation insurance for 100% of your prepaid, nonrefundable travel expenses, up to $10,000 per person. 
• Trip interruption. This plan also provides up to 100% trip interruption for nonrefundable trip costs. 
• Missed connections. If you miss your trip connection by more than three hours, the Basic plan will reimburse up to $500. 
• Trip delay. For trip delays longer than six hours, you’ll receive up to $100 daily for covered expenses, or a maximum of $1,000. 
• Travel medical. The Basic plan provides up to $35,000 for accident and sickness travel medical insurance and up to $750 as primary coverage for dental expenses. 
• Emergency medical evacuation. The plan covers up to $100,000 in emergency medical evacuation expenses or repatriation of remains. 
• Baggage. You get up to $500 reimbursement for baggage and personal effects reimbursement for covered losses. The policy will pay up to $100 if your bags are delayed more than 12 hours. 

TravelSafe Classic plan

The TravelSafe Classic plan is the same as the Basic plan, with enhanced benefits.

• Trip cancellation and interruption. You’ll get up to $100,000 per person for trip cancellation and up to 150% of the non-refundable insured trip cost for trip interruption.
• Missed connections. The Classic plan will reimburse up to $2,500 if you miss a connection by over three hours.
• Trip delay. The trip delay coverage reimburses up to $150 per day with a maximum of $2,000 for delays over six hours.
• Travel medical. The medical coverage in the Classic plan offers the same $750 dental expense sub-limit but increases the accident and sickness medical coverage up to $100,000.
• Emergency evacuation. There is up to $1 million in medical evacuation and repatriation of remains. There is also coverage of up to $25,000 for political or security evacuation and natural disaster evacuation. If you are accidentally dismembered or killed during your travel within 24 hours outside of being on a flight, the Classic plan will provide up to $25,000.
• Baggage. For baggage and personal effects, you’ll get up to $2,500 instead of the $500 with the Basic plan. And baggage delay coverage increases up to $250 if delayed 12 hours or more.
• Pet kennel. The Classic plan includes up to $100 per day for pet kennel coverage.

Other coverage options offered

TravelSafe insurance offers several optional coverages that some travelers may find beneficial.

“Cancel-for-any-reason” (CFAR) coverage

TravelSafe’s “cancel for any reason” coverage allows you to expand the reasons you can cancel your trip. If you cancel the trip at least two days before your departure date, you can be reimbursed for up to 75% of the prepaid, nonrefundable trip cost.

This option is only available on the Classic plan and is unavailable to New York residents.

Extended personal property benefits

This optional add-on coverage extends your baggage and personal effects coverage. With this coverage, if you rent sports equipment for your trip and it’s damaged by a common carrier, lost or stolen, you can receive up to $1,000 reimbursement. It also will pay if the equipment is delayed on a common carrier by at least 12 hours.

This coverage also provides up to $1,000 in coverage for items typically not included, like:

• Professional or occupational equipment or property.
• Telephones.
• PDA devices.
• Computer software or hardware.

This optional coverage is available on both plans. There is a $100 deductible if you file a claim. 

Air flight only accidental death & dismemberment (AD&D)

Air flight AD&D coverage is available on both the Basic and Classic plans. You can choose up to $100,000, $250,000 or $500,000 in coverage. This add-on coverage pays only if you are a passenger on a regularly scheduled common carrier or chartered flight.

The plan pays according to the loss type. For example, losing one hand, foot or eye means you’ll only get 50% of the coverage. But if you lose two limbs, eyes or your life, the policy will pay the maximum sum. 

Rental car damage

TravelSafe offers optional rental car damage on both plans, which will pay up to $35,000 per covered vehicle. Some examples of covered losses include vandalism, windstorms, collision or theft. The add-on coverage excludes exotic car rentals.

What TravelSafe doesn't cover

Travel insurance plans have exclusions to coverage, so it’s a good idea to check the fine print to know what your plan won’t cover. Here are some TravelSafe insurance plan exclusions:

• Being under drug influence except when prescribed by a physician.
• Driving or riding in races.
• Taking part in adventure or extreme activities, including endurance, speed competitions or events.
• Diving when not certified or in the presence of a divemaster.
• Elective procedures or treatments.
• Routine physical exams or dental care.
• Mental, nervous or psychological conditions or disorders unless partially or completely hospitalized.

TravelSafe travel insurance rates

Methodology

Our insurance experts reviewed 42 aspects of 53 policies to find the best travel insurance plans. We used data provided by Squaremouth, a travel insurance comparison provider. For companies offering more than one travel insurance plan, we shared information about the highest-scoring plan (or two, in case of a tie).

Some companies may offer plans with additional benefits or lower prices than the plans that scored the highest, so make sure to get travel insurance quotes to see your full range of options.

The factors we scored out of a possible 100 points include the following.

Cost: 30 points. We scored the average cost for each travel insurance policy for a variety of trips and traveler profiles:

• Couple, age 30 for an eight-day trip to Mexico costing $3,000.
• Couple, age 30 for an eight-day trip to Mexico costing $3,000, with CFAR coverage upgrade.
• Couple, age 40, for a 17-day trip to Italy costing $6,000.
• Couple, age 40, for a 17-day trip to Italy costing $6,000, with CFAR coverage upgrade.
• Family of four, for a 17-day trip to Italy costing $15,000.
• Family of four, for a 17-day trip to Italy costing $15,000, with CFAR coverage upgrade.
• Couple, age 65, for a 17-day trip to Italy costing $6,000.
• Couple, age 65, for a 17-day trip to Italy costing $6,000, with CFAR coverage upgrade.
• Couple, age 70, for an eight-day trip to Mexico costing $3,000.
• Couple, age 70, for an eight-day trip to Mexico costing $3,000, with CFAR coverage upgrade.

Medical expenses: 15 points. We scored travel medical insurance by the coverage amount available. Travel insurance policies with travel medical expense benefits of $250,000 or more per person were given the highest score of 15 points.

Medical evacuation: 15 points. We scored each plan’s emergency medical evacuation coverage by coverage amount. Travel insurance policies with medical evacuation expense benefits of $500,000 or more per person were given the highest score of 15 points.

“Cancel for any reason” upgrade: 5 points. We gave travel insurance plans with the option of a “cancel for any reason” upgrade 5 points.

Trip interruption travel insurance: 5 points. We gave 5 points to travel insurance plans that offer trip interruption reimbursement of 150% or more.

Travel delay required waiting time: 5 points. We gave 5 points to travel insurance policies with travel delay benefits that kick in at six hours or less.

Baggage delay required waiting time: 5 points. We gave 5 points to travel insurance policies with baggage delay benefits that kick in at 12 hours or less.

Pre-existing medical condition exclusion waiver: 5 points. We gave policies that cover pre-existing medical conditions if purchased within a required timeline 5 points.

Non-medical evacuation: 5 points. If a policy provided coverage for non-medical evacuation, such as for political or security reasons, we gave it 5 points.

Cancel for work reasons: 5 points. If a plan allows you to cancel your trip for work reasons, such as your boss requiring you to stay and work, we gave it 5 points.

Employment layoff: 5 points. Travel insurance policies that allow you to cancel your trip because of layoff at a company where you have worked for one continuous year scored 5 points. If a plan requires that you had the job for more than a year to qualify, no points were given.

TravelSafe insurance review FAQs

Yes, TravelSafe travel insurance covers COVID-19 as any other type of sickness. The policy coverage, limits and exclusions may vary by your specific TravelSafe plan. Be sure to review your TravelSafe insurance policy before traveling to know how COVID-19 is covered, how to make a claim for COVID-19 and what you have to do to get your claim approved.

TravelSafe insurance does offer an optional upgrade to  “cancel for any reason” coverage if you buy the Classic plan. The TavelSafe Classic policy will reimburse up to 75% of your non-refundable trip cost if you purchase a TravelSafe plan within 21 days of your initial trip payment or deposit. This option is not available in New York. The Basic plan does not offer “cancel for any reason” coverage. 

TravelSafe considers any disease, illness or condition you received or were recommended to receive examination, testing or medical treatment within 60 days of your insurance plan’s effective date as a pre-existing condition. 

TravelSafe will waive the pre-existing medical condition exclusion if you purchased your policy within 21 days of making your initial trip deposit or payment and were not deemed disabled from travel when purchasing your policy. 

This pre-existing conditions exclusion waiver is available in all states for the Classic plan. With the Basic plan, however, the waiver is only available for residents of Florida, Missouri, Kansas, Virginia and Washington.

Blueprint is an independent publisher and comparison service, not an investment advisor. The information provided is for educational purposes only and we encourage you to seek personalized advice from qualified professionals regarding specific financial decisions. Past performance is not indicative of future results.

Blueprint has an advertiser disclosure policy . The opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the Blueprint editorial staff alone. Blueprint adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. The information is accurate as of the publish date, but always check the provider’s website for the most current information.

Mandy is an insurance writer who has been creating online content since 2018. Before becoming a full-time freelance writer, Mandy spent 15 years working as an insurance agent. Her work has been published in Bankrate, MoneyGeek, The Insurance Bulletin, U.S. News and more.

Heidi Gollub is the USA TODAY Blueprint managing editor of insurance. She was previously lead editor of insurance at Forbes Advisor and led the insurance team at U.S. News & World Report as assistant managing editor of 360 Reviews. Heidi has an MBA from Emporia State University and is a licensed property and casualty insurance expert.

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• Travel insurance plans
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Compare TravelSafe Travel Insurance

• Why You Should Trust Us

TravelSafe Travel Insurance Review 2024

Affiliate links for the products on this page are from partners that compensate us (see our advertiser disclosure with our list of partners for more details). However, our opinions are our own. See how we rate insurance products to write unbiased product reviews.

TravelSafe Insurance is a travel insurance company that's been around since 1971. It has an A+ rating on the Better Business Bureau and is one of the last privately owned and operated travel companies in the nation. It offers two primary coverages: travel insurance for travelers and for golfers. While its policies differ by state, you can find all the information you need in this review.

• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Up to 120 days' coverage available for travelers ages 79 and under (30 days for 80+)
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Up to $2,500 per person for missed connections over three hours or more
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Trip delay coverage of up to $150 per person per day kicks in after six hours or more
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Policy can be purchased by U.S. citizens living abroad
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Medical coverage ceiling of $100,000 may be low for some travelers' needs.
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Claims reviews from customers say performance is not always the best
• A well-rounded insurance plan for travelers who are concerned about missing connections for cruise-related travel
• Classic and Basic travel insurance plans
• GolfSafe travel insurance plans provide coverage for you and your equipment
• Travel medical insurance through partner Trawick International

TravelSafe Travel Insurance Review: Types of Policies Offered

TravelSafe has two main policies for those seeking travel insurance: travel insurance for stateside and international travelers and travel insurance for those who are planning golf trips. For each policy type, travelers can choose between classic and basic coverage. And golfers can choose between GolfSafe Secure and GolfSafe Secure Plus.

Here's how the two TravelSafe travel insurance plans stack up in terms of what's included and coverage limits:

TravelSafe also offers specific golf insurance plans, which is something incredibly unique among travel insurance companies. If you're an avid golfer, purchasing golfing insurance will cover things like lost holes, something regular travel insurance won't.

Ensure you check your state's particular benefits, but TravelSafe's golf insurance plan benefits are as follows:

Additional coverage options from TravelSafe

If you're concerned about getting sick on your trip, you can purchase travel medical insurance with TravelSafe (partnering with Trawick International ). You can purchase up to 180 days of coverage. As part of this package, you can choose your deductible, policy maximums, and primary or excess coverage.

TravelSafe Travel Insurance Cost

The short answer is it depends.

A domestic trip that costs you approximately $2,500 will be around $100 for a single traveler for the TravelSafe Basic plan and $130 for the Classic plan.

But if you're traveling internationally, the cost will be more. A trip that covers multiple countries for two weeks and costs approximately $5,000 will cost you $200 for the Basic plan and $265 for the Classic plan. These premiums are in line with the average cost of travel insurance, which will generally be between 4-8% of the total trip cost.

How to File a Claim with TravelSafe

You have several options if you need to file a claim for TravelSafe .

If you need emergency help, you can call their toll-free numbers below.

Toll-free (US-only) 1-877-539-6729

Direct 1-727-475-2808

If you're international, call the following toll-free number: 1-866-509-7713

Learn more about how TravelSafe travel insurance compares against top insurers. 

TravelSafe Travel Insurance vs Faye Travel Insurance

Faye is a completely digital travel insurance company. Unlike TravelSafe , Faye completely covers all cruise travel. Faye doesn't cover golf trips as TravelSafe does. They have similar amounts of coverage, but Faye is about $20 cheaper for its comparable international plans.

Faye covers your trip, your health, and your belongings just like TravelSafe does. But with Faye, you can add different things that meet your needs, like car rental, extreme sports, and pet care.

Read more: Faye travel insurance review

TravelSafe Travel Insurance vs World Nomads Travel Insurance

TravelSafe is an excellent option if you're traveling and participating in regular activities, like trying different foods and basic activities, like taking a train to places. But if you want to do extreme sports, it might not be the right coverage for you. Instead, consider getting a travel insurance plan like World Nomads . World Nomads covers over 100 different extreme sports, and you can specifically add on different sports that you want to try. It's a better coverage insurance plan for someone who's a little bit more adventurous.

That said, if you're only planning on doing a specific activity, like golfing, TravelSafe has a plan for you. They cover golfing trips specifically with more coverage than World Nomads.

Read more: World Nomads travel insurance review

TravelSafe vs Credit Card Travel Insurance

Some credit cards, especially travel rewards cards, come with travel benefits such as primary rental car insurance for your vehicle if you decide to rent one. However, travel insurance is generally more comprehensive than credit card coverage. For example, TravelSafe offers benefits like death and dismemberment coverage; credit cards don't typically cover this benefit.

However, you can use both your credit card benefits and your travel insurance to get the fullest coverage possible.

Best Credit Cards with Travel Insurance

Why You Should Trust Us: How We Reviewed TravelSafe

For this review, we made sure to include the most updated information and pulled real-time quotes from TravelSafe's website. We compared two different companies that had similar coverage to TravelSafe to ensure the best review possible. We only included reputable plans. And we looked at factors like what's covered, policy limits, and coverage options.

Editorial Note: Any opinions, analyses, reviews, or recommendations expressed in this article are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any card issuer. Read our editorial standards .

Please note: While the offers mentioned above are accurate at the time of publication, they're subject to change at any time and may have changed, or may no longer be available.

**Enrollment required.

• Main content

How to travel safely and responsibly in 2022 and beyond

Wondering how to travel safely during COVID-19? Many of us are longing to travel again, but only if we can do so safely and responsibly.

We’ve put a lot of thought into the safest ways to take a vacation right now. And we plan to continually update this post with safe travel ideas and tips, as travel restrictions change and Coronavirus travel advice evolves.

In this post, we cover: – Safety tips to help you travel again during COVID-19 – Safe trip ideas for 2022 travel in the United States – What to pack for pandemic travel – Places to visit and travel restriction resources by destination 

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through one of our links, we may receive a small commission, at no additional cost to you.

Table of Contents

How to travel safely and responsibly right now

Step one: Follow CDC travel guidelines

You should already know and practice hand washing, physical distancing, and wearing of face coverings in public.

Responsible travel right now also means being as self-contained as possible to avoid unnecessary interactions or depletion of supplies in the communities you enter. For this reason, consider bringing your own food and supplies when possible.

Be sure to research and obey local restrictions, especially when visiting a destination outside of your home community. Infection rates, hospital capacity, and testing vary widely. Some communities may not have adequate resources in case of an outbreak.

Please respect if a city, State, or county is discouraging non-essential travel.

The following travel activities are ranked on a scale of 1 to 10 by infectious disease experts according to risk of exposure to the virus (first number from Fall 2020 * , second italicized numbers for fully vaccinated people as of April 2021 * ):

Low Risk: – Going camping (2, 1 ) – Getting restaurant take-out (2, 1 ) – Pumping gas (2) – Grocery shopping (3, 1.4 ) – Going for a walk with others (3) Moderate risk: – Staying at a hotel for 2 nights (4) – Going to a beach (5) – Swimming (6) High risk: – Eating inside a restaurant (7, 3.6 ) – Playing contact sports (7) – Traveling by plane (7, 2.7 ) – Going to an amusement park (8) – Attending a large event (9) – Going to a bar (9)

Consequently, we’ll focus on local camping road trips and staycations as the best way to travel safely right now .

Safe trip ideas

After researching safe travel ideas during Covid, we came up with three trip recommendations. These trip ideas were chosen because they:

• Avoid exposure to crowds and public spaces in transit
• Allow you to cook your own meals or order take out, like you would at home
• Avoid being in vehicles with others outside your group
• Let you control who and what enters your living space
• Provide access to no-contact activities like hiking, scenic drives, and lounging

1. Take an RV Road Trip

Camping or taking a road trip in an RV allows you to social distance and be self-contained as you travel. With your own kitchen, you have control over what comes in and out of your space, just like at home. And with your own bathroom facilities, you can avoid using public restrooms. 

The only difference from staying home vs. a socially distanced RV road trip is that you’ll need to fuel up with gas. By wearing a face mask, watching what you touch at the gas station, and washing hands or using hand sanitizer, this risk can be minimized fairly easily.

Whether you’re driving to reach a destination without airport crowds, or choosing a single stop for a staycation near home, an RV road trip is a great way to get a change of scenery while still maintaining your home safety routines.

Read: How to rent an RV (for beginners)

Outdoorsy is like Airbnb for RVs. It’s where RV owners rent out their RVs when they’re not using them.

If you’ve always wanted to try out a motorhome, or want to upgrade your National Parks road trip with a cute Airstream, consider renting through Outdoorsy. Their customer service and reviews have outranked the other top RV rental companies. You can search listings by vehicle type and location. Some owners will even deliver the motorhome to your door! *Take $50 off your Outdoorsy rental with coupon code: intentional

Browse and book RVs, motorhomes, trailers, and campervans on Outdoorsy here

2. Escape with No-Contact Tent Camping

Camping is rated one of the lowest risk travel activities for Coronavirus transmission. Being outdoors with plenty of space not only limits exposure but it’s good for the soul.

With a little prep, you can bring food to cook your own meals. See our camping road trip packing checklist .

But what about using public restrooms when camping? If you don’t have an RV with self-contained bathroom facilities, the essential business of “eliminating waste” becomes your greatest exposure to indoor, pubic facilities where you may need to touch doors, faucets, etc. 

By adding a few new camping items, it’s possible to avoid public bathrooms on your camping trip.

See our socially distanced, no-contact camping packing list for the pandemic

3. Staycation in a Vacation Rental

With vacation rentals like Airbnb, you can book an entire guest house or apartment. This way, you can keep similar safety practices that you have at home. For example, you can cook at your vacation home, ordering take out or curbside grocery pick up for meals.

You can book your getaway within driving distance from home, or along the route of a socially distanced road trip. Staying near home is a great way to enjoy a change of scenery while avoiding crowds in airports.

Compared to a hotel stay, you’re like to have fewer interactions with staff or other travelers when renting a vacation home.

Read: What safety precautions to take when renting an Airbnb

What to pack for safe, responsible trips

😷 Face Masks  – Cloth face coverings are required in public places. Find N95 masks at Bona Fide >  or  designer options at Vida >

🧴 Hand sanitizer  – Bring enough for your entire trip, as alcohol-based hand sanitizer can be in short supply. Shop hand sanitizer >

💊 Medicine  – Bring enough prescription and over-the-counter medication for your entire trip to avoid trips to the clinic.

💳 Vaccine Card Holder  – Protect that paper CDC card when traveling abroad (if your country doesn’t offer a digital version). Get a simple plastic protector >   or  Vegan leather clippable >  or  Leather passport + card combo holder >

👃 Covid self-test  – The most studied rapid antigen self-test with FDA emergency authorization.  NOT  valid to enter countries. Use for your own peace of mind. Order from CVS >  or  Walmart >

✈️ Travel insurance that covers Covid – We’ve started using Nomad Insurance by Safety Wing for affordable evacuation, international medical, and trip coverage.

Travel restrictions by destination

As travel restrictions change around the world, we’re tracking the travel guidelines for specific destinations in an effort to help you make informed decisions about where to travel and when.

Vietnam travel requirements 2024: What travelers need to know

Japan travel requirements 2024: what travelers need to know, ecuador travel requirements 2024: what travelers need to know, philippines travel requirements 2024: what travelers need to know, thailand travel requirements 2024: what travelers need to know, hawaii travel requirements 2024: what travelers need to know, italy travel requirements 2024: what travelers need to know, croatia travel requirements 2024: what travelers need to know, jamaica travel requirements 2024: what travelers need to know, merida mexico travel requirements 2024: what travelers need to know, oregon travel requirements 2024: what travelers need to know, canada travel requirements 2024: what travelers need to know.

Let us know in the comments below what questions or ideas you have for traveling safely during Covid-19.

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• COVID-19 travel advice

Considering travel during the pandemic? Take precautions to protect yourself from COVID-19.

A coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine can prevent you from getting COVID-19 or from becoming seriously ill due to COVID-19 . But even if you're vaccinated, it's still a good idea to take precautions to protect yourself and others while traveling during the COVID-19 pandemic.

If you've had all recommended COVID-19 vaccine doses, including boosters, you're less likely to become seriously ill or spread COVID-19 . You can then travel more safely within the U.S. and internationally. But international travel can still increase your risk of getting new COVID-19 variants.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that you should avoid travel until you've had all recommended COVID-19 vaccine and booster doses.

Before you travel

As you think about making travel plans, consider these questions:

• Have you been vaccinated against COVID-19 ? If you haven't, get vaccinated. If the vaccine requires two doses, wait two weeks after getting your second vaccine dose to travel. If the vaccine requires one dose, wait two weeks after getting the vaccine to travel. It takes time for your body to build protection after any vaccination.
• Have you had any booster doses? Having all recommended COVID-19 vaccine doses, including boosters, increases your protection from serious illness.
• Are you at increased risk for severe illness? Anyone can get COVID-19 . But older adults and people of any age with certain medical conditions are at increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19 .
• Do you live with someone who's at increased risk for severe illness? If you get infected while traveling, you can spread the COVID-19 virus to the people you live with when you return, even if you don't have symptoms.
• Does your home or destination have requirements or restrictions for travelers? Even if you've had all recommended vaccine doses, you must follow local, state and federal testing and travel rules.

Check local requirements, restrictions and situations

Some state, local and territorial governments have requirements, such as requiring people to wear masks, get tested, be vaccinated or stay isolated for a period of time after arrival. Before you go, check for requirements at your destination and anywhere you might stop along the way.

Keep in mind these can change often and quickly depending on local conditions. It's also important to understand that the COVID-19 situation, such as the level of spread and presence of variants, varies in each country. Check back for updates as your trip gets closer.

Travel and testing

For vaccinated people.

If you have been fully vaccinated, the CDC states that you don't need to get tested before or after your trip within the U.S. or stay home (quarantine) after you return.

If you're planning to travel internationally outside the U.S., the CDC states you don't need to get tested before your trip unless it's required at your destination. Before arriving to the U.S., you need a negative test within the last day before your arrival or a record of recovery from COVID-19 in the last three months.

After you arrive in the U.S., the CDC recommends getting tested with a viral test 3 to 5 days after your trip. If you're traveling to the U.S. and you aren't a citizen, you need to be fully vaccinated and have proof of vaccination.

You don't need to quarantine when you arrive in the U.S. But check for any symptoms. Stay at home if you develop symptoms.

For unvaccinated people

Testing before and after travel can lower the risk of spreading the virus that causes COVID-19 . If you haven't been vaccinated, the CDC recommends getting a viral test within three days before your trip. Delay travel if you're waiting for test results. Keep a copy of your results with you when you travel.

Repeat the test 3 to 5 days after your trip. Stay home for five days after travel.

If at any point you test positive for the virus that causes COVID-19 , stay home. Stay at home and away from others if you develop symptoms. Follow public health recommendations.

Stay safe when you travel

In the U.S., you must wear a face mask on planes, buses, trains and other forms of public transportation. The mask must fit snugly and cover both your mouth and nose.

Follow these steps to protect yourself and others when you travel:

• Get vaccinated.
• Keep distance between yourself and others (within about 6 feet, or 2 meters) when you're in indoor public spaces if you're not fully vaccinated. This is especially important if you have a higher risk of serious illness.
• Avoid contact with anyone who is sick or has symptoms.
• Avoid crowds and indoor places that have poor air flow (ventilation).
• Don't touch frequently touched surfaces, such as handrails, elevator buttons and kiosks. If you must touch these surfaces, use hand sanitizer or wash your hands afterward.
• Wear a face mask in indoor public spaces. The CDC recommends wearing the most protective mask possible that you'll wear regularly and that fits. If you are in an area with a high number of new COVID-19 cases, wear a mask in indoor public places and outdoors in crowded areas or when you're in close contact with people who aren't vaccinated.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
• Cover coughs and sneezes.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
• If soap and water aren't available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub your hands together until they feel dry.
• Don't eat or drink on public transportation. That way you can keep your mask on the whole time.

Because of the high air flow and air filter efficiency on airplanes, most viruses such as the COVID-19 virus don't spread easily on flights. Wearing masks on planes has likely helped lower the risk of getting the COVID-19 virus on flights too.

However, air travel involves spending time in security lines and airport terminals, which can bring you in close contact with other people. Getting vaccinated and wearing a mask when traveling can help protect you from COVID-19 while traveling.

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has increased cleaning and disinfecting of surfaces and equipment, including bins, at screening checkpoints. TSA has also made changes to the screening process:

• Travelers must wear masks during screening. However, TSA employees may ask travelers to adjust masks for identification purposes.
• Travelers should keep a distance of 6 feet apart from other travelers when possible.
• Instead of handing boarding passes to TSA officers, travelers should place passes (paper or electronic) directly on the scanner and then hold them up for inspection.
• Each traveler may have one container of hand sanitizer up to 12 ounces (about 350 milliliters) in a carry-on bag. These containers will need to be taken out for screening.
• Personal items such as keys, wallets and phones should be placed in carry-on bags instead of bins. This reduces the handling of these items during screening.
• Food items should be carried in a plastic bag and placed in a bin for screening. Separating food from carry-on bags lessens the likelihood that screeners will need to open bags for inspection.

Be sure to wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds directly before and after going through screening.

Public transportation

If you travel by bus or train and you aren't vaccinated, be aware that sitting or standing within 6 feet (2 meters) of others for a long period can put you at higher risk of getting or spreading COVID-19 . Follow the precautions described above for protecting yourself during travel.

Even if you fly, you may need transportation once you arrive at your destination. You can search car rental options and their cleaning policies on the internet. If you plan to stay at a hotel, check into shuttle service availability.

If you'll be using public transportation and you aren't vaccinated, continue physical distancing and wearing a mask after reaching your destination.

Hotels and other lodging

The hotel industry knows that travelers are concerned about COVID-19 and safety. Check any major hotel's website for information about how it's protecting guests and staff. Some best practices include:

• Enhanced cleaning procedures
• Physical distancing recommendations indoors for people who aren't vaccinated
• Mask-wearing and regular hand-washing by staff
• Mask-wearing indoors for guests in public places in areas that have high cases of COVID-19
• Vaccine recommendations for staff
• Isolation and testing guidelines for staff who've been exposed to COVID-19
• Contactless payment
• Set of rules in case a guest becomes ill, such as closing the room for cleaning and disinfecting
• Indoor air quality measures, such as regular system and air filter maintenance, and suggestions to add air cleaners that can filter viruses and bacteria from the air

Vacation rentals, too, are enhancing their cleaning procedures. They're committed to following public health guidelines, such as using masks and gloves when cleaning, and building in a waiting period between guests.

Make a packing list

When it's time to pack for your trip, grab any medications you may need on your trip and these essential safe-travel supplies:

• Alcohol-based hand sanitizer (at least 60% alcohol)
• Disinfectant wipes (at least 70% alcohol)
• Thermometer

Considerations for people at increased risk

Anyone can get very ill from the virus that causes COVID-19 . But older adults and people of any age with certain medical conditions are at increased risk for severe illness. This may include people with cancer, serious heart problems and a weakened immune system. Getting the recommended COVID-19 vaccine and booster doses can help lower your risk of being severely ill from COVID-19 .

Travel increases your chance of getting and spreading COVID-19 . If you're unvaccinated, staying home is the best way to protect yourself and others from COVID-19 . If you must travel and aren't vaccinated, talk with your health care provider and ask about any additional precautions you may need to take.

Remember safety first

Even the most detailed and organized plans may need to be set aside when someone gets ill. Stay home if you or any of your travel companions:

• Have signs or symptoms, are sick or think you have COVID-19
• Are waiting for results of a COVID-19 test
• Have been diagnosed with COVID-19
• Have had close contact with someone with COVID-19 in the past five days and you're not up to date with your COVID-19 vaccines

If you've had close contact with someone with COVID-19 , get tested after at least five days. Wait to travel until you have a negative test. Wear a mask if you travel up to 10 days after you've had close contact with someone with COVID-19 .

• How to protect yourself and others. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/prevention.html. Accessed Feb. 4, 2022.
• Domestic travel during COVID-19. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/travel-during-covid19.html. Accessed Feb. 4, 2022.
• Requirement for face masks on public transportation conveyances and at transportation hubs. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/face-masks-public-transportation.html. Accessed Feb. 4, 2022.
• International travel. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/international-travel/index.html. Accessed Feb. 4, 2022.
• U.S citizens, U.S. nationals, U.S. lawful permanent residents, and immigrants: Travel to and from the United States. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/international-travel-during-covid19.html. Accessed Feb. 4, 2022.
• Non-US. citizen, non-U.S. immigrants: Air travel to the United States. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/noncitizens-US-air-travel.html. Accessed Feb. 4, 2022.
• People with certain medical conditions. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/need-extra-precautions/people-with-medical-conditions.html. Accessed Feb. 4, 2022.
• Stay up to date with your vaccines. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/stay-up-to-date.html. Accessed Feb. 4, 2022.
• Pack smart. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/page/pack-smart. Accessed Feb. 4, 2022.
• Travel: Frequently asked questions. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/faqs.html. Accessed Feb. 7, 2022.
• Coronavirus (COVID-19) information. Transportation Security Administration. https://www.tsa.gov/coronavirus. Accessed Feb. 7, 2022.
• WHO advice for international traffic in relation to the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant (B.1.1.529). World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/news-room/articles-detail/who-advice-for-international-traffic-in-relation-to-the-sars-cov-2-omicron-variant. Accessed Feb. 7, 2022.
• VRHP/VRMA Cleaning guidelines for COVID-19. Vacation Rental Management Association. https://www.vrma.org/page/vrhp/vrma-cleaning-guidelines-for-covid-19. Accessed Feb. 7, 2022.
• Safe stay. American Hotel & Lodging Association. https://www.ahla.com/safestay. Accessed Feb. 7, 2022.
• Khatib AN, et al. COVID-19 transmission and the safety of air travel during the pandemic: A scoping review. Current Opinion in Infectious Diseases. 2021; doi:10.1097/QCO.0000000000000771.

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U.S. travel resources

• Check CDC recommendations for travel within the U.S.
• Review testing requirements for travel to the U.S.
• Look up restrictions at your destination .
• Review airport security measures .

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10 ways to stay safe no matter where you’re traveling

Mar 31, 2023 • 4 min read

Safety and adventure aren’t mutually exclusive. These 10 tips can help you avoid almost any setback © AnemStyle / Shutterstock

Sponsored by

Travel always involves a bit of uncertainty. And there will always be location-specific warnings to observe depending on where you’re going. The good news is there are several proven precautions you can take ahead of time and while traveling to stay safe and navigate any unexpected catastrophes when away from home.

Here are 10 tried-and-true methods to dodge danger and maximize your enjoyment of practically any destination. Remember, safety and adventure aren’t mutually exclusive. And feeling anxious is totally natural. Either way, you got this!

Before you leave

• Check local advisories. Traveling to Iowa comes with a different set of risks than, say, traveling to Africa. The same is true when traveling to Europe, Latin America, Asia, or to any specific country within every continent, let alone specific regions that demand their own precautions. For the latest information, if you’re traveling from the US check the State Dept website , as well as local news reports, and travel guides to your specific destination.
• Get your shots (where needed). Not every location demands special immunizations before visiting. But many of them do, especially less developed countries and continents. What’s more, the pandemic made things a lot more complicated, as certain countries drop or maintain proof of vaccination before entering. Either way, if you’re in the US check with the CDC for any destination-specific shots you might need before boarding your flight.
• Share your plans with emergency contacts. Doing so can be a simple but life-saving act, especially when traveling off-grid, on high adventure trips, or in more dangerous destinations. Tell your friends and loved ones when and where you’re going, what you’re doing, where you’re staying, how you’re traveling, and how they can get in touch with you should anything come up.

• Know common scams. In many countries, individuals might feign assistance and incessantly follow you, only to later demand payment for their unsolicited help. Others might wow you with offers that are too good to be true, work in teams to distract you and take your goods, or worse. Many travel advisories will include this information, but some extra online searches can go a long way to expose and help you avoid any harm to your wallet and/or your safety.
• Get travel insurance. If you really want to cover your bases while abroad, you’ll want travel insurance, such as that offered by Seven Corners . Doing so can help recoup your money if you need to cancel a trip (or your flight is delayed) and cover the cost of treating medical emergencies while traveling, including care at foreign hospitals and medical evacuation, lost bags, early returns home, and many other unexpected mishaps.

While traveling

• Know your limits. Feeling nervous before traveling somewhere new is normal. But if you’re feeling downright sick about your plans, you’ve probably bitten off more than you can chew. The best pre-test of an experience is whether you’re still excited about it, even if it’s something you’ve never done before. After you arrive, however, be sure to listen to your mind and body and back out of anything you’re not comfortable with.
• Eat and drink like your life depends on it. This is especially true on high adventure trips. Dehydration is easily preventable but amazingly one of the leading causes of illness while traveling abroad. So, drink more water than you think, plan for regular bathroom breaks, and stay away from street vendors unless you’re certain they’re free from food poison.

• Secure your valuables. It’s always important to protect your personal property, be it in parked rental cars, beach bags, or wallets and phones in your usually secure pockets. Again, travel advisories will often alert you to higher areas of petty theft but be on the extra lookout when traveling someplace new.
• Avoid getting too close to wildlife (or the edge of a cliff). Many years ago, an American college student was sadly (but unsurprisingly) eaten by a lion after sticking her head out of a car window while at Lion Park in Johannesburg, South Africa. Others become seriously sick after licking psychedelic toads in Sonora. And far too many tourists have fallen to their deaths while snapping selfies at the ends of a cliff. Don’t do it. No photo is worth your life or good health.
• Stay alert. Be on the lookout. If you’re not sure about something, step inside a public building, follow the crowd, and trust your gut, especially if you find yourself in unfamiliar surroundings or cultures. Although you may be tempted to “travel like a local,” don’t do it. You’re probably not as experienced as they are and that’s okay. Instead, travel like a respectful tourist and accept that you don’t know everything. Doing so will keep you safe.

Despite what the news will sometimes have you believe, the world is a safer than it has ever been. Yes, there are risks. But when traveling, these 10 tips can help you avoid almost any setback. Bon voyage!

Sponsored by Seven Corners

As a travel entertainment and inspirational media outlet, we sometimes incorporate brand sponsors into our efforts. This activity is clearly labeled across our platforms.

This story was crafted collaboratively between Seven Corners and Lonely Planet. Both parties provided research and curated content to produce this story. We disclose when information isn’t ours.

With sponsored content, both Lonely Planet and our brand partners have specific responsibilities:

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Determines the concept, provides briefing, research material, and may provide feedback.

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How to Find Out if a Destination Is Safe for Travel

Many or all of the products featured here are from our partners who compensate us. This influences which products we write about and where and how the product appears on a page. However, this does not influence our evaluations. Our opinions are our own. Here is a list of our partners and here's how we make money .

If you’re planning a trip and want to know if the destination is safe to visit, there are so many resources at your disposal to help you decide. As someone who has traveled full time as a digital nomad for three years, I’ve come to rely on a few useful sources for gathering destination safety and trip advice. Here are some simple steps you can take to check safety information for your upcoming trip.

1. Check U.S. government websites for COVID guidelines and other info

Familiarizing yourself with the latest COVID-19 guidelines posted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is a good first move. Also check the COVID-19 FAQ page on the U.S. Embassy websites for the country you’re traveling to so that you’re up to date with the country’s entry requirements. Unfortunately, entry requirements can change , so don’t get caught off guard if a new quarantine or test rule pops up .

In addition, the U.S. Department of State travel advisories page lets you search the country you’re traveling to so that you can see the latest travel alerts. The advisories can be particularly useful if you’re going to a destination that is known to be risky, as it can tell you which regions should be avoided and why.

2. Join Facebook groups for travelers and digital nomads

Facebook groups are another great resource for finding information on the destination you plan on visiting. Region-specific information, including safety, can be found in expat or digital nomad groups related to the city or country you’re headed to. If your destination is obscure, look for general digital nomad groups or groups specifically dedicated to solo travel.

These groups often have thousands of members, and you can use the search feature in the group by typing in your destination to see if anyone has asked for the same information. Some of the groups are private and some are public, so you may need to join before you can search or make your own post. In addition, if you’re traveling solo and want to meet others who are living in or traveling to your intended destination, posting in these groups is a great way to connect with other travelers, especially if you’re nervous about traveling.

For example, if you’re thinking about going to Medellin, Colombia, and want to know safety information and travel tips, join the Digital Nomads Medellin Facebook group to ask your questions.

» Learn more: 8 safety tips for solo female travel

3. Leverage your existing online and offline communities

Taking stock of your existing community is another great way to find information about your destination. You can make a post on Facebook or Twitter and ask for advice. Maybe one of your followers has recently returned from a vacation in that country or maybe another friend did study abroad or moved there temporarily for work. If Instagram is more of your thing, post an Instagram story that you’re planning a trip to a specific area and are looking for safety and general advice.

Another great way to leverage your community is to use the search feature on Facebook. Using the above example of a trip to Medellin, in the Facebook search field, type “my friends who live in Medellin” and you will see a list of Facebook friends who live there. You may end up reconnecting with old friends or getting lots of helpful advice from a community you didn’t even know you had. Even if you think you may not know anyone who has traveled to wherever you’re headed, it is worth the small effort to check because that connection could be a wealth of knowledge.

Of course, there is also the old-fashioned way of asking your friends, family, classmates or coworkers if they’ve ever traveled to where you’re heading. It is easy to forget how many people we actually know and could ask for travel advice.

4. Read relevant blog articles

Reading blog articles for your intended destination could also provide a lot of useful travel advice and safety information. Again, using the Medellin trip as an example, head over to your favorite search engine and type, “Is Medellin safe?” and you will see pages of results discussing the safety information. In addition, you’ll find helpful tips (e.g., which areas are safe, how to get around, the best things to do, areas to stay in).

Not every article is going to give you the information you need, so take time to read through a few of them so you get an overall picture of the safety situation of where you’re headed. The more quality sources you have, the more accurate picture you’ll be able to get of the situation.

Bonus tip: Consider travel insurance

Once you decide to book your trip, consider whether you need travel insurance. Some benefits, like Cancel For Any Reason, or CFAR , need to be purchased on or near the date when you make your trip payment, so you want to start thinking about travel insurance sooner than later. Whether you’re going to use the travel insurance provided by your credit card or will purchase a standalone policy, you have many options to choose from. Traveling carries a certain element of uncertainty, and protecting yourself with trip insurance is a great safety net to protect against a wide range of issues, including lost or stolen luggage, rental car problems and medical emergencies.

» Learn more: How to find the best travel insurance

Best ways to find safety information for your destination

From leveraging your existing Instagram or Twitter community to joining Facebook groups and reading articles specifically related to trip advice, you can find so much information on travel safety.

When you’re in trip-planning mode, consider your travel insurance options, check the CDC guidelines, U.S. Department of State travel advisories and read the latest COVID notices posted on the website of the country you’re going to (or its U.S. Embassy site) so that you’re up to date on the latest information. And be sure to tap into the power of social media and your own circle of friends to get even more information.

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are our picks for the best travel credit cards of 2024 , including those best for:

Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

No annual fee:   Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

Flat-rate travel rewards:  Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card  

Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express

Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

on Chase's website

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Home » Gear » What Is The Best Portable Travel Safe? Find a Safe for Beaches, Hotels & Busses

What Is The Best Portable Travel Safe? Find a Safe for Beaches, Hotels & Busses

Good luck getting home without your passport. Your typical bank safes will qualify for more than a few oversized bag surcharges at check-in, but that doesn’t mean you should travel without protection.

Whatever is important enough for you to pack and bring with you on a trip is valuable enough to someone out there, and opportunistic criminals have learned to look for large backpacks and foreign accents as easy targets.

Hopefully, you’ve learned the basics. Never take your eyes off your luggage and don’t fall asleep on night busses. Bringing along a portable travel safe will help take your safety a step further.

Whether you’re looking for something that keeps your valuables more secure while on your person or while packed away in your hotel room, portable travel safes are a great way to go the extra mile and make sure that everything that starts your trip makes it home with you at the end.

Don’t entrust your passport and wallet to any old lock and key. We’ll show you some of the best portable safe technology on the market so you can get a better idea of what these handy tools can do.

There are safes out there for all sorts of environments, so it’s up to you to find the best way to secure your valuables. These soft and packable containers are easy to pack but hard to access and will help you out whether you’re heading to the neighborhood zoo or Zambia.

In A Hurry? These are the best portable travel safes.

#1 – best portable travel safe –  pacsafe 12 liter, #2 – best small portable travel box –  trova go, #3 – best beach lockbox –  safego  , #4 – best steel mesh travel safe –  pacsafe 55l backpack protector, #5 – best laptop travel safe –  pacsafe x15, #6 – best fireproof travel safe –  bluepower file folder, #7 – best camping safe box –  keep safe lock box, #8 – best disguised travel safe –  demeras mini book, #9 – best travel jewelry box – amazon basics portable security case lock box safe, #10 – best safe backpack –  venturesafe x12 anti-theft pack.

Pacsafe 12 Liter

• > Packs flat
• > Knife-proof

• > Fits in a pocket
• > Seals odor

• > Affordable and durable
• > Allows earphone access

Pacsafe 55L Backpack Protector

• > Highly adjustable
• > Locks up your entire backpack

Pacsafe X15

• > Can be used as a carry-on bag
• > Fits two laptops

BluePower File Folder

• > Expands to hold electronics
• > Five layers of lightweight protection

Keep Safe Lock Box

• > Simple locking mechanism
• > Lightweight

Demeras Mini Book

• > Fits phones and travel documents
• > Comes with two keys

Amazon Safe Box

• > Steel tethering cable
• > Easy to use combination lock

Venturesafe X12 Anti-Theft Pack

• > Reinforced zippers
• > Honeycomb mesh is cut-proof

What Is a Portable Travel Safe?

Why use a portable travel safe, where to use a portable travel safe, what are the different kinds of portable travel safes, what size of portable travel safe is best, what is the best portable travel safe, final thoughts.

A travel safe is exactly what it sounds like. Through different techniques and methods, these portable safes allow you to securely lock and store your valuables wherever the journey takes you.

All styles of locking mechanisms, sizes, and security levels will come with a portable travel safe, so you can be sure to find the protection that works best for your adventures.

Just because these tools are called safes doesn’t mean you have to carry a bulky, heavy lockbox with you on your next trip. The latest portable travel safe iterations have flexible steel, mesh, and plenty of packable features.

Whether you want something to stow away in a hotel room, something you can keep with you at all times, or an entire bag that doubles as a lockbox, a portable travel safe that can fit in your luggage is an easy way to feel peace of mind and protect your valuables. Many travellers simply don’t think to be invest in a portable travel safe making them a great idea for a gift for backpackers.

It’s in the name! The only way to be 100% sure none of your valuables are going to be stolen is to stay at home, but a portable travel safe is a close second. Some hotels and hostels will offer a lockbox or valuables storage, but we can’t always count on that. 

Even if your destination comes with a Döttling Narcissus luxury safe,  portable travel safes will help make sure your valuables survive your travel days. These safes go beyond theft protection to offer water, wind, and fireproof places to store your goods.

Solo travelers can use portable safes to lock their gear down when it’s time for a bathroom break or finally feel comfortable falling asleep on the bus.

The list goes on and on.

If you’re lucky enough to ask this question, you may have never experienced a worst-case scenario of theft while traveling. At home or abroad, robbery can leave you stranded on the side of the road with nothing but an overwhelming sense of dread.

It may be tough to wrap your head around the necessity of keeping your valuables safe, but we highly recommend not waiting around until you’ve felt this hopelessness to invest in protection. There is no product out there that can prevent criminals from being criminals, but there is simply no situation where a portable travel safe won’t help make your valuables more secure. 

Whether your portable safe accompanies you through a bus ride, beach trip, or extended stay, you’ll hopefully never come across a situation where it’s necessary. If the worst happens, a good lockbox will make all the difference in the world.

You can use a portable travel safe wherever the road takes you. Lightweight and portable safes come small enough to stow your car keys before a day at the beach, and super tough aluminum shells let you keep your passport and credit cards locked away in your hotel room for days at a time.

Every safe on this list is suitable for use at beaches, hostel dorms, hotels, camping, and when boarding busses, trains or Tuk-Tuks. Depending on your needs, you’ll find a travel safe that locks down your larger backpack or a smaller device that holds a few essential documents.

Often made out of stainless steel or aluminum alloy, wire mesh technology is what made portable travel safes accessible to modern travelers. This lightweight mesh can wrap around your already existing bag and connect it to any fixture in your hotel room or any solid picnic table/beach chair while out and about.

Wire Mesh is used in all sorts of portable travel safes to connect the lockbox to any immovable object. Some safes take things a step further by offering a wire mesh exterior to wrap around your valuables, thus making any bag a travel safe.

Most famously created by Pacsafe, Travel Safe Bags feature anti-theft zippers, RFID blocking pockets, and numerous security features scattered throughout the packs. Some smaller bags come with one handle and use a mix of wire mesh and nylon wrapping to create a knife-proof shell that is light enough to carry in one hand. 

Other larger bags provide enough space to be used as carry-on or day bags with extra locking features. Any portable travel safe bag will include steel wire that allows you to easily attach the bag to any immovable object and lock down your valuables. 

These are a more traditional kind of portable travel safe. They are basically larger safes cut down and crafted out of lightweight materials that allow you to carry the boxes in your bag or pocket. Lockboxes typically don’t have enough space for you to protect every single item you travel with but are reserved for important documents, like your passport, wallet, keys, and cell phone. 

These boxes can be attached to larger fixtures with a lock to make sure they don’t go anywhere and also include a combination or key lock to open up. There are loads of varieties in lockboxes. You can find lockboxes with GPS tracking, carrying handles, and disguises. 

Different styles of travel safes are being invented every day. Modern travelers can find lockboxes explicitly designed for laptops, known as laptop cases, and document holders that can withstand wildfires and hurricanes.

Decide what it is you need to protect, and allow that to guide your search. You’ll be surprised at the variety in today’s travel safe market. 

First, ask yourself what you’ll be saving. 

Some barebones backpackers won’t be traveling with much more than the clothes on their backs, and those get funky fast. If you’re not too worried about someone running off with your dirty laundry, a small lockbox may be all you need to secure important documents in your hostel or hotel room. 

Other travelers, especially digital nomads, could be traveling with thousands of dollars of electronic equipment, most of which won’t fit in a typical lockbox. In this case, you’ll need a significantly more extensive travel safe.

If you want to protect your camera, laptop, and various gear, make sure you get a portable travel safe larger than your backpack, such as a wire mesh protector that will allow you to lock everything down with one key.

For those just looking to keep their keys and wallet secure while they head off on a surf or into the woods for a few days, a small lockbox will keep everything exactly where it needs to be without adding on extra pounds. 

The larger your lockbox, the more difficult it will be to transport, so think about what’s best for your particular nomadic lifestyle. 

The best portable travel safe is whatever best protects your valuables. 

What we’re saying is, the best travel safe for a hiker won’t be the best travel safe for a traveling photographer.  

That doesn’t mean there is no such thing as a lousy travel safe. Avoiding the pretenders and investing in a proper travel safe will save you money in the long run. 

An easily crackable travel safe is basically a box that says, “hey robbers, all the good stuff is right here.”

Best-in-class travel safes that have separated themselves from the pack by making sure no casual criminal can access your belongings as well as standing out as the best options for particular niches. 

Below, you’ll find industry-leading travel safes that have redefined peace of mind for traveling.

TBB amassed this list over thousands of hours of travel time and hundreds of close calls. Broke backpackers worldwide have entrusted their precious items to these portable travel safes and credit the technology packed into these protectors for getting home with everything in one piece. 

Here are the best travel safes for quick trips, long jaunts, and everything in between,  so you can find the perfect piece for peace of mind on your next trip.

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#1 – Best Portable Travel Safe – Pacsafe 12 Liter

Pacsafe 12 Liter is our top pick for best portable travel safe

• Dimensions: 1 x 13 x 20
• Lock Type: Combination
• Weight (lbs): 1.2
• Material: Polyurethane
• Price: $228

Reinforced in all the right places yet still flexible, you can safely pack 12 liters of valuables in this badass travel safe. We love how easily you can carry this protective shell without sacrificing safety. 

The lightweight exterior isn’t easy to crack, thanks to cut-resistant canvas fabric with a stainless steel wire webbing. Polyurethane works with this steel wire to create a completely malleable bag that will dispel any would-be thieves. 

They won’t be able to slice through the steel mesh wiring, and you can easily lock the bag across furniture and lamp posts to ensure your bag isn’t going anywhere. When not in use, the safe can lay flat and fit easily into your larger luggage. 

This Pacsafe lock comes in various sizes, everything from small locks capable of protecting your passport and essential documents to larger containers that can hold a laptop and camera equipment. 

• TSA-approved
• Knife-proof
• Largest size is only 12 L
• Lock is not bolt-cutter proof

#2 – Best Small Portable Travel Box – Trova GO

Our pick for best small portable travel box is Trova GO

• Dimensions: 6 x 3 x 1
• Lock Type: Bluetooth
• Weight (lbs): 1
• Material: Aluminum

We love that this travel safe can slide right into your pocket, and there is no way anyone is getting in here without permission. Hardly larger than a typical sunglasses case, the Trova GO is a perfect place to store your ID, credit cards, and valuable accouterments secure and close. 

Where this travel box really stands out is in its technical specs. 

The box communicates with a cellphone app that utilizes biometric authentication, powered by a battery. This authentication system means the only way inside the Trova go is through your cell phone, and more importantly, it enables GPS tracking. 

If someone takes off with your Trova Go, you’ll be able to track the device’s whereabouts for up to 73 days, and they’ll have little chance of busting open the aluminum alloy without your cell phone. 

The fact that there is no way to open up the Trova without a cell phone makes us a bit wary, as your cellphone has a higher risk of being stolen than anything else in your arsenal. Never store this lockbox and your cell phone in the same place. If both devices are stolen, all the GPS tracking in the world won’t make much of a difference. We recommend hooking up the Trova GO to an iPad or any device that doesn’t often see the front lines. 

While it’s not foolproof, this technologically advanced lockbox is really difficult to break through and provides excellent safety to small items. 

• Fits in a pocket
• Great mobility
• Difficult to open but easy to steal
• Too small to store a passport

#3 – Best Beach Lockbox – SafeGo  

Meet the best beach lockbox: SafeGo

• Dimensions: 7 x 4 x 7.5
• Lock Type: Combination, key
• Material: Alloy Steel

A crowded beach is a petty thief’s wet dream. Throngs of people throw their cell phones and wallets underneath their beach towels and wander off into the sea, leaving their valuables totally unprotected.

Depending on where you’re headed, you may be able to get away with taking a carefree splash, but if you risk it enough times, someone will eventually snatch up your day bag or flip-flops. 

Unless, of course, you bring the SafeGo with you.

This lightweight lockbox isn’t much bigger than a purse and comes with a built-in three-digit combination lock. You can store the big three (phone, keys, and wallet) as well as any other small electronic devices inside and easily hook up the steel cable to any immovable object. 

Lock up your keys to your car’s exterior before a surf or keep your passport locked to your hotel room’s desk and enjoy your day, knowing you’ll come back to everything in its right place. 

• Affordable and durable
• Can be connected to anything
• Allows earphone access
• Easy to carry off if not secured
• May be easy to crack with a screwdriver

#4 – Best Steel Mesh Travel Safe – Pacsafe 55L Backpack Protector

Pacsafe 55L Backpack Protector is one of the best steel mesh travel safe

• Dimensions: 5 x 4 x 2
• Lock Type: Snap
• Material: Stainless Steel

This handy wiring can turn any backpack into a travel safe. With capabilities up to 120 Weight (lbs), any backpacker can fit their entire contents inside this backpack protector, which then locks up to any sturdy furniture nearby. 

What’s so ingenious about this travel safe is its simplicity. You’re sure to have room in your luggage for this lightweight steel mesh, and you won’t have to change up any of your packing habits to make the piece work. The protector ships with a padlock and carrying case to keep things organized when not in use, and the wiring folds down to less than 6 inches when not in use. 

The utterly adjustable wiring can fit bags of all shapes and sizes. Simply slip your backpack inside the mesh wiring, tighten the straps, and loop the steel mesh around an immovable object. 

We recommend using your backpack’s rain cover or wrapping a blanket around your bag before you cover it in mesh, as the space between the stainless steel bands could allow thieves to access pockets if not correctly secured. 

It’s a simple and effective lockbox for securing your entire backpack, perfect before long bus rides or any transport where you won’t be close to your pack. 

• Highly adjustable
• Locks up your entire backpack
• Lightweight addition to your luggage
• Gaps in steel mesh
• Not ideal for smaller bags

#5 – Best Laptop Travel Safe – Pacsafe X15

Pacsafe X15 is our top pick for best laptop travel safe

• Dimensions: 7 x 13 x 15
• Weight (lbs): 1.7

Laptop bags come in all shapes and sized but few are theft proof. As you can see, Pacsafe is the number one name in travel security. The company has dreamed up travel safe’s big and small, all effective means of protecting the important things. The X15 is one of the largest travel safes the company offers and works surprisingly well as a portable safe capable of protecting all your valuables in the same location. 

The bag is protected by Pacsafe’s signature stainless steel wire mesh woven into a polyurethane canvas bag with an easy carrying handle and shoulder strap. An external wire mesh piece allows you to secure this bag to exteriors big and small, perfect for locking the bag to a chair while you run to the bathroom or your hotel room’s desk before a day of sightseeing.

The large size does open up some holes in security, as the bag can be knifed through easier than Packsafe’s smaller models. Treat this bag more like an incredibly secure carrying case than a safety deposit box.  

Inside the safe, there’s room for two laptops, cameras, cell phones, passports, jewelry, and anything else worth protecting. The bag can be used as a stand-alone laptop case with a shoulder strap and will fold flat when not in use. 

• Can be used as a carry-on bag
• Fits two laptops
• 5-year warranty
• Difficult to find
• Susceptible to wire cutters

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#6 – Best Fireproof Travel Safe – BluePower File Folder

Meet the best fireproof travel safe: BluePower File Folder

• Dimensions: 14 x 10 x 2
• Lock Type: None
• Weight (lbs): .4
• Material: Fiberglass

If Princess Leia didn’t have R2D2, she probably would have looked towards this file folder to keep the death star plans safe. Once it’s zipped up, your documents can handle flooding, explosions, and more. All of this protection is inside a casing that weighs less than a pound and can easily be tucked under flowing white robes.

This bag can handle some serious heat, capable of protecting important documents in temperatures up to 1000 degrees celsius. It’s not just for paperwork. The lightweight folder can hold jewelry, cash, tablets, and passports through floods, fire, and brimstone. 

This bag is best for those searching for protection from the elements more than criminals. It doesn’t ship with any locking mechanisms, but the carrying handle can easily be attached to a pair of handcuffs to lock around your wrists. It does ship with complete protection from fire, water, dust, and anything mother nature may throw at you. 

• Protected from the elements
• Expands to hold electronics
• Five layers of lightweight protection
• Does not ship with a lock
• Not the most reputable brand

#7 – Best Camping Safe Box – Keep Safe Lock Box

Our top pick for best camping safe box is Keep Safe Lock Box

• Dimensions: 7.87″x 6.30″x 3.54″
• Weight (lbs): ?1.88
• Material: Zinc Alloy
• Price: $19.99

This great, affordable option fits easily into your trunk or tent to keep everything safe at the campsite. Once you reach the campgrounds, you shouldn’t be using your cellphone, wallet, and keys anytime soon, and this convenient safe will allow you to store your valuables in a secure space and forget about them for a little while. 

A simple combination lock ensures there are no tiny keys to lose on the hike in. Do keep in mind that the thin metal won’t stand up against a bear attack. The good news is, as long as you don’t put any food in there, bears won’t spend much time trying to get at your wallet, and any human assailant will be quickly turned back by the reinforced lock and strong protections provided.  Get it added to your camping packing list.

• Works in the woods, beach, or gym
• Simple locking mechanism
• Lightweight
• Not Bear-proof
• Won’t fit an Ipad

#8 – Best Disguised Travel Safe – Demeras Mini Book

Demeras Mini Book is our pick for best disguised travel safe

• Dimensions: 7 x 5 x 2
• Lock Type: Key

The days of traveling with pocket guidebooks and dictionaries may be over, but still, most would-be thieve’s won’t think much about snatching up a new English dictionary. This clever safe takes the shape of a pocketbook and features a secret latch that reveals a small carrying space perfect for emergency cash, important documents, or passports. 

The light outer shell looks and feels like a regular book, but opening up the front cover reveals a stainless steel safe that criminals can’t access without a key. It even weighs less than an actual book, making sure you can fit it into all sorts of luggage. 

You can store your valuables in this dictionary and confidently leave the book in your hostel, knowing that no one has opened up a paper dictionary in years, and even if a suspicious customer does see through the ruse, the key is in your pocket. 

• Looks just like a book
• Fits phones and travel documents
• Comes with two keys
• If someone opens the cover, the jig is up
• Not large enough for a camera

#9 – Best Travel Jewelry Box – Amazon Basics Portable Security Case Lock Box Safe

Amazon Basics Portable Security Case Lock Box Safe is one of the best travel jewelry box

• Dimensions: 9.5″D x 6.5″W x 1.8″H
• Weight (lbs): 2.86
• Price: $21.47

The Amazon Basics Portable Security Case Lock Box Safe is the closest thing on our list to a traditional safe, serving up a lightweight lockbox that allows you to bring security with you on the road. A three-number combination protects jewelry, cash, or important documents and works great in your car or hotel room. 

Unlike a traditional safe, the box is lightweight and easy to move, but to combat that, Amazon added a steel tethering cable that quickly locks to any immovable object for a secure place for gold, silver, or passports. 

Some of the portable travel safes on our list are looking to redefine what a safe looks like, but this simple safe box just wants to make sure your valuables are secure. 

• Steel tethering cable
• Easy to use combination lock
• Fits a cell phone
• Not the most high-tech travel safe on the market

#10 – Best Safe Backpack – Venturesafe X12 Anti-Theft Pack

Venturesafe X12 Anti-Theft Pack is our top pick for best safe backpack

• Dimensions: 16 x 10 x 6
• Lock Type: N/A
• Weight (lbs): 1.5
• Price: $134

Why slip a safe into your backpack when you can have your entire backpack work as a portable travel safe? This Pacsafe bag allows you to travel with 12 liters of anti-theft design, all the way down to the interlocking zippers. 

The bag is made of lightweight steel mesh and polyurethane that promises to be relatively cut-proof without weighing half a ton. A detachable buckle runs along the mid-section and lets you lock your bag to any fixture. Whether you’re leaving for a few hours or a few minutes, you can secure this bag with ease. 

Inside the anti-theft backpack, you’ll find a laptop sleeve and mesh pocket. Exterior pockets are RFID blocking but still provide quick access to make security checkpoints a fast process. You’ll also find many features you can expect from a typical backpack, like water bottle pockets and padded shoulder straps. 

All of this is wrapped up in a water-repellent exterior shell to create a complete protection piece that lets you quickly lock up the entire contents of your bag. 

• Entire bag doubles as a safe
• Reinforced zippers
• Honeycomb mesh is cut-proof
• No lock included
• No external steel wiring

Now, you  could spend a fat chunk of $$$ on the WRONG present for someone. Wrong size hiking boots, wrong fit backpack, wrong shape sleeping bag… As any adventurer will tell you, gear is a personal choice.

So give the adventurer in your life the gift of convenience: buy them an REI Co-op gift card!  REI is The Broke Backpacker’s retailer of choice for ALL things outdoors, and an REI gift card is the perfect present you can buy from them. And then you won’t have to keep the receipt. 😉

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That about wraps it up. 

Whether you’re looking for a safe space for your passport or want to lock down your entire arsenal , you’ll find the protection you’re looking for in one of these travel safes. 

Don’t forget that no matter which travel safe you choose, they will only go as far as you take them. Your travel safe doesn’t do you any good tucked into the bottom of your backpack, and all it takes is one day of feeling like locking everything up is not worth the trouble for all your hard work to go to waste. 

There is no substitute for vigilance while on the road, but these travel safes, like the SafeGo , will help you keep your belongings secure and keep your head on the path ahead instead of stressing about what you left behind. 

If you’re one of the lucky few who have wandered the ends of the earth without wandering down the wrong alley or one of the lucky hostel-goers who hasn’t yet put too much faith in their roommates, don’t wait until you’ve been had to secure your valuables. Something as simple as the Trova GO will keep everything you need to get home safely within reach of your GPS.  

If you have felt the dread of coming back from a day out to find your bag turned inside out, don’t let that experience keep you from wandering. With the protection offered by the Pacsafe 12 Liter , you can head out for your day knowing that potential criminals will walk away only with a few pairs of dirty underwear. 

And for transparency’s sake, please know that some of the links in our content are affiliate links . That means that if you book your accommodation, buy your gear, or sort your insurance through our link, we earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you). That said, we only link to the gear we trust and never recommend services we don’t believe are up to scratch. Again, thank you!

Aiden Freeborn

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31 Travel Safety Tips Everyone Should Know

These travel safety tips will help you plan ahead, stay safe on the road, and give you peace of mind as you embark on your next adventure!

Travel, whether it’s near or far, has so many benefits. It can be an eye-opening educational experience, and it’ll make you feel united with the world around you. It might even change your life—BUT only if you’re safe!

Like any new experience, travel does not come without its risks. That’s why I’ve put together these travel safety tips: to help you plan ahead, stay aware of your surroundings, and give you peace of mind as you embark on your next adventure!

Register with Your Embassy In Case of Natural Disaster or Civil Unrest

Despite all our best planning, we can never be prepared for extreme forces outside of our control. Registering with your Embassy before you travel ensures that if something truly dangerous happens in the country you’re visiting, you know your government will be actively looking out for your safety and well-being.

This includes situations like the Earthquake and Tsunami in Japan, or the civil uprising in Nicaragua last year. In these cases, the US Embassies actively worked to help American citizens evacuate safely. They can also help you with issues regarding your passport.

Registration is usually simple. For Americans, go online to the STEP (Smart Traveler Enrollment Program)  web page to submit your passport information, travel dates, and destinations. This will notify Embassies in your region so that if disaster strikes they can contact you quickly and begin assisting you.

Check the State Department Website for Travel Warnings

Researching all the exciting things you can do and see while on travel is a big part of the fun. But while you’re looking at paragliding in Colombia , or the best museums to visit in Paris (seriously, go see the D’Orsay), take some time to read the latest from the State Department’s travel safety warnings.

Now, most of the time these are worst-case scenarios, and the warnings generally list what could happen in that region–not necessarily what will happen. Still, it’s best to have a look and to keep checking for updates as you get closer to your arrival.

Travel warnings will usually be accompanied by useful travel safety tips. Things like pickpocketing are prevalent in most urban destinations, but warnings of things like violent crime should not be taken lightly.

Do your research, read carefully, and put yourself in a situation to avoid the most reported on areas. As travelers, we love the excitement of exploring new destinations and learning more about the world, but that doesn’t mean we need to put ourselves in unnecessary danger.

You can even sign up to get email updates for travel tips and warnings on the area you’ll be visiting.

Get Travel Insurance for Peace of Mind

This is one of the most important travel safety tips. This necessity is too often seen as a luxury, but in regards to safety, there is no question that the list of benefits for getting travel insurance far outweighs the cost. Trip cancellation or delay, lost baggage, and emergency medical coverage are must-haves.

At this point, the question of travel insurance should not be “ is travel insurance worth it? ” but rather “which travel insurance company is best for my next trip?” It’s no secret that there are travel insurance companies out there that may be trying to take advantage of you by charging high deductibles or making it nearly impossible to file a claim, but that shouldn’t deter you from seeking the travel insurance coverage you need.

Make sure you report your loss as soon as possible to expedite the claims process. And don’t forget to insure your electronics. Camera equipment, laptop, and cell phones can be covered depending on the insurance company.

If you’re unsure how to choose the best travel insurance company,  fill out the form below to instantly get a quote.

Share Your Travel Itinerary with Family and Friends So They Know Where You’re Heading

I know that some of you might prefer to go rogue for a few months. Freedom and privacy may be highly coveted, but too much of a good thing can sometimes put you in a bind.

Give close relatives or friends a general breakdown of your travel itinerary before you take off, even if your itinerary is a loose one. A list of the countries and cities that you will be visiting and your dates of travel is a good start.

This serves two purposes: they’ll feel good knowing that they’ve got some insight into your travel and that you know you plan to travel safely, and you’ll have an extra cushion of someone looking out for you while you’re off exploring.

Social media is a great way to keep people updated as you go, but oversharing can put you at risk. Make sure you’ve updated your privacy settings to keep strangers off your social media if you plan to use those platforms to share your actual travel plans.

And remember to send your close friends and family a more detailed note if your travel itinerary changes considerably. If you’ve canceled your plans to hang out in London in favor of traveling with the new friends you just met in Italy, we urge you to let someone know where you’re headed.

Seek Out Updated Location Specific Travel Safety Tips So You Know Recent Trends

When it comes to travel safety tips, scams, and trends, no two destinations are the same. Because of this, the travel safety tips you read for one country or city may not apply to the next.

Be specific with your research when it comes to the latest information on travel safety tips. Don’t just search “is Morocco safe?”  but search “2019 safety tips for Marrakech.”

This applies to talking to locals during your travels too. If you’re planning to head to a new city nearby, ask the locals if they’ve heard any news or have any tips to travel safety in that area. Chances are, they’ll have a lot of insight for you.

Hostel staff are also a great resource here. They may be local to the area, or they may be travelers like yourself with some pretty good tips on safety in the immediate area. Whether it’s bars with bad reputations, common travel scams,  panhandling, or pickpocketing sights, your hostel staff will (usually) know about it.

And then share what you’ve learned–make sure to share those travel safety tips with friends you meet along the way.

Get the Right Vaccinations to Stay Healthy

Getting sick while traveling sucks. So you take a few over the counter meds and spend a day in bed. But getting super sick? Like, Dengue fever sick? That can be the end of your travels for the foreseeable future.

Be preemptive. In some cases, you need to prove you’re vaccinated from certain diseases before some countries will even let you in.

Do your research on vaccination requirements, and carry your shot-card (often a little yellow book) with your passport so you’re always prepared to show it at immigration.

Notify Your Bank So They Don’t Freeze Your Card When You’re Traveling

This one is simple and only takes a few minutes. But not doing it, and having your credit card frozen,  can cause you hours or even days of frustration and could pose a serious problem.

If your bank doesn’t know that you’re traveling in other countries, they may see your charges or withdrawals as potentially fraudulent and freeze your credit card. Once that happens, you’re going to struggle to call them internationally during their business hours to verify your purchases and to get your credit card reactivated.

Most banks offer this feature on their mobile banking app. Simply enter your travel dates and destinations to report to the bank that you’ll be on the move.

Have Multiple Banks Accounts So You Can Transfer Money Easily

Losing your bank card or having it stolen is a traveler’s nightmare. But if you have multiple bank accounts, it could just be a hiccup instead of a show-stopper.

Give yourself the ability to transfer your funds remotely by having at least two working bank accounts. They can even be with the same bank.

If your bank card goes missing, call the authorities, freeze your bank card, and then move your money to your other account. That way, you can keep going with your travels while the bank and the authorities take care of your open case or claim.

The same goes for credit cards. Don’t be put in a bad situation where you can’t access your own money.

Write Down Emergency Information to Speed up Assistance

There are a few important aspects to emergency information: your medical information, your passport information, and local emergency points of contact.

You should always carry a card on you with your medical information like blood type, allergies, and someone to contact (usually your parents or spouse). That way, if something happens to you, it gives very crucial information to whoever is providing you aid.

And wherever you chose to keep that is where you should also have a little card where you’ve jotted down things like the country’s emergency phone number (it may not be 911).

When you check into your hostel, hang out a minute longer at the front desk and copy down the local emergency information. Put it in your phone as well, but that should not be the only place you’ve got it.

Learn Basic Self-Defense for Protection

Note that I didn’t say “learn to beat someone up” or “perfect your three-finger punch.”

Basic self-defense is an important skill to be used in a worst-case scenario. Learning to defend yourself includes learning how to diffuse a dangerous situation without personal altercation, as well as the importance of buying yourself time to get away quickly and safely.

The goal is to avoid conflict and keep yourself safe. It is not your job to teach someone else a lesson with your cool kung-fu moves.

Consider taking some krav maga or karate lessons before you travel, and emphasize to your trainer that your goal is self-defense. Find an instructor that guides you in the right direction.

Book Your Travel with Trusted Sources to Avoid Getting Scammed

When booking travel online, whether it’s buses or flights, any price that seems too good to be true usually is. Keep an eye out for common signs of scam sites, like ones that have too many pop-ups and poor formatting. Make sure any website that asks for payment has a trusted business indicator (like the ones provided by Visa and Mastercard) displayed on the website. These scammy websites count on their readers not paying attention, so don’t give them the satisfaction.

As for booking travel in person while you’re in a foreign country, stick to your hostel recommendations or highly-rated local travel companies. Odd company names or ones that aren’t located in travel hubs (like bus terminals or airports) should be scrutinized heavily.

In some cases, even legit companies could be getting paid-off by malicious groups to rope unwitting tourists in, so that they can rob their bus en route.

Cheap transit is not always your best bet. Remember, you don’t just want a good deal, you actually want to make it to your destination safely.

Stay at Decent Hostels for Security and Safety

I’m looking at you, my ultra-budget travelers out there.

It may be tempting to book the cheapest possible place to stay. Hell, extreme budget travel is practically a sport for some travelers. But there are certain things you shouldn’t skimp on, and a clean safe place to sleep is one of them.

Not to say that safe accommodation has to be expensive, but your main concern should lie with things like locks, lockers, and a 24hr front desk. The only people that should be able to access your hostel at night are staff and tenants. That way you can get a truly worry-free night’s sleep and be ready to step out on your next adventure.

Wear the Right Clothes So You Don’t Stand Out

Dressing appropriately for your surroundings has multiple benefits. Not only does it show that you are respectful of the local culture, but it helps you blend in as well. Dressing like a “tourist” makes you a target for potential theft.

Try to keep your travel wardrobe minimalist, so you can add a flare of local attire depending on where you are visiting. Pickpockets and other nefarious characters are constantly on the lookout for people who don’t look like they belong. And don’t wear your flashy, expensive-looking jewelry or fancy brands as this can also be an open invitation for trouble.

Bring a First Aid Kit for Minor Injuries

Scrapes and burns may not seem like a big deal, but staying healthy is, and health is a part of safety. Traveling is sometimes dirty business. With rocky hikes and dusty buses, you never know what might happen, and you need to be in control of your health as much as possible.

It doesn’t take much for a small cut or splinter to get infected, so do yourself a favor and keep your own first aid kit on hand and easily accessible. Be hyper-aware of any small injuries you get along the way. Foot injuries can be especially susceptible to contamination and dangerous to your health.

Band-Aids, antiseptic, and clean gauze are a good start for a basic kit. You should also consider vitamin-c and throat lozenges to stave off the pesky common cold, and Imodium in the event that the food you eat doesn’t… agree with you. Don’t be embarrassed. We’ve all been there.

Inspect Transaction Points to Avoid Fraud and Theft

Money tips and travel safety tips go hand in hand. Just like with having multiple bank accounts to protect your funds, you need to be wary of anywhere you might swipe or insert your bank card or credit cards.

Look for signs of tampering. Has anything been added to the card receiver that may be capable of recording your bank card or credit card data?

Inspect Transaction Points to Avoid Fraud and TheftRestaurants are not immune to this either. Always ask if your credit card can be swiped at the table instead of letting your server take your card away to complete the transaction.

When in doubt, you can always skip to the next ATM or pay your dinner tab with cash. You can even report potential tampering to the local police.

Use a VPN to Protect You From Hackers

Free WiFi can feel heaven-sent when you’re on the move—especially if you’re a digital nomad working and traveling. But as lovely as it is to connect for free, it can also put your device at risk for hackers.

If you come across public WiFi that is not password protected, it is possible that the data on your laptop or computer could be gathered by a third party while you’re connected. A VPN, or Virtual Private Network, is a great way around this problem.

When you use a VPN paid service, your online activity will be sent through virtual connections and encrypted, so your IP address and data can’t be intercepted. Now you can safely embrace that sweet, sweet free WiFi without worrying about identity theft or fraud.

ExpressVPN  is one of my favorite VPNs for international travel . It provides secure, private and unrestricted internet access so you can hide your location

Study Maps to Keep Your Bearings

You don’t need to be a modern-day Magellan to get this one down. Having a decent understanding of the layout of the place you’re exploring will ensure that, even if your phone dies, you can still get yourself to your lodging, a central piazza, or a major transportation hub (quickly and safely, preferably).

Additionally, studying your map can even help you plan out your day or discover interesting places you wouldn’t have otherwise known about.

I recommend using whatever map app you like on your mobile phone, and dropping pins for a few key locations. Then keep a mental note of where those buildings or features are in relation to you as you explore. That way, if you get turned around or lost, you know what features you’re looking for as you regain your bearings.

Know Common Scams to Avoid Being Ripped-Off

Have you heard of the shoe-shine scam in Budapest? Or the tea-room scam in Hong Kong? There are some very clever scammers out there that unfortunately count on you to be a well-meaning and gullible person.

Friendliness from locals can be wonderful, but anyone that gets too chummy too quickly may be trying to take advantage of you. Do your research and be aware of scams that may be common in the country you’ll be visiting.

And don’t let your own politeness get in the way of your security. If you’re uncomfortable with a situation it is always okay to say “no, thank you” and walk away.

Be in Control When Hiring Taxis and Tuk-Tuks to Arrive Safely at Your Destination

Most taxi drivers are honest, hardworking individuals. But for those that aren’t, having you in their car puts them in an advantageous position of power.

Discuss the price or rate before you get in the vehicle. If your taxi driver mumbles or tells you they will talk about the price once they’re en route to your destination, they may be trying to rip you off. Do not let a taxi driver tell you that your lodging or the restaurant you want to go to is closed. They’re likely just trying to get you to spend money at their friend’s business instead.

And when it’s time to load your bags, make sure they’re in the back seat with you, not in the trunk. That way, if for any reason you want to get out of the vehicle quickly, you can grab your bags and go.

Carry a Decoy Wallet to Keep Muggers from Taking Your Real One

This is one of my favorite travel safety tips because it’s so easy.

Getting mugged is a terrifying experience. Someone desperate enough to stop you and demand that you give them your valuables is dangerous and should not be provoked. But it’s very likely that once they have what they want, they’ll leave you alone quickly to avoid being caught.

Carry a decoy wallet with a little bit of cash in it. It’s a helpful way to get out of that awful situation safely. If you’re unlucky enough to get mugged, hand the mugger your decoy wallet, and get out of there as quickly as possible. They’ll think they’ve taken everything you had on your person, and you are more likely to stay safe and unharmed.

And don’t ever resist a mugger. Your wallet is not more valuable than your safety and health.

Use the Right Bag for Added Security

This is another one of the travel safety tips that requires you to splurge a bit. Simply put, bags that aren’t designed for security put you at risk for theft. This applies to all of your bags: luggage, day-packs, purses, bumbags, etc.

Make sure your luggage is lockable. Carry daypacks and handbags that are slash-proof and RFID blocking. There are some cool camera bags out there that are discrete, as in they don’t look like a camera bag, and have theft-proof zipper access at the small of your back instead of the top of the bag. Bags with lots of pockets are great for separating your cash, passport, and mobile.

Bag safety and security are a necessity, so shop around and find something that works for you and keeps your valuables safe.

Always Have Positive Control of Your Bag to Deter Thieves

I cringe every time I see someone sitting at a table outside a cafe with their bag sat carelessly in the chair next to them. If you aren’t aware of your bag and touching it in some way at all times, your bag is more likely to be stolen.

One great method to keep your stuff safe  is securing your bag straps around your chair leg at your feet. For my rucksack, while I’m at bus stops or airports, I put my bag on the ground and stand with my foot through the strap.

Any physical contact with your bag is a deterrent for potential bag snatchers.

Invest in Locks to Secure Your Valuables

Sure, some hostels offer you a lock when you check-in, but that same lock has been used by dozens of people before you. That’s not exactly secure, is it?

Whether you prefer a key or combination lock, having your own lock (or two)  is the best way to keep your stuff safe and secure when you’re not with it.

Cable locks are particularly useful for locking your bags or sporting equipment together; just make sure they’re also tethered to a permanent structure if you’re going to walk away from your stuff.

Hide Extra Cash as a Backup 

It is a rare occurrence, and certainly not something we like to admit when it comes to our fellow travelers, but theft in hostels does happen.

If by some chance someone manages to get into your bag and steal from you (if your bag is locked up with your lock this shouldn’t happen!), you don’t want to make it easy for that person to find everything you’ve got.

There are lots of clever ways to stash and hide cash in different spots in your bags. Chapstick tubes, socks, and secret sewn-in pockets are great places to hide your extra cash.

Avoid Tight Crowds to Prevent Pickpocketing

Pickpockets love crowds. Crowds are loud, distracting, and well… crowded. If you’re in a tight crowd, you may not be able to tell the difference between someone brushing up against you by accident and someone reaching into your pocket or bag.

Street performances, block parties, and queues are prime target situations for pickpockets on the prowl. Do your best to avoid these crowds, or at least stay on the outer edge of a crowd where you’ve got better situational awareness.

Check-in Regularly with Someone You Trust for Added Peace of Mind

Solo-traveling is a great way to learn about yourself and the world around you and to ensure you get to do things your way. But that doesn’t mean you don’t deserve the same safety net as someone traveling with a group.

Whether you choose another traveler you’ve met or someone back home, having someone that knows they are your safety net and is aware and expecting to hear from you is so important. If something happens to you and you don’t check-in with that person like you said you would, they may be your best bet for getting help quickly.

A simple “Hi, I’m safe” text or call to check-in is all you need for staying safe and accountable.

Travel in Groups for a Safer Night Out

Like I said though, traveling with a group provides a safety net that solo-outings do not, and this is especially applicable at night. So don’t hesitate to join or create a group when you want to go out.

Make sure it’s obvious that you’re with other people wherever you are. Criminals target people who are alone but will steer clear of groups because they’re more likely to get caught if they try to steal from you or harm you. A united front makes you a harder target.

If you’re traveling on your own and itching for a night out, make some friends at your hostel and invite them out! It may feel awkward asking a stranger to hang out with you, but just be honest and tell them you don’t want to go out alone. Chances are they’ll understand and welcome the company.

Besides, making new friends is part of the fun of travel!

Practice Situational Awareness to Avoid Unnecessary Risk

This might seem like one of those obvious travel safety tips, but you have to pay attention to your surroundings when you travel. Walking with your head down looking at your phone tells the world that you’ve got no situational awareness, as does gawking at skyscrapers.

Your surroundings are going to be complex and dynamic, and you need to maintain a critical eye and a clear head so you can react quickly and appropriately to possibly dangerous situations.

Make eye contact with potential threats. No, I don’t mean get into a staring contest, but let them know you see them and they’re more likely to move on.  Keep your phone in your bag, stay (relatively) sober, and look out for your friends as well.

Body language also plays a big role in deterring theft and harassment.  When sitting in a restaurant for instance, always do your best to sit facing the door, so you can see everyone coming and going from the building. Choose bus seats closer to the door for a quick exit if you don’t feel comfortable with the people around you.

Know Important Phrases in the Local Language to Avoid Confusion

Nothing is more frustrating than taking a bad, stressful situation and adding a language barrier.

Hand gestures and charades can only get you so far in a foreign country. Besides being polite, learning a few important phrases in the local language of the countries you’re visiting can save you a lot of trouble. You can even write the words and phrases down and keep them on you if memorizing isn’t your thing.

Learn to comfortably say words like “hello/goodbye,” “please/thank you,” “clean water,” “toilet,” “bus,” and “train.” You can also work on questions like “where is the…?” or “how much for…?” And of course, people love it when you can order food or a drink in their native tongue.

“Dos cervezas, por favor!”

Trust Your Instincts to Make Good Decisions

Everyone has some level of intuition. It’s like a survival instinct; you know the feeling! When something isn’t quite right, maybe your stomach starts to feel queasy, or the hairs on the back of your neck stand up.

Don’t ignore your “spidey-senses” if they’re trying to tell you something. When all other travel tips fall short, and a situation feels “off,” trust yourself and your intuition to make the right choice and help you stay safe.

Wear Your Helmet to Protect your Most Important Asset!

Alright, alright, this one may seem like a no-brainer (pun intended), but I can’t count the number of times I’ve seen travelers cruise past me on a moped with no helmet on!

Concussions can disrupt a trip, and your “how’d you get that scar?” story won’t exactly sound epic when you tell them you fell off a bike without a helmet on your head. Unfortunately, common sense is not always a common virtue.

Besides, while your insurance company may cover emergency medical evacuation or repatriation, it may not cover dumb decisions like not wearing your helmet. Do you really want to test it?

And this goes for any kind of personal protective equipment, especially if you opt to participate in extreme sports. You wouldn’t skydive without a parachute, so please don’t scooter without a helmet!

I hope these travel safety tips help you feel secure while getting the most out of your travels (and if you want more, check out my 65 Best Travel Tips ). Whether you’re backpacking or traveling first class for a vacation, this universal list of advice is tried and true. Travel safe!

• Is It Safe to Travel to Germany?
• Is it Safe to Travel to China?
• 12 Smart Ways Keep Your Stuff Safe When You Travel
• World Nomads Travel Insurance Review: Is it Worth the Money?

Travel Safety FAQs

How do you ensure safety during travel.

To stay safe during travel, always tell someone where you’re going, register with the Embassy, and get travel insurance.

How do you stay healthy while traveling?

To stay healthy while traveling, make sure you have the right vaccinations and be careful about the food and water you consume.

How do you keep yourself safe while travelling alone?

If you’re traveling alone, you can stay safe by always telling someone where you’re going, doing your research, and having travel insurance.

What is the safest way to travel and why?

The safest way to travel is by airplane. Air travel is very predictable, and accidents are extremely rare.

What should I prepare before traveling?

Before traveling, make sure you prepare your documents, travel plans, vaccinations, and travel insurance.

Jeremy Scott Foster

We’re looking to go to Bali in October.

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11 Better Ways To Say “Safe Travels”

“Safe travels” is a polite way to wish somebody well on their upcoming journey. However, there are better ways to be polite and reassuring to your friends when they’re ready to go somewhere (often by plane). This article will share the best alternatives for such a case with you.

What Can I Say Instead Of “Safe Travels”?

There are plenty of ways to use “safe travels” in more exciting manners. You should check out one of the following:

• Have a good flight
• Happy landings
• See you on the other side
• Let me know when you arrive safely
• Stay safe out there
• Enjoy your trip
• Have a relaxing time away
• Happy travels

The preferred version is “be safe” because it keeps it simple. It’s a common phrase we use when we want to wish someone well, and we don’t want them to come across any complications or dangers that might occur if they’re not “careful” enough.

“Be safe” is great to show we care about someone. It lets them know that we worry about them, and we want them to stay “safe” no matter what happens. It works regardless of the method of transport for the journey as well, which makes it a good general phrase.

It’s common for family members to use the phrase “ be safe ” when seeing each other off. This shows that there is a lot of love behind the phrase and that it works well to show how much you care about someone’s wellbeing.

Here are a few ways we might be able to use this phrase:

• Be safe out there. I know you like to find trouble, but for once, I’d love it if you looked after yourself!
• Be safe on your way out! I would love to hear from you and see the pictures of all the things you get up to.
• Don’t forget to message me when you get there! Be safe, and I love you!

“Safe trip” is a simple phrase we can use to make sure someone knows we care. Using words like “safe” reminds people that we worry about them. Even if we are not physically there with them, we hope they are “safe” and do not get into trouble.

This phrase works well regardless of the trip that someone is taking. It could be a long-distance or a short-distance trip. Likewise, it could be by car, plane, boat, or something else entirely!

This phrase works in the following situations:

• Safe trip, Yuri! I’ll miss you, but I know you’ll be thinking about me while you’re away.
• Safe trip back to your hometown, then. Let me know when you get there safely.
• Safe trip, old friend. I’ll see you again whenever you’re next in town!

Have A Good Flight

“Have a good flight” is appropriate to use when someone is going to get on a plane . We use “flight” here to be specific, which helps us to show that we know what someone is getting up to and what they’re likely going to expect from their journey.

We can use this phrase in the following ways:

• Have a good flight! I’m sure you can get all the food and drink you want on there!
• Have a good flight, and don’t forget to let me know when you land safely!
• Have a good flight! There’s nothing to worry about, and you know it’ll all be okay!

Happy Landings

“Happy landings” specifically highlights the “landing” portion of a journey. It works well when someone is going on a plane, and we want them to be “happy” throughout the course of their journey.

Here are a few useful examples of how this one works:

• Happy landings, fella! Don’t forget that they really like their tips out there when you’re dining out!
• Happy landings, then! I’ll miss you every second, so I want you to send me all the photos you can!
• Happy landings! Don’t forget to explore some of the local scenery!

See You On The Other Side

“See you on the other side” is an informal idiom that works well in many cases. We can do it when we know that someone will be returning to see us again soon. “The other side” indicates the place where we will be staying while they go on a journey.

Check out some of these examples to see how it looks:

• See you on the other side, then! Have a great holiday!
• Have a great time away, Fred! See you on the other side!
• I’ll be here waiting for you as always! See you on the other side!

Let Me Know When You Arrive Safely

“Let me know when you arrive safely” is a calm way to let someone know that you are worried. When they arrive at their destination, we can ask them to “message” us to ease our minds and show us that they are thinking about us even after their journey.

We could also use a phrase like “text me when” instead of “let me know when.” If we want to be more specific about the manner of messaging, this phrase works just as well.

This phrase works well in the following ways:

• Let me know when you arrive safely, please! You know how much I worry about you while I’m not around!
• Text me when you arrive safely, please! I want to know just how much fun you’re getting up to.
• Let me know when you arrive safely! I’ll miss you every second that you’re away.

Stay Safe Out There

“Stay safe out there” is a good way to show that you care about someone. “Stay safe” helps to let them know that you’ll be looking out for them and that you want them to explore, but in a reasonable way that won’t cause them harm.

We typically use this phrase when someone is going on a long-distance journey. “Out there” is a good indicator of that.

Check out some of these examples to see how it works:

• Stay safe out there, then! I know you’ll make all the best choices while you’re away.
• Stay safe out there! I’ll miss you, but I know you’ll be having an absolutely adoring time!
• Stay safe out there. You never know what hijinx you might get into, so make sure you text me!

Enjoy Your Trip

“Enjoy your trip” is a simple way to show someone that you care. It helps to let them know that we want them to “enjoy” themselves. While trips can sometimes be boring (especially long-distance ones), we want people to feel like they can still have fun.

This simple phrase works as follows :

• Enjoy your trip, Michael! Let me know when you arrive so we can discuss the adventure more!
• Enjoy your trip! Don’t forget to immerse yourself in the local culture when you get there!
• Enjoy your trip! I expect you to be fluent in German by the time you get back, okay?

Have A Relaxing Time Away

“Have a relaxing time away” works well in many cases. It’s most effective when we know that someone is inclined to worry (whether about the journey or the place they’re going). If we want to calm them down, this phrase works well.

These examples will help you make more sense of it:

• Have a relaxing time away! Remember, you don’t need to worry about a thing when you get on that plane!
• Have a relaxing time away! If anyone deserves it, it is most certainly you!
• Have a relaxing time away! I’m going to miss you, but I know you’ll be back in no time!

Happy Travels

“Happy travels” works really well when we want people to feel “happy” on their journey. “Travels” can refer to any method of transport, but the idea is that they’ll be spending a long time getting from point A to point B, and we want them to feel “happy.”

Perhaps one of these examples will help you make more sense of it:

• Happy travels, mate! I know you’ll love it over there in Australia, but you must tell me all about it.
• Happy travels, Sue! I’ll miss you, so don’t forget to write to me every day about what you do.
• Happy travels, Dan! Thank you for coming to see me again, and I’ll see you again soon, yeah?

“Bon voyage” is a great way to wish someone well before they go on an adventure. It’s French (and Italian), and it means “good journey.” It’s a commonly-used exclamation in English when we want to wish somebody well for something they’re going to do.

It’s also comforting because it shows that we do not wish any problems to come their way when they’re on their journey.

• Bon voyage, my little friend! I’ll see you again when you return!
• Bon voyage, then! I will miss you, but I hope you get a chance to text me a bunch when you get there!
• Bon voyage! I love you so much, and I’ll definitely miss you while you’re away.

You may also like: Safe Travels – Meaning & Usage (Helpful Examples)

Martin holds a Master’s degree in Finance and International Business. He has six years of experience in professional communication with clients, executives, and colleagues. Furthermore, he has teaching experience from Aarhus University. Martin has been featured as an expert in communication and teaching on Forbes and Shopify. Read more about Martin here .

• “Arrive To”, “Arrive At”, or “Arrive In”? Correct Preposition
• “Made It Home Safe” vs. “Made It Home Safely” – Correct Version
• Be Safe, Stay Safe, or Keep Safe? [Helpful Examples]
• Will Arrive or Will Be Arriving – What’s the Difference?

46 Travel Safety Tips for Your Next Trip

You’re off on an adventure! It’s exciting, it’s fun, but also kinda scary. Here’s our top travel safety tips to make sure everything smoothly.

Preparing for a new adventure is one of the most exhilarating feelings ever! Your mind drifts blissfully to the beautiful scenery, the incredible food, and the wonderful new people you’ll meet. It’s going to be a real dream! But nothing ruins dreams faster than getting sick, robbed, or scammed when you arrive! While not as fun to fascinate over, safety should be a primary part of your trip planning. Learning to travel safely is a process, but it isn’t difficult. Here are our top travel safety tips to make sure your next vacation is just as dreamy as you imagined.

Trust the Let’s Roam know-how!

The best way to stay safe while in an unknown location is to find a trusted and experienced guide. The writers at Let’s Roam have created hundreds of on-site scavenger hunts all across the world, and their know-how can help you make the most of your adventure. Whether you’re looking to soak up some culture with a peaceful art walk or to dive into the local nightlife with a boozy bar crawl , we have dozens of delightful games and activities at the touch of a button .

Safety During Travel Requires Preparation

There are so many aspects of safety to think about when planning a trip! Proper preparation includes knowing which areas are safe for tourists, what scams are common in the area, and where to go for help. You need to familiarize yourself with aspects of public transit, the location of emergency services, language, and money. Then, there is sickness, financial safety, and sexual security too. The best way to avoid danger, of all types, when traveling is to do your research! Thanks to the internet, handy phone apps, and fabulous travel forums, most of the information you need is right at your fingertips.

In this travel guide, we have divided our safety tips into categories including physical safety, protecting your property, wellness, digital safety, and common scams. We’ve given you tips to follow before and during the trip to ensure that everything goes smoothly!

Start at home .

Ninety-nine percent of your safety on a trip starts at home. Preparation before the trip is important because the first few hours of travel are the most unorganized and the most stressful. Airports are crowded. Train stations are worse. You don’t know the language. You don’t know where your terminal is, and you don’t have any local cash yet. You rely on taxi drivers and helpful people to get you where you’re going, and thieves know all this!

These spots are primo-stomping grounds for jerks. While you’re distracted and trying to get your bearings, they are hunting. The more you prepare yourself for your destination in advance, the more at ease you will feel. You will be able to think clearly and make safer decisions. Let’s get to the specifics.

Travel Tips for Your Physical Safety

In this section, we cover tips to keep you out of sticky situations. Travel is overall very safe, so none of this information is meant to scare or overwhelm you, but vacationers often drift into “island mode” and tend to forget normal precautions. Using basic instincts and common sense when traveling can save your life.

Before the Trip

1. know your neighborhood..

Thanks to Google Maps and Google Earth, there is no reason that you can’t know exactly what your accommodation looks like and the area around it. Before you book a property, take a good look at it! Don’t just look at the rooms or the resort amenities. Look at everything.

• Read the reviews thoroughly —look for keywords about the neighborhood and if people, especially solo travelers, felt safe there. You might see things like, “the hotel staff was amazing, but it’s kind of sketchy walking at night,” or “the hotel was nice, but we wish it was in a different neighborhood,” things like that.
• Look at the area on Google Maps —Look at the surrounding area. Is it shopping centers, nice restaurants, and other hotels, or is it a block of warehouses? You don’t have to stay in a super-touristy spot to find a nice neighborhood, but you want something that has life around it. Google Maps has uploaded photos from guests, flip through them!
• Look at Google Earth —Google Earth is an even better option. Just put in your accommodation and use the map to scroll around. You’re seeing satellite footage of the area, so you can tell pretty much everything.
• Check the US State Department — The State Department has a list of travel advisories for every country, focusing on overall safety and areas to avoid. They list the safest areas to stay in and give information on common crimes in the area. It is good to note that they are overly cautious. Reading too much on their website will turn you into a hermit, but it is valuable to see the areas where violent crime is prevalent and where tourists are not advised to go.

2. Register in STEP .

The Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) is run by the U.S. Department of State, and it allows citizens to register their trips, accommodation, and phone numbers with the dept. You will then get alerts for any kind of civil unrest, natural disaster, or political issues that take place during your trip. It also makes it easier for the embassy to contact you or your family in the event of an emergency.

3. Alert friends and family .

Give a loved one the contact information for your hotels. If you will be wandering through several regions, give them a copy of your travel plans. If someone back home knows where you should be, it makes it easier to find you should you not show up.

4. Turn on your tracking .

While we all hate that Google watches our every move, when it comes to safe travel, it can work in your favor. Hundreds of missing people have been tracked by their cell phone pings, and it is an easy-to-use safety measure. Turn on your location and give your emergency contact your Google log-in information. If you go missing, they will be able to easily log into your account and see where you were last. Download the Family Link App on your phone and your emergency contact’s phone. This way they can keep up with you easily.

5. Map emergency services .

Before your trip, create a personal map for your destination. Not only will it help you stay organized and sightsee more efficiently, but it also allows you to plug in emergency services. Plot the nearest hospital, the nearest embassy, and the closest police station. It is also advisable to plug the phone numbers into your contact list before you leave on your trip.

6. Go old school .

It is a good idea to have a physical copy of emergency information on you. Stealing, or losing, cell phones is pretty common during travel. Having an old-school written or printed copy of important numbers, addresses, etc. is a must! Write it in your travel journal or keep a folder of important documents.

7. Cheapest isn’t always the safest .

Beware of deals that are too good to be true. If the apartment is too cheap, it is likely in an unsafe area. If it’s the cheapest hostel in town, it’s probably akin to a homeless shelter and may be filled with unsavory clientele. If the flight is too cheap, it is likely going to land at your destination at two am, not exactly the safest time to be trying to navigate an unknown city. Sometimes it is better to pay a little more and ensure your safety.

During the Trip

8. ask locals ..

When you enter a new country for the first time, locals are your best friends! Be strategic about who you ask, but hotel staff and Airbnb hosts are usually great options. Ask pointed questions about where you should go, and more importantly, where you should stay away from. Not only will you get great travel advice, but they know what is going on in their city, and their success revolves around travelers feeling safe.

9. Watch each other’s backs .

If you’re traveling with a partner or group, watch out for each other. The larger and stronger partner walks on the outside of the street, just in case someone gets hit by a tuk-tuk. The larger partner walks half a step behind the other to keep an eye out for suspicious folks. One partner pulls money from the ATM, while the other partner stands with their back to them watching for trouble. One partner drinks too much tonight. The others stay relatively sober. It’s good to have one person in the group who is in charge of safety measures. This means they map out the route you will take, are on guard for baddies, and alert everyone else to possible dangers.

10. Trust your gut!

The number one physical safety tip is to trust that little voice that says “this isn’t a good idea.” Your body is built to avoid severe danger. If the hair on the back of your neck is standing up, then don’t turn down that street. If it doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t. Don’t be convinced to go against your gut, by anyone, at any time.

11. Carry a non-weapon weapon .

Most countries are not as lenient on weapons as the United States, and it is almost impossible to fly with a weapon of any kind, but that doesn’t mean you can’t be prepared. Many travelers choose to carry a protective key chain or you can just interlace your hotel key between your fingers. Even an umbrella, camera tripod, or a full water bottle can stun an attacker. It’s wise to have something in your hand if you’re going into a sketchy zone.

12. Don’t wander aimlessly .

The best way to become a target is to look lost! Do not set out in an unknown destination not knowing where you’re going, especially if you’re alone. Map out your public transportation or your walking route before your leave the safety of hotel wifi. If your internet is sus on your phone, then download a city map app. These allow you to follow a path without having working internet. If you do get lost, don’t show it. Keep your head up, and your body language confident, and quickly duck into a nearby cafe or shop and ask for directions.

13. Try to fit in .

While in some destinations, while you’re never going to look like a local, you can at least look like you’ve been there a minute. Attempt to dress like the locals. This doesn’t mean dawning ceremonial dress. It means, if most of the men around you never wear shorts, then don’t run around in shorts. If the women have their shoulders covered, you should too. Running around in your bikini in a traditional society is not only disrespectful, but it paints you as a target. It can be hot and inconvenient, but dressing like a local draw can less attention. Also, don’t be loud and annoying, drawing too much attention to yourself!

Author note: I get it! Having to conform to your style and dress is frustrating. As a fairly tall, white woman with a flaming head of red curls, drawing attention is almost inevitable in a lot of the nations I travel in. While it is sometimes demeaning, and often irritating, covering my head, dressing modestly, and not drawing attention to myself is necessary for personal safety!

14. Admit that you are a target .

As a tourist, you’re a target. If you look vastly different than the local population, you’re a female traveler, or you’re flying solo, you might as well paint a red “X” on your back. This might not be fair, but it is the reality of the world we live in. For your physical safety, admit it!

Yes, try to blend in. Yes, go about your day looking confident, but acknowledge that there are eyes on you and that you need to pay attention at all times. Travelers are pretty good at this for the first day or two, but then you get comfortable in your environment, and you lose focus. Don’t be a giant fraidy-cat, making everyone insane with your safety protocols, but be on guard.

15. Respect the culture .

Respecting the people around you and their way of life is the best way to protect yourself in a foreign country. When locals see you as someone who is trying to live in their society in peace and harmony, not disrupt it with American or Western ways, they are much more likely to help you and protect you should you need it. Research cultural taboos and be aware before you travel so you aren’t insulting people unknowingly. Make friends. Ask questions about the culture, and try your best to respect it.

For more tips on being a culturally responsible traveler, check out our guide “Cultural Travel: Tips to Make You More Culture Conscious.”

16. Beware of alcohol .

This one could go in every safety category. Drinking too much lowers your inhibitions and slows your reflexes. While we all wanna unwind a little on vacation, do it in a safe destination. Maybe have a drink at the bar, but then go back to your accommodation and finish the party. Roaming the streets, plastered or high, is a terrible idea for so many reasons. Also, did you know that one of the top killers of backpackers the world over is drowning? For goodness sake, don’t get toasted and then decide to go swimming.

17. Know your exit route .

Whether you’re on a plane, in your hotel, or partying in a bar, you should know the lay of the land. A quick assessment of where exits, windows, and fire alarms are is not hard to do, and in an emergency, it can save your life. It also pays to do a quick assessment of suspicious-looking people and keep note of where they are.

18. Don’t do irresponsible things for photos .

First of all, this makes you look like an idiot and is usually disrespectful to the destination and other visitors. Secondly, it is dangerous. Obey signs and warnings, and don’t do stupid stuff.

19. Don’t give too much information .

In an attempt to make friends, far too many travelers give away their personal information. Do not tell a stranger where you’re staying. Don’t talk about your finances or what you own back home. Don’t tell people what your plans are for tomorrow or how you will be traveling. Don’t tell them that you’re traveling alone.

Travel Tips for Protecting Your Property

Alright now that you’re an alert, fighting machine, able to blend into any surrounding and travel like a ninja, let’s talk about your stuff.

20. Invest in good travel insurance.

For your peace of mind, invest in good travel insurance. The plans usually don’t cost much, and they will protect you financially from theft, physical injury, and trip cancellation. You can score a good plan through your credit card, your tour company, or a separate policy via World Nomads or SafetyWing.

Discover the ins and outs of travel insurance, in our “Is Travel Insurance Worth It?” guide!

21. Carry a money belt or reinforced purse .

Pickpocketing and purse snatching are the two most common crimes against tourists. Carry your money somewhere concealed and hard to get to. If you carry a purse, buy a travel purse that is slash-proof and carry it across your body. Then put your jacket on over it.

22. Stop using back pockets .

Do not store anything of worth in your back pockets. They are the easiest to pick. Store items in a zipper pocket on the front of your person or inside an article of clothing.

23. Carry a rope lock .

Locking your bag is a no-brainer when you’re staying in a hostel, or whatever, but that isn’t enough. Carrying a small cable lock is one of the easiest travel hacks to keep your stuff safe at the beach or when eating at a crowded restaurant. Run the cable around your bag, and lock it to something secure. Most thieves are going to try to snatch and grab quickly. If they see it is locked or try to grab it, and it doesn’t come immediately, they will normally move on.

24. Split up your assets .

Don’t keep all your money in your wallet. Split it up on your person and in your hotel safe. This goes for credit cards too. Keep an emergency stash in your shoe, an empty chapstick container, or sewn in the hem of your pants. Carry more than one and keep them separate. If you’re staying in a hostel, don’t leave anything too important in the lockers. The hostel staff usually has a master code and can open them if necessary.

25. Don’t flash your wealth around .

Tourists have a bad habit of unintentionally flashing their wealth. This is usually due to unfamiliarity with the local currency. While trying to figure out their bill, tourists pull out wads of cash without restraint. Don’t do that. Don’t even carry much local currency. It is unnecessary. Be careful about flashy jewelry and expensive electronics. Yes, you need your camera, but you can be discreet about it.

26. Be strategic .

When going into a crowded area, don’t be an easy target. Turn your backpack around and carry it in your front. Keep your documents in an inside zipper near your body, never in your outer backpack compartments. If traveling with a partner, carry your purse between the two of you, not on the outside. Turn your back to a vendor if you need to get cash out so you don’t reveal what is in your wallet. Slip your backpack straps around or under the legs of your dining chair. Only pull your phone out when you need it.

27. Keep it in your carry-on .

Make sure that your valuable items are in your carry-on bag. This will prevent border control from losing or breaking things. Plus, if your bag doesn’t make it to your final destination, you won’t be missing anything you need!

28. Use ATMs wisely .

We have already discussed protecting your partner at an ATM, but going with a friend is only one of the ATM rules. When withdrawing money, do it during the daytime. Choose an ATM in a populated area, that has cameras and is well-lit. Preferably, choose one that is indoors with a locked chamber, allowing you to withdraw cash alone. This may require some prior planning, but it is worth it. If the machine seems to have taken your card or isn’t reading it, never walk away. ATM scams are common and there may be someone waiting to snatch the card you thought was stuck.

Guard your PIN and enter discretely. Once you have withdrawn your money. Check the accuracy of your withdrawal quickly and put your money away. When you get to a safe location, split it up. If the ATM is in a locked area, go ahead and split your money there and hide it in your designated spots. It is usually advisable not to take the currency exchange they offer. Allow your bank back home to do the exchange.

For U.S. citizens, we highly recommend getting the Charles Schwab High Yield Investor Checking Account. This checking account is online and available anywhere in the world, plus it reimburses all ATM fees, so you never have to pay those withdrawal charges.

Travel Tips for Wellness

Getting robbed or physically harmed sucks, but so does spending your whole vacation hovered over the throne. Let’s dive into some safety tips for keeping your insides on the inside!

29. Get your vaccinations.

International travel exposes you to all kinds of bugs that you have never seen before, and therefore, do not have immunity to. Check the CDC website for the proper vaccinations for your destination. Some nations require certain vaccines to enter the country. It is wise to make sure you have an up-to-date tetanus shot as well.

30. Purchase a first-aid kit .

A small kit with antibiotic ointment, steroid cream, cleanser, butterfly wound closures, and bandages is a wise investment. Most injuries on a trip are minor and can be treated at home if you have the proper stuff. You can also swing into a pharmacy and buy these things once you land.

31. Make sure your meds are filled .

Not only should you make sure you have more than enough of your prescription meds before you travel, but you should also ask your MD for an antibiotic for traveler’s diarrhea and a patch for motion sickness if you suffer from that. Your doctor can look up the common intestinal terrorists in your destination and prescribe you some insurance meds.

32. Know the ropes before you go .

Before you arrive at your destination, make sure you know if you can drink the water. Look up poisonous plants and animals if you’re going to be hiking or camping, and know what to look out for. In this day and age, it might be good to know the pandemic numbers and regulations as well.

33. Beware the food and water .

Most travelers know not to drink tap water in certain destinations, but that isn’t what gets you. It’s the shower water, that random body of water you decided to go swimming in, or the lettuce you ate for lunch. Beware of ice cubes, fresh fruit and vegetables, and anything that hasn’t been properly washed yet.

34. Beware of insects .

Seriously, why are there mosquitos? Just, why? Coat yourself in stinky spray, sleep under a net, and take malaria pills if recommended.

35. Visit the pharmacy .

If you begin to feel unwell, visit the pharmacy and see if the pharmacist can hook you up with a remedy. In certain areas of the world, especially Central America, pharmacists function more like general practitioners and have vast local knowledge and the ability to prescribe meds. Check with them before going to a clinic, but if you need to see a doctor, don’t be afraid to do so. Most travel-related illnesses are easily treated by local personnel, and besides, you have travel health insurance, right?

Travel Tips for Digital Safety

Alright, let’s hop into the online world of crooks of digital demons. While traveling, it is important to cover your trail and keep an eye on your finances.

36. Get a virtual private network (VPN) .

VPNs are valuable tools that allow your phone and laptop to reroute your IP address through multiple servers, making it harder for hackers to find your personal information. Most popular companies allow for multiple devices, so you can have it on both your computer and your phone.

37. Get a good travel credit card .

Carrying large amounts of cash is inconvenient and makes you a target, plus those days are long gone. Most of the world has changed over to credit cards and while you may need small bills for tips, the large currency is unnecessary. Debit cards are often not accepted internationally, and they are not embued with all the safeguards that a good credit card has. Make sure you let your credit card company know when you’re traveling so they don’t put a block on your purchases. Many creditors no longer offer this feature, but some still do.

38. Download all your financial apps on your phone .

Now that you have a great travel card, you’re going to want to keep an eye on your purchases. Download the app for your credit card and your bank and monitor your transactions daily for unexpected nonsense. Please just make sure that your phone is fingerprint or password protected!

39. Get a secure app for your safety information .

Download an app on your phone for personal information like passwords, bank accounts, a copy of your passport, health insurance information, etc. We recommend Last Pass . It is a one-stop shop for keeping all your important goodies encrypted.

40. Be aware of wifi .

When using open wifi, such as at a restaurant or bar, don’t access any of your important financial apps or plug-in passwords. Your VPN should be protecting you, but to further safeguard your digital assets, just wait until you get to a secure network.

41. Have a plan for catastrophe .

If you lose your phone, have a plan to wipe it. Using the “Find my Phone” app, or something similar, you can lock or erase your phone before they get on Amazon and order $10,000 worth of gadgets. Hop online and lock your credit cards too and notify your bank of the loss.

Travel Tips for Avoiding Common Scams

Unfortunately, scams against travelers are incredibly common. While each region of the world has its variations (which you should research) here are some common things to look out for.

42. Taxi scams .

When you take a taxi, have your phone open with the shortest route and watch your progress. Insist that the driver uses the meter, or agrees on a price beforehand. When at all possible, use a rideshare app like Beat, Lyft, or Uber.

43. Car troubles .

When renting a car always check the tires every time you get in the car. Common scams involve letting air out or puncturing tires. When you pull over, they will stop to offer help, and then rob you. If you experience car trouble, drive until you reach a well-lit, populated place to stop.

44. The bump and grab .

Beware of people bumping you or causing a diversion in crowded areas. While you watch the chaos, someone else is stealing your wallet.

45. The helpful local .

If someone seems entirely too eager to help you, show you the way, or spend time with you, they are probably scamming you. It’s popular in Istanbul for friendly, young men to offer to escort you to the best coffee shop or walk you to a popular attraction. You will end up in a rug shop.

46. The free gift .

There is no such thing as free. St. Mark’s Square in Venice is well-known for rose peddlers. They will offer a woman a rose as a gift, or even insert it on her person, and then throw a fit if you take it and don’t pay them for it. Beware of insistent free gifts unless you have made a relationship with the person.

You’re Ready to Fly

Using these tips should keep you relatively safe on your travels. The most important thing to remember is to use common sense and stay aware of your surroundings. For the most part, travel is just as safe as walking the streets of your hometown.

Sticky situations happen to even the most experienced travelers, for more information on what to do in a pickle, check out our guide “Travel Problems: Solutions That Can Save Your Trip” and be sure to check out Let’s Roam Local on our app which gives you a ton of great information about destinations contributed by travelers for travelers.

Finally, if you think we’ve missed any important travel safety tips, please feel free to let us know in the comments below.

Frequently Asked Questions

When traveling, follow basic safety tips like carrying your wallet in your front pocket, avoiding streetside ATMs, and protecting your online information with a VPN.

To protect yourself while traveling, carry your money and credit cards in discreet locations, travel during daylight hours, and avoid giving out personal information.

Most destinations are relatively safe if you take precautions. However, many people feel safer when they are close to home, so invest in a Scratch-Off Adventure Book and take a local road trip!

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How to Keep Your Phone Safe When Traveling: Readers Share Top Tips

Packing , Packing Tips

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Your smartphone is essential to having a successful vacation, whether you use it for travel pics or to navigate on Google Maps, which is why it’s so important that you keep it secure and know where it is at all times. Find out how to keep your precious travel buddy safe on your next trip!

Phone Safety Tips for Travel

Table of contents.

A lot of our readers face the challenge of how to keep their phones safe when traveling. It’s important to plan ahead and figure out the best way to protect your device in an unfamiliar (though exciting!) place. That way, you can have the utmost peace of mind knowing that your valuables are tucked away safe and sound while you enjoy your trip.

One essential thing to do is research your destination in order to gauge the safety and risks of theft so you’ll know how careful you need to be. But, no matter where you’re headed on your next adventure, it’s always better to be safe than sorry, especially when it comes to something as important as your phone. 

If you want more tips on keeping your belongings safe, these resources may be helpful:

• Best Money Belts and Anti-theft Travel Accessories
• Best Anti-theft Travel Bags for Women
• Top Crossbody Purses: Best Safety Travel Bags for Women
• How to Avoid Theft While Traveling: My Top 10 Tried and Tested Tips

Read on to find our readers’ top tips for keeping their phones safe while traveling!

An anti-theft phone pouch can store your cell phone in a secure location!

Use a Specific Pouch for Your Phone

Using a phone pouch is one of the best ways to keep your cellphone safe when traveling. They come highly recommended by our readers! With a phone pouch, you’ll know exactly where your cell is at all times–no more digging through a large bag in a panic, thinking it’s gone! Your device will be safe from pickpockets or from falling out of a bag on accident. 

Travelon makes amazing anti-theft bags of all shapes and sizes that our readers adore, and their crossbody phone pouch is a TFG reader fave. It’s made of anti-slash material and has locking compartments, so there’s no way anyone will be able to get in there but you! This is ideal for high crime destinations or places where you know you’ll need to really keep your things secure.

Travelon Anti-Theft Crossbody Phone Pouch

One of our readers shares about her Travelon crossbody: “I love this little guy! You can easily throw it inside of another bag for travel. It’s big enough to hold all of your essentials but it’s still light and easy to carry, and the RFID blockers and secure clasps are a plus. I’ve really enjoyed mine and have used it frequently as a small, on-the-go-minimalist bag, both in town and on the road!”

Check out our full review of this amazing Travelon phone pouch here !

A small crossbody purse with anti-theft features can hold your phone and essentials!

Keep Your Phone in a Crossbody Purse

A crossbody purse is another go-to for our readers when they travel because it’s not only secure but also really convenient for storing other small essentials. Similar to a phone pouch, a crossbody purse keeps everything right where you can see it, but safe from theft or accidents. 

When you only need to bring a few essentials, such as your phone, passport, and some cash, this Travelon anti-theft crossbody is excellent. It’s made from trusty anti-slash material, and all of the zippered compartments have locking features for ultimate protection. It’s small, unassuming, and chic, so it’s truly the ideal travel buddy for keeping your phone and other valuables safe as can be. 

Travelon Anti-Theft Heritage Crossbody Bag

TFGs rave about this Travelon style, and constantly recommend it. A reader shares, “Love all the safety features, and it’s stylish too.”  The whole line of Travelon anti-theft purses are highly popular, check out their page on Amazon !

Sakroots Large Smartphone Crossbody Purse

Another choice that our readers have highly recommended is the Sakroots smartphone crossbody . Many of our readers have used this during their travels and report that it’s functional, keeps everything organized, looks cute, and most importantly, keeps their phone super safe! 

One reader says, “I use a Sakroots phone wallet. It has a wrist strap and a crossbody strap. I’ve been using it for years and it’s wonderful.” This style comes in a variety of cute and colorful patterns to pick from, too.

Planning to clean and disinfect your phones after traveling? Here’s how to clean your cell phone!

Increasingly popular is using a crossbody phone wallet while traveling

Wear a Crossbody Phone Wallet

A crossbody phone wallet is a super convenient choice if you want to keep your phone safe, while still having easy access to it. For those of you who know you’ll be snapping pictures all day long, this is a nice choice!

One of our readers makes an excellent point in saying that your phone can’t be snatched out of your bag if it IS your bag! With a phone wallet, you’ll see and feel your device at all times, so it’ll be nearly impossible for it to be stolen! It hangs around your shoulders just like a crossbody bag, so you can quickly grab your phone to snap a quick pic. Overall, it’s a safe and convenient option. 

Bandolier Sarah Crossbody Phone Wallet

Bandolier’s Sarah crossbody wallet is VERY popular with our readers. It’s their most highly recommended pick, and for good reason! Not only is it super cute, but the quality is fantastic. While it’s a bit of an investment, fans say it’s more than worth it for the stylish look and the peace of mind. 

One reader says, “I bought a Bandolier a couple of months ago before my Alaska trip, and it was terrific. My phone was easily available, and I could just drop it in a second if I needed to. One of my best purchases.”

Another TFGer reports, “I highly recommend the Bandolier. I took 4,000 photos on my last trip while using this case and it works perfectly. It keeps my phone secure but handy, so I didn’t miss any shots.”

Our readers love these crossbody phone purses for keeping their device handy!

ZVE iPhone Crossbody Wallet Case

For a budget option that’s still totally cute and will keep your phone equally protected, opt for this ZVE iPhone crossbody wallet . This piece has a small zippered wallet attached to the case, and the crossbody strap features a stylish gold chain. It comes in a variety of fun colors, too! 

A lanyard that attaches to your phone is highly recommended by readers!

Use a Lanyard to Secure a Phone Around Your Neck

Using a lanyard on your phone is an awesome, super secure option. Lanyards are handy because there are so many ways you can wear them and use them. You can hang your phone around your neck or secure the lanyard around the inner zipper of your purse –the possibilities are endless! 

One of our readers gives an amazing tip: “In Italy in September I attached my phone to a lanyard and used a carabiner clip to attach it to the belt loops on my pants. When wearing a dress I attached the lanyard to my small crossbody bag . It felt secure the whole time.” 

KNOX Crossbxody Phone Case Lanyard

Many phone lanyards come as part of a phone case, while others can simply be added to your phone. Attached to a lanyard, your phone will always be in sight and accessible in an instant, which is also super convenient for capturing that perfect photo just in time! Plus, you won’t run the risk of dropping your cell and damaging or even losing it! 

The reader-recommended KNOX crossbody phone lanyard is a phone case and lanyard in one. It’s minimal and affordable, and gets the job done perfectly! The cord is strong and durable, and the case is shockproof. 

Gear Beast Cell Phone Lanyard

Another recommendation is this Gear Beast phone lanyard which is compatible with any phone. It’s made of extra-strong silicone that wraps around your device. As an added bonus, there’s a little pocket to store cards or cash. A TFGer shares, “I can attach it to my belt, waist, or bag so that I don’t drop or lose it.”

If you need your phone at the ready but want peace of mind, consider a wrist strap !

Attach a Phone Strap to Your Wrist

For travelers who prefer a more minimalistic and cost-effective option, try a phone leash, also called a wrist strap. One of our readers vouches for this method, saying, “I use a wrist strap. The phone stays in my bag until I’m ready to take photos then I hook it on my wrist. That strap has saved me many times from dropping the phone while taking photos.”

A phone leash keeps your cell close by at all times, so you don’t have to worry about losing it. You can secure it snug against your wrist, so even if you drop your phone, it won’t go anywhere. This will also prevent anyone from grabbing it out of your hand. And if you want to store your phone in your bag, simply secure the phone leash to an inner zipper or keychain for security. This option is ideal if you know there isn’t a major risk of theft, but you still want to make sure your device is safe and secure at all times.

Traveling to Europe soon? Here’s how to get phone service when traveling to Europe and other destinations.

MOXYO Universal Phone Wrist Strap

Readers recommend the MOXYO wrist strap , which attaches to the back of your phone with a small but strong adhesive. The wrist strap is strong and dependable, and you can adjust how tight it is on your wrist. Whether you want to take a selfie or wander around new places without worrying about dropping or losing your phone, this is an amazing option. 

A reader says, “I had a phone taken last month. To stop that happening again, I decided that as ridiculous as it might look, I’m hanging it on my wrist.”

Another TFG reader mentions, “I always travel with a wrist strap. It gives peace of mind for security, and I also never drop it! I just attach it to one of the holes of an existing case.” 

Under Armour Drop Resistant Phone Case

Protect Your Phone With a Drop Resistance Case

Protecting your cell from damage is crucial while you’re on a trip as well, as you may not have access to a phone repair service. Readers recommend using a screen protector , as well as a sturdy case. 

This Under Armour phone case is shock resistant, and has an elastic hand strap, so it’s ideal for taking photos or in situations where you may drop it. 

A reader says, “I have this case for my iPhone. The handstrap is great for feeling secure while shooting pictures in places where you might drop your phone. I keep it on my non-dominant hand and can tuck it in a small bug or hide it in my sleeve in a crowd.”

Other Strategies for Keeping Your Phone Safe

While these are some of the best tools for keeping your phone safe during your travels, there are a few other strategies to keep in mind! Here are some fab tips readers have recommended. 

• Turn on “Find My iPhone” – If you have an iPhone, one of the most important things you should do before a trip is to make sure “Find My iPhone” is turned on. Or, the app “Life360” works for both iPhone and Android devices. That way, if you accidentally leave your cell somewhere or think someone may have snatched it, you can use another phone to track and hopefully recover it. 
• Back Up Your Phone (Before and During Your Trip) – Many of our readers recommend backing up your phone before you leave, and also turning on an automatic photo backup during your trip, either on iCloud or another software. That way, you can still keep your precious photos and information safe, even if the unthinkable happens. 

One reader says, “I’m a big believer in backing up to a cloud storage. My phone does it automatically by changing some settings. Look into what type and carrier you have and how backups work in case your phone gets lost or crashes.” 

• Change Your Lock Screen – One last tip is to put emergency contact info on your lock screen, so if a good samaritan finds it, they have a number or email to contact to return it to you. 

What do you think is the best way to keep your phone safe while traveling ? Share with us in the comments!

For more anti-theft products or ideas, please read:

• Travelon Anti-Theft Crossbody Phone Purse Review
• How to Avoid Theft while Traveling: My Top 10 Tried and Tested Tips

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27 comments.

I have a slimline faux leather ‘book’ style case which protects my screen. I have an address label with my email and partner’s phone no. stuck inside in case of loss. I find a simple mini ziploc bag is adequate for wet weather (esp. if your bag/pockets aren’t fully waterproof).

I just took two bags with me for three months in Europe. One was the Pacsafe convertible City safe CX anti theft backpack/handbag which was brilliant. The other for every day walking around I used the Baggallini Secured Activity anti theft purse. It fit my phone, money, passports if need to carry them on any day, tissues and even my little collapsible umbrella slid into the back pocket. When on the metro or other busy places, it easily fit under my jackets or tops. These two together were the best things I took away.

Thanks for reporting back Jodi and sharing what purses worked for your travels. Hope you had an incredible time!!!!

important to look at activities you’ll do on your trip. i.e. when i know I’ll be kayaking/paddle boarding I bring my waterproof lanyard but also a cross body option

Absolutely, great advice!

Researching how to change my locksceen info – great tip! I’m also going to check out the crossbody purse recommendations… thank you!

Thank you for all the useful tips! I’ve always used a crossbody purse for my travels and just kept my phone securely in its interior pockets, but these tips are really helpful if you don’t always want to have a purse on you.

I love the Lock Screen with some info for returning your phone!

Thank you for the great tips for the phone

Secure the lanyard to your body or person and put your phone away when done, but I would avoid just having the phone dangle around your neck. Same with the bandoliers or other “phone and wallets” only bags. It’s too easy to cut and run with it. It’s literally advertising where your 1-2 most valuable items are! Better to secure and conceal.

Great post and excellent suggestions! Would never have thought to use the Lock Screen in this manner, and I even found a product for my Under-Armour loving husband. Thanks for all you do!

I ever thought of the lock screen idea – thank you.

Great info. I used a crossbody phone wallet on my recent European cruise. It made keeping track of phone easy and very accessible for picture taking.

A very useful post – I just got up and went and backed up my phone. Will also ensure Find my phone is turned on. Thx!

I’m seriously considering a Bandolier for my trip to Greece. From all the great suggestions from your readers, this is the best solution! Thank you!

Ooh! I love the Lock Screen idea. Also, Baggallini is now making anti-theft bags. I just got a crossbody bag from them for upcoming trips that I love!

I have been thinking of getting a lanyard, but wasn’t sure about the silicone one…..i will now be ordering! Thanks.

Helpful post. I just ordered the Bandolier. I have been looking for something practical but stylish. Thank you!

Some great ideas here and really like the lanyard idea for my hubs.

Such helpful info! I’d tried a lanyard that I returned because it wasn’t compatible with my phone case. I love what you’ve suggested here that goes on the outside of the phone so works with any case. Your information is always so helpful!

Great ideas – some I had never considered. I like the recommendation to change the Lock Screen in case you lose your phone. I will definitely do these things before leaving on a trip.

Thank you for this post, great advice and recommendations.

Good ideas! I think it’s important to look at activities you’ll do on your trip. i.e. when i know I’ll be kayaking/paddle boarding I bring my waterproof lanyard but also a cross body option (mine aren’t as cool as the ones above so those are on my wishlist!). ALSO – super important to have a charger ‘sleeve’ sometimes called a Data Condom. It’s essentially a USB in and USB out small piece that does NOT have a data wire inside. I use this when I am plugging in to charge at an airport or some public charge option place for added security. Yes, I may be a tad paranoid, but have worked supporting people who were victims of identity theft. I’m not an established ‘influencer’ so don’t have a specific endorsement to make.

I also use one of those protectors when charging! The information security guy at work encourages all of our business travelers to use them.

Nice. I bought my sister a lanyard that can be used with any phone case OUTXE Phone Lanyard.

I bought it because she keeps dropping her phone in the lake but I think it would work for security as well.

Great advice! Thanks so much for the tips!

Great advice for keeping your phone safe. I used a Bandolier on my last trip to Europe. It kept my iPhone safe and within reach to take all the fun photos!

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Zeynep Tufekci

You Don’t Need to Freak Out About Boeing Planes (but Boeing Sure Does)

By Zeynep Tufekci

Opinion Columnist

“Ah, it’s a Boeing Max,” I exclaimed to my travel companions after we boarded our plane a few weeks ago. I looked to see if we were seated next to a hidden door plug panel like the one that blew out on Alaska Airlines Flight 1282 in January. We weren’t, but joining a trend on social media , we cracked a few jokes at Boeing’s expense: “Maybe they can charge extra, saying it’s potentially an even bigger window seat.”

The F.B.I. recently informed the passengers on that ill-fated Alaska Airlines flight that they might have been crime victims . The agency hasn’t explained why, but Boeing has told the Senate that it cannot find documentation of exactly how the door plug was removed and reinstalled, even though the company acknowledged it is supposed to have kept such records. Facing all this, the company announced last week that it was replacing its chief executive . But the bad news wasn’t over: On Thursday a New York Times investigation reported a disturbing pattern of sloppy safety procedures and dangerous cost cutting. One expert who had spent more than a decade at Boeing told The Times, “The theme is shortcuts everywhere — not doing the job right.”

Is it any wonder that some travelers are trying to avoid Boeing planes? Kayak, the travel booking site, noticed an uptick in the number of people trying to weed them out ; it recently made that search filter more prominent and even added an option to specifically avoid certain models.

Boeing’s problems, great as they are, are just one reason that consumers might be wary of taking flight. United Airlines now also faces scrutiny for a series of safety incidents, although many experts say the issues there do not appear to be systemic. The biggest danger of all may be understaffing in air traffic control and overstuffed runways , which lead to far too many near misses.

Personally, I am not worried about flying, and other than cracking some ill-advised jokes, I have not changed my behavior. That’s why I hadn’t bothered to check whether I’d be flying on a Boeing Max or any type of Boeing plane until after I boarded.

The trajectory of Boeing as a corporation, however, is another matter. It’s going to take a lot more than a shuffle at the top to fix that company’s problems. But the fact that Boeing managed to cut as many corners as it did is testament to the layers and layers of checks, redundancies and training that have been built into the aviation industry. Aviation safety is so robust because we made it so.

Two seemingly contradictory things are both true: U.S. commercial passenger airlines have gone an astonishing 15 years without a single death from a crash. And there is a huge safety crisis in commercial aviation that we urgently need to fix.

Commercial aviation is a complex system involving many dynamics — technology, engineering, corporate culture, regulation, weather, human factors, politics and more.

It’s extremely hard to predict what will emerge from so many different things interacting all at once — an example of the so-called butterfly effect, in which a tiny insect flapping its wings leads to major weather events on the other side of the world. And though testing every part of the system on its own is necessary, it’s insufficient, since it’s the interaction of many moving parts that creates those hard-to-foresee problems. Solving equations won’t be enough to manage it all because such systems defy easy calculations.

We do, however, have methods to manage complex and safety-critical systems, and if done right, they can work very well.

Perhaps the most important measure is redundancy, the layering of precautions. Since even a minor failure could set off a catastrophic chain of events, it’s important to shore up everything. That’s why many plane parts have duplicates or backups and much of planes’ production and maintenance is subject to inspections by multiple people.

Redundancy, however, while great for safety, is expensive.

The first Boeing 737 Max crash occurred in Indonesia in 2018 . Everyone on board was killed. The next was in 2019 in Ethiopia. There were no survivors of that flight, either. After that, the planes — which had been flying globally for more than a year — were grounded by the F.A.A. (About 387 of them had been delivered at that time, and 400 or so more were in production.)

The public later learned Boeing had added a new software system to the planes to help keep them stable. Because the system made the planes behave more like older Boeing models that pilots were already familiar with, the company got permission from the F.A.A. to avoid retraining pilots on the new planes (a cost savings for the airlines that bought them) or even telling pilots about it.

Those two flights proved the danger of that approach. The new system relied on a single sensor, even though the planes were equipped with two. When that sensor failed, pilots lacked the information to diagnose the problem and avoid disaster. Boeing’s actions were a violation of those core tenets of aviation of building in redundancy and understanding how complicated interactions can create problems that no one predicted.

Given the impossibility of testing for every outcome, keeping complex systems safe also depends on another crucial signal: near misses. If something goes wrong but disaster is averted, the correct response should not be a “whew” and back to normal. It should be caution and investigation.

The Times investigation shows how alarmingly different Boeing’s approach was.

The Boeing plane that crashed in Indonesia experienced the exact same problem with the new stabilization system the day before. But on that flight there happened to be a third pilot, riding off duty in the back of the cockpit . When things went haywire, he was able to suggest the correct sequence of actions and saved the day. Had Boeing updated pilots about the system, would the passengers on the airplane’s next flight have landed safely? We’ll never know.

That third pilot — in that case, present purely by luck — was an example of how redundancy can save lives. So is a co-pilot. Planes fly on autopilot all the time and can even land on their own. Still, regulations require a second person in the cockpit for many types of passenger flights not just to handle things in the extremely rare event that the primary pilot gets sick or dies midflight but also to help manage emergencies and equipment failures . It’s the same reason that planes have more engines, more tires and more ways to extend the landing gear than they need for any individual flight, just in case one of those things fails, as has happened many times.

An extra layer of safety helped avert the Alaska Airlines blowout from turning into a catastrophe: Because the incident occurred so soon after takeoff, all the passengers were still required to wear their seatbelts.

Pilots even do walk-arounds of their planes just before takeoff to conduct final visual inspections. Commercial aviation works because of the principle of trust nothing and check everything.

It’s hard to escape the conclusion that those at the company who took all those shortcuts figured the system, with all its redundancies, would save them. But that’s a gamble. Eventually, two or three or four rare mishaps will align.

A Boeing representative told me that the company was taking responsibility and working to improve quality. But we need to see action, not promises.

So why should anyone still fly on Boeing’s planes? Or fly at all? Because the statistics still show that commercial aviation is miraculously safe, far more so than all the alternative ways of traveling.

While I don’t check for who manufactured the planes I fly on, I do keep my seatbelt on even when the captain says I don’t have to. Other than that, I’m as comfortable as possible while flying. I know that on balance, air travel is a well-regulated system staffed by highly trained crews with layers and layers of safety precautions and a dedication to learning from accidents. Let’s keep it that way.

The Times is committed to publishing a diversity of letters to the editor. We’d like to hear what you think about this or any of our articles. Here are some tips . And here’s our email: [email protected] .

Follow the New York Times Opinion section on Facebook , Instagram , TikTok , WhatsApp , X and Threads .

An earlier version of this article misidentified the agency that informed passengers of Alaska Airlines Flight 1282 that they might have been crime victims. It is the F.B.I., not the Federal Aviation Administration.

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Zeynep Tufekci  ( @zeynep ) is a professor of sociology and public affairs at Princeton University, the author of “Twitter and Tear Gas: The Power and Fragility of Networked Protest” and a New York Times Opinion columnist. @ zeynep • Facebook

Your last-minute guide to Monday's total solar eclipse

A total solar eclipse will cross North America on Monday , offering millions a rare opportunity to see afternoon skies temporarily darken as the moon blocks the face of the sun.

Tune into NBC News NOW as Lester Holt hosts a two-hour special at 2 p.m. ET Monday from Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

The eclipse's path fortuitously cuts across Mexico, 15 U.S. states and a small part of eastern Canada. In all other states in the continental U.S., viewers will be treated to a partial solar eclipse, with the moon appearing to take a bite out of the sun and obscuring part of its light.

Here’s everything you need to know about the rare celestial event.

What is a solar eclipse?

Solar eclipses occur when the sun, moon and Earth align. The moon passes between Earth and sun, temporarily blocking the sun’s light and casting a shadow on Earth.

A total solar eclipse is when the moon fully obscures the sun, whereas a partial solar eclipse means it blocks just a portion of the sun’s face.

Solar eclipses occur only with the new moon. Because the moon’s orbit around Earth is tilted, the three bodies don’t always line up in a way that creates an eclipse.

“Imagine if the moon’s orbit were in the plane of Earth’s orbit around the sun — if that were the case, then every new moon, you’d have a total solar eclipse and every full moon, you’d have a lunar eclipse,” Neil DeGrasse Tyson, director of the Hayden Planetarium at the American Museum of Natural History, told NBC News. “So, because things don’t always align, it lends to the rarity of the event and the specialness of the event.”

Where and when will the eclipse be visible?

This year’s eclipse will follow a slightly wider path over more populated areas of the continental U.S. than other total solar eclipses have in the recent past.

NASA estimates that 31.6 million people live within what’s known as the path of totality, where the total solar eclipse will be visible. An additional 150 million people live within 200 miles of the path, according to the agency.

The path travels through Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine. Tiny parts of Michigan and Tennessee will also be able to witness totality if conditions are clear.

After the eclipse crosses into Canada, it will pass over southern Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Cape Breton, at the eastern end of Nova Scotia.

Those outside the path of totality can still take part in the astronomical event by viewing a partial solar eclipse — visible throughout all 48 states of the contiguous U.S. — or a NASA livestream.

The timing, including how long totality lasts, depends on the location, but some spots will see the moon fully cover the sun for up to 4 minutes and 28 seconds.

Below is a list of timings for some cities along the path of totality, as  provided by NASA . A number of other resources, including NationalEclipse.com  and  TimeandDate.com , can also help people plan.

• Dallas: Partial eclipse begins at 12:23 p.m. CT and totality at 1:40 p.m.
• Little Rock, Arkansas: Partial eclipse begins at 12:33 p.m. CT and totality at 1:51 p.m.
• Cleveland: Partial eclipse begins at 1:59 p.m. ET and totality at 3:13 p.m.
• Buffalo, New York: Partial eclipse begins at 2:04 p.m. ET and totality at 3:18 p.m.
• Lancaster, New Hampshire: Partial eclipse begins at 2:16 p.m. ET and totality at 3:27 p.m.

How to safely view a solar eclipse

It is never safe to gaze directly at the sun, even when it is partly or mostly covered by the moon. Special eclipse glasses or  pinhole projectors  are required to safely view solar eclipses and prevent eye damage. Failing to take the proper precautions can result in severe eye injury,  according to NASA .

Eclipse glasses are thousands of times darker than normal sunglasses and specially made to enable wearers to look at the sun during these kinds of celestial events.

Sky-watchers should also never view any part of the sun through binoculars, telescopes or camera lenses unless they have specific solar filters attached. Eclipse glasses should not be used with these devices, as they will not provide adequate protection.

However, during the few minutes of totality, when the moon is fully blocking the sun, it is safe to look with the naked eye.

Beware of fake eclipse glasses. On legitimate pairs, the lenses should have a silver appearance on the front and be black on the inside. The manufacturer’s name and address should be clearly labeled, and they should not be torn or punctured. Check, as well, for the ISO logo and the code “IS 12312-2” printed on the inside.

If you don’t have eclipse glasses, you can make a homemade pinhole projector, which lets sunlight in through a small hole, focuses it and projects it onto a piece of paper, wall or other surface to create an image of the sun that is safe to look at. 

All you need is two pieces of white cardboard or plain white paper, aluminum foil and a pin or thumbtack. Cut a 1- to 2-inch square or rectangle out of the center of a piece of white paper or cardboard. Tape aluminum foil over that cut-out shape, then use a pin or thumbtack to poke a tiny hole in the foil.

During the eclipse, place a second piece of white paper or cardboard on the ground as a screen and hold the projector with the foil facing up and your back to the sun. Adjusting how far you hold the projector from the second piece of paper will alter the size of the image on the makeshift screen.

What to look for while viewing the total solar eclipse

For people along the path of totality, there are some fun milestones to keep track of as the total solar eclipse unfolds.

As the eclipse progresses and the sun gets thinner in the sky, it will start to get eerily dark, according to Tyson.

When the last beams of sunlight are about to become obscured, look out for the “diamond ring effect”: The sun’s atmosphere will appear as an illuminated halo, and the last light still visible will look like the diamond of a giant ring.

As the sunlight decreases even further, an effect known as Baily’s beads will be created by the moon’s rugged terrain. Tiny “beads” of light will be visible for only a few seconds around the dark moon, as the last bits of sunlight peer through the moon’s mountains and valleys.

When the moon is fully blocking the sun, it is safe to remove eclipse glasses and look at the total solar eclipse with the naked eye.

Some lucky sky-watchers may even catch a glimpse of a comet .

Comet 12P/Pons-Brooks — nicknamed the “ devil comet ” because an eruption last year left it with two distinct trails of gas and ice in the shape of devil horns — is currently visible from the Northern Hemisphere as it swings through the inner solar system.

The comet can be seen in the early evenings by gazing toward the west-northwest horizon. During the eclipse, when skies darken during totality, it may be possible to see the comet near Jupiter, but its visibility will depend on whether it’s in the middle of an outburst and thus brighter than normal.

Most likely, all eyes will be on the alignment of the moon and sun.

“Most people won’t even notice,” Tyson said. “But if you know to look, it’s there.”

When is the next solar eclipse?

The next total solar eclipse will be in 2026, but it will mostly pass over the Arctic Ocean, with some visibility in Greenland, Iceland, Portugal and northern Spain. In 2027, a total solar eclipse will be visible in Spain and a swath of northern Africa.

The next total solar eclipse visible from North America will be in 2033, but only over Alaska. Then in 2044, a total solar eclipse will cross Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, parts of Canada and Greenland.

The next total solar eclipse to cross the continental U.S. coast-to-coast in will occur in 2045. The path of totality for that eclipse will cut through California, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Kansas, Texas, Arkansas, Missouri, Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama, Georgia and Florida.

Denise Chow is a reporter for NBC News Science focused on general science and climate change.

Lucas Thompson is a content producer for the NBC News Climate Unit.

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Solar eclipse 2024: Follow the path of totality

Thinking of taking a last-minute drive to see the eclipse here's what to know.

Geoff Brumfiel

RV traffic sits at a standstill along a two-lane road near Madras, Ore., a few days before the 2017 total solar eclipse. Experts say traffic could be heavy, but eclipse watchers shouldn't necessarily be deterred. AFP Contributor/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

RV traffic sits at a standstill along a two-lane road near Madras, Ore., a few days before the 2017 total solar eclipse. Experts say traffic could be heavy, but eclipse watchers shouldn't necessarily be deterred.

NASA says that roughly 31.6 million people live in the path of this year's total solar eclipse, and a little under half of the U.S. population lives within 200 miles driving distance of the path of totality .

That could mean many millions of Americans will hit the road to get a better view on April 8. If you're still pondering whether or not you want to make the journey, here's what to consider.

Have some destinations in mind, and check the weather and cloud cover forecasts in advance

It's a good idea to scout out one or more locations within driving distance, so that you have some flexibility if traffic or weather is threatening your plans, says Jonathan Upchurch, a professor emeritus of civil engineering at Arizona State University who has studied travel around solar eclipses.

There are several interactive tools that show the path of totality, including Eclipse2024.org and the National Solar Observatory . You can use them to figure out what sites might work best for you.

In terms of weather, check not just the weather forecast, but also the cloud cover forecast. Some websites, such as Windy.com will predict cloud cover ahead of time, giving you a sense of whether you'll actually be able to see the eclipse in all its glory.

Everything you need to know about solar eclipse glasses before April 8

During the total solar eclipse in 2017, Upchurch says he chose to go to Idaho "because there were some great chances of having sunny skies, and I had the opportunity to be nimble and relocate if I wanted to."

Before driving into the path of totality, make sure your gas tank is full and that you've got everything you need

During the last total solar eclipse in 2017, it's estimated some 5 million people took to the roads, and those numbers will potentially be much higher this year.

Given all that, Upchurch says it's important to make sure you're taking what you need into the path of totality. You should make sure your car is gassed or charged up, and that you have plenty of snacks and water with you in case you get stranded for a while, especially when trying to leave.

Solar Eclipse 2024: Totality stretches from Texas to Maine

Simple tips to safely photograph the eclipse with your cellphone.

Also don't forget to bring eclipse glasses, which must be worn anytime you're looking at the sun, except for the few minutes when it is completely blocked by the moon.

Some state emergency planners also recommend bringing a paper map or road atlas in case cellular networks become overloaded with visitors seeking directions from their phones.

Don't forget your eclipse glasses everyone! Erika Goldring/FilmMagic hide caption

Don't forget your eclipse glasses everyone!

Arrive early and stay late

Once you figure out where you're going to watch the eclipse, and you've got your supplies, try to get there early. Although traffic is likely to be heavier than normal on the morning of eclipse day, it still should be possible to reach many destinations without too much hassle, says Upchurch.

"Leaving is definitely going to be more of a problem," he says. As the eclipse concludes, people will take to the roads all at once to try and get home as fast as they can. In 2017, that led to traffic jams that lasted many hours in some areas. If possible, Upchurch says, people should stay put for a while to try and avoid the worst of the post-eclipse rush, which in 2017 stretched even into the following day in some parts of the country.

Here's what time the eclipse will be visible in your region

And one more thing: If you do find yourself on the move near the time of the eclipse, state officials stress that you should not simply pull over to the side of the road or highway you're driving on. It's important to be parked legally and safely at the moment of totality.

If you're already in the path of totality: Relax and enjoy!

Several major metropolitan areas including Dallas, Indianapolis, Cleveland and Buffalo are already inside the path of totality, so there's no need to seek a better view, Upchurch says. You'll probably have the most fun simply staying where you are.

Shots - Health News

Watching a solar eclipse without the right filters can cause eye damage. here's why.

If you're on the edge of the path of totality, however, you might consider making a short trip to get closer to the center of the eclipse's path.

"If you're within about 40 miles of the center line, you'll have two-and-a-half minutes or more" of complete totality, Upchurch says. It's up to you to decide whether it's worth making the trip to a more central location.

Despite studying the potential hassles of traveling extensively, Upchurch says he's still looking forward to seeing the 2024 eclipse, which he plans to watch from Texas.

"Totality is absolutely spectacular," he says. "If you have a chance to witness it, I would do it."

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