6 safety tips for your next overseas trip

You’ve researched the iconic landmarks, top museums, and best-rated restaurants, but have you checked the travel advice for your desired destination? 

While it might feel like a bit of a downer, it’s important to know what issues and incidents you could be facing on your travels, so you can adjust plans if you need to.

Be sure to check the news and other sources of information – such as Smartraveller.gov.au – for updates and advice on travel conditions; considering threat assessments for acts of terror, warnings for extreme weather and natural disasters, as well as protests and political unrest.

Travel insurance might feel like a grudge purchase, but it can certainly come in handy. Even if you’re travelling to what is deemed a ‘safe country’, you could still have your flights cancelled, luggage lost, or – touch wood – find yourself ill and in need of medical attention. 

If all goes well, you won’t need to make any claims on your holiday. But for the times when things don’t quite go to plan, having insurance can help.  

Be sure to carefully read the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) of the travel insurance policy you’re looking at to see if it’s a good fit for your destination and the activities you've got planned.

Before you leave, make sure you share your itinerary with a friend or family member, and let them know if anything changes. Letting someone know where you’ll be (and when) is a good idea as it could make it easier to get help if something goes wrong or there’s an emergency.

In addition to sharing your plans, it’s worth making digital copies of your passport, visas, travel insurance and emergency contacts, and leaving these copies with a trusted friend or family member. This is mainly for identification purposes but can also help if your documents get lost or stolen while you’re away.

From pickpocketing and carry-my-bag scams to dodgy taxi fares and fake tickets, there are many, many tourist traps and scams to be aware of while abroad. So, while you’re waiting for your flight in the departure lounge, be sure to look up city directories, reviews of companies and advice from locals on where to go, what to avoid, and ways to stay safe at your destination.

Offenders will often seek out distracted tourists, so it’s important to pay attention to your surroundings and be aware of what’s going on around you. If you’re feeling uneasy about a place, person or situation, don’t ignore it. Listen to those feelings and don’t hesitate to remove yourself from whatever is making you uncomfortable. Sometimes, this simple step can be enough to stay out of harm's way.