Stay safe while traveling abroad
Prioritize safety by securing your digital footprint, keeping physical documents backed up, and maintaining situational awareness at all times. The most effective way to stay safe is to blend in and avoid drawing unnecessary attention to your status as a tourist.
- Secure your digital identity. Set up a VPN on your phone and laptop before leaving home. Use a dedicated travel email address for bookings and enable two-factor authentication on your banking apps using an authenticator app, not SMS, to avoid SIM-swapping risks.
- Manage your physical documents. Carry your passport in a secure internal pocket, never in a back pocket or bag. Keep a physical photocopy of your passport's photo page in your luggage and a digital scan stored in an encrypted cloud service like Bitwarden or Proton Drive.
- Master the 'Low Profile' method. Avoid wearing expensive jewelry, high-end watches, or clothing with prominent brand logos. When checking directions, step into a shop or cafe rather than standing on a street corner staring at your phone.
- Handle money discreetly. Carry two different credit cards and keep them in separate places (e.g., one in your wallet, one in a hidden money belt). Never withdraw large sums of cash at once; withdraw only what you need for 24 hours.
- Should I carry my original passport every day?
- In most countries, it is a legal requirement to carry photo ID. If you fear losing your passport, carry a government-issued photo ID card (like a driver's license) and keep the passport in a hotel safe, but be aware that some borders or remote areas strictly require the passport itself.
- How do I know if a taxi is safe?
- Always use ride-sharing apps like Uber or Grab where the vehicle and driver are tracked, or ask your hotel/host to call a reputable taxi company. Never hail unmarked cars on the street.