Have fun, but be cautious when traveling abroad! (photo courtesy of cdc.gov)
Let me begin by sharing my utter anguish for Japan and its citizens in the wake of the worst earthquake for that country in history. Given recent events around the globe, I thought this week would be a great time to touch on a few travel safety tips.
I don’t want anyone’s travel ambitions to ever be squashed and I have been hearing from many of you with concerns and hesitations about traveling internationally into areas that may either be experiencing piracy at sea, political and religious issues or natural disasters. More than likely, you will have a problem-free trip abroad. But it’s important to remember that first and foremost, You do not want to put yourself in harm’s way. So here are a few things you can do to stay safe and travel smart:
1.Register with the State Department. If you are traveling internationally, register for STEP with the U.S. Department of State. The online process is really quick and easy, and if something newsworthy happens, the State Department will contact you.
2. Heed Travel Warnings. As of March 13th, the State Department is urging all Americans to avoid tourism and non-essential travel to Japan at this time. I cautioned last week in my post on Spring Break Travel Tips about travel to Mexico. These alerts and warnings should not be taken lightly. Wherever you are traveling to, it is important to check with the U.S. State Department for official alerts and travel warnings for a specific region or country.
3. Money Matters. When traveling abroad always have cash on you in the local currency. Carry your ATM card as well as a Visa or Mastercard, which are most widely accepted. Now, when carrying cash use common sense about when you take out your money and where you keep it to avoid becoming a victim. Make sure you leave bank and credit card information with a trusted friend or relative while you are traveling.
4. Emergency Financial Assistance. If you should lose your wallet or your purse while traveling out of the country, there is emergency financial assistance for U.S. citizens traveling abroad.
5. Try Not to be a Target. Before you travel to any foreign country, you need to do your homework to see how the locals dress, travel, carry their important personal items such as a wallet, etc. For example, Rome, Italy is one of the most amazing cities in the world but it is also overrun with pickpockets and opportunists waiting for you to put down your luggage. Be aware of your surroundings, your belongings and your traveling companions. Leave your expensive jewelry at home and pack as light as possible. Need help with packing? Here are some of my top packing tips.
6. Travel Insurance. Remember the Icelandic Volcano that stalled air travel for weeks last May? It was a transportation nightmare. Luckily for those who purchased trip insurance, much of the expense of the additional nights in hotels and re-routing via train was reimbursed. I caution you to read the fine print before you purchase travel insurance and understand exactly when it takes effect. Here are a few tips for traveling during weather events.
7. Travel with a Purpose. I know it sounds romantic to take a spontaneous trip to a country where you have never been but you can also end up having a bad time because you didn’t check into its local customs, store hours of operation, etc. Know how you are going to get around and the safest routes to get where you are going. Be prepared with directions, and make an effort to use the local language, if possible. The local hotel personnel are often great resources for tour reservations, transportation, and dining.
8. Be Aware. Keep a mental note of safe havens, such as police stations, hotels, and hospitals. Use the same common sense that you would use at home.
Have any specific safety questions about traveling abroad? Send them to me and I’ll do my best to get them answered for you here on Travel Smart Blog.
