Travelling safely requires certain precautions especially when alone or with your family in tow, Once you have decided on your destination and flight reserve your accommodation. The Internet is full of hotel advertising and companies (i.e Expedia any many others) that sell rooms for hotel chains but be aware that there is a charge for their services. Once you have made your room reservation and obtained a confirmation ask the hotel to tell you about the best means of getting there from the airport and how much it costs.
In many European cities public convenient and reasonably priced transportation is available. In Zurich the train station from the airport is just below the airport arrival area. The same is true for London from different airports.
If you are travelling by car ask for the best directions to arrive at the hotel.
In many Middle Eastern and East European countries the arrival lounge of international airports are full of taxi drivers who will literally pull you towards their cars, then drive you in a circuitous route to charge exorbitant amounts. It is best to tell how much you will pay before you get into the taxi and also ask whether the driver will charge you for the luggage. If you know the cost in advance, it will help you negotiate.
In some cases the driver may say that the meter indicates the cost. Do not fall for this age-old trick. The meter may be, and often, is rigged, or the driver will drive several times around the block.
Needless to say, toy should have enough local currency to avoid complications.
When booking a city sightseeing tour, ask whether they pick you up, and if they are, will the bus arrive punctually as promised. In third world countries punctuality is as rare as hen’s teeth.
The front desk clerk, or the concierge, can be of help here.
Do not flaunt your jewellery, especially in third world countries, and dress modestly. More importantly, wear comfortable clothing and shoes.
Watch for unmarked contractions holes and avoid dark streets with little traffic.
If you are an avid photographer and have two or more cameras, carry them in a discreet carry on luggage. Always watch who approaches you in buses and/or subways. Often there are women with children who try to distract you and accomplices pick your pockets. When travelling in subways stand in rows between two doors. Sometimes pickpockets enter the car, pick your pocket, and before the train leaves the platform they exit. Never keep all your funds in one bag or pocket. Take extra care with travel documents.
In some countries there are tourism police on busy sites and who speak several languages. They can provide useful tips and warn you about pending possibilities of pick pocketing or scoundrels who pretend to help you, but in reality to filch.
In several Middle Eastern cities a friendly local approaches tourists with the claim to provide valuable information about the city or a particular restaurant or club where servers urge you in no uncertain terms to order a bottle of expensive wine at an outrageous price.
Other tricks are also widely practised.
If you decide to rent a car, make absolutely sure to inspect the car before signing. Often there may be dents on the vehicle when you return the car to the company will bill you as though you are responsible. “Expert” thieves in countries with high tourist traffic often rob rental cars.
Park in supervised lots. A colleague’s rental car was broken into twice in one day in southern France, and rental companies outside Italy will not rent a car if you are planning to travel to that country. In fact they ask specifically before signing the contract.
If you use a credit card, auto rental insurance is provided so there is no need for another one.
In the U S A, car rental companies charge extra if you leave the state in which you rent the car.
In third world countries driving at night on high ways requires special attention.
Often trucks without lighting and signs are parked on the highway and several cars are known to drive into them with fatal consequences.
Nightclubs are particularly dangerous places especially for young and inexperienced males. Drinks may be spiked, or “friendly” females join you, unbidden, and ask for very expensive drinks which may be intentionally spilled to force you to order yet another one.
Paying by credit card in hotels and restaurants requires special care. Do not let anyone disappear with your card to a back office. Always ensure that the card is swipes in front of you. New cards now have a pin number for added financial security.
As a final point do not exchange money on the street with “freelancers”. They offer you lucrative rates, but may give you fake paper currency or denominations that have been taken out of circulation. You may find other Travel Tips.
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Tags: SAFELY, TRAVELLING
Martin In Bulgaria
January 19th, 2010 at 09:09
Wise words indeed to travellers. Great article. Why not seperate your paragraphs it will enhance the post. I hope you don’t mind the advice? Take Care
.-= Martin In Bulgaria´s last blog ..Save Money And Have Fun With Guests In Winter =-.
Sara @ Womens Halloween Costume
January 19th, 2010 at 14:34
One of the main problems with safe travelling is that some people think it is ok to have a few drinks when travelling, this of course leads to tragedy everytime. You also have to give your car a complete check over before you leave and not wait until you break down half way to your destination
.-= Sara @ Womens Halloween Costume´s last undefined ..If you register your site for free at =-.
Morten Pedersen
January 19th, 2010 at 20:03
I can see our point Martin. I think I will do that from now on, thank you.
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January 20th, 2010 at 13:41
For my point of view, the Metro is extremely safe if you take reasonable precautions – like every tourist should do. Many times, police officers (just in jeans and t-shirts) are using the Metro to pursue thief’s or cannons.
Chande
January 24th, 2010 at 21:24
Hi, I had similar experiences with taxi’s in different European cities (example: London, Budapest, Prague). The prices were too high and for one thing, I got the feeling that the guy was driving around not straight. But for one thing, in those cities metro is surely the fastest way to get around, even if it is too pricy like London tube.
.-= Chande´s last blog ..Best Western Hotel Pav Prague =-.
promotional merchandise
January 25th, 2010 at 15:06
As far as I know, TROPHY TOUR in Brig. Katamso Street is quite famous.But If you are not convinced enough, just exploring along the street. There are quite sum of Travel Agents there.
Paul from tampa Movers
January 27th, 2010 at 22:54
Great Advice, especially about the taxi’s in other countries. When i recently visited a India, our rickshaw made a big circle around the city of Delhi before taking us to our hotel which was only 4 kilometers away from the airport. Not knowing where anything is puts you at a disadvantage. I agree with your advice, come up with a fix price before entering the car/rickshaw.
Mark
January 28th, 2010 at 10:00
“If you use a credit card, auto rental insurance is provided so there is no need for another one. ”
This is key and I actually believe that most people have no idea this even exists. Visa and Mastercard have rental car insurance which covers physical damages done to the car. It doesn’t cover stolen items if the car were to be broken into though.
I know this because my rental car was broken into and my wife’s purse was stolen. Visa covered the broken window, but did not cover the purse.
.-= Mark´s last blog ..Kelly – Learn From Yesterday =-.
Morten Pedersen
January 29th, 2010 at 17:17
Thanks for the inputs. Great advise from all of you.
John @ moulin rouge fancy dress
February 2nd, 2010 at 17:28
Very useful and eye opening – I didn’t know there were so many devious practices. The only other one that I have heard of is of people snatching a handbag while they are cycling past you!
I wonder if there is any country specific resource where you can look up specific scams/devious practice before you go?
One other tip if I may – people scan text so it’s easier if you break sets of paragraphs with heading text.
.-= John @ moulin rouge fancy dress´s last blog ..About this blog – keywordluv =-.
Jp14
February 2nd, 2010 at 21:26
My family is about to travel overseas and I have looking for good tips for safety. This gives me some really good things to go over with my wife. Thanks!
.-= Jp14´s last blog ..Ochocinco News Network Will Cover Super Bowl =-.
charles
February 9th, 2010 at 02:36
Some times its safer to hire a car service than to take a cab or rent a car, espacially in Mexico. I was the victum of an express kidnapping in Acopolco last year. The Police took me and my 12 year old son hostage untill I paid them $1500 US dollars. I was staying at the Myan Palace which is one of the top resorts in the area. ANOUTHER guest experianced the same thing. The police look for gringos driving rental cars and pull you over. Its even worse if you are black because there are hardly any black people in mexico and we stick out. Lesson learned hire the car service at the resort with the Mexican drivers.
jaruwan
February 12th, 2010 at 19:08
Its very various idea on your blog.I think that useful for me.
.-= jaruwan´s last blog ..Sapodilla =-.
Melanie @ Familienurlaub
March 17th, 2010 at 07:42
Nice article. Especially if you are travel with your child you have to care. I love to travel exploring foreign countries. Before my son was born, traveling last minute to whatever country was great. Nowadays, with family we choose the destination several months in advance, make plans what to do, … but it is also nice.
Pete
April 6th, 2010 at 00:32
Nice advice, thanks. Although the article was about safety, it made me want to buy tickets to somewhere far away right now.
.-= Pete´s last blog ..Law of Attraction =-.
Achyut Telang
May 11th, 2010 at 12:58
Nice post for travellers..some basic things to keep in mind which might prove to be useful. Thanks, before going somewhere I will surely go through it once again.
.-= Achyut Telang´s last blog ..Best of Calvin and Hobbes =-.
Derek F
May 23rd, 2010 at 01:18
Thanks for the info! I’m planning on going out of the country with my family soon and definitely needed some reminders of what to look out for!
.-= Derek F´s last blog ..Wind energy in west Texas, Wind Turbines =-.
Clinton Barett
June 8th, 2010 at 16:39
The unlicensed taxi drivers are very annoying in many countries, especially in the former Soviet Union countries like the Ukraine. As soon as you arrive, you are greeted by a swarm of shady characters asking if you need a ride. The farther you travel away from the terminal the cheaper your ride gets – that’s my advice
David
June 14th, 2010 at 09:54
Nice safety tips for travelers. This is the finest article of safety tips that I have ever read. You have written explaining everything is detail which is hard to find these days.
The best way to enjoy your vacation is by obtaining a travel insurance because there are several incidents which you can’t avert and there travel insurance proves to be very useful.
Bernard Brady
June 18th, 2010 at 16:24
Travelling carries its own unique set of risks, and sadly foreigners do get targeted as they usually are easy pickings. When you start travelling in serious third world countries, like Mozambique and other African countries, be well aware of the fact that bribery and corruption is rampant, and crooked officials (armed with assault rifles) will demand cash spot fines with no receipts. It is best to not argue with them, and to rather just pay and be on your way. You do not want to spend any time in an African jail….
Edmund Mokhtarian
June 22nd, 2010 at 19:18
Thanks for all the advice! Very wise words, indeed.
I was just curious about the issue of bathrooms, though. I’ve noticed abroad that it’s almost impossible to find a clean/working bathroom, especially in poorer countries. Where would you recommend going in case you have stomach issues while traveling?
Also, if traveling to kind of a rough side of the world, should you pack any medicine, and what would you recommend?
Chris
July 2nd, 2010 at 11:46
Many times it can come down to common sense and too often people leave their brains in the suitcase and act differently than they would do when they are at home. Tourist areas can be a magnet for con artists and pick pockets who are experts at detecting tourists from a mile away but a bit of simple common sense can ensure that you remain safe and nothing disrupts your enjoyment whilst on holiday.
Alex
July 14th, 2010 at 20:27
Thanks for such an informative post. It is really important to be street smart nowadays.