Travel Safety: Tips and Advice for a Hassle-Free Trip

Before You Go

Make copies of your passport, credit cards, tickets, itinerary, insurance and other important documents. Leave one copy with someone at home and put one in each piece of luggage.
Make copies of telephone numbers and addresses of friends, business contacts and hotels at which you’ll be staying.
If traveling overseas, have the telephone number and address of the American Embassy and/or Consulate closest to your destination(s).

Worth Buying

Neck wallet: to conceal money, passport and/or credit cards.
Travel vest: lots of hidden compartments.
Also consider: money belts, sock wallets and “hidden” wallets, which tuck into pants.
A wedding band (legit or not) can keep away unwanted advances.
Insurance that provides evacuation services in case of emergency.

Luggage Tips

Travel Safety: Tips and Advice for a Hassle-Free Trip

Go with simple and functional, not fancy, which can draw unwanted attention.
Put jewelry and other valuables in your carry-on, not in checked luggage.
Too much luggage can make you vulnerable. Consider shipping some ahead (using shippers you know and trust).

While Traveling

Leave attention-getting jewelry, as well as expensive and suggestive clothes, at home.
Keep a credit card and half your money in a suitcase so that one theft doesn’t wipe you out.
If your hotel requires you to surrender your passport at check-in, keep a copy with you.
Carry phone numbers and addresses (written in the local language) of where you are staying and/or people you know. If you get lost, show your list to a policeman, taxi driver, shopkeeper or other working person.
To be safe, use only licensed taxis.

In A Hotel

Ground-floor rooms are more vulnerable to break-in than those upstairs.
Concierge floors often offer extra security, including a dedicated staff and elevators requiring special keys.
In-room safes are a good idea, but the hotel’s main safe is usually more fully insured.