20 safety tips for budget travelers

1) When taking taxis from an airport to your hotel, ride in the most expensive airport taxis and make sure the drivers have official identification. Never hail a taxi waiting outside the airport grounds.

I know this sounds extreme, but it’s much better to be safe than sorry.

2) When traveling from your hotel to the airport, go with a taxi recommended by the hotel.

Again, taxis can be very dangerous. I can’t express that enough.

3) Try not to arrive in a new city or town late at night.

This can go wrong in a number of ways. It’s much easier to check in during the day and security at night in certain areas is terrible.

4) Travel in a group if possible.

Since when is traveling in a group not a good idea?

5) Learn the basics in the local language before you arrive. Don’t expect people to speak English.

English is spoken more and more these days, but you have to be sure. You should always check these things before you arrive.

6) Keep your valuables hidden.

A money belt is great if it’s an option you’re willing to consider. There are many different styles of money belt. One of the most popular is an “over the shoulder” style bag with a strap worn under the top. This makes it very difficult for a thief to get hold of valuables from him.

7) Avoid going alone to remote/ruined areas where tourists are expected to go. Seek local advice or take a guide.

8) Read the guidebooks and talk to other tourists to find out which areas are best to avoid.

9) When leaving the clubs late at night, take a taxi home no matter how close your hostel is. Outside most nightclubs you will find a street vendor selling cigarettes. These people usually know all the taxi drivers and can recommend a safe one.

10) When you arrive in a new city, stick to your original plan and stay in the hostel you have decided on. Don’t let the taxi driver convince you that your hostel is full and that he knows of a cheaper and better one. He’ll be working on commission and the shelter probably won’t be in a safe part of town.

11) Even better, when arriving by rail/train in a new city, try to book your hotel in advance, preferably with a hotel that has an airport/station pick-up service.

12) Do not wear jewelry that looks expensive.

13) On public transport, keep your backpack close to you at all times, preferably with the straps around your legs or locked on the luggage rack. On buses, your backpack will normally go outside, either on top of the roof or in the external luggage compartments. On long-distance buses, ask for a receipt for your bags. On short trips, just be on the lookout whenever the bus stops to unload bags. In case your bags are stolen, stay on the bus; You will probably need a statement from the bus company accepting responsibility for the loss in order to claim the money from your insurance company.

14) Leave your valuables in your hotel safe when you go on day trips or longer tours. Get a receipt not only for your money belt/wallet etc. but by its content, with each item numbered.

15) If you have to leave your passport and credit cards together, put the credit card in a sealed envelope and sign your name on the flap. This way, when you return, you will know that nothing has been tampered with.

16) If you plan to go to market areas, crowded streets, parties, etc. don’t go with all your valuables. Drop them off at the hotel. If you plan to buy something expensive, keep your money safe in a money belt. Try to be discreet when opening it! To protect the small change in your pockets, you can put a handkerchief in afterwards.

17) If the sidewalks are very crowded, especially in market areas, walk on the road.

18) If you suspect someone is following you, stop and look them in the eye until they leave. If you really have a bad feeling about a place, follow your first instincts and leave. Bag hacking is rare nowadays, but for added security, you can wear your backpack across your chest.

19) If you are on your back, try to walk without stopping. If you need to stop, rock your backpack gently from side to side so you can feel if someone is handling it.

20) When you drop your bag on the floor, to take a photo or just to sit in a cafe, remember to put your foot through the strap. Not only will it be impossible to snatch, you won’t forget it either! This is the most common type of theft: tourists forget their bags in cafes and come back asking if anyone has seen it, you guessed it, it’s gone.