Welcome back to the Velvet Runway, and this post with our tips for staying safe on your first big travel trip.
Traveling is fantastic. Whether you are heading to a faraway land for a lengthy stay or taking a big trip to travel the world, never staying in the same place for more than a week or two. Whether you are traveling with friends, your partner, in a group or as a solo traveler. It’s brilliant. It’s your chance to see more of the world and to learn more about different cultures and ways of life. It’s an excellent opportunity to become more independent and to learn how to rely on yourself. It can change you, help you to grow and learn more about who you are and what you want from your life.
But, if you’ve never been on a big trip before, if you’ve only been on package holidays or short city breaks, it can be daunting, especially if you are traveling alone. One of our main worries is our safety. Staying safe at home is very different from keeping yourself safe in an unknown land. So, let’s take a look at some of the ways to keep yourself safe on your first big trip.
Tips to stay safe on your first big trip
Get Insurance
The last thing that you want is to find yourself needing medical care or emergency help and not having the insurance, or money to cover it. Find the best travel insurance that will look after your health and protect you financially when you are away.
Pack Sensibly
One of the biggest dangers, when you travel, is other people, just as it is at home. Flashing your cash, or failing to look after your valuables can put you in danger. Pack your bags sensibly, keep valuables out of sight or locked away, and don’t make the mistake of leaving your bags anywhere.
Keep in Touch
Nowadays it’s much easier to keep in touch with your friends and family at home. Check in regularly, make sure they know where you are and where you are heading next, and let them know if you need help or feel unsafe at any time.
Learn Some Language
If you are traveling to multiple locations, it can be hard to keep up with what language you need to learn. But, even learning a few bits can be a massive help. Learn the basic polite niceties, as well as how to ask for help when you need it.
Do Your Research
It’s also much easier to research your destination than it’s ever been before. Look online, do as much research as you can. Look at maps, learn about the public transport systems and how to get around. Make sure you know where any unsafe areas are, as well as hospitals and police stations. On top of the research for your destination, you might want to also consider doing some research for visas and needed paperwork depending on which country you’re going to, such as a UK ETA. The last thing you want is to be turned down and have to go back home all due to not having the visa you needed.
You can have a look here for tips on some destinations.
Look After Your Money
Keeping your money tucked away is great, but you still never know what might happen. If you are using your cards abroad, let your bank know what you are doing, so that they are on alert for suspicious behavior on your accounts.
Keep Emergency Details to Hand
Write down the address of police stations and hospitals, as well as emergency phone numbers, and the contact details for your embassy and anything else that you think you might need. Keep them on a bit of paper in your pocket wherever you go.
I hope you enjoyed this feature about Staying Safe on your first big trip , and have a look here for more of our travel tips.
Safe travels!
Such great tips for any traveller that has a big trip coming up xx
GemmaEtc.com
Thank you Gemma! I’m glad you think so xx
Great post and great tips. I’m looking into doing my first solo trip for my birthday either this year or next year and it’s a bit daunting but I’m doing a lot of research!
Sam
Thank you for reading Sam! It’s a good idea to do a lot of research before you go – saves any unpleasant surprises! x
Thanks for sharing all those tips! I remember going to London and Paris on my own two years ago and I was so anxious at first but it did turn out to be such a fun trip mind you!
-Didier
Thank you Didier! I’m glad you had fun in London and Paris 🙂
These are great tips for traveling! My husband had never been out of the country and he packed his nice BOSS watch and of course it was stolen at the airport (we don’t know which stop) from the luggage/bagger. We got to our destination and noticed that someone had pend his luggage and he was so upset. I had no idea he had done, but I told him never pack and take nice jewelry with you! Yikes!
-Robin
Runwayteacher.com
Oh, your husband must have been so upset! It’s such a horrible start to your holiday! I always carry my jewellery in my handbag and I pack for my husband !
Such a great post!!
xx- Nina
Thank you Nina x
Such helpful tips! I haven’t been to a non-English speaking country yet but I definitely will try to learn their language when I go to one. Have a fun week dear!
http://www.busyandfab.com
Thank you Mercy. It’s definitely worth learning a few key phrases (especially ‘Do you speak English? !!!)
Thanks for sharing these. Keeping your valuables safe is the most important for me esp my travel documents.
Have a lovely weekend. Xo
So true! Passports, Visas, keys and credit cards are key items to keep safe! Hope you have a lovely week xo
These are good tips to stay safe!
Amy Ann
Straight A Style
Thank you xo
This is really great advice. I do a lot of traveling, and if you are planning to go out of the country. You need to have all your wits about you. Hope your having a fabulous week 🙂
So true Heather! It’s definitely worth doing your research before you leave x
Great tips! I’ve traveled solo and it’s amazing, but indeed, we need to do a lot of research, keep in touch and get an insurance. xx
Andreea,
https://couturezilla.com/
Thank you Andreea. I’m so glad you found the tips useful! I think they’re really essential when you’re travelling solo xo
great travel tips! thanks for sharing with us!
kelseybang.com
4allthingsdisney.com
Glad you found them helpful, Kelsey x