Backpacking Safely – Tips and Tricks

“Do you feel safe when you travel? And when you’re alone, aren’t you afraid?” These are just some of the questions I get asked when people find out that I love traveling, alone and to faraway places.

I’ve met people from every corner of the world who share this same passion of mine. Lots of them are women who set off on their own, backpack on, to discover the world. Many of them have confessed to me that they often felt safer in places most people consider “dangerous” than in their own country.

Yes, it’s possible to travel and be safe. Even if you sleep in places that aren’t five-star. In developing countries. Even if you don’t speak the local language and you’re alone.

Of course, there are countries that are strongly advised against because of the political situations they’re going through, and there you won’t feel safe, and you won’t be safe at all. If you decided to leave for Syria tomorrow, I’d call you crazy too. Choosing where to go also takes a bit of research and reading up on the corner of the world you want to explore. Never leave unprepared, and always follow a few rules to travel safely.

I travel independently and with a backpack, so some of the tips you’ll read below are aimed at people who prefer this way of getting around, but many of the tips you’re about to read apply to any kind of trip.

BEFORE LEAVING

1. Visit your Ministry of Foreign Affairs travel portal

In most countries, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs provides a portal (for example, in the UK, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office runs Foreign travel advice) where you can find up-to-date information about the safety of every country. By opening a specific country’s page, you can also access really useful information, such as recommended or mandatory vaccinations, areas to avoid, visa requirements, the embassy’s phone number, currency and language spoken.

2. Register your trip with your Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Many foreign ministries also offer a service (for Italians, the Farnesina’s Dove siamo nel mondo) that lets you register your trip so that, in case of natural disasters, political crises or other situations, the Ministry can give you all the assistance you need.

3. Take out travel insurance

Having good travel insurance is essential for getting around safely. Choose one that, in addition to offering medical coverage, also covers personal liability, and check that all the activities you’re going to do are included (diving, trekking above a certain altitude, winter sports).

Here you can find an extremely detailed article on how to choose comprehensive and cheap travel insurance. My favorite is World Nomads.

4. Make sure you’re healthy and get the necessary vaccinations

Especially for long trips, it’s a good idea to give yourself a “little checkup.” Get your blood work done, get that knee that’s been bothering you for a while looked at, etc., etc. Traveling can be extremely exhausting physically, so make sure you’re at 100 percent!

Even more important are vaccinations. For many developing countries, it’s advisable to get the hepatitis A and B vaccines. Some countries also require mandatory vaccinations, such as the yellow fever vaccine. It’s a good idea to find out before you leave.

In any case, I recommend bringing a first-aid kit. Buy a ready-made one or put one together yourself. Here you can find the complete list of things to bring on a trip.

5. Outsmart the thieves

Too often I’ve seen travelers walking around with the classic money belt hidden under their pants that everyone knows about—yes, really everyone! Use alternative methods like a belt with a secret pocket that isn’t so well known yet!

Never keep all your money in one place, and consider carrying a second wallet with a little cash and an expired credit card—to keep up appearances—while you store the rest of your cash safely somewhere else.

Ideally, you should keep your cash in at least two or three different places.

6. Carry at least two cards and some emergency cash

Carry at least two cards and keep them in separate places. Preferably choose one Visa and one Mastercard, and be sure to enable them for use abroad. Always try to have some emergency cash. Remember that U.S. dollars are the international currency par excellence, but euros are fine too.

The best travel cards

7. Leave your valuables at home

Don’t bring valuable necklaces, rings or watches. Even here in Italy, you hear about people having necklaces snatched from their necks. The odds of this happening to a white, clearly foreign person walking the streets of some developing country are obviously higher.

In general, avoid carrying anything that might attract the attention of people with bad intentions, and travel as light as possible.

8. Save your documents online

Make a copy of all your documents—passport or ID card, health insurance card, and credit or debit cards—and save it online in a cloud service: Dropbox, Google Drive or iCloud, CamScanner (it’s available for both Android and iOS, it’s completely free and it does a great job).

I also recommend creating a note in Google Keep (you can also access it from a browser, without needing the app) with all the useful numbers you might need; for example, the numbers to call to block your cards or the one for your travel insurance.

9. Visit the ‘stay safe’ section of Wikitravel

Wikitravel is undoubtedly my favorite site when it comes to gathering information about a particular country. Each country’s ‘stay safe’ section is always packed with tips on areas to avoid, laws you should be aware of, common types of scams, and much more. Take a look and come prepared.

DURING THE TRIP

10. Leave everything you can somewhere safe

If you stay in hotels, you’ll have a private room that you can lock. If you stay in hostels, use the lockers where you can safely leave documents, cash, cards, electronic devices and any valuables, and make sure you bring a padlock (preferably a combination one).

As soon as you arrive at your destination, put everything you don’t need inside the locker and take with you only the little cash you’ll need during the day.

Basically, never walk around with a lot of money in your pocket; take only the bare minimum so that, if the worst happens, your losses will be minimal.

11. Never leave your luggage unattended

I always travel with a large backpack—where I mainly keep my clothes—and a small one where, when I’m on the move, I keep all my valuables and which I never lose sight of.

You’ll often get separated from your large backpack, on the bus for example, when you have to stow it separately, but never hand your small backpack to anyone. Always keep it with you, and when you’re walking in crowded areas or you’re on the subway, wear it on your front.

To travel safely on the subway, never lose sight of your luggage.

12. Be careful when withdrawing cash

Avoid withdrawing money at night and in sketchy areas; it’s better if the ATM is inside a bank or a shopping mall, where security is always higher.

Some people—perhaps a little too paranoid!—have advised me to fake frustration on the way out of the bank, so that, in case someone’s watching you, it’ll look as if your transaction didn’t go through.

13. Beware of scams

Be especially careful with unofficial taxis, because they may take you to areas where someone is waiting to rob you of everything you have, or even force you to withdraw money and then leave you in the middle of nowhere.

My advice is to use apps like Uber or GrabCar, or have the staff at your accommodation call a taxi for you directly, or, if you’re out, ask restaurant owners or shopkeepers to do it.

There’s often some kind of system to recognize official taxis, so find out about it.

Two tips to travel safely in South America and avoid scams:

On the bus, be wary of anyone who, for whatever reason, asks you to move the small backpack you keep with you out of your sight. If, while you’re walking down the street, someone offers to clean your backpack after something slimy and smelly has magically fallen on it, hold on tight to it, because it’s almost certainly a scam!
Another scam that an Austrian friend of mine fell victim to is the plainclothes police one. If you’re approached by guys claiming to be plainclothes police officers, refuse to go with them unless an official patrol is sent. Pretend you don’t understand, make something up, but stay on your guard: whatever country you’re traveling in, plainclothes police are unlikely to be interested in tourists.

14. Trekking and hiking

Always try to have someone with you when you venture into isolated areas; a simple fall with no one around to help you could cost you dearly.

Always let someone know your plans, so if you don’t come back in the evening, this person could point rescuers in the right direction.

One last piece of advice I’d like to give you is to download Organic Maps. This app, which is completely free, lets you download maps and use them offline on your smartphone. The maps are constantly being updated, and you’ll be pleasantly surprised by how many trails are mapped.

Hiking alone and staying safe.

15. Watch out for tap water

In many countries, tap water isn’t safe to drink; ask locals whether it’s advisable to drink it, or buy bottled water instead.

For those who love traveling on the bare minimum, I recommend bringing a water bottle with a filter. Despite the initial investment, you’ll save quite a bit of money in the long run.

Hostels and hotels often provide big jugs of drinking water.

16. When you go out at night

Unfortunately, when you’re in a foreign country, you’re the favorite target for all kinds of crimes precisely because you’re a tourist. Being drunk or high exponentially increases the risk, so don’t overdo it and always keep an eye on your drink, which can be even more dangerous for women, who could become victims of harassment.

If you go out alone, try to walk close to other passersby, avoid ending up alone in a completely deserted area, and consider taking a taxi if you don’t feel safe.

If you think you’re being followed while you’re walking, go into a bar or a store, wait, and if the feeling doesn’t go away, have someone call you a taxi.

In any case, when you go out at night, take only a little cash with you, no cards or important documents. Leave your wallet in your room and maybe bring only a copy of your documents. Take your accommodation’s address with you in case you get lost… forgetting it is easier than you think.

17. Respect local laws and culture

You could end up in big trouble without even knowing why. When in Rome, do as the Romans do. Read up before you leave, and if you’re in doubt about whether you’re allowed to do something or not, don’t. These guys, for example, were charged with pornographic dancing in Cambodia and now face up to a year in prison.

Be especially careful with drugs and alcohol. In many countries you might get the feeling that everything is tolerated, but as soon as a tourist steps out of line, the police are quick to step in, and they’ll probably let you go after pocketing a sum of money passed off as a fine. Also, in many countries in Southeast Asia, smoking marijuana is punishable by years in jail.

18. Don’t resist

If someone tries to rob you by force, don’t resist for any reason. Street thieves usually just want your money or your phone, and good travel insurance will cover the loss. These robbers often carry knives or even guns, so don’t risk your life for anything.

Last year, while I was in Medellín, Colombia, a Japanese guy was shot dead after chasing the person who had just stolen his phone. Stay calm: your life is more important than anything that could be stolen from you.

Once it’s over, report the theft to the police and your consulate. If you have travel insurance, don’t forget to contact your insurer too.

19. Use common sense and follow your instincts

Traveling safely is above all a matter of common sense. When you’re part of a group or you’ve had a few drinks too many, it’s easy to get talked into doing something stupid, so try to keep a clear head and don’t let others sway you.

It’s sad to say, but be wary of people who are too nice or too interested in you; always try to be wary and move with caution: follow your instincts. If you’re offered a strange tour and the deal seems too good to be true, don’t go. If you’re asked to follow someone, don’t.

To wrap up, I hope I haven’t scared you. Unfortunately, the scams and all the possible situations I’ve told you about in this post are real things that happen every day, in every part of the world, even here in Italy.

Don’t get discouraged, and don’t let fear hold back your desire to explore.

Planning a trip? Take a look at these posts:

Which travel insurance to choose

Which travel backpack to choose