There is another terror attack in the news and this time; it happened in the place you were thinking of taking a vacation in the summer. For a moment, you are confused, and you don’t know whether you should cancel your plans and just stay at home.
And it isn’t just about the terror attack. There are lots of other worries that usually come with traveling abroad- local violence, getting mugged, unpredictable weather and medical emergencies. But, should that stop you from exploring the world? No.
Although the unfortunate experiences can happen anywhere in the world, you can still prepare for such emergencies in some ways. Here are some of the top tips for safe international travel.
Get Your Passport In Advance
The most critical of all tips is to avoid unnecessary stress and last minute rash by applying for your passport and visa before your expected travel date. Don’t commit the mistake of booking your flight or making any travel arrangement that can’t be reversed until you have the passport in your hand.
In fact, some international flights require that you enter your passport number when booking your flight. Therefore, it is good to ensure that you have it first before you start making your travel arrangements.
Be Smart with Ride Share Apps
Take your time to research the local rideshare apps such as Uber and how they operate. You need to keep in mind that in some situations, rideshare apps maybe much safer than just hailing a taxi from the roadside.
If you are on a business trip, consider booking a limousine service to cater for your transportation needs. Limousine transportation offers safe, luxury, and reliable transportation that will save you a lot of time and money.
Get Vaccinated
Updated vaccines are an essential thing when it comes to your international travel. Disease threats can always change from country to country. Make sure that you research and find out which disease are epidemic where you intend to visit.
Remember the fact that many diseases are contagious and vaccination can help protect you from such illnesses. Therefore, it is always good to get protection from a qualified medical professional before you head out.
Share Your Itinerary
It is always good to share your itinerary with friends and family back home. Let them know the places that you’ll be visiting so that they can keep an ear on you all the time. Let them know if they won’t hear from you for a while since you are planning to visit a remote island that has no internet connectivity.
Register with your country’s travel and tourism department so that if something happens, they will have a better idea of where you were supposed to be at that particular time. You should also ensure that you know the contact information for local government offices where you can report emergencies.
Create Electronic Copies
Although paper copies are essential, don’t forget to back them up with electronic copies. Take time to scan copies of essential documents such as your visa and passport before you head out. This way, if something gets lost or gets stained, you can always print another copy of it that you will present to the officials.
Have a Phone that Can Make International Calls and Carry Emergency Contacts with You
In addition to having the embassy’s information and contacts with you all the times, it is also a great idea to carry one or two emergency contacts. If you know anyone who lives near your destination, include them in your contact list and inform them that you will be visiting the place.
You should also ensure that you get an international calling plan on your phone even if you don’t plan to make calls. Alternatively, buy a temporary phone that will work well in your destination. Keep in mind that you’ll need to make phone calls in the event of an emergency.
