Before You Leave: The 30-Minute Prep
Check the State Department travel advisory
Go to travel.state.gov and look up every country you're visiting. Advisories are rated 1–4: Level 1 (exercise normal caution) through Level 4 (do not travel). Beyond the rating, read the country-specific notes — they detail current regional concerns, specific crime patterns, and what to watch for. This takes 5 minutes and tells you the actual risk profile of where you're going.
Make copies of all critical documents — store separately
Photograph: passport (bio page), visa, travel insurance card, credit cards (front and back), driver's license. Email them to yourself and a trusted contact. Store one physical photocopy in your luggage separate from the originals. If your passport is stolen, a photo copy dramatically speeds up the emergency replacement process at the embassy.
Save your country's embassy contact information
Find the US embassy or consulate address and emergency phone number for every country you're visiting and save it to your phone — also write it on paper and put it in your bag. Embassy contact info is at usembassy.gov. In a genuine emergency (arrest, medical crisis, lost passport, civil unrest), the embassy is your lifeline.
Notify your bank and cards before you leave
Call or use the app to notify each bank of your travel dates and destination. Without notification, foreign transactions often trigger fraud holds that freeze your cards at the worst possible moment. While you have them on the phone: confirm your card has no foreign transaction fees (or get one that doesn't), confirm it works on the Visa/Mastercard network internationally, and get the international collect number to call if the card is blocked.
Get travel insurance — medical coverage specifically
Standard health insurance often doesn't cover treatment abroad. More critically, it almost never covers medical evacuation — which can cost $50,000–$200,000 if you need emergency transport home. Travel insurance with medical and evacuation coverage costs $50–150 for a two-week trip. Consider it mandatory for any international travel. World Nomads and Allianz are the most recommended for travelers.
While You're There: Staying Safe
Distribute your cash and cards — never carry everything
Never keep all your money in one place. Split cash across: front pocket (small bills for the day), money belt under clothes (larger bills, backup card), hotel safe (most of your cash). Carry only one credit card daily — leave backups in the safe. If pickpocketed, you lose the day's spending money, not your trip budget. A money belt ($15, slim and flat) is the most important anti-pickpocket tool.
Passport security: on your body or in the safe
Your passport should be on your person (in a money belt or inner zipped pocket) or in the hotel safe — never in your daypack or carry-on in a crowded area. A certified color copy is usually sufficient for in-country ID checks; keep the original more secure. At border crossings and major tourist sites where pickpockets are active, tuck the money belt inside your waistband, not on top of clothing.
Use official taxis and ride-hailing apps
Unofficial taxis are a primary tourist scam and safety risk in many countries. Use Uber, Bolt, or country-specific apps where available. Where only local taxis exist, use officially marked vehicles from designated taxi stands at airports and hotels — not drivers who approach you. Agree on the fare before getting in if there's no meter. The hotel concierge can tell you the correct fare to common destinations.
Use a VPN on hotel and café Wi-Fi
International hotel Wi-Fi can be even less secure than domestic. Use a VPN (NordVPN, ExpressVPN) for anything beyond reading news — especially email, banking, and any account login. An added benefit: a VPN with home-country servers lets you access your streaming services and banking apps that may be geo-blocked abroad.
Common Tourist Scams by Type
"Free" gift scam
Someone places a bracelet, rosemary sprig, or small item on your wrist or hand and then demands payment. Solution: keep your hands in your pockets in busy tourist areas. Refuse any unsolicited gift.
Friendship / restaurant scam
A friendly local invites you to their "favorite local place." The restaurant is in on it and charges wildly inflated prices — or they request an unreasonable "tour fee" at the end. Check menus before you order. Be cautious with unsolicited invitations.
Fake police scam
Someone shows a badge and demands to inspect your "counterfeit bills" or drugs. Real police don't do this on the street. Never hand your wallet or passport to someone claiming to be plain-clothes police. Ask to go to the nearest station.
Distraction pickpocket
One person distracts (argues, spills something, shows you something) while another picks your pocket. In crowds and tourist sites: front pockets only, keep your bag in front of you, use anti-theft bags with hidden zippers.
If Something Goes Wrong Abroad
- Passport stolen: Report to local police, get a report copy, then go to the US embassy with your photo ID copy and passport photo. Emergency passports can often be issued within 24–48 hours.
- Medical emergency: Call your travel insurance's 24/7 emergency line first — they coordinate care and payment. Keep this number saved in your phone before you leave.
- Arrested: You have the right to contact the US embassy or consulate. Ask the police to contact them immediately. Don't sign anything until the embassy provides or recommends a lawyer.
- Civil unrest: Follow embassy alerts (STEP program). Stay in your hotel. Don't photograph protests or military. Contact the embassy for evacuation guidance if advised.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it safe to travel solo internationally?
Solo international travel is statistically quite safe, particularly in popular tourist destinations. The risks that do exist — tourist scams, pickpocketing, getting lost — are addressable with preparation. For solo travelers: always tell someone at home your itinerary and check in regularly, stay in well-reviewed accommodation with other travelers, and trust your gut about situations and people. Women solo travelers face additional considerations, particularly around nighttime transportation and interactions with strangers, which are well-covered by the Solo Female Traveler Network and similar resources.
Should I use ATMs abroad or exchange currency before I go?
Local ATMs generally give you the best exchange rate. Use ATMs inside banks or hotels rather than standalone machines on the street, which are more vulnerable to skimming devices. Withdraw larger amounts less frequently to minimize transaction fees. Exchange some cash before you go for arrival transactions (taxi, etc.) where you might not have ATM access immediately.
My phone was stolen abroad. What do I do?
Lock and wipe it remotely using Find My or Find My Device (have your credentials memorized or stored in a travel companion's phone). Report to local police for an insurance/travel claim. Contact your carrier to suspend the SIM. Use your travel insurance's emergency line — many policies include phone theft coverage. Buy a cheap local SIM for a temporary phone if needed, and use your laptop or tablet for communication.