It doesn’t matter how perfect of a trip you planned or even who you go with, getting your phone stolen, wallet pickpocketed, or something even worse can ruin the whole trip.
Traveling, especially if you are a woman or traveling alone, can be stressful and the last thing you want is to have that panic feeling of not feeling your phone in your pocket.
I’ve learned from experience that even small precautions can make a big difference once you’re actually on the road.
There’s a certain peace of mind that comes from knowing you’ve thought ahead about your safety.
I don’t believe travel should feel scary, but I do think it should feel intentional.
Being aware of your surroundings doesn’t mean you can’t relax—it just means you’re giving yourself the freedom to enjoy things more fully.
One of the most important things I remind myself of is to trust my intuition.
If something feels off, even slightly, it means you should trust your gut and remove your self from the situation if your can.
That instinct is there for a reason, and it’s often the quickest way to keep yourself out of uncomfortable or unsafe situations.
I’ve found that listening to that inner voice has helped me avoid more trouble than any gadget ever could.
At the same time, preparation doesn’t have to take away from the spontaneity of travel.
It actually creates space for it, because you’re not constantly worried about what could go wrong.
When you feel secure, you can be more present, more curious, and more open to new experiences.
And ultimately, that’s what traveling is all about—feeling free while still looking out for yourself.
You don’t have to go overboard with this either. But I think you should be prepared and it doesn’t cost that much in relation to how much you would spend on the vacation itself.
I’ve compiled a list of tips and equipment to help take off some of that stress and improve your experience traveling.
In general I would say there are 4 different categories for safety. EQUIPMENT, BAGS, MONEY, MEDICINE
EQUIPMENT
If I had to come up with the perfect device for traveling it would be this. I’m constantly misplacing all my things. My wallet, my keys, my bag. This 4 pack is perfect and they’re less than $25 each!
I’ve left my passport on a plane once or twice. I won’t lie. But having something like this passport sleeve where you can see it’s on the plane and not the hotel can be a big sigh of relief. Your passport is your most important document! So you might like the extra reassurance like me.
I love this alarm because it is so compact and packs a punch. You can even use it while going for a run or walking to your car. I like it particularly because of the pull trigger. You don’t have to fumble around with buttons. Once it is released, the alarm and lights will go off.
Simple but effective. I believe they act just as much as a deterrent as a failsafe. I use them on my backpack because they are easy for me to undo but can be super tricky if you are doing it one handed or trying to be sly about it. I also love the champagne color.
These have been around for years for a reason. I personally use them on my luggage but you could use them for other bags like a backpack if you need to leave it somewhere for a second while you use the bathroom. Also it prevents the airport from going through your checked bags.
It’s so small and light that I always keep it in my bag. I’ve been in my fair share of hostels and I love my door lock because it give you that extra peace of mind. It works great for Airbnb’s, hotels, hostels, college apartments, and anywhere that has a traditional door without a lock.
I hate the idea of someone just watching me and nowadays cameras can be hidden in anything. I’ve seen mini cameras disguised as clocks, tissue boxes, and even something as small as a screw online. Luckily I’ve never found anything but I often bring it with me when I travel.
A drink cover a simple solution to a terrifying reality. I like that these come with a little carrying pouch and there are some other colors to choose from too.
Some bars might even have these if you ask, but you can always just carry your own. It comes with 10 and a little carrying case. All you need to do is use a straw to put a little drop on the strip and it reads immediately!
A classic go-to and SABRE is one of the best brands out there. It has a tight stream so it’s less likely to blow back on you. There’s also a quick release clasp for when you need to whip it out as fast as possible.
We’ve all been there. Rushing to look something up with 2% left. But I found this cool portable charger recently. No cords needed! It just magnetically sticks to your phone and charges it. And this slim new model is so convenient and fits right in your pocket.
I personally don’t think weapons are a good idea because they can always be used against you. But a Swiss Army Knife is great for its other uses, not just the knife. I always use the little scissors and the screwdriver has come in handy multiple times.
BAGS
To travel is to bring a bunch of stuff you think you need around in a bag. I don’t think there’s a way around it yet.
If the phone is not in you hands, its in the bag.
Never put it in your pocket cause that is the easiest place for a thief to take it from.
Even if you feel it leave your pocket, if it gets passed to another thief, you’ll probably never get it back.
There are lots of different options. There are cut resistant bags. There cross body bags. There are even hidden pouch bags.
So having a secure holding spot for your valuables is your first line of defense against theft.
So you might as well be secure about it. Here are some great options to keep your belongings belonging to you.
This messenger bag has it all. It’s made of slash proof material and has a cut resistant strap. What is really cool is that it has a RFID blocking pouch and zipper locks. perfect for protecting your stuff from pickpockets and scammers. I love the soft plush feel of it and it even has pockets for water bottles.
These are so cute! They can fit under your shirt on your bra for extra security. It’s perfect for smaller things you are worried about getting stolen like money or your passport. They’re super soft and honestly you’ll forget that it’s there.
Just a classic front facing bag. I love the leather and strap design too. but you should always be careful even with a bag. I have a friend who got her phone stole right out of the bag in front of her at a concert. So just keep your hands on the front and you’ll be safe!
Money
Let’s face it. Traveling is expensive. You saved and sacrificed for this trip and even downgraded for cheaper options to fit your budget.
Getting taken advantage of or just outright robbed just doesn’t fit into your fantasy.
These are some great tools and tips to keep your money safe.
Cash
Cold hard cash. Hopefully some places still accept it.
It lets you haggle, avoid using your card in sketchy situations, and could even save you in a pinch.
You should always carry around just enough to take a cab back to your hotel, but don’t over do it.
Fake Wallet
A fake wallet might at first seem dumb. Why put a wallet in your pocket or top of your purse in plain sight to draw attention?
Actually it is to draw attention away from you. Imagine being in a position where someone is actively demanding your wallet.
They’re not gonna give you a chance to fumble through it to save that important picture or admission ticket.
Instead give them a substitute wallet with old credit cards and maybe very little cash to make it seem real.
Better to have it and not use it than the other way around.
RFID Blocking Wallet
While we’re on the topic of wallets, an RFID Blocking wallet solves a more modern issue. All it takes is a side swipe or an innocuous bump and your card’s number could be compromised. I’ve even read about scammers hiding a card scraping device in high traffic places like subways and stairwells. You could be completely alone and still get your info stolen. If you use this RFID wallet, your cards are secure from digital pickpocketers because let’s be honest, who carries around enough cash anymore anyways?
I like this wallet because it is small and discrete. You can easily fit it in your purse of even another wallet. It has a cool credit card push up feature instead of trying to slip out the card.
MEDICINE
I bring my medication around everywhere just to forget to take it when I should. But at least I always have it on me. And you should too.
Never put your medicine in a checked back in case it gets lost in transit and you’re stuck without it.
I would also recommend taking at least 3 days worth of medicine with you at all times.
This also includes tampons. At least any meds that you absolutely cannot go without.
I’m not saying you need to bring a tourniquet or antibiotics. But something you know you can trust when you feel sick.
And you will feel sick because that is just part of traveling. Getting car/plane sick, jet lag, altitude sickness, new germs you aren’t immune to, or even just that street food you should have said no to.
It’s good to prepare. That way when you feel too sick to move and the light stabs your eyes, you can just reach for something to help instead of having to find your way a drug store or apothecary and try to translate medicine mid-hangover.
This goes without saying but make sure to check if certain medication is allowed or not in the country you are traveling to.
There are so many options for pill cases so whatever works for you. I just like this one and think its cute. Plus the case is affordable.
Pills
Here is a packing list for some common conditions you might have when traveling.
- Pain – Tylenol/Asprin
- Stomach Problems – Immodium/ Pepto/ Tums
- Allergies – Dramamine
- Cold/Flu – Nyquil Pills
- Motion Sickness – Dramamine
- Skin Irritants – Hydrocortozone/Bug Spray/ Aloe Vera
Bonus Tips For Staying Safe
Knowledge is power. You have to equip yourself, not just with gear like Airtags and zipper locks, but also preparation and a cautious mindset. You need to do your homework and read up on the destination too. Where to go and where to avoid.
Screenshot Your Route – Often while traveling, you lose connection. When I was in Germany and I used up all the data on my sim card, I wouldn’t leave WIFI without at least having a pic of my route/bus/metro map in my photos first. I got good at finding little places I knew I could access WIFI like a cafe or restaurant. Also any video or podcast downloaded before too.
Rideshare Apps or Taxis – Especially at night, it’s worth the money. Taking Uber or Lyft takes the headache off of traveling alone. Your location is shared with the app and even your friends can see your ride progress and route. Even if it is a short trip, you want to avoid being alone at night in an unfamiliar place. They will take you right where you need to go so if you’re like me and you often have a horrible sense of direction, it’s worth it.
Wear a Wedding Ring – This one is a classic and a goody. It will help ward off some advances, just try to not show it off too much. On top of this, I would say keep a mindset of you’re not alone. If someone asks, your just about to meet a friend and you can’t talk. Or your boyfriend is in the bathroom and will be back any second.
Tell a Friend Your Plan – Always at least let someone you trust know about your location. Like “Here’s the name of the hotel I’m going to be staying at.” or “I tell text you in 4 hours once I’m done with this tour.” At the very least a text saying “I’m back at my Airbnb, good night.” I love when my friends do this too.
Turn on Find My Friends – This one is in the same vein as the last one. Just letting a loved one know your location can provide a real sense of security that your up to date location is available to them. But be careful because it can drain your batter a bit faster than not, so just activate it when going out.
Fake (or real if you can) Phone Calls – Most people will leave you alone if you’re talking on the phone with someone. It works great for when your getting stares or you feel uncomfortable. It can be hard if you’re in another time zone to actually call a friend, so just pretending to be on the phone like “uh huh” or “Oh yeah I’m just about to meet up with Marco and Jessica. They’re waiting for me”. Avoid eye contact and get up and move if you can.
Don’t Get Distracted – Pay attention to your surroundings! It’s easy to turn off your brain when your at a museum or waiting in line. But acknowledging your space is indispensable. “Are there lots of people near me?” “Where is the nearest exit?” “Could this be a scam?”
Learn to Spot Fake Police or Scammers – Stay calm and don’t give them money. Often they will be vague about what law you broke or you can’t communicate with them in the language. Stand your ground but be respectful. Don’t show them important documents like ID or passport. And it can happen anywhere, airports, hotels, in large populated areas too so don’t be fooled. Best advice is to blend in, and never give money to them.
Download a Language Translator App – Download a regional language translator that does not require internet connection. You can even translate photos with text in them. It’s a god send for street and business signs, menus, and product labels. I recommend downloading it just in case you don’t have connection. Some apps are language specific and often behind a paywall. You can download languages on the Google Translate app, but it is not the best. I think if you’ll be there for a while, it’s worth the cost of the app to have a translator whenever you need. Even learning basic phrases like “Where is the bathroom/the red line/ this address?” or “HELP!” can be a life saver. Literally.
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