How to stay safe while travelling overseas

Travelling to new countries is one of the most fun and rewarding experiences you can have.

Unfortunately, it can also be quite dangerous, with some destinations requiring more caution than others. Because of this, it doesn't matter whether you're travelling with a group of friends, your partner, or alone, it's still important to take steps to protect both yourself and your belongings.

Some safety tips, like keeping an eye on your drink when you're out, or avoiding dark places when alone at night, are fairly universal. Having said that, there are also other steps you can take to protect your health, safety and ensure you enjoy yourself when travelling overseas.

The first thing you're going to want to do to help keep yourself safe is take out travel insurance.

In Australia we're lucky enough that most medical emergencies are covered under Medicare. Universal healthcare, however, is not something that can be expected in all countries. For this reason, it's vital that you ensure you're covered before getting on the plane.

While travelling, it's a good idea to make sure someone back home knows where you're going to be and when you're meant to be there. This safety is particularly important for those travelling alone but is still useful if you're heading off in a group.

When it comes to new friends, however, the opposite is true. No matter how well you think you've bonded with someone, it's a good idea not to let outsiders know your plans. You never know who might overhear a discussion at the bar, and just because someone seems friendly, that doesn't necessarily mean they are.

It's important to research your destination as a whole, rather than just the activities you want to do while you're there.

We know it can be easy to get swept up in designing the perfect itinerary and forget to worry about laws and logistics, but it's vital that you understand what you can, and cannot, do in the destinations you're intending on visiting.

This is because it's quite possible to find yourself locked up if you don't follow the local customs in many countries, and having your holiday (or possibly even your life) ruined by something that seemed innocent is no fun at all.

While it can be tempting to jump in the car with a new friend, let someone else call an uber or cab, or take the first mode of transport that you come across, it's important to stay in control when you're in a foreign country. You won't know if you're going the wrong way until it's too late, and unfortunately, kidnapping is a real risk in many parts of the world.

To help avoid ending up in a not-so-great situation, we recommend sticking to public transport or official taxi services, and always being the one in charge of setting the destination.

There's a strong possibility that you're going to need to carry things like your identification and passport on you at all times. At the very least, they're going to need to come overseas with you, because you can't fly out without them.

Unfortunately, this leaves them, and you, in a rather vulnerable position. Losing your passport or ID in a foreign country can cause major issues, so we suggest taking extra steps to protect these documents.

Not only will you want to have digital copies of all important documents, but we also suggest keeping at least one additional hard copy to ensure you're covered. In addition to this (if you can fit it), it's a good idea to keep a portable safe or lock box handy so you can store these and other valuables securely.

Speaking of valuables, it's a good idea to keep them hidden. While it can be tempting to go about your day with your favourite jewellery on display to complete your outfit, this isn't advisable in many parts of the world as it will make you a target for crime.

Keep things understated and mostly hidden if you must wear jewellery and do your best to avoid designer bags or other items that can be easily snatched.

Travelling overseas can be a fantastic experience, but it's still important to take steps to protect yourself and your belongings.

In order to make your trip as safe and enjoyable as possible, follow these tips. You'll be thankful that you have so you can focus on having fun.