Welcome back to the Velvet Runway, and this post with our tips for staying safe on your first big travel trip. 

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Traveling is fantastic. Whether you are heading to a faraway land for a lengthy stay or taking a big trip to travel the world, never staying in the same place for more than a week or two. Whether you are traveling with friends, your partner, in a group or as a solo traveler. It’s brilliant. It’s your chance to see more of the world and to learn more about different cultures and ways of life. It’s an excellent opportunity to become more independent and to learn how to rely on yourself. It can change you, help you to grow and learn more about who you are and what you want from your life.

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But, if you’ve never been on a big trip before, if you’ve only been on package holidays or short city breaks, it can be daunting, especially if you are traveling alone. One of our main worries is our safety. Staying safe at home is very different from keeping yourself safe in an unknown land. So, let’s take a look at some of the ways to keep yourself safe on your first big trip.

woman sitting on wood plank in zip line

Tips to stay safe on your first big trip 

Get Insurance

The last thing that you want is to find yourself needing medical care or emergency help and not having the insurance, or money to cover it. Find the best travel insurance that will look after your health and protect you financially when you are away.

Pack Sensibly

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One of the biggest dangers, when you travel, is other people, just as it is at home. Flashing your cash, or failing to look after your valuables can put you in danger. Pack your bags sensibly, keep valuables out of sight or locked away, and don’t make the mistake of leaving your bags anywhere.  

Keep in Touch

Nowadays it’s much easier to keep in touch with your friends and family at home. Check in regularly, make sure they know where you are and where you are heading next, and let them know if you need help or feel unsafe at any time.

Learn Some Language

If you are traveling to multiple locations, it can be hard to keep up with what language you need to learn. But, even learning a few bits can be a massive help. Learn the basic polite niceties, as well as how to ask for help when you need it.

Do Your Research

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It’s also much easier to research your destination than it’s ever been before. Look online, do as much research as you can. Look at maps, learn about the public transport systems and how to get around. Make sure you know where any unsafe areas are, as well as hospitals and police stations. On top of the research for your destination, you might want to also consider doing some research for visas and needed paperwork depending on which country you’re going to, such as a UK ETA. The last thing you want is to be turned down and have to go back home all due to not having the visa you needed. 

You can have a look here for tips on some destinations. 

Look After Your Money

Keeping your money tucked away is great, but you still never know what might happen. If you are using your cards abroad, let your bank know what you are doing, so that they are on alert for suspicious behavior on your accounts.

Keep Emergency Details to Hand

Write down the address of police stations and hospitals, as well as emergency phone numbers, and the contact details for your embassy and anything else that you think you might need. Keep them on a bit of paper in your pocket wherever you go.

I hope you enjoyed this feature about Staying Safe on your first big trip , and have a look here for more of our travel tips.

Safe travels!