while travelling

• Credit cards
• View all credit cards
• Banking guide
• Loans guide
• Insurance guide
• Personal finance
• View all personal finance
• Small business
• Small business guide
• View all taxes

You’re our first priority. Every time.

We believe everyone should be able to make financial decisions with confidence. And while our site doesn’t feature every company or financial product available on the market, we’re proud that the guidance we offer, the information we provide and the tools we create are objective, independent, straightforward — and free.

So how do we make money? Our partners compensate us. This may influence which products we review and write about (and where those products appear on the site), but it in no way affects our recommendations or advice, which are grounded in thousands of hours of research. Our partners cannot pay us to guarantee favorable reviews of their products or services. Here is a list of our partners .

9 Ways To Travel More Safely

Many, or all, of the products featured on this page are from our advertising partners who compensate us when you take certain actions on our website or click to take an action on their website. However, this does not influence our evaluations. Our opinions are our own. Here is a list of our partners and here's how we make money .

Whether you're traveling within the U.S. or to a foreign country, you should take extra precautions to stay safe. Distractions born of travel — such as taking in the sights, eating delectable food and exploring new cities — can increase your risk.

But it doesn't have to be this way.

These international and domestic travel safety tips will help you reduce your risk so you can enjoy your vacation and avoid trouble as much as feasible. Here's how to travel safely — ranging from actions that can be implemented on the fly and ones that require a bit more preparation.

1. Digitize important documents

Your wallet or purse is filled with important documents that criminals can exploit. Leave unnecessary items at home (like your Social Security card) and make copies of everything else you would need in an emergency, like prescriptions, a backup credit card (so you can at least make a digital purchase in a pinch) and your passport.

Take a picture and upload them to a secure folder on the web. This way, if anything is stolen, you can easily take steps to reduce the damage that criminals can cause. You can easily call the bank to cancel debit and credit cards and request a new ID from the embassy. You can also use a secure digital vault system like 1Password or LastPass to store these documents.

2. Minimize how much cash you carry

It is important to have a little cash when traveling, but most retailers accept credit cards, even abroad. Not having cash minimizes your wallet's value to a thief, and you can dispute unknown charges from a card. Just make sure to carry a card that has no foreign transaction fees when traveling internationally.

3. Look less like a tourist

The more you dress and act like a local, the less risk there is from criminals targeting you as a tourist. Adapting your style to that of the locals, walking with confidence and keeping maps hidden can help you blend in. When using directions on your phone, only look at it briefly while walking.

Further, familiarize yourself with the city and your route before leaving the hotel. If you do need to look up directions for an extended period of time, consider stepping into a store or cafe to do so, rather than staying outside.

4. Share your itinerary with someone you trust

Whether you're traveling alone or with others, share your itinerary with someone you trust back home. Check in once a day to let them know that you've made it to your next destination or back to your hotel. These small steps increase your safety during travel.

It's also wise to create and share a safe word so that family or friends would know if you're in trouble, even if the conversation seems normal to someone else who may be listening. You can take this a step further and consider sharing your live location with a trusted friend or family member via your smartphone.

5. Research travel advisories for destinations

According to the U.S. Department of State, "conditions can change rapidly in a country at any time." Its website keeps a continuous list of travel advisories in destinations around the world. While these advisories don't always mean that you shouldn't travel, they do help make you aware of the potential conditions you'll find when you arrive, or areas to avoid.

Check the State Department website before making travel plans, and again before you depart. Somewhere that may have been safe when you booked your trip may have deteriorated since then.

6. Sign up for Smart Traveler Enrollment Program

The Smart Traveler Enrollment Program , or STEP, is a free service from the State Department that allows citizens traveling or living abroad to receive the latest security updates. The information that you provide also makes it easier for the nearest U.S. Embassy or consulate to contact you in an emergency.

7. Notify credit card companies of your travel plans

Because you may be traveling to cities outside your normal spending patterns, let your bank know your dates and destinations of travel. Many banks allow you to notify them via your online banking portal.

This will minimize the potential of the bank locking your account due to perceived fraudulent transactions, which could leave you stranded.

Additionally, consider bringing a backup credit card.

8. Be careful with public Wi-Fi

Wi-Fi can open your devices and sensitive information to hackers. Using a VPN service is one of the best ways we know of to stay safe in an airport, when exploring your destination or at your hotel. VPN services create a secure connection to protect your personal information when browsing the internet or using web-connected apps on an open connection.

Security.org , a security product review site, conducted a study in June 2020 and found that just 31% of U.S. internet users use a VPN service for public Wi-Fi connections. That means almost 70% of public Wi-Fi users are at risk of being hacked.

9. Get travel insurance

To improve both your physical and financial safety, consider purchasing a travel insurance policy ahead of your trip. This safety net is helpful in avoiding out-of-pocket expenses for emergency medical treatment, trip delays, cancellations or interruptions, lost luggage or evacuations.

Most policies will reimburse travelers for unused accommodations, transit or activities that were nonrefundable but had to be canceled for a covered reason. Similarly, if your luggage is lost by an airline or train company, you’ll likely get reimbursed through the baggage protection on your policy. Plus, if your policy has emergency medical coverage, you won’t be hit with a huge bill for medical attention overseas (where your U.S.-based health insurance is likely not useful).

Some credit cards come with built-in protections, whereas others don’t — in the case of the latter, you will need to purchase a stand-alone policy .

If finding ways to travel safely is your goal …

Now that we've shared some tips on how to travel safely, you can travel with more confidence and less risk. Though implementing most of these tips has little or no cost, they may take time to set up. Investing the time to increase your travel safety will be well worth it if you can avoid dangerous situations that can interrupt or ruin your next trip.

on Chase's website

1x-5x 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases.

60,000 Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

1.5%-5% Enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.

Up to $300 Earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) - worth up to $300 cash back!

Corona Virus: 101 Science Based Tips That Could Save Your Life

Corona virus: handbook of covid-19 prevention and treatment, brave women abroad interview series # 1 – laura from my travel tribe, the cuttest hills of yangshuo, the famous vietnamese iced coffee: ca phe sua da, the 3 best cafes in ho chi minh, the best pho in ho chi minh, my sunglasses are my signature, one of my instagram followers recognized me in vietnam, chasing the autumn colors in kyoto, survival guide for ice and snow festival in harbin, street light project in ho chi minh, "make the most of it while travelling", philippines, papua new guinea.

While the spread of COVID-19 is gradually being contained in China, the world is facing several new hot spots such as Japan, South Korea,…

We’re all going through uncertain times due to the new Corona virus, COVID-19, pandemic but the more we know the better we can protect…

Hi guys, While Travelling Blog is back with some amazing articles to be published each week that will put some light on the brave,…

Yangshuo is full of the cuttest hills on earth, with its unique nature, Yangshuo is an hour drive away from Guilin and formed on…

I have to say this first, I am not a coffee person but the famous Vietnamese iced coffee, Ca Phe Sua Da has a different…

Ho Chi Minh has amazing cafes rich in art, local vibes, local dishes and people watching:) As it is generally hot throughout the whole…

Expat Life in Shanghai

It’s time to pay the bills but how and where.

It’s time to pay the bills, but how and where? Here is another post about the expat life in Shanghai. As you can remember…

AYİ, the hero of your apartment!

AYİ, the hero of your apartment! “In Shanghai, life is really fast!” This is one of the first things you’re gonna hear when you…

Part III-How to rent an apartment or a room in Shanghai? Happily ever after or?

Part III-How to rent an apartment or a room in Shanghai? Happily ever after or ….? As you remember, it wasn’t easy for me…

Part II-See the real action to rent an apartment or a room in Shanghai!

Part II- See the real action to rent an apartment or a room in Shanghai! Have you ever competed to rent a flat? You…

Inspiration

Increasing awareness while travelling by touching local lives…that’s what excites me… When I came to Vietnam’s Ho Chi Minh city for the 4th time,…

How my dream consumes me!

Everything started 3 years ago… 3 years ago…Every time I looked at the mirror I was seeing two moments: first was myself in high…

Are you in your higherself?

Are you in your higher-self? Imaginary world and physical world Look around you, every single detail you see once shaped in the imaginary world…

I was in Da Lat, the 4th city in my solo female backbacking trip in Vietnam. I celebrated the TED which is the lunar year of…

20 Clever Ways to Stay Fit While Travelling You Should Try

Motivation to exercise whilst travelling is tough. The trick is not to overthink it. There are plenty of ways to stay fit without going to the gym. We’ll look at the best travel exercise equipment and loads of clever fitness hacks perfect for travelling.

It’s the night before your trip. You’re sitting on the floor packing your bag and face that usual dilemma. Do you or don’t you pack your trainers and gym clothes?

Motivation to exercise whilst travelling is tough. Sure, the initial motivation might be there, but it’s hard to maintain. Then the questions come, will there be a gym close by? Will I have time? What will I do?

The trick is not to overthink it. There are plenty of things you can whilst travelling to stay fit without going to the gym.

Going on a holiday means taking be a break, but don’t let that be an excuse to turn into a sack of potatoes!

Take a break from your work and other commitments, but take the time to focus on yourself and having a good time. Not exercising will only make it harder to get back into a healthy routine once you return. Mixing up your workout is the key to keeping it interesting and enjoyable.

With that in mind, I’ve collated a list of 20 simple, yet effective tips on how you can stay fit and healthy on the road.

Pack for fitness with the best travel exercise equipment

Before your trip, make a point to research the hotel or nearby fitness facilities and pack accordingly. Your travel workout essentials might include purchasing some of the best travel exercise equipment :

• Comfy running shoes
• Stretchy exercise leggings
• Full-support sports bra
• Collapsible water bottle
• Lightweight ab-roller
• Resistance bands
• These sweat resistant earphones
• This Yoga mat
• Fitbit – track your steps and heart rate
• Stream or download workouts anywhere on the  Beachbody on Demand app

20 Ways to Stay Fit Travelling

1. keep active along the way.

Whether you’re travelling by car, train or plane, travelling can force you to sit for long periods, which isn’t good for your health. Make doing physical activity easy by always on your travel days by wearing your walking or running shoes.

If you’re travelling by plane and time permits or you encounter a delay, stroll through the airport terminal rather than sitting at the gate. When travelling by train walk through the cars occasionally. If you’re driving, take breaks to get out and stretch.

If you know you’re going to have a long layover at an airport, check to see if the airport has a gym and pack your carry-on bag accordingly. Walk up the escalators, don’t stand. Take the stairs instead of the lift.

Make it a goal to reach the recommended 10,000 steps each day. Consider getting a Fitbit , it did wonders for my motivation.

2. Walk Everywhere

3. Sightseeing run

Forget the segway or the hop on/hop off bus, get up and go for a morning run, you’ll see all the sights with fewer tourists around and you’ll be able to appreciate the view more.

The benefits of practising Yoga are endless, but when it comes to travelling, it will leave you feeling energised. Not to mention that after all the walking you’ll be doing you’ll need a good stretch!

Do a routine either in the morning to help revitalise your body, or at night to ensure a good night rest

5. Take the Stairs

Maybe you have stairs in your hotel or there’s a famous monument with loads of stairs. Set a time limit (20-30 min is recommended) and run up and down those bad boys as fast as you can!

For extra burn, do them in a “suicide” style. Head up the first flight, then back down, then back up to the second floor, and back down…working your way all the way to the top. Hello tight buns!

6. Take a Hike

One the best experiences you can have abroad is experiencing the great outdoors and seeing what nature has to offer, and what better way than going on a hike!

You chose the degree of difficulty, both in distance and terrain covered. Maybe push yourself like I did when I  hiked Trolltunga  and in Yosemite National Park , my most memorable travel experience. Hiking is so much fun, that you’ll forget you’re even exercising, or at the very least, it’ll distract you.

7. Check Out Local Parks and Trails

Ask the hotel staff about safe nearby routes for walking or running. Go and experience the great outdoors through the eyes of a local.

Be sure to take a map or use your phone GPS, wear a helmet. Safety first!

9. Do a Hotel Room HIIT Workout

Hotel doesn’t have a gym? No worries, sweat it out in the comfort of your hotel room with a HIIT routine. HIIT, or high-intensity interval training, is a training technique where you give one hundred per cent effort through quick, intense bursts of exercise, followed by short, sometimes active, recovery periods. This type of training keeps your heart rate up and burns more fat in less time. 

Whether at home or on the road, I use Beachbody on Demand  to immediately access to a whole range professionally-led exercises routines. Beachbody on Demand is a streaming platform and app which gives you access to a free Coach for support and accountability. My awesome coach is   Basil About Fitness . I love Beach Body because I can choose the duration, type, and intensity of the workout, and even download videos to access them offline. Sign up to Beachbody  and let Basil be your coach too!

In the meantime, here is a quick yet effective hotel room HIIT workout routine that will keep you energised for the rest of your day and trip.

30 Seconds Mountain Climbers 30 Second Rest 1 Minute High Knees 30 Second Rest 30 Seconds Crunches 30 Seconds Scissor Leg Lifts (alternate leg on top after 15 seconds) 30 Second Rest 1 Minute Up-Down Elbow Plank (alternate leading elbows) 30 Second Rest 1 Minute Burpees 30 Second Rest

30 Seconds Mountain Climbers 30 Second Rest 1 Minute Side Plank (alternate sides after 30 seconds) 30 Second Rest 1 Minute High Knees 30 Second Rest 1 Minute Plank knee-to-nose (alternate knees) 30 Second Rest 30 Seconds Frogs Legs to Plank 30 Seconds Dolphin plank 30 Second Rest

30 Seconds Mountain Climbers 30 Second Rest 30 Seconds Jump Squats 30 Second Rest 1 Minute High Knees 30 Second Rest 30 Side Lunge Squat 1 Minute Burpees 30 Second Rest 30 Seconds Standing Side Crunch (alternate sides after 15 seconds) 30 Seconds Tricep dips 30 Second Rest

30 Seconds Mountain Climbers 30 Second Rest 30 Seconds Wide Sumo Squats 1 Minute High Knees 30 Second Rest 30 Seconds Jump Squats 30 Second Rest 1 Minute Burpees 30 Second Rest 30 Seconds Leg lifts (alternate leg after 15 seconds) 30 Seconds Leg Extends (alternate leg after 15 seconds) 30 Second Rest

This hotel room HIIT workout is intense, but it’s only for 28 minutes, which means you’ll be out the door, back to exploring before you know it!

10. Join in Local Activities

Fancy salsa dancing in Spain? Or tango in Latin America? Be daring and try something different abroad, from Chinese martial arts to line dancing, try something that will enrich your cultural experience.

If all else fails, join the locals playing a friendly game of soccer in the park.

11. Go on a Walking tour

Download a walking app, get a Fitbit , I use the FitBit Charge 2 for counting calories and tracking my heart rate or get a free pedometer app to track your progress.

12. Go to the Beach or Do Watersports

Try kayaking, it’s great for the core and upper body!

13. Rock Climbing

14. Use the Airport Gym

Got a long layover? Make the most of your time at the airport and make a beeline for the airport lounges. You don’t need to be flying First-Class or have a Gold tier membership. Just get a  Priority Pass . This will give you access to more than 1,000 lounges across the world, regardless of your airline or cabin class.

When you think about how much food, alcohol, and Wi-Fi cost at airports, you’re paying a very similar price but getting luxurious amenities and comfortable spaces on top of it. Some lounges even have gyms and showers.   Get 10% off your membership here.   You won’t look at airports the same way again!

15. Exercise Even if You’re in a Queue!

No one is expecting you to get on all fours and do a push-up, but there are a few exercises that you can do that can really help your strength and stability, and others will be none the wiser.

Try standing with legs shoulder width apart, and simply tense your buttocks while gently pushing your feet outwards, while they stay firmly rooted to the floor. Combine this by tensing the lower abs too for a subtle core workout. Remember to breathe!! Hold for a count of 5 and relax and repeat. If you spend an hour in a queue you’ll have had a great workout!

16. Take your Workout to the Next Level

If you’re a bit more serious about your fitness and want to build up or maintain muscle, then you can’t go past getting this lightweight portable resistance band kit.  It comes with a door anchor, exercise chart, carrying bag, ankle strap and starter guide. Woohoo!

17. Be Prepared to Eat Healthy

Instead, carry multiple healthy snacks with you so you always have a healthy option on hand throughout the day. This will hold you over until your blood sugar levels return as well as your willpower!

18. Eat healthy meals in transit

After landing in a new city, it’s very easy to fall into the “you only live once” mindset and just go with the flow.

Fact, airports are full of horribly unhealthy and overpriced food, yet they have no problem attracting multitudes of sleepy, willpower-deprived travellers.

The fact is, when we’re rushing to catch a flight, it’s very easy to rationalise that any food is just good sustenance to get to the next location.

Don’t let this be you. Pack a couple of sandwiches, nuts, protein bars, and eat a big healthy meal before you leave for the airport.

19. Drink Plenty of Water

Make an effort to drink at least 1-2 glass of water every hour. This is especially important whilst in transit. This will keep you hydrated and energised and also stop you from eating when you don’t need more food.

Water can be expensive, so bring your favourite thermal water bottle and fill it up. This will keep the water nice and cool and refreshing. Alternatively, I also recommend getting a collapsible water bottle . This will fit in the smallest of handbags.

For more inspiration, don’t miss my guide to the best travel accessories and travel gadgets here.

20. Stock up on freebies

If you’re staying in a hotel, snap up some extra fresh fruit or muesli/granola bars from the continental breakfast. You never know when they’ll come in handy throughout the day.

Listen to your body

Last, but not least. Listen to your body. If jet lag or schedule changes leave you exhausted, make your workout shorter or lighter than usual. Here are some simple tips for arriving fresh at your destination after a long-haul flight. 

It’s OK to take it easy once in a while. Travel can be very disruptive to how we sleep and what we eat, which doesn’t make it the best time to try to increase our fitness level.

Remember, however, that regular exercise can help reduce stress and feelings of low energy, which might be just what you need to motivate you into action.

Remember, that travelling does wonders for your mental health , you just need to balance this with your physical health, which is why a balanced diet and plenty of exercise is key.

Want more travel tips? Don’t miss these

• 57 Brilliant Travel Accessories Every Traveller Must Have
• How to Travel Cheap: Ultimate Guide to 108 Travel Resources
• 43 Amazing Money-Saving Travel Tips and Hacks
• 10 Simple Long Haul Flight Tips for Arriving Rested and Relaxed
• 23 Top Travel Essentials: Ultimate Travel Packing List for Backpackers
• What Pack for Winter in Norway: 17 Must-Have Packing Items
• 10 Travel Hacks That’ll Make Your First Solo Trip A Total Breeze

Like it? Pin it for later

Over to you!

Which of these tips did you find the most helpful? What else would you add? Let me know using the comments section below or join me on social media to start a conversation.

Thanks for reading and I hope you enjoyed this post.

Like what you see? Subscribe using the form below to have all of my posts delivered directly to your email.

Michele creates language learning guides and courses for travel. What separates her from other instructors is her ability to explain complex grammar in a no-nonsense, straightforward manner using her unique 80/20 method. Get her free guide 9 reasons you’re not fluent…YET & how to fix it! Planning a trip? Learn the local language with her 80/20 method for less than the cost of eating at a tourist trap restaurant Start learning today!

23 Beautiful Places You Absolutely Must-See in Madrid, Spain

Self-guided trastevere walking tour: where to see rome’s most beautiful streets.

Hey Michele. Thanks for the great post. Will try your 28 HIIT on my next trip ?️‍♂️. Keep up the great work.

My pleasure Basil :) Good luck!

Leave a Comment Cancel Reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

If you don't know where you are , how do you know where you're going?   Find out how well you know Italian grammar today!

• Work With Us

15 Tricks for How to Avoid Getting Sick While Traveling

Written by Becca

Updated on August 17th, 2024

How do you not get sick while you’re on vacation or on a trip? Use these recommended tips and tricks to avoid falling ill while traveling in another country.

This article may contain affiliate links. We earn a small commissions when you purchase via those links — and it's free for you. It's only us (Becca & Dan) working on this website, so we value your support! Read our privacy policy and learn more about us .

Avoid Getting Sick While Traveling

• Wash your hands (or sanitize)
• Filter your own water
• Beware of eating fish past noon
• “Cook it, peel it or forget it”
• Stay hydrated
• Research the tap water situation
• Take probiotics
• Bring Echinacea and Airborne
• Get the correct vaccinations
• Bring along a first aid kit
• Get enough sleep
• Drink the wine and coffee!
• Come with refills of your required medicines
• Try local treatments
• Know where to find a doctor

Getting sick is bound to happen while traveling. I’ve had my fair share of getting sick, despite trying my hardest to stay clear of stomach viruses, food poisoning and unexpected complications.

I’ve seen doctors in Mexico, Costa Rica and China. I’ve had food poisoning in Laos, Mexico City, Thailand and Shanghai. I’ve been hospitalized (twice!) in China, and I’ve learned all types of medical Spanish while conversing with a pharmacist and doctor in Central America about how to treat an allergic reaction.

It’s impossible to predict anything, and getting sick unfortunately might be part of a travel experience. Nevertheless, I’ve learned that there might be a few things you can do to prevent illness and health scares.

Here are a few tips that help me to avoid sickness and emergencies. I hope they work for you.

Avoid getting sick with these top essentials

• Travel-sized hand sanitizer Check Availability
• Shelf-stable probiotics for travel Check Availability
• Lifestraw Travel Water Filter Check Availability

Wash your hands (or sanitize)

Traveling in Asia and Latin America has brought me to some of the most unspeakable bathrooms in public places, train stations and local markets. There is often no sink (which blows my mind), or if there is a sink, there may be no soap.

This brings me to a little tip: bring your own travel-sized hand sanitizer ! Sanitizer can be used after bathroom trips, after touching animals in rural areas, after touching shared spaces on metro trains and more.

I’ll never forget, that when I lived in China, a friend’s friend was in the Peace Corps in Cambodia, and she told me that his job was simple, yet hugely impactful: he was teaching locals the importance of stopping the spread of disease through washing their hands. It has stuck with me all these years, to show the importance of keeping your hands clean.

Shop my pick

Sanitize on the go with these travel-sized keychain gels.

Filter your own water

Lifestraw is often considered as being one of the best investments a traveler can make. Many travelers use it while camping and hiking, or when bottled water is not available. Having safe drinking water is one of the best starts toward avoiding illness while on a trip.

Here’s my big tip: If staying in homestays in developing countries (like during our Sapa hill tribe trek ), be wary that a family with a “water cooler” may claim that they are keeping it with only spring water refills, but may be adding tap water to cut costs.

It’s really difficult to determine if this is the case. Try to be polite when saying you will drink your own water supply, or you’ve brought your own, as to not offend their hospitality.

Protect against bacteria and parasites and enjoy clean water while traveling.

Beware of eating fish past noon

It helps to talk to locals and see what they do about eating fish and seafood in new places. I got sick from sushi-grade fish in Shanghai, and wound up in the hospital that night. Even nice restaurants can be sources of food-borne illness: in Cartagena, Colombia , my friend went out to one of the fanciest restaurants and still got sick from some ill-prepared seafood.

We’ve learned to avoid the dangers of consuming fish and seafood in some scenarios: in Colombia, we were advised to never eat fish past the afternoon, as it’s less fresh and the chances of getting sick are higher. This could be applied to many warm and tropical places we travel to!

The info above would have NEVER crossed my mind before learning about this smart trick, and it’s such a brilliant tactic for avoiding bacteria or infections from bad or spoiled fish.

“Cook it, peel it or forget it”

This tip is about fruit and vegetables!

I’ve traveled around the world, and one of my first memories of being on my own was in Shanghai, China, where I started out eating only fruits with “peels” like bananas and clementines, because the tap water in China is not suitable for drinking.

As I lived in China for two years, I deviated from this cautious plan within a few months and was eventually eating Asian pears and apples either not washed at all, or rinsed under tap water. I fared fine, but in Thailand, I got food poisoning for a day from a raw vegetable salad. Lesson learned!

In Mexico City , we were strongly advised against washing our fruit and vegetables with the tap water, but it turned out to be fine for both of us. We mostly consumed our vegetables cooked, but we would wash carrots and tomatoes with the tap water and ate them raw. For fruits, we still tried our best to buy as many fruits that had skin or peels.

“Cook it, peel it or forget it” is for when you want to play things safe. If you won’t be cooking a vegetable, and there’s no safe water supply to rinse it with, chances are that the best idea is to put it aside and choose something else in order to avoid stomach issues.

Stay hydrated

Drink up! Staying hydrated is one of the best ways to avoid getting sick on vacation. This becomes harder if you are in hot climates where you’re sweating a ton, because your body will lose water and you’ll have to drink more fluid, more frequently, in order to make up for the loss.

Staying hydrated is important because water in your system helps your body complete all its required functions. And chances are, that while you’re traveling (unless you’re just sitting on a beach all day), you’re out and about, doing activities, sightseeing and walking a lot in a new place.

Drinking enough liquids, whether water, or sparkling water, juices or herbal teas, will help you feel refreshed, alert and full of energy. You can also try an electrolyte drink, like I discuss in what to do if your child is sick during travel .

Research the tap water situation

So many travelers fall ill due to bad tap water during their travels, and it’s something that you can put in your control. The time I got sick in Laos was from bravely trying a mint smoothie from a street vendor, and that’s basically where things went downhill.

For drinking, always do your research online and ask around about the safety of tap water where you’ll be going. I got so accustomed to NOT being able to drink the tap water during my two years in East Asia, that when I went to Israel shortly after, I was baffled that the tap water was fine for drinking.

Throughout our travels anywhere outside of the US, Canada and Europe, we only drank filtered or purified water safe for drinking. Often, this is the type of potable water you’ll find in big blue jugs, plastic bottles from supermarkets or convenience stores, or filters in private homes.

You can also find out if you can drink water once it’s boiled. Some nights in my apartment in Shanghai, I’d boil tap water to make my own tea, and I did this in South America, too.

The best thing to do, in order to avoid getting sick from water sources, is to double-check with locals or with health resources. When in doubt, drink water from a packaged bottle, and of course, travel with your own reusable water bottle (I just got the Ocean Bottle ) for refills.

This is my new favorite reusable water bottle for travel, and it has a loop handle. It’s dishwasher-safe, too.

Take probiotics

Probiotics are a trusted method of having a healthy gut while you’re on the road! You can start taking probiotics one week before a trip, to get the gut-healthy cells into your system. When you travel, keep up with the same gut health routine and you may be able to avoid (or have less intense) traveler’s diarrhea if you have a bout with some bad food.

Enjoy gut health with taking a probiotic capsule daily before a trip.

Bring Echinacea and Airborne

My very well-traveled friend Danielle recommends bringing echinacea and Airborne with you when you go on vacation. Echinacea is known for boosting immune system function and it’s a dietary supplement that I’ve taken when I have a cold. By strengthening immunity, echinacea is considered a way to assist in fighting off sicknesses caused by viruses or bacteria.

So, what’s Airborne ? I feel like I always heard friends talking about Airborne if flu season was coming. Travelers use Airborne to get Vitamin C (even if it is marketed with the general slogan of “helping the immune system”). Vitamin C has benefits of immune support, no doubt.

Airborne’s other components are vitamins and minerals, as well as antioxidants, and Vitamin E, for fighting off “free radicals.” You can determine if Airborne is something you want to take while you travel.

Shop my picks

Nature's Way Echinacea

Try this quality immunity-enhancing herbal support for a healthy additive.

Airborne 1000mg Vitamin C Tablets

Support your immune system with Vitamin C and the vitamins in this fizzy drink tablet.

Get the correct vaccinations

As a disclaimer, Half Half Travel is NOT a health and vaccine blog, so the following suggestions of mine are purely recommendations and ideas.

My friend Danielle, who has been to a giant list of different countries all around the world, says travelers should, “Check vaccine requirements and suggestions on the CDC website .” And I agree!

The biggest cocktail of vaccines I got was in preparation for my trip to India. I remember getting shots for Typhoid, Hepatitis A, a Tetanus booster shot and maybe even Rabies. For going to Bolivia the year prior, I got my Yellow Fever vaccine, and made sure to keep the original card in my passport case in case I got asked for it at border crossings during a trip in Africa.

While I cannot make direct recommendations of vaccines you need, I urge you to check the CDC website , which can help with suggested (or required) vaccines for various parts of the world, as well as healthy practices and advice for travelers . There’s also a destination list .

Bring along a first aid kit

For me, as an experienced traveler, it’s super important to have some Band-Aids handy, as well as some painkillers or antihistamines.

I recommend this hiker’s first aid kit in my list of the best accessories for backpackers . For things like cuts and burns, if you’re camping or hiking, you’ll have to treat wounds on your own to avoid infections. I’m sure there are resources about that online if you need some tips!

Below, I’m recommending a general first aid kit with wound dressings, painkillers, alcohol prep pads, gauze, burn relief, sting relief and more.

This complete first aid kit is travel-friendly and has everything you need for emergencies on a trip.

Get enough sleep

Everyone knows that a tired body is a body that may be on the verge of becoming sick. In fact, I have, on occasion, been so exhausted I was nearly sure I was about to run a fever and be under the weather.

To stay in your best health condition and to keep your immunity up during travel, get a full night of sleep! I wrote a whole range of my suggestions for sleeping plenty during a trip. You can see it at this list of the best tips for sleeping better during travel .

Drink the wine and coffee!

In so many parts of the world ( Argentina and South Africa, as examples), the wine is going to be “healthier” than most local source of drinking water (save for packaged plastic bottles of it).

I’m not one to recommend drinking, but sites like WineSpectator.com quote research that recommends having a glass of wine with dinner to kill potential pathogens in food. I’ll quote the article directly in that, “Alcohol’s high acidity makes it easier for the stomach’s natural acidity to kill pathogens.”

This is helpful in developing nations where sanitation in kitchens is at a level lower than your home kitchen, which is probably sterile in comparison.

Having coffee abroad, especially in places where coffee is fantastic ( Vietnam , Colombia , Costa Rica, Panama and Mexico , just to name a few!) will ensure that the water used is properly boiled. I often consider coffee a safe drink to have, in order to minimize your risk of water contamination.

Come with refills of your required medicines

One thing to remember is that shipping prescription medicine across the world or into another country may cause local customs authorities to hold on that type of mail for a while. I knew someone living in China who needed his prescriptions and it was quite the project to get those to him over there.

If you can swing it, come with refills and extras of your prescription medications and needs, in case some go missing during transport. Or, come prepared with a doctor’s note that names your exact medicines in an easy-to-read international format so that they can be fulfilled by a local pharmacy.

You’ll also find that outside the US, medicines and typical remedies at pharmacies might be infinitely cheaper than the prices you’ll find at home. While traveling out of the country, I find it helpful to stock up on basic remedies and medicines that are outrageously priced at home!

Try local treatments

There will be lots of local traditions you can try when you travel. They may be ones that haven’t “hit the trends” yet in our home countries. The best cures for illnesses may be coca tea for altitude sickness in the Andes of South America, superfood herbs like moringa in some parts of the world and East Asian medicine in China.

When I lived in China, at the mere first symptom of catching a cold, all my Chinese coworkers suggested drinking hot water (开水 kai shui) to ward off getting sick. I’m not sure if it worked, but everyone would do it, and I learned to enjoy the taste of hot water anyway!

I also learned more about Chinese and Eastern medicine as time went on, during my years living in Asia. There were precautions for pregnancy, menstruation and even the “yin and yang” of foods. For example, if my coworkers saw me eating too much long’an fruit (similar to lychee), they would gasp and say it was bad for my balance of “hot and cold.”

I haven’t erased this from memory, and I keep it in mind still today!

Know where to find a doctor

The times I’ve gotten really sick while traveling, I’ve sought medical help. In Costa Rica, while traveling solo , I cut a habanero pepper without wearing a glove (and wound up with a whole-hand burn).

My hostel was able to find me a pharmacy open at that hour when there was a doctor on site to give me a shot of cortisol.

In Shanghai when I got violent food poisoning, a friend helped me into a taxi to get to the Western hospital where I spent two days hooked up to an IV being nursed back to health. In Mexico City when I discovered a weird bump on my hip (that turned out to be a bruise, most likely), I got a referral from a local Mexican friend for her family’s trusted physician.

When you travel to a new place, I recommend either having a way to look up a doctor or hospital quickly, or come armed with a referral or a medical hotline number. Usually, the front desk at a hotel or resort will know how to direct you toward medical help immediately, should you be in a bind.

Pin Your Favorites on Pinterest!

You may also like

How to Avoid Pickpockets When Traveling (23 Tips)

Avoid pickpockets on your next trip with my best tips for keeping valuables safe. Use these tricks and hacks to ward off thieves while traveling!

Pregnant and Traveling: 16 Handy Essentials for Comfy Flights

Through taking flights while pregnant, I found things that help make the trip more comfortable. Here are my personal recommendations of what to pack for flying during pregnancy.

How to Make the Most Out of Group Travel (And Enjoy a Group Trip)

Group vacations are unique, and planning a group trip can get challenging. Here’s how I’ve come to enjoy group trips and some ways I find that everyone can have fun.

How to Take a Flight with a Baby (32 Tips)

How should you take your first flight with an infant? These important tips and tricks will get you through flying on a plane with your baby so that everything goes to plan.

Things to Know Before Planning a Trip as a Couple

Are you going on a trip with someone you just started dating? Here's a guide to our tips for how to survive your first trip or holiday together as a couple.

19 Exciting Solo Travel Destinations in 2024 (From Real Travelers)

What are the best ideas for unique solo travel destinations? Check out these popular cities and countries for traveling on your own — some may surprise you.

Halo ! We’re Becca & Dan.

We created this blog to share some of the knowledge and experience that we have around travel , remote work , photography and beyond!

We're currently testing out packing cubes.

Join the club

You’ll get emails with our latest articles, tips, advice and so much more! You won't find this content anywhere else!

This website may contain affiliate links. We earn a small commissions when you purchase via those links — and it's free for you. It's only us (Becca & Dan) working on this website, so we value your support! Read our privacy policy and learn more about us .

Among other programs, Half Half Travel is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

• TEFL Internship
• TEFL Masters
• Find a TEFL Course
• Special Offers
• Course Providers
• Teach English Abroad
• Find a TEFL Job
• About DoTEFL
• Our Mission
• How DoTEFL Works

Forgotten Password

• 29 Essential Travel Safety Tips: How to Travel Safely Abroad
• James Prior
• No Comments
• Updated February 23, 2024

Traveling abroad can be a thrilling adventure that broadens your horizons and creates lifelong memories. However, it’s important to remember that the world can be a diverse and sometimes unpredictable place. Ensuring your safety while exploring abroad should be a top priority. That’s why we’ve put together a list of 29 essential travel safety tips to help you minimize any risks and make the most of your time away.

So, read on to learn how to travel safely abroad.

Table of Contents

How to Travel Safely Abroad

Ready to embark on a trip of a lifetime? Before you go, it’s worth taking the time to consider any steps you can take to ensure your travel safety and help you stay safe abroad. After all, you want to return home with positive memories that you’ll talk about for years to come, not with an experience you’d rather forget!

Here is a list of 29 travel safety tips to help you set off on the right foot:

1. Research Your Destination

Before you embark on your journey, invest time in researching your chosen destination. Learning about the local culture, customs, and traditions not only enriches your travel experience but also helps you navigate unfamiliar situations. Additionally, understanding the local laws and regulations is vital to avoid any unintentional mishaps that could occur in a foreign country.

Start by consulting reliable travel guides and websites, reading up on local customs, and gathering insights from fellow travelers who have visited the same destination. The more informed you are about your chosen location, the better equipped you’ll be to respect local norms and stay safe.

2. Check Travel Advisories

One of the most crucial steps in travel safety is staying up-to-date with government travel advisories for your destination. These advisories provide valuable information about potential safety and security concerns, ranging from health risks to political instability. Government agencies like the U.S. State Department and the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office regularly update their travel advisories with important insights and recommendations on different countries.

Keep in mind that travel advisories can change rapidly, so it’s essential to check for updates before and during your trip. While an advisory doesn’t necessarily mean you should cancel your plans, it does provide valuable insights to help you make informed decisions about your itinerary and activities.

You can check here for the U.S. State Department’s travel advisories .

You can check here for the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office travel advice .

3. Take Health Precautions & Get Vaccinations

Your health should be a top priority when traveling abroad. Visit a travel clinic or consult your healthcare provider well in advance of your departure to ensure you receive the necessary vaccinations and health advice tailored to your destination. Alternatively, you can do your own research online if you’re feeling confident.

Just remember, different countries have various health risks, including diseases like malaria, yellow fever, and typhoid. Some destinations may require proof of vaccination as a condition of entry. By taking these precautions, you can protect yourself and enjoy your journey without the worry of preventable health issues.

4. Get Travel Insurance

Travel insurance is a non-negotiable aspect of international travel. It serves as a safety net, covering unexpected medical emergencies, trip cancellations, lost belongings, and more. While it may feel like an additional expense, it’s a small investment compared to the potential costs of unforeseen events while abroad. If you need medical attention and don’t have travel insurance you could run into some very high bills!

Choose a comprehensive travel insurance plan that suits your needs and destination. Read the fine print to understand what’s covered and ensure you have contact information for the insurance provider readily available in case of emergencies. Having travel insurance in place offers peace of mind and financial security during your journey.

It’s worth taking a copy of your travel insurance certificate with you so that you have it to hand in case you need it.

5. Register with Your Embassy

Before departing for your destination, take a moment to register with your country’s embassy or consulate. This simple step can be a lifesaver in emergencies, such as natural disasters or political unrest. It’s a free service, and when you register your government will have a record of your presence in the country, making it easier for them to contact you and provide assistance if needed.

Embassies and consulates can also offer valuable advice and information about local conditions. Additionally, they can help citizens abroad with lost passports, legal issues, and medical emergencies, serving as a reliable source of support while abroad.

6. Check Your Passport and Visa

Your passport is your key to international travel, so it’s essential to ensure it’s in order before leaving your home country. Check its expiration date; most countries require your passport to be valid for at least six months beyond your planned return date.

In addition to a valid passport, research and obtain the necessary visas for your destination. Visa requirements can vary widely from one country to another, so it’s vital to plan ahead. Failure to comply with visa regulations could result in denied entry or even deportation, so double-check your documents to avoid any unwelcome surprises upon arrival. You don’t want to be put on a flight home before you’ve even been able to set foot in the country!

7. Take Copies of Your Important Documents

One of the simplest yet most effective safety precautions you can take when traveling internationally is making copies of any important travel documents. Photocopy your passport, visa, and itinerary, and carry these copies separately from the originals. Additionally, scan or photograph your documents and store digital copies securely online, accessible through cloud storage or email. You should also do this with your travel insurance.

These precautions are invaluable if your documents are lost or stolen during your trip. With photocopies and digital copies of your important documents in hand, you can quickly prove your identity and facilitate replacements. Remember to keep your originals in a secure location, such as a hotel safe.

8. Travel Light

Overpacking can be tempting, but it can also be a safety hazard. Carrying excessive luggage can make you a target for thieves and hinder your ability to move around comfortably. To stay safe and mobile, pack only what you truly need for your journey.

Consider the climate and activities you’ll be participating in and pack accordingly. Opt for versatile clothing and lightweight, easy-to-carry luggage. By traveling light, you’ll have greater flexibility, reduce the risk of lost belongings, and enjoy a more stress-free journey.

9. Pack a First Aid Kit

A well-stocked first aid kit is a travel essential that can come to your rescue in various situations. Include items like bandages, antiseptic wipes, pain relievers, and any prescription medications you may need. Having a first aid kit on hand allows you to address minor injuries and ailments promptly, ensuring your trip continues smoothly.

10. Manage Your Finances

Managing your finances wisely is crucial when traveling abroad. Carry a mix of payment methods, including cash, credit cards, and a travel money card. Diversifying your payment options is a noteworthy travel hack and ensures you’re prepared for various situations.

Keep emergency funds separate from your daily spending money, so you always have a backup in case of unexpected expenses or emergencies.

Before departing, inform your bank and credit card companies about your travel plans to prevent unexpected card blocks due to suspicious international transactions. It’s worth just checking the balance on your debit card at an airport ATM when you arrive in a new country as it can help let the bank know you’re there.

11. Stay Informed

To stay safe while traveling abroad, it’s essential to stay informed about local conditions and events. Keep an eye on local news and current events in your destination to stay aware of any potential risks or developments that might affect your plans.

Political unrest, natural disasters, and health crises can all impact your travel experience. By staying informed, you can adjust your itinerary or make alternative arrangements to ensure your safety and well-being. Most importantly, trust your instincts—if a situation doesn’t feel right, take immediate steps to remove yourself from it.

12. Know Emergency Numbers

Understanding local emergency numbers is crucial for your safety while abroad. These numbers may vary from country to country, so it’s essential to familiarize yourself with the correct ones for your destination. In addition to knowing the local emergency number, find out the contact information for your country’s embassy or consulate in case you need assistance.

Having these numbers readily available can be a lifesaver in situations such as accidents, medical emergencies, or if you become a victim of crime. Be prepared to provide your location and details of the emergency when calling for assistance.

It’s also worth knowing the location of the nearest embassy and police station if you do find yourself in need of help.

13. Brush Up Your Language Skills

While English is widely spoken in many parts of the world, taking the time to learn basic phrases in the local language can enhance your travel experience and improve your safety. Simple greetings, expressions of gratitude, and phrases for asking for help can go a long way in building rapport with locals and navigating everyday situations.

Learning a few key phrases not only shows respect for the local culture but also ensures you can communicate effectively in case of emergencies or when seeking assistance. It’s a valuable skill that can open doors to new friendships and enrich your travel experience.

14. Secure Your Valuables

Protecting your valuables and personal belongings should be a top priority throughout your journey. Use a money belt or hidden pouch to carry your passport, cash, and essential documents. These items should be close to your body and out of sight, making it challenging for pickpockets to target you.

Additionally, take advantage of hotel safes to secure valuables when you’re not using them. This extra layer of protection ensures peace of mind while you explore your destination. When venturing out, avoid carrying unnecessary items like expensive jewelry or electronics that might attract thieves.

15. Blend In

To minimize the risk of drawing unwanted attention and potential theft, dress modestly and avoid wearing flashy clothing or excessive jewelry. While you may want to express your personal style, it’s important to remember that certain clothing choices can make you stand out as a tourist.

Before your trip, research the local dress code and cultural norms, and aim to blend in with the locals. This not only helps you stay safe but also shows respect for the local culture and customs. As a bonus, it can lead to more authentic interactions with the people you meet along the way.

16. Avoid Wearing Expensive Jewelry

While it’s tempting to showcase your favorite jewelry while traveling, it’s generally safer to leave expensive pieces at home. Wearing valuable jewelry like high-end watches can make you a target for theft. Instead, opt for more modest accessories that won’t attract undue attention. Remember, it’s the experiences and memories that truly enrich your journey, not the possessions you bring along.

17. Learn Self-Defense

While it may seem a bit leftfield and the hope is never to use it, learning basic self-defense techniques can provide an added layer of security. Consider taking self-defense classes before your trip to gain confidence and skills to protect yourself in an emergency. Self-defense training can also empower you to react calmly and effectively if faced with a threatening situation.

18. Ensure Transportation Safety

When it comes to transportation, safety should be a top concern. Research and choose reputable transportation providers for your journeys within your destination. This includes using well-established taxi companies, licensed tour operators, and reliable public transportation options.

Before entering a vehicle, confirm the fare or agree on a price with the driver to avoid disputes later. Be cautious when sharing rides with strangers, and trust your instincts—if something doesn’t feel right, opt for a different mode of transportation or seek assistance.

Different countries have different types of transport so you may find yourself traveling in ways your not familiar with back home.

19. Avoid Unregistered Taxis

Taxis are a common mode of transportation in many countries, but not all taxi services are created equal. To ensure your safety, only use licensed and reputable taxi services. Avoid unregistered or unofficial taxis that may not adhere to safety standards or regulations.

Before getting into a taxi, ask the driver to turn on the meter or agree on a fixed fare. Make note of the taxi’s license plate number and driver’s identification information. This precaution helps ensure a smooth and secure journey to your destination.

20. Have Travel Companions

Traveling with companions can enhance your overall experience and provide an added layer of safety. Whether you’re exploring a bustling city or trekking through remote landscapes, sticking together with your travel companions is a smart practice.

Especially when visiting unfamiliar or potentially risky areas, the “buddy system” can deter potential threats and ensure someone is there to assist if you encounter any challenges. Communication and mutual support among your group are key to a safe and enjoyable journey.

21. Drink Responsibly

Enjoying local beverages can be an integral part of experiencing a new culture, but it’s essential to drink responsibly. Overindulgence can lead to poor decision-making and put your safety at risk.

Always know your limits, stay hydrated, and have a plan for getting back to your accommodation safely. Be cautious about accepting drinks from strangers, and never leave your drink unattended to avoid the risk of tampering.

22. Stay Hydrated

Maintaining proper hydration is essential for your health and safety while traveling abroad. In some countries, tap water may not be safe to drink, so it’s important to rely on bottled water or purified water sources.

Carry a reusable water bottle and refill it with safe water as needed. Dehydration can lead to various health issues, including heat-related illnesses, so make it a habit to drink plenty of water throughout your travels. Be cautious when consuming street food and beverages, and opt for reputable establishments to reduce the risk of foodborne illnesses.

23. Be Aware of Scams

Tourist destinations are often hotspots for scammers looking to take advantage of unsuspecting travelers. Familiarize yourself with common tourist scams in your destination and be on the lookout for red flags.

Common scams may include pickpocketing, distraction tactics, fake tour guides, and counterfeit products. Stay vigilant, keep your belongings secure, and trust your instincts if someone approaches you with a suspicious offer or request for money.

24. Trust Your Instincts

Your intuition is a powerful tool when it comes to travel safety. If a situation feels uncomfortable or unsafe, trust your instincts and take immediate action to remove yourself from it.

Whether it’s a sketchy neighborhood, a pushy salesperson, or a suspicious interaction, prioritize your safety over everything else. It’s better to err on the side of caution and seek assistance or shelter if necessary.

25. Be Aware of Your Surroundings

Maintaining awareness of your surroundings is a fundamental aspect of staying safe while abroad. Avoid walking around with headphones on or engrossed in your phone, as this can make you vulnerable to theft or accidents.

Stay alert, especially in crowded or unfamiliar areas, and trust your instincts if something doesn’t feel right. If it doesn’t come across as a safe place take steps to leave that location. Awareness is your first line of defense.

26. Travel During the Day

Whenever possible, plan your travel and exploration activities during daylight hours. Daytime offers better visibility and safety than venturing out at night, especially in unfamiliar areas.

If you need to travel at night, research safe transportation options and consider using reputable taxi services or ridesharing apps. Take extra precautions by avoiding walking alone in poorly lit or deserted areas, and stay in well-traveled, well-lit areas when exploring after dark.

27. Check In with Friends and Family

In case of unexpected situations, having a trusted friend or family member who knows your whereabouts can be invaluable. Regularly check in with friends or family members back home to let them know you’re safe and where you are. Share your itinerary and update them on your plans.

Consider using a messaging app or social media to keep loved ones informed and leave them your accommodation details in case they can’t reach you by conventional means. It can also be worth leaving a friend or family member a copy of your passport or any other important documents before you leave in case you misplace them whilst away.

28. Ask Locals for Advice

Locals often possess invaluable insights about their hometown or region. Don’t hesitate to strike up conversations and ask for advice or recommendations.

Locals can provide tips on safe areas to visit, hidden gems, and the best places to eat. Their knowledge can help you make the most of your travels while avoiding potential pitfalls.

29. Avoid Unnecessary Risks

While travel often includes adventurous activities, it’s crucial to evaluate the risks involved and exercise caution. Think twice before engaging in risky behaviors such as wandering into unknown neighborhoods at night, taking part in extreme sports, scaling precarious cliffs for photos, or swimming in unfamiliar waters without a lifeguard.

Try to prioritize safety over thrill-seeking to ensure a safe and enjoyable journey. And, if you are doing extreme sports or water activities, make sure you have insurance that covers the highest-risk activities.

Get Out There & Travel

Traveling abroad can be a transformative experience filled with adventure and cultural discovery. And, while safety should always be at the forefront of your travel plans, you shouldn’t let your concerns prevent you from taking your trip in the first place. By researching your destination, staying informed, and taking practical precautions, you can enjoy a secure and memorable journey.

Responsible and mindful travel not only enhances your personal safety but also contributes to a more positive and respectful interaction with the places and cultures you visit.

Just remember that these travel safety tips are adaptable to various destinations, and some countries will not be the same as other countries. Irrespective of this, by incorporating these tips into your travel safety routine they can help you navigate unfamiliar environments with confidence and minimize potential risks. So, use them as a foundation for safe and rewarding travels around the world.

With that, we wish you safe travels and bon voyage!

• Recent Posts

• ESOL Meaning, Definition, and What It Involves - September 7, 2024
• 23 Icebreaker Activities & Games to Break The Ice With Students - September 7, 2024
• 67 Icebreaker Games & Activities (For All Age Groups) - September 6, 2024

More from DoTEFL

11 of the Best English Learning Apps For English Learners

• Updated January 8, 2024

22 Companies Where You Can Teach English Online to Chinese Students

• Updated March 22, 2024

93 Business Idioms With Their Meanings & Examples

• Updated May 26, 2024

How to Print Your Flyer at Home: A Step-By-Step Guide

• Updated December 7, 2023

Cultural Immersion in Language Learning: Why It’s Important

• Updated September 3, 2024

Bests or Best? How to Correctly Sign Off an Email

• Updated February 19, 2023
• The global TEFL course directory.

What to Do If You Test Positive for COVID-19 While Traveling

A fter two years of pandemic living, Americans are collectively ready for a vacation. About 85% of people in the U.S. expect to travel this summer, according to data from the industry trade group U.S. Travel Association. Many others aren’t even waiting that long. Almost 2.3 million people passed through U.S. Transportation Security Administration checkpoints on April 10, only slightly fewer than on that date in 2019.

No matter how much we might like to, though, it’s not always possible to take a vacation from COVID-19. The virus is still circulating widely , including in popular tourist destinations like the U.K., Germany, France, and Italy. That means getting sick while traveling is a real possibility—and one that can turn into an expensive and stressful logistical headache.

What happens if you get COVID-19 while traveling internationally?

To enter the U.S., international travelers currently need either a negative COVID-19 test result obtained within one day of their flight or proof that they have recovered from COVID-19 in the last 90 days. (This policy applies to both U.S. citizens and non-citizens, but children younger than 2 are exempt.) Without one of those documents, you cannot board a U.S.-bound flight. If you test positive, you should isolate and delay travel for 10 days , according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

But where do you stay if you need to quarantine abroad? And who pays for extended accommodations and rescheduled flights?

Specifics vary from country to country, but the short answer is that travelers are often on the hook. Exceptions to the test-to-return policy may be granted on an “extremely limited” basis, such as in the event of an emergency medical evacuation or humanitarian crisis, the CDC says—but the average vacationer won’t have many options beyond paying to extend their stay.

“Have a plan in case you have to remain overseas longer than anticipated,” the U.S. Department of State writes on its website . “This includes being ready to cover additional lodging costs, flight ticket change fees, and any other additional expenses they may incur due to the unexpected extension.”

Some travel insurance covers extra expenses incurred because of a COVID-19 case, but policies may not cover all costs related to an extension, according to a spokesperson for the U.S. Travel Insurance Association. “Travelers concerned about this potential disruption in their travels should first look for a policy that includes sickness or quarantine as a covered reason, and then determine which benefits quarantine falls under and the limits of those benefits,” they wrote in a statement.

A spokesperson for the State Department said travelers who must isolate should contact their hotels and airlines to arrange accommodations and re-book travel, and, if necessary, seek assistance from their nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. The spokesperson added that U.S. citizens traveling abroad are subject to local quarantine rules, which may differ from those of the U.S. CDC.

Certain countries maintain “quarantine hotels” where travelers can quarantine upon arrival (if required by that country) or ride out their isolation periods. USA Today reports that some resorts even offer discounted rates to guests who have to extend their stays to isolate. It’s smart to check ahead of time, however, as these hotels aren’t available in all areas and their costs vary widely.

Aliya Waldman, who is 29 and lives in Missouri, stayed in a quarantine hotel after catching COVID-19 during a March trip with the Birthright program, which organizes visits to Israel for Jewish young adults. Waldman was required to stay in the hotel for a full week, even though she tested negative after five days in isolation. She believes the costs of her stay and new return flight were covered by Birthright, but says the experience has made her think twice about traveling abroad independently during the pandemic. “I won’t be able to afford getting stuck in another country,” she says.

It’s not clear how long international travelers will have to abide by the CDC’s testing requirement. Four trade groups—the U.S. Travel Association, Airlines for America, American Hotel and Lodging Association, and U.S. Chamber of Commerce—recently urged the White House’s coronavirus czar to suspend that policy, since many Americans have some immunity to the virus from vaccination and prior exposure , and are thus at lower risk than they were earlier in the pandemic. “While providing little health benefit, this requirement discourages travel by imposing an additional cost and the fear of being stranded overseas,” they wrote in a joint letter .

What happens if you get COVID-19 while traveling within the U.S.?

There is no negative test requirement for most domestic transportation, only a mask mandate that the CDC said will be in place through at least May 3 . But that doesn’t mean you should get on a plane, train, or bus if you’re sick. The CDC says not to travel if you have symptoms of COVID-19 or have tested positive and not yet completed an isolation period. Without a testing requirement in place, though, that guideline depends heavily on the honor system.

Nonetheless, travelers who test positive for COVID-19 within the U.S. should self-isolate where they are, if there’s no way to get home via private transportation. Finding a place to do so can be tricky, though. Some U.S. cities with hotel quarantine programs, including New York City and Philadelphia , are winding them down, and Airbnb says guests should not check into a listing if they have COVID-19. Competing rental platform Vrbo, however, told Condé Nast Traveler that its private properties can be “an ideal lodging option for guests who need to quarantine or self-isolate.”

More Must-Reads from TIME

• The 100 Most Influential People in AI 2024
• Inside the Rise of Bitcoin-Powered Pools and Bathhouses
• How Nayib Bukele’s ‘Iron Fist’ Has Transformed El Salvador
• What Makes a Friendship Last Forever?
• Long COVID Looks Different in Kids
• Your Questions About Early Voting , Answered
• Column: Your Cynicism Isn’t Helping Anybody
• The 32 Most Anticipated Books of Fall 2024

Write to Jamie Ducharme at [email protected]

• Skip to primary navigation
• Skip to main content
• Skip to primary sidebar
• Skip to footer

• Best Global Medical Insurance Companies
• Student Insurance
• Overseas Health Insurance
• Insurance for American Expats Abroad
• Canadian Expats – Insurance and Overseas Health
• Health Insurance for UK Citizens Living Abroad
• Expat Insurance for Japanese Abroad
• Expat Insurance for Germans Living Abroad
• Travel Health Insurance
• Trip Cancellation Insurance
• Annual Travel Insurance
• Visitors Insurance
• Top 10 Travel Insurance Companies
• The Best Travel Insurance for Seniors
• Evacuation Insurance Plans
• International Life Insurance for US Citizens Living Abroad
• The Importance of a Life Insurance Review for Expats
• Corporate and Employee Groups
• Group Global Medical Insurance
• Group Travel Insurance
• Group Life Insurance
• Foreign General Liability for Organizations
• Missionary Groups
• School & Student Groups
• Volunteer Programs and Non-Profits
• Bupa Global Health Insurance
• Cigna Close Care
• Cigna Global Health Insurance
• Cigna Healthguard
• Xplorer Health Insurance Plan
• Navigator Health Insurance Plan
• Voyager Travel Medical Plan
• Trekker Annual Multi-Trip Travel Insurance
• Global Medical Insurance Plan
• Patriot Travel Insurance
• Global Prima Medical Insurance
• Student Health Advantage
• Patriot Exchange – Insurance for Students
• SimpleCare Health Plan
• WorldCare Health Plan
• Seven Corners Travel Insurance
• Trawick Safe Travels USA
• Unisure International Insurance
• William Russell Life Insurance
• William Russell Health Insurance
• Atlas Travel Insurance
• StudentSecure Insurance
• Compare Global Health Insurance Plans
• Compare Travel Insurance Plans
• Health Insurance in the USA
• Health Insurance in Mexico
• Health Insurance in Canada
• Health Insurance in Argentina
• Health Insurance in Colombia for Foreigners
• Health Insurance in Chile
• UK Health Insurance Plans for Foreigners
• Health Insurance in Germany
• French Health Insurance
• Italian Health Insurance
• Health Insurance in Sweden for Foreigners
• Portuguese Health Insurance
• Health Insurance in Spain for Foreigners
• Health Insurance in China
• Health Insurance in Japan
• Health Insurance in Dubai
• Health Insurance in India
• Thailand Health Insurance
• Malaysian Health Insurance for Foreigners
• Health Insurance in Singapore for Foreigners
• Australian Health Insurance for Foreigners
• Health Insurance in New Zealand
• South Africa Health Insurance for Foreigners
• USA Travel Insurance
• Australia Travel Insurance
• Mexico Travel Insurance
• News, Global Health Advice, and Travel Tips
• Insurance Articles
• Travel Advice and Tips
• Best Hospitals in the United States
• Best International Hospitals in the UK
• Best Hospitals in Mexico

Or call for a quote: 877-758-4881 +44 (20) 35450909

International Citizens Insurance

Medical, Life and Travel Plans!

U.S. 877-758-4881 - Intl. +44 (20) 35450909

12 Top Safety Tips for International Travel

Safety advice for international trips.

Few things are more exciting than traveling internationally. When going abroad, you experience all the beautiful cultures that make up our world. Many people are wary of international travel, fearing that it is dangerous. For the most part, traveling throughout the world is very safe. This being said, there are safety precautions that every traveler should employ to ensure that their trip remains a joyous one. Here are 12 top safety tips for international travel .

• Get a Checkup and the Appropriate Vaccines: Always have a physical before your trip to ensure that you are healthy enough to travel abroad, and make sure that you understand the health concerns of the country you are planning to visit. Numerous worldwide travel destinations require vaccinations before your arrival, so make sure that you know the immunizations you need and that you are immunized before your trip.
• Make Electronic Copies of Your Documents: You’ll be carrying the necessary documentation with you when traveling abroad. Create an electronic backup of your immunization record, itinerary, medical insurance card, passport, plane tickets, travel insurance , and visas before you leave. Email the file to yourself and keep it in your inbox so you can access the information from your smartphone should the paperwork be lost or damaged.
• Don’t Carry Everything Together: It might be tempting to keep your cash, credit cards, identification, and traveler’s checks in your wallet, but don’t do it. Keep any money, credit cards, IDs, and checks you won’t be using locked in your hotel room safe. Separate the monetary and identifying items you must carry on you and carry them in different spots on your person. This safety tip prevents you from losing everything should somebody steal your wallet.
• Don’t Carry Things in Your Back Pocket: Speaking of theft, pickpocketing is common in specific areas around the world, and yes, pickpockets have been known to target tourists. Do not keep anything in your back pocket, including your wallet, a small purse, your hotel room keys… anything! Doing so opens you up to becoming an easy target for the swift hand of a pickpocket.

Before you go , invest in International Insurance:

• Trip Cancellation Plans  | Free Quote / Apply
• Travel Medical Insurance  | Free Quote / Apply
• International Health Insurance | Free Quote / Apply

Related: Read Travel Insurance Reviews before buying

Ways to Stay Safe When Traveling Abroad

• Keep Items to Your Front: Another thing you might be tempted to do is hang your purse on the back of your chair on a sidewalk or set your bags down at your feet. This isn’t a good idea, either, because your attention will be attracted to the new sights around you. Keep your bags in your lap or at the front of your feet under the table, with the straps wrapped around your leg.
• Look Back When Leaving: The previous tip often helps prevent leaving things behind; after all, if you have your purse strap wrapped around your leg, you’ll trip over it if you don’t remove it. People do, however, leave personal items behind all the time when they’re ready to move on to their next destination. Look back at where you were sitting as you’re leaving to make sure you didn’t forget your purse, shopping bags, or anything else of importance.
• Leave the “Bling” at Home: It might be tempting to wear your favorite jewelry throughout your trip or take pictures with that new, costly camera, but in the interest of your safety, don’t. If you tour your international destination dressed to the nines and wearing expensive jewelry, you are announcing to potential thieves that you are a worthy mugging target. Keep it simple and appropriate for the place you are visiting, and hide your camera in a case when you aren’t using it.
• Don’t Talk to Strangers: Of course, you’ll be talking to the people of the land you are visiting – that’s the best part of traveling, meeting new people! Don’t get carried away, however, and begin to trust strangers with your life story or personal information. Think about what you say to your children and stick to your advice. Don’t talk to strangers who don’t look trustworthy, do not accept food or drink from them, and do not go somewhere with them unless they are your licensed tour guide and you’re on your booked tour.
• Don’t Solicit Panhandlers: Many nations have areas that suffer from poverty just as we do here in the U.S. It is crucial not to traverse these areas without the proper guides. It is even more important not to give beggars cash or any of your belongings. Of course, you want to help them out, but if you are genuinely interested in finding ways to aid the poverty-stricken in the land you are visiting, research local charities and donate that way.
• Don’t Try to Be a Hero: The flip side of the previous tip is don’t try to be a hero if you, unfortunately, become the victim of a mugging. Rather than attempt to fight the perpetrator, give your belongings up. Cash, credit cards, identification, and traveler’s checks are not worth injury or death. Give the items up quickly, and once you’re out of danger, proceed to the nearest U.S. Consulate or appropriate authority to report the incident.
• Avoid Using Your Credit Card at Internet Cafes: With the advent of the Internet, criminals have found a new way to commit identity theft. Internet cafes are trendy among travelers. They are a quick and easy way to grab a cup of coffee while emailing the latest details of your adventure to your family and friends. Criminals keep a wary eye and use key logger software on the computers in Internet cafes to obtain your credit card information, so pay for the computer use with cash.
• Be Properly Insured: Many people think they do not need travel insurance , and nothing could be further from the truth. Your health insurance might offer you some international coverage. Still, the chances are good that it doesn’t fully cover potential illness, injury, or even death when you are on foreign soil. Your belongings must also be insured for the simple reason that anything might happen to them. Make sure that you, your fellow travelers, and everything you are taking on the trip is properly insured before leaving. If you are traveling for work, check with HR to see if they have a business travel insurance plan for employees.

Terrorism We have created a couple of relevant articles to help you plan your trip : Terrorism and Travel Abroad and Tips and Advice: When Terror Happens on your International Trip to help you prepare for and stay safe in a terrorist attack.

I sincerely hope this list of travel safety tips doesn’t discourage you from traveling abroad. Instead, I hope this list encourages you. Traveling worldwide is one of the most rewarding experiences; it doesn’t have to be dangerous. If you employ precautionary measures before and during your trip, you will have a wonderful and unforgettable time on your international vacation.

Don’t forget your International Insurance!

• Trip Insurance  | Free Quote / Apply
• Travel Health Insurance  | Free Quote / Apply

Related: If you travel frequently, consider an Annual Travel Insurance Plan

Also, read the following:

• Visitors Coverage
• Overseas Travel Insurance
• Safety Tips for Women Traveling Abroad
• Safest Airlines – International or Domestic?
• Travel Warnings, Advisories, and Alerts
• Before you Go – Advice from US Dept. of State

Author / Editor: Joe Cronin , Founder and President of International Citizens Insurance . Mr. Cronin, a former expat, is an authority in the areas of international travel, and global health, life, and travel insurance, with expertise in advising individuals and groups on benefits for today's global workforce. Follow him on LinkedIn or Twitter .

Get a fast, free, international insurance quote.

Global medical plans, specialty coverage, company info, customer service.

You are using an outdated browser. Upgrade your browser today or install Google Chrome Frame to better experience this site.

During Travel

Take steps during travel to stay safe and healthy and avoid experiences that might ruin your trip.

Wash Your Hands

Regular handwashing is one of the best ways to remove germs, avoid getting sick, and prevent the spread of germs to others. Wash your hands and take other precautions to prevent getting and spreading diseases while traveling:

• Wash your hands with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands. If you need to touch your face, make sure your hands are clean.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when you cough or sneeze.
• Avoid contact with people who are sick.
• If you get sick during travel, stay in your accommodations, unless you need medical care.

Choose Safe Transportation

Motor vehicle crashes are a leading cause of death among travelers. In many middle- or low-income destinations, there may be poor road surfaces, roads without shoulders, unprotected curves and cliffs, or no streetlights. In some destinations traffic laws and road signs may not be regularly followed. Follow these tips to reduce your risk of getting injured:

• Always wear a seat belt.
• Don't drive at night, especially in unfamiliar or rural areas.
• Do not ride motorcycles. If you must ride a motorcycle, wear a helmet.
• Know local traffic laws before you get behind the wheel.
• Do not drink and drive.
• Only ride in marked taxis that have seatbelts.
• Avoid overcrowded, overweight, or top-heavy buses or vans.
• Be alert when crossing the street, especially in countries where people drive on the left.

Prevent Bug Bites

On your trip, use insect repellent and take other steps to avoid bug bites. Bugs, including mosquitoes, ticks, and fleas, can spread diseases such as malaria, yellow fever, Zika, dengue, chikungunya, and Lyme.

• Use an EPA-registered insect repellent with one of the following active ingredients: DEET, picaridin, IR3535, oil of lemon eucalyptus/para-menthane-diol, or 2-undecanone.
• Always apply sunscreen first, let it dry, and then apply insect repellent. Be sure to follow instructions on the label and re-apply both as directed.
• Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants when outdoors.

Choose Safe Food and Drinks

Contaminated food or drinks can cause travelers’ diarrhea and other diseases and disrupt your travel. Travelers to low or middle income destinations are especially at risk. Choose safer food and drinks to prevent getting sick.

• Eat foods that have been fully cooked and served hot.
• Do not eat fresh vegetables or fruits unless you can wash or peel them yourself.
• Drink only bottled, sealed beverages, and avoid ice—it was likely made with tap water.

Avoid Animals

Animals can look cute and cuddly, and you may want to pet them. But any animal, even if it appears to be friendly or harmless, can spread disease and may be dangerous. When traveling, don’t pet or feed animals, even pets, as they may not be vaccinated against rabies and other diseases. Animal bites can cause a bacterial infection, that may require antibiotics, so seek medical attention after any animal encounter. Also, be sure you are up-to-date on your tetanus vaccination.

Protect Against Sun and Extreme Temperatures

Apply sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher when traveling. Protecting yourself from the sun isn’t just for tropical beaches—you can get a sunburn even if it’s cloudy or cold.

If you are traveling in hot weather or in a hot climate, wear loose, lightweight, light-colored clothing. When traveling in cold weather or climates, wear warm clothing in several loose layers.

Emergencies and Natural Disasters

If you or a travel companion gets an injury or sickness that can’t be helped with basic first aid or an over-the-counter medicine, seek medical attention right away. Visit Getting Health Care During Travel to learn how to connect with a doctor or medical services during your trip.

If you bought evacuation insurance and think you need to use it, call the travel insurance company for assistance.

For other emergencies or natural disasters you may want to do the following:

• Contact family, friends, a trusted colleague, or your employer as soon as possible after the disaster to keep them informed of your location and health status.
• Monitor travel advisories and announcements by the  U.S. Department of State  and the Voice of America  (VOA) websites. 
• Contact the  U.S. embassy or consulate .

More Information on Different Types of Travel

• Adventure Travel
• Humanitarian Aid Work
• Medical Tourism
• Visiting Friends and Relatives

File Formats Help:

• Adobe PDF file
• Microsoft PowerPoint file
• Microsoft Word file
• Microsoft Excel file
• Audio/Video file
• Apple Quicktime file
• RealPlayer file
• Zip Archive file

What do I do if I get COVID-19 while traveling? Here's what you need to know

Apr 26, 2022 • 6 min read

Travelers should have a plan in case they contract COVID-19 © valentinrussanov / Getty Images

With vaccinations, pre-travel testing and an endless array of hygienic measures, travelers around the world are doing their best to reduce the risk of contracting COVID-19. But getting infected can still happen  — as shown by the rapid spread of new variants around the world⁠ — and it’s important to be prepared.

While many countries are loosening their travel restrictions, new variants have caused global uncertainty and more breakthrough infections. If you are planning a trip, you should understand the regulations in your destination and be prepared for the possibility of testing positive. If you want to be prepared to contract COVID-19 while on the road, here is what you need to know about navigating a potential infection. 

What can I do to prepare for a potential COVID-19 infection? 

Expecting the unexpected is a necessary part of pandemic-era travel, but what's even more essential is thinking ahead so you’re prepared if things go awry. 

Start by booking flexible transport and lodging. Read the fine print or call ahead to see if companies refund last-minute cancellations, allow exchanges, or cover any unforeseen COVID-related costs. Next, ensure you have health insurance that will cover you away from home. Paying out-of-pocket for things like hospital visits and tests can get pricey without proper protection. Comprehensive travel insurance that includes expenses like hotel quarantines can prove equally important.  Factor having to pay for hotel quarantine or medical care into your budget, as you will likely have to claim them back through your insurance. 

How do you choose travel insurance that covers COVID-19?

What costs a little extra now may save you thousands of dollars down the road. For those concerned about treatment abroad, companies like MedJet and Covac Global provide medical evacuation services to your home country and hospital of choice ⁠— though costs, which can be thousands of dollars, can be daunting.

If you take medications, pack enough to get through an unexpectedly long stay. Make sure you know how to contact your GP at home in case of emergency. A stash of high-grade medical masks like KN95s could come in handy should one member of your party test positive. 

Finally, make room in your luggage for at-home COVID-19 tests from companies like Ellume or Abbott BinaxNOW so you can get answers quickly no matter where you are. To note: if you’re using one of these tests for admittance back into the US, it must be FDA-approved and proctored by a telehealth professional when taken. 

With the quick spread of the new variants, travelers may want to consider taking frequent antigen tests regardless of symptoms or testing requirements.  

What do I do if I develop COVID-19 symptoms while traveling? 

If you're experiencing the tell-tale signs of the coronavirus , prioritize getting tested, then remain isolated until you receive the results. Information is power: the sooner you're diagnosed, the sooner you can protect yourself and those around you.

Healthline:  Signs and Symptoms of the New Coronavirus and COVID-19

In the event you test positive, notify local health authorities immediately. Informing officials allows them to guide you through local protocols and initiate contact tracing within the community you're visiting. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has a helpful list of US healthcare directories and international resources so travelers can contact the appropriate parties.

Next, tell any close contacts who may have been exposed to the virus. Clear communication is the best way to protect everyone during the on-going health crisis. 

How do I isolate? 

Protect those around you by staying in a designated quarantine room, and if possible, using a separate lavatory. If you must share a space, wear a mask and practice physical distancing. In addition, ensure you have access to all the items necessary for an extended stay, including essentials like food, water, necessary medications, and WiFi. If someone is delivering you food, they should leave it outside your door. 

Need to self-isolate on arrival? Here’s what you need to know

The length of your isolation will depend on the country, so check with local authorities and obey their rules. Breaking quarantine laws can lead to hefty fines, and in some destinations, imprisonment . 

Do I stay in my hotel or Airbnb?

If you contract COVID-19, alert your host or hotel immediately so they can help make proper arrangements. In many cases, your hotel will allow you to extend your stay and quarantine on premises. Some hotels will move guests into government-mandated quarantine sites, which can vary from five-star accommodations to bare-bones barracks . Although a handful of these facilities are paid for by the government, you will often foot the bill. 

Airbnb states that guests who suspect they're sick should not use the home-sharing platform for self-isolation. If a guest is in the middle of a stay, they should contact the support team for help and communicate with their host to strategize next steps. 

To avoid unsavory last-minute surprises, find out your quarantine options prior to traveling. Isolation or quarantine can last anywhere from one to three weeks, depending on your location, which is a long time to be at the mercy of take-out meals and hotel kitchens. Consider access to things like refrigerators, kitchenettes, and nearby restaurants when booking your stay.  

What if I need to seek medical treatment? 

Follow guidance from your doctor or a local healthcare provider to determine whether you should stay home or seek treatment. If you exhibit COVID-19 warning signs , it's imperative to seek medical care immediately. Ambulances and private vehicles are the safest ways to access a nearby hospital. Avoid using public transit or shared vehicles like taxis or Ubers. 

But remember⁠—not all health care systems are created equal. Before traveling, check the current infection rate of your destination and whether there’s room for patients in intensive care units . If you're relying on an overburdened, underfunded hospital, you may not get the care you need. 

What happens if I test positive right before flying home from abroad? 

Do not board a plane if you test positive for COVID-19. 

All air passengers flying to the United States must show a negative COVID-19 test taken within one day of departure, regardless of vaccination status. If you don't meet this requirements, you can't board a plane and enter the country. 

Though many places are loosening their travel restrictions, some countries still impose testing requirements for vaccinated and unvaccinated air travelers. Find out your country's latest regulations before traveling and stay vigilant about the shifting landscape throughout your trip. As the health crisis continues to change, so will rules for travelers. 

If you need a negative COVID-19 test to fly home, avoid waiting until the last minute to get your results. Getting tested before you check out of your hotel allows you to weigh your options, change your flight, and contact the appropriate people from a comfortable, private space. 

Contracting COVID-19 is stressful, but if you prepare appropriately, working out last-minute logistics can be the least of your concerns.

For more information on COVID-19 and travel, check out Lonely Planet's Health Hub .

This article was medically reviewed by Dr. Debra Sullivan ,   Ph.D., MSN, R.N., CNE, COI. 

This article was first published Oct 26, 2021 and updated Apr 26, 2022.

Explore related stories

Art and Culture

Sep 2, 2024 • 6 min read

It’s hard not to have a fabulous time in marvelous Malta. Familiarizing yourself with these tips will make it an even better one.

Mar 28, 2023 • 3 min read

Sep 9, 2024 • 4 min read

Sep 9, 2024 • 8 min read

Sep 9, 2024 • 7 min read

Sep 9, 2024 • 6 min read

Sep 9, 2024 • 5 min read

To revisit this article, visit My Profile, then View saved stories .

• The Big Story
• Newsletters
• Steven Levy's Plaintext Column
• WIRED Classics from the Archive
• WIRED Insider
• WIRED Consulting

How to Safely Stay Connected When You Travel

If you buy something using links in our stories, we may earn a commission. This helps support our journalism. Learn more . Please also consider subscribing to WIRED

Craving an adventure? Join the crowd. After more than a year sticking close to home during the pandemic, many of us who are vaccinated and ready to get back outside are suffering from a severe case of wanderlust. Now that over half of Americans have had at least one dose of the Covid vaccination , we’re making plans to get away.

But not too far. Julie Willett, president of Julie’s Fun Travel of Asheboro, North Carolina, reports a 75 percent increase in bookings over last year, with half of those being for domestic destinations such as the Florida Gulf beaches and points westward, including the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone National Park, and Hawaii. A common question among all tourists is the availability of internet access. “Technology is always important but even more so now,” says Willett. “My clients want the latest information on Covid and any restrictions that may affect their plans.”

Staying connected while on vacation will not only help you stay safe, it also lets you enjoy the comforts of home and enriches your experience. The tips below, divided by transportation mode, explore the many communication options available for intrepid voyagers across the board.

The oldest form of sightseeing is the most flexible and gives travelers an intimate look at parts of the country inaccessible by vehicle. Graduate student Sean Alexander, who once solo-hiked 1,000 miles of the Appalachian Trail, knew better than to lose contact with the rest of the world. “A smartphone is a lifeline for me, as is a charger,” he says.

To replenish power, some hikers use a series of solar panels that fit over a backpack. “While this approach is eco-friendly, it’s not always dependable,” says Mason Harris, a solutions architect and technology consultant. “Because you may find yourself under shade or cloudy skies for an extended period of time.” When hiking, Harris prefers a portable, high-capacity power bank that can last up to a week before needing a charge. “The best models are as slim as a paperback and weigh less than a pound. If you’re traveling light, this is the way to go.”

For serious treks into the woods, there are endless navigational tools to help you find your way. Free apps such as the one released in April from the US National Park Service offer iOS and Android users interactive maps, tour information, and news alerts. Some content can be downloaded for offline use later. For a small fee, subscriber-based programs like Gaia GPS , AllTrails offer even more engaged content with features that use your location to identify major peaks, access to trail reviews, and the ability to turn your phone into a star finder, coordinate converter, or binoculars. Even Google Maps, which is probably already on your phone, can be used offline. And if you need a place to set up camp, The Dyrt has you covered.

Now that Alexander is married and has a son and stepdaughter, he prefers to take his family on shorter camping trips to places like William B. Umstead State Park , closer to his home. A nature lover, he uses Seek on iNaturalist to identify flora and fauna for a real-time family nature lesson.

In addition to hiking, Harris also unwinds by cycling along trails that are part of the national Rails to Trails Conservancy project, which since 1986 reclaims old rail corridors across the US for safe use by pedestrians, bicyclists, and anyone who wants to be active, including people who use a wheelchair. He recently cycled 335 miles from Pittsburgh to DC, starting with the Great Allegheny Passage and picking up the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal trail.

When cycling, paring down is paramount, and Harris relies on his smartphone and watch for all his communication needs. He likes Life360 , a free family geolocation app available on both iOS and Android. “My family is always on the go, and we actually use this tool to stay connected even when we’re not on vacation.”

He also adores the information available through the Cyclemeter app on his iPhone that measures speed, mileage, cadence, and, supplemented by his watch, even his heart rate. “This $10 app can do even more than a navigational device that used to be mounted on my bike that cost $300,” he says. Such data will come in handy this fall when Harris bikepacks 550 miles from Washington, DC, to Damascus, Virginia, on the famed TransVirginia Bike Route .

Americans still love their cars. According to a recent report on American travel by Destination Analysts , the automobile will be the most popular mode of travel this summer.

For Jane Thomas, a retired Tai Chi instructor and a devotee of Bermuda’s pink sand beaches, Covid-19 concerns meant she had to find a Shangri-la much closer to home this year. In May, she and her husband drove 167 miles from Burlington, North Carolina, to Carolina Beach, a place she hadn’t visited since childhood. With the help of her smartphone, they turned the trip into a restaurant crawl and sampled different grub every night, an experience that helped her appreciate anew the flavors of her home state. But she wouldn’t have left home without her personal “butler,” a character in the game Homescapes that she played on her iPhone in between shell seeking.

Thomas’ unlimited data plan meant she didn’t need to rely on the free Wi-Fi offered by her hotel, but not all trips require reservations, or even hotels with amenities. Entrepreneur Angela Mackintosh loves surfing so much that she car camps in beach parking lots in San Francisco, Santa Cruz, and other seaside locales. In between hanging ten, she squeezes in a little work by relying on free hotel or public Wi-Fi. "Or, if there's none available, I use my phone as a hot spot to tether internet to my laptop,” she says. Relying on free or public Wi-Fi is safer than it used to be, thanks to the ubiquity of https on the web, but there are still a few things to keep in mind to surf safely. 

Digital nomad and Gen Zer Jennifer Pressley regularly car camped while working for three retailers before landing her dream job as a sales rep. She recommends the use of a virtual private network app when using public or unfamiliar networks. Here are our favorites .  

College seniors Spencer Kurdian and Dakota Goodwin are combining two transportation modes for the ultimate cross-country road trip this summer. With an SUV, they plan to trailer their Yamaha WR250 and Husqvarna TE300i motorcycles from Raleigh to San Diego in search of the best areas to ride, tent camping along the way. For navigation, Kurdian will use Google maps, and they’ll upload pictures of their great adventure to social media. “We plan to document our journey on Instagram so friends and family can follow along,” says Kurdian. 

If you're thinking about hitting the road but want to let the spirit of the road trip take you, consider checking out or installing Roadtrippers , which can help you find points of interest along your route. There's no mobile app, but Roadside America has a great database of kitchy stops, and heading over to Atlas Obscura will teach you more about really interesting sights and places around the world that may be worth a detour. 

Travel by recreational vehicle has seriously revved up since the pandemic began. According to Todd Farr of Shaw RV (with North Carolina dealerships in Asheboro, Raleigh, and Wilmington), RV sales have risen 30 percent over last year.

Retired minister Danny Lemons from Shippensburg, Pennsylvania, is a veteran RVer. Staying connected to family and friends while vacationing in his fifth-wheel camper is a necessity. “I normally use my laptop. Most private campgrounds have Wi-Fi, and we primarily stay in them when on the road," he says. "State parks have limited Wi-Fi, so I've started using my phone as a hot spot. When that happens, I just change our data plan to unlimited.” 

Apps like RoadTrippers and The Dyrt can help you find spots to camp, while Reserve America caters to the RV and camper crowd. Also, don't forget Recreation.gov , the official database and trip planner from several federal agencies, including the Bureau of Land Management, NOAA, and the Department of Transportation.

My husband, J.P., a film noir buff, can’t live without streaming his favorite flicks. But we recently bought a 1986 Chevy Champion LaSalle motor home, which was built during the VHS era. To make this vintage, pink-carpeted beauty road-ready and cinema-worthy, we’ll need a serious retrofit in the form of a mobile hot spot from our cellular company.

Not much bigger than a coaster, these devices operate by tapping into a 4G LTE connection and turning it into a Wi-Fi signal for the streaming device on our TV. The good news is that the cost usually includes unlimited usage; however, you may need to purchase additional plan upgrades for speed if buffering delays add unwanted suspense to your thrillers.

Data from the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) show that air travel is surging, with checkpoint numbers climbing toward pre-pandemic levels . People are catching up with family and friends they haven’t seen outside of Zoom, and they’re willing to fly to do it.

Twing Fields, a mainline flight attendant for United Airlines, encourages everyone to follow instructions provided by their gate agent and download the airline’s app before boarding the plane. Doing so enables passengers to watch free movies or listen to music from their phones or tablets during the flight through a special entertainment portal. “Prior to the safety demonstration, all devices must be placed in airplane mode,” Fields says. “Once the plane reaches cruising altitude, customers seeking internet access may log in to the plane’s Wi-Fi system for a nominal fee and use the internet or text during flight.”

Don't forget to grab the TSA's official app , which you can use to check airport security wait times before you leave home, and consider Loungebuddy if you want access to those sweet airport lounges before you depart. For more tips, check out our whole guide to skipping lines and breezing through the airport .

Interested in reducing your carbon footprint? Walking and bicycling aren’t the only environmentally-friendly ways to explore and relax.

“We’re seeing an uptick in bookings during the summer months,” says Kimberly Woods, Public Relations Manager for Amtrak , which is restoring daily service for 12 long-distance routes following pandemic-related schedule reductions. “To ensure you stay connected while traveling, we offer free basic Wi-Fi service in select trains and stations throughout the country .”

Tarot reader and communications consultant Emily McGill recently caught a train from New York to visit a friend in New Hampshire. “I took Amtrak from New York to Boston, and we drove the rest of the way.  Along the trip I used my phone as a hot spot and spent the time working on some projects that I’d procrastinated about for some time.”

“I traveled via bus on vacation last year, when I was looking to visit family,” says Jeremy Scott Foster, CEO of Travel Freak in Los Angeles. “I figured a bus would be safer than a plane because you can get off if it gets too crowded. I used a phone during my trip to listen to some audiobooks, and within a 10-hour trip I ended up listening to two complete books.”

On all routes, Greyhound Lines offers access to a special entertainment channel for free movies, TV shows, and games, plus three options for direct internet access, one that offers 100 MB of data at no cost and two premium options, one for 150 MB ($3.99) and one for 300 MB ($6.99). But if you’re working while playing, since reception can be spotty on both rail and bus routes, you may want to download your to-do list and finish it offline.

“Due to advances in technology, it’s almost indefensible to lose touch while traveling,” says Harris. “In fact, with just the internet and GPS, you’ve got the crème de la crème of communication.” So unless you’re actually trying to go off the grid, you don’t have to.

But this isn’t all. One day we’ll be doing far more than checking in with each other while away from home. We may be sharing our experiences at the same time, no matter where we are.

“In the near future, with the increased availability of 5G next-generation wireless, staying connected will be easier than it ever has before,” says Harris. “With wireless throughput unlike anything seen today, sharing [ultra-high-definition] video or even live-streaming epic adventures becomes possible, allowing others to share and virtually participate in the outdoor experience.”

• 📩 The latest on tech, science, and more: Get our newsletters !
• The full story of the stunning RSA hack can finally be told
• Your clothes spew microfibers before they're even clothes
• How to turn your phone into a webcam
• The Avengers Campus at Disneyland kinda weirds me out
• What it takes to turn a video game into tabletop one
• 👁️ Explore AI like never before with our new database
• 🎮 WIRED Games: Get the latest tips, reviews, and more
• 🎧 Things not sounding right? Check out our favorite wireless headphones , soundbars , and Bluetooth speakers

WIRED COUPONS

Turbo Tax Live Assisted - 10% off

H&R Block Coupons & Offers

Enjoy $15 Off Your Orders With Instacart Coupon

Dyson Airwrap deal: Free $60 Case + $40 Gift

Get Up To An Extra 45% Off September Sale

Vista Print Coupon Code: 20% Off Select Signage

Is it ‘traveling’ or ‘travelling’?

What to Know When it comes to spelling the forms of the verb travel , traveled and traveling are more common in the US, and travelled and travelling are dominant everywhere else.

Spelling is typically clear-cut in modern English: forty unfailingly betrays four ; the sweet treat after dinner is spelled dessert , not desert .

But some words have two forms that appear often enough in edited text to make it clear that something else is going on. And so it is with forms of the verb travel : traveled and travelled , and traveling and travelling .

It might have a different spelling wherever you're going.

One or Two L 's?

If you look at where the single l forms originate and where the double l forms originate a pattern emerges: in the United States, traveled and traveling predominate, and everywhere else travelled and travelling are preferred.

The reason mostly comes down to one man we at Merriam-Webster hold especially dear: Noah Webster. Our lexicographical father (brothers George and Charles Merriam bought the rights to Noah Webster’s 1841 dictionary after Webster died) was a great believer in spelling reform and wanted English spelling to make more sense—and if the English of his homeland had more logic to it than its British parent, so much the better. He decided that travel needed only one l in its past and present participle forms.

Webster’s logic is the reason behind the spelling of canceled and cancelled as well: in the U.S., they have just one l , but elsewhere two l ’s are the norm.

American English Words that Use 2 L 's

Webster didn’t think all double l ’s needed to be reduced to one, however: in cases in which the accent, or emphasis, is on the syllable with the l , two l ’s are preserved: expelled and expelling ; controlled and controlling ; patrolled and patrolling .

Word of the Day

See Definitions and Examples »

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Games & Quizzes

Commonly Confused

'canceled' or 'cancelled', is it 'home in' or 'hone in', the difference between 'race' and 'ethnicity', homophones, homographs, and homonyms, on 'biweekly' and 'bimonthly', grammar & usage, every letter is silent, sometimes: a-z list of examples, how to use em dashes (—), en dashes (–) , and hyphens (-), the difference between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.', plural and possessive names: a guide, 31 useful rhetorical devices, pilfer: how to play and win, 8 words with fascinating histories, flower etymologies for your spring garden, 8 words for lesser-known musical instruments, it's a scorcher words for the summer heat.

How to Sleep Well (or at Least Better) While Traveling

Updated October 30, 2019

We’ve updated some of the picks in this list, and now all recommendations are current as of this date.

Since we first published this list, we have completed new testing and made new picks for for noise cancelling and standard wireless earbuds.

Time-zone changes, jet lag, strange noises, beds that are simply different from what you’re used to—even people who usually have no trouble sleeping can become insomniacs away from home. Here, our sleep team and travel editors share the gear they use to cope with restless nights on the road, vetted through hours of testing and years of personal experience.

First, ensure that you have the most important elements: darkness, quiet, warmth, and head support, especially if you’re on a plane or in a car.

At home, you’d be able to install blackout curtains or blinds. On the road, covering your eyes is often your only option for blocking out light. A mask can also help you cope with a partner who likes to read in bed.

Lightweight and contoured, this mask fits comfortably and blocks light well for a wide variety of face shapes (though it’s best for those who sleep on their back). Its deep eyecups allow your eyes to flutter during sleep.

A silken exterior material, a flat design, and an adjustable strap make this a fit for almost any face, but it puts pressure on the eyes while you sleep.

Noise-cancelling earbuds (and earplugs)

If you’re on a plane (or train or automobile), wearing earbuds that actively block the sound of the engines and your fellow passengers is worth the mild annoyance of having things in your ears while you’re trying to sleep.

The Elite 65t earbuds are comfortable, great-sounding, and equipped with all the controls and features to reduce ambient noise.

The ideal travel companion, this pair effectively cancels airplane noise, coils up for easy transport, and allows you to listen via Bluetooth or an included cable.

These blocked the most noise in our controlled testing and got the most votes from our subjective sleep panel.

Sleep headphones

These headphone-headband hybrids don’t actively cancel noise, so they’re not great for loud planes. For hotels and other terrestrial locations, though, they’re the most comfortable way to listen to whatever music or sounds soothe you.

These Bluetooth headphones are encased in machine-washable fabric and have no hard plastic pieces that can smash into your head while you sleep. You can download white noise or play whatever music you like.

White noise

Studies show that random, electronic white noise works better than rainfall or other natural sounds to mask aural clutter. Apps are the most convenient way to create it, but the most effective option is a machine—and some are surprisingly portable.

With its electronically generated sounds, the LectroFan masks shrill noises (such as screeching cats) better than other machines, and it takes up less space on a nightstand.

myNoise offers better customization than any app we’ve found, allowing you to mix 10 white noise frequencies to create unique sounds.

A packable blanket or throw serves two useful purposes for the traveler: providing extra warmth when the plane or hotel’s industrial-strength AC kicks in, and offering a modicum of privacy in any situation where you’re trying to sleep in public.

This blanket offers the greatest warmth and durability for the lowest relative weight, price, and size.

This throw is elegant, super soft, and thin (but not flimsy). It’s one of our favorite throws for draping over a sofa or chair.

Travel pillow

A travel pillow—also known as a neck pillow—may seem like a waste of packing space, especially given that it won’t be much use at your destination. But starting off your trip in a somewhat well-rested state is worth bringing the extra gear.

Its tall memory-foam walls let it offer more support than any other pillow we tested. It’s also shaped to sit flush against a headrest, and it compresses to a manageable size.

It offers a lot of support and is highly adjustable, but without a contoured back it can’t quite sit flush with a headrest. It’s available at many airport stores, though.

It’s a fleece scarf with a built-in plastic brace—like a one-sided neck brace but softer and cozier. However, it’s not so great if you tend to shift position while you sleep.

Nice-to-haves

Encouraging better sleep habits and setting the right mood can help too.

Sleep-tracking app

These apps include smart alarms, which you can set to wake you up when you’re in a light sleep mode, helping to avoid grogginess. Some apps offer advice on how to improve your sleep, too.

It was the most intuitive and convenient app we tested, and the only one that gave detailed recommendations for improving sleep.

A good choice for people who simply want to see sleep patterns and how they correlate with diet and exercise. But it doesn’t offer sleep-improvement advice and tracks less data.

For many of us, the thing we miss most about not being in our own beds is our own pillow. Bringing a beloved one might relax you and make you more likely to drop off.

Moldable and adjustable, with excellent support for back-, side-, and some stomach-sleepers, this is also one of the most affordable pillows we tested.

This firm and supportive pillow packs down to 50 percent of its expanded size.

Meditation app

Along with teaching you the tools to cope with churning monkey mind, these apps include guided sleep meditations meant to help you wind down at night.

This app offers the widest variety of meditations, with the best guided sessions for beginners as well as less-structured programming for pros. Its easy-to-use interface is also the most streamlined.

This app offers more open-ended sessions that we think may appeal to experienced meditators who aren’t looking for that much guidance. It also offers bonus perks like ambient music and sleep guidance.

Even if pajamas aren’t your thing at home, wearing them when you’re sleeping in a strange place can make you feel just a bit more secure. And not having to scramble for clothes when the fire alarm goes off—it’s happened to us—is a plus.

These classic and comfy plaid flannel pajamas are the warmest set we recommend, and they come in one of the widest size ranges we tested. Plus, they have pockets.

These flannel pants are the softest we tried and feel almost weightless—they’re lighter and better for sleep than similar jersey styles. The plaid prints are classic for winter.

These soft, thick 100 percent cotton jammies stand up to years of wear. They come in many striped varieties, as well as shorty versions that are perfect for hot summer nights. Kids sizes start at 0 to 3 months and go up to 14/16.

Night-light

Although many people would say that too much ambient light gets in the way of their sleep, some others (and not all of them are children) find a warm, flickering light to be a reassuring presence in a new place.

These LED candles provide a flickering glow with no worries of actually lighting anything on fire. And because the outside is made with wax, they smell and look more like real candles than others we’ve seen.

Having a hot drink after dinner can serve as a calming transition to bedtime, but coffee and regular caffeinated tea pose the obvious, jittery problems, and not everyone can stomach warm milk. Herbal teas are the perfect compromise.

Unlike more pungent blends of herbal teas, this caffeine-free combination of chamomile and lavender is light, floral, and soothing.

Things to avoid

Alcoholic drinks

As tempting as a nightcap might be, resist if you’re concerned about getting a good night’s rest. A few drinks might make you drowsy, but research has shown that alcohol disrupts restorative REM sleep—and the more you imbibe, the worse the effects.

Or at least reduce the time you spend using your tablet close to bedtime, even if yours has a “night” mode that shifts the display away from the melatonin-blocking blue end of the spectrum. To read yourself to sleep, bring a book.

Blue-light glasses

For $200 or so, you can buy glasses to help you change time zones. The science behind them is legit in that the blue/green light they emit can help reset your clock. But sunlight works almost as well, and it’s free—just take a walk after you land.

The Straits Times

• International
• Print Edition
• news with benefits
• SPH Rewards
• STClassifieds
• Berita Harian
• Hardwarezone
• Shin Min Daily News
• Tamil Murasu
• The Business Times
• The New Paper
• Lianhe Zaobao
• Advertise with us

How to stay safe while travelling amid mpox warnings

SINGAPORE – A new, deadlier strain of the mpox virus, which originated in the East African Democratic Republic of Congo in September 2023, now looms over South-east Asia, with one confirmed case in Thailand so far.

For frequent fliers, heightened preventive measures threaten to upend post-pandemic travels.

Ms Adeline Tee, nurse manager at specialist travel clinic Clari Health, notes a significant increase in public concern since the latest Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) declaration by the World Health Organisation (WHO).

In the last two weeks, the clinic has received around 10 calls a day about mpox. Previously, it would receive only one such call in around three months.

She says: “Some common queries we get are whether mpox will lead to a pandemic like Covid-19 or the likelihood of contracting the virus on travels to Africa. Many have also asked if they are eligible for mpox vaccinations.”

Mpox has been declared a PHEIC – the WHO’s highest-level warning – twice now, with the most recent outbreak deemed more concerning. 

It was first declared a PHEIC in July 2022 and again on Aug 14, 2024. According to the WHO, mpox infections are mainly caused by two virus strains: the less severe clade II or the more infectious clade I.

While the 2022 mpox outbreak was driven by a global surge in clade II infections, recent months have seen a rise in clade I cases, which appears to be more transmissible and has a higher mortality rate.

While healthcare professionals who spoke with The Straits Times agree that mpox is not the new Covid-19, they say travellers should exercise caution when overseas to safeguard their health.

During a press conference on Sept 4, Health Minister Ong Ye Kung announced that healthcare workers with the highest risk of exposure to the virus and close contacts of infected persons will receive vaccinations.

“It’s inevitable that the new mpox strain will reach Singapore because we are such a small and busy hub,” Ms Tee says. 

“But until more measures are put in place, people will still have to travel. As healthcare professionals, we can only advise practices to lower the risk of being infected.”

If you have overseas trips lined up, protect yourself with these tips from medical experts.

1. Stay informed with reliable sources

Stay updated with the latest advisories and guidelines from trusted sources like the WHO and Ministry of Health (MOH). 

Dr Lock Jing Zhan, a general practitioner at health group Minmed, says that as not much is known about the mpox virus yet, Singapore’s understanding of the disease is largely based on case studies in other countries. 

“Relying on trustworthy sources is important for both health practitioners and the public to learn more about this virus. You can also check in with your family doctor as he or she receives circulars from MOH with updates on the mpox situation,” he adds. 

Dr Steffy, a general practitioner from Raffles Medical who goes only by her first name, recommends that travellers visit their doctors four to six weeks before their trips for a travel health risk assessment. 

This is when doctors will advise the recommended or required vaccinations for their specific destination.

“It is important to ensure that travellers are aware of the health situation at their travel destination and whether there are specific entry requirements,” she says.

2. Practise good hygiene 

Travellers should wash their hands regularly with soap and water. If hand-washing facilities are not available, use hand sanitiser with at least 60 per cent alcohol. 

Paper soap, which is dry, lightweight soap sheets that fit into a matchbox-size container, can be useful to carry around.

Unlike Covid-19, mpox spreads mainly through close physical or prolonged contact with infected individuals. This includes sexual contact and contact with skin lesions and body fluids or respiratory droplets. 

Dr Steffy advises that individuals avoid high-risk sexual activities, such as casual sex or sex with multiple partners, and says it remains as one of the most important risk factors.

Mpox can also be transmitted through contaminated surfaces like furniture, dinnerware or utensils. 

Ms Tee suggests that travellers pack masks, hand sanitiser and tissues for their trips, and avoid touching their faces with their hands.

“If you need to touch your face, use your pinky finger. Don’t use your entire hand to rub your eye, for instance. You never know if what you’ve touched may be contaminated,” she says. 

3. Avoid eating bushmeat or coming into contact with animals

Mpox is a zoonotic disease, which means that it can spread from animals to humans. Similar to human-to-human transmission, mpox can be contracted from direct contact with the blood, body fluids or lesions of an infected animal.

Travellers should avoid eating bushmeat for now, and should also steer clear of raw or uncooked meats. 

This is because food-borne bacterial hazards are killed only when food is cooked at a sufficiently high temperature for a long enough period, depending on the kind of food.

Dr Lock also recommends avoiding raw vegetables, as they may have been handled in the same space as contaminated raw meats. 

Avoid touching stray or wild animals.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the United States, while the exact source of mpox in nature is unknown, it is believed that small mammals like rope and sun squirrels, giant-pouched rats and African dormice may carry the virus in some parts of West and Central Africa.

4. Monitor your health

Mpox causes symptoms such as fever, skin rash, swollen lymph nodes, headaches, muscle aches and backaches, and a general feeling of exhaustion or profound weakness.

Doctors say it can be challenging to distinguish mpox from other viral infections like chickenpox, smallpox, and hand, foot and mouth disease.

“Admittedly, it is very difficult, even for clinicians, to differentiate the morphology of the rashes. So when we assess suspected cases, one of the most important things we look at is travel history,” says Dr Lock. 

The incubation period for mpox is up to 21 days. Monitor symptoms for that duration upon a return from overseas trips, especially to affected countries. 

Travellers who feel unwell, either upon returning to Singapore or when overseas, should seek medical advice as soon as possible. 

Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.

• Travel tips

Read 3 articles and stand to win rewards

Spin the wheel now

22 Important Life Lessons We Can Only Learn If We Travel

Your changes have been saved

Email is sent

Email has already been sent

Please verify your email address.

You’ve reached your account maximum for followed topics.

Skip Greece: 7 Places That Are Better (And Less Crowded)

Influencer or tourist you’re already banned from vermont’s most idyllic fall town, 7 best arizona national parks near sedona, read update.

More things people learn from traveling.

Travelling is known to change you. Surrounding yourself with different cultures, different people and different outlooks on life are bound to change all of us a bit. That’s one of the greatest things about travelling as a whole – apart from tasting the different cuisines of course! You are on a constant learning curve as you venture from the US to Europe to Asia and so forth. It can be a scary thing at times, especially if you don’t understand the language. Ultimately, however, travelling will be the best thing you’ve ever done for yourself. That’s because travel broadens our minds and expands on our worldly wisdom.

Many people travel for the sole purpose of personal growth. But you should also know that travel isn’t all glory...there are ups and downs to it just like everything else in the world. You are going to deal with challenges along the way, but that’s part of the whole experience. Doesn’t all personal growth surface from personal challenge? After getting a taste for international travel, arguably it is best to solo traveler for the most immersive experience .

For the most part, traveling is the most fun and rewarding experience we’ll ever have. It doesn’t matter where you go exactly. It just matters that you’re leaving your hometown and exploring other countries and cultures.

Let’s take a look at some life lessons we can learn from traveling.

UPDATE: 2022/12/02 14:44 EST BY AARON SPRAY

Traveling can really change people's perspectives on the world. There are other parts of the world that are wildly different from wherever one's home is (often they are difficult to accept). This article was updated to include more things people would learn from traveling around the world.

22 Travel teaches us: To leave our comfort zone

If you always stay at home and simply flit between work and home, you’re not really leaving your comfort zone. You’ve found a comfortable routine in your life where your heart doesn’t need to skip a beat all that often. Travelling brings about the opposite effect. You are forced to leave your comfort zone whether you like it or not, because you are in a new country with a new culture and things are different. You are leaving behind friends, familiar foods, and often a familiar language. Entering a new territory, however, is exhilarating. There is no better feeling than expanding your horizons and coming home with endless stories.

21 Travel teaches us: To be more patient

When you travel overseas, not everything is going to flow like you want it to. In your home country and your hometown, you’ve probably grown familiar with how things roll. But when you travel to other parts of the world, obstacles are going to arise and you are going to have to find a way to deal with them.

Whether it’s struggling to get your point across in another language or losing your luggage along the way, you’ll definitely become more patient the more you travel. Learning how to deal with these little challenges is the best lesson in patience ever.

Related: What Cuisine You Should Try, Based On Your Vacation Preference

20 Travel teaches us: To appreciate cultures and their differences

Isn’t the best thing about travel experiencing new cultures? We all learned about cultures back at school, but it’s not the same. Actually experiencing a culture is totally different. From visiting museums, admiring landmarks to eating out in a local restaurant, you are exposing yourself to people and lifestyles that are usually totally different to what you find back home. You don’t have to stay in a country long before you start picking up local customs.

The vast difference between one country and another’s culture depends on the countries themselves. But generally, every new country you visit will teach you to appreciate new cultures.

19 Travel teaches us: To enjoy life over possessions

Many people believe a new car, a new house, or a new something will make them happy. Actually, humans need very little to find happiness in life. That’s a life lesson you’ll learn from travel. When you have to pack so lightly and bring only the essentials, you rely more on your experiences for pleasure. Sleeping in rundown guesthouses and hostels is something you learn to live with.

The joy of travel comes from the experiences you encounter, not the possessions you bring with you. This is when you start to realize that all the things you needed back home aren’t needed anymore.

18 Travel teaches us: Making friends with strangers is freeing

It’s easy to build a global network of friends as you travel. If you are travelling alone, you will especially find yourself in need of some human interaction. The good news is, finding traveler friends isn’t hard. When you meet travelers, they are usually happy to hear your story and share theirs too. You both have that mutual love for travel, which only strengthens the bond. If you are travelling solo, you will never be alone with all the travelers out there to befriend. You just have to stick your neck out a bit if they don’t speak to you first.

17 Travel teaches us: Being alone isn’t a bad thing

Traveling alone does get lonely, we’re not going to lie. When you are constantly saying goodbye to friends and entering a new territory, there will be those lonely moments. It can be especially lonely when you’ve spent the day sightseeing with nobody to talk to about it.

On the other hand, being alone also gives you time to reflect on your experiences. You won’t be distracted by outside opinions and you also won’t have to deal with conflict of interest and activities. This is your journey and you can do what you want. Going to bars, eating meals in restaurants, and walking around a city alone will soon feel familiar and not scary in the least.

16 Travel teaches us: To try new things

If you got offered a snail appetizer in your home country, you’d probably refuse right away. When you visit other countries around the world, you will get used to being offered or served unusual and maybe even unappetizing foods. Over time, it will become normality and trying new things will be part of your DNA.

Every culture has its own foods and customs. Although it might be hard at first, you’ll soon adapt to trying new things – even if you wouldn’t try them back home. Travel broadens your mind and pushes you to do the new and not hold back.

Related: Readers Say These Countries Have The Best Food In The World

15 Travel teaches us: Forget about the plan

As rigid as your travel plan may be, most of the time your travelling schedule does not go according to plan. That’s why you have to embrace spontaneity when you travel. You never know what’s going to crop up when you travel so it’s always good to just forget about the plan and go with the flow. Besides, you have enough rules in your home life. Now is your time to find your impulsive side and let your travelling journey guide you. Drifting is one of travel’s best pleasures. Instead of making a strict plan, just drift and see where it takes you.

14 Travel teaches us: To Discover new cuisines

One of the most enjoyable parts of travel is trying the different foods around the world. There’s no point in just sticking to the food you know when you travel abroad. Visiting new countries gives you the perfect opportunity to try new things. And that in itself broadens your mind and your taste buds. In fact, some people say you can learn a lot about a culture from its food.

If you’re the kind of person who sticks to their steak and fries, traveling will open your eyes to all the other wonderful dishes out there available for you to try.

13 Travel teaches us: To Find beauty in small things

We tend to take things for granted most of the time. We sometimes fail to see how special something is until we travel. With travel comes new perspective. It makes you appreciate things more – especially the small things. And normally you will find that it’s the free things that give us the most joy in life. When you travel, you will encounter at least a few curveballs along the way. It’s during and after these moments when you start to find beauty in small things like friendship, food, and even the rising sun. We stop taking things for granted and start opening our eyes.

12 Travel teaches us: To think outside the box

Once you leave your country, things aren’t going to be the same as what you’re accustomed to. Little obstacles will occur and you’ll have to find a way to deal with them. Maybe you have no wifi for directions, maybe the restroom is a hole in the ground…like it or not, you will learn to think outside the box.

Thinking creatively is a major life lesson you’ll gain from traveling the world. There are always going to be bumps in the road. If you can find a way to deal with them, it will be much easier and less stressful. Traveling allows you to adjust to new situations easier.

11 Travel teaches us: Lessons come in the most unlikely times

Especially if you’re traveling solo, you’ll find yourself making conversation with everyone around you: on buses, trains and planes throughout the world. Each new person you meet offers an intriguing story and maybe even a shred of wisdom.

When you surround yourself with a variety of different people during your travels, you will learn a lot. Forget what you read in the books. You learn a lot more when you’re out there in the world . Through your conversations, you will learn to respect how different your lives are. You will also learn that most of us, in spite of the cultural difference, want the same thing ultimately: happiness.

10 Travel teaches us: To Accept kindness and humility

Without even realizing it, most of us follow a cynicism attitude towards people. It’s a great shame because we sometimes overlook genuine kindness in the world. When you travel, expect to meet a whole variety. Not everybody is going to be kind, but accept that some people are. Meeting people through your travels will teach you to accept kindness – sometimes even from strangers. And it is your job to be open to invitations.

Accept the chai latte from the shop owner, accept the invitation to the local family wedding, and accept kindness whenever can - the rewards will be joyful.

Related: 12 Tips For Surviving Long-Haul Flights In Economy Seating

9 Travel teaches us: Amazing things lie on the other side of fear

Fear paralyzes us. A lot of us miss out on so much because of fear. Travelling alone, for instance, may be something you’ve always wanted to do. What stops you from doing it? Aside from money, it’s probably fear. You overlook all the excitement and focus on all the bad things that could possibly happen.

Sometimes, you need to do the things that scare you the most because on the other side of that fear, you’ll discover the most amazing things. Push yourself to do new things, try new things, and push through those feelings of fear. It’s the most liberating thing ever! If one is traveling to an unusual destination, then one should find sources that give reliable on-the-ground advice .

8 Travel teaches us: Smiling is a universal communicator - smile more

Although it’s always good to learn a few phrases in the local language, smiling is a universal communicator. Sometimes you won’t always be able to get your point across or make conversation with people as you travel around the globe. The good news is, you always have gestures you can use. One of them is smiling and it’s the best way to show people that you’re approachable. Frowning, on the other hand, does not.

Frankly, you can’t go far wrong in a foreign country if you smile. You can express many things with a smile: happiness, friendliness, gratitude. Traveling teaches you the importance of smiling.

7 Travel teaches us: We never stop learning

Wherever you go in the world, you will also learn, see and discover new things. Travelling is definitely a learning opportunity. That’s why it’s usually the most curious of personalities that long to travel. Every day you can learn something new.

This isn’t exclusive to traveling because you can still learn something new in your everyday life. But when you travel, the opportunities to learn come in abundance. You’ll be exploring and discovering new cultures, new people, new foods - everything is a learning curve and a chance to broaden your mind.

Every experience and every conversation you have teaches you something new.

6 Travel teaches us: Failure is a learning opportunity

Take it or leave it, not everything is going to go to plan when you travel. You are going to fail at some things and it’s going to be hard. Maybe it’s the language barriers or the inability to accomplish certain things during your travels. Either way, travel teaches you that failure is a learning opportunity.

So what if you messed up the local word and asked for rotten eggs instead of bread at the grocery store? Nobody apart from yourself cares anyway. All you can do is accept that you made a mistake and learn from it. That is all we can do: learn from our failures.

5 Travel teaches us: Health is the most important thing we have - take care of it

We all take our health for granted at times. When you travel, you need to take extra care of your health – particularly if you are alone. In a foreign country, it’s not always going to be easy to get understood or maybe they don’t have the right medication.

If you get sick during your travels and find yourself in a foreign hospital where nobody understands a word you’re saying, you will definitely learn to appreciate your health.

Outside of your home country, things work differently. It’s good to realize that your health is the most important thing you have. Take care of it, nourish it and do your best to stay healthy.

Related: Your Guide To The Most Peaceful Countries In The World

4 Travel teaches us: To adapt quickly

Some of the most unbelievable situations may crop up during your travels. Unless you want to go back home and give up your dream of seeing the world, you need to adapt – and fast! If not, you’ll never appreciate the greatness of travel. Anything can happen when you travel. Sometimes you find yourself in various situations and you need to find a way to solve problems quickly and without getting totally stressed out.

Once you’ve travelled to a few different countries, you’ll soon realize that the things that seemed like a big deal in your home country are now totally minor issues.

3 Travel teaches us: To discover our own powers

Being alone in a foreign country can teach you one or two things about yourself. For starters, it makes you realize just how much you can handle being alone without the help or support of friends and family. When you’re away from everything and have all that time to yourself, you’ll be surprised how zen you feel.

Even when you face difficult situations, you’ll find a way to overcome them. You are more receptive to new experiences when you are alone and it can be one of the most transformative experiences in your life.

Probably the most important lesson of all that comes from travelling is that you are more powerful than you thought.

6 Red Flags That Will Help You Spot A Travel Scam

Senior Reporter, HuffPost Life

Travel is a great way to take a break from the demands of work and everyday life and recharge for a bit while exploring a new place. Unfortunately, people who decide to go on that much-deserved vacation often find themselves the targets of a sophisticated scam .

“The business of fraud has been ‘democratized,’ and travel scams have become one of the most common ways that scammers defraud consumers and businesses,” Brittany Allen , a trust and safety architect at Sift, told HuffPost. “Easy-to-access and use technologies, along with the information available on the dark web, have lowered the barrier to entry for fraud, and these cybercriminals are taking advantage.”

She noted that Sift’s Fraud Industry Benchmarking Resource found that payment fraud in the online travel and lodging industry doubled from the third quarter of 2023 to the second quarter of 2024.

“Travel scams have always been around, but with the ‘revenge travel’ after COVID, we certainly saw an increase in the ways criminals were using people’s desires to travel to steal from them,” said Amy Nofziger , the director of victim support at the AARP Fraud Watch Network. “Plus we are all on our phones 24/7 so scammers trying to steal from us have access to us more than ever. We have seen travel scams come in via text message, email and on social media.”

That’s why it’s important to be extra vigilant as you book travel arrangements and go about your trip. To help vacationers avoid scams, we asked experts to share the red flags they should watch out for.

The situation or offer seems too good to be true.

“The biggest tip-off about online or email scams is that if it’s too good to be true, it’s likely a scam,” explained Ned S. Levi , a columnist and travel scam expert with Travelers United. “That’s a well-known, long touted scam tip-off, but it still is true.”

In this age of skyrocketing travel costs , scammers try to entice unsuspecting vacationers with low offers well below market price. But remember that these “exclusive” deals are often too unrealistic to be credible.

The same goes for in-person fraud. Don’t let the lure of a low-cost car ride from the airport lead you into a bad situation with a scam driver .

“Never get in an unlicensed taxi or private vehicle other than one ordered via reputable ride sharing apps ― no matter how amazing the deal is!” warned Julian Moro , senior vice president and regional security director at International SOS.

Even when a transaction isn’t explicitly involved, bring a healthy dose of skepticism to your interactions as a tourist.

“A very, very attractive person comes up to you out of the blue at the bar? Maybe it’s your lucky day, or maybe they work with the bar and will run up your bill,” said travel writer Matthew Kepnes , aka Nomadic Matt. “Someone incredibly friendly has a relative from the exact same city you’re from and wants to buy you lunch? It’s possible. Or maybe they will duck out and leave you with the bill. That doesn’t mean you should avoid friendly people and constantly keep your guard up, but rather that you should always use common sense.”

The payment method seems suspect.

“Listen for the way they’re asking to be paid,” Nofziger advised. “If they are requesting a pre-paid gift card, payment by cryptocurrency or via a peer to peer app, then it’s most likely a scam.”

Wire transfers or checks shouldn’t be necessary for basic travel bookings either. Stick to secure payment methods through official channels. It might be normal to encounter a street food vendor who doesn’t accept credit cards during your trip, but you should be wary of a hotel or flight booking service that doesn’t allow credit card payments.

“Book everything with a credit card,” said Ally Armeson , executive director of programs at the Cybercrime Support Network. “Credit cards offer more fraud protection than a debit card. Even if your credit card details end up in the wrong hands, you can contact the credit card company’s fraud department to resolve the issue.”

Be sure to regularly review your bank statements throughout your travels (and in general) so that you can catch any irregular activity if your card information was somehow compromised in a scam. Take care with your money when going to unfamiliar places.

“Use credit cards and travelers checks where possible and try not to carry too much spare cash, especially when going to remote locations that you are unfamiliar with,” Moro added.

Something about the website feels off.

“Watch out for suspicious URLs ― website addresses that look slightly off or contain unusual characters, such as inconsistencies between the URL and site descriptions, grammatical errors, or using characters in place of letters, such as a zero for an ‘o,’” Allen said.

She noted that this kind of vigilance is especially important when you discover a website through an ad on social media or another website, as this kind of marketing is not thoroughly vetted in advance. If you want to book that hotel room, flight or rental car deal you saw, try to go to the vendor’s actual website to confirm it’s legit.

“Be very careful when doing online searches,” Nofziger said. “Criminals can engineer their website to be at the top of the search results to get your attention. Additionally, when needing to connect with customer service, go directly to the website and look for the ‘Contact Us’ page. Many scammers will place fake customer service phone numbers online.”

Look out for unexpected spelling and grammar mistakes and poor image quality or design before sharing sensitive information online.

“One of the best lines of defense against scams and threats while traveling is your instinct,” Moro said. “If you feel something is off about a website, a situation or in general, trust your gut and remove yourself from the situation. Most of the time, your instinct is right.”

Communication takes place through unofficial channels.

“Never trust unsolicited communication of any kind,” Armeson urged. “Even if the message seems real, don’t click on anything or download anything until you are certain it is legitimate. Do your own independent research using official websites and phone numbers ― don’t use websites or numbers provided in unsolicited messages.”

Make sure you’re communicating with travel vendors through their official phone number, app or email address.

“You always want to go through a well-known travel company, and if online, you want to go through their website directly, not through a search link and absolutely not through an email link,” Levi said.

If you’re booking a vacation rental through a service like AirBnb or Vrbo, be wary of hosts who push you to take your conversation off the platform to an external messaging app or text. Keep communication on the system where it can be monitored.

You’re pressured to buy quickly ...

If a sales pitch turns aggressive, that might be a red flag to back away from an enticing travel opportunity.

“Do not allow FOMO get a hold of your emotions,” Nofziger said. “Take your time to think about the offer or what the offer is. For more big purchases like this, any legitimate company will not put pressure on you to buy.”

It’s worth taking time to gather all the information you need to ensure the provider is credible.

“Do your research, make sure to vet the travel company or opportunity prior to giving them money,” Nofziger said. “Type the name of the company with the word’s ‘fraud,’ ‘complaints’ and ‘reviews’ in a search bar, and let others’ experiences guide you.”

... and to share personal information.

Another red flag would be if a travel provider is pressuring you to share sensitive financial information or other personal data that either feels unnecessary for your booking or comes through unofficial channels like an unsolicited call or email.

“Never provide your personal information, such as your credit card information or bank account details, until you verify that the website, app or communication is legitimate,” Allen emphasized. “Once a bad actor gets a hold of this information, they can commit identity theft under your name or drain your bank account.”

Be mindful of giving too much personal information to people you meet during your travels as well. Again, there’s nothing wrong with being friendly and making new connections, but a level of awareness is important to protect your finances and safety.

“Do not share information with strangers including your accommodations and itinerary while embarking on your journey,” Moro advised. “And if you’re traveling with a group, avoid separating from them.”

What to do if you suspect you’ve been scammed

Falling victim to a scam can be a demoralizing experience, but there are steps you can take to mitigate the damage.

“If your financial information has been compromised, contact your credit card company or bank right away,” Armeson said. “They can help you secure your accounts and get new cards. If your personal information has been compromised, consider freezing your credit ― which can protect you from fraudulent credit applications.”

You should also dispute any fraudulent charges and see if payments can be stopped or reversed. Reach out to your travel insurance provider as well.

“If you think your device was hacked, use a reputable security app to scan for malware. Uninstall any apps that you don’t recognize or didn’t install, and ensure your operating system and all apps are up to date with the latest software,” Armeson said, noting that a factory reset might help as well.

“Change your passwords for important accounts and make sure two-factor authentication is enabled on all of them.”

In the case of an in-person scam, try to avoid a confrontation and calmly extricate yourself from the situation. Consider reporting what happened to the local authorities if it feels safe to do so. There are also helpful resources like the AARP’s Fraud Watch Network , which is available to non-members as well.

“If the scam occurred on a booking site or social media platform, report it to them,” Armeson said. “Then, go and report it to the Federal Trade Commission . Reporting scams to the FTC gives us a better idea of the impact cybercrime is having on our society.”

HuffPost Shopping’s Best Finds

More in life.

Four Indian Army personnel killed in road accident while travelling from West Bengal to Sikkim

Four indian army personnel died in a road accident while traveling from west bengal to sikkim. the incident occurred in pakyong district. the deceased included a driver and three soldiers from various states..

(With inputs from agencies)

Catch all the Business News , Breaking News Events and Latest News Updates on Live Mint. Download The Mint News App to get Daily Market Updates.

Get Instant Loan up to ₹10 Lakh!

• Enter Mobile Number

Employment Type

Most active stocks, pidilite industries, oil & natural gas corporation, bharat electronics, market snapshot.

• Top Gainers
• 52 Week High

One 97 Communications

Aether industries, bikaji foods international, prince pipes & fittings, trending in market.

• Orient Technologies IPO
• Chandan Taparia recommendations
• NSE new circular

Recommended For You

Gold prices, popular in news, actor darshan confesses to ’kicking’ renukaswamy, hitting him with a branch, ‘can you first’: cji chandrachud rebukes lawyer during kolkata rape case hearing, wait for it….

Log in to our website to save your bookmarks. It'll just take a moment.

latest in US News

Three teens stabbed, fourth slashed outside Bronx high school

Harvey Weinstein is recovering, but 'in a lot of pain' following...

Tim Walz's China travel company was shut down after he failed to...

Bridgeport man charged in fatal wrong-way collision on Hutch had...

Disneyland mega fans spend $400K in losing legal battle trying to...

Two Adams allies being eyed by feds for potentially influencing...

Man accidentally drives girlfriend's SUV into hidden sinkhole on...

9/11 FDNY first responders killed by Ground Zero toxins rises to...

Breaking news, killer who transitioned while in jail for murder of nyc antiques dealer previously decapitated someone with chainsaw: prosecutors.

The “baby-faced” killer who murdered an Upper East Side antiques dealer with a decorative plate, kitchen knife and “maybe a pen” previously decapitated another man with a chainsaw, authorities say.

Alex Ray Scott, a 28-year-old trans female from Oklahoma who began transitioning in jail , admitted to the gruesome previous killing of Robin Skocdopole, 63, in Broken Arrow, Okla., when she was arrested for the New York City slaying of Kenneth Savinski, 64, in January 2020, records show.

Details of the Oklahoma murder surfaced Monday at a Manhattan Supreme Court hearing, where Scott pleaded guilty to second-degree murder, as well as multiple counts of criminal possession, in Savinski’s death.

Scott killed and stole credit cards from Savinski in his Upper East Side apartment after the two met on a dating app, authorities say. She had no memory of the bloody attack when she turned herself in and told police, “I think I may have killed someone last night,” according to her indictment.

Credit cards belonging to Skocdopole and found on Scott at the time eventually led investigators to check Skocdopole’s home in Broken Arrow when he didn’t answer phone calls, according to a statement from the US Attorney’s office of the Northern District of Oklahoma .

Cops found the home empty of all possessions — but with pools and spatters of his blood around it. Investigators soon discovered that Scott had used two different kinds of saws to dismember him after killing him, the statement said. That included cutting off the victim’s head, officials said.

Manhattan Assistant District Attorney Joel Seidemann revealed in court that the saws had been purchased from a local Walmart.

Skocdopole’s dismembered remains were found in a nearby creek that May, the statement said.

Scott had rented a room in Skocdopole’s apartment and told associates that he abruptly left for Dallas to explain his later disappearance.

In court, Scott, who wore heavy eyeshadow and fake lashes, told the court she remembered using a decorative plate, kitchen knife and “maybe a pen” to murder Savinski.

Police had found Savinski face-down and covered in blood  on his living-room floor with a slit throat and several stab wounds, police said.

She was also facing charges in her home state for allegedly sexually assaulting a 6-year-old boy.

Prosecutors thanked law enforcement for diligently investigating Scott’s criminal history.

“I’ve been a prosecutor now for over 41 years, and I’d be hard-pressed to find an investigation and prosecution that was more thorough or of a high level than this case,” Seidemann said in court.

Scott will serve 22 years to life in prison as part of her plea deal involving Savinski. If eventually released, she will be sent to Oklahoma to serve out a 45-year sentence for Skocdopole’s murder.

She is expected back in court for the sentencing of Savinski’s murder Sept. 26.

Advertisement

California man killed while crossing interstate in Nashville

The 73-year-old man exited the vehicle in traffic and hopped the center barrier before he was fatally hit by a southbound car, police say..

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) - A 73-year-old man traveling from California was killed on the interstate in Nashville on Sunday night.

The Metro Nashville Police Department said Romayne Soiseth had been traveling as a passenger on a 14-hour journey when he became claustrophobic while the vehicle was in stop-and-go traffic on I-65 North. MNPD said Soiseth told the driver he wasn’t feeling well and then got out of the car, climbed over the center barrier wall, and then ran into the southbound lanes on I-65.

Soiseth was hit by a Ford Focus driven by a 23-year-old man from Nashville and died, according to MNPD. The driver is not facing charges related to the crash, MNPD said.

The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) closed all lanes of I-65 at Rosa L. Parks Blvd for the investigation.

All lanes reopened for traffic just before 10 p.m.

Copyright 2024 WSMV. All rights reserved.

Fisherman’s body recovered from Cumberland River

Reward offered for armed & dangerous suspect wanted in I-75 mass shooting

1 dead, 1 in critical condition after shooting outside Nashville nightclub

Woman could face charges following fatal crash in Montgomery County

Twin toddlers found dead in hot car after relative forgot to drop them off at day care, family says

Man considered armed and dangerous wanted for criminal homicide out of Maury County

Officers investigating targeted fatal shooting in Napier area

Latest news.

Teen dies after being shot in the neck

Police: Mom, teenager bit by dog

Search for man added to TBI's Most Wanted list

People living along Highway 109 demand change after deadly crash

Residents demand change for dangerous highway in Lebanon

Future of proposed charter school in Rutherford County up in the air

Appeals hearing on charter school

‘It’s a start’ some feel call to conserve water won’t totally address Duck River issues