Travel Safety Essentials: Protect Yourself and Your Valuables

Updated for 2024 (originally published in 2015).

Given my former location-independent lifestyle, it should come as no surprise I’ve assembled a solid list of travel safety tips and necessities.

Protection for the things that matter most will go a long way; a trip is hardly enjoyable without that peace of mind. From simple accessories to online encryption technology, these are the essentials that keep me safe and my valuables secure when I’m on the road.

Pacsafe anti-theft backpack

Anyone who personally knows me is well aware of my love for the Pacsafe line of anti-theft gear. I travelled through Southeast Asia and Africa with their Ultimatesafe Anti-Theft Backpack (full review here). This is a high-quality, comfortable pack with a number of features to deter thieves, including: a security zipper, an adjustable strap that can be fastened to a stationary object to prevent bag-snatching and an inside RFID-blocking pocket.

The Ultimatesafe Anti-Theft Backpack has been discontinued, but check out the newer Pacsafe Vibe backpack.

Pacsafe anti-theft handbag

For the times I want to carry my items in something more compact, I use this lightweight, water-resistant purse, which includes some of the same anti-theft features as the backpack above. Depending on the occasion, I wear the Pacsafe Slingsafe 250 GII handbag over the shoulder or as a cross-body handbag. It’s been discontinued but the Pacsafe Cruise Crossbody handbag is comparable.

Pacsafe offers a lot more than backpacks and purses. Check out their wide range of anti-theft products for both men and women.

Infinity scarf with a hidden pocket

It’s a perfect travel scarf that can hold your valuables. Just slip them into the secret pocket, zip (or button) it up and off you go. Your valuables will be kept secure right under your nose. Brilliant, right?

These infinity scarves with a hidden pocket are available in a wide array of colours and fabrics from lighter weight material for warmer climates to something heavier.

Door handle alarm

Simply attach this device to the door of your hotel room and arm it before drifting off to sleep. A loud alarm will be triggered if the sensor detects movement. Keep in mind the alarm does not prevent intruders from barging in — it merely frightens them away (that’s the hope, at least).

For another layer of security, consider pairing the door handle alarm with a door stopper (which only works on doors that open from the inside).

Safety whistle

It’s tiny and weighs next to nothing but it sure packs an audible punch when your own vocal chords are proved futile. Chances are, you already have a whistle sitting in a drawer somewhere in your home. Long-term traveller Jodi Ettenberg of Legal Nomads explains in this post how one saved her on three separate occasions.

Retractable cable lock

This steel cable allows you to lock your suitcase or backpack to a fixed object, say, in a hotel room or on a train. One of the biggest challenges of solo travel is the absence of a trusted companion to watch your belongings when it’s impractical to haul them into a public bathroom stall.

I faced this dilemma at a train station in India. Unable to hold my bladder any longer, I raced to the restroom, leaving my luggage unattended, hoping for the best. Thankfully, after the quickest bathroom break I’ve ever taken, I found my suitcase exactly where I had left it. But the experience imparted an important lesson and I don’t take that risk anymore. A retractable cable lock, which is both compact and light, can solve this quandary.

Mini LED flashlight/lantern

Power outages and rolling blackouts are the norm in developing countries, whether we like it or not. From the Galapagos Islands to Rwanda, I’ve lost count of the number of times it’s happened. For this reason, I travel with a small LED flashlight/lantern that works like any other flashlight but, when you place it upright on a flat surface, it can function as a lantern. I’ve used it so many times.

Compass

Sometimes when I wander through a pickpocket-prone city, I don’t want to pull out my iPhone to figure out which direction is north. Enter the old school compass.

It’s also a great back-up if my iPhone battery dies and can’t use the compass app.

VPN

A Virtual Private Network (VPN) is imperative for digital nomads and anyone who requires privacy online. Simply put, a VPN connection encrypts your online activity, making it anonymous and, therefore, untraceable. With it, you can securely browse the web and check your email with public and hotel wifi. A VPN can also manipulate your IP address to give you the appearance of being located in a different country, allowing you to circumvent government restrictions in heavily censored countries like China.

There’s one caveat: a VPN will reduce the speed of your connection by up to 50% (even more with a free service) but, for as low as 5 USD/month, it’s unquestionably a wise investment.

Shop around to ensure the VPN service will work in the countries you plan on visiting. For example, not all providers work in China. Also, download the service on your computer and/or mobile device before leaving home as it can be difficult to do so in the destination country.

I have a paid subscription with PureVPN. It’s affordable and gives me access to over 3,000 servers in 25 countries. Another valuable feature is Kill Switch, which automatically cuts off the internet on my device if the VPN disconnects so that I don’t accidentally transmit sensitive information.

Password manager

After years of carelessly putting my online life at risk by travelling with my passwords jotted down on paper or typed in a spreadsheet, I finally started using a password manager. Why wait until your passwords are stolen or destroyed in a natural disaster? Protect your personal data with a password management system that uses sophisticated encryption tools to securely store all your passwords in one place, accessible from anywhere in the world. Many also come with a host of other features like mobile syncing and an automatic password generator.

I use KeePassX for both travel and everyday life. It’s free and my passwords have never been stronger and safer. Click here for my post about the importance of a password manager for travel.

Travel insurance

Lastly, there is no good reason to leave your country without travel insurance, at least an emergency medical policy.

World Nomads is one of the few insurance companies that offers coverage even after you’ve departed your home country. Their affordable policies include everything from emergency medical coverage to trip cancellation insurance and protection for electronic devices. They even offer a plan for high-risk activities like mountain climbing and scuba diving. Lastly, they offer the convenience of allowing you to extend your policy online.

Travel policies are not created equal. Before you make a purchase, review the details to get a solid understanding of what and how much you’re covered for.

For more important details about travel insurance and how they’re impacted by government travel advisories, read this post about travel essentials for health and wellness.

Travel registration in your country

This isn’t exactly a travel product, but it is relevant. I strongly suggest registering your trip with your government prior to your travels. If you’re Canadian, register here. You’ll receive consular services and notifications about emergencies in your destination country. Your family and friends will be able to get in touch with you. In the event of a natural disaster or civil unrest, the Canadian government will be able to locate you and come to your aid.

Similarly, the U.S. government offers the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). Register here.

Travel safety: hope for the best, prepare for the worst

At best, sticky and dangerous situations will turn into a worrisome inconvenience or, at worst, a tragedy. Be prepared for them. You can’t put a price tag on peace of mind — or your life.

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I’m always on the lookout for more travel safety products so if you have your own suggestions, let me know in the comments below!

Disclosure: I received the Pacsafe UltimateSafe Backpack for review purposes. I also earn a small commission at not cost to  you if you click on some of the links above and make a purchase through Amazon or World Nomads (thank you for helping me support this blog). Rest assured, however, that all views expressed in this post are entirely my own. If the product I use is no longer available for purchase, I’ve linked to a comparable product.