Travel Tools

How to Have a Safe Trip: Before You Leave

Safety on an international trip begins with knowing the particulars of where you’re going and what you’ll do for transportation and lodging when you get there. It also has to do with letting others know that information, too. There are a number of information resources that help you gather and share information as needed.

Here are some quick tips to make your travel easier and safer:

1. Register your travel plans with the State Department through a free online service at https://travelregistration.state.gov. Registration is relatively quick and easy. This will help should you need to be contacted due to an event such as a family emergency in the U.S., or if there is a crisis where you are traveling. In accordance with the Privacy Act, information on your welfare and whereabouts will not be released to others without your specific authorization.


2. The Consular Information Program consists of three main components that provide information to the American public about travel to specific countries:  Country Specific Information, Travel Warnings and Travel Alerts. The U.S. Department of State issues fact sheets called Country Specific Information on over 200 countries. The sheets contain information on entry requirements, crime and security conditions, areas of instability, road safety and other details relevant to travel. A quick read of a few pages of information before you leave home can provide you with information to help you decide what to take with you.


3. Check and make copies of your passport and traveling documents. Make certain your passport is signed and the emergency notification page is filled out. If you are traveling with a Visa, read it and make certain it is valid for the dates that you are traveling. Leave copies of your itinerary, passport data page and visas with family or friends, so you can be contacted in case of an emergency. Take an extra photo copy with you in a secure location if you’ll be traveling for a long period of time in case your documents and passport are stolen or lost. If you need a new passport, use the online application process to speed things up.


4. Check your overseas medical insurance coverage: Ask your medical insurance company if your policy applies overseas, and if it covers emergency expenses such as medical evacuation. If it does not, consider supplemental insurance to cover you while you’re traveling. See our Travel Insurance products information page.


5. Know where you’re going geographically, politically and culturally. Familiarize yourself with local conditions and laws because you are subject to those laws while in a foreign country. You should also consider the local customs of your destination to avoid unnecessary confrontations and surprises that could cost you time and money or even endanger you or your traveling companion. The State Department’s website has updated information on all countries where Americans travel.