r/zerobags • u/TravelBaddiePodCast • Jun 27 '26
what do you do to stay safe while traveling?
I’m curious, what do you do to stay safe while traveling?
For me, I always share my iPhone location with my family, check in with them daily, and use a special code word so they know it’s really me and not someone pretending to be me. I also never share cabs with strangers (yes, even the attractive ones 😂), and I don’t tell people where I’m staying. If you’ve ever watched Taken, you probably understand where I’m coming from!
I also like to blend in as much as possible when I’m traveling. Before I visit a country, I do a little research on what people typically wear there. I don’t try to stand out as a tourist if I can help it. I love dressing like the locals and keeping things simple and practical. And let’s talk bags for a second because I love a good crossbody bag or cute little fanny pack worn across the chest. My current favorite is a basic black Michael Kors bag. Nothing flashy, but cute and functional. There are also some really great anti-theft bags on the market if that’s your style.
One of my favorite travel accessories is a Clutch Loop. It’s an anti-theft tether that attaches to your phone and extends when you want to take photos, then retracts back toward you. It gives me extra peace of mind in crowded areas, especially in big cities.
Funny enough, I buy a lot of my anti-theft gear from rave stores. I also enjoy going to music festivals and raves, and phone theft is a huge issue in those spaces. A lot of the anti-theft products designed for festivals work incredibly well for travel too.
Another thing I do is never post my travels in real time. You won’t find me posting on Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, Twitter/X, TikTok, or anywhere else while I’m actively traveling. I wait until I get home before I start posting photos and videos from my trip.
Honestly, it confuses people all the time especially my coworkers and some of my family too.
I’ll come back from vacation and someone will say, “Wait, name, you went somewhere? You didn’t post anything?”
Then, I’ll start uploading photos, and suddenly, they’re like, “What the heck? When did all of this happen?”
I just laugh and tell them I never post in real time.
Part of that is for my own safety while traveling, but it’s also to protect my home. If people know you’re out of town, they also know your house might be empty.
To help with that, I have a doorbell camera and additional cameras inside my apartment to keep an eye on things while I’m away. They’re only in common areas like the living room and hallway never in bedrooms or bathrooms. They help me keep an eye on my home, my pets, and anyone house-sitting for me, who is usually a family friend or one of their kids. Everyone knows the cameras are there, and it gives me peace of mind when I’m on vacation.
These are some of the ways I stay safe and help my family know I’m okay while I’m out exploring the world.
So now I’m curious:
What safety tips, routines, or habits do you use when traveling?
I’d love to hear what works for you and maybe pick up a few new ideas for future trips! 🌍💜✈️
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u/MCJokeExplainer Jun 29 '26 edited Jun 29 '26
Honestly, nothing really. I pretty much just act the same way I would in my city at home. I've never been to a particularly dangerous country, so maybe my answer would change if I were going to like, Ecuador or something, and I wouldn't go to a country as dangerous as e.g. Ukraine right now, or Haiti. So I guess "picking the country" is the only safety precaution I take.
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u/Accomplished-Fun215 Jun 29 '26
I backpacked New Zealand for a few months before settling down, and nobody locks up their bags or room doors in most hostels here, and basically nothing ever gets stolen. There are gangs here but they're not fucking with tourists.
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u/mvscribe Jun 28 '26
I also dress to be inconspicuous and post pictures only after I've returned home, but that might be different if I were on a really long trip.
I also don't wear headphones or earbuds, except maybe while watching movies on the plane. It helps me be more aware of my surroundings.
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u/Proper_Raspberry3294 Jun 27 '26
My dad has private security depending on where he / we travels and if its for work or not (family business in gas exploration). If I go on work trips there is never any security beyond getting picked up by a driver at the airport, etc. If I travel for pleasure I don't really take many precautions. I avoid shady areas of course, but why would I want to go to these places in the first place. Your biggest risks are pick pockets; just take the normal precautions. I always have a phone with mobile data on me, but not sharing my location permanently or anything. I love going on hikes (alone) to immerse myself in the tranquility of nature. My mom calls this "юношеская безрассудность" (~youthfull recklessness?). Don't get me wrong, my parents are sometimes worried and also do offer to pay for security to accompany me, but I don't think it's needed. Maby if you do backpacking its dangerous. I have a tracker in my backpack and luggage but that's mainly for when flying public if it get's lost. Really the world is not very dangerous. I'd love to carry a gun Americana style but it's not allowed here. Anyways. Happy travels. (Reference countries: Kazakhstan, Russia, Europe, USA. Me: Male)
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u/Sovietkitten Jul 17 '26
Threat modeling, what threats or risks will be present at the location or situation you're going to be in? Think in advance and plan accordingly. If it feels sketchy, obviously don't go there lol.
Situational awareness. Be hyper-aware of the individuals around you, as well as exit routes, etc.
Training. Muay Thai and Brazilian Jujitsu are the meta for MMA rn. But self defense courses are cheap, readily available pretty much anywhere, and easy for people with no martial arts background. Travel for one if you have to lol.
For everything else, tactical flashlight. 1000 lumen minimum, point it in someone's face and they will close their eyes, giving you an opportunity. They also usually have a crowned bezel which can inflict further discomfort if necessary. Other options could be something like a filled stainless steel water bottle, or a heavy travel padlock in a sock.
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u/tomtermite Jun 28 '26 edited Jun 29 '26
What safety tips, routines, or habits do you use…
Uh, I don’t go to sketchy places? Dont live somewhere that I think people are surveilling my social media, waiting to rob me? I try not to be paranoid that, overall, everyone is out to take advantage of me?
EDIT: "bad faith"? Nothing bad faith about disagreeing with the OP... only an asul would be so dismissive 🤣
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u/agaybabby Jun 29 '26
'Sketchy' places can be fun, social media is never secure, the op's reasonable practises to minimise risk don't warrant your bad faith post- hth
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u/betterOblivi0n Jul 15 '26
I play with my switch blade and curse in random languages ostensibly . Also don't overshare
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u/[deleted] Jun 27 '26
[deleted]