It’s always better to be safe than sorry. The last thing you’d want to happen to you on a long-anticipated vacation is to deal with lost or stolen items. Statistically, European countries tend to have lower violent crime rates than the USA. However, areas frequented by millions of tourists yearly show high rates of petty theft and other offenses targeting specifically visitors. That’s why you should take steps to increase your European vacation safety. European vacation safety should be an essential part of your travel plans. Let these European vacation safety tips help make the trip even better.
Here Are the Top Five Ways to Make European Vacation Safety a Priority.
5. Keep Some Money at Hand
And don’t keep all of your money in one place. Keeping some cash on hand minimizes the possibility of a significant loss if something does happen. Keep a few small bills in the outer pocket of your bag. That way, you’re not fiddling with your wallet if you want to buy a snack or a public transport ticket.
If you have a safe in your hotel room, use it. Leave credit cards, most of your cash, and other valuables safely stored. That’s European vacation safety made easy.
4. Watch Your Bag
Pickpockets are a problem in many tourist destinations such as Paris, London, and Rome. In crowded areas, hundreds of travelers have their pockets picked up, or their purses snatched daily.
Some travelers protect their belongings by walking around with “front packs” or chest packs — backpacks worn on the front. Unfortunately, this type of bag is an obvious sign that you’re a tourist. The more you blend in, the better!
Could you carry your valuables close to you? Guys should never have a wallet in their back pocket if they don’t wish to be an easy target. Instead, put money, your passport, and credit cards in a sturdy, below-the-belt security wallet. Messenger or cross-body bags work well for everyone. You can carry them across your body, reducing the possibility of being snatched away. Always buy a travel purse with a zip instead of an open snap or pull closure. Following these tips makes you one step ahead of every thief.
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Tip: Nothing screams “I am a tourist” louder than carrying a massive paper map or bulky guidebook and looking confused or lost. It’s not just annoying for locals when they have to maneuver around you; this behavior also gives pickpockets the perfect chance to snatch something from your back pocket or bag. Avoid looking like you just arrived from the airport unless you’re willing to part with some of your valuables.
Also Read:>> THE HIDDEN GEMS OF EUROPE: 10 MUST-SEE PLACES TO VISIT THIS SUMMER
3. Be Careful on Trains
Overnight trains are a great way to travel through Europe and are usually very safe. Follow a few simple rules to ensure that all of your belongings make it to the next destination with you. If you’re sleeping on a train, find some way to keep your belongings on you. Use your backpack as a pillow, and wrap your hand around the straps.
If you’re traveling with a companion and feel unsafe, you may consider sleeping in shifts. If you have a compartment, lock your door if you can. Never leave anything unattended on a train, even if you’re just briefly going out to use the bathroom.
If someone sitting near you makes you uncomfortable, don’t worry about being polite—get up and move somewhere else. This is one of the most important European vacation safety tips.
2. Don’t Sacrifice Safety for Savings
Hostels and inexpensive hotels can be an excellent way to save money and meet new people. You should, however, consider if you’re willing to sacrifice safety for a few extra euros in your pocket.
Staying in an eight-person dorm in a hostel on the outskirts of town might not be a great bargain if you get mugged on the way there. You can try to read up on your destination in advance, see which parts of town are considered safest, and go from there.
Are you concerned with European vacation safety but still want to explore everywhere? These five situations prove why travel insurance may give you peace of mind.
Tip: Dress like a local. This one is pretty simple! Instead of wearing the baseball cap of your favorite baseball team when it rains, do as any European would do and carry an umbrella.
1. Learn to Be Rude
We’re not telling you to be rude to locals, workers, or other travelers you encounter. But sometimes self-preservation trumps manners.
You’re not required to engage with people approaching you on the street. Scam artists see through you and can exploit your kindness and sense of obligation to make their schemes work. Predators will come to you, make friendly conversation, and use it as an opportunity to rob you or loop you into a scam. Keep walking and completely ignore them. Refuse to answer questions and loudly say “No!” or “Leave me alone!” if someone gets too close or aggressive. Scammers don’t want scenes, so they’ll usually back off if you draw attention to the scammer.
Tip: Be mindful when taking pictures. This is how I lost my first camera at the age of 16. I was naive to snap happy with my camera, not noticing that I was attracting attention. A thief grabbed the camera right out of my hand and ran off. I’ve learned my lesson and was lucky to have had travel insurance cover for the loss. Make sure you don’t have to go through the hassle and always have your possessions securely on you.
There’s a lot to see and do on a European vacation. Don’t let anyone stop you from exploring. Just leave your home at home when boarding your flight, be open-minded, and don’t expect to find every convenience you typically take for granted.
Use these European vacation safety tips to have the trip of a lifetime. If you want to feel exceptionally safe, travel insurance offers peace of mind and protection against the unexpected. Click here to learn more about the top companies for travel insurance.