Backpacking for Beginners:
Backpacking Safety

"How to backpack safe in Asia"

Safety tips on:



Here's a guide to SAFE backpacking for beginners!

The goal of this article is to get you prepared as early as possible, and make you aware of possible hazards.

Remember: No matter how small your budget is, you`re rich compared to the locals.

  • Before you go, talk about your plans with your family and friends. Reassure them that you`re aware of the possible risks in Asia.

    Keep in touch with them during your trip as well. Use e-mail or sms, and tell them where you`re heading next and for how long. If you`re travelling with someone, make sure you give them their names and phone numbers in case your folks can`t reach you.

  • Be extra careful the first weeks after you`ve arrived your destination. During this time, you`ll be jet lagged, tired and probably not in a travelling mood yet.

Note: Before leaving, be 100 % aware of the possibilities of getting involved in a dangerous situation. Just because you`re not home, doesn`t mean there`s no risks. It can happen to anybody, either they are cautious or not ... The trick is to find a safe way to get out of it.

Let's start the safe backpacking for beginners -- for you! ;-)

Your Belongings




backpacking warning sign safety
Backpacking For Beginners

Always keep an eye on your daybag. Don`t leave it hanging over the back of your chair, or lying at your feet. When walking around with your daybag, make sure you carry it so you have it in front of you, or at least on your side. Don`t carry it behind your back.

If you`re carrying your backpack, and you need to go to the toilet ask your travel companion to keep an eye on it. Even fellow travellers steal from each other (sadly). Don`t ever leave your belongings unattended.

Put your camera in your daybag, don`t hang it around you.

Copy your pictures to discs and store it in your backpack, or a hotel safe. If your daybag gets stolen, you`ve at least made copies. Losing pictures/great memories is one of the worst scenarios (in my opinion)... You can buy a new camera, but not new memories.

Need tips on how to choose a digital camera and how to take care of your travel camera? -- Go here! (opens in a new window)

Don't wear jewellry or watches that are expensive, or look expensive. If thieves think it`s expensive they will rob you anyway, even though it just cost you five bucks.

Be careful if anyone knocks into you on the street -- check if all your belongings are safe and secure.

Need more tips and information on money and document safety, or other travel safety issues in Asia?

Click here to learn about the backpacking basics of safety and scams

Food and Drinks

Backpacking for beginners: Find valuable tips on what to watch out for when eating and drinking in Asia. And not to mention, hygiene. Click here!

Your Money

Don`t pull out loads of cash bills on crowdy places.

Watch out when purchasing an item: when you get your change, check if the bills are taped, old, dirty, torn etc. Old bills might be hard to use as payment for later purchases.

For more money and document safety tips, click here.

Your Room

Avoid rooms on the ground floor, if possible. Keep your bags away from the window. Not all doors and windows are secured properly at the guest houses. Use one of your padlocks to secure the room if possible.

In big cities, take note of the address to your guest house or hostel. Ask the staff if they can translate the address to their native language. This way, any driver should be able to take you there, and locals will be able to point you in the right direction if you`re lost.

Always leave your room key at the reception. If you lose it (theft or accident), you'll be charged for the loss. You don't need to worry about it when you're out (remember when the reception opens and closes!)

Orientation

If you think you`re lost, STOP!

Sit down, relax and don`t panic. Look out for landmarks and the position of the sun to orientate yourself. Don`t start moving until you work out where you are.

Crime

Call your embassy as soon as possible, if you get arrested or get in trouble with the police. The embassy will send a representantive, and offer advice on how to obtain legal assistance.

Remember that your country's consular services apply when you get arrested abroad.

It's stated under the Vienna Convention on Consular Services (1963), which is accepted standard for all member countries. This means that you have access to consular representative. Immediately request the local authorities to contact the consular representative in that country.

However, the embassy will have little sympathy if you`re caught trafficking or possessing drugs.

Ask to see some identification if you`re suspicious of anyone who says they`re a police officer and asks for a large sum of money, information or to search your room or your possessions.

Here's the ultimate rule to safe backpacking for beginners: Never let anyone you don't know carry your backpack/daybag (without your supervision). I'm afraid that many innocent travellers have been caught with narcotics in their bags, even when they didn`t know about it or didn`t have anything to do with it.

It's always difficult to prove that you didn't try to smuggle the drugs that was hidden in YOUR bag. If you were the police, wouldn't you automatically think that you're guilty? (And be honest when answering)

Need more tips and information on money and document safety, or other travel safety issues in Asia?

Click here to learn about the backpacking basics of safety and scams

Missing Persons

If someone you know goes missing in foreign territory, please contact your local police station.

They will co-operate with the relevant foreign police. The embassies can't trace missing persons.

A tip is to register your travel to your embassy when you arrive in a new country. If you're an American traveling in Thailand, seek the US embassy in Bangkok.

Registration is usually free, easy to do and you can register online.

So spending a couple of minutes to do it, is kind of a life "insurance."

Backpacking for Beginners -- Safety
was last updated on October 6, 2009

You're done with Backpacking for Beginners -- Safety, where do you want to go next?

Click here to read about money safety

Travelling alone? Here are some useful tips for solo travelers.

Thinking of NOT buying an insurance? Read my article about insurance,and I`m sure you`ll change your mind after reading it!

Return from Backpacking For Beginners to Backpacking Tips Asia Homepage.

Feedback, say hello or want to add a correction? Do it here!

HTML Comment Box is loading comments...

backpacking for beginners backpacking for beginners



FREE E-book

Need help on how to get started with your backpacking trip?

Get a *FREE* e-book right here, along with a FREE monthly newsletter!

backpacking tips asia start your footprints snapshot main picture free e-book travel

Just type your name and e-mail address below! ;-)

E-book "Start Your Footprints" and Monthly Newsletter

Email

Name

Then

Don't worry -- your e-mail address is totally secure.
I promise to use it only to send you Backpacking Tips Asia News.

Plan your backpacking trip with these eBooks

Asia January 2012 Photo Winner
Photo of the Month Winner
  January 2012

"Life is a Beach - The Lingayen Gulf Luzon, the Philippines"

By Allan Militante
Baguio, the Philippines
Allan's website
New - February 2012 Asia Photo Contest
-- Submit Yours Now!

Connect with
Backpacking Tips Asia

Follow me on Twitter!
Follow GoBackpacker on Twitter

[?] Subscribe To
This Site

XML RSS
Add to Google
Add to My Yahoo!
Add to My MSN
Add to Newsgator
Subscribe with Bloglines