Keeping out of danger, risk, or injury. Use with questions about people; when referring to things, use "security" instead.
65
votes
17answers
2k views
When traveling to a country with a different currency, how should you take your money?
Recently my wife and I traveled to Italy and before we left we got about 85% of our money in travelers checks and the other 15% we carried on in cash. When we arrived there, no one would take our ...
51
votes
13answers
1k views
How do you avoid “tourist traps” when traveling to a country where you do not speak the language?
Too many easily accessible restaurants and attractions cater heavily to tourists, and, in doing so, create an environment that they feel will be comfortable to people from other cultures.
Spending ...
45
votes
7answers
2k views
Tactics to avoid getting harassed by corrupt police
In Uzbekistan I was stopped, searched and questioned six times in one day.
At the border with Tajikistan, one official tried hiding my paperwork to elicit something from me.
In Kyrgyzstan, I was ...
39
votes
8answers
2k views
How should I deal with beggars in India?
I heard that it is unsafe to show some money or help for someone in India.
Is there any rules I should respect not to get into trouble?
30
votes
5answers
764 views
Is it safe to travel in Japan considering the nuclear situation?
Are there any areas that should be avoided and are there any steps I should take to protect myself from radiation?
25
votes
5answers
3k views
Can a tourist buy a gun in the USA?
This came up as a discussion. With recent incidents in the news, it's often argued by some members of the public in the US that guns are a requirement for safety, and that everyone should have the ...
25
votes
6answers
963 views
Is it dangerous to drive through Death Valley?
I planned to drive through Death Valley with a rental car during end of May or beginning of June. Now a friend of mine told me that this is a little bit dangerous, and that a lot of rental companies ...
24
votes
7answers
2k views
How to prevent “Delhi Belly”?
Montezuma's revenge, Aztec two step, mummy's tummy, or Cairo two-step in Egypt, Kurtz Hurtz in Uzbekistan, Bombay belly or Delhi belly in India.
A case of the sh-- or Hershey Squirts or The McSh-- in ...
22
votes
6answers
732 views
What are good security tactics for sleeping in airports?
Sleeping in airports is something I've found myself doing more often than I ever expected, and while I have no issue with sleeping on the floor or chairs or whatever, sometimes I have valuable stuff, ...
21
votes
3answers
455 views
Is it safe to travel in Greece during the riots about government spending cuts?
I am travelling to Athens, Greece, shortly, and have seen reports of recent unrest. Should I be worried? Should I cancel my trip?
Update
It's fine, taxis are currently on strike, but Syntagma Sqaure ...
20
votes
5answers
2k views
Is it wise to pretend to be Christian to safely travel through the US?
In this Economist blog it is stated:
In the most religious parts of America, it is tough being a secular teenager. Many of the kids at Camp Quest say that, at school, they either keep quiet about ...
20
votes
3answers
2k views
Should I carry a passport around everywhere I go in the UK?
I am a new student in the UK. I attend classes both in London and Cambridge. Should I carry my passport with me wherever I go within UK? Or is a college identity enough?
My parents are visiting me ...
19
votes
7answers
3k views
How does one recover from a (personal) disaster while abroad, travel-wise?
I was watching the Bond flick Die Another Day last night. In it, Bond ends up in terrible shape, but manages to escape to the shores of Hong Kong, where he strolls into the lobby of a swanky hotel, is ...
18
votes
5answers
1k views
Is it risky to wear a name tag in public in an unfamiliar city?
A couple of years ago, I came across Smart Traveller claiming that wearing your name tag can increase the risk of crime and assault in the form of someone who pretends to already know you taking ...
18
votes
7answers
1k views
Is tea and coffee on the street safe to drink in India?
There are many street tea/coffee sellers around India, and although the water has been boiled at some point, often the pots are out for a long time. The clay cups are also lying around in the dust. Is ...
18
votes
4answers
781 views
Is it now feasible for an adventurous independent traveller to visit Chechnya?
Right now I'm drinking vodka with a Chechen guy who's staying at my hostel here in Tbilisi Georgia.
I told him I would like to visit Chechnya but it's too dangerous. He reacted like I imagine ...
18
votes
2answers
843 views
Devil's pool safety at Victoria Falls
The Devil's pool is a natural pool on the edge of Victoria falls you can swim in during certain months (I saw people doing last September).
Image is in public domain. Source: Wikipedia.
Firstly, I ...
17
votes
7answers
2k views
Using an Amazon Kindle onboard a flight?
Airlines don't let you use electronic devices when the plane is taking off/landing. Let's suppose I have a Kindle 3, and I have turned off wireless (i.e. both Wifi and GSM/3G is off).
Since you ...
16
votes
4answers
2k views
What class of travel is suitable for a woman travelling alone on Indian railways?
What class should a lone woman travel on a sleeper train to be safe at night?
16
votes
3answers
444 views
Are some parts of Iraq currently possible to visit for the brave, adventurous, and open-minded traveller?
OK I know Iraq is utterly totally off the vast majority of people's itineraries for the immediate future.
But I am pretty sure I have heard of some extreme adventurous types going there and following ...
16
votes
3answers
1k views
How dangerous is India for solo women travellers, or female-only groups?
Why India is not safe for solo women is an article in The Telegraph (UK) describing one woman's issues with sexual harassment in India.
Some of the information there describes a worse situation than ...
16
votes
4answers
4k views
What are safe uses of non-potable water?
While traveling, you come across many different levels of water safety. In some countries you can drink the tap water, and in others you should avoid it at all costs.
Where do you draw the line when ...
16
votes
4answers
234 views
Which country should I go to in order to see gorillas?
I understand that you can see gorillas in the wild in Uganda, Rwanda and Congo. In planning a trip to Africa to see gorillas, why might I choose one country over another considering factors such as ...
16
votes
3answers
1k views
“Flight mode” phone use banned on Ryanair. Is this a worldwide phenomenon?
On a couple of recent flights with Ryanair I've noticed that they require phones to be turned off during the whole flight even if they are in the "flight mode". Pretty annoying that you can not use ...
16
votes
1answer
144 views
Maps with road drivability grading
Recently I went to Cliffs of Moher, in County Clare, Ireland (it is nice place, you should visit it.. but by bus of course). I went there by car. Driving on the road is a OMG-super-duper hard; I can't ...
15
votes
3answers
2k views
Comparative safety of countries in Central America
When considering general safety for travelers visiting a foreign country, how do the Central American countries compare (Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama)? Are ...
14
votes
4answers
2k views
Where is the safest place in a train?
This morning I had to make a small (2-3 hours) train journey with a friend. He is a little anxious and unreasonable, and doesn't trust public transport. He won't fly at all and normally, he doesn't ...
14
votes
3answers
270 views
Is cycling in Tokyo safe?
I have booked a hotel in Tokyo near JR Ueno Train Station and it offers bike rental. I know that around the station there are various attractions like Ueno Park and temples of Asakusa. I thought I ...
13
votes
4answers
661 views
What do travellers to England need to know about social class
One aspect that British society is known for its social class system, but how does this apply to foreigners? I will be in London and Manchester for a week, and knowing which neighbourhoods to avoid or ...
13
votes
2answers
251 views
How can I determine which airlines are relatively safe?
The world is full of different airlines ranging from ones with proven track records of safety and security to ones with old, poorly-maintained planes that are falling apart. Are there any resources ...
13
votes
2answers
345 views
Is all of Afghanistan dangerous for travellers?
Recently I have read a few travel books to get some inspiration for the next long summer journey. I was especially reading Lonely Planet travel guides. I was a little bit surprised that they very ...
13
votes
1answer
791 views
What are the fake police checkpoints in Mexico looking for?
I'm not entirely sure if this is the right place to ask this, but my reason for asking is travel; and travel safety (as well as sheer curiosity).
Last week I came across a clearly1 fake2 police ...
12
votes
5answers
307 views
Strongest travel sunblock?
A friend who burns easily is travelling to Africa during the dry season. What is the strongest sunblock on the market, and is it actually sensible to use - that is, would it potentially prevent ...
12
votes
5answers
486 views
General security concerns about Cancun, Mexico
I am planning to go on vacation with my girlfriend (We are both in our early twenties) in a 5 star hotel in Cancun, Mexico.
My concerns:
I've seen a documentary where a young guy got drugged in ...
11
votes
6answers
849 views
How dangerous is the 'La Boca' neighborhood of Buenos Aires?
I've heard a few warnings about going to La Boca, especially at night. I'm curious how dangerous it is in the area.
I don't really know how one would rate the level of danger, but what I'd like to ...
11
votes
3answers
208 views
Are hospitality-exchange services reasonably safe to use in first-world countries?
Are hospitality-exchange services like CouchSurfing and warmshowers.org reasonably safe to use? I mean both for hosts and for guests, and both for men and women, in first-world countries.
What ...
11
votes
4answers
2k views
China Airlines, safe?
I've got a long-haul flight booked with China Airlines (A330 and an A340) from LHR to SYD, and only after I booked it did I decide to read up on their safety record. Suffice to say I regret doing ...
11
votes
1answer
551 views
Are there high crime areas in Japan that I should avoid?
According to the this link (in the "Crime" section), I should avoid the areas of "Roppongi, Shinjuku (especially the area of Kabuki-cho), Shibuya, and Ikebukuro" in Tokyo, due to them being high crime ...
11
votes
4answers
177 views
How can I find a guide that will take me safely up Mount Kilimanjaro and Mount Elbrus?
Where/how can I find a local/professional guide that will take me safely up Mount Kilimanjaro and Mount Elbrus?
11
votes
2answers
262 views
Any Suggestions to ensure safety while hitchhiking?
A female friend of mine plans to travel trough Europe next month. She wants to hitchhike. Although she has done it several times before, she is looking for some tips to make the tour safer.
I could ...
11
votes
1answer
410 views
It is safe to travel in Israel and Palestine?
I intend to travel around Israel and Palestine (excluding the Gaza Strip). When I tell people about this I am often greeted semi-shocked responses, people seem to think it is very unsafe and I am ...
11
votes
1answer
200 views
Warfarin in Tajikistan
I've run into a major problem, requiring urgent Warfarin. However, am in Khorog, Tajikistan, and there's NONE in town, and the pharmacist at the hospital believes there to be none in the country, ...
11
votes
2answers
402 views
Is it safe to take a road trip going through Northern Mexico? What precautions should I take?
To get to southern Mexico from the US you obviously have to drive through the North (or fly). The British Foreign Office advisory makes it sound like the northern regions are a lot more dangerous ...
10
votes
4answers
2k views
Statistically, is there a safest seat on the plane if it crashes?
So to clarify, there are lots of different planes, so for the sake of argument, there are areas:
front left
front right
front middle
forward front, right, middle
over the left wing
over the right ...
10
votes
4answers
990 views
Crime rate in Cuba
How/what is the crime rate in Cuba? Is walking around in Havana and travel by car through the country reasonably safe for travellers?
Any tips?
10
votes
3answers
127 views
Is it possible to travel safely in Guatemala?
We are considering a trip to Guatemala for about 7-10 days with kids (6 months and 3 years). We would like to do only the top attractions: Tikal, Antigua, Lake Atlitlan and Pacaya Volcano. Is it ...
10
votes
5answers
6k views
Is it safe to travel to Egypt in early 2012?
Have people been travelling in Egypt after March 2011? What's the situation like over there? The election is also happening at the end of November. Should I wait until after the election to book my ...
10
votes
3answers
2k views
Is it safe to drive the Baja Peninsula?
I want to drive from Tijuana to Cabo San Lucas but I've heard of people being pulled over by corrupt cops and being hassled by people on the peninsula. I speak fluent Spanish and I'm pretty street ...
10
votes
3answers
414 views
Is there a website that measures the level of xenophobia in countries/cities?
Is there a website that measures the level of xenophobia in countries or cities? It would be better if it's color coded.
Xenophobia could mean a lot for some tourists, I myself do not like to travel ...
10
votes
1answer
564 views
Can I Listen to Air Traffic Control on a flight?
What airlines have an audio channel where you can listen to Air Traffic Control communications during the flight? Do any airlines allow you to bring a scanner or aviation radio aboard to listen ...
