The state of being free from danger or threat. Use with questions about things or money; when referring to people, use "safety" instead.
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, ...
12
votes
5answers
308 views
Are Digital Single Lens Reflex Cameras Permitted in the Empire State Building?
I'm currently planning a trip to New York and have been looking at the website for the empire state building and noticed the following
The items listed are not permitted in the Empire State ...
3
votes
1answer
51 views
Can I have a replacement bank card shipped to a mailbox in Melbourne, Australia?
Today I discovered that my bank card was cloned and $2500 was stolen from my account yesterday.
I called my bank and they said they can only ship my card to my home address in Melbourne (which makes ...
13
votes
2answers
342 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 ...
1
vote
0answers
54 views
Walking through Northern Mexico safest route [closed]
I realize walking through northern Mexico has its issues and most of those issues can't be avoided. I am just looking for the "safest" route by foot in the southern gulf states. Now keep in mind the ...
10
votes
2answers
276 views
Can I get arrested for loitering?
Loitering seems to have incredibly vague definition, according to Wikipedia. It seems that it's illegal, even if you don't seem to be doing anything wrong. In the US, there are signs to this effect, ...
10
votes
2answers
134 views
What documentation do I need to file a police report for stolen company-owned equipment while traveling abroad?
Monday evening, my vehicle was broken into while staying in Leon, Mexico, visiting from the U.S., and my laptop stolen, along with a few other personal items.
I went with a friend to the police ...
5
votes
1answer
64 views
Secure long-term parking in Johannesburg
I will be taking a one-month trip departing from the airport in Johannesburg, South Africa and need a secure place to park my car. I see that the airport has long-term parking, but is it safe to leave ...
6
votes
2answers
179 views
Getting from Mexico City airport to downtown easily and safely
I'm wondering about an easy and reasonably safe way to get from Mexico City International Airport (MEX) to downtown.
If good public transport is available, I usually prefer that. And as I noticed ...
21
votes
7answers
329 views
How can I protect my vehicle when left at a trail head for an extended period?
Previously when I went backpacking, the vehicle I left behind at the trail head was, erm, not particularly worth stealing. I'm looking at new vehicles now, and somewhere in the back of my mind is "do ...
5
votes
2answers
331 views
Managing baggage in transit at OR airport Johannesburg
I have an 8 hour wait for an international transfer at Johannesburg airport and will be changing airlines. I am very concerned about the stories of theft and tampering of luggage at this airport. How ...
26
votes
4answers
2k views
What's the deal with the “string people” in central Paris?
I've taken my fiancée to Paris twice - first for our 1st anniversary, and again for our 4th - and both times we had troubles with guys bothering us around the Sacré Coeur in Montmartre. They hang ...
47
votes
15answers
14k views
Why would you wrap your luggage in plastic?
At many airports you can wrap your luggage with sheets of sticky plastic. Why on earth would you do that? I only see disadvantages. I can imagine the mess when customs ask you to open your luggage. So ...
12
votes
5answers
485 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 ...
4
votes
1answer
125 views
Is there any “leg bag” for traveling safely?
I'm looking for "leg bag" for traveling where I can put my iPhone, money and documents? I need something I can wear under my jeans, to avoid to be pickpocketed.
1
vote
1answer
68 views
Watering Flowers and Handling Post during long periods of absence: any multinational firm to handle this in any country?
I know there is the question Preparing home for your trip but we have done everything mentioned there such as the arrangement with post-office.
My friend is absent for a longer period of time and we ...
6
votes
1answer
109 views
Can Albania be considered secure?
Can Albania be considered secure?
How secure is Albania (particularly in the mountains) compared to countries like Ukraine or Romania? What security issues should a traveller take into account, such ...
13
votes
7answers
312 views
What measures can one take to keep a motorcycle safe during a road trip?
I'm mostly thinking in terms of theft prevention.
I have heard solutions from, "Keep her chained in the parking lot," all the way up to, "Get a ground floor hotel room and ride/push the bike inside ...
18
votes
7answers
585 views
How can you protect a fragile object like bottle of champagne in your baggage against breaking?
I tend to bring something quite fragile with me as cabin luggage. On my next journey I want to bring a special bottle of champagne (because of sentimental reasons). Unfortunately you can't bring a ...
13
votes
6answers
892 views
Key vs. combo lock security for international travel
I leave on my trip next month, and I wanted to buy locks for my backpack since I'll certainly be passing through crowded areas of the city where it may be difficult for me to notice a pickpocket ...
6
votes
4answers
238 views
Travelling with a laptop
What are some tips/suggestions for travelling with a laptop through a region like South East Asia? More specifically, Thailand / Laos / Malaysia. But again, also just looking for general tips/advice.
...
11
votes
2answers
627 views
Can I use a US cash machine when my PIN has 6 digits?
Some friends told me that it is problematic in the USA to use cash machines when you have a 6 digit PIN on your card, because most cash machines in the USA only accept 4 digits. Therefore I have two ...
4
votes
4answers
435 views
Carrying large amounts of Cash in Japan
Is it, generally speaking, safe to carry large amounts of cash (US$4000) in Japan?
13
votes
3answers
176 views
Travel insurance with regards to luggage being stolen/lost
I am looking for answers to how people have recovered from having their luggage stolen/lost when arriving at their destination. And further to this, how they have ended up packing in the future to ...
24
votes
6answers
958 views
What to do with your valuables on a low-cost holiday while swimming/diving?
I am planning to go to central America (Costa Rica + Panama) for a rather budget holiday, and I am wondering what people usually do with their documents, money, cameras, etc. when staying in a budget ...
6
votes
1answer
155 views
What precautions should I take when participating in Air B'n'B as a host?
I'm thinking about participating in Air B'n'B as a host. I'm not really worried about my potential guest, otherwise I wouldn't participate. However, I want to take some precautions so that I don't get ...
11
votes
1answer
548 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 ...
5
votes
1answer
78 views
Preparing home for your trip
I was wondering how I can prepare my rental apartment for a two-week long trip.
It's a rental apartment therefore I don't want to invest in any expensive equipment for surveillance.
I rather would ...
10
votes
4answers
895 views
Correct reasons for opting out of millimetre wave scanners
Having travelled through SFO a few times, and each time been asked to go through a millimetre wave (or backscatter) scanner, and each time 'opted out' and gone for the search (in public), I'd like to ...
17
votes
2answers
2k views
How bad is baggage theft at Johannesburg airport
South Africa's Johannesburg's airport has a reputation for stolen and rifled baggage and a quick Google search returns many travelers reporting similar stories. My question, is how bad is the ...
5
votes
1answer
179 views
usb decryption possible in internet cafes?
To use on our world trip, we store personal information (phone numbers, credit card information, id-scans, etc) on a small usb stick. To prevent losing this information to some malicious people, I ...
6
votes
1answer
153 views
Legal and security issues with wild camping in Ukrainian mountains?
What are the legal and security issues with wild camping in Ukrainian mountains?
First of all: is it legal? I've heard, that many groups camp in mountains, including camp fires, and have never had ...
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 ...
9
votes
2answers
197 views
How to recognize fake Peruvian money?
It has happened to me at least twice in Peru, that someone gave me a fake 5 soles coin. Most shop vendors were able to spot this instantly and refused to accept it.
How can I recognize a fake/false ...
14
votes
2answers
945 views
US and Canada Border Crossing and Computer Privacy: What do I need to know?
I've read stories about border officials searching laptops when crossing the border in one direction or the other. Does this really happen, typically speaking?
As a US citizen, can I be forced to ...
12
votes
7answers
392 views
How best to prevent data loss while travelling?
For my next long holidays I have some massive travel plans. I'll spend some months in remote areas and I plan to take a lot of pictures with my digital camera. Although my SD card is kinda big, I ...
12
votes
4answers
970 views
Avoiding the traveller's 'fanny pack' / money-belt
A friend insists on wearing a moneybelt while travelling. Some prefer (shudder) 'fanny-packs' .
I can't be bothered, frankly, I used to when I was 20 (have a money belt), but these days it's a ...
14
votes
3answers
253 views
How to enter East Jerusalem and who controls the separation with the western part
Can non-Muslim people from non-Muslim countries (EU) enter the part of Jerusalem where the famous mosque with yellow top is located?
Are the police (or guards) at the entrance Israeli or Palestinian?
...
10
votes
2answers
431 views
Are there any guarded parking lots anywhere in or near Berlin, Germany?
Are there any guarded parking lots in or around the city of Berlin in Germany?
By guarded parking I do NOT mean "guarded" by an automated gate or camera - that is a joke. I mean a real guarded ...
7
votes
2answers
173 views
Where can one report bad experience with a landlord/place to stay?
Is there an online web service where people can report other people of bad landlords/places to stay? It might not be directly connected to fast traveling (in my case at least), but rather something ...
4
votes
2answers
381 views
Is it safe to stay outside the Boulevard Périphérique in Paris?
I'm planning on staying in Paris with my wife for a few days in April. I've found a number of hotels for a reasonable price and with overall good reviews on TripAdvisor. But all of them are located in ...
8
votes
2answers
159 views
Preventing Smash and Grab Theft while Travelling
A piece on Slashdot asks a question that seems pertinent to this site. What measures can be taken to prevent 'smash and grab' - from your car, when your valuable stuff is inside the car.
Aside ...
11
votes
2answers
7k views
Packing a cardbox box as checked luggage
As mentioned in another question, I'm planning on traveling with a desktop computer as checked baggage. After considering the options, I've decided to take it in its original cardboard box (used for ...
15
votes
2answers
2k views
Is the TSA Lock acceptable in European Airports?
I understand if you travelling in or to the US, you can lock your luggage using the TSA Luggage Lock. (Immigration is still able to open your luggage using their own special keys)
How about Europe? ...
7
votes
5answers
2k views
Is there a resource for crime statistics in Spain - especially robbery
I'm going to visit Spain, and my wife is very worried about thieves in Spain. What cities should we be aware of? Are there any ways to protect myself from them?
eg Barcelona has a reputation for ...
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?
14
votes
1answer
163 views
Which organizations are/have been effective at lobbying against invasive airport security?
I've been selected for additional screening the last 5 times I've flown and I'm getting tired of it. Not flying is not an option. I want to donate money and time to a larger group that can represent ...
18
votes
3answers
652 views
How can I protect camera equipment in checked baggage?
While I usually take my camera equipment in a carry-on when I fly (within the US), that's not always an option (small plane where no carry-on other than my purse is allowed, travelling with too much ...
10
votes
2answers
508 views
How useful or necessary is a pacsafe for your backpack?
I will be taking a backpacking trip through SE Asia, South Africa and South America for an extended period of time.
I am taking a 36L backpack, and trying to bring as few things as possible. However, ...
8
votes
3answers
274 views
Travelphobia.. Scared of doing things or going to places that is dangerous [closed]
Places like India, Thailand or some African countries are sometimes contain risks for travellers. It probably will be fine if we stay in the main town area, but some interesting places to visits are ...
