Backpacker Travel Tips

There are a number of practical steps you can take to avoid running into difficulties and dangerous situations and stay safe overseas.

Money and valuables
Before departure:

 organise a variety of ways of accessing your money overseas, such as credit cards, travellers' cheques and cash
 check with your bank whether your ATM card will work overseas
 make two photocopies of valuable documents such as your passport, tickets, visas and travellers' cheques. Keep one copy with you in a separate place to the original and leave another copy with someone at home.

While overseas:
 don't carry too much cash and remember that expensive watches, jewellery and cameras may be tempting targets for thieves
 wherever possible, leave passports, travellers’ cheques and other valuables in a safety deposit box at your hotel
 if you have to carry them with you, keep your passport and valuables in something that can be worn around the neck, under your clothes and out of sight (eg. money belt)
 lock your baggage when unattended, particularly at airports, train stations and on buses.

Personal safety
While overseas:
 be wary of food and drink spiking – never leave food or drink unattended
 comply with local dress codes and cultural sensitivities (this applies to both male and female travellers)
 don’t hitchhike
 avoid unlit and back streets at night
 avoid travelling alone in train carriages and keep the carriage door locked on sleeper compartments
 keep your hotel door locked and meet visitors in the lobby
 never give out your hotel name or room number to strangers
 think twice before accepting an invitation to go out with a stranger alone
 to ensure you are familiar with the types of crime and scams that might occur - check out the crime section in the travel advice for your destination at smartraveller.gov.au.