The ultimate travel safety tool?  I’ve got to get my hands on that.  Who makes it?  How much does it cost?  Is it Prime eligible on Amazon?  Ok here are the answers: you, awareness and knowledge, and no.

Me? What do you mean me?

Do you make it?  Am I really telling you that you are responsible for my own safety while traveling?  Good news/bad news, yes you are.   The reality is you are responsible for your own safety at home as well.  The effort and knowledge to stay safe while traveling may be different than when we are in our familiar surroundings but the reward of travel far exceeds the effort.   

When perception meets reality

Our perception of danger is both an asset and a liability to staying safe during travel.  An observation can uncover true danger and keep us safe.  When I see the 200-foot drop-off at the edge of the cliff with no guardrail I am more alert to my safety.  Likewise, while I feel very relaxed lounging on a beautiful beach at a wonderful resort my perception of safety would change if I learned I was in an area where the kidnapping of westerners is common.

As an airline captain, I see my time on the ground overnighting in various cities as much more dangerous than my time on the airplane. 

An excellent example of perception vs. fact regarding safety is the perception of flying.  As an airline captain, I see my time on the ground overnighting in various cities as much more dangerous than my time on the airplane.  If we look at the statistics of air travel vs. traffic accidents, violent crime, and other issues it appears I’m on the correct track with my thinking.  Yet I frequently meet people who are far more terrified of the flight to their destination than any possible safety issues on the ground. 

Where is it safe to travel?

Where is it safe to travel?  Where is it dangerous?  These are not the questions you want to be asking.  A much better question is how safe is it to travel to whatever destination.  How do we find out about safety at a destination?  Many governments such as the United States, the UK, Australia, and others issue travel warnings and advisories.  While some debate the validity of these warnings they are a good place to start.  These advisories are not all-encompassing.  I know one city I visit often has areas of the city prone to gun violence yet there is no warning issued by the U.S. Department of State. (sorry Chicago I’m talking about you)  The internet is a great source of information for prospective locations as well.  Excellent insight can be found from Ex-Pat web sites, traveler forums, local news feeds and many others. 

Speaking of cities prone to gun violence, Chicago (or any other large U.S. city with gun violence issues) probably doesn’t make most people’s list of “too dangerous to visit”.  I find it very helpful when looking at the safety of a destination to compare it to a city you are familiar with.  I have had people tell me they would not travel to Bangkok based on their knowledge of a bombing there.  The same person would not hesitate to travel to Atlanta or Boston despite the history of the bombings in those cities.

I am certainly not suggesting every place is safe enough for a vacation.  I am not planning a camping trip to Syria anytime soon.  I am also not suggesting visiting a place you don’t feel comfortable.  That doesn’t make for a good experience either.  My suggestion is to become more informed and aware when planning travel to keep you from feeling safe somewhere you’re not and to keep you from feeling scared of visiting a place where those fears are unjustified.

So what to do regarding travel and safety?

Get Informed

Use the internet and the tools there help guide you.

Make reasonable decisions

Don’t let media sensationalism and outdated information influence you.

Be realistic

Crime is almost everywhere.  The pickpocket in Barcelona is no more dangerous than the one in New York City.

Go see the world

I’m very safe locked in my bedroom at home but I’m not going to experience very much of what the world has to offer from there.

Here is one important point to remember.  Chicago, Atlanta, New York, Barcelona, and Bangkok are among my favorite places to go.  I will continue to visit them because, in my opinion, they are certainly safe for travel.

When it comes to long flights everyone has their own definition. To some a 4 hour flight is long. This article is geared to a much longer travel day. I’m talking in excess for 12 hours of travel time. As I write this I am in the middle of a 31 hour trip from the East Coast of the United States to Asia. Each direction consists of two 3 hour flights plus a 16-hour flight with all the associated ground time.  

I know even some seasoned travelers dread these journeys, but here are 4 steps to ease the pain. (Dare I say even make the journey fun?) While I usually will seek out economical ways to get things done, these definitely fall into the good value column.

Better seating

Improve your seat. Aim for a window or aisle seat according to your preference. If stuck with a middle seat attempt to change at the airport. Even better, change your class of travel. While business and first class may be out of the reach for those without points to get there, premium economy is a good option. Premium economy often offers more legroom and comfort. Sometimes other amenities are included. Check reviews of various airlines premium economy offerings. Some of the Asian and European carriers are way ahead in this department. Also, the cost is often very reasonable. On this trip, I chose premium economy for the long flights. The extra cost works out to $10/hour. ($300 round trip) It is certainly worth it.

Taking the stress out of the airport layover

Consider paying for lounge access on the longer ground times. Sites including  loungebuddy.com and sleepinginairports.net offer insight about what’s available. Some airlines also offer day passes to their lounges. Research the ratings and amenities for the lounge. A hot shower, decent food, and a quiet comfortable chair can make a big difference mid-trip. The cost of the lounge pass can be a great value compared to purchasing food, drink, and showers in the terminal.

From the airport to the hotel

Take the hassle out of arrival with a pre-arranged car for transportation.  It is sometimes worth it to take the challenge out of transit from the airport to your hotel. Late night or early morning arrival often limit transportations options. On a particular trip to Bangkok, I took this a step further with a greeter right at the jet bridge. It was almost midnight by the time I had arrived from my long day. The service took me through VIP customs saving quite a bit of time. Luggage assistance was provided and I was in a town car and on my way to my nice hotel bed in no time. It is a splurge I would repeat.

Time for a break?

Finally, consider breaking the trip up a bit. There’s nothing fun about coming off a long travel day and going right to work. It is possible at times to break up a trip with a short (10-12 hour) layover in a city on the way. Sometimes this can be accomplished at little to no cost airfare wise. If this is your strategy remember this may not be the time for a super luxe hotel. You will probably only be there long enough to get some sleep and a shower. If this short break is during daytime hours research your airport hotel options. Some of these hotels now have “day rates”. More airport hotels offer flexible check-in times allowing you to begin your 24-hour stay at any time of day.

After having tried these I can say it’s been money well spent.  

Are you a long distance traveler? Share your favorite tips and tricks to make the travel day easier.