When traveling, to wherever or whatever you’re going to do, safety comes first. It doesn’t matter if it’s just a weekend camping trip, a one day hike or a full, multi-day or week travel adventure on a different continent. It’s something you should never compromise on.

What should you bring, you ask? Well, I’ve compiled a checklist for you to check your bag with before you go and separated them into 4 categories: physical safety, keeping your belongings safe, health safety and digital safety. Let’s get to the point.

20 most essential travel safety items

Your own personal, physical safety

Let’s look at some items you can use directly to protect yourself from any attacks:

1. Door lock

Whether you’re staying in an apartment, fancy hotel or rented a private room in a hostel, sometimes doors don’t close or lock properly. Therefor, always bring your own door lock. Just in case.

2. Door alarm

Especially if you’re traveling alone and you’re not sharing a room with others, you’d want to have a door lock. Place it correctly to hear an alarm whenever someone tries to open te door.

3. Safety/emergency whistle

Especially for when you’re out in nature, but still very handy during city trips as well: the emergency whistle. If you’re in trouble, make noise. That’s the general idea. If people don’t hear you, they can’t help you either. I have a backpack that has one built in on one of the straps, but I don’t usually take this out while exploring a new city. A separate one would be ideal. They make less noise than a personal alarm, which in some cases could possibly be a good thing.

4. Personal alarm

In your room, but also when you go out: always carry a personal alarm. This can be a whistle, sure. But takes effort and if your mouth is covered somehow, you really won’t be able to blow it anyways. The better option (or actually I would say keep both on hand) is to have a personal alarm that requires you to only jank on it to produce a loud alarm audible from afar. Some products have built in led lights. Bonus points if you can score one with extra features.

5. Secret key chain weapon

If the above fails for some reason, you will need some kind of weapon disguised as a normal object to help you defend yourself. I personally bought a key chain that has a little ball in it with which you can fend off any predators. It’s not big, but it’s a start and might give you some time in escaping in the case of an attack.

6. Camera detector

These days it’s super easy to plant a teeny tiny camera wherever nobody will notice. The classics are in a clock or wall charger (you can buy these especially) or even behind a mirror or in the ceiling of the shower. To make sure you’re not being watched without your knowledge or consent, get yourself a cameradetector. This way you can check your space and take action accordingly (call the cops immediately!).

7. GPS trackers

Wherever you go, place a gps tracker on yourself and your luggage, too) and share the location with someone you trust. Although phones have this option too, they are usually the first thing attackers try to get rid of. If you place a gps tag in your bra, sock, hair, you won’t lose it as fast. And your trusted person can see where you are when you don’t report back in time and ring the alarm if something seems off.

8. (Solar) powerbank

Also for this one: it doesn’t matter where you are, you can always get lost. If your cellphone runs out of battery, you’ll need to recharge it. And if you have nowhere to do so, you better make sure to have free power on hand. A solar power bank charges when you place it in the sun. Always bring it with you fully charged and if you need to use it, make sure you place it in the sun sooner rather than later. Especially when it’s cloudy because it’ll need much longer to charge.

9. Cup/bottle protectors

Spiking a drink is so easy these days. It really doesn’t make a difference if you’re drinking from a glass/cup or a bottle. That’s why I bought some cup and bottle protectors. You guessed it: one’s big and fits over large openings (like cups and glasses) and one is the size of a bottle cap and fits right over your beer bottle. Again, thank me later.

Your belongings

While your body and soul are most important, it’s also highly advisable to be prepared to keep your belongings safe:

10. Travel-safe bags and suitcases

To start with, it’s important to have the right kind of gear. With that I mean that your suitcase, backpack, hip bag, money belt or wherever your keep your belongings in while traveling is slashproof and anti theft. Extra nice if it’s waterproof and RFID blocking too.

11. RFID blocking hip bag or passport covers

Speaking of… When it comes to our valuable documents and cards (basically anything with a chip), it’s best to get an RFID blocking hip bag or passport cover, etc. This way you make sure those chips with your personal information and money access won’t get scanned by someone who doesn’t have your best interest at heart. I love hip bags anyway while traveling, especially on flying days. That way I always have my passport, phone and boarding pass at my reach and I don’t have to keep taking off my backpack every time.

12. Suitcase/bag locks

Universal number locks can be used on suitcases, bags and lockers if there are any in your accommodation of choice. You could even put one on your hip bag if the zipper has big enough holes to put them through. Keys get lost, that’s why I always choose a number lock. The best option is to get a TSA lock. That way your lock won’t get trashed if customs feel it’s necessary to inspect your luggage.

13. Phone cord

We hear about phones getting stolen literally from your hands all the time. Best way to avoid that is to have something to attach your phone to your hand or neck at all times. Get a phone cord and thank me later.

14. Fake wallets

In some cities (Barcelona is one example that is notorious for this), it’s so easy to get robbed. So if that happens, make sure that you have multiple fake wallets on you. I kept my old bank cards that have expired and therefor don’t work anymore and put them in a small, cheap bag the size of a credit card. Stick in a 10 euro bill and there you have your out. By the time they discover your wallet isn’t worth anything, you are long gone already.

15. Money belt

A money belt is the perfect way to hide your real money. Its a flat, usually very elastic, small strap that you wear around your waist and under your clothes. It should be minimally visible and only contain your cards and cash and maybe your passport too. Make sure that it has RFID block too!

16. Copy of your passport (and other documents)

Just in case your passport gets stolen, make sure you have a copy. Keep a picture on your phone, a separate usb stick and even a printed out version so you still have your information on hand.

Health safety

17. First aid kit

I put this one on the bottom of the list, because it is something that you can often easily find on your destination and if not, there is usually someone nearby that has something like a first aid kit on hand you can borrow. However, I do strongly advice to always have this on you, because it’s better to know that you have everything on hand when you need it and that nothing has been tampered with (you just can never be too sure).

18. Pain killers

Now, I believe this item to be no unnecessary luxury: pain killers. A first aid kit usually doesn’t contain pain killers, that’s why I’ve listed them as a separate item. We all know a headache suddenly pops up when you’re already in bed and/or when the pharmacy is already closed or you sprain your ankle in the middle of nowhere and you need to walk a while to get to safety. That’s why you should always have some on hand. Personally, I carry these around with me everywhere I go already. If you don’t, I suggest you at least put some in your first aid kit.

19. Matches (in waterproof box)

Now I think it’s aways handy to have some fire on hand because even in the city you’ll find that you might need it. But especially when you’re outdoors this could be a real life saver. If you can find a storm proof lighter, that would be even better (if you’re allowed to take it on the plane). Just make sure that whatever you bring, you keep dry. So put it in a zip lock bag or water proof container. Whatever works.

20. Fake wedding ring

Now this one I’ve seen talked about and although I don’t do this myself, I can see why it might scare of not-so-violent predators. Although: I believe that this will do nothing for people who really want to do you harm. I most cases, however, I think it will help when people believe that someone is waiting for you somewhere.

Digital safety

21. Extra phone/camera storage

Now this one I really wanted to mention too. Always keep a back up of your photos and videos. Use a cloud service or an external SD drive. I don’t recommend an external harddisk, because they are too sensitive. SD drives have all the advantages of external harddisks, but they won’t break as easily. Although they are slightly slower, I will take that security over speed any day. I have a usb stick which I can plug into my phone at any time and copy my files to.

What to ditch in case of little space

You might be traveling with a small backpack only. In that case it will be very hard to take all of the above with you AND bring your clothes, toiletries and electronics with you, too.

What I would ditch? At first: the first aid kit. On the way to the airport and to your accommodation, there will always be a place where you can ask for a band aid (service desk, flight attendant) of buy it new there (airport, city center). Matches or a lighter can also be bought there.

All other items are either really essential (like the door lock or camera detector), something you bring with you already (like your backpack or a phone cord that’s already attached to your phone) or take up almost no space (like the money belt or personal alarm).

I really hope this helps you to prepare for your travels well! Do you have any other travel safety tips that you will not do without? Please share them below and help a friend out!