Safe travel for Americans

A safe trip starts at home, weeks before your flight. Three things matter more than anything else you'll pack: your documents are valid, your government knows you're traveling, and you know what "normal" looks like at your destination.

• Check your passport's expiration date and confirm it meets your destination's validity rule (see our Passport & Visa Tips guide).
• Read the current U.S. State Department travel advisory for every country on your itinerary, not just your final destination.
• Photograph or photocopy your passport, visa, and confirmation numbers, and store copies separately from the originals.
• Share your itinerary with a family member or friend at home, including hotel names and check-in dates.
• Research local emergency numbers — they are not always 911.

STEP is a free service run by the U.S. Department of State that lets you register your trip with the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. It takes a few minutes at step.state.gov.

• You'll receive safety alerts and advisory updates specific to the countries on your itinerary.
• The nearest embassy can find and contact you faster in a natural disaster, civil unrest, or family emergency.
• It makes it easier for consular staff to assist you if your passport is lost or stolen.

There is no downside to enrolling, and it's one of the highest-value five minutes you'll spend on trip prep.

Situational awareness is the single biggest factor in avoiding petty crime and scams, and it doesn't require paranoia — just a few habits.

• Ask hotel staff or your accommodation host which neighborhoods to avoid after dark, and whether anything has changed recently.
• Keep valuables split between bags and pockets rather than in one place.
• Use officially licensed taxis or reputable rideshare apps rather than hailing unmarked cars.
• Avoid displaying expensive jewelry, watches, or camera gear in areas known for opportunistic theft.
• Trust your instincts — if a street, situation, or offer feels wrong, walk away.

• Carry at least two independent ways to pay: a primary card, a backup card from a different bank, and some local cash.
• Call your bank and card issuers before departure so international charges aren't flagged as fraud.
• Set up an international phone plan, local SIM, or eSIM so you can reach emergency services and family without relying on hotel Wi-Fi.
• Save the U.S. embassy's address and phone number for every country on your route in your phone, not just in your email.

Once you're on the ground, conditions can change faster than a guidebook. Check in periodically with primary, official sources rather than social media rumors:

• The State Department's country-specific advisory pages, updated as conditions change.
• The CDC's destination pages for any new health notices.
• The local U.S. embassy or consulate website and its social accounts for on-the-ground alerts.
• Your enrolled STEP alerts, which are pushed directly to your email.