Common-Sense Tips for Travelers

Share these tips with parents and students in advance of your next trip. What may seem like common sense to a seasoned traveler like yourself might not be on the radar of an ecstatic teen traveling far from home for the first time!

Keep your passport and identification handy, but not where easily stolen. To deter theft, always keep a hand on your purse, backpack, or bag. Thieves may try to cut a strap and run off with your belongings; having a grip on your bag makes that difficult. And, never leave your bag unattended.

Use the buddy system. In particular, never go to the bank or ATM alone, and don’t accept help from strangers while banking; it may be a robbery setup.

Be as careful with your phone and other electronics as you are with your passport and ID. Never leave any valuables unattended, or on a motorcoach when you aren’t on it.

“Please” and “thank you” are as important during travel as they are every day. Common courtesy is always appreciated!

Make your luggage easily identifiable by tying a brightly colored ribbon on the handle, or using decorative tape (mustaches or penguins, anyone?) to form your initial on the broadest part of your suitcase.

Have some cash on hand in case local ATMs are out of order, you visit someplace that doesn’t accept credit cards, or you have an unplanned expense.

When walking, look both ways before crossing the street. Pay attention to traffic and traffic signs. Stay five feet from the road. The further you are from the road, the less likely you are to be accidentally bumped into a moving vehicle.

Be aware of your surroundings. Don’t get so wrapped up in fun that you fail to notice what’s going on around you.