Travel Blog

25 Safety Tips for South Asia Travel

30 May 2023 Umesh Paneru

Welcome to South Asia, a diverse and enchanting region famous for its amusing cultural heritage, incredible landscapes, picturesque natural beauty, and friendly hospitality. As you embark on your journey through countries like Nepal, Sri Lanka, India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Tibet (China), etc. it’s essential to prioritize your safety and well-being.

This article aims to provide you with essential safety tips to ensure a smooth and secure travel experience. By staying informed, respecting local customs, and taking necessary precautions, you can fully immerse yourself in the wonders of South Asia while keeping yourself protected. So, get ready to explore this fascinating part of the world while making safety your top priority. Below are the 25 safety tips for South Asia Travel: 

Detail Research

• Create a list of destinations you want to travel to in South Asia
• Detail Research on destination: Geography, History, Culture, Places & Specialties
• Choose your destinations and make sure you are aware of the present situation
• Research the customs, etiquette, and cultural norms of the destinations you plan to visit
• Create a list of must-see sights and experiences
• Contact a tour agency specialized in your selected destination
• Carefully discuss the tour plan and take some guidelines from a tour agency
• Decide on your itinerary
• Book a trip after careful planning [Make sure of all inclusions & exclusions] & Fix Travel Dates  

Passport

• Check Expire date and renew if necessary
• Make sure it has a validity of at least 6 months 
• Make sure it has enough Visa pages

Check visa and vaccination requirements

• Check the visa requirements for each country you plan to visit
• Ensure you have the necessary documents
• Obtain any necessary visas and vaccinations well in advance for ease

Medical Health Check-up & vaccinations

• Do necessary health check-ups 
• Take vaccines if required
• Arrange all essential medical & vaccination reports 
• Check government websites for necessary advisories, recommended vaccines, and new health updates 

Purchase Travel Insurance

• Contact a reliable insurance company while purchasing travel insurance
• Select a comprehensive travel insurance
• Make sure it covers medical emergencies, trip cancellations, emergency evacuations, high altitudes, and other unforeseen events

Follow Travel Advisory

• Strictly follow the travel advisories of the destinations you are traveling
• Stay updated on travel advisories issued by your country’s government or international organizations
• Different nations have different sets of rules & regulations for their travelers regarding particular documents, so arrange in advance for safe & smooth travel

Get registered with your country’s Embassy 

• Register with the country’s embassy you are traveling to as it helps in case of emergency 
• Register your travel plans with your embassy or consulate to receive updates on safety conditions and to facilitate assistance if needed
• In case of an emergency, your government can provide consular services and support

Determine your accommodation

• Research suitable accommodation options of your choice and budget
• Book your hotels or guesthouses in advance to ensure availability
• Ensure the accommodation meets all safety and quality standards
• Always a nice idea to pre-book for accommodation, especially during peak seasons
• At least book first-night accommodation for taking rest from long travel
• Always do a comparison while booking to get extra benefits at a reasonable price

Transportation safety

• Choose reliable transportation services and prefer licensed taxis or ride-hailing services where possible
• Make sure that the vehicles are well-maintained and the drivers adhere to safety standards
• Apply caution when utilizing public transportation, particularly during busy periods or rush hours

Credit cards, Travel Card, ATM cards

• Make sure to get cards that do not charge foreign transaction fees
• Make sure it works internationally 
• Inform your bank or ATM card provider in advance about your abroad travel so that they won’t block your card
• Use Travel credit cards and collect rewards like free flights, accommodation, etc.
• Collect the information on card transactions abroad for the usage of credit cards
• For safety purposes, put the cards separately and safely for backup in case of loss or theft

Secure your personal belongings 

• Keep important documents, such as passports and extra cash, in a concealed pouch or hidden pocket
• Be cautious of pickpockets in crowded areas and avoid displaying expensive items openly
• Use hotel safes or secure lockers to store your valuable items when you’re not carrying them

Always carry local cash at your traveling destination

• Exchange some local cash before traveling to your destination
• Always carry some local cash for ease and use where cards are not accepted
• Get familiar with local currency & check the exchange rate before exchanging
• Try to less use ATMs in airports as airport ATMs charge high fees
• It is good to get local currency from ATMs of your traveling destinations as it is easy and cheap
• Use ATMs wisely (take a close look before using and make sure it is safe and no one is keeping an eye on you)
• Sometimes ATMs may not work so carry some US dollars for use as it is widely accepted 
• Keep some cash in stock for emergencies
• You can also carry a money belt bag to store your money and belongings safely

 Jet lag and its solution

• Take a good night’s sleep before your international flight
• Don’t stress much and avoid using sleeping pills, alcohol, coffee, cola, energy drinks, or smoking before your flight
• Try to book a day flight 
• Avoid sleeping too much on the flight
• Carry books or download songs, podcasts, or anything of your interest to keep yourself entertained on the flight
• Spare a day to take proper rest and get out from the hangover of jet lag after landing at your traveling destination

Feel free to ask Locals for Advice

• Seek advice from trusted locals or reputable sources on safe places to visit, eat, and stay
• Local knowledge can provide insights into potential risks and help you make informed decisions
• Learn a few local languages to communicate
• It makes it easy to converse with locals
• An easy way to connect with the locals and their culture
• It helps to deal easily when awkward situation arises
• Improves travel experience

Stay connected 

• Keep your family and friends informed about your travel plans
• Share your contact details and email your travel itinerary to them 
• Stay connected with them regularly, so they are aware of your whereabouts
• Contact the local embassy if you need help 
• Keep in contact with your medical professional in case of guidance for medical treatment
• Know whom to contact in an emergency and keep connected with them
• Activate international calling facilities to stay connected directly
• Have emergency contact numbers handy, including the local authorities and your country’s embassy or consulate

Carry a short notepad 

• Keep track of your travel destinations 
• Your hotel name, your next destination, important contact numbers & address
• Laminate important contact details and addresses and keep them in a purse 
• Very helpful when the mobile battery is dead
• Write short plans on what to do next
• Write down short journal key points or some notes for future reference
• With the help of these keynotes, you can write a travel blog or some article 

Respect local customs

• South Asian countries’ cultural norms and dress codes are different from west cultures
• Respect local customs and dress modestly
• Dress appropriately, especially visiting religious sites or rural areas
• Take permission to touch and take photographs
• Don’t trespass on the forbidden places

Be cautious with food and water

• Stick to clean and well-cooked food from trusted places to avoid foodborne illnesses  
• Be cautious with street food, especially if it’s not freshly prepared or hygienically handled
• Have translation cards that mention your allergic foods for extra safety
• Drink bottled water or use water purification methods, such as boiling or using water purification tablets
• Carry your durable water bottle to avoid plastic waste management

Avoid Risky Photo Situations

• Just for the sake of capturing a picture, avoid risky photo situations
• Use caution while taking pictures
• Respect local rules and customs regarding photography, particularly in religious or sensitive areas

Stay Alert and Be Aware of Travel Scams

• Research and understand common scams to avoid falling for them
• Stay Alert of strangers offering unwanted help or deals that seem too good to be true
• Keep an eye on your belongings in crowded areas to prevent theft

Create a packing list

• Review the climate and culture of the region you are traveling
• Ensure you pack appropriate clothing and gear
• Pack as you plan to engage in the activities during your trip
• Make a list of essential things and pack accordingly
• Don’t forget to pack essential travel items, personal hygiene kits, medical kits, electronic devices, and important travel documents
• Ensure your backpack is waterproof, sturdy, and anti-theft
• Carry a padlock for extra safety

Organize and Keep important documents and information

• Organize all the important documents (passport, visa, itinerary, and emergency contact) and keep them safe
• Ensure your passport is valid
• Make sure all documents are easily accessible

Backup Data

• Backup your important travel photos, videos, and documents on a hard drive or purchase online storage or use the free storage
• In case of loss or damage to your belongings like a laptop, camera, or phone Backup is very helpful
• Make a folder including all details and plans, especially for your trip to keep track of everything and create a backup for safety and future reference

Safety in Your Hands

• Stay alert and aware of your surroundings, particularly in unfamiliar or busy areas
• Trust your instincts and be prepared to react to any potential threats or unsafe situations
• Familiarize yourself with basic self-defense techniques to protect yourself in case of an emergency or confrontation
• Take a basic self-defense class or seek guidance from local authorities or reputable instructors

Stay flexible

• South Asia is full of surprises, and some of the best experiences can be unplanned and spontaneous
• Allow some flexibility in your itinerary to account for unexpected events or changes in plans
• Make sure to leave some flexibility for unforeseen events or last-minute changes
• Be open to the possibility of discovering new destinations and experiences along the way
• Stay flexible but always stay alert and safe

Hope this article will provide useful insights and tips to plan your safe South Asia Travel. For further essential tips for South Asia Travel, go to https://asiaexperiences.com/essential-tips-for-planning-a-best-south-asia-tour-itinerary/