How to Stay Safe While Traveling Abroad

Traveling abroad is one of life’s best feelings. You’re eating pastries that would make your hometown baker weep, navigating foreign streets with three words of the local language, and pretending you know how the train system works. Bliss.

But then there’s the flip side: the pickpockets, scams, and the oh-my-god-I-just-lost-my-wallet panic. That’s why we’re going to show you how to stay safe while traveling abroad. So you can enjoy your trip without any safety stress.

1. Don’t Let Your Wallet Ruin Your Trip

Your passport is important. Your wallet? Just as crucial. It's your cash, your cards, your ID—your life abroad. Lose that, and suddenly your carefree city stroll turns into a 10-hour ordeal at the embassy.

How to keep your wallet safe without duct-taping it to your chest:

1. Ditch the bulge. Big wallets scream “easy target.” Go minimal. Better yet, go with a slim RFID-blocking wallet that doesn’t light up a pickpocket’s radar. (We use this one that fans out cards with a button—because yes, even being practical can be slick.)

2. No back pockets, ever. Unless you're donating your wallet to the streets of Barcelona, you need a slim wallet that easily fits in your front pocket.

3. Divide and conquer. Don’t keep everything in one place. One card in the wallet, one in your sock, one in your hotel room safe. A bit paranoid? Maybe. A bit genius? Also yes.

4. Track it. Seriously. We travel with a wallet that pings us if we leave it behind or lets us track it across the globe. It’s basically Find My Wallet for adults who hate losing things.

2. How to Avoid Pickpockets in Major Cities

Here’s a not-so-fun fact: pickpocketing is an art form in some cities. If you're in Rome, Paris, Lisbon, or literally anywhere with a beautiful cathedral, someone’s hand is already halfway into your backpack.

Here’s how to outsmart the sly-fingered pros:

1. Blend in. If you're waving a giant map and wearing a money belt on the outside of your shirt… congratulations, you’re the mark.

2. Zip it or lose it. Open bags, unzipped jackets, and loosely hanging backpacks are a buffet to skilled thieves.

3. Keep your spidey senses on. If a stranger is being unusually friendly, asking weird questions, or handing you a petition, your wallet might already be halfway to Milan.

4. Use anti-theft gear. Some of us carry a wallet with built-in RFID protection and optional tracking tech. It’s slim, it’s secure, and if someone does make off with it, you’ll know exactly where they went. (Looking at you, pickpocket on the 4 train in Paris.)

3. Stay Safe Without Turning Into an Anxious Wreck

Yes, the world can be risky. But that doesn’t mean you have to walk around clutching your bag like it’s the Crown Jewels.

Here’s how to stay cool and calm:

1. Be confidently casual. Don’t flash your cash, don’t count your cards in public, and for the love of travel, don’t hang your bag on the back of your chair at an outdoor café.

2. Use tech to your advantage. Between GPS tracking, location alerts, and wallets that connect to your phone, you’ve got more tools than ever to travel smart.

3. Travel with backups. A photo of your passport. Screenshot of your hotel booking. Extra cash tucked somewhere weird. (Shoe? Shampoo bottle? You do you.)

4. Trust your gut. The oldest rule and the most underrated. If something feels off, it probably is.

4. Extra Tips That’ll Save Your Sanity Abroad

✅ Use a VPN. Not a physical safety tip, but still gold. Public Wi-Fi is a hacker’s playground.

✅ Know the local emergency number. It’s not always 911.

✅ Download offline maps. Because your phone will die at the worst moment.

✅ Practice the look. You know, the one that says, “I live here, I’m late for work, don’t even try me.” It works.

Why We Trust a Trackable Wallet When We Travel

Let’s say the worst-case scenario hits. Your wallet disappears on a subway in Madrid. If you’re using a standard leather wallet, well… you better start canceling everything.

But if you’re using one that pings your phone the moment it gets left behind—or even better, shows you exactly where it is on a map—that’s a game-changer.

We’ve personally tested it across airports, alleyways, tuk-tuks, and tequila bars. It’s slim enough to go unnoticed, smart enough to save your trip, and it even comes with a hidden tracker if you’re extra paranoid (or just realistic).

And no, we’re not pushing it—we’re just saying, this thing has saved our ass more than once.

MAKE YOUR WALLET TRACKABLE

FAQ

What’s the safest way to carry money abroad?
Use a slim wallet with RFID protection and carry minimal cash. Keep backup cards and emergency cash stored separately.

How can I avoid being pickpocketed while traveling?
Stay alert in crowded areas, use zippered bags, avoid back pockets, and don’t flash valuables. Carry a wallet that’s hard to access and easy to track.

Are RFID-blocking wallets worth it?
Yes, especially in cities with a history of digital theft. RFID-blocking wallets help protect your cards from unauthorized scans.

What should I do if my wallet is stolen abroad?
Report it immediately, cancel your cards, and contact your embassy if ID is involved. If you use a trackable wallet, check its last known location and use the tracker’s app to help recover it.

What’s the best wallet for international travel?
Look for something slim, secure, and smart. Ekster wallets have RFID-blocking tech and trackers. They’re harder to lose and easier to recover.