How to Stay Safe in a New City
Safety in a new city is mostly logistics: a charged phone, a known route home, and enough cash for the trip back.
Most travel safety advice is either obvious or frightening. The useful version sits in the middle: a small set of habits that make an unfamiliar city easier to move through, especially on the first evening when you are tired and the phone battery is low.
Plan the arrival before you land
The riskiest hour of a trip is the one after arrival. You are tired, carrying bags, and making decisions in a language you may not speak. Decide before you fly: how you will get from the station or airport to the accommodation, what it should cost, and what you will do if the first option is not available.
Save the address offline, in the local language as well as English. A driver who cannot read the Latin alphabet will understand a screenshot of the local address much faster than your pronunciation. Keep the accommodation phone number saved, and check the check-in window so you are not locked out at midnight.
Keep the phone alive and the route known
A charged phone is the single most useful safety tool you carry. Bring a power bank, charge it before you leave, and keep a cable in your day bag. Download the offline map of the city, save the location of your accommodation, and note the nearest transit stop.
- Offline maps: downloaded before you leave the hotel wifi.
- Battery: power bank charged, cable packed, phone at full before an evening out.
- Route: know the last metro or bus time, and the cost of a taxi as backup.
- Contact: the address and phone number of your stay saved and screenshotted.
Use the transport you can verify
At airports and stations, use the official taxi rank or the official ride-hailing app. Ignore drivers who approach you inside the terminal offering a "better price"; the price is usually better for them. If the meter is not used, agree the fare before you get in and confirm the total, not the per-person amount.
On public transport, keep your bag in front of you and your phone out of sight at stops. Pickpockets work the moments when doors open and people crowd. A small amount of cash in one pocket and the rest in a different place is enough to avoid showing a wallet full of notes.
Set a simple evening rule
Most cities are safer than their reputation, but unfamiliar streets at night deserve respect. Walk on lit, busy streets, even if the route is longer. If a street feels wrong, turn around; there is no prize for finishing the shortcut. Keep enough cash for a taxi back to your accommodation, separate from the money you plan to spend.
Tell someone where you are going if you are meeting a stranger from an app, and meet in a public place first. The same caution applies to any deal that requires you to go somewhere private to complete it.
Health and safety advice for travellers is published by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at CDC travelers health. Check the destination page for vaccines, water advice, and current health notices before you travel. For the daytime version of these habits, see how to avoid tourist traps without missing out.
Prepare for the small emergencies
Save the local emergency number, your embassy or consulate contact, and your travel insurance number in one place offline. Carry a photocopy or a photo of your passport and keep the original in a different bag. If a card is lost, having the issuer's number and a backup card turns a crisis into a phone call.
None of this needs to dominate the trip. Ten minutes of preparation on the plane is enough to make the first night calm, and a calm first night makes the rest of the week easier.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it safe to walk at night in a new city?
Often yes on busy, lit streets, but it depends on the area. Use the route you already know, avoid empty side streets, and keep enough cash for a taxi back. If a street feels wrong, turn around without apologising.
What should I do if my phone is stolen?
Report it to the police if your insurance requires it, then use a backup device or the accommodation computer to change your passwords and lock the accounts. Keep a screenshot of important addresses and contacts so you are not dependent on one device.
How do I avoid taxi scams at the airport?
Use the official taxi rank or the official ride-hailing app, and ignore drivers who approach you inside the terminal. If there is no meter, agree the total fare before getting in, and confirm it is for the whole journey.
Do I need travel insurance?
It is worth having for medical costs, lost luggage, and cancellations, especially outside your home country. Check what the policy covers, including any activity you plan, and save the emergency number offline before you leave.