Manage getting lost abroad with these tips

While many seek travel adventures with the hopes of losing themselves, the metaphorical version that deals with stripping one’s ego is far preferable to the directional version that can mean losing one’s way, wallet or well-being. An over reliance on technology can mean that travelers of this age do not have as much experience finding their way out of the unknown, even in their own country. Habits like remembering landmarks and purchasing maps are no longer practiced, and asking for directions can paint a bigger target on one’s back, if it may signal to strangers that you are without a cellphone. The following advice can come in handy if getting turned around in an unfamiliar place is a situation you aren’t sure how to prepare for.

Travel insurance

If you have purchased travel insurance, you may just be in luck. Many policies grant access to a 24/7 helpline where service professionals who speak the local language can assist you in finding your bearings, accessing transportation and navigating back to your intended site.

Download google translate

In the era of 24/7 connectivity and limited storage capacity, it may not always be intuitive to download large blocks of content. However, downloading both the local maps for the area you are traveling in and the local language pack for the tongue spoken in your destination on Google translate can save your life in scenarios where you may not have service but have to find your way home.

Use public transit

When you’re in an unfamiliar area and trying to get back to your accommodations, it is a far better idea to use public transportation than to try and take a cab. While navigating public transit when you may already be overwhelmed can seem less preferable to a knowledgeable driver, a bus or a train is sure to go to its intended destination, and stations often have information desks where officials can help lost travelers. Taxicabs, by contrast, may expose you to kidnapping risk or simply overcharging since you do not have your bearings to estimate the correct rate.

Know emergency number, memorize other numbers

Making sure that you know the local emergency number in your travel destination is an important to keeping yourself safe, especially if you are on a backpacking or otherwise ambling journey where you may cross borders without thinking much about it. In addition, memorizing at least three phone numbers of people who can be contacted in case of an emergency can help you find your way out of a sticky situation.

This story was originally published September 16, 2022 at 9:00 AM.