How to Travel Safely: Smart Tips for a Secure Journey

Whether you’re jetting off for a long weekend or starting a new chapter abroad, one thing’s certain: feeling secure lets you enjoy the ride. Here’s how to travel safely, with smart travel safety tips every traveler should know—especially when heading abroad.

1. Keep your money safe when traveling

Pickpockets, card skimmers, lost wallets—it happens. That’s why having a secure way to pay is essential. With bunq, your card details are never stored on your physical card. So even if it gets lost, your money stays safe. You can instantly freeze your card, order a new one, or use your phone to keep spending securely.

Pro tip: Travel with a backup card in a separate bag. Or better yet, go cardless with Apple Pay or Google Pay.

Using a digital bank like bunq also means you can create multiple Bank Accounts and link them to different cards. That way, if one card is compromised, only a small portion of your money is ever at risk. It’s one of the most effective travel money safety tips for international trips.

2. Travel smart with real-time notifications

Want to keep an eye on your spending while you’re abroad? bunq sends you Instant Notifications every time money leaves your account—so you’ll always know what’s going on. No surprise charges. No suspicious activity slipping by.

This is especially helpful when you're traveling out of Europe and making payments in unfamiliar currencies.

Using a digital bank like bunq also means you can create multiple Bank Accounts and link them to different cards. That way, if one card is compromised, only a small portion of your money is ever at risk. It’s one of the most effective travel money safety tips for international trips.

3. Split costs without cash

When you're traveling with friends or meeting new people abroad, things can get messy when it comes to who paid what. With tricount, you can easily create a group to track shared expenses and pay each other back in just a few taps—no cash needed.

That means less stress, fewer arguments, and more time to enjoy the trip.

It’s one of the safest and most convenient ways to manage group travel expenses, especially when traveling across borders. Skip the IOUs and settle up in seconds—perfect for weekend getaways, road trips, and international adventures.

4. Be mindful of public Wi-Fi

Yes, it’s tempting to check your bank app while sipping a cappuccino in a cute Italian café. But public Wi-Fi isn’t always secure. Avoid logging into sensitive apps on open networks. Instead, use mobile data or a VPN whenever you can.

That being said, bunq uses top-level encryption, so even if you do need to access your account abroad, you’re still protected.

No Wi-Fi available? You’re in luck. With bunq, get a free eSIM. Just install once and have reliable internet access all over the world. bunq Elite users enjoy 4x2GB of data for free each year!

Having a secure and steady internet connection is essential for solo travelers, digital nomads, and remote workers. It helps you stay connected, find directions, make reservations, and monitor your finances from anywhere.

5. Stay in control, wherever you go

Leaving home doesn’t mean you have to leave peace of mind behind. With bunq in your pocket, you’re in control—no matter where your journey takes you.

You can easily set Spending Limits, change your card’s country settings, or get Instant Support, all from your phone. No paperwork. No need to visit a branch.

This kind of flexibility is perfect for international travel safety. Whether you’re backpacking through Europe or relocating abroad, you’ll always have instant access to the tools you need to travel securely.

Final thoughts: Travel safely, travel smart

Exploring the world should feel exciting, not stressful. With these safe travel tips and the right tools in hand, you can focus on the adventure ahead. Whether you’re traveling abroad or just planning your next weekend escape, bunq makes it easy to travel securely—and enjoy every step of the way.