Travel Safety Tips You Can Learn from the CIA
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Travel Safety Tips From the CIA
- Stay alert in crowded areas. Pickpockets and scammers often target distracted tourists.
- Keep your “headquarters” informed. Ensure trusted family or friends back home have a copy of your itinerary and passport.
- Have an emergency plan. Know what to do and who to contact if you’re detained or something goes wrong.
Register with the U.S. Embassy. Before traveling internationally, check in with the nearest embassy—it’s your lifeline in the event of civil unrest or natural disasters. - Ditch the headphones. “Wearing them kills your situational awareness,” she says. Save them for the plane or hotel.
- Use ATMs wisely. Only withdraw money in broad daylight and in busy, public areas like airports.
- Divide your cash. Keep some in your wallet and hide the rest in a secure spot, such as a money belt, bra, or boot.
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Digital Security Risks
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What CIA Agents Always Pack
When it comes to staying safe while traveling abroad, few people are better equipped to offer advice than those trained to handle risk in the most extreme conditions—CIA operatives. We spoke with former intelligence officers to uncover their best travel safety tips.
The good news? You don’t need to be a spy to use these strategies. These simple, practical tips are designed for regular travelers and can help keep you safe wherever your journey takes you.
Emily McCarthy, former CIA case officer and co-founder of Goruck, emphasizes the importance of blending in while traveling. “You can’t always look like a local,” she says, “but you can blend in better and look smarter.” Dressing like a stereotypical tourist—think flip-flops, oversized water bottles, tank tops, and a confused expression—can make you a more obvious target.
McCarthy’s top travel safety tips include:
Physical safety is only half the equation—digital security matters just as much, especially in high-risk destinations.
“The real risk when traveling is theft of your personal items or your electronic data,” warns Moran. “If traveling to a high-risk country like Russia or China, you will want to leave your electronics at home.” Moran advises using a burner phone and a “dummy” laptop that doesn’t contain any sensitive or personal information.
Related:8 Travel Safety Tips You Probably Ignore (But Shouldn’t)
When asked about her travel essentials, Moran says she always packs a solid pair of walking or running shoes. Good footwear is important for being comfortable and prepared to run or walk long distances in an emergency.
On the other hand, McCarthy never travels without U.S. cash—specifically $100 in $20 bills. Why? “Say you land and the ATM isn’t working—maybe your bank froze your card. Your phone isn’t connecting, so no rideshare apps. You have your hotel address written down but no local currency. With just $20 in cash, you can pay for a cab and get to safety. Just don’t flash the full $100—or that might become your fare.”