How to Travel Safely as a Family: Addressing Money, Health, and Digital Risks
Updated: Sep 30
International travel can be exhausting, particularly when you fly overnight. After one of those overnight trips, my wife, three kids, and I hadn't slept in almost 24 hours, so when we arrived at the hotel, we wanted to rush to bed.
So there we were, standing in a hotel lobby with three exhausted kids while my wife searched every pocket of our backpack for the credit card we thought we'd packed. My phone was at 1%. So I couldn't use my digital wallet to pay, and I was worried it was lost or stolen.
What should have been the relaxing start to our vacation turned into a near-panic attack. Lesson learned. We account for anything that can make us more or less safe.
Safety Starts Before You Leave the House
How does it work in your home? In the past, my wife handled all travel logistics unrelated to the book I was taking and my own clothes. Of all the times not to talk things through and have a plan that includes who owns what, this was one of the worst.
Now we treat safety like any other shared system at home by deciding in advance who owns specific tasks from start to finish using the list below.
The One-Page Family Travel Safety Plan
Financial Safety Is the Backbone of Travel
Credit cards are safer than debit cards. I know some folks hate credit cards, so I'm not trying to shove them down your throat. But I do need to point out that if you lose your credit card or if it's stolen, you're only liable for up to the first $50 spent. And frankly, most credit card companies won't even force you to cover that cost.
Those same safety guardrails can be a hassle if you don't alert your credit card company that you're traveling. When credit card companies see that there is credit card spending occurring in new areas, they often temporarily freeze the account before you confirm, usually by responding to a fraud alert text message, that it's you. You don't want to deal with a fraud alert and a frozen account with your battery at 1%.
And carry a small amount of local cash. If you're using a different currency, exchange it at a local bank, not at the airport where the exchange rate and fees are almost always far worse.
Related: Join our subscribers for ideas to manage money and the home as a team.
Digital Safety Is Physical Safety Now
If your phone is your most-used travel tool, protect your battery life and back up essential documents and information. If you go to a country outside North America, you'll need to buy a phone charger adapter and check the associated charges for using your phone overseas. Pack a mobile charger as well.
Back up your devices before you leave to the cloud, such as Google Drive. Put your most important contacts and documents in one easy-to-find folder.
Do not post any pictures on social media until after you return! Otherwise, you’re telling the world your home is easy to rob.
Pro Tip: Turn off your tracking and location information on all social media accounts.
Avoid public Wi-Fi for sensitive activity unless you are using a secure connection. When possible, use cellular data or a trusted hotspot.
“Many people underestimate the importance of their digital safety while traveling. To ensure your digital life keeps pace with your trip, carry a power bank to charge your laptop, tablets, and phones. Plus, using a VPN and travel router on your trip will help make a secure network away from home.”
- Andy Murphy, Founder, The Secure Dad
Health Planning Most Families Skip
If anyone in your family takes prescription medication, bring more than you need and keep it in a carry-on. Know the generic names of medications in case you need replacements. Save copies of prescriptions digitally.
If you're traveling to another country, consider travel medical insurance. It's not too expensive, but it's necessary in some countries where standard domestic health plans and Medicare usually do not apply.
Related: Check out our Protecting Your Family Page full of posts like this one.
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