Prepping for Long-Term Travel: Backup Plans and Worst-Case Scenario Planning
- Samantha C.
- Sep 3, 2024
- 6 min read
Updated: Apr 24
Part 5: Prepping for Long-Term Travel: Planning for Worst-Case Scenarios, Backup Plans and Helpful Apps
In this article:
Having a Backup Plan
Have a backup plan for everything.
Think about what would happen if you 1) lost your phone, 2) lost your laptop, 3) lost your wallet, or 4) lost all of them at the same time.
It's a little scary to think about, but you'll want to give it some thought.
I once "lost" my iPhone in Iceland; I was out at bar, talking to a stranger, my phone was on the table, and the next thing I know, it's gone.
I once "lost" my iPhone in Iceland. I was out at a bar, talking to a stranger, my phone was on the table, and the next thing I know, it's gone. Luckily, I had met a few people there—I logged into iCloud and turned on Find My Phone. It was just down the street at another club. This turned into an hour-long cat-and-mouse chase, hopping bars, pinging my phone non-stop. Finally, I found the girl I had been talking to earlier. She was hammered. I said, "Hey, I think you have my phone." She had no idea it was in her purse! Even simple mistakes can lead to disaster.
In Colombia, a friend of mine had his phone snatched from his hands by a motorbike rider—gone in an instant. In Rio, three of our group of eight had their phones pickpocketed at the same street party. They weren’t being careful, but the point is that losing your phone abroad is a very real possibility that gets higher the longer you travel.
"Your phone is the number one target for theft when you're traveling.."
If your phone gets stolen, can you track it? Can you still access your important documents? If your laptop goes for a swim, can you buy a replacement and get all your files back? In a worst-case scenario, where you lose everything at once, do you have a backup plan?
Backup Strategies for Travelers:
Carry a Burner Phone: Always have a backup phone (discussed previously). This could be a simple, cheap phone that you don’t mind losing. Keep it in your bag or use it when going out at night. If your primary phone gets stolen, you’ll have a backup to stay connected.
Memorize Key Contacts: In today’s world, most of us rely on our phones to store all our contacts. But what if you lose it? Memorize 2-3 important phone numbers or write them down somewhere safe so you can reach friends or family in case of an emergency.
Store Important Documents with Someone You Trust: Ask a family member or close friend to keep copies of your important documents (passport, visa info, insurance, etc.). If you lose everything, they can quickly help you recover key information.
Use Cloud Storage: Save important files, travel documents, and photos to cloud storage (e.g., Google Drive, Dropbox). That way, even if your devices are lost or stolen, you can still access your data from another phone, laptop, or public computer
Set Up Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): Make sure that your 2FA backup methods (like a secondary phone number or email) are set up and accessible without your primary device. This can save you in situations where you need to access your bank or secure accounts from another device.
Offline Access to Critical Data: Download offline copies of essential information, such as travel itineraries, visa details, and emergency contacts, to your phone or another device. This ensures that you can access these even without an internet connection.
The likelihood of losing all your devices at once is small, but when you’re in another country, things get more difficult. A little preparation goes a long way.
Must-Have Apps and Tools
While you can usually download apps on the go, it’s smart to assume you won’t always have immediate access to the internet when you need it. Here are some must-have apps and tools to install before you leave:
I learned this lesson firsthand when I flew to Cambodia. I arrived in the middle of the night after a long, sleepless flight and got into a TukTuk headed to the nearest 24-hour coworking space. Only after being dropped off, 3 kilometers from my hostel, did I realize it was Cambodia’s Khmer New Year.
Everything was closed—no coffee shops, no internet cafes, no convenience stores where I could buy a SIM card, and no internet access. I had no cell service and no way of getting internet access. The only saving graces were that I knew where I was going, could ask for directions if needed, and, luckily, had working legs to walk the rest of the way.
"No cell service, no internet cafes, and no convenience stores where I could buy a SIM card... and I was 3km from my hostel.."
Download offline Google maps and destination language packages - just in case your phone doesn't have coverage when you land, or if you unexpectedly lose service.
These are rare situations, but they do happen; it's always a good idea to download offline maps and language packages for your next country - before you fly out.
Some other apps that are essentially required for long-term travel:
Communication Apps
WhatsApp: Essential for communicating globally, especially for hostel group chats, booking tours, or contacting local businesses.
Skype or Google Voice: Set up accounts for making international calls if needed, especially if your phone is lost and you need to reach home.
Transportation and Ride-Sharing Apps
Uber, Lyft, Grab, DiDi, or Cabify: Install and set up these apps ahead of time. In many countries, ride-sharing apps are more reliable than local taxis. Be sure to verify your credit card before you leave.
VPN Apps
NordVPN, ExpressVPN, or another VPN provider: Essential for internet security, especially when using public Wi-Fi networks. A VPN also allows you to access websites or apps that may be restricted in certain countries.
Banking and Finances
Your Banking App: Make sure you can access your banking app with 2FA, and that you have contact info for reporting lost or stolen cards.
XE Currency: Great for checking exchange rates on the go, and making sure you're not overcharged while traveling.
And of course, don't forget to download any music, shows, podcasts, or other entertainment before a long flight.
Personal Safety Apps
When it comes to personal safety, Google Location Sharing and Apple's Find My Friends are nice to have, but there are better apps for when you're out of the country; here's a few worth looking into before you hit the road:
bSafe: A personal safety app with a GPS tracker, SOS alarm, and the ability to share your location with trusted contacts. It also records audio and video when the SOS alarm is triggered.
GeoSure: Provides real-time safety scores for neighborhoods around the world, covering women’s safety, LGBTQ+ safety, political stability, and more. It helps you gauge the safety of the areas you visit.
Life360: A family location-sharing app that allows real-time location sharing with selected contacts. It also includes crash detection and emergency alerts.
TripWhistle Global SOS: Provides instant access to local emergency numbers in over 190 countries. It allows you to share your GPS location with emergency services or contacts.
Noonlight: Allows you to press and hold a button if you feel unsafe. Releasing the button triggers an alert and shares your location with emergency responders.
Red Panic Button: Sends an emergency message with your GPS location to pre-set contacts when triggered.
Final Thoughts
When traveling long-term, it’s essential to prepare for the worst-case scenarios. Have a plan for what happens if you lose your phone, laptop, or wallet, and make sure you're still able to access critical information.
Get a burner phone, memorize important numbers, and have a backup plan in place; while many trips go off without a hitch, you'll appreciate knowing what to do if things take a turn for the worst. As cliche as it sounds - hope for the best, plan for the worst!
Read Next: Part 6: Prepping for Long-Term Travel: Having the Right Mindset (coming soon)
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