Stay Safe Abroad With State Department Travel Alerts

“Is it safe to go there?”

This is one of the most common questions I get any time I head off to another country. Of course, there’s always general precautions you should take any time you’re traveling. But how do you determine what places are safe and which ones are too dangerous to traverse safely?

The Global Peace Index And Its Issues

One of the indicators that I see travel sites like Going use is the Global Peace Index. If you’re not sure what the Global Peace Index is, it’s is an annual report produced by the Institute for Economics and Peace, which ranks countries around the world based on their levels of peacefulness. The GPI assesses a wide range of indicators including levels of violence, crime, political instability, and military expenditures. It evaluates both internal peace (such as safety and security within a country) and external peace (such as a country’s involvement in conflicts and relations with other nations).

Although many travel sites use the GPI in their recommendations or country breakdowns, I don’t think the GPI is a great tool to use when planning international travel. The index doesn’t address specific safety concerns like crime rates, health risks, or civil unrest. I doubt any traveler is worrying about the number of nuclear warheads a country has stored at any given time!

What are State Department Travel Advisories?

For practical travel planning, I find it more effective to use resources like the State Department Travel Advisories, which offer detailed and timely information about the current safety conditions in the country you plan on visiting. These advisories are official notices from the U.S. Department of State that provide valuable information about the safety and security conditions in different countries. They cover potential risks like political unrest, natural disasters, health hazards, and crime rates.

Here are the different State Department Travel advisory levels explained:

Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions

• This is the lowest advisory level.
• Indicates that there are no significant safety or security concerns.
• Travelers are advised to take standard precautions similar to those they would take at home.
• Ex: Japan, Canada, Finland

Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution

• Indicates that there are heightened risks to safety and security.
• Travelers should be more aware of their surroundings and take additional steps to ensure their safety.
• Ex: United Kingdom, Mexico, Italy

Level 3: Reconsider Travel

• Indicates serious risks to safety and security.
• Travelers are advised to avoid travel unless it is absolutely necessary.
• Those who must travel should consider their safety plans carefully and stay informed of the current conditions.
• Ex: Turkey, Egypt, Brazil

Level 4: Do Not Travel

• The highest advisory level.
• Indicates a very high risk to safety and security.
• Travelers are strongly advised not to travel to the designated country or area.
• Those currently in the country should consider leaving if it is safe to do so.
• Ex: Afghanistan, Syria, North Korea

Using STEP to Get Travel Alerts

In addition to reading the travel advisory levels, you can also sign up for State Department alerts directly from the embassy or consulate via STEP. The Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) is a free service provided by the U.S. Department of State that allows U.S. citizens and nationals traveling and living abroad to enroll their trip with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate.

How to Sign Up for STEP

1. Visit the STEP Website:
   • Go to the STEP enrollment page.
2. Create an Account:
   • Click on “Create an Account” and fill in the required information, including your email address and a password.
3. Provide Traveler Information:
   • After creating an account, log in and provide information about yourself, including your name, date of birth, and contact details.
4. Enter Trip Details:
   • Enter information about your trip, such as your destination, travel dates, and accommodations.
5. Review and Submit:
   • Review your information to ensure it is accurate and complete, then submit your enrollment.
6.  Confirmation:
   • You will receive a confirmation email with details of your enrollment and instructions for updating your information if your plans change.

I try to sign up for State Department alerts a couple weeks in advance. Even if you’re visiting a relatively safe country, these emails and alerts can help you immensely when you’re traveling abroad, especially if you don’t speak the local language. I’ve gotten emails about protests in Dublin, and public transport strikes in Germany. The night before my flight back to the U.S, I got an email from the US Consulate about a Deutsche Bahn strike happening the next morning, which would’ve definitely screwed me over for my early morning flight. Thanks to the email alert, I was able to schedule a taxi ride to the airport and arrive on time. 

Not From the US?

For those who are not US citizens, there are several alternative resources to the State Department travel advisories that provide valuable information about travel safety. Many countries have their own versions of travel advisories, such as the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) travel advice, Canada’s Global Affairs travel advisories, and Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) travel advice.