Is Travel Risky?

Posted on 09. Aug, 2011 by in Philosophy

I have a secret:

I’m not really a very brave person. At least I don’t think so.

If you travel a lot, especially alone, you hear the phrase “you’re so brave” so often the words lose all meaning. It comes from non-travelers mostly, who are under the impression that traveling for an extended period of time takes some sort of intense inner resources (or foolishness) that normal people don’t possess.

Run along the Edges

photo credit: h.koppdelaney


I don’t know though, I don’t feel like a particularly brave person. I’m scared of a lot of pretty stupid things: answering the phone for example, or squirrels (hey, don’t judge me). I’m not scared of traveling the world though, because I don’t think it’s a particularly dangerous activity.

On the one hand, the risks of traveling abroad are greatly exaggerated. Thanks to ridiculous movies like Taken and Hostel, where young travelers meet grisly fates simply for having the audacity to visit Europe, there is this idea that by leaving the country you’re taking your life into your own hands. Couple that with news reports of violence around the world, and it’s not surprising people think traveling abroad is a dangerous activity.

On the other hand, it’s true that when you travel you do take on a certain amount of risk. You do any time you step outside your front door and engage with the world. When you travel you are moving around a lot, trying new things like zip-lining and street food. When you put yourself out there, there is always the risk of something going wrong. Which is of course why all good travelers try to mitigate that risk by buying backpackers insurance, being aware of their surroundings and storing their belongings safely.

There is a difference between good risk and bad risk. It’s the line between being adventurous and being dumb, and sometimes it’s hard to know which side you’re walking on. Doing things that scare you are important, and a step to self discovery, but sometimes fear is a real indicator that something’s wrong. It’s a fine line between living life to the fullest and doing something regrettable. It’s something that everyone has to learn and I think travel is just an accelerant for figuring that out.

What do you think: is travel risky?

 

This post was written by me, sponsored by Insure and Go

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27 Responses to “Is Travel Risky?”

  1. FiFi

    09. Aug, 2011

    Travel is not risky – it is scary. The unknown is always scary, the more stationary you are the thoughts of moving regularly can be terrifying – on the road it is the norm. You always hear about some one who travelled the world to come back home and get hit by a car crossing the road. It is all luck – nothing you can do about it!

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  2. Sally

    09. Aug, 2011

    I agree with you that travel doesn’t require a huge amount of bravery (hence my blog name and all). Of course, going to some places requires a bit more gumption than others (you will not see me hanging out in Afghanistan for that reason). But there are plenty of places you can visit and live in that are perfectly safe (if not safer than your home country). In fact, a lot of the people I meet in Asia are scared to go to the States because it’s a “dangerous country.”

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  3. T

    09. Aug, 2011

    I just got back from living in a country where al-Qaeda raids are happening, and visiting another where a terrorist bombing occured 5 days after I visited that same sight. Not once did I feel unsafe in those places because I didn’t take risks. I believe that a person’s actions decides the risk factor of a place, rather than the place itself.

    Back home, I travel to remote areas for work, usually piloting a much bigger vehicle than I’m used to on busy roads, often going into areas where I’m the lone stand-out female. This to me is 100X more risky than anything I’ve done travel-related, and it’s right in my backyard.

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  4. Amanda

    09. Aug, 2011

    Travel has affected my emotions sometimes in more profound ways than my relationships with people have. In that way I find travel risky – to step out into the world is to risk EVERYTHING including falling in love, and heartache. But we keep on doing it – the same way we keep on searching for love and risking the heartache. Why? Because it feels so good!

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    • Charlie

      09. Aug, 2011

      Interesting question. Travel can certainly be risky, depending on the choices you make. Crossing the street in Vietnam seems incredibly risky, until you see a young child walking a bicycle through a motorbike filled intersection without regard to the maze of speeding hunks of metal. My approach is to be as aware as possible of my surroundings, and not put myself in risky situations. As a former Army officer/Ranger, I had lots of training in problem solving and risk assessment. This probably removes much of the fear of foreign travel, but heightens my awareness. But, I’m very cautious and protective when my wife travels with me.

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  5. Myra

    09. Aug, 2011

    This blog reminds me of a joke between my boyfriend and I. I talked him into doing 5 zip lines across Red River Gorge for my birthday and I enjoyed myself without any real fear to speak of. We left soon after for a road trip from Kentucky to New Mexico and I trembled every time we went over a bridge or went into a vicious thunderstorm. He said, “Your fear funds are extremely misappropriated.”

    I think some part of the fear that comes with traveling to unfamiliar places stems from not being prepared for local wildlife, weather, and political state. I am convinced I will be eaten by a bear or mountain line if I go hiking in the Pacific Northwest. Before going through the bayous of Louisiana, I thought I would be eaten by an alligator. Now that I have explored the marshes, I can mark that irrational fear off of my list.

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  6. Alouise

    09. Aug, 2011

    I think travel is risky, but then again a lot of things are risky. Going to University is risky, some job markets are risky, buying a house is risky, getting married is risky, having kids is risky. Hell even walking across the street can be risky. Life is full of risks but if we didn’t take them we wouldn’t really be living. It’s important to know which risks you want to, and are willing to take. Some people might think I’m brave for travelling alone, I think some people are brave for having kids. If you follow the path you want I think the risks are worth it.

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    • Steph

      13. Aug, 2011

      You are so right- life is full of risks and we have to learn to deal with it!

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  7. Eurotrip Tips

    09. Aug, 2011

    I think risk is more often than not related to your own instincts. There is a fine line between fear taking over and the feeling that something isn’t right. I usually stick to “If I don’t feel it, I’m not doing it” – it has kept me out of trouble so far :)

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  8. Emily in Chile

    10. Aug, 2011

    I get the same “you’re so brave” as an expat. It’s funny to me because when I moved here I had the support of my then-boyfriend as his family as well as my host family, and I’d already lived here for six months as an exchange student – I think some of my friends were far braver for moving to US cities where they knew no one! I guess it’s all just a case of what you know and thinking that the things your not familiar with are scarier.

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  9. Alexis

    10. Aug, 2011

    I’ve gotten “you’re so brave” before when I studied abroad. Which is not as crazy as what you’re doing. But it wasn’t scary to me at all. I was more excited than scared.

    I also use traveling to get rid of fears. My bf was afraid of heights, but after enough time on ski lifts and rollercoasters, that fear is going away. People need to realize that traveling is nothing to be afraid of.

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    • Steph

      13. Aug, 2011

      Yeah I got it back when I was studying abroad too which was crazy because I was going to ENGLAND. Abroad does not equal scary!

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  10. Scott - Quirky Travel Guy

    11. Aug, 2011

    I look at travel as a way to move beyond my comfort zone. It does feel a little scary sometimes, but in a good way.

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    • Steph

      13. Aug, 2011

      Definitely- sometimes doing stuff that scares you is good, healthy even!

      Reply to this comment

  11. Alex

    11. Aug, 2011

    Traveling is very dangerous. Just this morning in Thailand, I stubbed my toe getting out of bed. Oh wait….

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  12. Matt

    11. Aug, 2011

    I think the risk is part of the reason to travel. A favorite quotation of mine is “A ship is safe in harbor, but that is not what ships are made for.” I don’t remember who said that. Whoever it was they are smarter than me…

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  13. Fabrizio

    12. Aug, 2011

    Dangerous is very relative- I’m living in China, and the risk of getting hit by a car is far greater here than it was back at home. On the other hand, you are far more likely to be killed or abducted in the United States than you are in China. I will say that fascination almost always overrides my lack of bravery. Doesn’t mean that it isn’t (frequently) a very scary and ego-reducing experience, but then again, that is why I came.

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    • Steph

      13. Aug, 2011

      I am constantly telling my mother I’m more likely to get shot in Washington DC than most of the places I go to- doesn’t seem to deter her much.

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  14. Kevin Hawley

    15. Aug, 2011

    You don’t even have to step outside your door to take risks. We face them everyday, you just need to be prepared, aware of your surroundings, and have a backup plan. if something still happens, well, sh.. happens. Adapt and overcome.
    If you’re mind is week enough to let movies (Taken & Hostel) put fear into your travel, I think you have other issues.

    This “Sponsor” states ” Which is of course why all good travelers try to mitigate that risk by buying Backpackers Insurance.” Come on…Am I in league with Animal Cruelty because I don’t have Pet Insurance? Am I bad Backpacker since I don’t buy “Their” insurance? Where is the “Fine Print” on this insurance?
    A Search & Rescue Card is typically $10.00 for 5 years Stateside. Your Homeowners Policy may cover lost / stolen posessions even abroad. AAA offers many overseas programs. This Sponsor is the one using fear to sell, mentioning movies and vague references to risk abroad with no facts.

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    • Steph

      15. Aug, 2011

      Hi Kevin,
      The sponsor didn’t write this article- I did (I actually wrote it independently and then when they offered me the sponsorship I worked in their link). I think I made it pretty clear by the end that I don’t consider trave lto be an exceptionally risky activity- I think the media messes with people’s perceptions and distorts the truth.

      I DO think that being insured is the responsible way to deal with risk. I honestly couldn’t care less where that coverage comes from: AAA, homeowners insurances, whatever, the fact remains that being insured in case of emergency (particularly medical emergency) is just smart.

      Please feel free to email me if you have further concerns!

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      • Kevin Hawley

        15. Aug, 2011

        Hi Steph,
        First let me apologize as I thought the Sponsor had written the majority of this. I agree that Travel in it’s self is no more riskier then our everyday lives, as I mentioned earlier. As long as you keep your wits about you.
        As far as the Media and their lies and misconceptions effecting peoples outlook and judgement, it does. But i do think there is a limit to how much a stable mind will succumb to that. (My Opinion) This is a popular debate though.
        I believe insurance is only a part of a good back up plan for emergencies and definitley how inclusive the plan is. My point really is, a good backup plan for any emergency starts with research and involves more than one strategy. I agree that it doesn’t matter who provides the insurance as long as it meets your needs.
        I know I tend write a little direct Steph, it’s just my style and no ill will is meant. :)
        By the way, your talking to a Backpacker who treks mountains & jungles with the bare necessities, so I am a little opinionated, but all points of view are healthy :)

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  15. Hannah

    16. Aug, 2011

    I am planning to travel solo next year and I get the ‘you’re so brave’ comments all the time. I’m not. If anything, I’m an absolute wuss! I don’t have enough experience under my belt to challenge these comments yet but I have read so many articles saying a similar thing that I don’t feel particularly worried. I know I will need to be cautious and look out for myself but I would do that here in Dublin on an average day too. I think there comes a point where you just have to get over the fact that, yes, things can go wrong and accept it as a part of life. Otherwise you’ll never go anywhere!

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  16. melomakarona

    11. Sep, 2011

    I am a solo female hitchhiker and when I tell people how I travel, they think I’m crazy. Well, that I am indeed, but I don’t think traveling is risky. As long as you use your common sense and trust your gut feelings – you’ll be fine :)

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