What to Do When Things Go Wrong While Travelling: A Crisis Survival Guide for Smart Travellers
No matter how carefully you plan, travel has a way of throwing curveballs. One moment you're sipping an espresso in Rome, the next you're frantically Googling how to get an emergency passport. It happens to even the most seasoned globetrotters.
From missed flights and lost passports to scams, medical mishaps and political unrest — the unexpected can turn a dream trip into a logistical nightmare. But here's the good news: with the right knowledge (and a cool head), most travel crises are manageable. This guide walks you through some of the most common travel disasters and exactly what to do if they happen — plus tips to help you stay prepared before disaster even strikes.
So take a deep breath, save this page, and travel knowing you’ve got a solid plan B if things go south.
Lost or Stolen Passport
What to Do Immediately
If you lose your passport (or suspect it’s been stolen), don’t panic — but do act fast. First, double-check your bags, hotel safe, and any recent places you've visited. If it’s truly missing, report it straight away to the local police. This report will be essential for getting a replacement.
Next, contact your country’s embassy or consulate. They can help issue an emergency travel document or temporary passport so you can get home — or continue travelling if needed. Many embassies have emergency hotlines that operate 24/7.
How to Find Your Nearest Embassy
Use the official government website (for UK citizens) or search “your country + embassy + [city name]” online. Google Maps often lists official embassy locations, but always confirm via the official government source to avoid scams.
Pro tip: Save the address and phone number of the nearest embassy before you travel — especially if you're heading somewhere remote or politically unstable.
Documents You’ll Need for an Emergency Passport
Every embassy is slightly different, but you’ll typically be asked for:
A police report of the loss or theft
A passport-sized photo (some embassies have photo booths)
Proof of travel plans (e.g. flight tickets)
Another form of ID, if possible (e.g. driver’s licence or a photocopy of your passport)
A completed passport replacement form
Payment for the emergency document (this varies by country, usually £75–£100 / €85–€115)
Pro Tip: How to Prevent It in the First Place
Carry a copy, not the original: For daily excursions, carry a printed or digital photocopy of your passport instead of the real thing.
Use a hotel safe or money belt: Keep your actual passport locked away or stored in a concealed pouch close to your body.
Back it up digitally: Take a clear photo of your passport and email it to yourself or store it in a secure cloud service.
Keep emergency contacts handy: Jot down your embassy’s contact details on paper in case you lose your phone too.
Missed Flights or Connections
Know Your Passenger Rights
Before you hand over your credit card to rebook, it’s worth knowing that you may be entitled to compensation, accommodation or re-routing — especially if the delay was caused by the airline. Under EU Regulation 261/2004, passengers flying from or within the EU may be eligible for up to €600 (£510) in compensation for long delays or cancellations. Other regions, like the US or Canada, have their own rules — it’s worth checking what applies in your situation.
How to Rebook Quickly
Head straight to your airline’s customer service desk in the airport — these reps typically have more power than call centre staff. If the queue is long, call the airline at the same time while you wait.
Many airlines allow same-day flight changes for a reduced fee (or free with certain ticket types or elite status), so ask what options are available before agreeing to a new fare.
If you're flying on a multi-leg itinerary booked through an agent or third party, contact them directly — not the airline — to handle the rebooking.
What to Say to Airline Staff (And What Not To)
Be polite but direct. Explain the situation clearly and ask:
“What are my options?” rather than “I need a free flight.”
Empathy goes a long way — frustrated staff are more likely to help a calm traveller than a shouting one.
Avoid blaming the staff for the delay. Instead, focus on getting assistance quickly and respectfully.
Travel Insurance: When It Kicks In
If you're stuck overnight due to a missed flight, travel insurance often covers hotel, food and transport costs — but only if the delay meets certain criteria.
Save all receipts and take photos of any airport delay notices. You’ll usually need these when submitting a claim.
Pro tip: Many premium credit cards offer built-in travel delay protection — sometimes with better terms than standard insurance.
Getting Scammed
Common Travel Scams to Watch Out For
No one thinks it’ll happen to them — until it does. Some of the most common travel scams include:
Fake taxi drivers quoting inflated fares or taking long routes
Currency switch tricks at exchange counters or markets
Distraction theft where someone creates a scene while an accomplice nabs your bag
Overfriendly locals who take you to a bar or shop and leave you with the bill
Fake police officers asking to see your passport or wallet
Always trust your gut — if something feels off, it probably is.
Steps to Take if You’ve Been Scammed
Get somewhere safe — especially if you feel threatened.
Report the incident to local police. Ask for a written report — it may be needed for insurance.
Contact your bank immediately if your cards or account details were compromised.
Speak to your accommodation or tour provider — they may know how to handle the situation locally.
Tell your embassy if the scam was serious or involved impersonators, coercion or lost ID.
Reporting Scams to Local Authorities or Your Embassy
Some scams are widespread and under-reported. Filing a report may help protect future travellers. Embassies often log incidents involving their citizens and can advise on legal next steps. If your documents were stolen in the process, this will also help you begin replacement procedures.
Protecting Your Cards and Identity
Use a travel card with instant freeze features (like Revolut, Monzo or Wise).
Don’t keep all your cards in one place — stash a backup in your luggage or with a travel partner.
Enable 2FA (two-factor authentication) on email and banking apps to prevent deeper breaches.
If you're using public Wi-Fi, always use a VPN to protect sensitive information.
Medical Emergencies Abroad
Who to Contact First
If it's a life-threatening emergency, dial the local emergency number — not every country uses 112 or 911. If you’re unsure, ask a local or your accommodation for help immediately.
Once stabilised, contact your travel insurance provider as soon as you can. Many have 24-hour helplines and can direct you to approved hospitals, arrange direct payments, or guide you through next steps.
Navigating Local Healthcare Without Speaking the Language
Head to international or private clinics when possible — they’re more likely to have English-speaking staff.
Use translation apps like Google Translate or SayHi to explain symptoms.
If you're staying at a hotel or guesthouse, ask the staff to help translate or accompany you — many are used to assisting guests in these situations.
Carry a basic health card in your wallet that lists allergies, medications, and emergency contacts in multiple languages.
Using Your Travel Insurance for Medical Care
Before you leave for your trip, make sure your travel insurance covers:
Emergency hospital stays
Evacuation or repatriation
Pre-existing conditions (if applicable)
If you need treatment abroad:
Call your insurer’s emergency number
Note the hospital or clinic name and address
Keep all paperwork, receipts, prescriptions and doctor's notes
Ask the clinic to contact the insurer directly for payment, if possible
Some providers require you to pay upfront and claim later, so a credit card with emergency funds is a smart backup.
Emergency Numbers by Region
Here are a few worth remembering (or saving offline):
European Union: 112
USA & Canada: 911
Australia: 000
New Zealand: 111
Japan: 119 (ambulance/fire) or 110 (police)
Thailand: 1669
Mexico: 911
South Africa: 10177
You can also check travel.state.gov or your government’s foreign travel advice pages for more.
Lost or Stolen Bank Cards
How to Block and Replace Your Cards Abroad
The first step is to freeze or block the card immediately — most modern banking apps let you do this in seconds (Revolut, Monzo, Starling, Wise, etc.). If you’re using a traditional bank, call their emergency hotline — many operate 24/7 for card emergencies.
Next, report the theft to your bank so they can cancel the card and send a replacement. Some banks will express ship a new card internationally, though this can take a few days and may come with a fee. In the meantime, if you're travelling with a joint account or secondary card, you’re ahead of the game.
Accessing Emergency Cash
Contact your bank to see if they can wire money to a local Western Union or MoneyGram.
Use services like Xoom (by PayPal) or Wise to transfer funds to yourself or a trusted friend.
If you’re stuck, some travel insurance policies include emergency cash advances.
Reach out to your embassy or consulate — while they won’t typically give cash, they can help you contact friends or family, or assist in transferring funds.
Pro tip: Always carry a backup card stored separately — ideally from a different provider in case of network issues or fraud blocks.
Best Practices for Travel Banking Security
Use a card with instant freeze/unfreeze features
Turn on spending notifications to monitor for suspicious activity
Enable two-factor authentication for all financial apps
Avoid withdrawing money from unmarked ATMs or machines in secluded areas
Consider a travel-specific debit card with no foreign transaction fees and 24/7 support
Natural Disasters, Protests or Civil Unrest
How to Stay Informed and Safe
When things escalate quickly, information is your most valuable asset.
Sign up for travel alerts from your government’s foreign office before you depart. UK travellers can use the FCDO travel advice service.
Follow local news outlets on Twitter/X or Google News for real-time updates.
Ask hotel or hostel staff for trusted advice — they’re often well-informed about the local situation.
Use tools like Smart Traveller (Australia) or STEP (USA) to register your travel plans.
Avoid areas where protests or unrest are ongoing, even if they seem peaceful — they can escalate quickly and unpredictably.
What to Do If You Need to Evacuate
If you’re advised to leave:
Pack essentials: passport, wallet, phone, charger, water, snacks, basic toiletries
Head to a safe zone, not just the airport — embassies, major hotels, or transport hubs are better bets
If public transport is shut down, check for reliable rideshare options or private transfers arranged through your accommodation
Stay in contact with your embassy or consulate, which may coordinate evacuations or provide updates on safe routes
If there’s an earthquake, tsunami warning, hurricane, or wildfire risk — always follow local instructions and get to higher or safer ground when advised.
Staying Connected with Family and Authorities
Keep your phone fully charged and conserve battery with low-power mode and offline maps
Send your GPS location or check in periodically via WhatsApp or email
If networks go down, use offline messaging apps like Bridgefy or FireChat (though these have limitations)
Know your embassy’s emergency contact info — and store it in both digital and physical form
Key Travel Crisis Tips
Photocopy Everything
Before your trip, make digital and physical copies of your passport, visa, insurance, tickets and cards. Email them to yourself and store them in a secure cloud service.Split Your Cash and Cards
Never keep everything in one wallet. Hide an emergency stash of cash and a spare card in your backpack or suitcase, ideally in a concealed pocket or pouch.Download Essentials Before You Travel
Offline maps (e.g. Google Maps), language apps (e.g. Google Translate), travel insurance docs, embassy contacts, and scanned documents — save them where you can access them with no signal.Register Your Trip
Sign up for your country’s traveller registration programme (e.g. STEP for Americans, FCDO Alerts for Brits) so your embassy can reach you in a crisis.Learn the Basics in the Local Language
A few key phrases like “Help”, “Hospital”, and “I’ve lost my passport” can go a long way in an emergency.Stay Calm and Ask for Help
Most people are kind. Locals, hotel staff, embassy workers and even other travellers are often more than willing to help — but you need to ask.Check Travel Insurance Small Print
Know what’s covered (and what’s not) before you go — especially in terms of delays, evacuations, pre-existing conditions and high-risk activities.Think Ahead, Even If Things Are Going Well
Just because everything’s smooth now doesn’t mean it always will be. Think like a local, trust your instincts, and stay situationally aware.
Travel isn’t just about beautiful beaches and bustling markets — it’s also about navigating the unexpected. While no one wants things to go wrong, being prepared means they don’t have to ruin your trip.
Whether you’re dealing with a lost passport in a foreign city, a delayed flight that leaves you stranded, or a medical emergency far from home, staying calm and knowing your options is your biggest asset. With a little forward planning and a few backup strategies in your pocket, you can handle just about anything the road throws your way.
So don’t let fear hold you back — just travel smart. And remember: every misadventure makes for a great story once it’s all sorted.
