Is it safe to travel internationally right now? It’s a question that is on everyone’s lips that either has a holiday planned or is thinking about booking one. Heading into the Australian winter it becomes even more relevant as holiday makers look to escape the cold and head for somewhere warmer. With the tensions and conflict in the Middle East, most travelers are worried whether it’s safe to travel to places such as Europe right now, or whether staying well away and sticking close to home is a better option.
So, in this article we’ll be exploring where it is safe to travel in the current world climate, and hopefully come up with a few options that you may not have even considered.
NOTE – I will keep this article up to date as the Middle East crisis unfolds, and if any of the countries/destinations on this list become subject to travel warnings or alerts, I’ll update the list.
Always remember that before you travel you should check the status of the country you are traveling to. For Australians, that would be on the Smartraveller site. And MAKE SURE you have travel insurance that will cover you for cancelations due to the current crisis.
So, without further ado, and in no particular order, here is my hand-picked list of places I would consider safe to travel right now. Personally, I already have plans to visit no less than five of these destinations over the next few months.
Malaysia
Malaysia is an easy choice when it comes to finding places that are safe to travel. Long time friends of Australians, the Malaysians are very fluent in English and the culture shock of traveling to South East Asia for the first time is a lot less in a city like Kuala Lumpur.
As big a fan as I am of the capital, (I’ve been there a dozen times myself), I would suggest a couple of my other favorite destinations in Malaysia. For a change of pace and a chance to unwind, take a look at the beautiful island of Langkawi. located only a short domestic flight north of Kuala Lumpur, Langkawi has beautiful sandy beaches, tropical rainforests, crystal clear waters, water sports and pretty much everything else you could ask for.
Plus, being a small island removed from the big cities in an already safe country, you couldn’t find a better hideaway.
The other destination in Malaysia I would recommend is Penang. This gorgeous island sitting just off the west coast features a unique blend of Chinese, Indian, English and Dutch cultures. Everything from the incredibly delicious food to the UNESCO listed architectural landscape of Penang’s central hub of Georgetown will forever have you wanting to come back to see more.
Bali
There are a lot of naysayers when it comes to Bali – especially in Australia. However, I’m also fairly confident when I say that the vast majority of them have never actually been there.
I lived in Bali for nearly 6 years. I saw everything there is to see and did everything there is to do. Needless to say I still maintain strong ties with the locals and the community. Therefore, one thing I can honestly say is that Bali is one of the places that I would put at the top of my list as safe to travel right now.
Now, as with anywhere you still have to take precautions. However, if you do Bali right, then you will be safe. It’s a direct flight from Australia, which is a bonus right now as you can avoid travel hubs, and that flight is relatively short for an international flight.
My suggestion for a safe getaway in Bali is to head away from the main central areas. Most of the “problems” and bad reporting that you will hear in the media is nearly always located around Kuta, Legian or Seminyak. In recent years Canggu has become a massive problem, inundated with influencers and troublemakers. You WILL NOT get the experience of being in Bali in Canggu.
Instead, head to Nusa Dua for great beaches and a more luxurious feel. Uluwatu is perfect for great waves and chic cafes. Sanur for families, shopping and beach vibes.
My favorite hidden gem in Bali will always be Munduk. Located in the mountains (think waterfalls, jungles, lakes and views) it’s the place I go to unwind and what I consider my home away from home in Bali.
Japan
Japan is fast becoming a favorite of Australian travelers and with good reason. The unique blend of culture, incredible people and beautiful scenery makes Japan an incredible destination.
What makes Japan safe to travel right now is the fact that it’s a direct flight from Australia. In fact, it’s a direct flight from anywhere, so if you’re reading this in the United States then it goes the same for you too! Staying away from those central travel hubs is all important right now, and having a destination as incredible as Japan so close is an opportunity any travel lover just can’t afford to miss.
For the first time visitor, Tokyo is a great place to start. Most flights are direct to the capital, and the blend of Tokyo’s different districts is mind blowing for anyone that hasn’t experienced it before. I’ve been several times and it still blows me away what the city of Tokyo does to me.
The other thing that isn’t mentioned about Japan enough is how safe to travel the country is at any time – not just during the current conflict. Tokyo is alive 24/7, and I’ve never found another city that makes me feel perfectly safe walking down the street at 3am. It’s just that sort of place.
Of course, right now Japan is heading into its Spring and Summer, but if the conflict in the Middle East lasts, then remember that Japan is also an incredible winter destination as well. Their ski resorts are world class (the country has over 270 of them) and the powder, known as Japow, is considered the best in the world for good reason.
Fiji
Fiji absolutely has to be on my list of places that are safe to travel simply because of it’s remoteness. It’s for this exact reason that the little Pacific Island Nation has been making appearances on many lists lately, not least of all lists such as “Safest places to be during a nuclear war”. Being so remote means that geographically, Fiji might actually be the safest place on Earth right now!
For Australians looking to get away during the current crisis, you couldn’t possibly go wrong. Direct flights from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Adelaide, Canberra and Cairns means that no matter where you live in Australia you have some great flight options.
For those that haven’t been to Fiji before, this is a destination that is definitely worth checking out. The people are possibly the friendliest on Earth, the food amazing, and there simply isn’t a better place to check out of your daily life and just relax.
Many resorts in Fiji do complete package deals, so booking a holiday that can be all taken care of without you worrying about a thing could never be easier!
Cambodia
While Cambodia does come up on Smartraveler as “Exercise a High Degree of Caution”, this is mostly due to the ongoing conflict with Thailand. Read a little deeper and you’ll realize that if you simply stay away from the Cambodia/Thai border then you’re pretty much removed from any danger.
The best and most popular place to visit in Cambodia is Siem Reap. This unassuming little city in the middle of the country is also the gateway to one of the most incredible sites that you will ever visit. Angkor Wat, often considered the Eighth Wonder of the World, is a stone’s throw from Siem Reap, and is simply unmissable if you love to travel or even have a passing interest in ancient history.
The best way to see Angkor Wat is to put yourself in the hands of one of the local Tuk Tuk drivers. Channa, a friend that I made when I visited Siem Reap the very first time, is one of the best. He grew up right in the Angkor Archeological Park and knows everything there is to know about every major temple in the region – and there are over 1000 of them!
The other bonus of having a local guide is that they know every safe place to eat, stay and simply hang out. Channa will point you in the right direction every time and even give you a lift to make sure you arrive safely. By the time I left after 5 days I felt like part of the family!
To find out more check out THIS article about Angkor Wat.
Vietnam
The latest in travel trends seems to be heading to Vietnam for your annual holiday. Certainly, for Australians Vietnam has become a new favorite along with Japan to the point that it has begun to threaten knocking Bali off its perch of favorite international destination. What many don’t realize though is that Vietnam is actually a place that is very safe to travel to right now.
On Smartraveller, Vietnam is given all the green lights as a safe place to travel, with its warning level sitting nicely at “Exercise all normal safety precautions”.
So, what is the draw to Vietnam anyway? Well, from someone that has been there a couple of times already and has another trip planned in a couple of months, let me tell you that there is a LOT to like about the country.
From the culture to the people, Vietnam has something that will please just about anyone. The food is incredible, beer is amazing, and the prices are on a par with, and probably in most places cheaper than elsewhere in South East Asia.
The biggest drawcard to Vietnam for me though is how incredibly diverse the geography is. In the north it gets so cold that it snows, while in the south the temperature rarely if ever drops below 30 degrees. The beaches along the coastline are divine, the islands around Halong Bay mystical, and the endless rice fields in the mountains make you feel like you’re living inside a travel brochure.
If you’re planning or even thinking of visiting Vietnam, there couldn’t be a better time than right now.
New Zealand
An oldy but a goody. New Zealand has always been a favorite place for Australians to travel to, if not for the fact that it is so close that it’s pretty much right in our backyard! In recent years, it has also become more and more popular with international tourists from all over the world, mostly because of The Lord of the Rings, however this has only brought the beauty of the place to the fore, and helped New Zealand shed that long held hidden gem tag.
Beauty aside, the remoteness of New Zealand, much like Fiji, really works in its favor at present. Geographically its a long way from nowhere and holds no strategic value to anyone other than local residents. The country has no enemies, probably because they are extremely likable and wouldn’t pick a fight with anyone in a million years, and there is absolutely no reason that any other nation would want to attack them.
For all these reasons, New Zealand has to be considered one of the safest places in the world to travel to right now.
So, besides movie locations, what is the great attraction of New Zealand?
Well, basically, everything that actually made it attractive to Peter Jackson when he decided to film there! The landscapes and panoramas in New Zealand are incredible. The mountains literally look like they were made from CGI, and if you’re looking for somewhere in the southern hemisphere for a skiing holiday, NZ ski fields are absolutely world class.
Bulgaria
This one might be a little left field, but take it from someone that has been to Bulgaria a bit and written Lonely Planet Guides about the place – Bulgaria is as safe to travel as anywhere.
Staying totally off the radar of any of the conflicts around the Middle East and Eastern Europe, Bulgaria simply plods along, living life happily in the shadow of other, more luxurious destinations.
Bulgaria is Europe’s hidden gem. The first time that I visited I was blown away. At first that was due to the history that lay everywhere in plain sight, yet no one that I’ve even met has known about. In Plovdiv I was so taken by the roman ruins and Ottoman era architecture that I stayed for an entire month.
On my next visit, I headed into the Rhodope Mountains and discovered natural wonders that were so beautiful that I sat for hours just taking them in. I took hikes up canyons that cascades with dozens of towering waterfalls that seems to go on forever.
To say that Bulgaria won my heart is an understatement.
If you’re in Europe and area searching for a place to visit that is safe and you’ve never been to before, then consider checking out Bulgaria. Now that it’s a part of Schengen, it’s never been easier.
The Netherlands
Seriously, did The Netherlands ever upset anyone?
For an important Western European country, The Netherlands really flies under the radar. Nearly everyone has heard of Amsterdam, and there’s not many young men around that haven’t been there for a quick boys trip or bucks weekend. But how many have actually been anywhere else in the country?
I’m almost willing to bet that a vast majority of those that visit Amsterdam couldn’t even tell me what country the city is in!
The Netherlands has so much to offer outside of the capital, and the city itself has so much to offer other than simply being a place to party.
From cycling around the city exploring the culture, to cycling through the countryside, the geography of The Netherlands lends itself perfectly to getting outdoors.
Take a boat tour around the canals of Amsterdam, cycle past the famous UNESCO listed Kinderdijk Windmills, or take a stroll through the famous tulip gardens. For non-Europeans that see Europe in movies and magazines and want to experience it in real life, The Netherlands is the place to go!
Australia
Not only did I have to include Australia, but I just had to leave it till last. Isn’t that what we do with all the best things?
Australia, like New Zealand, holds a place high on the safe to travel list due to its geographic location and fairly neutral political stance. Although it IS an ally of the United States, there is no reason that anyone should attack Australia, leaving it very low on the level of risk for travelling.
So, with that said, where should you visit in Australia?
Well, for most international visitors, places such as Sydney and Melbourne have to be on the top of your list. However, as a proud and passionate local, allow me to suggest Brisbane as an alternative for those visiting the East Coast, and Perth as a must see especially if you’re visiting from Europe or England. Both cities really fly under the radar for tourism and in my opinion are more beautiful than the more popular others.
Another thing to note is that outside of the large cities are some spectacular areas that really should be explored. This goes for local Australians as well that want to stay domestic and not risk international travel right now.
Try looking outside the square in Australia. Everyone knows about the Gold Coast, but have you ever tried the Sunshine Coast north of Brisbane. The beaches are spectacular and hinterland divine, yet tourists always tend to skip it for some reason.
Further north, the Whitsunday islands and Great Barrier Reef are one of the best places in the world to visit, particularly for its coral and sea life which make diving absolutely world class.
Down south, try visiting the world-famous wine regions of the Hunter Valley or Barossa Valley near Adelaide. Tasmania in the very south is still a hidden gem even for local Australians, and can still be considered one of the last untouched wilderness regions of Australia.
Summary
There are still many places in the world that are safe to travel right now. Do yourself a favor and don’t cancel that ticket or postpone your holidays. Check out one of these places and enjoy your life. You deserve it!
