Communications Tips and Resources for Safe Travels

Reliable and redundant communications capabilities are critical to ensuring a safe and productive trip. Global Affairs is committed to providing general tips, as well as communications-related travel resources, to assist you in trip planning.

Travel Communications Tips

• Research cellular and data plans, coverage areas, and country/local dialing procedures at your destination

  • Often, purchasing a SIM card or renting a phone in-country is the most cost-effective and reliable approach

• Establish regular check-in times and procedures with family, friends, colleagues, and employers

• Have a land line phone connection available, where possible

  • Know local, long-distance, and international dialing procedures, which may differ from mobile phone dialing procedures

• Save emergency phone numbers

  • Program local emergency services, the nearest U.S. embassy/consulate, local friends/colleagues into your phone before you travel

  • Memorize local emergency numbers
  • Keep hard copies of emergency numbers in a wallet, purse, and in your hotel/residence

• Keep your mobile phone and computer charged

  • Consider purchasing a spare or external battery

• Conduct a series of test phone calls, emails, and text messages, once you arrive at your destination

  • Adjust phone contacts and dialing procedures as necessary, especially after moving to a new region

• Consider renting a satellite phone or radios, for travel in rural areas

  • Ensuring contact with colleagues who can assist in the event of an emergency

• Engage with friends and colleagues who have traveled to your destination previously or who are originally from there

  • Ask questions about communications capabilities at your destination

• Remember text/SMS/data may still work normally in an emergency when cellular phone service may overwhelm carrier capacity

Travel Communications Resources

• Research your destination with the WorldCue® Traveler Planner

  • Local emergency numbers can be found in the “Security” subsection of the “Destination Intelligence” section

• Find contact information for U.S. embassies and consulates around the world

  • In an emergency, ask the embassy operator to connect you with the “Duty Officer” for assistance, including after hours

• See more information on purchasing travel SIM cards

• Research this international calling guide

More Information

UC Davis travelers with questions about communications while abroad are encouraged to contact Global Affairs at (530) 752-4129 or travelsecurity@ucdavis.edu.