Travel Emergency Guide

File a police report immediately

Go to the nearest police station. Get a written copy of the report number — you'll need it for your embassy and travel insurance claim.

Contact your country's embassy or consulate

They issue Emergency Travel Documents (ETDs) or Emergency Passports, typically within 24–72 hours. Bring: police report, ID (digital copies count), passport photos, and any proof of citizenship.

Notify your airline

Airlines can usually accept an Emergency Travel Document. Call them as soon as you have the ETD to confirm your booking is held and to adjust the departure if needed.

File a travel insurance claim

Most travel insurance covers passport replacement costs. Take photos of all receipts and documents.

Cancel any bank cards in the stolen passport wallet

If your wallet was taken too: call your bank's international number immediately to freeze cards.

Call the local emergency number

Emergency numbers vary by country. 112 works across the EU. 911 works in North America. Ask hotel staff or locals if unsure.

Call your travel insurance emergency line

Most travel insurers have a 24/7 emergency line printed on your policy card. They can help find approved hospitals, authorize treatment, and arrange evacuation if needed. Call BEFORE non-emergency treatment starts.

Notify someone at home

Let a family member or friend know what's happening and where you are. Give them your insurance policy number.

Keep all receipts and medical documents

Photograph every bill, receipt, and medical report the moment you receive it. These are required for your insurance claim.

Request an English-speaking doctor

Most urban hospitals in tourist destinations have English-speaking staff. Ask specifically — don't assume.

For evacuation

If treatment isn't available locally, your insurer can arrange medical evacuation. This costs $50,000–$300,000 without insurance — another reason to never skip coverage.

Stay calm and stay where you are

Thieves rely on confusion. Take a breath, assess what was taken, and don't chase — it's not worth your safety.

Call your bank to freeze your cards immediately

Call the international number on the back of your card (or use your bank's app if your phone is intact). Most banks can freeze within minutes.

File a police report

Required for travel insurance claims and any replacement cards sent to you. Ask for a written confirmation.

Contact family for emergency funds

Western Union and MoneyGram can transfer cash to a local branch. Some banks offer emergency cash advances through partner banks abroad.

If your phone was stolen: change passwords immediately

Use a hotel computer or borrowed device to log out of email, banking, and social media from all devices. Enable two-factor authentication remotely if possible.

Go to the airline desk immediately

Don't call — go to the desk at the airport. Agents have more rebooking flexibility face-to-face, especially for weather or mechanical delays.

Know your rights

EU regulation EC 261/2004: if your flight is delayed 3+ hours and you're departing from the EU (or on an EU carrier arriving in the EU), you're entitled to €250–600 compensation + meals/accommodation for long delays. US: no equivalent law, but airlines often provide vouchers.

For missed connections due to airline delay

The airline is obligated to rebook you on the next available flight at no charge. If no same-day flight, they must provide a hotel. This applies even with separate tickets if the airline caused the delay.

For your own fault (overslept, traffic)

You have no automatic rights. Call the airline immediately. Some airlines have a 'flat tire rule' — ask. Otherwise you'll typically pay a change fee + fare difference.

File a travel insurance claim

Missed connection and trip interruption coverage usually applies. Keep all receipts for hotels, meals, and transport arranged during the disruption.

Follow official instructions

Listen to local authorities, hotel staff, and emergency broadcasts. They have the most current information. Don't rely on social media alone.

Register with your embassy (if not already done)

Most countries offer a traveler registration service (STEP for US, LOCATE for UK). When registered, your embassy can contact you and track your safety.

Contact your country's embassy or emergency travel line

They can advise on evacuation options and safe meeting points. In serious situations, countries sometimes organize group evacuations.

Preserve your phone battery

Set to low power mode. Disable non-essential apps. Download offline maps (Google Maps offline) before connectivity is disrupted.

Keep cash accessible

In a disaster, ATMs and card readers often fail. Having some local currency cash could be essential for transport or emergency purchases.

Contact family to let them know you're safe

If calls are down, try SMS (uses less bandwidth), WhatsApp, or social media safety check features.

Contact family or friends for a transfer

Western Union, Wise (formerly TransferWise), and MoneyGram can transfer money to a local pickup location within hours. Wise transfers to bank accounts are usually fastest and cheapest.

Contact your bank about emergency card replacement

Most major banks can send a replacement card via courier to your hotel in 1–3 business days. Alternatively, they may be able to authorize a cash advance through a local bank.

Check if your credit card has emergency cash services

American Express has a dedicated emergency service (1-800-333-2639) that can arrange emergency cash advances. Visa and Mastercard also have emergency services.

Contact your country's embassy

As a last resort for genuine financial distress, some embassies can arrange emergency loans to nationals to cover the cost of getting home. This is repaid upon return.

Ask your accommodation to hold the room on credit

Explain the situation honestly. Most hotels have dealt with this before and will work with you while funds are arranged.