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  1. Home
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  3. Stay safe this festive season

Stay safe this festive season

Last updated
Tuesday, 03/12/2024
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 With the festive season approaching, many Australians are heading overseas for a well-earned break or to visit family and friends.

Whilst Christmas markets and festive gatherings in public places add to the excitement, it's important to be security aware. It's not fun to think about, but some risks are greater during the festive season, including:

  • terrorism
  • extreme weather
  • crime
  • cyber security

Terrorism

Terrorism remains a threat across the world.

Terrorists can attack anywhere, anytime, including destinations that are typically at lower risk. Be prepared for the possibility, no matter where you go. Take extra caution in higher-risk destinations.

Some European countries continue to have increased domestic terrorism threat ratings.  The conflict in the Middle East could lead to increased tensions elsewhere and an increased threat of attacks against Israeli interests in other regions.

Terrorists use different methods of attack, including using edged weapons, firearms and vehicles.  They target both locals and foreign tourists. Many attacks have been by lone actors or small groups.

You might find increased security in places over the festive period, including at:

  • Christmas markets
  • shopping malls
  • airports
  • clubs, pubs and restaurants
  • hotels and other accommodation including hostels
  • places of worship
  • transport hubs
  • places popular with tourists
  • major events and large crowds.

Reducing your risk

Before you go

  • Research where you're going before you book. Find out which destinations have a higher risk of terrorism. Read the travel advice for your destination and subscribe for updates.
  • Check the advice level and understand what our advice levels mean.
  • Decide if you feel safe travelling to your planned destination.
  • Be aware of key dates and current affairs where you’re going, in case of anything that could affect your safety and security.

While you're travelling

  • Be alert to possible threats, especially in public places or mass gatherings.
  • Report anything suspicious to the police.
  • Monitor the news for any new threats.
  • Take official warnings seriously.
  • Follow the instructions of local authorities.

If there’s a known or suspected terrorist incident, leave the area as soon as it’s safe. If the incident isn’t near you, avoid the place where it happened. Monitor the media for updates.

More information:

  • Read our general advice on terrorism.
  • Find out what to do if there's a terrorist situation.

Extreme weather

Some northern hemisphere destinations experience extreme weather during winter. Aside from affecting air and road travel, it can cause serious health and safety problems if you're unprepared. Check local weather forecasts. Take precautions when blizzards and extreme cold are forecast.

In our hemisphere, the South Pacific tropical cyclone season typically runs from November through until April. All islands in the South Pacific can be affected by cyclones.

Bad or severe weather can cause travel delays in any season. During the festive season, airports and roads are often already busier than normal. Before you travel, check the forecast for your departure and the airport in your destination. Airlines may cancel flights when there's a severe weather incident.

Understand that driving overseas can be very different from back home. In winter, roads can be icy. In some countries, you need to use winter tyres. You need insurance whether you're driving, riding or a passenger. Otherwise, all your costs are on you.

More information:

  • Read our general advice on severe weather.
  • Learn what to do if there's a severe weather event.

Crime

Petty crime can increase during the festive season. Most of these criminals are opportunistic. This includes pickpockets and bag snatchers. 

  • Before you go, research your destination. Find out if theft, robbery and muggings are common in particular places.
  • While you're away, keep money and valuables such as mobile phones out of sight. 
  • Stay alert in public places. Especially where there are lots of people, including other tourists.

Spiking, through drinks or needles, is a risk. Tourists, especially women, may be targeted by criminals. Before you go, know how to reduce the risk of drink spiking and the symptoms of spiking. Also be alert to risks in some locations of methanol poisoning through consuming alcoholic drinks. See our advice on partying safely while overseas.

While it's tempting to relax with a drink, go easy on the alcohol. Drunk and disorientated travellers are targets for criminals. Especially for robbery and assault. 

Driving with alcohol in your system may void your travel insurance if you have an accident, as well as get you in trouble with local law enforcement. Check your policy details before travelling.

Read our advice on theft, assault, partying safely and local laws. Also, learn what to do if you're the victim of a crime overseas.

More information:

  • Read our general advice on theft, assault, partying safely and local laws.
  • Learn what to do if you're the victim of a crime overseas.

Cyber security

While you're on holiday, you might not be thinking about your cyber security. But getting hacked and having your personal information stolen can happen to anyone. Don't leave yourself vulnerable.

Protect your devices before you leave.

  • Get a VPN.
  • Have strict security settings on your devices.
  • Use multi-factor authentication on all your accounts.
  • Consider what you post on social media.
  • Don't trust public networks or devices. 

Read our advice on cyber security.

Final tips before you go

  • Read the travel advisory for your destination and research the common risks.
  • Subscribe to get an email when we update your destination's travel advice.
  • Get travel insurance before you go. Make sure your insurance policy covers you for cancellations or changes. Understand that most insurers exclude claims relating to acts of terror or severe weather while you're away. Check the fine print including around alcohol consumption.
  • Be aware of scammers. Scammers especially take advantage of the influx of tourists.
  • Know how to get help in your destination. See the emergency contact details in the travel advisory for your destination.

To contact the Australian Government in an emergency

  • contact the nearest Australian embassy, high commission or consulate
  • phone the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre in Canberra on +61 2 6261 3305.

The Australian Government is limited in how and when it can help Australians overseas. It's important you understand our limits. Read the Consular Services Charter

Emergency consular assistance

The Australian Government provides 24-hour consular emergency assistance.

+61 2 6261 3305 from overseas

1300 555 135 from within Australia

For how we can help you overseas see the Consular Services Charter.

Enquiries and feedback

For non-urgent enquiries, or to provide feedback on consular services that you've recently received, contact us online.

For information on notarial services, email legalisations.australia@dfat.gov.au

To report a vulnerability you’ve identified on this website or to find out more about the department’s Vulnerability Disclosure Policy visit the DFAT website

About us

Smartraveller is provided by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

For more information go to about us.

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  • Home
  • Before you go
    • The basics
      • Destinations
      • Europe and the Schengen Area
      • Getting a foreign visa
      • Travel insurance
      • CHOICE travel insurance buying guide
    • Who you are
      • Academics
      • Colour, race, ethnicity, or religion
      • Dual nationals
      • Journalists
      • LGBTQIA+
      • Mature and older travellers
      • School leavers
      • Travelling with children
      • Travelling with a disability
      • Travelling with pets
      • Women
    • Activities
      • Adoption
      • Antarctica and the Arctic
      • Backpacking
      • Business
      • Living and working overseas
      • Marriage
      • Retiring overseas
      • Sports and adventure
      • Studying
      • Surrogacy
      • Volunteering
    • Major events
      • Cultural events
        • Travel overseas for Anzac Day
      • Religious events
        • Travel overseas for Ramadan
        • Travel overseas for Hajj
      • Sporting events
        • Rugby League Las Vegas 2025
    • Health
      • Infectious diseases
      • Going overseas for a medical procedure
      • Medical assistance overseas
      • Medication and medical equipment
      • Mental health
      • Organ transplant tourism
      • Pregnancy
      • Reciprocal health care agreements
      • What happens if you die overseas
    • Staying safe
      • Armed conflict
      • Assault
      • Cyber security
      • Earthquakes and tsunamis
      • Kidnapping
      • Natural disasters
      • Partying safely
      • Piracy
      • Protests and civil unrest
      • Scams
      • Severe weather
      • Sexual assault
      • Terrorism
      • Theft and robbery
    • Laws
      • Carrying or using drugs
      • Child sex offences
      • Female genital mutilation
      • Forced marriage
    • Getting around
      • Air travel
      • Boat travel
      • Cruising
      • Public transport
      • Road safety
  • Destinations
    • View all destinations
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  • While you're away
    • When things go wrong
      • Arrested or jailed
      • Lost property
      • Medical assistance
      • Money problems
      • Someone is missing
      • Someone died
    • Crime overseas
      • Assaulted
      • Robbed or mugged
      • Sexually assaulted
    • Crisis or emergency
      • Earthquake
      • Severe weather
      • Volcanic eruption
      • Bushfire
      • Nuclear incident
    • Australia's biosecurity and border controls
  • Urgent help
  • Our services
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      • Data
      • Case studies
      • Images
      • Videos
      • Audio
      • Historical data
    • Consular Services Charter
      • ميثاق الخدمات القنصلية (Arabic)
      • 领事服务章程 (Chinese Simplified)
      • 領事服務章程 (Chinese Traditional)
      • Panduan Layanan Konsuler (Indonesian)
      • 領事サービス憲章 (Japanese)
      • 영사 서비스 헌장 (Korean)
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      • Tiếng Việt (Vietnamese)
      • Filipino community
      • Indian community
    • Crises
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      • Documents overseas
      • Certificate of No Impediment
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      • Consular Privacy Collection Statement
    • Subscription
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