5 Germ-Infested Travel Places

No matter the destination, all travelers should be aware of possible germs they will encounter. From bedbugs to dengue fever, travelers will encounter a multitude of pests, bacteria and viruses. Here are five of the dirtiest spots travelers are likely to visit.

1. Bathrooms – With the variety of types of bathrooms around the world, there are plenty of opportunities for travelers to encounter germs. Flushing mechanisms on toilets, faucet handles, and door handles can all be places that harbor bathroom germs and fecal matter.
2. Airports – Airports are havens for germs simply due to the volume of people passing through them and the origination cities for those people. From the luggage cart to the security checkpoint and the waiting areas, there are plenty of surfaces that allow for bacteria and viruses to be transmitted. With transit hubs, a disease even as simple as the common cold could quickly spread from Los Angeles to Moscow.
3. Public transportation – As with airports, the public transit system has plenty of surfaces – and plenty of people – to make any germaphobe squeamish. Furthermore, while door handles, seats, and headrests may be cleaned on a regular basis, a quick wipe-down from the janitor does not necessarily mean it was sufficiently disinfected.
4. Taxis – Taxis, like airports and public transportation, offer millions of people – and their germs – rides every year. In this case, even the driver can easily carry germs from one customer to another.
5. Hotels – Due to the private nature of hotel rooms, people have more opportunities to share germs here. Whether it’s using the toilet, brushing their teeth, or sleeping on the bed, germs can quickly and easily be distributed. Fortunately, many quality hotels provide well-trained cleaning staff to limit exposure to such pests.

To avoid germs while traveling, RoamRight offers advice similar to that which you’d follow at home: Keep your hands clean. Always wash your hands with soap and warm water or use antibacterial disinfectant. Precautions such as disposable face masks may offer some additional protection.

In the event that you do get sick while traveling, it’s always helpful to have a RoamRight travel insurance policy. That way you’ll have plenty of help if you need to seek local medical care.

Has a germ-infected travel spot ever made you sick? Tell us your story in the comments below.

Note: Available plans and coverages may have changed since this blog was published.