Flight lands at 11:40pm and my hostel is across town, how do I handle arrival Safety

Book the first night at somewhere near the airport or somewhere with a genuine 24 hour desk, and treat it as part of the flight cost. That is the whole answer, and I have never once regretted it.

If you're set on going into town, the things that actually reduce risk:

• arrange the pickup in advance through the hostel, even if it costs more than a street taxi
• if you use a ride app, wait inside the terminal until the car is two minutes out, and check the plate before the driver checks your name
• have the address written down in the local language and offline maps downloaded before you board
• have small local cash in your pocket, not in your money belt, so you're not opening anything on the street

The scam you're worried about is mostly a money scam, not a safety one. The bigger real risk is being exhausted and disoriented at 1am with a big bag on a quiet street.

Many airports have perfectly civilised places to sit until the first morning train. I've done it in three countries and it beats arriving somewhere unknown in the dark. Bring a layer because terminals are freezing, and check in advance whether that specific airport actually stays open landside overnight, because some kick everyone out.

Message the hostel now and ask two things: whether their door is staffed at midnight and whether they recommend a specific transfer. Places that get late arrivals have a routine for it, and the reply also tells you how switched on the staff are.

Airport ATMs are usually the safest place to get local currency and the rates are fine at the bank-branded ones. Do it before you leave the secure area so you're not fumbling with a card machine outside at midnight.

Public transport is always fine, just take the night bus.