Traveling can be a memorable and eye-opening experience, but it quickly turns into a nightmare if your belongings are stolen. Losing your baggage, passport, money, phone or an expensive camera can be a stressful, frightening and disturbing situation. You can avoid theft while traveling by paying attention to your surroundings and informing yourself well, as well as always ensuring the safety of your belongings. If you research your destination before you leave, buy locks and make your suitcase and backpack safer, if you know how to keep your belongings safe throughout the day, you can successfully protect yourself from thieves.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Doing Research
Step 1. Find out the crime rate in your destination
As you prepare for your trip, be sure to research the most common types of crime in the country you will visit. For example, in many European cities there is the problem of theft, while in some places in South America and Asia robberies are more frequent. Pay attention to this aspect, so as not to take any risks and protect your belongings.
- Refer to the website, blog or travel guide of your choice to find out what kind of crimes are most common in the city or country you are about to visit.
- Ask a friend or relative who has visited the country you are going to what their experience was like.
Step 2. Check for traveler warnings
Before leaving, check the Foreign Ministry website to see if there are any warnings or alerts for travelers traveling to a specific area. This way you will know if there has been an increase in crime, violence, theft or civil unrest in a certain area.
Step 3. If the area you want to travel to has a high rate of theft, take out insurance against these crimes
Insurance is a worthwhile investment for all travelers. If your research indicates that the area you want to visit is at risk, choose a policy that covers these inconveniences. If you are traveling with expensive items, such as a camera, computer, tablet or other, insurance guarantees you can replace them if they are stolen. In addition, it allows you to explore the destination with greater serenity.
The cost of the insurance depends on the duration of the trip, the destination and the age. Usually it is between 4% and 8% of the total price. You can get a free quote on the internet from many insurance companies, such as Global Travel Insurance, Travelex and Travel Guard
Part 2 of 3: Making the Backpack and Suitcase Safer
Step 1. Purchase padlocks for your suitcases
Before leaving, make sure you can close your bags well. Invest in padlocks that allow you to lock the zips and another to store your belongings in a locker if you are spending the night in a hostel or dorm. Thieves rarely waste time with lockable luggage.
Step 2. Purchase a theft-proof backpack
If you plan to carry a backpack with you during the day, consider investing in an anti-theft model, equipped with locks and zip clips, which make theft much more difficult. Often they are reinforced with cables or plastic nets inside, so as to prevent an attacker from opening the bottom with a small knife.
Many brands, such as PacSafe and Travelon, sell theft-proof backpacks. Prices range from 60 € to 250 € and you can find them online or in sports and travel stores
Step 3. Cover your backpack with a tarpaulin for added security
If you travel at night on the train or bus, protect your backpack with a waterproof bag. This not only protects it from water and moisture, but also covers all pockets, zips and straps, making it more difficult to access items inside.
You can buy waterproof bags on the internet or in sporting goods stores. They can cost anywhere from € 10 to € 100, depending on the brand and size
Step 4. Pay attention to your belongings in the crowd
In crowded and very busy areas, for example in Piazza del Popolo in Rome or at the Parthenon in Athens, there are many thieves who try to parade something from unsuspecting tourists. If you are visiting a well-known place, are on a bus full of people or are in line for the subway, make sure all your belongings are safe. Stay alert and always pay attention to what's going on around you.
- Keep your backpack or bag in front of you when in a crowd. If you were holding them on your back or hanging them on your arm, someone could quickly grab them or steal the wallet inside.
- Make sure all zips are secure and all tabs tightly closed. Never leave your backpack or bag open.
Part 3 of 3: Keeping Your Assets Safe While Hiking
Step 1. Keep your most important items in the hotel safe
Many hotels offer a safe in your room. If that's the case, put your passport, credit cards, and cash inside before you leave. This way you will know that your most important items are safe. Also, if you lose money, a credit card, purse or backpack, you will have emergency funds in the hotel.
Step 2. Make photocopies of your passport and identity card
Keep them in a safe place. Give one to a friend or relative at home and keep another with you when you travel. If you lose your documents or passport, copies will be easier to replace.
Step 3. Divide your money when you leave
Never keep them all in the same place. If you had all the cash in your backpack or purse and those items were stolen from you, you would have nothing left. Keep some of your money in your backpack and others in a secure pocket, belt, inside jacket pocket or shoe.
Step 4. Use a fake wallet
Keep a second cheap wallet in your pocket when traveling. Put some cash inside and fill it with old cards that you no longer use. If someone tries to rob you, give them the fake wallet. The thief will look inside, see some banknotes and what appear to be credit cards. It will leave with the meager booty and your real wallet will stay safe with you.
Step 5. Protect your camera with a wrist strap
While taking photos and enjoying the view, it's easy to get distracted and lose sight of what's going on around you. If you attach the camera to your wrist, it will be more difficult for a thief to steal it from your hands.
