You’ve packed and you’re ready to go. Once you arrive, you’ll hit the ground running… but are you looking out for yourself? Keep yourself and belongings safe during your adventure by remembering these important tips.
Protecting yourself: I won’t spend too much time on this, because your best personal protection is common sense. Don’t venture into any place you wouldn’t normally go back home, especially if you’re alone, and female. Lone female travelers often have safety concerns before going to Europe, but there are few horror stories. Oh, and guys, don’t be afraid to ask for directions!
If you are alone and you’re heading out for the evening, make sure you know where your destination is in the map in your head (or tuck one into a pocket to be safe). Know your limits, and make sure you have a safe way home. Even if you have to stay at the club until 6am to wait for the tube to open up, that’s a better option than trying to walk back to the hostel or accept a ride from a stranger.
Protecting your possessions: most of the tourist-targeted crime that occurs is petty. Thieves and pickpockets roam the streets in search of an easy snatch. They exist off the streets as well. A girl sharing our 8 bed hostel room in London had her wallet stolen right off her bed while she was in the lavatory. There are plenty of preventive measures you can take from losing your money, your bags and even your identity (okay, your passport… you get the idea).
Money belt - This invaluable article protects your dearest paperwork in the one place a pickpocket shouldn’t be able to get to… down your pants! It’s a thin fabric pouch which wraps around your waist (hence the “belt”), and tucks underneath your trousers or shorts. Your passport and I.D., travelers checks, ATM/credit cards, and a little extra cash should go in here, in case your wallet is stolen. Note: store these items in ziploc bags, to protect from moisture, even if it’s your own sweat.
A quick note about important documents: Make photocopies of all of them, and store these copies someplace other than the originals (duh). You should be able to get travelers checks reissued to you if you have copies, and getting a new passport will be much easier if you have a xerox of the real thing.
Keep an eye of bags and backpacks - Train theft is common, and seeing how I highly recommend traveling by train when in Europe, I also suggest watching your stuff at the same time. You should keep your bags locked at all times… people may take things out of your bag while it’s resting on your shoulder. Small, durable travel locks - combination or keyed - are easy to find.
During those longer train rides, especially overnight, see if you can somehow lock your bags to some immovable object… a post or rack, or even yourself, in the event you fall asleep.
As previously mentioned, hostels aren’t the safest places to leave your bags. Don’t just assume that if your belongings are in your room under your bed, they’ll be safe. If at all possible, see if the hostel has lockers in which you can store your valuables. When staying in a hotel, inquire about a safe. Otherwise “the help” may decide to help themselves to your possessions. You can always attempt to hide your things in places most people wouldn’t look. I believe Rick Steves has even suggested storing goods inside the tank of a toilet.
Insurance - Unlike medical insurance, covering your possessions doesn’t have to be all that expensive. Before taking a recent week-long trip, I inquired about renter’s coverage through my insurance company. This type of policy (probably homeowner’s as well) covers all of your possessions which are normally found in your place of residence. In my case, I wanted to make sure all the camera equipment I was bringing would be covered. I was able to insure my belongings for around $12/month. Keep in mind that this type of policy covers lost or stolen items, not damaged items. If your camera is eaten by a Swiss goat, you’re outta luck.
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