Traveling logistics are stressful, even when everything runs smoothly. From the transportation to the airport to checking-in, especially when you travel with multiple people and/or children, there are countless factors and processes you have to keep in mind. No wonder, airports, train stations and co. are prime targets for thieves, who benefit from the chaos and neatly packed luggage with many important items. Here are some tips on how to avoid luggage theft when traveling.

When to Start Being Alert

The need to protect your luggage doesn’t just start once you arrive at the airport or train station. Your luggage can already be unsafe during your travel from your home to the station.  Especially when you travel with multiple people or for long periods of time, travelling by bus or train can already be an opportunity for a thief to swipe your bags when you are distracted.

Taking your own car is the best option when you want to control the movement of your luggage from the moment you leave your apartment to arriving at the airport or train station. However, this also leaves you with the problem of where to park your car. Like your luggage, leaving your car unattended also puts it at risk of getting stolen or messed with.

By looking for secure parking options, for example comparing the providers for Southend Airport parking with Parkos, you can find affordable long term parking spots at and around the airport that offer good safety measures.

Pre-Travel Preparations

During any step of your travel, you can use several methods to make sure your luggage is safe:

  1. before travel
  2. during travel
  3. when waiting
  4. during airport/train station processes

The first level of protection starts before you pack your bag.

Research

Google your destination. Authorities of countries or cities often have official websites. Some include tips and information for tourists. These will mention whether there is any increased risk of theft in certain locations.

Insurance

If the risk of luggage theft is high, you can consider insuring your baggage. These insurances can cost as little as £10.00 per person, which is much cheaper than the worth of a bag’s contents. Some luggage insurances are also handy when your baggage is delayed. They might allow you to purchase replacement clothes and toiletries.

Choose What to Pack

Consider what exactly to pack. When you are selective during packing, you can make sure non-replaceable items are safe. This is especially important when you travel to locations where the local authorities warn about frequent theft.

Take Inventory

Take an inventory when you are packing. For example, take a picture of the content of your bags and note the condition of the items. This is valuable information when your bag gets lost or stolen, especially if you have purchased baggage insurance and you must declare what has been stolen.

Mark Your Bag

Personalize your bag so you can easily recognize it. For example, tie a colored ribbon to a handle. This way, you can give the police information that will help them identify your baggage more easily.

Chose How to Pack

The type of bag and way of packing it can be important, too. There are several strategies you can use here:

  • Disguising Baggage: Don’t use laptop bags or similar for expansive tech items. Instead, try to pack any expensive things in bags that suggest contents of low worth, like a diaper bag. Bonus points if you visibly add things like a disposable diaper sticking out of a side pocket.
  • Use Shrink Wrap: Shrink wrap limits the access to any openings in your bag. However, if you still have to go through luggage control, this will be impractical. But airports often offer the service of shrink-wrapping items themselves once the baggage has been checked.
  • Anti-Theft Baggage: Some manufacturers specialize in anti-theft bags, which are slash-proof.
  • High-Grade Bags: Don’t buy discount bags, as they are more likely to fall apart easily and are vulnerable to slashes.

During Travel

The single most essential action is never leaving luggage unattended. It takes a thief just a short window, often less than a minute, to nick a bag or go through its contents. However, it is unlikely that you will be able to keep yourself from being distracted 100% of the time. Carrying your baggage a certain way will help you avoid theft during moments when your attention wanders.

Fanny Packs and smaller bags that can be worn under clothing are great storage options for important items, such as your wallet. If the weather allows it, you can even wear larger bags, like a laptop bag, underneath a coat.

If you carry several bags and directly hold on to at least one, try to attach them to each other if you can. For example, if you use a rolling suitcase and put a smaller bag on top of it, attach it to the handle and/or shell properly, so smaller bags can’t be swiped easily without you noticing.

Conclusion

When you are travelling, you can take certain steps to avoid your baggage getting stolen. This includes buying the appropriate suitcases and bags, and packing them in certain ways. Make sure you only take the expensive or non-replaceable items that are absolutely necessary. Take inventory. Clearly mark your luggage on its shell, so you can find it easily. A baggage insurance won’t protect you from theft, but will help you compensate the loss.

Pick transportation options that will let you keep control of the bags as much as possible. Afterwards, be sure to stay alert and don’t leave your luggage unattended. Hiding bags with expensive items under your clothing or in disguised bags will help you, even when you are distracted for a moment