How to stop pickpockets while traveling
Pickpockets target tourists in crowded public transit systems like subways and buses in major European cities. These sudden thefts ruin trips and leave travelers constantly looking over their shoulders instead of enjoying their destination.
What people tried
Every workaround mentioned in the threads below. We haven’t tested any of them — and nobody here is claiming they worked.
Found another way around this?
Share your steps and trade-offs so fellow engineers don't have to reinvent the wheel. No account required.
- 1using locks on bagsDid this help you?
- 2being very careful and not carrying valuable things in accessible placesDid this help you?
- 3using anti pickpocket bags or belts under clothesDid this help you?
- 4Wearing money belts hidden underneath clothingDid this help you?
- 5Constantly guarding fanny packs and remaining hyper-vigilantDid this help you?
- 6Dip into a doorway, shop, or sheltered area to check directionsDid this help you?
- 7Use street smarts and avoid walking around while staring at the phone on main roadsDid this help you?
In their words
Unedited, grouped by where they were said, most upvoted first within each place, each linked to the thread it came from.
“While all this was happening for a few minutes my mother did not check on her fanny pack and when she checked after stepping aside her passport was gone.”source ↗
“Losing a passport on a Schengen visa in an alien land was a terrifying experience, especially for my mom.”source ↗
“Happened near us on the subway to someone else.”source ↗
“My friend was pickpocketed in Rome, in a bus.”source ↗
“Was picket pocketed one time, on a crowded subway in Rome.”source ↗
“Also had someone try to pickpocket me in Paris near the Louvre but I caught him and stopped him.”source ↗
“I read that phone theft is common by just snatching your phone while its out in public area. People in bikes just grab it in broad daylight. So I'm looking for a phone tether either by wrist or by my belt strap so that I can safely use my phone in public areas, like checking Taxi/Uber or Public transpo or directions.”source ↗
Where this came up
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