Money Belt vs Sling bag

I use a crossbody bag and that’s it. I carry it forward of me with my hand on it. Having lived in Rome for almost 5 years, I wasn’t about to wear a money belt everyday so I travel as I lived.

That said, we split our money up between us and only carry what is needed for the day. We have multiple debit and credit cards including virtual cards, my husband zips his passport into a chest pocket, and we keep our phones inaccessible in a zipped front pocket or, in my case, in my purse.

As we are going to be in a big European city more this year than usual (usually we are in more rural locations) I am going to try out a cell phone lanyard so my phone is always connected to me when I have it out for photos.

A money belt has never been intended for items that you need to use on that day. That's where you store the extra cash, credit and debit cards, passport, etc that you need to keep safe and don't anticipate needing that day. It is worn underneath your clothing.

A sling bag, like a cross body bag, is an excellent place to store the items you need while out and about and want to be readily accessible.

Honestly I have three “purses”. The smallest has our US money, backup credit cards and copies of our passports. Hotel room safe. One with today’s cash and some ID and a credit card/debit card. One can use credit anywhere now it seems. In my front pocket where I also keep a hand. And the Money belt with passport, tomorrow’s money tickets for this afternoon, etc. Nothing is perfect but everything is somewhere that it isn’t in the US so I worry about the difference,constantly.

My phone would never fit into my money belt! It’s barely larger in width & depth than a passport. You can see what they look like on the Rick Steves shopping tab:
https://store.ricksteves.com/shop/travel-accessories

Money belt
My traditional money belt worn around my waist is to store the essentials I don’t need to access for the next four hours or all day. It’s for my passport, ATM cards, credit cards, larger cash bills. When I am traveling solo, this is very important to me since I am my only in-country backup plan. : )

Crossbody purse
This is where I store my phone, a small coin purse with any money I want for the next several hours, or until I will be stopped back in my hotel room.

If I am stopping at an ATM, I will move my ATM card to my purse before I leave my hotel room

The biggest change for travel and money for me is that my credit card is loaded into Apple Pay, so I very rarely even touch the physical card during trips now.

Oh, and I wear dresses a lot.

There is proper usage of a money belt and improper usage. A lot of ground in between. The proper use is under your clothing and only be accessed in private such as a rest room. However, a lot of people use a money belt as a secondary billfold often wear it behind the belt buckle so that it can be easier to access. And do access it frequently during the day. One test -- if it is easy for you to get to, it is easier for the pickpocket. That is why someone posted here that they actually lost money out of their money belt. Your money belt is deep storage that only needs access to in an emergency. It will be difficult to carry the new passport format in a money belt. So put the passport in a secured pocket. And phone in another.

I’ve never used a money belt, even though I’ve been on several RS tours (and have a collection of money belts to prove it). I alternate between a Patagonia Atom (8L) sling bag and a Tom Binh small cafe bag to carry my phone, a battery pack, relevant guide book(s), glasses case, etc. I use my Apple Watch to pay for virtually any and everything. Using the watch means I’m not reaching for a phone or wallet.

Yes, money belt-ish things are for deep storage; for the day's needs you get the Civita Shoulder Bag from the RS bargain bin before they run out!

https://store.ricksteves.com/shop/p/civita-shoulder-bag

To avoid the money belt “lump”, use a Stashbandz. There are four evenly spaced pockets. Unlike the website picture it goes under your clothes. Your phone does not go in it. It is for deep storage only. To avoid lumps, evenly space passport, backup credit cards, cash. I’ve comfortably worn a Stashbandz on two 25 day trips. https://www.stashbandz.com/
Phone on a lanyard, minimal daily cash and credit card go in a small wallet in a zipped pocket inside a small cross body purse. I also use Apple Wallet for the two of the three credit cards I take plus tickets.
Since guys don’t carry a purse, I’ve seen men on tours use a neck wallet inside their shirt for daily money. They had a money belt for deep storage. Phone was on a lanyard or in a zipped pocket.

I carry a cross body Baggalini and keep things that need extra safekeeping in a compartment in the bag with a little travel lock on it. My husband carries his belongings in a small front sling. We do this for international travel whether we are on our own or on a RS tour.

My phone is in a bandolier case so I can wear it cross body with easy access to take pictures or if I need google maps. Or I put it away in the baggalini if I don’t need it.

You must also remember RS writes from a male perspective. He likely hasn’t worn a dress on any of his trips. I don’t find many of his packing suggestions work for me, (he does have a female write packing tips too, but I don’t even agree with all of her ideas either) but they may work for others. Just depends on your needs.

Definitely use your common sense regarding safety. I mean we just left Paris and used much caution and stayed aware of our surroundings, but honestly if you took every comment on this forum to heart you’d think motorcycle thieves are grabbing tourists and their bags while zooming by or backpacks are being slashed nonstop . All we encountered were happy Parisians delighted that the sun was shining!

DSM

I am glad that you asked your question.

I am going to Barcelona in October and take the warnings about pickpockets very seriously.

I am planning on buying a money belt as well as a new crossbody or sling bag before going but I never fully understood what a money belt's purpose was until now.

I am better educated because of your discussion.

I sincerely dislike money belts, after wearing one constantly traveling for 3 months by road across South America. So I use what I would call a sling bag that converts to be worn outside clothing around waist with one hand over it! We leave our passports in hotel safe. This small wrist pouch is all I carried during the day in rural Guatemala. I received a smaller one as a gift, but this was the smallest I found on Amazon, it's a decent alternative if you just want to store some cash for a day out, not the same usage as a money belt for deep storage.
https://www.amazon.com/s?k=tiny+wrist+band+wallet&crid=31X4CXKWIMIJB&sprefix=tiny+wrist+band+wallet%2Caps%2C192&ref=nb_sb_noss.

PS, I agree about separating valuables, however that works for you. I carry my phone in a zippered pocket in Mountain Hardware pants. I can always feel it there, without it bothering me. They come in capri & ankle as well as full-length, if not on REI, try Zappos. https://www.rei.com/b/mountain-hardwear/c/womens-pants

On my recent solo trip to Amsterdam and surrounding areas, I divided my credit card and cash as follows:

• I wore a "Stashbandz" under my clothes and in it I had my passport and an extra credit card. I never went into the Stashbandz while I was out of the hotel room. It was very comfortable and was used in lieu of a traditional money belt as deep storage.
• In my crossbody purse, I had a small amount of cash (which I very rarely used) as well as a credit card and my hotel card.
• In the hotel room, I had another credit card, my Global Entry card, and the rest of my cash (I started the trip with about 45 Euros that I brought from home, originally from a previous trip and used about 10 Euros the entire trip).

I always put my phone in a zippered compartment of my crossbody purse.

Many experienced travelers say use both. Money belt under clothing for deep storage of extra cash, ATM cards, credit cards, passports, and things not needing during the day. Cross body bag for day money, one credit card, phone, lipstick and things that you'll actually need during the day. Others do hold different opinions, and that's ok too. Perhaps you should try the "both" option around town several times and see how it works for you.

I actually prefer wearing shirts with pockets. Many clothing companies sell them. Sometimes they are called "travel shirts". I have one from Patagonia that I really like. It has a pocket with zipper right on the chest. If you are going during a colder month then you can also look into jackets with pockets on the inside or on the front.

I wear a neck wallet, but I wear it around my waist like a pocket and just tuck it under my waistband. It's more comfortable for me. It only holds our passports, ATM and credit cards not to be used that day, international drivers permit when needed, and any large bills, although we don't need to carry much cash any more. On a recent trip I never needed to access it while out and about--deep storage only.

I try to wear clothes with a pocket for my phone and a zipped pocket in my pants for one credit card plus a little cash. I also have a neck lanyard on my phone, and can wear that if needed under a jacket or scarf. That's all I carry, except for a few Kleenex and a chapstick. If needed because my clothes don't have pockets, I carry a smallish baggalini for the phone, etc. On our recent trip I converted to using Apple pay most of the time, so I'm not sure whether I will carry a credit card in my pants pocket on our next trip.

I'm always with my husband, who usually carries a small backpack if we need it for water, sunscreen, etc. He just keeps a credit card in a small wallet in a front pocket--he doesn't like to wear a money belt.

I agree with others that have already posted, a money belt is for credit cards, passports, and all money other than a one-day supply. One-days money should be easy to get to: pocket, purse, where ever your comfortable. Just FYI Amazon sell ladies underwear that have a zipper pouch (think of a kangaroo) in front large enough to hold everything including your passport. So comfortable and no extra bulk around your waist, neck or leg. Enjoy your trip, J

For Europe, a small crossbody bag that will fit most of your essential valuable items, and that you can hug in front of you in crowds, trains, etc. is definitely the way to go. Even a casual look around will reveal that most of the locals use these bags. There is a reason. Pickpockets are definitely a thing in many large European cities. I guess a money belts and pouches like the ones Rick Steves provides have their place, but I personally have no use for them. Having said all this, I have never known anyone in any of the groups I have been a part of to have been the victim of a petty theft or pickpocket. However, it just takes one moment to ruin an entire trip.

There are enough postings on this site to suggest that pickpocketing is a possibility. Ever Mr. Steves was recent hit in the Paris subway. So it can happen. We have traveled nearly a year in Europe over the past 50+ years and have never had a problem. BUT that proves absolutely nothing because there is always the next time but we do take few reasonable precautions. And we have been in tour groups that have had one or two people hit. I love the story here of the young lady who had her credit card taken from her bra.

Just returned from 3 weeks in Europe including a RS Best of Italy tour.

Bottom Line: Purchased a PacSafe crossbody bag & wore in everywhere. Bag has secure latches - easily carries phone, PPort & wallet....added other things ( small umbrella, clothing ) as the week went on.

Looks good....not cumbersome & helped me ( 65 yr old male ) enjoy the trip!

During our May trip in England I used my crossbody purse (new Costco purchase) with daily use card and cash.

My phone was around my neck on a lanyard (new purchase). I often tucked the phone into the purse pocket closest to my body or inside fleece pocket while still around my neck. The lanyard was a few inches too short for the phone to be comfortably in my front jeans pocket and on my neck.

This was the first trip I used a Stashbandz for passport and extra cards. It fit so nicely under my clothes. (I tried it out at home over my leggings that don't have pockets when I wanted my phone on me during exercise or gardening). I used the Stashbandz in London and on public transportation. When we were visiting the villages in Yorkshire and at Kew Gardens (across from our hotel), I had my passport and extra cards in my purse.

However, I after I wore my new Costco/Eddie Bauer sleeveless travel shirt, I didn't use the stashbandz as much. The shirt has a small hidden, zippered pocket on the lower right side of the shirt. My passport and extra cards fit perfectly. I do need to renew my passport shortly after we return from our fall trip, so I guess I'll discover if the new passport format will fit.
I just received my recent order of 2 more of the shirts from Costco---an extra black and a grey.
https://www.costco.com/eddie-bauer-ladies'-sleeveless-top.product.4000219440.html

My husband used a neck money pocket this time. I took our other one in case I wanted to use it as I have done in the past.
I doubt we'll use any of our money belts again.

A pickpocket has to remove the item from you. Taken out of whatever it is that you are carrying. To absolutely prevent this I use thin wire fishing leaders 6” secured at one end to the pack/belt loop, etc., and the other to the item, wallet, etc. Anything picked will be still attached to you.

Hate money belts intensely. I'm a women and I usually take a smaller crossbar purse that can hold a travel umbrella, my wallet with only a credit card and enough money for the day and a few odds and ends plus a copy of my passport and my phone.

Everything else-extra money/extra credit cards valuables and passport go in the hotel safe. And I make sure to put all zippers on my bag tjurned inwards.

Never have had a problem. To me money belts are uncomfortable and as I sweat, it can rub up against my skin.

Thanks to all who have given their input & experience with various ways of carrying “stuff”.
Amazing diversity & so helpful. Less is more. I am opting out of money belt & stashband.

I think I am aware enough of my surroundings & will save carring a smallish sling with security pocket zipper against the front of my body. New idea on placing zip pulls inside. I will give that a test.

Still see so many different opinions for getting euros before departure vs in airport vs waiting to go to a bank ATM.
We fly into Milan. Insights anyone?

If you need cash from a cash machine use one closer to where you are lodging rather than one at the airport. Look for one attached to a bank, like inside the vestibule/entry. Make sure you have a 4-digit PIN and that one of the symbols on your ATM card is on the machine, too.

Agree with avirosemail - I felt much more comfortable stepping into a bank to use the ATM in Italy than one on the street. Less “on display” and more like a temporary local mindset.

So many great ideas here in this thread! On our last trip, my husband and I both used small crossbody bags. Mine was from Costco ( inexpensive lululemon style) and was very small, barely big enough for my passport and credit card and small cash in the zip section close to me, and my phone and lip balm and hand sanitizer in the larger out facing section. I bought a lanyard for my phone the first day in Venice, both for security and to keep it out of the canals while taking pics! :-D

The lanyard was long enough to work storing phone in the bag, and also in a dress pocket. I really liked that convenience and reassurance. I tried to ignore the visibility of the lanyard. I really didn’t care that much, as I had my phone out a lot for taking photos during that tour.

Only downside is that the black crossbody bags are in many photos, prominent across our chests…but the upside was nothing was lost or stolen during many days in Rome and beyond.

We will repeat this plan on our next trip, along with a small day pack for water, snacks, etc., as we will be doing more hiking this time around.

Thanks for sharing so many great ideas in this thread!

Laurie

I have been traveling for 30+ years and the only time I used a money belt was on my first trip to England, where it fell off (somehow it came undone under my raincoat) and I lost my passport, credit cards, and cash. I got them all back eventually (a student found it on the street and turned it in to the police) but I never used one again.

FWIW, there are hundreds if not thousands of people walking and using public transport in a single day. Most of them are locals who have a crossbody bag or some kind of EDC bag that suffices.

And that's what I do. I either use a small crossbody or a secure backpack. Plus I don't put all my eggs in one basket. I usually have my phone, one credit card (although i almost always use Apple Pay), and misc. items like my lotion bar, hotel key card, etc. If I have a backpack I keep my phone in a vest or jacket pocket. Not necessarily because I'm worried about it being stolen, but because it's easier to get to (I take LOTS of photos). And I rarely have cash as I use cards almost exclusively. Also, because I am a solo traveler, I believe I am less likely to be singled out as a target than a couple or small group.

So that's me. Obviously everyone has different thoughts on this, so you need to figure out what works best for you. :-)