Hello all,
The last time I wore a money belt for a Europe trip I was a backpacker - this was years and years ago. I was catching trains at all hours and I even slept in the station a few times. Wonderful trip and great memories.
This trip, I am older, retired and going to the UK only. RS readers — Do you all wear money belts for your trips in the UK - why or why not?
I have never worn a money belt in the UK. I do the same sort of measures that I would do at home in the US.
Do you wear a money belt at home? What’s the difference?
I don’t wear a money belt in Europe but have done in South America, Asia and Africa.
I worked in London for years and have never been pick pocketed - I just exercise caution in busy places such as packed tube trains. I hold onto my handbag and never put it on the back of the chair in restaurants.
I have spent 13 weeks in Europe this year and haven’t used a money belt and haven’t needed to.
I never wear a money belt. I did when I was 20 and it was my first time in Europe. I studied in London for 3 months and wore the money belt for about 2 weeks before I realized it was more of a hassle than it provided benefit. I recently traveled two months in Colombia and didn't wear a money belt. Just follow normal safety precautions like having a backup card/cash you leave at your accommodations, not flashing weath, keeping valuables secured in zipper pockets if possible, etc, and you should be fine. Thieves and pickpocketers like easy targets, so if you make it marginally harder for them, they are likely to pass you up for the person walking with their phone hanging out their back pocket.
I cannot believe my eyes. Don’t wear a money belt. Rick Steves has been preaching money belt for years. It’s like should I take a suitcase. Take a belt take a belt.
I've never worn a moneybelt in Europe. Too uncomfortable and too much hassle.
I have a money belt and have worn it in cities with a history of serious pickpocketing.
Cities like Barcelona, Madrid, Paris, Rome and Naples.
I have been to Great Britain several times and never felt the need for a money belt. Still, I was not backpacking. When you are backpacking, where would you normally keep your wallet and passport? If you might be sleeping in a train station, yes, perhaps it would be best to secure your valuables in a money belt.
My last trip to London a person I was traveling with did have someone put a hand in her pocket. She was wearing a money belt (technically a hidden pocket), so nothing was stolen.
Also MBs have two functions: Protecting against thieves, and protection from accidentally loosing things. Either way the consequences are the same; you could waste a couple days of your vacation replacing passport, credit cards, and cash. It's not a risk I'm willing to take.
Personally I only use money belts when in transit from one location to another, if I'm just sightseeing I keep everything in the hotel room safe.
Also the British Transport Police has this recommendation:
Do use a money belt if you’re carrying a significant quantity of cash
https://tinyurl.com/5dnunraw
I use a "hidden pocket" type of money belt. (The type RS wears, I feel, is every uncomfortable.) I wear it every, single, day.
Now, my situation may be different as I am a full time traveler so all of my documents are with me. I feel that in case of an emergency, with my passport, a credit card, and now my phone, I can get anywhere at a short notice if necessary. The world is a volatile place and one never knows what might happen.
Pickpocketing can occur anywhere. The hassle of trying to get some documents replaced, for me, is worth wearing the hidden pocket. I hardly know it's there as it is hanging down the inside of my pant leg rather than tight around my waist.
Remember, just because someone says "I've never been pickpocketed" doesn't mean you won't be. There are lots of people here who say they've never lost a bag, or they've never had a flight canceled or delayed, or they've never had their plans changed due to a strike. Does that mean it doesn't happen?
YMMV
I've discovered on this forum that there are two moneybelt opinions, the first is not to use it and keep your essentials such as passports, extra credit cards locked up in you room where they'll be safe and you don't lose them. The second is to use it and keep your essentials such as passports, extra credit cards on your person where they'll be safe and you don't lose them. I'm the 2nd type. I made two trips to the UK this year and didn't feel the need to protect myself from pickpockets, but I'd also rather keep my essentials where I know they are. I've never thought my MB was uncomfortable. Like Frank, I use the hidden pocket type.
Do you all wear money belts for your trips in the UK - why or why not?
Polarizing inquiry around here. I have a security system (zipper pockets on pants/shorts and a hidden flip pocket) that I always use when traveling anywhere because it's a habit and, if I were to change my system, I'm quite likely to misplace something.
Do what makes you comfortable.
I love my money belt even though my sister makes fun of me for wearing it. 😊
For me, it’s just one less thing to worry about. With my passport, extra cash and extra credit cards safely in the money belt, I don’t need to worry about losing them or having them stolen, however low the first of that happening is. I don’t find it uncomfortable at all to wear.
I would never leave my passport in the hotel safe as I’ve been asked to show my passport on all 3 of my recent trips to Europe.
ds, is there something in particular that makes you think the UK is unique, either in a good way or bad way, regarding your security?
I use one always when in transit - a neck wallet preferred.
Now if I'm going out for the day in a small uncrowded town, I'll depend on zippered pockets, and only take the minimum of what I think I'll need for the day (one cc and some cash, passport if required by the country). It's a matter of judgment. The alternative, I think, is American-style: a big bulging wallet hanging half out of your back pocket.
With the increasing prominence of cash less and credit card transactions our need to carry money has almost vanished. Our money belt now rests unused in a dresser drawer, another relic created by the advancement of technology. We carry a color copy of our passport, which has sufficed when requested for identification, along with one credit card, Apple Pay on our iPhones and a tad of cash. Using common sense practices to ward off pick pockets, starting with how we dress, there are so incidents to report.
Well, I'm with FrankII on this one...want to have my important documents with me in case I need to unexpectedly get on a plane or train to a safer situation. I do not leave my passport and extra CC/DCs in my room.
I do use a money belt in transit but sometimes, in some locations, I'll use my homemade security system in my purse. I use the smaller Travelon Currency/Passport organizer to which I've sewn a split ring on one bottom corner. I also have a split ring in the internal zipper pocket of my travel purses and connect them with a Seattle Sports Dry Doc coil tether. I zip up the internal pocket and secure it with a carabiner and zip my purse connecting it with a carabiner as well. Thanks to Lynn from Boise for this idea!
https://www.amazon.com/Seattle-Sports-Coiled-Tether-4-Pack/dp/B00SLKJ9XA?ref_=ast_sto_dp&th=1&psc=1
I have not gotten picked in London but I have gotten picked in Paris. I did not lose anything except my pouch with my OTC meds, good hand cream and nail clippers. I had my CC and day money in the unzipped internal pocket but had carelessly not zipped it nor had I employed my carabiner system for the purse zipper. That was careless on my part but thank goodness I did not lose anything. I also did not feel ANYone close to me from the time I left a store in the Saint-Germain-des-Pres area thru the time I got back to my hotel. They are slick.
I have also not traveled to Barcelona or places where I think I have read there are the purse strap cutters so I don't use one of the purses that has a steel cable. In Rome I always wear my money belt.
As you can tell you'll get varied opinions here. I'd take it with you (put it on AFTER airport security) and then see how you feel once you get to the UK. I'll be in the UK for about 3 weeks in April/May. I'll wear it in London and on the train transits. I'm joining a small group tour of Northern England and will likely not wear it then as we will be in less congested areas.
I'm on the same team as Frank, and Pam.
I'm alone a lot of the time on trips, and I want to know that all my documents and cards are safely on me, under my clothes, at all times.
I don't even notice my money belt now I've worn it for so long.
In the UK, I'm usually staying with friends, so I don't bring one there, just a crossbody bag that stays on me no matter what.
This is an often-discussed topic. Traveling outside the US or Canada, I wear a neck wallet instead of a money belt -- same principle. Pickpocketing can be an issue in London, and perhaps other UK cities. There's also the risk of losing something doing unfamiliar activities like sightseeing. Americans don't seem to have the manual dexterity for pickpocketing. Canadians probably do, but are just too law-abiding. ;-)
"Americans don't seem to have the manual dexterity for pickpocketing."
Dick! That is so funny. I was recently in a crowd here in Coeur d'Alene at a Christmas Market type of event and the same thing ran thru my mind. I was being fairly careless with my purse because my word...Coeur d'Alene???....and then thought I should at least zip it up, haha. No pickpocketing events happened. I suspect if there was the notion of stealing a purse or money a more direct method would be employed.
All one needs is common sense and situational awarness not a money belt.
It's really up to you to decide, based on what makes you feel comfortable. Personally I have never used a moneybelt, anywhere. I dont have any particular concerns about London over anywhere else.
Well I use my "money belt" (actually a pocket clipped to my bra and hanging under my arm) in both the USA and the UK. I'm a tourist in both and as a tourist having my passport/ spare cards/cash stolen is more than inconvenient - its potentially trip ending (you can't use an emergency passport for anything except returning home to get a "proper" replacement).
I never leave anything valuable in a safe in a room. I may need my passport out and about, plus I don't trust safes (there will someone with an override code).
"All one needs is common sense and situational awarness not a money belt."
Sorry, but that is an imperfect solution, especially in certain places. I have never been the victim of pickpockets, but have had family members of mine as well as close friends that have been victims.
My daughter is a retired Lt. Col US Army, and is unlikely to get pickpocketed, but she was when getting on the RER at CDG airport in Paris. She said it happened so quickly that she didn't catch it for many seconds later and the guy was gone.
Also, others in Barcelona have been distracted by other, like someone throwing a fluid on them and others doing the job. Professional pickpockets are very very good.
My step-daughter had her backpack unzipped in Rome while on the subway and her small camera stolen. I had just warned her 30 minutes before about pickpockets. She was up against a seat and some how a culprit did the dirty.
Yes, being aware is helpful, but not perfect by any means.
"Situational awareness and common sense" are good qualities to have anywhere, anytime. But most of us have lapses now and then, especially in unfamiliar places doing unfamiliar things. And professional pickpockets, individually or in groups, often use tactics designed to thwart our normal defenses. That's why precautions like money belts and neck wallets and "secret" pockets are worthwhile. You can be fine 99 times but that 100th experience can mess up a trip.
My wife and I have never been ripped off (in Europe) but we've had some misses.
I was on the RS southern England tour this past summer. I spent time in London before the tour, and near Highclere Castle at the end of the tour. I wore my RS money belt at all times. It gave me peace of mind having my important items with me and not in a hotel room. I wasn’t as concerned about pickpockets as dishonest hotel staff. My friends had items stolen from a hotel safe once. I found that turning the money belt around and putting the pocket at my lower back made it more comfortable.
" Canadians probably do, but are just too law-abiding. ;-) "
Hey!!
We would just say: "So sorry, Excuse me, do you mind? ..." , then say sorry after lifting your wallet. ;))
It's not the video I was looking for but this one shows how easy it is to pickpocket people.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zkx-XzEkoHs
The video I was looking for was I think from the Letterman show when a pickpocket stole Barrack Obama's watch right in front of his Secret Service agent.
"Sorry, but that is an imperfect solution, especially in certain places."
We are discussing the UK, not certain places. I venture 99.9% of British citizen don't wear money belts and don't have any issues either.
Anyway does not RS sell money belts ;-)
A problem is that you don't really know if what you are doing is working, unless it isn't because you have a failure. Maybe I have never been pickpocketed because my system is secure and maybe because no one has tried.
I think the important thing is to have a system. I can get distracted, flustered, careless....unless my behavior is part of a habit stack. This is when one action automatically leads to another leading to another through to a completion. If I have to think of where my credit card is before I use it and where it goes after I use it, who knows what will happen. Instead of thinking and behaving carefully, I do it the same way each time. This takes no effort once the series is established.
I use a Tom Bihn medium sized cafe bag. My passport is in a case and the case is in the zippered compartment at the front of the bag that is under the flap. I always secure the flap with the clip provided. Always. No thinking. The zipper pull is secured by a large safety pin to the bag. To get to my passport, a thief would have to get under the flap, unpin the zipper, unzip the zipper and reach into the pocket. Not impossible, but not easy.
For money and cards I have 2 Tom Bihn clear organizer pouches. One has one zipper and is smaller, the other has 2 sections each with a zipper and is larger. They have clips on them and they clip to the inside of my bag. I can have my pouch out of my bag, but it stays attached. I can't set it down somewhere and forget it, it is attached and would follow me! Again, not impossible to get inside my bag and unclip one of these, but not that easy either.
I never leave CC, passport, or cash in my hotel room. Have my stuff that I need for any situation.
Anyway does not RS sell money belts ;-)
He certainly does Emma. In fact they are on sale 20% off for the holidays. An excellent stocking stuffer:
The last place that I would put anything of value would be in my parked vehicle.
2nd
never leave anything of value in a locked car if at all possible and the same goes for a safe in an hotel room
Eek.
Please do not leave your passport and valuable documents in a car while you sightsee!
Thieves might not want your papers, etc, but if they steal the car, then those are gone with it!!
Just get into the habit of bringing your passport on you at all times.
What are you using for ID if not??
