Stolen LUGGAGE On The FLIXBUS Fom PARIS to STRASBOURG

How very distressing for your daughter and for you.

Whenever my wife and I travel by bus we sit on the side that opens for luggage and watch for our bags when the bus stops to unload passengers. Haven’t lost our luggage yet but it is a worry. Does not matter what bus company you are on. Thieves are a small percentage of the population but they can operate anywhere.

Having nearly been run off the road twice in France by Flixbus drivers not paying attention to the road (one was on his mobile phone), I wouldn’t recommend them to anyone.

Hopefully your daughter is fully insured and can quickly get reequipped.

That's so unfortunate! Not a fun education for anyone, much less a student of limited means.

I traveled on FlixBus this fall, with a driver who I noticed was being very courteous on the road - giving way, when other drivers might have hurried forward.

I agree with the above suggestion to sit on the side of the bus (opposite side from the driver, in my FlixBus experience) so that you can see the luggage out the window.

For future travelers, I'll mention additional precautions that I took, in part knowing that I would be traveling by bus:

• marked my luggage (in addition to simple owner tags) with bright red stripes of duct tape, to reduce chances of anyone mistaking my luggage for theirs
• watched out the window during stops to make sure my luggage stayed put
• jumped off the bus at our mid-way stop to stretch my legs and keep an eye on my luggage while others unloaded theirs

And, of course, I kept my valuables with me, at my seat on the bus.

squicy,

I'm sorry to hear of your daugher's experience on the bus. This problem has apparently occurred on other coach lines, where luggage is stored underneath the passenger compartment. This is one reason I only use buses where absolutely necessary.

For future reference, your daughter might consider using trains as she'll be able to keep track of her luggage. As I recall there's a direct TGV from Paris to Strasbourg that only takes a few hours. Even if more expensive, that's the option I would use.

With France's train strike continuing this week, it makes sense that the students may have needed to travel by bus, instead.

I'm curious how many stops the bus actually made. Flixbus doesn't say in timetables, but I'm guessing not more than two.

For future reference, your daughter might consider using trains as
she'll be able to keep track of her luggage.

My wife and I have friends that had their luggage stolen from a train. I can't remember where they were coming from but when they got to Paris, their 2 suitcases were gone. It made us extra vigilant last June when we were traveling via train from Nice to Paris. We noticed at every stop or anytime someone stopped at the luggage rack that most people were watching to make sure that their bags were safe.

We had been advised by one person that it wouldn't be a bad idea to get a cable and lock our luggage to the luggage rack. Has anyone ever done that?

get a cable and lock our luggage to the luggage rack. Has anyone ever done that?

Yes, as a solo traveler, I'm nervous leaving my luggage when I use the restroom. It's not handy to drag everything with me. So I made a cable lock of the length I wanted, to lock my luggage to the rack when necessary. I'm careful to unlock it well in advance of my stop, so that I don't miss it.

I've taken a lot of buses in Europe but I think only one FlixBus. I've never had anything stolen, which is probably due to a combination of luck, the buses I have taken (typically not routes that would carry mostly tourists), and the Brand X luggage I favor. I do make a point of having my cellphone, tablet and prescription medications in my carry-on tote bag, and on good days I remember to toss my big Zip Lock bag of vitamins in there too. Even so, It would be a royal pain to have to replace the entire contents of my suitcase.

In my experience, the luggage holds often open from both sides of the bus. Frequently the driver or an assistant directs passengers to one side or the other, depending on their destination. And in buying bus tickets in person, I've never been asked what seat I want. For those reasons, I don't think bus passengers should count on being able to choose a seat that will allow them to keep an eye on the luggage hold.

(A number of years ago) my son had his large hiking backpack stolen from a Greyhound bus between Denver and Boise.

Chaining bags to racks etc is often against the terms and conditions of rail operators - bags may need to be rearranged enroute too. Chaining two bags together is maybe OK.

Just took a crowded train to Vienna where one traveler chained his bags together -- and everyone else walking through the aisle had to maneuver their bags around his.

I once asked the "Man in Seat 61" what he did with his bags when traveling alone and having to leave his seat. (To use the restroom, get something from the dining car). He said he takes his valuable with him but leaves his main bag above his seat. "No one wants your clothes, " he said.

Perhaps now thieves will take anything they can hoping to score. I try not to take buses unless I can keep an eye on my luggage at all times.

Flixbus and Alsa Bus in Spain allow you for a fee to select your preferred seat if available. I am the designated watch person when the bus stops whenever I take a bus with friends or family; most are vulnerable to falling asleep when riding buses and trains

Are they sure it was stolen?

Sometimes people mistake others' luggage for their own.

I'm not trying to raise false hopes, but there may be a person somewhere wondering how to find the rightful owners.

I have had my carry-on mistakenly taken from an overhead by a fellow traveler.

Fortunately, I was able to chase down the rather surprised lady wearing my backpack.

"Many bags look alike".

The red duct tape idea mentioned above surely could prevent that.

Also, writing an email address or phone number (provided it works in Europe) can make things easier.

Best of luck to both of them, and I sincerely hope this unfortunate incident doesn't ruin their travel enjoyment.

So sorry to hear about your daughter and her friends and although this does not seem to be a regular occurrence on Flixbus it is a sober reminder to watch our belongings at all times! However, I don't think you should expect any compensation from since it the passenger basically waives any claims to compensation whenever you sign for a lowcost service like Flixbus.

We took 3 buses the this week in Spain: Figueres to Cadaques to Barcelona to Zaragoza to Madrid. Happy no one got robbed; and the bus feels safe when being aware