30 August 2010
How should I store my money in Europe when I’m outside?
Posted by admin under: Other - Europe .
I’m a girl by the way.
I’m going to Europe in a few days, and I know there’s a lot of pickpockets there.
Just wondering, what’s the best way to store my money (and phone and camera)
to be safe?
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4 Comments so far...
Charles W Says:
31 August 2010 at 3:27 pm.
Try and get a pre-charged VISA or MasterCard. It’ll be useless without the pin code if stolen, will be easier to secrete about your person than bundles of cash and enable you to get cash from mini banks if you need it. It may be worth specifically buying or borrowing a smaller phone and camera just so you travel light. The more you carry, the more chance there is you’ll have to put things down where they get stolen. Get a phone with a good camera and plenty of storage if you don’t need lots of megapixels.
I wouldn’t worry too much. Just be sensible. As far as I know, the US still has a higher murder rate than most of Europe. Ignore buskers, beggars and people a bit too enthusiastic about helping you. High value Euro notes can be hidden in your bra, shoes, knickers. If you can sew, why not make little pockets inside your pants for cash? Some camping shops will have shorts and trousers with hidden and / or lots of pockets. Try and look normal (poor) and don’t look as if you scream “rich tourist” in a crowd.
Organise a system for uploading your pictures somewhere safe whilst traveling so your memories are safe if you camera does go AWOL.
scbond Says:
3 September 2010 at 11:58 am.
A purse/wallet is always good for keeping money in it, but that kinda applies to the entire planet really. It’s largely just as bad as many other places. Just keep your valuables on you, not in coats or bags. Don’t go into inner-city residential areas of Spain too….other than that, Europe is probably better than most major North American cities.
mividacristiana Says:
6 September 2010 at 9:59 pm.
Hmmmm you can keep everything in your front pocket.
Cabal Says:
7 September 2010 at 12:59 am.
I usually travel as a tourist with a slim money belt where I put my passport and some cash under my shirt. The rest is in my zipped purse, held under my elbow, as I usually do at home as I live in a big city. If you have a backpack or a backbag only, make sure that the inner pockets have a zipper and put your money there. It is too easy for a thief to riffle in the bag itself, unzipping a pocket inside a bag is way much harder. Best place for a camera is around your neck, if you put it on a table when you’re drinking or eating wrap the handle around your wrist. If you put your bag on the floor wrap the handle around your ankle. If you want to put the camera in the bag put it at the bottom, with your sweater over it. Make sure that your bag is always closed, zipped, and laced (plenty of tourists forget that, when they would never dream of doing it at home). Nothing in your backpocket or handing from a pocket.
All those are just normal safety rules in any big city anyway, and they quickly become normal procedure. Most of the thieves operating around won’t even bother with someone so obviously prepared.