kerouac

I actually used a money belt on my first trip to places like Jakarta and Madras. I found it unbearable and was soon just carrying it around in my pocket.

nytraveler

I just carry a purse. On vacation a small, expandable Sportsac that acts as a day pack and holds everything you need. Wear cross body bandolier fashion and there is no need to belts or packs of strange things hanging aruond your neck. (More than 100 trips to europ and not a problem.)

YankyGal

Ditto what StCirq said. For me, it's all about feeling "normal," which for me is carrying a purse, which I have done for over 30 years, no matter where I am. I also take a smaller one on vacation, but that has more to do with not wanting to be weighed down while I walk and walk and walk.

november_moon

I an in the no-money-belt camp. It has nothing to do with being "too cool" or anything else - just pure logistics. I tried wearing one and just can't. For those who can wear them successfully, I think that is great.

Being short and curvy is a big part of it. There just isn't enough vertical clearance between my waist and my butt to fit a money belt in the small of my back. If I had a flat butt, then maybe The money belt has to stick up above the waistband of my pants, in which case I am constantly adjusting the damned thing when I sit and stand. If high waisted pants came back in fashion, esspecially those loose-fitting ones from the 90s, then I might have more success with this. But with today's pant styles, no way. Wearing the money belt in the front has the same issue - plus the issue of adding bulk in the belly, which is not comfortable.

I do have a very small pouch that snaps to my bra - it is large enough to hold a couple cards and some folded up cash. I use it sometimes and works well - I got it in the REI travel section.

nytraveler

But don't you end up with 3 boobs? Or a weird uniboob?

I can't imagine wearing anything under a tee shirt (but I'm not flat-chested.)

november_moon

ny- Are you asking about the small bra pouch that I mentioned? If so, it is only the size of a credit card. I snap it to my bra in between the girls so that it hangs from the center of my bra and sits flat against my torso, below the girls. You can't see it unless I am wearing something particularly tight or sheer.

cathies

Fair point Isabel, if I had to choose I would choose the waist belt.

Guenmai

One summer one of my best friends had his neck pouch stolen from around his neck while in the metro train in Paris. He didn't notice it until he got off the train at the next stop. He's a very seasoned traveler and has also lived in Paris.

I personally prefer a handbag and a money belt. I don't keep much in the handbag. I like Eagle Creek money belts.

Happy Travels!

Peter_S_Aus

I don't use either, but it is easier for men, as shirts with button down pockets give some security. I would suggest that the OP buys both a neckpouch and a money belt and experiments - they are not all that expensive.

The best suggestion is to carry as little stuff as you possibly can. It's quite liberating to stroll out of the hotel without guide book, SLR, water bottle, note book, maps,, pasport et al, and just wander.

anyegr

I use both a money belt and a neck pouch. I divide my money and cards between both. I also place some money in an ordinary pocket for easy access. If a pickpocket gets what actually is in my pockets (usually less than twenty euros/pounds/whatever) I'll get slightly irritated, but it won't destroy my trip.

I never try to access my money belt in public. If the money in my pockets have been used up (for lunch or souvenirs) I find a toilet and lock the door so no one can see me transfer money.

I do sometimes access the neck pouch in public, since that is where I have my passport.

Most of the hotels I stay in do not have an in-room safe. And, like someone mentioned, lots of people are likely to have access to the keys to a hotel room.

A lot of people say they do what they normally do at home. But at home I don't usually carry my passport or two cards or large amounts of cash.

If I was pickpocketed or robbed in my home town I'd first go to the police and then home to my parents to get some cash while I called to cancel my cards (if I was actually carrying a card, which is maybe twice a week). If it happened in a strange country where I couldn't speak the language, I'd have serious trouble.

Maybe it is different for people who travel together with someone. If the cards and cash are split up between two persons there is less chance of losing everything to a pickpocket. But since I travel alone I have to keep track of all my things on my own.

I have found (during my last trip) that it is much easier to hide things in winter. No one is going to see the money belt or neck pouch through three layers of clothing.

adrienne

<< chrysalis - you asked which of the types of money belts is preferable, not IF you should have one. >>

Actually the OP asked: "if any females have any experience in using money belts or neck wallets"

And she further said: "Any ideas are appreciated! "

One can answer yes or no to this question as the OP is looking for the experience.

As the OP has not returned what does it matter what the responses are.

Mainhattengirl

I use a neck pouch on travel days and once I check into my hotel, leave my passport, tickets, etc. in the hotel safe. While sightseeing, I wear a cross body messenger bag, that zips at the top and then has a flap that flips over the entire bag, fastening at the bottom.

Would love to see some reports or personal experiences from people who have ACTUALLY had items stolen from a hotel safe. If so, where and when? In these internet times of up to the minute reporting and reviews here on Fodors, Trip Advisor, or Rick Steves forums, this is one event I have yet to see reported. Does the hotel manager have access to the safe? Of course, but the housekeepers don't. If this was truly happening, hotels would lose every bit of business they had.

Mimar

Manhattengirl, google "hotel room safes." You'll see lots of warnings and reports of theft. I don't think this happens a lot but it does happen.

chrysalis

Thanks everyone for all your responses! Have been going shopping for my trip and all your responses have been really helpful! I'll start with a neck pouch since that seems more versatile (can tie to my bra straps etc). It's relatively chilly now so I will probably layer with a cardigan etc and I hope this hides any bulges!

Robert2533

I agree with kerouac. I don't live in Paris, but have spent enough time traveling over the last 40 years to know that If you're aware of your surroundings and are not walking around in a fog, it's very doubtful you'll encounter any problems in Paris or any other large city in Europe or the UK you happen to be in, and that includes Barcelona.

I carry a man-bag and have been doing so since the early 90s when I picked up my first one at Coronel Tapiocca in Bilbao. I also carry a small wallet, similar to a taxi wallet, with only the essentials, credit and debit cards, ID, copy of my passport, etc, in one front pocket and another small wallet for coins and folding money in the other, and walk around with a Digital SLR over my shoulder. Yes, I've been pickpocketed, once, in Pamplona some time back, by a little Gipsy girl when I wasn't paying attention and had cash in my pocket, something I don't usually do during fiesta when moving through the crowds on opening day. During fiesta everything is normally in my man-bag, or in a secure inside pants pocket.

Trying to get money or your debit card out of a money belt or some thing similar while out and about can be a pain and possibly attract some unwanted attention.

thursdaysd

"Trying to get money or your debit card out of a money belt or some thing similar while out and about can be a pain and possibly attract some unwanted attention."

Really, how many times do we have to point out that YOU DO NOT ACCESS A MONEY BELT IN PUBLIC?

janisj

Robert2533 and others - Whether one is in the pro or anti money belt/neck pouch camp . . . one should never (ever) access it in public. And if you plan correctly you never have to access it at all except in your room.

They are like body safes, not for holding thins you'd want/need to get at during the day . . .

JasonPiz

So many comments on here, I imagine you have your work cut out for you deciding what to use to carry your valuables : )

I'm not a woman, however I've been to many "pickpocket" labeled countries. I generally always keep my passport at the hotel in the safe. Carry cash and a credit card in my front pocket. Now being a woman maybe you won't have front pockets. Depending on which country in Europe it may be a little cool there still. When the weather is cool the absolute best place to keep these things is in an inside zipper/or button pocket...or an outside zipper pocket on a jacket. I've done this for years...over 30 countries never been robbed or pick pocketed knock on wood. haha.

A good thing you can do is "Walk tall," don't look like an easy target. Be very aware of your surroundings, specifically in crowded situations. Keep your hands on your valuables...in real sketchy situations. Have a zip up purse with a strong band...and always, ALWAYS...keep it zipped up! Good luck and safe travels!!