marvelousmouse

I tried one out of curiosity once. It's not supposed to be accessed on the street- it's like a money belt- you find a private corner or bathroom. With most of my sweaters I wouldn't be flashing anyone, it's not hard to access. Keep small change in your purse or pockets, the bra safe is for large bills and ATM card.


I don't find it very useful because the thing that I would be most worried about losing overseas is my passport. And it doesn't work with all my bras. But it was nice on days I didn't need my passport and just wanted to go out, not carrying much, for a few hours.

I may try a travel scarf sometime. It would take care of the passport issue.

janisj

Hobbert: >>how I would retrieve something without flashing half the country.<<

Money belts and neck/bra pouches are NOT replacements for wallets. Think of them as 'body safes', to hold valuables that you won't be using that day. One never <B>EVER</B> accesses them in public. Use them to store the 'extra' cc(s), the 'extra' ATM card, maybe the passport, maybe 'extra' cash if you are carrying a large amount.

Any 'walking around' cash plus a credit card and/or ATM card will be in your wallet or however you would normally carry them.

IF you mis-calculate and need to retrieve a cc/ATM/some cash during the day -- you go into a restroom and do so . . .

kja

What janisj said.

bvh

I use my money belt as my wallet. When walking around doing touristy things, I'm not carrying $1 or 1 credit card in a wallet for some thief to walk off with. Finding a private place to pull cash, cards, passport, etc. from my money belt has never been difficult for me. I don't understand why certain folks think they have to strip naked in public to use one. Some tourists do not know how to think.

marvelousmouse

Well, it's a bit more difficult in a dress;

Really, any time you access your money belt in public, it's a risk. I wouldn't want to reach into it for everything. But I don't spend much money between meals usually.

kja

Seems to me that the whole point of a money belt is that it is NOT a wallet and should not be treated as one. It goes under one's clothing and is not to be accessed in public, EVER. I don't ever travel without one.

bvh

Pickpockets in Europe can be extremely aggressive. I'm sure sighting a dress wearer is nice bait for a purse snatcher or fanny pack slicer. If for some reason someone *must* wear a dress while touring, then she'll have to devise an alternative plan. Even with a dress, it's not that difficult to step into a hotel or a dark church and get what you need before you need it. Wearing and dealing with hidden money on your body is not as complicated as some people make it out to be.

Nobody owns the point of wearing a money belt. The only rule for protecting access to your money is a protection plan that works for the individual. Human beings have a brain, and many know how to use theirs.

massimop

ooops -- guess I should have called people who tell you to ignore advice about money belts "silly", and no Fodorites would have been offended.

"I've smoked for 40 years and haven't gotten cancer. You can ignore those warnings on the pack."

"Never worn a seat belt, never will. Haven't put my face through a windshield yet. I'm a careful driver. Can't stand that nanny government treating everybody as if they were all the same."

"I guess if you're a clumsy careless person who constantly trips or
forgets your umbrella when it's raining you need travel insurance, but I'm not paying for a rip-off."

People who don't regularly post on Fodor's who read this thread will know what they need to know.

bvh

Or how about, "OMG, I NEVER access my money belt in public. God forbid a stranger should see I'm wearing Spanx."

PalenQ

I put my passport, cash, c cards, ATM cards in a money belt that goes under my pants from when I get on the airplace until I get off- except once in a hotel room - never been pickpocked and never worried about it - in collective years spent traveling around, especially on trains.

Never had any attempts at my bags being stolen TMK but there are many novice types who have been.

To get a money belt or similar device that goes under the clothes is my recommendation - yes many here poohpooh the idea and say they never have been pickpocketed but they are veteran travelers who take proper precautions when required.

It's the novice travelers who do not know the risks and who leave themselves vulnerable that do however.

If the person OP is talking about had a money belt instead of a wallet that was exposed they would not have been ripped off. I also carry a wallet with spending money in it and in crowded areas always put it in my front pocket, sometimes with my hand on it. Never had a problem.

Pickpockets are everywhere a tourist goes - in the Louvre, in the loo, in the metro, on Italian and other country trains, in crowded tourist places and they prey on targets the most vulnerable. Leave the family jewels at home and have a money-belt or similar that goes under your clothes.

Keep nothing of value in a day pack - I've had my day pack pockets unzipped several times but only carry maps and worthless stuff in them.

Hobbert

Thanks for the info! I never use a money belt when traveling or while at home. So far, general common sense has worked for me, not to disparage those who endorse money belts. It's all about what makes you comfortable and, if that helps you have a better trip, more power to you

PalenQ

I think the main preventative for pickpockets is awareness of the problem - especially in crowded places and heavily touristed places.

I wear a money belt always so I do not have to worry about a wallet being stolen, etc. But at home I never would and in crowded dicey areas I put my wallet in my front pocket.

Bellarosa70032

I think part of the idea of wearing the money belt is that you don't have to be constantly vigilant. As much as we try to be on the look out for pickpockets, let's face it--there are times at the end of a day of sightseeing that we're all just stupid-tired and not as alert as we should be. I've worn a money belt 30+ times in Europe, and the only time we were pickpocketed was on a metro in Prague. The only thing they got was some cash and my husband's passport cover (the passport was in MY money belt because he was sick of wearing one).

Bellarosa70032

I wanted to clarify that I'm not advocating not being constantly vigilant, but only that there are times when you are too tired at the end of the day and not as sharp as you should be.

kja

And it isn't just sharpness -- its focus! Skilled pickpocket crews are excellent at attracting your attention to things other than your possessions.

annhig

good point, bellarossa. these gangs are super-skilled at spotting when you are distracted and indeed at providing that distraction. I have often used a money belt in Rome in particular and felt much more relaxed when doing so, which was a great boon. Also it meant that I didn't need a handbag so that was even better!

vincenzo32951

>> I have lived in Italy for over 35 years and have never had an issue with travelling on the Italian train system. <<

A statement that misses the point by a mile. The issue is about traveling in unfamiliar environs -- the distractions it causes and the inability to immediately determine when a situation is risky.

But let me toot my horn: I took the same bus to work every day for 20 years and never wore a money belt. I'm so cool.

bella9440

I agree with Bellarosa... being a tourist in an unfamiliar area is a lot different than being a local..there are so many things to distract you: new sites, figuring out maps, trying to keep track of your partner and also fatigue- the pickpockets can spot the distracted ones and take advantage quickly.. For the most part I just avoid crowded metros and buses and keep my ccs in inner zipped pocket of my purse..with cash for purchases readily available..

This upcoming trip however I will be taking trains, I will be traveling solo and plan on wearing a neck pouch under my shirt - once less thing to worry about..

janisj

I never (or almost never) use a money belt in London or the UK in general - not because it is safer, but mostly because it is so familiar to me and I have a real comfort level -- I spend more time in London than I do in San Francisco less than 100 miles from my home). I'm not a 'local' but just about everything is second nature to me.

In Venice or Paris or elsewhere I will use one more often -- not because they are unsafe cities, but because while I've been (in the case of Paris multiple times) I need to pay more attention to things -- concentrate on street signs, suss out directions in a different language -- I'm more a tourist there and more easily distracted. I don't use one in the States very often -- but did when I was in the French Quarter solo.

May not make a hole lot of sense -- but works for me.

danon

What is wrong with leaving one's passport and several CC in the hotel safe
(while sightseeing) instead of hiding in the bathrooms to get your CC or sweating with money belt around your middle in 90 degree weather ?