How to Keep Valuables Safe While Hosteling

If you plan to stay at hostels during your vacation, you will need to be extra careful with your possessions, since most hostels offer dormitory-style accommodations. Here are some hints to help you hang on to your valuables.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Money Belts
• Hostel Guides
• Travel Guides
• Hostel Membership Cards
• Backpacks

1. Pare down your packing list as much as possible and don't travel with anything you can't live without. Leave expensive jewelry and heirlooms at home and don't wear anything flashy that could make you an obvious target for thieves.

2. Find out in advance if the hostels where you will be staying have lockers available. If not, ask what security options they have. Is there a safe at the front desk? A locked room where you can store your bags?

3. Carry a sturdy combination lock or padlock (wear the key around your neck). You can use it to lock your bags to a bed frame (if the hostel allows this) or another fixed object if necessary, and to lock hostel lockers.

4. Be friendly, but be careful. Try to keep important personal information to yourself, and trust your instincts if someone makes you feel uncomfortable. Beware of sob stories and requests to borrow money "just for a few hours" - many scam artists rely on the goodwill and gullibility of fellow travelers.

5. Take your valuables with you whenever you leave the room, even just to use the bathroom or shower (bring a plastic bag along to keep everything dry).

6. Know where your valuables are at all times, so that you can grab them quickly in the event of a fire or other emergency. In an emergency situation, you will need to get out of the room immediately, leaving your backpack or suitcase behind. You won't be able to waste time hunting for your stuff.

Tips & Warnings

• Give your traveling companion (if you have one) the combination to your lock, just in case you forget it.
• Leave a list of important information with an emergency contact person before you leave home. This list should include your passport and traveler's check numbers if you are traveling out of your home country, as well as credit card numbers, driver's license number and any other information you might need should your wallet or purse be lost or stolen.
• Be extra careful if you are a woman traveling alone. Try to connect with other female guests at your hostel if possible, and let hostel staff know immediately if anyone is harassing you. If you decide to go on a date with someone you meet at the hostel, make sure you let other guests or hostel staff members know (in casual conversation) whom you'll be with.

[tnpos]

on 6/30/2009 I mean there is no true way to completely protect your stuff. It's just a chance you take. If it's going to happen it's going to happen. The advice given was very sound though. Thanks for sharing!

[extremecommute]

on 6/29/2009 If you're traveling with a laptop, as so many backpackers do these days, it gets even harder! Occasionally, when the hostel I'm staying in has no lockers and I can't carry it with me, I'll slide my laptop into my backpack's inside back pocket, leave dirty clothing and toiletries on top of the open bag, and leave it half under the bed. Risky, but I've never had a problem. :) (yet)