Keeping Your Money and Valuables Safe

The most important rule of the road is to make sure you keep your money, credit and debit cards, passport, and airline tickets on you at all times.

We don't recommend carrying anything valuable in a purse (too easily snatched) or a backpack, which can be opened without your noticing. Even a wallet kept in your front pocket can be taken by an experienced pickpocket.

Instead, we recommend a money pouch that can be concealed under your clothing. Some attach to your belt, while others are worn around the neck, waist or calf.

These are particularly important if you're sleeping on a train, standing on a crowded subway or staying in a hotel that is not very secure.

Choose one that is comfortable and practical for where you're traveling. You can buy money pouches at Magellan's or other travel stores. It's not just pouches -- you can find some really creative ways to hide your money.

There are key chains, belts, cases, even a portable closet safe disguised as a padded coat hanger! You can get all of these items for under $40.

Try not to carry all of your valuables in the same place. If you're traveling with a companion, make sure each of you has some cash and a credit card on hand in case you're split up or one of you is robbed.

If you're alone, keep a backup credit or debit card in a separate pouch from the one you'll be using most often.While most valuables should be safely hidden away, you may want to keep a small amount of local currency in a separate dummy wallet where it's easily accessible; that way you're not flashing your cash each time you want to make a small purchase, and if it's stolen it won't be a huge loss.

Another good tip is to make two copies of your passport, credit cards, ATM cards, plane tickets and traveler's check serial numbers. Leave one copy at home with someone you can reach in an emergency. Keep the other set with you in a safe place separate from the originals.