- 1. Hiding Money While Traveling: Tips for Storing Cash
- 2. Before the trip: Consider what stays home in your wallet
- 3. What are the best hiding spots for money and valuables while traveling?
- 4. These hiding spots for money and valuables are known to everyone (do not use)
- 5. Where should you hide your money then?
- 6. Moneybelt
- 7. Secret Pockets
- 8. Fanny Pack (Money-Belt)
- 9. More tips for your valuables while traveling
- 10. Bonus Tip
- 11. Where do you hide your money while traveling?
Hiding Money While Traveling: Tips for Storing Cash
Are you afraid of being robbed while traveling? To be honest: I take it too lightly and have never been robbed (except in Madrid).
However, I also don't wear jewelry while traveling; I almost always carry a camera with me.
In Part 1 of the series on money while traveling, you can read about the best free credit cards for traveling. In this article, I will share my top tips on how to keep your money safe while traveling. Places where you can hide cash and valuables.
Before the trip: Consider what stays home in your wallet
By paying attention to these simple things, you can avoid the risk of losing valuable items. Therefore, I have tested many hiding spots on various trips.
You should choose different hiding spots in each country. The likelihood of being robbed by a Cuban or Asian is relatively low. In South America or Africa, it might make sense to carry a second wallet with a little cash and 1-2 worthless cards (like an expired credit card).
Especially if you are traveling with a backpack, you should use multiple creative hiding spots. Hide your valuables only in worthless items. It doesn't make sense to hide a credit card in your laptop case (if you carry one) if the laptop gets stolen. The more common and worthless the item appears, the better it serves as a hiding place.
So that I never have to carry much cash with me, I acquired credit cards for travel without foreign transaction fees years ago. With these, you can withdraw cash abroad without fees, and also pay without incurring charges.
Read more: Tips for the best free travel credit cards
- Loyalty cards like those from Payback, Esprit, or Globetrotter? You don't need them on the go.
- Driver's license? If you don't plan to rent a car or scooter, you don't need it either.
- ID card? If you have a passport with you, you don't need your ID as well. The same goes in reverse.
What are the best hiding spots for money and valuables while traveling?
Since I was robbed in Madrid shortly before my return flight, I have become more cautious. Not only was my money stolen, but also my ID, driver's license, credit card, debit card, loyalty cards. Everything, just before the return flight.
Since then, I follow these guidelines:
These hiding spots for money and valuables are known to everyone (do not use)
Everyone hides money while on vacation. Unfortunately, the thieves in your vacation country also know the most popular hiding spots. That's why you should avoid the following places for your valuables:
- Suitcase or backpack: Either in side pockets or in the clothing compartment inside. Exactly the places where you can quickly access your valuables.
- Chest wallets worn around the neck are unfortunately no longer a good hiding spot.
- Books are inexpensive and therefore not stolen. But be careful: The trick is old and probably known to thieves.
Where should you hide your money then?
Hiding money on your person:
Moneybelt
The hiding place is actually well known. The money belt looks like a normal belt. Inside, there is a zipper where you can hide your money.
You can find this one on Amazon*.
Secret Pockets
In Asia, you can have so-called 'secret pockets' sewn into your pants or board shorts. For women, a pocket sewn into a bra is a great idea. This is practical when you want to relax and take a dip in the sea while leaving your belongings unattended on the beach.
Fanny Pack (Money-Belt)
My personal favorite hiding spot is a fanny pack, also known as a "money belt". However, you should wear this under your clothing, not over it. In addition to your money, important documents like passports or credit cards fit nicely here.
(In both options, be careful not to rummage around too obviously. I often observe tourists searching for cash in their 'secret hiding spot.' Only search in undetected moments! Tip: Always keep change handy in your pocket or have a small second wallet at hand.)
- Dirty socks: In rolled-up used socks (preferably in a laundry bag).
- In a toiletry bag: Here, few people look for money. For women: A good hiding place is between tampons or pads.
- First aid kit: If you're traveling for an extended period and especially with a backpack, you're likely carrying a small first aid kit. You can easily hide bills and a backup credit card among band-aids, ointments, and medications.
- Empty tube of sunscreen, shower gel, or deodorant: Cut open an empty bottle of sunscreen (alternatively, a deodorant or shower gel works), rinse out the container, and hide the cash inside. That's the perfect hiding spot. It's inconspicuous and can be made in 5 minutes. (If you don't feel like crafting, you can also order a sunscreen as a money hiding spot on Amazon*)
More tips for your valuables while traveling
At Globetrotter, there is a special category "Safety on the go" (View here). Here you'll find more practical items for your trip. I have ordered several things here and have been very satisfied.
Update 2021: For a long time, I haven't used any of these gadgets anymore. Since I often travel with very expensive camera equipment and a laptop, everything is well insured. However, I am not a "normal traveler" and have learned how to dress and behave while traveling. I feel "safe."
- Store documents in Dropbox: I have now scanned all important documents and secured them in online storage. I use Dropbox. Other services include Google Drive or Sugar Sync.
- A second wallet: When traveling, I always carry a wallet with a secret compartment (Hide & seek from Bellroy; Video). Additionally, having a small wallet as a backup is also sensible: Change is well kept here or in your pocket. Should you ever get robbed, you can quickly grab the small wallet while (hopefully) keeping the larger one.
- Travel safe to secure your belongings: The Travelsafe by PacSafe* is a great tool if you have various valuables like a laptop, external hard drives, camera, etc. while traveling. You can 'lock' your valuables in it and chain it somewhere. For your large backpack, there is the Pacsafe 12 liters, with which you can secure your entire luggage.
Bonus Tip
At Globetrotter, there is a special category "Safety on the go" (View here). Here you'll find more practical items for your trip. I have ordered several things here and have been very satisfied.
Update 2021: For a long time, I haven't used any of these gadgets anymore. Since I often travel with very expensive camera equipment and a laptop, everything is well insured. However, I am not a "normal traveler" and have learned how to dress and behave while traveling. I feel "safe."
Where do you hide your money while traveling?
Read Part 1 on safety while traveling here: The best free travel credit cards
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