O/t money belt

[tinkertaylor05]

Has anyone ever used a money belt? I've never had the need for one really and whenever we got to DLP I always use the hotel safe. This trip we're doing 3 days in Paris and travelling with a lot of cash, it doesn't look like the hotel has room safes and I don't know if I'd leave it there anyway so am thinking of trying a belt for the first time.

Any experiences or thoughts? Thanks x

 

[Hipster Meg]

Rather than taking a large amount of cash have you thought about getting a pre-pay card or a credit card that specialises in being used abroad? Money Saving Expert has a good guide.

 

[Carrie_Cat]

I wouldn't as it makes you more a target for pickpockets. Money belts are visible

Do you really need to bringing a lot of cash with you ? Can't you withdraw it as needed at cash points for example ?

 

[Bexx]

I would certainly use a money belt if it made me feel more comfortable about carrying my money around. In fact, I use a wallet with a chain everyday, not just when I'm away.

 

[Bexx]

I wouldn't as it makes you more a target for pickpockets. Money belts are visible

Aren't there ones that go under your clothes?

 

[tinkertaylor05]

Aren't there ones that go under your clothes?

This is the type I was thinking about. I always carry the cash for both mum and I as she is notorious for losing money! Only really thinking about it as we'll be doing a lot of the tourist traps.

 

[Carrie_Cat]

Are you both thinking body safe types ? or b u m bag type ?

If it's a body safe then I guess you are only going to be taking money out of it in your room or in a closed place like a toilet so that would work.

The pick pockets here are very good at what they do and they are helped by the announcements made over loud speaker as the normal tourist reaction when here the "beware pick pockets" is for them to touch the place where their money is stored

We recommend a cross body type bag to our friends/family with a flap over the zip if poss, if not keep the zips towards you not facing outwards.

 

[tinkertaylor05]

Thanks Carrie I'm thinking the body type, I hope a bumbag never creeps into my wardrobe again unless of course I change careers and open a market stall

I may just buy a couple of the purse chains, I have a few bags I use to travel, all cross body and full of little zips etc

Think I'm just having a last minute panic x

 

[Carrie_Cat]

Thanks Carrie I'm thinking the body type, I hope a bumbag never creeps into my wardrobe again unless of course I change careers and open a market stall

I may just buy a couple of the purse chains, I have a few bags I use to travel, all cross body and full of little zips etc

Think I'm just having a last minute panic x

I know what you mean about the bumbags but a lot of people on the other boards think they are fab

You'll be fine just remember to be aware of your surroundings, ignore the petition girls and anyone who comes begging and enjoy yourselfs

 

[tinkertaylor05]

I know what you mean about the bumbags but a lot of people on the other boards think they are fab

You'll be fine just remember to be aware of your surroundings, ignore the petition girls and anyone who comes begging and enjoy yourselfs

I'm sure we'll be fine, I'm pretty harsh when it comes to begging after working in the homeless sector for years lol last trip to Paris was with some nuns and after watching them give the street beggars the brush off like experts I dont feel bad anymore

 

[Florida2012]

Whenever I've stayed in a hotel that doesn't have a safe I've always distributed the money across my pockets and the missus. That way if you do get "picked" you only lose a fraction of what you've got

 

[ShrumpUK]

We were thinking of just taking small backpacks but I'm a bit worried about where to put my cash in one?

 

[Carrie_Cat]

We were thinking of just taking small backpacks but I'm a bit worried about where to put my cash in one?

If you are just doing DLP I wouldn't be worrying - wear them on your front in the queues if you like then if there's loads of people sticking to you at least you know where your things are

 

[ShrumpUK]

If you are just doing DLP I wouldn't be worrying - wear them on your front in the queues if you like then if there's loads of people sticking to you at least you know where your things are

Thanks carrie!!

 

[Metsoskil]

I wore a money belt for the majority of our 3 week trip through Europe that we just got back from. The only time I didn't wear it was at DLRP. I used the safe, and since we were at the end of our trip I didn't have much cash left.

I used the kind that hooked on my belt and slipped inside my pants/shorts on my hip. It was very comfortable, and I usually didn't even know it was there, even with cash, 2 passports, and two credit cards. It was nice peace of mind to know that even in crowds, there was no way I was getting pick-pocketed.

I carried cash for the day and a credit card in the zipper/button pocket in my shirt.

I'm not sure if Disboards rules allow me to link to the moneybelt on Amazon, so I'm not to be safe. If you go to Amazon and search for "Rick Steves Luggage Civita Hidden Pocket Wallet" it will come up.

As a side note, I used a Pacsafe bag (Metrosafe 200) to carry my iPad and/or camera. They are awesome as well for carrying things securely in crowds.

 

[Ware Bears]

There's been a series of programmes on TV recently about the pickpockets who've come to the UK specifically to target people at the Olympics. They highlighted how the pickpockets select their targets and after watching the programme it was easy to see what they look out for - one example was someone with the shape of a mobile or a wallet in a trouser pocket holding on to the rail on the train with both hands so leaving the object vulnerable.

DH uses one of those wallets on the chain like Bexx recommended ^ ^ so at least if someone gets it out of his pocket they can't run off with it, and myself and the girls use bags with full zips and then keep our valuables in a further zip pocket inside.

The only time we got approached last week was just outside Sacre Coeur - there are people there who try to tie bracelets on your wrist and then ask for money. Just avoid eye contact and keep on walking purposefully and they won't be a problem. I know it may seem rude but it's if you hesitate and stop to talk to them that you'll become vulnerable. Same with the touts selling cheap water/beer - we're sure we saw them rooting in the litter bins so maybe they're refilling the bottles with tap water ..... or worse!! We found ourselves a small shop near our hotel and bought water from there to take out with us - OK, it's not cold when you come to drink it but at least it's wet and serves its purpose.

We felt safe all the time in Paris - keep your wits about you and use your common sense and you'll be fine. It's a beautiful city and we loved our time there.

 

[figaro2]

I remember those bracelet guys I saw them tie bracelets to a woman once and one went around the back and took her purse from her back pocket! luckily her husband noticed though!

 

[MazdaUK]

I have one of those flesh-coloured ones for under your clothes, but I only use it travelling as I find it a bit hot and sweaty (I did use it all the time in Romania though as I was not too confident about the hotel security). You amy find the hotel has a safe deposit box you can use even if it doesn't have a room safe - we used the safe deposit at reception in Disney as I don't trust roomsafes with only a key - everywhere else we stay has one where you put in your own code, so we were less than impressed HNY had such an oldfashioned system!

 

[MinnieVanMom]

Rick Steve's and tripadvisor both suggest using the nylon slim money belt that is worn between your undies and your pants, skirt, shorts. I have one and have used it. For women it doesn't work with a dress unless I went to the WC to get the money out.

For peace of mind and if you must carry large amounts of cash, I would say spend the little bit to save a bunch. The money belt can't be seen by others. Don't take out money in public, go the the WC or private spot. Act normal and just keep your wits about you.

 

[figaro2]

I have one of those flesh-coloured ones for under your clothes, but I only use it travelling as I find it a bit hot and sweaty (I did use it all the time in Romania though as I was not too confident about the hotel security). You amy find the hotel has a safe deposit box you can use even if it doesn't have a room safe - we used the safe deposit at reception in Disney as I don't trust roomsafes with only a key - everywhere else we stay has one where you put in your own code, so we were less than impressed HNY had such an oldfashioned system!

When we stayed at Santa fe in 2010 we had a room safe with a code!?