Many countries in Europe are considered some of the safest in the world. While you may not have to worry about major crimes during your trip, petty crime such as theft is extremely high in many parts of the continent. Many tourists get their belongings stolen every year, and theft can seriously ruin a trip. This post is going to outline some tips that I learned to help avoid theft while traveling Europe, and I hope they'll help you too.

Choose your bag wisely

This one is probably one of the more obvious tips but arguably the most important. When travelling around Europe, particularly in countries and cities that are known for pickpockets, you should make sure you have an appropriate day bag. I personally used the Lululemon belt bag, but if you like to have more space, I would recommend the larger belt bag, or the popular Uniqlo bag. The reason I used this bag for my day-to-day activities is because it sits on the front of your body, not the side or back, which is extremely important. Bags that don't sit on the front of your body are an easy target for pickpockets because they can grab something from your bag without you noticing.

Related to this point, do not shove your belongings in your pockets... ever. If a pickpocket sees a phone sticking out of someone's back pocket, they will grab it instantly.

Plan your travel during the day

This tip especially applies to those who are more budget travelers. While you may think that an overnight bus is a great idea because it's cheaper, you might not consider what the next steps are once you're being dropped off at a bus station at four in the morning.

While traveling during the night is great because you can save on accommodation, it's important to consider what time you will have to leave and arrive, as well as other factors such as how far away your accommodation is from the drop-off point.

Know what pickpockets look like

I think this is super important and hugely overlooked. In most major cities in Europe, the majority of pickpockets fit a very specific description. For example, when I traveled to Paris, I did some research on what to keep my eye out for in terms of pickpockets. I learned that most thefts happen on the metro. The thieves will usually be large groups of young girls; somewhere around five girls from the ages of 16-25. These girls will enter the subway car in a group, they will be wearing large jackets or sweaters and large backpacks. The reason they do this is so that one or more girls will act as a distraction, and the other will use their sweater to shield their arm, while they grab something out of your bag and stick it in theirs. Once they've taken what they want, they get off the metro at the next stop, so that by the time you realize you've been stolen from, they're long gone.

The example I just described is Paris specific, I am not as educated on what pickpockets look like in other major cities, but I recommend doing some research for yourself based on where you're going so you know what to keep your eye out for.

And it's important to mention that just because there may be one stereotypical demographic, doesn't mean you should let your guard down. Anyone can be a pickpocket.

Prioritize safety over budget

Again, this one is more for the budget travelers, but prioritize your safety over the budget. For example, if you're walking in an area and a local tells you that you should not be walking there LISTEN. Call an Uber and get to where you're going safely. Another example is if you arrive at a hostel and get a very very bad vibe, go somewhere else. Spending an extra $50 on a new hostel is a lot cheaper than the cost of replacing your phone and/or other belongings if they get stolen.

Try to make room in your budget for circumstances like this where you may have to dish out extra cash.

Keep your belongings in a safe place while eating

I don't think many people consider this one, but it can happen. If you are enjoying a meal or a coffee in an outdoor seating area, especially if your table is closest to the street, do not leave your phone or purse on the table. A thief can come and grab your belongings while you're eating and run off. When I was eating outside in Europe, I always kept my purse/phone on my lap or on my chair beside my leg.

Also, don't hang your purse off the back of your chair while eating, a thief can easily come and grab it and you won't even notice it's gone until it's too late.

Conclusion

I hope these tips help you to feel safer about any upcoming travel to Europe!