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Hostel, Hotels, Budget Accomodations: Questions and tips Safety, services and general questions. Is there a camp ground in...

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Old 06-06-2007, 07:56 AM   #1
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I am travelling arround Europe for a month, leaving on Tuesday. I feel a bit stupid asking but my mum is worried that I will get my valuables (money, phone, camera, passport etc.) stolen when staying in hostels. I was just wondering if this is common place and where should I put my valuables when I am in bed asleep, is it safe to just leave them at the side of my bed?, or should I put them in my bag?

Or when I go out for the day what is it ok to leave back at the Hostel?

Any help would be much appreciated.

Dan
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Old 06-06-2007, 08:08 AM   #2
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when i stay in hostels i sleep with my handbag next to me, between me and the wall, under the blanket. i got used to having the strap around my arm when i slept. I would keep everything of value in the hanbag.
i understand that being a guy you probably don't have a handbag but whatever you keep your valuables in during the day, just treat it with the same care and protection like you treated your teddy when you were little! even if you normally keep the stuff in your pockets, just have your pants with you under the covers. it felt kinda wierd when i got home to leave my phone on the table beside my bed, you get used to having your stuff with you at all times sooo quickly.
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Old 06-06-2007, 08:08 AM   #3
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In most hostels, you'll find private lockers for your bag, but they don't always provide the lock so you'd better have one with you (small one). I personnally never had anything stolen. So for daytime, you only bring your daypack and leave your thing at the hostel.

When sleeping, I always kept my money belt and wallet under my blanket at my feet or inside my pillow case. Nobody can have them without waking me up !

The front desk also has safes for valuable, that can be handy when you go for a night out.

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Old 06-06-2007, 09:45 AM   #4
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I do what Esther does but I think it is largely unnecessary. Backpackers are usually really decent people (especially if they are traveling solo) and aren't looking to steal your camera or anything else. If you have a money belt you will be more than okay. You will have far more problems out on the street, in subways and on busses than you will in a hostel.

It also helps to pick better hostels. Whether you pay 12 euros or 17 euros in the long run it doesn't make a huge difference to your budget but could make a huge difference in your trip.

And if you are curious as to what a hostel is like, what better place than your home town. Go hang out at a York hostel for a night and see what you think. I did that in my home town just a few nights ago and it was an odd experience. I heard the same British, Canadian and Aussie accents with a healthy dose of American thrown in, but we were only about 45 minutes to an hour from my house.

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Old 06-06-2007, 11:42 AM   #5
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Thanks for your help, I didn't even think about getting a money belt or pad lock but I think i will now.

Dan
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Old 06-06-2007, 11:50 AM   #6
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You're welcome !

Aliz and I posted at the very same minute, saying pretty much the same tips. Joey is also right, but I'd rather not meet to exception and lose my things...
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Old 06-06-2007, 02:33 PM   #7
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I just whack it all in a locker, and take along my own padlock. If there's no locker and I have my purse or passport to keep safe, I keep it in bed with me.
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Old 06-07-2007, 06:45 AM   #8
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I sleep with all my valuables in my pocket, except for my passport, eurail pass and my camera, which I keep in my bag. Sometimes I put it in a locker if its a bigger hostel but other times im lazy and just leave the bag near the side of my bed. Maybe one day I will regret it, but oh well.

and yes bring your own lock because sometimes the hostel will not provide it for you, or they will want a deposit for it
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Old 06-07-2007, 09:34 AM   #9
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I put my money, credit card, and passport in my moneybelt which went under my pillow while I slept, with my hand on the belt.

Had a pacsafe cable lock which I used to tie my pack to the leg of the bed or whatever I could find.

Small combo locks for pack zippers to keep prying hands out.

One padlock for door. Many hostels around the world have a place for it and some even require that you use one.
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