10 Anti-theft Travel Accessories for International Trips

I’ve traveled the world working on cruise ships, living on wheels and camping across the U.S., and wandering the streets of over 50 countries as a solo female traveler. During that time, I’ve never had my purse snatched (*frantically knocks on wood*). I did have one accidental luggage mixup incident in France, which fortunately ended with hugs and a very confused Parisian. I attribute my good fortune to traveling with awareness, adhering to anti-theft tips, and using gear that helps keep me safe. 

That being said, theft can happen to anyone, even the most experienced travelers. Once, my cruise ship roommate set down her purse on a chair next to her at a sidewalk cafe and didn’t even notice when a quick thief snagged it. Writer, musician, and comedian Elle Cordova’s viral reel about her phone theft in Barcelona proves thieves are opportunistic and bold. The reel takes us on a journey watching her stolen iPhone via the Find My app travel around Europe and Africa and has garnered over 8 million views to date. 

Whether you’re traveling to a busy city notorious for pickpockets or not, these are the anti-theft items I keep on hand to secure my purse, phone, and essentials.

Foldable Purse Hook Table Hanger

Sidewalk cafes, with tables close to busy pedestrian traffic, are common scenes of theft crime. It’s easy for someone to walk by and swiftly snag a purse off the back of a chair, or a phone off the surface of a table. Always keep your purse and phone in your sight when dining outside. Recently I went to a restaurant that offered me and my friend these purse hooks to keep our bags off the ground and chairs. I recommend using these hooks to hang your bag just off to your side, so you can feel it touching your leg at all times. Always put yourself between your bag and the street. I give these hooks extra points for keeping my bags off the ground and dirt-free. At $10 for a three-pack, these would make a great gift for any traveler.

Small Cable Lock

If you want to be extra safe when sidewalk dining, lock your purse to your table leg. This slim cable lock is easy to carry around in your bag. When you sit down at the restaurant, just loop it around your bag strap and something secure, like the table or your chair. 

Anti-theft Phone Strap Lanyard

Even frequent travelers can have their phone swiped straight out of their hand. Thieves on mopeds are adept at targeting busy tourist areas, like Dublin’s Temple Bar neighborhood as an example, and grabbing the devices from the hands of tourists who are disoriented and unaware of their surroundings as they consult maps on their phone. To avoid a phone snatching, use a phone lanyard that is secured to your person with a carabiner, or a firm neck or wrist cord.

Crossbody Pack

The right purse or bag can deter thieves. Look for straps made of nylon, akin to the feel of a seatbelt. These thick straps are much harder to snap or cut through. I prefer crossbody bags to backpacks so the pockets are always in my sight. This Wandrd crossbody bag is unisex and fastens with a secure fidlock buckle. It also features a slim zippered pocket that sits against the body, which is designed specifically for valuables like a passport and a phone.

Anti-theft Zipper Clips

Even if your bag’s pockets are zippered, they’re still vulnerable to thieves, particularly if you’re wearing your bag on your back. These zipper locks add an extra level of difficulty in accessing your zippers, enough to disqualify you as an easy target for a quick pickpocket.

RFID-blocking Bag

RFID stands for Radio Frequency Identification, and the technology is used in some forms of identification and most tap-to-pay enabled credit cards. RFID-blocking bags prevent proximity-enabled scanners from accessing your information. This RFID-blocking bag has a thick strap, a slim profile, and is made of durable vegan leather.

Bluetooth Tracker

If you’re an Apple user, slip an Apple AirTag in all of your bags before your trip. I like the pack of four so I can have one for my luggage, my personal item bag, my crossbody day bag, and my wallet. If you don’t use Apple products, you can pair your device with a Chipolo which works with Android and iOS.

AirTag Fabric Mount

It’s common for a thief to swipe a purse and then ditch the contents, save for the wallet. In this case, an AirTtag won’t be much use. As an extra precaution, these heavy-duty fabric AirTtag mounts attached to your wallet and passport would take some time to remove and give you extra minutes to try and track down your bag.

Personal Safety Alarm

If you’re confronted with an aggressive thief, always keep your personal safety as the number one priority. Making as much noise as possible to try and draw attention to the event may cause the thief to panic and run. Keep this personal safety alarm on an easy-to-find keychain in your purse so you don’t have to rifle around looking for it. Shoppers like this model because it’s rechargeable, rather than running on batteries that die and need replacing. A single charge can hold for up to six months.

Money Belt

If you’re nervous about always having an eye on your purse or bag, keep your most valuable items directly on your body instead with a money belt that can be worn under your clothes. In the event your purse is stolen, your passport, cards, and money will still be safe on your person.

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