8 ways to keep your luggage safe while traveling

When you’re off exploring the world, the last thing you want to worry about is your luggage. And although airlines have improved how they handle baggage, unfortunately bags can still be delayed, misdirected or stolen. While it’s impossible to prevent every mishap, these eight smart strategies can help protect your luggage or soften the blow if things do go wrong.

1. Use secure, lockable luggage

Start with the basics: Use a suitcase or backpack that is durable, tamper-resistant and secure. Choose luggage with independently accredited locks or use your own padlocks – ideally TSA-approved if you’re traveling to the U.S., which allows authorized security agents to open and inspect luggage without damaging it.

Consider investing in suitcases with built-in security features such as interlocking zippers, slash-proof materials, hard-shell cases and lockable compartments, as they will help to deter opportunistic thieves. For backpacks, look for models with hidden zippers and lockable compartments. And when setting combination codes, avoid obvious sequences such as 0000 and 1234.

2. Use clear labeling

Each item of luggage should have a tag with your name, phone number and email. Avoid listing your full home address – it might alert thieves that you are away. It’s also wise to place a second label inside each bag, in case the external one gets lost in transit.

3. Keep valuables in your carry-on

During the course of your journey, checked luggage will be handled by multiple people. It can also be delayed, sent via an alternative route or, if you are unlucky, lost entirely. Airlines and insurers often don’t cover high-value items if they have been placed in checked luggage. This is why it’s important to keep all your valuables – including passports, cameras, laptops, money, jewelry and medication – in a secure carry-on bag. 

4. Use luggage-tracking technology

Link tracking devices – such as Apple AirTags and Tile Trackers – to your smartphone to provide real-time updates on the location of your luggage. Some newer suitcases come with built-in GPS. These devices can be invaluable at airports, letting you know your luggage has made it onto the plane – often before you receive official updates from the airline.

5. Stay vigilant in higher-risk areas

Busy hubs, like airports, train stations and tourist hotspots, are prime locations for luggage theft. Keep your bag close, and never leave it unattended, even for a moment. If you must put it down, loop your bag’s handle or strap around your leg or a heavy object such as a chair. Consider wearing a money belt or small crossbody bag to keep essential items – passports, wallets and phones – close to you at all times.

6. Keep belongings safe at your destination

Just because you’ve arrived doesn’t mean your belongings will be secure. Use hotel safes for passports, electronics, money, jewelry and other valuables. If your accommodation does not provide proper storage, consider a portable travel safe – a small lockable box or pouch that can be attached to fixed furniture. Never leave luggage unattended in shared or public spaces. And consider storing your bags in secure lockers when you’re out and about in city centers, on the beach or visiting tourist sites. 

7. Have a backup plan

Even if you take every reasonable precaution, your luggage can still be lost, damaged or stolen. Save digital copies of important documents – passport, visa, booking confirmations and insurance details – before you travel. Keep copies in your email inbox and on a secure cloud storage service.

8. Take out insurance

The ultimate backup plan is, of course, travel insurance. Make sure that your luggage and personal belongings are included in your policy, and keep digital copies, receipts and photos of high-value items in case you need to make a claim. Some insurance providers offer a daily allowance if your bags are delayed, helping you cover essentials until they arrive.

“Travel insurance is not a luxury – it’s an important part of any well-planned trip, especially when it comes to protecting your belongings,” says Will Nihan, CEO of Travelex Insurance, part of Zurich Cover-More’s group of global travel insurance businesses. “Getting the right coverage provides financial security and peace of mind, allowing you to explore the world with confidence.”

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