Good way to avoid bus luggage stress?
Often when traveling by bus you're supposed to leave your big bag in the bottom of the bus. When there are stops before your final destination someone could just take your bag.
Of course I wouldn't leave valuables in this luggage, but it would still be extremely annoying if it got lost.
What is a good, practical way to avoid this luggage stress?
I'm looking for a way that also works in third world countries (i.e. no tags) and that doesn't require me to be very alert at intermediate stops before my destination (possibly at night). I have an ongoing travel insurance, which helps somewhat but it would still be a major hassle if I lost my stuff.
Would some kind of chain be a possibility? Some chain that can be quickly attached without annoying bus company personnel, is there something like that? Could it work?
Best Answer
Many companies use a tag that you keep with your ticket, to prove you own the luggage. If this service is available, make sure to use it.
If not, then some (Greyhound) provide a name ticket you can put your details on. Sure it doesn't prevent someone from taking it, but if anyone's suspicious it's easy to ask for ID and show it doesn't match the thief's ID.
Other than that, not much. I've been nervous at times so actually walked with my bag to the loading point and watched as the guy loaded it. Sometimes I've self-loaded and made sure my bag is behind someone else's - just so it's not easily accessible.
I also usually get a window seat above the luggage section, meaning at those intermediate points, you can just keep an eye out the window and ensure your bag doesn't get picked up incorrectly.
Finally, insure your luggage, so if it DOES go missing / gets stolen, at least you're covered for the value, even if it is frustrating.
Pictures about "Good way to avoid bus luggage stress?"
How do I manage my luggage?
Here's how to make your luggage weigh less without really giving up the things you really need on the road.How do you travel with a lot of luggage?
Top Tips For Traveling With A Lot Of LuggageHow can I travel with less luggage?
9 essential packing tips for traveling carry-on onlyTop 5 Worst Travel Disasters \u0026 How to Avoid Them - Tips \u0026 Hacks
More answers regarding good way to avoid bus luggage stress?
Answer 2
These days you may also consider tossing a bluetooth tracker in your bags; when the bag gets in or out of range an alert will pop up on your phone. There are devices custom built for this, such as this one.
Answer 3
Pack for carry-on. If you're willing to live with having a day-pack in your lap or under your feet, you don't need to check luggage. You can (and arguably should) certainly do that with anything small and valuable.
Remember, watching may not be enough. There was a case a few years ago where a team was packing a thief into a large piece of luggage, so he could go through all the other bags while the bus was in motion.
If you can't take it into the bus with you, and don't feel comfortable checking it, another solution may be to pay a parcel service to deliver your luggage separately. That's worth keeping in mind even for air travel, now that airlines have been imposing baggage charges even for the first checked bag.
Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
Images: Olga Lioncat, Will Mu, Chut FOTO, Тамара Левченко