Any tips besides buying a metal trunk to prevent my backpack
from being stolen while traveling by train. Is 1st class
any more safe than 2nd sleeper as far as theft goes?
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I've backpacked globally for a long time and have NEVER had
a theft problem, especially not on a train in India. I hear
others have, but I've never even met anyone who's been
ripped off completely on and Indian train.
One bit of advice-- be WITH your backpack when a train stops
at a station, especially a major station, because that's
when there's often a rush of in and out that could lead to
problems. Also, porters often jump on the train and grab
every bag they can, just for the tip. They're not trying to
steal it, just get the gig.
One guy I know got a patch from an Indian Army Commando unit
and sewed it on his pack. I bet that slows thieves down...
Just use common sense. Make sure the pack isn't shiny new--
same for stuff strapped onto it like sleepbags or ground
mats. Put your name on it, big, with indelible pen, but not
your country. Esp US, Aus, Can, UK...
Maybe let a little worn, yucky laundry hang out the pockets?
Just try to stay as close to your pack as you can, at least
eye-ball distance. Or if you have to put it in a compartment
at the end of the carriage, get it on the bottom of the
pile.
Of course you're likely to nod off on trains. If you can't
have your pack under your feet, have one of your group stay
awake. Or make sure you're awake for the stops.
And don't be paranoid. And don't leave passport, money,
camera, tickets or imodium in the pack.
Of course you're likely to nod off on the train
while travelling in third world countries overnight in trains I usually use my backpack as a pillow. So, if anybody tries to grap your pack, you definitly will feel it. But I'm sure, nobody will even try it. Most important: don't be paranoid!!!!!!
happy travels...
hi i did several long overnight train journeys through
inida/rajastan and had no problems, althou a easy safty
precaution i used was a chain and padlock which are easly
attached to the trains beds/seats before shoving your
backpack right under the seat
ne worries :0)
i always take a thick steel chain that is used for securing
motorbikes and a good padlock. therefore while in rajasthan
on the second class overnighters chain it to something on
your bunk and then cuddle it all night. never been ripped
off. trust no one! sad but true...
cheers
gus
I agree with gus and geordie. A (strong) chain and padlock
are very useful. Only, a chain is very heavy and that's why
I never carry any. A padlock or two (a middle size and a big
one), though, are extremely useful (BTW also in case your
hotel room is to be locked with a padlock - in such case
don't use the hotel's padlock but your own one, who knows
who has the keys for the other one). What I did last
time on a night train in India was : I had made friends with
a very nice couple from new zealand travelling in the same
compartment as I, and we decided to padlock our three
backpacks together. It is practically impossible to carry
three full size, heavy backbacks -firmly locked together-
away without you noticing something. Of course it's no
guarantee either, but if you don't want to carry a heavy
chain and neither cuddle a dirty backpack (they get
incredibly dirty!)or use it as a cushion, then this method
is better than nothing. The chains which are occasionally
sold on trains are of no use. They are thin and can be cut
easily.
Good luck and enjoy India !
The big advantage of 1st class is that the cabin has a door
that you can lock and the guard keeps the external doors
locked unless someone has a reservation. This is fantastic
if there are 4 of you as you can sail through the night and
day in your own private hassle free world.
Most of the theft problems seem to be quick snatch and grabs
through the windows so tucking things under the seat and
away from the window deals with most problems.
Your biggest insurance against theft though has to be your
other passengers. The locals are just as keen to prevent
theft as you are and will holler blue murder at the first
sign of trouble. Any notion that they will conspire with
thieves against the foreigner is just absurd.
A nice light chain and solid lock is very useful but if they
come equipped with bolt cutters just give it to them.
Remember India is not crime free but still remarkable safe
..... and never been ripped-off.
The chain thing is the best idea, even considering the extra
weight. Also, get those groovy little combo locks to zap
your zips together.
Worst thing for us was getting burned by squirrels in teh
Grand Canyon last year: ate their way through to the snacky
stuff - our stupidity.
Oh, yeah - when you suit up, have your companions do a
'pack check' on you and you on them, just to make sure it's
all there.
First class, second class - who cares: you're in India !!!
Bon voyage.
Mountain Designs in Perth, Western Australia sell these
unreal steal mesh things that you put around your backpack
and you can then lock it to the chair of a train. Don't know
about you - but for $70 it will buy a lot of peace of mind.
Apparantly they only weigh 500gms.
Never lock the zips on your backpack. Better they get in and steal stuff than take the whole pack or slash a hole and ruin it.
I recommend locks, but not to make a big deal of it. After
all, even the locals lock their stuff when they ride the
trains, let's be realistic. Keep your valuables on your
person or under your head, lock your main pack and keep a
close eye on it, and relax. Don't take anything with you
in the first place that you reallyreallyreally can't afford
to lose. Also, class does make a difference. The higher
the class the safer you are. 2nd AC is a good alternative
if you are really concerned about it, but 2nd sleeper is
more fun if you ask me.
I have been travelling for 24 years now (gosh, has it really
been that long...) and never had anything stolen, so far.
Before i go, I have zip-pockets made into the legs of all
the trousers I┤m going to wear on the journey, where I
can put my passport, tickets etc. Remember to have it done
on the backside of your trousers, so the stitches don┤t
show. And take the stuff out before you`re about to do a
river-crossing!
I can
2ac sleeper provides hooks to padlock your bag to ... so
take a padlock. These carriages are also locked at night and
the conductor is usually nearby. Stay calm, don't freak out
and remember that Indians are normal people. If you think
the nice, middle-class people (like you and me) in 2ac are
just waiting to pounce I suggest you stay home!
Our trip across Pacific and Asia will drive us to Nepal in
August / early September. I would like to take a trekking
to the base camp of the Everest. My concern being the
Monsoon. Is it worthy to do such a trek in August? Or are
the weather conditions at that time (clouds, haevy rain,
flooding) too bad to do the trek?
I have had conflictual information for that time of the
year in the Everest region.
HAs anyone be there in August? Please advise. I need to
confirm this part of our trip very soon. Thanks
Locking your backpack to the chains simple tells thieves
that you have something worth stealing. Kepp the most
valuable stuff next to you or on you and casually leave
your unlocked backpack under the seat. The only time I've
been robbed was when I was using a lock, and they slashed
the hell out of my bag. The chances of theft are highest
when the train is still at the platform - gangs of thieves
sometimes create an instant crowd and before you know it
your bag has been slashed and/or pilfered. The expensive
trains like the Shatabdi and Rajdhani seem to be the main
target. A hotel owner told me that in Delhi thieves pay Rs
3000 a month to the police to work on the platforms where
Shatabdis arrive and leave.
use a wirelock and never sleep completly.bee avere of the
trainpolice and the boygangs
To travel in confort is to be able to sleep in a bed at
night. I try to travel by daytime in India, awake and seeing
things. This is the biggest hurdle for thieves. And it is
possible if you break your journeys and ask, ask, ask many,
many, many persons for informations.
For instance there still is a daytime train from Quilon to
Madurai. If you just ask one times, you will hear there are
only two nighttime trains. More asking will reveal a daytime
train to Chennai, get down at Virudu Nagar Junction and take
any passenger train to Madurai. And it is possible to travel
by daytime 'tourist' bus to Chennai. Would LP publish a
guidebook called "India by daytime"?