Avoiding Train Travel Scams in Europe: Lessons from a Stolen Bag
For many seasoned travelers, there’s nothing quite like the romance of European train journeys – effortless boarding, scenic countryside views, and the comfort of gliding from city to city without the hassles of airports. That’s precisely what drew us – two senior Canadians – to board a high-speed train from Amsterdam to Brussels on what was meant to be a smooth, relaxed leg of our European itinerary.
The Journey Begins: A Scenic Train Ride Gone Wrong
The journey itself delivered on expectations: clean carriages, peaceful passengers, and a sunny landscape unfolding beyond the window. We had stored our belongings in the overhead rack – a common practice on European trains – and settled in for the two-hour ride.
But the moment we arrived at Brussels Midi Station, that carefree feeling evaporated.
A Disappearing Act: Discovering the Stolen Backpack
As my husband reached up to grab his backpack, a wave of confusion hit. It wasn’t his pack. It looked similar – black, well-used – but the weight was wrong. The zippers weren’t the same. We unzipped it quickly. Inside? Junk. A plastic bottle, some leaflets, a pair of broken sunglasses. Nothing to identify an owner. Certainly not ours.
The realization hit like a punch: his real backpack was gone.
What followed was a hurried trip to the station police – a process they seemed all too familiar with. The officers were empathetic but unsurprised. Apparently, this type of theft is increasingly common on popular intercity routes.
A Common Scheme: How Train Thieves Operate
Here’s how it works: a clever, fast-moving thief boards the train with his own backpack, one that looks indistinguishable from dozens of others. He roams the carriage until he spots a likely mark – your bag, stored innocently overhead. He places his own next to it and takes a nearby seat, unassuming. When the train stops at the next station, he reaches up, grabs your bag – not his – and makes a quick exit, disappearing into the crowd. To you, your bag appears untouched – until you realize it’s not yours at all.
Our loss wasn’t minor. Inside that backpack were both our Canadian passports, my husband’s laptop (loaded with essential business files), noise-canceling headphones, prescription eyeglasses, and medications. Essentials. Things not easily replaced on the road. We were suddenly not just travelers – we were stranded, exposed, and deeply inconvenienced.
The police took our report, but the tone in their voice made it clear: recovery was unlikely.
Canadian Embassy to the Rescue
Thankfully, we weren’t entirely without hope. Our next move was straight to The Canadian Embassy in Brussels – a modern glass building tucked in a diplomatic quarter, where we were met with professionalism, empathy, and, above all, action.
Armed with our police report and photocopies of our missing passports (a precaution we were suddenly very glad to have taken), the staff swiftly began the process of issuing us emergency travel documents. No bureaucratic runaround – just calm, efficient service from people who understood that travel emergencies don’t wait.
We had planned to fly to London in four days. It was tight.
But to our immense relief, within three days, we were holding new, temporary Canadian passports in hand. Yippee!
It wasn’t quite the spontaneous adventure we had in mind for Brussels, but it reminded us that in moments of crisis, good planning, quick thinking, and a solid embassy network can make all the difference.
Travel Smart: Tips for Train Safety in Europe
If you’re taking a train in Europe, particularly between major cities like Amsterdam and Brussels, here’s what we wish we’d known before:
- Keep valuables with you at all times. That overhead rack may seem secure, but it’s not. Store passports, electronics, and irreplaceable items in a small bag or pouch you keep at your feet or in your lap.
- Label your bag clearly and distinctively. A brightly colored tag, a custom strap, or even a ribbon can make your bag harder to mistake—or steal unnoticed.
- Be alert during station stops. Thieves rely on brief windows of distraction. Watch for anyone paying more attention to bags than seats.
- Back up your data. Especially if you’re traveling with business materials. Cloud storage can save a lot of grief.
- Scan and save copies of your travel documents. Keep digital versions of passports, IDs, visas, and key reservations in your email or cloud.
- Know where your embassy is located. Don’t wait until you need them to find out where they are.
Traveling comes with its fair share of surprises – some charming, others cautionary. While we lost more than just luggage on that train, we gained a story we hope will help others. Train travel is still one of Europe’s best experiences – but now we know to ride it a little wiser.
And yes – we made it to London, passports in hand, a little more seasoned than before.
Safe travels, and keep your bags close.