Sneaky Steps Tourists Need To Be Taking Before Leaving A Car Parked In A Big City

Picture this: You've just arrived in a new city for a weekend getaway. After finding a seemingly perfect parking spot near your hotel, you leave your rental car carefully parked near a busy intersection and head out for an afternoon of sightseeing, shopping, and trying out the must-visit local food spots. But when you come back later that evening, your heart sinks: One of the car windows has been smashed, and your backpack — which had your passport, laptop, and a handful of other personal items — is gone.

Unfortunately for out-of-town travelers who park in unfamiliar areas, this scenario plays out thousands of times every year, especially in major cities across the country where thieves specifically target vehicles with rental car stickers or out-of-state license plates. However, what many visitors don't realize is that not all parking spots are created equal. In fact, making a few smarter choices when it comes to things like visibility and security can make the difference between a seamless vacation and a stressful nightmare — one that involves filing police reports, paying insurance deductibles, dealing with rental car companies for hours on end, and losing out on valuable vacation time.

To teach travelers how to better protect their vehicles while exploring unfamiliar urban destinations, Explore reached out to Joanne McNellis, Founder and CEO of Travel Safety Solutions. With years of experience dealing with travel security, McNellis has seen firsthand how even the smallest oversights can lead to devastating consequences that put your car and luggage at risk for theft — and how proper precautions can help to dramatically reduce the risk of break-ins.

For starters, the most important part of making sure your car (rental or not) stays safe is choosing the right location. "Try to find a parking spot that's well-lit and near foot traffic. Thieves are less likely to take a chance if the area is busy or highly visible," Joanne McNellis advises. If you've never been to the destination before, do your homework before arriving by checking online reviews of any nearby parking facilities or by using Google Maps and traveler-focused forums and platforms to scout for potentially park-friendly neighborhoods.

Per McNellis, another recommendation is to use apps like "SpotHero and ParkMobile [which] can help you locate reputable parking facilities." Ultimately, however, finding the perfect spot generally boils down to equal parts awareness, research, and intuition. "Trust your gut. If a parking spot or garage doesn't feel right, keep driving and find another one," she advises.

Along with that, what you should avoid is equally as important. "Avoid dark corners, isolated areas, or spots with overgrown trees or fencing," warns McNellis. "Anywhere someone could lurk or not easily be seen breaking in is considered high risk." Additionally, for tourists using rental cars, she cautions: "Don't leave the rental agreement or key tag in plain sight as it screams 'tourist,' which unfortunately can make you a target."

Once you feel confident that you've picked the right spot to park your car, there are several other steps you can take to help protect your car from theft while traveling. For starters, the effective way to protect yourself starts with removing all temptation. "Triple-check that your doors are locked, windows are fully up, and that nothing of value is visible," Joanne McNellis emphasizes. "That includes things like charging cords, loose change, or bags or anything that might look like it's hiding a laptop or phone. Even the smallest item can be enough to tempt someone."

For an even higher level of security, consider bringing along some more conspicuous deterrents. "While it may feel a little 'old school,' a simple steering wheel lock can be surprisingly effective and serve as a strong visual deterrent," she notes. "Window-break alarms are another great, affordable option. If you're looking for something more high-tech, GPS trackers can be hidden inside your vehicle and will alert you if the car is moved." This mini GPS smart tracker from Spytec, for example, is a popular choice that buyers agree works accurately and is easy to set up. At the end of the day, having one or more of these handy can help you feel a lot more at ease, especially if you're preparing for a long-haul road trip that'll take you through several unfamiliar urban areas.

Finally, before walking away, it's also worth taking one final precaution: "If you opt for street parking, take a picture of where your vehicle is parked, especially in large city lots or unfamiliar areas. If anything happens or you need to file a report, having those details can really help."