Travel Question: Are we alone in our Barcelona bag woe?

Have a question? Ask our expert Simon Calder

Luggage thieves are why you never see Joan Collins on the Barcelona Aerobus (Rex)

Q I had my cabin luggage stolen on the Aerobus from Barcelona city centre to the airport. The bus was packed and we were sitting in one of the front rows. When the time came to pick up our cabin luggage after allowing others to get their baggage and leave the bus, ours wasn’t there. We think it was pre-planned and well executed by whoever carried out the theft. Is this common?

Name supplied

A Yes. In cities that attract a lot of tourists – Amsterdam and Paris other are good examples – theft from new arrivals on public transport from the airport is commonplace. And I am afraid that Barcelona is at the top of the list for crime targeting tourists on an industrial scale.

While the Aerobus in Barcelona is a fast, efficient and inexpensive way to reach the city centre, it is also perfect for organised criminals. You can be sure that you were being watched as you boarded the bus, and your seating position relative to your baggage was noted.

Theft is actually more common on journeys from Barcelona airport to the city centre. There are several stops along the way before reaching the terminus at Placa de Catalunya, and therefore bags can be stolen with impunity.

Crime against tourists is also rife on the rail link from Barcelona airport to the city centre, though not (yet) on the new Metro line; this involves changing trains and is a cumbersome journey, which attracts few tourists.

In Barcelona in particularly, but also elsewhere, be aware that tourists are prime targets on public transport. Never take your eyes off your possessions for a moment between arriving at the airport and reaching your hotel.

Every day our travel correspondent Simon Calder tackles a reader’s question. Just email yours to s@hols.tv or tweet @simoncalder