Free travel tool

Lost something? Your "what to do now" checklist

Pick where you lost it and what it was. You'll get an ordered checklist — who to contact first, what to say, what to block or lock, and when to file a report — plus a message you can send to the lost-and-found desk.

⚠️ General guidance only. Procedures differ between countries, operators and venues. For passports and IDs, always follow your own government's official instructions.

Where did you lose it?
What did you lose?

Airport · Bag or luggage

Do this now, in this order

0 of 7 done

Have this information ready

  • The bag's description, a photo if you have one, a list of contents and any bag tag or PIR number.
  • Terminal, the area where you last had it, flight number and the time.
  • A phone number or email where you can be reached right now (not the lost phone).

Message for the lost-and-found desk

Fill in what you can and copy the message into their form, email or chat.

Hello,

I think I lost an item at the airport and I'm hoping someone has handed it in.

Item: Bag or luggage
Description: …
When: …
Where: …

I can describe it in more detail or show proof that it's mine. Please contact me at ….

Thank you very much for your help,

🔒 Runs entirely in your browser. Nothing you type is sent or stored.

How it works

  1. Pick the place

    Airport, plane, train, bus, taxi, hotel, venue or street — each has a different person holding found items.

  2. Pick the item

    Phones, wallets, passports and laptops need security steps first; bags and keys need a good description.

  3. Follow the order

    Urgent steps come first: block cards or lock devices before you start calling lost property.

  4. Send the message

    Fill in the template with a precise description and how to reach you, then print or copy the checklist.

Worked example

Priya realises in her hotel room that she left her phone in a rideshare. She picks "Taxi or rideshare" and "Phone".

The checklist puts locating and locking the phone first — from her laptop, before the battery dies — then contacting the driver through the app's lost item feature, then calling the taxi company if needed.

Next come calling her carrier to suspend the SIM, securing her accounts, a police report if it looks stolen, and checking her insurance. She copies the ready-made message, adds "black iPhone in a green case, back seat", and sends it through the app.

Frequently asked questions

What should I do first if I lose my wallet?

Freeze or block your cards immediately — most banking apps let you do it in seconds, and it's usually reversible. Then contact the place where you lost it, check for unusual transactions, and list the IDs that were inside so you can replace them.

How long do lost and found offices keep items?

It varies a lot. Many transport operators, venues and hotels keep items for somewhere between a few weeks and three months before donating, selling or destroying them. Valuables and IDs are often passed to the police sooner. Always ask how long they hold items.

Do I need a police report for a lost item?

Not always. You usually need one if the item was stolen, for a lost passport or ID in many countries, and when an insurer or bank asks for a reference. Many police forces let you report non-urgent losses online.

What should I do if I lose my passport abroad?

Check it isn't simply misplaced, report it to the local police if required, and contact your embassy or consulate through your government's official website. They can issue an emergency travel document. Reporting the passport lost cancels it, so don't use it even if it turns up later.

Can I find my phone if it's switched off?

Sometimes. Find My (Apple) and Find My Device (Google) can show the last known location, and newer phones can be located for a while even when off or offline. Mark it as lost straight away so you're notified when it's found or comes back online.

How can I make it more likely that someone returns my things?

Make it easy to contact you without exposing your details. A QR tag such as TagTrek lets a finder scan and message you anonymously; an emergency contact on your phone's lock screen and a label inside your bag help too.

Tag your bags so a finder can reach you

Most lost things are found by someone who has no way to contact you. TagTrek turns any bag or item into a QR tag: whoever finds it scans it and can message you anonymously. No app needed for the finder, no GPS tracking.

Download on the App Store Get it on Google Play
See how TagTrek works →

Embed this tool

Run a travel blog, forum or help page? Add this free tool to your site. Copy the code below and paste it into your page.

More free travel tools

Articles →