Your Travel Partner
SINCE 1989
Your Travel Partner
SINCE 1989
Losing your passport or luggage while travelling can be one of the most stressful experiences during an international trip. Whether your passport is misplaced, your suitcase fails to arrive at the airport, or your belongings are stolen, knowing the right steps to take can make the situation much easier to handle.
Every year, thousands of international visitors travel across India without any problems. However, unexpected situations can happen in any country. A forgotten backpack in a taxi, misplaced luggage at a railway station, or a stolen passport in a crowded market can quickly disrupt your travel plans if you are not prepared.
The good news is that most of these situations have clear solutions. India has local police stations, airport lost-and-found offices, railway assistance centres, embassies, consulates, and travel insurance support services that help travelers recover documents or continue their journey.
The key is to remain calm and act quickly. Delaying a police report, waiting too long to contact your airline, or failing to inform your embassy can make the recovery process more complicated.
This guide explains exactly what to do if your passport or luggage is lost or stolen in India, including whom to contact, what documents you will need, and practical tips to minimise disruption to your trip.
Before assuming your passport or luggage has been stolen, take a few minutes to carefully retrace your steps.
Many travel items are simply misplaced rather than stolen. Check:
If you recently changed hotels or used a taxi, contact them immediately. Lost items are often handed in by staff or other passengers.
If your luggage is delayed at the airport, it may simply be arriving on the next flight rather than being permanently lost.
Taking a few moments to verify the situation can save unnecessary stress.
Your passport is the most important travel document you carry. If it is lost or stolen, report the incident as soon as possible.
The first step is to visit the nearest police station and file a First Information Report (FIR) or a written police complaint, depending on local procedures.
The police report is extremely important because your embassy or consulate will usually require it before issuing an emergency travel document or replacement passport.
When filing the report, provide as much information as possible, including:
Always request a copy of the police report or acknowledgement for your records.
After reporting the incident to the police, contact your country's embassy or consulate in India immediately.
Embassy staff will explain the process for obtaining:
You may be asked to provide:
Processing times vary depending on your nationality and the documents available, so contacting the embassy quickly is important.
If your checked baggage does not arrive at the baggage carousel, do not leave the airport immediately.
Instead, visit your airline's baggage service desk before exiting the arrivals area.
Airline staff will normally ask you to complete a Property Irregularity Report (PIR) containing:
Most delayed baggage is located and delivered within a short period, particularly when luggage has been misrouted rather than permanently lost.
Keep copies of every document provided by the airline, including reference numbers for tracking your baggage.
If you believe your luggage has been stolen rather than delayed, report the incident to the nearest police station immediately.
The police report may be required for:
If electronic devices were stolen, change passwords for important online accounts as soon as possible to reduce security risks.
If you purchased travel insurance before your trip, contact your insurance company as soon as possible after reporting the incident to the police or airline.
Most travel insurance policies cover situations such as:
The insurance company will usually ask for:
Keep every receipt related to replacement clothing, toiletries, transportation, or document fees, as these may be required when submitting your claim.
If your luggage cannot be recovered immediately, focus on replacing only the essentials you need for the next few days.
These may include:
Avoid making expensive purchases until you understand what your travel insurance will reimburse.
If your baggage is delayed rather than permanently lost, the airline may return it within a day or two.
Losing both your passport and mobile phone can make communication much more difficult, but it is still manageable.
As soon as possible:
If your phone contains copies of important travel documents, your cloud backup may still allow you to access them from another device.
One of the easiest ways to reduce stress during emergencies is to prepare before leaving home.
Keep digital and printed copies of:
Store digital copies in secure cloud storage and keep printed copies separately from the originals.
If your passport is lost, these copies can make the replacement process much faster.
Simple precautions can greatly reduce the chances of experiencing problems during your trip.
Keep your passport in a secure travel pouch or hotel safe whenever it is not needed.
Avoid carrying all your valuables together in one bag. If possible, separate your passport, cash, credit cards, and backup documents.
Label your luggage clearly with your name, phone number, and hotel address.
Use luggage tags and, if available, GPS luggage trackers for additional peace of mind.
When travelling by train or bus, keep valuable items in a smaller daypack that stays with you instead of placing them in overhead racks or luggage compartments.
Finally, stay alert in crowded places such as railway stations, markets, airports, and major tourist attractions where accidental loss or theft is more likely.
Before beginning your trip in India, save these important contacts in your phone:
Having these numbers readily available can save valuable time during an emergency.
Find the answers to all of our most frequently asked questions
Report the loss to the nearest police station, obtain a police report, and contact your country's embassy or consulate immediately.
In most cases, you will need an emergency travel document or replacement passport issued by your embassy before you can travel internationally.
It is an official report issued by an airline when checked baggage is delayed, lost, or damaged.
Yes. Inform your insurance provider as soon as possible and keep all supporting documents and receipts.
Complete a Property Irregularity Report at the airport and keep the reference number so you can track your baggage.
Yes. A police report is often required for passport replacement, insurance claims, and investigations involving stolen belongings.
Yes. Keeping printed and digital copies separately from the original passport is strongly recommended.
Yes. Your embassy or consulate will guide you through the process of obtaining an emergency travel document or replacement passport.
Store it securely, avoid carrying unnecessary valuables together, use hotel safes where available, and keep digital backups of important documents.
For immediate emergencies involving police, ambulance, or fire services, call 112, India's national emergency response number.
