• Rucksacks and backpacks top the list of lost items on UK trains, with 1,402 left behind in the past year
• A total of 550 shopping bags were lost, so be sure to hang on to your Christmas shopping
• With major delays and disruptions expected this Christmas, experts urge travellers to keep a close eye on their belongings

As the Christmas season approaches, UK travellers are already facing rising delays and disruptions. Because of this, overcrowded trains, ongoing industrial action, and the general chaos of the season are likely to lead to more forgotten belongings as passengers rush to their destinations.

With up to 400 works scheduled across the rail network, travellers are urged to plan ahead and double-check their belongings before stepping off the train to avoid adding to the pile of lost items this festive season.

Due to these findings, My Baggage, luggage shipping experts, analysed data from Missingx.com to reveal the 10 items you’re most likely to lose on UK trains. Rucksacks and backpacks top the list, with 1,402 reported left behind between October 2023 and September 2024. Other frequently lost items include coats, jackets, shopping bags, and even earbuds, highlighting how the pressures of holiday travel are contributing to the growing number of forgotten belongings.

Most commonly lost items on UK trains

Rucksacks/backpacks rank top, with 1,402 reported lost on UK trains between October 2023 and September 2024. South Western Railway recorded the most lost rucksacks/backpacks over the year, at 320, while London Northwestern Railway recorded 290 and Avanti West Coast recorded 236.  

Coats rank second, with 651 reported lost on UK trains between October 2023 and September 2024. A total of 146 coats were reported missing on Great Western Railway trains during the 12 months, while South Western Railway recorded 129 and Avanti West Coast recorded 110. 

Third in the ranking are jackets, with 595 reported lost on UK trains between October 2023 and September 2024. The most missing jackets were reported lost on South Western Railway trains, at 126. A further 101 were lost on Avanti West Coast trains and another 96 on TransPennine Express trains. 

Shopping bags come in fourth, with 550 reported lost on UK trains between October 2023 and September 2024. South Western Railway recorded the greatest number of lost shopping bags over the year, at 194, while Great Western Railway recorded 94 and London North Eastern Railway recorded 81. 

In fifth are bags, with 546 reported lost on UK trains between October 2023 and September 2024. A total of 240 bags were reported missing on South Western Railway trains during the 12 months, while Avanti West Coast recorded 203. 

Earbuds/wireless headphones come in sixth, with 440 reported lost on UK trains between October 2023 and September 2024. The most missing earbuds/wireless headphones were reported lost on South Western Railway trains, at 90. A further 85 were lost on Great Western Railway trains and another 70 on Avanti West Coast trains. 

Seventh on the list are glasses, with 416 reported lost on UK trains between October 2023 and September 2024. South Western Railway recorded the greatest number of lost glasses over the year, at 121, while Great Western Railway recorded 90 and London Northwestern Railway recorded 61. 

In eighth place are handbags, with 402 reported lost on UK trains between October 2023 and September 2024. A total of 106 handbags were reported missing on South Western Railway trains during the 12 months, while Avanti West Coast recorded 74. 

Earbud cases rank ninth, with 390 reported lost on UK trains between October 2023 and September 2024. The most missing earbud cases were reported lost on South Western Railway trains, at 114. A further 109 were lost on Great Western Railway trains and another 61 on Avanti West Coast trains. 

Landing the tenth spot are hats, with 381 reported lost on UK trains between October 2023 and September 2024. Avanti West Coast recorded the greatest number of lost hats over the year, at 121, while London North Eastern Railway recorded 98 and South Western Railway recorded 61. 

Paul Stewart, Managing Director of My Baggage, commented on the findings: 

“Every day, passengers leave behind a surprising range of belongings on UK trains, from the common item to the unexpected. While it can be frustrating to lose a personal item, it’s also never been easier to alert a train company and become reunited with your belongings. The top ten not only offers a snapshot of passenger habits but also reminds us to do that extra check before stepping off the train.” 

• Rucksacks and backpacks top the list of lost items on UK trains, with 1,402 left behind in the past year
• A total of 550 shopping bags were lost, so be sure to hang on to your Christmas shopping
• With major delays and disruptions expected this Christmas, experts urge travellers to keep a close eye on their belongings

As the Christmas season approaches, UK travellers are already facing rising delays and disruptions. Because of this, overcrowded trains, ongoing industrial action, and the general chaos of the season are likely to lead to more forgotten belongings as passengers rush to their destinations.

With up to 400 works scheduled across the rail network, travellers are urged to plan ahead and double-check their belongings before stepping off the train to avoid adding to the pile of lost items this festive season.

Due to these findings, My Baggage, luggage shipping experts, analysed data from Missingx.com to reveal the 10 items you’re most likely to lose on UK trains. Rucksacks and backpacks top the list, with 1,402 reported left behind between October 2023 and September 2024. Other frequently lost items include coats, jackets, shopping bags, and even earbuds, highlighting how the pressures of holiday travel are contributing to the growing number of forgotten belongings.

Most commonly lost items on UK trains

Rucksacks/backpacks rank top, with 1,402 reported lost on UK trains between October 2023 and September 2024. South Western Railway recorded the most lost rucksacks/backpacks over the year, at 320, while London Northwestern Railway recorded 290 and Avanti West Coast recorded 236.  

Coats rank second, with 651 reported lost on UK trains between October 2023 and September 2024. A total of 146 coats were reported missing on Great Western Railway trains during the 12 months, while South Western Railway recorded 129 and Avanti West Coast recorded 110. 

Third in the ranking are jackets, with 595 reported lost on UK trains between October 2023 and September 2024. The most missing jackets were reported lost on South Western Railway trains, at 126. A further 101 were lost on Avanti West Coast trains and another 96 on TransPennine Express trains. 

Shopping bags come in fourth, with 550 reported lost on UK trains between October 2023 and September 2024. South Western Railway recorded the greatest number of lost shopping bags over the year, at 194, while Great Western Railway recorded 94 and London North Eastern Railway recorded 81. 

In fifth are bags, with 546 reported lost on UK trains between October 2023 and September 2024. A total of 240 bags were reported missing on South Western Railway trains during the 12 months, while Avanti West Coast recorded 203. 

Earbuds/wireless headphones come in sixth, with 440 reported lost on UK trains between October 2023 and September 2024. The most missing earbuds/wireless headphones were reported lost on South Western Railway trains, at 90. A further 85 were lost on Great Western Railway trains and another 70 on Avanti West Coast trains. 

Seventh on the list are glasses, with 416 reported lost on UK trains between October 2023 and September 2024. South Western Railway recorded the greatest number of lost glasses over the year, at 121, while Great Western Railway recorded 90 and London Northwestern Railway recorded 61. 

In eighth place are handbags, with 402 reported lost on UK trains between October 2023 and September 2024. A total of 106 handbags were reported missing on South Western Railway trains during the 12 months, while Avanti West Coast recorded 74. 

Earbud cases rank ninth, with 390 reported lost on UK trains between October 2023 and September 2024. The most missing earbud cases were reported lost on South Western Railway trains, at 114. A further 109 were lost on Great Western Railway trains and another 61 on Avanti West Coast trains. 

Landing the tenth spot are hats, with 381 reported lost on UK trains between October 2023 and September 2024. Avanti West Coast recorded the greatest number of lost hats over the year, at 121, while London North Eastern Railway recorded 98 and South Western Railway recorded 61. 

Paul Stewart, Managing Director of My Baggage, commented on the findings: 

“Every day, passengers leave behind a surprising range of belongings on UK trains, from the common item to the unexpected. While it can be frustrating to lose a personal item, it’s also never been easier to alert a train company and become reunited with your belongings. The top ten not only offers a snapshot of passenger habits but also reminds us to do that extra check before stepping off the train.”