One of the skill sets I acquired as long-term runaway was the ability to sneak into just about anywhere.

I sweet talked my way into luxury hotels and relaxed in their hot tubs, pools, and saunas. I snuck onto trains and traveled thousands of kilometers. I even managed to enter the Pyramids with a fake ticket.

In the beginning, I got caught plenty of times. Trembling hands, a bright red face, and profuse perspiration gave me away. But the more I tried, the calmer, stealthier and more emboldened I became.

The following guide will empower you with the fundamentals to sneaking into anywhere. It will also suggest 8 of the best places to sneak into for intense budget backpackers and runaways.

Disclaimer: Trespassing on private property is illegal everywhere. Sneaking into businesses and other establishments should be used as a last resort and undertaken with respectful intentions.

1) Remain Calm

Fear is the greatest threat to any successful sneak attempt. It manifests in timid body language, irrational thought, and for some, increased flatulence. Even if you manage to keep clenched, authorities and guards will sniff you out. It all comes down to the energy you exude. Therefor it is essential to lose your fear and keep calm.

By rationalizing any mission, you are able to put your fear into perspective. Whether your hoping trains, or sneaking into hostels, you have to ask yourself, what’s the worst that could happen? In most cases it’s simply a verbal reprimand before being released. Aside from being a bit embarrassing, there’s really nothing to fear at all. Staying calm, cool, and collected is the foundation that will enable you to successfully sneak into anywhere.

2) Play The Part

Once you suppress your fear, it’s time to increase your odds of success by becoming an academy award winning actor. In order to do this, you must embody your character in every aspect. You must believe with all your being that you are who you say you are.

If you’re sneaking into a hotel, play the part of a guest. Maybe you’re the son or daughter of a rich business tycoon. If anyone tries to stop you, respond quickly and arrogantly. Don’t give anyone any reason to believe that you aren’t supposed to be where you are.

Although playing the part takes practice, once this technique is perfected, it is the most effective in any sneak endeavor.

3) Become Invisible

In some settings, the most effective method is to become invisible. This means keeping a low profile, moving among groups, and hiding in the shadows. It is the fast paced, confidence driven, stealth reliant technique used by the likes of James Bond and Indiana Jones.

In order to attain 007 mode, you must call upon a combination of the first two techniques. You must remain calm, confident, and unassuming and play the part to perfection while constantly adapting when necessary.

This is the best method for sneaking into festivals guarded by medieval walls and guards, or jumping international borders.

8 Places To Sneak Into On The Road

How To Sneak Into Hotels

The hotel is one of the easiest and most rewarding establishments to sneak into. As long as you act like a patron you should be able to swipe a bit of food from breakfast buffets, improve your hygiene by pinching a bottle of shampoo from the maids carts, and relax a bit in the hotel sauna.

How To Sneak Onto Trains

Sneaking onto trains is easier than you might think. Aside from the Eurostar, TGV, and other prestigious high tech lines, you do not need a ticket to access the tracks or enter the train. Once on board, you can travel as long as you manage to avoid the suspicious glare of the ticket controller. The tenacity of the ticket controller to catch free-riders greatly depends on the country. Staying calm is key. For a complete guide, check out How To Sneak Onto Trains.

How To Sneak Into Hostels

Due to the small size of most hostels, sneaking in can be a bit tricky. But if you need to sleep indoors for the night it’s a viable option. The easiest way to do this is to make friends with kids from the hostel, play the part of a backpacker, and enter as a pack.

How To Sneak Into Apartment Complexes

Most apartment complexes are easy to enter with the right amount of stealth and agility. Security is often minimal and gates are generally low and easy to hop. They can offer a degree of safety from the streets and even a hot tub if you’re lucky.

How To Sneak Into Festivals

To sneak into a festival requires a high degree of 007 stealth. Festival organizers anticipate people sneaking in and take every effort to combat this. They design the grounds like a castle and hire hundreds of security guards to protect it. To sneak in successfully, you must locate a weak spot and wait for the opportune moment to move. Staying patient is key. The price of being caught can be up to a week long jail sentence, especially in Eastern Europe. For more on festivals, check out European Music Festival Guide.

How To Sneak Into Shows

Unlike festivals, most shows are very easy to gain access to. The easiest way to do this is to enter the show at intermission. At this time, attendants rarely recheck tickets. Just make sure to dress the part and blend into the group. For info on sneaking into Broadway shows, check out Free Fun In NYC.

How To Sneak Into The Movies

Sneaking into the movies is a great way to hone your skills. It’s relatively stress free and has minor repercussions should you be caught. The easiest method for all movie theaters is to find an old ticket stub and hold it up to the ticket checker while swiftly walking past as if you’re late for the previews.

How To Sneak Into The Pyramids

Many large historic sites such as Angkor Wat and The Great Pyramids are too big to be enclosed by a continuous perimeter wall. Although they have main entrances, unguarded side entrances are surprisingly easy to come by. To enter the Pyramids, simply walk around and enter via the vast desert. For detailed info on sneaking into Angkor Wat, check out Sneaking Into Angkor Wat.

Conclusion

Staying calm, confident, playing the part, and going stealth when you need to are the fundamental skills for sneaking into just about anywhere. However, depending on the situation, you may have to get creative. Look for weak spots in security, blend into large groups when you can, and take advantage of the power of persuasion. Though it’s a bit nerve-racking at first, it’s really not as hard or dangerous as you might think.

Keep calm and sneak on,

-Leif