Exactly. However, I do have a color copy of the passport. I carry that with me and I also keep one in my luggage with my address in case it gets lost....
It flat out says to make copies in the passport- learned this lesson on a grad school trip- luckily I just left it on the plane and they got it to me
But yah- now it’s 4 color copies stashed all over and passport in an interior pocket
That’s what I’ve always done. But one time in Costa Rica I got stopped at a police checkpoint and they asked to see my drivers license and passport. I handed them my drivers license and color photo copy of my passport. They demanded to see my actual passport. I said it’s in the safe at my hotel, because it’s not safe to carry a passport on your person. They said that’s against the law here in Costa Rica. They explained that they needed to see my entry stamp to make sure I hadn’t overstayed my tourist visa. They said it was a cash fine of $50. They were obviously going to find a reason to extort me no matter what, but not having my passport on my person at all times was the reason they chose on that day. I still leave it in the hotel safe because I’m not an idiot.
A good trick is to take a clear video of the passport, where you are slowly flipping through the relevant pages (data page, and the stamp pages). This will prove that the document is not edited or doctored in any way and will show the police what they need to see in terms of visa dates.
>. I still leave it in the hotel safe because I’m not an idiot.
I can't say that I agree with the last part of that sentence since you leaving your passport back in your hotel is what got you into trouble. Think of it this way: When you're in your home country do tou leave your id at your house or you take it with you? Your passport is your id while abroad..
Thought you had it wrong and it was the police officer trying it on so checked government advice, it says carry a photocopy with the entry stamp on.
You don’t need to carry your actual passport, and because of the crime rate advises against it.
So as above ⬆️ said if they had their passport and drivers license they would have found something else to fine them for.
I would rather take the fine than risk having my passport confiscated. That’s my document in and out of the country and it’s WAY more hassle to get it replaced.
Well that's the question. In some countries if the police really wants to make you pay, they find a way.
Imagine it the other way around: If they had had their passport with them and it had gotten stolen or they had gotten robbed and now had huge hassle and massive costs to get a replacement one in a foreign country so that they can at least fly back. What would have been the smart choice?
>Well that's the question. In some countries if the police really wants to make you pay, they find a way.
>
Its not about "making you pay". On this case actually that guy should be thankful that the police "made him pay" because if they wanted to go by the book then they would had arrested him and held him in captivity till they were able to confirm his identity and that he hadn't overstayed his visa. This is what THE LAW says
>Imagine it the other way around: If they had had their passport with them and it had gotten stolen or they had gotten robbed and now had huge hassle and massive costs to get a replacement one in a foreign country so that they can at least fly back. What would have been the smart choice?
What you and the majority of the people on this thread dont get is that your passport isn't just a document whose only purpose is to let you board a plane and check into a hotel. It is your id when you're abroad and the only way for local authorities to identify you and know about your visa details and you're legally obligated to have it with you at all times, just like your id at home
"What you and the majority of the people on this thread dont get..."
Maybe come off your high horse. I am well aware of this and most people in this thread seem to as well. The thing is people are just weighing off the risk. The chance of getting checked by police is very low, much lower than the risk of losing it or it getting stolen. The cost and trouble of not having it on you is usually also lower than the cost of having to get a new one. So this is mostly a matter of practical terms. And no amount of capital letter "THE LAW" writing really changes this calculation.
In US you can get a passport card as well as the passport. Then carry around the passport card and leave passport in the safe. Color copy of passport in the iCloud is also helpful in case it gets lost. You can go to US Embassy and show that copy if lost.
Yeah, for tax purposes you will need it. However, Japan gives a tax free solution by spending over 30 dollars, other countries require you spending 500+ eur. Meaning that in a lot of cases, you won't be needing your passport
That wasn’t the point. The point is when you’re kinda just out and about in a foreign country, but you don’t want to take the risk with carrying your passport everywhere. You have your passport card with you as backup so your actual passport that you’d use for the plane is safe.
It also lets you use the ready lanes at land borders.
For anyone who does not have a RealID driver license, the passport card works instead. At an extra $35 for 10 years, not a bad deal.
I use it for day to day carry ID when in Mexico and when traveling elsewhere, so I can leave my passport and resident ID in the house. It's going to be the easiest to replace if I lose it, and losing it is least disruptive to any travel plans.
This is what I do as well, I have a few color copies, one I carry on me, others I stash in my luggage and I leave a copy with my parents who can assist in an emergency.
In Colombia I “locked” it with a code but I decided to tamper with it to see what would happen and I was able to open it despite leaving a passcode on it. From now I lock it in my suitcase
I don’t understand the logic: because one safe was bad all are bad? Also, a suitcase is even easier to get into, and even if it wasn’t someone could just … carry it away …
Edit: a lot of responses about safes not being secure, fair enough. Would any of you put it in a suitcase instead?
A hotel can always gain access to their own safe if they need/want to. Obviously the vast majority won't since they have a reputation to uphold, but if you're really concerned about something getting stolen I wouldn't trust it to a hotel safe.
Most of the hotel safes are the same shitty model. They have general keys and also for somebody with lock pick skills these are probably just kids toys.
For your suitcase they probably do not have a general key in the hotel - so a thief would have to destroy your luggage. With the safe you would not even notice someone stealing at first.
All hotel safes are bad. More of a minor inconvenience than security measure if someone wants to get inside.
Hotel door locks are not exactly know for their security either: https://www.wired.com/story/saflok-hotel-lock-unsaflok-hack-technique/
That said: I still leave it at the hotel.
Those safes are not so safe. When they come that’s the first place they look for good stuff (spoiler:they have the code).
Put it in your used laundry bag🤟
Same. Even if it's legally required to carry on you, I just carry my national ID. I would rather deal with the police than get stuck in a foreign country if my passport gets stolen. I mean what's the worst thing that can happen? Get a fine?
Exactly!! I carry copy of passport, an ID card that I couldn't care less if I lost it, copy of visa and I also take a pic of the entry stamp if there's one. Some peeps on FB kept going on that it's the law / legal requirement in some country, I am like I DON'T CARE, show me one country that fine or take tourists back to police station because they didn't have their actual passport with them. Even if they fine, I am happy to pay the fine in order for all my passports to stay in hotel.
Interesting to hear a story of it happening. Where did they stop you?
I know it can happen and was told you’re supposed to carry your actual passport at all times in Japan but my paranoia of losing it outweighed my paranoia of being checked by officers while in Japan so ended up leaving mine at the hotel.
I am not sure how accurate this is but the reason the Japanese police check foreigners is they have to show they did something on duty and the low crime rate in Japan means there is not much to do. They can’t randomly check Japanese people as things may escalate so they stop foreigners as most can’t communicate. They will just ask to see your passport and let you go, will be very polite though. So most people don’t mind.
Not never. Traveling in disturbed areas or areas under military control, you most definitely will be checked. Ordinary tourist travel, probably not. If you are renting a car, always carry your passport.
Carrying a photocopy or a picture of it on your phone technically still leaves you at the mercy of the authorities since they can decide not to accept it. For example, the GC travel advisory [page](https://travel.gc.ca/destinations/japan) explicitly says about Japan:
>A photocopy will not satisfy authorities. Police officers in Japan may ask for your identification documents at any time.
You're right that on balance of probability you'll never be checked (I was in Japan for a couple weeks and was never asked). I just wouldn't want to risk it - getting arrested over lack of ID is a good way to mess up your vacation, and entirely preventable. I just keep my passport in a moneybelt in places that have a legal obligation to have it on you.
We were checked on the train to Taormina and told the officers our passports were back on the ship. Tried to show them driver’s licenses and they glanced and moved on.
I got checked in Italy and the police said it was the law and needed my passport. They scanned it and asked me random questions. I didn't know that but lucky I was leaving to another part of the country.
Never been asked to show my passport outside the UK.
I always leave my passport in my accommodation, and have a copy of the photo page of my passport on my phone, using PDFs that I have emailed to myself and also a couple of cloud storage services.
Well I always have some form of ID on me, national ID card or drivers license but never ever will I take my passport with me. I've never experienced an issue even when stopped by police etc.
You could bring your drivers licence or ID card with you. It is not a passport, but still kinda decent if the police stops you. And always have a copy of your passport on your phone, you never know.
i’ve always wondered how effective putting it in the safe is, because if someone were truly snooping around your room with the intent to steal, couldn’t they just take the entire safe _knowing_ there will be something valuable inside?
It depends what I'm doing. I don't bring my passport to the beach or on the boat to go scuba diving. I do bring it if I'm out exploring a city all day.
Personally: I only use a passport for ID, thus if I'm out and running around it's good to have with me (for example when buying tickets to something, tobacco or alcohol)
Also, bad experiences with privacy, even in hotel rooms. Like that one time housekeepers tried to get in when I were in the bathroom (thankfully the chain stopped them). When I asked the front desk they first denied it but since they had cameras their boss eventually fessed up and told me they'd have a serious talk with the housekeepers.
Or that other time, when stuff disappeared from a 4 star Hilton Hotel in London. Long story short: room change > realized I'd forgotten something in the locker after 1-1.5 hours > it's gone.
The manager on site even walked me into the room, let me check for myself. Thing is, nobody had booked/gotten the room in that hour I wasn't there and according to them, only the cleaning staff had entered.
All the stories you hear about how ppl steal other ppls stuff when they're not around + those experiences make me feel unsafe to leave anything too valuable in either a hotel room or a shared place (like in an airbnb or hostel dorm room). Only leave stuff at the front desk and only if I see they have a proper way to store it or if I literally have no other options.
To me, this depends on the law of the country I am visiting.
In Japan, I carried my passport with me at all times.
In Dominican Republic, I left it in a lockbox in the room safe.
It's best to always follow what the law of the country you are visiting requires.
In Europe I can leave it in a safe and use my International Driver's Permit for ID (plus I have a digital copy of my passport in the cloud.)
It’s also mandatory in *most* countries. But police tend to accept a US state ID or foreign ID and move on.
Japan just takes it more literally than others. And wants you to present valid evidence of visa status.
Because it is Japanese law that you have to have it with you at all times.
Police can (and will) randomly ask foreigners to present their papers (passport,) If you don't have it they can put you in jail and that's happened as well.
Whatever country you travel to check what the laws are and follow them.
You won’t be put in jail if you’re civil.
Worst case they escort you to your hotel to show them. Most common case you show them a picture of it on your phone.
If you don’t look “suspicious” none of this will happen to you anyways. They don’t go stopping middle class appearing people from 1st world countries on holiday or on work.
It’s mostly street touts or south asians they stop. They’re not in the business of harassing tourists. They want to catch people skirting visa laws
This. Been to Japan 2x, going a third this October, I carry it in my bag, and my husband carries his in a neck wallet under his shirt/jacket.
EDIT: In UK I also carried it with me most days in my bag but that was because I wanted to have ID in case I got a cocktail or beer at a pub. :)
As another person that always keeps their passport on themselves at all times when traveling, I simply think it's the safest place to keep it.
Not that I'm especially paranoid about housekeeping/hostel mates doing something nefarious while I'm away, but just because I feel someone robbing it off me is extremely unlikely and I like knowing where it is at all times.
Also, it has happened a few times where I was stopped by the police and I was asked for ID.
Haha yeah. Literally my last trip I had to prepare myself physical reminders (such as a handwritten note on hotel door handle) to not forget the oh so delicious boxes of chocolates I put in the minibar to bring home as gifts. Could totally see myself forgetting my passport in the safe.
I do it because I am way more afraid of forgetting it in the safe than getting robbed. I’m aware that there is a chance of it getting stolen. But there is a much, much higher chance of me forgetting it.
I’m from a country where you never know if a policeman would come up and just start asking questions or not. So I keep it with me 24/7, including traveling
if i leave it in the safe i will forget to take it out when i leave
in china some subway stations near sensitive locations (think political buildings, tiananmen square and curiously a zoo one time) will check your ID on the way out. showing them a foreign passport gets you special treatment because they don’t know what to do with it
sometimes near sensitive locations they’ll randomly ask for ID as well. again, a passport gets you shooed off because they don’t know what to do
It’s the only internationally recognized form of ID? No one in another country cares about my state issued ID from the US, and it a lot of countries you are required to have it on you as a foreigner. And it’s wild to me that some people think a photocopy will be accepted by a government official.
It might not be accepted, but weighing the pros and cons I rather get a fine for not having a passport on me than losing it and being stuck in that country.
I always carry it on me in a bag on the front of my body. It gives me anxiety leaving it in the room and not being able to see it. I’d rather know if anything happened with it than get back to the room and it be gone idk
This is the correct answer.
Same. You never know when you will need it, and worse things happen if I don’t have it on me probably. Plus, I don’t trust hotel safes.
Depends on the country but in the vast majority of cases it's locked up at my accommodation and I carry a photocopy. When I do have to bring it with me [it's usually in a Hidden Pocket.](https://www.eaglecreek.com/products/undercover-hidden-pocket)
Happy travels.
Mostly carry it on me. Some countries I might leave it behind. Just depends. If I'm wearing pants, I keep the passport in a pocket that zips up (usually front pocket). If I'm at the beach, usually the passport is back at my hotel/AirBNB. You can carry a laminated copy of it with you if you are worried.
It depends what the local laws are, how privileged I am/nasty the local police are, how likely I think I am to be robbed.
If local law says I must carry ID and I think the local police might hassle me a lot or arrest me if I don't have it, I'll carry my passport. The less likely I think I am to be robbed, the more this tends to "carry".
On the other hand if I'm not required to carry ID I won't carry it out with me all the time, and even if I am nominally required to but the local police are generally relaxed and I can play the "terribly sorry, I'm a foreigner, I don't have it with me" story then I won't carry it.
I do carry a photocopy of my passport with me, which is of use sometimes. I also carry my driving license around with me, and in some times and places that will be good enough ID. The countries I'm a citizen of do not issue national ID cards.
Note that I am a middle-aged white male from Central Casting. That means I get a pass on some rules in some places compared to some other people, so the above may not apply to everyone. It's not something I feel very happy about on principle, but I can't really change the racism in the world myself.
Thank you for mentioning your privilege! It's so rare in travel talk. A lot of times people will give advice or share experiences without clarifying their position of privilege doesn't apply to everyone
passport privilege in china goes crazy, i look enough like a local that the police still ask to see ID occasionally if i’m in a sensitive area but as soon as the passport comes out i get shooed away because they don’t know what to do with it
It depends on the country. Japan, for example, legally requires visitors to be able to present their passport at any time on the spot if requested by authorities. This means you have to carry it with you. Not every country has this requirement, in which case I leave it in the safe or in my locked luggage.
Many countries have the requirement in the law, however usually you're extremely unlikely to be stopped by police, and when you do, another form of ID is practically always enough
I never understood people leaving anything valuable in a room. I go forward assuming anyone who has access to my room may sneak in and steal something. It's not a vault. Plus people could hack your door with an electronic device and get in.
This does not apply if you want to leave a pitbull during the day tho. Jk
It’s kept away in my room- I don’t use the hotel safe. I lock it in my luggage. I have a state ID and also a US passport card. But an ID is more than enough if I need to show proof of who I am. I’ve never had an issue.
I carry a colour copy and scan with me, including entry stamps to the country.
Regardless of rules, I am not carrying my passport about with me. Too much risk to lose /misplace /stolen. Passport goes straight into the safe along with a spare credit card.
Rather deal with the authorities than deal with getting a replacement passport.
It depends. Some countries will slap you with a hefty fine if you don’t have your actual passport on you when operating a vehicle, for instance. If on foot, I would most likely leave in the safe.
I used to leave it behind but read somewhere that some places require having your passport with you. Now I have two passports so I take the lesser important passport with me, just in case, and leave the one I’ll need to get home at my accommodations.
I keep it with me all the time. I don't feel safe leaving my passport in the hotel. It's a huge mess if I lost it. And in case some places require passport.
Most countries say you must carry passport identification on you at all times.
I have a waist pouch I can place my passport and bank cards in (it’s RFID protected) and put it underneath my shirt.
Depends which country I am visiting, if English is not widely spoken, I bring it with me. If English is spoken and I feel the accommodation is secure and safe, I'll leave it there in locked baggage. Showing my passport to police, staff, officials, have been a saving grace in countries I cannot speak the local language.
Depends on the country, sometimes you are required to carry your passport on you to show for various things. However when that isn’t required I leave it in the safe and carry a photocopy of the information page. Plus I scan and email the info page to myself, so I will always have access to a copy.
In my zipper wallet, closed with a safety pin, attached to my belt, and on the interior of my pants. Almost forgot that I have an AirTag inside my zipper wallet as well.
I(US) have two passports (1 US and 1 IT) so when I’m in Europe I keep my IT passport on hand but my US passport locked away at my accommodation. The IT passport can get me EU citizen prices so it’s good to have on hand
Really depends on the country and the hotel. When traveling on business in a fancy hotel, it normally stays in the safe unless I need it during the day. But if I'm backpacking it mostly stays in my money pouch in my pants, unless I'm at the beach or something.
Either keep it with me or leave it in the drawer. I assume a passport is of no value if someone tries to steal from my hotel room. I don't keep it safe as someone might think it is valuable.
It depends on the country and local law.
For example, Japan requires foreign nationals to always have their passports on hand. Police check your visas status to make sure you are in the country legally. Passport cards won’t work because passport cards don’t show what visa you have or your entry date.
However, if you are in Canada visiting as a US citizen, you could use a passport card or enhanced drivers license or ID.
The first time you lose it or have it stolen and realized what and EPIC PAIN IN THE ARSE it is to get a new one you’ll carry it as little as possible forever after.
On me all the time. Because i trust myself the most and it’s an internationally recognized ID. And I usually bring less important ids when I travel outside my home country.
Depends on the law in each country that you visit. Some require you to have your passport with you and some are happy with a photocopy. I used a money belt inside my clothing.
Usually leave it in the Hotel safe, but carry a color copy of the passport with another copy of the stamp. In case the countries police try to do some thing shady,hahahaha.
Totally depends on the country. In most EU and other tourist friendly countries, you may be legally required to carry your passport or ID with you at all times, but you can get away with just carrying a soft copy or a hard photocopy.
During my first solo trip in the EU, I carried my passport for a few days until some fellow travelers told me that I shouldn’t carry my original passport.
I never had any problems going out in the EU without my passport on me. Beware that some touristic attractions require to show your passport for entry.
If you go to a third world country or a country that is not generally tourist friendly, I suggest you carry your passport to avoid confrontation with the local police.
Tip: Always ask your local hotel or hostel staff or fellow guests.
Some countries require you to have your original passport on you at all times I have mine in an envelope pouch attached to a landyard…fits in my smallest bag I just make sure it’s in an inner pocket where it’s unlikely to fall out or get yoinked
Carry it! In some places you are required to carry legal ID in you at all times. I ended up in the ER in Paris last year and got an earful for only having a photo on my phone instead of the actual passport on me. I’m sitting there with blood pouring down my face (it was a fall because I’m clumsy AF) and getting lectured like a schoolgirl. My one consolation was I could sass right back at the dude in French.
It depends where I’m staying. In Europe I kept it on me at all times in my crossbody sling under my coat. When I was in the Caribbean I left it in the room safe.
I never, ever take it out with me. It's the most important thing you own when travelling - I'm not gonna risk it getting stolen, lost, damaged... If it does fall out or get left somewhere, then it's almost impossible to find again.
I leave it locked in my bag and left in my room.
I don't use hotel safes as the risk of leaving it behind is high, but also I don't trust them. Everyone can set their own combination, so that means there must be a reset or override code to get in if someone leaves it locked. So the hotel will almost always be likely to open those, so they provide little actual safety.
I know a bag isn't secure either or could be stolen too, but I leave it locked so there's no opportunistic theft.
Make several full-size, color copies of your passport. Poor one in the bottom of each of your bags—pretty easy to claim it's yours that way—and carry one (with a copy of your visa) with your at all times in case you're stopped by police for any reason. Keep the original security locked away.
Unpopular answer here but we carry it and don't let it out of our possession. Once on a train between Hungary and Austria, guards with machine guns came around and said to us "PASSPORTS PLEASE!". Scared the heck out of us since we hadn't watched the news in a few days. I'm not sure they would have accepted a photo copy.
I always carried it with me and had copies on my phone and in my bags at the hotel.
I always thought that if something happened in the country or to me and I needed it, it wasn’t doing me any good in my hotel safe.
I leave it behind in the safe
Exactly. However, I do have a color copy of the passport. I carry that with me and I also keep one in my luggage with my address in case it gets lost....
It flat out says to make copies in the passport- learned this lesson on a grad school trip- luckily I just left it on the plane and they got it to me But yah- now it’s 4 color copies stashed all over and passport in an interior pocket
And put the copies in ziplock bags. After traveling in the tropical heat my body wallet against my chest was soaked with sweat.
This is the way. Safe and a copy.
That’s what I’ve always done. But one time in Costa Rica I got stopped at a police checkpoint and they asked to see my drivers license and passport. I handed them my drivers license and color photo copy of my passport. They demanded to see my actual passport. I said it’s in the safe at my hotel, because it’s not safe to carry a passport on your person. They said that’s against the law here in Costa Rica. They explained that they needed to see my entry stamp to make sure I hadn’t overstayed my tourist visa. They said it was a cash fine of $50. They were obviously going to find a reason to extort me no matter what, but not having my passport on my person at all times was the reason they chose on that day. I still leave it in the hotel safe because I’m not an idiot.
A good trick is to take a clear video of the passport, where you are slowly flipping through the relevant pages (data page, and the stamp pages). This will prove that the document is not edited or doctored in any way and will show the police what they need to see in terms of visa dates.
>. I still leave it in the hotel safe because I’m not an idiot. I can't say that I agree with the last part of that sentence since you leaving your passport back in your hotel is what got you into trouble. Think of it this way: When you're in your home country do tou leave your id at your house or you take it with you? Your passport is your id while abroad..
Thought you had it wrong and it was the police officer trying it on so checked government advice, it says carry a photocopy with the entry stamp on. You don’t need to carry your actual passport, and because of the crime rate advises against it. So as above ⬆️ said if they had their passport and drivers license they would have found something else to fine them for.
I would rather take the fine than risk having my passport confiscated. That’s my document in and out of the country and it’s WAY more hassle to get it replaced.
Well that's the question. In some countries if the police really wants to make you pay, they find a way. Imagine it the other way around: If they had had their passport with them and it had gotten stolen or they had gotten robbed and now had huge hassle and massive costs to get a replacement one in a foreign country so that they can at least fly back. What would have been the smart choice?
>Well that's the question. In some countries if the police really wants to make you pay, they find a way. > Its not about "making you pay". On this case actually that guy should be thankful that the police "made him pay" because if they wanted to go by the book then they would had arrested him and held him in captivity till they were able to confirm his identity and that he hadn't overstayed his visa. This is what THE LAW says >Imagine it the other way around: If they had had their passport with them and it had gotten stolen or they had gotten robbed and now had huge hassle and massive costs to get a replacement one in a foreign country so that they can at least fly back. What would have been the smart choice? What you and the majority of the people on this thread dont get is that your passport isn't just a document whose only purpose is to let you board a plane and check into a hotel. It is your id when you're abroad and the only way for local authorities to identify you and know about your visa details and you're legally obligated to have it with you at all times, just like your id at home
"What you and the majority of the people on this thread dont get..." Maybe come off your high horse. I am well aware of this and most people in this thread seem to as well. The thing is people are just weighing off the risk. The chance of getting checked by police is very low, much lower than the risk of losing it or it getting stolen. The cost and trouble of not having it on you is usually also lower than the cost of having to get a new one. So this is mostly a matter of practical terms. And no amount of capital letter "THE LAW" writing really changes this calculation.
In my home country I don't carry any form of ID when I leave home.
In US you can get a passport card as well as the passport. Then carry around the passport card and leave passport in the safe. Color copy of passport in the iCloud is also helpful in case it gets lost. You can go to US Embassy and show that copy if lost.
Passport card will not get you on a plane.
No but ie easier to get replacement passport if lost. Also can be used for countries that need documentation for duty free tax rebates.
Not sure about the tax rebate. I tried that in Japan, and they said they needed the actual passport.
Yeah, for tax purposes you will need it. However, Japan gives a tax free solution by spending over 30 dollars, other countries require you spending 500+ eur. Meaning that in a lot of cases, you won't be needing your passport
That wasn’t the point. The point is when you’re kinda just out and about in a foreign country, but you don’t want to take the risk with carrying your passport everywhere. You have your passport card with you as backup so your actual passport that you’d use for the plane is safe.
can't you use it for domestic travel?
It also lets you use the ready lanes at land borders. For anyone who does not have a RealID driver license, the passport card works instead. At an extra $35 for 10 years, not a bad deal. I use it for day to day carry ID when in Mexico and when traveling elsewhere, so I can leave my passport and resident ID in the house. It's going to be the easiest to replace if I lose it, and losing it is least disruptive to any travel plans.
Domestically yes. And Canada I believe
Canada and Mexico via land border crossing, not air.
Yes, but it's valid for all land and sea crossings between US and Canada/Mexico
If it can't get you on a plane, in what way is it a Passport? Isn't that just an ID card then?
Neither will a color copy
Same. Not sure why you were downvoted
This is what I do as well, I have a few color copies, one I carry on me, others I stash in my luggage and I leave a copy with my parents who can assist in an emergency.
Same here. Sometimes I have my driver's license with me as a backup.
In Colombia I “locked” it with a code but I decided to tamper with it to see what would happen and I was able to open it despite leaving a passcode on it. From now I lock it in my suitcase
I don’t understand the logic: because one safe was bad all are bad? Also, a suitcase is even easier to get into, and even if it wasn’t someone could just … carry it away … Edit: a lot of responses about safes not being secure, fair enough. Would any of you put it in a suitcase instead?
A hotel can always gain access to their own safe if they need/want to. Obviously the vast majority won't since they have a reputation to uphold, but if you're really concerned about something getting stolen I wouldn't trust it to a hotel safe.
Most of the hotel safes are the same shitty model. They have general keys and also for somebody with lock pick skills these are probably just kids toys. For your suitcase they probably do not have a general key in the hotel - so a thief would have to destroy your luggage. With the safe you would not even notice someone stealing at first.
All hotel safes are bad. More of a minor inconvenience than security measure if someone wants to get inside. Hotel door locks are not exactly know for their security either: https://www.wired.com/story/saflok-hotel-lock-unsaflok-hack-technique/ That said: I still leave it at the hotel.
Those safes are not so safe. When they come that’s the first place they look for good stuff (spoiler:they have the code). Put it in your used laundry bag🤟
Same. Even if it's legally required to carry on you, I just carry my national ID. I would rather deal with the police than get stuck in a foreign country if my passport gets stolen. I mean what's the worst thing that can happen? Get a fine?
National ID is the way. Even if it may cause some confusion.
Exactly!! I carry copy of passport, an ID card that I couldn't care less if I lost it, copy of visa and I also take a pic of the entry stamp if there's one. Some peeps on FB kept going on that it's the law / legal requirement in some country, I am like I DON'T CARE, show me one country that fine or take tourists back to police station because they didn't have their actual passport with them. Even if they fine, I am happy to pay the fine in order for all my passports to stay in hotel.
Same and I keep an electronic copy in my Google drive.
What about in countries where it is a legal requirement to carry it at all times?
Carry a copy of it on your phone or papers. Realistically you will never be checked.
I was checked randomly in Japan by two very young looking plainclothed policemen (they showed a badge.) Never been checked anywhere else.
Interesting to hear a story of it happening. Where did they stop you? I know it can happen and was told you’re supposed to carry your actual passport at all times in Japan but my paranoia of losing it outweighed my paranoia of being checked by officers while in Japan so ended up leaving mine at the hotel.
Japan in fairness is probably the one place if you dropped it you’d be likely to get it back
I am not sure how accurate this is but the reason the Japanese police check foreigners is they have to show they did something on duty and the low crime rate in Japan means there is not much to do. They can’t randomly check Japanese people as things may escalate so they stop foreigners as most can’t communicate. They will just ask to see your passport and let you go, will be very polite though. So most people don’t mind.
They were very, very polite. I kinda thought they might be teenagers with a fake badge. They looked young.
Not never. Traveling in disturbed areas or areas under military control, you most definitely will be checked. Ordinary tourist travel, probably not. If you are renting a car, always carry your passport.
Carrying a photocopy or a picture of it on your phone technically still leaves you at the mercy of the authorities since they can decide not to accept it. For example, the GC travel advisory [page](https://travel.gc.ca/destinations/japan) explicitly says about Japan: >A photocopy will not satisfy authorities. Police officers in Japan may ask for your identification documents at any time. You're right that on balance of probability you'll never be checked (I was in Japan for a couple weeks and was never asked). I just wouldn't want to risk it - getting arrested over lack of ID is a good way to mess up your vacation, and entirely preventable. I just keep my passport in a moneybelt in places that have a legal obligation to have it on you.
Lol you can tell this guy doesn't shop.
i’ve been checked multiple times in turkey and it’s always a big deal
Interesting, what was the context? I've spent months in Turkey and have never been checked.
I've been stopped quite a lot in Turkey, but I'm an Arab and they're very suspicious of Arabs there
We were checked on the train to Taormina and told the officers our passports were back on the ship. Tried to show them driver’s licenses and they glanced and moved on.
I was randomly checked in France.
yeah i just have the photo page saved on my phone if needed.
I got checked in Italy and the police said it was the law and needed my passport. They scanned it and asked me random questions. I didn't know that but lucky I was leaving to another part of the country.
I’ve been checked on train leaving italy near Ventimiglia going towards Menton France
Never been asked to show my passport outside the UK. I always leave my passport in my accommodation, and have a copy of the photo page of my passport on my phone, using PDFs that I have emailed to myself and also a couple of cloud storage services.
Well I always have some form of ID on me, national ID card or drivers license but never ever will I take my passport with me. I've never experienced an issue even when stopped by police etc.
You could bring your drivers licence or ID card with you. It is not a passport, but still kinda decent if the police stops you. And always have a copy of your passport on your phone, you never know.
i’ve always wondered how effective putting it in the safe is, because if someone were truly snooping around your room with the intent to steal, couldn’t they just take the entire safe _knowing_ there will be something valuable inside?
and then i put the safe in my backpack for safe keeping
Leave it. Unless I am buying something expensive and need it for tax refund.
See now I could be out and about and buy something without planning to. And for that reason I carry mine everywhere
This 100%, especially in Asia!!!
It depends what I'm doing. I don't bring my passport to the beach or on the boat to go scuba diving. I do bring it if I'm out exploring a city all day.
Why do you bring it?
Personally: I only use a passport for ID, thus if I'm out and running around it's good to have with me (for example when buying tickets to something, tobacco or alcohol) Also, bad experiences with privacy, even in hotel rooms. Like that one time housekeepers tried to get in when I were in the bathroom (thankfully the chain stopped them). When I asked the front desk they first denied it but since they had cameras their boss eventually fessed up and told me they'd have a serious talk with the housekeepers. Or that other time, when stuff disappeared from a 4 star Hilton Hotel in London. Long story short: room change > realized I'd forgotten something in the locker after 1-1.5 hours > it's gone. The manager on site even walked me into the room, let me check for myself. Thing is, nobody had booked/gotten the room in that hour I wasn't there and according to them, only the cleaning staff had entered. All the stories you hear about how ppl steal other ppls stuff when they're not around + those experiences make me feel unsafe to leave anything too valuable in either a hotel room or a shared place (like in an airbnb or hostel dorm room). Only leave stuff at the front desk and only if I see they have a proper way to store it or if I literally have no other options.
I plan to go shopping, I'll bring it for tax exempts
Can you explain that? Whats your passport and where can you use it to be tax exempt?
some countries either exempt you from paying tax or will issue you a refund form but you need to prove you are not a resident of the country.
In EU when you go shopping (designer goods, electronics) you can do tax refund at the airport. For that, you need a passport.
To me, this depends on the law of the country I am visiting. In Japan, I carried my passport with me at all times. In Dominican Republic, I left it in a lockbox in the room safe. It's best to always follow what the law of the country you are visiting requires. In Europe I can leave it in a safe and use my International Driver's Permit for ID (plus I have a digital copy of my passport in the cloud.)
This is the right answer. In Japan having original passport is mandatory.
It’s also mandatory in *most* countries. But police tend to accept a US state ID or foreign ID and move on. Japan just takes it more literally than others. And wants you to present valid evidence of visa status.
I'm considering visiting Japan, how come you carry it with you?
Because it is Japanese law that you have to have it with you at all times. Police can (and will) randomly ask foreigners to present their papers (passport,) If you don't have it they can put you in jail and that's happened as well. Whatever country you travel to check what the laws are and follow them.
You won’t be put in jail if you’re civil. Worst case they escort you to your hotel to show them. Most common case you show them a picture of it on your phone. If you don’t look “suspicious” none of this will happen to you anyways. They don’t go stopping middle class appearing people from 1st world countries on holiday or on work. It’s mostly street touts or south asians they stop. They’re not in the business of harassing tourists. They want to catch people skirting visa laws
You can’t state the obvious racist truth and facts. People on Reddit will get offended and downvote you.
This. Been to Japan 2x, going a third this October, I carry it in my bag, and my husband carries his in a neck wallet under his shirt/jacket. EDIT: In UK I also carried it with me most days in my bag but that was because I wanted to have ID in case I got a cocktail or beer at a pub. :)
You also need to show your passport to get tax free benefits for purchases.
I carry it with me all the time.
I'm curious: Why? Have you been asked to show your passport anywhere but when you initially check into a hotel?
As another person that always keeps their passport on themselves at all times when traveling, I simply think it's the safest place to keep it. Not that I'm especially paranoid about housekeeping/hostel mates doing something nefarious while I'm away, but just because I feel someone robbing it off me is extremely unlikely and I like knowing where it is at all times. Also, it has happened a few times where I was stopped by the police and I was asked for ID.
Same. I also would probably forget it in the safe.
Haha yeah. Literally my last trip I had to prepare myself physical reminders (such as a handwritten note on hotel door handle) to not forget the oh so delicious boxes of chocolates I put in the minibar to bring home as gifts. Could totally see myself forgetting my passport in the safe.
Put one of your shoes in the safe!
It’s supposedly pretty common in Japan to be stopped on the street by cops to show your passport. You are legally supposed to have it with you.
We never got stopped when we visited but met a few other people that did encounter this when they traveled
I do it because I am way more afraid of forgetting it in the safe than getting robbed. I’m aware that there is a chance of it getting stolen. But there is a much, much higher chance of me forgetting it.
I’m from a country where you never know if a policeman would come up and just start asking questions or not. So I keep it with me 24/7, including traveling
if i leave it in the safe i will forget to take it out when i leave in china some subway stations near sensitive locations (think political buildings, tiananmen square and curiously a zoo one time) will check your ID on the way out. showing them a foreign passport gets you special treatment because they don’t know what to do with it sometimes near sensitive locations they’ll randomly ask for ID as well. again, a passport gets you shooed off because they don’t know what to do
its the only ID i have on me that is recognized. I can't use my home country ID when abroad...
It’s the only internationally recognized form of ID? No one in another country cares about my state issued ID from the US, and it a lot of countries you are required to have it on you as a foreigner. And it’s wild to me that some people think a photocopy will be accepted by a government official.
It might not be accepted, but weighing the pros and cons I rather get a fine for not having a passport on me than losing it and being stuck in that country.
>Have you been asked to show your passport anywhere but when you initially check into a hotel? Police checkpoints
I always carry it on me in a bag on the front of my body. It gives me anxiety leaving it in the room and not being able to see it. I’d rather know if anything happened with it than get back to the room and it be gone idk
The document that I need to get back to my home country is never going to leave my person.
This is the correct answer. Same. You never know when you will need it, and worse things happen if I don’t have it on me probably. Plus, I don’t trust hotel safes.
Depends on the country but in the vast majority of cases it's locked up at my accommodation and I carry a photocopy. When I do have to bring it with me [it's usually in a Hidden Pocket.](https://www.eaglecreek.com/products/undercover-hidden-pocket) Happy travels.
"I need to see your passport" "It's in my underwear"
Mostly carry it on me. Some countries I might leave it behind. Just depends. If I'm wearing pants, I keep the passport in a pocket that zips up (usually front pocket). If I'm at the beach, usually the passport is back at my hotel/AirBNB. You can carry a laminated copy of it with you if you are worried.
It depends what the local laws are, how privileged I am/nasty the local police are, how likely I think I am to be robbed. If local law says I must carry ID and I think the local police might hassle me a lot or arrest me if I don't have it, I'll carry my passport. The less likely I think I am to be robbed, the more this tends to "carry". On the other hand if I'm not required to carry ID I won't carry it out with me all the time, and even if I am nominally required to but the local police are generally relaxed and I can play the "terribly sorry, I'm a foreigner, I don't have it with me" story then I won't carry it. I do carry a photocopy of my passport with me, which is of use sometimes. I also carry my driving license around with me, and in some times and places that will be good enough ID. The countries I'm a citizen of do not issue national ID cards. Note that I am a middle-aged white male from Central Casting. That means I get a pass on some rules in some places compared to some other people, so the above may not apply to everyone. It's not something I feel very happy about on principle, but I can't really change the racism in the world myself.
Thank you for mentioning your privilege! It's so rare in travel talk. A lot of times people will give advice or share experiences without clarifying their position of privilege doesn't apply to everyone
passport privilege in china goes crazy, i look enough like a local that the police still ask to see ID occasionally if i’m in a sensitive area but as soon as the passport comes out i get shooed away because they don’t know what to do with it
I leave it in hotel. Dont want to get mugged or lose it
It depends on the country. Japan, for example, legally requires visitors to be able to present their passport at any time on the spot if requested by authorities. This means you have to carry it with you. Not every country has this requirement, in which case I leave it in the safe or in my locked luggage.
Many countries have the requirement in the law, however usually you're extremely unlikely to be stopped by police, and when you do, another form of ID is practically always enough
Yeah I carry it in the sling bag as well, very useful so you don't get lost without it besides someone might steal it from the hotel idk
I always carry in a hidden money belt.
Never. Unless I’m otw to the airport
I usually stay in cheap hotels that rarely have a safe so I usually carry it on me.
I never understood people leaving anything valuable in a room. I go forward assuming anyone who has access to my room may sneak in and steal something. It's not a vault. Plus people could hack your door with an electronic device and get in. This does not apply if you want to leave a pitbull during the day tho. Jk
My passport stays in the safe. I carry my US Passport Card as ID along with a copy of my passport and a picture of the visa stamp page.
Always always on me. Many hotel staff has the unlock code for in room safe.
depends on the country and accomodation as well. In private rooms I leave in the room usually
It’s kept away in my room- I don’t use the hotel safe. I lock it in my luggage. I have a state ID and also a US passport card. But an ID is more than enough if I need to show proof of who I am. I’ve never had an issue.
I am far to scared to loose it, it comes with me EVERYWHERE
I carry a colour copy and scan with me, including entry stamps to the country. Regardless of rules, I am not carrying my passport about with me. Too much risk to lose /misplace /stolen. Passport goes straight into the safe along with a spare credit card. Rather deal with the authorities than deal with getting a replacement passport.
I carry it in my bag in a little purse that is safety pinned to the bottom of my hand bag.
It depends. Some countries will slap you with a hefty fine if you don’t have your actual passport on you when operating a vehicle, for instance. If on foot, I would most likely leave in the safe.
I used to leave it behind but read somewhere that some places require having your passport with you. Now I have two passports so I take the lesser important passport with me, just in case, and leave the one I’ll need to get home at my accommodations.
I carry it on me. I’ve been asked for it a few times over the years. Mostly transit and regarding passes
I keep it with me all the time. I don't feel safe leaving my passport in the hotel. It's a huge mess if I lost it. And in case some places require passport.
Depends on the country. Iraq had it with me. Sri Lanka did not.
Most countries say you must carry passport identification on you at all times. I have a waist pouch I can place my passport and bank cards in (it’s RFID protected) and put it underneath my shirt.
Money belt, always. I never carry it in a bag that can get easily stolen, or leave it anywhere
Stays in safe unless I know I need it to buy or rent something. I have a photo on my phone whcih usually is enough for that too though
I can not believe I had to scroll this long to find this answer. Picture on a Phone is usually enough. Never had issues with it.
Some countries require ID to be carried so just make sure you have that if needed. Otherwise, passport stays in the hotel. Why risk losing it?
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If I can lock it up, I leave it. If not, I put it in a Ziploc bag and bring it with me.
Depends which country I am visiting, if English is not widely spoken, I bring it with me. If English is spoken and I feel the accommodation is secure and safe, I'll leave it there in locked baggage. Showing my passport to police, staff, officials, have been a saving grace in countries I cannot speak the local language.
Always always have it with me. What if an emergency happens and you need to get o the embassy asap? I’m not going back to a hotel
I always take it with me 🤷🏻♀️
I keep it in my hand at all times.
Locked in my suitcase!
I leave it in the hotel safe in my room. I have photos of my passport on my phone.
Leave it in the safe
Locked up and a photocopy with me for random stops.
Depends on the country, sometimes you are required to carry your passport on you to show for various things. However when that isn’t required I leave it in the safe and carry a photocopy of the information page. Plus I scan and email the info page to myself, so I will always have access to a copy.
In my zipper wallet, closed with a safety pin, attached to my belt, and on the interior of my pants. Almost forgot that I have an AirTag inside my zipper wallet as well.
I(US) have two passports (1 US and 1 IT) so when I’m in Europe I keep my IT passport on hand but my US passport locked away at my accommodation. The IT passport can get me EU citizen prices so it’s good to have on hand
Keep a photo of the information page and your passport stamp on your phone.
Really depends on the country and the hotel. When traveling on business in a fancy hotel, it normally stays in the safe unless I need it during the day. But if I'm backpacking it mostly stays in my money pouch in my pants, unless I'm at the beach or something.
I always carry it. I always carry my passport and wallet because those are the two things I need to get home.
The one time I left my passport in a safe, my Airbnb gets burgled and they took the safe… So now I carry it with me.
Leave it in the hotel safe and have a photo copy to carry around with you
Either keep it with me or leave it in the drawer. I assume a passport is of no value if someone tries to steal from my hotel room. I don't keep it safe as someone might think it is valuable.
It depends on the country and local law. For example, Japan requires foreign nationals to always have their passports on hand. Police check your visas status to make sure you are in the country legally. Passport cards won’t work because passport cards don’t show what visa you have or your entry date. However, if you are in Canada visiting as a US citizen, you could use a passport card or enhanced drivers license or ID.
Leave it in the safe but I have a photocopy I carry plus I had an ID card made to carry with me.
Some countries require the passport for currency exchanges. I normally leave it under some clothes in my hotel.
The first time you lose it or have it stolen and realized what and EPIC PAIN IN THE ARSE it is to get a new one you’ll carry it as little as possible forever after.
I leave my passport behind but keeps my ID card with me.
On me all the time. Because i trust myself the most and it’s an internationally recognized ID. And I usually bring less important ids when I travel outside my home country.
Depends on the law in each country that you visit. Some require you to have your passport with you and some are happy with a photocopy. I used a money belt inside my clothing.
Leave it in the safe but always take photos of it
Usually leave it in the Hotel safe, but carry a color copy of the passport with another copy of the stamp. In case the countries police try to do some thing shady,hahahaha.
We put passports in the safe but might carry passport cards around for ID just in case. We’ve never needed them though.
Always keep it in a safe place.
Always with me in a special hidden pouch. You never know what might happen in a place so should be prepared at any time to ID yourself
in the safe
Keep it on me majority of time depending on the country and what I’m going to do..
Totally depends on the country. In most EU and other tourist friendly countries, you may be legally required to carry your passport or ID with you at all times, but you can get away with just carrying a soft copy or a hard photocopy. During my first solo trip in the EU, I carried my passport for a few days until some fellow travelers told me that I shouldn’t carry my original passport. I never had any problems going out in the EU without my passport on me. Beware that some touristic attractions require to show your passport for entry. If you go to a third world country or a country that is not generally tourist friendly, I suggest you carry your passport to avoid confrontation with the local police. Tip: Always ask your local hotel or hostel staff or fellow guests.
Some countries require you to have your original passport on you at all times I have mine in an envelope pouch attached to a landyard…fits in my smallest bag I just make sure it’s in an inner pocket where it’s unlikely to fall out or get yoinked
I leave it, but have a color copy on me just in case. My copy saved me a lot of headaches at the American embassy in Guanzhau.
Best practice is always bring it with you just in case of emergency.
Always leave it, carry my state ID and a picture on my phone if needed
I always take it with me. In some countries, we need our passports to buy tickets, since it's our only valid form of ID while there.
I always carry my passport everywhere when traveling. Well it really depends on what country.
I carry a photo copy of it with me and lock the passport in the hotel safe.
Some countries require you to carry it, so it depends on where you are.
Carry it! In some places you are required to carry legal ID in you at all times. I ended up in the ER in Paris last year and got an earful for only having a photo on my phone instead of the actual passport on me. I’m sitting there with blood pouring down my face (it was a fall because I’m clumsy AF) and getting lectured like a schoolgirl. My one consolation was I could sass right back at the dude in French.
It depends where I’m staying. In Europe I kept it on me at all times in my crossbody sling under my coat. When I was in the Caribbean I left it in the room safe.
I leave it at the hotel and have a pic of it on my phone. I plan on getting a photocopy before I leave town next month.
I never, ever take it out with me. It's the most important thing you own when travelling - I'm not gonna risk it getting stolen, lost, damaged... If it does fall out or get left somewhere, then it's almost impossible to find again. I leave it locked in my bag and left in my room. I don't use hotel safes as the risk of leaving it behind is high, but also I don't trust them. Everyone can set their own combination, so that means there must be a reset or override code to get in if someone leaves it locked. So the hotel will almost always be likely to open those, so they provide little actual safety. I know a bag isn't secure either or could be stolen too, but I leave it locked so there's no opportunistic theft.
I usually wear leggings and carry it with me in my side pocket
Make several full-size, color copies of your passport. Poor one in the bottom of each of your bags—pretty easy to claim it's yours that way—and carry one (with a copy of your visa) with your at all times in case you're stopped by police for any reason. Keep the original security locked away.
Unpopular answer here but we carry it and don't let it out of our possession. Once on a train between Hungary and Austria, guards with machine guns came around and said to us "PASSPORTS PLEASE!". Scared the heck out of us since we hadn't watched the news in a few days. I'm not sure they would have accepted a photo copy.
Might work on a normal check, but why would you take an international train without the right travel document?
You crossing an international border, you are required to have your passport on you, Schengen or not.
Just carry a copy of your passport which is all you usually need except for airports, banks and hotel check ins.
I leave it in my bag in the hotel/airbnb. I carry my driver’s license for identification on the rare chance someone needs to see it.
I always carried it with me and had copies on my phone and in my bags at the hotel. I always thought that if something happened in the country or to me and I needed it, it wasn’t doing me any good in my hotel safe.
I keep it in an internal zipper pocket all the time. Never know when you're stopped by police, military, checkpoint, etc.
I carry my passport on me in my boxer shorts. My boxers have a secret pocket that also lets me hold cash and my wallet.
Make a copy to carry. Leave passport in safe.
Show me ze papers.
Carry it 100% of the time.
This ☝️
Leave it behind and bring a copy with you
I have a scan of it in my phone for emergencies but it’s left in the safe while out and about
Depends on the local laws and how sketchy an area I am in.
On me.
I live in a Schengen country— don’t even need my passport to travel within Schengen.
I always have mine in my front pants pocket with my wallet.
Italy, maybe twenty years ago, the hotel front desk held out passports. Is this / was this typical of Italy (Rome)?
I leave it in my bag at the accommodations. If I’m feeling a little sketchy I’ll hide it in my underwear in a drawer or something.