Passports: In the safe or in the pocket?
 

I've seen contradicting posts on what to do with your passports when traveling internationally. Some folks say to carry the original and leave copies, others say carry copies and leave the original in the safe at the hotel. What is the definitive answer to this?

My "definitive" answer is: moneybelt (underneath clothes). No chance of forgetting it, no chance of dropping it, no chance of pickpocket loss. For the few times you need to produce it, keep it deep inside daypack/pocketbook, or man's front pants pocket (or hidden pocket inside blazer, if you wear one).

In a moneybelt underneath your clothes would be my definitive answer as well.

We've always left our passports in the hotel/cruiseship safe and carried color passport copies. We just found it easier and safer. We travel often out of the country and have never had a problem.

I have never in over 35 years of european travel been asked to produce my passport , except at Italian hotel check-in. I carry copy and leave original somewhere safe...either in hotel safe, room safe, or mixed in with dirty nasty laundry!

Sorry, mdtravel, but there is no definitive answer. It depends whom you talk to. I'm from the leave-the-original-in-the-safe-and-carry-copy school of thought. Am I right? Who's to say, except that it's right for me!
PS to Jody: I find it hard to believe that in 35 years of European travel, you've only been asked for a passport once by a hotel staff person, let alone anywhere else. Have you also never applied for a VAT refund?

Howard, Off the original subject. Don't you have to spend over 180 euros in one place to try to get VAT refunded? Is that in all countries, or just a few?

Nope Howard...I don't travel to shop!

I leave the original in the hotel or room safe and carry a copy. Whenever I've needed it for VAT purchases or at a bank in Paris, the copy was accepted.

Wren, yes you do have to spend a certain amount in one place. I believe the figure varies by country. When we were in Paris last May and Italy last October, I think the amount was around 175 euro. Perhaps, someone out there has the exact current amounts for each country.

BTW Howard ..I never said ONCE...I've showen my passport many , many times in Italian hotels...And I do shop..but mainly in groceries, pharmacies, street markets, antique fairs...if I buy something significant I have it shipped and don't pay VAT! Beats lugging stuff around, at least to me

I have never had to produce my passport except at hotels at check-in. I keep it in the hotel safe.

I leave my passport in the hotel safe in Europe, if there is one, and I don't carry any copy with me. It's never been a problem. I get cash from ATM's, and I've got my drivers license with me for a photo ID. I've never thought that much about it, but I've never been asked to show my passport in my daily activities. Am I missing something here?

I always keep our passports in my front pocket. Never a problem, and we have them just in case I cause an international incident (always possible).

You never know when those mai tais might kick in and cause you to do something erratic!! Totally out of character, I am sure.

My sister got robbed in Barcelona. She was coming off the train and the robber pushed her back onto the train, against the tide of people who were getting off. In the confusion, the robber unzipped her fanny pack, which she had turned around to the front because she thought it would be "safer" that way, and got her passport, her train ticket, and her traveler's checks.

It was very scary for her, but luckily, very luckily, her things were recovered. Later she said that when she travels again, she will only carry a copy of her passport on her, and leave the original back in the hotel safe.

"Totally out of character, I am sure."

Fortunately, wine has a mellowing effect on me, and I become "Euro Tom", the guy that rolls with the European flow. I'd hate to see mai tai "L.A. Tom" rear his road rage face overseas.

Monsieur Maitai, I am quite sure you are a wild man in LA, but ever the GQ sophisticate in Europe. "The two faces of Tom..."

Are you travelling abroad this year? What I am asking is if you are practicing your civilized act!!!

why carry it with you? keep it safe in the hotel. they are not going to deport you if you don't have it.

"Are you travelling abroad this year? What I am asking is if you are practicing your civilized act!!!"

Wren, yes we are. I haven't tried to force anyone off the freeway for more than a week to get ready. We are going to the Mosel area, Alsace, Montreux, Grindelwald, Venice, an area a little outside Florence, Cinque Terre and ending up in Milan. I have my souped-up Euro car, so "watch out continent, here I come."

And to answer Richardab as to why I carry my passports.... "I'm from L.A. Trust no one."