Here's How to Carry Your Passport While Traveling

Last updated on January 26, 2024 by Shannon

Losing your passport while traveling is a nightmare, especially if you’re on a business trip or a short vacation. Running through your mind is surely if you can get a new passport in time for you flight home.

Not only would damaging or losing it upend your travel plans, but it’s pricey to replace a passport while overseas. While it’s fairly fast and doable if you’re in a capital city, it’s no fun if you’re anywhere else.

Your best bet is to keep it safe in the first place. I left to travel the world for a year way back in 2008, and I never moved back to the States. Instead, I traveled for a decade before settling in Barcelona, Spain since 2018.

In all of that time, I’ve never yet lost my passport or had it stolen (knock on wood!), and I’ve learned a number of ways to keep it secure on the road—everything from money belts to fanny packs to hotel safes. I know not only the best ways to carry it on your person, but tips that ensure you don’t lose your identity or find it dripping wet after an exploded water bottle.

Do You Need RFID Protection for Your Passport?

Digital identity theft is not on most people’s radar, but buying a passport wallet with RFID protection is your best bet to protect yourself and your family. RFID stands for Radio Frequency Identification, and it refers to the technology used in modern U.S. passports (and most other countries) to store personal information.

Your RFID passport contains a wealth of your personal information that you don’t want to fall into the wrong hands. Here’s what you should know:

Passports with RFID technology can be vulnerable to skimming, which is when someone uses a device to read the information on your passport without your knowledge.
An RFID-blocking passport holder or sleeve prevents skimming by blocking the radio waves used to read the information on your passport.
The U.S. Department of State recommends using an RFID-blocking passport holder or sleeve for added protection.

This RFID-blocking passport holder is a simple and effective way to help prevent unauthorized access to your passport information.

If you’re traveling as a family, this larger four-passport holder will change your life and ensure you never lose a single passport or boarding pass—my best friend travels as a family of five and has raved for years about this even larger one saves her sanity getting them all through passport control.

How to Carry Your Passport When Traveling

Let’s talk about the most underrated gear you’ll take on your trip: your passport holder and your purse or day pack.

Nailing these two items represent a great investment for frequent travelers. A passport holder protects your passport from damage and digital identity theft. A good day pack (or a purse or fanny pack, whatever you use for your water bottles, hats, sunscreen, etc) keeps all of your gear, wallet and passport included, close to you and prevents pickpocketing and theft.

How to Pick Your Passport Holder

For overland travel:

I’ve tried a lot of options over these years on the road. I used this slim neck undercover wallet to travel the world for the first few years. These types of passport holders go under your clothes as a neck or waste wallet.

Let’s be honest: Neck and waist wallets can be a bit bulky and peg you as a tourist when you whip them out in public, but they’re ideal if you’re traveling overland on long train or bus rides.

These are also the only types of passport holders that also function like a day bag—you won’t need a second way to carry your passport if you use one of these. My dad favors a waist belt while traveling, and a 30-something male travel friend swears by his neck wallet.

For plane travel:

If you’re traveling Europe or similar places, you likely want a passport holder with additional pockets and compartments for storing boarding passes and travel documents. This is particularly true of the larger ones intended for families (they also come in six-passport sizes for really big families).

When choosing a passport holder or protector, look for one made from high-quality materials and with a sturdy zipper closure. And as noted, since they cost about the same, pick a passport holder with RFID-blocking technology.

How to Find a Great Fanny Pack or Day Bag

The passport wallets discussed are good at keeping your passport from getting bent or damaged, but it won’t prevent physical theft. For that you need to have your carrying game on point during your travel days.

Avoid keeping your passport in your pocket, a random shoulder bag, or your carry-on luggage at all costs. While it may be convenient to keep your passport in your carry-on bag, it’s not ideal. You never know when you may be required to check in the suitcase, or leave it behind in an emergency.

The only place you should carry your passport is on your person in a bag or pouch that also carries essential items like your wallet—things you’ll never forget to pick back up. Here are three options:

Fanny Packs

I’ll admit that after a few years of bucking the trend (my failed style in the 80s still haunts me), I have traveled with a fanny pack for a few years now and I love it. Traveling with a fanny pack is the only way I survived a two month European train journey with a toddler. It’s accessible and I never worried about setting it down somewhere and then getting distracted.

I own several Herschel products and its Seventeen fanny pack wins my vote—it’s the perfect size for travel and it’s about as stylish as you could ask for in a fanny pack.

Crossbody and Messenger Bags

A travel-friendly crossbody bag or purse is another solid option. This is what I used for 10+ years of travel. Here I break down my favorite crossbody purses and why I love them, but the short of its that the Travelon Anti-Theft Cross-Body Bag (about $46) hits all the points you want in a travel bag for women: slash proof, roomy, and there are pockets to store your passport away from your water bottle.

From the men I’ve traveled with, the equivalent of a crossbody purse is usually a messenger bag, or they invariably use a neck wallet or waist belt as their primary carry method. This works! Then you limit the extra gear you have to buy.

Why You Need Paper Copies of Your Passport with You

in guatemala you must carry your passport or a photocopy on you at all times — In Guatemala, you must carry your passport with you at all times. Police usually accept a photocopy so that you can securely store it at your hotel or guesthouse. But you’ll be riding through the country on chicken buses, so you also need a safe place to carry it with you on travel days.

Always keep several photocopies of your passport with you when you travel. This way, if your passport is lost or stolen, you’ll have a backup. Keep an extra copy of your passport in your luggage, your carry-on bag, and even in your pocket.

Make sure there is always a copy stored in a bag you’re not actively carrying once you’re settled in a new place.

You should also leave a copy of your passport at home with a trusted friend or family member. And scan your passport (or take a photo of it) and either email it to yourself, or store it in Google Drive or some such.

Note: You must carry your passport or a copy of it in some countries. And nearly all countries require that you always have an ID on you. When I backpacked through Guatemala, the local police swept some touristy restaurants asking to see passports—which law requires that tourists carry with them at all times.

Since most travelers had left theirs at the hotel, they were taken to the police station to pay a fine. It was a giant hustle. But those with copies of their passport (me!) weren’t swept up in this shakedown.

How to Protect Your Passport

protect passport for the type of trip you're taking — How you pack and carry your passport will partly depend on your trip. If you’re multi-day hiking in remote areas of Kyrgyzstan (this is a spot near Osh), you’re not facing pickpocketing issues but rather a need to protect it from the elements. Waterproof bags are then essential.

Be Aware of Your Surroundings

One of the best ways to protect your passport is to be aware of your surroundings. Always pay attention to what is going on around you, especially when you are in public places like train stations or airports. Scan your surroundings and be aware of your surroundings at all times.

Never openly display your passport, even when standing in the immigration line. Always conceal your passport to the best of your ability and make sure that it is secure in a zipped bag or money belt that is always with you.

Leave Your Passport at the Hotel

You don’t always need to carry your passport with you everywhere you go. Consider leaving it behind in the hotel safe and moving around the city with your driver’s license and a photocopy of your passport instead. A screenshot of your passport or any other form of ID will usually suffice in most scenarios.

Never Give Your Passport to Anyone for Safekeeping

Whether in a group or solo, be responsible for your own passport. Never give your passport to anyone else to carry, no matter how responsible or trustworthy they may be. You never know when he/she may get robbed or pickpocketed!

Protect Your Passport from Damage

While safeguarding your passport from theft and ensuring you don’t lose it is important, it is also important to protect your passport from damage. Extreme sun or humidity damages a passport, and some countries are ridiculously strict about only accepting passports in pristine condition.

Truly, heed this warning. I have several friends who were not accepted into Indonesia for a bent passport page! Dani from Globetrotter Girls is now unsure if she’ll ever make it to Bali after they unceremoniously put her on a plane back out of Indonesia since her passport was slightly bent.

Frequently Asked Passport Questions

a passport wallet is good even in safe places to protect from water damage or getting bent — When I traveled in Japan, carrying my passport safely was just about keeping it close. Pickpocketing is rare in Japan, so I didn’t use a money belt or fanny pack—just my handy crossbody bag. I kept my passport in its passport wallet so it didn’t get bent, but that was the extent of my concern.

Should I Carry My Passport with Me?

When you’re traveling abroad, it’s important to keep your passport safe at all times. The question of whether you should carry your passport with you at all times is a common one. The answer is that it depends on the situation.

Here are some factors to consider when deciding whether to carry your passport with you:

Local Laws: In some countries, it is required by law to carry your passport with you at all times. Make sure to research the laws of the country you’re visiting before you leave.
Safety Concerns: Carrying your passport with you can make it easier to access if you need it, but it can also put you at risk of theft or loss. Consider the safety of the area you’ll be in and the likelihood of theft or loss.
Convenience: Carrying your passport with you can make it easier to check into hotels or exchange currency, but it can also be inconvenient to carry around all the time since you have that worry weighing on you at every moment.
Alternative Options: If you don’t feel comfortable carrying your passport with you, consider leaving it in a hotel safe, a locked suitcase, or with the hotel front desk if they offer that service (some do!).

What Should You Do if Your Passport is Lost/Stolen?

Losing your passport or having it stolen is every traveler’s nightmare. And while it’s going to be a headache to solve the issue, know that it’s possible. Your country will help you get a new one sorted—this happens and you won’t be the first one coming to them in this situation.

Here’s how to act quickly to protect yourself and your identity—follow these steps if your passport is lost or stolen:

Report the loss or theft immediately: You should report the loss or theft of your passport to the nearest United States Embassy or Consulate as soon as possible. You can also report it online using the online tool to submit Form DS-64. Reporting the loss or theft will help protect you from identity theft.
File a police report: In addition to informing your embassy, file a report at the local police station and ensure they provide you with a copy of the theft report. You’ll need this document for the embassy. And it’s a required step if you plan to file for reimbursement from your travel insurance for any delays or expenses.
Get a new passport: Unfortunately, you’ll have to apply for a new passport if your passport is lost or stolen. You can apply for a new adult passport by following the instructions on the U.S. Department of State’s website, which includes filling out and filing a Form DS-11.
Bring the right documents. If you are outside of the United States, you will need to contact the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate for assistance—usually this means requesting an emergency appointment online. Few U.S. embassies are thrilled with walk-up guests. Call first and ensure you have an appointment, as well as all of the documents you will need for a speedy process. Since you surely have kept digital and physical photocopies of your passport’s identification page in separate locations, bring those—it can expedite the replacement process.
Pay for faster service: International embassies are accustomed to harried travelers who need a new passport immediately. You can either rush the process in a few days, or if you’re traveling straight back to U.S. soil, the U.S. Embassy or Consulate can often issue an emergency, limited-validity passport in as little as 24 to 48 hours for citizens who are victims of theft or loss and have immediate travel plans. The timeframe differs based on your specific circumstances and location. (The U.S. embassy in Italy notes it can do same-day for those dropping off documents before noon!) This emergency document is usually valid for the direct return to the United States, and it’s often limited to one year. Keep in mind that certain countries may not accept a limited-validity passport for entry, so your immediate travel should ideally be a return journey to the U.S.
Protect your identity: If your passport is lost or stolen, take steps to protect your identity. Monitoring your credit report (it’s free, you should be doing it anyways), contact your bank and credit card companies, and keep a close eye on your personal information. You’ll need to do this for a couple of years.
But travel insurance before your trip: If you’re traveling abroad, you need travel insurance. Too much can go wrong to cheap out on that expense. Most travelers buy travel insurance for medical emergencies, but it can also protect you in case of unexpected delays and expenses related to your lost or stolen passports. Here’s why I’ve used and love IMG Global for more than a decade now.

What Should You Do if Your Passport is Damaged?

wanderlust traveling ireland with my dad — My dad uses a money belt when we travel, and it’s always worked really well for him. It slips into his jeans and carries his passport and the some backup U.S. and local currency.

If your passport is damaged beyond recognition, apply for a duplicate passport at your country’s embassy/mission in the city or look for an outsourced passport provider. For partially damaged passports, in which the name, photo and passport number of the holder are visible and legible, apply for a re-issue of the passport once you are back home before your next travel.

Your passport is your most important travel document, and it’s essential to keep it safe and secure at all times. However, sometimes accidents happen, and your passport may become damaged. Here are the steps you should take if your passport is damaged:

Assess the Damage: The first thing you should do is assess the damage to your passport. If the damage is minor, such as a few tears or creases, you may still be able to use your passport—especially if it’s just long enough to get home. However, if the damage is more severe, such as water damage or a missing page, you will need to replace your passport.
Contact the U.S. Department of State: If your passport is damaged, you will need to contact the U.S. Department of State to get it replaced. You can do this by filling out Form DS-11 and submitting it in person at a passport agency or acceptance facility. You will also need to provide proof of citizenship and identification, as well as a passport photo.
Expedite Your Application: If you need your passport replaced quickly, you can expedite your application for an additional fee. This will ensure that you receive your new passport within a few days, rather than the standard processing time of 4-6 weeks.
Keep Your Passport Safe: Once you receive your new passport, it’s essential to keep it safe and secure. Make sure you store it in a safe place, such as a hotel safe or a secure bag. You should also make copies of your passport and keep them in a separate location, such as your luggage or with a trusted friend or family member.