Travelers: How do you hold your monies/passport/etc?

[blackangst1]

It's the law everywhere that foreigners are required to have their passport on them at all times. On top of that it is always a bad idea to leave your passport with someone else. This is bad advice all around.

Negative. Its not law everywhere.

The idea of carrying passport or not is actually a hotly debated topic on boards such as Fodors. HERE is a good thread on the subject. I personally carry a small amount of local cash ("walking around money") in my front pocket along with my US drivers license and copy of my passport, a larger amount of money in a money belt, and a credit card. Passport always gets locked up in hotel safe.

 

[coloumb]

Front pockets - avoiding crowds at all costs. If I end up in a crowded situation [light rail/subway], then I'll put my hands in my front pockets.

I've found that being very aware of your surroundings [always looking around] and giving off the impression that you want to be left alone helps out too.

 

[sjwaste]

Passport in the hotel room safe. I carry a photocopy in my wallet. Wallet in the front pocket, carrying enough cash to last a couple of days plus a couple of travel-friendly credit cards (meaning no foreign transaction fees). I will usually carry my debit card as well to get more cash if I need it.

I look at it this way - if I get robbed at gun/knifepoint, I'm doing whatever the perp wants anyway. I'll go get him cash if he demands it. If it's a petty thief, I'm out a photocopy of my ID plus my cards and minimal cash. Amex Platinum will take care of getting me a new card same/next day and will advance me enough cash to cover my hotel and living expenses, if needed - or they will arrange to pay my hotel directly. My bank will probably be a bit slower getting me a new debit card, but they will shut it off and protect my funds.

I basically rely on credit cards as much as I can when traveling since they generally give the best exchange rate, especially since they got sued. ATM cards are good for converting cash at a favorable rate, but I don't usually carry a ton of it anyway. My passport is what I really need, so it doesn't stay on my person when I'm out. I don't really go anywhere too odd, so if a western european country decides my photocopy isn't good enough I'm sure we can straighten it out by walking back to my hotel. If not, we'll lose some more time but I'll call the nearest consulate. Either way, it's never actually happened to me. I have never needed to even show ID in a foreign country for anything except checking in at a hotel in Italy - and they just make a copy.

 

[herm0016]

the pouch things are weird. I use this and like it:

http://www.amazon.com/RFID-Blocking-...assport+wallet

fits in my jacket pocket, or bag one of which i am always carrying.

 

[Sheep221]

Funny no one carries the neck passport case, I use it and its awesome, non intrusive, you can hide it behind your clothing, you never lose it and is technically impossible that it gets stolen, I have a passport, credit card and bag lock in it, nothing else matters, the less important stuff such as some small amount of cash, wallet with ID and driver's license and sometimes a laptop I carry in the laptop case.

 

[nageov3t]

if it's cool enough, I'll put my wallet/cellphone on an inside jacket pocket with the coat zipped/buttoned up.

otherwise, wallet/cellphone in my front pocket, typically with my hand resting over it by default. passport in the hotel safe.

 

[randomrogue]

I've been all over the world and this isn't an issue anymore. The days of carrying large wads of cash and travelers checks are over. A few exceptions like Zimbabwe. You need a passport, 2 ATM cards, and a small reserve stash of funds. A copy of your passport and documents in another bag. That's it. I have no energy for an extra sweaty layer and a fanny belt. With that said never leave cash in the hotel safe unless they sign for it and you're better off having it on you or divided into a few different places that are tough to find. Get an extra pouch that's lockable if you put it in the safe. If you're in a really dodgy area then have a fake dummy wallet with you so you can drop it and run. If you're in an area that is highly susceptible to robbery then take cabs everywhere. I have never heard of a high dollar amount robbery. At knife or gunpoint even in South Africa they'll take your $20 and move on. High dollar amount robberies are generally when you leave shit like your camera and computer on the bed and the housekeeping robs you.

I use a pouch for sleeping on trains. I'll stay in the bottom bunk, lock my bag under me, and have my passport and cash in a pouch, in the pillow case, under my head. Honestly though I've even gotten away from that. I'll lock everything under me and just have the key in the pillowcase.

Your best way of not getting robbed or pickpocketed is to simply not dress like a tourist. If you show up in cargo shorts, with a fanny pack, and a stupid hat every pick pocket in the city will be on you. Next time you're on vacation in a place like Barcelona just sit back and watch what happens to those clowns.

In crowds keep your hands in your pockets and your bag in front of you. Learn the tricks so you don't fall for them.

Oh and always grab a card from where you're staying. That's brilliant advice up above. I learned that the hard way. One you don't get lost and two if you get uncomfortable you can just jump in a cab and show them the card to get back to security.

 

[sjwaste]

That's all pretty good advice. Blending in helps a lot. You don't realize it here, but we Americans are easy to spot abroad because we dress a certain way. Either before you go or on day 1, you might want to make a note of how people dress where you're going and dress like that. It's a good excuse to do some shopping anyway, at least if you're going somewhere that you perceive people as well-dressed.

 

[randomrogue]

Americans stick out like sore thumbs. Especially if you're overweight. You have to mitigate this by not carrying the camcorder around and wearing stereotypical clothing. You can buy all the pouches you want but if you show up looking like this you're going to just get mobbed by a bunch of gypsies or poor children who will riffle through everything you have in 10 seconds flat and take your belt and neck pouch while you're wiping mustard off your face. Really I can't stress this enough. The cargo shorts and Hawaiian shirts need to stay home. If you bought any of your clothes at banana republic leave them at home.

 

[nageov3t]

Americans stick out like sore thumbs. Especially if you're overweight. You have to mitigate this by not carrying the camcorder around and wearing stereotypical clothing. You can buy all the pouches you want but if you show up looking like this you're going to just get mobbed by a bunch of gypsies or poor children who will riffle through everything you have in 10 seconds flat and take your belt and neck pouch while you're wiping mustard off your face. Really I can't stress this enough. The cargo shorts and Hawaiian shirts need to stay home. If you bought any of your clothes at banana republic leave them at home.

as an overweight American traveling in France and Italy a few years ago (flew into Paris and meandered our way down to Rome), I was always mistaken for being a German tourist

 

[randomrogue]

as an overweight American traveling in France and Italy a few years ago (flew into Paris and meandered our way down to Rome), I was always mistaken for being a German tourist

Germans are very different. One they speak German and two they wear speedos.

What in the world were you doing to get people confused?

 

[nageov3t]

Germans are very different. One they speak German and two they wear speedos.

What in the world were you doing to get people confused?

no clue, I barely have any German in my background whatsoever... and repeatedly throughout the trip, people (and cab drivers, shop workers, etc) would speak to me in German before I had even opened my mouth.

 

[randomrogue]

no clue, I barely have any German in my background whatsoever... and repeatedly throughout the trip, people (and cab drivers, shop workers, etc) would speak to me in German before I had even opened my mouth.

Can't speak specifically on your case but I've found that locals generally know that certain groups will come during certain times of the year. So the Germans will hit them in July, the Italians, in August, and the Russians in December. Something like that. So it might just be that they assumed you were German since there were so many there at the time. I've had that happen to me.

 

[Abe Froman]

passport in hotel safe... carrying it around is just silly and evidence of typical american paranoia. carry a little cash and an ATM card in your front pocket.

let go of the fear

This.

After a substantial amount of travel, both for personal and business, I can honestly say, that if you don't look ridiculously touristy (backpack, map out at all times) that you will be left alone. The best policy is trying to blend in. ID, ATM, Credit card + $500 or so in cash is all you need to carry. Just enjoy your trip. Hotel safes are perfectly secure and usually hotels are insured.

Keep photos of your passport ID pages in your email or phone. I use AppBox Pro with copies of all forms of ID and credit cards.

 

[sjwaste]

as an overweight American traveling in France and Italy a few years ago (flew into Paris and meandered our way down to Rome), I was always mistaken for being a German tourist

Without having any details, I'd bet it was how you were dressed. It was explained to me that it's how Italians separate tourists from locals - especially in Florence and Rome where there will be a good mixture of the two even in the touristy areas.

I dress pretty plain when I go abroad. Shit, I probably do that here too. Average looking jeans, solid tees, sneakers. American. Italian men wear more slacks than jeans, and if they wear jeans they're of an obvious designer variety. Shirts will almost always be button up, although graphic tees made an appearance. But above all, the shoes. Go try to buy a pair of sneakers in Florence and you'll know what I mean. Italian men wear nice shoes all the damn time.

Now, if you stay a while, you may notice the same people in the same outfits frequently. If you're tight on cash there, the solution is to wear fewer nice outfits, not buy more shitty clothes to rotate.

 

[nageov3t]

note to self: next time, pack clothes other than lederhosen for vacationing

 

[Triumph]

Americans stick out like sore thumbs. Especially if you're overweight. You have to mitigate this by not carrying the camcorder around and wearing stereotypical clothing. You can buy all the pouches you want but if you show up looking like this you're going to just get mobbed by a bunch of gypsies or poor children who will riffle through everything you have in 10 seconds flat and take your belt and neck pouch while you're wiping mustard off your face. Really I can't stress this enough. The cargo shorts and Hawaiian shirts need to stay home. If you bought any of your clothes at banana republic leave them at home.

she's hot. i bought this awesome button down USA flag shirt at the thrift store a few months ago specifically to wear the next time i go overseas.

 

[Midwayman]

I carry a photocopy of my passport with me. The real one stays locked up unless required (very rare). I always try to keep valuables my front pockets- Preferably pockets with zippers and or buttons (not snaps). I like to keep a small amount of money in another area of my body in case something happens so I have cab fare. Stick it under the liner of your shoe or something. Its a good idea to always keep a little cash on you if you're going out in what you consider a dangerous area. If you do get mugged or whatever Its better to have something to pacify people that insist that 'no I really don't have any money' and have them get rough with you.

I don't really care for money belts, etc. They're a hassle. Don't care more than you need in public. Stay aware, trust your instincts about a bad situation and get out if you feel something developing.