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

[Triumph]

I sure as hell ain't getting caught in some backwards country without my passport on me at all times. Nearly happened once in Qatar, or it might have been UAE, on a military charter flight, we landed for a flight change and they took all of our passports. Said we needed to be "checked in" to the country. Very sketchy. They got about halfway through the line before people started raising hell and demanding it get sorted out. On a flight half full of US military I don't think it would have ended up badly but at the very least it could have turned into an extreme inconvenience. "Just because you're paranoid doesn't mean they're not after you."

 

[Farang]

I sure as hell ain't getting caught in some backwards country without my passport on me at all times. Nearly happened once in Qatar, or it might have been UAE, on a military charter flight, we landed for a flight change and they took all of our passports. Said we needed to be "checked in" to the country. Very sketchy. They got about halfway through the line before people started raising hell and demanding it get sorted out. On a flight half full of US military I don't think it would have ended up badly but at the very least it could have turned into an extreme inconvenience. "Just because you're paranoid doesn't mean they're not after you."

Plus any sketch hotel could blame you for damage and refuse to give you your passport unless you paid. I've had hotels try to overcharge me, and was able to tell them 'I'm not paying for that' and walk away. If they had my passport different story.

If you got in legal trouble in the street, good chance the cops aren't going to accept 'It's at my hotel' as an answer and you will end up in jail. Or have to bribe

 

[D1gger]

I have shorts with velco pockets and pants with hidden zippered pockets that I use. Both from 511Tactical.com.

 

[Phoenix86]

Problem with most waist belts is the straps are easily cut and the thieves will just take the whole thing. It also encourages them to use a knife in the process, likely cutting you too. I think front pocket is the best option for smaller amounts of carry cash.

 

[Tommy2000GT]

I have a decoy wallet in the back pocket. If the robber takes it, they joke's on them.

 

[KeithTalent]

Problem with most waist belts is the straps are easily cut and the thieves will just take the whole thing. It also encourages them to use a knife in the process, likely cutting you too. I think front pocket is the best option for smaller amounts of carry cash.

But the one I wear, the belt part is underneath my pants, so there is no way for them to even see it unless I am whipping it out. They would have to essentially incapacitate me to get at it.

KT

 

[GoSharks]

I think it's better to ask if there is one country where this is not the law. It is the law every place I've been aware of. Probably exceptions if you have some sort of residency card, but for tourists, you always have to carry a passport

U.S. citizens should take steps to ensure the safety of their U.S. passports. Visitors in the United Kingdom and Gibraltar are not expected to produce identity documents for police authorities and thus may secure their passports in hotel safes or residences.

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1052.html

Travelers should remain alert to their personal security and exercise caution. We suggest that travelers carry limited cash, only one credit card, and a copy of their passport; leaving extra cash, extra credit cards, passports and personal documents in a safe location.

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1024.html

Two major first world countries that are frequently traveled.

 

[Svnla]

Whenever I travel oversea, especially in developing countries, I ALWAYS keep the Passport in a safe place at my friends residences and carry a copy in my wallet with some money (in small bills) in the front pocket. My hand will always be in that pocket with a few exeptions (eating/drinking/bathroom activities).

@ Farang - not true, see my reply above. Copy is acceptable as ID but you will have to bring the original if you want to do business with government entities.

When I am in the airports/in transit, I use one likes this = http://www.amazon.com/Travelon-Board...assport+holder

 

[SKORPI0]

Secured to my waist, under a shirt/clothes.

 

[Farang]

Whenever I travel oversea, especially in developing countries, I ALWAYS keep the Passport in a safe place at my friends residences and carry a copy in my wallet with some money (in small bills) in the front pocket. My hand will always be in that pocket with a few exeptions (eating/drinking/bathroom activities).

@ Farang - not true, see my reply above. Copy is acceptable as ID but you will have to bring the original if you want to do business with government entities.

When I am in the airports/in transit, I use one likes this = http://www.amazon.com/Travelon-Board...assport+holder

Ok, two countries. Off the top of my head you are required to carry your passport at all times in Hungary, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, The Philippines, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar

 

[Svnla]

Ok, two countries. Off the top of my head you are required to carry your passport at all times in Hungary, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, The Philippines, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar

Don't know about other places but I have been to Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos on your list plus Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea (just to name a few) and I only used copies along with my US driver licence and my work ID card as ID with no problem when I hang out with the locals.

Do you have any links from those countries to specific state that foreigners MUST carry the real Passport at all time and no copy allowed? I never heard such a thing.

Of course, I had to use the real Passport to enter and exit those countries at Custom checkpoints, no copies allowed.

 

[zinfamous]

i found that money belt to be incredibly uncomfortable and ditched it after a day or two.

Now, I just put my valuables in a bag tied to my johnson and crotch it

 

[M0oG0oGaiPan]

money belt can be spotted kind of easy. where you keep it might depend on the country. some places you can do physical in the hotel safe and copy on your person. some you'd probably want to carry it on you in your front pocket to avoid pick pockets. in that case you'd want to keep a copy in the hotel safe along with an extra photo in case you need to make another one. you could also keep a digital copy on the cloud or email it to yourself.

Personally I'd always keep it on me.

 

[Farang]

Don't know about other places but I have been to Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos on your list plus Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea (just to name a few) and I only used copies along with my US driver licence and my work ID card as ID with no problem when I hang out with the locals.

Do you have any links from those countries to specific state that foreigners MUST carry the real Passport at all time and no copy allowed? I never heard such a thing.

Of course, I had to use the real Passport to enter and exit those countries at Custom checkpoints, no copies allowed.

LMAO.. 'no problem when I hang out with the locals.' What does this even mean? You think you need to carry it so the guy at 7-11 knows you haven't overstayed your visa? It's a legal requirement, not something you need to have for your buddies or people you see in the street.

You can look it up yourself but yes it is the law there. UK/Spain are the exception not the norm. I can only guess it is because they have large resident immigrant communities but who knows

 

[alkemyst]

midget with a briefcase.

 

[Ns1]

US consular says, regarding vietnam:

Keep your passport and other important valuables in your hotel in a safe or another secured location at all times. You should carry at least two photocopies of your U.S. passport. Hotels are required to obtain a copy of your passport (please refer to "Special Circumstances" below), and you should carry a photocopy of your passport with you. You should immediately report the loss or theft of your U.S. passport to the local police and the U.S. Embassy or the U.S. Consulate General. You must obtain a police report from the local police office in order to apply for a replacement passport and a Vietnamese exit visa.

They say this about India:

Please carry photocopies of the bio-data page of your U.S. passport and the pages containing the Indian visa and Indian immigration stamps

Of course, this is what the US consulate says; I can't find stuff to c/p from the host nation.

 

[SSSnail]

Make copy of your Passport ID page and keep that with you, carry slim wallet in front pocket. Carry separate small amount of cash in the other pocket for miscellaneous purchases.

Put remainder large amount of cash and Passport + other valuables in your room safe. That's how I roll.

Now, if you're in a third world country, the hotel SAFE may not be the safest place. In that case, put your stuff in a locked suitcase and check that in with the front desk whenever you leave your room.

 

[Svnla]

LMAO.. 'no problem when I hang out with the locals.' What does this even mean? You think you need to carry it so the guy at 7-11 knows you haven't overstayed your visa? It's a legal requirement, not something you need to have for your buddies or people you see in the street.

You can look it up yourself but yes it is the law there. UK/Spain are the exception not the norm. I can only guess it is because they have large resident immigrant communities but who knows

Let me make it clearer (based on my own experience).

Real passport, no copy = custom checkpoints and border entries/exits and/or interaction/do business with government entities, hotel check in.

Copy of passport = normal day to day life within that country.

I did look up on Google but I had similar results as Ns1 had (post #41). I haven't find anything to support your statements of

It's the law everywhere that foreigners are required to have their passport on them at all times.

It is the law every place I've been aware of. Probably exceptions if you have some sort of residency card, but for tourists, you always have to carry a passport

Off the top of my head you are required to carry your passport at all times in Hungary, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, The Philippines, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar

Feel free to correct me.

 

[madoka]

No one else uses a neck pouch?

When I'm at home, I might have $1-2K in cash in my wallet in my front pants pocket at any given time. That's what I typically earn every day and many of my clients pay in cash.

When I go to Asia, I try to bring the max cash allowed without having to declare anything. So I would generally have a huge wad of hundred dollar bills on me, which makes me way more nervous, so it all goes in the neck pouch. Like this:

 

[GoSharks]

Ok, two countries. Off the top of my head you are required to carry your passport at all times in Hungary, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, The Philippines, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar

Two countries that I randomly checked. It is hardly the case that

It's the law everywhere that foreigners are required to have their passport on them at all times.

Leaving your passport in a safe location while out is not out of the question.

 

[Triumph]

No one else uses a neck pouch?

When I'm at home, I might have $1-2K in cash in my wallet in my front pants pocket at any given time. That's what I typically earn every day and many of my clients pay in cash.

When I go to Asia, I try to bring the max cash allowed without having to declare anything. So I would generally have a huge wad of hundred dollar bills on me, which makes me way more nervous, so it all goes in the neck pouch. Like this:

uh, ok.

 

[Doppel]

Same way I always do. I don't see the odds of being pick pocketed much different, it's not like all foreigners are thieves (although most of them are).

Regarding passport on one's person at all times, I've been to quite a few countries and never, ever have I done this. It's bad policy. The odds of getting arrested by the police and it being a serious matter that you have your passport back in your hotel room vs mugged just doesn't seem worth it to me at all. And really it's best to avoid countries that would hassle you over not having your passport on you anyway.

 

[MaxPayne63]

a business card from my hotel in case I get lost (used this in Japan, just handed the cab driver the business card so I could get back to my hotel since none of them spoke English)

Someone's got their thinking cap on. :thumbsup:

 

[radtechtips]

Lots of men carry their wallets in a back pants pocket. Crazy but true

I do

 

[KMFJD]

Let me make it clearer (based on my own experience).

Real passport, no copy = custom checkpoints and border entries/exits and/or interaction/do business with government entities, hotel check in.

Copy of passport = normal day to day life within that country.

I did look up on Google but I had similar results as Ns1 had (post #41). I haven't find anything to support your statements of



Feel free to correct me.

My passport was always in me backpack in the hotel i stayed at in Bali, never saw/read anything about always having it on you.