When traveling, where do you put your money and copy of passport?

[nisryus]

When watching PBS shows such as Rick Steve's Europe, he had always advice traveler to use waist pouch for money and documents, since it can be hidden under shirt.

Anyone uses this type of pouch while traveling?

If you use this pouch, do you take some money out and put into the pocket first (some places might not accept cards)? What if you used up the cash in your pocket? I thought it is kind of inconvenience if you need to pull up your shirt to get more cash out.

 

[BoomerD]

Since the US State Department revoked my passport in 1972 following my return to the USA, I don't travel anywhere that requires one. I've thought about re-applying for one since so much time has passed...just haven't been motivated to do it.

 

[imported_eppenoire]

It depends on where and how I am traveling. I will split my money between a waist pouch and a hidden pant pocket, then carry some in a money clip for easy access and to give if I get mugged. If I can I will dump most of my cash and stuff in the hotel safe. That said it's never been an issue traveling abroad, I've only been mugged in US.

 

[dr150]

Rick Steves is a scared nerd.

You don't need a money pouch. Just use a zippered jacket....not b/c of fear but good sense.

 

[purbeast0]

I usually carry like $50 or so when out and about in another country when exploring or away from the hotel. I just carry it in my wallet/pocket like I would do anywhere back in the states.

I also don't carry my passport around while in said foreign country. I leave it in my room in the safe, with the rest of the cash I brought.

I usually don't bring more than like $200 cash total though. I like not paying for flights so I use my credit card for everything to rack up those points.

 

[ponyo]

I leave the passport in the hotel room safe and only carry around the picture on my phone unless I'm exchanging money. I always carry my wallet in my front left pants pocket, at home or abroad. Just habit.

I usually carry couple hundred dollars in the wallet while leaving the rest in the hotel safe. I try to stick with using credit cards but in some countries, you get better exchange rate with US dollar cash than credit card. I don't understand how some money change places can offer you even better rate than what's shown on Google currency exchange. That's like negative interest rate. I guess that speaks to the strength and appeal of the US dollar right now. They're paying you to buy US dollar.

 

[Scarpozzi]

I usually carry like $50 or so when out and about in another country when exploring or away from the hotel. I just carry it in my wallet/pocket like I would do anywhere back in the states.

I also don't carry my passport around while in said foreign country. I leave it in my room in the safe, with the rest of the cash I brought.

I usually don't bring more than like $200 cash total though. I like not paying for flights so I use my credit card for everything to rack up those points.

I saw too many notices that those hotel safes aren't really that safe... Many can be opened with brute force or maintenance hacks by people with any kind of know-how.

I like the concept of travelling with a check card that has no foreign transaction fees and just using an ATM. That's what I did the last time I was over there. I ordered a small sum of cash to get me through the first few days and used my AMEX for restaurant/hotel transactions because of its security. If you're afraid of getting mugged over there, don't look like a tourist and don't carry a bag...

My big issue with the waist belts, like my runners belt, is that eventually you can't feel it. It gets too comfortable and eventually I'm always feeling to make sure it's still there. I'd much rather have my stuff in a zippered pocked. For me, I actually carry a front-pocket wallet and when my guard is up, I just move it to my left pocket and put my left hand in that pocket with my valuables. I'm a big dude, so little frenchies usually don't try to mess with me.

 

[purbeast0]

I saw too many notices that those hotel safes aren't really that safe... Many can be opened with brute force or maintenance hacks by people with any kind of know-how.

I like the concept of travelling with a check card that has no foreign transaction fees and just using an ATM. That's what I did the last time I was over there. I ordered a small sum of cash to get me through the first few days and used my AMEX for restaurant/hotel transactions because of its security. If you're afraid of getting mugged over there, don't look like a tourist and don't carry a bag...

My big issue with the waist belts, like my runners belt, is that eventually you can't feel it. It gets too comfortable and eventually I'm always feeling to make sure it's still there. I'd much rather have my stuff in a zippered pocked. For me, I actually carry a front-pocket wallet and when my guard is up, I just move it to my left pocket and put my left hand in that pocket with my valuables. I'm a big dude, so little frenchies usually don't try to mess with me.

I mean if someone gets in your room, you're already fucked.

 

[Tormac]

I travel in Asia, particularly China, frequently. I am not worried about violent crime, but do worry about pick pockets, and unfortunately it is frequent for little venders to not take cc's, but only use cash or the wechat phone app to pay (so I have to frequently pay in cash, I should really sit down and figure out the wepay app).

I don't take a big blob of cash when I am out and about in China, unless I can't avoid it. If I do have a blob of yuan with me I will keep a couple hundred in my wallet, and the rest in a money clip in a front pants packet. I prefer pants with snapping front pockets. I am in a habit of resting my hand on that pocket.

If I am carrying my passport with me it is also in a front pants pocket, but I usually carry a photocopy of it, unless I anticipate needed it.

 

[Scarpozzi]

I mean if someone gets in your room, you're already fucked.

Those are inside jobs usually by hotel maintenance or housekeeping.

I want to say in the past 20 years I know someone who had their safe broken into when they returned to their room...but I've heard stories about it on the news too many times to recall when/where it happened since it was an acquantence or someone that told me about it in passing.

I was joking about frenchies...but actually had someone travelling on a tour with me once that had their passport and wallet stolen out of their purse while inside the gift shop at Notre Dame Cathedral. My point....when you're out in the open, your stuff's usually safe....when quarters are tight and people are in your personal space....watch yourself.

 

[darkswordsman17]

Seems like the best option is to get a sex change and request an extra large vagina so you can just slip it up there.

Or maybe get a fake colostomy bag to hide it in.

 

[JEDIYoda]

Seems like the best option is to get a sex change and request an extra large vagina so you can just slip it up there.

Or maybe get a fake colostomy bag to hide it in.

Let us know how that works for yaz...

 

[Exterous]

We split the cash between us. My wallet goes in my front pocket. My wife has a zippered wallet or small purse she uses. We don't usually get that much cash anyway. Generally passports go with with us. We have a copy at home and contacts who know where that is. Never had any issues even though we've spent time in cities listed with the highest pickpocket rates.

About the only time I'll leave cash somewhere other than my wallet is if we're about to go somewhere wet or I'm about to haggle with a cash only vendor

 

[Muse]

If you use this pouch, do you take some money out and put into the pocket first (some places might not accept cards)? What if you used up the cash in your pocket? I thought it is kind of inconvenience if you need to pull up your shirt to get more cash out.

The boy scout motto is "be prepared."

If I'm gonna go to a high risk places I think I'll do the Rick Steves thing and get a money belt for under my shirt for passport, cash. Have some cash for immediate needs in pocket. I like to wear cargo pants and a lower front pocket is pretty well protected compared to a back pocket. I never put my wallet in back pocket anymore. Nothing goes in a back pocket that's worth a damn to anyone but me. Not sure what to do with credit cards when traveling, but I'll think of something.

 

[snoopy7548]

I don't travel abroad, but I went abroad for a little over a week for work last year I did a few things:

-Made a photocopy of my passport and driver's license and kept it on the kitchen counter at home
-Made a second photocopy of my passport and driver's license and kept it folded in my wallet behind my driver's license
-Scanned my passport and driver's license and kept copies on my phone, keychain USB drive, and Google Drive

I kept my passport on me at all times (front jeans pocket), as well as my wallet and all the cash I had (probably $200AUD at the most and $100 USD). Kept all my credit cards in my wallet and didn't really think twice about it.

 

[nisryus]

Thx guys.

I was told once that photo copy of passport is not considered a valid document? So I just stuffed the passport in my front jean pocket (right side), and wallet on the left pocket. Yeah felt extremely awkward and uncomfortable, but wife afraid of pick pocket from behind...

Never thought of using a money clip! Doh! I will split the cash like y'all had suggested. Good ideas.

What would I do if I didn't ask this here!? Thx again guys.

 

[LikeLinus]

Passport always goes with me. Carried in my front pocket at all times. I'm in Tokyo (3rd Country over the past 2 1/2 weeks) right now actually. I have run in to a lot of tourist places in my travel and security that asked for a passport. That is why its always on me, just in case.

Travel smarter. Don't put yourself in unfamiliar dangerous places. I do some international travel every year and I've never had any issues.

 

[mikeymikec]

I was told once that photo copy of passport is not considered a valid document?

Of course not.

In my experience doing a photocopy of just about any important document is not considered a valid representation of that document. Sometimes, getting the copy counter-signed by suitable people as being a valid copy of a document means it would be accepted by certain authorities when necessary.

However, a photocopy of 'that' passport page might be helpful insofar as a citizen losing their real passport on holiday could then go to an embassy and provide them with at least a plausible bit of evidence that they could be a legit citizen, then when the passport ID number is typed in and tallies up with the copy's information, it's probably better than turning up with nothing at all.

 

[ponyo]

And I don't like to carry around all my money and credit cards. I always leave most of the cash in the hotel safe along with one credit card and all the passports. This way if I lose my wallet or have it stolen while walking around, I'm not totally screwed. I carry around some spending cash along with at least two credit cards in my wallet and my wife will also carry some cash along with another credit card. It's too easy to have a credit card decline on purchases in foreign country so it's best to be prepared and carry multiple cards with you all from different issuers.

 

[Muse]

in my front jean pocket (right side), and wallet on the left pocket. Yeah felt extremely awkward and uncomfortable, but wife afraid of pick pocket from behind...

Get some pants with front pockets that will accommodate wallet and PP better.

 

[IBMJunkman]

One brand of hotel safe.