Do you carry your passport when out and about when on holidays?

[andye]

Many years ago on a rugby tour in the US I lost my passport when I overnighted somewhere unexpected. Luckily my host found her way to the match we were playing in the following day. Can't remember precisely why I was carrying it but bar access was most likely

 

[QF029]

Have never carried a passport including in countries like Thailand where I believe it is the law to do so.

 

[drron]

Only to the money changer in Bangkok.
Didn't need it when we toured the White House but that was over 40years ago.

 

[Mattg]

I did on a recent trip because I was regularly being asked for ID alongside my Covid Certificate in Germany, Austria etc. I don't think that's so much of an issue now but I still think it's good to have on you. (Also less risk of leaving it in a hotel safe!)

I find the Bellroy travel wallet great when carrying a passport with me. I bought it after once leaving my passport on the plane!

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[Denali]

I carry it in the US because you need it for ID for alcoholic drinks. They often won't accept a foreign license.

That shipped sailed for me about 30yrs ago, I guess I really look my age

 

[kyle]

Great to hear a variety of answers.

It seems that the people that I see on the streets aren't visiting the places that I visit that will require a passport, such as money exchanges, casinos, and their European wallet sized ID card was probably accepted as ID.

 

[OZDUCK]

Another one that doesn't carry my passport. We have copies on the phone. The only time we had a problem was in Brunei when we went on a boat trip up into the jungle. Because of the 'weird' shape of Brunei the mangrove creeks pass through Malaysian territory to get to the other half of Brunei. In the end the boat crew were happy with our Drivers License with a photo.

 

[FishFood]

I need to carry it for licenced venues, every place that asked for ID has not accepted an image on a phone

 

[justinbrett]

Ive seen 80 year old grandma asked to show photo ID to enter a bar in NY. I do not look under 21 but often have to show my passport in NY also. Maybe its an east coast thing.

A lot of places in Vegas will card everybody regardless of age. But never been knocked back with my NSW DL (but also done it all over the East coast, especially NY & Boston - never got asked for a passport, NSW DL was fine).

Thinking that there's 50 states in the US, I reckon some of these bouncers wouldn't be able to name all 50 states and not recognise our DL as foreign - just another state to them.

Passport for government/military tours is definitely a thing - I was lucky enough to tour inside the pentagon (had a friend who worked in the embassy). A lot of aviation museums located adjacent/on USAF bases will require a passport to go into certain areas (from memory needed it to go on the tour at Davis-Monthan AFB - aka the boneyard). I think even some of the bus tours at Kennedy Space Centre need to see your passport when they go into Cape Canaveral (was USAF, now Space Force)

 

[Franky]

I carry it if I think I will need ID i.e. If I shopping in London and plan to claim the VAT back at the airport they have to sight your passport to issue the correct receipt type, or if the US some bars ID check everyone even if you look well over 21. But if I was going to the beach I leave locked in the room safe.

Photocopies, or Australian Proof of Age cards or Licenses aren't always accepted.

So it depends.

Just 6 weeks ago when we were in the US and purchased some wine from a bottle shop, we were required by law to show ID. Given we are 77 and 73 years of age, the checkout person was a little embarrassed, but we all had a good laugh about it...

 

[jastel]

A lot of places in Vegas will card everybody regardless of age. But never been knocked back with my NSW DL (but also done it all over the East coast, especially NY & Boston - never got asked for a passport, NSW DL was fine).

Thinking that there's 50 states in the US, I reckon some of these bouncers wouldn't be able to name all 50 states and not recognise our DL as foreign - just another state to them.

Passport for government/military tours is definitely a thing - I was lucky enough to tour inside the pentagon (had a friend who worked in the embassy). A lot of aviation museums located adjacent/on USAF bases will require a passport to go into certain areas (from memory needed it to go on the tour at Davis-Monthan AFB - aka the boneyard). I think even some of the bus tours at Kennedy Space Centre need to see your passport when they go into Cape Canaveral (was USAF, now Space Force)

Yes definitely need as ID for Military/Government buildings...in UK as well.
Archives are another one as well if you do family history research.

I found it easier to get into the Pentagon than the Archives in Washington.

And they do have some weird alcohol rules in the USA...one place had to sell me beer in a paper bag by law. Also now need ID for cough medicine in some states if it has paracetamol or whatever they use to make meth with.

 

[Xrayspice]

No, but as above, I did need my passport to enter the Forbidden city in Beijing.

 

[JohnK]

Only to the money changer in Bangkok.
Didn't need it when we toured the White House but that was over 40years ago.

Exchanges in Thailand accept copies of passport.

 

[Bindibuys]

I have laminated colour copy of passport page that fits in my travel wallet.
Passport only out if absolutely needed.

 

[jb747]

I never carry anything I can't afford to lose. So that meant my wallet had a couple of printed copies of ID, etc.

 

[BondiMan]

I don’t as it’s on my Service NSW App.
Often I just have car key and my phone.

Back on topic, I only carry my passport if it will be needed for a specific purpose that day. Otherwise it’s left in the hotel.

I was recently in Auckland and the Rental Car company would not accept Service NSW App for Drivers license. They would accept Drivers License or a photocopy.

 

[DC3]

I was recently in Auckland and the Rental Car company would not accept Service NSW App for Drivers license. They would accept Drivers License or a photocopy.

Do you recall the name of the rental company?

 

[DC3]

I carry it in the US because you need it for ID for alcoholic drinks. They often won't accept a foreign license.

Interesting. Well, that’s a new one. Never come across that.

 

[exceladdict]

I never carry anything I can't afford to lose. So that mean my wallet had a couple of printed copies of ID, etc.

Interesting, you have travelled far more than me but I very much feel like I always carry anything I can't afford to lose. A few youtube videos about how easy hotel safes are to be broken into really put me off leaving docs in there.

 

[blackcat20]

Interesting. Well, that’s a new one. Never come across that.

It just depends on the rules in each state.