When you travel in foreign lands, how do you carry your stuff such as passport, money, etc.?

[raccoon]

a fanny pack?

A wallet that you wear on a string around your neck?

Other?

[hlthe2b]

1. A tiny wallet (with RFID chip) I wear around my neck & body concealed under a jacket or travel vest.

[cbayer]

2. Call me crazy, but I generally just carry my stuff in a purse or pocket,

just as I would at home.

In general, I try not to look different than the local population.

When I see people pulling contraptions our from under their shirt or from underneath their belt, my first thought is "Gee. They must have a lot to hide".

I keep copies of my passport in several places in my luggage and will leave it in a room if there is a place to lock it, but I usually just put it in my purse.

As for cash, etc, I carry enough to get me through a few days and look for ATM's to replenish.

[CTyankee]

6. I never carry my passport except traveling to and from the location because I have to.

I use the safe in my hotel room or in the inn's safe. I have several copies, one of which I leave at home. One of which I carry and one taped to the inside of my checked bag, in case of loss.

I carry my cash and ONE credit card in a neck wallet worn under a jacket usually. I don't care if I look like a tourist. That is what I am, after all. Why try to be something you're not?

I use my ATM card at the airport to get money in the local currency. Not a lot. I also store my ATM card in the hotel room safe unless I must use it. I bring two credit cards but only carry one; the other goes in the safe in case my other one gets stolen.

Since I travel to Europe at least once a year, I have learned a lot about safeguarding these things. I had my passport stolen once and the hassle I went through was enough to make me very cautious indeed.

[cbayer]

7. Most of the sorts of places I tend to stay don't have a safe

either in the room or at the desk.

While it generally doesn't bother me at all to keep my computer, etc, in the room, I like to take my passport.

What ever makes someone comfortable is really what they should do. I am most comfortable treating my valuables like I would at home.

But I agree that the passport is the one thing I want to keep hold of. Everything else is pretty easily replaced.

[CTyankee]

13. If your passport is stolen you have a real problem in getting out of the country.

I had to interrupt a trip to northern Italy because my passport was stolen in Turin, Italy, along with money. I had to interrupt my trip, take a train to Milan to get an emergency passport from the consulate there, and return. It took a full day to do. I had trip insurance which helped with the cash problem but not really enough. And then I had to get another passport and new credit cards (cancelled the ones that were stolen). Oy.

I get travel insurance for a variety of reasons now. I did take one trip to Brussels in 2012 that I didn't have insurance for. But we stayed in a 5 star hotel near the Grand Place and kept everything in the safe! It worked out fine!

[cbayer]

15. I don't doubt it and I guard my passport, but

when it comes to money, credit cards and things like that, I treat them just like I would at home.

I feel like the more I look like I'm comfortable the less of a target I would be.

I tend to stay in dumps, travel back roads, take busses and trains. I got travel insurance once, but that was because the flight was really expensive.

As it turned out, I lost my luggage and could have used the insurance, but I didn't.

[CTyankee]

21. Yes, I tend to travel to large cities (my thing is art and I find most of what I want to see is

in large cities, tho not always) and take trains out for day trips, which is what I did in Belgium. And those same big cities is where you find pickpockets.

However, I just returned from an art intensive to a remote section of eastern Tuscany (following the "trail" of one Renaissance artist) and the local people were terrific and even a bit surprised to see Americans. That amazed me but they were far more used to the Brits going there...I'm actually preparing a blog on my trip which I will put here on DU once I get my photos off my stupid cell phone...lesson learned: bring a digital camera if you don't have a smart phone and you want to take photos!

Live and learn.

[cbayer]

23. Of course your thing is art!

I can't believe I didn't put that together.

We are planning to spend most, if not all, of the summer somewhere in Europe. My ideal is to have a small apartment or villa outside of a big city (probably Rome) and then make trips from there.

Your trip to Tuscany sounds exactly like the kind of trip I love.

We just completed a 3000 mile trip across Mexico and back and had a fabulous time. We never felt uncomfortable and were in places where there just weren't any tourists at all.

Get on that blog! The only time I was successful at that was the time I updated on a daily basis….

otherwise it just fades away.

[CTyankee]

25. I wrote it all down so I am just sifting through, trying to get the best parts

out...and a little bit of the ambience. It was certainly a step back in time, these old medieval cities where the bells are always announcing time for you...I have an itinerary and matched up the art work with the place it is in (frescoes) and has been since the 15th century! But it is the technical difficulties I need help with...

[cbayer]

26. My husband is really good at this kind of thing.

Wish he were there to help you.

He sometimes (not often enough) makes discs after a trip or even when some special friends have come to visit.

He sets the movies and stills to great music and they are treasures.

I've done a little work with the movie maker that came with my MacBook and it was pretty easy, but I don't have an iPhone so I can't help you with your downloading issues.

Maybe ask in the Mac group?

[CTyankee]

27. I'm going to ask my daughter who has an iPhone. What has to be done is that my

photos have to be downloaded/sent to her iPhone and it will take one of the guys at my Verizon store to do it, laboriously, one by one to her. She can then send them to my home email and I can take them off of her email and put them into one of my picture files on my PC.

Given my VERY basic cell phone, taking them off/sending them is too complicated for me and it is time consuming. However, that store is often empty so I mustn't feel bad about asking, I guess.

A digital camera is much simpler and even I can understand how to transfer them...I had hoped I could just plug in my cell phone to my PC and do it myself, but it turns out that it's a real pain in the ass. And since I am not a big cell phone user (too damn old) I'd rather not spend all the extra money each month on a more expensive one. Digital cameras are not all that expensive and I prefer saving my money for travel...

[cbayer]

28. Yep, the digital camera download is a snap

and the process you are going to have to go through sounds like the opposite.

Get yourself the digital camera!

[CTyankee]

29. Thanks. It took me long enough to figure all this out, with the help of the Verizon folks...

and it gave me a real headache and I stopped thinking about it for a while...hence the delay on my blog (which I know the world is breathlessly waiting for...)

[cbayer]

30. We were just talking about travel blogs the other day.

While I think that other people really aren't that interested in seeing my pics and reading my narrative, they end up being fantastic personal scrapbooks.

[ManiacJoe]

3. Not in my back pockets.

Closeable pockets are the preference. Around the neck if necessary.

[Major Nikon]

4. I don't do things much differently than I do here

I've traveled all over the world with zero problems. Wherever you keep those things, just make sure they aren't obvious as to where you keep them. Pickpockets are always looking for the easy mark. If you don't make it easy for them, they will find someone else that does.

I do keep a photocopy of my passport in an alternate location and I like to keep a different credit card on my person in a different location. I also don't flaunt large sums of cash when I'm out and about.

[northoftheborder]

5. during the airline part of travel, I keep passport, tickets, in a around the neck packet.

During touring I wear a fanny pack or secure shoulder bag (small) with essentials, camera, and not much cash. I like to have roomy front pants pockets, and if wearing a coat, an inside pocket for passport, money. Try to get cash in the country's money as soon as possible.

[CTyankee]

22. I travel the same way as you do. But I also bring $110 in dollars since

an emergency passport will cost that. I know from sad experience. I also stow my passport in hotel room safes along with the American dollars and all but whatever local currency I need and one credit card and wear a small bag across my chest. The airport ATM when I arrive there is my friend...

[Lydia Leftcoast]

8. During the airplane part, I carry my passport, credit cards, itinerary, and a bit of cash

in a neck pouch.

Why?

If there's trouble and the plane has to be evacuated quickly (in which case trying to retrieve your valuables could mean dying), I won't be stranded somewhere with no passport or money.

Otherwise, I carry my passport and credit cards in an inner pocket of my purse and never let it out of my sight. One trick I learned from traveling frequently to New York during the high-crime era of the 1970s was to keep my purse in my lap or between my feet during meals. At that time, women who draped their purse over the back of their chair often found their money and credit cards missing when they tried to pay.

Also, keep photocopies of your important documents in a non-obvious place in your luggage.

[cbayer]

9. Something cool I've noted in Mexico

There is often what looks like a short coat rack next to the table. Women hang their purses on them and you could also hang your shawl or a jacket.

You can see your stuff and don't have to put it on the floor or the back of your chair.

[Kali]

10. same as I do at home

except damn passport is too big for most pants pockets. first time I went to Germany/Turkey I tried a "hidden" pocket thingy my sister gave me. what a pain in the ass.

if you try to do things very different than normal, you will fumble and forget where stuff is. or the one time you need an item it will be hidden away in some silly location.

LOVE the land crossing border card for Mexico, size of a driver's license or credit card. No need for stupid oversize passport!

[cbayer]

11. I got the GOES pass which is good at the Mexico and Canandian borders and for flights

in and out of the US to pretty much anywhere.

Credit card size, comes in it's special holder so it can't be read.

Very cool.

I still carry the passport, but I don't really need to unless something goes terribly wrong.

[Kali]

12. is it good for flights too?

I was thinking it was only for land travel...

edit: says on the back "Valid only for international land and sea travel between US, Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean and Bermuda."

[cbayer]

14. I have a different level of pass and it's good for flights.

It works going out and coming in. You can use a kiosk and go through a special line.

I haven't tried it yet, but it was a bitch to get and I am going to be using it soon.

[Kali]

16. is it new?

I renewed my passport and got my card in fall of 2012, I don't think there was anything like that. cool might go have a look...not that I fly to Mexico like EVER, but still.

[cbayer]

17. I don't think its new. Here is the site with info:

https://goes-app.cbp.dhs.gov/main/goes

I had to go through quite a screening process, including a very intimidating interview with Customs and Borders.

I would guess that you have a SENTRI.

[Kali]

18. hmmm are you some kind of spy?

page won't load and here is all I can find (and what I have)

http://travel.state.gov/content/passports/english/passports/information/card.html

[cbayer]

19. I'd tell you but then I would have to keel you.

GOES stands for Global Online Enrollment System. I have no idea why the link won't work for you.

[Kali]

20. ok found it by googling that

http://www.cbp.gov/travel/trusted-traveler-programs

interesting, didn't even know such a thing existed.

[cbayer]

24. Since I plan to spend this stage of my life doing as much

traveling as I can possibly afford, this pass is going to get a workout.

They can still randomly pull you anytime, which is fine.

And they make it very clear that the expectations that you will follow the rules is higher than it would be if you didn't have the pass and the penalties stiffer.

I anticipate that it will be well worth the relatively small fee and the hassle of getting it.

[mainer]

31. After being pick-pocketed in Paris...

I always keep important stuff in a neck pouch.

[47of74]

32. I have a Scottevest that I use when traveling.

Back in 2010 I got a Scottevest before going to Italy. I keep most of the stuff in a pocket that would be pretty hard to get at without me noticing, and I switch what pocket I keep my stuff in too. They're not cheap but they are quite durable - I've had mine overseas on three trips. Really came in handy last month when I was in Rome to carry an extra lens for my camera. My only complaint is that the rust colored one only goes well with certain colors (mainly blues and darker grays) - but that's entirely my own fault. I think next time I'd definitely look at a different color.

I also take one of those neck wallets with me too for those times where I don't want to wear the vest, like those nights when we had formal dinners.

[uppityperson]

33. I got a nice messenger bag I wear, found it on sale, carry my stuff in it when I'm out.

It was a bright color and being sold out but it works. I ended up using it at home also. This is the updated one.
http://www.amazon.com/Pacsafe-Luggage-Metrosafe-Shoulder-Black/dp/B006QKRLNW/ref=sr_1_1?s=apparel&ie=UTF8&qid=1401412819&sr=1-1&keywords=pacsafe+metrosafe+200

For short outings I use one of these as it fits passport, card, money. I like the company, or rather their products and search out the sales.
http://www.amazon.com/Pacsafe-Metrosafe-Pouch-Chocolate-Size/dp/B003FSTFZK/ref=sr_1_55?s=apparel&ie=UTF8&qid=1401412744&sr=1-55&keywords=pacsafe

[bikebloke]

34. A neck pouch

Worn around my neck with the strap under my arm and around my back. It's less obvious than hanging in front. I can always feel it under my arm. And if I'm on a train of bus, it's easy to slide around behind my back so I'm leaning against it.

[mackerel]

35. I use the neck pouch. I bought them for my kids when they went to Peru and they said

they worked well.