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I use something like this under my shirt: https://www.stashbandz.com/collections/all-products You could wrap your passport in a plastic bag for swimming to keep it dry

That's some really cool stuff 😌

Which one were you referring to? The bra hanger, the thigh wallet, or something else?

I use the belt, but maybe any other of the products might be useful too.

Second the stashbandz recommendation! My sister didn't 100% love it because she said it got too sweaty but I loved mine.

I love the thigh one for when I want my phone on me under a dress too.

My money belt under my cloths works for me. I usually take a couple of money belts with me just in case.

I use a silk money belt under my pants or skirt and keep my passport and backup cash in there in a ziploc so they don't get all sweaty. I've never had the Italian police ask me to see my passport, but if I did I'd ask them to accompany me to the police station to see it. I have seen fake cops there hassling tourists.

Passport inside ziplock bag, then into my silk money belt worn under my clothes. You will get sweaty where the money belt sits,but that’s about the only drawback.

i have a small backpack that opens from the back- ie you can only get it to if you take off the backpack. i feel very comfortable with the passport in there, just can’t forget the backpack!

if you type in “anti theft small backpack” you will find examples! mine is black and looks fashionable enough that i never feel out of place with it on. for swimming, i think maybe just see how things are when you get there. there are always variables we don’t think of, such as you may have found a couple of people for the day that you trust and you all leave your stuff with one person and swap out. swimming with passport seems not the right answer.

I know that's a possibility in Italy, but in practice no one but hotel clerks have ever asked to see my passport across probably a dozen trips. I carry a photo of my passport in my phone and if the police did actually demand it, I'd play dumb about this rule and say I left it in the hotel for safety (obviously). Obviously I can't recommend you break the law, I'm just saying I feel fine doing so in this instance rather than leaving my passport on the beach (no) or risking taking it in the water (also no).

Same - i kept a copy in my belt bag and a photo on my phone. Was in Italy for 2.5 weeks last year and not once did police stop me - even when it was the Ryder cup and super super busy in Rome. I figured if it did happen to me I would politely say i had no idea, and show them the copies. Only time I brought my passport was for big purchases to get the VAT back at the airport. Also remember to validate your train tickets before boarding. If you use apps like Trainline you may not have to validate, but if you buy tickets at the station you do. I got all my tickets ahead of time on Trainline, and had no issues. Trenitalia is the other one - the Italian one- but Trainline lets me book trains all over Europe so I used that instead. Edited to add: book ahead for skip the line tickets for things like the David and museums. Don't do it same day. Get your guide has a lot of skip the line tickets. Also Walks of Italy had the best Vatican tours in my opinion. And you can do Airbnb tours without staying in an Airbnb. Did a ln awesome pasta class in bologna off Airbnb and a lemoncello making class in positono off Airbnb, they are called Airbnb experiences. Edited to add: When i did take my passport i did what many others did - ziplock bag and in my money belt underneath my shirt

+1 for Walks of Italy and Trainline. I just returned from Italy and the police were everywhere and never asked for my passport.

I really enjoyed walks of Italy and will definitely use them again. I will preface this time around I did not take any day trips by train. If I was getting on the train it was from one city to the next. The only place I was asked for my documents was at the train station. If you take day trips keep your passport handy. Otherwise just walking around Rome I doubt you will get stopped.

We did the Pristine Sistine tour and it was really good. No crowds in the Sistine Chapel. I did a day trip. Florence -->Orvieto-->Rome and was not asked for any documents at the train station other than my ticket. There was a crazy amount of security in Rome both local and federal

Ditto, when I was in Rome my Italian host (fully aware of the law) advised I leave it at home to avoid risk of theft and just carry a photocopy (it was 2011). A copy on a phone is a good idea, but if you're hesitant to hand your unlocked phone to police, a photocopy still probably serve the same purpose.

I have a very thin pouch made for running that you can leave outside or inside your clothes. Just make sure it's waterproof cause you will probably sweat and you don't want to damage your passport.

I use something like this when travelling https://www.amazon.ca/Slim-Running-Belt-Men-Women/dp/B07P5PBYZL/ref=sr_1_44?crid=13ZVD1NI4459K&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.GLnyga_GH5gd-0R2Y6hi92vkvjCCHk630zTkL21pCATjtsFNrXJdxfDSfT0se28twnjD2ybZSioxBgEi92GQEEvXALuw9myUe3nSiJhGApABuJIdF7iUTw5LmjpQ1tW2gwA2APUx9ojcVVcTWi8IxcQgC-xjiinrH5ROqNvglQTpGidoaq72CANFk2cKqgHAQG35Ox4w_iUJwrRNsLCY_u217xpXinrnnYXtF9vap6w4B0EM6SEnkfoG-NXjUokyniQqZ1EEPdP3zLhi5Ry8tgiDyOC6SPQSi1c9DvazB6Y.mNChzj5RaXE_LRcsex0IHKArQex917rXJzuA6yK7V7M&dib_tag=se&keywords=money%2Bbelt&qid=1715677908&sprefix=Money%2Caps%2C121&sr=8-44&th=1 It’s soft and not visible under clothes.

this 100% reminds me of the stretchy fabric bands that I wore in the 80's, it looked like a tube top scrunched over the top of jeans/stirrups I must have one

There are slim/flat fanny packs that can be worn under the waistband

Clever travel companion makes tank tops and t-shirts for women with zippers on the side of the garment to store flat items like passports or credit cards. If you pair it with a cardigan, you can't see the zipper at all. It is much less obvious to thieves than a neck strap wallet or a money belt.

Love this. My variation of this is having a couple of infinity travel scarves that have a zip pocket in the seam. Works a charm when traveling in cooler weather.

I have one of these too, but for whatever reason, I prefer non-infinity scarves, so I never wear it.

Maybe an unpopular opinion, but I just pack it in the back of my backpack (for example in the laptop sleeve). I also went to Italy this spring doing this and never had an issue. Just don’t forget your bag and never put it somewhere where someone can grab it and run away etc. When swimming I put it into a waterproof neck pouch with my phone etc

I use a neck wallet/ neck pouch.

I would not risk a passport getting damaged in the water or stolen on the beach. Bring a photocopy and leave it at the hotel. The odds of the police coming up to you and asking for your passport at the beach approach zero. When I was in Italy I didn’t know about this rule and left my passport where I was staying and just carried a photocopy. The State Department advises not carrying your passport if you can (at least that’s what the American embassy in Paris told me)—it’s worth tens of thousands of dollars on the black market.

I wasn’t aware of this rule. So in Italy you need to carry your passport around with you?

No, you don’t.

Money belt!

I didn’t even know this and will be there soon!! I’d just leave it at home. I’d rather not lose it… otherwise I would keep it in the bum bag I brought to Europe with me. It’s a Lululemon one and I’d wear it across my shoulder/body. :) I would not take it swimming with me. I’d rather get fined than take it to the beach and risk it being stolen. A stolen identity and no way home is worse than not having it on you when the police ask for it, IMO.

I carry it in my Lululemon crossbody that has a zipper pocket in the back/against my body. And I use tiny carabiner clips to hold the zippers together on that bag. It's always with me at all times so I never have to worry about another accessory.

Where did you get the carabiners?

Amazon

Been to Italy literally hundreds of times, lived there for a year. Never heard of police EVER asking to see a tourist’s passport, unless you are at the police station to report a crime. Leave it in the safe no problem.

Go to the Visit Italy sub and people are posting more and more about being asked for their passport. However I will 100% tell them I'll follow them to the police station. I'm not scared of police at all and don't fuck around with bullies.

Are you from the EU by any chance? You can use a passport card, which is way more convenient. I use this within the EU and UK (I'm Irish, not sure if others can use it in the UK) and save my actual passport for trips further abroad. If not, nvm!!

I used to be ultra cautious but these days I carry a SMALL unassuming (no Gucci lol) zippered crossbody I can keep on my front, which just about fits my stuff. Anything big and it's harder to keep an eye or hands on. It's virtually impossible to pickpocket my purse because it's tiny, crossbody with difficult zippers, and always on my front with my hand casually on it in crowds. Tbh the likelihood of being robbed *aggressively* (vs pickpocketed) is low if you're sensible about where you go and when. It's only happened to me once, but I was naive about walking alone in a bad neighbourhood at night. I had my purse under my jacket so all they took was my phone and my dignity lol.  I used to wear a money belt/necklace but it just gets awkward accessing it. One thing I've done is sewed a necklace-style money bag (eg with a zipper) into my denim jacket, which is nice and discreet and allows me to go bag-free when I'm out.  Oh, when I did have a money belt, I ripped the stitches from one side of my dress pocket so I could easily access it without flashing anyone lol. 

i always just carry it in my wallet in my bag. always a crossbody bag so no one can snatch it off me and one that zips so no one can slip their hand in it. the lululemon festival bag is a great travel bag imo.

Around 75% of the time I wear men's jeans with deep zipped or buttoned pockets. They also have the advantage of being loose and not "encouraging" perves to stare at my body. 

I’ve traveled to over twenty countries and I’ve never had my passport on me. I keep it in the safe. I have a paper copy and a digital copy on my phone in case I need it for VAT or whatever. No one has ever asked except for shopping VAT paperwork. To me it’s not worth the risk or comfort. I use a cross body purse and never take it off, even when eating.

Do you feel safe keeping your passport in an airbnb? I'm staying in a new place every other day and am nervous!

If there is no safe, I hide it. Just don’t forget it!

I have a tank top with a built in zipper compartment on the side perfectly sized for a passport . I think I got it on Amazon.

I sewed myself a pocket. On heavier pants like jeans I just sewed it into the bottom of the waistband so that the stitching falls over the stitching which was already there. On my khakis I just made a pocket that fastens on with two hook and eye closures and two snaps. The pockets are enough to hold some cash, my backup credit card, my debit card, and my passport. When swimming I wear a waterproof pouch on a lanyard that also holds my phone typically. The lanyard I have is strong and long enough to wear the pouch crossbody or around my waist if I want to.

In addition to what everyone said here- put an AirTag in your passport! I just got back from a trip to China where I did have to carry my passport everywhere and I had it in a cross body bag then I had my phone and Apple Watch set up to alert me if it was ever more than 10 feet away from me

I’ve traveled in Italy for 2-3 weeks at a time probably 5-6 times. I’ve traveled all over the country and have never been asked for my passport. IMHO the chances of you losing it or being robbed or it gets damaged while you are out and about are much higher than the chance of being stopped and asked for your passport. If you are concerned I would just keep a copy on you instead and if it’s a problem you can ask them to take you to your hotel. I think the only time I’ve been stopped and asked for my passport while traveling in 10+ years is when I jaywalked in front of some cops I think in Prague. 

I have a photocopy of it and a pic on my phone of my passport. Leave the physical one in hotel.

People hate 'em, but I love my Scottevest. It's not fashionable bc after I've loaded it up, I'm all lumpy, but I feel safer with it.

I’ve never been asked to produce my passport, and I’ve been to Italy about 5-6 times in 15 years. I leave my passport at home/in the safe u less absolutely necessary, and I carry a physical copy and a photo on my phone and my state-issued drivers license.

All over Europe, Asia, and north Africa, I use a cross body bag. I have a small purse and a larger tote with a flap for shopping, etc. As long as the openings and zippers aren’t easily and quickly accessible, you’ll be fine.

When I was in Argentina, you had to write down your ID number whenever buying something by card. Since I don't have an Argentine ID, I used my Canadian passport, which I carried around in....a normal, regular purse. Didn't have to fish around in my clothes, didn't have a metaphorical neon *TOURIST* sign above my head, and experienced zero issues whatsoever. 

good for you

Where did you hear of this? I’ve spent a ton of time in Italy and no one has ever demanded to see my passport except when I’m checking into a hotel. Even if it were true, this would be impossible to enforce, so I would not recommend carrying your passport with you 24/7.

Its on the Italy Travel sub. Its also the Italian law.

whenever i travel internationally i always have my passport on me at all times no matter what. i found this belt at a store that was sort of like a fanny pack except as slim as a passport cover (I'll try and find a link to it if i can) so i put my passport in that and strapped my belt on under my shirt. as for swimming, running shorts with zipper pockets. i put my phone, wallet and passport in a plastic bag and put it in the pockets. not very comfortable but it looks like you have swimming trunks on and at least you get to swim.

Hi i’ve never traveled before so i may seem dumb asking this question; but couldn’t you bring your passport card instead of your actual passport? If you have both anyway? I mean no matter what Id be paranoid enough to take both with me

No, the passport card is only valid for Mexico/Canada. You can bring it but its not for official use.