Passport/Travel documents Holder, What should I keep in it? Options

[RaeJane]

DH and I are going overseas in just under 3 months (to Singapore, UK, Malta and Italy) and I've decided I'm going to sew my own passport/travel documents holder so that I can customise it. The thing is, the last o/s trip I went on my travel buddy was the "keeper of the important stuff" so I'm trying to figure out what I need to include.

I'm thinking it should be able to hold:
Passports (3 - I have UK & Aus p/port)
Tickets
Pen (for those annoying custom forms)

Anything else that I should have on hand with them? One thing that I've heard, is that passports and tickets shouldn't be kept together - is that right?

Any suggestions would be great!

[marsupilami]

I'm not sure about not keeping the passport & tickets together...I always have them in my document holder...that way it's one less thing for me to lose

I bought my holder, and the one thing I highly recommend is a zip/clip/velcro enclosure to hold any extra money that you don't need at the time. ie when you leave australia, you may have some coins/notes left, that way when you put your Singapore money in your purse, the australian money can go into the enclosed area, and you don't end up having to rifle around in your purse trying to pull out the correct "funny" money.

My holder also has an area for cards that maybe applicable to travelling eg frequent flyer card.

Hope this helps

[RaeJane]

I'm not sure about not keeping the passport & tickets together...I always have them in my document holder...that way it's one less thing for me to lose

I bought my holder, and the one thing I highly recommend is a zip/clip/velcro enclosure to hold any extra money that you don't need at the time. ie when you leave australia, you may have some coins/notes left, that way when you put your Singapore money in your purse, the australian money can go into the enclosed area, and you don't end up having to rifle around in your purse trying to pull out the correct "funny" money.

My holder also has an area for cards that maybe applicable to travelling eg frequent flyer card.

Hope this helps

Great ideas! I don't have any cards I need to have in there, but the foreign money compartment would be super handy. Thanks!

[Thelma]

I personally like using a satchel bag that holds everything. Mine has a zipper compartment that I rest against my body and it has passports, tickets, pens etc. It's easily accessible. I know for me the less bits and pieces I have to account for the better!

[scasey77]

Just also remember to make sure there is enough room to put your boarding passes/itineraries in too.

Other docs I usually keep in mine when travelling are:

- travel insurance docs
- accomodation comfirmations
- car hire comfirmations
- phone cards if need be for calling home
- if using your mobile with international roaming I keep the little reference card of contact numbers in there too.

[siilk]

If you have multi passports (we travel with 6 for 4 people!) make sure the holder has some depth or width to it. I am always jamming them in!

[RaeJane]

Thanks so much for all the input! So far I have a design drawn up (which may still change depending on further suggestions) which includes a pocket (which would fit A4 documents folded in 3, plus tickets), 3 slots for each passport, a little slot for a pen, and a slightly expandable slot (maybe with a zip if I'm brave enough ...) which will hold leftover foreign currency. It'll be a 3 folding wallet and will tie closed, as it could get bulky.

But that could all still change I have ordered some really cute fabric for it so once it arrives I'll get cracking!

[scasey77]

I would personally try and steer slear of a tie closed design just because you always seem to have limited hands when travelling so easy access is good I think.

Would it be possible to do a magnetic clasp type closure easy to open and shut with one hand.

[AnA927]

Just wanted to say that after all this talk about passport holders, I just went and bought a little one off etsy

Been meaning to get one for a while.

[RaeJane]

Sara - ooh, very good point. I don't want to be tieing and untieing it the whole time. The thought of sewing in those magnetic clasps scares me a little (haven't done one before), otherwise DH suggested an elastic strap sewn on to keep it all together. Will see ...

AnA927 - so glad we inspired some etsy shopping!!

[scasey77]

Yeah - I think elastic mightbe better. Just a loop of elastic that you can loop over a button or something similar.