What to Carry in Your Travel Wallet

Traveling is one of the most enriching experiences a person can do in their life. It introduces you to new cultures, new cuisines, new sights, sounds, smells, and so much more. But any time you’re in an unfamiliar place – no matter how safe – you have to make sure that you’re prepared for issues that you may not expect to experience back at home.

Much of that preparation takes place in your wallet. It is in your wallet that you can make sure that you have everything you need to make sure that you’re ready for anything that may come your way so that you’re always ready for whatever traveling may bring – good and bad.

What Should You Have in Your Travel or Passport Wallet?

Before you worry about what’s in your wallet, you should first focus on the wallet itself. Any time you travel, you should consider bringing two wallets. One wallet should be a passport wallet. It is always a good idea to have your passport on you and easily accessible, so that you can just grab it and show it to any authorities that need to see it. 

You may also want to consider bringing a standard wallet. Depending on where you are visiting, it may not be a good idea to keep your passport on you at all times since the document is too important. You can travel with the passport wallet, then put it away when you’re at your destination and use only a standard wallet until a passport wallet is needed. 

One wallet is fine for countries that may ask for passports often or if you plan to hop into different countries and hotels where passports are frequently required, but a second wallet, such as a nylon sport wallet, may be a good idea for other forms of travel.

Once you’ve chosen your wallets, you should strongly consider bringing all of the following items:

• Passport – Of course, any time you travel, make sure you have your passport on you. Your passport wallet has a space for the passport itself, and, unless you plan to carry a purse on you at all times, you want to make sure that your wallet fits your passport so that it’s in your pocket and easily accessible. Keeping it in a backpack is often not a good idea as it can be difficult to locate when you need it and could be at a greater theft risk. 
• 2 Travel Credit Cards – It is a good idea to bring two travel credit cards with you. When in an unfamiliar place, you will want to prioritize using credit cards over cash and debit cards whenever possible since it can be difficult to address any identity theft while abroad. One travel credit card may be enough, but two can help make sure that you’re prepared for anything. 
• One Debit Card – You will need cash, so you can and should bring a debit card. If you happen to have two bank accounts, however, only one debit card is enough and you may want to prioritize the one with less money inside to avoid theft. If you are traveling with a partner and share bank accounts, you may also want to consider only one debit card between you.
• Health/Critical Information Translated – Should you be faced with a medical issue while abroad, you want to make sure that whoever is treating you has all the information they need to do so safely. That means carrying health information in your wallet. But just writing it down is not enough. You should write it down in both English and in the language of the place you’re traveling. So, if you’re allergic to peanuts (for example) anyone reading it no matter their English skill level can do so. Put all of your most important information, including emergency contacts, health insurance, and other info on the same paper.
• Travel Information – You never know when your phone may have service, or you’re struggling to remember something after a long night out partying the night before. Keep all your information, from your hotels and their addresses to your travel insurance info on a piece of paper in your wallet to make sure it’s on you at all times.
• Cash – Most experts agree that it is best not to carry too much cash on you at all times, but many times you’re going to be traveling where only cash is accepted. Carry only the minimum amount of cash on you depending on where you’re visiting. If you’re going to be in a big city with lots of ATMs that accepts credit cards, $40 to $60 in local currency is usually enough. If you’re going to be in a more remote area with fewer banks that is also cash only, $200 to $300 worth of local currency may be a better choice.

These are going to be the basics for your travel wallet, but they may not be all you carry with you. For example, if you plan to drive, you may need your driver’s license on you to make sure that they can rent you a car. If you need to remember any specific items on your itinerary, you may want to keep them in your wallet as well so that you’re not scrambling to find the information on your phone.

Carry Enough and Carry Safe

Even the safest countries can have issues with pickpocketing and theft, so you do not want to bring too much with you at any time as canceling cards and calling banks is very difficult when you’re abroad. But you also want to make sure you have all the basics, and everything you may need to stay safe and have fun while you travel. 

First, pick up a passport wallet, and possibly a smaller wallet that fits your activity levels (like a nylon wallet) to make sure you can always carry your most important items with you. Then, figure out what you absolutely need based on where you’re traveling to, and leave anything you don’t need back at home. Order your travel wallet today from Allett.