Travel influencers urge us to buy unnecessary gear, such as a document organizer (why, when almost every document can be on the phone?*), a hotel room blacklight (TMI), or an in-flight clip-on cup holder (seriously?). I add passport covers to that list.
I’m not a fan of passport covers. I think they’re just one more example of fussy travel gear that I don’t need.
My passport is in good shape with 7 years on it, with at least 4 months of those years jostling in cargo pant pockets, rain and shine. In Japan, for example, I’m required to carry my passport at all times.
For passport protection, we go to our kitchen drawer.
Ziploc bags are a mainstay of our packing. For example, 2-gallon bags for clothing allow me to squeeze out the air. A 1-pint bag serves as a passport cover.
Clearly, literally and figuratively, a Ziploc bag does the job. It provides better protection from water than many passport covers.
At the end of each trip I store used Ziplocs in our travel storage box, ready for the next trip. One bag lasts several trips and can be tossed without (much) guilt when it wears out.
In the interests of fairness, I typed pros and cons of passport covers into Bard, Google’s AI, and got this response.
Google Bard’s Take on Passport Covers
Pros:
- Protection: Passport covers can help protect your passport from wear and tear, dirt, and damage. They can also help protect your passport from water damage, if they are made of a water-resistant material.
- Organization: Passport covers can help you stay organized while traveling. Many passport covers have extra pockets for storing boarding passes, tickets, and other travel documents.
- Style: Passport covers come in a variety of styles, so you can find one that matches your personal taste. They can also be a fun way to add a touch of personality to your travel gear.
Cons:
- Cost: Passport covers can add an extra expense to your travel budget.
- Bulk: Some passport covers can be bulky and add extra weight to your luggage.
- Hassle: If you are traveling through security, you may have to remove your passport cover for inspection. This can be a hassle, especially if you are in a hurry.
Ultimately, whether or not to use a passport cover is a personal decision. If you are looking for a way to protect your passport and stay organized while traveling, a passport cover may be a good option for you. However, if you are on a tight budget or you don’t like the extra bulk, you may want to consider traveling without a passport cover.
Here are some additional things to consider when deciding whether or not to use a passport cover:
- How often do you travel? If you travel frequently, a passport cover may be a good investment to protect your passport from wear and tear.
- How much do you value your personal style? If you enjoy accessorizing and adding a touch of personality to your travel gear, a passport cover may be a good way to do it.
- How much do you mind extra bulk? If you are traveling light and don’t want to add extra bulk to your luggage, a passport cover may not be the best option for you.
I hope this helps!
I’ll stick with Ziploc bags.
*I always travel with a SIM-enabled iPad or a spare phone. Technologies fail.