Should I carry my passport everywhere?

Only if local law specifically requires tourists to carry their original passport at all times (like in Japan or some parts of Southeast Asia). Otherwise, keep it in a safe at your accommodation.

What happens if my passport is stolen?

Immediately report it to the nearest local police station to get a written report. Then, contact your country's nearest embassy or consulate to apply for an emergency travel document.

How to Protect Your Travel Documents from Loss or Theft

Keep physical documents in a hidden money belt or neck pouch against your body and maintain a digital backup in a secure, encrypted cloud folder. Never carry your original passport unless absolutely required for an official transaction.

Create a secure digital redundancy. Scan your passport, visa pages, travel insurance, and vaccination records. Save these as PDFs in a password-protected cloud service like Bitwarden or a dedicated encrypted folder in Google Drive/iCloud. Share the password with one trusted emergency contact back home.
Designate a 'base' storage spot. If your accommodation has an in-room safe, use it for your passport, extra credit cards, and original paper tickets. If no safe exists, keep them in a locked hardshell suitcase secured with a TSA-approved cable lock.
Use an on-person concealment system. When in transit or exploring, use a slim money belt worn inside your waistband or a neck wallet worn under your shirt. This protects your passport and backup cash from pickpockets who target outer pockets and bags.
Carry non-essential identification. For daily walking around, carry a photocopy of your passport ID page or a government-issued ID card (like a driver's license) instead of your physical passport. This provides sufficient ID for most local needs while keeping the primary document safe.

Should I carry my passport everywhere?: Only if local law specifically requires tourists to carry their original passport at all times (like in Japan or some parts of Southeast Asia). Otherwise, keep it in a safe at your accommodation.
What happens if my passport is stolen?: Immediately report it to the nearest local police station to get a written report. Then, contact your country's nearest embassy or consulate to apply for an emergency travel document.