Passport: hotel safe or on your person

Click below for Rick's advice on that:
http://www.ricksteves.com/travel-tips/theft-scams/travel-moneybelt.
The passport is the thing you least want to lose on a trip, and leaving it in your room is not the best idea.
The hotel safe is okay unless you need your passport while away from the room, this is more likely if you're driving since police may ask for it.

You will get people who prefer both ways. Personally, I feel better knowing the passport is with me in my money belt, and I would rather have it on me in the off chance I would need it. Now, I have never needed it while out and about, but it is with me just in case!

"this is more likely if you're driving since police may ask for it."

Really? I think the police would be more interested in a driving licence than a passport, all your licences have photos on them anyway, don't they?

harleydonski,
Yes, of course the police would presumably be most interested in a driving license.
However, we've had travelers report in here that they were also asked for their passports by police during car stops.

I leave mine in the hotel room or apt when out and about.

When I travel, I always keep my passport with me. A copy in my luggage.

In most cases, it is probably unnecessary BUT I feel more secure than leaving it behind in the hotel room. That makes the trip more enjoyable.

Along the same lines, I travel with minimal documentation. Passport (of course). One or two cards that allow me to get cash from ATMs or buy stuff. And my driver's license. Anything else, I leave behind. You would be amazed how much stuff in your wallet you don't need to tote with you.

All the documentation I do take goes with me in my neck wallet.

I also always carry my passport with me, keeping color copies in the lining of my luggage just in case. Have never lost it or had it stolen in many years of travel in all parts of Europe. Knock on wood.

UK Police don't ask for passports, and there is no legal obligation to carry any documentation with you, although it is sometimes sensible to do so.

I'd say, if it's a good hotel in a nice area, use the room safe. If it isn't, don't. If the hotel has a doorman, it may be a little safer.

Keeping photocopies of important documents in a separate place from the actual documents is also a good idea.

Yes, unlike other countries in Europe the UK does NOT have a legal requirement to carry proof of ID on you.

(In earlier days this was used as proof of how much freer we were than the mainland police states - now we have some of the highest levels of camera surveillance in the world that looks a bit hollow)

To confirm the opposite of Mike J's comment, in many European countries (but not the UK) there is a legal requirement to carry ID, and for non-EU foreigners the only acceptable ID is a passport.
In the UK if the police stop you they are entitled to ask your name and address, but not entitled to ask for proof.
But, you can go through your whole life never being stopped and asked for ID by the police; you should legally carry your passport, but its your choice.

A Driving Licence is not legally ID. That is why if stopped in a car the police will ask for ID (passport) and driving licence.

The UK has not required carrying of identity documents for over 63 years, despite the actions of some politicians to bring them back. No need to carry a driving licence with you either, although you may be requested by the police to present one within 7 days.

Here are a couple of train travel procedures where you will need your passport available:

Buying a Youth Railcard or Senior Railcard

Activating a BritRail Pass before your first trip

It's a myth that you MUST carry your passport in most Western European countries.

I would highly recommend you DO carry your passport whenever driving. A lot more can happen than just getting pulled over for speeding.

Douglas, it is not a myth that you have to carry your passport, but only in some countries, not all.
Definitely in Germany and Switzerland you have to carry ID, which for a non-EU foreigner means a passport.
It is true however that it is very unlikely you will stopped by the police and asked for your ID unless you have been doing something wrong.

I have seen people being caught by a ticket inspector on a train without a ticket, he asked for their ID, which they didn't have, at which point he said "you do know you have to have ID on you don't you" and took them off to the nearest police station.