Passport - to leave in hotel or bring with you daily?

What foolish act or what will make whoever or you stand out such that you will be asked for identification by the authorities? It has never happened to me in 45 years of travel.
Depending on your views, there are as many as 49 countries in Europe. In some countries it is a requirement to carry the national identity card, in others you only have to prove who you are by whatever means, eg. the country's national driving licence or a number of credit/atm/store cards or addressed bills in your wallet or purse in your name.
As a generality, at least carry a copy of your passport, it might save being hauled off to the police station until your passport is seen, when whoever or you drop that piece of litter.
:-)

Your passport or ID card could also be required if wanting to make purchases by credit card.

I typically leave my passport in the hotel, mainly just due to the size. I do however have other ID, would not wander around in a strange city without it, and a copy of your passport is a good idea as it would be easy to tuck someplace.

The exception though is if I am going to travel by train or rental car, and especially if I may be crossing a border. Even though there are no formal border controls within the Schengen zone, on occasion there are checks on trains.

The passport may be required if you are using a credit card without your photo on it. The nationals provide their state issued id card as well.

There are regulations and supposed regulations - - obey them or not.

There may be needs - - not having it is an inconvenience, but not much more.

There may come a time when you have to haul butt without going back to a hotel to grab junk - - it depends on where and how you travel, but not having it could really suck.

The biggest problem is habit patterns. If you leave it in a hotel sometimes, but the next time the hotel doesn't have a safe, or the next day you figure you'll need it to make a purchase, or you take it with you just for an extended day trip - - you'll never be sure where the sucker is and you could well leave it behind.

A copy has no validity for anything. Paper is something else to keep track of - - take a picture of it and leave it on your phone if it makes you feel better. Record the number in a note app if that makes you feel better. A lost passport can be replaced in a half hour even if you have no other identification.

I am sort of onboard with Ed.

This comes up from time to time so I did some research. Most of western Europe does not require you to carry a passport at all times. The only exception I found was Belgium. But don't trust me, check for yourself. Most of Central and Eastern Europe DOES require you to carry a passport at all times. The most notable exception being Austria.

So the first question is when required, even if you "know" you will never be checked do you, as a guest in their country, obey the law? Me, yes.

Next is the safety of leaving it in your room. I own a couple of hotel safes. "Safe" is sort of a relative term. I don't trust them. And, I would bet more passports have been forgotten and left behind in hotel safes than have ever been pickpocketed.

Next comfort level? If you feel better carrying it, do it. I think Ed is right on creating a habit and I think that probably the best answer. It really isn't that big a deal to carry a passport. I don't a lot of the time but I have no good excuse except lazy.

We fall in the group of carry all the time. I like the idea of knowing where it is all the time. Second, it is the only thing that proves I am legally in the county. In the past 18 years we have been stopped twice unexpectedly and asked for id. Since we had our passport it was no problem. Have no idea if a drivers license would have been acceptable. For us the correct answer is to carry the passport. Better to have it and not need it rather than to need it and not have it.

Sally, the ability to positively identify yourself should a situation arise-whether at home to a local police officer or in a foreign country-always trumps convenience, in my view. Carry it with you, in your money belt with the other important stuff, keep a copy with you in a separate place if that makes you feel better, and have great trip.

Hi Sally,

I agree with some - I think it is best to carry your passport with you; just use reason to store/hide it safely on your person. I think having some proof of who you are is vital. We all know, no one can leave a country without a passport. I don't know if you are traveling alone, and even if you are not, what if you are taken ill or you trip and fall, lose consciousness or whatever...worst case...so, if you have no ID on you, it can have an adverse effect.

I carry mine in a money belt for peace of mind.

I keep it the hotel safe. The hotels I've stayed in have felt pretty comfortable and secure, but of course there is always a risk - in the safe or with you, something could happen. I hate having my passport in a money belt. It just takes up so much room, looks lumpy, and feels uncomfortable. I'm on the small side and wear fitted clothing, and am also a bit picky about fabric/texture/tags/etc. I reluctantly wear a money belt when in transit between cities, otherwise everything but one credit card, a drivers license and a small bit of cash stays in the hotel safe.

I take it with me if I'm leaving the city where my hotel is, even for a day trip. I want to be able to easily go back to the hotel and get it in case of some sort of issue. I always have my US drivers license and a credit card, which have sufficed for ID in my experience. A copy of the passport might not be a bad idea. I just can't imagine being in a situation in Europe where my passport is in the same city and I'm not permitted to return to get it. If I'm two hours away on a day trip, I can foresee an issue, but a few metro stops away in the same city seems unlikely.

I also keep my passport in the hotel and agree that you should just do what makes you comfortable.

@ Ed- What in the heck are you doing when you travel that you need to leave town without going back to your hotel first?!?

I guess I believe that you should keep your passport in the most secure place possible. For me, that's my neck pouch. For others, it might be a money belt, but these, if you keep them hidden, are the safest place to store valuables. They are safer than any hotel safe. A hotel safe might be safer, but only if you don't use deep storage.

If I use deep storage, I always know where my passport is. With a hotel safe, I'm never sure. Who has access to the safe? The hotel manager? The clerk? His brother? The maintenance man? The safe is locked up at night, but what about during the day, when they might leave it open because they are putting things in and out of it. Do they leave it unattended for a few minutes while they attend to a problem in a guest room because it's easier than locking it for just a few minutes.

I've only stayed a couple of times in places that had in-room safes. The first time I decided to try it. The safe was on a shelf in the desk, and I had to crane my neck to see it. I put my neck pouch in it before I went to bed. I used the same 4 digit code I've used for 25 years for my ATM card. The next morning the safe wouldn't open. Figuring that I had mis-entered the code due to the awkward position and the difficulty seeing the keypad, I tried every number I could think of that I could have entered by mistake. Finally I called the manager. Maybe because I had tried so many times, it wasn't accepting any codes, even his master code. He finally had to get a special tool from his office and take off the front of the safe.

I missed my train to where I was going that day, but I got to thinking. What if someone knew the master code? What if you could, through the underground, get one of those tools. I don't think in-room safes are the safest places.

In 11 years out of 12 years of going to Europe for a month (leaving May 23 for Greece) I have always carried my passport in my money belt/neck pouch. I do put it into one of those zip lock bags to keep it from attracting moisture. Never had a problem in finding it or getting it whenever I have needed it. Hope you will not wait another 10 years before going back after this coming trip. I find going to Europe very addictive.

Does anyone know the number of passports stolen from European hotel safes?

Hi,

Just wondering if we're the only ones who never carry our passports or use money belts of any kind. After a total of 11 trips to Austria, Germany, Switzerland and northern Italy, I've never felt the need. We do of course take normal precautions as if it were anywhere else. Fact is I feel just as safe in these places as I do around here at home. I'm not saying it's right for everyone, it's just how we travel. I carry my wallet with 2 CC's, DL, Ins. card, ATM card and some cash. My wife carries a small bag with the strap goes around one side of the neck and across the body.

"Does anyone know the number of passports stolen from European hotel safes?"

Does any know the number of passports stolen from moneybelts or neck pouches that were properly protected?

Are hotel safes any more risky in Europe than in the US? Do you wear a money belt in Las Vegas or Honolulu? Everybody has a personal comfort zone. If hotel has a safe, I use it, carrying only an ID, daily amount of spending cash and maybe ATM card if I think I will use it. Money belt when in transit.

"Are hotel safes any more risky in Europe than in the US? Do you wear a money belt in Las Vegas "

It's not the chance, it's the consequences! If my passport is stolen in Las Vegas, it's no big deal. I don't need it to get home.

In this country, I don't carry or need my passport. I wouldn't have my passport stolen in Las Vegas because I don't take it to Las Vegas. I don't worry about loosing it.

You probably won't have you passport, and credit cards, stolen in Europe, but if you do, it will be a much bigger problem than if it happened at home.

Okay, the G-d's honest truth. I suggest you keep your passport with you. Except where it is legislated that I do so, I don't. But that's not what I think is smart or good advise. If I did put it in a hotel safe I know I would forget it so I just stick it in a locked suitcase so the maid has to steal the whole thing if she wants it. Yes, Stupid! But hey, you only live once ............... and I have human, financial and legal assets in Europe so I get a little relaxed. In Asia I would have the dang thing surgically inserted in the largest orifice just to be sure I didn't loose it.

My first trip to Europe was in 1972... France. I have visited for many decades now.. and of course visited other countries in Europe.. but I have never felt the need to carry my passport around every day. It stays in my hotel, or my apartment.. or at whos ever home I may be visiting.. I have never needed it for anything other then collateral for audio guides.. and I learned years ago they will take my Drivers Licence just as happily.. and if that is lost or stolen no big deal.
Everyone can do as they please. I personally only use and wear my moneybelt while in actual transit.. and HAVE to carry all my money , cards and id.. otherwise for day to day sightseeing.. hotel safes and bedside tables in apartments or homes has been fine.

sally,

I always prefer to keep my Passport with me, usually in my Money Belt. It's unlikely I'll ever be asked for it, but I feel more confident having it with me rather than stuck in a hotel room safe. Also, I used to work as a Locksmith and I don't trust the cheap electronic safes that most hotels use. You may find it interesting to have a look at THIS video or THIS video on the subject. While it's not likely that someone would steal my Passport from a hotel room safe, I still feel more comfortable having it with me.

Sally,

for me, my passport on my body give me a "warm and fuzzy" feeling.

Its just something id rather keep on my body if possible.

so far in my 2~3 years of travel, i have not been asked for my passport. But i will say my luck is not the best.

happy trails.

I always leave my passport in the hotel safe during sightseeing during the day unless I am traveling over borders. I leave other stuff in the safe too, so there isn't a chance I will forget it. There is no good reason to carry it around with me.

There is another current thread around here somewhere, the gist of which is that loss of a passport is an inconvenience that can be dealt with, but not a catastrophe if you know what to do if it happens. Maybe money belts are more secure against theft. But I think that by wearing your passport every day, you have a risk of accidental loss- misplacement, or forgetting it in the toilet. That makes it a greater risk than a hotel safe. If you don't have access to a safe, or your instincts say otherwise, then use the belt.

There is definitely two schools of thoughts here. After reading through this, I feel I will leave my passport in the hotel safe but bring a copy with me in my purse. This is just my opinion. Thanks for your feedbacks.

From reading other replies, it seems there is confusion about what is meant by "hotel safe".

I mean the safe in my room. Yes, I'm sure hotel management has the code, but people aren't in and out of my room all day. Do they technically have access and could they technically go into my room when I'm not there and get into the safe? Yes, but I feel it is HIGHLY unlikely.

Some other posters seem to be talking about safes in the common area of the hotel, which employees put things in for any guest. I've never seen one of these, nor used one. I mean, I'm sure all hotels have a safe in the office, but I've never known it to be available for guests. Maybe this is common, I've just never asked. It would make me nervous, but I stand by using the safe in my room.

James in Frisco,

Which large orifice? The only one I can think of large enough in humans would be the mouth and I don't think you want to make it not work. Not on a trip anyway. What I was picturing just had me chuckling. Which I needed to thanks.

I have usually used the in-room safes to store passports, credit/ATM cards I don't expect to need for the day and any expensive equipment (camera, computer, iPod, etc). When there's no safe, I have buried the equipment in my suitcase and locked it, and put all the plastic in a money belt. Passports - depends, sometimes one, sometimes the other.

I am now rethinking leaving passports and plastic in the safe. I stayed in a hotel in Bologna earlier this week and when I checked in, the safe was locked. The desk sent up a maid, who opened the safe with one of the many keys she had on her key-ring. To shorten a long story, it seems that every hotel employee (maintenance, housekeeping, front desk, you name it) has the same keys and is able to enter any of the rooms and open any of the safes. The desk clerk explained that in an emergency they may need to access the safe . . . I can't imagine any situation where that would be a priority, but maybe it's Italian logic.

Check the law of the country you are travelling to. Some countries require carrying ID at all times. Some don't. When elsewhere in the EU I carry my passport, but that is because we do not require compulsory ID in the UK. Until relatively our driving licences did not have a photograph, and expired when the holder turns 70.

So check the law.

I keep all our passports on me all the time. I just worry less.

In somewhere like North Korea, say, and the rules said carry your passport at all times, then that is one > place I likely would do so. Horses for courses, really.

And since Schengen law requires you to be able to provide proof of identity by means of national identity card or passport while in the Schengen area (not just crossing a boarder) , why would not do the same there?

Chani.. it has nothing to do with "Italian Logic".. its simple logic.

Every safe must be assesible to someone on the staff. People check out and leave stuff in safes all the time( so silly ) .. hotel retrieves and often sends it along.. on cruise ships , if you do not reboard in time on a port stop , your safe will be assessed and passports taken and given to harbour master to give to you.. you would need it to fly home.

It may be that someone driving a rental car in Europe is somewhat more likely to be asked for her/his passport, in the event of a traffic stop.

This last trip which I got back from two weeks ago the passport was on me all the time since it's in a zipped up inside jacket pocket and the weather was such that I felt I needed my jacket everyday in Austria, Budapest, and Berlin, still cold, colder than the weather in SF. Whether I was strolling about in Vienna, or day trips to Wiener Neustadt or Melk, or on that day's trip r/t to Budapest, etc, or in other towns other than where I was staying, I had that passport on me. True, never was asked to show it....anywhere this time. I never use the hotel room safe, ie, never leave the passport in it, don't trust it, don't trust myself either for leaving it there at check out. Passport either goes in that set jacket pocket or the neck pouch.

I had one border crossing where I had expected the controller to ask to see the passport, that between Austria and Hungary en route to Budapest, which was the case four years ago. This time the Hungarian controller only targeted Hungarians. I sat amongst Americans, just coincidence, all of us had our ticket and passports out. He and the Austrian controller were only interested in seeing the ticket.

@Fred, you might have gathered that I spend a fair amount of time in Hungary, Slovakia, Austria (Vienna at least), Romania, Bulgaria, etc...... There are places where I feel as comfortable as I do on my porch in Frisco. There are places where at least one local enforcement officer knows my face. There are places where I can walk down the street at 2 am and not worry about a thing. I even have a home in one of those places. In that home I have my very own "hotel safe". Fred, I carry my passport more than half the time and know that I am being lazy and reckless and actually breaking the law the other half of the time. I never recommend that anyone do something even remotely illegal, no matter my own personal bad habits.

So Fred, what I am saying is.....................I agree with you. But why do we keep having this discussion?

@Chani, if you ever lock your stuff in one of those hotel safes let me know and I can send you a key that will open it.

Re: why this discussion on passports being on you or in the room? People ask, people respond based on their experiences and the factual legal aspect. When you cross borders on a day trip, are without that passport, and are asked to produce it, I would not want to be caught in that untimely situation. Last summer I crossed from Germany en route to Amsterdam for a day trip. At the border town, two Dutch controllers got one and began checking everyone, I was one of the first since my seat was closest to the door. Maybe the Hungarians are less stringent than are the Dutch controllers, which makes for a good case going by train to Hungary.

Do the people who live in Europe carry their ID's, money & credit cards in a money belt? I can't say for sure but I'd venture most don't.

My passport, money & cc's are in my purse - which never leaves my grip! It is on my shoulder between us when walking around. We used a money belt on our first trip 17 yrs ago - never again. I don't walk around at home fearful of losing my wallet or it being stolen nor do I when I travel either in the US or elsewhere. We are very aware of our surroundings - have caught 3 pickpocket attempts in the past.

Several times on the train we were asked to show our passport along with our rail pass or just random checks, we've been asked for it when using cc and one very random time when there was some sort of trouble in the neighborhood where we were walking.

I do have a digital image of them on our phones & in the cloud so if they are lost or stolen I at least have the info handy.

Really folks should do what makes them most comfortable.

@Paul..."Just wondering if we're the only ones who never carry our passports or use money belts of any kind."
We never do either. I did on our first trip to Europe back in the early 80s but never have since...I figure if I would never wear it at home, why would I wear one abroad? I'm constantly in the middle of the city, eating at restaurants, jostling in crowds and I don't see the difference between here and there. Sure, there are places in Europe where pickpockets are active but that also exists here. I could be pickpocketed at the next baseball game I go to, in Times Square...or at the foot of the Spanish steps in Rome. Crime is crime and you just have to be smart wherever you are but Europe is no worse than anywhere else.

"I figure if I would never wear it at home, why would I wear one abroad? "

It's not the probability, it's the consequences. Duh!

If you lose your wallet or purse at home, it's a big inconvenience, but you still have a place to sleep, and probably enough food in the refrigerator and cupboard to eat for a while. And you probably have a checkbook back at home in your desk so you can go to the bank and get more money.

But if you're in Europe, and you lose your money and your ATM card, you're in it deep. Imagine trying to call home to your bank with operators who only speak a language you don't speak. How long does it take for them to send you a new ATM card (assuming they believe you)? Until then, you have no money for a hotel room, for a restaurant.

Credit card companies deal with lost or stolen cards all the time. Even if you didn't happen to write down the phone number from the back of your card to call the company in the US - collect - a simple internet search will give you the number. I am certain there are many places and people who will be happy to let you use a phone and/or a computer to arrange for a new card. Most credit card companies can have a new card to you in 24 hrs or less and if you happened to be in between hotels and needed to make arrangements for a night I am certain that could also be done. Fortunately things are much easier in today's technology - I am certain even 25 or 30 years ago it would have been a much bigger problem.

I have successfully used a photocopy of my passport to get a Senior Discount at the few attractions where I'm old enough to get a discount. I have repeatedly used the photocopy as my "deposit" for audioguides at historic sites and museums in multiple countries. When I offered my credit card as a "harder" substitute at Hadrian's Villa, the clerk just about gasped, to the effect "No, I don't want to hold your credit card. Please give me that copy of your passport."

I agree that in an authoritarian country, or when driving a car, it's better to have the real thing.

I don't recall reading a post here by someone who had something stolen from their hotel room safe while it was locked.

We don't use moneybelts, and (so far) our original passports, copies of CC and health insurance cards have stayed in the hotel room or reception safe. That may change if we encounter a country which requires you to have passports ON you but so far, so good.

We each carry one CC card and some cash in small cloth pouches pinned underneath our waistbands, and our most important documents in a slash-proof Pacsafe bag when re-locating to another town/city.

But there is no "right" answer; we're very comfortable with this method but others may not be. I'll note that we also are very casual, dressed-down travelers whom no one would ever guess had much worth bothering about.

@Kathy "That may change if we encounter a country which requires you to have passports ON you but so far, so good". That being said: Avoid Belgium, Slovenia, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, Croatia, Bulgaria and Albania and I think you will be okay on the count of being required to carry your passport.

I'm with the "carry" crowd. In lots of places you need to show your passport to do things like purchase a cellphone or SIM card. I just feel better having it with me, anyway.

If the hotel doesn't have a reason to keep it, I carry ours with me in a money belt. Our trip is pretty full and I don't want to miss anything while I go to an embassy to get a new one. Also, my wife carries different ATM and credit cards than I do so that if one of us loses a wallet or purse, we can go on with the other's cards.

Hi, I am the one who posted this question and We just came back from our trip a week ago. We brought our money belt with us but decided to just leave our passports and cash /credit cards we won't be using in the apartment/ hotel safe . I brought one credit card ,my driver license , copy of passport and the daily cash I will need with me in my purse. With the camera , mini- IPad , it was just kind of heavy and We felt safe leaving it in the apartment/ hotel safe. I remember that they asked for ID for my daughter and husband to avail of the discount at Doge palace and We just showed them their driver license and it was fine.

I have lived in Europe (Germany) for 3 1/2 years, and have traveled extensively throughout all of Europe during this time primarily by plane and train. The only time I have been asked for a passport is when checking into a hotel (most likely), getting on a plane (very unlikely within the Schengen zone, only has happened once, with Vueling on a flight to Barcelona), and most strangely, when trying to buy a new cell phone.

I use my credit card all the time (when I can, that is, less in Germany, more in other countries) and have never been asked to show ID via my passport (or show ID at all, really).

As a rule, I leave my passport at home on a daily basis. I'm an American citizen, and in fact the proof that I can even be in this country legally is attached to my passport, and yet I leave it at home. Because the number of times I've left behind my purse at a restaurant/bar, lost my wallet, etc is far more than me ever needing to show my passport. (Btw, those honest Germans have always tracked me down to mail me my wallet, chased after me to give me my purse, etc.)

I even leave it at home if I'm going into another country for a day trip (unless that country is Switzerland, of course). But due to this topic coming up about 6 months ago here, when visiting Strassbourg for the day by train, I decided maybe we should take the passports, we are going to a foreign country after all, etc.So I took it, in my messenger back, both our passports tucked into a very tight-fitting pocket. I am aware that pickpocketing is far more common in Strassbourg than in Stuttgart, so I was careful with my bag.

Yet when I got home, the passports (and nothing else!) were missing. This created a pretty big hassle for us, as you can imagine. Getting to drive to Frankfurt and back twice was not my idea of fun.

I guess you could say it was my fault for not using a money belt, but the reality is, going to Strassbourg for me is like going to San Francisco for the day used to be. This is my daily life. Carrying a moneybelt every time I want to have an outing is just not practical.

So from now on, the passports are only coming with me on overnight trips, and will be secure in the hotel when we are out and about. It just makes the most sense for me. I do carry scans of our passports on our phones, which I think is a reasonable version of the "carry a copy of it with you" rule.

“ Avoid Belgium, Slovenia, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, Croatia,
Bulgaria and Albania and I think you will be okay on the count of
being required to carry your passport.”

My response was meant to be a factual statement that certain countries do “REQUIRE” you to have your passport on you at all times. Most of Western Europe to the best of my knowledge does not have that requirement. But check me as i could be wrong. When in a country that does have the requirement, If you actually do it or not is a personal issue. I shouldn’t even comment on my own practice because the Forum Community Guidelines state :

“7. Do not help people break laws. Speaking of the existence of law
breaking is OK. Sharing how to circumvent visa restrictions, scam
hotels, or perform other illegal acts is prohibited.”

On our recent trip to Italy, I had an unfortunate accident. I fell and had to
Make a visit to the hospital emergency room. My husband was asked for my passport as identification. Glad I had it with me.

No problem in carrying the passport on me (without the moneybelt) and crossing into Hungary on a day trip to Budapest, since I have to wear a jacket, did that twice going to BP and will most likely again on the next trip. Based on the experience in May, it appears only Hungarians are targeted to be checked, not foreign tourists. That's what I've heard and have personally seen.

On our 28 day trip right now, In London carried in purse as hotel was a bit dodgy and no safe, no desk staff after five either , so place didn't feel that secure.
In Dublin there was no safe in hotel, and when I asked at desk clerk said it was perfectly safe to leave it in room, which we did. There was a desk clerk on duty 24 hrs a day, desk has straight view of entrance, and entrance was locked after nine and you rang in( cameras at front too) .
In Mallorca right now. Passport is left in room, there is a safe but we do not feel like paying 3.10 a day for it! We have hidden some money and cards. Hotel feels very safe, people leace phones and tablets erx at there pool lounfwrs and go swimming in pool or down to beach. We r staying in a small place over an hour away from the city.

David so it seems if asked for passport in Austria and it was in hotel room, police would just accompany you to hotel . this assumes your hotel is in same " district". If I leave a city on a day trip I take my passport with me, I figure if train breaks down or I miss last one I could always get a hotel room, and many places they would ask to see passport.

I do realize that come counties require identification but I am also not going to hand over our original passports to just anyone possibly posing as an "authority". They may very well not be. We do have copies on us, and if that's not enough, they can accompany us back to our hotel to produce the documents in the presence of the desk staff.

So far, we've never been asked for them, and we'll have to adjust the method should it ever prove not to be sufficient.

Fred you and I probably agree on most of this, despite the fact that, in twelve years and about 30 trips to Europe, including Hungary 2 or 3 times a year and places like Israel, Turkey and Russia where you might suspect a higher level of security I have never had my passport checked anyplace other than border crossings to or from outside of the EU. But, I always behave like a guest which mean I follow all of the rules.

I don't. I have yet to find a money belt or neck pouch that I can stand to wear all day--even ones that are supposed to be comfortable--and in order for them not to show, I have to wear extra layers. I don't want to wear extra layers, especially in hot weather. I wear a neck pouch when I am in transit, but for going out during the day, I leave my passport in the room (hidden in what I hope is a non-obvious place or in a room safe) and bring a photocopy with me in my wallet. I also have a copy stored online.

I did this in Hong Kong, Tokyo, Paris, London, Budapest, Vienna, Prague, Cesky Krumlov, Salzburg, and Munich.

I always have my passport on me in the moneybelt, but completely understand the different methods of storage described along the way. For me, it is mentally comforting to know it's with me (and not because I am worried about being stopped and asked). I don't really even know why. It's easy to carry in my moneybelt and I like having it with me, so why not. I guess there is no "right answer". If we all got surveyed, you'd probably find different modes of transport for identification/money in our own towns.

Unless I am planning on crossing a border...my passport stays in my room.
I have never been asked for it...not even in Russia where I had heard there were more chances of being asked for it.
I simply feel it is safer in my room than with me all day...and have gotten into that habit I guess.
Almost 40 countries and counting. Never had an issue.

Not to be argumentative but wish someone would post their experience of being stopped and not having it. That is always my concern. Granted the probability is very low, but if stopped - then what?? There was a posting a couple of years ago from someone who was stopped in Spain and it was big issue when he refused (at first) to show the passport. He suspected a scam until some locals convinced him it was legit so he finally cooperated. We have been stopped twice. Once in France when a whole area was suddenly surrounded by heavily military/police who demanded passports to leave the area. I am guessing there were looking for someone because they were very demanding and didn't seem long on patience. We quickly showed our passports and almost ran from the area. Another time we were on a day tour, tour bus in Turkey and hit an unexpected (according to the tour guide) military check point. Very polite - Passports, please. They would stopping all vehicles on the road. Who knows what would have happen if we had not had our passports in that situation? So we carry them.

Frank,

It may have been an immigration thing. We tend to focus on our own immigration issues but illegal immigration (whether without a visa, overstaying a visa, or working without a work visa) is a big problem in Europe. One reason I carry my passport is to prove I'm in the country legally (my passport stamp shows I have permission to enter; the date proves I haven't overstayed).

"Once in France when a whole area was suddenly surrounded by heavily military/police who demanded passports to leave the area"

This is what I'm saying. While it's hard to argue with the logic of 'been traveling forever like that and never had a problem', imagine the look on the face of the officer in this situation when you say, 'it's just back at the hotel...'
A passport in a Hotel room is pretty much useless for its intended purpose. As Brad correctly points out, passports are a much bigger deal in Europe, etc, that here in the U.S. We don't think in these terms, but we're not on our home turf anymore, either.