Travelling overseas as a family is a way to create memories that last a lifetime, but the airport leg requires a level of organisation that can make or break the start of your trip.
Keeping track of multiple passports, boarding passes, travel cards and customs forms while managing bags, children and a gate change is no small feat. The solution? A well-chosen family passport wallet makes all of that significantly easier.
The Australian Government's Smartraveller guide recommends keeping travel documents accessible at all times and carrying copies separately. A dedicated family passport wallet is the most practical way to do exactly that. But not all wallets are created equal.
Here is what to look for before you buy:
What makes a good family passport wallet?
The best family passport wallets do more than hold passports. Look for these features:
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Capacity for multiple passports
A family wallet should hold at least four passports comfortably without stretching the seams or making documents hard to retrieve quickly at the gate. -
Boarding pass pockets
Dedicated slots for boarding passes keep everything together and mean you are not rifling through a bag at the worst possible moment. Bonus points if there is a pen loop for filling out destination forms on the plane. -
Card slots
Travel cards, foreign currency cards and loyalty cards all need a home. Having a wallet with several card slots keeps these separate from your documents and easy to access. -
A shoulder strap or carry option
Hands-free matters at the airport. So, a wallet that can be worn across the body or carried separately from your main bag means one person can manage documents while the other handles the kids and the luggage. -
Durable, easy-clean material
Airports and travel are hard on accessories. Look for a material that can take some wear, wipe down easily and still look good when you arrive. -
Personalisation
Monogrammed or personalised wallets are genuinely practical for families. When everyone’s documents are in one place, a personalised wallet is easy to spot instantly in a bag, on a conveyor belt or on a busy check-in counter.
Olivia & Co. 's Family Travel Wallet ticks all these boxes. Made in Australia and with a monogramming option available, it is designed specifically for the demands of family travel.
How many passports does your wallet actually need to hold?
This sounds obvious, but it catches people out.
A family of three needs a wallet with at least three passport slots, but if you are also carrying a child's separate travel document or a second ID, you will want room to spare. Check the stated capacity against your actual family size before purchasing, and consider whether you will grow into it over the next few trips.
Extra packing tips for a family holiday
A great passport wallet is just the start. A few other things that make family travel smoother:
● Pack bags within bags: Use pouches or small bags: one for toiletries, one for snacks and one for books and games. Olivia & Co's toiletry bags are a great option here.
● Matching luggage: Matching luggage helps you spot your family's bags instantly on the carousel without confusion.
● A stylish waist bag for money and cards: Hands-free and secure, a waist bag in vegan leather is ideal for anyone managing payments and tips on the go.
● A practical rucksack/backpack: A gender-neutral rucksack with good compartments can be carried by Mum or Dad (or older kids).
● Safe habits: The moment you check into your hotel, put your passport wallet in the safe. Set a phone alarm for the morning you check out so you do not leave without it. Another idea is to put the shoes you will leave the hotel in inside the safe! You can’t go far without them on, and will be prompted to grab the passports.
Shop personalised family passport wallets, made in Australia
If you are planning a family trip and want to travel with everything in its place, a quality passport wallet is one of the best investments you can make before you leave.
Browse Olivia & Co's full range of personalised travel accessories to outfit the whole trip in style.