You don’t have to print every travel document to keep it available throughout your trip. By digitising passports and tickets and setting up offline wallets and maps, you can keep important information within easy reach. To keep those documents safe, encrypt folders and create emergency access for a travel companion who can retrieve them if your device is lost, stolen, or damaged.
Tired of carrying a folder full of printed travel documents every time you travel? Keeping your travel documents in digital form makes them easier to organise and quicker to find when you need them.
Should You Make a Full Backup Before Travelling?
Making a full backup before travelling is a smart precaution if you carry a laptop. A system image creates a complete copy of your laptop, making it easier to restore your data if your device is lost or becomes corrupted. It works by restoring all your:
- Files
- Settings
- Applications
Creating a system image may sound technical, but a complete full backup explanation can walk you through the process step by step.
Is It Safe to Put Your Passport on Your Phone?
Keeping a digital copy of your passport on your phone is generally safe when your device is properly protected. Improve your phone’s security by:
- Using a strong passcode
- Enabling fingerprint or facial recognition
- Keeping your phone’s software up to date
How to Keep Travel Documents Accessible Without Printing
Paper copies add clutter to your luggage and are easy to lose or damage while you travel. Here’s how you can keep your travel documents accessible and safe without printing them:
Digitise Passports and Tickets
Creating digital copies of your travel documents only takes a few minutes. Use your phone’s document scanner or a flatbed scanner to scan:
- Passports
- Boarding passes and tickets
- Travel insurance documents
- Visas, if required
Then, save each document as a PDF in a dedicated travel folder and give every file a clear name so you can find it quickly.
Set Up Offline Wallets and Maps
Internet access can be unreliable while travelling, so it’s worth keeping important information available offline. Add your eligible payment cards to your phone’s digital wallet for quick and convenient payments during your trip. Also download offline maps for the places you’ll visit so you can find your way even when you don’t have an internet connection.
Encrypt Folders
Digital travel documents contain personal information that could be exposed if your device is lost or stolen. So, store the following sensitive files in an encrypted folder:
- Passport scans
- Visas
- Travel insurance documents
- Driving licence copies
- Emergency contact details
Create Emergency Access for a Travel Companion
Emergency access gives someone you trust a way to reach your travel documents if you can’t. Choose a secure way to share your documents before you travel, such as:
- A password manager with emergency access
- An encrypted cloud folder
- A secure document-sharing platform
Travel Smarter With Paperless Documents
Travelling without printed documents becomes much easier when every important record is prepared in advance. Take time to organise, protect, and back up your digital travel documents to avoid unnecessary stress while you’re away.
Looking for more ways to simplify travel? If so, check out the other guides on this site for practical advice on planning ahead and avoiding common travel problems.