Passport book vs. passport card for the USA: which should you choose? Put simply, when traveling internationally by air, land, or sea, a passport book is required. Passport cards, on the other hand, are small enough to fit in your wallet, can only be used to visit a select few countries by land or sea, and are more affordable than passport books. Both work for domestic flights .
In this article, we help you choose the right option rather than just explaining what each one is. This way, you’ll be able to make the right choice for your next trip!
Key takeaways
Only the book works for international flights. A passport book is required when flying to any other country; a passport card cannot be used for international air travel.
The card covers Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and parts of the Caribbean. Passport cards are accepted for travel by land or boat to a select few nations, including Bermuda, Mexico, Canada, and parts of the Caribbean.
The card costs $65, the book $165. Adult travelers can obtain a passport book for $165 (€143.65) and a passport card for $65 (€56.59); applying for both at once means a single $35 (€30.47) fee.
Both work for domestic US flights. Those taking domestic US flights can present either a passport book or passport card.
10 years for adults, 5 for minors. If you're an adult (16 or older), each document is valid for 10 years; minors (under 16) receive one that is valid for 5 years.
TL;DR
- A passport book allows you to travel to any country around the world by air, sea, or land. You always have to carry one to fly to other countries.
- Passport cards are the size of a bank card. You cannot fly with them internationally. You can only use them to travel by road or water to a select few nations, including Bermuda, Mexico, Canada, and parts of the Caribbean.
- Adult travelers can obtain a passport book for $165 (€143.65) and a passport card for $65 (€56.59). People applying for both documents pay a single application fee of $35 (€30.47), which covers both forms of ID.
- Those taking domestic US flights can present either a passport book or passport card.
- If you’re an adult (16 or older), each document is valid for 10 years; minors (under 16) receive one that is valid for 5 years.
Summary comparison table
Here’s a quick comparison of US passport cards vs. books, covering the key differences in one place.
| Feature | Passport Book | Passport Card |
|---|---|---|
| International air travel | Yes, required | No, cannot fly internationally |
| Land/sea to Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, Caribbean | Yes | Yes |
| Domestic US flights (REAL ID) | Yes | Yes |
| First-time cost, adult (16+) | $165 (€143.65) ($130 (€113.18) + $35 (€30.47) fee) | $65 ($30 (€26.12) + $35 (€30.47) fee) |
| First-time cost, minor (under 16) | $135 (€117.53) | $50 (€43.53) |
| Renewal cost, adult | $130 (€113.18) | $30 (€26.12) |
| Validity | 10 years (16+), 5 years (under 16) | 10 years (16+), 5 years (under 16) |
| Format | Booklet, 28 pages (52-page option available) | Credit-card-sized plastic |
What is a passport book?
A passport book is an official booklet ID that comes with 28 standard pages. A 52-page version is also available to order for people who travel often and want extra space for stamps. It’s the only document passengers are able to use when flying internationally, but it’s accepted for all types of entry, including land, air, and sea.
If you’re applying for a passport book for the first time, you’ll be charged a set fee of $165 (€143.65) as an adult. NerdWallet has also confirmed this figure.
What is a passport card?
Travelers can carry a passport card instead of a passport book for certain journeys, but it doesn’t offer the same access. They are accepted for traveling to Canada by land or boat, as well as to Mexico, Bermuda, and some Caribbean countries. However, you can’t use them for international air travel.
Passport cards are much smaller than passport books. They’re shaped like credit cards, so they fit nicely into a wallet or a purse.
One advantage is that cards are cheaper than passport books. You only pay $65 (€56.59) for one, and they also serve as a valid form of ID for domestic flights within the US.
The real cost difference
When it comes to prices, passport books and cards differ. A first-time application for an adult book costs $165 (€143.65) ($130 (€113.18) application fee plus a $35 (€30.47) acceptance fee), while a first-time adult card costs $65 (€56.59) ($30 (€26.12) plus the same $35 (€30.47) fee).
For minors under 16, it’s $135 (€117.53) for the first book you apply for and $50 (€43.53) for the first card. Renewing an adult book will cost $130 (€113.18), and an adult card will be $30 (€26.12).
If you plan to travel both abroad and around America, it’s worth applying for the card and the book at once. You’ll be charged a one-time $35 (€30.47) processing fee rather than paying twice, as confirmed on travel.state.gov.
While the passport card costs less upfront, remember that it only covers domestic travel and certain land/sea trips. So you’re better off getting the book as well if you’re thinking of going to another country in the future.
Do you need a passport book, a card, or both?
Flying outside the US? Apply for the book. There’s no other option for air travel abroad, and it’s what you need for Canada and other North American countries, too.
Planning a road trip to Canada or Mexico, or a cruise to Bermuda or elsewhere in the Caribbean ? The card works for land travel and will save you money. Just double-check destination-specific rules, like Bahamas entry requirements, beforehand to be on the safe side.
Travel hacks
Do You Need a Passport to Go to Canada?
While some land-border exceptions exist for US citizens (like NEXUS or Enhanced Driver’s Licenses), air travel strictly requires a passport book. This guide covers these essential requirements and specific rules for US and international visitors to ensure a smooth arrival.
Read the guideThinking about a European trip for summer followed by a Caribbean getaway during winter? Applying for the book and card gives you greater flexibility. You’ll only pay the $35 (€30.47) fee once instead of twice, saving you a bit of money.
For closed-loop cruises departing from and returning to the US, you can bring just the card, but I recommend having the book on hand as well. Travelers have pointed this out on r/travel. This is because if you have a major medical emergency or miss the ship departure, a passport book provides a backup option for returning to US soil. On the upside, somewhere like Puerto Rico doesn’t need either document , since flying domestically without a passport is possible when traveling within the US.
Find flights for this trip
Get the right document before you fly with Kiwi.com
This brings our guide on passport cards and books to a close! The book is the best option if you’re flying internationally. If you only want to travel to Canada, Mexico, or the Caribbean by car or boat, the card will do. Think you’ll need both down the line? Order the two of them together to cover yourself.
Just keep in mind that if you’re on a self-transfer itinerary that includes an international leg, you must carry the book, even if the card is accepted for land entry at your final stop.
Once your documents are sorted, find flights online with Kiwi.com and start planning your trip. Compare US and international routes where passport cards and books are accepted with Kiwi today, and find the best prices for your travel dates.
These are some of the most common questions people ask about US passport books and cards, along with answers.
Passport book vs. card FAQs
Is a passport book number the same as a passport card number?
No, if you apply for both a passport book and a card, you’ll receive two separate numbers. Forms and applications often ask for one or the other, so always check which number they request before filling them in.
Can you use a passport card to board an international flight as ID, even if you’re not flying internationally on it?
Yes, a passport card is a valid TSA ID that people are able to bring with them when flying domestically. This even includes the domestic leg of an international itinerary. However, for the international part of the journey, you’ll need to present the passport book, or the immigration officer won’t let you through.
How long does it take to get a passport card versus a book?
It usually takes four to six weeks for both cards and books, since you often apply for them together with a single application. This timeline doesn’t include mailing time, which can vary depending on when you apply. If you want yours sooner, choose the expedited option for faster processing, which costs an additional $60 (€52.24).
Can children get a passport card?
Yes, applicants who are considered children (anyone under the age of 16) pay $50 (€43.53) for their first passport card, which remains valid for five years. The application must be submitted in person by both parents or legal guardians; otherwise, the application may not be approved.
What happens if I only have a passport card and my trip changes to somewhere that requires the book?
Since you can’t upgrade a card into a book, you’ll have to submit a new passport book application before your trip, even if your plans change. That is why it’s important to have a passport book in case you ever need to leave the country.
Is the passport card REAL ID, or do I still need a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license too?
Yes, the passport card is a federally issued REAL ID and is accepted at TSA checkpoints. If you carry the card, you don’t have to present a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license.
