Tokyo 2020 Olympics For Dummies E-Book

Celeste Kiyoko Hall

• Herausgeber: John Wiley & Sons
• Kategorie: Lebensstil
• Sprache: Englisch

Seitenzahl: 367

Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2020

Beschreibung

Make the most of your 2020 Olympic adventure! If you dream of traveling to the Olympic games but feel overwhelmed by the thought of a trip to Japan, then Tokyo 2020 Olympics For Dummies is for you. Hundreds of thousands of international travelers will arrive in Tokyo for the next Olympics to share in the worldwide camaraderie and watch world-class athletes in 33 sports. This book is your complete authority on how to join in! Learn about travel options, safety, customs, and facts about the Olympic Games. Tokyo is an amazing destination, and you'll be prepared for the voyage of a lifetime with knowledge of Japanese culture and trip planning tips. * Plan your trip to the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan * Be prepared with tips on Japanese culture, customs, language, and more * Learn about how the Olympic Games are structured to make the best of your time * Stay stress free and have fun with international travel advice and Olympic facts! As you prepare for your once-in-a-lifetime excursion, keep this guide within easy reach!

Leseprobe

Tokyo 2020 Olympics For Dummies®

Published by: John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030-5774, www.wiley.com

Copyright © 2020 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc., Hoboken, New Jersey

Published simultaneously in Canada

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Library of Congress Control Number: 2019957440

ISBN 978-1-119-66409-3 (ebk); ISBN 978-1-119-66412-3 (ebk); ISBN 978-1-119-66408-6 (ebk)

Tokyo 2020 Olympics For Dummies®

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Table of Contents

Cover

Introduction

About This Book

Foolish Assumptions

Icons Used in This Book

Beyond the Book

Where to Go from Here

Part 1: Getting Ready to Travel to Tokyo

Chapter 1: Feeling the Olympic Spirit

Taking Care of Business

Knowing What to Expect from the Games

Going into Planning Mode

Getting Around Japan

Making the Most of Your Time in Japan

Chapter 2: Taking Care of the Details

Obtaining a Passport

Renewing Your Passport

Getting the Required Vaccinations

Bringing Your Medications

Buying Travel and Medical Insurance

Understanding Japanese Entry Requirements

Chapter 3: Using Your Cellphone in Japan

Deciding between Data and Voice or Data-Only

Choosing the Best Data and Voice Option

Choosing the Best Data-Only Option

Chapter 4: What to Bring with You to Japan

Knowing What Kind of Weather to Expect

Packing for Your Trip

Part 2: The XXXII Olympic Summer Games

Chapter 5: Venues and Locations

Heritage Zone

Tokyo Bay Zone

Outlying Venues

Chapter 6: Understanding the Games

Opening and Closing Ceremonies

Aquatics

Archery

Athletics

Badminton

Baseball/softball

Basketball

Boxing

Canoe

Cycling

Equestrian

Fencing

Golf

Gymnastics

Handball

Hockey

Judo

Karate

Modern Pentathlon

Rowing

Rugby

Sailing

Shooting

Skateboarding

Soccer

Sport Climbing

Surfing

Table Tennis

Tae Kwon Do

Tennis

Triathlon

Volleyball

Weightlifting

Wrestling

Chapter 7: Budgeting for Tickets

Ticket Categories

Ticket Prices

Chapter 8: Other Olympic Activities

Watching the Torch Relay

Attending the TOKYO 2020 NIPPON FESTIVAL

Checking Out Other Fun Attractions

Part 3: Planning Your Trip

Chapter 9: Buying Tickets to the Games

Where to Purchase Tokyo 2020 Tickets

Ticket Sales Timeline

Purchasing Tickets from CoSport

Chapter 10: Traveling to Japan and Finding a Place to Stay

Getting to Japan

Putting a Roof over Your Head

Chapter 11: Finding Other Things to Do in Tokyo

Harajuku: The Heart of Trendy Youth Culture and Fashion

Ikebukuro: The Up-and-Coming Area

Shinjuku: The Entertainment District

Shibuya: Home of Shopping and Fashion

Chuo, Chiyoda, and Minato: The Center of Tokyo

Asakusa: Historical Tokyo

Bunkyo: The Local Neighborhood

Akihabara: The Tech and Electronics District

Ueno: The Leisure Area

Odaiba: Tokyo’s Man-Made Island

Chapter 12: Building an Itinerary

Starting with a Template

Filling in the Knowns

Filling in the Gaps

Part 4: Enjoying Your Time in Tokyo

Chapter 13: Arriving and Getting Oriented

Getting through Immigration and Customs

Adapting to the Time Change

Managing Your Money

Using Credit and Debit Cards

Using IC Cards

Plugging In: Electricity in Japan

Staying Safe and Healthy

Chapter 14: Learning Some Simple Japanese Phrases

Getting Started with Japanese

Knowing the Phrases You Need to Survive

Chapter 15: Getting Around Tokyo

Looking at the Modes of Transit in Japan

Finding the Best Route

Navigating the Train System

Riding the Bus

Chapter 16: Fitting In: Customs, Manners, and Laws

Staying to the Left

Removing Your Shoes

Being Considerate of Others

Keeping Germs to Yourself

Navigating Food and Restaurants

Hiding Your Tattoos

Visiting Onsen: Going Au Naturel in Japanese Hot Springs

Using the Toilets

Dealing with Trash

Part 5: Extending Your Trip

Chapter 17: Taking a Day Trip from Tokyo

Nikko: A City Enshrined in History

Hakone: The Mountain Hot Springs Town

Kamakura: The Seaside Capital of Old Japan

Yokohama: Home to Chinatown

Chiba: A Theme Park Adventure

Mount Fuji: One of Japan’s Three Sacred Mountains

Sendai: Home to One of Japan’s Most Powerful Lords

Nagoya: The Manufacturing Giant

Chapter 18: Visiting Other Places in Japan

Hiroshima: A City Reborn

Kyoto: Stepping Back in Time to Old Japan

Osaka: The Place for Modern Architecture and Nightlife

Nara: Japan’s First Permanent Capital

Himeji: Home to the White Heron Castle

Okayama: Home to One of Japan’s Best Gardens

Part 6: The Part of Tens

Chapter 19: Top Ten Things to Do in Tokyo

Tsukiji Outer Market and Toyosu Market

Shinjuku Gyoen

Meiji Jingu

Hachiko Statue

Shibuya Crossing

Senso-ji

Tokyo Skytree

Takeshita-Dori

Purikura

Don Quijote

Chapter 20: Top Ten Olympic Events to Watch

Opening and Closing Ceremonies

Track and Field

Gymnastics

Swimming

Basketball

Soccer

Volleyball

Judo

Rugby

Sport Climbing

Index

About the Author

Advertisement Page

Connect with Dummies

End User License Agreement

List of Tables

Chapter 3

TABLE 3-1 Mobal SIM Card Options

TABLE 3-2 Sakura Mobile SIM Card Options

TABLE 3-3 Data-Only SIM Card Options

TABLE 3-4 Portable Wi-Fi Options

Chapter 7

TABLE 7-1 Opening and Closing Ceremonies

TABLE 7-2 Artistic Swimming

TABLE 7-3 Diving

TABLE 7-4 Marathon Swimming

TABLE 7-5 Swimming

TABLE 7-6 Water Polo

TABLE 7-7 Archery

TABLE 7-8 Marathon

TABLE 7-9 Track and Field

TABLE 7-10 Badminton

TABLE 7-11 Baseball

TABLE 7-12 Softball

TABLE 7-13 Basketball

TABLE 7-14 3x3 Basketball

TABLE 7-15 Boxing

TABLE 7-16 Canoe – Slalom

TABLE 7-17 Canoe – Sprint

TABLE 7-18 BMX Freestyle

TABLE 7-19 BMX Racing

TABLE 7-20 Track

TABLE 7-21 Mountain Bike

TABLE 7-22 Road Race

TABLE 7-23 Dressage

TABLE 7-24 Eventing

TABLE 7-25 Jumping

TABLE 7-26 Fencing

TABLE 7-27 Soccer

TABLE 7-28 Golf

TABLE 7-29 Artistic

TABLE 7-30 Rhythmic

TABLE 7-31 Trampoline

TABLE 7-32 Handball

TABLE 7-33 Hockey

TABLE 7-34 Judo

TABLE 7-35 Karate

TABLE 7-36 Modern Pentathlon

TABLE 7-37 Rowing

TABLE 7-38 Rugby

TABLE 7-39 Sailing

TABLE 7-40 Rifle and Pistol

TABLE 7-41 Shotgun

TABLE 7-42 Park

TABLE 7-43 Street

TABLE 7-44 Sport Climbing

TABLE 7-45 Surfing

TABLE 7-46 Table Tennis

TABLE 7-47 Tae Kwon Do

TABLE 7-48 Tennis

TABLE 7-49 Triathlon

TABLE 7-50 Beach Volleyball

TABLE 7-51 Volleyball

TABLE 7-52 Weightlifting

TABLE 7-53 Wrestling

Chapter 12

TABLE 12-1 Day 1 Itinerary

TABLE 12-2 Day 2 Itinerary

Chapter 14

TABLE 14-1 Greetings

TABLE 14-2 Being Polite

TABLE 14-3 Yes and No

TABLE 14-4 Introductions

TABLE 14-5 Directions

TABLE 14-6 Transportation

TABLE 14-7 Sports

TABLE 14-8 Numbers

TABLE 14-9 Higher Numbers

TABLE 14-10 Shopping

TABLE 14-11 Restaurants

TABLE 14-12 Conversations

TABLE 14-13 Other Useful Words and Phrases

List of Illustrations

Chapter 9

FIGURE 9-1: The CoSport website allows you to buy tickets to both the Olympic G...

FIGURE 9-2: Click the Exclude Sold Out check box to see only the events with ti...

FIGURE 9-3: The CoSport website allows you to buy ticket packages for both the ...

FIGURE 9-4: As of this writing, CoSport offers four different package tiers.

FIGURE 9-5: Each package tier offers multiple package options differing by date...

FIGURE 9-6: Changing the number of people staying in the hotel room and the qua...

FIGURE 9-7: For each day of the itinerary, you can select a desired event from ...

Chapter 15

FIGURE 15-1: A map of the JR Yamanote line displaying prices for traveling to e...

Chapter 17

FIGURE 17-1: A map of popular day trips from Tokyo.

Chapter 18

FIGURE 18-1: A map of other places in Japan to visit.

Guide

Cover

Table of Contents

Begin Reading

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Part 1

Getting Ready to Travel to Tokyo

IN THIS PART …

Get familiar with Japan and the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

Put together necessary travel documents.

Make sure your phone will work in Japan.

Figure out what to pack.

Chapter 1

Feeling the Olympic Spirit

IN THIS CHAPTER

Handling the upfront details

Knowing what to expect from the Olympics

Planning flights, hotel, and more

Making your way around Japan

Checking out more of what Japan has to offer

You’re going to the Olympics! Well, at least, you’re planning to. It’s exciting and scary, thrilling yet intimidating. The idea of taking a trip, exploring someplace new (or rediscovering a place you’ve already been to), and going on an adventure is amazing! Planning it is often less so. Planning an international trip for one of the biggest sporting events in the world may even seem like a total nightmare, but don’t worry. I get you through it. This chapter offers you a mini-preview of what you can find throughout Tokyo 2020 Olympics For Dummies.

Taking Care of Business

There are some things you’ll need to get done before you go on your trip, such as making sure you have a valid passport. You won’t get real far without one. You may also need to speak with your doctor to discuss any recommended vaccinations or what you’ll do with any prescription medication you may have (because bringing certain medications to Japan can be a bit complicated). Turn to Chapter 2 for more on all these details.

When you’ve got all your paperwork in order, the next question that tends to pop into people’s minds is, “What am I going to do about my cellphone?” or more accurately, “How am I going to connect to the Internet?” The good news is: A variety of places in Japan, including Starbucks and McDonald’s, offer free Wi-Fi. However, for most people, jumping from hotspot to hotspot isn’t exactly the most ideal.

In this case, you have a couple of different options: an international phone plan, SIM card, or Wi-Fi pack. Each has its own advantages depending on what kind of traveler you are. International phone plans will be good for those who just don’t want to have to deal with the hassle, but will also likely be the most expensive option. If you want something more budget friendly, you’ll want to go with a SIM card or portable Wi-Fi pack. If you have multiple devices that you need to have connected to the Internet at any given point in time (such as every person in your family wanting a functioning phone during the trip), go with the Wi-Fi pack. Otherwise, a SIM card will be your best bet. For more information about international phone plans, SIM cards, and Wi-Fi packs, check out Chapter 3.

Next comes the fun part: figuring out what to actually take with you to Japan (see Chapter 4). Depending on what part of the United States you’re from, the weather in Japan could be drastically different from what you’re used to, or it could be pretty similar.

Then, of course, there is always the issue of overpacking. I hate to break it to you but, just because you’re going on a 15-day vacation does not mean you need to pack 14 different shirts. Most hotels have laundry facilities for you to be able to wash your clothes. Do yourself a favor and save the space in your luggage for souvenirs and all the other things you’ll pick up along the way. If not, you’ll find yourself paying not only for a new suitcase to fit all your souvenirs but also additional baggage fees at the airport.

Most important though, just make sure you bring the things you can’t replace, like your travel documents, identification, medication, glasses, and other similar items. If you forget your toothbrush, I guarantee you’ll be able to find a cheap one at a local convenience store after you land in Japan. The place you’re staying may even provide one free of charge.

Knowing What to Expect from the Games

The 2020 Summer Olympics are shaping up to be quite the spectacular event, but there are a lot of moving pieces to it. A total of 33 different sports will be appearing at this Summer Olympics. Over the course of two weeks, there will be more than 700 different events. If that’s not a jam-packed schedule, then I don’t know what is.

One of the best parts of the Olympics is that sports that normally don’t get talked about are suddenly in the limelight. Other than during the previous Summer Olympics, when was the last time you watched an archery competition or table tennis match? Just in case there are a few sports you aren’t super familiar with, you can find an introduction to each of the sports in Chapter 6.

An often overlooked part of the Games are the event venues themselves (see Chapter 5). Unfortunately, despite it being the Tokyo Olympics, not all the venues are located in Tokyo. Most of them are at least in the general vicinity, but a few don’t exactly make for easy day trips (yes, I’m looking at you, Sapporo Dome — almost nine hours from Tokyo by train!). You’ll want to make sure to familiarize yourself with the different venue locations before you start buying tickets to make sure you don’t have two events back to back without enough time to travel between them.

Also, did you know that more than just sporting events go on during the Olympics? Part of the mission of the International Olympic Committee is to “encourage the regular practice of sport by all people in society, regardless of sex, age, social background, or economic status.” To help encourage that, Partner Houses will be set up by representatives of various countries and sports federations, allowing visitors to experience different cultures and sports while meeting new people.

Aside from the Partner Houses, a special festival called the TOKYO 2020 NIPPON FESTIVAL will be held to help build enthusiasm in the Olympics. Various events throughout this festival will help not only promote the Olympic mission of bringing people together but also allow participants to interact with and experience Japanese culture, similar to the way that athletes from all over the world will be interacting with each other during the Games. You can find more information about some of the other Olympics-related events in Chapter 8.

Going into Planning Mode

Honestly, I think planning a trip is almost as fun as actually going on a trip, but I’m just weird like that.

Some people prefer to just go with the wind and sort of figure things out as they go. I highly recommend not doing that, at least for this trip. For the past several Olympics, tickets to events were sometimes available for sale right up to the start of the event.

Given the unprecedented ticket demand that has been seen thus far, the chances of tickets being available for purchase right before the events will be slim. You’d hate to make it all the way to Japan and then not be able to get any tickets to any of the events. Get more info on buying tickets in Chapter 9.

The same goes for booking flights and hotels (see Chapter 10). Booking flights last minute is almost always more costly, regardless of where you’re going, but sometimes holding off on reserving accommodations can pay off if the hotel has a lot of vacancies. However, this is very, very unlikely to happen during the Olympics. If you haven’t already done so, I definitely recommend purchasing tickets for the events, flights, and accommodations sooner rather than later.

The sort of optional last step is simply to create an actual travel itinerary (see Chapter 11). Personally, I like making at least a rough itinerary, because if I don’t, my conversations with my travel companions usually turn into something like, “What do you want to do? I don’t know, what do you want to do? I don’t know.” All we end up doing is wasting precious time that we could be using to explore the city or relax in an onsen (Japanese hot spring).

However, not everybody likes having a set-in-stone itinerary, and that’s okay. Some people find it to be very stressful if they feel like they have to be at a certain place by a certain time, which can take away from the overall enjoyment of the trip. If this sounds like you, no big deal. Just make sure to at least be cognizant of what times you’ll need to be at the different venues for the tickets you purchased and approximately how long it will take you to get there.

Getting Around Japan

The first time I went to Japan, I wasn’t super nervous about the flight or making sure I had everything in order. No, I was worried about how I would actually survive in the country. Would I be able to communicate with others? How did the train system work? Was I accidentally going to offend somebody or insult their culture? Thankfully, it ended up being much easier than I expected.

I recommend at least becoming somewhat familiar with life in Japan before departing on your trip. It will make getting over the culture shock significantly easier. (Chapter 16 can help with this.)

Most important, you’ll want to take a look at the currency system. You don’t need to have all the different coins and bills memorized, but know that Japan is a very cash-driven society. Unlike the United States where you can use a debit or credit card seemingly everywhere, you’ll find that most smaller, mom-and-pop-type shops in Japan won’t accept cards. Being prepared for this in advance will help you decide whether you want to order yen at your local bank before you depart and how you’ll get cash while in Japan. You can find more info about currency and payment methods in Chapter 13.

I also recommend reading up on the train system (see Chapter 15). It will most likely be your primary mode of transportation while you’re in Japan. It’s not terribly difficult, but it is extensive, which can be a little overwhelming for first-time visitors. Knowing what to do before you actually get to the train station for the first time will definitely make your life a bit less stressful.

If you don’t look up anything else about the train system before your trip, at least look into the Japan Rail Pass, often shortened to just JR Pass. These train passes can potentially save you a significant amount of money on train fares, particularly if you plan on traveling outside Tokyo. They’re only available to international visitors and until recently could only be bought outside of Japan through authorized retailers. Now, Japan Rail Passes are available for purchase in select train stations, but they’re significantly more expensive than if you were to buy them before arriving in Japan.

If you plan to order a Japan Rail Pass before your trip, know that it typically takes about two business days for it to arrive, so make sure you order it at least a week or so before you depart (but preferably much sooner than that).

The other question I often get from people planning to travel to Japan for the first time is, “Will I need to know any Japanese?” My answer is typically no, but with an asterisk attached.

In general, the bigger the city you’re in, the more likely you are to find people who speak decent English. Also, younger people and businessmen will likely speak better English than people who don’t work outside the home. Granted, those are very blanket statements and will definitely not hold true 100 percent of the time.

Some people move to Japan and live there for several years and never learn a single word of Japanese. Obviously that’s a pretty extreme case, but it is possible. However, I also went to some places in downtown Tokyo where none of the staff spoke English and I had to use Japanese if I wanted to be able to communicate with them.

In my opinion, if you never learn a single word of Japanese, you’ll probably be just fine. However, learning at least a few basic words (see Chapter 14) can make your trip significantly less stressful.

Making the Most of Your Time in Japan

Last but not least, I recommend taking advantage of your time in Japan to not only attend the Olympic Games, but also to explore Japan. Chances are, you’ll inadvertently explore Tokyo (see Chapter 11) as you make your way to all the different venues for the events, but there is so much more to Japan than just Tokyo.

Depending on how much time you have and what your budget is, you may only be able to take one day trip from Tokyo (see Chapter 17), but do it if you can. Many amazing places are just outside of Tokyo, and they may allow you to experience a whole other side of Japan, despite the fact that you only went an hour or so out of the city.

The best part is that there are day trips for every type of traveler. If you’re more of an outdoors person, you can head to the Fuji Five Lakes or maybe even climb Mount Fuji. If you’d rather just sit back and relax, you can take a getaway to Hakone and relax in their various hot springs. History buffs and lovers of Japanese culture will want to look toward Nikko or Kamakura or both. Those looking for more off-the-beaten-path destinations can venture up north to Sendai, or out west to Nagoya, both of which have their own unique features.

However, if you have the flexibility, I highly recommend taking more than just a day trip (see Chapter 18). I lived in Tokyo, so it will always hold a special place in my heart, but I’d be hard pressed to say that it was my favorite city in all Japan.

If you don’t go anywhere else, go to Hiroshima. Honestly, it’s not typically at the top of most people’s Japan bucket list, but its historical significance definitely makes it worth visiting and is typically why I recommend it so highly. Learning about World War II and the atomic bomb in school is one thing. Actually visiting Hiroshima and seeing all the memorials is a whole other level.

The other city that comes in at the top of my recommendations list is Kyoto. Unlike Tokyo, which boasts Japan’s modernization and technological advancements, Kyoto seems to be a city frozen in history. It’s full of sites rich in culture and history, making it a fantastic place to really take a deep dive into traditional Japanese culture.

Of course, Hiroshima and Kyoto aren’t the only two worthwhile cities. Japan is full of amazing destinations all across the country (many of which are conveniently located between Tokyo and Hiroshima). I cover a handful of them, but I also recommend doing some of your own research to see what catches your eye.

Chapter 2

Taking Care of the Details

IN THIS CHAPTER

Getting a new passport or renewing an existing one

Making sure you have the appropriate vaccines

Determining which of your medications you can bring with you

Discovering different options for travel insurance

Making sure you have everything you need to enter Japan

You need to have a few really important things in order if you want to visit Japan for the Olympics. Without them, you’ll either not even be able to get into the country or run the risk of potentially having a really rough time in Japan. In order to make sure you have a smooth trip, you’ll want to get these things done first.

Obtaining a Passport

If you’ve never gotten a passport before, don’t worry. It’s not a hard process. It just takes a bit of time to complete. If you need to get a new passport, check out the following sections to find everything you need to know in order to get your U.S. passport.

If you aren’t a U.S. citizen, you’ll need to check with the passport agency of your country of citizenship to find the requirements. Here are the websites for the passport agencies of several predominantly English-speaking countries (if your country of citizenship isn’t on this list, just search the web for “country passport,” where country is the name of your country):

Australia:

www.passports.gov.au

Canada:

www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/canadian-passports.html

Ireland:

www.dfa.ie/passports

New Zealand:

www.passports.govt.nz

United Kingdom:

www.gov.uk/browse/abroad/passports

If you already have a U.S. passport but it has either already expired or will expire within six months of returning home from Japan, check out the “Renewing Your Passport” section, later in this chapter, to see if you meet the requirements to renew your passport.

Deciding between types of passports

There are actually two types of U.S. passports: the U.S. passport book and the U.S. passport card. Both can serve as proof of both your U.S. citizenship and identity. However, they have different uses, so it’s important that you pick the correct one.

If you plan to travel to Japan from the United States, you need a valid U.S. passport book.

The U.S. passport card is valid for domestic air travel as well as entry into the United States by land or by sea from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, or Bermuda. It cannot be used for international air travel. The passport card was designed specifically for people who cross the border by land on a regular basis (such as those who live near the U.S.–Canada or U.S.–Mexico border).

When filling out the paperwork for a new passport, you’ll have the option to select U.S. Passport Book, U.S. Passport Card, or Both. If you plan on frequently traveling to Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, or Bermuda by land or by sea in the future, feel free to select the Both option (although be aware it will be more expensive). Otherwise, make sure to select the U.S. Passport Book option.

Pulling together everything you need to get a passport

The first thing you need to do is complete Form DS-11. Don’t be intimidated by the numbers and letters — it’s just the fancy government labeling for the Application for a U.S. Passport form.

This form is available on the U.S. Department of State’s website. You can either fill out the form online through the Form Filler system (https://pptform.state.gov) or print out a PDF version of the form (https://eforms.state.gov/Forms/ds11.pdf) and fill it out by hand. Regardless of which option you choose, you need to print out the form and submit it in person at one of the accepted locations (more on accepted locations in the next section).

In additional to a completed Form DS-11, you’ll also need to provide proof of U.S. citizenship. For most people, providing a certified birth certificate will be the best option. If you’re a U.S. citizen but you were born outside of the United States, you can provide a Report of Birth Abroad, a Certificate of Naturalization, or a Certificate of Citizenship.

You must also provide identification. Technically, this is different from providing proof of citizenship, but in many cases the documents that prove citizenship also provide photo identification. Valid forms of photo identification include the following:

In-state, valid driver’s license (If you have an out-of-state driver’s license, you have to provide a second form of identification, such as Social Security card, voter registration card, or student ID, in addition to your driver’s license.)

Government employee ID

Military ID

Current and valid foreign passport

U.S. Permanent Resident Card (Green Card)

Trusted Traveler ID (Global Entry, for example)

Certificate of Naturalization

Certificate of Citizenship

Note that you’ll also be asked to provide a photocopy of both your proof of citizenship and identification. The photocopies will be kept by the U.S. Department of State for their records. Photocopies must be in black and white and on standard 8.5-x-11-inch printing paper. They must also be single sided. This means that if you’re providing your driver’s license as identification, the scan of both the front and back of your license needs to be on the same side of the paper.

Finally, you’ll be asked to provide a photograph that is to be used for the passport. However, it can’t be just any photo. The U.S. Department of State has strict policies when it comes to what’s considered an acceptable photo:

The photo must be in color (not black and white).

The photo must be free of enhancements or filters.

The photo must have a plain white or off-white background.

The photo must be 2 x 2 inches in size, and the head (from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head) must be 1 inch to 1⅜ inches in length.

The photo must be printed on matte or glossy photo-quality paper.

The photo may not be damaged or have creases or smudges.

The photo cannot be a selfie (it should be taken by somebody else or with a timer).

You may not wear glasses or any other accessories that would obstruct your face, such as a hat or head covering. If you wear a head covering for religious or medical purposes, you’ll need to submit a signed statement, and your face must still be fully visible.

You must have a neutral facial expression or a natural smile, with both eyes open.

You must be directly facing the camera so that your full face is in view.

You must wear clothing you wear on a normal basis. No uniforms (or clothing that looks like a uniform) or camouflage.

Examples of acceptable photos can be found on the U.S. Department of State’s website at https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/how-apply/photos.html.

Your best bet is probably to go to a location where you live and pay to have a passport photo taken. Many Walgreens and CVS drugstores take passport photos, as do many UPS Stores. If you’re not sure what’s available in your area, search the web for “passport photos near me” or “passport photos city state” (where city and state are the names of the city and state where you live).

Be aware that passports for children under 16 may require additional paperwork and steps to be completed (especially if the parents are separated). More information about applying for passports for minors can be found on the government information and services website, USAGov (www.usa.gov/passport-item-212655).

Of course, you’ll also have to pay for your passport, so you may want to make sure you have funds prepared as well. Application fees vary based on whether you’re applying for an adult or child passport, as well as whether you chose to apply strictly for a passport book or both the passport book and card. As of this writing, the fees are as follows:

Adult passport book:

$110

Adult passport book and card:

$140

Child passport book:

$80

Child passport book and card:

$95

Also note that there is an additional $35 execution or acceptance fee, regardless of the type of passport you’re applying for. For example, if you apply for an adult passport book, your total cost would be $145 ($110 adult passport book + $35 execution fee), assuming you don’t choose expedited processing or delivery (more on this in the next sections).

Applying for a passport in plenty of time

You must apply for your passport in person. At this point in time, you aren’t able to mail in your application or submit it online. Where you should submit your paperwork will depend on how quickly you need your passport.

If your trip is less than three weeks away, you need to visit a passport agency or center in person. In this case, you also need to bring proof of travel (such as a flight itinerary, hotel reservation, or itinerary from a travel agency). Those who expedite their passport applications at a passport agency typically receive their passports in eight business days.