I have two passports. Which should I use to enter the US?

September 5, 2025 — 5:00am

I have two passports, one Australian and one US. I’m doing an around-the-world trip next year, finishing in the US. Which passport do I use to enter and exit the US? I have no social media presence to trip me up with border officials but want to make my entry and exit as seamless as possible.
N. Nelson, Northbridge NSW

The rule is that if you have a passport issued by the country you are entering or exiting, you must use that passport. Therefore, you must enter and exit the US with your US passport. Even if you had posted content to your social media accounts likely to cause concern to border officials, you would be unwise to use anything other than your US passport. US Customs and Border Protection would know immediately that you have a current US passport and the fact you were entering on a foreign passport would raise a red flag.

After an organised tour of Japan from Tokyo to Osaka in early November, we are extending the trip by four-five days. We are not fans of large cities and crowds. Any suggestions for a smaller city or town to base ourselves in, to enjoy Japan’s culture, history and gardens? H. Curtis, Gundaroo NSW

The sika deer at Nara Park steal the show.Getty Images

For culture, history, temples and easy access from Osaka, Nara is my top choice. This was Japan’s first capital, pre-dating Kyoto, second only to that city in the richness of its cultural sites and close to many World Heritage sites within a spacious park. With several days in hand you have plenty of time to enjoy the deer in Nara Park, Isuien Garden and the incredible 13th century Todai-ji’s Nandaimon Gate. Take a twilight walk to Kasuga Taisha Shrine, famous for its stone and bronze lanterns along a forested path, dine in Naramachi, perhaps at a kaiseki-style restaurant in a machiya townhouse, take in Yoshikien Garden and the five-storey pagoda of Kofukuji Temple, casting its mirror image across Sarusawa Pond.

In the park especially you can experience a strong sense of the tranquillity of ancient Japan. For accommodation in the area, Hotel New Wakasa is a modern ryokan-style hotel with tatami rooms, some with private open-air baths. If you want something more traditional, Nara Hotel, founded in 1909, is refined and imposing, with both tatami and Western-style rooms. Mikasa Ryokan and Ando Hotel Nara Wakakusayama are smaller and more intimate hotels.

My wife and I are travelling to Europe for about five months. We don’t have mobile phones that can take an eSIM. Looking at various pre-paid European SIM cards, it seems most are only good for 30 days. When out and about, we want to be able to text and talk to each other. What’s the best option?
J. and R. Clear, Sydney NSW

While most SIM travel cards are valid for a maximum of 30 days, some let you extend that period. For example, you can extend the Orange Europe SIM card by registering and then recharging your card. Only the more expensive plans, starting from 12Gb of data, valid for 14 days at a price of $US25.99 ($40), will give you a local (French) phone number, with unlimited calls and texts within Europe. A less expensive alternative would be to buy several Europe SIM cards from Simcorner and swap them out as they expire. Their Europe and UK SIM with 12Gb of data, a UK phone number and unlimited calls and texts within Europe, and valid for 30 days, costs $35.

My partner and I would like a “last hurrah” in Europe before settling down and having babies. We are both able to take four weeks off work from late December 2025 to late January 2026. He likes history, culture and pubs. I like spectacular scenery and restaurants. Itinerary suggestions?
L. Buchhholz, Fyansford VIC

Lucerne, where Swiss cliches are born.iStock

In the deep freeze of a European winter, the great cities would be top of my list, with a side-serve of countryside. The headline museums and galleries are relatively quiet, there are more locals in the cafes and restaurants and prices come off the boil.

Start in London, spend at least four nights then head west to Oxford and continue to the Cotswolds for some gorgeous scenery. You might book in for a few nights at the 15th- century Broadway Hotel. The town is gorgeous as are the local pubs, the town lies on the Cotswold Way, a classic among British walks, Cheltenham and Stratford-upon-Avon are close at hand and the station at Moreton-in-Marsh is 16 kilometres and accessible by bus.

Catch the train back to London’s Paddington station, transfer to London St Pancras International station and take the Eurostar to Paris. Spend at least four nights here then take a 4½ hour train ride to Lucerne in Switzerland. Set on a lake, overshadowed by the peaks of Mount Pilatus and Rigi, every Swiss cliche finds its feet here. Church spires and bell towers dominate the skyline, there’s a watch shop on every corner and in the Altstadt, the old town, cobblestoned laneways squirm into squares ringed by frescoed burgher’s houses. Spend three nights, and don’t miss the world’s steepest cogwheel railway that hoists you up to the heights of Mont Pilatus.

Take another train to Lauterbrunnen and continue to Murren, an alpine village with dazzling, panoramic views of the Eiger, Monch and Jungfrau peaks. From there an eight-hour train ride will get you to Venice. In the depths of winter, Venice is wreathed in mist which adds mystery to this jewel of the Adriatic. From here, take a train to Bologna, stay three nights at this capital of Italian gastronomy and sample some of the seasonal dishes. Rome is your last stop, where you can wind down the clock on whatever time you have left.

Travel advice is general; readers should consider their personal circumstances

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