Where to Get a Passport Photo: Online vs Drugstore vs Post Office
Making a passport photo online is usually the cheapest and fastest option and the only one that also gives you the correctly sized digital file for online applications. Drugstores and shipping stores such as CVS, Walgreens, Walmart and UPS print photos in person but charge more, and the post office route prints physical photos only. Prices vary, so check current rates before you go.
Last updated 2026-06-10
Your options compared
| Option | Typical cost | Speed | Digital upload file? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Online tool (e.g. PassPix) | Lowest | Minutes, at home | Yes — sized to the exact spec |
| Drugstore (CVS, Walgreens) | Higher, in person | Same visit | Sometimes, often print only |
| Big-box / warehouse (Walmart, Costco) | Lower in person | Same visit | Usually print only |
| Shipping store (UPS, FedEx) | Higher, in person | Same visit | Usually print only |
| Post office | Varies by country | Same visit | Print only |
Prices change often and vary by location, so treat the table as a guide and check current rates. The consistent pattern is that in-person printing costs more and usually gives you a physical photo only, while an online tool is cheaper, works from home, and produces both the print-ready sheet and the correctly sized digital file that online passport and visa applications now require.
Why the digital file matters
Most passport and visa systems now let you apply online, which means you upload a digital photo sized to an exact pixel and file-size limit (for example a US visa needs a 600x600 to 1200x1200 pixel JPEG under 240 KB). A printed drugstore photo does not give you that file. An online tool renders the upload file to the exact limit automatically.
When in-person still makes sense
- You need a printed photo immediately and have no printer.
- You want someone else to take the photo for you on the spot.
- Your application is postal and asks for physical prints.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the cheapest place to get a passport photo?
An online passport photo tool is usually the cheapest option and produces both a print-ready sheet and the correctly sized digital file. In-person printing at drugstores and shipping stores generally costs more.
Can I get a passport photo at CVS or Walgreens?
Yes, both print passport photos in store, but they charge an in-person price and often give you a printed photo only, not the digital file that online applications require.
Do I need a printed photo or a digital one?
It depends on how you apply. Online passport and visa applications need a digital photo sized to an exact pixel and file-size limit; postal applications usually need physical prints. An online tool can give you both.