MyBailey

I will be going to Barcelona soon and want to be safe. I have never carried my Passport on me---are you supposed to do this? Should I photocopy the passports and keep the originals in the Hotel safe? Do I present photocopies to the front desk, if they should ask? I am a little confused about the most correct and safest thing to do?Thanks!

elina

No, you are not expected to carry your passport at all times, leave it to the safe. But it is a good idea to have also the photocopy of your passport, just in case.

At the front desk you give your original passport if they want it. Sometimes you get it back right away, sometimes in a couple of hours, sometimes the next day.

Matrexx

Personally when I travel I always keep my passport with me in a moneybelt under my clothes. You should have photocopies with you in your luggage or left in hotel safe. ALso leave a copy at home along with your itinerary for whomever is your contact while you are away.

If the hotel asks to keep your passport for the duration of the stay I would refuse as you need to have it at all times.

suze

I carry my passport. I just wouldn't feel right not having it in my possession in a foreign country. Exceptions are when you need to give it to the hotel front desk for a brief time at check-in or on an overnight train when the conductor needs to have it for border crossings.

I'm not a big worrier generally speaking, but what if something happens to you while you're out and about, and your passport is back locked in the hotel safe. I have never understood why people do this.

elberko

I always carry my passport on my person, in a leg pouch. My reasoning is the same as suze.

~Liz

vivi

I always carry my original passport with me. To me it makes no sense keeping it in a safe.

elina

suze, I always leave it in the safe because I donīt see where would I need it, and that has been the case in all the 40 years I have travelled. The only times while staying in some country I have needed it: money-exchange, applying for a residence permit, and always in the former Sovietunion.

SUNSHINE1223

I keep a copy of my passport with me when I am off the ship or away from the hotel. This way if my bag gets stolen all they get is a copy and I am somewhat safe. I always pack a copy in my suitcase also.

Robespierre

I have a problem delegating the responsibility for anything as important as my passport to someone else.

Safes simply aren't.

LoveItaly

I never carry my original passport with me as I am visiting various places. But of course when I am changing locations I have my original passport with me. I put the original in the hotel safe (not room safe). I carry a photocopy of my passport in my purse. I also leave a photocopy of my passport at home with my family.

In Italy one always hands the original passport to the hotel clerk when checking in. They have to copy down the information and give it to the local police department. I have had them keep it a few hours up to overnight. I have never had a problem.

I would assume the same procedure applies in Spain.

Wishing you a good trip.

janis

I always keep my passport w/ me except when it has to be out of my custody at check-in. I'd never leave it in a room safe. It would probably be OK in a hotel's main safe but I prefer to have it on me.

francophile03

Same here, I keep my passport in a moneybelt. I don't trust either a room safe or a hotel safe.

platzman

I do carry a copy of my passport in a different location than the original. However, I never leave the passport in a safe. It is always on my person, in a neck pouch.
Furthermore, I have decided to no longer leave my passport for an extended period with hotel clerks at check-in time. I will instruct them to write down whatever information they need from the passport while I am standing there.

Robert2533

You are required by Spanish law to carry some type of photo ID on you at all times, passport, driver license, etc.. You can carry a photocopy of your passport, which should serve you under most circumstances, but there are places where you may want to shop, or use your credit card, that require you may to show your passport. Generally, my passport stays in the hotel at all times, regardless. You do not need one to use the ATM machine.

suze

Carrying a copy of your passport in your suitcase has been warned against recently. With the more comon occurence of identity theft it is not a very good idea these days.

I don't wish to sound morbid, but don't know how better to make my point... *if* something really terrible happens (heaven forbid you are hit by a bus, caught in a bombing, have a heart attack) your passport back in the hotel safe isn't going to be much help to you.

elina

Sorry, but I cannot see how a passport on your person would help in a possible accident. For example I have always my driverīs lisence in my wallet, that I use as an ID-card also at home. It has my name and social security ID-number. With that info any official, anywhere in the world would find out who I am. Passport doesnīt have more useful information.

I just think it is in a safer place in a safe than with me.

janis

Elina: Not related to the OP passport question -- but am very curious what state you are from that has SSN info on your driver's license? No DL I've ever had included SSN.

Just seems strange - like a sure recipe for identity theft. Every time you show your DL you are also disclosing your SSN . . . .

Robespierre

I don't think carrying <i>any</i> document bearing your Social Security number is prudent. It's one of the key elements of identity theft. I don't carry my wallet on European jaunts at all.

Your passport has a place in the front where you can write down emergency contact information. I should think it would be the first place an emergency responder would look.

I had a girlfriend who flew for Braniff. Her company ID card was embossed metal. I asked why. &quot;Now, think&quot; was the reply.

eliztrav

I agree my passport should stay with me at all times, except when checking in at a hotel. I don't, in general, trust hotel safes. My only exception is when swimming...that CAN be a problem if you haven't planned for it!

eliztrav

And, I do use a lightweight silk moneybelt.