kathyandrick2

I have been to Europe many times but my husband always took care of the passports. This time I am alone. I am renting an apartment. Can I find a good hiding place in the apartment to leave my passport or is it better to carry it with me at all times? (I hate carying a purse!)

nytraveler

No need to carry it at all times - carry a xerox copy instead.

BUT - be very careful about hiding it in the apartment - make sure the owner doesn't have any access while you're there.

(We always carry ours with us - since if anything happens to it we would want to know immediately - not find out days later.)

janisj

This question is asked every so often - and you'll find fodorites are split about 50/50-ish. About half put the passport in a hotel safe and half always carry it w/ them. A few -- but definitely a small minority, will hide it in their luggage or apartment.

I honestly don't think there is a right or wrong answer - just what level of security you are comfortable w/

I personally am a "carry it on my person at all times" sort - but the other side has just as good reasons fro not . . . . .

amp322

I've hid mine in apartments before (buried it deep in my luggage in a secret compartment, etc). Just check on it often, to make sure it's there. If you hide it below lots of piles of stuff, you'll notice if someone's been through your things. I know this probably sounds ridiculously unsafe, but I'm like you - want a lightweight bag, or sometimes no bag. I would carry a photocopy of the main page, and any Visas, though. You should have some sort of ID on you, just in case.

kathyandrick2

Thanks. I think I am going to chance it by keeping the Passport in the apartment and carrying a copy with me. Thank you for your input.

suze

In Europe, I always carry my passport. My thinking is were something major & unexpected to happen, I want my ID on me, not back at a hotel or apartment.

Other places (Mexico beach vacations) I leave it locked in the safe at the hotel front desk for the duration of the trip.

In a pinch, I've locked it into my suitcase in the room. Not all that secure, but they'd have to take the entire suitcase, which at least I'd notice right away!

thursdaysd

If I'm staying a hotel with a safe I leave my passport in the safe (doesn't happen often), otherwise I carry it (and my ATM card and all but one day's money) with me in my money belt - under my clothes. I often carry a photocopy outside my money belt for ID for things like audio guide rental and Italian internet cafes. BTW, if you're traveling with your husband you should really still carry your own passport in case you get separated. See http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=35140926 for a discussion of how to carry valuables.

greg

It depends on what you are doing and where you are going.

For example: http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_p.../cis_1044.html says

"Belgian law requires that everyone carry some form of official identification at all times, which must be displayed upon request to any Belgian police official. A U.S. passport suffices for these purposes."

I was told in no uncertain term at a department store in Spain that they needed to see my passport in order to accept my credit card. A copy was no good.

At some museums, they accepted a real passport as the only collateral they accepted for use of an audio guide device. Other museums either required nothing or accepted credit cards as collaterals.

MelJ

If I'm staying in a hotel I carry my passport with me. I don't leave anything I can't replace easily in a hotel room.

If I'm staying in an apartment (usually the way I go the last few years), I do leave it there during the day. Hidden.

I usually go to England or France and I can't recall anyone ever asking for my passport in either place. But the last time I was in Italy (late 1990's) I was asked for it at banks. Will someone please advise if it is still the case in Italy--that it IS requested on occasion? I'm returning in late October.

Thanks!

suze

Especially because I travel solo, should anything horrible happen (hit by a bus, pass out on the street, hotel burns down) I want that passport ON my person.

bozama

I leave it in the hotel safe.I do this whether I travel solo or with family or freinds. I carry my DL for basic id, and a photo copy of my PP . I would never leave it "hidden" in an apartment. Theives know all the best hiding spaces, in fact they know about way more then you ever will.
I think leaving in a locked suitcase is a terrible idea, I mean if I was a theif and I found a locked case, I would assume something good was inside, and I would just take the suitcase.

At the Louvre they ask for id for the audio guides. I leave my Drivers Licence, no way in heck would I give them my PP.
I have never been asked for my PP except in at hotels for check in.

When I am travelling I wear a moneybelt and PP and CC are in it.

thursdaysd

If you use an Internet cafe in Italy you are required to show ID - some anti-terrorist legislation... I have no idea whether the banks require ID as I always use ATMs. I have found a photocopy of my passport acceptable in the cafes - I don't rent cars so don't take a DL.

dmlove

I never carry mine with me - always leave it in the hotel safe. If there weren't a safe location (i.e. a locked safe) though, I think I would carry it. We just returned from Egypt, Madrid and London and didn't have any problem using our credit cards without the passport. I think I was asked for I.D. once and I showed my California drivers license.

adeben

A post on this topic appears quite regularly, and the advice given is always mixed.
I have asked this question before several times with no confirming reply: 'Has anyone had their passport stolen when they have left it locked in their luggage in their room?'
If so, where and when?

Carlux

As the owner/manager of rental properties, I find it highly insulting - and unrealistic to say

'BUT - be very careful about hiding it in the apartment - make sure the owner doesn't have any access while you're there.'

First of all, do you think the owner of the apartment does not have his/her own key? What happens if you lose yours, or there is an emergency,like a burst pipe, that requires them to get in - these are just some of the things that happen in our places. Every owner will have a key, and have access.

Second, do you really think we have nothing better to do than take people's passports? I have my own, have no interest in yours, and feel very strongly that it's much safer in the apartment where you're staying than in a bag or a purse.

I don't carry mine with me if I can help it - not only for fear of pickpockets, but also because there is much more danger of my leaving it somewhere by accident.

If I did have it with me, I would certainly have it hidden and inaccessible.

I have always felt that if you don't trust the hotel or apartment you are staying in not to steal from your room, you shouldn't be there.

hetismij

Well said Carlux!

It does depend on which country you are visiting as some, such as the Netherlands and Belgium, require you to carry some form of photo ID with you at all times. A photocopy is not accepted in the Netherlands.

LoveItaly

Regarding museums that want your passport to get an audio guide..no way! I will not do that. I had an incident at the Grizzi Palace Museum in Venice regarding this subject and they ended up backing down. At an UPIM store when using my credit card they did ask to see my passport, that is the only time I remember that happening. And interesting enough they gave me the discount that was only suppose to be for Italian residents.

Anyway kathy, as janisj said this has been discussed a lot but I understand how a new traveller or a new Fodorite would ask the question. If staying in a hotel I put my passport in the hotel safe (not the room safe). If staying where I have friends I have them keep my passport. I always have a photocopy of my passport with me. Otherwise I have my passport in the zippered pocket of my purse inside my purse. I also have a photocopy of my passport folded in my small wallet. And I leave a photocopy of my passport with my daughter and son-in-law here in California.

adeben

Over the past twenty years, I have spent about six weeks each year travelling throughout Europe, and have stayed at a large number of hotels/B&Bs etc. I would judge that it would be in the best interests of all such establishments to ensure that the goods of all guests were kept safe, so that the reputation of the hotel remained solid. In all that time, I have had NOTHING stolen from my room, despite, on occasions, inadvertently leaving quite valuable items in full view. Of course, this does not mean that stuff, including passports, might not be stolen: it just has not been my experience.
So, I ask the question again: Who, of all the posters who read and contribute to this Branch, has had their passport stolen from their room while travelling in Europe?

avalon

Totally agreee with CArlux. I carry a copy and leave the PPin the room. In a hotel I leave it in a secret compartmnet in my suitcase along with my plane tickets and other confirmations, etc. In an apt. I do the same just so I know where it is.But I'd have no qualms about leaving lay out in the open in an apt.

GSteed

Consider Europe as you do your hometown. Where do you keep your driver's license? Europe is plagued with 'opportunists'. They make off with anything they see not locked down. Why take chances? Women refuse to give up their purses and these are what are stolen. Men carry PPs and such in interior pockets. Investigate a 'travel vest'. A male friend wears a pocket T-shirt. He wears it inside out! Another wears a belt with a zipper pocket. Please tell us what you decide to do....