larson620

I'll be heading on my first trip to Europe next week and am wondering if I need to take my driver's license. Won't having my passport cover all photo ID needs? Or not? I really have no idea. And should I carry my passport with me at all time or just a copy of it and keep the original in the hotel safe?

Thanks for the help!

qwovadis

Ricksteves.com good info for u and a great money belt

Always keep my passport there worn to the front under clothing

Keep my DL as a backup and a copy hidden in my lugage.

Rom safes are not safe all staff has a general combo that overrides

The one you set so leave in front desk safe only in reputable hotels if you must.

Insuremytrip.com. Travel.state.gov. Good sites to review

Trip Insurance always wise for theft volcanoes and such saved my bacon last year there.

happy Journey,

suze

There's no absolute answers to your question. I don't take my drivers license, just my passport. I usually leave it locked in the hotel and carry a copy (which I have never used). Moving place to place, like on a train, a moneybelt, or some secure system under your clothes is a good idea for passport, cash, etc.

november_moon

I do take my DL - sometimes we rent a car, in which case the DL is a must. Other times I use it as a secondary ID. It is good for when you have to leave your ID for a bike rental, internet cafe, etc. I'd rather risk losing my DL than my passport.

When out and about, I leave my passport in my hotel - either in a safe or stashed somewhere in my luggage. Of course room safes aren't 100%, but only certain staff has the override combo. It isn't like the cleaning or maintenance staff all have it, so I am not overly worried about someone breaking into the room safe. I have never heard of anyone I know losing anything that way.

In transit - passport goes in a secure place - usually not in a moneybelt or something because passports must be shown on many trains, when checking in the hotel, etc.

tipsygus

Living the UK and being that rare breed a non driver I only have my passport. I carry that with me all the time because in many European countries the law is that you must have some form if identity on you. Yes it rare to be stopped but in over 40 years of travelling I have only been asked once for my passport, on a Swiss train when I was travelling with a Swiss Pass, which states that you must have your passport if required. For daily trips I use a backpack with an internal pocket and that is where my money, cards and passport stay unless needed, and I keep alert to anyone close to me. When eating I put the backpack on a seat beside me and put my arm through one of the straps, take my pack take me with it. I must add as well that in all this time I have not seen a robbery in progress or (touch wood) been the victim. Yes it happens but not as often in most countries as many would have us believe. In my hotel room I leave it under my travel documents in a drawer.

MissGreen

I keep my passport locked in my in room safe and I do carry my licence as it has photo ID on it. I empty out my wallet of all things I don't need so it is nice and light, so 1 card won't make or break you!

suze

I'm not against a photo drivers license as 2nd ID. It's a good idea. I always do that in Mexico. For some reason I never thought about it for Europe.

Also good point about passport in moneybelts on trains. What's in your money belt isn't what you want to access during the day. More for securely keeping major cash or cards.

Eschew

Make a photocopy of your passport. Keep it safe at home.

Make a second photo copy of your passport, shrink it to pocketsize and laminate it. You can use that as your photo ID.

Be very much aware of pick pockets.

dutyfree

With the current problems of terrorism,earthquakes/volcanoes,etc. the airline I work for strongly suggests that you take your passport(or at least a copy) and your drivers license with you at all times when you leave the hotel room.You never know if you might NOT get back to that room?