We are six people going to Europe for the first time. I told them all about the wonderful info from extremely knowledgeable people on Fodors. I don't know if we all read the same posts, but we haven't stopped arguing about what we've read.

Do we carry a passport at all times, or just the copies

Do you need another photo ID, such as a drivers license? ( We are not renting a car)

When taking the train from Rome to Florence and then on to Venice, are there porters to help with the luggage? If so how much do you tip?

I have read that people say they are porters and you and your luggage are parted forever.
If I do manage to actually get the luggage on the train, (we have first class tickets) Does your luggage go into the compartment with you or do I need a bicycle lock to keep all the bags together?

When getting off the train in Venice to drop the luggage at the port should we take the water taxi or a private car?

To use debit or credit cards at ATM? Is AMEX still accepted in many shops? which card charges the least?

I have been reading all the posts, and there are SO many, I'm as confused about this as I am about the sim cards and phones in general.

The only thing I'm not confused about is where to get the best Gelato!

Thanks for all your help.

Carry your passport with you; keep the copy in a safe spot back where you're staying. If your passport is lost or stolen, you'll have an easier time getting it replaced if you have a copy. A driver's license is not necessary if you're not renting a vehicle.

I would not count on a porter at a train station; there are luggage trolleys you can use. There is a place at the end of the carriage of the first class train for luggage, as well as a luggage rack above in your compartment, but I found that kind of small. If you want to keep all the luggage together, you can lock it together and store it at that space near the entrance/exit especially for luggage.

I'm not sure I understand the Venice question.

Amex will be accepted in some places, but not all. The best thing you can do is get cash out of an ATM machine with a debit card. VISA and Mastercard are also accepted at some, but not all locations within Italy. There's a great deal of variation, depending on your bank, about what is charged for a "conversion fee"---it's best to check with the bank issuing the card before you go.

Buon Viaggio & Buon Appetito,
BC

And make sure your debit card is connected to a credit card and not simply an ATM card--the ATM variety may not work in Europe.

People disagree on the passport issue, is why posts are confusing. I carry mine at all times, with a copy left in my hotel room. Others lock their passport in the hotel safe and carry a copy. My theory is in case of emergency of any kind I would want to have my passport ON ME. I never take my drivers license as I will not be driving and a Passport trumps all for ID.

While you may find porters at some train stations I would not count on it. Have each person pack in a single 22-24" rolling suitcase that they can easily manage. Most times you will bring it with you onto the train and place it somewhere near your seat. No need for cable locks (especially traveling in a group someone can watch the bags while other go to the restroom for instance).

At ATM machines use a normal debit card attached to your checking account with a 4 digit numerical pin. When you use a credit card it becomes an immediate "cash advance" which is more expensive. For fees for international transactions you need to ask your own bank this question. There is no one answer for how much cards charge.

Not sure you need to carry your original passport around with you. We carried copies, kept the originals locked in our rooms. But we were never asked for our passports, unless we were renting a car or taking a train. I'd be concerned about losing the originals if I lugged them along every day.

It's probably a good idea to carry a second form of government-issued ID, just to be sure.

RE: ATM machines, a VISA ATM/debit card will work. I think that's what MzPossum is referring to, that your card is not simply a bank ATM card, but a Visa debit card as well. It doesn't make it a credit card, though. I didn't see many shops that accepted American Express, and even MasterCard seems to be less accepted than Visa.

So, relax and enjoy planning your trip. It's not as intimidating as it sounds. Especially with the help of fodors.com. Keep asking your questions and you'll find expert help here.

Take your drivers license with you - if lose your passport a drivers license may speed up the replacement process, but otherwise there is no need for it.

You're right--my description may not have been clear, Maureen. When we were in Europe last year, a friend of mine fell into a real dilemma--he had a bank ATM card and it wouldn't work anywhere. I had a MasterCard Debit card, which was fine. I also found my regular credit card (Visa) was accepted almost anywhere and with a better exchange rate than changing out cash.

In 20 trips to Europe, I have never carried my passport around during the day. I keep a photocopy on me and keep the original in the hotel safe.
Also, I have never had trouble using a bank ATM card. Just be certain before you leave that your bank ATM can be used abroad and has a 4-digit PIN.
It probably doesn't hurt to carry a drivers license even if you are not renting a car but I don't think I have had to use it anywhere.
Mastercard and Visa are more widely accepted in Europe than AMEX.
This is one person's experience but is based on annual trips to Europe.

I'd say you are neither confused nor stupid as many have had varying experiences. I rarely ever carry my passport around with me and leave it in the safe in the hotel. I have copies of the first page which are secured elsewhere.

I DO carry it when I am certain of making a CC purchase because sometimes I have been asked for identification. If you use a railpass then you are required to have it since the railpass states that it (the pass) is valid "with a passport."

I agree that a drivers license is useless unless you are driving. IMO a copy of the passport information page will get you much further, much faster if it comes to getting a passport replaced than will a driver's license.

We always carry our passports with us and have copies of everything in each suitcase. Driver's licenses aren't needed but carried it anyway as another form of ID in case you do lose a passport. There are trolleys to help move your luggage to your train but we were never helped by a porter. One of stood inside the train while the rest stood outside and passed the bags in.

Some people chain their bags together but we never did, or felt the need to. We traveled in first class and found plenty of room above our seats, behind some seats and between the cars so we were always very close to the bags...even within sight.

When you exit the train station in venice, walk to the vaporetta stop going in the right direction, by a ticket and hop on..with your bags.

We used our Visa checkcard and regular credit cards in the ATMs with no problem.

I would take the passport copy thing one step further and scan a copy, pdf it and email it to a gmail or hotmail account that you can access from any internet-enabled computer. If you have a really really bad day and lose both original passport and your copy in your luggage, you can at least produce another copy rather quickly.

Or maybe I'm just overly cautious.

Bender

Hi Cre8,

Not stupid, not at all.

I will add to the great tips above that there isn't alot of anybody, anywhere, porters or otherwise assisting you with your luggage in Europe.

Each traveler should be able to roll, lift, carry etc. their own suitcase. Additionally, there are many hotels with no elevator, so anything you want to bring you may end up hiking up a couple flights of stairs.

Trust us, pack LIGHT, very, very light.

And have fun, you are going to have a blast! Tiff

The main reason I've found to bring a driver's license is that if you go to museums with audioguides often they want you to leave a photo ID at the desk as security. I would much rather leave my driver's license than my passport! I don't think they would accept a copy of a passport for that purpose.

I want to add an encouraging note in reply to the title of your post. People all have different ways to handle most all the things you're wondering about. I even do things different myself from one trip to another.

Packing light with manageable luggage is probably the one universal we agree on (but even that people have different tolerances for what they consider necessary!).

I think some of your challenges will come from being a group of 6 people traveling together (you'll need to taxis, larger tables in restaurants, etc.)

When you get into a new city and hotel have each person take a business card from the hotel front desk and carry it with them. That way if you get separated or lost everyone or anyone can find their way back. I would suggest to have this as a formal plan and agreement between all parties right from the start of the trip.

oops... (2) two taxis

You've already gotten a lot of excellent advice. From my own experience, I'd suggest carrying two credit cards. We found that AMEX is not as widely accepted as VISA or MASTERCARD.

I'd also suggest taking two ATM cards, preferably from separate accounts or banks in the event that one of them is lost or doesn't work.

One more tip about security: Make a list of the numbers of your credit cards, and the international phone numbers to call in case they are missing (US 800 numbers won't work). There is some risk in having this info on a piece of paper in your hotel room, but it shouldn't attract attention if it's tucked away. It would be a great help to you if the worst happens. Alternatively you could leave the same info with a trusted person at home.

Hi CR,

>Am I confused or just plain stupid?<
No, it's the people who are arguing with you who are.

Following up on rsb,

Make a list of your CC numbers but change the numbers by a code, eg, 12345 becomes 23456

+You will also be asked to hand over your passport for a short while when you check into a hotel. It is a law that the hotel has to register your passport info, and they need a little time to do this. They will give it back when you stop by to drop off the key, the first time you leave the room.

+ Are you taking a cruise out of Venice? (Is that what you mean by the port?)

Assuming the port is on the island (I think it is), you must go by water or walk (walking not recommended with luggage). Water taxi or Vaporetto (the water bus) will get you there -- you'll find both just steps from the station. Water taxi is cheaper if you have a group, and will go directly to your destination.

If the port is on the mainland, you should stop at Mestre train station, not Venice, and take a land taxi.

Thanks for all the great posts.
I guess each couple will do what they feel comfortable with regarding the passports and ATM cards. But I will take my drivers license.

The problem with the luggage is: ( I am stupid) I should have reversed the trip.
We are doing Rome, Florence and Venice before we get on a 12 day cruise where there are 3 formal, 3 informal and 6 casual nights. 6 of us in one compartment with all that luggage??? You would think being a tad over 60 I would have some smarts by now!
Well...at least I was smart enough to ask all you great travelers.

Thanks for all your help.