I have no doubt this has been answered somewhere along the line, but I cannot recall exactly where, so i ask again. I have so many great fodors topics bookmarked, it's hard to find a specific one!

For a trip overseas, if I understand everyone here correctly, the best thing to do is to leave one's passport in the hotel safe once arriving. And if the hotel requests it, leave them with a copy rather than the original, is that correct? (I had two laminated copies made).

For walking around, for general touring, going into attractions and sites, should one also carry a copy? Or is that not necessary? If a copy gets stolen, is that a serious risk?

Also . . . I'm a little confused about the electronics thing. As I understand it, if you have something like digital camera and/or cellphone and you go through security at the airport and they don't turn on, they can confiscate them. If you're on a long flight with something like a camera or phone that has to be charged, what happens if it's a long flight and the charge goes out of it? I wouldn't think you'd want to risk putting it in checked luggage, but neither would I want to have it confiscated from my carry-on because it's out of a charge and it can't be powered up by security at the airport. How do they handle a situation like this?

Thanks!!

Khermann,

I have always handed the hotel folks my passport..they either have copied the passport number or made a photocopy of the ID page and handed it right back.

I have never been asked for my passport at any attraction or site (but, of course, I haven't been to all of them).

Some will say to use your drivers license as 'security" if you need to put things into a locker at museums, etc.

Lately I have never been asked to turn on my laptop or cellphone (they may have finally figured out that turning it on doesn't prove much security risk-wise).

I carry my passport with me. Hotels will make a copy and give back. If you exchange money you may be asked to show your passport. Otherwise I can only think of business situations that I need it. (my company supplies aerospace products and security is high with some customers)

It's been over a year since I've been asked to turn anything on going thru security (thats about 70 flights for me)

Different people do different things, whatever they are comfortable with. I keep my own passport and don't put it in a hotel safe. Sometimes I carry it on me in my purse (I don't use a moneybelt), and sometimes I leave it in a room safe. I always carry a copy of it with me, even at home when not traveling, in my wallet.

I don't remember any hotel in Europe asking to keep my passport, ever. If they even asked for it (which I don't remember, but could have happened), they just looked at it a couple minutes, maybe writing down my number, and handed it back. I can't see why any hotel would need to keep a copy of your passport, either, but as I said, I've never had this happen to me. I don't know what countries are supposed to be doing that in Europe, maybe some I missed. I've mainly been in Spain, France, Belgium, UK, Germany, Czech Republic and Poland.

I do always keep my drivers license on me in my wallet for ID, also, whether at home or when I travel. I've never been asked for ID at an attraction, except to leave as deposit for renting an audioguide, not at the attraction itself.

It's not as big a deal for a copy to get stolen as your actual, real, passport, of course not. YOu can't leave the country without a passport, and the actual book is of some value on the black market, as I understand it, as they can doctor it if they are really good, with another photo and info. I've never heard of anyone stealing a passport copy, but of course, if they stole your wallet and it was in it, they'd have it.

electronics - I haven't had to turn on any electronic device during the security checkin in years. Even so, this is at the beginning of your trip, so why would the charge have run down already? Not to worry. and do *NOT* put those in checked luggage for someone to steal.

We carry our passports in a security pouch under our clothing, and keep them with us always. Personal choice.

Some hotels may want to see your passport in order to log your pp# as required by law. No big deal - they usually hand it right back to you.

You should have 'proof of identity' at all times, but a photocopy of your passport should work for this, if you'd rather not carry the actual item. It is rare that any authority will acost you out of the millions of other tourists. You might need it also to qualify for shopping discounts (to deduct the VAT at time of purchase, maybe).

Keeping your passport with you isn't a burden - and you aren't relying on the honesty of random hotel employees.

I never leave anything in a hotel safe - either in-room or front desk - except Mme. Robespierre's jewelry, which is insured against loss.

I haven't been asked to turn on any electronic/electric items for a number of years.
I was asked for my passport in Ukraine back in 2000/2001 by the hotel, three day government mandated registration process, but that has gone away. I carry a copy of my passport ID page in each suitcase, just incase of it being lost or stolen or a more modern idea is to scan it and e-mail it to yourself.
If the copy is stolen its no big thing, but make sure yours copy is somewhat smaller than the original. The whole copy thing is to prove you had a passport to the embassy folks.
I agree with Robespierre, don't tempt the hotel employees.