Is anyone else here reluctant to leave their passport with the conductor of overnight trains? We want to take the overnight from Paris to Venice, but hubby is very against this idea. I'm sure some of you have done it, ever had or heard of any problems?

Why do you need to give up a passport? Except for Switzerland, all the countries you pass through on the train are part of the Schengen Treaty, and there are no passport formalities, you don't have to even show a passport. When passing in and out of Switzerland, immigration officials will come on board, but I live in Switzerland, and are not aware that a conductor would take a passport from you. Am I missing something?

On the overnight train between Switzerland and Venice/Italy I gave my passport to the conductor to hold overnight. My friend living in Switzerland warned me this would happen so I wouldn't be surprised. It's just how it's done, and no I haven't heard of any problems with it.

Yes conductors inevitably take your passport, train ticket (or railpass) and will return them to you in the morning - the Paris-Venice night train i believe goes via Switzerland - thus Customs may need to look at the passports in the middle of the night - so you don't get awaken the sleeping car attendant takes care of this. But even if the train weren't going via Switzerland if it's crossing country borders the conductor will nearly always take your passport/ticket. I've taken hundreds of overnight trains in Europe and conductor always returns passports in time - but like you it's always a little feeling of apprehension when i give them up. But it's the rule.

This is the usual procedure. Now, if you'd like an intelligent exchange on this thread I suggest you tell us exactly why "hubby is against this" so we can deal with the REAL issue here: hubby's...lack of confidence, lack of understanding, etc.

Hi B,

If you would prefer to be awakened in the middle of the night, don't give the conductor your passport.

You will also be asked to give up your passport when you register at hotels so that they can inform the local police.

This is required by law in most countries.

You will get your passport back.

The Italian customs agents also may ask to see your passport and they may want to come into your compartment even if the conductor has it. On my last overnight train to Italy, the Italian agents at Chiasso came knocking on my door around 7:30 in the morning with sniffer dogs.
The first time a conductor asked to keep my passport overnight, I thought it was strange, too. But that's just the practice. Nothing untoward will happen to your husband's passport. Or yours.

As stated earlier, this is simply how it's done. Since everyone gives us their passport, why should your husband be particularly paranoid about it?

Sorry, "gives UP their passport."
(Where's my second cup of coffee?)

Oy.............It's not paranoia, or lack of confidence that my husband feels this way. We haven't done this before is all. It's simply like PalQ said, a bit of apprehension there.

OK, bluenose, so hopefully he will feel more comfortable knowing that it's standard procedure, right? (You may also be asked to leave your passport at the hotel desk when you check in so they can record the information. They usually give it back to you the next morning.)

I've done the reverse trip from Venice to Paris overnight, and as stated previously, this is standard.

They will return it early the next morning before you arrive at your final destination.