When I travel between Czech Republic, Hungary, Austria, and Poland on the train, will customs or the train attendants stamp my passport? I know this sounds shallow of me, but I really like the stamps I have in my passport and I like showing them off.

Well, you're not alone in wanting your passpprt stamped - - but it's getting harder and harder to do - - at least from my experience crossing these borders by car. I have never traveled by train in these places, but you may have to literally get off the train and look for a customs official - - who may in turn direct you to an office somewhere (assuming that you can communicate what you are seeking).

Maybe someone else can tell you an easy way to accomplish it.

Best wishes,

Rex

When we took a day trip from Austria into Hungary in 2000, a Hungarian official came onto the train and stamped our passports as we entered Hungary. On the return to Austria, we had to show our passports to an Austrian official, but they were not stamped.

After noticing on some trip a few years ago that my passport wasn't stamped I now ask. I, too, like that little stamp - don't show it to anyone but it's fun for me. Just ask whomever when you cross a border.

We did Berlin to Prague by train a couple of years ago and there were no passport stamps. Others in the same compartment asked - and were told they don't bother - it takes too long. (They never even opened our passports as soon as they saw they were US. Our compartment mates were Canadian - they did open those - who knows why.)

They no doubt opened the Canadians' passports because until May 2004, Canadians required a special visa to enter the Czech Republic.