patriciatbrogan

When I travel in Europe, I purposely lock my passport away in my hotel room for safe keeping: Is one required to have ID on one and can I take something other than my EU Passport around Istanbul and Izmir etc ( can I take a photostat copy of my ID as I don't want to spoil my holiday with my travel document being stolen!) or my ID from my African country of birth?)
Thanks in advance for all advice

P_M

I can only think of 2 circumstances when I've been asked for my passport, outside the airport or hotel check in desk:

1. When renting a car.
2. When cashing a traveler's check.

Needless to say, I haven't cashed a traveler's check in many years. I suggest keeping your driver's license or local ID with you, and keep your passport locked up at the hotel.

hetismij2

Certainly in the Netherlands you have to carry some form of photo ID on you at all times. Since most of us have a driving licence or a state issued ID card it isn't a problem for us, but could be for a visitor, though the cops would I am sure be lenient in most cases. You have to have your driving licence on you when you drive too.

I have no idea about in Turkey though. I am sure you can do a search to find out, but if you have a drivers licence with a photo or some other photo ID that is probably enough.

bilboburgler

In Europe you need to have your passport with you at all times, I assume it is the same in Turkey.

happy_traveler_too

I’ve been traveling for decades and I’ve never carried my actual passport on my person, just a photocopy of the relevant photo page. Lock your passport in the safe, make a photocopy, but carry a proper photo ID as well

bilboburgler

you may well have done, doesn't make it right.

hetismij2

Having just checked the Dutch rules if you are a citizen of an EEA country you can use your passport, you drivers licence or national ID card, if they were issued in an EEA country.
If you are not an EEA citizen then you must have and be able to show your passport. A copy will not be accepted and you can be fined.
It is the same throughout the EEA, and the UK.

It is illegal for a Dutch citizen to hand over their passport to a hotel or whatever for more than the length of time needed to confirm your identity.

For Tukey a simple search came up with this website: https://theturkeytraveler.com/do-you...ort-in-turkey/

sassy27

The only time I have been asked outside the hotel for identification is when I’ve mailed something home. They needed a copy and just not to see it. I assume they added it to my customs documents. Where to store your identification is another topic.

bilboburgler

if it helps any, I do take a photocopy of my passport and stick it in my check-in luggage, alternative tracking tools are also available

P_M

Oh dear, it seems I'm quite the outlaw in Europe.

sassy27

P_M I don’t think there is a wrong or right way to approach this.

My friend had her local ID stolen when visiting Italy and she didn’t need it yet had an awful time trying to replace it when she got home. She now no longer travels with it and the thief knows where she lives.

I believe everyone will do what they feel comfortable with as it seems we all do something different. It only takes once to learn what they would have done different.

Christina

I am with happytraveler, sometimes I carry if but not usually. I have never been asked for it just going around doing tourist things. In fact, I even cashed travelers checks with a photocopy plus drivers license, which I do carry on me. I have been asked on a train between cities or countries, of course. Let me know when you read about a tourist getting thrown in jail for not having it on them and no other reason.

happy_traveler_too

Technically it’s not illegal to not have ones passport in their person, just a proper photo ID. Aside from which you’ve quoted rules for Nederlander citizens not USA, but what is this, the travel police page? Like I said, I’ve been traveling for decades and have always carried a copy with me because
a) carrying the actual passport is stupid
b) it can be stolen by thieves/pickpockets
It’s up to each person to make their own decisions I was only asked for it once in all my travels and that wasn’t even in Europe. I guess I’m an outlaw too.

natylou

I have never been pick pocketed but we did have our safe broken into and everything stolen. Luckily passports weren’t in there.

The OP did ask the question. Apart from personal opinion I might look on a government website for the answer.

sassy27

Oh I forgot. When crossing the border from the Czech Republic to Germany, boarder control stopped our bus full of Americans. My guide was very surprised. They came aboard and asked to see our passports. Cleary not checking them and some didn’t have them available as they were in the main luggage under the bus and the guy just shook his head ok when told.

Every time I have visited a US Embassy, they have taken my passport and only returned it when I left. I don’t know if all other Embassies do that. I never showed up with a copy, I was just told to have it. Maybe I should try it the next time to see what happens but maybe not good to test the water.

Anything you have on you can be stolen. I have even heard of them being taken from safes. I don’t know what the right answer is as I couldn’t use the safe in one of my hotels. It didn’t work so this is a good topic to discuss.

kja

Other people's experiences can be instructive, but they don't address all the possible scenarios. I don't know what the operative laws are, but ask: if you are asked to produce a passport and can not present it, are you willing to deal with the consequences? I think you would be wise to do some research and think through your options. JMO.

FWIW, when there's a possibility that I might be asked for my passport, I wear it under my clothes in a secure pouch. I have, on two occasions, been escorted by a woman (I'm female) to a WC where I was able to remove the passport in private.

bvlenci

In Italy, unless you have a national ID from an EU country, you're required to carry your passport, not a copy (which could be photoshopped). When I moved to Italy, I carried my passport everywhere until I got an Italian identity card. My daughters do the same when they visit me.

If you don't have it on your person, you can legally be detained until it can be produced, which would mean someone would have to go to your hotel and bring it to the police station.

Realistically (and regrettably) if you're a well-dressed Caucasian, the officer is likely to let it slide.

P_M

I didn't mean to start anything, it was just a joke. I hope I didn't upset anyone.

patriciatbrogan

Thanks for your help so far everyone. Just to reiterate that this is about the situation in Turkey rather than a general query about various countries. I never have had to present my passport in any European countries I have travelled in thus far, other than at hotels and airports, and am wondering if just having a copy, as I do in most European countries (as well as Mexico, most African countries I've travelled in etc) is sufficient in Turkey when moving around, from other travellers' experiences.

I was in Rome recently, had my passport in my handbag, was walking past the central station area and suddenly turned round to see a very dodgy individual sidling up to me about to grab my bag. That would have been a nightmare! It is for this reason that I have become a lot more cautious about carrying my passport around with me.

Traveler_Nick

IIRC Turkey has different rules for different EU countries. Some even need a visa to enter.

Stuff gets stolen from hotel rooms every day around the world. If its in your money belt it's a lot safer than in your hotel room.

Or imagine something really bad happens and you need to run to the airport without heading back to the hotel. What are you going to do?