Do hostels need passports?

It's common for hostels (and even hotels) in Europe and South America to ask for your passport as this is a standard way to gather someone's ID (as opposed to different national licenses and the like). In the US, I have never been asked to show by passport at a hotel (never stayed at a hostel), license always sufficed.



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Should You Carry Your Passport With You in Europe? A passport serves many roles, but most importantly, it identifies travelers in foreign countries. Moreover, per international air travel standards, all passengers must have passports. Even if you plan to cruise to Europe and back, most cruise lines require a passport.

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Though your passport is a form of I.D., you probably won't need to tote it around with you all day once you've reached your destination. According to the US Department of State, one of the safest things you can do is secure your passport under lock and key at home or your hotel as you would with any other valuable.

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These hotels keep a record of passports to cross check for wanted criminals, look for missing persons, or protect against identity thieves. Of course, handing over your personal identification can be risky, even if you're giving it to a reputable hotel with (most likely) trustworthy employees.

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You should only carry your passport with you when you need it – otherwise, it should stay locked up. If you're going to take your passport with you, always keep it in a location that is hard to get to. If you carry it in your purse or travel bag, keep it zipped up in an internal pocket within your bag.

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Yes, most hostels will require you to show a photo identification upon arrival. In doubt you can check with the hostel before your stay.

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Can couples sleep together in hostels? The answer is yes! Many hostels offer private rooms with double beds or twin beds that can be pushed together to create a double bed. Couples can enjoy a private space while still being able to take advantage of the social atmosphere of a hostel.

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In the European Union, member states are technically required to validate your identity through your passport upon check-in. In the United Kingdom, a law established a half century ago requires hotels to record the name and nationality of every guest over the age of 16, and to retain that information for a year.

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In Italy, the hotels are required to register guests with the local authorities, which they do via your passport information. They will collect your passport when you check in, sometimes keeping it for 24 hours before returning it to you.

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As veterans in the hospitality industry, we understand that this basic request might be unfamiliar for many travelers. But rest assured, we're happy to clarify that this is perfectly normal and required by law. Yes, even locals have to present our IDs at hotels, B&Bs, and other accommodations both in Italy and abroad.

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Teachers couldn't believe it when the Kancamagus Lodge Hotel in New Hampshire where the group had been staying said they had accidentally destroyed 44 passports. The group has been forced to go to the British Embassy in New York to obtain emergency travel documents, delaying their journey home by four days.

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It is best that you leave it at the hotel`s safety deposit box rather than inside your room`s safe. If your hotel doesn`t have one, then you can keep it inside your hotel room. Look for a place in your hotel room where people wouldn`t think that it would be there, like under the TV or at the edge of the carpet.

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Answer. Use the hotel safe. There's a greater chance you'll lose it or that it'll be stolen from your bag or pocket than it being stolen from the safe. Plus you can use a secondary lock hotel room safe for additional security of the safe.

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Having your passport in your photos might be handy for when you need to fill in a form and enter your passport details, but saving a photo of your passport page opens you up to accidentally sending someone the photo.

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