As a United States citizen, when traveling with my Eurorail pass, is it necessary for me to bring my passport from Germany to the Netherlands, or will a color copy of my passport suffice? I am staying for the summer in Germany and will not be able to bring my original passport with me. Thanks! Brianna
Posted by
Bend, OR, United States
1167 posts
I have frequently been asked for my passport when checking into a hotel. I don't know if a copy would have been acceptable.
Posted by
Orlando, Florida
676 posts
Brianna, I would try to get your passport if it all possible. I live in Germany and even when I travel to Netherlands or France, I always bring it. I never carry it during the day, but I bring to show at borders just in case....
Posted by
Eastern Iowa, USA
8059 posts
I guess I am a bit puzzled by your situation. You need your passport in order to get to Germany, and to leave to head back to the US, Is someone demanding to hold your passport from you during your stay?
While much of the time you will not need it, as was mentioned, many hotels ask for a passport, conductors may ask for it in conjunction with the pass, and depending on circumstances, the Police might demand ID.
As for borders, typically you will not need to show a passport within the Schengen zone once there, but each country does still retain the right to set up border controls and do checks. This happens with some frequency at the Dutch border, mainly as a deterrent to people hauling drugs back home, and during NATO conferences or other large events, security points may be set up.
In the end, no, you will not need your passport daily, some type of ID on you would be preferred though, but on an extended or overnight trip, take your passport.
Posted by
OP
Malibu, CA, USA
2 posts
Thank you for all of the helpful information!!! I think I will give it a shot with just a color copy and my CA Driver's License. I am required to send in my passport for the Visa I am obtaining to go to India and they will have it through the weekend. While in the Netherlands, contingent on weather conditions, we are hoping to camp, so I won't worry about the hotel situation, although, if I end up in one, I think I will be ok. I am most concerned about the conductor demanding it along with my Eurail, I'm hoping the copy and license will do. From the responses I have heard from you all It sounds like I will be ok....Crossing my fingers!!!
Posted by
Eastern Iowa, USA
8059 posts
Don't forget, if you have a Drivers License, that still can be a valid form of ID in Europe for many things, I would still have the copy of my passport, but it at least provides a more "Official" ID.
Probably too late, but you can also get an ID size passport card now. They are not valid for travel to Europe (for use in North America) but again, they are at least a valid ID.