I have read that when on an overnight train and we have a sleeper that you have to give passports to conductor because we will be going from Austria into Italy. Is this the normal thing to do as I feel very uncomfortable about letting my passport out of my sight as every one says how to keep them so secure. How do other people handle this situation?
Looking forward to reading some suggestions or experiences.
best wishes
Jenny
Posted by
Minneapolis, MN, USA
8700 posts
This is perfectly normal and is nothing to worry about. And it avoids your being waked up in the middle of the night for a passport inspection when you cross the border.
Posted by
San Leandro, CA, USA
632 posts
I didn't know they were still doing passport inspections between EU countries. They are not doing any passport clearances for cars...
Posted by
Portland, OR, USA
805 posts
Depends on the countries. If you pass through Switzerland, for example, that's not an EU Country and so has a check.
Posted by
Pearland, TX, USA
852 posts
Hi Jenny,
... everyone (above) is correct: there's nothing to worry about. The conductor evidently has papers to fill out, antiquated as it may seem. Of course, you have a photocopy of your passport which you keep separate from your official one, right? About all you may want to do is decide in advance what you want for breakfast the next morning. Those sleeper car conductors usually take orders the evening before. One word of caution: take possession of your sleeping compartment at your earliest opportunity to do so (For example, sitting elsewhere on the train and arriving late at the sleeping car can cause problems for you).
Gute Reise! P.
Posted by
OP
Adelaide, Australia
13 posts
Thank you every one for your replies. I will not worry if asked and will definately have phtocopies stored elsewhere.
Just reading the ans from Perry has raised another question. We have never travelled on an o/nite sleeper before. I presume the sleeper is allocated when ticket was purchased as I did not ask that. I presumed we would go staight to that and stay there. Are they made up for sleeping only and no seats. Is the sleeper number on our ticket and we can go there and leave luggage and then sit somewhere else for awhile? Can we then lock sleeper doors?
Is breakfast served in our sleepers or do we go to a dining car for that. Sorry about all this but had no idea how it all works.
best wishes
Jenny