I've read somewhere on this site an advisory to NEVER give p your passport unless it's an offical type person. Today I read a blog that said it's common to give your passport to all kinds of people such as hostel owners (overnight) bike rental places etc. This sounds fishy to me. Any help?

thanks

The rule of thumb is never give your passport to anyone *on the street* who looks unofficial or doesn't have a badge of some sort.

When you're checking into a hotel/hostel, renting a car, etc., it's common to have to show them your passport. Plus, when someone's behind a desk/counter, it's a lot harder for them to just run off with your papers!

i've only been asked to give my passport once...and then I was given a choice of either giving it up or paying a deposit on the key (it was some kind of electronic key thing)....I paid the deposit. I don't give my passport to anyone besides someone like the conductor on the train.

I have heard of places asking to hold your passport...personally I'd refuse. my passport doesn't leave me in a foreign country..

On a night train to Munich we had to give up our passports for the border crossing. It didn't make me terribly happy but nothing happened either. *shrug*

Thanks for the input. Good to know.

I had to give my passport number when checking into a hostel once, but have never been asked to actually give it up to someone. I don't really think I would be too happy about doing it. At a border crossing that is ok I guess, but even then I would be a little apprehensive.