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Fear has big eyes?
In travel agencies, tourists traveling to Europe on a sightseeing tour are warned that during the trip the passports are with the head of the group.
Please explain to me, those who have already traveled and faced this question: How can you give your passport into the wrong hands of a person you see for the first time? How can you stay in a foreign country without a single document proving your identity and citizenship? After all, without a passport, you are nobody.
Or am I too careful and there is nothing wrong here?
Please explain to me, those who have already traveled and faced this question: How can you give your passport into the wrong hands of a person you see for the first time? How can you stay in a foreign country without a single document proving your identity and citizenship? After all, without a passport, you are nobody.
Or am I too careful and there is nothing wrong here?
Translated automatically from Russian. View original
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Answers • 9
The fear that a tourist may stay abroad illegally pushes travel agencies to take such steps. Of course, this is not legal - the passport should not fall into the wrong hands. On the other hand, a travel agency may lose their license if the number of those who went abroad and returned does not match. Therefore, a clause is included in the contract with the tourist - the passport must be with the escort after crossing the border. If you do not trust the escort, sit at home.
To say that it's scary and terrible, I wouldn't say that. Not one group crosses the border and travels like this in Europe.
My advice is to make a photocopy of your passport for yourself and go quietly with a group. But if you want your passport to be with you, arrange an individual tour.
As a rule, when registering Tax-free, they give away a passport.
To say that it's scary and terrible, I wouldn't say that. Not one group crosses the border and travels like this in Europe.
My advice is to make a photocopy of your passport for yourself and go quietly with a group. But if you want your passport to be with you, arrange an individual tour.
As a rule, when registering Tax-free, they give away a passport.
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answered 15 years ago
@Marinel
Good afternoon!
Complete absurdity! No one has the right to take your passport. And as it was rightly noted here, tour companies do this illegally. It's not about trust or distrust, your own safety is important, really, who are you without a passport in a foreign country? Or do Russian tourists have no opportunity at all without a group leader to walk around a particular city in Europe on their own? Most often there are no precedents, but cases are different. I don’t know how it is now in Russia, but in all European countries it is customary to always have an identity document with you, regardless of where you went: to the store, to the pool or went to another city, etc.
For example: If you traveled for free in public transport and got caught by the controller, then you will first be required to have a document identifying your identity, and then we will talk about a fine, otherwise, you will not have time to look around as the police will be nearby.
So, decide for yourself. Traveling without a passport in a foreign country....if only at your own risk, or only with a group.
Good afternoon!
Complete absurdity! No one has the right to take your passport. And as it was rightly noted here, tour companies do this illegally. It's not about trust or distrust, your own safety is important, really, who are you without a passport in a foreign country? Or do Russian tourists have no opportunity at all without a group leader to walk around a particular city in Europe on their own? Most often there are no precedents, but cases are different. I don’t know how it is now in Russia, but in all European countries it is customary to always have an identity document with you, regardless of where you went: to the store, to the pool or went to another city, etc.
For example: If you traveled for free in public transport and got caught by the controller, then you will first be required to have a document identifying your identity, and then we will talk about a fine, otherwise, you will not have time to look around as the police will be nearby.
So, decide for yourself. Traveling without a passport in a foreign country....if only at your own risk, or only with a group.
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answered 15 years ago
--If you traveled for free in public transport and got caught by the controller--??????
Why ride in public transport for free? I hope you don't shoplift? Essentially it's the same.
I have been abroad many times, both in groups and individually. I have never been asked for my passport by the authorities.
I need a passport when applying for a taxi-free, and even then not always - sellers need to sell goods, and they simply give an unfilled form without a passport.
To be honest, I would not bother much about this - it will be more whole (maybe).
I repeat once again - with an individual tour, all the documents are in your hands - if the embassy deems it necessary to open a visa for you.
Why ride in public transport for free? I hope you don't shoplift? Essentially it's the same.
I have been abroad many times, both in groups and individually. I have never been asked for my passport by the authorities.
I need a passport when applying for a taxi-free, and even then not always - sellers need to sell goods, and they simply give an unfilled form without a passport.
To be honest, I would not bother much about this - it will be more whole (maybe).
I repeat once again - with an individual tour, all the documents are in your hands - if the embassy deems it necessary to open a visa for you.
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answered 15 years ago
There is nothing terrible in this. Make a photocopy and keep it with you. Stealing in shops and driving for free is not recommended :)
If you are categorically not satisfied with this option, then, correctly written, you simply do not need to go on such a tour. You can go on your own, then no "guide seen for the first time" will encroach on your document :)
If you are categorically not satisfied with this option, then, correctly written, you simply do not need to go on such a tour. You can go on your own, then no "guide seen for the first time" will encroach on your document :)
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answered 15 years ago
I wrote this to you as an example, and not for you to attack me. What do you think, then? Why is everything so negative? This is not about theft and free travel, but about distrust of the tourist on the part of the travel agency, which selects passports. Isn't that humiliating?
@elenako
do you happen to work for a travel agency? You defend their rights so fiercely that you completely forget about yours.
@elenako
do you happen to work for a travel agency? You defend their rights so fiercely that you completely forget about yours.
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answered 15 years ago
Why should they trust you? One case of non-return will be enough for the company to lose its reputation for a long time, if not forever, and, as a result, let down all its other tourists.
I don’t see any humiliation in this, I’m even calmer that the guide’s passport is in the safe, and not in my purse, which any pickpocket can cut at any moment.
And by the way, this is my personal opinion (maybe this is not entirely true) - in recent years, firms are insured not only against defectors, but also against loss and theft from tourists, since this will create certain bureaucratic and temporary problems. And the group will sit and wait. I think so, because if the tourist wants to finish the tour in a European city and fly home by plane, for example, separately from the group or extend his stay for a few more days, the guide gives the passport without any questions.
You can ask any travel agency that organizes bus trips. I asked.
I don’t see any humiliation in this, I’m even calmer that the guide’s passport is in the safe, and not in my purse, which any pickpocket can cut at any moment.
And by the way, this is my personal opinion (maybe this is not entirely true) - in recent years, firms are insured not only against defectors, but also against loss and theft from tourists, since this will create certain bureaucratic and temporary problems. And the group will sit and wait. I think so, because if the tourist wants to finish the tour in a European city and fly home by plane, for example, separately from the group or extend his stay for a few more days, the guide gives the passport without any questions.
You can ask any travel agency that organizes bus trips. I asked.
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answered 15 years ago
I even if I go to Europe myself and not only don’t carry my passport with me. everything is always safe. maximum - a photocopy! and she is safely forgotten at home.
the guide of the group is just playing it safe, they can be understood. If you don't like the conditions, go yourself.
the guide of the group is just playing it safe, they can be understood. If you don't like the conditions, go yourself.
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answered 15 years ago