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Lost my passport in a hostel in Lisbon last summer
I was staying at a 12-bed dorm in Lisbon for 15 euros a night and left my passport in the locker after checking out. Had to spend 200 euros on emergency documents and missed my flight home. Anyone have a solid system for keeping travel documents safe in shared rooms?
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paige1663mo ago
Wait, why keep it on you when you sleep? That's when pickpockets hit hostels hardest. I got mine lifted from under my pillow in a 7 euro dorm in Marrakech. Now I do the exact opposite. I sew a secret pocket inside my jeans waistband. Stays on me 24/7. Even in the shower I check it's still there. Paranoia? Maybe. But 200 bucks and a ruined trip? No thanks.
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brooket433mo ago
Oh man, I feel your pain so hard. I did almost the exact same thing in Barcelona a few years back, left my passport in a hostel locker and had to pay a fortune for an emergency one at the embassy. My system now is super simple. I keep my passport in a tiny zippered pouch that I wear around my neck under my shirt when I'm out, and I always lock it in the hostel safe at reception when I'm sleeping, not just the room locker. Also, I take a clear photo of the information page on my phone right when I arrive, so if I do lose it, I have the number and my picture ready for the police report. It's a pain, but saves you hundreds of euros and a lot of stress.
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quinnm773mo ago
But is all this extra worry really worth it, or are we just overthinking things? I've traveled for years keeping my passport in my bag and never had a problem, and honestly, @brooket43, the neck pouch thing sounds uncomfortable and a bit paranoid for most trips. My advice would be to just be careful and have a backup plan rather than turning travel into a constant security drill.
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