Machu Picchu Travel Forum

Hi,
Has anybody made train reservations via perurail.com and did not provide passport number ? is this truly a requirement, ie, will they not give me the ticket when i get there if there is no passport number in my reservation ? I am kinda hesitant to put in my passport number (and 2 other friends') ...
any ideas ? or is it pretty safe ? i know it's not like it's my SSN or credit card number, but it's just that i don't put in info if it's not absolutely necessary ..

Thanks
Maria

Maria, it seems like asking for passport numbers to make travel-related reservations in Peru (e.g., Inca Trail trek booking, flights, etc.) were required in many places. I even remembered that even if Peru Rail train reservations were made by a designated hotel/hostel staff that they still required passport #s to complete the transaction. I am also a cautious person and try not to give as much info if I don't necessarily have to, but in this case you need to in order to complete the booking.

Good Luck & Enjoy Beautiful Peru!

oh I see. Thanks Marissa :) I will do that then.

you got good advise. Yes it is necessary and for hotels too on site. As long as they dont make a copy of your passport ,you will ok given the number.

Yes, thank you to you both. I bought my train tix online now :)

There´s another reason, even to make a photocopy of your passport and immigration card.

Foreigners/non-residents are in some cases (as in hotels) exempt from the VAT taxes. To justify that, the operator/owner of hotel has to prove to authorities that the client is a foreigner/non-resident by having the proof (photocopies of mentioned documents).

"pedmar," thanks for the validation of my response, and Noel, this is good info!

Thanks Marissa! I made a General Tip of it on my Peru pages. (Have been busy today updating some...)