Please check your destination’s entry regulations and any visa application procedures before booking and again before travelling as these may change without notice.
The UK Foreign & Commonwealth Office provides details of all Embassies and High Commissions in the UK.
Should you be unable to join your holiday due to you not having a valid passport, visa or other documentation required by the authorities in your destination or if you are denied boarding by the airline or its handling agents, we cannot accept any responsibility for any consequent loss or additional cost incurred.
Passports
Passports are required for all overseas holidays or as identification when boarding a UK domestic flight or cruise ship on an international voyage.
Many countries now require that your passport valid for 3–6 months beyond your stay.
Check that the passport is yours, it’s valid and that you’ve packed it (in your hand luggage and not your suitcase!) before you travel. It is not uncommon for a traveller to arrive at an airport with a passport belonging to another family member and find themselves unable to travel as planned. We strongly recommend you carry a photocopy of your passport separately from your main travel documents.
Travelling to or via the USA
Please check the expiry date of your passport, and if travelling to or through the US, the type of passport required.
More information is available through the US Embassy in the United Kingdom.
The US Customs and Border Protection website has a list of responses to frequently asked questions regarding travel to the US under the Visa Waiver Programme and the US Electronic System for Travel Authorisation.
It is vital that those wishing to travel to, or transit, the US under the Visa Waiver Programme have a machine readable passport which also contains an electronic chip containing biometric information about the passport holder.
Entering the EU & Schengen Area
When entering or leaving the EU Schengen Area, it’s important to have your passport stamped accordingly, as border guards will use passport stamps to check you’re complying with the 90-day visa-free limit for short stays in the Schengen area. If the relevant entry or exit stamps are not in your passport, border guards will presume that you have overstayed your visa-free limit.
You can show evidence of when and where you entered or exited the Schengen area and ask the border guards to add this date and location in your passport. Examples of acceptable evidence include boarding passes and tickets.
EU & Schengen Area Airport Transit Visas
As of the withdrawal date of the UK from the European
Union, a valid residence permit or visa issued by the UK does not exempt
third-country nationals from the requirement to hold an Airport Transit Visa when transiting an EU or Schengen Area airport en route to another non-EU destination.
Nationals concerned who pass through international
transit areas of airports situated in the EU-27 Member States (with the
exception of Ireland) and the Schengen Associated Countries (Iceland, Norway
and Switzerland) when travelling between the UK and another third country as of
the withdrawal date are advised to apply for a Schengen Airport Transit Visa and to
take the necessary steps sufficiently in advance of their travel.
Group Visas
On holidays involving the party travelling on a group visa, should you be making your own travel arrangements and not checking-in for travel with the main party, you will need to make your own independent visa arrangements which may involve additional cost and lengthy visa application procedures.
Travel Advice for British Citizens
British Citizens can check current passport and visa information together with the latest UK Government Foreign Office (FCO) Travel Advice relating to your destination at gov.uk/travelaware.
If you need to apply for a new passport, please do so in good time as issuing delays can occur, particularly around peak travel times.
Advance Passenger Information (API)
So that you can travel, it may be necessary to provide some personal information for immigration, border control, security and anti-terrorism purposes. Some countries will only permit travel if you provide your Advance Passenger Information or API to us (or the airline directly) before travel. If these details are not provided in good time, you may be denied travel to your holiday destination. See Data Protection for more information.
Documents Check List
Here’s a handy checklist of information to may wish to take with you when you travel and on holiday:
- Your passport (make sure it’s valid and it’s yours!)
- If visiting or transiting the US, please ensure that you are aware of the current entry requirements (they’re reviewed and changed frequently and often without warning!) - don’t forget to ensure that you have a valid ESTA before travelling to the airport
- Your travel tickets (or e-ticket itinerary)
- Any visa or tourist card (if required)
- Your holiday money (currency, credit & debit cards - including a separate list of credit card numbers)
- Telephone numbers to call if you need to cancel lost or stolen credit or debit cards
- Your confirmation of booking, and any other correspondence confirming prepaid or prearranged travel arrangements
- Car parking ticket (if pre-booked) and directions to the car park
- Coach or rail tickets (if travelling to your point of departure by pre-booked public transport)
- Your insurance details: Insurance company name, policy number, date of issue and telephone number as well as the name and 24-hour phone number of the Emergency Assistance Company provided by your insurer (details will be on your policy paperwork)
- A valid European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) or Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) if travelling to a participating country
- An alternative form of identification (such as a driving licence) and a photocopy of the pages of your passport containing your personal details and photograph (this will assist you in obtaining replacement documents in case of passport loss)
- The name, surgery address and telephone number of your GP (for use by an overseas doctor or your insurance company in an emergency)
- Details of a relative or close friend who should be notified in case of emergency
- Details of any medical conditions or allergies that your tour leader should know about