Travel Advice

Travel Advice 

Passport:

British Passport Holders – Passports should have at least 6 months validity remaining on them from the date of travel and be less than 10 years old (except for travel to Ireland).  If the traveller renewed a 10-year adult passport before it expired, extra months may have been added to the passport’s expiry date: these extra months will not count.

Remember that it can take up to 10 weeks to get a new passport, and it will take longer for postal applications. We advise travellers to check the validity of their passport at the earliest opportunity.

British passport holders will no longer be able to use the EU or EEA passport lanes, therefore longer border control queues at the airport should be expected. In addition to their passport, travellers may be asked to show:

  • A return or onward ticket
  • That they have sufficient money for their stay

We also recommend that all non-British passport holders have a minimum of 6 months left on their passport when re-entering the UK.

 

Insurance:

Insurance policy information for your school trip

Travel insurance is included as standard on all new bookings after 1st January 2022, unless otherwise stated or opted out. 

Arranging your own travel insurance 

There are many different travel insurance policies available, and you are welcome to make your own arrangements. We would, however, ask that you check the cover carefully to ensure that it meets your needs and provide us with details of your insurer. Please be aware that the cost of your trip will not change. 

Insurance policy documents 

As with any insurance, it is important that you read the policy document to check it is suitable for all members of your group.

 

Health:  

Any current European Health Insurance Cards (EHICs) will continue to be valid for travel in the EU and travellers will only need to apply for a Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) when their current EHIC expires.  Both cards will offer equivalent protection for emergency and medically necessary healthcare needs when in the EU on a temporary stay.  The new GHIC card is free to obtain from the official GHIC website. Further information about GHIC can be found here 

 

Visas and Entry Requirements:

Full details of visa and entry requirements for all countries can be found here.  We recommend that all visa and entry requirements are completed at least two months prior to departure.  Non-British nationals/non-British passport holders may require visas/transit visas and it is the responsibility of the individual to check all passport and visa requirements with the Embassy of the country (or countries) to or through which they are travelling.

Passport holders from the UK or other eligible countries can travel to the USA under the Visa Waiver Program by obtaining an Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA). The help area on the ESTA website provides comprehensive information on the application process

British citizens will be required to apply for an ETIAS to enter participating European countries on a short-term basis, under 90 days, for general tourism, business, transit, or medical purposes.  The ETIAS will be in force from 2023 onward and is intended to screen travellers arriving from overseas as a response to the global increase in terrorist activities.  In the year 2023, citizens from the United Kingdom will be required to complete an ETIAS application prior to boarding an aircraft, sea carrier, or coach vehicle for Europe, and this includes travellers who will only be transitioning in Europe en route to other destinations.  Any British citizen that wishes to enter Europe for over 90 days, or for other purposes than those allowed under the ETIAS program will need to apply for a Schengen visa.  It is advised that British citizens complete their ETIAS application 96 hours prior to departure.  Full details can be found by visiting the ETIAS requirements page or the ETIAS FAQ’s.  It is advised to review these pages prior to starting an ETIAS application to avoid any delays or the risk of an ETIAS being refused.  Starting in 2023, it will be a requirement to be a full British citizen before applying for an ETIAS, so travellers holding a passport or travel documents with a different status such as a British subject, British overseas citizen or British protected person will be required to apply for a full Schengen visitor visa, and not an ETIAS.

Data Roaming: 

The guarantee of free mobile phone roaming throughout the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway has ended.  Check with your phone operator to find out about any roaming charges you may incur whilst away.

Food & drink: 

There are now restrictions in place over taking specific food products into European countries. Travellers cannot take meat or milk products (or any products containing them) into the EU. More information about food & drink restrictions can be found here.

Information correct as of February 2022.