Call for an instant quote 0345 90 80 161
Open Mon to Fri 09:00 - 17:30 | Sat 09:00 - 16:00 (GMT)
26 April 2016 09:15
ABTA is warning: check your passports
British tourists heading off abroad can save themselves stress and money by getting their passports in order now before the big summer rush, ABTA is advising.
The travel group says that as many as 26 million Britons will be travelling to foreign climes.
But several non-EU nations need half-a-year's validity on a passport from the precise date of a traveller's return to Britain.
Leaving things late could put travellers at risk of having to get a passport renewed during an already busy period for the passport office.
Passport protection
It may seem just a small, innocuous document, but a passport is key to getting travellers from one country to another.
That is why taking out trusted travel insurance is key to any preparations for heading abroad.
It can cover tourists for loss of passports or other travel documents as well as replacing stolen or mislaid luggage and other possessions.
Chance to save money
Travellers who leave more time to plan can also save themselves money, as the following table shows:
• a normal adult passport costs £72.50
• a seven-day fast-track service passport costs £103
• a 24-hour premium service costs £128
Passport renewals
The passport office can put a maximum of nine months' validity which has not been used up on to holidaymakers' replacement passports.
More details about renewals can be found on the Foreign Office's website.
What the experts say
Mark Tanzer, chief executive of ABTA, says many tourists only discover an outdated passport just prior to their setting off. This means having to hurriedly update their document.
He says not only do early checks and renewals save potential anxiety, but this also guarantees people the lowest costs.
The passport office's director general Mark Thomson calls it "important" that tourists remember to inspect their passport for validity well in time for their trip abroad.
21 June 2017
Holidaymakers could save themselves money by opting for self-catering breaks this summer, a report has shown.
[more...]
20 June 2017
From trips abroad to days out closer to home, the school holidays can be a costly time for families.
17 June 2017
Debit and credit card charges are causing holidaymakers to "waste" more than £100 million each year, a new report has warned.
16 June 2017
Aggressive and potentially lethal prostate cancer could be detected more quickly thanks to a simple blood test, scientists have revealed.
15 June 2017
Many holidaymakers are over-estimating the benefits offered by European Health Insurance Cards (EHICs), a new study warns.
14 June 2017
British holidaymakers will benefit from the end of mobile roaming charges this week.
13 June 2017
UK holidaymakers could face higher costs in the months ahead following the collapse in the pound, the owner of a major travel firm has warned.
10 June 2017
Holidaymakers planning trips abroad in the coming days will be monitoring the progress of the pound closely following the surprise general election result.
09 June 2017
Family holidays to traditional hotspots like Menorca and Ibiza could end up costing more than far-flung destinations such as Orlando, Thailand and Bali, surprising new research suggests.
08 June 2017
Two of Europe's major budget airlines enjoyed strong passenger growth last month, as the summer holiday season got under way.
07 June 2017
People could lower their chances of dying from cancer by regularly taking a brisk walk, two new reports have suggested.
06 June 2017
Travel insurance claims worth around £1 million were paid out every day in 2016 on average, new industry data reveals.