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Mark Tanzer, chief executive of ABTA, says many tourists only discover an outdated passport just prior to their setting off.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.
24 September 2016
Slim people who look physically healthy may still be at increased chance of being diagnosed with bowel cancer if they have raised insulin levels, according new research.
[more...]
23 September 2016
Theresa May is being urged to give the go-ahead for flights to resume between the UK and Sharm el-Sheikh by the head of the cross-party parliamentary group on Egypt.
22 September 2016
Budget airline Jet2.com is to open its first base in the south of England at Stansted.
21 September 2016
Smoking rates have dropped to the lowest level on record in England, new figures show, suggesting messages about the health effects of cigarettes are hitting home.
20 September 2016
Concerns have been raised over flight disruptions caused by heavy drinking among passengers.
17 September 2016
British Airways' decision to launch direct flights from London to Tehran earlier this month positions Iran as one of the hottest destinations to visit in 2017, according to experts.
16 September 2016
More than 100 flights have been cancelled as French air traffic controllers go on strike again.
15 September 2016
Two thirds of MPs would support an expansion at Heathrow.
14 September 2016
TripAdvisor is launching a new homepage, making the booking of holiday activities and tours even easier.
13 September 2016
Travellers are to be charged to use fast lanes to get through passport checks in an attempt to cut queues.
09 September 2016
People travelling to regions affected by the Zika virus outbreak should practise safe sex for at least half a year upon their return, health leaders say.
08 September 2016
British Airways is apologising to passengers for delays after an IT glitch hit check-in systems.