Travelling to Europe without a passport

[don4l]

Is it possible to travel to Spain without a passport? Could a Driving License and or birth certificate be used?


We have to go to a funeral, and my son's passport expired in July 2010. We have to catch a flight this evening.


Don
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[LaserTam]

sadly I dont think so.

[Cupramax]

No chance, you wont even get on the plane, let alone be let in the other end. Only chance is the London passport office. 0300 222 0000, Globe House, 89 Eccleston Square, London, SW1V 1PN

[Burty88]

As above, the passport office do a same day passport service. You have to make an appointment and attend an interview.

[whirligig]

Getting an appointment at short notice can be impossible though at this time of year I'm afraid - they won't consider seeing you without one. As I know to my cost.

[Marcellus]

Sorry another to say "no chance" he won't even get past the check-in desk.

Get on the phone to the passport office pdq.

[don4l]

Thanks for the quick replies. Your answers confirmed my fears.

There is no chance of getting into London, as I really need to book the flights now.


Don
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[Silver993tt]

You can do this within Schengen countries, just an id card necessary but since the UK isn't in Schengen (never understood that), you'll need a passport to get out (at the gate for the airline check) and get in (at immigration).

[Rostfritt]

Probably too late, but I would have just given it a try and taken some other ID with the passport, hoping for the best. They tend to give it a cursory glance going through, but there might be some electronic check done. This is much more likely to work at a land or sea crossing. Getting back would be less of an issue as the embassy could give you an emergency one or you could hope for the best again. Once on UK soil they can't exactly send you back if you hold some evidence you are a British citizen.

This will almost certainly won't work on Ryanair or Easyjet as they even require passports for UK-Ireland flights.

[The Leaper]

Several years ago I was in the office in London and got a call from a client to ask me to be in Rotterdam asap that day, so I went to London City airport, bought a ticket and only then realised I did not have my passport. I was amazed that after some explanation from me I was allowed out of the UK and on to the plane. When I arrived at Rotterdam I was met specifically as I was obviously expected and got into Holland no problem. I was then told where to report at the airport on my return journey, which I did, and was assisted out of Holland back on to the plan. When I arrived back at London City, again I was expected and had no problem entering the UK. The only ID I had was my driving license. I also had credit cards and business papers that all matched of course.

Whether this would work now I don't know.

R.

[Ouse]

I've been out to France and back on a photocard driving license. Recieved a few questions on my return but otherwise no problem. This was probably around 5-6 years ago.

[rpguk]

If you have no other choices I'd be inclined to just give it a go on that one too act surprised if they question it, explaining how important it is you get out for the funeral at the same time.

Have someone at the airport ready to take him back if it doesn't work and really you've got nothing much to loose.

[maser_spyder]

I travelled through five countries on Europe on an expired passport, but that was before the days of scans.

It was only picked up when crossing the border to 'Eastern' Europe, where they're a bit more careful. Had to get a new one in Bratislava.

I'm afraid with the modern scanning systems, it's unlikely you'd get away with that.

Maybe worth a try though....