Do you need a valid passport for a day trip to France?

Question

I found out today that my friend can get us onto a coach to France (from the UK) for free this Saturday but I haven't got a valid passport but my mum said something about only needing other forms of identification for a coach day trip to France, is this true? I have a drivers licence, expired passport and a birth certificate but I don't know if that's enough :/

Answer 1

British citizens traveling directly to France from the UK are required to have their passports since the UK is not part of the Schengen Area.



If you were French or a citizen of a nation within the Schengen Area you could travel from the UK to France with a valid national identity card.



EDIT: Yes, a valid passport is needed as an expired one is no good. You might be able to have your new passport in as little as one day.



"You will need to visit a Regional Passport Office if you need a passport urgently and want to apply in person using the Fast Track one-week or Premium one-day service. You must make an appointment by calling the IPS Passport Adviceline on 0300 222 0000.  For the Northern Ireland Regional Passport Office go to the Northern Ireland Passport Office page  Northern Ireland Passport Office"



Urgent passport applications (scroll down)

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/TravelAndTransport/Passports/howlongittakesandurgentappplications/DG_174149

Answer 2

The only accepted travel document for a British citizen entering France is a valid passport. Other EU member states issue national ID cards valid for travel in the EU, but there are no such cards issued by the UK.



However, if you by any means can prove your citizenship you will still be admitted to France (and also back in the UK). An expired passport + a valid driving licence would certainly be enough. The problem is that ferry companies normally insist on all passenger having a valid travel document and may still prevent you from boarding.



Contact the the ferry company or travel agent. If they accept you travelling without a valid passport, you will not have any problems with the authorities.

Answer 3

The UK is not part of the Schengen area so you need a valid identity paper to enter France, in your case as the UK does not have any ID card this means a valid passport. Can't you get an emergency one?



http://www.ambafrance-uk.org/Tourism-in-France

Answer 4

As Cabal said, it's not in the Schengen area, but it's in the EEA, so all you need is a proof of your nationality. I know that when I travel to the UK (I'm French), my ID is enough. Your driver's licence might do.



Check out the Eurostar page:

http://www.eurostar.com/UK/uk/leisure/travel_information/before_you_go/travel_documents/passports_visas__1.jsp

Answer 5

You are leaving the UK and entering another country, so "Yes" you are required to have a passport.