Travel to Northern Ireland

[Jenufa]

Does anyone know if a passport is required for Northern Ireland ? I was actually born there but have not been back in a long time and upon enquiry at the Passport Office was told that it was at the discretion of the airline concerned as some accepted a driving licence and others insisted on a passport. There seems to be a lot of ambiguity surrounding this question and as I do not have a passport it seems like a lot of hassle and expense if I don't need one.

[bednobs]

how are you getting there? why dont you just do as the passport office suggests and contact your carrier?

[jno]

You're travelling from the UK?

[Buenchico]

(2-part post):

Ryanair will only accept a passport or driving licence:
http://www.ryanair.com/site/EN/faqs.php?sect=p id&quest=photoid

easyJet, however, will accept any form of photographic ID, such as a bus pass or student ID card. That information isn't shown (in any degree of detail) on their website. However, I know it to be correct because a friend of mine (who has no passport and only the old-fashioned paper driving licence) asked me to check for him. After pressing loads of buttons on easyJet's automated telephone system, I reached a recorded message that made it clear that they'll accept any form of photo ID from a public body (such as a council or educational institution) or from any other recognised body. (I.e. basically anything which isn't blatantly 'home-made'). My friend travelled from Stansted to Dublin, using his senior citizen's bus pass, with no problems.

BmiBaby state this:
"bmibaby accepts all forms of photographic identification, however passengers must ensure that all personal identification is of a good standard. If identification appears to be fraudulent, passengers may be refused for travel.":
http://www.bmibaby.com/bmibaby/en/index.aspx?p =724

[Buenchico]

For Jet2's rules, see under 'Domestic flights', here:
http://www.jet2.com/questions/travel-identific ation.aspx

Aer Lingus are rather vague about their requirements but it seems that travellers require "official photographic ID":
http://www.aerlingus.com/cgi-bin/obel01im1/Ser vices/passports_visa.jsp?BV_SessionID=@@@@0424 972623.1232565623@@@@&BV_EngineID=ccccadegfijh kkjcefecfigdffgdfkj.0&P_OID=-8087&Category=2#i rluk

FlyBe's website produces pages which look like they'll 'time out' (so I can't give you a direct web link). Instead, to view the types of ID they'll accept, go here:
http://www.flybe.com/customerRelations/index.d o?layoutType=full
Set the top box to show 'General Information And Policies. Then choose 'What photographic ID will I need when I check in'.

Chris

[Buenchico]

Oops!

It's not vitally important, but I've just spotted a minor typo in my post. I wrote that my friend travelled from Stansted to Dublin (with easyJet), just using his bus pass as ID. I should have written that he travelled from Stansted to Belfast, which makes the content of my post more directly relevant to your question.

Chrid

[matilda57]

If you are British and travelling from the United Kingdom you do not need a passport as Northern Ireland is part of the UK. If you are travelling by boat you do not need any identification. If you are travelling by air then you need check with the airline you are travelling with to see what they require as photographic id. Assuming you're in England the requirements are the same as if you are travelling to Wales or Scotland!

[Jenufa]

Thank you all very much for your advice. I asked the question primarily as the people I am travelling with seem to think that a passport is mandatory but as I have other forms of photographic I.D. I should think they will be sufficient.