Day Trip to Paris - Eurostar

[hazeluk]

I have been offered a ticket on the first Eurostar out of the new St Pancras on 14th November. My passport is years out of date and I am not sure but think I might need a current one.

This has only just happened so I only have 2 working days to try and see if there is a solution.

Any advice would be appreciated
Hazel

[spudqueen]

Doesn't look good does it? You'll need a passport renewal form, photos, the form and photos signed by an approved person (you need to see the form to see who can do this). You then need to make an appointment at the passport office for a same day passport which will cost you a lot more than if just applying through the post. You also need to take along to the passport office your old passport. Then, on the day of the appointment if they approve your passport it will take about 4 hours to process so you need to be able to go back at the time they tell you to pick it up. I did this 5 years ago. I think I rang up on a Thursday and got an appointment for the following Monday, but what the length of wait for an appointment is at the moment I don't know.

[JK2]

24-hour Passport Adviceline: 0870 521 0410 Calls are
charged at 8p per minute from a BT landline and all calls are answered by live operators

[dzug]

If you turn up at a passport office when it opens on Monday morning (8am prompt, probably) the likelihood is that you will be seen, appointment or not, and for the fee, get your new passport the same day.

I did this a year or so back, with an appointment, but there were people there without who were seen - just a longer wait. Have evidence of your travel plans to prove it is actually urgent.

AFAIK you don't need a counter signature for a renewal passport nor do the photos need signing if you are recognisable from both old and new ones. But check the passport office website to be sure.

[hazeluk]

Many thanks for all your answers.

I have managed to make an appointment at Peterborough for Monday and have, luckily, found my old passport which expired in 1997! So it looks like I will be able to travel after all. But at a cost of �114 - and I don't suppose I will ever need it again :(

I have to admit though that if I hadn't been able to arrange this I was goint to turn up with my driving lisence and birth certificate in my bag and 'forget' that I had found out I needed a passport. Wonder if I could have 'winged' it?
Thanks again
Hazel

[VillageVicar]

Hazel! I look forward to meeting you! I suspect it will be easier to find me than for me to find you...not many people with dog collars will be on the train.

I hope you seek me out.

Fr Bill

[hazeluk]

Hi Fr Bill!!
I will be quite easy to spot as well as I will be in a wheelchair. We have just heard that as there are no wheelchair spaces left they are going to upgrade my carer and I to First Class !! - isn't that awfull? *snigger*

[VillageVicar]

My goodness! I think we will have NO problem! May I ask please, which train are you on Wednesday? Rumour has it that the champagne has been upgraded (as has the foie gras and the Chateaubriand on the return!) for this auspicious occasion!

Viva la diff�rence Viva la Grande classe!

Fr Bill

[hazeluk]

I believe it leaves at 11.03

[VillageVicar]

Hey Hazel! Oh my! It looks as if there are quite a few going out that morning. I suppose it makes sense. The first 'public offering' ones are in the afternoon...or at least I 'think' that's how they've arranged it.

You must be on the 11:05? We're on the 0925 and returning on the 17:13. We're having lunch at the Plaza Ath�n�e, then skipping over to Printemps to get some clothes for my daughter. I'm not sure, but it sounds as if you might also be on the later train returning. If you are on the same train return train as we are, I was going to suggest that we meet at the First Class Lounge.

If you'd prefer to email outside of this domain, I certainly don't mind: [email protected]

I do hope we get to meet up.

Be well

Fr Bill