Is a passport needed

[brenda]

to travel from mainland UK to Dublin? Many thanks.

[rockyracoon]

If you go by plane the airline will insist. If you go by ferry then no you don't need one.

[bednobs]

i think it will depend on the carrier

[dzug2]

From an immigration perspective you don't need one (assuming you are British or Irish).

An airline will require ID - Ryanair are the only one that actually insists on a passport as the only acceptable ID. Others are more flexible.

[mike11111]

I think it's more a question of photo ID than anything else. I thought that in theory no documentation was required for free movement within the EC.

[boxtops]

That might be the theory, but every time OH gets on a ferry here to go to Calais, he has to show his passport. I'd say yes, you need it for Dublin, you are leaving the UK for an EU country.

[ABerrant]

Free movement (of EU citizens) within the EU is predicated on proving you are an EU citizen therefore some form of national identity documentation is needed.

UK and Eire form part of the Common Travel Area..

http://en.wikipedia.o...ki/Common_Travel_Area

[dzug2]

Ireland is a special case - there's an agreement set up when Ireland gained independence to allow mutual freedom of travel with no passport to citizens of both countries.

And yes that does lead to difficulties and loopholes - but it's still the law.

[DTCwordfan]

I wouldnt allow you in......

[Buenchico]

As Dzug states, the UK and Ireland have an 'open border' agreement, allowing their citizens to move freely between the two countries. (That's why there are no border controls between Northern Ireland and the Republic).

Again, as Dzug states, Ryanair insists upon passengers having a valid passport as the only acceptable form of ID for security purposes.

The more flexible rules applied by Aer Lingus are here:
http://www.aerlingus....spassports/#d.en.7146

Bmi accepts these types of ID:
http://ask.flybmi.com...ssenger_info/photo_id

For FlyBe's rules, see here:
http://www.flybe.com/...o/id_requirements.htm

ID rules for the ferry companies are in my post here:
http://www.theanswerb...3.html#answer-6002207

Chris

[Squitty]

I have flown to dublin and belfast on ryanair and easyjet and taken the train between the two and dont even own a passport - my driving licence photo id was all I had.

[Buenchico]

Squitty must have travelled a long tome ago!

easyJet doesn't currently serve Dublin at all. Ryanair ceased accepting any form of ID other than passports (for UK citizens) ages ago:
http://www.ryanair.co...s-traveldocumentation

Chris

[brenda]

Thank you everyone, and DT am a nice person really!

[ichkeria]

It's outrageous for Ryanair to insist on passport ID for travel within the British Isles.
I can't actually find anywhere on their website that states this. Not that I'd fly with them if they were the last airline on earth ...

[ichkeria]

...hidden away in the terms and conditions. Also rather an outrage. I suspect that has caught a few people out.

[Ankou]

if you already have a passport, i don't see why having it with you when you travel should be such an issue.

if you don't have one, then perhaps you should.

[Buenchico]

Ichkeria writes"It's outrageous for Ryanair to insist on passport ID for travel within the British Isles.
I can't actually find anywhere on their website that states this".

You only need to look at the link I've provided above, Ichkeria! ;-)

Ichkeria also writes "Not that I'd fly with them if they were the last airline on earth"

Why on earth not? They've got a better punctuality record than almost any other European airline. They've lose fewer bags than any other major airline operating from the UK. They've got cheap fares and they've got an honest boss who is prepared to be truthful about the fact that his company exists to make a profit. I've flown with loads of airlines (including full-fare operators, such as Qantas) but I still regard Ryanair as the best airline in the world.

Incidentally, many companies now insist upon seeing a passport for security purposes. If you, as a UK citizen, turn up at an 'easyHotel' within the UK (without a prior booking) you'll be refused accommodation unless you have your passport with you.

Chris