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Original poster

Flying from England to Dublin without a passport... help!

48 replies

parchedjanuary · 06/03/2022 22:41

I know if I try harder I can find this information out...but so far I have got myself confused....so if anyone can give me an answer I will appreciate it.

I need to fly from England to Dublin next weekend. It's for my dad's funeral. Mum and dad are Irish but lived in England. I was born in England and have a UK passport, but it expired in 2018. I have not bothered about getting a new passport because of covid and the lack of opportunities to travel. It was on my list of things to do... but not urgent.

My dad became serious ill and rapidly deteriorated over the last few weeks. At this point a passport was the last thing on my mind.

My dad has now passed away. We are arranging the funeral. He will be buried in Ireland. We are hoping his funeral and burial will be in 8 days from today.

There are many of us coming over from England for the funeral and many of our Irish loved ones who will be there.

We were making the plans this evening and I mentioned that I don't have an In date passport, but it's okay because I have a driving license photo card. There is an area , regardless of brexit that there is free movement.

I thought it would be fine for me to turn up at the Airport with my drivers license but my family say otherwise!

Please please please any advice???

OP posts:
dementedpixie · 06/03/2022 22:43

You would be better contacting the airline to see if they will accept that as ID

Annonymiss123 · 06/03/2022 22:44

If it’s Ryanair, AFAIK they insist on a passport but I think Aer Lingus accept photo ID.

I’m very sorry for your loss.

BlackAndPinkNose · 06/03/2022 22:44

So sorry for your loss Flowers

Unfortunately I think that your family are correct.

You can travel within the Common Travel Area on photo ID but the airlines won't allow it without a passport - or certainly this was the problem that I encountered with Ryanair.

Is a ferry a feasible option? I think Stena allow photo ID only

FlyingIsEasy · 06/03/2022 22:45

You don't need a passport to get into Ireland but depending on the airline they might require one as a booking condition.

See here for Ireland entry requirements

www.dfa.ie/irish-embassy/great-britain/passports/top-passport-questions/to-travel-between-britain-and-ireland/

Check your airline's website for their passport requirements.

gogohm · 06/03/2022 22:45

From the gov.Uk website...

Ireland, along with the UK, is a member of the Common Travel Area. British nationals travelling from the UK don’t need a passport to visit Ireland. However, Irish immigration officers will check the ID of all passengers arriving by air from the UK and may ask for proof of nationality, particularly if you were born outside the UK. You are therefore advised to take your British passport with you.
For more information about the types of ID you might be asked to present, see the Ireland Citizens Information Board websitee_.
Before travelling, check with your carrier about their ID requirements, as most airlines and other transport providers won’t carry passengers to and from Ireland unless they’ve seen satisfactory photographic ID.

M0rT · 06/03/2022 22:45

It depends on the airline, so if you haven't booked flight yet email the airlines flying that route and ask if your driving license is sufficient for them.
So sorry to hear about your Dad Flowers

Orchid18 · 06/03/2022 22:46

Could you fly to Belfast and get the bus to a Dublin
I hope you get something sorted out Flowers

EssexCat · 06/03/2022 22:47

At the worst could you get a ferry to Northern Ireland and drive? We got the ferry to larne and wasn’t asked for any ID at all.

TheYearOfSmallThings · 06/03/2022 22:47

Ryanair won't let you fly without a passport (you can't check in without a valid passport number). Aer Lingus are much more accomodating, but I would speak to them to check.

Squeezyhug · 06/03/2022 22:49

You could contact your nearest passport office for an urgent passport?
Might be able to do same day ... I know of a person who was on way to airport for a holiday in Spain when they noticed passport out of date ( nightmare scenario)
She called the passport office which luckily was in same city as airport and they gave her a new passport as emergency appointment.
She made the flight with minutes to spare !
That was before Covid do not sure if things have changed.
Sorry, I don’t know whether you need a passport for travel to rep of Ireland.

xyzandabc · 06/03/2022 22:51

Technically you don't need a passport. However you do need photo ID.
BUT carriers set their own rules. From their websites:
British airways accept driving licenses, so you would be fine, assuming you have a driving license.
Ryanair do not accept driving licenses, no exceptions will be made.

If you're flying with someone else, you will need to check their website. Go with official guidance that you have researched yourself, not what your family or anyone else tells you.

Cookerhood · 06/03/2022 22:51

Ryanair would still.require a passport even for Belfast.

MadeinBelfast · 06/03/2022 22:52

The Aer Lingus website says they'll take a driving licence. I think nearly every other airline requires a passport. Depending on where you are heading to, you could fly to Belfast with your photo driving licence and then travel south. I hope you work something out, I'm sorry for your loss.

FlyingIsEasy · 06/03/2022 22:52

It looks like a drivers licence is enough for British Airways according to their website

'If you are a citizen of the UK or Republic of Ireland who was born in that country you do not need a passport to travel between the two countries but you do require some form of photographic identification, such as a driving licence.

All other travellers require a valid passport to travel between the two countries.'

titchy · 06/03/2022 22:53

BA and Aer Lingus are fine. Ryanair require passport. So book with one of the first two and you'll be fine. Thanks

gogohm · 06/03/2022 22:53

If you are flying BA ...

If you are a citizen of the UK or Republic of Ireland who was born in that country you do not need a passport to travel between the two countries but you do require some form of photographic identification, such as a driving licence.

If you are flying air lingus ...

Acceptable Identification
If you’re a citizen of Ireland and/or Britain, you need to carry some form of official photo identification in order to be able to fly with us.
Note: To travel between Ireland and Britain with photo identification other than a passport, you must have been born in Ireland or the U.K. and also be a citizen of either country.
The following forms of photo identification are acceptable once they are in date:
• Valid passport or Irish passport card
• Driver’s licence with photo
• International student card
• Government issued photo ID cards
• Health insurance cards with photo/social security cards with photo
• Bus pass with photo
• Work ID with photo
Citizens of Ireland and Britain under the age of 16 don’t need a photo ID if travelling with their parent/guardian.

Ryan air do not accept driving licences but call/email because they used to accept expired passports

Disgruntledpelicanlady · 06/03/2022 22:56

BA, Aer Lingus and Easy Jet will allow you to fly with a driving License

bumpertobumper · 06/03/2022 23:06

Just do go Ryan air, it's fine.
But to be fully safe get the ferry - they never check id

Original poster
parchedjanuary · 06/03/2022 23:07

Wow, thank you so much everyone who has posted here to help me.

I will definitely get to my dads funeral.

All my family in England are travelling on a Ryanair flight into Dublin together. I feel a bit tearful that I might not be able to travel with them.

Travelling into Belfast and then making my way south is possible. I also have family in Northern Ireland. Who will be coming to my dads funeral.

I should have renewed my passport when my dad became unwell, I knew he would want to be buried in Ireland, but I guess I just wasn't thinking about that.

Okay anyway I'm here I need to:

Email Ryanair, easyJet, airlingus...find out what they accept in the circumstances

Contact the passport office and see how quick I can get a new passport

😔😢😔

OP posts:
bumpertobumper · 06/03/2022 23:08

Don't, not do

tkwal · 06/03/2022 23:15

Depending which part of Ireland the funeral is in you may be just as close flying into Belfast or Eglinton/L'Derry. Either way you don't need a passport to cross the border between the North and south

moonbedazzled · 06/03/2022 23:16

I'm very sorry about your dad. It's a horrible time. It's always easy looking back and thinking, why didn't I....? Its just one of those things. We've all done it.
I hope all the arrangements work out smoothly for you, and you and your mum get through the day as well as is possible in the circumstances. x

Original poster
parchedjanuary · 06/03/2022 23:24

@tkwal yea I have just always assumed that flying between England and the Republic of Ireland a driving license was okay. This evening my family, while we were discussing plans for the funeral, all looked a bit shocked that I don't have a passport. I literally had no idea that it would be a problem!! And yea, I know the ferries are happy with photo Id like driving license. That's how my dad used to travel! I always used to get worried when they were off on their trips...! Can't dad just get a passport?? I'm concerned you may be turned away?! My dad was a 100% Irish man and there was no chance anyone could turn him away from his country 💁🏻‍♀️

OP posts:
Original poster
parchedjanuary · 06/03/2022 23:25

@bumpertobumper ???? Please expand on your very considerate advice

OP posts:
Sodiit · 06/03/2022 23:27

Maybe try the Irish embassy to see if they can help. Sorry for your loss