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Original poster

driving to Portugal from UK with kids in tow... anyone ever done it?

260 replies

sammyjayneex · 29/11/2015 15:18

It's all in the title really. Just wondering if anyone has ever done it. DH has been invited to a family wedding In Portugal (Lisbon) and wants us all to go. He doesn't want to fly because of all the fiasco that comes with flying for example... Luggage allowance and all the extra costs, the flight tickets cost so much for 4 children and 2 adults and trying to keep children quiet and occupied on a plane ect and also because it's just after Christmas and the wedding was announced last minute it's going to be difficult to get flights at short notice. Also he said it's an experience because kids will get to see parts of France and we will spend the day in Spain on the way back and sleep over there. He also wants to do something special as it's our daughters 5th birthday on the 29th December.

Now I'm worried about it all. He's said he's thought it through and has every bit of the trip planned. I don't want to say no because I never went on any trips and never went abroad when I was a kid and I want my kids to experience things. He said we will be getting the ferry at Dover and we will sleep over in small hotels on the way and one of them will be in France. On the way back we will stay in a hotel in Spain too. Accommodation in Portugal is being sorted out by his family.

It's a long journey but I'm prepared to do it for my kids and we will make lots of preparations and make regular stops. He doesn't mind driving and has drove to London and back on the same day ( picking his family up at airport). Has anyone ever done it and how was it?

We have had a lot of problems recently and I'm actually surprised he's suggested us all to go.

Is it a stupid thing to do?

I told my mum and she said its sounds exciting and will be fun for the kids if planned properly and their dad has said she's welcome to come along ( if she can contribute to her hotel costs ect). if she can get time off work and it's extra help for us with kids. ( he has a 7 seater car)
She likes the idea of coming too.

It's actually cheaper adding it all up than going by flight and with us sharing the cost too.

So has anyone got any tips or ideas I would be grateful.

OP posts:
ursuslemonade · 01/12/2015 13:57

Well if this was true why do you think people spend money on renewing their passport before leaving the country (by car as well)? Should be fine, no?

LaContessaDiPlump · 01/12/2015 13:58

Well, we drove from UK to Belgium last year (summer) and I enjoyed it a lot more than a flight because it wasn't time sensitive apart from the ferry. Also, you don't have to worry about keeping to luggage weight limits and you can stop places if you feel like it!

I'd be quite up for it I think - bit of a foreign adventure Grin

Costacoffeeplease · 01/12/2015 13:58

You asked me a question - had I done the trip? I have

So do you now believe that I know what I'm talking about?

Original poster
sammyjayneex · 01/12/2015 13:59

Because people are being cautious that's why
Why would it say that if it wasn't true? They can't advertise false info! My daughters are with their parents
How the hell can they refuse them entry? They have a passport, just the date isn't valid, it's still their bloody passport and they have two parents with passports as well.

OP posts:
LaContessaDiPlump · 01/12/2015 14:00

Oh, I've just seen the passport debate.

You're not going to try to leave the country with an out-of-date passport, are you? Confused

Blu · 01/12/2015 14:02

Which official person - seriously SammyJayne, I would love to know because I am thinking of doing a day trip to France over the hols and DC's passport has expired. And I can't take your word for it because you are a lady on the internet Grin. Can you point me in the direction of the official source that it will be OK?

Truly, if you have read all this thread , and feel able to deal with or refute people's concerns, then that counts as good research and preparation.

It's fab that your DH is so family-committed and up for it. If having read what other people would or wouldn't do, and you are still up for it, so much the better - go, and enjoy yourselves!

But can you give me the passport link or number? I won't be paying extra for the speedy service , but it could be fun for a shopping trip / lunch on the cote d'opale and the Boulogne aquarium. (2 hours drive from Dover, give or take operation Stack, so I wouldn't decide til the day before).

Costacoffeeplease · 01/12/2015 14:03

Your daughters can be refused entry if they don't have a valid passport - being with their parents has nothing to do with it - in fact you wouldn't need to worry about the return journey as I doubt very much that you'd get on the ferry at Dover

Original poster
sammyjayneex · 01/12/2015 14:06

I'd like to know why the person can sit on a computer and dispute proper official info on a Website and then not say why that info is false. Surely if you need to prove to someone info is false when you would instead of just stay in garbage

OP posts:
Radiatorvalves · 01/12/2015 14:06

Another thought - I'm booked on the Chunnel at Christmas. They keep sending me emails reminding me to complete the passport information before travelling. that is a new development. Airlines have been doing it for a while. I have to say that all passport checks have been very thorough in recent years. None of this waving passports in the direction of the official and being waved through.

Luxyelectro · 01/12/2015 14:07

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Blu · 01/12/2015 14:08

London to Brussels is 225 miles driving.
Manchester to Brussels is 443 miles driving.
Manchester to Lisbon is 1,572 miles driving.
About 4 times the distance.

One way. In winter.

Luxyelectro · 01/12/2015 14:10

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

ursuslemonade · 01/12/2015 14:10

Ok then. Other folks are just being cautious. Good luck. I eat my hat if you can leave/return to the UK with expired passports.

Original poster
sammyjayneex · 01/12/2015 14:11

Please prove to me where they will be refused entry
Yes that can happen if they have NO passport at all or no official documents but they do!

Please find me the info where it says they will be refused entry of its expire s

OP posts:
Blu · 01/12/2015 14:11

SammyJayne, please, please show me the website where I can confirm for myself that I will be OK to take DC on a day trip to France on an expired passport.

Do this trip! You really are up for the obstacles, so give it a go! But please show me the passport link so can decide whether to make my quick trip!

miaowmix · 01/12/2015 14:13

People are actually trying to help you op, you seem cross that you're just being told the truth...

Original poster
sammyjayneex · 01/12/2015 14:13

I would love the person to prove to me why the Info on their website is false. Why talk garbage and not be able to prove it

OP posts:
NannyR · 01/12/2015 14:13

Just looked at Brittany ferries as an example and they require a passport valid on the return date in order to board the ferry. Pretty sure it's the same for the other ferry companies too.

Costacoffeeplease · 01/12/2015 14:14

What website? I thought you spoke to someone on the phone?Confused

AttilaTheMeerkat · 01/12/2015 14:14

BBC news story from April this year about passport checks at UK ports:-

www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-32205970

Original poster
sammyjayneex · 01/12/2015 14:14

But they have a valid passport though. It's not fake is it. It's genuine

OP posts:
Costacoffeeplease · 01/12/2015 14:14

It's not valid if it's expired

trickofthetail1 · 01/12/2015 14:16

All persons travelling need to have in their possession a valid passport. French Passport Control takes place prior to check-in. For more information on passports or travel documentation you can call the French Consulate on 020 7073 1200.
From DFDS website FAQ

miaowmix · 01/12/2015 14:18

Who on earth did you ask op?

From the official passports office website:

Do I really need 6 months validity on my Passport?
Posted: 23/02/2015
When travelling abroad many people often neglect to check whether their passport have enough expiry time on them for travelling, but there are some myths that surround the travel industry in respect of expiry times, these are as follows:

• That you can travel to Europe without a Passport (Not True)

• That you can travel to Europe without a Passport or with a Passport that is expired (Not True)

Many British Citizens believe that you can still travel to Europe on an expired passport or that they can simply use their driving license or valid photo ID. This belief often stems from reports of European citizens using identity cards to both travel in Europe and visit the UK. In many cases European citizens do have the right to do this, but it is often restricted by certain conditions and time limits and unfortunately this does not apply for British Citizens looking at travel abroad, you must have a Full UK Passport in order to travel outside the UK.

Radiatorvalves · 01/12/2015 14:21

Sammi

Just checked the Eurotunnel website and under the heading "CAN I TRAVEL ON AN EXPIRED PASSPORT" it says,

No, you are only allowed to travel abroad using a valid passport.

A valid passport is essential when you travel abroad. Although your passport has been issued for 10 years (5 years for children), some overseas countries have an immigration requirement for a passport to remain valid for a minimum period after the date of entry to that country (typically 6 months).

All countries require that your passport is valid both on the day you arrive and on the day you leave. If your passport is in its final year of validity, you are advised to check the requirements of the country(ies) of destination before you make final travel plans.

If you don't believe me, check out the link:
www.eurotunnel.com/uk/mobile/faq/my-passport/