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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 14:23

You know an expired passport is NOT VALID ANYMORE. Worthless.
Really, you need help with your mania.

Original poster
sammyjayneex · 01/12/2015 14:24

We are not going my euro tunnel

OP posts:
miaowmix · 01/12/2015 14:25

Oh good grief Hmm

Blu · 01/12/2015 14:26

This website specifically advises that it is a myth that you can travel on an expired passport.

This article says that if you leave he UK on a valid passport and it expires even the next day you need to contact the embassy to get travel documentation to get back in.

This Gov.UK official site says if a child's passport expires while you are away you need to go through a right rigmarole and pay £95 to get back in.

Costacoffeeplease · 01/12/2015 14:26

Is this thread just a wind-up? Have we all been had and wasted all our time trying to help you op?

trickofthetail1 · 01/12/2015 14:28

The Channel ferry websites say the same as the Euro Tunnel website because the rules about travel documentation apply equally whichever way you are leaving the UK.

Original poster
sammyjayneex · 01/12/2015 14:29

My husband has Spoken to HM customs and they've said if the passport isn't expired by more than 5 years we are fine

OP posts:
Artandco · 01/12/2015 14:29

I was quoting From the official passport office website. Hardly worth making it up!

www.passports-office.co.uk/blog/passport_validity_entry_requirements/

It says here you can get emergency travel
Documents if passport has expired and you haven't time to get new one

www.gov.uk/emergency-travel-document- but cost £95 so it's cheaper to just get a new child's passport

PatriciaHolm · 01/12/2015 14:29

You know, if the OP didn't have posting history, I would think she was on the wind up.

She's been told by numerous people with experience that the journey will take X amount of time; she insists it will take half x.

She's been told, with several links, that she can't travel on expired passports, but refuses to believe it. (oh and it's not so much about being refused entry; the chunnel won't even let you leave without an in-date passport these days; they are very clear about that when you book a ticket.)

I can't believe she's not winding us up now.

LaContessaDiPlump · 01/12/2015 14:31

Okay then great, have a fab time Hmm

Get your family to send you pictures of the wedding....

Original poster
sammyjayneex · 01/12/2015 14:31

Sorry but I think HM customs telephones people know a lot more than you guys that's why I'm so laid back about it all coz we have spoke to them

OP posts:
miaowmix · 01/12/2015 14:31

Bon voyage then OP. I guess all these official links aren't enough proof for you (of strangers going oout of their way to be helpful)

Costacoffeeplease · 01/12/2015 14:32

My husband has Spoken to HM customs and they've said if the passport isn't expired by more than 5 years we are fine

Grin give it up now op, it's been fun but we need to move on now

NannyR · 01/12/2015 14:33

Book yourselves a nice hotel for your holiday in Dover then!

iMatter · 01/12/2015 14:34

OP - you cannot travel on an expired passport.

Expired = not valid.

You won't even get on the ferry. I promise you.

Apply for the passports for your children now and you might get them in time.

Artandco · 01/12/2015 14:34

Please do message when your stuck at Dover boarder control on Boxing Day

Original poster
sammyjayneex · 01/12/2015 14:35

So me speaking to HM customs is incorrect them? So they would give out False info? How about you all ring them and prove me wrong then?

OP posts:
miaowmix · 01/12/2015 14:35

Yes, 5 year old passports are famously valid to travel abroad with. Confused

Sorry we didn't give the answers you wanted. And - you're welcome.

PatriciaHolm · 01/12/2015 14:36

Hang on.

Your husband is the one who wants you all to go.

You say he has spoken to Customs (actually he needs to speak to HMPO, strictly speaking) and reckons you are fine.

Any chance he's lying to you?

Original poster
sammyjayneex · 01/12/2015 14:36

How the hell can all you proclaim to know more than HM customs.... Yes we've actually spoken to them it's not made up

OP posts:
Original poster
sammyjayneex · 01/12/2015 14:36

I was right next to him!

OP posts:
Costacoffeeplease · 01/12/2015 14:37

No grey don't be silly, not 5 years expired

But four years and 11 months expired is fine Grin

Radiatorvalves · 01/12/2015 14:38

Look everyone, while I am enjoying some of the drama here, perhaps we should just retire and wait for the updates as the OP fights her way to Dover (journey taking twice as long as expected) and then finds Operation Stack in effect, and then finds that some horrendously unreasonable Immigration official disagrees with Sammy's customs official's interpretation of the regulations. And ruins her holiday.

We can then have an AIBU to have expected better travel? Should I sue HMRC for obstreperous Immigration Official who ruined my holiday.

All of MN will then say a collective YABU, and she will disagree emphatically.

I too think this is a wind up - no one could be quite so daft, could they?

NannyR · 01/12/2015 14:38

HM customs are not the people you need to speak to. You need to call your ferry company and ask if you are allowed to board with an expired passport - they will say no.

miaowmix · 01/12/2015 14:40

Costa Grin

I mean, there's this www.passports-office.co.uk/blog/passport_validity_entry_requirements/

but, you know.
Mind. Blown.