travel to Cyprus passport validity only needed for duration - Thomas Cook says otherwise. Anyone help?

[mykiddies]

Travelling to Cyprus 10 July for a fortnight. Daughter's passport expires 2nd week in August. Foreign and Commonwealth Office and Cypriot Embassy websites both say no validity needed only for duration of stay BUT on our tickets just received Thomas Cook say otherwise (3 months validity needed). They both say you will be ok but why is Thomas Cook putting this on the tickets. On their website they direct you to the directgov website which says the same thing. Anyone give any advice?

Not a 100% on this, but probably due to regs regarding travel without a valid passport, say due to unforseen circumstanes eg hospitalisation or and ash cloud keeping you abroad.

This of course is not going to happen. So enjoy the holiday.

Many countries expect the passport to be valid for a further 6 months after end of trip. Don't know why.

I suspect Thomas Cook are just being cautious. Are you saying the directgov site says 3 months?

As you have already contacted Cypriot Embassy and FCO, then I'd ignore Thomas Cook. It would probably help if you have a written response from one or both of them that there should be no problem with expiration in August and holiday in middle of July. Having it in writing means you can give a photocopy to any jobsworth burocrat who quizzes you about the date on the passport.

Suggest you take original letter(s) with you too, but only give a photocopy to any official unless they are pigheaded persistent about needing to see original letter(s).

Thanks guys. TC say it is only recommendation. Her passport expires 29 August. I think I will try to get something in writing so that's a good point.