Travel information - Useful travel links
Currency Express
is a trading name of International Currency Exchange plc (ICE) - an independent world leader in foreign exchange. Currency Express the leading on-line, one-stop foreign exchange specialist in the UK, offering you the ultimate deal in foreign currency.
The Columbus World Travel Guide
The Columbus World Travel Guide is known as 'the Bible of the Travel Industry'. For 26 years we have published the Columbus World Travel Guide which is sold in over 90 countries worldwide..
BBC weather reports
Click here to see BBC weather reports
United Kingdom Passport Service (UKPS)
The United Kingdom Passport Service (UKPS) site aims to assist new applicants and existing passport holders by providing information and online facilities for all aspects of application, renewal and amendments of passports for British nationals resident in the UK.
The Foreign & Commonwealth Office
The purpose of the Foreign & Commonwealth Office is to work for UK interests in a safe, just and prosperous world. We do this with some 16,000 staff, based in the UK and our overseas network of over 200 diplomatic offices.
The Association of British Travel Agents
The Association of British Travel Agents is the UK's Premier Trade Association for Tour Operators and Travel Agents. ABTA's 1052* tour operator and 6310* travel agency offices are responsible for the sale of some 85% of UK-sold holidays. * Figures correct as of October 2004
Department of Health
Every year, people living in the UK go on more than 60 million trips abroad. Find out how this section of the Department of Health website can help you have a healthy journey – and to deal successfully with any medical emergencies that might happen.
European Health Insurance Card (EHIC)
Travelling in Europe? Make sure you've got a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) as well as travel insurance. An EHIC is free and it could save you a lot of money if you need medical help while you are away. For more information please visit www.dh.gov.uk or call 0845 606 2030.
New EU security regulations
New EU security regulations, effective from 6th November 2006. The European Union (EU) has adopted new security rules that restrict the amount of liquids that you can take through security checkpoints. They apply to all passengers departing from airports in the EU whatever their destination. Please click here for full information.
Important visa information before you travel to the USA
US VISA INFORMATION All non-US Citizens with a Visa or on the Visa Waiver Programme are being finger scanned and digitally photographed on arrival in the United States at air and sea ports of entry. The finger scan and photograph requirement will apply to travellers aged 14-79 years old.
ALL PEOPLE TRAVELLING must possess a passport in their own name, infants and children included. It is not acceptable for a child or infant to travel on a parent's passport.
Travellers from Visa Waiver Programme Countries must present either a Machine-Readable Passport or a Valid U.S. Visa. Visa waiver travellers from all 27 Visa Waiver Programme countries must present either a machine-readable passport or a valid U.S. visa. Travellers with a valid U.S. visa will not be required to have machine-readable passports.
If the person does NOT have a machine readable passport, then they will have to apply for a visa to enter the United States which will involve a personal interview at the US Embassy in London. Further, if a person travelling holds a criminal record, including for driving offences, then they will have to apply for a visa to enter the United States which will involve a personal interview at the US Embassy in London.
Please note that Fleetway Travel plc does not arrange such interviews - this is the responsibility of the passengers travelling.
This applies to people travelling for business, pleasure or transit only, and staying in the United States for 90 days or less. In addition, they must hold a return or onward ticket. If travelling on an electronic ticket, a copy of the itinerary must be carried for presentation to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service USCIS). Note: Travellers with onward tickets terminating in Mexico, Canada, Bermuda or the Caribbean Islands must be legal permanent residents of these areas.
Passengers requiring more information, can either visit the US Embassy website at or call their Operator Assisted Visa Information Service on 09042 450 100 Monday through Friday, between 8.00 am and 8.00 pm, and Saturday, between 09.00 am and 4.00 pm. The service is not available on British public holidays. Calls to this line are charged at £1.30/min from BT landlines. Some mobile and network providers may charge more. Callers from outside the United Kingdom and some mobile and network providers cannot access this number. They can also write to:
The Consular Information Unit
United States Embassy
24 Grosvenor Square
LONDON W1A 1AE
What does a machine-readable passport look like? |
|
Machine-readable passports allow data in the passport to be scanned automatically by a machine. The two lines of printed OCR-B machine-readable data (circled in red in the image of a U.S. machine-readable passport shown on the left) are the most noticeable features of a machine-readable passport. If you are in any doubt as to whether or not your passport is a machine-readable passport, you should check with the passport issuing authority of your country. |
