Traveling to London..
Planning a Trip to London
Hi everyone! Apologies if this seems like a silly question, but I need some clarification.
My friends and I have tickets for a weekend trip to London in March, and I want to ensure we’re all set for the trip.
Here’s a quick rundown of our passports and where we’re traveling from:
– I have both a USA and an Italian passport, coming from Norway.
– Friend A holds a Canadian and a USA passport, traveling from the Netherlands.
– Friend B has a USA passport and is flying in from Spain.
– Friend C carries a Guatemalan passport, also traveling from Spain.
We’ve already booked our flights, but I recently read online that certain countries now need to apply for an ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization) to enter or transit through the UK. It appears to be a straightforward online process, costing around £10. Not a big deal, but I want to make sure we’re informed.
From what I understand, it looks like everyone except me will need to apply for this ETA since I can enter with my Italian passport. Is that correct? Do my American, Canadian, and Guatemalan friends need to secure this ETA before traveling to London, even though they’ll be coming from within the EU?
Have any Americans, Canadians, or Guatemalans done this recently and can confirm? I’m just trying to avoid any unnecessary hassle or expense, especially since I find it strange that the airlines didn’t notify us about needing an ETA when we booked our tickets.
It’s possible my friends received a notification and overlooked it, while I didn’t due to my use of an Italian passport.
Thanks so much for your help! I really appreciate it and thought this community might be a good place to clarify things. 🥰 Thanks again!
Hi there! No worries, your question is definitely not stupid—it’s important to clarify travel requirements, especially with all the changes happening these days.
You’re correct that travelers from certain countries, including the US, Canada, and Guatemala, will need to apply for the Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) to enter the UK starting in 2024. Although your friends are flying from within the EU, the requirement for the ETA applies to their nationality rather than their current location. So, yes, your friends (A, B, and C) will need to obtain the ETA before their trip to London.
As for your Italian passport, you’re right that you won’t need the ETA since you can travel as an EU citizen. It’s pretty common for airlines to not alert travelers about such requirements at the time of booking, so it’s always a good idea to double-check the latest entry requirements before traveling.
To ensure your friends are all set, they should apply for the ETA as soon as possible, given that processing times can vary. Safe travels, and have an amazing time in London with your friends! If any of them have specific questions about the ETA or the application process, feel free to ask! 😊