ESSENTIAL INFORMATION - BEFORE YOU GO
- Travel Documents
- Passports
- Visas/Departure Tax
- Minors Special Note
- Health Advice
- Vaccinations
- Holiday Healthcare in Europe - EHIC
- Currency, Traveller's Cheques & Credit Cards
- Travel Advice
TRAVEL DOCUMENTS
We will send you all the necessary holiday documents (tickets, important information, luggage labels etc) approximately 7- 21 days prior to your departure.
PASSPORTS
Please check at a Post Office or on the contact details below, about fees and services for passport applications, renewals and amendments, before booking your holiday.
As travel regulations are constantly changing, we are unable to provide up-to-date information concerning such requirements. The information provided on this website is believed correct at
the time of nightly website update (nightly XML upload) but you must ensure you check the current position in good time before departure. It is your responsibility to ensure that you comply with all necessary Visa, Passport or other travel regulations.
Validity: A valid passport is essential when you travel abroad. Although your passport has been issued for 10 years (5 years for children), you should note that 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). Travel to Spain requires 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.
Apply early: If you need to apply for a passport or to renew an expired passport you should do so well in advance of travel. Currently you should allow approximately 4 weeks. If you are 16 or over and haven't yet got a passport, our recommendation is that you should apply for one at least 8 weeks before your holiday.
Names: The name on the passport must match the name on the ticket, otherwise you may not be able to travel and insurance may be invalid.
Children and young people: All children who are not already included on a current valid British passport will need to hold their own passport if they are to travel abroad. Children who were included on a passport before 5 October 1998 may continue to travel with the passport holder until:
• The child reaches the age of 16; or
• The passport on which the child is included expires; or
• The passport on which the child is included is replaced or an amendment results in the issue of a new passport.
All children travelling to Bulgaria must hold their own passport.
USA passport requirements: ALL passengers (including children) entering the USA on the visa waiver programme will be required to hold an individual machine-readable passport (MRP). If you are NOT in possession of an MRP you will need to obtain a visa for entry, or apply for a new passport. Applying for a US entry visa is a lengthy process that can take several weeks so we strongly recommend that all customers should have an MRP prior to their visit to the US. Travellers without an MRP who do not have a visa will be denied entry into the USA and possibly fined. The vast majority of non-machine readable British passports that are in circulation were issued outside of the UK.
Important Long Haul information regarding passports: India (including Goa), Egypt, Gambia, Maldives, Mexico, China, Mauritius, Dubai and Sri Lanka currently require that passports should be valid for a minimum of 6 months beyond the visitors departure date; 3 months for Kenya. Visitors whose passports are not valid for this length of time face the possibility of being refused entry or delayed while their passport is replaced.
All visitors to South Africa are required to have two unused blank pages in their passport to enable an entry visa to be issued upon arrival in the country.
Please note that legislation imposed by the Indian Government prevents holders of Indian Passports travelling on charter flights from the UK to Goa and UK to Sri Lanka. If you have an Israeli stamp in your Passport and wish to visit an Arab country, please contact the Passport Office because it may be necessary to obtain a supplementary Passport.
What is a machine readable passport? A machine readable passport has the holder's personal details e.g. name, date of birth, nationality and their passport number contained in two lines of text (looks like a bar code) at the base of the photo page. This text can be read by machine. All UK passports issued in the UK since 1988 are machine readable, however British passports issued overseas may not be.
As from 26 October 2005, all visitors to the USA who have a passport issued after 26 October 2005, must have a digitised photo appearing in their passport. All passports issued by the UK Passport Office now automatically feature digitised photos. Visitors with a digitised photo in their passport, and those with passports issued prior to 26 October 2005 that feature sealed in photos, will be able to enter the USA under the visa waiver programme. The Visa Waiver Programme applies to British travellers, provided they fulfil specific requirements, which include (but are not limited to) holding a full United Kingdom Passport, travelling on holiday or business for a period no longer than 90 days and holding a return air ticket with a “participating” airline (which includes all those airlines featured by Cosmos.) Even those qualifying as above will require a Visa if they have ever been arrested (even if not convicted), or if suffering from a serious communicable disease. If in any doubt, or if holding a British Subject/Citizen/Commonwealth Passport or with Right to Remain etc, you must check with the US Embassy Visa Section. Also see their Website: www.usembassy.org.uk.
Further information from the UK Passport Service can be obtained as follows:
Advice line: 0870 5210410 (calls charged at national rate);
Fax back information line: 0901 4700130;
Website: www.passport.gov.uk.
Applications requests - telephone: 0901 4700110; fax: 0901 4700120 (calls cost between 60p-90p).
If you hold a Commonwealth or non-British Passport please check Passport and Visa regulations with the Consulate of all the countries you will be visiting or passing through.
VISAS/DEPARTURE TAX
Visa information where known at time of going to press, as indicated on individual resort pages, is shown for British Citizens holding Passports issued in Great Britain. All clients must ensure that their own travel documents are valid for the countries they intend to visit. Cosmos cannot be held responsible for extra expenses incurred if passports/visas are not in order. Please check well in advance of travel.
Online Visa Service: Cosmos Distant Dreams is pleased to offer our customers the expertise and experience of The Visaservice, specialising in fast, dependable visa application services. For a straightforward online solution to obtaining your visa visit www.visaservice.co.uk/cosmosdistantdreams.
Departure tax rates and information correct at time of press.
Bulgaria: All British naturalised citizens must obtain a visa purchased for £34 from the Bulgarian Embassy in the UK prior to any visit to Bulgaria, otherwise they will be refused entry and return to the UK.
China: British Citizens require a visa to enter China. A single entry tourist visa costs £20, and a double entry visa (required for passengers booking a Hong Kong extension) costs £45. A visa can be obtained by applying in person at the Embassy of China in London, or the Consulate-General’s offices in Manchester or Edinburgh, or by using the services of a visa agency. Postal applications are not accepted. Visa application forms and details of a recommended visa agency will be sent to you with your confirmation invoice. If using the visa agency, a single entry visa will cost £58.50.
Departure tax: Payable at overseas airports = 90 renminbi (approx $11USD)
Dominican Republic: Visitors to the Dominican Republic need a tourist card which can be purchased for £8 from the Dominican Embassy in London (Tel: 020 7727 6232) or on arrival in resort for $10.
Departure tax: $20 payable at the overseas airport
Dubai: Passports must be valid for 6 months after arrival in the UAE. A free visa is issued on arrival for 60 days.
Departure tax: none known
Egypt: Single entry tourist visas costing £15 are required. Visas may be applied for via the Egyptian Consulate
in London or can be purchased on arrival in Luxor or Sharm El Sheikh (however this may mean queuing at the airport). Tourists visiting Sharm El Sheikh do not strictly need a visa, but without one your movement will be restricted to within Sharm itself. Anyone wishing to travel outside Sharm (including divers) will need a visa which can be obtained as detailed above.
Departure tax: None known.
Gambia: No known visa requirements.
Departure tax: a £5 tourist levy is payable at the overseas airport on arrival (this is included in holidays from Nov 07)
Goa: All visitors require a visa for entry to India. Tourist visas cost £30 and are valid from the date of issue. Visa applications can be made via the Indian Embassy in London, prior to departure.
Departure tax: Included in price
Note: The cost of the above visa/tourist card is not included in the holiday price.
Kenya: A visa is required. Tourist visas cost £30 and should be applied for via the Kenya High Commission in London prior to departure. You may be able to apply on arrival in Kenya, but the cost will increase. If paying for your visa on arrival in Kenya you will be able to pay in US dollars (US$50) or pounds sterling (£35).
Departure tax: None known.
Maldives: A free tourist visa is issued for 30 days on arrival.
Departure tax: None known.
Mauritius: A visitor visa is granted for a period of 2 weeks to one month upon arrival provided the passenger has a valid passport and return/onward ticket.
Departure tax: Included in price.
Mexico: No known visa requirements.
Departure tax: $US45 or 480 Mexican Pesos.
South Africa: All visitors should have at least two blank pages in their passport for entry visa to be issued on arrival.
Departure tax: For flights to Hoedspruit, an arrival tax of ZAR 110 and a departure tax of ZAR 110 applies.
Sri Lanka: British Citizens, and most other nationalities, will be required to fill out a visitor/landing card, in order to be issued with a tourist visa free of charge on arrival at Colombo airport immigration.
Departure tax: Included in the price for scheduled flights only (1,000 rupees payable locally for charter flights)
Turkey: British Citizens require a tourist visa which can be obtained on arrival at the airport in Turkey at a cost of £10 payable in sterling. Note: This visa cost is not included in the holiday price.
NOTE: Unless otherwise stated, the cost of the above visas/tourist cards are not included in the holiday price.
MINORS SPECIAL NOTE
Minors travelling without their parents may need to carry documentation giving legal consent of the absent parent/s. This applies even if travelling with other adult family members, and in some countries, a sole accompanying parent will be required to produce appropriate legal consent of the absent parent, or proof of sole parental responsibility. At the time of going to press, this applies to under 18 years travelling to Mexico and for children under 13 years travelling to Dominican Republic. You must check with the Consulate of the destination country. The FCO Website may have information and/or links to the appropriate Country’s websites.
HEALTH ADVICE
You should obtain advice on vaccinations and health precautions appropriate to your holiday from your doctor in good time before departure, as vaccinations are required or recommended for certain destinations.
Any information we provide in this brochure is given in good faith but may not be up to date. You can obtain a copy of the Department of Health leaflet “Health Advice for Travellers” free by calling 0800 555 777. Also see the DoH website www.dh.gov.uk/hat or pages 460-464 on CEEFAX.
VACCINATIONS
Bulgaria: Vaccinations for Typhoid and Hepatitis A are recommended.
China: Vaccinations for Hepatitis A, Typhoid and Tetanus are recommended. It may be advisable to take Malaria tablets.
Croatia: Vaccinations for Typhoid and Hepatitis A are recommended.
Dominican Republic: Vaccinations for Hepatitis A and Typhoid are recommended.
Dubai: Vaccinations for Hepatitis A and Typhoid are recommended.
Egypt: Vaccinations for Typhoid, Chloera and Polio are recommended. It may also be advisable to take Malaria tablets.
Gambia: Vaccinations for Hepatitis A, Typhoid and Yellow fever are recommended. It may also be advisable to take Malaria tablets.
Goa: Vaccinations for Hepatitis A, Typhoid and Polio are recommended. It may be advisable to take Malaria tablets.
Kenya: Vaccinations for Hepatitis A, Typhoid, Tetanus, Polio, Yellow Fever and Cholera are recommended. Malaria tablets are also strongly advisable.
Maldives: Vaccinations for Hepatitis A, Typhoid, Polio and Tetanus are recommended. It may also be advisable to take Malaria tablets.
Mauritius: Vaccinations for Hepatitis A, Typhoid, Polio and Tetanus are recommended. Malaria tablets are also advisable.
Mexico: Vaccinations for Hepatitis A and Typhoid are recommended. It may also be advisable to take Malaria tablets.
Morocco: Vaccinations for Hepatitis A and Typhoid are recommended.
Montenegro: Vaccinations for Typhoid and Hepatitis A are recommended depending area visited.
South Africa: Vaccinations for Hepatitis A, Typhoid, Polio and Tetanus are recommended. It may also be advisable to take Malaria tablets.
Sri Lanka: Vaccinations for Hepatitis A, Typhoid and Polio are recommended. It may also be advisable to take Malaria tablets.
Tunisia: Vaccinations for Hepatitis A and Typhoid are recommended.
Turkey: Vaccinations for Hepatitis A and Typhoid are recommended. It may also be advisable to take Malaria tablets.
HOLIDAY HEALTHCARE IN EUROPE - EHIC
If you are a UK resident you are entitled to free, or reduced cost, state provided healthcare when visiting a European Union (EU) country. However to be covered you will need to take a new European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) with you, which you can get, free of charge. The new EHIC replaces the old E111 which has now expired. Therefore all travel after this date requires the new card. To apply visit the Department of Health's website: www.dh.gov.uk/travellers (please also note the section 'Getting treatment in countries inside the EEA') or by calling 0845 606 2030.
CURRENCY, TRAVELLER’S CHEQUES & CREDIT CARDS
It’s a good idea to take your spending money partly in foreign currency and partly in traveller’s cheques. Traveller’s cheques are the safest way to carry money as they are easily cashed for
a small service charge and you are covered if you lose them. Otherwise you’ll find MasterCard, Visa, American Express, Diners Club credit cards are widely accepted. As in the UK there may be a charge for the use of credit cards.
Please note: All European destinations except Malta, Cyprus, Turkey and Croatia use the Euro. At time of going to press Malta uses its own national currency, the Maltese Lira although the Euro is widely accepted. Cyprus uses the Cypriot Pound. Turkey uses Turkish Lira. Morocco uses the Moroccan Dirham. Tunisia uses the Tunisian Dinar. Croatia uses the Croatian Kuna. Bulgaria uses Bulgarian Lev. Mexico uses the New Mexican Peso. Dominican Republic uses the Dominican Peso. Egypt uses the Egyptian Pound. South Africa uses the Rand. Kenya uses Kenyan Schilling. Gambia uses Dalasi. Goa uses Indian Rupee. China uses Renminbi (yuan). Dubai uses UAE dirham (AED). Maldives uses Maldivian Rufiyaa, but US dollars are mainly used. Sri Lanka uses Sri Lankan Rupee. Mauritius uses Mauritian Rupee. USA uses the dollar. You should check for changes before you go. For more information visit: www.europa.eu.int/euro.
TRAVEL ADVICE
The Foreign & Commonwealth Travel Unit may have issued information about your holiday destination. You are advised to check this information on BBC2 (Ceefax) page 470 onwards or on the FCO website at: http://www.fco.gov.uk/knowbeforeyougo. Alternatively, you can contact them on 0845 850 2829 or the ABTA Information Department on 0891 202520 (calls charged at 50p/minute).
