Ensuring your passport is valid

When booking a holiday abroad you should always check that you have a valid passport, as unlike other things, there is no leniency when it comes to travelling without one.

An adult passport is valid for 10 years and a child one for 5 years. Even new born babies must have a valid passport to travel following the recent changes in the law. Despite how much the child will change, they can still use the passport for five years.

If you do have to apply for a new passport it can take up to 6 weeks so make sure you have one prior to booking a last minute holiday to avoid disappointment. You can apply for a passport directly in person but this is costly and often you will have to go to the passport office which may be quite far from your home. Always check that you have enough pages left in your passport too, as if not, you will not be allowed to travel.