-
Our new ticketing site is now live! Using either this or the original site (both powered by TrainSplit) helps support the running of the forum with every ticket purchase! Find out more and ask any questions/give us feedback in this thread!
Identification Requirements for UK travel
- Thread starter Jan Mayen
- Start date
Sponsor Post - registered members do not see these adverts; click here to register, or click here to log in
R
RailUK Forums
3rd rail land
Member
You often get asked for photo ID for flights within the UK. Doesn't have to be a passport but in my case it is the only valid photo ID I have.
The government does not require ID to travel domestically, however when you are in a UK airport or ferry port you may be required to provide ID on demand to the police.
Airlines may ask for ID because they do not want tickets to be transferred to other people.
BA and Ryanair require any form of photo ID for domestic flights. EasyJet only requires photo ID if you check a bag.
Ferries generally do not ask for ID, but they may do so rarely.
Airlines may ask for ID because they do not want tickets to be transferred to other people.
BA and Ryanair require any form of photo ID for domestic flights. EasyJet only requires photo ID if you check a bag.
Ferries generally do not ask for ID, but they may do so rarely.
Tetchytyke
Veteran Member
Photo ID, but doesn’t need to be a passport. I normally travel domestically on my driving licence.
Whilst easyJet say they only require ID if you check a bag, in practice you do get some easyJet gate staff ask for it from everyone. Better to take the ID and save an argument.
The Steam Packet say they require photo ID but enforcement is varied. Seems to depend what mood they’re in. I’m not sure about Stena or CalMac.
Calmac don't require ID (oddly their FAQs specifically say that you don't need a passport, rather than ID in general, but a) it would presumably say if you needed some form of ID, and b) I've never experienced or heard of it being required).
I thought I'd read somewhere that Northlink required ID, but their website indicates that you don't unless you're claiming a student discount.
On both occasions that I've arrived at Birkenhead on the boat form Belfast, I've been asked for ID by the port police, although not by the ferry company.
I presume that flights on small planes to and from small islands don't need ID, and in my very limited experience they don't, but it would probably be wise to check before making such a journey.
I thought I'd read somewhere that Northlink required ID, but their website indicates that you don't unless you're claiming a student discount.
On both occasions that I've arrived at Birkenhead on the boat form Belfast, I've been asked for ID by the port police, although not by the ferry company.
I presume that flights on small planes to and from small islands don't need ID, and in my very limited experience they don't, but it would probably be wise to check before making such a journey.
Ryanair specifically required a passport for domestic flights, rather than just photo ID.
Personally I would just chuck it in my bag when flying anyway regardless of the airline (save for any short hops) remember that EasyJet flight that diverted to France the other year?
Personally I would just chuck it in my bag when flying anyway regardless of the airline (save for any short hops) remember that EasyJet flight that diverted to France the other year?
That was a long time ago.
See the table entry for UK under 2.2 Domestic flights - photo ID accepted in the Terms and Conditions for Ryanair UK dated 3 June 2024 for the present situation
Bletchleyite
Veteran Member
I believe the requirement for Ryanair to have a passport (which did exist for many years) was because their online check-in software couldn't cope with the long number on a driving licence, and being a frugal outfit they didn't want to pay for that to be changed. If it has now changed I suspect it was as a result of them having changed said software for something that does support driving licences or doesn't require the number to be entered at all.
I don't know where people are getting easyJet not requiring it from, as their website says:
And I have always been asked for it when flying with them. BA didn't used to require it if not checking a bag but do now. Loganair still don't.
DelW
Established Member
- Joined
- 15 Jan 2015
- Messages
- 4,723
I flew to and from Guernsey last year using my English bus pass as ID, which was accepted without comment. I also used Condor ferries between there and Jersey and I don't remember photo ID being asked for.
I've made hundreds of domestic flights on BA with only my non-photo Exec Club card as ID, but those were a few years ago now.
I've made hundreds of domestic flights on BA with only my non-photo Exec Club card as ID, but those were a few years ago now.
BA started requiring ID for all domestic flights on 1st September 2023
Cloud Strife
Established Member
- Joined
- 25 Feb 2014
- Messages
- 2,346
If you don't have any photo ID, it's not a problem in itself as the law doesn't require it. The only obligation to carry ID in the UK is in Northern Ireland when driving a vehicle, which contrasts to the rules in GB. Of course, if you don't have something to show them (even a bus pass or whatever), then they might ask you a few more questions. But in itself, it's not mandatory by law, and it wasn't even mandatory during The Troubles. The fact that NI didn't have mandatory ID during The Troubles is surprising in itself, but that's how it was.
About Easyjet as mentioned above: the Easyjet ground handling policy specifically only requires photo ID on domestic flights if the passenger is checking in a bag. Otherwise, it's not required and rarely asked for. They're a bit more keen on asking for it in Belfast, but it's still not mandatory.