Should I book my holiday before Brexit or wait until after?
We have been operating escorted rail holidays through Europe for
45 years and are fully bonded members of ABTOT and ATOL, adhering
to the new The Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements
Regulations 2018.
In case you are worried about Brexit impacting on the price of
your holiday, our Price Guarantee ensures once your booking
is confirmed, we won't increase the price, even if our costs go up.
If you see your holiday advertised for less than you paid for it,
we'll refund the difference in vouchers.
The European Commission has confirmed flights and rail journeys
to and from the UK will still operate, and once you're in Europe,
even if you're travelling between different countries, you will not
be subjected to extra checks or restrictions.
Could my holiday be cancelled?
No, your holiday will not be cancelled because of Brexit.
Will I need a VISA to travel to Europe?
The European Commission has said that UK travellers won't need a
visa to visit the European Union, as long as EU visitors don't need
to apply for a visa when they come to the UK. From 2021, there's a
possibility you'll need to pay of fee of seven euros to enter the
EU, but this is yet to be confirmed.
Update! EU has confirmed UK to remain on list
of visa-exempt countries for short stay, even if there should be
no-deal. This is a reciprocal agreement with the EU.
Should I check my passport?
Yes. When travelling to the EU after brexit the UK
government strongly recommend that you have six months left on your
passport (measured from the last date of your holiday) before it
expires. If you need to renew your passport full details can be
found at www.gov.uk.
Will I still be able to use my European Health Insurance Card (EHIC)?
You won't be able to use your UK-registered European Health
Insurance Card if we have a no-deal Brexit. It's a good idea to
take out full travel insurance any time you travel to ensure you
are covered for the essentials.
Great Rail Journeys can provide your travel insurance, which is
specially designed for rail holidays, please contact our team for a
quote on 01904 527 105.
What about spending money?
It's difficult to predict what Brexit will mean for buying
foreign currency. We always try and make sure our holiday packages
include as much as possible to reduce your risk when it comes to
foreign currency exchange rates, but there are many bureau de
changes that will buy back currency at the rate you bought it for
after your holiday.
Will flights still operate?
UK citizens can be reassured that regardless of the Brexit
outcome planes will still fly between the UK and the EU: if a deal
is agreed then we will be in a transition period, meaning
everything will stay the same until the end of December 2020 and
flights will continue as normal. Even if we are in a no-deal
scenario, the European Commission has said that UK airlines will
still be able to operate flights between the UK and the EU. The UK
government has offered similar assurances for EU airlines.
Will Eurostar and other European train journeys be impacted?
I’VE GOT MEDICAL PRESCRIPTIONS; WILL I STILL BE ABLE TO FULFILL THEM IN EUROPE?
A medical prescription raised in the UK will no longer have
validity in the EU.
WHAT HAPPENS IF I BOOK TRAVEL AFTER 31ST January 2020 AND MY HOLIDAY GETS CANCELLED?
There's no indication that you will not be able to enjoy your
planned holiday, even if there's a no-deal scenario.
Customers who book a package holiday with us enjoy the most
comprehensive consumer protection: if you book a package, your
holiday will be protected under the Package Travel Regulations,
meaning you have a right to a full refund if your holiday can no
longer be provided.
The UK Government has confirmed that the Package Travel
Regulations will remain in the UK law when the UK leaves the EU
(source:
https://www.abta.com/tips-and-advice/brexit-advice-for-travellers
).