Dublin via Ferry - need passport?

nej

Hi all,

I've actually done this journey about 20 times, but it was some time ago and I can't remember now... if I go via ferry from Holyhead to Dublin, do I need a passport?

I'm spending a week in North Wales in August and wouldn't mind popping over as a foot passenger for the day, but my passport expired (don't have a photo-driving licence either) and it's not worth renewing just for that.

milla

Have copied this from Irish Ferries site

Passports


Ireland/Britain Routes

Irish Ferries recommend all passengers bring a passport with them. Irish and British citizens do not strictly require a passport to travel between the two countries - some form of identification is however required.

Photo ID, Bank Cards or bills for house utilities addressed to you are all acceptable and useful means of identification.

sundancer101

As Dublin is in the republic of Ireland, not northern Ireland, I am 99% sure you will need a passport.

klb_3

Did the trip from Holyhead to Dun Laoghaire in April 2006 and we didn't need passports.

Out of 2 adults and 3 children my husband was the only one to actually have a passport.

Andy_L

Assuming you're a UK citizen you do NOT need a passport to vist the rebublic. However you WILL need photo ID to get on the ferry (ie for most people passport or driving license)

Vampgirl

sundancer101 wrote: »

As Dublin is in the republic of Ireland, not northern Ireland, I am 99% sure you will need a passport.

There's a special arrangement in place between the UK and Rep Ireland where citizens don't need a passport to travel between the two countries (should one of the countries join Schengen then obviously this will change). However you do need to carry ID to take a ferry or a plane, and if you're flying it has to be photo ID.

nej

Ok, thanks guys, so it sounds like if I take perhaps my bank cards, my council tax bill and maybe even my expired passport as kind of photo-evidence I might be Ok.

I was pretty sure I never used a passport before on various trips there. Nice to know I'm not going mad. Well, madder.

Although my kids won't have any utilities addressed to them, and neither will my sis-in-law (my wife might).... I'm sure we'll figure it out.

sundancer101

Vampgirl wrote: »

There's a special arrangement in place between the UK and Rep Ireland where citizens don't need a passport to travel between the two countries (should one of the countries join Schengen then obviously this will change). However you do need to carry ID to take a ferry or a plane, and if you're flying it has to be photo ID.

I stand corrected

paulinespens

Went a few weeks ago. The Irish Immigration just ask what your nationallity is.

vikingaero

Read this thread:

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=461417&highlight=passport

If you were born outside the UK and present a UK driving licence you could technically be refused entry as the UK driving licence can specify an overseas place of birth but no British Nationality. It's better to present a passport under these circumstances.

Also on a recent Dublin flight we were asked for ID for our 2 daughters even though the Ryanair site explicitly says that they do not require ID. Luckily we took their passports with us.

mobilecat

Whenever I have flown or shipped to Ireland I have always taken my apssport because its easy and useful to have for ID and hotels etc. but you only actually need photo ID (drivers L).