holidaymakers

Brits heading abroad have been warned the normal £94.50 fee can escalate under some circumstances

Brits planning to travel abroad this Easter have been warned not to make a crucial passport mistake which could leave them seriously out of pocket. Adult passport renewals currently cost £94.50 when applying online – in some circumstances this can soar.

Experts say people should be checking their passports immediately to make sure they are still valid, as the window for standard renewals is already beginning to tighten. With Easter Sunday falling on April 5 this year, travellers who have not yet checked their passports may already be close to the usual processing deadline for standard applications.

According to official government guidance, most UK passport applications are usually processed within three weeks or less, although travellers are advised to apply well before their trip whenever possible. A standard adult passport renewal currently costs £94.50 when applying online, while applications submitted using a paper form cost £107.

However, if you leave this too late, urgent processing services mean prices rise sharply. The government’s Premium one-day passport service, used for urgent adult renewals, now costs £222, more than twice the price of a standard online application.

Andrea Platania, travel expert at Transfeero, says the weeks leading up to Easter are a common moment when travellers suddenly realise their documents may need attention. It is then a race against time to make sure they can still travel.

He says: “Easter trips often creep up on people. Many families book their flights weeks or even months earlier, then only check their passports when they start preparing for the journey.”

According to Andrea, discovering a passport issue close to departure can quickly complicate travel plans. “Renewing a passport is normally straightforward if you give yourself enough time,” he says. “But when travellers realise just a few weeks before departure that their passport has expired or does not meet entry requirements, the situation becomes much more stressful.”

Because standard applications can take around three weeks to process, travellers who are planning to leave the UK around the Easter period may now be close to the point where urgent services become the only realistic option. Urgent passport services require travellers to attend an appointment at a passport office.

The Premium one-day service can provide a renewed passport within hours of the appointment, but the convenience comes at a significantly higher cost. Andrea says this situation is surprisingly common during busy travel periods.

“People often assume passport renewals can be sorted out quickly at the last minute,” he explains. “But if the departure date is already approaching, travellers may find themselves forced to use urgent services that cost far more than the standard application.”

He advises travellers to treat passport checks as one of the very first steps when planning any international trip. He said: ” “When you start looking at flights and accommodation, that is the moment to check your passport. If it needs renewing, doing it early keeps the process simple and affordable.”

He also notes that some countries require passports to remain valid for several months beyond the date of travel, meaning a passport that appears valid may still not meet entry rules, warning: “That is another detail people often overlook. A passport might technically still be valid, but it may not meet the entry requirements of the country you are visiting.”

With Easter travel approaching quickly, Andrea says travellers who have not yet checked their passports should do so as soon as possible. “A quick check today can prevent a lot of stress later,” he says. “If your passport needs renewing, acting early helps you avoid both the pressure and the much higher cost of urgent processing.”

The ORICO small power strip is smaller than a mobile phone and features a wrap-around design that can fit into any package suitcase

For anyone who regularly travels, be it for work or pleasure, they’ll know the familiar frustration of arriving at a hotel room to discover there are barely any plug sockets – and the ones that do exist are often hidden behind beds, miles away from a mirror or in awkward corners. With most people now travelling with multiple devices, from phones and smartwatches to tablets, cameras and laptops, an extension cable has become a travel essential, and we’ve found one on offer for under £15.

For a limited time, the ORICO Travel Extension Lead has been reduced from £21.99 to £14.99 in the Amazon spring sale. Designed specifically with travel in mind, the small power strip is roughly the size of a smartphone and features a wrap-around cable so it packs neatly into a suitcase or hand luggage without taking up valuable space.

Despite its compact design, it still manages to offer plenty of charging options. The device includes two traditional plug sockets alongside two USB-A ports and a USB-C port, allowing travellers to power up to five gadgets at once. That means you can charge your phone, laptop, camera and other devices from a single wall socket without needing multiple adapters, especially if travelling abroad.

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One feature shoppers have praised is how flat it is, meaning it can fit into tighter spaces than traditional plugs. The staggered socket layout also prevents one plug from blocking another, making it easier to use every available port.

Safety features have also been built into the design, including protection against overheating, overcharging and short circuits, while the extension cord itself uses thick copper wiring designed to handle higher currents. The casing is also flame-retardant, adding an extra layer of reassurance when charging multiple devices overnight.

Orico Travel Extension Lead

£21.99

£14.99

Amazon

Buy here

ORICO small power strip is smaller than a mobile phone and features a wrap-around design that can fit into any package suitcase.

For travellers looking for alternatives, there are a few other compact charging solutions worth considering. The Anker Tower Extension Lead is another popular option, offering a similar combination of standard plug and USB ports. However, this is more expensive at £29.99.

Meanwhile, the Belkin 8-Outlet Surge Protector Power Strip is £39.99 down from £44.99, with room for 12 plugs plus 2 USB-C ports – though no USB-A ports on this particular design.

Shoppers who have already bought the ORICO extension lead say it’s become a go-to travel accessory thanks to its size and practicality. One reviewer said: “Great travel pack! Comes with a really handy tie to keep the wires nice and neat. Two USB ports and two plugs, really good to charge all your devices on the move.”

Another wrote: “Very convenient and compact! I love how this wraps up perfectly for travel or for my work bag. I have had no issues with it, and all the ports work well. I use this to charge my MacBook Pro.”

Of course, not every experience has been perfect. One reviewer said their extension lead stopped working after several trips, though they added that the company rectified the issue. They said: “Bought it in July for travel use but stopped working in November after about four trips. Update: After posting my review, the company reached out and offered a refund or replacement.”

One said it was ‘brilliant for packing for holiday’, adding: “Took up little space. Had USB ports for all devices.”

Another shopper commented: “ It’s the best for travelling. My kids travel and I bought one for each of them. It also makes a good gift. Something people don’t think about but need. Most people have multiple devices to plug in and having one power strip is awesome! It is also the perfect size.”

Whether it’s the train station, airport, holiday home or busy cafe, this nifty extension cable has become essential for many who need plenty of power on the go, without needing to sit right next to a socket. Shoppers can find the deal here.

DUE to the ongoing crisis in the Middle East, many Brits will find their holiday plans postponed or cancelled.

From those who are stranded in the UAE or supposed to be heading abroad, what does the conflict mean when it comes to travel insurance and your airline rights?

Well, UK travellers stranded across the globe or due to fly via the Middle East in the coming days have very different rights depending on who they booked their trip with.

Those who booked flights with a non UK or EU airline like Emirates, Etihad or Qatar and were travelling from a destination outside the UK via the Middle Eastern hubs have limited rights compared to those who are travelling with a UK or EU airline or flying directly in or out of the UK.

UK passenger rights mean airlines have a duty of care to provide you with food and drink while you are delayed as well as a way to communicate by email or phone and overnight hotels and transfers if needed. 

Under these same rights, the airline must get you to your destination as soon as is possible, even if that involves a different airline.

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However, those travelling on non UK or EU flights from elsewhere in the world to the big hub airports in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Qatar do not get the same rights.

This could be someone travelling from Thailand back to the UK via Dubai that is now stranded in Thailand as flights have been cancelled and the airspace is closed.

Airlines in this case MUST get you to your destination as soon as possible but there is no legal right to meals, accommodation or communication.

They also must provide you with a refund if you choose not to travel but beware of this option. The minute you accept a refund, the airline has no duty of care to you and no obligation to re-route you.

You would then need to book new flights yourself, which may be significantly more expensive. Travel insurance would not cover the difference between a refunded ticket and a new booking.

Despite this, the General Civil Aviation Authority in the UAE have – in a very rare move – confirmed that the state would be covering all accommodation and hosting costs for stranded passengers.

Of course, this only applies to Brits who are stranded in the UAE, so the likes of Dubai or Abu Dhabi.

Due to its location many holidaymakers will pass through the likes of Dubai or Doha before travelling onwards during an indirect journey.

In fact more than half a million travellers head through the hubs of Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Doha every day.

For Brits, many long-haul flights to destinations like Thailand, Australia and South Africa generally stop in these airports.

Due the ongoing conflict, the airspace has been closed, as have the airports in Dubai and Doha.

Meanwhile, Abu Dhabi is starting up very limited flights with Etihad Airways.

Tim Riley, MD of travel insurer True Traveller and chairman of the UK Travel Industry Association, which represents all the major UK insurers, has advice for impacted travellers.

He explained that while airlines have an obligation to re-route passengers, they cannot override certain situations.

Tim said: “The primary issue in the current situation is airspace closures and the inability to leave the country.

“Travel insurance cannot override government airspace restrictions or operate repatriation flights.

“Airlines have a legal obligation to re-route passengers to their final destination once services resume, whether on their own aircraft or with an alternative carrier.”

Airlines are releasing statements on imminent trips, and head here for the latest updates on flights and holidays.

Here’s where you’ll find information on Cyprus airport which was evacuated as easyJet and British Airways among 60 flights to cancel.

And for staycations, here’s the beautiful UK holiday hotspot with shipwrecks, seals and horseshoe-shaped waterfalls.

UK travellers may not be aware of certain rules

Those planning a holiday are being urged to check their passports, due to lesser-known travel rules that have come into effect post-Brexit. Anyone living in the UK will require a valid passport for international travel.

You can apply for a British passport if you’re a British citizen, a British overseas territories citizen, a British overseas citizen, a British subject, a British national (overseas), or a British protected person. To obtain a new or replacement document, an application must be submitted to HM Passport Office, with the current average processing time standing at three weeks or less.

Travellers should check their passport well ahead of any holiday plans. This is because you could be turned away at the airport if yours isn’t valid.

Alvaro Iturmendi from Confused.com said: “It is easier to get caught out than you might think. Our research found that less than half (43%) holidaygoers, know that if you are heading to the EU, your passport must have been issued less than 10 years before your departure date.”

As Mr Iturmendi pointed out, all UK passport holders heading to the Schengen zone must make certain their passport’s “date of issue” is within 10 years of their arrival date. Furthermore, the passport’s “expiry date” must be at least three months beyond their intended departure from the Schengen zone

Should your passport fall short of entry requirements, you’ll almost certainly be refused boarding at your departure airport. So it’s absolutely worth double-checking yours immediately.

And if you need a replacement passport in a hurry, it could cost you as much as £235. The current estimated processing time is a maximum of three weeks, though government officials say it can sometimes take longer “if we need more information, or we need to interview you”.

Those to whom this applies will be contacted within the three-week timeframe. A standard adult passport, for those aged 16 and above, costs £94.50 when applying online, or £107 when using the paper application form.

If you need a passport urgently, a one-week fast track document costs up to £191 for an adult. A one-day premium service costs up to £235.