A weekend round-trip from Edinburgh to Cork for £36, or a proper package holiday to Mallorca for £205 are some of the deals being sold for departure on the original “Brexit Day”, 29 March.
Travel firms are cutting prices for the next few days and week as the Brexit chaos dampens consumer confidence and demand.
Ryanair, which has a policy of cutting prices to whatever level is necessary to fill its planes, is selling Friday afternoon and evening flights from the Scottish capital to Cork in southern Ireland for £36.
A choice of three outbound departures on 29 March, and two inbound flights on Sunday 31 March, are all available at the same price.
At this stage, only three days before departure, airlines would typically be raising fares to take advantage of late demand.
1/14 Passports
British passports that expire after 29 March 2019 will continue to be valid as UK travel documents, but will lose the power that comes with being a European Union passport – notably the right of free movement within the EU27.
UK passports issued from 30 March 2019 will have the words “European Union” removed from the cover and the first page (along with the translations into Welsh and Gaelic). But they will still be burgundy. By October 2019, new British passports will have dark blue covers
Getty
2/14 Pets
You will still be able to travel to the EU with your pet after Brexit, but it could well get more complicated depending on the status that the European Union decide to apply. If the UK is given “Part 2 listed status”, there would be some extra requirements for travelling pets and owners post-Brexit. “These would require an additional visit to the vet and some additional papers to be carried but would not prevent you from enjoying your trip,” says Eurotunnel.
But it adds that if the UK is given unlisted, third-country status, “owners who wish to travel with their pets from the UK to EU nations will need to discuss their specific preparations and requirements with an Official Veterinarian at least four months prior to their desired travel date
AFP/Getty
3/14 Eurotunnel/Eurostar
The Treaty of Canterbury between the UK and France governs the Channel Tunnel link and operations will continue – subject to any local disruption at Folkestone and/or Calais
AFP/Getty
4/14 Driving
Motorists, whether taking their own cars or hiring abroad, are likely to need to obtain an International Driving Permit or two; different EU countries are signed up to different treaties, so for a trip embracing Spain and France you would need both types.
These are currently sold from a limited number of Post Offices, but the government intends to make them widely available. The cost is £5.50 for each.
Motor insurance will no longer automatically extend to the EU. Insurers will provide on request a “Green Card”, for which an extra charge will be made
PA
5/14 Flights
Even in the event of a no-deal Brexit, flights will continue to operate between the UK and European Union.
However, in the event of the UK leaving with no deal, many flights are likely to be cancelled because departures would be capped at 2018 levels. As UK airlines have already announced thousands of new flights to Europe from the end of March 2019, some would have to be cancelled
Getty
6/14 Air routes
The network of flight links between Britain and eastern Europe could be affected by any reduction in the number of workers from those countries. Not only do they use the flights – so do their families and friends
PA
7/14 Flight disruption rights
Current European passengers’ rights rules, known as EC261/2004, stipulate high payouts for delays and cancellations that cannot be attributed to “extraordinary circumstances”. Buried in a document called Beyond the Horizon: The Future of UK Aviation, the government says “the UK will not fall below current standards of protection when we leave the EU”
AFP/Getty
8/14 Entry regulations to the European Union
From 11pm GMT on 29 March 2019, UK travellers will become “third-country nationals” when travelling to Schengen countries and subject to the standard rules of admission for citizens of nations such as the US, Japan and Australia. That means there must be at least 90 days (roughly three months) left on your passport beyond your intended date of departure.
Because third-country nationals can remain in the Schengen area for 90 days, the actual check carried out could be that the passport has at least six months’ validity remaining on the date of arrival
Getty
9/14 Online registration prior to travel – ETIAS
From 2021, non-EU nationals who do not require a visa to enter the Schengen area – including British travellers – will need to request prior authorisation to visit Schengen countries.
The Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) is aimed at reducing the “migration, security or public-health risk” from nationals of visa-exempt third countries, which is what the UK will become after Brexit. It costs €7 for three years
AFP/Getty
10/14 ‘Brexit clauses’
A large number of travel providers – even including National Express coaches – have added “Brexit clauses” to their terms and conditions. These generally specify that they will not be liable for “consequential losses” as a result of Brexit-related issues
PA
11/14 ‘Fast track’ lanes for passport control entering EU countries
British passport holders will not be able to use them, and must join the queue for third-country nationals.
People holding an EU passport or ID card as well as a British passport will be able to exit the UK on the British passport but enter Europe on the EU document
Getty
12/14 Ferries
The ferry industry insists vessels will continue to sail. The UK Chamber of Shipping says: “Unlike the carriage of cargo, trade deals do not have a significant effect on the cruise and passenger ferry industry. The explicit standardisation of commodity codes and tariffs associated with trade deals have little relevance to holidaymakers.”
Having said that, the government and Kent County Council are planning for possible chaos at Channel ports because of a backlog of trucks in the event of a no-deal Brexit. This would impinge on holidaymakers’ plans
PA
13/14 European Health Insurance Card (EHIC)
The EU says: “If you fall ill or have an accident during a visit to another EU country, as an EU citizen you have the right to receive the necessary public healthcare in any EU country under the same conditions as people in the host country.” The EHIC also works in Iceland, Norway, Switzerland and Liechtenstein.
Treatment, says the NHS, is “at a reduced cost or, in many cases, free of charge”.
From 11pm GMT on 29 March 2019, when the UK ceases to belong to the European Union, British travellers will have no automatic right to use the EHIC.
There is no certainty about what may replace it
PA
14/14 Mobile phones
From 30 March 2019, the law banning mobile phone firms from charging extra for calls and data in Europe will cease, though operators have yet to set out exactly what will replace it. In theory, mobile phone firms can impose whatever fees they think the market will bear.
But Dave Dyson, chef executive of Three, says his firm is “committed to maintain the availability of roaming in the EU at no additional cost following Brexit”
AFP/Getty
1/14 Passports
British passports that expire after 29 March 2019 will continue to be valid as UK travel documents, but will lose the power that comes with being a European Union passport – notably the right of free movement within the EU27.
UK passports issued from 30 March 2019 will have the words “European Union” removed from the cover and the first page (along with the translations into Welsh and Gaelic). But they will still be burgundy. By October 2019, new British passports will have dark blue covers
Getty
2/14 Pets
You will still be able to travel to the EU with your pet after Brexit, but it could well get more complicated depending on the status that the European Union decide to apply. If the UK is given “Part 2 listed status”, there would be some extra requirements for travelling pets and owners post-Brexit. “These would require an additional visit to the vet and some additional papers to be carried but would not prevent you from enjoying your trip,” says Eurotunnel.
But it adds that if the UK is given unlisted, third-country status, “owners who wish to travel with their pets from the UK to EU nations will need to discuss their specific preparations and requirements with an Official Veterinarian at least four months prior to their desired travel date
AFP/Getty
3/14 Eurotunnel/Eurostar
The Treaty of Canterbury between the UK and France governs the Channel Tunnel link and operations will continue – subject to any local disruption at Folkestone and/or Calais
AFP/Getty
4/14 Driving
Motorists, whether taking their own cars or hiring abroad, are likely to need to obtain an International Driving Permit or two; different EU countries are signed up to different treaties, so for a trip embracing Spain and France you would need both types.
These are currently sold from a limited number of Post Offices, but the government intends to make them widely available. The cost is £5.50 for each.
Motor insurance will no longer automatically extend to the EU. Insurers will provide on request a “Green Card”, for which an extra charge will be made
PA
5/14 Flights
Even in the event of a no-deal Brexit, flights will continue to operate between the UK and European Union.
However, in the event of the UK leaving with no deal, many flights are likely to be cancelled because departures would be capped at 2018 levels. As UK airlines have already announced thousands of new flights to Europe from the end of March 2019, some would have to be cancelled
Getty
6/14 Air routes
The network of flight links between Britain and eastern Europe could be affected by any reduction in the number of workers from those countries. Not only do they use the flights – so do their families and friends
PA
7/14 Flight disruption rights
Current European passengers’ rights rules, known as EC261/2004, stipulate high payouts for delays and cancellations that cannot be attributed to “extraordinary circumstances”. Buried in a document called Beyond the Horizon: The Future of UK Aviation, the government says “the UK will not fall below current standards of protection when we leave the EU”
AFP/Getty
8/14 Entry regulations to the European Union
From 11pm GMT on 29 March 2019, UK travellers will become “third-country nationals” when travelling to Schengen countries and subject to the standard rules of admission for citizens of nations such as the US, Japan and Australia. That means there must be at least 90 days (roughly three months) left on your passport beyond your intended date of departure.
Because third-country nationals can remain in the Schengen area for 90 days, the actual check carried out could be that the passport has at least six months’ validity remaining on the date of arrival
Getty
9/14 Online registration prior to travel – ETIAS
From 2021, non-EU nationals who do not require a visa to enter the Schengen area – including British travellers – will need to request prior authorisation to visit Schengen countries.
The Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) is aimed at reducing the “migration, security or public-health risk” from nationals of visa-exempt third countries, which is what the UK will become after Brexit. It costs €7 for three years
AFP/Getty
10/14 ‘Brexit clauses’
A large number of travel providers – even including National Express coaches – have added “Brexit clauses” to their terms and conditions. These generally specify that they will not be liable for “consequential losses” as a result of Brexit-related issues
PA
11/14 ‘Fast track’ lanes for passport control entering EU countries
British passport holders will not be able to use them, and must join the queue for third-country nationals.
People holding an EU passport or ID card as well as a British passport will be able to exit the UK on the British passport but enter Europe on the EU document
Getty
12/14 Ferries
The ferry industry insists vessels will continue to sail. The UK Chamber of Shipping says: “Unlike the carriage of cargo, trade deals do not have a significant effect on the cruise and passenger ferry industry. The explicit standardisation of commodity codes and tariffs associated with trade deals have little relevance to holidaymakers.”
Having said that, the government and Kent County Council are planning for possible chaos at Channel ports because of a backlog of trucks in the event of a no-deal Brexit. This would impinge on holidaymakers’ plans
PA
13/14 European Health Insurance Card (EHIC)
The EU says: “If you fall ill or have an accident during a visit to another EU country, as an EU citizen you have the right to receive the necessary public healthcare in any EU country under the same conditions as people in the host country.” The EHIC also works in Iceland, Norway, Switzerland and Liechtenstein.
Treatment, says the NHS, is “at a reduced cost or, in many cases, free of charge”.
From 11pm GMT on 29 March 2019, when the UK ceases to belong to the European Union, British travellers will have no automatic right to use the EHIC.
There is no certainty about what may replace it
PA
14/14 Mobile phones
From 30 March 2019, the law banning mobile phone firms from charging extra for calls and data in Europe will cease, though operators have yet to set out exactly what will replace it. In theory, mobile phone firms can impose whatever fees they think the market will bear.
But Dave Dyson, chef executive of Three, says his firm is “committed to maintain the availability of roaming in the EU at no additional cost following Brexit”
AFP/Getty
Tui, the UK’s biggest holiday company, is also reducing prices on Brexit day. It claims to have more than halved the price of a week in Mallorca, staying in an aparthotel in the pretty resort of Cala Bona, to £205 – including flights, luggage, transfers and accommodation.
Thomas Cook is selling a week from Birmingham to Lanzarote on 29 March for £234 per person, a trip which includes 3,500 miles of flying.
The UK is still officially set to leave the European Union at 11pm on Friday 29 March, with two further possible exit dates – 12 April without a deal, 22 May if Theresa May’s withdrawal agreement is passed – offered by the EU.
Ironically, even if by some accident the UK were to leave the European Union on 29 March, flights departing that day would be unaffected; British travellers are entitled to unrestricted entry to EU countries until the moment the UK leaves.
The fares and holiday prices on offer even during the school Easter holidays show a general reluctance to commit to short breaks and longer holidays.
One travel industry source, who did not want to be named, said: “I’ve never known an Easter like it. You usually get left with a few odds and sods but this year demand is really soft and there’s still loads to sell.”
On 12 April, when most schools are on holiday. Tui has a week’s holiday in Malta, flying from Manchester, including accommodation with breakfast, for £255 per person. The holiday firm says the normal price is £600 – though The Independent believes £400-£500 would be a more realistic cost.
Thomas Cook’s cheapest European Union deal on 12 April is a week in Tenerife, flying from Cardiff, for £360 per person.
City-breakers can take advantage of a return trip on Ryanair costing £87 from Prestwick in southwest Scotland to Barcelona, with good timings for a weekend away – early evening out on Friday 12 April, late evening back on Sunday 14 April.
Over Easter weekend, when demand is normally very strong, easyJet is offering a fare of £205 per person (based on two booking together) from Belfast to Venice – flying out on Good Friday, back on Easter Monday.
The budget airline has emailed passengers to calm any fears about flying after the UK leaves the European Union, saying: “Just in case you’re wondering if Brexit will affect your trip you can rest easy as we have it all covered.
“Regardless of the outcome of the ongoing Brexit debate we’ve been busy planning and will continue to fly as usual. So, all you need to do is concentrate on planning for your trip.”
One passenger who received the message said: “I’m wondering exactly what ‘it’ is, in the phrase ‘we have it all covered’?”
The airline is urging passengers to check whether their passport will still be valid for travel in the event of a no-deal Brexit.
