Hello. My boyfriend and I would like to purchase a one way airline ticket into England (most likely Manchester, as it seems to be cheaper). However, we have heard that Customs will hassle us and possibly not let us in the country if we don't have proof that we are going to leave, for example a return ticket home or a Eurail pass. I have looked at lots of websites and even talked to airlines and travel agents, and they all say different things! Does anyone have any experience with this? Thanks.
Posted by
Portland, OR, USA
389 posts
Hey Katie, the only time I know of was a Canadian friend of mine trying to come into the US. They flat refused her without a work or student visa. I'd suggest contacting the British consulate in Vancouver. They can give you what you need to know.
Posted by
OP
surrey, canada
10 posts
Thanks a lot! I'll check with them.
Posted by
OP
surrey, canada
10 posts
Hello again. Someone suggested to me that we purchase return tickets and simply pay a fee to change the return date whenever we are ready to head home. This would reduce our time wasted at borders, but does anyone know how expensive it would be?
Posted by
Ottawa, Canada
4555 posts
If you purchase regular economy tickets, you will probably be able to change the date for a fee....charges vary with individual airlines. But these tickets will probably be very expensive. Sale or discount fares may not be changeable, or refundable....again, check with your airline. Whichever way, you'll pay for the convenience of altering our schedule.
Posted by
Los Angeles, CA, USA
1003 posts
Do you not have any kind of ticket out of the country? For example I fly into London but I have a plane ticket to Lisbon 3 days later, etc.... I have all my flights booked throughout my trip, and my flight home is on a different airline out of Rome... this should be enough? Or are you talking about trying to enter with no means of transport out of the country? I don't know the British law on it but just from a common sense standpoint, as Kim says, I can't imagine them NOT having a problem with that...good luck though!
Posted by
OP
surrey, canada
10 posts
No we don't have tickets booked for our travel throughout Europe. We are going to buy a Eurail pass, but the goal of our trip was to be able to go wherever we wanted whenever we wanted. For example, if we really like Portugal we can spend 2 weeks there and if we hate Switzerland we can spend only 2 days there. That was why we wanted a one way ticket, because we don't have an exact date set that we are returning home. Thanks for all the input so far!
Posted by
Montreal, Quebec, Canada
8293 posts
N.B. THIS THREAD IS SIX YEARS OLD