France trip: trip done, my feedback!

Snyper564

Snyper564

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Hey guys so the planning is progressing for the trip in August.

It appears that the cheapest flights for France connect through Heathrow via BA.

I will literally be jumping off BA and climbing on Iberia on the way to France with Schengen Visa etc.

Do I need this thing? Direct Airside Transit visa?

I have read the when it applies thing but its not clear anyone travel in the last 6 months that can advise?
 
Congrats on the holiday planning - always nice to have something to look forward to!

£35 for a transit visa? They aren't exactly shy, are they?
 
Darryn85 said:
Congrats on the holiday planning - always nice to have something to look forward to!

£35 for a transit visa? They aren't exactly shy, are they?
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Its absolutely ridiculous if you ask me, but the overall flight is R3k cheaper so its worth the effort its just super annoying!

Unless I misunderstood how this works...
 
I suppose the overall R3k saving does make it worth it. Still, I'd view that as a grudge purchase!
 
Now you have me Googling flights to Paris in August. And they are pretty reasonable considering it's their peak season.
I see Kenya Airways is pretty fast and cheap too via Nairobi.
 
Darryn85 said:
Now you have me Googling flights to Paris in August. And they are pretty reasonable considering it's their peak season.
I see Kenya Airways is pretty fast and cheap too via Nairobi.
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I'm in 26 Jul out 10 Aug :) Kenya Airlines is horrible few with them to the Congo just over a year ago every flight was delayed by 4 hours....

Check kayak.com flights are cheaper than that.
 
Strange, I have flown with KQ a few times, admittedly just the JNB-NBO and return leg and have had zero issues - clean, new Boeing Dreamliners all the way...
I'm sure you are going to have a great time. Are you only doing Paris?
 
Darryn85 said:
Strange, I have flown with KQ a few times, admittedly just the JNB-NBO and return leg and have had zero issues - clean, new Boeing Dreamliners all the way...
I'm sure you are going to have a great time. Are you only doing Paris?
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No, my wife has a course she needs to attend in Toulouse up until the 28th then we renting a car and travelling from Toulouse towards the East and up to Paris. Still need to decide on all the stops but Toulouse, Carcasonne, Champagne, Lyon and Paris all feature.
 
Snyper564 said:
No, my wife has a course she needs to attend in Toulouse up until the 28th then we renting a car and travelling from Toulouse towards the East and up to Paris. Still need to decide on all the stops but Toulouse, Carcasonne, Champagne, Lyon and Paris all feature.
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Lekker! Enjoy!
 
You do need the visa, you can only avoid it if you have a USA/Canada visa and are on the way to one of these countries.

Obviously implies that they have zero confidence in their own airport security.
 
I thought the transit visa was a lot more expensive than GBP 35 but yes you need one. At least you know in advance so you can prepare.

Otherwise you would get to the airport and then be denied boarding!
 
Nothing to do with the visa but I work for a French company and have been to Lyon about 10 times in the last few years.

Don’t miss Lyon. Awesome place!
 
Yeah, I believe you need one. I see that you have already determined this, but for others going to/from USA via the UK, you don’t need one (UK has historically had an agreement with USA, having their checks supersede the transit visa requirements). Also if one has a US green card you don’t need one (for SAffers in US going to/from SA Heathrow is a common midpoint).
 
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The 35 pounds is nothing compared to the inconvenience and logistics involved in getting the %÷=\ing visa. Im surprised there arent cheaper flights via Dubai or similar
 
cguy said:
Yeah, I believe you need one. I see that you have already determined this, but for others going to/from USA via the UK, you don’t need one (UK has historically had an agreement with UK, having their checks supersede the transit visa requirements). Also if one has a US green card you don’t need one (for SAffers in US going to/from SA Heathrow is a common midpoint).
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Glad to see someone in the UK agrees with someone in the UK for once! was the fist or second UK misspelt?
 
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