Visas - Travelling to Europe
Last Updated: Nov. 08, 2009
More Tour and Travel Advice for Europe
Depending on the nationality of the passport you are traveling on you may require visas to enter countries included on your tour. Every country in Europe has different entry requirements.
You are responsible for obtaining all the necessary visas prior to the departure of your tour. You can consult your travel agent but the only truly reliable source of visa and entry requirements are the consulates of the countries themselves.
Travel agents often offer visa services and you should obtain multiple entry visa whenever possible.
Importantly, you should check the date of your travel with the validity of your visa/s.
Contiki is prohibited by law from knowingly carrying clients without correct visas.
If you are traveling on a non-European Union passport and are a resident of the United Kingdom (UK) you may be able to obtain visas in the UK otherwise it is advisable to obtain them from consulates in your home country.
Important Information
- Visas can take up to six weeks to obtain
- Failure to obtain all the necessary visa could cause you to miss part of your tour and could result in considerable expense and inconvenience to you.
- Visas are your responsibility. Check to ensure the dates are correct.
Multiple Entry Visas
On many occasions during our tours you will enter the same country twice. If you require a visa for such a country, you need to stipulate this when you are applying for the visa to ensure that the visa is valid for more than one entry. Check tours with multiple entries into countries to see which countries on your tour are visited more than once.
Generally it is always advisable to gain multi entry visas as you never know when or if you may like or need to go back into a country.
Schengen Visas
While the Schengen Visa covers most European countries, not all countries in Europe are part of the Schengen Agreement. If you require a Schengen Visa to travel in Europe Multiple entry visas are a must. For more information on Schengen Visas please look at www.eurovisa.info.
Russian Visas
All clients need visas for Russia – ensure you have yours before you leave as well as others you may need (Poland for example). Contact Contiki or your travel agent for more information.
United Kingdom Visa for South African Passport Holders
The British High Commission has informed us that as of 3 March 2009, South African passport holders wishing to visit OR transit the United Kingdom will need to obtain a visa before travelling. There will be a temporary exemption to this requirement for those who have previously travelled to the UK while using their current and valid passport.
If you have previously travelled to the United Kingdom using your current passport, you will qualify for the exemption and will not need to apply for a visa at this time. This is however a temporary exemption until mid 2009 and we urge you to keep updated with any changed
See the following link for more information – ukinsouthafrica.fco.gov.uk/en/visas-for-the-uk/.
Other European Countries
Please Note: It is your responsibility to obtain the correct visas for your tour. This chart should be used as a rough guide only as visa requirements often change.
This information is correct as of 1 August 2007 and should be used as a guide only. If you are unsure or your passport issuing country is not listed, please check the consulate web sites of the countries you will be visiting. If visas are required you should obtain multi entry visas when possible.
| Passport/ Country |
Australia | Canada | EU/UK | Japan | South Korea |
Mexico | New Zealand |
South Africa |
USA |
| Albania | N*** | N*** | N*** | N*** | N*** | Y*** | N*** | Y*** | N*** |
| Austria | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | Y** | N |
| Belgium | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | Y** | N |
| Bulgaria | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | Y | N |
| Croatia | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | Y | N |
| Czech | N | N | Y | N | N | N | N | Y** | N |
| Denmark | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | Y** | N |
| Finland | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | Y** | N |
| France | N | N | Y | N | N | N | N | Y** | N |
| Germany | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | Y** | N |
| Greece | N | N | Y | N | N | N | N | Y** | N |
| Hungary | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | Y** | N |
| Italy | N | N | Y | N | N | N | N | Y** | N |
| Latvia | N | N | Y | N | N | N | N | Y** | N |
| Montenegro | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | Y | N |
| Netherlands | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | Y** | N |
| Norway | N | N | Y | N | N | N | N | Y** | N |
| Poland | N | N | Y | N | N | N | N | Y** | N |
| Russia | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Slovakia | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | Y** | N |
| Spain | N | N | Y | N | N | N | N | Y** | N |
| Sweden | N | N | Y | N | N | N | N | Y** | N |
| Switzerland | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N |
| Turkey | Y* | Y* | Y | N | N | N | N | Y | Y* |
| Egypt | Y* | Y* | Y* | Y* | Y* | Y* | N | Y | Y* |
Y = Yes – Visa required,
Y* = Yes – Visa can be obtained on entry at the border,
Y** = Yes – Schengen Visa required – Multiple Entry,
Y*** = Yes – Visa required plus border tax upon entry,
N = No Visa required – please note however some restrictions on length of stay may apply,
N*** = No Visa required – border tax payable upon entry
Add a Comment Comments (20)
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I’m going on a European contrasts tour on an Australian passport, do I need a Schengen visa?
Explorer1154318
posted on Oct. 19, 2009
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I just had a look at the table on the top deck website- that one says that uk/ire etc DONT need a visa for france and italy
Explorer1152045
posted on Sep. 26, 2009
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I will be travelling on an irish passport, but according to the table- I need a visa for france and italy- thats not right is it???
Explorer1152045
posted on Sep. 26, 2009
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I am confused! I have a british passport and as far as I understood it this should allow me entry into all EU countries. Why do I need a visa for France and Italy when they are part of the EU?
aeiou
posted on Aug. 18, 2009
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I’m an Australian with dual citizenship with the United Kingdom. I was planning on using my British passport on the tour, assuming you didn’t need a visa with an EU passport, but the legend indicates you need a visa to enter France and Italy.
Is this correct? Should I just use my Australian passport instead?Loz87
posted on Aug. 13, 2009
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Hi there, I am booked for the European Adventurer Tour, Departing 9th June. I am aware that I can travel without a visa on this tour if travelling on an Australian passport, but could you please confirm that this will allow for multiple entry or would I still need to apply for a Multiple Entry Schengen Visa as well?
I do also hold a French passport. Thanks very much!
tash
posted on Apr. 19, 2009
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Hi, I’ve booked the Golden Fleece tour and it says in the travel catelogue that if I require a Schengen Visa that it must be a multi entry Visa. I’m having trouble understanding this. I have a Canadian passport. Do I need any sort of visa to get into Turkey? How about England, France, Italy, Greece or Germany? And if so which Visa would cover all of those countries?
sammie_905820
posted on Apr. 03, 2009
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I’m doing the European explorer with Greek island cruising leaving June 28th …. i have an Aussie passport.. do i need a visa? The trips all paid for just wanted to double check.. thanks so much!!
strangerscandy
posted on Jan. 23, 2009
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Hi Im going on the European Adventurer tour on a British/UK passport. Do I need any visas?
Explorer1106941
posted on Jan. 23, 2009
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I live in NZ do i need a visa for Europe & Egypt? How much NZD do they cost? how do i get one?
Casey
posted on Oct. 30, 2008
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hey guys, im planning on doing the European Explorer incl. Cruising – Option 2 tour in aug 09. i am going to have an australian and english passport, i tried to use the legend, and i dont think ill need any visa’s.. but if you could clear it up for me just to clarify it would be AWESOME!
Scotty Becks
posted on Sep. 03, 2008
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Yes, it’s usually a lot cheaper (and easier) to pick up your Egyptian visa at Cairo airport rather than applying for one at home.
mattyvcontiki
posted on Jul. 17, 2008
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Is it okay for me to get my Egyptian visa when I land in Cairo? It’s a lot more expensive for me to do it before I leave Canada.
KMac
posted on Jul. 09, 2008
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Yes – Visa can be obtained on entry at the border, does this mean i have to apply for a visa before i leave autralia or i can sort it out as i enter the countries?
Explorer1099711
posted on May. 13, 2008
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No, you won’t need any visas…just make sure you have your travel documents (plane tickets, etc) so you can prove to immigration that you’re not overstaying your welcome.
mattyvcontiki
posted on Apr. 28, 2008
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Do I need a Visa for Italy, France, or England, if I have a US Passport?
Adventure Seeker
posted on Apr. 26, 2008
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I’m am currently in the middle of obtaining my Irish Passport.. this is a european passport I’m pretty sure… will i still need visa’s to get into european countries with a european passport?.. is there a site i can use to find out?
Dave
posted on Apr. 21, 2008
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Ireland is part of the EU so you won’t need a visa to travel anywhere in the EU if you are traveling on your Irish passport. As far as countries outside of the EU, you’re best bet will be to check the embassy web sites of the countries you want to visit.
mattyvcontiki
posted on Apr. 21, 2008
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hi there
if you are a colombian then you have to per this article “Regulation No 539/2001.pdf” (go to Annex I) at this link.
http://ec.europa.eu/justice_home/fsj/freetravel/thirdcountry/fsj_freetravel_thirdcountry_en.htm
i just checked mine.
boiler
posted on Feb. 03, 2008
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what about if your a colombian citizen?! would i have to apply for the schengen and the other ones?
Shasato
posted on Feb. 02, 2008
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