Visas - Travelling to Europe

Last Updated: Nov. 08, 2009

Tags: visa, passport, travel and tour advice, europe

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)

  1. I’m going on a European contrasts tour on an Australian passport, do I need a Schengen visa?

    Default_avatarExplorer1154318 posted on Oct. 19, 2009 Flag as Inappropriate
  2. 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

    Default_avatarExplorer1152045 posted on Sep. 26, 2009 Flag as Inappropriate
  3. 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???

    Default_avatarExplorer1152045 posted on Sep. 26, 2009 Flag as Inappropriate
  4. 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?

    Default_avataraeiou posted on Aug. 18, 2009 Flag as Inappropriate
  5. 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?

    Default_avatarLoz87 posted on Aug. 13, 2009 Flag as Inappropriate
  6. 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!

    tashtash posted on Apr. 19, 2009 Flag as Inappropriate
  7. 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_905820sammie_905820 posted on Apr. 03, 2009 Flag as Inappropriate
  8. 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!!

    strangerscandystrangerscandy posted on Jan. 23, 2009 Flag as Inappropriate
  9. Hi Im going on the European Adventurer tour on a British/UK passport. Do I need any visas?

    Explorer1106941Explorer1106941 posted on Jan. 23, 2009 Flag as Inappropriate
  10. I live in NZ do i need a visa for Europe & Egypt? How much NZD do they cost? how do i get one?

    Default_avatarCasey posted on Oct. 30, 2008 Flag as Inappropriate
  11. 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!

    Default_avatarScotty Becks posted on Sep. 03, 2008 Flag as Inappropriate
  12. 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.

    mattyvcontikimattyvcontiki posted on Jul. 17, 2008 Flag as Inappropriate
  13. 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.

    Default_avatarKMac posted on Jul. 09, 2008 Flag as Inappropriate
  14. 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?

    Default_avatarExplorer1099711 posted on May. 13, 2008 Flag as Inappropriate
  15. 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.

    mattyvcontikimattyvcontiki posted on Apr. 28, 2008 Flag as Inappropriate
  16. Do I need a Visa for Italy, France, or England, if I have a US Passport?

    Default_avatarAdventure Seeker posted on Apr. 26, 2008 Flag as Inappropriate
  17. 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?

    Default_avatarDave posted on Apr. 21, 2008 Flag as Inappropriate
  18. 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.

    mattyvcontikimattyvcontiki posted on Apr. 21, 2008 Flag as Inappropriate
  19. 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.

    Default_avatarboiler posted on Feb. 03, 2008 Flag as Inappropriate
  20. what about if your a colombian citizen?! would i have to apply for the schengen and the other ones?

    ShasatoShasato posted on Feb. 02, 2008 Flag as Inappropriate

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