Visas - Travelling to Europe

Last Updated: Jan. 19, 2012

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

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 (26)

  1. One country missing from the list is Belarus which is included on the Scandinavia/Russia tour. I’m not too sure about other countries but I’m from Australia and by having a look on the DFAT website, Australian’s do need a visa for this country also, not too sure if coming from Russia or having the Russian Visa changes this though?!?!?

    Jen_auJen_au posted on Nov. 06, 2011 Flag as Inappropriate

  2. Thank you for sharing some great information on this. Sometimes it can be a little bit hard remembering everything with visa so it’s always good to find a place where you can get some advice and help. It constantly depends on which country you come from and is going to visit.

    Daniel
    Stockholm Apartments

    Default_avatarExplorer1271434 posted on Aug. 05, 2011 Flag as Inappropriate

  3. I have a New Zealand Passport and it says I dont need any visas, what if I’m re-entering multiple times, does that count?

    AlishaDaviesAlishaDavies posted on Jan. 28, 2011 Flag as Inappropriate

  4. i got my sights set on going to russia…

    how was the visa process?
    did anyone experience difficulties in acquiring your visas?

    hope you can help me on this
    thanks

    paul360paul360 posted on Nov. 21, 2010 Flag as Inappropriate

  5. Hi, I am looking to obtain my visas once I am in the country. Can anyone tell me if it is better obtaining them before leaving as opposed to once there? Just trying to save on money…

    Chante'Chante' posted on Nov. 15, 2010 Flag as Inappropriate

  6. one for the aussies, ya dont need any visas for western europe, only need one for egypt and turkey if thats on your tour, pretty sure you get it on arrival, but everyone check the wikipedia page on worldwide visas and itll tell ya

    mick82mick82 posted on Jun. 08, 2010 Flag as Inappropriate

  7. I am taking the European Magic Tour in July. We will be going through a few places. From the looks of the chart above, i don’t think i need Visas for any of the countries. Can someone confirm with me?

    justJennjustJenn posted on Apr. 30, 2010 Flag as Inappropriate

  8. i need to a agent for tuors work in uropa

    Default_avatarExplorer1169658 posted on Feb. 17, 2010 Flag as Inappropriate

  9. I’m travelling to europe soon – the “Winter Wanderer” – and as I am an Australian citizen, wont’ be needing a visa for a short stay. However, I’m not sure whether multiple entries to the same country changes the situation.

    I will be entering France, Austria & Germany more than once, but will be staying within the Schnegen region throughout the trip. Will I need a multiple entry visa?

    Default_avatarExplorer1158626 posted on Dec. 01, 2009 Flag as Inappropriate

  10. How much will my visa cost? I’m from the US. I will need a visa for Turkey and Egypt. How can I find out the cost?? If it easier to get it at the airport…how can I find out how much I will have to pay?

    Thanks

    Default_avatarNancy posted on Nov. 23, 2009 Flag as Inappropriate

  11. 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

  12. 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

  13. 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

  14. 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

  15. 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

  16. 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

  17. 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

  18. 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

  19. 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

  20. 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
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