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ETA Questions

Noreen

We're traveling through LHR this summer and were wondering about the UK ETA travel permit requirement for transiting passengers. No doubt some Tauck travelers have had some experience with the UK ETA since it was rolled out on 8 Jan 2025. We just want to avoid an administrative problem and would certainly get the ETA permit if necessary. Typically, when we transit through LHR, we arrive at one terminal and will need to get to a different terminal for our follow on flight in Europe. In the past we've had to take an airport bus and short subway train when changing terminals for connecting flights. Once at the outbound terminal, we've had to scan in our boarding passes at a kiosk and then are directed to a queue for additional security screening before working our way to the departure gate. We were not asked and didn't show our passports to any UK immigration or border control officer during the 'Connecting Passengers' transit time which lasted only a couple of hours totally within LHR airport. Has anyone experienced a similar transit at Heathrow since the UK ETA program started? Was anyone with a transit like I described asked about having a UK ETA or were asked to show their passport for ETA verification. Clearly understand if we're actually passing through the airport and staying in the UK or even leaving the airport for a night before traveling on that we do need an UK ETA. It's just travelers in the transiting passengers scenario like us who are making a connecting flight and possibly changing terminals to continue on need to have the UK ETA. Thanks for any insight offered.

Comments

Claudia Sails

If you are only transiting LHR you don't need the ETA. That change was just recently made - mainly because British Airways and Virgin Atlantic complained because they were loosing business. Travelers were opting for other airlines like Delta that go to other hubs like Paris and Amsterdam.

Here's an article but if you do a search on ETA UK transit exemption you'll find more.

https://iasservices.org.uk/etas-no-longer-required-for-uk-airport-transits-in-government-u-turn/

Noreen

Claudia,

Thank you!

Noreem

MarkG

I strongly suggest you contact Tauck and ask the question, especially if they are booking the travel for you. Why? Because the suggested web-site tells you that IF you do not pass through UK Border Control, you do not require the ETA. When you land and head towards your connection, it is possible you may need to pass through Border Control. As an example, when we landed at Charles de Gualle last year, having a layover before flying off to another country, we were forced to pass through Border Control. It may come down to paying the ETA versus the cost of re-routing your air transport.

Enjoy your vacation.

BKMD

^^
That's different. You go through EU immigration in the first EU country you land in, if your destination is another EU country. It's just like when you come back to the US and have a connection to another US city, you go thru US immigration in the first US city you land in.

The UK is the UK, not the EU or US. You follow the purple Transfer signs. You don't go through UK immigration if you have another flight to outside the UK.

(edited for typo)

MCD

For the minimal cost of an ETA, it might be worth it to get it. What if your connecting flight is cancelled, and you have to spend the night in the UK? Most, if not all, hotels will be past UK immigration. Do you want to spend the night on a chair or the floor at LHR (if that's even allowed)?

MikeHenderson

I agree with MCD. Getting the ETA is good (cheap) insurance. Especially in the beginning of the program they may make exceptions but it's better not to have to depend on that.

stan4938

An interesting one is that a UK ETA is technically required to pass from Ireland to Northern Ireland even though it is the common travel area and there are no routine border checks. Tauck did bring this to our attention and ask us to get the UK ETA.

mazalea

Mike and MCD, you think the way we do. It's worth a few dollars to have, and is good for 2 years, so heck, sign up for another trip, too. And in case there's a mess up you are covered.