Are you wondering “Do I need a passport to go to Wales?”
Let me help you out 👋
I am Welsh and explore the UK and Europe full-time. So when it comes to all things passports, I’m a bit of an expert!
Despite the many TikToks going around, Wales has no border controls apart from the Airport-So you can cross from England to Wales without showing any documents.
BUT you may still need a passport when visiting and this depends on a few factors.
Those include if you are arriving at Cardiff International Airport from overseas or flying with Ryanair.
(This airline has a policy where you need to use your passport as identification, even if you are flying within the UK 🙄)
To help you know whether you need a passport or not, I have created a round-up guide with everything you need to know about visiting my home country!
Planning A Trip To The UK? Use The Resources Below!
► Accommodation– I Recommend Booking.Com
► Local Tours– I Recommend Viator.Com
► Car Rental– I Always Use DiscoverCars.Com
► Getting Around- The Only Place I Book My Tickets Is Trainline
Do You Need A Passport To Travel To Wales? Quick Guide
Do I Need A Passport?
No, If you are:
✅ Travelling into Wales from England or Scotland
✅ UK resident
✅ Flying from Ireland and arriving in the UK (unless you fly with Ryanair)
Yes, If you are:
🚨 Arriving at Cardiff International Airport from Overseas
🚨 Checking in baggage 🤷♀️- This happened when I travelled to Belfast (no idea why but I’m sure other ID is accepted)
If you’re from the UK, you don’t need to show any ID to enter Wales, except if you’re coming from outside the UK or using Ryanair at the airport.
If you’re visiting from another country like the US, you’ll need a valid passport and visa, which you’ll show at the airport when you arrive and leave.
✅ Check If You Need A UK Visa Here
Once you’re in the UK, you won’t need to show your passport to enter Wales, Scotland, or England unless you’re flying.
So if you are flying into London Heathrow for example, once you have gone through Airport Border Control, you will not need to show it again to cross into Wales.
However, when booking an organised tour, you may be asked to show a Passport as ID so it’s always handy to keep it on you!
Do You Need A Passport To Travel Within The UK?
No, unless you are travelling by air.
There are no borders between Wales, England or Scotland so you can get a train, bus or drive without showing ID.
However, if you book a private coach trip or something that isn’t your typical public transport, bring some form of ID just incase.
What ID Do I Need To Fly Within The UK?
When flying within the UK, you typically need to bring a form of valid photo identification to board your flight.
While a passport is accepted, it’s not always necessary for domestic flights.
The most commonly accepted forms of ID for domestic flights within the UK include:
- A valid passport
- A UK driving licence (full or provisional)
- A government-issued identity card (if available)
However, it’s always a good idea to check the specific requirements of your airline before you travel, as some airlines may have policies regarding acceptable forms of ID *cough* Check Out The Ryanair ID Policy *cough*
Can I Travel From Wales To England?
Yup and very easily!
One of the most popular UK trips is from London to Wales!
But if you want to travel independently you can get a train, bus, private transfer or fly to reach Wales from England.
I have done my fair share of travelling back home to Wales and from England, the quickest methods are by train or car. However, a bus is by far the cheapest!
These are the resources I PERSONALLY use to book my transport around the UK:
🏆 Discover Cars: The only way to compare EVERY rental option available
🚉 Trainline: Quickest Option Without Driving with plenty of options to save money (look out for SplitSave)
🚌 Bus/Coach: Usually the cheapest transport, especially for going to the airports
⭐️ Private Tour: For those who want door-to-door but with the luxury of not driving!
Do You Need A Passport To Go To Wales From England?
You don’t need a passport to travel between England and Wales.
For those travelling by car or bus you will notice the “border” is just a sign saying “Welcome To England”
The only way you have to show a passport to enter England from this part of the UK is if you are flying. Either with Ryanair or you do not have a British Passport.
However, if you do not have a British Passport don’t be surprised if they don’t ask to see it as the gate. If it is a domestic flight often they don’t even check.
Just note that even if you don’t need a passport for an internal UK flight, you will need some form of ID with you like a driver’s license.
✅ Insider Tip: I fly internally often and EasyJet usually have the best deals and they don’t require a passport for UK Passport holders!
Do You Need A Passport To Drive To Wales?
I may be biased but Wales has some of the most stunning driving routes around 😍
So you will be happy to know you can easily drive here and no passport is required!
The only “border control” you will see from the road is a sign that says “Croseo I Gymru”.
It’s worth noting though if you are visiting Wales or the UK from abroad and want to rent a car, you’ll have to show a valid passport.
Do You Need A Passport To Fly From Wales To Scotland?
It depends!
Airlines typically require passengers to present valid identification before boarding domestic flights, and a passport is the most commonly accepted form of ID for this purpose.
However, as you will be flying within the UK a passport isn’t required.
But make sure you have a form of ID on you like your driver’s license.
And you are probably going to be sick of me banging on about this- but I don’t want you to be caught out like my sister was when going to Dublin
👏 RYANAIR👏 Will 👏 Only 👏 Accept 👏 Passports 👏 As 👏 ID
How To Travel To Wales From The USA?
Good question- I have done it a few times and these are the best options!
You are going to have to fly realistically.
Wales only has ONE INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT and that’s Cardiff.
However, there are no direct flights to/from the US. So when booking your tickets you will most likely have to change in Paris, Dublin or London.
This isn’t usually the cheapest flight but keep an eye out because occasionally there are some real bargains.
The cheapest and most direct option is to fly into London and then travel to Wales.
it takes 4+ hours to reach Wales from London but there are plenty of bus, train and private transfer options available.
If I want to save money, I take the bus.
You can get a ticket sometimes from as little as 5 pounds but takes around 5 hours to reach Cardiff.
If you don’t mind spending a bit more, you can reach Cardiff from London Paddington in just over 2 hours.
Do I Need A Passport To Go To Wales Final Thoughts
In short, you only need a valid passport to enter Wales if you are flying into Cardiff International from overseas.
We have no border crossings with the rest of the United Kingdom so when you are travelling around, you will not be asked to show ID.
However, it is always handy to keep it on you if you are not a UK resident. You will need one to check into hotels or to hire a car (which is worth it because Wales has some amazing road trips!)
And whenever you decide to visit Wales, make sure you bring a coat- it rains a lot!
I hope you found this article helpful: To help you plan the best trip, take a look at these other posts:
✔️ 7 Best Brecon Log Cabins With Hot Tubs
✔️ 17 Best Day Trips From Cardiff (By A Local)
✔️ The Perfect North Wales Road Trip Guide & Itinerary
✔️ 13 Best Things To Do In Snowdonia For Your Trip
Lowri Thomas is the founder of Many Other Roads. She lives and travels in Europe and has explored more than 40 countries. She is joined on her travels with her dog Scout and they explore Europe mostly by road. Born in Wales, she also shares the best things to do in Wales, UK and beyond. She helps over 50,000 people per month plan epic Europe adventures and road trips.
