Cross channel ferries: Identity cards could save money

30.10.2009
People thinking about using ferries to take holidays in Europe could save themselves money by using an identity card rather than buying a more expensive passport, according to one expert.

Sean Tipton, a spokesman for ABTA – The Travel Association, claimed that the Identity Card Scheme is a good way to travel freely around Europe and can permit people to go between European countries, like France and the UK.

He said: "In the long-term, if identity cards prove successful and they are rolled out for everybody then it would be a cheap way to go abroad and avoid having a passport for travel in the European Union."

The expert added that price rises for passports are not good news for the travel industry but the cards could provide a viable, cheaper alternative.

In other ferry news, the Identity and Passport Service recently stated that maintaining passport security and delivering a high-quality service to customers is the driving force behind a fee increase of £5.50 for a standard passport.

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