Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What travel documentation do I need?
UNITED STATES CITIZENS
All United States citizens must have a Government Issued Passport, valid for at least six months beyond the return date of your trip, in order to travel to the United Kingdom. Your passport must have at least one blank page per stamp. More information for United States citizens can be found HERE.
NON-UNITED STATES CITIZENS
If you are NOT a United States citizen (are traveling on a non-United States passport), please verify your specific documentation and vaccination requirements with your country's consulate before departing. Please note that non-United States citizens may require a visa to enter and may require blank pages for entry and/or exit stamps.
ALL GUESTS
It is the sole responsibility of the attendee to verify and obtain all necessary documentation and vaccination requirements when traveling to another country. Many countries require passports to be valid for at least six months beyond the date of your expected return and may require blank passport pages for entry and exit stamps. Some citizens may be required to obtain a Visa and/or have specific vaccinations to enter certain countries.
It is also the sole responsibility of the attendee to verify, obtain, and be aware of all necessary documentation requirements for any required Covid-19 testing, proof of vaccination or negative test, etc. when traveling to another country. Many countries have different requirements for entry and exit; please check your country's specific Covid-19 requirements as well as the requirements of the airline you are traveling on.
We also recommend packing a photocopy of the picture and signature pages of your passport. If your passport should get lost, the photocopies will make it much easier to get an emergency replacement.
Q. How do I get a Passport? (United States Citizens)
Click HERE to learn everything you need to know about how to obtain or renew a United States Passport.
Q. Are there any Covid-19 requirements for entering the United Kingdom and returning to the United States?
Britain and Northern Ireland currently have no official COVID-19 restrictions in place, however there is still guidance on what to do should you catch coronavirus while here on holiday. For more information, please check the official government website.
As of June 12, 2022, the CDC will no longer require air passengers traveling from a foreign country to the United States to show a negative COVID-19 viral test or documentation of recovery from COVID-19 before they board their flight. For more details, please visit the CDC Website.
Q. When should I plan to arrive and depart?
Flights should arrive and depart from the Edinburgh International Airport (EDI).
If you are arranging your own flights, we recommend that flights arrive at the Edinburgh International Airport (EDI) by 3:00 PM on July 19, 2024.
Flights can depart Edinburgh International Airport (EDI) anytime on July 27, 2024.
If you are extending your time beyond the scheduled group dates, you will be responsible for arranging your own transportation.
Q. When should I leave for the airport?
The recommended airport check-in time for international flights is three hours prior to departure.
Please check with your airline for schedule changes or flight delays and confirm the recommended check-in time prior to leaving for the airport. Please remember to allow extra time if you are unfamiliar with the airport, are leaving during heavy traffic times, or have excess baggage.
For general travel information issued by the State Department, please visit the U.S. Department of State website at https://travel.state.gov/content/travel.html.
Q. Should I purchase Travel Insurance?
Because unforeseen circumstances may arise, we strongly recommend that you purchase travel insurance. Travel Insurance gives you access to a 24-hour assistance hotline for expert, personalized support in a crisis. Travel insurance can reimburse you for prepaid, non-refundable trip costs - including vacation rentals, car rentals, hotels and flights - if you have to cancel for a covered reason, and can reimburse you for eligible meals, accommodation and transportation expenses during a covered delay. Travel insurance can also reimburse you for care following a covered medical emergency while traveling. Travel insurance can even arrange and pay for a medical evacuation if needed. Coverage is only available for United States citizens.
Please email our Destinations Travel Partner and advise you are interested in purchasing Travel insurance. They will provide the Sequel Travel Vacation Department the necessary information for your travel insurance quote and connect you with an agent.
Q. How much luggage can I take?
Carry-On Bags
Most airlines permit each passenger to take one carry-on bag and one additional personal carry-on item, such as a purse or briefcase/laptop case. All carry-on items must fit under the seat in front of you or in the overhead compartment. Carry-on baggage size requirements differ between airlines so please check with your airline before traveling to make sure your carry-on bags fit your airline's specified dimensions.
Checked Bags
Most airlines will allow you to check bags as well. Please check with your airline to confirm the current luggage limitations and any applicable fees for carry-on and checked baggage. Please note that many airlines charge significant fees for overweight or oversized luggage.
Important Items
Be sure that all baggage and personal belongings are properly insured. Items such as medications, jewelry, or other valuables, breakable or perishable items, and travel documents should be hand-carried. Responsibility will not be assumed by the airline for loss of or damage to these items.
*Please note that all baggage fees are at your own expense.
Q. What items can I carry on?
Due to potential security issues on flights, the Transportation Security Administration has updated its aviation security measures. For the latest information regarding what to bring, what to leave at home, and what to generally expect while traveling, please visit the Transportation Security Administration website at http://www.tsa.gov/.
Q. What is the weather like in Scotland?
Summer Weather in Scotland
Average Temperature: HIGH - 64°F / LOW - 52°F
Average Hours of Daylight: 17 Hours
Average Rainfall: 72mm
Summer in Scotland is festival season; a time when you can not only enjoy Scotland’s best weather, but also the very best in the arts and entertainment. While it might be the wettest season, it is also the warmest and the northerly latitude also means you'll benefit from incredible long summer days and beautiful extended twilight. All this means there is more time for you to pack more experiences into a summer trip and create a lifetime of memories.
Q. What currency is used in Scotland?
CURRENCY
In Scotland, the unit of currency is the pound (£), which is used throughout the entire UK. All major credit cards can also be used across Scotland, with Visa and MasterCard being most widely accepted.
Scotland has its own bank notes that look different to those in the rest of the UK, however their value is the same. Both Scottish and UK-wide notes can be used throughout Scotland.
BANKING
Most banks in Scotland are open Monday to Friday from 9:30 am to 5:00 pm. In addition, many banks are also open on a Saturday morning. You’ll find cash machines (ATM) everywhere in larger towns and cities, and most rural areas will have at least one place where you can withdraw cash. Cash machines will accept international bank cards and credit cards, as long as they have a four-digit PIN code.
EXCHANGING CURRENCY
Foreign currency is rarely accepted, but don’t worry, it’s easy to exchange any foreign currency in Scotland. Banks, hotels and Bureau de Change kiosks can be found at the international airports and also in most of the city centers.
Q. What type of electrical adapter will I need?
In Scotland the power plug sockets are of type G. The standard voltage is 230 V and the frequency is 50 Hz.
Q. Do I need to tip?
Although there isn’t a big tipping culture in Scotland, it is quite common to tip in restaurants or taxis when you receive good service. 10 percent is a good rule of thumb though most people will be delighted with any amount of tip.
Q. Is it safe to drink Scottish tap water?
Yes, Scotland boasts exceptionally clean tap water that is perfectly safe to drink.
Q. What if I have a special health concern?
If you have any health concerns that may require special attention, please contact us prior to departure. Passengers requiring prescription medications are advised to keep them in their carry-on luggage. While we don't require information about the extent of your health concern or disability, the more information you can share with us about your specific needs, the better we are able to assist you.