Trouble at immigration if you don't know how long you will stay in Europe while backpacking?

August 11, 2011 4:15 PM

I'm going to backpack around Europe for at least 2 months but basically until I get low on money or it gets too cold. Would I have a problem getting into the first country (possibly UK) without having a return ticket? (I will be flying home from whatever country is the last stop on my tour). Should I buy some kind of open-ended ticket? Surely this is a fairly common situation, what do people do to avoid hassle? (I am Canadian).
posted by GleepGlop to Travel & Transportation (11 answers total)

Anecdotal experience: I travelled a few times to the UK in the midst of extended travel. When I entered I would be asked why I was there and how long I was staying, but was never asked for proof of departure. I would imagine that as there are several ways of getting out of the UK, some of them not requiring any advance preparation, it wouldn't be a concern. Just don't overstay the maximum, and you should be fine.
posted by the luke parker fiasco at 4:28 PM on August 11, 2011

My wife (Japanese) and I (Canadian) flew into Glasgow on one-way tickets and weren't asked about a return or onward ticket. This was in 2006.
posted by any portmanteau in a storm at 5:13 PM on August 11, 2011

It's not the return ticket that really worries them it's the amount of verifiable money in your pocket and can you support yourself, plus you are a commonwealth citizen in good standing ...right?
posted by kanemano at 5:30 PM on August 11, 2011

Datapoint: I was asked for proof of a return/onward ticket when checking in for a one-way from the US to London on United in late 2009.

Generally speaking, you are more likely to run into trouble with this from airlines than immigration authorities--although given the harangue I faced for not having the name of a lodging handy when I arrived, I'm not sure that would hold true in the UK.

What do people do to avoid hassle? They print out/doctor up never-booked reservations, book (and later refund) fully-refundable fares meeting the onward ticket requirement, buy cheap non-refundable one-way tickets out (bus? Ryanair?), attempt persuasive story-telling at the check-in counter, give in and pick a departure date in advance... enjoy the world of possibilities.
posted by deeaytch at 5:34 PM on August 11, 2011 [1 favorite]

Datapoint: I have also been asked for proof of a return ticket when entering the UK (in 2008). I had one so I don't know what would have happened if I hadn't.
posted by ootandaboot at 7:05 PM on August 11, 2011

Is your passport brand new and are you 18 years old? That's who gets scrutinized IMO. For the UK, just say you are taking a ferry to the continent when it comes time to leave. Look up the details ahead of time and present a reasonable story.
posted by TWinbrook8 at 9:24 PM on August 11, 2011

Every time I've flown into the UK (with an American passport but I have a German residency permit), they only ask where I'm going and how long I'm planning to stay. Dress as nice as you can¹ and explain your plan - you won't be the first person who's done this.

¹ This advice holds for every single European and North American border crossing you will ever make. Even if you don't have money, look like you do and you'll be treated better.
posted by cmonkey at 11:08 PM on August 11, 2011

You might want to look into the cost of two one-way tickets compared to a flexible return ticket to the UK + the cost of a cheap flight back to the UK from roughly where you expect to finish your holiday.
posted by Busy Old Fool at 11:36 PM on August 11, 2011

In case you're open to or interested in entering in another country: I've flown between the U.S. and Amsterdam many times since 2008 and have never been asked for proof of a return ticket (even the time that I flew in with an expired residence permit and no entry visa).
posted by neushoorn at 12:06 AM on August 12, 2011

Flying into England is the only time I've been asked for onward tickets or given a hassle about my "plans" and what I was doing in the country even though I was only staying three days. Call the closest embassy to ask what the rules are for a definitive answer. Perhaps even booking a ferry or cheap flight (or refundable ticket) out of England would be enough to prove you aren't settling there.
posted by Bunglegirl at 7:42 AM on August 12, 2011

Response by poster: Thanks, I will post in here if something happens. I think I'll just buy a one-way and fly home from Greece. I will be visiting a sibling in the UK so that should help.
posted by GleepGlop at 12:05 PM on August 17, 2011