New Travel Requirements for US Air/International travel

[Melensdad]

ABC News has a good breakdown of the various new ID and travel requirements for 2025

New travel requirements taking effect in 2025 for domestic and international destinations​

ABC News​

Real ID for boarding domestic flights and other must-know travel requirements.​

December 31, 2024, 4:30 PM​

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Whether your New Year's resolution is to finally book a dream vacation or put some points to good use and fly to a new destination, there are some travel requirementstaking effect in 2025 that everyone should keep in mind.​

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New travel changes in 2025: How to get prepared and why it matters​

REAL ID ​

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Americans should make sure their identification is up to date sooner than later this winter, because starting May 7, 2025, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security will enforce the use of REAL ID at airports and some federal facilities.​

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Close up of a person holding an American Passport at an airport.​

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U.S. travelers must be REAL ID compliant in order to board domestic flights. Read more about the requirement here and see how to obtain your REAL ID on time.​

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Entering the UK with ETA​

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The expansion of the Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) program will impact U.S. and European travelers headed to the United Kingdom.​

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Starting Jan. 8, 2025, ETA registration will be required by inbound travelers so that UK authorities can screen visitors before arrival, which was modeled after the U.S.' Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) system in an effort to reduce potential security risks and make border entry more efficient.​

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View of a UK/EU lane sign as air travelers proceed to Passport Control at a British Airport.​

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The ETA, which costs approximately $13, is not a visa and does not replace any existing visa requirements.​

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Americans traveling to the U.K. on or after Jan. 8 can apply through the UK government's official website here or use the ETA app.​

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The ETA is valid for multiple entries into the UK through a two-year period.​

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ETIAS entry and exit requirements​

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Though not yet operational, the European Union’s European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS), which has been postponed multiple times, is expected to take effect in May 2025.​

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U.S. passport holders who previously traveled to Europe without a visa will now need to apply for authorization through the ETIAS platform before visiting.​

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An airport employee stamps a passports of a passenger.​

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Once granted ETIAS travel authorization, travelers will be able to enter participating countries multiple times for short-term stays -- usually up to 90 days -- over a 180-day period. The ETIAS is valid for up to three years, but if your passport expires, a new ETIAS travel authorization will be required.​

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Read more about ETIAS requirements and how to apply here.​

 

[FrancSevin]

I have had my "real ID" since last year when I redid my driver's license. That said, I seriously doubt I will be using air travel for some time. Air travel is simply not fun anymore.
Less than 500 miles, I drive it.

Assuming no delays, and there are always delays.
Time to airport; 30 minutes
Time to arrive before flight; 90 minutes
Time to fly 500 miles; 2 hours
Time at destination airport, luggage pickup and rental car; 60 minutes.

Total; Five hours.

Time to drive 500 miles; 7 hours at sorta legal speed.

Flight and car rental, $500 minimum.
Gas and milage; $100.00
Extra two hours? What did I lose? Time and money at the hotel bar of course

I'll drive

 

[Melensdad]

I have had my "real ID" since last year when I redid my driver's license. That said, I seriously doubt I will be using air travel for some time. Air travel is simply not fun anymore.
Less than 500 miles, I drive it.

Assuming no delays, and there are always delays.
Time to airport; 30 minutes
Time to arrive before flight; 90 minutes
Time to fly 500 miles; 2 hours
Time at destination airport, luggage pickup and rental car; 60 minutes.

Total; Five hours.

Time to drive 500 miles; 7 hours at sorta legal speed.

Flight and car rental, $500 minimum.
Gas and milage; $100.00
Extra two hours? What did I lose? Time and money at the hotel bar of course

I'll drive

I'm pretty much with you.

But in my case, 90 minutes to the airport.

And I waited 60 minutes at a car rental place when we took Kobe to Disneyworld, plus 20 min for the shuttle from the airport to the car rental pick up, plus 20 minutes at the luggage claim.

I don't mind driving. I dislike crowds and lines and airports. But I think I got my real ID the year they came out? My D.L. needed to be renewed so I got the real I.D. crap taken care of at the same time.

 

[waybomb]

It's a bit unclear; can I use my passport or my passport card instead of realid? I hate going to Michigan SOS.

 

[Doc]

I have had my "real ID" since last year when I redid my driver's license. That said, I seriously doubt I will be using air travel for some time. Air travel is simply not fun anymore.
Less than 500 miles, I drive it.

Assuming no delays, and there are always delays.
Time to airport; 30 minutes
Time to arrive before flight; 90 minutes
Time to fly 500 miles; 2 hours
Time at destination airport, luggage pickup and rental car; 60 minutes.

Total; Five hours.

Time to drive 500 miles; 7 hours at sorta legal speed.

Flight and car rental, $500 minimum.
Gas and milage; $100.00
Extra two hours? What did I lose? Time and money at the hotel bar of course

I'll drive

Ditto for me.
I prefer driving. Two trips to FL planned in the next few months. Driving to both of them.

 

[NorthernRedneck]

I haven't flown in years. Last time was to Toronto for medical appointments 7 years ago. It's a 17 hr drive but only a 1.5 hr flight so even with the wait times at the airport it's faster. But....my wife just flew to Sudbury which is a 10 hour drive east for a meeting a few months ago. Between sitting in the airport waiting and having to wait for 6 hrs for a connecting flight from Toronto, it took her 16 hrs each way flying.

 

[bczoom]

It's a bit unclear; can I use my passport or my passport card instead of realid? I hate going to Michigan SOS.

Yes, although passport cards are only valid for USA use (not sure about Canada or Mexico).

One thing I'm not clear on. If you don't have Real Id or a passport (neither are required in the USA) but it's required to enter federal facilities, what happens if you get summoned for jury duty or something else that requires you to enter a federal building?

 

[waybomb]

Catch 22!!!!

 

[FrancSevin]

Ditto for me.
I prefer driving. Two trips to FL planned in the next few months. Driving to both of them.

If you are taking family, double, triple my numbers to fly. In comparison, driving cost remain much the same.

Ditto for me.
I prefer driving. Two trips to FL planned in the next few months. Driving to both of them.

I have been to Florida many times. Only two times did I fly. Once because my employer sent me and paid the bills, and once because my aged parents were going with us to Barbados and driving was not an option.

 

[bczoom]

We fly to FL pretty much every month. It's routine now. Carry your license and passport (as a backup) and good to go.