I've tried googling this, but to no avail. I also think I know the answer already, but want to check with more seasoned travellers.

In order to qualify as being In transit do you need to be booked through somewhere and not go through immigration?

The reason I ask is that I am trying to establish if we (me - UK, gf - TH) could fly into Europe and then straight out to the UK, but fly out with one of the low cost airlines. I am assuming we can't do this without a schengen visa but want to double check!

Check this link for details.

http://www.oneworld.com/airports-destinations/visa-health-information/

A Schengen visa will not allow your Thai partner access to the UK. The Low cost airlines such as Ryanair or EasyJet will not process her or allow her to board. The same applies to sea ferries.

A Schengen visa will not allow your Thai partner access to the UK. The Low cost airlines such as Ryanair or EasyJet will not process her or allow her to board. The same applies to sea ferries.

That's not what he's asking. He wants to change planes in Europe which means going landside. It's going to be a pain.

Thanks guys, not happening!

A Schengen visa will not allow your Thai partner access to the UK. The Low cost airlines such as Ryanair or EasyJet will not process her or allow her to board. The same applies to sea ferries.

That's not what he's asking. He wants to change planes in Europe which means going landside. It's going to be a pain.

If his girlfriend has a valid UK visa there is no pain at all.

I've often routed through Schipol (Amsterdam) en route to the UK with my wife before she had a UK passport. There is no problem changing to a low cost carrier without leaving the airport. The same applies at Paris Charles De Gaulle where you can get Easyjet to a number of UK airports.

A Schengen visa will not allow your Thai partner access to the UK. The Low cost airlines such as Ryanair or EasyJet will not process her or allow her to board. The same applies to sea ferries.

That's not what he's asking. He wants to change planes in Europe which means going landside. It's going to be a pain.

If his girlfriend has a valid UK visa there is no pain at all.

I've often routed through Schipol (Amsterdam) en route to the UK with my wife before she had a UK passport. There is no problem changing to a low cost carrier without leaving the airport. The same applies at Paris Charles De Gaulle where you can get Easyjet to a number of UK airports.

Can you check in to Easyjet etc without going through immigration? What about luggage? I agree about Amsterdam. I flew over there to meet my girl so we could fly into London together. Very convenient airport.

I'm not sure what you are trying to achieve but it appears you might be using a carrier such as China Airlines and then meeting your girlfriend

while you are both inside the airport. You only go through immigration if you leave to enter Holland or France. We'll be routing through Mumbai in a few weeks time en-route to the UK. Although that involves clearing security etc there is no immigration process as we'll not be leaving the airport.

If you've done Schipol you know how it works.

You collect your luggage from your inbound flight and check it in through to the Easyjet counter.

Edited February 26, 201313 yr by Jay Sata

Curses! I thought it was going to be a question about the worlds greatest van.

Curses! I thought it was going to be a question about the worlds greatest van.

Nah, he's not a people smuggler. Though that could be another option.

He's disappeared.

Maybe looking for a back door to the UK?