INFORMATION FOR TRAVELERS

1. Valid for travelling identity documents

1.1. You can go abroad only with a valid identity document (passport, eID card). An identity document that expires during the travel is invalid.

1.2. Most countries require travel ID document to be valid for at least 6 months after the last day of travel (possibly 12 months after the trip).

1.3. We recommend that you clarify this issue before leaving and, if necessary, change or extend validity of your travel identity document.

1.4. Before you travel contact the embassy of the country of destination in advance to find out what the passport/eID card should be valid for when entering this country (contact information of the embassies is available on the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Latvia https://www.am.gov.lv/lv/vestniecibas-parstavniecibas/).

1.5. Join Up Baltic does not take any responsibility before a traveller who will not be allowed to travel due to circumstances beyond the control of the organizer of the travel.

2. Insurance

2.1. When traveling, we recommend that you purchase travel insurance, including medical expenses (to provide the necessary medical assistance in the event of an accident), repatriation, cancellation / interruption of travel, COVID-19 and other risk insurance. Before departure, we recommend clarifying the terms and conditions of the insurance, as well as how to report the occurrence of the insured event.

2.2. Insurance policies can be purchased from travel agencies or insurance companies, including online. If you have suffered an injury or illness abroad, you must immediately contact the insurance company with which you are insured and the nearest medical institution. Request a document issued by a medical institution stating: the patient’s name, the date of the insured event, the date of dispatch to the medical institution, the duration of treatment, the diagnosis, the examinations performed and the treatment. Only in this case you will be able to obtain evidence of the occurrence of the insured event.

2.3. Be sure to request payment documents (invoices, receipts) confirming how much and in what currency the services provided were paid for.

2.4. If a person who is ill or injured abroad was not insured before going abroad, he/she will normally have to reimburse all medical expenses abroad on his/her own. In the event of the death of such a person, all expenses shall be borne by his family or relatives.

2.5. The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) is a free health insurance card issued by the National Health Service, which entitles its holder to receive free emergency medical care in any EU country, EEA country or Switzerland. However, only with such a card the insurance coverage is low. Therefore, even for those who have a European Health Insurance Card, we recommend that you purchase additional travel insurance, which always includes health insurance.

3. Visas

3.1. The list of countries and territories to which Latvian citizens/non-citizens can travel without a visa can be found on the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Latvia https://www.mfa.gov.lv/lv/KonsularaInformacija/arvalstisdzivojosalais/bezvizu/, or find out by calling the free information phone for the traveller 80005905.

3.2. If the country of destination has not established a visa-free regime, entry must be subject to a visa. Up-to-date information on the rules and procedures for obtaining a visa can be obtained from the embassy of the respective country (contact details of the embassies can be found on the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Latvia https://www.am.gov.lv/lv/vestniecibas-parstavniecibas/).

3.3. During the travel season, visa procedures and other requirements may change – you should contact the travel agency or the embassy or consulate of the country of destination for up-to-date information.

3.4. Please note that obtaining a visa may take up to 3 weeks in some cases.

3.5. Neither Join Up Baltic, nor the travel agency is not responsible for the fact that the traveller has not purchased a visa, as well as for the decisions made by border control authorities, migration authorities, aircraft ground handling service providers or airport officials regarding the traveller and any damages caused to him by this.

3.6. Please note that neither Join Up Baltic, nor the travel agency is responsible if the traveller is unable to travel due to a refusal of a visa by the competent authorities or a decision by border guards, migration, airport services, aircraft ground handling service providers when the traveller leaves/enters a particular country.

3.7. The traveller is solely responsible for providing any documents required for travelling, including those not mentioned above (vaccination or disease certificate, or confirmation of a negative Covid-19 test, entry form, etc.).

4. Pregnant women

4.1. Traveling is always a bright emotion. Twice as bright when you are expecting a miracle. We will do everything, for our part, to ensure that your flight goes smoothly and safely, but it is important to remember that the body of a pregnant woman reacts more sensitively to overload, stress, pressure and climate changes.

4.2. We care about you, therefore, before booking a ticket, please consult with your doctor about the possibility of a safe flight.

4.3. If you are more than 28 weeks pregnant, we recommend you to provide a doctor's statement with information about your pregnancy and whether it is single or multiple.

4.4. The medical certificate must be dated at most 5 days prior to the departure date of your flight.

4.5. We also pay your attention to the fact that the medical certificate must contain the phrase: "Fit to fly by air carriage".

4.6. Additionally, we recommend you indicate in the certificate the period of traveling during which you can fly by plane.

4.7. The certificate must be on the letterhead of a medical institution or doctor`s with the full name of the doctor and his signature.

4.8. If you are traveling on a domestic flight within Ukraine, the certificate must be provided in Ukrainian or English.

4.9. If you are traveling abroad, the certificate must be only in English.

4.10. At check-in, we will give you and ask you to fill the Expectant Mother Form before your flight.

4.11. Please remember that in the rules of different countries there are clear periods of pregnancy when you can fly without restrictions, the periods when you can fly only with the permission of the doctor, and the periods when flying is prohibited.

4.12. The rules of our airline allow women to travel on board the aircraft, if the pregnancy does not exceed 35 weeks, and 32 weeks in case of the multiple pregnancy.

5. Traveling and accompanying children

5.1. A minor, if the child has reached the age of compulsory education, may travel to the Schengen area alone, i.e. unaccompanied by one or both parents. He must have a valid identity document – a valid passport or ID card.

5.2. A child who is temporarily traveling to a country outside the Schengen area together with at least one of the parents who is a citizen of Latvia, a non-citizen of Latvia, a citizen of the EU, EEA country or the Swiss Confederation or a person granted stateless status in these countries does not need the other parent’s written consent, but must be taken in addition to the passport:

5.2.1. a parent’s valid for travel identity document with a record of kinship with the child;

5.2.2. the birth certificate of the child or a notarised copy thereof, if there is no entry in the parent’s travel document regarding the relationship with the child.

5.3. If the child is accompanied by a parent who is not a citizen of Latvia, a non-citizen of Latvia, a citizen of an EU, EEA country or Switzerland or a person who has been granted the status of a stateless person in the mentioned countries, in addition to the passport should be taken:

5.3.1. a parent’s valid for travelling identity document with a record of kinship with the child;

5.3.2 the birth certificate of the child or a notarised copy thereof, if there is no entry in the travel document of the parent regarding the relationship with the child;

5.3.3. a notarised power of attorney of the other parent (a citizen of Latvia, a non-citizen of Latvia, a citizen of the EU, EEA country or Switzerland or a person who has been granted the status of a stateless person in these countries) for the child to leave the country.

5.4. The parents must agree among themselves on the child’s travelling abroad.

5.5. The above does not exclude the fact that if the State Border Guard, Migration Service, aircraft ground handling service provider or airport officials, when performing checks on persons in the territory of the State (including the territory of the airport) within their competence, suspect the illegal removal of a child from the country, the person accompanying the child may be required to present documents or provide information, which certifies the kinship of the child with the accompanying person or that the child is not remooving from the country against his or her will or the will of his or her parents or custodians. The same applies if the child is traveling alone.

5.6. In view of the possible examination, we recommend that you always bring the child’s birth certificate, power of attorney or any other document that allows the child to leave the country, accompanied by a specific person, or a notarized permission for the child to travel independently.

5.7. The procedure by which children cross the external border of Latvia, i.e. when traveling to countries that are not party to the Schengen Agreement, such as Egypt, Turkey, Thailand, is regulated by the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Latvia Regulations No. 721 “Procedures for Children Crossing the State Border”.

5.8. More information about children’s travel can be found here: https://www.mfa.gov.lv/lv/bernu-celosana#bernu-celosana-arpus-es-sengenas-zonas.

5.9. The conditions of the accompanying service depend on the respective airlines.
Children under the age of 5 must always be accompanied by an adult. At the request of parents, children between the ages of 5 and 12 can be accompanied by airline staff, depending on the airline. The child is taken care of by the airline staff throughout the flight, who accompany the child all his spent time at the airports. This service must be booked before the flight by filling in the form “Unaccompanied child” (4 copies), which contains the following data: child’s personal identification code, name, surname, personal data accompanying/expected from the airport (name, surname, exact address and telephone number). The child is accompanied from the check-in desk at the airport to the aircraft, and the flight attendants monitor the child throughout the flight. A designated airport staff member will meet and accompany the child upon arrival.

5.10. Most air carriers apply similar rules and discounts for the carriage of children. When booking a travel, not only the child’s name, but also an exact date of birth must be provided. If an infant reaches the age of 2 years during the journey, the air carrier shall still be considered him as an infant during that flight. Infants under 2 years of age do not occupy a separate seat on the aircraft, they are entitled to one piece of luggage weighing up to 10 kg (external dimensions up to 158 cm) and a folding stroller, free of charge. A 2-year-old child, like an adult, has seat at the aircraft and free luggage check-in.

6. Vaccination

6.1. Before travelling, especially to exotic destinations, everyone should be aware of the risks of infectious diseases and possible prevention measures. Information on vaccination for travellers and preventive vaccination when traveling to a specific country can be found in the recommendations provided by the Centre for Disease Prevention and Control: https://www.spkc.gov.lv/lv/jaunums/dodoties-celojuma-izvertejiet-nepieciesamibu-vakcineties.

7. Flight time

7.1. It is necessary to check the flight time before each travel. The day before the scheduled departure, you can check the flight time at the travel agent or on the airport’s website: https://www.riga-airport.com/lidojumi/sodien-ielido-un-izlido/lv-tab=departures

7.2. Flight times specified in the travel service agreement and travel documents are subject to change. Information about the return flight will be provided by the Join Up Baltic representative at the place of destination or you can find it at the hotel reception or at the information board indicated by the representative. In the event of unforeseen circumstances (meteorological conditions, unforeseen additional safety measures, strikes affecting the operations of the operating air carrier, etc.), the times specified in the agreement and/or even in the ticket may be changed.

8. Airport

8.1. Check-in takes place at the airport. Passengers must arrive at the airport no later than 2 hours before the flight in order to be able to check in and complete all border and customs control formalities in a timely manner. Check-in baggage allowance and boarding passes are provided upon check-in. Boarding is usually completed 30 to 45 minutes before the flight. Join Up Baltic is not responsible if the traveller delays the flight. In this case, no refund or compensation will be given.

8.2. An air carrier shall have the right to refuse boarding to a passenger if his or her mental or physical condition, including due to the use of alcohol or drugs, is likely to endanger himself, other passengers, crew, flight safety or for any other reason specified in the carrier’s regulations.

8.3. In the cases of flight delays, loss/damage of passenger baggage, and other cases relating to the provision of services by air carriers, the passenger has the right to complain directly to the air carrier of the flight.

SkyUp MT- [email protected]

TOMONTENEGRO LTD - [email protected]

AirBaltic - Submit a claim | Contact us | airBaltic

9. Luggage

9.1. From the age of 2, each passenger can carry 23 kg of checked-in baggage and 8 kg of hand baggage, unless otherwise specified by the airline. If several passengers want to carry one suitcase together, its weight must not exceed 32 kg. Airlines charge their own price for each extra kilogram of excess weight.

9.2. Non-standard luggage (diving equipment, skis, sports equipment, etc.) may be subject to an additional carriage charge (not included in the free baggage allowance).

9.3. Please note that a limited amount of liquid is allowed in hand luggage. Liquids must be packed in individual bottles and containers of a capacity not exceeding 100 millilitres. These bottles must be placed in a single clear and resealable plastic bag with a capacity of not more than 1 litter. One passenger can have one such bag.

9.4. Each airline determines its own baggage requirements, such as the maximum size and weight of baggage allowed in the cabin of the aircraft and the number and weight of checked baggage allowed free of charge. There are also lists of prohibited articles in checked baggage and in the cabin of the aircraft. Restrictions on a passenger’s checked and unchecked baggage must be communicated to the traveller in writing or on another medium, providing information on the main conditions of carriage. If you have not received this information, ask your travel agent to inform you of the conditions for transporting your luggage.

For reasons of flight safety and aviation security, the following shall not be carried:

• explosives, ammunition, fireworks or flares and ammunition cartridges;
• compressed gases (refrigerated, flammable, non-combustible and toxic), i.e. butane, propane, camping gas, oxygen, liquid nitrogen and scuba cylinders;
• aggressive substances: acids, alkalis, mercury and liquid electrolyte batteries;
• flammable liquids and solids: lighters, matches, paints, solvents, igniters;
• radioactive materials;
• portfolios with built-in alarm devices;
• oxidizers: bleaching powder and peroxide;
• poisons and infectious substances: insecticides, herbicides and substances with live viruses;
• Other dangerous goods: magnetised, harmful or irritating substances.

Information about items that are prohibited to be carried in checked baggage can be found more here:

• www.caa.lv
• Vilnius International Airport
• Tallinn International Airport

9.5. Checked baggage must not carry items that are perishable. Due to the risk of loss or damage, it is not advisable to carry items such as money, keys, medicines, medical documents, spectacles, fragile items, cameras, video cameras and other valuable electronic or technical devices and accessories, as well as jewellery, precious stones, precious metals, and checked baggage. instruments, securities, valuable works of art or their documents, business documents, passports or other identity documents. Failure to follow these recommendations and the carriage of broken or damaged items, electronics or personal belongings in your Checked Baggage may be considered negligence from your side in relation to the airline’s requirements. You should always inquire with the airline about the conditions of transporting the animals.

9.6. What to do if your luggage is delayed or lost?
In the event of a delay in baggage, the passenger must immediately and in writing inform the air carrier of the delay. If a passenger has suffered damage due to a delay in luggage (it is necessary to purchase basic necessities), he must submit a written application to the air carrier no later than within 21 days. If the received luggage is damaged, the passenger must submit a written application no later than within 7 days. If the luggage does not arrive within 21 days or it is declared lost or damaged, a written application for compensation must be submitted as soon as possible. If the airline refuses to satisfy the claim, the passenger has the right to sue for damages within 2 years. The limit of the airline’s liability for delay, damage or loss of luggage does not exceed 1131 special drawing rights (approximately 1320 euros). The airline shall not be liable for any loss suffered as a result of the delay if it proves that it and its employees and agents have taken all reasonable steps available to prevent the delay or that they have not been able to take such steps.

9.7. What necessities can you buy in case of lost or delayed luggage? How is the value of lost luggage determined?
In case of loss or delay of luggage, the passenger has the right to purchase the basic necessities he needs during the trip. There is no specific list of goods that a passenger can buy. These can be personal hygiene items, work clothes for an important meeting, outdoor clothes and much more. The passenger should not abuse his right to purchase basic necessities, as he will have to justify the need for the items purchased by the airline in order to receive compensation for the damage caused. To receive compensation for the purchase of the most important items, it is necessary to keep the documents for the purchase of items (checks). If possible, the passenger should also keep checks for the purchase of items carried in the luggage. This will make it easier for the airline to assess and recover damages. If it is not possible to determine the value of the items in the luggage, the airlines have provided in their regulations for the possibility of compensation based on the weight of the luggage, i.e. a specific amount for each kilogram of luggage. This amount is different for each airline.

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Checked-in baggage

Checked-in baggage dimensions:

• Allowed weight – 23kg
• Sum of all dimensions – up to 158 cm

You can order an additional baggage piece by using “Upgrade baggage” service or pay for additional bag directly at the airport. Find all conditions in the table below.

Free baggage allowance for kids up to 2 years old:

• Allowed wight – 10kg
• Sum of all dimensions – up to 115 cm

Cabin baggage

• Weight – up to 8 kg, dimensions – up to 55x40x20 cm.
• Additional accessories (laptop, men's/women's bag, outerwear, umbrella, books/magazines/paper folders) should be placed in the cabin bag/suitcase.
• The same rule applies to duty-free goods, they should be placed in carry-on baggage. Otherwise, passengers are obliged to pay extra for carrying separate luggage.
• Kids up to age of 2 are allowed to take the necessary food and water on board: weight - up to 5 kg, dimensions - up to 40x30x20 cm.

SPORT equipment

Sum of all dimensions – up to 300 cm, weight – up to 23 kg.

Passengers are allowed to take sport equipment free of charge if there is no checked-in baggage registered. Otherwise, an additional fee is applied.

Ski equipment can be transported together with luggage if the total weight of both does not exceed 23 kilograms.

TRAVELING WITH PETS

Only small dogs and cats are allowed to be carried in the aircraft cabin. The weight of the pet together with the container should not exceed 10 kg. The size of the container for pet transportation in the cabin should not exceed dimensions of 50x40x25 cm.

If the pet is carried in a cargo hold - up to 23 kg are allowed together with container, dimensions - up to 300 cm in the sum of three-dimensional.

ADDITIONAL SERVICES

10. Transfer from or to the airport

10.1. For travellers who have purchased the Join UP Baltic package tour service, a group transfer is arranged to the hotel on the day of arrival and back to the airport on the day of departure. The transfer takes place by stopping at other hotels on the way and picking up or dropping off other travellers. The duration of the transfer depends on the distance, the number of stops and the time spent in other hotels, traffic, and other unforeseeable conditions.

10.2. Private shuttle services are available at an additional cost. It is a pre-booked vehicle that does not stop at other hotels and takes travellers directly to the hotel of their choice (or back to the airport).

11. Hotels

11.1. There is no united hotel classification system in the world. Hotels are categorized by international, national, or local authorities, tourism commissions or other bodies, so hotel standards vary from country to country.

11.2. The same category of hotels in the same country can vary considerably depending on the location, condition, size and facilities of the hotel, the level of service and the number of services provided. Hotels are usually rated from 1 to 5. The official hotel category assigned (if any) in the respective country is listed on the Join UP Baltic website. Please note that Join Up Baltic, providing information about the official hotel category in the country, indicated in the hotel description, is guided only by the classification of hotels, which is provided by the hotel administration.

11.3. The hotel may not be categorized, in such a case Join Up Baltic will provide it’s subjective rating based on the quantity, location, condition and quality of the services provided. If you have decided to buy a travel with accommodation in a specific hotel – do not forget to read the information about it carefully on the site or consult your travel agent.

11.4. Depending on the country or city where the tourist is travelling, hotels set a tourist tax that the tourist pays when registering at the hotel.

12. Accommodation

12.1. Rooms for tourists are allocated at the discretion of the hotel administration. For a specific room type (if available at the hotel), such as a sea view, there will usually be an additional charge. Different room types have different prices, so it is worth considering a specific room (indicated in the hotel description) when purchasing a travel.

12.2. Additional requests, such as accommodation on a specific floor or in the hotel building, are only possible upon availability at the hotel.

12.3. Hotels can have standard double or single rooms, studios, family rooms and more. The hotel’s double room can have one double bed or twin beds. Please note that most hotels do not have triple or quadruple rooms. In this case, an extra rollaway bed, armchair or sofa bed can be added to the standard room. Family rooms can consist of several rooms or one room. Multi-room rooms are often not separated by partitions or doors. Be sure to check the layout of family rooms before ordering them.

12.4. Please note that the price for a single room per person may be higher than the price for a double room per person. Single rooms may be smaller than standard double rooms. A traveller who has paid for a single room can be accommodated in a double room, but other people will not be accommodated in this room. When traveling alone with a child, a single room can be booked at some hotels. An extra bed is then placed in the room (depending on the age of the child).

12.5. Economy – Economy rooms are the lowest class hotel rooms. It can be unrepaired, without a balcony, smaller than a standard room, or in a worse location where you can see the walls of another building or the adjacent area through the window.

12.6. Promo room – this can be any hotel room. By choosing this type, the hotel has the right to accommodate travelers in both economy and high-class rooms, depending on the occupancy of the hotel. Guests will find out the exact room type upon arrival at the hotel.

12.7. Family Room – Family room. Two rooms next door, each with two beds. Before booking, make sure the rooms are separated by doors and partitions. A family room usually costs more than a standard room with two extra beds.

12.8. Junior Suite – Room size is larger than standard. Two areas: bedroom and living area. Typically, such rooms are 5 *, less often 4 * hotels and cost about 30 percent more expensive than standard rooms.

12.9. Suite – a spacious two-room room, well-appointed, richly furnished, often with two bathrooms (if there is only one bathroom, there can be both a bath and a shower). These rooms are often welcomed with wine and fruit on the day of arrival. Such a number will cost about 50 percent more than a standard number.

12.10. Deluxe Suite, Excellence Suite – two or three rooms, they are much larger than the suite. There is often a jacuzzi, a large terrace or a balcony. Rooms in this category are usually twice as expensive as standard rooms.

12.11. King Suite, Presidential Suite – Superior Suite. These rooms usually have two bedrooms, a living room, a study and two bathrooms. Rooms have exclusive furniture. There is often a security guard near or next to the room. Rest in such rooms will usually cost at least three times more than in a standard room.

12.12. Please note that even one type of hotel room may vary in size, location, room layout, furniture layout and actual room condition. Please note that the hotel’s photos on the website are samples, so the colour, furniture and layout of the hotel room and the actual condition of the room may vary.

13. View through the window

13.1. Sea View – Room with sea view. The view can be directly on the sea or a side view if the sea can only be seen from the balcony. This room is usually booked at an additional cost.

13.2. Seaside View – Room with partial or side sea view.

13.3. Garden View – Room with a view of the garden or the hotel’s grounds. The hotel administration can also name the rooms facing the sea, and the windows only show the hotel area, which does not always have green gardens.

13.4. Mountain View – Room with mountain views. The hotel administration can name rooms with sea views in this way when only the mountain contours are visible through the windows.

13.5. Pool View – This room overlooks the pool. This is rarely released as a separate type.

14. Check-in and stay in the hotel

14.1. Check-in is possible from 14:00, in some hotels only from 18:00. Check-in time depends on the hotel. On the day of departure, the room must be vacated by 10:00 or noon. 12:00, depending on the hotel. Early check-in or late check-out is usually at an additional cost and must be booked in advance at the hotel reception or with a travel agent.

15. Meal types

• RO (room only) – without catering
• BB (bed & breakfast) – breakfast is included in the price
• HB (half board) – Breakfast and dinner included. Free coffee, tea (or other drinks specified by the hotel administration) during breakfast. All drinks at dinner are available at an additional cost.
• HB + (half board +) – Breakfast and dinner included. Free coffee, tea (or other drinks specified by the hotel administration) during breakfast. Free local drinks are available for dinner at the hotel.
• FB (full board) – The price includes breakfast, lunch and dinner. Free coffee, tea (or other drinks specified by the hotel administration) during breakfast. All drinks for lunch and dinner at an additional cost.
• FB + (full board +) – The price includes breakfast, lunch and dinner. Free coffee, tea (or other drinks specified by the hotel administration) during breakfast. Local produce drinks are available for lunch and dinner, as determined by the hotel.
• AI (all inclusive) – The price includes breakfast, lunch and dinner, as well as locally sourced drinks. The exact list of services provided by the hotel and the opening hours are determined by the hotel administration.
• UAI (ultra all inclusive) – The price includes breakfast, lunch and dinner, as well as locally sourced drinks. Some foreign drinks and / or extras may be included. The exact list of services provided by the hotel and the opening hours are determined by the hotel administration.
• A la carte – choice of dishes in the restaurant according to the menu. A table in the à la carte restaurants must be reserved in advance at the hotel reception. Visits to the à la carte restaurants can be included in the price of the trip or at an additional cost.

16. Services in hotels

16.1. The Join UP Baltic website, as well as other Join UP Baltic information materials, provide information on hotel services and entertainment during the tourist season. The list of hotel services, times and prices are subject to change during the tourist season. The frequency and organization of entertainment events are determined by the hotel administration. You can find detailed information on the official website of the hotel.

17. Important contacts

Embassy of the Republic of Latvia in the Arab Republic of Egypt

Address: 8th Floor, Abou El Feda Building, 3 Abou El Feda Street, Zamalek, Cairo, Egypt
Phone: +202 2 738 4188
E- mail: [email protected]
More information: https://www2.mfa.gov.lv/egypt/vestnieciba

Embassy of the Republic of Latvia in Turkey

Address: Reşit Galip Caddesi, No.95 G.O.P.
Çankaya, Ankara, Turkey
Phone: +903 12 405 6136
Fax: +903 12 405 6137
Email: [email protected]; [email protected]

Honorary consul in Albania of Republic of Latvia

Mr., SOKOL KRAJA, Honorary Consul
Address: Tirana Gallery, „Bardhok Biba” Street, Section A, Floor II, Tirana, Albania br Phone: +355 (69) 89 72 433
General e-mail: [email protected]