Here’s an overview of what you’ll need for check in — this goes both for when we check you in ourselves, and when you check in directly through the airline.
If we offer our online check-in service for your trip, add the required details in your trip up to 24h before departure. Read more on how check-in with Kiwi.com works.
Make sure to review the check-in and boarding requirements for all of the stops in your itinerary, especially if you have a self-transfer or “hidden city” itinerary.
A form of photo ID
You should always travel with a national photo ID. In some cases, you’ll need a passport, while in others an ID such as a driver’s license might be enough. During online check-in, airlines ask for the number on your identification document and its expiration date.
Make sure to check which type of document you’ll need and whether the countries you’re traveling to have any conditions — for example, some countries only accept passports that are valid for at least 6 months after your trip.
Visa or transit visa
If a country in your itinerary requires a visa, you’ll usually need to present it at the airport during check-in, security, or immigration. You won’t need to provide visa details when you check in online, but it’s possible you might still need to go to the check-in desk at the airport and provide it.
Some airlines issue a “placeholder” boarding pass and provide a real boarding pass after checking your visa. If that’s the case, you’ll see this info stated directly in the placeholder document.
For more on visas, read this.
For the latest travel requirements we recommended checking our partner Sherpa’s website, or the official government websites for all countries in your itinerary before traveling.
Entry authorization
Some countries now require pre-approved travel authorizations for entry, even if you don’t need a visa — for example, the UK now requires an ETA (Electronic Travel Authorisation), while travelers to the US may need an ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization).
These must be obtained before departure and can take time to process, so check the requirements for your destination in advance. Failure to secure the necessary authorization may result in being denied boarding or entry. Kiwi.com is not responsible for obtaining these documents, so be sure to arrange them ahead of your trip.