I'm taking the plunge and heading off to Europe in the fall for 3 months. It's my first time travelling there for an extended period with no real plan (1-way ticket to Europe + trains + leave within 90 days).

I've looked around Google and other forums and can't seem to find a (recent) non-conflicting statement regarding:

1. Do I need have to a return flight booked? If I'm not returning from the country I land in, does customs want to see my final flight out of Europe, or are they looking for my flight/train out of the specific country? Does anyone have recommendations for a good place to start where this is usually a non-issue?

2. Proof of funds - had anyone had to show proof of funds before? If so, what's the best way to do this?

I'm sure these are basic questions, but I searched the forum and had trouble finding something on this topic.

Thanks,
Chad

I haven't been asked proof of funds but I have been asked for return or onward itinerary going through customs in London.

You haven't said where you are from. The passport / visa requirements hold will influence this but most countries require evidence of a return/onward ticket.

Not sure why you have a one way ticket as they usually work out more expensive.

In theory, they could ask for both evidence of an exit and proof of funds, but I have never been asked for that. If you are from a country that is eligible for visa-on-arrival/no visa, then I seriously doubt that they would check.

One workaround is if you have a travel agent who can book you an official-looking itinerary to show (even before purchasing it), then that should work. Or, of course, you could buy a refundable return one-way ticket and get a refund once you're in Europe.

As for the proof of funds, showing them a credit card should work. Again they could dig deeper, but I seriously doubt that they would.

I would be curious to hear if anyone has actually had the experience of having to produce these documents in Europe.

I severely doubt this is correct. Customs in London doesn't care where you're going, they just care whether you're carrying contraband or dutiable goods above the allowance.

To the OP: if you have proof of enough funds to buy a ticket out, most countries will accept that. It's worth bearing in mind that some, but not all, of Europe is part of the Schengen agreement which is basically a universal immigration and customs area. If you are asked for proof of a departing booking by such a country, they mean your departure from Schengen and not from that particular country. A major credit card would be fine; you can always tell them that you're planning to depart by Eurostar to London, and if you are seriously worried then book yourself a refundable Eurostar ticket before you go which should only cost a few hundred euro.

The country you enter may also be interested in establishing that you have enough money to support yourself during your visit, so you should bring proof that you have the money in your bank account, or cash, or a credit card showing an appropriate limit, or some combination of the above.

Also remember that while there's a limit of 90 days in Schengen per 180 days for US and many other passport holders, places like Ireland and the United Kingdom aren't in Schengen so don't count towards that limit.

I am rarely asked for proof of funds or of return/onward travel even when flying in situations where it may be demanded. For me, it is more often demanded by airline reps than by government passport control types, but infrequently demanded by either. It remains a YMMV situation.

As mentioned previously, where you are from (and the visa requirements) will influence their needs on the proof-of-funds requirement. A major credit card will suffice for this.

Do you have a credit card? If you do, you can show the agent your cc as proof of funds, (except in extremely rare instances would/could they verify your credit limit), hence your available funds could be $1 or $10,000.

cwhitney, welcome to FlyerTalk.

As you're planning European travel, I'll move this to the dedicated FlyerTalk forum on travel in and around Europe. Ocn Vw 1K, Moderator, TravelBuzz.

i do recall proof of return ticket upon boarding here in usa. does not happen to me now, with electronic tickets. checkin sees the return. used to be asked all the time, 20-30-40 years ago......"can i see your return ticket."

For some (most?) nationalities, you're most likely to run into problems at airline check-in with the lack of return ticket. That's been my experience anyway.

Always use Timatic for visa requirements:

National USA (US) /Embarkation USA (US)
Destination France (FR)

France (FR)


Passport required.
- Passport and/or passport replacing documents must be valid
on arrival.
Passport Exemptions:
- Holders of a National ID Card issued to nationals of USA
only when travelling to St. Pierre and Miquelon Islands, for
a stay of max. 15 days.

Visa required, except for A max. stay of 3 months:
- for nationals of USA, holding normal passports;
Minors:
- Alien minors up to/including 17 years of age
For details, click here
Additional Information:
- Schengen visa is also valid for French Guiana, French West
Indies and Reunion, For details, click here
- Visitors are required to hold proof of sufficient funds to
cover their stay and documents required for their next
destination.
- Valid visas in full, invalidated travel documents are
accepted provided accompanied by a new travel document.
- This country is a Schengen Member State For details, click here
Warning:
- Visitors not holding return/onward tickets could be refused
entry.

I think the poster was using the word "customs" to cover what would be called in the UK "passport control" or "immigration control". Although this is an entirely separate process from customs, people often do use the term "customs" to cover all the formalities that a person has to go through on arrival in a country, as we know.

Two young friends of mine were refused entry at LHR as they could not prove they had sufficient funds for their trip. They had return tickets and family in the country, but that wasn't enough. They returned to Canada on the next flight. They did not have a pleasant experience. SO make sure you have a CC and some local currency in hand, especially if you are young. Not having a return ticket to your country of origin could be iffy too.

I'm quoting the airline reps portion. He's right in that you might get some push back from the airline. I wonder if there are government fines to airlines for people flying into Europe without a return ticket or if someone overstays without a return ticket would the airline be fined a large sum.

I'm a USA citizen that lived in Europe and flew to the USA for vacation. On my return back to Europe I would occasionally get an airline rep that would start asking me lots of questions about where I'm going, what I'm doing, etc...

Finally I asked, what's up with all the questions. She mentions I have a one way ticket to Europe. I explain to her its a return ticket of a round trip ticket and that I live in Europe. She types something on the computer and realizes something. Then she smiles, hands me my boarding pass, and says "Thanks Mr. ..... Have a nice trip."