It’s every traveller’s worst nightmare: the hotel and travel arrangements have long been sorted, the holiday shopping is complete, and you begin packing. Suddenly, you realise you can’t find your passport. You’ve lost your passport and fly tomorrow from the UK, here’s what to do next.
You’ve lost your passport – time to check everywhere
A lot of the time, a lost passport will often end up being found at home. Here are some places to double-check:
- Rucksacks and handbags used for travelling
- Suitcases (remember to check those inner pockets)
- Bedside table drawers
- Kitchen drawers
- If you have a workspace at home, check your desk and drawers here
- Makeup and toiletries bags
- Your car
- In the sofa cushions
- Under your bed
Some of these places may seem bizarre, but taking some time to thoroughly check every nook and cranny of your home is important. If you last travelled abroad with people outside of your household, it’s worth asking them if they have your passport too, it’s easy to get passports muddled when they all have the same cover.
Report the lost or stolen passport
Looked everywhere without luck? Now it’s time to step into action and report your passport as lost or stolen. This will reduce the risk of anyone else using your passport or your identity if it has been stolen. To report this, head to the gov.uk website and follow the simple steps.
Can you get a UK passport in one day?
The UK’s passport office does offer a one-day premium service, but unfortunately, this doesn’t apply to lost or stolen passports, this is valid only for those who need a passport renewal. If you’re still in the UK, the quickest service to replace a lost passport is the one week fast-track service.
To use this service, you need to book an in-person appointment at a passport office and then your new passport will be delivered by courier one week later. It costs:
- £178 for an adult passport
- £145 for a child passport
I’ve lost my passport and I’m not in the UK – what now?
If you lose your passport while abroad, you won’t have to wait as long. An emergency travel document allows you to travel home and can be applied for online via the gov.uk website. You will need:
- a valid digital passport photo that meets the guidelines and hasn’t been used in an old passport
- a contact telephone number
- an email address
- a debit or credit card for the £125 fee
If your application is approved, you’ll be told how and when to collect your emergency travel document and whether you need to do anything else, such as attend an appointment at your nearest British Embassy. The emergency travel document will usually be ready to collect two working days after you apply, though processing can take longer in some cases.
Can I travel while waiting for my UK passport?
You can’t travel overseas while you wait for your new passport or your emergency travel document to arrive. If you’re in the UK and a UK citizen, you could only travel domestically using another photo identification document like a driving license. For domestic flights, there’s no legal requirement for a passport, but many airlines require photographic ID, so check your airline’s ID policy before travel.
How can I avoid extra costs if I postpone my flight?
Losing your passport and the associated financial impact on your holiday plans is where your travel insurance will come into play. If you have to postpone your flights to another date due to a lost or stolen passport, let your travel insurance provider know as soon as possible and they will talk you through the next steps. Most insurers require timely notification and may need a police report to process claims for lost or stolen passport-related costs.
It might feel cheeky, but it’s worth contacting your airline first to see if they will change your flight without a hefty fee, you never know. They may just do it as a gesture of goodwill and save you a big chunk of money or a lot of admin involved with contacting your travel insurance provider. Any fee waiver or change depends on the airline’s contract of carriage and fare rules.
Tips to make sure you don’t lose your passport in the future
- I keep my passport in a red folder when in transit. This makes it easy to find in my bag.
- I keep it in a safe while I’m away from home. If there isn’t a safe, I hide it in my belongings and make a note of the location on my phone.
- At home, I keep my passport in the red folder in one location at all times.
Frequently asked questions
Standard replacement usually takes around three weeks on average, but can take six weeks or longer in peak season. If you need it sooner, you can book a one-week Fast Track appointment at a UK Passport Office.
The one-day Premium service is only for simple renewals and generally cannot be used for lost or stolen passports. In extreme medical or bereavement cases there are rare exceptions, contact the Passport Office directly for guidance and evidence requirements.
Apply online via gov.uk after cancelling your passport. The fee is £125 and you may need an embassy appointment to collect the document. Required items: a valid digital passport photo, proof of travel plans, contact details and a payment card. Typical collection: around two working days after approval.
Many travel insurance policies will cover emergency costs (for example, an Emergency Travel Document or additional travel changes) but policies vary. Stolen passports usually require a local police report for a claim. Contact your insurer immediately and check your policy wording for limits, exclusions and documentation requirements.
Cancel or report the passport immediately at gov.uk (can be done from anywhere). If abroad, report to the local police and keep a copy of the report, you may need it for an embassy or insurance claim. If you can’t go online, ask someone to report it for you or visit the nearest British embassy or consulate.
The foregoing article was last updated in February 2026. It does not contain legal advice and is for informational purposes only. KAYAK does not guarantee, and accepts no legal liability arising from or connected to, the accuracy, reliability, currency, or completeness of any of the information contained in this article and/or any of the content linked to within it. Always check the official government website of your departure and arrival destinations prior to travel for up-to-date information.
