Before you go overseas, check the Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) travel advice online at www.fco.gov.uk/knowbeforeyougo or contact the FCO on 020 7008 0232/0233 for essential travel advice and tips, and up to date country advice.
Get adequate travel insurance
- make sure it includes comprehensive medical and repatriation cover
- make sure it provides cover for your whole trip (whether one day or over a year)
- make sure it covers you for all activities, including hazardous sports
- disclose pre-existing medical conditions
- take your policy number and the 24-hour emergency number with you
- if you have any doubts about your cover, check with your insurer
Ensure you have a valid passport and the necessary visas
- make sure your passport is valid for a minimum of six months at return date
- take a photocopy with you and leave a copy at home
- write the full details of your next of kin in your passport
- make sure you have valid visas
- take another form of ID with you (preferably with a photograph)
Plan to stay healthy
- check what vaccinations you need with your GP at least six weeks before you travel
- check the advice at www.doh.gov.uk/traveladvice or http://www.fitfortravel.scot.nhs.uk
- check if your medication is legal in the country you are visiting
- pack your medication in your hand luggage
- if taking medication with you, also take the prescription and a GP’s letter
- if travelling within the EEA (European Economic Area)1, get an E111 from the Post Office
OR if you have received a European Health Insurance Card from the Department of Health, this should be taken with you when you travel as it supersedes the E111 form. - check to see if extra health precautions are needed for the country you are visiting (e.g. malaria zones)
Know about where you are going
- get a good guide book and look at the FCO country fact sheets
- make sure you know about local laws especially relating to alcohol and drugs
- make sure you know about local culture especially relating to dress codes
- take a phrase book that you can use in emergencies – 1 Countries in the EEA (European Economic Area) are: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Gibraltar, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, UK
- Make sure your travel agent is an ABTA member and, if flying, make sure your air ticket or holiday package is ATOL protected.
- Plan ahead to avoid trouble
- check the FCO up-to-date travel advice and travellers’ tips
- tell friends and family where you are going
- contact family and friends if trouble flares up
Take enough money for your trip
- check the validity, expiry dates and cash available on your credit or debit card(s)
- make sure you have back-up funds such as travellers cheques, sterling or US dollars
- have a return ticket, or enough money to buy one
Leave copies of important information with family and friends
- a copy of your passport and details of your next of kin
- a copy of your insurance document plus the 24-hour emergency number
- a copy of your ticket details
- a copy of your itinerary and a way of contacting you such as e-mail
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