Good to Know…

Going away is an exciting time and it can be very easy to overlook some important things, that’s why we thought it would be nice to share some of our knowledge with you.

Passport - Don’t leave home without it! Your passport should be valid for 6 months on your date of return and some countries require you to keep your passport with you at all times (just not in the pool!)
Visa - You should check if you need a visa here and apply with plenty of time to spare.
Vaccinations - Always check well in advance if you require vaccinations before you travel, it may take time to make an appointment. A check list is available here.
Safety - It’s always a good idea, in case of emergency to know how to contact the local British embassy, high commission or consulate. Check here for addresses and phone numbers.
Cash - In our opinion, it makes sense to carry a little cash with you, we suggest some British pounds and some local currency of the countries you will visit. Shop around for the best rates with no commissions, you can saved yourself a tidy sum. One source of comparison is here.
Flights - Don’t forget to check in if you are offered the option and always check your flight details incase of changes by the airline.
Time - Allow yourself enough time to travel to the airport further allowing for any possible traffic. A good rule to follow is to arrive 3 hours prior to departure for international flights and 2 hours prior to departure for local and European flights. Be sure to check with your airline incase their rules differ.

Travel Insurance - No matter how seasoned a traveller, we believe nothing is more important than being prepared. Travel Insurance can be relatively cheap and sometimes it’s included with some bank accounts or credit cards, not having the right insurance however, can be very costly, from unexpected medical bills, lost luggage and flight delays. Don’t spoil a great holiday for the sake of a few pounds!
Your Rights - As a passenger of an airline departing or arriving into the EU, you have certain rights you should know about such as delayed and cancelled flights, you can find a wealth of information and help here.
Departure Tax - A lot of people are unaware that some countries have a departure tax, this is normally charged at the airport and it’s a good idea to have the exact amount ready with you. Check the list here to see if the departure tax is included in your ticket or not, its always a good idea to check the international departure airport site for further information.

Accommodation - Hotel, short term rental or staying with friends/family, keep a copy of your booking and the address with you, you don’t want to get stuck without it.
Hand Luggage - Please check here for information on what you can carry onboard the aircraft and what is restricted. Don’t forget those useful items such as travel adaptors, sunglasses, phone and charging cables.
Suitcase - It’s always a good idea to check the weight allowance on your flight and whether you have a check-in baggage allowance. If you are checking in a piece of luggage or more, check the weight at home to avoid any nasty expensive surprises at the airport. PS. Are you going to need your swimsuit?
Medication - Sometimes it’s necessary to travel with your medication, if this is the case you should carry a doctors letter explaining which medicines you have been prescribed and also if possible, a copy of the prescription. You should also check with the airline to see what is allowed to be carried onboard and what needs to be put in your check-in luggage. Please also check for any restrictions in the country you are visiting, as some medicines prescribed in the United Kingdom maybe classed as controlled drugs in other countries.
Sports/Music/Camera Equipment - When travelling with either sports equipment, musical instruments or expensive camera equipment there are a few questions you should ask yourself. Do I really need this? Does my insurance cover these specific items? Do I need any special cases for my equipment? Have I packed it safely to avoid breakages? Are there any hidden costs for taking the items with me?