Guide to travelling abroad
Friday 18 July 2008
If you're thinking about going abroad any time in the future, there are a whole load of things you need to do before you go. It's never as simple as booking your tickets, chucking a load of clothes into your suitcase and stepping on a plane.
Where to go?
There are many different ways to travel abroad: by car, train, boat, ship or ferry and aeroplane. The method of travel you end up choosing will depend on what you want to do and how long you want to go away for. For example, millions of people jet off for their one or two week summer holidays, but what if you want to take a little more time? If you can't decide where to go, there are thousands of web sites that can provide you with inspiration.
Get the best deal
Once you've decided where you want to go, you can also use the internet to find the best deals on things like flights, accommodation or complete package holidays. Try typing 'holidays', 'travel' or 'cheap flights' into a search engine to get an idea of the deals available. Many travel firms now use the web to sell late deals on next day flights, thanks to the internet's ability to communicate with millions of people at speed.
Get the info
Before you go abroad, visit the Government's Foreign and Commonwealth Office's Travel Advice web site for information on virtually every country's cultures, customs, health care serves and even crime rates. It will also advise you on whether it's safe to travel to a particular country or not. It also carries a top 10 checklist of things people should do before they go abroad, which applies even if you are going to popular destinations like Ayia Napa, not just far off remote places.
As well as checking the FCO's Travel Advice, it's recommended that you:
- Get travel insurance. Many travel insurance firms offer over £2 million in health care cover for a one payment of between £20 and £50. If you are not covered properly, you could face expensive medical bills should something happen.
- If you're travelling within the European Union, get an EHIC form the Post Office for reduced or free emergency care. But you will still need travel insurance.
- Get a good guidebook and get to know your destination properly, especially local laws and customs.
- Make sure you have a valid passport and the necessary visas.
- Check what vaccinations you need at least six weeks before you go.
- Check to see if you need to take extra health precautions like injections. There is a good travel guide on the Department of Health's web site, which talks about getting the right inoculations (see link).
- Make sure your travel agent is a member of the Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA) and that your holiday package is protected by Air Travel Organiser's Licensing (ATOL). These both protect you from losing your holiday or being stranded in a country if your travel agent goes out of business.
- Make copies of your passport, your insurance policy, emergency numbers and ticket details. Leave these copies with family and friends.
- Leave a copy of your planned route with family and friends and also give them an e-mail address or mobile phone number that they can contact you on.
- Also take enough money for your trip and some back-up funds such as travellers cheques.
Money talk
Depending on where you go on your travels, you will need to get some foreign currency. For example, if you're travelling throughout Europe, it's highly likely that you'll need some Euros. Most banks and travel agents now offer currency services. You will either be charged a minimum rate, a flat fee or a handling fee.
For more information about safety go to our special section on Travel Safety or visit the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's web site and click on the Travel section. Click on the section called 'While you are there' and then 'Security & General Tips.'
