| | Pre flight checklist This is our free flight checklist and is not officially endorsed by the airport. See our airport security page for what not to pack. Travel Insurance
- Even if you're only going away for the weekend, make sure you have travel insurance. Things get stolen and accidents happen.
- If you're travelling within the EU, get a Form E111 from the Post Office, complete it and have it stamped, for free or reduced cost emergency medical care.
- Buy good quality insurance; make sure your policy cover provides for:
a. all medical bills
b. an air ambulance in case you need to be flown home
c. bringing your family home in the event of your illness or injury
d. any potentially hazardous sporting activities you may be planning
e. replacing and / or bringing your car home if you are taking it abroad - Compare the prices and cover at discount travel insurance. Check exactly what your travel insurance does and does not cover before you buy.
- Almost a third of travel insurance claims are for cancellation. Take out insurance as soon as you book your holiday to ensure you are covered for this.
- If you plan to rely on free cover provided as a benefit on your credit card, get a copy of the cover and read it carefully. For example, it may not cover your return journey, or may only cover you if the full amount of the holiday was paid via the card.
- Consider leaving valuables and jewellery at home. If you do take valuables with make sure your insurance cover is sufficient and that you abide by the policy terms (such as storing them in a safe). Consider covering them under your household contents insurance.
Holiday health & safety - Check the vaccinations you need at least 6 weeks before you travel
- Pack any medication in your hand luggage.
- Carry a spare doctors prescription for your medication in a separate bag. Note the generic names of prescription drugs as brand names may vary.
- Carry a prescription for your glasses.
- If you or any of your party requires emergency treatment, make sure you call your travel insurer's emergency helpline as soon as is practical, and take their advice. If you don't, they may refuse to pay for any treatment required.
Holiday money & Travellers Cheques - Make sure you have enough currency before you fly to cover emergencies.
- Don't rely on one form of money - take a mixture of cash, travellers cheques and credit / debit cards.
- Keep a record of your travellers' cheque numbers seperate from the travellers cheques.
- Travel insurance policies only pay out for stolen cash if is taken from a safe or from your person. Rent the safe in your room or use the hotel safe. The small cost is worth the additional security.
- Take sensible precautions - don't carry all of your cards, travellers cheques and cash with you - you'll be stuck if you do and they're stolen.
- Carry only as much money as you need for the day, plus a little extra for emergencies.
- In most of Europe you need euros. For the US always take dollar denominated travellers cheques, which are accepted in most stores and restaurants. Also take dollars to Eastern Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean.
Credit and debit cards - Check credit / debit card expiry dates before you travel
- Only take the cards on holiday that you are likely to use - leave store cards, company credit cards, and any other cards you won't use in a safe place at home - and be 100% positive you know which cards you have with you.
- When is your statement / payment due? Consider making an advance payment if it falls due during your holiday. You don't want your card to be put on stop when you need to use it.
- If you intend to spend heavily on your card, especially if this is outside your normal spending pattern, let your card issuer know before you travel. Your spending might be picked up by the card issuer's automated fraud programs, which also put your card on stop!
- Make sure the card you intend to use is accepted in the country you are visiting, especially if you plan to use them to draw cash. Use these ATM locators to find out:
a. Visa
b. MasterCard
c. American Express
d. Diners Club (you will need the first 6 digits of your card to get access to this part of the site). - Check sales vouchers carefully before signing - especially the number of zeros. Put a line through any blank space and always keep a copy of the sales voucher.
- Don't lose sight of your cards in shops or restaurants - dishonest staff only need a few seconds and one swipe of your card to get all of the information they need to make a copy of it.
- Report lost or stolen cards to your card issuer immediately - quick reporting limits your responsibility for unauthorised use.
- Make a note of debit and credit card company emergency telephone numbers before you go, or photocopy both sides of your cards. Keep the list seperate from your cards.
Passports and other travel documents - Even when visiting EU countries you should take a passport. It may not be checked checked, but some authorities ask for it as proof of ID.
- Check your passport will be valid for the whole trip. Remember that some countries also require that your passport is valid for at least another 6 months.
- Take a photocopy of your passport, visas and any other important documents. Make a note of passport numbers, dates and where they were issued. Also take a note of your travel insurance policy number.
- Check if you need any visas and how long the visa is valid for.
- When you reach your destination, keep your travel documents in a safe place (the hotel safe again). Don't carry them around with you.
Packing tips and advice - Have your suitcases open and start packing well before your departure date. This allows you to put things in your bags as you think of them.
- Make a list of everything you need to take with you, and then cross them off as you put them in your bags. Double check the list before you close your bags.
- It's a good idea to carry a spare set of underwear and a top in your hand luggage, in case of delays or lost luggage.
- Hand luggage should measure no more than 23cm x 36cm x 56cm and should weigh no more than 4.5kgs.
- The length, width and depth of suitcases should add up to more than 158cm and should not weigh much more than 30kgs.
Things to do before you leave home - Think about your home - let neighbours know that you are away and ask a friend, relative or neighbour to make a regular check on it.
- Set lights and a radio on timers. Unplug televisions, videos and any electronic equipment that does not need to be left on.
- Use up perishables in the fridge or bin them.
- Lock everything.
- On your outward journey write your destination on your luggage tags, not your home address. And put your destination address inside your suitcase as well just in case.
- Know what airline check-in requirements are. These have changed since September 11th 2001 but don't seem to be consistent by airline or by airport.
- To get the best deal in airport parking book it in advance. See our airport parking page for the cheapest parking at the UK's main airports.
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