FCDO Travel Aware Campaign

Here you'll find plenty of tips and suggestions for staying safe while travelling, but we'd always recommend checking the advice of the professionals. For more information please visit www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice, and for the most recent updates on specific countries, please check out our FCDO updates webpage.

Getting ready for your trip?

• Make sure that all members of your travelling party have full travel insurance, and that it is valid for your entire trip. Check that it includes cover for any activities you want to do, like extreme sports.
• If you're going on a cruise or winter sports trip, check you have the right cover to take part in these specific types of holiday.
• Remember:  the cheaper the policy, the less effective the cover may be. Always read the Policy Wording and check that you're getting the cover you need.
• If you are travelling within the EU, ensure you take a GHIC card. Read our blog post so that you know what it's for.
• Your passport needs to be valid to travel. Make sure you check it well ahead of travelling, and have enough time to order a new one if necessary. Everyone in your party needs a valid passport to travel abroad.
• Check the entry requirements of the country you're visiting. You might need a specific type of visa, personal medication might need a doctor's note, and your passport might need more than 6 months of validity from your return date. We would always suggest taking a look at the FCDO travel advice for your destination so that you know what to do.
• It's a good idea to communicate to others where you're going, and to leave a copy of your travel documents in a secure place if someone back in the UK needs to access them. Make sure the person knows when you're expected back, and means of contact in an emergency.
• Keep your passport safe whilst travelling.
• Planning to drive whilst away? Please make sure your UK driving licence is current and valid.
• Expect the unexpected when travelling and always ensure you take enough money or have access to some back up funds in case of an unexpected incident. Check your credit cards are valid for the length of your trip.

Tips for when you arrive at your destination

• Laws and customs can be very different from in the UK, so please know and respect them as the penalties can be very severe.
• Don’t take risks, trust your instincts and think about what you are doing.
• Take a copy of contact details for the British Embassy or Consulate in case you need to contact them.
• Buy bottled water especially if you have any doubt whether the water is safe to drink.
• Reapply your sun cream frequently (especially after swimming!), and make sure you're properly protected.

We hope you find the above information helpful. For more details on preparing for safe and healthy travel please visit: www.travelaware.campaign.gov.uk.