10th January, 2023

If you’re anything like us, then you’re spending these dark mornings and gloomy days dreaming of a holiday, right? We don’t blame you. As the rush of Christmas and New Year is behind us, plus the cold weather, there’s no wonder that January is one of the busiest months for booking holidays.

We want to help you escape the winter blues, so we’ve rounded up a list of important and helpful tips to ensure a smooth trip. Plus, don’t forget to save 10% on your travel insurance with Just Travel Cover by using code OC10 at checkout!*

Is your passport valid?

Ever booked a holiday without checking how long until your passport expires? In fact, ever booked a holiday without checking where your passport actually is? Guilty…

Many of us will have a quick glance at our passport and see that is still in date, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s valid for the country that you’re planning on travelling to. Some countries, such as Australia and the USA, require your passport to be valid for the length of your stay, whereas other countries such as Egypt and Thailand require at least six months left on your passport.

You can visit the GOV.UK website to check entry requirements for the country that you’re visiting.

Have you got your vaccinations?

Depending on the country that you’re planning on travelling to, you may be advised to get certain vaccinations to protect against diseases that are more common in other areas of the world – some countries may even require proof of these vaccinations.

It’s especially important to check this if your trip includes things like travelling to rural areas, backpacking or camping/hostels.

Don’t forget to check COVID-19 requirements for the country that you’re travelling to. While a lot of countries have opened up to tourists again, there may still be rules to follow. For example, the USA requires all visitor to be vaccinated and have proof of such, with only some exceptions applying.

Again, you can visit the GOV.UK website to check foreign travel advice.

Some vaccinations require several doses at separate times, so be sure not to leave this until the last minute.

Can you take your medication?

If you’re someone that is prescribed medication to be taken regularly, then don’t forget to check what medication can be carried on-board your flight and what medication will need to be checked into the hold. It’s also important to check whether the country that you’re travelling to, or stopping over at if your flight isn’t direct, have any restrictions for medication.

Your GP will be able to help you if you’re unsure. They can also advise you of any specific arrangements for things like storing your medication depending on what type of country you’re travelling to - some medication needs to be kept cold so you might need to keep it in the fridge, for example.

Do you have travel insurance?

Travel insurance is designed to cover the risk of the unexpected, such as lost luggage, a cancelled flight, medical emergencies or having to cut your trip short for a reason that’s outside of your control.

It’s often advised to purchase travel insurance as soon as you’ve booked your trip, so that you’re covered right from the beginning. You never know when something might go wrong, so without travel insurance you could end up largely out of pocket.

Don’t forget that we’ve bagged you a discount! Save 10% on your travel insurance with Just Travel Cover - simply use code OC10 at checkout to save.*

Have you notified your bank?

As more people are opting for contactless transactions, less of us are carrying large amounts of foreign currency in cash and instead making use of our cards. But first, have you told your bank that you’ll be travelling?

There’s nothing worse than trying to pay for something and the transaction being declined, so avoid the hassle and contact them to let them know that you’ll be using the card abroad. Or, if you’re using a specific travel card, let your bank know if you’re going to be transferring a large amount of money to it.

Onto the fun stuff…

Planning a holiday can often be stressful, especially if it’s a long trip or a big family holiday. But a lot of fun and excitement can be found in researching the tastiest local restaurants or deciding which activities to do! So, while it’s important to make sure that everything is in order, don’t forget to enjoy yourself and make the most of your well-deserved trip.


Written by: Shannan Errington

*Discount code terms and conditions can be found here.
*Please note that the above information has been gathered through secondary research. The information provided is not based on our opinion. You should seek further guidance and information before making an informed decision.

Sources:
https://www.postoffice.co.uk/identity/soon-to-expire-passport
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/travel-vaccinations/
https://www.nhs.uk/common-health-questions/medicines/can-i-take-my-medicine-abroad/