Summer is well and truly underway and with the school holidays just around the corner, have you started the countdown to your summer holiday abroad? Perhaps, it’s all you can think about but before you battle with the mayhem of airport traffic, not to mention dragging too heavy suitcases on and off buses or wait in seemingly endless check-in queues, we’ve got some hot tips to make sure your holiday abroad goes without a hitch.
8 hot tips to travelling abroad this year
There have been plenty of stories in the press about people missing out on their holidays due to lack of preparation, like the latest passport rules. Popular holiday destinations are also implementing new regulations. For example, Spain has recently announced that Brits going topless in certain areas of their cities could face a £170 fine! There are also some countries where you still need to prove you’ve had sufficient Covid booster jabs or passed a PCR test, including China, Brazil, Kenya, Tunisia and several other South American countries.
So, make sure you don’t get caught out and have to miss your holiday entirely and use our following 8 hot tips to travelling abroad.
1. Get your paperwork ready. Although everything is online, don’t take it for granted it’s all in order and you’ll sail through check-in. Take print-outs of all your holiday information, like tickets, boarding information and booking confirmations just in case you need them. This also includes entry visas (apply in plenty of time if you need them).
2. Check everyone’s passports. Make sure everyone’s passports have not expired and are valid for the country you’re travelling to. You need at least 6 months before it expires (this could be the date you leave or the date you arrive at your destination so, make sure you check) AND a minimum of three months before expiry AFTER your return date. This is because of the current Brexit rules. If your passport doesn’t comply with these rules, you’ll need to apply for a new one, which can take around 10 weeks (or longer) during peak holiday season (and strikes!). Renewing a passport can be done online or by post.
3. Sort your holiday money. Make sure you have notified your bank/credit card providers that you are travelling abroad, and which country. This limits the likelihood of a transaction being blocked by them. It’s also a good idea to take a little bit of the destination country’s currency with you – not everywhere nor every facility accepts payment by card, such as travelling on undergrounds or other transport systems. Don’t try and wait for the ‘best’ exchange rate or until you get to the airport. Plan ahead. Remember, if you have to use a cash machine in a foreign country, not only are you likely to be charged a fee but think about security. It’s better to go into a bank or currency exchange facility.
4. Arrange pet/house care. If you have pets, make sure you have suitable arrangements for their care in place in plenty of time. Kennels and catteries get booked up months in advance. You may feel that it’s less stressful for your pets to be looked after in their own home. If this is the case, there are several dedicated companies that offer this service, like Trusted House Sitters, but they don’t come cheap and, again, are booked up quickly. Alternatively, see if any friends are happy to house sit for you (or their responsible 20+ children). This option could be much more cost effective, plus there’s the advantage that they’ll know your pet. Even if you don’t have pets, you may want to have someone staying in your house for security and peace of mind while you’re away. They’ll be able to collect the post, turn lights on and off, draw and open curtains as well as water your plants (inside and out!).
5. Book travel insurance. An absolute must if you’re travelling abroad. According to a YouGov poll, 1 in 5 British holidaymakers don’t take out travel insurance for holidays overseas! Would you like to be in the position of having to fork out thousands of pounds to pay for a medical emergency? Or worse, not be able to get home because you can’t afford it? Like most things, get it sorted well in advance and preferably at the time you book your holiday. Always read the small print and make sure you are fully covered for every eventuality.
6. Book activities in advance. With most popular tourist destinations, it’s possible to book the trips and activities you want to do while away in advance. You can also book restaurants, museums, theatres and most other types of trips before you arrive. Not only does this save you time and the pain of queues, it can sometimes be cheaper, too.
7. Download a translation app. It’s not always easy to understand the local language so, if you don’t speak the language (or not much of it), it’s worth investing in a translation app.
8. Get ready for delays! No summer holiday is without its fraught moments but you can significantly reduce the boredom and stress of delays – or even avoid the delays altogether – with a bit of careful planning in advance. Remember, airports, ports and rail stations will be managing thousands of people leaving for their holidays so plan your time to arrive and check in, then double it! If your journey takes place over meal times, book a place to eat at the airport or a nearby café (where possible) or take a packed lunch with you. Make sure you have plenty to drink to keep everyone hydrated. Take travel games, books, magazines, tablets, etc. with you for entertainment. Make sure mobile devices are fully charged before you leave and keep your charger handy in case you need a top up.
Within our free online community at Really Helpful Club, we love the excitement of planning a holiday. Want to get your holiday off to the best start possible and arrive at your departure location completely relaxed? Just imagine, no taxis, no parking fees, no need to ask friends and family… Well, with Kingsbridge Chauffeurs you can. They provide a superb airport/port/train station transfer service that is second to none. Arrive in style in one of their luxury vehicles via their first class 24 hour service, and they’ll collect you on your home journey.With our Travel and Hospitality Directory on hand, we have the best advice, support and resources you need to make sure your holiday abroad is as smooth and stress free as possible. From finding the best venues and attractions to great travel advice and tips, we can help you throughout to give you the best experience you and your family deserve.
