Following this advice could ensure your trip is as safe and stress-free as possible
A major UK airport has issued an alert to all passengers. Heathrow airport told people to “make sure to check” travel advice ahead of a planned trip.
While many of us head abroad as a way to relax and take a break from our day-to-day lives, holidays can prove stressful if they don’t go smoothly. For this reason, it is important to stay up-to-date with any travel warnings and advice for your chosen destination. In a on X, the official Heathrow Airport account said: “Looking to book your next trip from Heathrow?
“Whether you’re relaxing on the beach or engaging in extreme sports, make sure to check the latest FCDO travel advice for your destination and sign up to http://GOV.UK email alerts.”
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) provides a comprehensive travel guide for each country on its website here. You can use this to get the latest information on your destination.
As part of a more general travel checklist, the FCDO says before your trip you should:
- Research your destination
- Get insured
- Check your documents
- Consider your health
Research your destination
Before heading off you should make sure you are up-to-date on all the latest travel advice for your destination. The FCDO said: “Get up-to-date advice and warnings about travel abroad, including entry requirements, safety and security, health risks and legal differences by checking foreign travel advice for the country you’re visiting.”
You can do this via the FCDO website, here.
Get insured
You should not leave this important step until the last minute. “Get appropriate travel insurance as soon as you book,” the FCDO said.
“Check that it covers the places you will visit, the duration of your visit and any planned activities such as adventure sports. Tell your insurance company about any medical conditions, including undiagnosed conditions which are being investigated, and check that your policy will cover these.”
Check your documents for travel
This includes doing the following:
- Sign your passport and complete the emergency contacts page
- Ensure that your passport meets the entry requirements for the country you are visiting (for example, it may need to be valid for a set period after your trip ends)
- Get the correct visa for your destination
- Take an extra form of photo ID with you, other than your passport
- If you are travelling with children check whether you need extra documentation
- If you plan to drive abroad check whether you need an International Driving Permit (IDP)
Consider your health
As standard, you should check the healthcare advice for all countries you’re visiting. It is also vital to check what vaccinations you need and what health precautions you should take at least eight weeks before you travel.
Information on this is available on the NHS website. You should also check the rules on taking your medicine abroad.
More specifically, if you are travelling to an EU country or Switzerland, you should apply for a new Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC), if your GHIC (or EHIC) has expired. The FCDO said: “An EHIC or GHIC may not cover all health costs and never covers repatriation costs. It is not a substitute for travel insurance.”
If you are planning on drinking while away you should also “be alert” to the risk of spiked and contaminated drinks, including methanol poisoning. You can check the Travel Aware website for more details.
Getting help from the FCDO
You can stay up to date before and during travel by following FCDO Travel Advice on Facebook and X. You can sign up for email alerts on GOV.UK
You can contact the nearest British embassy, high commission or consulate, or the FCDO in London 24 hours a day on 020 7008 5000 for advice.