ABTA's travel checklist

Wherever you’re heading to on your next overseas adventure, some pre-holiday preparation is absolutely essential to travelling with confidence. 

ABTA’s handy checklist highlights the most important things to add to your to-do list in the weeks running up to your trip. 

As always, if you need any further guidance or would like specific advice for your trip, speak to your ABTA member travel provider. 

1. Read the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) travel advice

Make sure you visit www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice to find the latest advice for the country you’re visiting. 

This includes the latest entry requirements such as rules around passport validity and visas, advice on health such as any recommended travel vaccinations, and guidance on safety and security. 

You can sign up to receive country specific email alerts to get important updates straight into your inbox. 

2. Check your passport

Check your passport will be valid for your travel dates and allow time to renew if needed.

Passport validity rules vary from country to country, so check the FCDO travel advice to find out the rules for the country you’re visiting.

If you’re travelling to any country in the EU (except Ireland), the rules for British passport holders are different now that the UK is no longer in the EU. Your passport must have been issued less than 10 years before the date you enter the EU and it must be valid for at least three months after the day you plan to leave. 

Don’t forget that children’s passports are only valid for five years so will need renewing more regularly. 

Visit abta.com/passports for extra guidance.

3. Take out comprehensive travel insurance

As soon as you book your holiday, make sure you take out comprehensive travel insurance that covers your specific needs, including any activities you plan to do or existing medical conditions. 

A good insurance policy will cover you for cancellation charges, delays, lost baggage, and medical expenses if you need treatment abroad, so read the policy details carefully to make sure it has the level of cover you want. 

Don’t forget to take a copy of your policy details and insurer’s contact info with you and share these details with friends or family back home in case of an emergency.

Visit abta.com/travelinsurance for extra guidance.

4. Make sure you have a valid GHIC 

The Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) provides low-cost or free access to medically necessary state healthcare in all 27 EU countries, as well as Switzerland, Montenegro, the Channel Islands and Australia. 

This means that if you have a pre-existing medical condition, need a prescription while abroad or have a medical emergency in any of the countries where a GHIC is accepted, you will be entitled to the same level of care that a resident of that country would receive. 

The GHIC is not a substitute for travel insurance however, as it won’t cover all health costs and never covers repatriation costs. 

The GHIC comes free of charge, is valid for five years and replaces the EHIC (European Health Insurance Card). However if you already have an EHIC, it will remain valid until it reaches its expiry date. 

You can apply for a GHIC at NHS.uk.

5. Check the rules for travelling to Europe 

Now that the UK is no longer a member of the EU, there are some important differences to be aware of when travelling to Europe.

This includes new passport validity requirements (as mentioned above), restrictions on items that can be taken into the EU, changes to the documentation required when driving or taking your pet abroad, and charges for using your mobile phone depending on your network’s policy. 

While you won’t need a visa if you’re going on a short trip to Europe, you will need one if you plan to stay more than 90 days in any 180-day period. 

Visit abta.com/brexit for extra guidance.

6. Stick to the current rules for liquids and laptops

When preparing your hand luggage for airport security, follow the existing rules around liquids and removing electronic devices.

This is because, while UK airports are working to introduce new generation scanners which will eventually change the hand luggage rules when going through security, many airports will not be fully up and running with the new scanners this summer – so in most cases the old rules with be in place. It’s also important to note that the destination airport you’re returning from may not have the new scanners either.

So, to avoid inconvenience and any unnecessary delays, make sure any liquids you’re taking are no more than 100ml and fit inside one 20cm x 20cm clear plastic bag. When going through security, remove this bag and any electronic devices from your hand luggage and place them separately in the security tray.

Visit abta.com/airportsecurity for extra guidance.

7. Get your travel money sorted

The use of cash and card varies from country to country, so make sure you take enough travel money with you to suit the country you’re visiting and how you plan to travel when you get there. 

It’s worth noting that many ATMs overseas carry a usage charge, and you may need cash on arrival for bus or taxi fares, as well as for tips or for cash-only transactions while on holiday.

8. Have a fun and safe trip

We want everyone to have a holiday to remember, for all of the right reasons, so make sure you take steps to keep yourself safe, such as, when swimming, following the rules at the pool, look out for warning flags and signs at the beach and closely supervise children in the water.  We have lots of advice to help you stay safe on holiday.