How to prepare for a holiday abroad
You’ve booked your flights, your accommodation and your transfers. You know where you’re going, you know how you’re going to get there – but there’s still that niggling feeling that you’ve forgotten something! Check out our guide to preparing for a holiday abroad to help you remember all you’ll need to have a great time.
Have you had the necessary jabs?
This is something you can’t leave to the last minute. You must make sure that you’ve had all the required inoculations for the country you are heading to – and remember that different countries have different requirements. If you do this as early as possible, it will avoid any nasty surprises. Be sure to check a few weeks in advance as some jabs need to be given in stages, with several weeks between each dosage.
Is your passport valid?
It sounds obvious but it’s one of the classic holiday mistakes to make. Ensure that you not only know where your passport is – keep checking that ‘safe place’ if necessary – but that it is also in date. Airlines often require your passport to be valid for six months after your departure date – so make sure this is the case! Again, this is something that is best to check a good few weeks in advance as applying for a new passport, and waiting for it to be delivered, can take a considerable amount of time.
Do you have travel insurance?
It is a good idea to book travel insurance as soon as you know the details of your holiday abroad – that way you won’t forget. As with most things, it pays to shop around and compare prices to know that you are getting the best deal. It may be worth checking if your household insurance provides holiday insurance, and what this policy actually covers. Make sure you know what you’re covered for so you’re not caught short if ever you need to make a claim – always read the small print. It is also important to make sure you have a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), which has replaced the E111 form.
Do you have enough money?
You may have paid for your holiday but it is important to make sure you do not get stranded in a foreign country without means of payment for any of the other necessary holiday expenses. Make sure you have as much as you can afford of the local currency, and travellers cheques too if you prefer. If you are planning on using your credit or debit card abroad, find out about any charges the banks may impose for using them or withdrawing cash in a foreign country to avoid being surprised by any processing charges.
Lastly, make sure you have all your tickets, accommodation information and up-to-date contact details easily available and you should be good to go!
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