Checklists

Before you go | While you're away  | If things go wrong

BEFORE YOU GO

1. Take out adequate travel insurance

Make sure your policy provides adequate cover, particularly for medical treatment and repatriation. Make sure any dangerous activities you've planned are covered (e.g. skiing, scuba diving). Remember to extend cover if you extend your stay.


2. Know your destination
   Find out about local laws and customs and take a guidebook. Talk to your travel agent or tour operator about possible risks and check the FCO's country-specific travel information so that you're one step ahead of situations that may change quickly. If you are travelling to areas where there may be conflict, wars or violence, it might just save your life.



3. Make sure you have enough money
   Take at least two forms of payment - ideally travellers cheques and a credit card - so that if you lose one you have the other as a standby. Check the expiry date and make a separate note of serial numbers on your travellers cheques.



4. Check that your passport is valid
   Your passport should be valid for at least 6 months - some countries won't let you enter if it isn't. Make sure you have filled in all the details, including the information on your next of kin. Take another form of photo-ID and a photocopy of your passport with you.



5. Check whether you need a visa
   Ask your travel agent, check with the relevant Embassy or visit the FCO.



6. Check if you need vaccinations
   Check online here; preferably see your doctor AT LEAST 6 weeks before you go.



7. Check your medication
   If you take prescribed drugs, take the prescription with you in case you need replacements. Pack your medication in your hand luggage. Check your medication is legal in the country by calling the relevant Embassy in London.



8. Tell friends/family where you're going
   It is important that people are able to contact you in an emergency. Make sure you leave a way of getting in touch.



9. Car insurance
   If you are taking or hiring a car make sure you have proper insurance and breakdown cover. Make sure your driving licence is current and valid for the country.



10. Fill out an E111
    This is available from The Post Office and gives access to free or reduced-cost basic emergency medical treatmetn in the EU, Iceland and Norway. Remember that it will only cover some of the cost, and only applies to certain hospitals. The cost of an ambulance is not usually covered, not is repatriation. You still need adequate travel insurance so you are covered for all eventualities.



11. Keep records
    Make copies of your credit card, traveller's cheque numbers, passport, driving licence, insurance policy, E111, and emergency telephone numbers of the local British Consul and your travel insurer. Leave a set at home with friends or family.

WHILE YOU'RE AWAY

1. Money
   Only carry as much money as you need for the day. Leave extra money, documents and tickets in the hotel safe. While travelling keep your money and important documents in separate places.



2. Know the rules of the road
   In many countries there are on-the-spot fines for traffic offences - exceptions are not made for foreigners.



3. Avoid any involvement with drugs
   Never carry anything through customs for other people or leave your baggage unattended. Some countries have the death penalty.



4. Respect local laws and customs
   For instance, in the UAE it is a punishable offence to drink in public; offenders may be put in prison.



5. Eat and drink carefully
   Find out if the local tap water is safe to drink. If not, drink bottled water and avoid having ice in your drinks. To avoid contaminated food, only have food that has been freshly cooked.



6. Keep in touch with home
   Especially for long trips. If they know you are safe they won't need to panic if there's an emergency in the country you are visiting.



7. Be security conscious
   Avoid unlit streets at night and only carry the minimun amount of cash when sightseeing.


8. Protect yourself from the sun
   If you are travelling to any country where the sun is hot then take care - always use sun lotions with UVA and UVB protection and avoid the sun between midday and 3pm.



9. Protect yourself from mosquitoes
   To reduce the chances of being bitten while abroad use insect repellents, wear long sleeves and long trousers and sleep inder a mosquito net.

IF THINGS GO WRONG ... how the British Consul can help

Consular officials can:

Issue emergency passports

Put you in touch with local lawyers, interpreters and doctors

Visit you if you have been arrested or put in prison

Contact relatives or friends if you need emergency money or tickets

Arrange for next of kin to be told of an accident or a death and advise on procedures

Consular officials cannot:

Pay your hotel, legal, medical or any other bills

Give legal advice

Intervene in court cases

Get you out of prison

Get you better treatment in hospital or prison that locals

Replace lost airline tickets

Check the FCO website, which is packed with travel advice and offers a wealth of country-specific information.