Passport:
Check that your passport is in date and valid for at least 3 months after your Trip, for some countries it will need to be in date for 6 months after your trip. Check the regulations of the countries you are visiting.
Visas:
Check if you need a visa to enter any of the countries on your itinerary and if you need to apply before you travel or obtain them on entry.
Emergency Contacts:
Ensure the details are completed at the back of your passport.
Copy Documents:
Leave a photocopy of the following documents at home with one of your emergency contacts who can be contacted easily at anytime whilst you are travelling:
• Your full Itinerary
• Passports & any necessary visas
• Any travel tickets
• Hotel booking details
• Birth Certificate
• Driving Licence
• Debit Card / Credit Card information
• Travel Insurance Certificate
This will make life much easier should you be unfortunate enough to misplace any of them whilst travelling.
Insurance:
What type of cover do you need?
It is very important that you take out the correct travel insurance for your individual circumstances, there are several companies who offer Cover for pre-existing medical conditions.
Many conditions are ‘free conditions’ which means that you will not pay an additional premium for them, but you must declare them on your application form so as not to invalidate your cover.
It is also a requirement of cover that you update the insurance company with any change to your health and medication.
When to buy travel insurance:
You should buy your insurance as soon as you have booked your trip, this will mean that you are covered if something happens prior to your trip which results in cancellation.
Single Trip or Annual Cover:
If you are planning more than one trip abroad & trips in the UK it is sensible to purchase Annual Cover which will cover all your trips in the year. Although a UK citizen does not require health insurance within the UK, it will cover you for loss of luggage, cancellation etc
Always check that you have adequate insurance for your needs, being a senior traveller makes this all the more important.
Always carry your documents in your hand luggage, never put them in your luggage to be checked in.
