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Travel Aware

Staying safe and healthy abroad

Advice for going abroad

Stick with your mates.

Going abroad with your mates is all about having fun. Lounging by the pool, catching the rays and partying into the early hours.   

It should be a trip you want to remember for the right reasons.

Sadly, for a small number of Brits, their holiday ends in a hospital ward or a police station.  

But we are here to share with you a few simple tips that can help you have a holiday to remember, not one to forget.  

Here are five things that can help prevent things going wrong on the strip:

Friends don’t leave friends behind.

Serious incidents often happen after drinking alcohol when you are alone and isolated.

◊ TIP: Stick with your mates throughout the night. Stay in contact and if you’re staying at the same accommodation, go home together.

Drinking abroad can be different than back in the UK. The quality and measurements of alcohol can be larger, cheaper and deals can result in you being drunk quicker than intended.

Drinks spiking can also take place on holiday. Spiking is adding alcohol or drugs to someone’s drink without them knowing.

S piking is commonly used to distract you from theft or impair you before an assault .

◊TIP: Do not leave your drink unattended and do not accept drinks from complete strangers. This is the best strategy to prevent the possibility of your drink being spiked.

◊TIP: Consume water in-between alcoholic drinks. This will help pace you throughout the night and help keep you hydrated.

◊ TIP: Drink at your own pace. Everyone’s tolerance to alcohol is different. Consider avoiding rounds or having a break from drinking alcohol if you are feeling uneasy.

Remembering where to go at the end of the night can be tougher than you think. It’s a new environment, a different climate, and drinking alcohol could make this harder.

TIP: Keep details of your accommodation on you. Consider taking a screenshot of the hotel’s address before going out. Or ask reception if they have an address card you can take and store in your wallet.

◊ TIP: Use messaging apps to set up a group chat. This way you can send your location to your friends if you get lost or check they are safe if you lose them.

It is easy to get lost in a foreign country. Add alcohol and sun and it’s now even easier to get lost.

◊ TIP: If you are on the strip, before your first big night, familiarise yourself with the area. Exploring your surroundings will help you remember where you are later.

◊ TIP: Agree a meeting place in case you lose your friends and cannot get in contact (e.g. phone out of battery or lost etc.)

Travel insurance

Travel insurance is important. It provides protection and coverage for unexpected events that can happen on holiday. Travel insurance can cover a range of scenarios, such as:

• medical emergencies and repatriation
• lost or stolen baggage
• trip cancellations or interruptions
• natural disasters

You must purchase insurance cover that is appropriate for your travel plans. Travelling without the right cover can be very expensive if things do go wrong while you are abroad.

There are many reasons why travel insurance may be invalidated.

If you buy a basic policy that does not provide enough medical coverage, you may get a big bill if you have an unexpected health issue on holiday.

You may buy a policy that does not cover your planned holiday activities such as water sports or quad biking; or does not cover cancellations or delays. If you’re injured doing activities, or your trip is disrupted, you may have a big bill to pay.

So, before you go on holiday, you can do some small things in only a few minutes which could save you a lot of money.

You must declare all pre-existing medical conditions when buying travel insurance. If you already have cover, you should check that your list of medical conditions is up to date before each trip abroad.

Failure to do this could mean your claim is rejected if you have a medical emergency while travelling.

Therefore you must be honest about any medical conditions you have, to avoid risking a big bill.

Check your policy to see what you need to declare. Medical conditions can include, but are not limited to:

• heart conditions
• high blood pressure
• respiratory conditions (such as asthma)
• mental health conditions
• any form of cancer

When buying travel insurance, consider the type of coverage you need. If you intend to engage in adventure activities, like quad-biking or water sports, you may need specific insurance cover. Check your policy before you travel to make sure all your activities are covered.

Make sure you buy travel insurance that covers the entire duration of your holiday. Some insurance policies have a limit on the amount of time you can be abroad; if you exceed it, your policy may be invalidated.

You may assume you will not need to be brought home for medical reasons whilst on holiday. But, if you become ill or injured while travelling, you may need to be transported to hospital, or back to the UK, for treatment. Medical evacuations can cost thousands of pounds.

Check your policy covers medical evacuation before travelling. This is especially important if your trip includes adventure activities like climbing, quad-biking or water sports.

Before you go on holiday, share your insurance policy details with travel companions, and friends or family at home. This can be helpful in case they need to contact your insurance company on your behalf, if you get into trouble abroad.

When you travel, take a paper copy of your insurance policy with you. If you lose your phone abroad, this paper copy will provide the information you need, including your policy number and insurer’s emergency 24 hour telephone number.

More information

Travel advice

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United Kingdom Travel Advisory

Travel advisory july 26, 2023, united kingdom - level 2: exercise increased caution.

Reissued with obsolete COVID-19 page links removed.

Exercise increased caution in the United Kingdom due to terrorism.

Country Summary:  Terrorist groups continue plotting possible attacks in the United Kingdom. Terrorists may attack with little or no warning, targeting tourist locations, transportation hubs, markets/shopping malls, local government facilities, hotels, clubs, restaurants, places of worship, parks, major sporting and cultural events, educational institutions, airports, and other public areas.

There is also a risk of isolated violence by dissident groups in Northern Ireland, focused primarily on police and military targets.

Read the  country information page  for additional information on travel to the United Kingdom.

If you decide to travel to the United Kingdom:

• Be aware of your surroundings when traveling to tourist locations and crowded public venues.
• Follow the instructions of local authorities.
• Monitor local media for breaking events and adjust your plans based on new information.
• Enroll in the  Smart Traveler Enrollment Program  ( STEP ) to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
• Follow the Department of State on  Facebook  and Twitter.com/Travelgov
• Review the  Country Security Report  for the United Kingdom.
• Visit the CDC page for the latest  Travel Health Information  related to your travel and return to the United States.
• Prepare a contingency plan for emergency situations. Review the  Traveler’s Checklist .

Travel Advisory Levels

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Travel vaccination advice

If you're planning to travel outside the UK, you may need to be vaccinated against some of the serious diseases found in other parts of the world.

Vaccinations are available to protect you against infections such as yellow fever , typhoid and hepatitis A .

In the UK, the  NHS routine immunisation (vaccination) schedule protects you against a number of diseases, but does not cover all of the infectious diseases found overseas.

When should I start thinking about the vaccines I need?

If possible, see the GP or a private travel clinic at least 6 to 8 weeks before you're due to travel.

Some vaccines need to be given well in advance to allow your body to develop immunity.

And some vaccines involve a number of doses spread over several weeks or months.

You may be more at risk of some diseases, for example, if you're:

• travelling in rural areas
• backpacking
• staying in hostels or camping
• on a long trip rather than a package holiday

If you have a pre-existing health problem, this may make you more at risk of infection or complications from a travel-related illness.

Which travel vaccines do I need?

You can find out which vaccinations are necessary or recommended for the areas you'll be visiting on these websites:

• Travel Health Pro
• NHS Fit for Travel

Some countries require proof of vaccination (for example, for polio or yellow fever vaccination), which must be documented on an International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis (ICVP) before you enter or when you leave a country.

Saudi Arabia requires proof of vaccination against certain types of meningitis for visitors arriving for the Hajj and Umrah pilgrimages.

Even if an ICVP is not required, it's still a good idea to take a record of the vaccinations you have had with you.

Find out more about the vaccines available for travellers abroad

Where do I get my travel vaccines?

First, phone or visit the GP practice or practice nurse to find out whether your existing UK vaccinations are up-to-date.

If you have any records of your vaccinations, let the GP know what you have had previously.

The GP or practice nurse can give you general advice about travel vaccinations and travel health, such as protecting yourself from malaria.

They can give you any missing doses of your UK vaccines if you need them.

Not all travel vaccinations are available free on the NHS, even if they're recommended for travel to a certain area.

If the GP practice can give you the travel vaccines you need but they are not available on the NHS, ask for:

• written information on what vaccines are needed
• the cost of each dose or course
• any other charges you may have to pay, such as for some certificates of vaccination

You can also get travel vaccines from:

• private travel vaccination clinics
• pharmacies offering travel healthcare services

Which travel vaccines are free?

The following travel vaccines are available free on the NHS from your GP surgery:

• polio (given as a combined diphtheria/tetanus/polio jab )
• hepatitis A

These vaccines are free because they protect against diseases thought to represent the greatest risk to public health if they were brought into the country.

Which travel vaccines will I have to pay for?

You'll have to pay for travel vaccinations against:

• hepatitis B
• Japanese encephalitis
• tick-borne encephalitis
• tuberculosis (TB)
• yellow fever

Yellow fever vaccines are only available from designated centres .

The cost of travel vaccines that are not available on the NHS will vary, depending on the vaccine and number of doses you need.

It's worth considering this when budgeting for your trip.

Other things to consider

There are other things to consider when planning your travel vaccinations, including:

• your age and health – you may be more vulnerable to infection than others; some vaccines cannot be given to people with certain medical conditions
• working as an aid worker – you may come into contact with more diseases in a refugee camp or helping after a natural disaster
• working in a medical setting – a doctor, nurse or another healthcare worker may require additional vaccinations
• contact with animals – you may be more at risk of getting diseases spread by animals, such as rabies

If you're only travelling to countries in northern and central Europe, North America or Australia, you're unlikely to need any vaccinations.

But it's important to check that you're up-to-date with routine vaccinations available on the NHS.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Speak to a GP before having any vaccinations if:

• you're pregnant
• you think you might be pregnant
• you're breastfeeding

In many cases, it's unlikely a vaccine given while you're pregnant or breastfeeding will cause problems for the baby.

But the GP will be able to give you further advice about this.

People with immune deficiencies

For some people travelling overseas, vaccination against certain diseases may not be advised.

This may be the case if:

• you have a condition that affects your body's immune system, such as HIV or AIDS
• you're receiving treatment that affects your immune system, such as chemotherapy
• you have recently had a bone marrow or organ transplant

A GP can give you further advice about this.

Non-travel vaccines

As well as getting any travel vaccinations you need, it's also a good opportunity to make sure your other vaccinations are up-to-date and have booster vaccines if necessary.

Although many routine NHS vaccinations are given during childhood, you can have some of them (such as the MMR vaccine ) as an adult if you missed getting vaccinated as a child.

There are also some extra NHS vaccinations for people at higher risk of certain illnesses, such as the flu vaccine , the hepatitis B vaccine and the BCG vaccine for tuberculosis (TB) .

Your GP can advise you about any NHS vaccinations you might need.

Find out about NHS vaccinations and when to have them

Page last reviewed: 16 March 2023 Next review due: 16 March 2026

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Travel and COVID-19: What do I need to know?

COVID-19 is no longer defined as a global health emergency by the World Health Organization (WHO) and like the UK, the vast majority of overseas countries no longer have any in-country COVID-19 restrictions or entry requirements, like showing proof of vaccination or a negative test. 

However, as COVID-19 is still circulating, it’s important to check how the country you’re visiting is currently managing the virus.

Check the FCDO travel advice to find out how each country is managing COVID-19

Before you leave the UK, you should always check the Government’s latest advice for the country, or countries, you would like to visit at gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice . 

This is the place to find all the important information about your chosen destination, including its approach to COVID-19.

The entry requirements section will set out if there are any COVID-19 rules you need to be aware of, while the health section will advise if there are any measures to manage COVID-19 at your destination e.g. if you’re required to wear a face covering in public spaces or healthcare settings. It may be helpful to take a face covering with you just in case you need one.

Check your travel insurance policy has the cover you want 

Most insurance policies offer a level of cover for COVID-19, such as cover for cancellation if you fall ill with the virus and are unable to travel, or medical expenses while on holiday. 

However, some policies offer more cover than others, so it’s important to take out a comprehensive travel insurance policy as soon as you book your holiday that has the level of cover that you want.

You can find more advice on travel insurance at abta.com/travelinsurance .

How ABTA members can help

ABTA member travel providers will be able to answer any questions you might have and make sure you have the most up-to-date information and advice so you can travel with confidence. You can check if your travel company is an ABTA member by using our search tool .

Full list of updated green, amber and red countries - and the rules when you travel

Political reporter @itssophiemorris

Monday 28 June 2021 13:20, UK

The UK government might have given people more options for foreign travel but some destinations, such as Portugal which is on the amber list, are bringing in their own restrictions for British passengers.

From 28 June travellers to Portugal who are not fully vaccinated against coronavirus must quarantine for 14 days on arrival. This will last until 11 July.

Spain's Balearic islands, Malta and Madeira were among the destinations added to the green list in the latest update to the UK's travel traffic light system.

But Spain's government has now said that Britons arriving in Mallorca, Ibiza and other Balearic Islands will have to present a negative test result or proof of vaccination.

The second of the three-weekly reviews took place amid calls from holidaymakers and the travel industry for more countries to be added to the quarantine-free list.

Changes to the policy are made based on the COVID-19 situation in different countries.

Here is the updated green list

Antigua and Barbuda

Balearic Islands (Formentera, Ibiza, Mallorca, Menorca)

British Antarctic Territory

British Indian Ocean Territory

British Virgin Islands

Cayman Islands

Falkland Islands

Faroe Islands

Israel and Jerusalem

New Zealand

Pitcairn, Henderson, Ducie and Oeno Islands

South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands

St Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha

Turks and Caicos Islands

The lists can be amended at any time, but the next formal review is expected in three weeks.

Green list rules

Spain's Balearic Islands, Malta, Madeira, and some islands in the Caribbean - including Barbados - have been added to England's travel green list.

A negative test result or proof of vaccination is now required upon arrival in the Balearic Islands.

The Caribbean islands included are Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Dominica, Grenada, Montserrat, and the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Also on the go list are Bermuda, British Antarctic Territory, British Indian Ocean Territory, and the Pitcairn Islands.

But, the announcement came with a warning from the Department for Transport (DfT), as all of the new additions to the quarantine-free travel list, with the exception of Malta, will also be added to the government's 'green watchlist'.

It means these countries "are at risk of moving from green to amber" and that passengers should "take extra care when thinking about travelling".

The changes will come into effect at 4am on Wednesday 30 June.

People returning from a country on this list will not need to quarantine, and will only be required to take one test two days after arriving in the UK.

At present, UK tourists can travel to Malta without quarantine on arrival as long as they present a negative PCR test within 72 hours of departure and complete a passenger locator and public health declaration form.

Tourists heading from the UK to the Balearic Islands do not have to provide a negative COVID test on arrival, although some accommodation may require proof of a negative test.

The green list also consists of Gibraltar, Israel, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Brunei, Iceland and the Faroe Islands, plus several small remote islands that are British Overseas Territories.

However, entry to Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Brunei and the Faroe Islands is severely restricted.

Portugal was the only major European destination in this category originally, but was moved to amber after only a few weeks.

Amber list and rules

This covers the most popular UK holiday destinations such as Spain, France, Italy, Portugal and Greece.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps has said people "should not be travelling to these places right now", but that this is likely to be updated "later this summer".

Those who go against that guidance must take two post-arrival tests from private companies on day two and day eight after arriving.

They are also required to self-isolate at home for 10 days, although they can reduce that time if they take an additional negative test on day five.

UK travellers arriving in Portugal will have to prove they have had two doses of a vaccine at least two weeks ago, or they have to isolate for 14 days.

UK tourists are allowed into mainland Spain without a negative PCR test, despite the country remaining on Britain's amber list.

Germany is also on the amber list but, due to the Delta variant, travellers from the UK will only be admitted if they are citizens or residents - or have urgent humanitarian reasons such as an immediate family bereavement.

However, they must quarantine for two weeks, even if they test negative.

Red list and rules

New additions to the red list include Eritrea, Haiti, Dominican Republic, Mongolia, Tunisia and Uganda.

Other countries among the countries on the red list are Brazil, India, South Africa and the United Arab Emirates.

Those returning from a red list country must stay in a government-approved quarantine hotel for 10 full days at a cost of £1,750.

The day of arrival in England counts as day 0.

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Train drivers’ dispute likely to end after ‘no-strings’ pay offer

Average salary of a train driver, without overtime, would rise from £60,000 to £69,000 if aslef members vote to accept, article bookmarked.

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Two years after the longest and most bitter dispute in the history of British railways began, a settlement appears to be in sight.

The train drivers’ union, Aslef , is recommending acceptance of a “no-strings” pay deal that will see an immediate payment of £6,000 in backdated wages for the typical member.

The agreement, which Aslef members will now vote on, is for three increases:

• 5 per cent for 2022-2023
• 4.75 per cent for 2023 to 2024
• 4.5 per cent for 2024 to 2025.

The deal would see the average salary of a train driver, without overtime, rising from £60,000 to £69,000.

Mick Whelan, general secretary of Aslef, said: “We are pleased that after being treated with utter contempt for the last two years by the privatised train companies, and the previous government that was pulling their strings, we finally have a new government – a Labour government – that listens and wants to make the railway work for staff, for passengers, and for the taxpayer.

“‘The offer is a good offer – a fair offer – and it is what we have always asked for, a clean offer, without a land grab for our terms & conditions that the companies, and previous government, tried to take in April last year.

“We will put it to members with a recommendation for them to accept.”

If, as expected, union members vote to accept the deal, it will bring to an end over two years of disruption for rail passengers – which began with train drivers walking out for the first of many one-day strikes in July 2022.

As the deal is backdated, the average member can expect in their next pay packet additional wages of around £6,000 covering the increase for recent years.

The dispute involves the 14 English rail firms whose operations are controlled by the DfT. They comprise all the major commuter and intercity operators, including South Western Railway, Govia Thameslink, Avanti West Coast, GWR, LNER, CrossCountry and Northern.

Since the pandemic, rail revenue has slumped, with taxpayers making up the difference. A succession of Conservative prime ministers and transport secretaries insisted any pay increase was contingent on wide-ranging reforms to working practices.

But Aslef demanded a no-strings pay rise followed by talks with individual train operators on changes to working practices – which would come at a price.

The series of 14 one-day nationwide strikes continued to October 2023. Then Aslef brought in new tactics: “rolling” one-day strikes hitting one region at a time, aimed at causing maximum disruption for minimum loss of pay.

Strikes have been augmented by 11 overtime bans. Refusing rest-day working causes widespread disruption because so much of the rail industry is dependent on overtime – especially on Sundays.

Talks between Tory ministers and the union last took place in January 2023. Since then, train drivers have voted repeatedly with large majorities to continue industrial action.

The Labour transport secretary, Louise Haigh , said: “When I took this job, I said I wanted to move fast and fix things – starting by bringing an end to rail strikes.

“The Conservatives were happy to see the taxpayer pay the price as strikes dragged on and on, and passengers suffered. This Labour government is doing the right thing and putting passengers first.

“If accepted, this offer would finally bring an end to this long-running dispute, and allow us to move forward by driving up performance for passengers with the biggest overhaul to our railways in a generation.”

Grant Shapps, who was transport secretary when the dispute began, posted on X : “Helpful to understand what rail modernisation you’ve achieved in return for this whopping 15 per cent pay rise. If there are no real productivity improvements then this deal with your union paymasters will add to inflation, fail to modernise rail services and let down passengers.”

The Rail Delivery Group (RDG), which had been conducting sporadic talks, was sidelined as direct negotiations began between the DfT and Aslef.

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Red passport holders warned they're 'most at risk' as 200 a day turned away from flights

The Government has issued a warning to UK holidaymakers as they face being unable to travel to some countries due to a strict passport rule - with the burgundy passport at risk

• 21:38, 20 AUG 2024

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An unforgiving passport regulation is causing UK globetrotters to miss out on their flights, with an estimated 200 travellers per day getting turned away at the gate.

Those in the UK with a thirst for some Mediterranean warmth are finding themselves barred from boarding due to a rigorous passport validity rule.

Under the current requirements, to gain entry into the EU/Schengen Area, passports must have been issued within the past ten years and remain effective for at least three months post the intended date of departure. Particularly vulnerable to this pitfall are holders of the traditional burgundy passports, which, depending on their issue date, may precipitate unexpected travel hurdles.

• Read More: What travellers need to know about ETIAS for going to Europe, when it will be brought in and cost

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For instance, if your burgundy passport dies out on March 31, it grants you freedom to voyage only until December 31, adhering to the three-month rule from your intended return date for using your existing passport.

Should you have experienced being denied boarding due to passport problems or refused travel altogether, please share your story with us at [email protected], reports the Mirror .

Nevertheless, should your travel plans commence on January 1 with your passport expiring on March 31, obtaining a new passport before your trip becomes essential.

Post-December 31, 2020, the HM Passport Office ceased issuing the classic burgundy British passports as the transition period closed following Britain's departure from the European Union.

Independent travel expert Simon Calder has analysed the situation, calculating that "easily a couple of hundred people a day" are facing boarding rejection. He estimates that across a year, over 100,000 holidays could be thwarted due to these strict rules.

Simon urged airlines to improve communications with travellers, particularly about the online check-in procedures that can happen well before their journeys commence. On BBC Breakfast, he provided advice saying: "I'm afraid all you can do at this stage is try and get an emergency appointment and see if you can get a passport turned around."

"But if you're travelling later, maybe in the May bank holidays or the summer holidays then you've got time on your side and just to stress... It's only the EU that cares about the issue date, if you're going to America, Australia, Tunisia they say your passport's valid up to and including the expiry date," reported Birmingham Live.

Simon Calder clarified that travellers who find themselves being refused at the airport need to understand that they are "absolutely not" covered financially in such cases. He emphasized: "It's always the passengers' responsibility to make sure they are compliant."

The Government website outlines the timeframe for passport renewal delivery, typically three weeks, although sometimes it may take longer should additional information be required or an interview be necessary.

Passport processing times start once the passport office receives the relevant documents. Should you need your passport sooner, a one week fast track service is accessible.

In a nod to tradition, all British passports issued from mid-2020 have returned to the classic dark blue colour. To renew your passport, applications can be made either via post or through the online system.

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St Vincent and the Grenadines

Warnings and insurance, hurricane beryl.

A major hurricane struck Saint Vincent and the Grenadines on 1 July 2024, significantly impacting services and causing widespread damage. If you plan to visit Union Island, Mayreau, or Canouan, confirm arrangements with your travel agent or accommodation provider. Services are still affected on these islands, and there are ongoing relief and reconstruction efforts. Services have returned to normal on St. Vincent and Bequia.

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