Travel safe

Travel safe

Know Before You Go is an ongoing campaign launched by the Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) to help Brits stay safe and healthy abroad. Here are some top tips you should know before heading to the airport...

Do the maths

Budgeting for a long trip can be tricky, but, if you work out how much you’ll need on a daily basis for food, accommodation and activities, then multiply that by the number of days you’ll be away, you should be OK. It’s always a good idea to overestimate to avoid falling short, and give yourself access to an emergency fund.

Stay in the loop

Keep your family and friends informed of your travel plans and leave emergency contact details with them. This is especially important if you’re working in an industry that could put you in an unsafe situation.

Location, location, location

The FCO has a service called Locate, which helps track down Brits in the event of a crisis abroad. You can register details of your trip on the FCO website at www.fco.gov.uk/travel.

Insurance pays

Be insured. Never travel without comprehensive travel insurance that will get you home in any emergency.

Information is king

Exercise caution. Women travelling alone can be targeted by criminals, so know how to avoid trouble. Be wary of new ‘friends’, even if they appear to be backpackers, just like you. And trust your instincts. Don’t take risks you wouldn’t take at home.\r\n

Get informed. Other advice can be found at www.gogapyear.com and by calling the FCO Travel Advice Line on 0845 850 2829.