10 tips to prepare for your next holiday
The ultimate to-do list for an effortless trip
Your next adventure awaits
Holidays are the best - what could be better than sun, relaxation and cocktails on tap. But before it’s time to pop on the shades and lather on 20 layers of sun cream, you must prepare for the all-important holiday!
Our travel experts have rounded up 10 award-worthy tips to make sure your airport experience, journey, and holiday all run as smoothly as possible.
1. Check essential travel documents
The first step is to check all your travel documents and passes are in order - you won’t go anywhere without them!
Passport - make sure it’s valid for at least six months after your return date.
EHIC/GHIC card - to ensure your healthcare is covered, check your EHIC card hasn’t expired. If it has, or if you don’t have one you can apply for a GHIC card.
Visa - check if the country you’re visiting requires a visa here.
Boarding pass - download it to your mobile or print at home. Check with your airline that the airport you’re returning from accepts mobile boarding passes.
2. Get travel insurance cover
Sometimes life can be unpredictable, so it’s best to have travel insurance for a little peace of mind. Whether you’re relaxing on a white sandy beach, or embarking on a wild jungle trek, it's worth making sure you're covered in the event of an emergency.
We offer a great range of travel insurance policies to suit different types of trip, covering individuals, couples, families and even groups travelling together.
3. Save money on your phone data with an eSIM
If you want a hassle free way to use your phone abroad, an eSIM is the way to go. Instead of a physical SIM card, an eSIM is a digital SIM card - simply scan a QR code or enter an activation code and you’ll automatically be online when your trip begins. So you can easily keep in contact with friends and loved ones at home.
Get 20% off our eSIM using the exclusive code EMASIM20. But hurry - it's for a limited time only!
4. Organise transport to the airport
If you’re driving to the airport, you can save up to 75% by booking your parking in advance. We offer safe and secure parking options to suit every budget and trip - every car park has been awarded the Park Mark.
5. Pre-order your travel money
With the rise of contactless and tapping our cards, you may be wondering do I even need to take money on holiday? Yes! Whilst many countries accept card, cash is still king in many countries and you may struggle without it.
You don’t even need to make a separate trip to collect your currency as you can pre-order your travel money with ChangeGroup and pick it up at the airport. If you’re strapped for time you can even visit one of the ChangeGroup ATMs located throughout the airport to get your money.
6. Make a packing list
The temptation to pack everything but the kitchen sink is real. It’s best to make a list of what you think you’ll need - bear in mind the duration of your holiday, the weather, as well as any excursions you may go on. Will you be visiting a place of worship and need a headscarf for example.
The main things that people forget to pack are travel adapters, toothbrushes, and sunglasses, so get ahead of the game. Worst-case scenario if you do forget anything, we have a wide range of shops for you to pick up any last minute items.
7. Click & Collect any toiletries
Travelling with hand luggage and worried about the security liquid allowance? Or maybe you just don’t have time to pick up those essential toiletries. We’ve got just the solution! Pre-order your toiletries from Boots online and pick them up at the airport in departures.
Place your order up to 2 weeks before you fly, and select a delivery date 3 days before you fly to allow your package to be prepared in time.
8. Elevate your airport experience
Your holiday starts as soon as you step foot inside the airport, so why not take your airport experience to the next level? Skip queues, save time and relax by booking a Security FastTrack pass - head straight through a dedicated security lane, and be through to departures in no time.
You could even spend this extra time in our relaxing lounge sipping a glass of fizz and grazing on the delicious freshly prepared food.
9. Arrange care for your pets and house
If you have any furry friends that need looking after while you’re away, remember to either ask family and friends or use a professional service.
It’s also a good idea to give a spare set of keys to someone you trust just in case they need to access your house in an emergency.
10. Craft your perfect itinerary
Now you’ve got the essentials nailed down, it’s time for the fun part - planning your trip! Even if you’re more of the spontaneous type, it's always useful to do a bit of pre-holiday research to see what areas you might like to visit, or to book those popular restaurants.
Break your day into morning, afternoon, and evening to help plan those exciting activities and sights, and make it a truly memorable trip. Pre-booking excursions can also help you budget before you even get there.
Useful links
FastTrack
Save time and use the Express Lane at Security and Passport Control
Airport parking
Accessible parking, close to every terminal
Escape Lounge
Travel in style and relax at our exclusive airport lounge
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