General travel checklist for holidays abroad

Holidays abroad are all about getting away from it all and enjoying yourself. But before you relax and wind down too much, there's a little preparation to do.

Our simple travel checklist includes all those little things you need to remember to do before you book your holiday.

If you are well prepared for your holiday then you won't be one of those people that find themselves in a mad rush the night before you leave.

Travel checklist - pre-departure

Check your passport is still valid well before you are due to leave. It needs to be valid for 6 months to enter certain countries
Buy comprehensive travel insurance - insurewithease.com has great value single trip and annual multi-trip policies available
Get a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) - it's free and it entitles you to state provided healthcare in the EEA and Switzerland
Research your chosen holiday destination to make sure it's the right choice. Travel guides are great sources of information for holiday makers
Visit your GP to find out if you'll need travel vaccinations or antimalarials for the country you are visiting
Check out the FCO website for up to date travel advice about every country in the world
Register with the FCO's LOCATE service so that you can be tracked down in an emergency
Take photocopies of your passport and travel documents and stash them separately to the originals
Find out if you need visas and whether or not you can get them at the airport on arrival
Pack clothes that abide by local laws and customs
Tell friends and relatives where you are going and give them details of your holiday accommodation
Take local currency with you and inform your bank if you wish to use your credit card abroad so they don't put a lock on your account
Find out if your mobile phone will work abroad. If you are travelling for a prolonged period, buy a local sim card to save money
Only pack the essentials - don't take expensive jewellery that might get lost easily or attract thieves
Book hire cars in advance to get the vehicle you want at the best price
Pack a small first aid kit to take care of minor scrapes and holiday tummy
Store any medication you need in your hand luggage

Travel checklist - while you are away

Drink bottled water if the local tap water is unsafe
Stay out of the sun during the hottest part of the day and slap on plenty of sunscreen
If you are enjoying a night on the town, don't accept drinks from strangers, even if they look trustworthy
Ask hotels about reputable taxi firms
Don't buy wildlife souvenirs that may have been made from endangered species
Ask people before taking their photograph and don't take pictures at border crossings or military buildings
Don't exchange money on the black market - you could be lumbered with counterfeit notes
Enjoy nights out but don't let alcohol ruin your holiday

Follow our travel checklist to take the stress out of arranging holidays abroad. The more clued up you are before you leave, the more relaxing your time away from home will be. And if you know what to look out for when you are in a foreign country, you'll be more prepared when you get there.