World Travellers

John Smith our expert of the day, writes:

Planning for and travelling to a trip abroad can be tiring and stressful. To help relieve those holiday worries we’ve put together our top 10 travel tips, so you can make the most of your time away.

1. Make sure you have a signed, valid passport and visas, if required.
Imagine, you’re at the airport, you’re about to check in, and you notice your passport has expired! Your holiday is over before it’s even begun. Avoid this disappointment by ensuring your passport is up to date. In most cases you’ll find that your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your intended stay. If you don’t have a passport, your current passport has expired or is close to expiration, we recommend applying for one now. In the UK it is recommended that you leave at least a month between applying for your passport and arranging travel – this time period may be longer in other countries. Also bear in mind that during summer months your passport office will be inundated with applications, and this may cause a backlog. Be sure to apply for your new passport in plenty of time if you wish to travel during this period.
Also consider the length and type of your trip. Many countries require that you hold a valid visa to work or take an extended stay, and you may find that you are breaking your host county’s laws without one.