Head off on a well-deserved break with as little hassle as possible by running through this list, for travel at home and abroad.
Plane spotter apps can help you avoid delays and cancellations; baggage tracking hacks will ease anxiety if your bags are lost; and following driving advice can cut down the cost of road trips.
Know your flight cancellation rights
When using a UK or EU airline or travelling within the UK or EU, if your flight is cancelled more than 14 days before departure, you are due a refund; if it is cancelled less than 14 days before, you should be due a refund and compensation, except in “exceptional circumstances”. See caa.co.uk/passengers/resolving-travel-problems/delays-and-cancellations.
Claim for delays
Airlines should provide care and assistance if you are affected by delays or by last-minute cancellations, including food, drink and accommodation if an alternative flight departs the next day, unless the delay or cancellation was caused by “exceptional circumstances”. Keep your receipts. Carriers usually have an online form for making claims.
Get a little geeky
Websites such as FlightAware, Flightradar24, Radarbox.com and Planefinder.net let you check the status of your flight. Flightradar24 suggests checking for potential disruptions a few days before departure, using the flight number and viewing past flight history to see if a flight is consistently delayed or generally arrives on time.
Be social with your airport
Manchester Airport displays the latest estimated security waiting times on its homepage. If your airport does not offer this, check its social media accounts – and ask.
Find out what your travel insurance covers
About 40 per cent of policies do not offer cover for strike action, according to recent research by Which?, and only 10 per cent offer full protection in the event of a holiday being disrupted by Covid.
Look up your luggage allowance
Travelling with hand luggage could reduce anxiety and wait times at the airport. Both hand and hold luggage allowances vary between airlines, so review them ahead of time.
Label your bags
Attach your name and phone number to luggage and keep any bag-drop receipts. Putting a small bluetooth tracking device, such as an Apple AirTag, into checked-in baggage may prove helpful if it is later lost; check your airline’s rules on this.
Be prepared for luggage delays
Keep basics such as a change of clothes in your carry-on. Some airlines require a GP’s note to carry medication on board. Report luggage delays as soon as possible. You can then check the status on sites such as Sita World Tracer (mybag.aero) or Eagle Aviation (eagleaviation.co.uk).
Drop hold bags the night before
Some airlines will allow you to drop off your checked-in luggage the night before departure date, which is useful if you live close by or have an early-morning flight.
Check your passport
Advice on EU passport validity requirements can be confusing. There are two conditions, which are independent of one another: you must have a passport issued within the previous 10 years for entry, and it must be valid for at least three months after you intend to leave. If you are waiting for a new passport to arrive and the 10-week window has passed, contact the helpline, or write to the office dealing with your application. Your MP may help in urgent circumstances.
Review entry rules
France and Spain are among the countries that still require visitors aged 12 or over to show proof of full vaccination, a negative test, or as an alternative for entry to Spain, previous infection from Covid. Check gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice to see the latest details, including regulations on masks and paperwork, such as passenger locator forms.
Collect passport stamps
Britons can only remain in the EU (or Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein) for up to 90 days without a visa within any 180-day period. To check that UK passport holders are travelling within this limit, the EU requires that passports be stamped on arrival and departure.
Get your NHS Covid Pass
If your destination requires proof of vaccination for entry, this is vital. Download QR codes to your phone and print out a paper copy. You can also get an NHS Covid Pass online, without an app, or apply for a Covid Pass letter to be sent in the post.
Carry a health insurance card
The UK Global Health Insurance Card permits you state healthcare in Europe at a reduced cost, or for free. You can apply on the NHS website. UK European Health Insurance Cards (Ehics) will be valid until the expiry date. See gov.uk/global-health-insurance–card.
Know the post-Brexit driving rules
You must have a UK identifier on your number plate; your plate may include this, or you may need to stick one on the rear of your vehicle (some places require the sticker regardless). You must also carry your UK driving licence; rules on paper and photocard versions differ between countries. Also bring your log book (V5C) showing your most recent UK address, and your insurance certificate. See our guide to driving in Europe after Brexit.
Compare car hire prices
Booking earlier, using price-comparison websites, seeking out policies that provide flexibility or free cancellation and checking rules on fuel can all help cut costs.
Conserve petrol
Using a price-comparison tool to find the cheapest fuel in the area is a good place to start. How you drive can also help to cut consumption, including using the highest suitable gear and avoiding breaking sharply.
Charge your electric vehicle
Smartphone apps can help you find charging networks in the UK. Those driving to the continent should note that of the 225,000 public chargers in the EU, only one in nine is suitable for fast charging.
Book airport parking in advance
Price-comparison websites, such as Looking4Parking (looking4.com) SkyParkSecure (skyparksecure.com) and Holiday Extras (holidayextras.com), are useful. Booking an airport hotel with parking as part of a package, or using a listings site for parking space hire, such as parklet (parklet.co.uk), could also help you save.
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Avoid drop-off charges
Several UK airports have raised drop-off charges, with prices of up to £7 for a 15-minute period. Look out for alternative, free drop-off areas around the airport.
Get a charge-free card
Digital-only banks offer pre-paid or account cards that do not charge for taking out money or making purchases overseas. Some credit-card deals also offer charge-free overseas purchases for a limited period.
Shop around for currency
Avoid buying at the airport, where rates are unfavourable and commission fees high. Thomas Exchange Global, Travelex and Sterling FX often have good rates and deliver for a fee.
Arrive on time
Airports and airlines typically advise passengers to arrive two to three hours before their flight is due to depart. Unless your carrier advises otherwise, stick to this.
Consider fast-track security
This can cost as little as £3pp (although every member of the party must have a pass, even infants) and can be pre-booked in advance, or on the day, for a specific slot. It can mean the difference between waiting an hour or 10 minutes.
Pack entertainment
Make sure devices are fully charged before setting off and carry your charger and adapter. Portable power banks are useful. Consider downloading some films for offline viewing. Bring other entertainment as a back-up – activity books with a supply of pencils are useful when travelling with younger children.
Avoid roaming charges
Most UK mobile network providers have brought back roaming charges that were banned under EU rules. A £2-a-day charge is typical. Giffgaff, however, is charge-free up to 5GB of data.
Sort your pet’s documents
You must have an Animal Health Certificate to take your pet to an EU country. These cost from £100 to £300, are valid for one trip, and must be issued by an official veterinarian no more than 10 days before travel. Up to five animals can be added to one certificate.
Be aware of tourist rules
Wildfires have affected several countries in western Europe this summer and some have strict regulations against smoking and barbecues to help prevent fires. Less obvious tourist rules have been imposed in a handful of Spanish destinations, ranging from a six-drink limit in package resorts in the Balearic Islands to a cap on the number of people who can take part in a guided tour of Barcelona.
Plan for a positive Covid test
You are no longer required to self-isolate under UK law, but airlines can set their own rules. Depending on your destination, you may face self-isolation rules if you test positive on holiday.
Prepare for queues
Many attractions and galleries require pre-booking. Remember that UK beaches can get crowded, too; the Beach Check UK app (englandscoast.com/en/blog/beach-check-uk-app) offers traffic light-coded information on beaches around England’s south coast.
