As the summer travel season approaches, ABTA – The Travel Association, has released a simple six-step Travel Checklist to assist holidaymakers in their pre-holiday preparations. More about your summer Getaway Travel Checklist find out below.

The checklist aims to guide travellers through the most crucial aspects of their travel planning, ensuring a smooth and stress-free holiday experience.

ABTA’s Travel Checklist: A Guide for Holidaymakers

The Travel Checklist, available on ABTA’s website, includes key steps such as checking the Foreign Office travel advice for the destination they’re visiting, ensuring their passport is valid for their travel dates, securing comprehensive travel insurance, and organising their travel money.

For those travelling to the EU, ABTA advises familiarising themselves with the new requirements since the UK left the EU. Travellers are also encouraged to carry an in-date EHIC or a new GHIC with them in case they need to access state-provided emergency healthcare while away.

ABTA’s research and booking trends from its members have consistently shown holidays are high on people’s spending agenda this year, despite the ongoing squeeze on household finances, with two-thirds (65%) of people planning to go on holiday abroad before the year is out.

Expert Advice for Stress-Free Holiday Planning

Graeme Buck, ABTA’s Director of Communications, emphasizes the importance of the Travel Checklist in ensuring a smooth holiday experience. He states, “Whether you’re already booked to travel over the summer months, or are thinking of booking late this summer, following ABTA’s Travel Checklist is designed to remove any eleventh-hour panicking by making sure you’ve ticked off the essential steps to take before you go away.”

Buck also encourages travellers to consult with an ABTA member travel agent or tour operator for a hassle-free holiday planning experience. He adds,

“They’re experts at taking the stress out of holiday planning, as they have access to better prices and a wider choice of trips compared to booking independently, and can easily guide you through the deals on offer to find you the best break for your budget.”

ABTA’s 6-Step Summer Getaway Travel Checklist

1. Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office Travel Advice: Check the latest advice on entry requirements, recommended travel vaccinations, and safety and security guidance for your destination.
2. Passport Validity: Ensure your passport is valid for your travel dates. If you’re travelling to any EU country (except Ireland), your passport must have been issued less than 10 years before you enter the EU and be valid for at least three months after your planned departure date.
3. Travel Insurance: Secure comprehensive travel insurance that covers your specific needs, including any planned activities and existing medical conditions.
4. EHIC or GHIC: Carry an in-date EHIC or a new GHIC if you’re travelling to the EU or Switzerland. This will allow you to access state-provided emergency healthcare if needed.
5. Changes Since the UK Left the EU: If you’re travelling to Europe, familiarise yourself with the new requirements, including restrictions on items that can be taken into the EU, changes to the documentation required when driving or taking your pet abroad, and potential charges for using your mobile phone depending on your network.
6. Travel Money: Ensure you have enough travel money for the country you’re visiting. Remember that the use of cards and cash overseas varies, and you may need cash on arrival for bus or taxi fares, tips, or cash-only transactions while on holiday.

For the full advice, visit ABTA’s Travel Checklist here.