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Get adequate Travel Insurance. Make sure it covers the full duration of your trip and for all activities, (some sports such as skiing require extra insurance), and that it includes comprehensive medical and repatriation cover. It is important to tell your insurer if you have any medical conditions. Take your policy number and the 24-hour emergency phone number with you. You're guaranteed high quality cover at great prices with Travel Insurance from Picton Street Post Office®.
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Get a good guidebook for example an and get to know your destination. Find out about local laws and customs.
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Ensure that you have a valid Passport and any necessary visas. Make sure your passport is valid for a minimum of six months valid at the return date. Take another form of ID with you (preferably with a photograph). Picton Street Post Office® can help you with everything you need to apply for a new British passport or renew your existing one. We offer a Check and Send service which can help to speed up the application process (normally taking 14 days for your new Passport to arrive, but this is not guaranteed and can take longer during peak times).
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Check what vaccinations you need at least 6 weeks before you go. Check to see if you need to take extra health precautions at www.nhs.uk/Healthcareabroad if travelling to Europe make sure to have your EHIC card
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Make sure your travel organiser can provide sufficient evidence of security for the refunding and repatriation of consumers in the event of insolvency. This security must be in place by one of several financial protection organisations. If your travel involves passage on airlines with which you are unfamiliar, you may wish to check their safety and reliability with a reputable travel agent.
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Make photocopies of your passport, insurance policy plus 24-hour emergency number, and ticket details – leave copies with family and friends. Also remember to write the full details of your next of kin in your passport.
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Take enough money for your trip. Check the validity, expiry dates and cash available on your credit or debit card (Check out the Post Office® Credit Card on our Borrow & Pay page, it offers 0% on any purchases made abroad). Make sure you have back-up funds such as travellers cheques in Sterling or US Dollars. You can order and collect foreign currency & American Express Travellers Cheques commission free from Picton Street Post Office®.
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Leave a copy of your itinerary and a way of contacting you such as email, with family and friends.
