Travel essentials are the basics of ensuring a smooth holiday, from absolute must-haves like an up-to-date passport through to how best to stay connected while you’re away. This section brings together practical guidance on packing, documents, money, health, and travel tech to help you feel prepared before you go.
We’re still at the early stages of building this content and will be adding more guides over the coming months. If there’s something you think we should cover, we’d love to hear your feedback.
- Staying Connected
- Money and Payments
- Documents and Admin
- Travel Insurance
- Health, Safety and Wellbeing
- Packing and Luggage
- Dealing with Issues
- Responsible Travelling
Staying Connected
Mobile Data & Roaming
Staying online while travelling doesn’t have to mean expensive charges. Checking whether roaming is included in your plan, or using a dedicated travel eSIM, can save money and hassle. Our guide explains how to use your phone abroad and choose the right option before you go, helping you avoid surprise bills and patchy connections.
Using Wi-Fi safely abroad
Public Wi-Fi is convenient, but it isn’t always secure. Using a VPN can help protect your personal data, keep your accounts safe, and even allow access to services you normally use at home. Our guide covers how to use public Wi-Fi safely while travelling and what tools are worth using abroad.
Travel Adaptors
Different countries use different plug types, and arriving without the right adaptor can be a frustrating start to a trip. Packing the correct adaptor — or a reliable universal one — keeps your devices charged wherever you are. Our guide helps you understand plug types by country and choose the best adaptor before you travel, so you’re not caught out on arrival.
Apps Every Traveller Should Have
The right apps can make travelling easier, cheaper, and far less stressful. From navigation and transport to accommodation, money, and organisation, our guide highlights the essential travel apps we download for every trip and actually use on the road.
Money and Payments
Where to Use Cash
Cash is still essential in many parts of the world, especially for small purchases, local transport, markets, and tipping. In other destinations, card payments are widely accepted.
A good rule of thumb is to carry a small amount of local cash while relying primarily on cards. Our guide explains when you’ll need cash, where to withdraw it, and how to avoid poor exchange rates while travelling.
Best Credit and Debit Cards
Using the right card abroad can save you a significant amount in fees. Look for cards that offer:
- No foreign transaction fees
- Competitive exchange rates
- Free or low-cost ATM withdrawals
Credit cards offer extra protection for larger purchases and car rentals, while debit cards are better for everyday spending. Our guide compares the best cards for travelling abroad and explains how to use them efficiently.
Documents and Admin
Passports
Many countries require at least six months’ validity beyond your return date and one or two blank pages in your passport. Checking this early avoids last-minute stress.
Our guide walks you through passport validity rules, how to store copies securely, and what to do if your passport is lost or stolen abroad.
Visas and Travel Authorisation
Visa requirements vary widely depending on your nationality and destination. Some countries allow visa-free entry, others require an online application (eVisa or ESTA-style system), and some still require a full embassy application.
Always check official government sources and apply early, particularly during peak travel periods.
GHIC Cards
A GHIC can significantly reduce healthcare costs if you need treatment while travelling in parts of Europe, covering care that’s medically necessary during your stay. However, it doesn’t cover everything, such as private treatment or medical repatriation.
Our guide explains exactly what the GHIC covers, where it’s valid, and how it works alongside travel insurance.
Travel Insurance
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is one of the most important — and most overlooked — travel essentials. A good policy should cover:
- Medical treatment and emergencies
- Repatriation
- Trip cancellations and delays
- Lost or stolen luggage
- Activities you plan to do
Even if you have an EHIC or GHIC, insurance is still essential, as it covers costs that state healthcare does not, including private treatment and getting you home.
Health, Safety and Wellbeing
Vaccinations
Some destinations require specific vaccinations, while others strongly recommend them depending on how and where you’re travelling. Routine vaccines should be up to date, and some vaccinations need to be given weeks in advance to be effective.
Check official health advice for your destination and consider visiting a travel clinic if you’re unsure. It’s also worth carrying basic medications and a small first-aid kit.
Staying Safe
Most trips are trouble-free, but small precautions can greatly reduce risk. Keeping valuables secure, knowing local emergency numbers, and understanding common tourist scams helps you stay confident and prepared rather than anxious.
Our guide covers practical safety tips, common scams to watch for, and what to do in an emergency abroad.
Travel Health Kits & Medications
Access to familiar medications can be limited in some countries, and certain prescriptions may be restricted or require documentation. Packing essentials and carrying copies of prescriptions can prevent problems if you become ill.
Our guide explains what to pack in a travel health kit, how to carry medication legally, and what paperwork you may need.
Managing Jet Lag
Jet lag affects sleep, digestion, and concentration, especially on long-haul trips. Small changes — such as adjusting sleep times in advance and getting sunlight at the right time — can make a noticeable difference.
Our guide shares practical, evidence-based tips to help you adapt faster and make the most of your first days abroad.
Packing and Luggage
What to Pack
Packing thoughtfully can make travel smoother, more comfortable, and more sustainable.
Our guide covers practical packing tips, and smart choices that save space, money, and stress.
Lost, Delayed and Damaged Luggage
Luggage issues are an unfortunate reality of travel, but knowing what to do can make a big difference. Understanding what to do, keeping essentials in your carry-on, and acting quickly at the airport can help resolve problems faster and reduce disruption to your trip.
Our guide explains how to handle lost, delayed, or damaged luggage, what compensation you may be entitled to, and simple steps to protect yourself before you travel — so a baggage hiccup doesn’t derail your journey.
Dealing with Issues
Dealing with Delays & Cancellations (including compensation)
Flight disruptions are common, particularly during peak travel periods. Knowing your rights and acting quickly can make a big difference to refunds, rerouting, and compensation.
Our guide explains passenger rights, compensation rules, and the steps to take when flights are delayed or cancelled.
Getting Help Overseas
If something goes wrong abroad — from losing your passport to needing emergency assistance — knowing where to turn can save time and stress. Embassies and consulates can help with lost or stolen passports, serious illness, arrests, or contacting family back home, but they can’t solve every problem.
Our guide explains how to find and contact your embassy or consulate, what they can and can’t help with, and the exact steps to take if your passport is lost or stolen overseas.
Responsible Travelling
Cultural Do’s and Don’ts
Customs and social norms vary widely around the world, and what feels normal at home may be considered rude or inappropriate elsewhere. Understanding expectations around dress, greetings, modesty, and behaviour helps you avoid awkward situations and show respect to local communities.
Our guide covers common cultural do’s and don’ts by region, including dress codes, gestures to avoid, and everyday etiquette to be aware of when travelling.
Photography, Video and Drones
Rules around photography and filming differ by country and location. Some places restrict photographing people, religious sites, government buildings, or military areas, while drone use is often tightly regulated or banned entirely.
Our guide explains where photography and filming may be restricted, what permissions you may need, and the rules around bringing and flying drones abroad.
Tipping
Tipping customs vary significantly between countries and industries. In some places tipping is expected and forms part of workers’ income, while in others it may be unnecessary or even frowned upon.
Our guide breaks down tipping expectations by country and region, including who to tip, when to tip, and how much is appropriate.
Local Laws
Local laws can differ significantly from those at home, even for everyday activities. Rules around alcohol, medication, public behaviour, photography, and dress can be stricter in some destinations, with serious penalties for breaking them.
Our guide highlights common legal differences travellers should be aware of, how to avoid unintended trouble, and where to find reliable local law information before you travel.
Reducing Your Travel Footprint and Ethical Travelling
Travel choices have real impacts on local communities, wildlife, and the environment. Simple decisions — like where you stay, how you book tours, and what attractions you support — can make travel more responsible without sacrificing enjoyment.
Our guide explores ethical tourism, sustainable travel choices, and how to avoid experiences that harm people, animals, or the environment.
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