Arranging a family holiday takes time and organisation. Whether you are planning ahead or have decided to take a last minute trip, simply making a few checklists makes life easier and helps make sure you have everything needed for a blissful and hassle free trip.
Passports
If you are travelling abroad, make sure everyone’s passport is valid. The Identity and Passport Service (IPS) in the UK recommend allowing up to six weeks for a first adult passport and between two to three weeks for passport renewals.
You can make an urgent passport application if necessary, which will cost more and may add to pre-holiday stress levels! The best approach is to check all passports are valid as far in advance as possible.
Family Travel Insurance
Another family holiday essential is travel insurance. Regardless of what type of holiday you are taking, from package deals to action packed trips, you should always make sure you have a travel insurance policy in place.
There are many different types of policies to choose from and for some families it might be better value to opt for an annual travel insurance policy, which covers all trips in a year, as opposed to a single trip policy.
Shop around to find the best family travel insurance policy possible and compare factors such as medical treatment, transport delays or cancellations and baggage loss or theft.
European Health Insurance Card
If you are booking a family holiday in Europe you should make sure everyone aged 16 and over has a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), in addition to travel insurance. Anyone over the age of 16 and normally resident in the UK can apply for an EHIC. There may be some restrictions depending on your nationality so it makes sense to check with the Department of Health if you are unsure.
An EHIC entitles you to state medical treatment, which is provided at reduced or no cost, if you become ill or have an accident whilst on holiday. This handy card also covers treatment for existing illnesses as well as routine maternity care and can be used in any EEA (European Economic Area) country or Switzerland.
Paperwork
Organising a holiday equates to paperwork. There’s no escaping the admin so you might as well keep all of your documents together in one place and take a copy of important documents with you.
Flight tickets, travel itineraries, passports and travel insurance documents can simply be kept in one folder. It is helpful to make a photocopy of your passport and travel insurance policy and take this away with you.
May 11th, 2011
Tushar Mathur
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