Travel Tips

Passport & Visas

• Check the passport and visa requirements for the countries you are travelling to- make sure you apply for them well ahead of
your date of travel.
• Check the validity of your Passport and Visas. You should ensure that you have a valid ten-year passport and, as many
countries require expiry dates on passports to be a considerable length of time after the return from holiday, we would
recommend that your passport is valid for 6 months after return to the UK.
• Don’t forget your passport and visa on the day of travel.
• If you lose your passport or visa please contact the embassy or consulate immediately in the country you are traveling in. 

Security

• Put a luggage strap around your case for easy identification and extra security.
• Sadly crimes against both people and their property are a fact of life the world over, and when in a foreign country it is very
important to be extra vigilant and avoid drawing attention to your-self by wearing expensive jewellery, carrying expensive
camera equipment etc.
• Never carry packages on behalf of anyone else, however genuine they seem to be. Never leave luggage unattended at
airports, this creates a high security risk.

Health

• Check the inoculation and health requirements for all of the countries you are visiting on your journey. Please be aware
some vaccinations need to be administered 4-6 weeks before travel.
• If you are carrying medicines or medications with you please keep a note of your condition and the medication you require
somewhere handy e.g. a piece of paper in side the cover of your passport, where it can be easily found in an emergency.
• Ensure you take extra supplies of medication in case you get delayed abroad.

Tickets

• Check the ticket for Flight(s) details & accuracy as soon as you receive it.
• Keep your tickets with your passport and visas and do not forget them on the day you travel.

Packing

• Pack the night before you travel, to save rushing and being late for your flight
• Check the weather forecast at your destination before travel to avoid taking unnecessary luggage
• Roll clothes instead of folding them, it creates less creases. Honest!
• Pack travel sizes of all of the lotions and potions you require to save space.

Baggage

• Check with the airline you are traveling with on the stipulated baggage allowances
• Ensure that your hand baggage allowance does not exceed the level enforced by the airline you are traveling with.
This ensures unnecessary embarrassment at the check-in desk, having to move luggage from your hand
baggage to your suitcase.

Getting To & From the Airport

• Check timetables for public transport in advance to ensure you arrive at the airport in plenty of time
• If taking your car pre-book parking wherever possible or get someone to give you a lift in order to save time
• Wherever possible use only metered taxis around the airport.

Money

• Make sure you have enough foreign currency for your immediate arrival into a foreign country, particularly if your flight arrives
at an odd hour.
• Always make a list of the Credit / Debit Card numbers and travelers cheques you are carrying along with the suppliers
contact numbers in case they get lost

Special Requests

• Give airlines plenty of notice for special meal requirements or seating requests

Alcohol

• Liquor laws are strict in the USA. If you are under 21 years or even look under 21 you will not be able to purchase alcohol.
Carry some identity with you to prove your age. Please remember that you can not carry alcohol in your car, unless it is
locked in the boot.
Upgrading your flight: • A long-haul flight is generally not a joyride when flying in economy class on scheduled or charter flights.
Flights are often full, your choice of seats may not be available, and it may not be possible to obtain seats together. Southall
Travel offers a range of ‘upgrade’ options designed to give you a more comfortable journey at a reasonable supplement.

Smoking on flights:

• The majority of airlines have introduced a total smoking ban on most or all of their flights. Please ask at the time of
booking if this information is important to you.

General

• Try to leave plenty of time for checking in at the airport.
• Always reconfirm your flights before setting out for the airport (do this about 24 hours before time of travel)
• Check Duty Free allowances carefully particularly on EU destinations.
• Try to book your flights outside of peak hours, in order to avoid busy commuter routes and congestion at the airport.
• Do not drink too much before boarding the aircraft, as alcohol and cabin pressure cause enhanced dehydration.
You are also unable to use the toilets until the aircraft is airborne and at a safe altitude for the seat belt sign to be taken off.
• Check with the airline you are traveling with, as to the availability of telephone and lap top power points on board.
• Leave contact details for yourself either with someone at home or somebody in the office in case they need to reach you
in an emergency.
• A phrase book is always handy – remember, not everyone speaks English.

Jetlag

• Try to drink plenty of water whilst on the aircraft as this helps to counter dehydration.
• Check in flight magazines, for gentle exercises to do whilst on board to stop stiffness and tiredness of joints.
• Cleanse and moisturize skin regularly whilst on board again to counter dehydration.
• Eat a light meal onboard as easier to digest, avoid excessive carbohydrates and fats

Travel Tips

Passport & Visas

• Check the passport and visa requirements for the countries you are travelling to- make sure you apply for them well ahead of
your date of travel.
• Check the validity of your Passport and Visas. You should ensure that you have a valid ten-year passport and, as many
countries require expiry dates on passports to be a considerable length of time after the return from holiday, we would
recommend that your passport is valid for 6 months after return to the UK.
• Don’t forget your passport and visa on the day of travel.
• If you lose your passport or visa please contact the embassy or consulate immediately in the country you are traveling in. 

Security

• Put a luggage strap around your case for easy identification and extra security.
• Sadly crimes against both people and their property are a fact of life the world over, and when in a foreign country it is very
important to be extra vigilant and avoid drawing attention to your-self by wearing expensive jewellery, carrying expensive
camera equipment etc.
• Never carry packages on behalf of anyone else, however genuine they seem to be. Never leave luggage unattended at
airports, this creates a high security risk.

Health

• Check the inoculation and health requirements for all of the countries you are visiting on your journey. Please be aware
some vaccinations need to be administered 4-6 weeks before travel.
• If you are carrying medicines or medications with you please keep a note of your condition and the medication you require
somewhere handy e.g. a piece of paper in side the cover of your passport, where it can be easily found in an emergency.
• Ensure you take extra supplies of medication in case you get delayed abroad.

Tickets

• Check the ticket for Flight(s) details & accuracy as soon as you receive it.
• Keep your tickets with your passport and visas and do not forget them on the day you travel.

Packing

• Pack the night before you travel, to save rushing and being late for your flight
• Check the weather forecast at your destination before travel to avoid taking unnecessary luggage
• Roll clothes instead of folding them, it creates less creases. Honest!
• Pack travel sizes of all of the lotions and potions you require to save space.

Baggage

• Check with the airline you are traveling with on the stipulated baggage allowances
• Ensure that your hand baggage allowance does not exceed the level enforced by the airline you are traveling with.
This ensures unnecessary embarrassment at the check-in desk, having to move luggage from your hand
baggage to your suitcase.

Getting To & From the Airport

• Check timetables for public transport in advance to ensure you arrive at the airport in plenty of time
• If taking your car pre-book parking wherever possible or get someone to give you a lift in order to save time
• Wherever possible use only metered taxis around the airport.

Money

• Make sure you have enough foreign currency for your immediate arrival into a foreign country, particularly if your flight arrives
at an odd hour.
• Always make a list of the Credit / Debit Card numbers and travelers cheques you are carrying along with the suppliers
contact numbers in case they get lost

Special Requests

• Give airlines plenty of notice for special meal requirements or seating requests

Alcohol

• Liquor laws are strict in the USA. If you are under 21 years or even look under 21 you will not be able to purchase alcohol.
Carry some identity with you to prove your age. Please remember that you can not carry alcohol in your car, unless it is
locked in the boot.
Upgrading your flight: • A long-haul flight is generally not a joyride when flying in economy class on scheduled or charter flights.
Flights are often full, your choice of seats may not be available, and it may not be possible to obtain seats together. Southall
Travel offers a range of ‘upgrade’ options designed to give you a more comfortable journey at a reasonable supplement.

Smoking on flights:

• The majority of airlines have introduced a total smoking ban on most or all of their flights. Please ask at the time of
booking if this information is important to you.

General

• Try to leave plenty of time for checking in at the airport.
• Always reconfirm your flights before setting out for the airport (do this about 24 hours before time of travel)
• Check Duty Free allowances carefully particularly on EU destinations.
• Try to book your flights outside of peak hours, in order to avoid busy commuter routes and congestion at the airport.
• Do not drink too much before boarding the aircraft, as alcohol and cabin pressure cause enhanced dehydration.
You are also unable to use the toilets until the aircraft is airborne and at a safe altitude for the seat belt sign to be taken off.
• Check with the airline you are traveling with, as to the availability of telephone and lap top power points on board.
• Leave contact details for yourself either with someone at home or somebody in the office in case they need to reach you
in an emergency.
• A phrase book is always handy – remember, not everyone speaks English.

Jetlag

• Try to drink plenty of water whilst on the aircraft as this helps to counter dehydration.
• Check in flight magazines, for gentle exercises to do whilst on board to stop stiffness and tiredness of joints.
• Cleanse and moisturize skin regularly whilst on board again to counter dehydration.
• Eat a light meal onboard as easier to digest, avoid excessive carbohydrates and fats