Travel Guide
Before you book
Check your passport first. Many countries require at least six months' validity remaining beyond your return date, and some require blank pages. Renewing a UK passport takes several weeks at busy times, so check before you commit to dates.
Check whether you need a visa. Requirements depend on your nationality, not where you live. The current position for British passport holders is on gov.uk under Foreign Travel Advice; if you hold another passport, check with that country's embassy.
Think about flexibility. The cheapest fares are usually the most restricted. If there is any chance your plans will move, it is worth asking us what a flexible ticket costs — it is often less than the change fee on a cheap one.
Getting the best fare
- Be flexible with dates where you can. Moving a departure by a day or two often saves a meaningful amount.
- Consider indirect flights. A connection frequently costs less than flying direct, sometimes by a wide margin.
- Book early for peak periods. School holidays, Christmas, Ramadan and Hajj season all get more expensive the longer you wait.
- Ask about a package. Flights and hotel arranged together are often cheaper than booking each separately.
- Send us a quote to beat. If you have found something cheaper elsewhere, tell us — we will try to do better.
Travel insurance
Arrange it when you book, not before you fly. Cancellation cover only helps if it is in place before the thing that causes the cancellation. Check that your policy covers your destination, the activities you plan, and any pre-existing medical conditions — these usually have to be declared.
If you are travelling in Europe, a UK Global Health Insurance Card gives access to state healthcare, but it is not a substitute for insurance.
Baggage
Allowances vary far more than people expect, and the cheapest fares often include only a small cabin bag. Your confirmation states what is included.
Buying extra baggage in advance is always cheaper than paying at the airport, sometimes by half. If you know you will need it, tell us when you book.
Pack medication, documents, valuables and a change of clothes in your hand luggage. Liquids in the cabin are limited to containers of 100ml, though several UK airports now have scanners that lift this — check your departure airport's current rules.
At the airport
Check in online as soon as it opens, usually 24 to 48 hours before departure. It secures your seat and saves time at the airport.
Arrive three hours before a long-haul departure and two hours for short-haul. Security queues are unpredictable, and airlines close check-in well before departure — typically an hour beforehand, and they do not reopen it.
If you have a connection, check whether your bags are through-checked to your final destination and whether you need to clear immigration in between. We will tell you when we book, but it is worth confirming at check-in.
Travelling for Umrah
- Plan around the season. Ramadan is by far the busiest and most expensive period. The quieter months offer better prices and shorter queues at the Haram.
- Hotel distance matters more than star rating. A simple hotel five minutes' walk from the Haram is often a better experience than a smarter one a long walk away, particularly for elderly travellers or in the heat.
- Allow time between Makkah and Madinah. The journey takes several hours by road; the high-speed train is faster but needs booking ahead.
- Pack light and practical. Ihram clothing, comfortable sandals you can slip on and off easily, and an unscented soap. Scented products are not permitted in Ihram.
- Bring your medication with prescriptions. Pack enough for the whole trip and keep it in your hand luggage.
While you are away
Keep a photograph or scan of your passport somewhere separate from the passport itself. Note your booking reference and our number — 0203 411 0098 — somewhere you can reach without your phone battery.
If something goes wrong with a flight or hotel, tell the supplier at the time and keep any paperwork. It makes any later claim far easier. And call us: we would rather help while you are there than hear about it afterwards.