Travelling Outside of the UK? Read These Tips!

Are you planning a trip outside your home country? Luckily, locals have great options since the UK boasts several major airports, such as Heathrow, Gatwick, Manchester, and Edinburgh, providing numerous opportunities. With many airlines operating from these airports, UK residents can easily access a wide range of destinations with frequent flights. Another great advantage that comes with travelling from the UK is cost-effectiveness. The high volume of flights usually leads to lower prices. If you want to find good deals, don;t hesitate to browse Ryanair and EasyJet offers. These are the best carriers if you fancy European destinations. 

What are the other tips that can be useful for UK residents travelling outside their home country? Here is what we have for you!

Choose the best way to stay online 

If you want to stay connected to your friends and family while away, it can be a good idea to check roaming rules and fees. A lot of travellers choose eSIMs as they can connect to a cellular plan abroad. You can never lose your eSIM as it is embedded in your phone, and you can seamlessly switch between different plans. No doubt, using eSIM while abroad will undoubtedly enhance your experience. You will find it brings you hassle-free connections with your friends and loved ones. The good news is that there is a wide range of smartphone models like iPhone, Google, and Samsung that support eSIM technology. For example, an iPhone allows you to store up to 20 eSIMs, which will allow you to stay in touch with your friends and family members in multiple countries.  

Double Check If You Need a Visa

Luckily, UK residents are not required to apply for a visa when visiting most countries in the world. As of 2024, British citizens had visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 192 countries and territories. This is when UK residents should understand how lucky they are to hold aBritish passport, which is ranked 3rd in the world according to the Henley Passport Index. If you head to Europe, you can be absolutely sure you don’t need a visa. Just book a flight, hop on the plane and explore a new destination. If you dream of visiting America, you need to apply for a permit online, which makes things so much easier than in other nationalities. The list of countries marked “visa required” for locals is not that long yet, but it includes countries like Afghanistan, China, the Republic of the Congo, Ghana, Iran, North Korea, Russia, Syria, and Yemen.

Don’t Skip Insurance

If you travel outside of the UK for the first time, insurance is highly recommended. A decent insurance package will give you peace of mind in case of theft and provide you access to emergency funds so as not to allow any incident to ruin your long-awaited trip. Of course, insurance is a life jacket in case you face a health problem. Getting treatment outside your home country can be stressful and very expensive, so sort out reliable insurance before you book a flight and hotel. Buying single-trip travel insurance in the UK costs as little as £6, while for a family of 4, it costs only £20, and it covers travellers for medical emergencies, trip cancellation, and baggage.

Think About a Payment Method

In order to avoid conversion fees while on your trip abroad, use multi-currency bank accounts like Revolut, Wise or Monzo. These allow you to open accounts in up to 50 currencies. This makes things super easy and allows you to pay in local currency. However, if you prefer to use cash, research local banks and ATM fees in advance. It is best to avoid situations when you come out of the airport and head to the nearest ATM to withdraw local currency. These are usually the worst and rip-off options. 

Conclusion

As you can see, there are a lot of advantages to travelling from the UK. However, planning your trip in advance is a must. Choosing a mobile phone operator, purchasing insurance, and checking what ATM charges the lowest commissions may seem too simple, but they make a great difference if you want to travel with comfort and have as little hassle as possible.