Anyone planning a getaway this summer has been urged to brush up on the latest travel rules before they head to the airport to save valuable time and money on their trip.
With holiday firms already seeing record-breaking numbers of bookings this year, Brits are heading off on holiday in force - but there have been plenty of changes to the way we travel in recent years, including alterations due to the UK's departure from the EU, new travel restrictions in some countries, and airlines updating their cabin baggage policies.
If you haven't been away for a while - especially not having had the option to jet off abroad for large periods of time over the past three years due to Covid restrictions - you'll want to make sure you don't get caught out by any changes that have come into force since you last travelled. Here are five key things to be aware of before you go, as reported by The Mirror.
Passports
New rules have been in place regarding passports since the UK left the EU - and they could lead to you being caught out at the airport. One family of four was recently left £3,000 out of pocket after they fell foul of a little-known rule and were therefore unable to board their flight to Portugal.
A number of EU countries in the Schengen Area require your passport to be no more than 10 years old from the point of issue when you're travelling there. However, most countries also require your passport to be valid for at least three (sometimes six) months after your dates of travel.
For example, if you were heading to Portugal which requires your passport to be valid three months after travel, to meet both sets of criteria your passport will need to have been issued nine years and nine months before your travel date. Make sure you check the requirements for the country you're travelling to on the Government's website to see if your passport is valid.
Airport security
The usual airport security rules that we're all used to remain in place, including the restriction on liquids. Under the current rules, containers must hold no more than 100ml of liquid in your bag - and any liquids must be placed in a clear plastic bag.
However, it's worth noting that over the next two years, most major airports will introduce new systems into their security checkpoints that will stop passengers having to spend time taking items out of their bags. London City Airport became the first in the UK to start using the scanners full time last week, with travel hubs including Heathrow and Gatwick due to follow.
Once they are up and running, the new liquid limit will be two litres, meaning passengers can bring big bottles of sun cream and plenty of drink for the flight. They will also not have to put their creams and cosmetics in separate clear plastic bags.
Cabin bag rules
Over the past three years, many of the UK's airlines have changed their hand and checked-luggage policies. Turning up at the airport with a bag that's too big or too heavy can end up costing you a sizeable amount.
It's always worth checking what your airlines' policy is and, if needs be, booking in advance rather than just before the flight takes off. You can read more about the hand luggage when flying with Ryanair, easyJet, Jet2 or TUI here.
Travel health insurance
The good news for Brits travelling abroad is that a new health insurance scheme has been in place for the past two years. UK passport holders can now apply for a UK GHIC, which has replaced the EHIC for those without an EU passport.
The GHIC covers healthcare which is covered by a statutory health care system in the visited country, meaning you can access some hospitals and doctors for free. Applications for the card are free, and can be done through the UK's Government's website - be aware of any unofficial websites, as some try to charge you a fee to get a new card.
Strikes and disruption
One element of travel which has changed significantly in the past three years is the likelihood of disruption, with airports across the country seeing widespread chaos and lengthy queues last year. While it remains to be seen how badly impacted travel is this summer, early signs suggest operations will not be smooth.
Another added complication are the strikes currently ongoing at airports, in air traffic controller towers, on railways and beyond. Make sure you check with your airline, train company or ferry firm ahead of journey for advice on how early you should arrive and what you can do to mitigate any possible disruption.
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