Travel Health
& Wellbeing.

Yes, especially for medical cover. The NHS doesn't follow you abroad, and a single night in a hospital in the USA or Australia can cost tens of thousands of pounds. Even in Europe where the GHIC card gives access to state healthcare, it won't cover everything including repatriation or private treatment. A week without travel insurance isn't worth the risk.

It depends on where you're going and your vaccination history. Speak to a travel nurse at least 6 to 8 weeks before departure, as some vaccine courses take time to complete. Destinations in sub-Saharan Africa, South and Southeast Asia, and South America often require vaccines not on the standard UK schedule. Some countries require proof of yellow fever vaccination at the border. Check the NHS travel vaccines page or the FCDO travel health advice for your destination.

Call your travel insurer's emergency assistance line before seeking treatment if you possibly can. They'll direct you to an approved clinic, making the claims process smoother. Bring your passport, insurance details, and medication list. For serious symptoms including chest pain, breathing difficulties, severe dehydration, confusion, or heavy bleeding, go to the nearest emergency department immediately and sort paperwork afterwards. See our full guide on getting sick abroad.

No. The GHIC (Global Health Insurance Card) gives access to medically necessary state healthcare in EU and EEA countries at the same cost as a local. That's useful but it won't cover private treatment, repatriation home, lost luggage, flight cancellation, or any situation outside those countries. Travel insurance covers all of that. The GHIC is a supplement to travel insurance, not a substitute. See our GHIC guide for the full picture.

The most effective tactics: adjust your sleep schedule 2 to 3 days before travelling (shift bedtime an hour each day in the direction you're going), stay hydrated on the flight and avoid alcohol, get daylight exposure as soon as you arrive, and resist the urge to nap in the afternoon when you land. Melatonin can help shift your internal clock. The key rule: stay awake until local bedtime even if it's brutal. Your body syncs faster. See our jet lag cheat sheet.

Yes, but follow the rules. Keep prescription meds in their original packaging with the pharmacy label. For controlled substances or injectables, carry a GP letter confirming the medication is prescribed to you (name, medication, dose, dates). Some countries have strict rules about certain medications, so check the destination's import regulations before you go. Liquid medications in carry-on are generally exempt from the 100ml rule if declared at security with supporting documentation.

Drink bottled or purified water in destinations where tap water isn't safe. Avoid ice in drinks if unsure of the source. Eat food that's cooked and served hot. Be wary of raw salads and cut fruit washed in tap water. Wash hands frequently or use sanitiser. In higher-risk destinations the rule is 'boil it, cook it, peel it, or forget it.' Probiotics taken for a week before travelling can also help your gut adjust to different bacteria in local food and water.

Seek help immediately for: severe chest pain or pressure, breathing difficulties, sudden confusion or inability to speak, fainting or loss of consciousness, suspected broken bones or head injuries, heavy bleeding that won't stop, severe allergic reaction (throat swelling, difficulty breathing), severe dehydration with inability to keep fluids down, and high fever above 39C/102F not responding to paracetamol. When in doubt, go to an emergency room. The cost of being wrong is higher than the cost of being cautious.