Not having the correct documents could slow you down at the airport or even put an end to your holiday plans. In this post, we’ll look at how to guarantee this paperwork comes together, as well as how to stay organised while travelling.
Why You Need Online Travel Templates
There are plenty of documents and forms you might need when planning your holiday, and you’ll face fewer hurdles with a document template site.
For example, a UK child travel consent form template lets you take your child abroad without the other parent. You can also safely charge other family members with their care if you’re not going abroad together.
With a template, you don’t have to worry about getting a form’s minutiae correct. You’ll know the document is already legally binding and has the necessary space for custom adjustments.
You can also set up a power of attorney that outlines what to do if anyone falls seriously ill while on the trip. That might not be easy to think about, but you need to know who to delegate serious decisions to in case you’re incapacitated.
Renew Your Passport Early
Your passport shouldn’t expire within six months of your holiday starting, and some destinations even require this; however, many only ask for three months. This ensures you won’t be stranded if you face severe delays.
Renew your passport as soon as you can to avoid any hiccups like this — you should also keep the following in mind:
- Update your passport number with the airline if you booked before renewing
- Renewals take around three weeks, but could be longer during peak season
- UK passport renewals come with a £94.50 (online) or £107 (paper form) fee
- You can pay higher fees to fast-track renewal to one week, or even one day
A child’s passport only costs £61.50-74 to renew, but lasts five years instead of ten. It’s also still subject to the 3-6 months’ validity rule. Only a parent can renew their child’s passport, but they’ll need to give details for both parents, even if they’re separated.
Check Visa Rules
Double- and triple-check if the country you’re going to needs a visa, and make sure you arrange this months before your trip. The UK passport lets you visit 184 countries visa-free, putting it 8th on the Henley Passport Index, and meaning you usually won’t require a traditional visa.
However, here are some notable exceptions:
- Australia
- Azerbaijan
- China
- Cuba
- Ghana
- India
- Nigeria
- Pakistan
- Russia
Most of these aren’t common choices for holidaying families, but it’s worth knowing, just in case. In addition, visa rules may change overnight, so keep checking as your trip date nears.
In addition, some countries ask for a visa-like Electronic Travel Authorisation. This includes:
- Australia
- Canada
- New Zealand
- South Korea
- United States of America
These are more popular tourist destinations, and the rules here are always changing. You must keep an eye on the news surrounding your destination — or you may not realise you don’t have permission to enter until it’s too late.
Arrange Family Travel Insurance
Too many families and travellers avoid travel insurance to save money and pay an even greater price. Don’t leave anything to chance — get travel insurance, preferably in a family plan.
Here are a few situations where having your travel insurance policy handy will help you stay one step ahead of delays and other problems:
- Some policies cover holiday cancellations due to paperwork issues
- This extends to the family, even if the problem is just one document
- You’ll usually have coverage for replacing lost/stolen passports
- You can arrange refunds more easily and rebook cancelled flights
- You’ll have peace of mind, giving you the freedom to book earlier
General Tips for Organised Travel
Managing documents and paperwork can be a headache, especially if you’re looking after them for the whole family. Here are five ways to make this much simpler:
- Travel folder: Make a folder with all the important documents and forms — you can then present them to airport officials at a moment’s notice.
- Digital backups: Every physical document should have a secure virtual backup that you (or other family members) can access just in case.
- Set a timeline: Figure out the recommended deadlines for renewing documents, getting travel insurance, etc., and set yourself strict deadlines.
- Apply at the same time: When applying for multiple documents, do so on the same day to minimise the chance of one person facing delays.
- Pack smart: Keep your travel folder or documents in an easy-to-reach part of your hand luggage; this stops you scrambling to find them later.
Final Thoughts
The documents you bring on your trip could make or break your ability to speed through airports at home and abroad. With the right planning, paperwork, and packages, you can avoid potential delays and instead focus on enjoying your trip.