Summer holidays with the family are brilliant when everything runs smoothly, and stressful when they don't. You don’t want to be standing at the airport realising a passport expired last month or arriving at a resort without sun cream while a toddler is already turning pink.
A bit of forward planning goes a long way toward making sure you actually enjoy the countdown. Getting the boring admin sorted early means fewer last-minute scrambles and more time spent looking forward to the trip itself.
Renewing a passport through HM Passport Office typically takes around three weeks if you apply online, but it’s a good idea to allow more time than this in case of any issues. Checking everyone's expiry dates should be one of the first things you do once you've booked your holiday. Many European countries also require at least three months' validity beyond your return date, which can easily catch you out.
Organise travel documents early
Renewing a passport through HM Passport Office typically takes around three weeks if you apply online, but it’s a good idea to allow more time than this in case of any issues. Checking everyone's expiry dates should be one of the first things you do once you've booked your holiday. Many European countries also require at least three months' validity beyond your return date, which can easily catch you out.
If you're heading outside Europe, look into visa requirements at least two months ahead. Storing digital copies of your passports and booking confirmations in a shared cloud folder means the whole family can access them from any device if something goes missing.
If you're flying, pre-booking airport parking or arranging a lift tends to be far cheaper than turning up and paying on the day.
For anyone driving abroad, you'll want to check that your car insurance covers you in the country you're visiting, as some policies include European cover as standard, while others need a temporary extension.
Booking airport transfers or hiring a car in advance often means better rates too, particularly during peak summer weeks when demand pushes prices up.
Rolling clothes instead of folding them frees up a surprising amount of suitcase space and packing each family member's outfits into separate packing cubes makes it far easier to find things without tipping everything out. Laying out your essentials a couple of days before departure gives you enough time to pick up anything you've missed, rather than panic-buying overpriced toiletries at the airport.
Plan your travel and transfers
If you're flying, pre-booking airport parking or arranging a lift tends to be far cheaper than turning up and paying on the day.
For anyone driving abroad, you'll want to check that your car insurance covers you in the country you're visiting, as some policies include European cover as standard, while others need a temporary extension.
Booking airport transfers or hiring a car in advance often means better rates too, particularly during peak summer weeks when demand pushes prices up.
Pack wisely
Rolling clothes instead of folding them frees up a surprising amount of suitcase space and packing each family member's outfits into separate packing cubes makes it far easier to find things without tipping everything out. Laying out your essentials a couple of days before departure gives you enough time to pick up anything you've missed, rather than panic-buying overpriced toiletries at the airport.
For families with younger children, keeping a change of clothes and a few favourite snacks in your hand luggage can make the difference between a manageable journey and a very long one.
Visiting your GP or a travel clinic at least six weeks before you fly gives enough time for any vaccinations to take effect. A small first-aid kit with plasters and antihistamines alongside children's paracetamol means you won't need to hunt down a pharmacy on your first evening abroad.
You should also check whether your Global Health Insurance Card is still valid. Thousands issued during the 2021 EHIC transition are expiring across 2026, and replacing one through the NHS website is free but takes up to 15 working days.
Prepare health and safety essentials
Visiting your GP or a travel clinic at least six weeks before you fly gives enough time for any vaccinations to take effect. A small first-aid kit with plasters and antihistamines alongside children's paracetamol means you won't need to hunt down a pharmacy on your first evening abroad.
You should also check whether your Global Health Insurance Card is still valid. Thousands issued during the 2021 EHIC transition are expiring across 2026, and replacing one through the NHS website is free but takes up to 15 working days.
