Going abroad in a week - anything I’ve forgotten?!

[DasAlteLeid]

Off to France next weekend! First holiday in three years.

Passports have at least eight months on them each, travelling by ferry and have booked tickets and car space. Airbnb booked etc.

Vaccine passports done. All adult family members have had two jabs plus a booster over Winter 2021. Child is four and so doesn’t need a jab.

Is there anything I’ve forgotten logistically?! I’m organising the whole thing myself as my husband works away and I’m going a bit mad with worry that I’ve overlooked something crucial and we’ll be turned away at the port 😫

Thanks for any advice!

When are the start dates of the passports? Are any more than 10 years ago?

Do you have travel insurance and GHIC cards?

Reflective jackets, spare bulbs and alcohol test kits?

An extension lead so you only need one adapter.

All good points, thanks!

passports definitely less than 10 years old. GHIC cards sorted for all of us (thanks for the reminder though!). Travel insurance!! Will book now.

Loving the slight prepper vibe @LIZS 😆 is this in case our car breaks down? Hadn’t actually thought of that but we are driving a few hundred miles so should make sure we have some blankets and that the car is covered abroad 🤔 I’ve never done a holiday like this before, we usually just jet off to a hotel (budget airline, cheap hotel 😆) but fancied something a bit different, and felt like it was a bit less risky in light of Covid somehow… probably a big mistake but you live and learn eh 😅

I'm pretty sure what @LIZS suggested might be the law in France, if I remember correctly. Also, you might need some other stuff - like a red triangle to put at the roadside if you break down?
I can't quite remember, but worth checking.

@DasAlteLeid

France has a couple of interesting requirements what each car has to have like LIZS pointed out.

French police is also known for pulling out British cars and issue fines if anything of the list is missing. So, it's not a prepper philosophy, it's the law.

DH ordered several things 4 years ago when we drove through France on the way to Germany. You get it at the Channel Tunnel for at least double the price, they make money from the people who forgot/didn't check.

Yes not prepping, a legal requirement! www.theaa.com/european-breakdown-cover/driving-in-europe/country-by-country/france-and-monaco

You need a UK sticker (not GB) on the car. And if you have the Euro stars/GB panel on the side of the number plate you can get a UK to cover them.

About half the cars we saw on recent ferry crossing hadn't done this but no point risking trouble!

Have a good trip!

All prescription medication and a few spare in case trip is longer for any reason and a copy of the repeat prescription.

Your clothes!

I once packed for a holiday and remembered all the random things like adaptor plugs/phone charger/tiny toiletries but forgot to pack any tops.

I had to buy 5 t-shirts at Milan train station

Green card from your car insurance?

Driver's licences with the paper bit too (although that might have been scrapped now?). Mosquito stuff.

Those sticker things to stop your headlights dazzling other drivers?

Roaming plan? What if any foreign currency surcharge on your cards for purchases or withdrawals?

I second the plug boards with just one Uk/Europe adapter

Travel insurance

Do you still have to do passenger locator forms for France?

You might need EUR cash for toll roads? You can price up your route online.

If you have any EUR coins too take them in case you want to use a toilet in a service station (most charge a small fee).

Travel sickness pills for the ferry!

If you know your route you may be able to prepay any tolls or get a pass.

Marvels! Thanks so much. Furiously researching etc now. Reflective jackets!! This was supposed to be the cheap option v flying and hotel 🙄 right caravan in Skeggy next year 😅

You may get jackets etc in Poundland, Wilko or Halfords.

If you are used to holidays abroad then the main difference is that you are now driving - everything else like a socket adaptor I assume you will be familiar with.

What do you normally have in the car for a long journey? Games, sweets, rubbish bags, tissues, wet wipes, paper atlas, torch, travel pillows, blanket?

Google 'driving in France'.

Also, as it is Airbnb, you are at least semi-self-catering which is very different to hotels. If there is room in the car, take some familiar foods that the French may not have everywhere - good tea bags, breakfast cereals, etc. The kitchen equipment can be a bit hit-and-miss, so maybe a favourite good sharp knife?

It was apparently a requirement when we went month ago but no-one looked at them.

It's really worth doing some research on driving laws and also things like whether your mobile phone will continue to work as normal now we're no longer in the EU.

Try to find an official French government or police site as other sources that you'd think reliable like the RAC give inconsistent advice, eg I know that it is a requirement in Spain to carry spare glasses when driving if you need corrective eyewear, but on googling some websites say this also applies in France, others not, so something else to check, but I don't think it's a requirement in France but not sure, like I said, try to find official advice rather than relying on forums or consumer information.

UK mobile phone providers have started to bring in charges for data use overseas now that we're no longer protected by EU law, so another thing to check.

Also remember that you can't take certain food into the EU, meat I think is the main issue so careful with packed lunches or any food you might take for a first night dinner or whatever.

Check that your breakdown service includes European cover (and car insurance)?

Some cheaper policies of either type might exclude this.

What's the paper bit? I don't think I have that.