GENERAL TRAVEL ADVICE NEEDED

[mrsmerryberry]

If you are a seasoned traveller can you offer me some advice and answer some of my questions?

1. When travelling to europe or the channel islands do you need to get medical insurance and also is there an E111 form or something that needs to be filled in?

1. When travelling by air, can you take liquids such as bottles of shampoo, creams, hair spray and hair straightners in your hand luggage?

1. What size or weight does your hand luggage need to be?

4.Luggage weight, what is it for an indivdual and are children allowed the same luggage weight?

5.Would you recommend to tag each piece of your luggage with your name?

1. Can you have electronic things with you on the plane, such as mobile phones and childrens electronic games or this is not allowed anymore?

Are there any other things I need to know or any tips you can give me?

1. There is a new EHIC card you can apply for - forms available at the PO. It is NOT a substitute for proper insurance though - just covers basic medical care, but not repatriation etc I would buy insurance too.

1. Yes

1. Details will be on the airline's website

1. Ditto

1. Yes, and lots of people tie stuff on to cases to make them more easily identifiable at the carousel.

1. Yes - but generally you must have them switched off during take off and landing.

Ask away....

Sorry - on point 2, I misread and thought you were taklking about your case.

Liquids can only be carried in quantities of less than 100ml I think - you need to put any small bottles/containers into a zip lock plastic bag - and hand it over when you go through the security check. I would pack them in your case, or buy them after you have been through security. Hair straighteners should not be an issue.

1. The EHIC card (application form from the PO and takes some time to arrive) entitles the member to basic healthcare - you will need to top up.

1. When travelling by air, can you take liquids such as bottles of shampoo, creams, hair spray and hair straightners in your hand luggage? Yes you can - but it has to be in bottles less than 100ml and no sharp objects

1. What size or weight does your hand luggage need to be? Will say on your ticket - usually about 20 Kgs and 1 bag

4.Luggage weight, what is it for an indivdual and are children allowed the same luggage weight? - children who have their own ticket are entitled to the same as an adult. If the child is sitting on a lap, I think it is half - again the website or your ticket will tell you

5.Would you recommend to tag each piece of your luggage with your name? - Yes!! Also put in a piece of paper with your name and adddress and telephone number in the suitcase before you lock it. Also make the suitcase unique so you can easily recognise it.

1. Can you have electronic things with you on the plane, such as mobile phones and childrens electronic games or this is not allowed anymore? Yes

Are there any other things I need to know or any tips you can give me? Good luck - I took a full size pillow for my children and although it is a hassle to cart about, it was so good. Also, be careful of the size of your hand luggage - some airlines are still pretty hot about keeping in the weight and size requirements.

1. When travelling to europe or the channel islands do you need to get medical insurance and also is there an E111 form or something that needs to be filled in?

EHIC card replaced the E111 form a few years back. You'd be better off arranging your own travel insurance rather than relying solely on the EHIC card.

1. When travelling by air, can you take liquids such as bottles of shampoo, creams, hair spray and hair straightners in your hand luggage?

Would actually put all this in your suitcase as a suitcase has no such restrictions.

1. What size or weight does your hand luggage need to be?

Depends on the airline concerned so would read their website in advance. Ryanair in particular are very meticulous on size and weight of bags for hand luggage.

4.Luggage weight, what is it for an indivdual and are children allowed the same luggage weight?

Again depends on the airline in question.

5.Would you recommend to tag each piece of your luggage with your name?

Yes along with a piece of paper inside each suitcase giving your name and flight number.

1. Can you have electronic things with you on the plane, such as mobile phones and childrens electronic games or this is not allowed anymore?

Yes but such items are not allowed to be used when the aircraft is on the taxiway, take off or landing

Do not rely on the airline to fully provide re foodstuffs or entertainment for children. Would take a portable DVD player for use particularly if travelling long haul.

1. Seriously? Are you honestly asking this??

Er... that would be point 5 actewleh ...

Thanks for the advice everyone, it has been very helpful. I've applied for the EHIC and sorted med insurance, now all I have to do is check out which airline I booked with, buy some luggage and get packing.