Before You Fly
Get the boring parts sorted early so the travel day itself is calm.
6 guides in this section
Most travel problems are cheaper to fix before you leave home. A passport that expires in four months, a bag that is two kilos over, a card that gets blocked on the first purchase abroad: none of these are dramatic on their own, but they all cost time at the worst possible moment.
This section covers the preparation stage. It is written for people who travel a few times a year and do not want to memorise airline rules, just check the things that actually matter and then get on with the trip.
Before You Fly
How Early Should You Arrive At The Airport?
A realistic way to work out your airport arrival time based on your flight, your bags and the airport you are using.
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Before You Fly
Online Check-In: What To Know Before You Travel
When check-in opens, what it does and does not cover, and the situations where you still have to see an agent.
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Before You Fly
Travel Documents Checklist For International Trips
Passports, visas, travel authorisations and the supporting paperwork that border officers and airlines actually ask for.
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Before You Fly
Preparing Your Baggage: Weight, Size And What Goes Where
How to pack so that nothing gets stopped at the gate, weighed at the counter or removed at security.
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Before You Fly
Travel Insurance: What To Check Before You Buy
The clauses that decide whether a policy actually pays, and the situations travellers most often assume are covered.
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Before You Fly
Money And Payments For International Travel
Cards, cash, exchange rates and the small settings that stop your payments failing on the first day.
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