Skip to main content [Accesskey 'S']Go to home page [Accesskey '1']
Are you a business customer?
  • Broken down?|
  • Had an accident?|
  • Help and support
  • Breakdown cover
  • Report a breakdown
  • Personal breakdown cover
  • Multicar breakdown cover
  • Family breakdown cover
  • European breakdown cover
  • Motorbike breakdown cover
  • Electric car breakdown cover
  • Business breakdown cover
  • Caravan and motorhome breakdown cover
  • Instant breakdown cover
  • Report an accident
  • Wrong fuel assistance
  • Manage your cover
  • Breakdown guides
  • Car insurance
  • Multi-Car Discount
  • Van insurance
  • Electric car insurance
  • Short term car insurance
  • Motorbike insurance
  • Car insurance guides
  • Home insurance
  • Buildings insurance
  • Contents insurance
  • Home insurance guides
  • Travel insurance
  • Backpacker travel insurance
  • All insurance products
  • Car insurance claim
  • Home insurance claim
  • Manage your policy
  • MOTs
  • Car servicing
  • Mobile mechanics
  • Diagnostics
  • Brake pads and discs
  • Car battery replacement
  • Car key replacement
  • Oil and filter change
  • Vixa proactive car care
  • Wrong fuel assistance
  • Car warranty
  • Car servicing guides
  • MOT guides
  • Used cars for sale
  • New cars to lease
  • AA cars and vans
  • Car history check
  • Car warranty
  • Car finance
  • Sell your car
  • Vehicle inspection
  • Vehicle delivery
  • Car reviews
  • Car buying guides
  • Driving School
  • Driving instructor training
  • Driving School franchise
  • EV Driving School franchise
  • Driving instructor guides
  • Driving lessons
  • Refresher driving lessons
  • AA Driving Theory app
  • Manage your lessons
  • Learner driver insurance
  • Learner driving advice
  • Personal loans
  • Car loans
  • Debt consolidation loans
  • Home improvement loans
  • Manage your loan
  • Savings accounts
  • Easy Access Savings
  • AA Member Saver
  • Manage your savings
  • All finance products
  • Finance guides
  • Route planner
  • Traffic news
  • Mileage calculator
  • Fuel price report
  • Travel insurance
  • Backpacker travel insurance
  • Atlases travel guides and driving kits
  • Travel ideas and places to stay
  • Driving advice

FCO travel advice

Before you go

Tips to stay safe when you travel overseas

When travelling abroad, you'll want a trouble-free trip. And many of the things that go wrong can be prevented or made less stressful by taking a few simple precautions before you travel.


Wherever you're planning to go – Europe or further afield – the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) Travel Aware website offers straightforward travel advice, top tips, and up-to-date country information to help you plan your holiday.

You can also find handy checklists before you set off and while you're away.

FCO tips include:

  • Make sure you have valid travel insurance, even if you're only planning a short trip.
  • Check what vaccinations you need by visiting www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk, your travel health clinic or GP at least 6 weeks before you travel.
  • Read up on your destination, including local laws and customs.
  • Make photocopies of your passport, visas and insurance details, and leave a copy with a relative or friend at home.
  • Read up on what the local British Consulate can do to help you if you run into problems abroad – and what they can't do.

You can contact the FCO here.

Driving to Europe?

Make sure you're up to speed with the latest driving requirements for each country and local laws, and don’t forget to check out our European driving advice. You'll find everything you need for driving in Europe in the AA Shop.

Plan your trip with our free online route planner, and make sure you've got European Breakdown Cover – enjoy peace of mind with our 24-hour English-speaking assistance.

AA Members enjoy a range of travel savings – from ferry discounts to car hire. And AA car insurance customers get 90 days of free European cover. We also offer travel Insurance too.

Travel essentials

  • Airport hotels
  • Airport parking
  • European breakdown cover
  • Euro travel kit
  • International driving permit
  • Travel insurance

Connect with us

x logofacebook iconInsta new
  1. Homearrow-right
  2. Travel insurancearrow-right
  3. Holiday advice and guidesarrow-right
  4. FCO travel advice
  • About us
  • Gender pay gap
  • Help and support
  • Apps
  • Careers
  • Modern slavery
  • Terms of use
  • Privacy notice
  • Privacy hub
  • Cookies

© Automobile Association Developments Ltd. 2026