Spain
Vaccinations
Free – £150
Visa
No
Average insurance cost
£9.99
Despite hepatitis A and B being only selectively advised, travellers should begin considering vaccinations for their trip six months and one week in advance, to ensure that if they do require the vaccination, they have adequate time to receive the full, recommended course of the vaccine.
USA
Vaccinations
Free – £150
Visa
Yes
Average insurance cost
£21.88
Rather than a visa, most British citizens can get an Electronic System for Travel Authorisation, or ESTA, for the US, which allows travel for up to 90 days. You need an ePassport for this, however, otherwise you'll need a full visa, which can cost a little more and take more time. To purchase an ESTA, visit the ESTA website online, and to obtain a visa, contact the US Embassy. It is recommended to secure an ESTA at least 72 hours prior to travel.
Despite hepatitis A and B being only selectively advised, travellers should begin considering vaccinations for their trip six months and one week in advance, to ensure that if they do require the vaccination, they have adequate time to receive the full, recommended course of the vaccine.
France
Vaccinations
Free – £345
Visa
No
Average insurance cost
£11.98
The presence of tick-borne encephalitis means that travellers should investigate whether they should receive the vaccinations as early as 10 months and two weeks prior, as it's recommended that doses are given at zero months, between one and three months, and again after five to 12 months. It may, however, be possible to receive them on an accelerated schedule with the second dose coming seven days after the first and the third on day 21, should the traveller have more limited time available.
Italy
Vaccinations
Free – £345
Visa
No
Average insurance cost
£9.99
The presence of tick-borne encephalitis means that travellers should investigate whether they should receive the vaccinations as early as 10 months and two weeks prior, as it's recommended that doses are given at zero months, between one to three months, and again after five to 12 months. It may, however, be possible to receive them on an accelerated schedule with the second dose coming seven days after the first and the third on day 21, should the traveller have more limited time available.
Netherlands
Vaccinations
Free – £150
Visa
No
Average insurance cost
£6.79
Despite hepatitis A and B being only selectively advised, travellers should begin considering vaccinations for their trip six months and one week in advance, to ensure that if they do require the vaccination, they have adequate time to receive the full, recommended course of the vaccine.
Turkey
Vaccinations
Free – £300
Visa
Yes
Average insurance cost
£13.50
The easiest way to get a Visa for Turkey is to get an e-Visa, available online through the Turkey e-Visa website. It's advised that this is done at least 48 hours in advance of the trip, but can be done up to three months before.
Due to the presence of hepatitis A and B, travellers should begin considering vaccinations for their trip six months and one week in advance, to ensure that if they do require the vaccination, they have adequate time to receive the full, recommended course of the vaccine.
Greece
Vaccinations
Free – £345
Visa
No
Average insurance cost
£14.81
The presence of tick-borne encephalitis means that travellers should investigate whether they should receive the vaccinations as early as 10 and a half months prior, as it's recommended that doses are given at zero months, between one-three months, and again after five-12 months. It may, however, be possible to receive them on an accelerated schedule with the second dose coming seven days after the first and the third on day 21, should the traveller have more limited time available.
Germany
Vaccinations
Free – £345
Visa
No
Average insurance cost
£6.91
The presence of tick-borne encephalitis means that travellers should investigate whether they should receive the vaccinations as early as 10 months two weeks prior, as it's recommended that doses are given at zero months, between one-three months, and again after five-12 months. It may, however, be possible to receive them on an accelerated schedule with the second dose coming seven days after the first and the third on day 21, should the traveller have more limited time available.
Thailand
Vaccinations
Free – £480
Visa
No
Average insurance cost
£23
Due to the presence of hepatitis B, and the potential for hepatitis A, travellers should begin considering vaccinations for their trip six months and one week in advance, to ensure that if they do require the vaccination, they have adequate time to receive the full, recommended course of the vaccine.
South Korea
Vaccinations
Free – £480
Visa
No
Average insurance cost
£22.04
Due to the presence of hepatitis B, and the potential for hepatitis A, travellers should begin considering vaccinations for their trip six months and one week in advance, to ensure that if they do require the vaccination, they have adequate time to receive the full, recommended course of the vaccine.
UAE
Vaccinations
Free – £300
Visa
Yes
Average insurance cost
£16.86
UK visitors to the UAE can acquire a 30-day visit visa on arrival in the country, free of charge, provided by the airline they're travelling with.
Due to the presence of hepatitis B, travellers should begin considering vaccinations for their trip six months and one week in advance, to ensure that if they do require the vaccination, they have adequate time to receive the full, recommended course of the vaccine. In the case that they have less time available, it may be possible for many to receive an accelerated course.
Mexico
Vaccinations
Free – £300
Visa
No
Average insurance cost
£25.38
British travellers don't need a visa to enter, but will need to complete an immigration form, which is available on arrival or online.
The hepatitis A vaccine is recommended for all visitors. Accordingly, travellers should begin considering vaccinations for their trip six months and one week in advance, to ensure that they have adequate time to receive the full, recommended course of the vaccine.
Cyprus
Vaccinations
Free – £150
Visa
No
Average insurance cost
£13.62
Despite hepatitis A and B being only selectively advised, travellers should begin considering vaccinations for their trip six months and one week in advance, to ensure that if they do require the vaccination, they have adequate time to receive the full, recommended course of the vaccine.
Japan
Vaccinations
Free – £525
Visa
No
Average insurance cost
£24
The presence of tick-borne encephalitis means that travellers should investigate whether they should receive the vaccinations as early as 10 months and two weeks prior, as it's recommended that doses are given at zero months, between one-three months, and again after five-12 months. It may, however, be possible to receive them on an accelerated schedule with the second dose coming seven days after the first and the third on day 21, should the traveller have more limited time available.
Morocco
Vaccinations
Free – £300
Visa
No
Average insurance cost
£9.99
The hepatitis A vaccine is recommended for all visitors. Accordingly, travellers should begin considering vaccinations for their trip six months and one week in advance, to ensure that they have adequate time to receive the full, recommended course of the vaccine.
Australia
Vaccinations
Free – £330
Visa
Yes
Average insurance cost
£25.03
UK visitors to Australia also require a visa and can apply at any time. It starts on the date it is granted, with each visa lasting up to three months. The majority of applications are processed within 72 hours, and can be applied for online on the Australian Government website.
Despite hepatitis A and B being only selectively advised, travellers should begin considering vaccinations for their trip six months and one week in advance, to ensure that if they do require the vaccination, they have adequate time to receive the full, recommended course of the vaccine.
India
Vaccinations
Free – £480
Visa
Yes
Average insurance cost
£24
Eligible British citizens can apply for an Indian e-Tourist Visa on the relevant website, while others will need to apply for a specific visa based on their travel situation by contacting the High Commission of India's relevant website, taking a print of the application and submitting it to the Visa and Consular Services Centre by post.
The hepatitis A vaccine is recommended for all visitors. Accordingly, travellers should begin considering vaccinations for their trip six months and one week in advance, to ensure that they have adequate time to receive the full, recommended course of the vaccine.
Egypt
Vaccinations
Free – £300
Visa
Yes
Average insurance cost
£14.19
Although possible to get a tourist visa on arrival, it's recommended to get one in advance, either online from Visa2Egypt, or from an Egyptian Consulate. They are valid for up to three months if purchased in advance. Due to the presence of hepatitis A and B, travellers should begin considering vaccinations for their trip six months and one week in advance, to ensure that if they do require the vaccination, they have adequate time to receive the full, recommended course of the vaccine.
Bulgaria
Vaccinations
Free – £495
Visa
No
Average insurance cost
£14.15
The presence of tick-borne encephalitis means that travellers should investigate whether they should receive the vaccinations as early as 10 months and two weeks prior, as it's recommended that doses are given at zero months, between one-three months, and again after five-12 months. It may, however, be possible to receive them on an accelerated schedule with the second dose coming seven days after the first and the third on day 21, should the traveller have more limited time available.
Malaysia
Vaccinations
Free – £480
Visa
No
Average insurance cost
£24
Due to the presence of hepatitis B, and the potential for hepatitis A, travellers should begin considering vaccinations for their trip six months and one week in advance, to ensure that if they do require the vaccination, they have adequate time to receive the full, recommended course of the vaccine.
Indonesia
Vaccinations
Free – £480
Visa
No
Average insurance cost
£23.86
The hepatitis A vaccine is recommended for all visitors. Accordingly, travellers should begin considering vaccinations for their trip six months and one week in advance, to ensure that they have adequate time to receive the full, recommended course of the vaccine.
Canada
Vaccinations
Free – £150
Visa
Yes
Average insurance cost
£29.99
British travellers do not need a visa to enter Canada, but will require an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA), available online through the relevant website. These are usually issued within 72 hours of application, but it is recommended that travellers apply before that time to avoid difficulties.
Despite hepatitis A and B being only selectively advised, travellers should begin considering vaccinations for their trip six months and one week in advance, to ensure that if they do require the vaccination, they have adequate time to receive the full, recommended course of the vaccine.
Taiwan
Vaccinations
Free – £480
Visa
No
Average insurance cost
£18.98
Due to the presence of hepatitis A and B, travellers should begin considering vaccinations for their trip six months and one week in advance, to ensure that if they do require the vaccination, they have adequate time to receive the full, recommended course of the vaccine.
Hong Kong
Vaccinations
Free – £150
Visa
No
Average insurance cost
£21.12
Due to the presence of hepatitis A and B, travellers should begin considering vaccinations for their trip six months and one week in advance, to ensure that if they do require the vaccination, they have adequate time to receive the full, recommended course of the vaccine.
China
Vaccinations
Free – £675
Visa
Yes
Average insurance cost
£21.55
Entering the mainland of China as a UK citizen requires a visa which must be submitted for in person to a Chinese Visa Application Service Centre. These can take up to two weeks to process - and may involve a service charge on top of the visa fee itself, dependent on the service centre used.
The presence of tick-borne encephalitis means that travellers should investigate whether they should receive the vaccinations as early as 10 months two weeks prior, as it's recommended that doses are given at zero months, between one-three months, and again after five-12 months. It may, however, be possible to receive them on an accelerated schedule with the second dose coming seven days after the first and the third on day 21, should the traveller have more limited time available.
Singapore
Vaccinations
Free – £150
Visa
No
Average insurance cost
£20.72
Due to the presence of hepatitis B, and the potential for hepatitis A, travellers should begin considering vaccinations for their trip six months and one week in advance, to ensure that if they do require the vaccination, they have adequate time to receive the full, recommended course of the vaccine.
Vaccinations, in particular, can take time to process, with recommended schedules taking as long as 10 months. And while most jabs are available on the NHS, tick-borne encephalitis, rabies, Japanese encephalitis and hepatitis B have an additional cost and are not normally provided by your NHS doctor.
For some locations where a visa is required, there’s an e-visa equivalent that’s often faster and cheaper to process – but it’s still smart to get one as early as possible to save on stress. Even if a destination doesn’t require a visa, many will only allow tourists access for a limited time before further documentation is needed, so make sure that your holiday is within the right timeframe.
Travel insurance, meanwhile, is best purchased as soon as the holiday is booked, in order to protect your holiday against any unforeseen circumstances, as insurance can protect you against cancelled flights or hotels, problems with luggage, or any medical issues that arise, even before you leave on your trip.
Find below the details for each country of the potential costs and visa requirements you might need to consider before travel.
Travel information for key destinations
No matter where you are travelling to, it’s important to do your research on what you need to prepare for and how far in advance. We always recommend purchasing travel insurance as soon as you’ve booked to ensure you’re covered from the offset, but when it comes to jabs and visas, timings can vary greatly between each destination. It’s also important to check with your GP to find out which vaccinations you might need, and the recommended schedule based on your age, health and travel plans.
In order to help travellers get prepared, we’ve outlined the requirements for each of the 26 destinations so you can start your trip with your best foot forward.
Use the tool below to select your destination to find out more information about vaccination, visas and travel insurance requirements for your trip.
Top tips for being prepared for your holiday
Being prepared for travel means a peace of mind and an easy holiday once you set off. Here are our top tips for avoiding difficulties later on:
Book travel insurance as soon as possible – and make sure it covers everything you need
Booking travel insurance early can protect you against problems even before you leave the country, including unforeseen medical complications, cancelled or delayed flights and luggage issues. But not every policy offers all these options, so ensure you find a policy that suits your needs.
Plan in advance
While it can be fun to explore and find new places, knowing more about the location you’re visiting in advance means saving time and stress researching local transport or hotel options on the go. And with a wide variety of review sites, guides, and tips online, it’s easy to find out useful information.
Make sure you don’t need any extra documents
Many popular tourist locations can be visited for a limited time without a visa or equivalent, but not only should you check this in advance just in case, you should make sure that the time allowed is longer than your trip – or you might need to apply for some additional documents.
Carry a padlock
An extra layer of security can mean peace of mind even if you’re leaving your suitcase with reception during the day. Some padlocks are specially designed so they can be opened by airport security and avoid being cut open while still securing your items.
Check with your GP
Although you might not be at risk from local diseases on holiday, it’s still important to check with your GP to see if there are any vaccinations they recommend. The more time in advance you check, the easier it is to get everything sorted.
Make photocopies of important documents like your passport
A photocopy of your passport is unlikely to help at an airport, but for day-to-day identification it can serve as a replacement and mean you’re able to keep your passport locked in a safe in your hotel.
Use a credit card for pricier payments
A credit card offers great protection on payments, and for purchases over £100, it’s a great way to avoid stress about any problems you might encounter while overseas.
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Sources and methodology
Time is based on the longest vaccine schedule as these are in all cases longer than the time taken to apply for a relevant visa. Only vaccines in the "Other Vaccines to Consider" or "Courses or Boosters Usually Advised" categories have been used to affect the timeframe.
MSM Insurance Data 2019
https://www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk/
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/travel-vaccinations/
https://patient.info/travel-and-vaccinations/travel-vaccinations-leaflet/cholera-vaccination
https://www.who.int/ith/vaccines/cholera/
https://healthclinics.superdrug.com/
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/hepatitis-a/vaccination/
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/japanese-encephalitis/prevention/
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/tick-borne-encephalitis/
https://www.ivisa.com/usa-blog/us-visa-for-british-uk-citizens
https://travelvisabookings.com/india-e-tourist-visa-for-uk-citizens/
https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/turkey/entry-requirements
http://www.thaiembassy.org/london/
MSM Travel Insurance Data 2016-19
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