Travellers Urged To Plan Ahead For Smoother Easter Journeys

With the Easter break fast approaching, the Consumer Council is advising individuals planning to travel during the holidays to prepare in advance for easier journeys. The organisation has issued guidance for those intending to travel by public transport, air, or sea, aiming to minimise stress and potential costs.

Michelle Kelly, Head of Transport Policy at the Consumer Council, emphasised the benefits of pre-planning, whether for trips abroad or local travel. "We are encouraging consumers to plan ahead before the Easter holidays, whether they are heading away or travelling locally," she said.

Ms Kelly highlighted the potential for both time and cost savings through proactive preparation. "Planning ahead can save you time and money. There are steps you can take ahead of your trip, such as shopping around for your travel money or getting insurance that covers your needs."

In addition to financial considerations, Ms Kelly stressed the importance of staying informed about potential disruptions before setting off. "Unfortunately plans can be disrupted by sudden and unforeseen events such as bad weather, so check travel updates," she advised.

"It is important to also be up to date with news on industrial action, road works or service interruptions and then you can figure these into your plans," Ms Kelly concluded. The Consumer Council's advice aims to equip travellers with the necessary information to navigate the Easter period with greater ease and avoid unnecessary complications.

Top ten tips for Easter travel:

Be flexible when booking. Consider flexible airfares and accommodation with a cancellation option. They may be a bit more expensive but could save you money if you are forced to cancel your trip for personal reasons. Check your passport. If you need to apply for a new passport to travel, check with the passport issuer how long in advance of your travel date you should apply. Always apply well in advance as a delay in issuing passports could mean you will be unable to travel. The length of time you need on your passport’s validity depends on the country you are visiting. Always check the requirements before booking your tickets.

Get a Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC). If travelling to EU countries, a GHIC card will give access to health care at a reduced cost or sometimes for free.

Pre-book special assistance. If you have a disability or reduced mobility, ensure you get the assistance you need. This needs to be booked at least 48 hours in advance.

Check public transport timetables. If you are planning to use public transport for any part of your journey it is a good idea to check out timetables which can be different during public holidays.

Check airport parking charges. Pre-booking car parking can save you money.

Check the latest travel updates. Check with your airline/airport or ferry operator for the most up to date travel advice and information and leave plenty of time to allow for unforeseen delays such as traffic jams or queues going through airport security.

Know your rights. It is important to know your consumer rights when it comes to delayed or cancelled flights or sailings. You may be entitled to a refund and compensation. Full details are available at bit.ly/consumerrightsandtravel and copies of the Plane Facts and Plain Sailing guides are available for download or order.

Know hand luggage allowances and restrictions. These vary between airlines and are often strictly enforced. Check airport security procedures particularly regarding liquids in hand luggage, be mindful that different airports may have different rules.

Check for roaming charges. If travelling to EU countries, check with your mobile phone provider if you will experience roaming charges. You can limit any roaming charges by turning off your mobile data roaming and using Wi-Fi where possible. bit.ly/mobileroaming24

You can find out more information on your air and sea passenger rights by visiting bit.ly/consumerrightsandtravel