Festivals abroad: travel safety checklist

Before you go

Before you travel, you should:

• read foreign travel advice to prepare yourself, particularly the sections on entry requirements, safety and local laws
• sign up for travel advice email alerts for the country you’re visiting – you’ll get alerts if the travel advice changes
• get appropriate travel insurance that covers your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency – keep the contact and policy numbers with you
• get a free UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) if you’re going to an EU country or some other countries – this gives you access to essential medical treatment (if you already have a UK European Health Insurance Card (UK EHIC), it will be valid until it expires)
• add emergency contacts to the last page of your passport and tell family or friends where you’ll be staying
• arrange backup access for important information (accommodation, flights, passports, contact numbers and insurance) through trusted contacts or with secure online storage
• ensure you can access enough money to pay for unexpected costs if your main payment method fails (for example, because you’ve lost your phone and cannot complete two-factor authentication)

At the festival

While you’re at the festival:

• always keep your passport and other valuables in a safe place – some festivals provide lockers
• if you must carry your passport or other valuables with you, keep them in a safe place (for example, in a zipped inside pocket)
• keep some spare cash separate from the rest of your money and credit cards
• do not leave bags unattended – if you spot anything suspicious, report it to security staff immediately
• stay with your friends, look out for each other and avoid walking back to your accommodation alone
• stay hydrated and wear suncream and a hat – temperatures can be higher and the sun stronger than in the UK

Alcohol and drugs

Alcohol and drugs can alter how you make decisions – you should never feel pressured into doing anything you are not comfortable with. Even at festivals, most people are not taking drugs so do not feel you have to take them to fit in.

Keep an eye on your drinks and do not accept drinks from strangers – for more information on drink spiking and methanol poisoning, read Spiking and methanol poisoning – Travel Aware.

If you drink alcohol, alternate with soft drinks or water – getting too drunk can spoil the fun and put you at risk.

Taking illegal drugs is always risky. You cannot know for sure what’s in them or how strong they are. Penalties for possessing drugs can be even more severe outside of the UK, including heavy fines or prison.

For more advice on how to avoid risks from taking drugs, visit the FRANK guide to festivals.

Sources of further information

Visit these websites for more information:

Follow the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO)

Get updates from the FCDO on:

You can contact the nearest British embassy, high commission or consulate, or the FCDO in London (24 hours a day) on +44 (0)20 7008 5000 for advice.

Read the privacy notice on how the FCDO will process your data.

Feedback

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Telephone: +44 (0)20 7008 5000

Disclaimer

Our information on preparing for festivals abroad aims to help you plan for a trouble-free trip. It is not exhaustive. No foreign travel can be guaranteed as safe, and you must take personal responsibility for your own travel. You can read the disclaimer relating to this guidance.