Before You Go
These pages are designed to make sure your holiday
runs as smoothly as it can, from start to finish.
Whenever you go on holiday, it's a good idea to be as prepared as you can be. These pages are designed to make sure your holiday runs as smoothly as it can, from booking to setting off. With advice on passports and visas, health, travel money, what to pack and amendments, you can spend a few minutes looking for all the nitty gritty information that you may need.
Passports and Visas
Happy holidays start with an up-to-date passport, it is your responsibility to ensure that
yours is valid and accepted in the country of travel as well as having the correct visas or
other documentation necessary.
It is vitally important that you check all the requirements for your destination before you
finalise your travel plans. This page should help you do that, with advice on all our top
destinations that require more than your UK passport.
New Advanced Passenger Information
API will need to be provided if you are travelling only to the following destinations:
Gambia
India
Spain (Only Reus and Almeria)
Turkey
USA (Also complete your ESTA)
Submit API
For all other destinations, please check-in as normal as all required information
will be taken at this time.
New USA Entry Requirements (ESTA)
If you are travelling to the USA at any time after 12th January 2009, we have very
important information from US passport control regarding new entry requirements that
you MUST read. See our Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA) web page
for more details.
Travel Guides - Save 25% by Ordering Online
Save valuable time on holiday by working out beforehand what you want to see and do - our
excellent travel guides are packed full of helpful information on the best sights, not to
mention where to eat and what to do.
For an overview of your chosen destination, the pocket HotSpots and CitySpots start at £3.99,
whereas the more in-depth Travellers Guides cover everything you need to know.
Click on the link and enter discount code TCMB25 for a 25% discount.
What to Pack
What we wear on holiday is so important - but how do you strike the balance between what you want and what you'll actually wear. How to get there without spending your first day ironing and avoiding those "If only I'd brought..." moments? These tips should help without making you feel like you're planning a military operation!
What to PackTravel Money
A convenient way to get travel money is to pre-order your foreign currency and travellers cheques online to be picked up in-store, at Manchester Airport or at Terminal 5 of Heathrow Airport. For larger amounts of money, the Thomas Cook Cash Passport offers total convenience and flexibility with 24-hour access to cash. With the Thomas Cook Credit Card you'll benefit from commission-free holiday money with no cash handling fee at Thomas Cook. 19.9% APR typical variable.
Travel MoneyTravel Insurance
Travel insurance is essential - you should buy this as soon as you have booked your holiday. Good travel insurance will cover you if for some reason you need to cancel as well as cover you for any sporting activities you want to take part in. Make sure you check the small print for exclusions and be scrupulous about declaring any pre-existing medical conditions. If you're planning to take a number of trips, annual travel insurance is better value than one-off cover.
Travel InsuranceHoliday Extras
Pre book your airport parking with
thomascook.com and you could save time and up to 40% off the cost.
Spread the cost of your holiday and avoid the queues at many of the world's best attractions by
booking your attraction tickets and tours in advance.
Also available are travel vouchers and travel insurance.
Barking Mad - Home from Home Dog Holidays
If you're looking for an alternative to kennels, Barking Mad provides a home from home
holiday for your dog. Exercise & feeding routines are maintained just as your dog is used
to, he can even take his own bed & toys!
All Thomas Cook and Going Places customers can benefit from a 'free night's stay' with
Barking Mad when they book a holiday of 7 nights or more.
Health Advice
Health facilities, hygiene and disease risks vary worldwide. You should take health advice about your specific needs as early as possible. This advice features general information, so more specific enquiries should be accessed via The Foreign and Commonwealth Travel Advice Unit for the most up-to-date information.
Health AdviceTickets
You will need your tickets at the airport (or station if travelling by Eurostar), so make sure that you have them available in your hand luggage. If you have an e-ticket remember to take a print-out with you - you may be refused travel without it. For any questions about this take a look at our essential information about tickets and holiday documentation.
TicketsAmendments
After you have booked a holiday there may be reasons why you need to amend the number of people going, transfer arrangements, board basis etc, so we have some essential information here about how to amend your Thomas Cook holiday.
AmendmentsCancellations
We hope that once your holiday is booked there will be no need for you to cancel, but if you do change your mind or if unexpected circumstances arise, you still have the option to cancel your booking. To find out more about cancellations go to our essential information about cancelling your Thomas Cook holiday (including applicable charges).
Find out what financial protection is available in the rare event of an airline or travel company going bust. Your level of protection will vary depending on whether you’ve booked a package holiday or made your own arrangements.
CancellationsSpecial Assistance
If you will be flying with Thomas Cook Airlines and require special assistance due to reduced mobility (including a disability or a medical condition), please contact us to find out about the assistance we can provide you with. If you are flying on another airline, you will need to request this directly with them.
View our special assistance page to find out more.
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