Top Ten Tips: Soak up some travel advice before heading off to the sun

Planning is the key to ensuring a holiday runs smoothly and to make sure insurance is adequate to cover every eventuality Picture: Getty Images

1. Flight deals

A great place to start is Skyscanner.net, which scans the websites of all the main travel companies to show what's available online at any point in time. Skyscanner covers scheduled and charter flights, both direct and indirect, and also package holidays and car hire. It saves you hours doing it for yourself.

However, it doesn't go to every website and the best price found on an airline or tour operator's own website isn't always the best available. Sometimes you can find alternatives or the same flights cheaper through last-minute specialists, so always check with the likes of cheapflights.co.uk and travelsupermarket.com before you buy.

2. Travel cash

Don't leave buying your travel money until the last minute. The Post Office, Thomas Cook, American Express and Travelex are the best-known suppliers of foreign currency. But look online too as it's nearly always cheaper than going to a bureau de change, particularly at airports. Search the comparison sites first, or why not check out travelmoneymax.com, which helps you track down the best deals.

But be wary about buying currency online, as there is no compensation scheme covering travel money companies. If you are concerned, buy currency with a credit card as you may be able to claim compensation under section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act if your cash isn't delivered.

3. Choosing cheques?

For security reasons, you may prefer to take traveller's cheques rather than cash. But depending where you are going, you could find they aren't so easily accepted and in many ways travellers cheques are becoming old hat. A more modern alternative is prepaid currency cards, like those offered by Travelex, Fair FX and ICE, to name but a few. You can simply load up your currency online or at participating outlets, and then use your card at millions of ATMs, shops and restaurants worldwide

4. Using your plastic abroad

If you want to use your usual credit and debit cards abroad, check the cost before you go and consider taking out a new card specifically for your trip. Credit cards have three main charges to look out for - currency exchange, withdrawing cash while overseas and the interest charged on the cash withdrawn, even if you pay your bill right away.

The Sainsbury's Gold card has done away with the cash withdrawal fee altogether. Some cards have ditched the currency exchange fee, including Post Office, Halifax Clarity and Santander. Most debit cards charge a currency exchange fee, but some don't, including Nationwide and Halifax.

5. Pick me up

If airport transfers are not included in your holiday package, don't plump for a taxi straight away. Research your options and you might be able to save money by taking advantage of public transport. If you do decide to take a cab in a foreign country, agree the fare before you set off to avoid any nasty surprises when you arrive.

6. Travel insurance

Research by Which? found that few travel agents check the cover they sell you is sufficient for all your needs, so get online and search the market to make sure you're getting the most suitable cover.

The following minimum level of cover is recommended by Moneysupermarket: 2m for medical expenses; 1m personal liability; 3,000 cancellation - or enough to cover the total cost of your holiday; 1,500 baggage; 250 cash; policy excess under 100; Cover for scheduled airline failure and supplier failure.

Your credit cards, money and passport might not be covered automatically, so you may need additional insurance for them.

7. Activity cover

If you're planning an activity holiday, make sure you're covered for all the activities you're likely to be taking part in. Standard policies often exclude "adventurous" or "hazardous" activities such as horse riding, jet skiing, mountain biking, diving or climbing. Check any equipment you're taking is covered.

8. Join up the dots

If you're not booking a package, but taking several flights, make sure you are covered for subsequent journeys and hotels in case one of your flights is cancelled. You are more likely to be covered for this if you have an annual multi-trip insurance as opposed to single trip insurance. Most travel policies only cover return trips, so if you haven't booked your return journey when you need to make a claim, you may not be covered.

9. Get covered right away

Don't wait until the last minute to buy your travel insurance - you might find you need to claim before your holiday begins if you, a travel companion or close relative becomes ill or injured.

10. Don't fall into the double cover trap

Finally, your baggage might be covered under your home insurance, so check this out before you buy travel insurance.