Travelling is exciting. There is no doubt about it. But it is important to remember that while it can be fun and adventurous, travelling to new places also carries risks.
Safety while travelling
Bangor is one of the safest places to live in the UK. Remember that not everywhere is as safe as Bangor! You should be extra careful in bigger cities, and especially in tourist-areas and/or crowded places including, for example, the London Underground. The most important thing to remember is to use your common sense!
Here are some tips to help you stay safe:
- If you are travelling with friends, then keep an eye on each other.
- If you are travelling alone you should tell someone where you are going and when you will be back.
- Keep a copy of your passport, visas, insurance etc - email them to yourself!
- Split your money and cards; keep them in different places.
- Keep a list of emergency contacts incase your mobile is lost or broken.
- Try to travel with few possessions.
- Carry medicine in original containers with copies of prescriptions.
- Put contact details inside your luggage.
The Safe Travel website has some useful information and links about staying safe whilst travelling.
The British Council have also produced a useful booklet about personal safety whilst in the UK.
UKCISA also have some tips and useful links about staying safe whilst travelling.
Lost passport or visa
Every year, several Bangor University students lose their passport or visa while they are traveling. If you lose your passport or visa in a different country, you could be stuck in that country for a few weeks! So please be careful! If you are unlucky and this happens to you, see ' What happens if I lose my passport or visa?' webpage for more information.
Travel Insurance
What is travel insurance?
Travel insurance usually covers:
- Medical expenses - for example, if need hospital treatment while on holiday.
- Financial default of travel suppliers - for example if the airline goes out of business.
- Other losses incurred while travelling either in your own country, or internationally - for example if someone steals your bag.
You can buy 'single trip' travel insurance to cover exactly the dates of one trip, or you could buy a "multi-trip" policy to cover an unlimited number of trips in one year. The level of cover varies, for example not all policies insure your personal belongings. Most policies will allow you to add extra higher risk items/activites such as "winter sports". For more information see the F&CO website.
Tip 1: Check the policy details before you choose your insurance.
Tip 2: It is a good idea to buy travel insurance around the same time that you book your travel. This is because if your travel company goes out of business it is easier to get your money back!
How do I buy travel insurance?
There are lots of companies that sell travel insurance. It is reasonably cheap, for a single trip to Europe for one week usually costs around £10-£20.
You can buy travel insurance online or in person at your local bank or at the Post Office. If you want to buy travel insurance online, there are several online price comparisons websites, including Compare the Market and MoneySavingExpert.
Endsleigh Insurance specialise in insurance especially for students.
IMPORTANT: If you have been in the UK for less than 6 months, check the policy terms and conditions as some insurers may not cover you (including the Post Office).
Does Bangor University provide travel insurance?
If you are travelling on university business, for example to a conference, then it is likely that you will be able to be covered Bangor University's insurance. To check that you qualify and to make a request, see the Finance Office webpages.