The Most Googled Travel Questions, Answered by Our Experts

With around 90 million Brits travelling abroad each year and with airport rules and travel regulations constantly changing, it’s only natural that holidaymakers have a lot of questions about travelling abroad throughout the year.

To help, we’ve identified some of the most Googled travel questions to uncover what UK adults want to know before heading on their holiday. From travel insurance to the best days to book a flight, we’ve discovered the most common uncertainties relating to travelling abroad.

Jane Bolton, one of our Travel Experts has answered the top five travel questions that Brits want to know.

1. Do I need travel insurance? (34,000 monthly UK searches)

Travel insurance covers everything from trip cancellation, emergency medical cover, baggage loss and travel delays. Not only does it help financially, it can also offer peace of mind, knowing that you are covered if something goes wrong.

It’s essential to purchase travel insurance to ensure you are covered whilst away. In the unfortunate event that something does go wrong whilst you are away, insurance means you won’t be out of pocket.

Look at sorting your travel insurance the same time you book the trip to make sure you are covered right from the get go and take the time to read the terms and conditions to avoid it being invalidated.

Your travel insurance can become invalid for any of the following reasons: not declaring all your medical conditions, buying your insurance after going through customs, taking part in activities or sports you’re not covered for and leaving your belongings unattended.

For a single trip, travel insurance can be as cheap as £8, depending on your age and level of cover, while annual policies range from around £30-£50.

Despite searches for travel insurance being consistently high at 34,000 monthly searches, around 44% of Brits revealed to never having travel insurance.

2. What are the best days to book flights on? (62,000 monthly UK searches)

As a general rule when booking flights, it’s always best to look as far in advance as possible to secure the best deals and cheapest flights.

Airlines release flights on a rolling basis, with long-haul flights typically being open for booking 10 to 12 months in advance and short-haul airlines 6 to 11 months in advance.

Whilst there isn’t a set day that is considered ‘the best’ to book a flight, historically Tuesday and Wednesday are suggested to be the cheapest with airline deals released on Mondays and competitors matching these by Tuesday.

Try to book your flights early in the morning to avoid increased demand and price updates, or even widening your search to other airports for a better chance at the best deals.

With that said, if you are a last-minute planner or fancy a holiday in the spur of the moment, airlines and travel providers offer last chance deals, so keep an eye out for these.

3. What liquids can I take on a plane? (50,000 monthly UK searches)

With recent UK airport security changes, it’s no surprise that 50,000 Brits a month are searching for clarity on what they are actually allowed to travel with in their hand luggage.

In 2024, the Department for Travel announced that UK airports would be scrapping the 100ml liquids rule following an introduction of new CT scanners. Since, there has been some complications with timelines however as of July 2025, UK airports have begun the introduction of the new security scanners.

As of September 2025, the majority of UK airports still require you to carry liquids in your hand luggage in containers no larger than 100ml. This rule applies to drinks, aerosols, gels and liquid foods with infant milk and food, essential medicines and duty-free purchases as an exception.

With the introduction of the new rule, airline passengers will be able to travel carrying up to two litres of liquids in their hand luggage without needing to keep it in a clear plastic bag or remove it from their luggage to be scanned at security.

To avoid delays and confusion, it’s best to always check your departure airport's security rules prior to travelling as well as your arrival airport so that you are not caught out at any point of your travels.

4. When do I need to renew my passport? (35,000 monthly UK searches)

Since leaving the EU, there has been a lot of confusion around the regulations for passport renewals, and it appears the questions are still present with 35,000 monthly searches.

UK passports are valid for ten years for adults and five years for children, although many countries require at least six months of validity from your date of arrival.

When travelling to countries in the EU, your UK passport must have been issued less than ten years before the date you plan to enter and be valid at least three months after the date you plan to leave.

To avoid needing a renewal at peak time, check your passport's expiration date at least six months before travelling. If you are still unsure of the entry requirements, check the country’s travel advice for full disclosure.

Applying for a new passport is relatively easy and straightforward. Visit the UK government website and follow the application process, selecting the type of passport you need and when you need this by.

The application involves taking a passport photo, providing personal details, sending required documents and finally paying for your passport.

A standard passport costs £94.50 and will usually be delivered within three weeks, a one week fast track costs £178 and for urgent use, one day premium passports are available costing £222 and available for collection around four hours after the initial appointment.

Whilst there are fast track and premium services available, it is advised to renew your passport with plenty of time before you travel.

5. How and what to pack for my holiday? (94,000 monthly UK searches)

94,000 monthly searches make it clear that packing can seem like a challenge, however organisation is key to a successful suitcase.

Before you even begin to pack, think ahead and have an idea of what you will be doing whilst away so that you can plan your clothing essentials. For instance, if you are heading on a ski holiday, you will need to think about warm layers and other ski essentials.

Pack travel sized toiletries that should last you the length of your trip, saving space on the way back. Packing cubes are also great when travelling, offering an easy solution to organising clothes.

It’s always worth checking the airlines baggage policies to see what the allowances are, specifically for carry-on luggage as this usually differs between airlines and the last thing you want is an extra charge before your holiday has even started.

Our Summary

We know that, with constant travel regulation and rule changes comes confusion.

It’s always important to check the most current updates and travel advice before going abroad to avoid delays, unexpected costs and in worst cases refusal of entry.

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