Legal Information for Backpackers
British Consuls
Each year more backpackers set off to explore exotic and remote parts of the world. Most enjoy a trouble free trip. Proper preparation at home and sensible precautions abroad are vital. The main Consulate in any country is part of the Embassy or High Commission which is usually in the capital city. There are often smaller consular offices, including Honorary Consulates, in other cities and towns.
In countries where there is no British Consular Office you can seek help from the Embassies and Consulates of other EU member states.
Before You Go
- Get information, including Travel Advice issued by the Foreign & Commonwealth Office, on each country you plan to visit. Some places are not safe and should not be visited.
- Get full travel insurance to cover illness, injury and loss of money, baggage and tickets; if you intend to participate in high risk activities or hire a motorised vehicle, check your insurance covers everything.
- Ask your doctor or a specialist travel clinic about vaccinations and other health needs.
- Make sure you have enough money for your trip. Traveller’s cheques are the safest way of taking cash abroad.
- Take a credit card. Take a UK telephone charge card.
- Take a photocopy of your passport and visas and some spare passport photographs.
- Take a padlock and chain to secure your baggage at airports, railway stations, on buses, etc.
- If you have to carry medicine get a doctor’s note in case you are stopped by customs or lose your medicine and need to replace it. Leave details of your journey with your family and tell them of any change of plan.
Avoiding Trouble Spots
Before travelling, take time to find out about your destination. Talk to your travel agent or tour operator about possible risks. Read a good guide book. Check the news for reports of problems in the places you plan to visit. Consult the FCO’s Travel Advice which is regularly updated. Things can change quickly and without warning, and none of these sources are infallible.
When You Are There
- Never get involved with drugs. You could face massive fines, long prison sentences in grim conditions, even the death penalty. We cannot get you out of prison.
- Obey the local laws. In most countries the use of cameras and binoculars may be prohibited, particularly near military sites. Use of binoculars and cameras in such areas, even for innocent purposes such as bird-watching and plane-spotting, can be misunderstood.
- Do not leave your baggage unattended at airports, train or bus stations.
- Never carry packages through customs for other people.
- Do not drive someone else’s vehicle through customs, or across a border. Be careful who you lend your vehicle to.
- Do not drink alcohol in a country where laws do not allow it.
- Never hitch-hike. Telephone home regularly. It is normally safer not to resist violent theft.
- If you are going to arrive late at night, book your hotel before you get there.
- Only change your traveller’s cheques and money in banks, or authorised foreign exchange offices.
- Be security conscious. Avoid unlit streets at night. Carry only the minimum amount of cash when sightseeing.
