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Travel essentials for your trip home
The practical things to sort before you fly, so you can spend the trip with family instead of in queues.
Staying connected
An eSIM lets you have mobile data the moment you land, without hunting for a SIM at the airport. Check your phone supports eSIM, and compare data allowance and validity with your trip length. A local Philippine SIM is another option for longer stays.
Travel insurance
Visiting family is still travel, and medical bills in private hospitals can be high. When you compare policies, check:
- Medical cover and repatriation to the UK.
- Pre-existing conditions are declared and covered.
- Cover for activities like island hopping, snorkelling or riding a motorbike.
- Cancellation cover if a family emergency changes your plans.
Before you go
- Passport valid for long enough: check the current rules with the Philippine Embassy in London.
- eTravel registration completed on the free official site, etravel.gov.ph.
- A card that does not charge foreign transaction fees, plus some pesos for arrival.
- Plug adapters: the Philippines uses 220-volt sockets that take flat two-pin plugs.
Dual citizens and visas: rules depend on your passports and situation. We don’t give individual advice; check with the Philippine Embassy and GOV.UK.
Guides in this section
- Best eSIM for the PhilippinesComing soon
- Travel insurance for visiting familyComing soon
- eTravel registration step by stepComing soon
- What to pack for a trip homeComing soon