Travel Health Advice for Autumn 2026 How to Stay Well on Half Term and Winter Sun Trips

Welcome to Travel Advice Bureau, your trusted guide to a healthier, more confident journey. Autumn breaks and winter sun bring plenty to look forward to, but a little preparation can help you enjoy your trip with fewer unwelcome surprises.

Half-term dates vary across the UK: Scotland’s autumn break falls between 12 and 23 October, England and Wales’ is 26–30 October, and Northern Ireland’s is 29–30 October 2026. Check your school’s dates, then use this practical guide to prepare for the journey ahead.

Start with the health advice that fits your destination

Get ready to travel well by checking the latest destination-specific advice before you pack. Your vaccination needs, malaria prevention and other health precautions depend on where you are going, how long you will stay and what you plan to do.

NaTHNaC recommends booking an appointment with your GP, pharmacist or travel clinic four to six weeks before departure. If you have less time, still ask for advice: there may be useful steps you can take before travelling. Start with NaTHNaC’s country information and our own destination guides.

Vaccines worth checking this autumn

UKHSA reported on 8 October that flu activity in England was increasing, although levels remained low. Activity in September was higher than during the same period in each of the previous four winters, prompting a plea for eligible people to get vaccinated. Children who are eligible are generally offered the nasal spray.

As UKHSA puts it: “If you’re eligible for a free flu vaccine, the advice is simple: don’t wait.” Protection takes a couple of weeks to build, so check eligibility and make arrangements in good time. Read UKHSA’s autumn flu update.

Measles outbreaks continue across Africa, Asia, Europe and the Americas. Before travelling, check that you and your children have had two doses of the MMR vaccine, and ask a healthcare professional about catching up if needed. See the NHS MMR vaccination guidance and current NaTHNaC country advice.

Food, water and insect precautions

A change in climate and routine can bring health risks you may not encounter at home. Simple habits help reduce them.

• Dengue: This mosquito-borne infection is a risk in tropical and subtropical destinations, including some popular winter-sun and long-haul spots. Bangladesh’s outbreak remained a concern in October 2026. Use an appropriate insect repellent as directed, cover exposed skin, and use treated bed nets where advised. Dengue vaccination is only suitable for some travellers, so ask a travel-health professional whether it is relevant to you. Check NaTHNaC’s dengue advice and Bangladesh information.

• Cyclospora and other food- and water-borne illness: Cyclospora can spread through contaminated food or water. Choose food that is freshly cooked and served hot; wash your hands with soap and safe water; and, where local water safety is uncertain, use bottled or boiled water. Be cautious with ice and raw produce that may have been washed in unsafe water. These habits also help reduce the risk of typhoid and hepatitis A. Read UKHSA’s Cyclospora guidance.

• Sun and heat: In winter-sun destinations, drink regularly, seek shade during the hottest part of the day and use sun protection suitable for your skin.

Quick pre-flight health checklist

Before you leave, take a few minutes to work through this list:

• Check the latest travel-health advice for every destination and stopover.

• Confirm routine vaccinations, including two MMR doses, and ask about destination-specific vaccines or malaria prevention.

• Review prescription supplies, carry medicines in their original packaging and keep essential items in your hand luggage.

• Pack a small first-aid kit with rehydration sachets, a thermometer and age-appropriate medicines.

• Take out comprehensive travel insurance that covers your planned activities and any relevant pre-existing conditions.

• For EU/EEA travel, carry your GHIC or valid EHIC as well as insurance. A card does not replace travel insurance.

• Save your insurer’s emergency contact details and check where to seek medical care at your destination.

Travelling with children

For a family flying to Egypt for half term, for example, it is worth checking the advice for the specific resort and any planned excursions rather than assuming the whole country has identical requirements. Book a travel-health appointment as soon as you can, check the children’s routine vaccinations and ask whether any additional precautions apply.

On travel days, pack familiar snacks and drinks, hand wipes for general mess (but use soap and water for norovirus prevention), and children’s medicines suited to their age. Keep rehydration sachets accessible. If a child becomes unwell, watch for signs of dehydration and seek medical advice promptly, especially for babies and young children. If you or your child has a potentially infectious illness, get medical advice before travelling; do not assume it is safe to board.

Cruise tips: hygiene matters

Norovirus activity in the UK is currently low and within expected seasonal levels. UKHSA reports that laboratory reports for 21 September to 4 October were 9.8% lower than the five-season average for the same two-week period, not a week-on-week decrease. Even so, norovirus remains a commonly reported cause of illness on cruise ships, and an outbreak affected Dutch tourists in Rhodes in October 2026.

If you are taking a Caribbean cruise as a couple, make handwashing with soap and water part of your routine before meals and after using the toilet. Alcohol gel alone does not work against norovirus. Follow the ship’s instructions if symptoms occur, keep hydrated and seek medical help if symptoms are severe or you are concerned. UKHSA’s winter virus update explains current norovirus advice.

If illness disrupts your flight: what about EU 261?

Being too ill to travel does not usually mean you are automatically entitled to fixed compensation under EU 261. Check your airline’s ticket terms and contact your travel insurer as soon as possible; cover depends on your policy, and you may need medical evidence.

If the airline cancels your flight or it is significantly delayed, passenger rights may apply independently of your own health. Depending on the route and circumstances, these can include care, rerouting or a refund, and sometimes compensation. Keep receipts and communications, ask the airline for its reason in writing, and make separate claims for eligible expenses and compensation. Check the official EU passenger-rights summary and Citizens Advice guidance.

Make departure day calmer

Small practical details can make the first day of your trip feel easier. Sort airport parking early, allow time for check-in and security, and keep medicines and important health documents easy to reach. For smoother border queues, prepare passports and any required entry documents before you reach the desk, follow signs and have answers ready about your stay. These simple hacks to navigate immigration can help you start your holiday on a calmer note.

When you are choosing where to stay, Worldwide Apartments is one place to explore accommodation options. Read the booking details and cancellation policy carefully so you understand the terms before confirming.

A note from Paul

I know it can feel as though there is a lot to think about before a trip. My advice is to start with the essentials: check the guidance for your destination, sort your medicines and insurance, and leave yourself enough time. A little preparation now can make it easier to focus on the people and places you’re travelling for.

• Paul

We’re passionate about helping you travel with confidence, not worry. Use our travel resources and destination guidance to plan your next adventure, and speak to a qualified healthcare professional for personal medical advice.