Easter Travel Tips

It's that time of year when people are about to head away on a short spring break or perhaps starting to plan their summer holiday. Planning a getaway of any duration takes a lot of thought, and if you have a visual impairment, there are extra things to think about when making travel arrangements, especially when flying.

While it must be said that many UK airports are actually pretty forward thinking and ask for information on your needs before you arrive, so they are well prepared and know how to welcome people who are blind or partially sighted, we know there have been some issues as seen in this Daily Mail article.http://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/article-1370672/Which-Travel-report-claims-disabled-passengers-treated-poorly-UK-airports.html

But Guide Dogs is here to help and the good news is these issues are not as prevalent as you might think and we are working with airports to make things better.

We’re also getting some very positive outcomes when we approach places where there have been issues. Often they are happy to address any shortcomings and make the necessary adjustments.

But the key is to be prepared, so if you’re a guide dog owner and are planning a trip abroad, here are our top tips courtesy of Transport Policy Officer and guide dog owner of 25 years, John Welsman;

• Get a PETS passport - This means a Rabies vaccination, blood test and the requirement that you don’t return back in to the UK any later  than six months after the vaccination.
• Tell the booking agent, airline and airport your dates of travel. They will need confirmation of a dog’s status as a guide or assistance dog and that your PETS passport is up to date.
• Give your dog Tick and Tape Worm treatment no sooner than 24 and no later than 48 hours before leaving the UK.
• PETS Compliant airports will help you get through the airport and to your aircraft
  Get a car harness for your dog to be secured to the seat belt on the plane.
• Finally, all blind and partially sighted people can call our helpline on 01189 838359 or 0845 241 2178?

For more details on travelling abroad, visit our international travel advice page.http://www.guidedogs.org.uk/adviceandservices/travel/international-flights/

There is also a wealth of information about the PETS process, approved airlines, routes and airports at DEFRA website or on 0870 241 1710.

If you have had good or bad experiences travelling abroad we’d love to hear from you.