Thinking about going travelling?
Are you thinking about going travelling or taking a gap year? Here’s how to be prepared.
Before you go
Check the latest travel advice
Have a look at the government’s guidance for preparing for a gap year 
.
Need cash for when you arrive?
You can order it through eBanking, commission-free, to be collected at your nearest branch. Find out how to order here.
When you arrive
If you want to use your card when you've left the UK, just use Chip and PIN when you’ve arrived at your destination to activate the card in that country.
Can't find a shop? You can also manually select where in the world your card works, as well as choosing whether it works online, in the Mobile Bank app.
After you’ve done that, you can use contactless if that’s the way you prefer. Even better, if you use your card with a wearable device or your smart phone, it will work anywhere in the world you see the contactless symbol.
Top tip - when you're buying something overseas, you may be asked if you'd rather pay in sterling or in that country's currency.
If you choose the second option, it will usually be slightly cheaper.
If you lose your card
You can block it in Mobile Bank. If you find it again, then unblock it just as easily.
Set up notifications
Mobile Bank can tell you when something leaves your account – so it’s a great, real-time way of keeping track of your spending – and especially anything you don’t recognise. Just make sure notifications are switched on under ‘Settings’.
