Do you know your Schengen Area from your Open-Jaw Ticket? This
UK-focused travel glossary explains more than 250 essential terms,
acronyms and travel phrases you’ll encounter while planning a
holiday. Each definition is clear, simple and written to help UK
travellers understand important rules, documents and requirements.
Absolute Passport Validity: A rule requiring your passport to be valid for your entire stay in a country.
Accommodation Tax: A nightly tax collected by hotels in many destinations.
Accessible Room: A hotel room designed for guests with mobility or accessibility needs.
Add-Ons: Optional extras you can purchase during booking, such as seat selection or baggage.
Advance Passenger Information (API): Mandatory personal details submitted to airlines before travel.
Advance Purchase Fare: Discounted ticket requiring early booking and offering limited flexibility.
Advisory Level: The risk level assigned by the UK FCDO for travel to a destination.
Age Restriction (Car Hire): Minimum or maximum age rules for renting a vehicle.
Aisle Seat: Seat located next to the aircraft aisle.
Airside: The secure area of an airport beyond security checks.
Airport Transfer: Transport between the airport and your accommodation.
All-Inclusive: A holiday package that includes accommodation, meals, drinks and selected activities.
Amendment Fee: A charge for changing the details of a booking.
Arrival Card: A form some countries require visitors to complete upon entry.
Arrival Window: The timeframe within which you must enter a country after visa or authorisation approval.
ATOL Protection: UK financial protection that covers package holidays if a travel company fails.
Auto-Check-In: Automatic airline check-in without manual input.
Baggage Allowance: The luggage weight or size permitted by an airline.
Baggage Drop: The desk where checked luggage is handed in.
Baggage Tracer: System used to locate delayed or lost checked luggage.
Base Fare: The cost of a flight before taxes and additional fees.
Bed & Breakfast (B&B): A room rate including accommodation and breakfast.
Bedding Preference: Choice between double, king or twin beds.
Blackout Dates: Dates when special fares or discounts do not apply.
Board Basis: The meal plan included with accommodation (e.g., half board).
Boarding Group: The order in which passengers board the aircraft.
Boarding Pass: Document (digital or printed) needed to board a flight.
Body Scanner: Airport security scanner detecting prohibited items.
Booking Confirmation: A document confirming your reservation.
Booking Reference: Unique code used to locate your booking.
Boutique Hotel: Small, stylish hotel with personalised service.
Breakfast Buffet: Self-service breakfast with multiple food options.
Cabin Bag / Carry-On: Small bag taken into the aircraft cabin.
Cancellation Deadline: Last date you can cancel a booking without charges.
Cancellation Protection: Travel insurance feature covering cancellations for approved reasons.
Carbon Offset: Voluntary payment to reduce the environmental impact of travel.
Car Hire Excess: Amount payable if a hire vehicle is damaged or stolen.
Carry-On Liquid Bag: Required clear bag for liquids at airport security.
Charter Flight: A flight arranged for package holidays rather than scheduled routes.
Checked Baggage: Luggage stored in the aircraft hold.
Check-In Time: Earliest time you can access a hotel room.
City Break: A short holiday in a major city.
City Surcharge: Fee applied for hotels or services in metropolitan areas.
City Tax / Tourist Tax: Local tax charged per night in many destinations.
Code Share Flight: A flight marketed by multiple airlines but operated by one.
Connecting Flight: A journey requiring a change of aircraft.
Continental Breakfast: Light breakfast of pastries, breads, fruit and drinks.
Cross-Border Fee: Charge applied when taking a hire car into another country.
Data Roaming: Using mobile data abroad. Costs vary by provider.
Day Pass: Access to a hotel or resort during the day without staying overnight.
Day Trip: Short excursion that does not require an overnight stay.
Delayed Baggage Cover: Insurance that pays for essentials while your luggage is delayed.
Departure Lounge: Area after security where passengers wait for boarding.
Departure Tax: Fee charged when leaving certain countries.
Destination Fee: Hotel charge added for local amenities or services.
Dining Credit: Hotel credit for use on meals and drinks.
Direct Flight: Flight that goes to the destination without changing aircraft.
Double Room: Room containing one double bed.
Double-Booked: When the same hotel room is mistakenly reserved for multiple guests.
Drop-Off Fee (Car Hire): Extra fee for returning a rental car to a different location.
E-Ticket: Electronic version of a flight ticket.
Early Bird Rate: Discount given for booking early.
Early Check-In: Requesting access to a hotel room before standard check-in time.
Economy Plus: Economy seat with extra legroom.
EHIC: European Health Insurance Card allowing access to state care until expiry.
Embarkation: Boarding a ship or aircraft.
Emergency Contact: Designated person for urgent communication when travelling.
End-Supplier Failure: Insurance cover if a hotel, airline or supplier ceases operation.
Entry Stamp: Stamp showing entry date into a country.
ESTA: Travel authorisation for UK travellers entering the USA.
ETIAS: Upcoming EU travel authorisation for UK visitors.
Exchange Rate Guarantee: Locking a set currency rate on prepaid travel cards.
FCDO: The UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office providing travel advice and consular support.
Family Room: Larger hotel room suitable for families.
Fast Ferry: A quicker ferry crossing option.
Fast Track Security: Paid option for priority access through airport security.
Flexi Ticket: Ticket allowing changes without substantial fees.
Flight Credit: Voucher issued instead of a refund.
Flight Duration: Time between take-off and landing.
Flight Manifest: List of all passengers on a flight.
Fly-Drive: Package combining flights with car hire.
Foreign Transaction Fee: Bank charge for using a card abroad.
Free Cancellation: Booking that can be cancelled without penalties within a deadline.
Full Board: A stay including breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Gate Change: A last-minute reassignment of your flight’s boarding gate.
Gate Number: The designated point where passengers board the aircraft.
GHIC: Global Health Insurance Card allowing UK travellers to access state healthcare in EU countries at local rates.
Glamping: Upscale camping with hotel-style amenities.
Green List Country (Historic): Destinations previously exempt from quarantine during UK travel rules.
Group Booking: Reservation made for a large number of travellers, often with discounted rates.
Ground Handling Delay: Delay caused by airport staff or equipment rather than the airline.
Guest Tax: Additional nightly fee charged in certain cities or regions.
Guaranteed Room: A hotel room held for you even after late arrival.
Half Board: Accommodation including breakfast and dinner.
Half-Day Tour: A tour lasting approximately 3–4 hours.
Hand Luggage: Another term for carry-on baggage.
Health Declaration Form: Form required by some destinations for health screening.
Health Screening: Health checks required before entering some countries.
Heritage Hotel: Accommodation located in a historic building.
Heritage Site: Cultural or historical landmark recognised for preservation.
Hold Luggage: Checked baggage stored in the aircraft hold.
Holiday Voucher: Credit issued by companies for future travel.
Hotel Credit: Money provided by a hotel to spend on food, drinks or services.
IDP (International Driving Permit): Permit required for UK travellers to drive in certain countries.
Immigration Control: Passport checks before entering a country.
Immigration Queue: Line for border entry checks.
Inclusive Cover (Insurance): Travel insurance that bundles multiple protections together.
Inclusive Tour: Discounted flight available only when purchased as part of a holiday package.
Inflight Entertainment: Movies, shows and games available during the flight.
Inbound Flight: Flight returning to your home country.
Insurance Excess: Amount the traveller must pay towards a claim.
Itinerary Change: Alteration to your travel schedule.
Jet Bridge: Enclosed walkway connecting the airport gate to the aircraft.
Jet Lag: Fatigue caused by travelling across time zones.
Journey Disruption Cover: Insurance that covers delays, missed connections or interruptions.
Journey Planner: Tool used to plan transport routes and timings.
Junior Suite: Hotel room with extra space or a lounge area.
Key Card: Electronic card used to access hotel rooms.
Key Deposit: Refundable fee charged for room or locker keys.
Kids’ Club: Supervised children’s activity programme at hotels or resorts.
Kilometre Charge (Car Hire): Fee charged per kilometre when mileage is not unlimited.
Kitchenette: Small self-catering area in a hotel room or apartment.
Landside: Airport area before security checks.
Late Arrival: Arriving at a hotel after normal check-in hours.
Late Check-Out: Leaving your room after standard check-out time.
Layover: Short stop between flights without leaving the airport.
Leisure Traveller: Traveller taking holidays rather than business trips.
Lift Access: Availability of elevators in accommodation.
Liquid Restrictions: Rules limiting liquids in hand luggage to 100ml (unless airport uses updated scanners).
Local SIM Card: Prepaid mobile card purchased abroad for cheaper calls/data.
Local Taxes: Additional taxes applied to hotel stays or car hire.
Lounge Access: Entry to an airport lounge with seating, food and drinks.
Maid Service: Daily housekeeping at accommodation.
Maximum Stay Rule: The longest period a visitor may legally remain in a country.
Meal Deal: Discounted package combining multiple meals or snacks.
Meet & Greet Parking: Airport parking service where staff collect and return your car.
Medical Screening (Insurance): Health questionnaire required before buying a policy.
Minimum Connection Time: Shortest allowable time between connecting flights.
Mobile Boarding Pass: Digital boarding pass stored on your smartphone.
Mobile Data Pass: Prepaid package for using mobile data abroad.
Multi-City Ticket: Flight itinerary visiting several destinations on one booking.
Multi-Trip Insurance: Insurance covering multiple holidays within a year.
Name Change Fee: Charge for correcting or changing the name on a booking.
Navigation App: Tool for directions using online or offline maps.
Night Flight: Flight operating during night hours.
Nightly Resort Charge: Mandatory fee added to hotel bills for resort amenities.
No-Frills Airline: Low-cost carrier offering basic services for lower fares.
No-Liquids Airport Trial: Airports trialling scanners that remove the 100ml liquid rule.
No-Show: Failing to arrive for a flight or hotel booking.
Non-Directional Ticket: Open ticket valid for travel on any date within a timeframe.
Non-Refundable Fare: Booking that cannot be refunded under normal conditions.
Occupancy Rate: Number of people staying in a hotel room.
Off-Peak Season: Period of lower demand with cheaper prices and fewer crowds.
Offsite Parking: Parking located away from the airport, with shuttle transfers.
Onward Travel Proof: Evidence showing you will leave the destination within the permitted stay.
Open-Jaw Ticket: Flying into one city and out of another.
Open Return: Ticket allowing return travel without a set date.
Overbooked Flight: When airlines sell more seats than available.
Overnight Flight: Journey departing late and arriving the next morning.
Package Holiday: Holiday combining flight + accommodation with ATOL protection.
Park & Ride: Airport system where you park offsite and take a shuttle.
Partial Refund: Refund issued when only part of the cost is reimbursed.
Passenger Locator Form (Historic): Form previously required during public health rules.
Passport Validity Requirement: Rule on how long your passport must remain valid for travel.
Pay-at-Hotel Rate: Hotel booking payable upon arrival instead of in advance.
PCR Test: Lab-based Covid test required by some destinations.
Peak Season: Most popular and expensive time of year to travel.
Pre-Authorisation: Temporary hold placed on your card by hotels.
Prepaid Travel Card: Card loaded with foreign currency for spending abroad.
Primary Traveller: Lead person responsible for the booking and documents.
Priority Boarding: Paid service allowing earlier boarding.
Quad Room: A hotel room designed to accommodate four people.
Quarantine Rules: Requirements to isolate when entering a country during certain health regulations.
Queue Jump (Fast Track): Paid service letting travellers bypass standard queues.
Queuing Area: Designated zone for boarding or security lines.
Quota Restriction (Visas): Limit on how many visas a country issues within a timeframe.
Rail Pass: Ticket allowing unlimited travel on selected rail networks.
Rebooking Fee: Charge applied to change travel dates or flights.
Reconfirmation: Rechecking a reservation with a hotel or airline before travel.
Reciprocal Healthcare Agreement: Agreement allowing UK travellers to access basic medical care abroad.
Redress Number: US security identifier for travellers flagged incorrectly.
Refundable Deposit: Amount refunded if no damage or additional charges occur.
Resort Fee: Mandatory nightly fee charged by some hotels for facilities.
Resort Shuttle: Hotel-provided transport between facilities or nearby attractions.
Room Upgrade: Move to a higher-category room, sometimes complimentary.
Safety Briefing: Instructions given before a flight or activity.
Safety Deposit Box: Secure storage provided by hotels for valuables.
Scheduled Flight: Flight operating at set, published times.
Schengen Area: European travel zone allowing 90 days’ stay in any 180-day period.
Seat Pitch: Measurement of legroom between aircraft seats.
Seat Selection Fee: Charge for choosing specific seats.
Self-Catering: Accommodation with kitchen facilities for preparing food.
Shoulder Season: Period between peak and off-peak travel times.
Single Supplement: Extra fee charged to solo travellers in rooms priced for two.
Stop Sale: When hotels block new bookings due to high occupancy.
Stopover: Stay of 24+ hours between connecting flights.
Sunset Clause (Insurance): Time limit for making claims after your trip.
Tarmac Delay: Delay where passengers remain on the runway or apron.
Tariff: Official pricing list for rooms or services.
Terminal Transfer: Transport connecting airport terminals.
Ticket Number: Unique number issued by airlines for each passenger ticket.
Tour Credit: Prepaid amount used toward excursions or activities.
Tourist Visa: Visa required for leisure travel depending on destination rules.
Traffic Light System (Historic): UK travel rules categorising countries by Covid risk.
Transit Visa: Visa needed for passing through a country without staying.
Travel Corridor: Route or country deemed safe for quarantine-free travel.
Travel Insurance: Policy covering medical emergencies, cancellations and losses abroad.
Travel Tax: Additional government or airport fees added to tickets.
Twin Room: Hotel room with two separate single beds.
Twin-Share: Accommodation shared by two travellers.
Unaccompanied Minor: Child travelling without an adult under airline supervision.
Unlimited Mileage: Car hire offering unlimited kilometres with no extra fee.
Upgrade: Move to a higher travel class or room category.
Upgrade Bid: Offer made to pay for a better seat or class.
Upfront Pricing: Total cost shown at booking including mandatory fees.
Urban Tax: City fee applied to hotel stays in certain destinations.
Utility Surcharge: Charge covering electricity, water or energy usage in some rentals.
Vacation Rental: Privately owned property rented for holiday stays.
Validity Period: Length of time a visa or travel pass remains valid.
Vehicle Deposit: Refundable card hold applied when renting a vehicle.
View Room: Hotel room offering scenic or superior views.
Visa Exemption: Permission to enter a country without a visa.
Visa-On-Arrival: Visa purchased at the airport or border crossing.
Visa Processing Time: Time required for a visa application to be approved.
Voucher Credit: Credit issued instead of a refund for cancellations.
Walk-In Rate: Price paid for a hotel room when booking in person without a reservation.
Walkthrough Security: Advanced security allowing travellers to keep items in bags.
Water Activity Waiver: Liability waiver for water sports such as jet skis or diving.
Weather Cover: Insurance protection for weather-related trip disruptions.
Welcome Pack: Information or small gifts provided upon arrival.
Wi-Fi Pass: Purchased access to internet services at hotels or flights.
Window of Validity: Timeframe during which a ticket or authorisation is usable.
X-Ray Scanner: Machine used at airports to examine luggage contents.
Y-Class: Airline code for a full-fare economy ticket.
Youth Hostel: Budget accommodation with shared facilities.
Zero Excess (Car Hire): Insurance level where the traveller pays no excess if damage occurs.
Zone Fare: Ticket price based on geographic zones.
Zonal Travel Pass: Transport pass allowing travel within designated zones.
Zone Upgrade: Move to a higher pricing or comfort zone in transport systems.