How to Keep in Touch with Friends or Family

Why regular contact matters

Regular contact reassures people at home and gives them a rough idea of your plans. A short message every week or fortnight is usually enough, and an agreed routine can help them spot an unexpected loss of contact.

Before you leave, agree a set day for a short message and leave your rough itinerary and booking details with someone. Agree how long they should wait before worrying, how else to reach you, and who to contact next. This might be travelling companions, your accommodation, a tour operator or your insurer's emergency assistance service. One missed message should not trigger emergency action.

Keeping in touch may also make reconnecting after your return easier. Many people find settling back into work and everyday life harder than expected.

Staying in touch online and by phone

WhatsApp and Signal let you exchange messages, photos and voice notes, and make audio or video calls over the internet. FaceTime is another option for audio and video calls. On free Wi-Fi, ordinary messages and calls between apps generally incur no additional charge, though Wi-Fi itself may be chargeable on aircraft, ships or in some accommodation. Check that your chosen services work in each country you visit.

Wi-Fi is common in hostels, hotels and cafés, but quality varies, and remote areas may have no signal for days. If that is likely, tell people in advance.

Other options include:

  • Email: useful for longer updates and a written record of plans.
  • Group chats or shared albums: one update reaches everyone, and people can follow along in their own time.
  • Location sharing: think about privacy first. The location may be out of date or unavailable without signal, data or battery, so it does not replace an agreed routine.
  • Postcards and letters: slower, and reliability varies by country. Check the local postal service for postage rates and how to send post to the UK.

Time differences make live calls awkward, so a regular time that suits both sides usually works best.

Your situation may be slightly different. ask a question below ↓ and our editorial team will reply with our advice.

Keeping costs and security under control

Some UK providers charge for roaming in EU countries, while others include it on certain plans, and rates further afield can be much higher. Check the countries covered, daily charges and fair use limits for your tariff. Ofcom's guidance on roaming explains the current rules, including the roaming alerts required since 1 October 2024.

A local SIM or travel eSIM may be cheaper for data, but your phone must support it and may need unlocking. Many travel eSIMs are data only, and some countries require SIM registration.

If you rely on your UK number for banking codes, keep it active. Check that it can receive texts at your destination and find out what your provider charges. Turn off data roaming on that SIM if another one handles data, check inactivity rules for pay as you go numbers, and set up other verification methods where available.

A few other precautions:

  • Use mobile data for sensitive transactions where possible. On public Wi-Fi, check the network name, keep software updated and never ignore security warnings. The National Cyber Security Centre has practical advice.
  • Turn on two-step verification and store recovery codes somewhere other than your phone, in case it is lost.
  • Avoid posting your exact location publicly while you are still there.
  • Leave copies of your passport, insurance and emergency contacts with someone at home, stored and shared securely.

Check the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office travel advice on GOV.UK for each country before and during your trip. It covers safety, entry requirements and emergencies, and you can sign up for email alerts.

Helping children stay connected

Some children may worry about losing touch with friends or returning to school after a long absence. Regular video calls with grandparents and close friends can help keep those relationships going. Older children may want to message friends themselves, so agree rules about screen time and online safety, as you would at home.

Children might keep a travel diary, send postcards to classmates or share photos with their school, if the school is happy to take part.

Before making plans, check the attendance and education requirements where you live, as rules differ across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. A family career break does not automatically qualify for authorised school absence, and unauthorised absence can lead to enforcement action. Speak to the school and the relevant local education authority or body about absence, education arrangements and returning to school. Do not assume your child's current place will be kept open.

Agree a realistic check-in routine, choose a backup contact method and explain any planned periods without signal.