City break travel insurance

If you're going on a city break, it's worth considering travel insurance. From selecting the right policy to the type of cover you could receive, here's what you need to know about city break travel insurance.

What is city break travel insurance?

Standard travel insurance is often referred to as 'city break insurance', or 'weekend travel insurance'.

If your upcoming city break is for a few days, you might find that single-trip travel insurance is best for you. Sometimes, this is called short break travel insurance.

But if you're planning to go on various city breaks over a 12 month period, a multi-trip policy could be more convenient and affordable.

Do I need travel insurance for a city break?

Travel insurance is worth considering if you're going on a city break, because it can give you financial protection when things go wrong.

This includes cover for things like emergency medical expenses, unexpected cancellations and lost, damaged or stolen luggage. Phew!

What does city break travel insurance cover?

What is and isn't covered typically varies between policies, so it's important to check the policy details before choosing.

City break travel insurance typically provides cover for:

• Emergency medical treatment: If you are injured abroad or become ill and need treatment.

• Repatriation: If you need to return to the United Kingdom for medical treatment.

• Cancellation and curtailment:If your flights or accommodation is cancelled, or if you have to cancel or cut short your trip early due to illness.

• Lost, stolen or damaged luggage:If your luggage is stolen, accidentally lost or damaged. Standard travel insurance also usually covers personal items, including passports and travel documents.

What doesn't city break travel insurance cover?

• Travelling against government advice: Check the current Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) guidelines before you travel.

• Extreme sports: If you're planning extreme activities or sports you'll need extra cover.

• Undeclared medical conditions: If you have a pre-existing medical condition and you don't declare it, you may not be able to make a claim if you need treatment.

• Illegal or malicious activity: If something happens as a result of illegal or malicious activity, like breaking the law, you may not be able to make a claim.

• If you change your mind and cancel the trip: If you decide that you don't want to go anymore, your policy typically won't cover any expenses lost.

Do I need travel insurance for a weekend break in the UK?

It's not a legal requirement, but it's worth considering.

It can be easy to think travel insurance won't be needed for the UK, because medical treatment needed is covered by the NHS.

But travel insurance for the UK could cover you for other unexpected problems while you're away, including baggage and cancellation cover.

When should I buy travel insurance?

It's a good idea to look into travel insurance as soon as you've booked your trip, whether you're going abroad or staying in the UK. This is because you'll typically have cancellation cover.

So, if you need to cancel before the departure date due to unforeseen circumstances, you should be able to use it to make a claim. This means that your insurance provider could help to reimburse any expenses lost.

How much does city break travel insurance cost?

The price of city break travel insurance can vary depending on various factors.

This includes things such as length, destination, whether it's for business or pleasure and pre-existing medical conditions.

The quickest way to learn how much you can expect a travel insurance policy to cost for your city break is to get a quote.

A couple in their 30s with no medical conditions could pay the following for a city break:

An individual in their 30s with no medical conditions could pay the following for a business trip:

 

¹Cheapest single-trip policy for a couple aged 30 with no medical conditions travelling for 2 nights. Confused.com data, May 2024.

²Cheapest single-trip policy for an adult aged 30 with no medical conditions travelling for business for 2 nights. Confused.com data, May 2024.

Does short break travel insurance cover adventure activities or winter sports?

Most extreme sports and adventure activities are excluded from a standard travel insurance policy.

This means that you may need additional cover, or a specialist policy, which usually comes at an extra cost.

Here's some options you might want to consider:

• Adventure travel insurance if you're going to do high-risk activities like paragliding.
• Winter sports insurance if you're planning to go snowboarding or skiing.

Timeout has created a list of the best city break destinations to visit in Europe, based on a report created by Resonance.

Here's the top 5 city break destinations and our travel tips for each destination:

London is a great option to consider if you don't want to go abroad.

From Tower Bridge and the London Eye to Buckingham Palace and Westminster Abbey, the city is great for exploring.

Whether you're planning a romantic getaway or a trip with friends, a city break to Paris appeals to all.

Take in the views at the top of Eiffel Tower, explore the Louvre or enjoy a walk through the Luxembourg Gardens.

There's luxury shopping on Right Bank, a vibrant bohemian scene on Left Bank and plenty of Parisian entertainment. Spend the night's fine dining, experiencing the city's bar scene, or at the iconic Moulin Rouge.

Berlin's offering for a short stay break is hard to beat. From its exciting nightlife, Michelin Starred restaurants and popular Kurfürstendamm shopping street, you won't run out of things to do.

The city is also home to various memorial sites and monuments. Explore the city's past with a guided tour or make your own itinerary. Popular historical sites include the Berlin War Memorial and Brandenburg Gate.

Whether you’re making a wish at the Trevi Fountain, taking in the Colosseum or exploring various shopping districts, Rome offers something for everyone. 

The food and drink can’t go unmissed either. Enjoy a breakfast coffee in a sidestreet cafe and try al-fresco dining in one of the city's trattorias at lunch. In the afternoon, enjoy a gelato as you stroll through the streets, and spend your evenings indulging in pizza or pasta.

Madrid is known for being a hotspot for art, food and shopping. It's got plenty of museums to explore, including the Prado National Museum and the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum.

There's also the Mercado San Miguel, which is a food market situated in the heart of the city. It receives more than 7 million visitors a year, and offers everything from Mediterranean paella to seafood dishes.

And if you're in Madrid on a Sunday, you might want to visit the El Rastro Flea Market. It offers everything from clothing to antiques, and is said to be one of the largest open-air markets in Europe.

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