The intending traveller should plan a detailed itinerary well in advance of his departure from the United Kingdom if he is to take full advantage of the health precautions and advice that are available. The present mechanism of delivering health care advice is inefficient and many travellers remain ignorant of how they should protect themselves against illness acquired overseas. Passport offices, travel agents, shipping and airline authorities and health insurance firms are in a unique position to share the responsibility with the community health services and general practitioners of ensuring that intending travellers are appropriately briefed and visit their family doctor and dentist in plenty of time. Chemoprophylaxis against malaria and inoculation against many tropical diseases are available and sensible advice can be given about how to keep healthy abroad. Adults and children should also be immune to infections such as poliomyelitis, diphtheria, tetanus and, if visiting the developing world, tuberculosis as well. Sensible clothing, equipment and adequate supplies of any regular medicaments must be taken. Some form of health insurance and, in addition for E.E.C. countries, a certificate of entitlement to free health care are wise additional precautions to take.