Travel insurance cover to Asia starts at just £12.50,
meaning it doesn't need to cost the world to protect yourself and your family when
travelling to Asia.
Wherever you travel to in the world, one of the key essentials you
should consider is travel insurance. There is nothing worse than being
stuck abroad with no protection or cover if the worst does happen.
We cover over 100 activities and sports as standard and provide cover for
your personal luggage, money and passport - whether you're visiting Taipei,
Turkmenabad or Tokyo. So, whether you're on a family holiday, backpacking
trip, sightseeing adventure or on business, be sure to protect yourself with
CoverForYou.
Please Note: CoverForYou travel insurance policies do not cover undisclosed medical conditions,
please refer to the policy wording for full terms and conditions. Please note no cover is provided for Afghanistan,
Cuba, Iran, Liberia, North Korea, Somalia, Sudan or Syria or any destination where, prior to your trip commencing,
the Foreign and Commonwealth Office have advised against all (but essential) travel.
AZERBAIJAN - FEATURED TRAVEL GUIDE
Currency - Manat (AZN)
Language - Azerbaijani
Azerbaijan has for many years been a gateway between the west and east and with its beautiful scenery and long history, is a country that should be on many more travel itineraries than it currently is.
Top Cities to Visit
The vast majority of travellers to Azerbaijan head straight to Baku - it is an excellent base for travelling around the rest of the country and is the most tourist friendly city in Azerbaijan. Baku is deeply influenced by Muslim architecture and has a number of beautiful buildings with thousands of years of history surrounding them. The Old City of Baku is the historic centre of the city and dates back hundreds of years - the Palace of the Shirvanshahs and ancient walls are well worth visiting.
For the traveller
The Persian mountain town of Lahic is full of beautiful architecture and wonderful views so be sure to visit. At Yanar Dag, close to Baku, a ten metre wall of fire burns through the day and night and is particularly stunning after dark. Searching for treasures in the walled gem of Baku is an experience in itself and there are numerous wonders to unearth.
Adventure Sports
Being on the Caspian Sea, Azerbaijan has numerous opportunities for watersports such as diving and boating. Hiking is a little less exciting but no less thrilling with the scenery on offer to the willing hiker.
Azerbaijan Nightlife
Baku has by far the most vibrant nightlife of all the cities in Azerbaijan. Bars and clubs are open until the early hours, specifically on weekends. That said, Azerbaijan isn’t a top destination for a thriving nightlife and you are probably best off spending the evenings having a relaxed drink alongside the locals, many of whom are willing to openly talk to visitors.
Safety Notes
Baku is mainly safe from violent crime although pick pocketing and muggings, particularly after dark, are commonplace. If you choose to sample the Baku nightlife, try to travel in groups and try to leave any large amounts of money back at your hotel or place of residence.
It is advised that you take safety precautions when travelling around Azerbaijan, such as keeping your car doors locked when stopping and keeping train compartment doors locked when on the train network.
Travel (in and around)
There are a number of international airports in Azerbaijan, including Heydar Aliyev International Airport in Baku and Gyandzha Airport in Gyandzha.
Public transport in Azerbaijan is limited - links around the country are extremely limited. Baku has buses, trams and an underground rail service. The underground service is perhaps the best way to get around Baku, although trains can become extremely overcrowded and can be poorly maintained. Taxis are also available in Baku, as well as marshrut which are effectively shared minibuses that follow specific routes around the city. The latter are the cheapest way to get around but can be unreliable.
Roads in Azerbaijan tend to be poorly maintained and can lead to a rather bumpy ride. Driving in major cities can be treacherous and highways often have no markings to prevent head on collisions. Driving after dark is not advisable outside Baku due to the state of the roads. You will be required to drive on the right hand side of the road in Azerbaijan.
Looking for the Previously Featured Travel Guides?
You can click on the following links to find our previous travel guides:
China Travel Guide &
Myanmar (Burma) Travel Guide
TOP ASIAN DESTINATIONS IN 2016
Tanzania
Vietnam is located in South East Asia and is fast becoming the top tourist destination in Asia. The climate varies in the country, depending on the region being visited. South and central Vietnam tends to have high temperatures all year round but the northern part of the country has a cool season from November to March.
Vietnam has seen rising numbers of tourists in recent years and it is no surprise considering the beauty of the country. Backpackers are particularly fond of South East Asia and have been coming to Vietnam in their droves for many years. The beaches are amazing and there are opportunities for activities such as kayaking, hiking, and surfing.
Top Cities to Visit - Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Nha Trang, Hoi An
Top Attractions - Imperial Citadel of Thang Long, Ha Long Bay, Chu Chi Tunnels, The Sand Dunes of Mui Ne
Cambodia
Cambodia is located on the Indochina Peninsula, close to Vietnam. Cambodia has a tropical climate characterised by the monsoon season, which tends to be from May to October. Temperatures can reach as high as 40oC during the dry season. Cambodia has many beautiful beaches and a number of tourist attractions such as the Angkor Wat Historical Park, which is one of South East Asia’s most important archaeological sites. The site is a world heritage site and tourists flock here to see the Temple of Angkor Wat and the Bayon Temple.
Angkor Wat is one of the Seven Wonders of the World and is something that must be seen to be appreciated. It was built in the 12th century and visitors will be amazed at its sheer beauty and size.
Top Cities to Visit - Phnom Penh, Battambang, Siem Reap, Sihanoukville, Prey Veng
Top Attractions - Angkor Wat Historical Park, The Killing Fields, Preah Vihear, Tonle Sap, Bokor Hill Station, Koh Ker
Taiwan
Taiwan is an island located in East Asia. From June to September the weather is hot and humid, although typhoons are quite common between July and October. Taiwan is the destination of choice for tourists from mainland China but is becoming increasingly popular with visitors from other parts of the world; a big part of this is the fantastic attractions.
Taiwan can offer tourists’ unique experiences, including themed restaurants, fabulous night markets, little league baseball, and animated news. There are also numerous historic sites, museums and national parks, which are a big draw for tourists who want to learn about the country and see some of the important Chinese artefacts from ancient times. One of the most beautiful places to visit in Taiwan is the Golden Waterfall, which is a waterfall flowing over an old gold and copper mine; it gets its name because it shines like gold in the sunshine.
Top Cities to Visit - New Taipei City, Taipei City, Kaohsiung City, Keelung City
Top Attractions - Night Markets, The Golden Waterfall, Yin Yang Sea, Mountain KeeLung, Long Shan Temple, Shi Fen Waterfall, Chung Tai Chan Monastery
OTHER TOP DESTINATIONS
Laos
Top Cities to Visit - Vientiane, Pakse, Luang Prabang
Top Attractions - Wat Phu, Wat Xieng Thong, Boloven Plateau, Pha That Luang, The Plain of Jars, Pak Ou Caves - and remember to watch the sun rise at Mount Phousi!
Thailand
Top Cities to Visit - Bangkok, Ayutthaya, Sukhothai, Pattaya
Top Attractions - Bangkok's Grand Palace, Chiang Mai, Wat Suthep, Phang Nga Bay & Scuba Diving in Ko Lipe
India
Top Cities to Visit - Delhi, Mumbai, Kochi, Shimla, Varanasi
Top Attractions - Taj Mahal, The Temples of Ajanta, Konark, The Golden Temple, The River Ganges, Camel Riding & Bodh Gaya
ASIA TRAVEL SAFETY GUIDE
The majority of Asian countries can be considered safe to visit, although issues such as corruption and petty crime are still known to affect many countries. It is therefore advisable to ensure you take proper precautions when visiting any country in the Asian continent.
Petty Crime
Petty crime is a common occurance across many countries in Asia, particularly those commonly frequented by British holidaymakers and backpackers, such as Cambodia and Thailand. There are a number of ways you can help ensure you are not a victim of petty crimes such as muggings and robberies;
- Make sure you keep a close eye on your personal belongings and when you head out, make sure you utilise any safe facilities at your accommodation, particularly for valuable items or important documents
- Be aware that the average wage in many Asian countries, such as India, is significantly lower than in the UK. It is therefore inadvisible to openly carry large amounts of cash on your person or wear designer clothing as you may attract unwanted attention.
- Where possible, pay with cash rather than card as this will reduce the liklihood of card fraud, which is particularly problematic in certain Asian countries
- Be aware that any small item can be easily taken if not firmly attached to your person, so do not leave hand bags, cameras or other small items unattended, even in a restaurant and particularly not on public transport
Nightlife and Staying Out After Dark
Whilst it is generally safe to head out after dark in the majority of Asian countries, there are exceptions and you should ensure you head out in a group where possible. While countries such as Japan and Singapore are generally safe around the clock, even in these countries you should ensure you take extra precautions when the sun goes down, particularly if it is your first visit to the country or you don't have a firm grip of the native language.
Importantly, you may not be covered for any insurance claim arising from your actions whilst heavily intoxicated, if this is deemed to be a determining factor in your claim. Remember not to drink in excess and take sensible precautions where necessary and there's no reason your trip should be anything but the perfect holiday!
Lone Female Travel
Similarly to Europe, travelling as a lone female across much of Asia is relatively safe. South East Asia in particular is generally regarded as one of the safest travel destinations in the world for lone female travellers, whilst central Asia can still be considered safe although perhaps not ideal for a first time female solo traveller. Beyond the basic safety information that a lone female traveller should bear in mind (avoiding unlit places after dark, avoiding crowded public transport if possible and issues with not always having someone to look after your belongings), there is realistic little more for you to worry about!
Key Things to Remember
Before heading to Asia, there are a number of key things to remember to take or establish before you leave the UK (or on arrival to Asia);
- Mobile Phone / Methods of Communication - it is important to establish some form of communication should you need to contact someone in an emergency - whether this be a mobile phone or other device.
- Local Emergency Services Details - be aware that countries in Asia will not have the same emergency dialling code and it is advisable to find out what this is on arrival to your country of travel
- Travel Insurance Details/Medical Card (where necessary) - be sure to take any necessary travel insurance documentation with you when you leave the UK - this will help in the event of a claim.
- Embassy Details - finding your local embassy on arrival can save you a lot of trouble if there is either an emergency situation or you simply lose your passport! A two minute internet search before leaving the UK will save you a lot of time if the worst does happen!
- Check the FCO website - for the latest travel warnings to Asia, visit the FCO website. This will allow you to highlight any potential issues before visiting your country of choice so you can proactively deal with them.
WHAT COUNTRIES IN ASIA DO WE COVER?
CoverForYou travel insurance policies do not cover undisclosed medical conditions, please refer to the policy wording for full terms and conditions.
Cover of countries listed below is subject to the above, the selection
of the relevant area of cover, the
FCO recommendations on travel, and the terms and conditions within the policy wording.
Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brunei, Cambodia, China, Georgia,
India, Indonesia, Iraq, Israel, Japan, Jordan, Kazakstan, Kuwait,
Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Lebanon, Malaysia, Maldives, Mongolia, Myanmar (Burma), Nepal,
Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, South Korea, Taiwan, Tajikistan,
Thailand, Turkmenistan, UAE (United Arab Emirates), Uzbekistan, Vietnam and
Yemen - among others.
