GBR MAJOR EVENTS – GENERIC TRAVEL INSTRUCTIONS

This page is intended to provide generic travel instructions for all GB Major Events (these are all the major championships)

Last updated: 7th October 2024

Arrivals & Departures

Athletes competing in Europe must arrive at the designated team hotel no later than 14:00, leaving a full day before the competition.  This allows the fencer to recover from travel-related exhaustion, visit the venue, and complete weapons control. A full day is then available to sort out any kit issues and undertake final preparations before the competition.

If athletes are competing on Saturday, they should check in at the hotel by 14:00 on Thursday.

Athletes competing outside Europe may have to deal with longer flight times and potential time zone differences. Therefore, they must arrive at least two clear days before the competition starts. This means that athletes can arrive in the evening and focus on rest and sleep to aid in their recovery. The first full day should be spent adapting to the new environment and settling in. The second full day should be used to sort out any travel issues or missing kit issues and undertake final preparations before the competition.

If athletes are competing on Saturday, they should arrive at the hotel no later than Wednesday evening.

For long-haul destinations (China, Brazil), where jet lag may have a more significant impact, flights that exceed 11 hours of flight time across multiple time zones.  Analyzing travel options to these destinations may require a specific travel plan.

Exit Point

Unless specifically instructed otherwise, fencers are expected to depart on the day after the last day of their event. Fencers should not fly home on the day of their event.

BF will book accommodation based on this guidance.

FCO Travel Advice

Athletes (or parents on behalf of minors) are expected to read the UK government’s advice for the country and carefully check visa requirements. BF will also monitor this, but it is not responsible (unless we specifically instruct you otherwise) for arranging the necessary visas and travel insurance.

Foreign travel advice – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Packing

It is strongly recommended that fencers carry the basic (not easily borrowed or replaced) elements of their fencing clothing in their hand luggage and consider wearing their fencing shoes when travelling. This will mitigate the impact of any missing luggage.

23kg will be enough for your fencing bag, provided you pack your fencing kit in your carry-on case.

It is recommended that you take your top bags as these are sometimes allowed in the field of play (fencing bags are typically not permitted in the field of play)

Do’s and Don’ts:

• Do not take liquids or gels in your hand luggage. (100mls or under in a transparent bottle is OK).
• Do not take tool kit items in your hand luggage.
• Do put your mask, jacket, plastron, breeches, glove, socks, and a spare handle (if you have one) in your hand luggage in case any fencing bags get lost.  (This means all you need to borrow to fence is a sword if the worst happens.)
• Do travel in comfortable clothing, and wear trainers.
• Do not wear any GBR-marked clothing while travelling.
• Do pack any phone batteries in your hand luggage
• Please ensure that ALL your electronic equipment (phone, etc.) is fully charged and can be shown to be working. If it isn’t, it may be confiscated at security.

More Information:

International Fencing Travel Checklist 

Further Information

If you cannot find the information you need on this page, please submit any questions to us via the form here, and a member of the GBR Pathway team will respond to you. Please note that we cannot reply to all emails personally, but we will update this page to answer the most common queries we receive.