Foreign and Commonwealth Office World Cup advice

Travellers wary of visiting unfamiliar countries often turn to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (fco.gov.uk), which has dedicated advice and a checklist of tips for the World Cup. There's important information about passports (which must be valid for at least 30 days after you leave and have at least two blank pages) and visas (British travellers don't need one). It stresses the importance of buying travel insurance to cover your health and possessions. The FCO advises South Africa has "a very high level of crime, although most occurs in townships and isolated areas away from normal tourist destinations". There's also a threat of terrorism. "Attacks, though unlikely, could be indiscriminate, including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers." The FCO has advice on minimising the risk of ATM fraud and car-jacking, which are common in South Africa, and safety precautions you should take. Hitch-hiking is not advised, and Liverpool fans won't be surprised to learn that you should never walk alone, especially in remote areas.