Before the Gate
Plan a visit

What might the visit cost?

Put your own figures together before you book. See the whole household cost, then check whether travel support could help.

Use prices you have checked, or your best estimates. Include the return journey and everyone travelling. This adds up your figures; it does not quote fares or calculate a grant.

Check the prison first

Choose a prison for its official visiting information and directions. Check the visitor entrance and parking arrangements before travel.

Your costs for one visit

All tickets for the group, or your total fuel estimate. Do not enter a one-way fare.

Check the actual visitor parking and any charges.

Include what the family may need during the journey.

Any additional care you need to arrange.

If you need to stay overnight.

For example a necessary connecting journey.

Optional. Keep this separate from money you will spend.

This multiplies the same estimate. Costs can change between visits.

Your figures stay on this page while it is open. They are not saved in browser storage or sent to Before the Gate. You can take a screenshot of the result for your own use.

Could you get help with the costs?

Help with Prison Visits may contribute to eligible costs. Eligibility depends on benefits or qualifying health certificates, your relationship to the person and other scheme rules. Being on Universal Credit does not automatically qualify everyone.

Keep tickets and receipts. The scheme can consider visits within the previous 28 days or the next 28 days. Check what is covered before booking; overnight accommodation needs advance approval. Not every cost in your budget is reimbursable.

Check eligibility, evidence and apply on GOV.UK ↗︎

Give application details directly to the official scheme. There is no benefits or grant application form on Before the Gate.

Before you set off

  • Check the booking confirmation and arrival time.
  • Confirm accepted ID, clothing and what can go into the visits hall.
  • Check the visitor entrance, accessible travel and parking. A map pin is not an entrance guarantee.
  • Allow time to get home and for the family to settle afterwards.
Open the first-visit checklist and PDF ↗︎

Budget tool by Before the Gate. Travel-help guidance checked 26 October 2026 against GOV.UK Help with Prison Visits. The directory keeps its own contact snapshot date; this does not mean every prison’s visiting rules were checked today.