Holiday Travel Tips to Sort Before the Flight

Whether you’re heading overseas with mates, travelling solo, or joining the family, people travel for many reasons, including visiting relatives, attending important events, taking children on a long-awaited trip, or enjoying a well-earned holiday.

A little preparation before you leave can help make your trip smoother and reduce the impact of unexpected disruptions. Smartraveller, the Australian Government’s free official travel advice service, helps travellers check official advice before they leave and stay informed while they are overseas.

1. Leave room for the unexpected

Many people plan travel as if everything will run on time. In reality, a short delay can affect the next part of the journey. Before leaving Australia, take a close look at your itinerary. Are the connections too tight? Is there enough time between flights? Do you know who to contact if something changes? Have you saved airline, hotel and travel agent contact details somewhere easy to access?

It’s also worth checking your travel insurance so you understand what cover is available if plans change. The aim is not to expect something to go wrong. It is to avoid being caught without options if something does.

2. Check the whole journey, not only the destination

Many travellers feel comfortable when visiting a place they know well. That might be a country where the family lives, a regular holiday stop, or a destination they have visited before. But a familiar destination can still have changed travel conditions.

The Sharmas from Sydney travelled to meet relatives overseas, before heading together to a smaller regional town for a family function. Multiple flights, family members travelling separately, and plans to continue travelling together meant there were several points at which a disruption could affect everyone’s plans. A delayed flight or unexpected issue with a passport, visa or entry requirement could have flow-on effects for everyone.

Before you leave, check the latest travel advice for your destination and any stopovers, and make sure everyone travelling has the right passport, visa and travel documents. Passport validity, visa requirements and local travel conditions can change at short notice. Remember that most destinations, including India, require a minimum of 6 months’ validity on your passport.

Stay informed while you are away

Trips can change quickly due to weather, local events or changing conditions. Smartraveller offers a free subscription service that sends real-time updates via email if advice for your destination changes. Subscribing before departure can help you stay up to date with official information without having to search for it during the trip.

It is also sensible to save key contacts before you travel. Know where to find details for local emergency services and the nearest Australian embassy, high commission or consulate. Keep copies of important documents and leave your itinerary with someone you trust.

Before the bags, snacks and boarding passes, visit smartraveller.gov.au to check the latest travel advice for your destination and subscribe for official updates.

This article has been developed in partnership with Smartraveller.gov.au.