Travel Tips

“Probably I will touch based about the travel insurance, especially when you travel overseas. This insurance is important to help you cover in foreign country while you are traveling. I think this is one of the underrated items on our travel list. Its cheap compared to your whole trip expense but certainly is really important. I think it’s better to travel knowing that you are well protected if anything bad happens.”
(Andri, Boddington WA)

“Book your travel insurance as soon as you book your first flight because if you have to cancel, you can probably make a claim. If you're booking early bird anything could happen between when you book your flight and when you leave.”
(Ginnetta, Perth)

“Never assume that you will get your luggage when you arrive at the other end. Have a back-up plan (including extra packed items in carry-on), to get you through a few days without your luggage.”
(Julie, Perth)

“I wished I knew that some credit card companies offer free travel insurance before I went and paid for a policy before my trip to Vietnam. Read the fine print though, as I almost went and hired a car in South Africa thinking I was covered.”
(Adrianne, Born With a Suitcase)

“Make sure you have additional medications that you are on in case of delay, plus letter from Doctor showing the medications you are taking, insurance emergency tel. no handy, additional passport photos, international drivers licence even if you don’t think you will need it.”
(Pat, Perth)

“Travel light!”
(Rose, Perth)

“Make sure insurance policy is covered for all activities in case you decide to do something adventurous which you had not planned on.”
(Pat, Perth)

“1. Pack light. 2. Don't worry about fashion and pack for comfort (especially shoes as you normally do a hell of a lot of walking when traveling.)”
(Francine, Sydney)

“Download the Uber app and set up an account before you go! There are so many countries in the world were Uber is available now and as a solo traveller, it’s invaluable! Can’t recommend it highly enough.”
(Noelene, Perth)

“Having a folder for all my important items eg passport, itinerary etc, is always handy. Always travel with this now.”
(Dayna, Melbourne)

“Use a credit card such as 28 degrees and pack as lightly as possible. You don't really need that much and it's a lot easier to get around.”
(Tania, Kyrgyzstan)

“Do some research on the country of destination prior to arriving. Whether it be culture, traditions or how the country operates. On my way to Russia many years ago, I read the Lonely Planet guide on the flight, I only read a few pages, but it was the best few pages. I read about the corrupt police in Russia and how to deal with them, low and behold, I encounter corrupt police when sightseeing one day, and I did exactly what was recommended in the Lonely Planet guide and saved myself a lot of heart ache and expenses!”
(Georgia, Melbourne)

“Chewing gum for take-off and landing - unblocks the ears. The person next to you might want one too. Offer them one! Alternative is to use earplugs- my mum found it worked better.”
(Leanne, Queensland)

“Leave iPhone on Plane Mode so no chance of using data accidentally.”
(Rose, Perth)

“Have at least your first one or 2 nights accommodation pre booked. There's nothing worse than being jet lagged and having to find accommodation. If it's a place you go to often stay in the same place where you know it’s good and familiar. We stay il corso b&b in Rome near Piazza Ioppolo, restaurants and shops nearby, good people watching, quiet, they also offer a pickup service from airport.”
(Ginnetta, Perth)

“I would never travel now without a pre booked private pick up from the airport when we get there. To me it's not a luxury, it’s essential and well worth it, particularly if you're not familiar with the place. One exception is Singapore, I always get a taxi from the airport because it’s easy, cheap and there's always taxis available no matter what the time is. Also always have a pick up or taxi to airport for trip home, luggage is always heavy and there's always more bags to carry and it's just too much hassle going on public transport and there's always lifting, pulling, steps, bumpy bits, etc.”
(Ginnetta, Perth)

“We always book London cabs to airport when leaving home, they don't cost anymore but you can fit plenty of luggage in eg 2 suitcases and 2 cabin bags, without them being 'thrown' in the boot and taking up room on the seats.”
(Ginnetta, Perth)

“I always take a slip of paper in my wallet that is a ready reckoner for the currency eg $1, $2, $3, $4, $5, $10, $15, $20, etc and what it equates to in the alternate currency and vice versa. This is typed up. It is so much quicker and easier than getting your phone out to calculate it or doing it in your head.”
(Ginnetta, Perth)

“Mainly for me is knowing all the strange little rules in each country like tipping people, taxis, visa, medical stuff.”
(Shelley, Perth)

“Usually go to tourist office and get info there. One of my favourite things to do is look at postcards at the tourist shops to see if there are any amazing places for scenery that are worth visiting. Tourist info doesn’t always know or think to tell you everything. I do this now every time I travel and have discovered some beautiful/ amazing places that I then visited. Really handy when in countries where you don't speak the language.”
(Susie, Holland)

“Remember, so long as you have your passport, credit card and travel insurance, anything that happens that’s not part of your original plan is just part of the adventure! Enjoy it; you never know where it’s going to take you.”
(Noelene, Perth)

“If travelling by train, take with you small hard-cased suitcases. The smaller the suitcase, the less you’ll pack, the less heavy it will be when you have to lift your case over your head to place it on the baggage shelf!”
(Lynette, Perth)

“Always chat with the locals. There are some amazing stories hiding out there waiting to be shared.”
(Francine, Sydney)