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The holiday of your life starts with a few simple (yet incredibly important) steps.
Research your destination
Whether you dream of one Balinese getawayor desperately looking for one Japanese adventureit is important that you do your research long before you book. You want to know if your destination is safe and if there are any travel warnings (remember, your travel insurance will not cover you if you travel to a country that has a DFAT ‘Do Not Travel’ warning).
Check your passport
Long before you book a trip, make sure your passport (if you have one) is still valid and in good condition. Some countries won’t allow you to enter with a passport that expires within six months, so make sure you have enough time and enough blank pages.
If your passport shows signs of damage (e.g. tears or stains), you should obtain a replacement passport as even minor damage could prevent you from traveling.
Are you receiving a passport for the first time? You can apply online via Australian Passport Office – be prepared, the 10 year passport costs a whopping $358.
Make sure you are aware of the visa requirements
Visa requirements for different destinations are constantly changing, so a great way to stay informed is by downloading the Smartraveller.gov.au app on your phone and check what is needed. Be sure to also check your destination’s embassy website for visa information and application procedures. There are many bogus sites going around, so it is always a good idea to check with the embassy that you are indeed using the correct site to submit your application.
Get vaccinated
Do you have your passport and visas in order? It’s time to check if your destination requires any specific vaccinations or health measures. This should be done well in advance of any trip as some vaccinations need to be administered weeks before travel.
You can check Smartrraveller.gov.au and/or Travel vax for information, and don’t be afraid to talk to your GP about any further recommendations.
Set a realistic budget
You probably have an idea of your budget, but is it realistic? A good way to give yourself a decent cushion is to name your budget and then add another 50% to it for good measure. Create a daily budget based on what you expect to see each day, the expected costs of transportation, meals and accommodation, and then add a little “breathing” money to arrive at your actual figure.
You can track your spending on your travels through apps like TravelSpent And TripCoin.
Embrace comparison sites
Booking the first flight or hotel room you come across is a surefire way to get scammed. Make sure you book your desired flights through comparison sites such as Skyscanner, Kayaking And Expedia.com. You can also check these out, as well as others like them Booking.com for accommodation.
Take out travel insurance
Once you book your trip, it is important to get travel insurance. Not only will it be cheaper if you do it several months in advance, but you also want to make sure you’re protected from the start. Again, it’s important to make a comparison Finder.com.au, iSelector Compare travel insurance policies to find the policy that best suits your needs.
Map your route
How do you plan to travel between multiple cities or countries, how will you get from point A to point B and how much will each trip cost? Creating a detailed itinerary (which you can email to your relatives) can help you budget during your trip. Easily map out your journey Google Maps, Rome2Rio and/or CityMapperand check on official transport sites.
Book your activities in advance
Flying by the seat of your pants is no longer possible in this post-pandemic world; If you want to reach the top of the Eiffel Tower or explore the Acropolis, you’ll need to book everything as soon as your flight and accommodation is secured. The advantage of this is that you have to pay for attractions when you book, making budgeting on the go much easier to manage.
Don’t forget to leave a copy of all your documents with your next of kin and inform your bank of your travels before you leave. The last thing you want is for them to confiscate your card when they see you shopping in Tokyo.
Have fun!
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