Off travelling soon? Need a few tips and reminders from the experts? Everything from packing, clever things to take, all the new COVID rules and even quarantine free destinations – the experts give you their tips below!
Return to travel advice
Quentin Long from International Traveller, recently appeared Channel 9’s Weekend Today show with his new travel tips. See the video HERE for his advice, including:
- Passports –Get passports sorted and renewed early, there is a big backlog at the moment so allow for delays.
- Visa’s – Remember travel visas for some destinations, check before going if this applies to your destination and make sure they are organised in advance.
- Health – do you have enough medicine for your time away? Because we are all so focussed on COVID-19 we also need to remember our own medicines and any relevant travel vaccines, like Yellow Fever, Hepatitis A, Rabies etc.
- Cash – remember to organise your foreign currency before leaving, such as foreign cash or travel cards.
- Travel insurance – “If you can’t afford travel insurance, then you cannot afford to travel!”
- There are many new protocols to be aware of when travelling nowadays, including:
- Download your International COVID Vaccination proof, and have them available (including hard copies) for your travel destinations.
- Make sure you know and fulfil what the COVID testing requirements are for your destinations and operators.
- Pack enough disposable masks for your time away – a new mask whilst travelling every 4 hours is advised. Also, pack hand sanitiser and hard copies of your vaccinations and test results.
- Record all support contact numbers, such as the local consular, medical and travel insurance contacts.
Overall, Quentin’s advice is to get a travel agent for overseas booking, as they are up to date on all the requirements.
Essential travel items
Escape.com.au is a popular website that inspires travellers with great stories, advice, trends and news from a team of expert travel journalists. Share their essential travel items, from all different nick knacks to the more obvious practicalities.
Lightweight jacket
Always carry a lightweight jacket that can be folded into the palm of your hand.
Translation app
Travel with an audio translation app on your phone, great for overcoming language barriers, there are many to choose from.
Golf ball
After a day of sightseeing or hiking, a golf ball is a handy tool. Take off your shoes and roll the ball on the soles of your feet. It is an instant massage and rejuvenates your muscles ready for another day of sightseeing.
Tea bags
Take your own favourite tea bags travelling as you can never be sure what (if any) will be at your accommodation. There is nothing better than a hot cup of tea at the end of a long sightseeing day.
Empty water bottle
Make sure to pack an empty water bottle. Once you are through security at the airport you can fill it up at the water bubblers and ask the flight attendants to fill it for you on the plane. This saves money on purchased drinks and keeps you hydrated.
Pack of wipes
Wipes can help in so many ways when travelling, such as make up remover at the end of the day, cleaning shoes or white sneakers, blotting a stain out of clothing or simply cleaning sticky fingers!
Cadence’s natty little capsules
Small containers that stick together with tiny magnets. Use them for toiletries, tablets, small jewellery items and more. The labels can be customised and they fit enough product for a week’s trip away, without leaking or cracking. check them out here.
Zippered pillow case
For many reasons this is a good idea. Use it for a dirty laundry bag, or use it when your luggage is over the weight limit, fill it with clothes and use it as a pillow on your flight (and reduce your luggage weight). Lastly use it as a pillowcase in your accommodation, if you don’t like the ones supplied!
Glasses chain
Glasses chains, now available in many styles online, not only act as a perfect way to keep your glasses or sunglass on you, but they are also ideal for facemasks. They are also a clever way to keep hold of your Air Pods!
Padded cases
Soft cases, such as these are ideal for anything that needs protection from damage while travelling, such as a laptop, tablet, passport, travel papers, and glasses.
Mini mist sprayer
A mini water mister is ideal for combatting the dry air on a plane trip or keeping you cool in a hot climate. You can even use it to mist and hang your clothing when you don’t have access to an iron. They are available here.
Elva’s packing tips
Of course, our expert packing tips would not be complete without our lovely Elva’s packing tips that you can read about here, or view here – COTA Insurance on You Tube.
Qantas travel tips
Country updates
Make sure to check your destinations precautionary steps in relation to the COVID-19 variant of concern. See Travel Updates for more information.
Plan ahead
Before booking and travelling, make sure you check the latest Government travel requirements. These may include mandatory health declarations, vaccinations, COVID-19 tests, use of facemasks, entry permits, pre-approval and quarantine (possibly at your own expense), or you could be denied entry.
Also, check the latest airline travel requirements to ensure a seamless journey.
Have your passport ready, remember to check your passport expiry date, and ensure it meets the validity requirements for the destination you are travelling to.
International vaccination and travel requirements
Before you get to the airport, make sure you have a valid vaccination certificate for international travel.
If you need a pre-departure COVID-19 test, it is important to ensure you have the correct documentation from an approved testing facility.
For those with vaccination exemptions and medical clearance, make sure you have the required proof if you can’t be vaccinated for medical reasons, or require prior positive medical clearance for your pre-departure test.
At the airport and on board
With the impact of COVID-19, there are some changes to inflight and airport services, lounges and more. Arrive at the airport early, as airports might be busier than we are may have been used to in the past. It is recommended that you arrive 4 hours ahead of your international flight.
Bookings with other airlines, travel agents and other third parties
If your flights were booked through another airline, a travel agency or third-party website, you will need to contact them directly for assistance. If you are having difficulties contacting your agent, or your agent has ceased operating, complete this request form.
Travel destinations that are quarantine free
For the full article and information on this, please visit HERE information was accurate at the time of print; however, it may have changed since.
New Zealand
Vaccinated Australians can enter New Zealand and self-test on arrival. You must provide a negative COVID-19 pre-departure test. After you enter New Zealand you must do two rapid antigen tests (RATs) on Day 0/1 and Day 5/6 and declare your results.
Switzerland
Switzerland is relaxing COVID-19 restrictions. You are no longer required to present proof of recovery certificate or negative PCR test on arrival. Non-residents must still present proof of COVID-19 vaccination to enter.
Singapore
Quarantine-free for fully vaccinated Australians. You will still need a pre-departure test within two days of departure and complete a Singapore Arrival Card. If you are not fully vaccinated you will need to purchase travel insurance with a minimum coverage of SGD 30,000.
Canada
Quarantine-free for fully vaccinated Australians. From April 1, pre-entry COVID-19 tests are no longer required for entry if you are fully vaccinated.
Qatar
Quarantine-free for fully vaccinated Australians. You will still need a pre-travel PCR test lab result with validity 48 hours from departure time at the country of origin
Fiji
Quarantine free travel to fully vaccinated travellers. Proof of vaccination, a negative pre-departure COVID test (PCR-48 hrs/RAT 24 hrs before flight) as well as evidence of a pre-booked RAT following your arrival into Fiji is required, and travel insurance with international coverage for COVID-19.
USA
If you’re aged 18 and over, you must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and provide proof of vaccination and show a negative COVID-19 test result taken no more than one day before travel.
Thailand
Quarantine-free travel to Thailand for fully vaccinated travellers who apply for ‘Test and Go’ scheme. You’ll need proof of vaccination, a negative COVID test (RT-PCR) after arrival, booking for one day at approved SHA Extra+ or AQ hotel, insurance with minimum coverage of $20,000 USD.
Sources:
Items travel experts never travel without | escape.com.au
www.facebook.com/iwakeupwithtoday/videos/513751617044688
Cruise ships ban to end April 17 (homeaffairs.gov.au)
Cruising ban lifted: Which cruise lines and ships are coming back to Australia (traveller.com.au)
