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Holidays can be complicated affairs with many moving parts, so there is always the possibility that a minor detail might slip through the cracks and impact your enjoyment. These are the most common travel mistakes that are easy to make and tip on how to avoid them:
Holidays represent a significant investment of time and money, and despite the best-laid plans, things can and sometimes do go wrong. We really can’t overstate the importance of protecting your physical, emotional and financial wellbeing with the right travel insurance policy.
A good insurance policy will cover your medical expenses, replace any valuables that are lost, stolen or damaged, and ensure that you’re not left out of pocket if your travel plans are delayed or interrupted due to circumstances beyond your control. It’s particularly important to have comprehensive cover if you’re travelling somewhere remote, going on a cruise or spending time in the United States, as the cost of medical treatment in these locations be devastating if you’re not fully insured.
If you’re a frequent traveller, an annual multi trip policy that provides twelve months’ cover could be a sensible option. Talk to your personal travel manager about your specific travel insurance needs, including any pre-existing conditions or high-risk activities such as skiing or scuba diving that are not automatically covered.
An Australian passport is valid for ten years (five years for children under 16 and adults 75+), so always take a moment to check that yours has not expired since your last international holiday. Even with a valid passport, some countries won’t grant you entry if your passport is due to expire in six months or less. Other countries require a visa for entry or operate a visa waiver program that grants visa-free entry for a specific period of time. Entry requirements change periodically, so don’t just assume that the rules which applied on your last visit are still current.
Failing to check that your passport and visa requirements are up to date could result in your holiday derailing before you’ve even left the country, so always ask your personal travel manager for assistance in checking that you meet the relevant requirements.
Pro tip: if you have an Australian passport and want to know how to legally stay in Europe for longer than 90 days, check out our handy how-to guide.
There are so many technological innovations that make travel easier and more enjoyable in the digital era. However, it’s still wise to take printed copies of important documents such as itinerary, hotel and car reservations, and passport/visa information.
Whether you leave it on a plane, drop it in a toilet, or run out of battery, there’s always a chance that you might not be able to access your phone and therefore, all your holiday details. Keep a hard copy of everything important in a safe place, separate from your phone or iPad, and you’ll always have a back-up plan. You can add an extra layer of security by saving digital copies to the cloud or emailing them to yourself.
Have you ever stood gasping to catch your breath after running for your railway platform, only to watch as your train left the station without you? Or realised that boarding for your next flight has already closed while you were still stuck in transit?
It’s times like these that you genuinely appreciate the value of working with an experienced travel advisor. If your personal travel manager doesn’t already know exactly how long it takes to switch terminals at LAX, or how far it is to walk between London’s St Pancras and Euston Stations, they will know exactly who to ask so you never have to experience that sinking feeling again.
For many travellers, the most meaningful part of their holiday is the chance to experience diverse cultures first-hand. Making the most of each fresh opportunity requires a willingness to listen and learn, so take the time to find out about any local customs – from tipping culture to protocols around public displays of affection – before you depart.
Although a basic Google search of your destination is a great place to start, there’s really no substitute for first-hand experience – for example, you could be declined entry to certain attractions if you are not dressed appropriately. Ask your personal travel manager for their best insider travel tips and you’ll be ready to hit the ground running.
Don’t underestimate the impact even a minor change in time zones can have on your internal clock. Give your brain a chance to catch up with your body by not overscheduling your first few days at a new destination.
It gets even trickier to keep up with time changes if you’re crossing the international date line during your journey. For example, a flight that departs Sydney, Australia in the evening will arrive in Rarotonga, Cook Islands early in the morning on the same day. The return flight, although only seven hours, will have you arriving home a day and a half later. An experienced travel advisor will ensure that your land arrangements align seamlessly with your adventures in time travel.
Value for money is an important consideration when you’re planning a holiday, but one of the biggest travel mistakes is choose the cheapest option rather than the one that offers the best value.
A certain airline might offer a lower priced airfare, but is the trade-off a much longer overall journey time plus extra costs for airport meals? When comparing hotel rooms, do both properties feature the same facilities? Would a pre-booked private transfer be a better option than public transport if you’re arriving late at night? That low-cost tour might seem like a cheaper option, but how does it really compare to the top-notch tour that appears more expensive at first glance but offers lots of great inclusions?
A great travel advisor will help you understand the finer details of each choice, making recommendations tailored to your personal needs and expectations.
If you’re ever tried hauling a heavy suitcase along a snowy, cobbled street, you’ll understand why less is more when it comes to packing for a holiday. Plan your outfits before you go, opting for lightweight, capsule items that can be mixed and matched, and choose a style of luggage that is appropriate for your destination and type of holiday.
It can be just as disastrous to underpack or not pack appropriately for the conditions at your destination, so always check the typical weather conditions and ask your travel advisor for recommendations and/or a packing list if you are unsure.
Even if you’ve booked with the same travel advisor multiple times before, it’s always wise to guard against the potential for human error. Always double-check your travel documents before your departure to ensure that your name is correctly spelt and that important details like dates and connections are in order. Minor inaccuracies can lead to major problems, but it’s usually much easier to rectify such issues before your holiday has begun – especially if you are travelling to a destination where English is not widely spoken.
Credit cards are a wonderful way to manage your spending while on holiday – widely accepted in most countries, and convenient for large transactions and spontaneous purchases. Just be sure to let your bank know about your international travel plans prior to your departure or you may find that your souvenir shopping has resulted in the suspension of your card as an anti-fraud measure.
Maybe you’ve always dreamed of watching the sun rise over the ruins of Machu Picchu, taking a stroll along the Champs-Élysées in Paris, or feasting on chilli crab in a riverside Singapore eatery. The most iconic things to see and do in any destination are often the main inspiration for visiting a particular destination.
However, we always recommend setting aside free time in your itinerary to venture beyond the most popular sights and experience the local culture. Try the delicious street food, take an impromptu walk around the block and see hidden treasures you might find. When you book your holiday with an experienced travel agent, you benefit from insider expertise and hot tips that are only known to industry professionals.
Mistakes happen. You went to the wrong airport terminal and missed your flight, you muddled up your train stations, you lost your train ticket, or your luggage disappeared on a side quest without you. If your carefully laid plans have become unexpectedly scrambled, it can be frustrating and tiring to untangle them, but it doesn’t have to spoil your entire holiday.
Our experienced personal travel managers have an incredible depth of knowledge, strong relationships with a wide range of supplier partners and they are available 24/7 to provide support and assistance, wherever you are in the world.
TravelManagers respects and honours the Traditional Custodians of the land and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and future. We acknowledge the stories, traditions and culture of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on the lands where we work and gather, and those we visit.
