8 easily forgotten travel planning essentials

When you’re getting ready for a family holiday, or even just a much needed weekend away, it’s easy to overlook the little things that can make a huge difference to your trip.

You book your hotel room in advance, but will you be able to charge your camera after a long day of sightseeing?

You’ve found a great deal on a flight, but it almost feels too good to be true, so what’s the catch?

You’re thoroughly enjoying your trip, and you want to stay longer, but can you do that?

What else do you need to think about before checking in for your flight?

Here’s our round-up of eight travel planning essentials that are easy to overlook when booking a holiday.

1. Make sure you have the correct currency

While it’s easy to take your credit or debit card with you when you head overseas, purchasing the correct currency for the countries you’re travelling in has many benefits. You’re likely to get a better conversion rate if you buy your cash ahead of time and avoid the currency converters at airports. Using a travel money card will afford you some protection if it gets lost or stolen, and you won’t have to worry about unauthorised transactions on your accounts at home.

Having a set amount of money to spend can also help you stick to your budget and avoid the statement shock that comes with buying one too many mojitos or too many souvenirs.

2. Check you have the correct power adapter and voltage converter

Smartphones, tablets, e-readers, digital cameras and Bluetooth headphones are essential travel items for many of us, and they all need charging. Most handheld electronics will be fine with a power adapter to make your Australian plugs compatible with overseas power points. If the voltage rating for your devices is 100-240V, then you should be covered no matter where you travel. If you’re unsure, it’s always best to ask the manufacturer directly.

Heat-producing electronics such as hair dryers and anything with a motor, like a portable fan, may need a voltage converter because they usually only support the voltage from the country where they were purchased.

3. Take sunscreen, not only to the beach

When we think of sunburn, we think of long days at the beach during summer, so it’s easy to forget that the winter sun can be just as harsh. Even if you feel like your face might melt off during a 40-degree day, it’s the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays that cause our skin to burn, not the temperature of the air. UV levels can be higher in winter and in alpine areas, and snow can reflect UV in the same way water in the pool will, both of which can increase your risk of getting burnt.

Cancer Council recommends using a broad spectrum SPF 30+ sunscreen or higher to help protect against sunburn and the long-lasting damaging effects of the sun, even after the burn fades.

4. Arrive at the airport at least three hours before an international flight

With heightened airport security now commonplace in most countries, getting to the boarding gate isn’t as easy as it used to be. The extra security checks mean longer wait times and increase the risk of missing your flight if you don’t leave enough time to check in and get through customs.

Airlines will specify how close to your departure time check-in closes, but a good rule to follow is to allow yourself a minimum of three hours. Having a bit of extra time at the airport also means you aren’t starting your holiday off in a state of panic while rushing to catch your flight.

5. Understand what your travel insurance covers

Imagine you’re halfway through a three week holiday, and your bags go missing from baggage claim while travelling in Europe. You contact your travel insurance provider, only to discover that they’ll only cover a fraction of what it will cost to replace everything you’ve lost. You’re now left out of pocket to replace your missing belongings, instead of spending that money enjoying your holiday.

Before you purchase your travel insurance, make sure you have a thorough understanding of what’s covered, the conditions associated with making a claim and total amounts covered. Some things that aren’t generally covered include medical bills from extreme sports mishaps and claims arising from excessive alcohol consumption.

6. Check the weather

You might find a good deal for travelling through Southeast Asia in July, but that could be because that’s in the middle of the monsoon season. Planning and packing accordingly will help you get the most out of your trip because you won’t be spending your time frantically trying to find a winter coat or gumboots.

Certain activities or tours might only be available during the right seasonal conditions. For example, if you want to see the northern lights, your best bet is to go during winter in the Northern Hemisphere.

7. Get the right visas

Tourist visa, transit visa, working holiday visa—the type of visa you need depends on where you’re travelling, the countries you might be stopping in along the way and what you plan on doing once you’re there. Incorrect visa documentation, overstaying the time limits or engaging in activities outside of your visa parameters can have serious consequences, so it’s important to understand what your particular visa allows.

Having a valid visa doesn’t automatically guarantee you entry to the country. Customs agents at your destination will have the final say if you’re allowed into the country and how long you can stay.

8. Check the best time of the year to travel to your chosen destination

Local holidays or festivals can be great to experience, but will often drive up prices and can attract large crowds. Travelling outside of the busy times means you’ll usually get better prices, but there may be less to see and do.

For more overseas travel tips and tricks, read our article 10 travel tips for your next overseas holiday.