Think and Travel Smart

When you’re gearing up to go on a trip, be it overseas, interstate or intrastate, there is always a host of helpful friends, family, and colleagues who want to give you advice. The advice is always based on their own experiences, which they’ve learned from their own mistakes. And while cautionary tales from well-meaning friends can be beneficial, reading up on your destination and seeking some smart travel tips before you set off could mean the difference between a good trip and a great trip.

Here are a few interesting and helpful tips to consider before your adventure:

Before you go:

• Research your destination, particularly the travel warnings. Go to official sites like smarttraveller.gov.au, which will provide you with up to date information on your destination.
• It sounds obvious but check the weather forecast. This will help you to pack more efficiently. It’s not enough to know the seasons. You may be going into unseasonably warm or cool weather and you need to pack accordingly.
• Use your points. There’s no sense in hanging onto your frequent flyer or reward points for a rainy day. Use them and get the value from your rewards; it’s what they’re there for.
• Organise your travel insurance, visa, and passports well in advance. You don’t want any nasty visa or passport surprises at check-in. Make sure you check the expiry date on your passport and, if it’s close to expiration, seek advice about when you should renew it. Some countries require at least 6 months’ validity beyond your stay, so you should renew your passport before it expires.
• Exercise the day before long trips, because it is said to help lessen the symptoms of jetlag. It might also tire you enough to sleep on the plane.
• Organise your currency so you don’t get stuck without cash on your way over.
• Read online reviews. Hotels will look amazing on their websites and promotional photos, so gather some knowledge before booking your accommodation.
• Make copies of your passport. Photocopy the front and back of them. Scan them and email it to yourself and someone close to you before travelling.
• Use a hire car, it will allow you to see more and give you more freedom.

When you get there:

• Snap a photo of your hotel and surrounds from your phone on arrival. That way you can refer to it if you get lost on the way back to the hotel, or show a taxi driver where to go to get you home.
• Watch your luggage weight. You don’t want to find out when you get to the airport to return home that you have overweight baggage. That can be costly, and you don’t want to have to leave behind your travel souvenirs. If you’re planning on buying a lot of gifts for family and friends, take an extra bag with you to save you the cost of purchasing one when you get there. A flat one that folds into your check-in luggage is perfect.
• Just in case anything happens to it, make copies of your passport. Photocopy the front and back. Scan it and email it to yourself and someone close to you before travelling.
• Hide extra cash somewhere sneaky, like in an empty lip balm container, a hidden pocket or an empty, clean shampoo bottle.
• If there is one available, jump on the hop on/hop off bus tour and do the whole trip first without getting off. It’ll help you to get your bearings and let you choose what you want to see and do more efficiently.
• Comfortable footwear is important, but nothing will make you look more like a tourist than brand new, white sneakers or inappropriate footwear for the climate or terrain. Take a well-worn pair of shoes for sightseeing and a good pair for going out.
• Don’t worry about frivolously spending all your cash before you leave.

Have a great trip, from your friends at Koala Car Rental!