Planning an international trip checklist: what do you need to do?
The excitement of planning an overseas trip could leave you overlooking something important.
To help simplify things, you can use this checklist before travelling overseas to make sure you’ve covered the essentials.
1. Check your passport is current
Your passport is essential to travel; you can’t go overseas without one. Many countries require your passport to be valid for at least six months from your date of departure or entry to ensure you don’t get stuck overseas. If you lose your passport while overseas, it is possible to obtain an emergency replacement passport, although this can be costly.
2. Double-check any visa and entry requirements
Many countries also require a visa for entry. You can find out whether you will need a visa for specific countries by visiting their tourism websites.
While some countries offer visa-free travel to Australians, they may still require travellers to pre-fill and submit an online arrival card before departure or arrival. Alternatively, the airline may hand out physical arrival cards onboard the flight to your destination.
You can get more information about travel visas on the DFAT (Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade) website or from Smartraveller.
3. Get travel insurance
Travel insurance is extremely important to take out before setting off on an overseas trip.
Travel insurance can protect you from significant financial strain during a medical or dental emergency and covers you for situations such as:
- Repatriation
- Lost or stolen luggage
- Cancelling your trip
- Legal liability.
It’s recommended you purchase a travel insurance policy soon after booking your flights or accommodation to secure pre-trip cancellation protection.
After purchasing a policy, save your insurer’s emergency hotline on your phone — this will come in handy if you need assistance or to submit a claim.
4. Consider how you’ll manage your money
To avoid getting stung by hefty fees from your debit or credit card provider, it’s worth planning how you’ll access money abroad. A popular option is a travel card, which can be either a travel money card or a travel credit card or debit card.
Using a regular debit or credit card overseas may lead to higher conversion or transaction fees. Travel credit or debit cards generally offer a more favorable exchange rate in real-time on every swipe abroad, with some even offering fee-free ATM withdrawals. This is generally the most convenient option.
In comparison, a travel money card holds multiple foreign currencies, allowing you to quickly convert one currency to another. This type of card offers a larger potential to save, provided you’re willing to actively monitor exchange rate fluctuations to secure the best rate. It can also be preloaded and topped up (in AUD) via BPAY from your existing home bank account’s app.
Some travellers may prefer to carry a mix of cards and a small amount of local cash for flexibility.
5. Plan your travel and budget
When budgeting, start with the big things: plane tickets, accommodation, and insurance. These will take the biggest chunk out of your bank account, so it’s important to know how much you’ll need straight away.
You can then consider how much you might spend on eating, drinking, entertainment, shopping and other activities, and allocate a certain amount per day. Look into what other Australians have to say about their spending in the country you’re visiting on websites like Reddit or TripAdvisor.
Once you have an itinerary, you can also check for discounts and deals on attractions and experiences along the route.
6. Prepare your mobile and internet connection
While travelling, it’s virtually impossible to live without a stable internet connection. However, data is extremely expensive when roaming overseas using an Australian carrier. You can avoid bill shock by setting up a data roaming pack on your phone.
If you’re happy to wait, you can purchase a local physical SIM card at your destination’s airport upon touchdown, choosing the amount of data you think you’ll need.
Alternatively, you could pre-buy a physical travel SIM in Australia. If your phone is compatible, purchasing a travel eSIM is arguably the most fuss-free option, as it allows you to download a digital SIM without physical installation. It’s recommended you download it two to three days before your flight, activating it upon arrival.
If you’re interested in acquiring a travel SIM, you can take a look at Canstar’s Most Satisfied Customers Awards for Travel SIM cards, where we rate Australian travel SIM providers based on real customer feedback.
7. How do you plan on travelling around the country?
Not all countries are made equal; some rely heavily on public transport, while others require you to drive from one place to the next.
Start looking into the popular ways of getting around the country you’re visiting. If public transport is reliable, research what payment options are accepted (e.g. cash, bus or metro card, debit cards). Begin marking the closest bus or train stations near your accommodation, and the sites or attractions you’d like to visit.
Also consider installing the most popular ride-hailing apps at your destination of travel, linking them to your credit/debit cards before flying.
If you need to hire a rental car, consider booking ahead of time for a better deal and check whether an international driver’s licence is required. Some countries, like New Zealand, accept an Australian driver's licence. Be sure to verify if your travel insurance policy covers your rental vehicle before you drive.
8. Pack smart
One of the biggest mistakes people make when packing is bringing more than the airline allows them to carry.
The first thing you should do after booking your flights is to note down your baggage allowance for check-in (if any) and on-flight.
Typically, each traveller can expect a check-in allowance of 20 to 25kg, and seven kg for two on-flight bags for economy flights. If you’re flying on a budget airline, check-in baggage is often available as an add-on for an extra fee.
With your maximum baggage allowance in mind, carefully pack only what you can carry, leaving empty room for overseas shopping. Pack versatile items so you can mix and match and leave some space in your luggage.
Pack according to the weather at your destination, keeping in mind that temperatures can vary, and one country’s summer may not be like another’s.
Consider the activities you’ve planned at your destination. Items like hiking boots, swimwear and rain jackets may be useful depending on what you plan to do.
Lastly, consider buying a luggage weighing scale to estimate your baggage’s weight before embarking on your holiday. Be wary that portable weighing scales aren’t always accurate — there may be a small margin of error.
9. Research your destination
The current climate doesn’t only refer to the weather – political landscapes are constantly changing across the globe, and a country that was safe one year might not be safe the next.
Make sure you avoid countries and regions labelled ‘Do Not Travel’ by the DFAT.
It’s also important to understand etiquette and cultural norms in your destination country – for example, how to be respectful if viewing temples in Southeast Asia, or how tipping culture works in the US.
It's a good idea to bookmark the nearest Australian embassy or consulate or police station closest to your hotel at your destination. Be sure to save their contact details on your phone, should an emergency arise.
10. Make copies of important documents
After making sure that they’re up to date, make several copies of your passport, visa, travel insurance policy, and driver’s license, safekeeping them in different places. You may want to keep:
- One copy with you
- One copy at home
- One copy online in the cloud (e.g. Dropbox, Google Drive, or similar file-sharing services) in case you lose the physical copies
- One copy with your loved ones.
11. Let people know and register your trip
In addition to letting your loved ones know your itinerary, you can also register your trip with DFAT online on the Smartraveller website. You can provide DFAT with information about your itinerary, your contact details while you are away, and more.
If anything goes wrong while you are away, like a natural disaster, civil disturbance, or a family issue back home, DFAT can then contact you to let you know. DFAT can also let your emergency contacts know if something happens to you.
12. Get a health check and vaccinations before you go
It’s important to check if your destination of choice requires any shots from websites such as Travel Doctor or Travel Vaccination Clinic, and book an appointment to get necessary vaccinations as soon as you decide on your itinerary.
Some common vaccinations require multiple shots spread out over a series of weeks, or they may not take effect immediately.
Don’t forget to pack over-the-counter medications for common illnesses like a cold, flu, or sore throat.
13. Prepare your home before a long trip
Before leaving for an extended overseas trip, you can take some steps to keep your home safe.
- Check that your home and contents insurance is up to date
- Avoid posting your travel plans online
- Remember to lock up securely, including all doors and windows
- Consider installing a camera or alarm system with motion detection
- Ask your local post office to hold your mail to prevent it from piling up
- If possible, ask a trusted friend or neighbour to keep an eye on your property.
14. Tie up loose ends
There are various other life admin tasks that you may need to take care of when travelling overseas. It can be important to:
- Contact your bank by phone or via app to avoid your cards getting frozen if you plan to use them
- Find someone to look after your pets
- Inform your place of employment of your planned holiday with exact dates
- Cancel or suspend your gym membership if your overseas trip is a long one
- Suspend your health insurance if your overseas trip is a long one
- Inform your landlord or real estate agent.
15. Know what you can and can’t bring back to Australia
Know Australia’s strict biosecurity and tax rules: visit the Smartraveller website for more information on what items can and can’t be brought back to Australia.
If you’re not sure if the perishables purchased on your trip are permitted back in Australia, declare them on your incoming passenger card. That way, you’re not liable for any fines that may apply, which could end up as high as $7,280.
Expect to pay duties and tax on all of your overseas shopping if it is equal to or exceeds the duty-free allowance. A failure to declare any goods exceeding the limit can land you with heavy fines.
