An overseas holiday is an exciting opportunity to discover a new culture, meet new people, step outside of your comfort zone and create unforgettable memories. For seasoned travellers and first-timers alike, it’s important to plan ahead and be prepared. With a few handy overseas travel tips up your sleeve, you can help ensure that your international adventure is as smooth, safe and enjoyable as possible. Get ready, pack your bags and check out our top overseas holiday tips.
Research your destination
Research is critical to every international holiday – both before and after you book. With an abundance of websites and travel blogs at your fingertips, it’s easier than ever to do all the groundwork needed before you head abroad. Spend some time researching your destination, including accommodation with good reviews, activities and attractions that may require pre-booking, and the local culture and customs. This research is an investment in your holiday that is sure to enhance the experience.
Check travel restrictions and requirements
Many countries have travel requirements and restrictions in place, and you don’t want to be caught out with wrong or missing documentation. One of our top travel tips is to check any restrictions or requirements at least two months prior to your holiday. This includes visa requirements, proof of vaccination, and ensuring that your passport is valid for at least six months beyond your planned return date. Be prepared before you get to the airport by understanding what you can and cannot take on board. For guidance, check out Brisbane Airport’s International Departures Guide.
Set a budget
Overseas holidays often cost thousands of dollars, so it’s important to set a realistic budget well in advance. The more expensive aspects of any journey will be the airfares and accommodation, but don’t forget to also set a budget for food, activities, local travel, souvenirs and any unexpected expenses. We recommend rounding up anticipated costs to ensure your holiday stays within budget. As an added travel tip, setting a strict travel budget can be helpful motivation for saving in the months leading up to the holiday. If your holiday involves travelling through Brisbane International Terminal, make the most of Airtrain’s half-price fares offer to ensure you stick to your holiday budget.
Download essential apps
How did we ever travel without technology?! There are many apps that make navigating and exploring a breeze – even when you don’t speak the same language as the locals. Maps, translation apps and travel planners will help you navigate your new surroundings. Many of these apps can be used offline so there’s no barrier to exploring if you don’t have a local SIM card or don’t want to spend a fortune on data.
Embrace local culture
The best part of any overseas holiday is getting to immerse yourself in the local culture. If you’re heading to a country where English isn’t the primary language, learning a few key phrases in the local language can go a long way in connecting with the locals and enriching the overall experience. Food is a vital aspect of culture and trying local dishes is one of the best ways to experience a place. Taste authentic flavours at local eateries, markets and street food vendors, and don’t hesitate to ask locals for their recommendations. Another of our cultural travel tips is to familiarise yourself with important customs and etiquette to ensure you show respect of local traditions – this might include dress codes, greeting customs and tipping practices.
Getting to your overseas holiday with Airtrain
Bypass traffic and unexpected delays on your next overseas holiday by travelling with Airtrain. Airtrain offers a reliable, comfortable service that bypasses unexpected delays and helps make travel easier. Airtrain runs express from Brisbane Airport and stops at Fortitude Valley, Central, Roma Street and South Brisbane stations. From there, you can continue on to the Gold Coast via bus or G:link tram – all using the same Airtrain ticket!
With our unbeatable half-price fares offer, Airtrain is the obvious choice for getting to your overseas holiday. Travel between Brisbane Airport and Brisbane City stations costs just $10.95 and is free for kids. For travel between Brisbane Airport and Surfers Paradise, Airtrain & Tram tickets cost only $11.95 for adults and $1 for children.
Purchase your Airtrain tickets online in advance to skip the queue at the station. Alternatively, you can pay for your Airtrain journey by using a go card – just touch on at your departure station and then touch off when you arrive at your destination.
You can also pay for your Airtrain journey with Smart Ticketing. The world-class Smart Ticketing system allows you to simply tap and travel using your Visa, Mastercard and American Express debit and credit cards.
