Travel Advice

Along with a valid passport, a visa is one of the most important aspects of international travel.

Depending on your passport type and length of visit, some countries will require you to obtain a visa in order to be granted entry. Once you have booked your airfare, we recommend contacting the relevant embassy in order to find out whether you are required to obtain a visa. For travel to some countries you may be able to apply for a visa online, while others will grant you one upon arrival. Some other visas may take a while to process so it’s very important to find out what the requirements are as soon as you have booked.

Before any international travel, it’s always recommended to check in with your doctor to discuss any health risks on your impending trip.

In some cases, you may be required to receive vaccinations. Vaccinations are often required as a preventive measure when visiting countries in Central and South America, Africa and Asia. In fact, some countries in these regions will require you to be immunised before visiting, so it’s a good idea to carry your vaccination certificates from your doctor as proof.

Advice on when to visit a destination really depends on the type of experience you want.

Whether you seek sunny warm weather, or a lively festival atmosphere, we can offer you advice on when to go based on the experience you seek. For advice on when not to go, monsoon and hurricane season are generally advisable to avoid - although if you don’t mind the rain, you can take advantage of fantastic prices. These seasons usually take place in late summer, such as May through to August in East Asia, and August to September in the Atlantic.

Before travelling, we recommend notifying your bank or credit company about your travels.

While you may be able to use your credit card around the world (be careful of fees), it’s still important to have some local currency on you at all times. To avoid carrying large amounts of cash in different currencies, consider purchasing a travel money card or cash passport before you go. These cards allow you to purchase and load selected amounts of different currencies and withdraw as cash while overseas for a lower fee. For more advice, talk to your Travel Butler.

A power adaptor is an essential item to pack on any trip.

Before you go, be sure to find out what type of adaptor you will need. If you are visiting a number of countries, we recommend investing in a universal adaptor. While they may cost a bit more than a normal country-to-country adaptor, universal adaptors can be used all around the world, saving you time, space in your luggage, and money in the long run.

While it might be the least exciting part of planning travel, travel insurance can often end up being the most important.

Accidents and emergencies can happen at any time, in any destination. For peace of mind, don’t leave home without travel insurance. Travel insurance coverage can vary between providers, generally speaking though they can cover you for everything from flight delays to lost baggage, cancellation and curtailment, personal liabilities, medical and emergencies. Coverage also varies depending on your destination or type of travel, such as ski holiday insurance.

What to pack on your holiday will always vary depending on your destination and time of year.

No matter where or when you travel though, there are always a few essentials you’ll need to bring. Before any international trip, always check that you have packed your passport, visa (if applicable) and travel documents. When you arrive in a country, they may ask you to list the address of your first night’s accommodation, so be sure to have the information handy with you on the plane.

Can’t quite find the advice you’re looking for? That’s where our Travel Butlers come in.

If you have any more questions about your trip, no matter how big or small they may seem, please don’t hesitate to ask. With a quick phone call, our Travel Butlers can answer any of your questions. Our experts can give advice and information on everything from passengers with reduced mobility and disabled passengers, to baggage allowances and advice on transferring between terminals and airports. No two trips are alike which is why we are on hand to offer personal advice specific to your itinerary.