Register now, it’s free to
- Receive our enewsletter, read a recent issue
- Enter competitions
- Join our meeting place
Seniors Travel > Resources > Travel Experiences > What to consider before travelling overseas
What to consider before travelling overseas
14th Apr 2010
YOURLifeChoices subscriber, Ray, is planning a trip overseas with his wife and has many questions on how best to plan for their trip.
Rather than simply repeat Ray’s question, AboutSeniors has broken down the different components to give you a handy guide to planning an overseas trip.
Passports – before you travel check the visa requirements for the countries you plan to visit. Many countries will require your passport to be valid for at least six months after you intend to travel
Finding cheap flights – unfortunately, most airlines operate from major airports such as Melbourne, Sydney and Perth and these are the departure points that will offer the cheapest flights. If your wish to travel from Adelaide, Darwin etc, you will need to be prepared to pay a little more for your flights or travel to a major airport to get a cheaper deal.
Pension payments – if you receive a Centrelink pension, you will need to advise them before you undertake any travel.
Travel insurance – certain countries, such as the UK, have reciprocal health care arrangements with Australia which will cover you for emergency treatment. However, these will not cover extended hospital stays, additional travel costs associated with having to extend your stay or the cost of getting you back to Australia should you not be able to make your original flight. It is imperative that you have adequate travel insurance.
Driving overseas – in most countries you will be able to drive under your own driving license however, some countries will require you to hold an international driving permit. If you intend to drive while overseas, you should check the requirements of each country you intend to drive in. You need also to be aware that certain countries drive on the opposite side of the road and will have different driving laws. Check this out before you go.
Facilities – every nation has different facilities, i.e. washing and toilet facilities. Depending on where you plan on travelling, it’s a good idea to check online travel guides for information on what facilities are the norm. If in any doubt, ask the providers of the accommodation you plan on staying in.
Power – many countries have the same voltage as Australia but their power sockets will be different. A travel adaptor is a useful addition to your travel kit. The USA has a different voltage and therefore some electrical goods cannot be used while overseas. In some countries you can hire equipment such as laptops and cameras.
Money – decide what will be your source of money before you go. Most ATMs will be accessible overseas, providing your financial institution is part of an international banking organisation. Check with your bank before you go how readily available their ATMs are in the country you are visiting, what charges are applicable when withdrawing money and what is the most cost effective way to access your money overseas. Some countries now operate chip and pin for authorizing credit card purchases. Confirm this with your bank before you go. Prepaid debit cards are also a good way to access your money and travel on a budget.
Rather than simply repeat Ray’s question, AboutSeniors has broken down the different components to give you a handy guide to planning an overseas trip.
Passports – before you travel check the visa requirements for the countries you plan to visit. Many countries will require your passport to be valid for at least six months after you intend to travel
Finding cheap flights – unfortunately, most airlines operate from major airports such as Melbourne, Sydney and Perth and these are the departure points that will offer the cheapest flights. If your wish to travel from Adelaide, Darwin etc, you will need to be prepared to pay a little more for your flights or travel to a major airport to get a cheaper deal.
Pension payments – if you receive a Centrelink pension, you will need to advise them before you undertake any travel.
Travel insurance – certain countries, such as the UK, have reciprocal health care arrangements with Australia which will cover you for emergency treatment. However, these will not cover extended hospital stays, additional travel costs associated with having to extend your stay or the cost of getting you back to Australia should you not be able to make your original flight. It is imperative that you have adequate travel insurance.
Driving overseas – in most countries you will be able to drive under your own driving license however, some countries will require you to hold an international driving permit. If you intend to drive while overseas, you should check the requirements of each country you intend to drive in. You need also to be aware that certain countries drive on the opposite side of the road and will have different driving laws. Check this out before you go.
Facilities – every nation has different facilities, i.e. washing and toilet facilities. Depending on where you plan on travelling, it’s a good idea to check online travel guides for information on what facilities are the norm. If in any doubt, ask the providers of the accommodation you plan on staying in.
Power – many countries have the same voltage as Australia but their power sockets will be different. A travel adaptor is a useful addition to your travel kit. The USA has a different voltage and therefore some electrical goods cannot be used while overseas. In some countries you can hire equipment such as laptops and cameras.
Money – decide what will be your source of money before you go. Most ATMs will be accessible overseas, providing your financial institution is part of an international banking organisation. Check with your bank before you go how readily available their ATMs are in the country you are visiting, what charges are applicable when withdrawing money and what is the most cost effective way to access your money overseas. Some countries now operate chip and pin for authorizing credit card purchases. Confirm this with your bank before you go. Prepaid debit cards are also a good way to access your money and travel on a budget.
