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December 1, 2025 — 5:00am
We’re not in our normal place when we travel, and not in our normal state of mind. We’re distracted, relaxed, maybe less cautious than we should be, and trouble might come knocking.
We all make mistakes when we’re far from home, forget stuff, lose bits and pieces and pay too much for things we should never have bought in the first place, but some pitfalls can be avoided.
Not having a print-out of your ticket
A print-out of your ticket might sound old school, but if there’s an outage in the terminal and all the computers are down, the only ones with any possibility of flying out are those with a printed ticket. Also, airports in some countries require proof of a flight ticket before you can enter the terminal, and a paper version is backup if there’s no cellular connection.
Got a connecting flight? You might need a visa
If you land in a foreign country and you need to collect your baggage off one flight and re-check in for a connecting flight, a visa might be required. Even though you’re not leaving the airport terminal, you’re heading for the baggage carousels and therefore you’re passing through immigration. That means you’re entering the country, and if Australians do not have visa-free entry, you need a visa.
Wrong details on a visa
If a country requires a visa, the details need to dovetail with what’s in your passport. If not, you won’t be boarding your flight unless you can remedy the situation in double quick time. Extra care is needed when you apply for a Vietnamese visa, since it’s common for the visa to be issued with incorrect details. So common that foul play is suspected. The quick fix is an emergency entry document at the airport, at a hefty cost, and a visa will be issued on arrival in Vietnam. That can dig a big hole in your pocket, almost $600 in the case of one unlucky Traveller reader whose departure happened to coincide with a public holiday in Vietnam.
Passport running out of time
Heading overseas on a passport valid for less than six months? That’s six months after the date when you plan to return home, not your departure date. While some countries require far less than that - New Zealand requires only three months’ validity from the date you plan to leave - check-in staff are not always aware of all the nuances, and they may insist on the six-month rule. If they board you with a passport short of time, the airline cops a heavy fine, and therefore staff err on the side of caution.
Not knowing the exchange rate
How much is that 5000 Thai baht hotel room really costing you? Or what about the 10,000 rupiah taxi ride in Bali? Knowing the exchange rate can save you from decisions you might regret later on. If you’re unsure, download the XE currency exchange app for quick conversions.
Confusing the departure time
If your flight is departing at 12:15am, is that just past midnight or midday? It’s midnight, but plenty of travellers get it wrong when they’re working with a schedule that doesn’t operate by the 24-hour clock.
Ignoring the seasons
You’re visiting Europe in January? Fine, but it’s going to be cold and dark so plan your visit accordingly with city museums and galleries high on the list. Don’t expect to be enjoying cafe culture along the Mediterranean coast. Festival and holiday seasons can have an impact on traffic, prices and closures.
Overpacking
Taking too much stuff is far more common than not enough. Three of everything is the magic number – shoes, tops and bottoms. Pack clothing in colours or patterns that won’t show stains and fabrics that dry overnight in a hotel room. Packing for “just in case” situations is unnecessary. If you’re under-prepared you can usually buy what you need at your destination.
Planning an overstuffed itinerary
You can’t see everything. It’s far more rewarding to travel slowly rather than galloping about ticking off the sights as you go. Packing 10 cities into two weeks is a recipe for nightmare travel. Two full days is the absolute minimum you want to spend in a place, and that means a three-night stay. If you’re only staying for a night or two, why are you even bothering to go there? Encounters, conversations with strangers and experiences are what you will remember more than monuments.
Not reading your travel insurance PDS
The product disclosure statement that comes with your travel insurance policy is a sure-cure for insomnia but you need to know what you’re entitled to. If you have to skim, at least have a read of the exclusions, there are usually a few curly ones designed to catch the unprepared. The same applies to the contract if you’re hiring a car. According to Traveller reader Kevin Hun, his Europcar car-hire contract required in the event of a breakdown, “the hirer is responsible for the retrieval, and the loss of revenue to the company while it is being repaired.” Ouch!
Forgetting to check entry requirements
Entry requirements have become a lot more complicated. Even if a visa is not necessary, many countries now require travellers to apply for a visa waiver or else notification via a website that you’ll be visiting. Check before you travel, if you get it wrong it might be a round-trip between the airport and home.
Skipping travel insurance
It’s an added expense, and nothing is going to happen to you so why bother? But accidents, health problems, scams and misadventures can come out of nowhere, no matter how bulletproof you might think you are. If you can’t afford travel insurance, you can’t afford to travel.
Assuming you’re connected 24/7
Arriving at a new destination without connectivity can leave you stranded, but don’t assume your SIM card or eSIM is going to activate the moment you land. Take hard copies of your hotel reservation, documents, travel insurance policy onward tickets or anything else you might need when you hit the ground.
Not protecting your stash
Is your wallet loaded when you’re out and about? Cash, cards, the whole deal that keeps your holiday afloat? Should it go walkabout in a stranger’s hands, you’re possibly down to whatever bits of silverware are jingling in your pocket. Take out what cash and cards you need for the day and leave the rest in your hotel, preferably in the safe or locked inside your luggage. If there are two of you, divvy up the cash and cards between you.
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