Most travellers skip this important step. It takes two minutes and can save you from a serious situation abroad. What is Smartraveller? Smartraveller is the Australian government’s official travel advisory website. It covers destinations worldwide and uses a four level warning system to indicate current risk. Level 1 means exercise normal safety precautions. Level 2 …
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Travel Tips
Want Shorter Lines and Better Photos? Arrive Before the Doors Open
Showing up early to a major attraction is common advice. Arriving before opening time is a different level entirely. Why Opening Time Specifically Most visitors arrive mid-morning. By then the queues have formed, the spaces are crowded, and getting a clean photo without strangers in the background becomes genuinely difficult. The first hour after opening …
Ignoring Local Laws When You Travel Can Cost You Seriously
Every country has rules that catch visitors off guard. Most of the time the consequences are minor. Sometimes they are not. Singapore and Chewing Gum Importing chewing gum into Singapore is illegal. It is not a grey area or a rarely enforced technicality. First time offenders face fines of up to S$10,000. That is an …
Stop Buying Individual Transit Tickets Every Day
It is one of those small inefficiencies that adds up across a trip without you noticing. Multi-day passes and smart tapping options exist in most major cities and most travellers ignore them. Tokyo: Buy the Pass In Tokyo, a 24 hour transit pass costs 800 yen. A 72 hour pass costs 1,500 yen. If you …
Why Staying Near the City Centre Can Save You Hours Every Day
Saving money on accommodation by staying further out sounds smart. In practice it often costs more than it saves. A Lesson from Sydney On my first trip to Sydney I stayed well outside the CBD thinking I was getting a better deal. What I did not account for was the time and money spent on …
Most People Use Google Maps Wrong When Planning a Trip
It is one of the most powerful free travel planning tools available, but most travellers only scratch the surface. Three tips that can save you time, money, and a bad hotel choice. Check the Heat Zones Before Booking Accommodation Open Google Maps and look for the yellow and orange shaded areas around your destination. These …
I Paid $12 USD for a Banh Mi at Da Nang Airport. On the Street it Was $1.50
Same sandwich. Twenty times the price. The Street Price A banh mi from a street vendor in Da Nang costs between 25,000 and 40,000 VND, roughly $1.50 to $2.40 AUD. Fresh bread, quality meat, packed with flavour. It is one of the best value meals you will find anywhere in the world. The Airport Price …
Be Careful Using a Prepaid Travel Card for Hotel Deposits
Prepaid travel cards are great for managing currency on the road. But there is one situation where they can cost you money without it being obvious until it is too late. What Happened in Las Vegas I had both USD and EUR loaded on my card when I checked into a hotel in Las Vegas. …
Want Fewer Delays? Book the First Flight of the Day
Most travellers avoid early morning departures. That is exactly why they are worth choosing. Why Early Flights Are More Reliable The first flight of the day typically uses an aircraft that spent the night at the airport. It is fuelled, checked, and ready to go without depending on anything else running on time. Later flights …
Always Screenshot These Three Things Before You Fly
Your phone will eventually let you down at the worst possible moment. A dead data connection, slow airport Wi-Fi, or a glitchy app should never leave you stranded. Three screenshots fix that. What to Save Before Every Trip That is it. A Real Example Before flying to Singapore I screenshot the MRT directions from Changi …