A little planning goes a long way, so talk to as many people as you can about what travel tips they have. And write them down to use a checklist before you travel.

Above all keep an open mind and enjoy the journey. You can never plan for everything that may happen and not every mishap is as bad as it may seem. A wrong turn can lead to a special holiday discovery.

Here are our top 5 for each of a number of classic categories;

Packing and Clothing

1. KISS: Keep it simple: Take as few cloths as possible and pre-match your colours. Simple accessories can change your look, without needing the wardrobe.
2. A few planned visits to a laundry will keep you lighter and quicker. And it leaves more room and excuse to buy when you are away.
3. Older more comfortable clothes will help you relax, and you know already exactly what works and what doesn’t. Will save you hours deciding what to wear.
4. Work in layers so that you can easily adjust for changing climates and conditions, especially when you are out and about.
5. Less clothes also means more room in the suitcase which helps keep some order. Carry a number of plastic bags to keep the dirty cloths separate. One overly smelly pair of socks can stink out your whole suitcase if not “quarantined”

Health

1. Double check recommended vaccinations and time required for inoculation well in advance. Some key programs have a longer pre-travel period.
2. Travel Insurance is a must. If you don’t think you can afford it, you want to rethink your travel. Health services in many other countries, can be extremely expensive. For the relative low cost it’s a lot of peace of mind and security wherever you are. If not for you personally, think of your travelling partner.
3. Check with SmartTraveller.gov.au for the latest travel warnings and other useful links and contacts when you are away.
4. Be aware of drug restrictions and limits when packing your regular prescription medicines. They may not be available at your destination and may even be illegal.
5. It’s a good idea to think about a simple health check-up before travelling. Particularly routine procedures such as dentists and doctor. Pre check-ups reduce the risk of a last minute problem, and also provide a good opportunity to discuss your trip with your GP well in advance.

Money

1. Credit cards are a key travel currency. But make sure you have a “credit” not debit card. But it’s worth checking with your Financial Institution for specific travel products.
2. Plan a budget and allow spending money each day on food, souvenirs and travel. And be generous. Nothing worse than finding you need to start stinting on your big trip
3. You’ll save yourself a lot of angst if you accept that you’ll be paying “Tourist rates”. An $8 coffee in a city you’re not likely to be in for another few years is not a lot to pay for immediate and opportunistic experiences.
4. Pick pockets and thieves are a reality of almost every country, yes even Australia, so be sure to have a copy of any credit card numbers and contacts if you need to cancel. Have a clear plan for replacement before you travel.
5. If you are likely to be travelling in cities more notorious than others, think about carrying a fake wallet. Include a few local bank notes, but no personal information. If you are held up you want to be able to hand it all over without any hesitation.

Communication/ connections

1. Think about your communication requirements before you travel. Purchasing a mobile phone locally with global roaming capability can save a lot of time and money.
2. Register with Smart Traveller to ensure someone knows where you are going to be.
3. Provide a number close contacts a copy of your itinerary so you can be contacted or traced if needed. Copies of local numbers at key destinations are always easier to find at leisure than in an emergency.
4. Don’t forget the old fashioned methods. Sometimes a quick call from a local phone can be easier than trying to find an internet café, co-ordinating time zones etc.
5. Be sure to carry the numbers of key contacts with you. Even if you know the numbers of by heart, your travelling partner may not and they may be the one who needs to make the calls.