Ready for take off
A few months before...
• Make sure your passport is valid for more than 6 months from the date intended on entering a country. It should also not be damaged in any way as it is possible to get refused entry.
• Check if you need a visa for any of the countries you are travelling to. Generally, Australian citizens do not need a visa for most European countries for up to three months if they are travelling as tourists.
• Research various insurance policies and choose the most adequate travel insurance package. You will need to find suitable insurance that will cover you for the duration of your trip.
A few weeks before...
• Purchase any necessary luggage and clothing items – if you buy shoes you still have enough time to ‘wear them in’ before the trip – we strongly advise against wearing brand new shoes!
• Make an appointment with a your health specialist to get the required vaccinations, medication and medical kit (no special requirements for Europe are necessary)
• See your dentist and doctor – do not forget your prescriptions and a doctor’s letter describing what medication you are taking overseas.
• Organise your money – exchange some cash and get a debit/credit card or foreign currency cash card (for more details go to Money Matters).
A few days before...
• Make sure you have checked your flight times and confirmed the final group meeting time. Please check your mail for any changes.
• Leave a copy of your itinerary with your contact addresses for family and friends. A final itinerary will be sent you via email.
• Arrange and organize your personal belongings and make sure you do not exceed the allowed airline suitcase limit. Avoid packing unnecessary items as you will have to carry everything you take.
• Go through your packing list and make sure you have all the necessary personal items and appropriate clothing.
• Check whether your dietary requirements have been confirmed with the airlines (generally needs to be done at least 24 hours before the flight) but with groups, meals are ordered weeks in advance.
Before You Leave the House...
• Check whether you have all the essential items for the trip such as your instrument or sports gear, travel documents, passport, money pouch, carry-on, suitcase, medication, etc...
• Know how long it will take to get to the airport - expect unexpected delays and plan for them so you are not late to meet the rest of the group.
• Pack snacks: Liquids are out, but airport food is expensive and generally unhealthy, meaning you can still save yourself a lot of money and guilt by packing a few snacks for the trip ahead.
• Dress comfortably and plan for the security check. Although what you wear is sometimes determined by where you're going, you can still be smart about what you wear on your trip. On the day of a trip, you want to dress smart so that you're comfortable on your flight and you get through security with minimal hassle.
• Wear layers: The temperature on flights is not always consistent and it is wise to dress in layers which you can take off when it gets hot and throw back on when it cools down.
• Lose the belt: Getting through the security checkpoint can be a pain, especially if you've got to give your fellow passengers a striptease to get through—and if you're wearing a belt with a metal clasp or big, stylish spikes, get ready to undress.
• Wear comfortable, easy-to-remove shoes: as with the belt, you may be required to remove your shoes to go through security, so the easier your shoes are to slip on and off, the easier it will be.
• Streamline Your Pockets: Rather than emptying the contents of your pockets into the basket while you're juggling your carry-on, removing your laptop, and standing there shoeless, you'll find it much more convenient to have already streamlined the contents of your pockets to only your non-metal essentials: namely your boarding pass and identification.
At the airport...
• Make your way to the agreed meeting place.
• You will check-in as a group and therefore you will require at least 3 hours prior to the flight to make sure that there is enough time to pack the bulk luggage and check everyone in.
• Use the bathroom before you get on the plane: this will help you avoid climbing over passengers on the plane when they settle into their seats.
On the plane...
• Catch some sleep: Nothing makes a trip go faster than a good nap, to get you ready for your European experience.
• Entertain yourself: Everyone knows a flight is the ideal time to catch a flick on your laptop, get nose deep in a book, listen to some music, or do a little portable gaming. Pick what you like and go for it.
• Capture the armrest: Nothing's worse than being overcrowded in your seat, so if you're in the middle seat and your fellow passengers are closing in on all sides; make sure you conquer a little bit of the armrest.
• Move around – apart from drinking a lot of water and getting plenty of sleep (if you can), make sure your body gets some movement on the plane.
Arriving at the destination...
• If everything goes according to plan, you will have arrived safely and on time. Once you have passed the security checks and baggage belt, head towards the exit to meet your Tour Director who will take you to your motor-coach.
• In case you have any missing luggage, please make sure you report it IMMEDIATELY and save all the necessary reference documentation. Take extra care to ensure that all your extra equipment has arrived and check if anything has been damaged.
For more group planning suggestions go to our recommended timeline or contact us on info@hayestravel-e.com
