Safer Travel:

How to make it safer
 

The most important facet of safe travel (apart from checking the security issues pertaining to your destination of course), is to ensure you take out travel insurance.  Without travel insurance you leave yourself open for financial (and physical health) disasters!  We urge every traveller to read and consider carefully the issues pertaining to travel insurance clearly articulated on this website. If in doubt, consult your travel agent before you travel.

'Safe Travel'-Top 10 Tips

1. Read up on where you're going. Check on safety and related developments at your destination by reading country-specific travel advisories available from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade website. Use a registered and fully audited travel agent for all your travel requirements.
2. Consult a 'safe travel' partner organisation for professional advice on in-country travel, accommodation and good travel preparation.
3. Get the necessary visas for the country or countries you are visiting but be aware that a visa does not guarantee entry.
4. Take out appropriate travel insurance to cover hospital treatment, medical evacuation and the kind of activities you plan to take. Overseas medical costs are expensive and Medicare and Australian private health insurance will not cover you outside Australia.
5. For longer stays in a country, or where the security situation is volatile, register your details at the local Australian embassy, high commission or consulate. This will help us help you in an emergency.
6. Know where to get help if you're in trouble. Ensure you have the contact details of the local Australian embassy, high commission or consulate in the country in which you're travelling.
7. Keep in regular contact with friends and relatives back in Australia by phone or email and leave a travel itinerary.
8. Check with health professionals for information on recommended vaccinations or other precautions.
9. Protect your personal information and make copies of your passport details, insurance policy, travellers cheques and credit card numbers. Carry one copy and leave a copy with someone at home. Carry additional copies of your passport photo with you.
10. Don't carry illicit drugs. In some countries such as Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand drug offences carry the death penalty.

Important Notice:

Due to the constant changes in circumstances in various countries of the world we highly recommend that before you consider travelling to check out free information at the Australian Government's Smartraveller site www.smartraveller.gov.au/.

Smartraveller phone service

• Call 1300 139 281 (local call cost within Australia) and our advice will be spoken to you.

Travel Advice Faxback service

• Call +61 2 6261 1299, and follow the instructions

Contacts for help

• 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre: +61 2 6261 3305 or 1300 555135 (local call cost within Australia)

We recommend only fully licensed and insured/registered International Travel Agents.
If you are considering booking we recommend the following travel agents:
Australian Discount Travel & Tours,
Travel With A Cause Inc (a not for profit travel agency assisting several projects in many developing countries).
 

We recommend Australian Discount Travel & Tours for both Australian and international travel bookings