Travel Essentials Guide 2026

Travel Essentials Guide

We spend plenty of time thinking and writing about destinations. But in this unusual guide, we go back to essentials — not where to travel, but how our team goes about it, from technology to packing.

Stephen Scourfield

PHONES

+ I still think the best and easiest thing is to get a global roaming plan from your phone service provider. For Telstra users, that’s $10 per day in more than 80 other countries. For Optus, it’s usually $5 a day. That can add up, but it works for shorter trips.

+ For longer trips, I use an eSIM with Airalo. Most current phones have an eSIM built in, and you set that up in parallel to your usual SIM card — I have another provider, and another bill, of course. + I change my phone regularly, particularly as cameras are improved, and keep the last phone as a spare. So my new phone has a Telstra SIM. My backup phone has its global eSIM working.

TRAVEL CARDS

Paying overseas has got a lot easier. Most banks have international cards with competitive exchange rates.

For example, I mostly use a Westpac Worldwide Wallet travel card, as it shows in the phone app along with my other accounts.

But then I also have a Wise travel card. We all like this a lot. This international prepaid travel card can be topped up from the app, with the mid-market rate. It works in 40 currencies and can be used at more than 3 million ATMs worldwide (free from Wise fees, up to $350 a month). wise.com/au/travel-money/travel-money-card

TELL YOUR BANK

Alerting your bank is important. Otherwise, odd transactions may prompt an account to be locked (though most banks will contact you first to ask about them). Most banks have a pretty simple procedure through their app. Look for “International Travel” (for example, in the Westpac app) and list where you are going.

SMARTRAVELLER

+ The Australian Government’s website Smartraveller has lots of information for Australians heading overseas. It no longer ask travellers to register their trip, but instead to subscribe for updates on specific destinations. smartraveller.gov.au/consular-services/subscribe

+ When there’s big trouble like a natural disaster or terrorist attack, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade can set up a crisis registration portal for you and your nearest and dearest to register your location and contact details.

+ Emergency consular assistance is also available 24 hours a day. Call +61 2 6261 3305 from anywhere in the world, or 1300 555 135 within Australia.

UK & EUROPE

Travellers with an Australian passport need an ETA (electronic travel authorisation) to get into the UK. It costs about $32, and is valid for two years. gov.uk/eta

A similar ETIAS (European travel information and authorisation system) is expected to start in the last quarter of 2026. It will be mandatory for Australian passport holders planning to visit the 30 European countries of the Schengen area. etias.com

eVISAs

More than 50 countries have electronic visa services. They are there to improve efficiency and security. Just remember, as a traveller, it is generally your responsibility to obtain a visa — not that of a tour operator or cruise line. Packages will usually outline visa applications that are your responsibility. A travel agent will warn you, of course.

There are visa companies that can help, but they charge, of course. Two tried, tested and trusted companies for this are CIBT Visas and VFS Global (which has an office in Perth city).

INSURANCE

We frequently publish stories about the need for travel insurance. It’s not just about lost luggage. One recent story told of a traveller who had a stroke overseas, and was glad to have insurance to cover the $496,000 in medical bills.

We also constantly hear from readers with medical conditions, and point them first towards All Clear Travel Insurance (allcleartravel.com.au) and then COTA (cota.com.au/insurance/travel).

Other readers are concerned about passing age milestones. But, for example for those over 70, Allianz and 1Cover Travel Insurance have “senior travel insurance”.

Our go-to for advice is the Australian travel insurance comparison site comparetravelinsurance.com.au.

FLIGHT THOUGHTS

+ Neck pillow

+ Eye mask

+ Compression socks

+ Ear plugs

+ Hand sanitiser

+ Moisturiser

+ Very lightweight jacket

+ International adaptor

+ Fire-proof battery bag

+ Gaffer tape (a female travelling companion once asked for some for “emergency waxing”)

INFLATABLE PILLOWS

Most travellers seem to have a neck pillow to stop their head lolling when they sleep.

But I carry two inflatable pillows for a different purpose…

+ One to sit on. I put in just a small amount of air, so I am “floating” above the seat. This avoids discs becoming compressed, and pressure on the spine.

+ I use the other pillow behind my back. Sometimes low-down, horizontal. Sometimes vertical, so I can “roll” side to side slightly in my seat. (No one would notice).

The combined effect of the two is that you have very little contact with the seat itself.

I’ve tried and tested lots of pillows but recommend the Mountain Designs “standard pillow” (a grey raven colour), which is $39.99 at Anaconda, or $19.99 for Anaconda club members. anacondastores.com

After years of testing, I think one of the most important things to look for is a “twist valve” on a corner, not a push-down valve set in the cushion.

PLANE NOISE

The economy cabin on an A380 aircraft is supposed to average between 56 and 70 decibels. Airbus’ 777 and 787 might be around 70dB and more, too. A cruising 777 has been measured at between 70dB and 72dB.

So, full over-ear noise-cancelling headphones are very helpful. Bose, at around $380 are the choice of many, but keep in mind that sets like Altronics’ Futuretour active noise-cancelling headphones are good, and $79. I’ve got a set. altronics.com.au

That said, I don’t carry a set of full noise-cancelling headphones anymore, and use my Apple AirPods Pro (3rd Generation) to do the job for me. Their in-ear active noise cancellation reduces background noise. They are $429 from apple. apple.com/au/airpods-pro

EMPTY SPACE

On the way to anywhere, don’t pack your luggage to capacity. Leave space. Maybe you will be drawn to that wall hanging. Maybe you’ll just need a couple of extra T-shirts.

FIRST AID KITS

Before getting into first aid kits, I’ll add that I keep my first responder training up to date. And it’s probably a good thing to look at the St John first aid and CPR courses (stjohnwa.com.au/first-aid-training).

I’ve honed my small but extensive first aid kit over many years.

The essentials, in my 14cm by 10cm by 3cm deep kit are:

EDP antiseptic powder, or similar. A powder will clean and crust open wounds.

Savlon. Good for cleaning and covering wounds that need moisture.

Sticking plasters.

Small tube of Voltaren anti-inflammatory gel.

Ground cumin. For stomach issues; a quarter of a teaspoon on the tongue, washed down with bottled water.

Gastro-Stop, for more serious tummy moments.

Painkillers. Something like Panadol tablets or Nurofen Zavance capsules — whatever works best for you.

Broad-spectrum antibiotic. You will need a doctor’s script for amoxicillin, cephalexin, doxycycline, or whatever they think best.

Mosquito repellent.

Swiss army knife (has tweezers).

Needle (to use as a probe).

Rock Tape, for soft tissue injuries that need support.

INTERNET SAFETY

I basically try not to use public wi-fi anywhere now. I join my laptop to my mobile, and use my roaming plan. When you connect to a public wi-fi service, hackers can intercept data, and this is a security risk.

To protect your confidential personal information, it’s wise to subscribed to a virtual private network plan, such as NordVPN or ExpressVPN.

TRAVEL ESSENTIALS

FOR OUR TEAM…

H U M A N & H E A L T H

SEASONAL CHANGE

A thought. Visiting Europe during the northern winter has its perks (including cheaper hotel rates, shorter queues at tourist attractions, and the possibility of glorious snowy scenery). But you might eventually get sick of the bone-chilling temperatures. If so, there’s no need to rush back to Perth. I’d recommend breaking up the chill by escaping to ruggedly beautiful Atlantic Ocean gems like Madeira or the Canary Islands, where the weather is mild-to-warm year-round (I see it’s 22C this week in sun-kissed southern Tenerife, a four-hour flight from London and Paris).

Steve McKenna

MOTION SICKNESS

The most boring but essential thing I carry is a bag of every type of motion sickness prevention known to man. Rescue Remedy, arm bands, patches for behind the ears, TravaCalm and prescription medications. And a sick bag!

Sue Yeap

JAMU SHOTS

I swear by drinking a shot of jamu every day when I am in Bali to ward off stomach bugs. The fermented tonic, often made with turmeric and ginger, is a traditional herbal remedy for promoting immunity and gut health, and has been my miracle fix for preventing sickness on my regular visits to Indonesia. Fair warning: it can be pretty spicy.

Jessie Stoelwinder

LANGUAGE NO BARRIER

Even though many people you’ll encounter on your travels will speak English to varying degrees, it’s nice to know (and be able to converse in) some of the native language. A good old pocket dictionary is still a useful tool for translating. But I like to learn basic vocabulary — and how it’s pronounced — with Duolingo, a free app that offers quick, catchy lessons in 40-plus languages, from Spanish and Portuguese to Arabic and Mandarin. Of course, you won’t be fluent in time for your trip, but it’s amazing what you can learn if you spend five or 10 minutes a day in the month building up to your departure. Your newfound linguistic knowledge will add to your appreciation of (and immersion in) the destination.

Steve McKenna

KEEP IT CLEAN

I never leave the house without hand sanitiser and wipes, and have been doing this since well before COVID. Although my children are adults, I still have a “mum bag’’ stuffed with everything you might need for a day or a week away.

Sue Yeap

FACIAL SPRAYS

Last year I discovered local brand Sodashi had released a range of miniature face sprays. I carry the full-size 50ml Jetlag Recovery Mist and 15ml Jetlag Recovery Gel plus the 15ml Calming Rose Face Mist and Rejuvenating Face Mist.

Sue Yeap

IN-ROOM WASHING

A small bottle of detergent is handy for washing on the go in my bathroom sink or in hotel washing machines without having to purchase any. Kmart has a great range of affordable travel bottles and containers in various sizes.

Sue Yeap

MOISTEN UP

Being dry on a plane is my worst nightmare, and CeraVe’s advanced repair balm has become a holy grail product for me. It packs a hydrating punch and can be used on chapped lips, cracked skin, and minor abrasions. Another must-have is a tube of Thursday Plantation tea tree manuka honey healing balm for insect bites, blemishes, and all other manner of skin woes.

Jessie Stoelwinder

P A C K I N G

KEEPING IT CLOSE

A thought on packing. It’s really annoying and disconcerting to arrive somewhere only to discover your checked luggage didn’t make it. This is, unfortunately, a real possibility if you’re changing flights and the connection is tight. Having been a victim of this a few times in recent years — mainly because the first flight left late — I’ve since vowed to ensure I always pack extra essentials (including underwear, socks, T-shirts, and a toothbrush) in my hand luggage, just in case.

Steve McKenna

BODY BAGS

Most of my things fit into one of my Uniqlo cross body bags, or for air travel and longer days out, I swap to the unisex multi-pocket shoulder bag. At least four friends have purchased this since seeing mine; it appears to be a limited item now, so perhaps I should get a spare.

Sue Yeap

LEYANNE’S LUGGAGE

I stand by my case within a case method of packing, which is useful if you are going to dabble in a bit of retail therapy while you are away. Pack light, in a carry-on suitcase placed inside a larger suitcase. There’s space in the gaps around the smaller case for whatever won’t fit inside it. This means you can shop til you drop, and on the return leg travel with two separate cases. Check one in and take the other into the cabin with you. The small case is easy to wheel around the airport after you are checked in, and once on the plane can be forgotten about until you land. On the return leg, make sure to put all your in-flight essentials in a medium-size handbag or backpack that fits under the seat in front of you so you can reach them during the flight. If your under-seat bag has a suitcase strap on it, even better. It will make wheeling your cabin case and flight bag around the airport even easier. Strandbags’ Nere Seeker Carry On Backpack is a good one, with plenty of pockets, including one for a laptop/tablet, two zippable inside pockets, two water bottle holders on the side, and a small zippable pocket on the front. $79.99 at strandbags.com.au and search for Nere backpacks

Leyanne Baillie

TRACKING BAGS

AirTags give peace of mind about the location of luggage. I always have one in my handbag, one in my carry-on, and one in my checked luggage. They are easy to reassign, rename, or share with family, so we manage to survive with four between four of us.

Sue Yeap

FOLDING BAGS

More than 15 years ago a friend gave me a set of three Envirosax, which are apparently designed to last five years. These brilliant ultra-foldable bags weigh almost nothing and are still going strong. They are perfect to stash in my handbag as a breakout bag; for dirty laundry; for shopping; or, in Japan, carrying left-over food until I can find a rubbish bin.

Sue Yeap

REUSEABLES

Sue Yeap loves the Uniqlo and Envirosax bags, but I have to throw in another recommendation, due to my unwavering devotion for all things Baggu. Their reusable bags are available in a kaleidoscope of quirky patterns and come in a handy pouch, and I also love Baggu’s nylon crescent bag for everyday use. When I get home, I just chuck them all in the washing machine. Easy as.

Jessie Stoelwinder

D R E S S I N G

STYLE MOOD BOARD

I understand the urge to want to buy a whole new wardrobe for a getaway, I really do. Travel can be a chance for us to (briefly) become a different person. No judgment here — but that puffer jacket or tropical maxi dress you’re coveting could be hiding in your local op shop. In the lead-up to a trip, I have fun curating a style mood board on Pinterest, then seeing how many of those items I can thrift. You’d be surprised what you can score, and it’s a win for the environment, too.

Jessie Stoelwinder

SIMPLE SARONG

Regardless of where I am travelling to, a sarong will always be the first thing I pack. It’s the most versatile item — use it as a beach cover-up, a towel, a scarf, a blanket on the plane, knot it into a tote bag, tie it into a top or dress… the options are endless. I splashed out on a limited-edition print from Lucy Folk and I have no regrets, given how much it has been used (and how many travel pics it has appeared in).

Jessie Stoelwinder

SWEET SCENTS

A roll-on perfume oil is infinitely easier to have in your cosmetics bag than a full-size cologne. Aussie brand Gentle Habits has a lovely range of scents made from essential oils that are fresh and grounding without being overpowering. They come in cute 10ml bottles, and a little goes a long way. The citrusy-woody Noosa blend is my current go-to.

Jessie Stoelwinder

SHOE SOLUTIONS

Formerly a chronic over-packer of shoes, I have landed on my perfect two pairs to take on holidays (at least for now). The Salomon XT-6 sneakers are ridiculously comfortable and have enough street cred to be worn anywhere, from hiking trails to city cafes. The elastic laces make them easy to slip on AND they fit my custom orthotics. Then, I am a big fan of the Crocs Getaway flips. The soft cushioned soles mean I can walk in them all day, while the platform makes them elevated enough to dress up by night.

Jessie Stoelwinder

T E C H N O L O G Y

BAG OF ACCESSORIES

Being a gadget nut, I always carry a small bag of accessories. The most important is my three-in-one charging cable that supports USB-C, USB-A and Micro USB. It’s perfect on planes, trains and even taxis where the charging ports are still USB-A, and the Micro USB charges my older headphones. My universal travel adaptor with USB ports is bright blue, so it is easily seen and not left behind. Another favourite is my Ulanzi JJ03 pocket magnetic tripod with remote control.

Sue Yeap

HEADPHONE DOUBLE

Silence is golden, but sometimes you also need music. When flying, I always pack two pairs of Bose noise-cancelling headphones: one set of ear buds, and an older wired pair.

Sue Yeap

FIDGET GADGETS

Think you’re too old for a fidget toy? I respectfully disagree. It may be through my daughter I discovered the enjoyment of sensory squishies, but now they are an in-flight essential for me. My favourite brand is NeeDoh, specifically the fuzz balls — they are tactile, velvety and doughy, and are a very calming tool if you’re an anxious flyer or just like to keep your hands busy.

Jessie Stoelwinder

REVOLUT REVOLUTION

A tip. Getting a Revolut card has been a game changer for me on the road. It’s a digital debit card you manage via a mobile app. You can add funds and change your Australian dollars into different currencies at reasonable rates without the kind of punitive fees “traditional” banks often charge. I’ve got a real card and an e-card as backup. With more and more places accepting contactless payments nowadays — even sleepy time warp villages in England and France — Revolut is super-handy and saves you the hassle of having to hunt down ATMs for cash withdrawals.

Steve McKenna

C L E V E R G E A R

MAGNETIC HOOKS

My husband had read that all cabin walls on cruise ships are metal, so gave me a pair of magnetic hooks to use on my recent cruise on the Discovery Princess. Brilliant. Extra space to hang my hats and bags in easy reach.

Sue Yeap

SHOWER ACCESSORY

The phasing out of single-use plastics has sounded the death knell for that hotel bathroom staple, the shower cap. I now ensure I take my own, because I don’t necessarily want to wash my hair with every shower.

Sue Yeap

CLEAN AIR

My Sunbeam On-the-Go Fresh portable air purifier has been a luggage staple since I resumed international travel post-COVID in 2023. At 400g, it barely adds any weight, and gives me a bit of peace of mind about air quality. It’s USB powered, so easy to use in any hotel.

Sue Yeap

PARTICULATE RESPIRATORS

I never leave home without a supply of 3M P2 particulate respirators. I have — touch wood — not caught any lurgies when flying by wearing one of these. I also carry disposable surgical masks in my bag for busy trains and events.

Sue Yeap