Top Travel Tips from the Travel The World Team

sue3124
Sep 19
3 min read

Kia ora, fellow Kiwi travellers! Whether you’re dreaming of sipping espresso in Italy, chasing the Northern Lights in Iceland, cruising the Mekong Delta, or escaping for some sunshine somewhere far from home, a little planning can go a long way. As a team of travel consultants, we’ve seen it all: forgotten passports, over packed luggage, and the occasional panicked call about “how do we fit our whole wardrobe in a carry-on?”

So, here’s our guide: top travel tips for Kiwi travellers who want to get the most out of every adventure.

1. Passport? Check. Visa? Check. Common sense? Double-check.

First things first: make sure your passport is valid for at least six months beyond your travel dates. Many counties will not allow entry without that six months. Sounds obvious, but trust us, we’ve had clients turn up at the airport in full holiday mode… only to discover their passport had expired.

And if you need a visa, apply early. Some countries take weeks to process, and last-minute panicking is no one’s idea of fun, nor does it help grease the wheels of bureaucracy.

Pro Tip: Keep digital copies of your passport, tickets, and itinerary and send them to someone you trust, just in case your luggage decides to take a solo trip.

2. Pack smart, not heavy

Kiwis are notorious for over packing. “Just in case” becomes a small mountain of clothes, shoes, and toiletries that weighs more than your excitement to get away. You really aren’t going to get through 10 pairs of underwear in one day, unless you're really unlucky and then you can always purchase what you need.

Layering is your friend: You can survive any weather, from a sunny Samoa morning to a chilly Edinburgh evening, with a few good layers.
Pack versatile shoes: You don’t need five pairs of sneakers and three pairs of boots. Trust us.
Leave some space: Souvenirs exist. If you have zero room, your new leather handbag might have to be worn as a hat.

3. Travel insurance: your new best mate

We can’t stress this enough. Travel insurance can save you from losing thousands if flights are cancelled, luggage is lost, or you get sick halfway across the world.

Think of it as peace of mind in a tiny, very useful policy. You’ll thank yourself when you don’t have to call home in a panic from the airport lounge.

4. Plan, but don’t over plan

It’s tempting to create an hour-by-hour itinerary, but life happens. Flights get delayed, buses break down, and sometimes the best adventures are the unplanned one, like wandering into a tiny café in Barcelona that isn’t in any guidebook or joining a local festival you stumbled across in Japan.

Pro Tip: Always leave a little breathing room in your schedule. Your future self will thank you.

5. Local experiences beat tourist traps

Sure, the Eiffel Tower is amazing, but do you really want to spend three hours queueing in the sun? Instead, seek local experiences:

Try the food markets in Rome instead of just the fancy restaurants.
Take a walking tour led by locals.
Ask for recommendations from locals, they know the hidden gems that guidebooks won’t tell you.

6. Keep your tech in check

Phones are great for maps, translations, and taking photos—but they can also turn you into a tourist zombie: eyes glued to the screen, missing the fun in front of you. Take photos, yes, but also look up, breathe, and enjoy where you are.

If you’re travelling with others why not try a tech free day. Leave the phones and tablets behind and just enjoy your time together. You may find you bond in ways you never dreamt of.

7. Have fun, and don’t sweat the small stuff

Flights get delayed. Hotels might not be perfect. Someone might steal your favourite hat. It happens. The secret to stress-free travel is simple: laugh it off, go with the flow, and remember why you’re there - to explore, experience, and enjoy.

Travelling is an adventure, and a little preparation goes a long way. Pack smart, plan smart, and keep your sense of humour handy, after all, the best stories often start with “remember when…”

And if planning feels a little daunting, that’s where Travel The World comes in. With our World Travellers retail locations in Blenheim, Merivale, Rolleston, and Whanganui, we’re here to help make your dream holiday a reality. Personalised, stress-free, and just as exciting as you imagined.