i don't have the money now! can i book now and pay later?
YES! We offer Interest Free* via HSBC. Choose from a 3, 6,9 or 12 month loan (so this means you can pay off your trip even after you travel!) From airfares, accommodation, tours and land packages, to cruises and travel insurance, now is the time for you to take advantage of the latest deals. Click here for all the important info and how to apply.
Do I need a Passport to book my flight?
While we do prefer to have a copy of your passport at time of booking, we do not require your passport to book your travel. We do however require that you advise us in writing. your FULL NAME AS PER PASSPORT along with your date of birth in order to confirm your reservation. When your passport is available, we then would require a copy of the front page where your photo is, to be emailed or faxed to us. It is important that we have a copy as the information does need to be advised to the airline, however it also means that you have a backup copy too.
Can I make any name changes?
Reservations are almost always Non Transferable. For flight reservations particularly, we are unable to make any changes to names once the tickets are issued, even one character changes. Where the airline allows a simple character change, they do charge a 'name change fee'. To avoid paying any fees, it is preferable that we are able to sight your passport, or have a copy at time of booking. If this is not possible, it is paramount that you advise your full name as per your passport at time of booking. For example, Bob will not get too far at the airport if his passport says Robert!
How long does my Passport need to be valid for?
Passports are required for all international travel. Your passports should be valid for at least 6 months from your return date to Australia. We recommend that you make a few copies of your passport and keep them in different places in your luggage. This will make it easier in the unfortunate event that your passport is lost or stolen, to have it replaced. If you are NOT travelling on an Australian Passport, a re-entry visa may be required and visa conditions may vary.
Do I need a Visa?
Australian passport holders require visa’s to enter some countries. Some countries allow a "visa free" stay for tourism purposes. If you are travelling on business this does not always apply. You must also be careful that the correct visa is obtained, especially in the case of double or multiple entries. For updated information on whether a visa is required for your holiday go to our Visa section.
What do I need to do to enter USA or Canada?
The United States of America (U.S.) has introduced an Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA) requiring all nationals of Visa Waiver Program (VWP) countries, including Australian Passport holders, to request a travel authorisation at least 72hrs prior to departure.
Canada has introduced an eTA Visa Waiver for visa-exempt travellers to Canada. Passengers who do not request and obtain a formal travel authorisation ahead of their intended departure date will not be permitted to board a flight or ship to the U.S or Canada. For further details and to apply for authorisation, please refer to the USA & Canada Visa page.
Is it safe to travel there?
For reasons of political unrest, acts of war or terrorism or natural disasters in certain parts of the world the Australian Government may decide to issue a Government Advisory warning to Australian passport holders not to travel to that country. In these instances, travel to some countries is not advisable and some clauses of the travel insurance coverage may not be affective.
We recommend that you keep abreast of latest developments in the countries and regions that you wish to visit. Current travel advices are listed on the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade website or by phoning them on (02) 6261 3305.
You are also able to register your personal details, ie passport and contact details, in Australia and the countries you will be visiting, and this will assist the Australian government to find you in the case of an emergency. Simply register via the website www.orao.dfat.gov.au to utilise this service.
Travel Time is proud to be part of Smart Traveller, an initiative launched by the Department of Foreign Affairs that supports safe travel.
What can't I carry in my Hand Luggage?
To increase your safety, restrictions apply to all hand luggage on all international flights out of Australia. The rule applies to drinks, creams, perfumes, sprays, gels, toothpaste, lipstick, lip balm and similar substances. Each container of liquids, aerosols or gels in your carry on luggage must be 100 millilitres or less. All the containers must be sealed in a transparent, one-litre plastic bag.
You are only allowed one bag. You may still carry prescription or non-prescription medicines, however we advise that you obtain a letter from your doctor stating what medication you are taking as proof of need may be required. Baby products are also allowed. For a detailed list of what can and can’t be taken, click here.
What is my Free Baggage allowance?
Checked baggage allowance varies from airline to airline and from destination to destination. At the moment, for travel within Australia your free allowance in economy class is one piece of luggage weighing no more than 23kg for Qantas and V Australia; and there is a charge for checked luggage with Jetstar. Excess baggage may be charged per kilo.
For International Travel, this varies greatly so please check with our office for your particular airline and destination. This following is a general guide only. For travel from Australia to UK/Europe, Asia and Africa you are allowed 1 piece of luggage at For travel to from Australia to USA, Canada and South America the ‘piece system’ is used and you are generally allowed 2 pieces of luggage at approx. 20kg each piece! However for internal flights within the USA & Canada, most airlines are charging for each bag, so ensure to check this. For Round the World Airfares that include USA/Canada, the ‘piece system’ applies so you don’t need to pack lightly!
Special allowances are made for Infants, Children, Wheelchairs and other special needs. Be sure to label baggage inside and out, with your name, address and contact number for your destination.
Your FREE baggage allowance is noted on your Travel Time itinerary, however check with our office if you are unsure. It is generally cheaper to pre book extra baggage or extra kilos on the particular airlines website PRIOR to airport check in, as the fee is then usually far cheaper!
Can I pre book my seat?
Generally business and first class passengers can pre book their seats on flights. For economy class, some airlines allow all their passengers to pre book seats which is great. Other airlines have a restriction that you must be a frequent flyer or purchasing a certain airfare. And other airlines do not have this privilege at all. Wherever possible we will endeavour to pre-book your seats at time of booking to ensure your preference is noted to the airline. Note that although you may be allocated a seat number, this is never guaranteed unfortunately, and the airline has every right to make any changes until check in.
The most popular request we receive is in regards to pre booking "exit" or "bulk head" rows where there is extra legroom. Unless you are travelling with an infant and require a bassinet, these can not normally be confirmed beforehand. However most airlines now allow you to prebook and confirm these seats at a fee via their website. It is a small price to pay for a lot more space especially for the long journey to USA or Europe.
Should I check in On Line?
We do recommend that you perform Online Check in where possible. Online check generally opens up 24 hours prior to flight departure though this can vary with airline. You are then able to lock your seats in, ensure the airline is away you are travelling, print boarding passes, thus saving you time at the airport. Online check in is performed on your airlines website. We have compiled links to the more popular airlines online check in sites. Click here to access.
How far ahead must I check in for a flight?
For travel within Australia, we recommend that you be at the airport 1 hour prior to your flights time of departure. For travel from Australia to overseas destinations, we recommend that you be at the airport 3 hours prior (economy class) and 2 hours prior (business/first class) to the flights time of departure. This is due to the increased security measures and delays that occur. The normal check-in used to be 2 hours prior to departure, but it is our suggestion that you are there a little earlier where possible. Check in opens 3 hours prior and there is the added benefit that you may have a better chance of securing your preferred seating if you are there early.
Why am I paying a Resort Fee in USA?
You may be frustrated, and we don't blame you! Resort fees are a per night charge that may hotels in Las Vegas, Miami and Honolulu (to name a few) feel the need to dump on your hotel room bill. They are generally around $35 US Dollars per room per night and may cover everything from wireless Internet and gym access to faxing and use of a notary (huh?)—services and amenities that you may have no interest in using. We will not sugar coat it, I am afraid it is compulsory at most hotels and you will have no choice but to pay!
Do I need Travel Insurance?
No other answer to give but yes, YES and YES! Travel Insurance is strongly recommended by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, for all travellers. Insurance covers for unforeseeable events such as:
Overseas Medical Expenses including Hospital and Dental
Lost or Stolen Luggage
Cancellation Fees
Personal Liability
Car Insurance Excess (this is a fantastic way to save money when hiring a car!
There are various options to suit your budget, destination, age and requirements. Insurance should be taken out at the time of paying any monies to ensure you are covered immediately. Please note that cover may not automatically cover pre-existing medical conditions, and if such cover is required, you may need to complete an assessment. For full information about Travel Insurance click here.
Should I become a Frequent Flyer?
Most airlines offer Frequent Flyer Rewards Programs - if you are not a member of any of these programs we are happy to discuss your options and the benefits with you. Most are free to join, and apart from accruing points towards free flights, some have the added privilege of priority seating for frequent flyer members. If you are a member of any Frequent Flyer program please advise us of your membership number. It is advisable to keep all your boarding passes so that you can verify this against your Points Summary after travel has been completed, and rectify any unallocated points!
Do I need to be vaccinated?
Vaccinations are required for travel to some countries. Please check with your GP or contact Travelvax on 1300 360 164 or their website for expert travel health & vaccination advice. Some inoculations are required months prior to travel so get on to this early.
What is the best way to carry money overseas?
Credit Cards are a popular and handy way to carry money when you are travelling. It is most handy for those unexpected purchases, and checking in to hotels and hiring cars where security is required. It also acts as a form of identification. However another safe and handy way that complements the credit card is Cash Passport. Cash Passport acts as an ATM card and is a cheaper alternative to withdrawing from Debit and Credit Cards. As you can pre set your spending limit it is a great way to budget beforehand. Read the full benefits of the Cash Passport.
Do I need Tickets?
In this age of technology most documents including flights are in an Electronic format. So although old fashioned 'paper tickets' are not issued, you do still need an Electronic Ticket for flights and vouchers for hotels and other products. You need to print these (if they are emailed to you) and take them with you on your holiday as proof of payment.
Do I need to Reconfirm my flights?
It is no longer a requirement to reconfirm your flights. To keep up to date with the latest flight times and up to the minute changes, you can access flights booked with Travel Time on Viewtrip. You need to have your Booking Number handy and your Surname. Ask us if you are unsure of your Booking number.
Any tips for travelling with Kids?
Being mothers, we understand how stressful travelling with children can be! It can also be one of the more rewarding and enjoyable times with the right planning. We have compiled a list of tips and activities that will assist with travelling with the little ones and ensure you are well equipped. Click here to access our Travel with Kids pages.