What Aussies Will Have To Rethink About International Travel

Travel is still a wonderful experience, but the key to travelling well these days is checking and re-checking what you need to make it happen.

Longing to get overseas and travel again? Before you blow the dust off your passport, know that there have been significant changes to how the world approaches international travel. And while our friends overseas have had time to adjust, Australians could do with checking out this cheat sheet to get up to speed.

From vaccination passes to travel bans, here are 21 things you’ll need to consider when booking that long-awaited international trip.

1. Vaccinations

Let’s start with the big one – vaccinations. If you’re an Australian citizen, currently you won’t even be able to leave the country unless you’re fully vaccinated, have a medical exemption, or have a travel exemption. Get the full list at Smartraveller, as well as the current definitions of ‘fully vaccinated’.

Many countries around the world have set limits on what you can and cannot do, based on your vaccination status, including whether you can even enter. For example, a non-U.S. citizen or resident must be vaccinated from a list of approved vaccines a minimum number of days before entering the country. If vaccination status is an issue for you, it may limit the number of countries you can visit, so plan accordingly.

Have your vaccine passports at the ready.

2. Travel agents

Pre-the COVID years, some of us would pride ourselves on our honed Skyscanner searching skills, flicking through flight changes and prices like no tomorrow. Blazing with self-righteousness and independent planning, we would never dream of darkening a travel agent’s door.

But in a murky world of extended layover times, unexplained flight cancellations and confusing fine print, the travel agent is your new best friend.

3. That big Europe trip

Say adieu to hopping through a dozen countries in so many days. With a complicated vaccine-pass landscape in Europe for Australians (more about that below), as well as unexpected lockdowns, it’s unlikely we’ll be able to do the whopper multi-country Europe trip anytime soon. Instead, minimise your stress and maximise your time in a select few locations.

Schonbrunn Palace, Vienna, Austria — Austria’s Schönbrunn Palace and magnificent gardens.

4. Travel insurance

Really read the fine print – for real this time. While it can sometimes be confusing, go over your travel insurance contract with a fine-tooth comb before you sign it. Make sure you understand what you are, and aren’t, covered for.

Some companies will be offering COVID-19 insurance on top of travel insurance, covering costs of things such as quarantine or medical costs if you test positive.

Take note, countries such as Cambodia, Jordan and Thailand won’t let you in without proving your insurance covers COVID-19-related medical expenses to a certain number of dollars.

5. Holiday leave

Before you start planning your trip away, have a chat with your employer. Like many others, you might have saved a lot of leave, waiting for international travel to resume. To get ahead of every employee who’s submitting their leave at the same time, submit yours sooner rather than later.

If you don’t have enough leave, it might also be worth seeing if your employer offers time-in-lieu – meaning working extra hours now, to guarantee more time on your trip.

6. Taking your work with you

If you’re fortunate enough to be able to work remotely, consider a plan with your workplace on how you and your laptop could live your best #digitalnomad lives if you get caught overseas longer than planned.

Remote laptop working — Make the world your office.

7. Group tours

While group sizes in multi-day holiday tours seem to be getting smaller, you might not feel comfortable travelling with groups of any size. That being said, having someone like an agency to guide you through complicated borders, and potentially guaranteeing you get help if you’re sick, could give you peace of mind.

8. Travel bans

Things can shift quickly, and travel bans can be put in place against someone who has been in certain countries. Consider the likelihood of this happening to you, and what actions you would need to take if it did.

9. Rental cars

Like in Australia, road trips are becoming the transport à la mode of the EU and North America, with travellers not wanting to risk enclosed and crowded trains, buses and planes. If you want a car, check well ahead to a) guarantee a booking and b) that you won’t get charged through the nose.

10. Pre-arrival testing

You’ll need a bit of paperwork ready before you take off, including documentation of negative test results. For places like the US, you’ll need to present a negative COVID-19 test to the airline before you board. If you know you’ll be overseas when you need this done, check out in advance how easy it is to get a PCR or RAT, as some countries have pop up free or paid clinics.

11. Getting on the plane

Once you’ve presented the requirements needed to get past check-in, it’s time to settle in for the flight. This might once have been a simple matter of downloading the latest Liane Moriarty on Audible and packing an extra moisturising night cream, but now there are a few other things to pop into your carry-on.

Number one, pack a few spare, well-fitted and comfy face masks. Remember that embarrassing time you woke up in the aisle seat with drool on your face? Now imagine that … but with a soggy mask that you still need to wear for another 22 hours. You will also be wearing it for extended hours, so a back of the head strap to protect your ears will be a lifesaver. Next up, sanitiser and wipes. While airlines have cleaning protocols in place, you might feel more at ease having them to hand.

12. Layover time

Today, getting off and onto the flight is a slower process, in part to prevent crowding. If you present an itinerary at an airport where you haven’t given yourself enough time to get to the next leg, you could face issues.

13. Arrival

Some countries require individuals to quarantine upon arrival. This might be for seven days, like in India, or not at all if you are vaccinated, like in the UK. Countries like the UK, India and Fiji will need you to take a COVID-19 test within a set time of your arrival. Plan your accommodation and itinerary accordingly.

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14. Mask wearing

Different countries will have different mask requirements. In Japan, mask-wearing is not mandated, but masks are worn almost across the board. In Austria, the KN95 or FFP2 masks have been specifically mandated at this time. Stock up on whichever you need before you land.

Face mask travellers on an airplane — It’s mandatory to wear masks while flying.

15. Travel apps

Like Australia, other destinations might have check-in apps to research and download. For example, Singaporeans use TraceTogether. Travelling there? Make sure it works on your phone before you leave (or see about getting a token).

The itinerary planning app, TripIt, has a handy feature where it’ll tell you COVID-19 rules, such as entry requirements, whether masks will be needed and what check-in apps are needed, for the destinations you have added to your itinerary. TripAdvisor forums are also excellent for getting a feel of how COVID-19 restrictions and rules work in practice, as told by fellow travellers who are already there.

16. Mobile phones and data

To use these apps, and to keep up to date with last-minute changes that may affect your travel plans, make sure you have plenty of data. Check if you will need a smartphone to travel, and consider renting one on arrival, if needed.

17. Getting into venues

As well as submitting to temperature checks, you could need to show your vaccination status to enter spaces like cafes or bars on your travels. Unfortunately, it has been reported by travellers that the Australian International COVID-19 Vaccination Certificate, while invaluable at the borders, is quite unhelpful in this aspect in Europe, as it is not in line with the EU Digital COVID Certificate (EUDCC) in use there.

Until the Australian government gets around to fixing this hefty problem, there are some workarounds. For example, purchasing a ‘Passe Sanitaire’ at a French pharmacy for use in France, or applying for a Swiss Covid Pass, which is currently recognised for use across the EU. In some countries, you may need to present daily negative tests for a pass.

18. Disconnecting

With the need to stay up-to-date with shifting restrictions, regulations and bans concerning COVID-19, a digital disconnect will be hard. Allot some time in your day to check for changes, but then try to switch off to enjoy a poolside margarita.

19. Extra savings

Your return home might be delayed if you test positive or if there are flight cancellations. While there is a glass-half-full viewpoint to being on an extended holiday, factor this in as a cost. Assess how much savings you will need to spend on accommodation and new flights if you are not covered.

20. Quarantine

Caught that spicy cough? You may need to quarantine. Check out the testing and isolating requirements of each country in advance.

21. Returning to Australia

When you’re ready to switch back to Vegemite, there are a few requirements to tick off first. An Australian citizen, permanent resident, or those with an exemption will need to fill out an Australian Travel Declaration at a minimum of 72 hours before departure. You’ll also need to show a negative PCR test, and prove you are vaccinated. Each state has their own quarantine requirements once you touch down.

Return to Australia — There is a checklist of things to do before you return to Australia.

From sophisticated new sleeper trains and opulent hotel openings to the exploration of new frontiers, we’re now finding ourselves in our own gilded era of travel. These 21st-century travel experiences are leading the way.

If we were to turn back the clock 100 years, there was a real romance to travel – the dawning of a glamour-filled jet age, refined rail sojourns and first-class cruising where the voyage itself trounced the destination.

We’re feeling a similar excitement in the air about travel in 2026. Think state-of-the-art cruise liners allowing access to destinations formerly off-limits, resort launches where avant-garde architecture takes centre stage, and a return to the days of luxury locomotives. This reoccurrence of the advances, adventure and elegance of a bygone era has not only come full circle; it’s now superior.

How? Travel has become more mindful, intentional and accessible. This includes environmental initiatives by operators determined to leave less impact on the planet and a shift towards a deeper cultural exchange with the local communities we visit. Whether it’s exploring previously hard-to-reach cities such as Uzbekistan’s Khiva, staying with a family to experience village life in Nepal or discovering new frontiers in Antarctica, our round-up of ‘new golden age’ travel experiences is a snapshot of how we are travelling today, as well as into promising new horizons.

Exploring the emerging city of Khiva

The walled inner city of Khiva, Uzbekistan. (Credit: Getty/Mlenny Khiva)

Uzbekistan’s Silk Road city of Khiva used to be off the radar for many travellers, but 2026 has changed all that. You can thank a new bullet train service connecting Khiva to Bukhara and Samarkand, slashing the trip from the capital of Tashkent from 15 hours to under eight. Add renovations to Urgench International Airport, and interest in this fascinating city is rapidly on the rise.

Quick to react has been Golden Eagle Luxury Trains and The Samarkand Express which have added Khiva to their 2026 rail itineraries, while Cox & Kings has included the Central Asian city to its multi-country 2027 ‘Stans’ itinerary.

Check out Khiva’s preserved inner-walled fortress, the first UNESCO site in Uzbekistan, explore ancient minarets and ornate mausoleums, and try traditional fare at Terrassa Cafe & Restaurant. Looking for fancy digs? The Mercure Khiva is due to swing open its doors later in 2026.

Riding the rails on the Eastern & Oriental Express

inside the Eastern & Oriental Express — Onboard the train, rich fabrics are complemented by elm, cherrywood and teak marquetry. (Credit: Ludovic Balay)

Recapture the romance of rail travel through the tropics of Southeast Asia on the refurbished Eastern & Oriental Express, A Belmond Train, Southeast Asia.

The resurgence of train travel reflects how we are travelling today – slower and with a new appreciation for both scenery and cultural exchange. Include a large dollop of old-world glamour, and the three-night Wild Malaysia tour truly delivers. Winding its way deep into the Malay jungle, the journey makes plenty of pit stops for exploration along the way.

Having been resurrected from a 1970s sleeper, the luxury locomotive now comes replete with plush interiors of hand-cut marquetry dressed in oriental silks and embroidery – there’s even a Dior Spa. Watch the world go by from the Observation Car, indulge in fine wining and dining, kick up your heels in the Piano Bar, then snooze it all off in your sumptuous sleeper car.

Embracing Mother Nature in Peru

Travelling to Peru is like stepping into a kaleidoscope of contrasting cultures and landscapes. Whether you’re learning about shamanic natural remedies in the pre-Inca Colca Valley, cruising the wilds of the Amazon on a luxury river ship or discovering firsthand why the contemporary capital of Lima is celebrated for its culinary and artistic scenes, there are myriad reasons why this colourful country is topping wish lists.

One such experience is the Ultimate Peru by River and Rail journey (five days) by Abercrombie & Kent, available in 2026. This incredible river cruise allows you to truly connect with the jungle rhythms of the Amazon via skiff and on foot with in-the-know local guides, and includes nights onboard newly launched luxury riverboat Pure Amazon, an A&K Sanctuary.

Spot exotic creatures such as sloths, macaws, piranhas, and pink dolphins on the daily excursions, before juxtaposing these wild encounters with a return to pure pampering on the boat.

Seeking sustainable community experiences in Nepal

tharu woman — Tharu woman and master weaver Parbati Chaudhary in Bhada Village. (Credit: Bheem Thapa)

While Nepal has traditionally attracted visitors to traverse its majestic mountains – Everest and Annapurna in particular – travel experiences in this beautiful Himalayan nation are expanding.

Home stays, where you reside with Nepali families and take an active part in their daily lives, are a growing attraction. It’s a win:win for local youths – who took their country back after bloody protests in 2025 – wanting to stay in Nepal rather than moving abroad for work, as well as foreigners seeking a deeper cultural experience. Nepali women, Indigenous people and marginalised castes are also benefitting from home stays, upping the feel-good factor even further.

Leading the charge is Community Home Stay Network, which links travellers to local-family hosts. Travel off-the-beaten path to homes in areas including Tharu in the south, learn how to cook Nepali style, and take part in traditions such as making moonshine, dancing and weaving straw handicrafts.

Exploring new frontiers in Antarctica

an ice window at Wilhelmina Bay — A breathtaking ice window captured at Wilhelmina Bay on the Antarctic Peninsula. (Credit: Renato Granieri)

Gone are the days when a trip to Antarctica meant a perilous voyage through the Drake Passage on a vessel holding the mere essentials. Innovative cruise ships now offer a smooth and sophisticated passage to the White Continent, as well as experiences formerly off-limits.

Abercrombie & Kent’s 19-day Antarctica, South Georgia and Falklands: Holiday Voyage captures it all. Spot breaching whales and gracefully gliding albatrosses from the deck, before stepping onto this Narnia-like landscape with daily Zodiac excursions. Observe adorable penguin and fur seal colonies, visit Antarctic communities that were previously too remote, and get so close to colossal icebergs that you’ll feel humbled by their scale.

Silversea‘s Antarctica Fly Cruise voyages will soon include a stay at The Cormorant at 55 South, the southernmost hotel on Earth purpose-built to bring uncompromised comfort to guests travelling to Antarctica.

When it comes to protecting this fragile eco-system, the future is also looking bright: HX Expeditions has partnered with the University of Tasmania to create a world-first educational course allowing cruise guests to dive into Antarctic science and sustainability, while A&K pours funds into conservation efforts and uses energy-efficient hybrid ships – all in trademark luxury, of course.

Indulging in New Zealand’s exceptional dining

Ayrburn, Queenstown — The Ayrburn precinct serves up delicate dishes.

By welcoming the Michelin Guide to sample Aotearoa/New Zealand’s finest gastronomy for the first time, our cousins across the ditch have now become serious players on the world culinary scene.

And there’s never been a better time to experience NZ’s greatest gastronomy with the inaugural guide currently going to press. Sample haute cuisine in Queenstown with a side serving of theatrics by culinary director Paul Froggatt at Essence in the new ROKI Collection hotel, and pull up a chair at Amisfield for its delicious degustation experience under new chef Sung Peng, with the world-renowned restaurant slated to reopen in July.

And it’s not just Queenstown holding all the culinary cards. The Michelin inspectors travelled to rate the best epicurean artistry in Tāmaki Makaurau/Auckland, Te Whanganui a Tara/Wellington and Ōtautahi/Christchurch against the world’s most renowned restaurateurs (bring loose pants).

Bedding down at design-led hotels and farm stays

a woodfired sauna at Azuma Farm Koiwai — A woodfired sauna deepens the meditative state at Azuma Farm Koiwai. (Credit: Azuma Farm Koiwai)

New grand dames on the global hotel stage are receiving a standing ovation for their triumphant 2026 openings.

Return to old-world elegance at the Orient Express Venezia, a reimagined former 15^th-century royal residence set in Venice’s Palazzo Dona Giovannellii. It certainly makes for a regal stay, with grand Neo-Gothic windows and restored Baroque splendour blending seamlessly with modern luxury flourishes. Also bringing the fantasy factor is France’s Zannier Île de Bendor on a petite private island off the Provençal coast. Overlooking the Mediterranean Sea – and with three luxe, design-led accommodation concepts to choose from – this resort exudes golden-era glamour.

In a breath of fresh air, we’ve also seen an uptick in farm stays. Trade the urban rush for a rambling rural retreat at Sibbjäns, Sweden’s first boutique farm stay, or opt for horseback riding followed by woodfired saunas on the sprawling eight-hectare Azuma Farm Koiwai in Japan.

Cruising the Danube on a festive Eastern Euro adventure

The magical Pécs Christmas Market in Hungary. (Credit: Emily Murphy)

Dreaming of a white Christmas? While floating past snow-dusted, fairytale cities on a river ship in Eastern Europe makes for an amazing voyage, when you add the magic of Christmas the whole experience becomes, well, more magical.

From twinkling trees and tinsel to red-nosed reindeer and wreath decorations, the festivities greet you the moment you step aboard AmaMagna by AmaWaterways. The ship then spirits you away along the Lower Danube for a seven-night Gems of Southeast Europe adventure from Romania to Hungary.

Explore Bulgaria’s medieval city of Veliko Tarnovo, glide into the dramatic Iron Gates crossing into Serbia; and sip on fine wines at Croatia’s Kast Winery (one variety made famous by Queen Elizabeth II). The highlight? For many it’s wandering the shimmering Christmas markets in Hungary’s Pécs. Peruse stalls selling unique handicrafts, try the traditional treat of kürtőskalács (chimney cake), and warm your cockles with a cup of mulled wine.

Delving into the buzzing city of Beijing

Lama Temple, Beijing — Calm and chaos at Lama Temple in Beijing. (Credit: Natasha Bazika)

Walking the line between its imperial past and a frenetic, futuristic present – Beijing is an exciting city to dive into.

If you want to be centrally located, the palatial Peninsula Beijing is hard to beat. From here, strap in at street level for a stroll among the city’s famed hutongs (ancient alleyways), pausing to taste traditional delicacies such as jianbing (savoury breakfast crepe) and dumpling soup. Then scope out the narrow lanes dotted with siheyuan courtyard homes (there are only 1000 left), and if you love to shop, head to Taikoo Li Sanlitun for a mix of luxury brands and local labels.

And it wouldn’t be a well-rounded trip to this history-rich city without experiencing its highlights reel. Admire golden-topped architecture in the Forbidden City, take a hike on the Great Wall of China and pay a visit to Tiananmen Square for both remembrance and observation on how it operates today.

Embarking on a round-the-world cruise

Can’t decide where to go on a cruise? On a round-the-world voyage you can live out all your dreams at sea.

It’s not a new idea – the first world cruise occurred more than a century ago on Cunard’s RMS Laconia in 1922 – but a reimagining. If you don’t have a spare year up your sleeve, you can now join for specific legs of the journey (unlike the 1922 trip), and ships have been modernised with sustainability measures, contemporary designs and a less formal feel.

Queen Anne, also by Cunard, cruised the world in 2026 with guests joining at handpicked ports, including in Central America for the extraordinary experience of crossing the Panama Canal. If you want the full adventure by circumnavigating the globe, Queen Anne will set sail on another world voyage in 2028.

Discovering the joys of small-group travel in Spain

Intrepid Travel's olive oil and wine tasting at Molino El Vínculo, Grazalema — Sample organic wine and olive oil on a tasting tour in Molino El Vínculo in Grazalema with Intrepid Travel. (Credit: Intrepid Travel/Tim Luck)

Small-group touring is a travel trend currently soaring, with many embracing it as an authentic, intimate and insightful way to visit a country – with VIP benefits to boot.

The small-group format, typically capped at five to 15 guests, is now accounting for around 62 per cent of group travel worldwide. And operators such as Intrepid Travel, APT Luxury Travel and Janesco Travel are among the frontrunners in this space, handling all navigation and insider experiences within an intimate group led by expert guides.

Seeking a Spanish sojourn? Small-group journeys to the vibrant southern Andalusia region are now topping bucket lists. Be mesmerised by flamenco dancers from a professional dance school (rather than touristy versions), learn how to make authentic sangria with a private class, skip queues at the Real Alcázar of Seville royal palace, and score a seat at the best Andalusian restaurants, sans waitlist.

Learning from the past in Japan

inside the Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum — The Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum presents a sobering dive into the nuclear event. (Credit: Eleanor Edström)

If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to experience a war-time atomic bomb, hopefully the closest any of us will ever get is a visit to Nagasaki.

While on a cruise excursion to the Japanese city aboard the Diamond Princess, you can visit the fascinating hypocentre of the Second World War bomb dropped to widespread annihilation in 1945. While there is no doubt this is heavy material to digest on a tour, it comes with a message of hope – that the horror of a nuclear war should never happen again.

There is also much more to this 11-day Japan Explorer Cherry Blossoms with Princess Cruises voyage. Witness the world’s most active volcano in Kagoshima, join a traditional tea ceremony in Kyoto and marvel at Mt Fuji in Shimizu. Also don’t miss the onsen experiences onboard the ship or its many mouth-watering local culinary offerings. Next departure is March 2027.

Supporting a typhoon-ravaged community in Vietnam

Zannier Bai San Ho — Time to kick back at Zannier Bãi San Hô. (Credit: Amber Hunter)

When typhoon Typhoon Kalmaegi ripped through Vietnam’s south-central coast in November 2025, it left a devastating trail of destruction.

And Zannier Bãi San Hô, an expansive 98-hectare beachfront resort, took a direct hit. An incredible five-month clean-up and restoration has now seen the Green Globe-certified retreat reopen, thanks in large part to the local community who rallied to help rebuild it. The support goes both ways; the 180-strong resort staff is made up of 177 locals – their livelihoods dependent on it.

You can help by simply booking a stay here. It’s hardly a punish, when you consider the beauty and luxury of this place; picture private pool villas and powder-white beaches. Take to the sapphire waters for water sports, visit local fishing villages and sweat it out at the onsite fitness centre. Or, if relaxing’s more your jam, simply loll by the pool with a good book.