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Herald Sun
a day ago
- Herald Sun
Visa requirements when transiting through the USA
Don't miss out on the headlines from Lifestyle. Followed categories will be added to My News. Escape's Doc Holiday, Dilvin Yasa, answers your travel-related questions. Do passengers on flights connecting via the United States still have to go through immigration? Unfortunately, yes. No matter your ultimate destination, if your flight includes a connection via LAX, Dallas Forth Worth or any other US airport, you will need to go through immigration and customs. Provided there are no issues, you'll then have to claim your baggage and check it back in with your airline for your onward flight, then present yourself for security screening before heading to your connecting gate. Not only will you need to ensure you've got a lengthy connection time to get through the queues, you'll also need to apply for an ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorisation) before departing Australia. Consider alternative routes, if possible. EU passports can still be used for visiting the UK for up to six months, but from April 2025, a new rule was mandated that EU citizens must now apply for the UK ETA to travel. I have an Australian passport as well as an EU passport, but can I still use the latter to travel to Britain? Yes, EU passports can still be used for visiting the UK for up to six months, but from April 2025, a new rule was mandated that EU citizens (as well as EEA and Swiss citizens) must now apply for the UK ETA to travel. The same rules apply for those travelling on an Australian passport, so it's up to you which one you choose to enter the UK with. Australians who hold dual or multiple citizenships should use their Australian passport to leave and re-enter Australia, even when using a foreign passport overseas. For further information on travelling as a dual citizen, please visit the Department of Home Affairs' website. When you're travelling with diabetes equipment, you must carry copies of a letter from your GP outlining your medical condition, your medications and the devices you're using for your insulin and blood glucose testing. Having recently been diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes, I'm confused about how best to travel overseas with my medication injection pens. What do I do if my accommodation doesn't have a fridge? I can see why you're confused; the information for your particular medication (Mounjaro) is all over the place. Basically, the pen should be stored in a fridge (with the temperature between 2C and 8C) until it is in use, but then it can be stored unrefrigerated for up to 21 days provided the room temperature doesn't exceed 30C. You can buy a cooler travel wallet from the likes of the Diabetes Shop or even from Chemist Warehouse, and this can do much of the heavy lifting while you're on the road. Brands to look out for include Frio and Glucology. As a general rule, airlines will not refrigerate drugs on board (space is at a premium), but cabin crew will replenish your cooler with ice as required so don't be afraid to ask for help. Happily, things will be a little easier aboard your Uniworld cruise. I had a chat with the team and they said all you have to do is approach a Uniworld crew member when you board the ship and they'll store your pens for you in one of their fridges, no problem at all. Remember, too, that when you're travelling with diabetes equipment, you must carry copies of a letter from your GP outlining your medical condition, your medications and the devices you're using for your insulin and blood glucose testing. You should also carry scripts (readable, and in your name) for all medications, as well as your National Diabetes Services Scheme card, which is accepted as proof you need to carry your diabetes equipment. You'll need to present your medication at security, but it's helpful to know that your supply is exempt from the 100ml of liquid maximum in carry-on rule for international travel. I've travelled around cities by tuktuk without once giving thought to whether my insurance covered me or not. I'm planning on joining an organised tuktuk tour in Thailand. Can you advise on travel insurance companies which will provide cover for this? When I read your email, I started thinking about the number of times I've travelled around cities by tuktuk without once giving thought to whether my insurance covered me or not. Did I start panicking on behalf of all Aussie travellers who've done exactly the same thing? You betcha, but happily, Natalie Ball from Compare Travel Insurance provided reassurance. 'Most insurers automatically cover you for being a passenger in a tuktuk,' she said. 'While Thailand has a mandatory helmet law for motorcycle riders and passengers, there is no law that you must wear a helmet in a tuktuk.' Most insurers automatically cover you for being a passenger in a tuktuk. Travel insurers take individual circumstances into account and many tuktuks do not provide helmets for passengers, she added. 'We're not aware of any travel insurer that specifically says that you must wear a helmet when travelling as a passenger in a tuktuk, but if you're heading to Thailand, it would pay to check with your insurer.' If you're struggling to find the right insurers, Fast Cover and Travel Insurance Direct both clearly state that they provide cover for those riding as passengers in tuktuks. Phew! Need help? Doc Holiday is on duty to answer your travel questions. Email docholiday@ Personal replies are unfortunately not possible . Originally published as Doc Holiday: Do I need a visa if I'm transiting through the USA?
Courier-Mail
a day ago
- Courier-Mail
Visa requirements when transiting through the USA
Don't miss out on the headlines from Lifestyle. Followed categories will be added to My News. Escape's Doc Holiday, Dilvin Yasa, answers your travel-related questions. Do passengers on flights connecting via the United States still have to go through immigration? Unfortunately, yes. No matter your ultimate destination, if your flight includes a connection via LAX, Dallas Forth Worth or any other US airport, you will need to go through immigration and customs. Provided there are no issues, you'll then have to claim your baggage and check it back in with your airline for your onward flight, then present yourself for security screening before heading to your connecting gate. Not only will you need to ensure you've got a lengthy connection time to get through the queues, you'll also need to apply for an ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorisation) before departing Australia. Consider alternative routes, if possible. EU passports can still be used for visiting the UK for up to six months, but from April 2025, a new rule was mandated that EU citizens must now apply for the UK ETA to travel. I have an Australian passport as well as an EU passport, but can I still use the latter to travel to Britain? Yes, EU passports can still be used for visiting the UK for up to six months, but from April 2025, a new rule was mandated that EU citizens (as well as EEA and Swiss citizens) must now apply for the UK ETA to travel. The same rules apply for those travelling on an Australian passport, so it's up to you which one you choose to enter the UK with. Australians who hold dual or multiple citizenships should use their Australian passport to leave and re-enter Australia, even when using a foreign passport overseas. For further information on travelling as a dual citizen, please visit the Department of Home Affairs' website. When you're travelling with diabetes equipment, you must carry copies of a letter from your GP outlining your medical condition, your medications and the devices you're using for your insulin and blood glucose testing. Having recently been diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes, I'm confused about how best to travel overseas with my medication injection pens. What do I do if my accommodation doesn't have a fridge? I can see why you're confused; the information for your particular medication (Mounjaro) is all over the place. Basically, the pen should be stored in a fridge (with the temperature between 2C and 8C) until it is in use, but then it can be stored unrefrigerated for up to 21 days provided the room temperature doesn't exceed 30C. You can buy a cooler travel wallet from the likes of the Diabetes Shop or even from Chemist Warehouse, and this can do much of the heavy lifting while you're on the road. Brands to look out for include Frio and Glucology. As a general rule, airlines will not refrigerate drugs on board (space is at a premium), but cabin crew will replenish your cooler with ice as required so don't be afraid to ask for help. Happily, things will be a little easier aboard your Uniworld cruise. I had a chat with the team and they said all you have to do is approach a Uniworld crew member when you board the ship and they'll store your pens for you in one of their fridges, no problem at all. Remember, too, that when you're travelling with diabetes equipment, you must carry copies of a letter from your GP outlining your medical condition, your medications and the devices you're using for your insulin and blood glucose testing. You should also carry scripts (readable, and in your name) for all medications, as well as your National Diabetes Services Scheme card, which is accepted as proof you need to carry your diabetes equipment. You'll need to present your medication at security, but it's helpful to know that your supply is exempt from the 100ml of liquid maximum in carry-on rule for international travel. I've travelled around cities by tuktuk without once giving thought to whether my insurance covered me or not. I'm planning on joining an organised tuktuk tour in Thailand. Can you advise on travel insurance companies which will provide cover for this? When I read your email, I started thinking about the number of times I've travelled around cities by tuktuk without once giving thought to whether my insurance covered me or not. Did I start panicking on behalf of all Aussie travellers who've done exactly the same thing? You betcha, but happily, Natalie Ball from Compare Travel Insurance provided reassurance. 'Most insurers automatically cover you for being a passenger in a tuktuk,' she said. 'While Thailand has a mandatory helmet law for motorcycle riders and passengers, there is no law that you must wear a helmet in a tuktuk.' Most insurers automatically cover you for being a passenger in a tuktuk. Travel insurers take individual circumstances into account and many tuktuks do not provide helmets for passengers, she added. 'We're not aware of any travel insurer that specifically says that you must wear a helmet when travelling as a passenger in a tuktuk, but if you're heading to Thailand, it would pay to check with your insurer.' If you're struggling to find the right insurers, Fast Cover and Travel Insurance Direct both clearly state that they provide cover for those riding as passengers in tuktuks. Phew! Need help? Doc Holiday is on duty to answer your travel questions. Email docholiday@ Personal replies are unfortunately not possible . Originally published as Doc Holiday: Do I need a visa if I'm transiting through the USA?
Courier-Mail
17-07-2025
- Courier-Mail
Doc Holiday: Can I get travel insurance without a return flight?
Don't miss out on the headlines from Lifestyle. Followed categories will be added to My News. Escape's Doc Holiday, Dilvin Yasa, answers your travel-related questions. My daughter has booked a one-way ticket to Prague but is having trouble getting travel insurance. How can she get around this? She has yet to finalise her return date. There are plenty of travel insurers – Fast Cover, World Nomads, Travel Insurance Direct and Cover-More among them – offering one-way insurance policies, but your daughter will need to read their Product Disclosure Statements carefully, as exclusions and limits can vary from general single-trip policies. X Learn More SUBSCRIBER ONLY Some may offer cover for up to 12 months, and others up to 24 months, and should your daughter's return date change (once she locks it in), extending it is usually as easy as contacting the insurer online. Two things to watch out for. An exclusion specific to these policies is if your daughter is repatriated to Australia for any reason listed in the policy. In these cases, she may still have to shell out for an additional return economy ticket back home. And most insurance providers also require travellers seeking one-way insurance to be an Australian citizen or resident, and have the trip originate from Australia. You can apply for the UK's ETA (its visa waiver program) easily online. My sister and I (two elderly ladies) need a UK ETA for an upcoming cruise, but neither of us have the technical knowledge or equipment to access the app. What can we do? No need to worry about the app. You can apply for the UK's ETA (its visa waiver program) easily online. Towards the top of the screen under Contents, you'll see a link for Apply for an ETA. It will keep encouraging you to apply via the app, but if you scroll to the bottom of the page, you'll see a link that says 'I cannot apply on the UK ETA app'. Press that, and then 'Continue application online' and it will take you to the form. You'll need to take a photo of the passport you'll travel with, as well as a close-up photo of your face, so if you don't have a phone with these capabilities, you may need to ask a family member, friend or neighbour for assistance. You'll also need a credit or debit card to make the £16 (around $34) payment. Approval can take up to 72 hours and while it's a nuisance, the UK ETA lasts for two years, or until your passport expires. For those who have asked, paper applications for the UK ETA are not possible. I've booked Qantas flights to Tokyo Narita airport but have read that the airline will change QF61 and QF62 to use Haneda airport later in 2025. When will this come into effect? Great news. Although there was talk earlier in the year about Qantas shifting its Melbourne and Brisbane flights from Narita to Haneda, the airline has since confirmed there will be no changes to its Tokyo services, with the exception of the December 2025 start of its non-stop seasonal flights between Sydney and Sapporo. Qantas offers two daily flights from Sydney to Haneda, plus one daily flight from both Brisbane and Melbourne to Narita. Qantas has confirmed there will be no changes to its Tokyo services. Can you shed any light on compatible carry-on strollers for domestic flights? We want to know we're buying the right one. Yikes! It's been a while since I've looked at baby and toddler gear and I'd forgotten just how expensive a stroller or pram can be (not to mention how quickly those costs stack up). On domestic flights, our airlines will accept any wheels (securely packaged in a protective cover preferably) which can be collapsed to their carry-on baggage dimensions of 56cm x 23cm x 36cm. The pram or stroller can weigh up to 7kg. Anything larger or heavier will have to be checked in. There are a couple of great options that won't cost the earth. The Original Karion Travel Stroller and the Cybex Libelle Stroller are among some of the most compact and lightweight out there and both will fit neatly in domestic overhead compartments. I'd forgotten just how expensive a stroller or pram can be. You could also visit a store such as Baby Kingdom or Baby Bunting and ask staff to show you strollers that fit within those exact margins if you'd like a few more choices across various price points. When my girls were little, I used a cheap umbrella stroller from Kmart for our travels. It wasn't small enough to fold down for carry-on and had to be checked in, but I appreciated how light it was to lug around and best of all, no one ever tried to steal it from the baggage carousel. I always just figured that if it broke en route (it never did), I'd simply replace it. Need help? Doc Holiday is on duty to answer your travel questions. Email docholiday@ Personal replies are unfortunately not possible. Originally published as Doc Holiday: Can I get travel insurance without a return flight?
Courier-Mail
27-06-2025
- Courier-Mail
I got naked in Spa Land in Centum City Busan a South Korean spa experience
Don't miss out on the headlines from Lifestyle. Followed categories will be added to My News. Call me crazy, but I generally try to avoid getting naked in large crowds. Obviously, it's generally frowned upon in the eyes of the law, but there's also a level of… let's call it 'quiet discomfort' that comes with getting down to skins in front of hundreds. Unless, of course, I'm in South Korea and I'm headed to a bathhouse, then all rules go out the window and I can't strip down fast enough. True, being of Turkish ancestry, I'm no stranger to a group bathing experience, but unlike hamams which are positively lawless compared to its Asian counterparts, a Korean bathhouse experience (known locally as Jjimjilbang. or quite literally, 'heated rooms') involves a specific set of rules to abide by. The best place to immerse yourself in the local spa culture? The port city of Busan which has been an international bathhouse destination since the Joseon Dynasty. If you like bath houses, Busan should be on your bucket list. Now, it's easy to become overwhelmed by the choice of spa complexes dotted around Busan. Some may prefer the dazzle of the all-new (and positively gargantuan) ClubD Oasis, a spa and waterpark which can accommodate up to 3,500 people, while others might prefer a 2am bathing option with the 24-hour Hill Spa. I'm a sucker for a multitude of glowing reviews, so I opt for a day at Spa Land, located in Centum City, one of the world's largest department stores. Here, those willing to part with 25,000 Won (around $28) for a four-hour bathhouse adventure can make the most of 18 hot spring baths and 13 themed steam baths drawn from natural hot spring water some 1,000 metres underground. Guests are given these cute head towels. Picture: Dilvin Yasa Spa Land, like most Jjimjilbang, has two distinct areas: the baths, which are same-sex only, and the saunas, which are for everyone to share. First, you have to put your shoes in an assigned locker before collecting your fetching spa uniform of chequered shorts and oversized grey marle t-shirt at the linen counter and then heading back to a locker to decide if you want to put on your uniform to enjoy the sauna facilities (yep, no towel wearing in the saunas here), or if you want to disrobe completely and head to the baths. Towels are forbidden in saunas here. Of course, you also have the option of heading upstairs to the 2nd floor to make the most of the entertainment quarter, which includes a restaurant, a casual noodle bar, a relaxation zone and many massage chairs. I dump my clothes, gather my courage and strut my naked self through the change rooms out to the hot springs (they give you a hand towel, but it is nowhere near enough to protect your modesty). Everyone has to scrub down at a washing station before entering the bath and I do, but the minute I enter a body of 40-degree water some five minutes later, a spa mistress becomes incensed that I haven't washed my hair (which is up in a bun) and starts shouting at me to get back out and try again. The floral decor is a nice touch too. Instead, I run away, taking my time to try all the baths, which range in size and temperature, from cold plunge (15 degrees) to 45 degrees (more my speed). There is, I should note, an option to book in for a scrub or a massage in a room nearby, but I'm so relaxed I can barely move (also, the spa mistress terrifies me). After yet another shower, it's time to put on my spa uniform and head up to the saunas. See also: Why you can't trust reviews in South Korea Will it be a Finnish sauna, a Roman sauna, a salt room, clay room or a hamam? Whatever your preference, you can be sure to open a door to a roomful of locals staring at their phones under a thick cloak of steam. I involuntarily listen to endless TikTok videos in all of the rooms (with the exception of the ice room) and before I know it, I have just enough time for my complimentary ice-cream and yet another shower before my locker key is handed back and I'm back out in the department store. Is a Jjimjilbang experience for you? Only if you're completely comfortable with public nudity. Me? I plan to go back, but next time, I'll be sure to bring ear plugs. Originally published as I got naked in a sauna in South Korea, I didn't expect this
Courier-Mail
26-06-2025
- Courier-Mail
The best Travel Money cards in 2025
Don't miss out on the headlines from Lifestyle. Followed categories will be added to My News. Escape's Doc Holiday, Dilvin Yasa, answers your travel-related questions. For many years I have used CommBank Travel Money card without any problems, but I'm thinking better options may be available. Can you recommend any alternatives? I receive a lot of emails about travel money cards, so it's probably best if I start by addressing some of their key pros and cons. Avoiding exchange rate fluctuations during your travels is a major benefit, since you effectively 'lock in' your money before you depart Australia (helpful when the Aussie dollar is falling faster than the Ozempic supply). X SUBSCRIBER ONLY Depending on the card you choose, you can have easy access to multiple currencies on the same card and you don't have to risk using a card that's linked to your Australian bank account while you're travelling overseas. It also means you avoid multiple currency conversion fees and you don't have to carry large amounts of cash. Of course, the disadvantages of travel money cards are nothing to sniff at. Some merchants may not accept travel money cards, or the currency of the country you're visiting may not be supported. There are plenty of fees associated with using a travel money card (everything from opening and reloading the card to ATM withdrawals and cashing out the balance of the card), lengthy load times where you will not have access to your cash, and limits on pre-authorisations. Comparison sites such as Canstar look at the pros and cons of using a travel money card compared with credit and debit cards and I'd urge every reader intent on travelling overseas to read through their options. Some merchants may not accept travel money cards, or the currency of the country you're visiting may not be supported. For your specific situation, I will say that Choice, too, compared travel money cards recently and found the CommBank Travel Money Card is one of the better options, particularly since it only charges users in one instance ($3.50 for ATM withdrawals overseas). If you were to compare this product with any other, I'd recommend looking at the Wise Travel Card, which lets you hold, spend in and convert 40 currencies – significantly more than the 16 currencies your current card holds. One thing to watch here, however, is that while free ATM withdrawals are advertised, it's only up to $350 a month, before you start attracting charges. You may also wish to look at Revolut Travel Card, which holds 30-plus currencies and remains a popular choice. Airlines such as Qantas are working with banks to find a solution. We booked our family holiday and found we were charged twice by the airline, with the second amount (later cancelled) showing as a 'pending charge', which caused our account to be overdrawn. How common is this practice? I've had this happen to me and it's incredibly frustrating (not to mention anxiety-inducing). Having had a chat with various airlines about 'the double dip', it seems that they're just as frustrated by what is a banking issue that is largely out of their control. Essentially, this happens when the authorisation doesn't drop off at the time of the payment being captured. Airlines such as Qantas are working with banks to find a solution, but in the meantime, it's a good idea to keep an eye on your account balance any time you book a holiday and to contact your bank immediately should you notice an authorisation set to cause financial chaos. You can explain the situation to your bank and ask them to remove it immediately. While banks have varying policies regarding how they go about this, and whether they'll need clarification from the travel provider, you should be able to get this sorted fairly easily. I find pleasantries and a cheerful manner go a long way to getting what you want. Good luck! I arrived in Mongolia a carnivore yet swiftly became a born-again vegetarian. I'm interested in a tour to Mongolia. Would you recommend it for vegetarians? I arrived in Mongolia a carnivore yet swiftly became a born-again vegetarian for the duration of my trip (it turns out that boiled and fried sheep tail is not for everyone) so yes, it can be done. I did it on the fly, popping into supermarkets in Ulaanbaatar and stocking up on canned vegetables and noodles, but it's best to let your tour leader know when you first book that you have dietary restrictions. Where possible, they will call ahead to find vegetarian alternatives to traditional khuushuur, tsuivan and buuz at any stops you make. The one thing that will mean the difference between a digestible meal and one that might even be enjoyable? A bottle of sriracha (or any other sauce you prefer), which you can apply liberally to anything that's placed before you. Mongols might be among some of the warmest people I've encountered on my travels, but they are not known for their love of seasoning. Need help? Doc Holiday is on duty to answer your travel questions. Email docholiday@ Personal replies are unfortunately not possible. Originally published as Doc Holiday: What travel money card is best?
