Travel checklist, tips and information

The Holiday Factory has put together a list for you to help you with all the information that you may require when travelling abroad. Please note that this is to be used as a guideline only. Please confirm details with your travel agent or the airline direct.

Travel Checklist

• Have you booked all your travel requirements?
  Example: Flight, transfers, accommodation, tours and visa
• SA Passport holders please check that your passport is valid for 6 months after your return.
• Travelling to a destination that requires a visa?
  If so make sure that you apply for your visa in advance and that everything is in order and that you receive your passport back before your departure.
• Have you requested any extras
  Example: specials meals and specific seating requests for your flights.
  Please not that these are on a request only basis and the agent cannot guarantee these.
• Once receiving your documents please make sure to check all documents for accuracy. It is a good idea to carry photocopies of all your documents (separate to the original). Also leave a copy of your itinerary with a relative or friend at home.
• Travel insurance is a must. If you can’t afford it, you can’t afford to travel!
• Please reconfirm your flights directly with the airline 72 hours prior to departure, at each point of departure. When reconfirming all your flights, please check that special meals and seating requests are in order.
• Please retain all boarding passes and tickets until accrual of frequent flyer points has been confirmed on your statement.

Travel Tips

• Pack a change of clothing into your hand luggage in case of delays
• Clothing creases less if rolled into a sausage shape when packed
• No sharp objects are permitted in hand luggage
• During your flight drink plenty of water and avoid alcohol
• Exercise during your flight by regularly walking around the aircraft
• Airlines will charge you approximately R100 for each kilogram your luggage is over the stated baggage allowance so make sure you weigh your bags before departing
• Purchase your sightseeing, transport and accommodation before leaving South Africa to save money.

Important Travel Information

Baggage Allowances

This varies from airline to airline so you need to check with your travel agent to make sure what your baggage allowance is. Children 2-12 years have the same allowance as adults but infants 0-2years who are not occupying a seat may only have hand luggage with the additional of a collapsible stroller or pushchair.

Checked Luggage – weight concept

Hand Luggage

Hand baggage is luggage that you carry on the plane with you, while hold baggage is luggage that you check-in.  6kg per person, of a size that will fit into the overhead locker, total dimensions 115cm (height+lenghth+width).
All baggage items, including hand baggage, must be screened, regardless of size.
You should always check size limits with your airline and airport before you travel. Airlines may also have their own rules about the number of bags you are allowed to take on the aircraft. It's best to contact them if you have any questions.

Taking liquids in your luggage

Wherever possible you should pack liquids in your hold baggage, as there are restrictions on the amount you can take in your hand baggage
Liquids include:

• all drinks, including water, soup and syrups
• cosmetics and toiletries, including creams, lotions, oils, perfumes, mascara and lipsticks
• sprays, including shaving foam, hairspray and spray deodorants
• pastes, including toothpaste
• gels, including hair and shower gel
• contact lens solution
• any other solutions and items of similar consistency

If you need certain liquids during the flight, you can take them into the cabin in limited quantities as follows:

• containers must hold no more than 100ml
• containers must be carried in a single, transparent, re-sealable plastic bag, which holds no more than a litre and measures approximately 20cm x 20cm
• contents must fit comfortably inside the bag so it can be sealed
• the bag must not be knotted or tied at the top
• each passenger can carry only one of these bags
• the bag must be presented for examination at the airport security point

Containers larger than 100ml (excluding essential medicines) will not be allowed through the security point even if they are only part full.

Lighters

One lighter per person may be carried on a flight. Lighters are considered to be liquids and should be put inside the plastic bag or screened separately. You must keep the lighter on your person throughout the flight.
It is very important that you do not:

• place it in your hold baggage
• return it to your hand baggage after screening

Essential medicines, including inhalers and liquid dietary foodstuffs

You are allowed to carry essential medicines of more than 100ml in your hand baggage, but you will need:

• prior approval from the airline and departure airport
• supporting documentation from a relevant qualified medical professional (e.g. a letter from your doctor or prescription)

Remember to take only what you need for your journey. Extra supplies and larger containers of medicine can go in your hold baggage.

Baby food and baby milk

You are allowed to take baby food, baby milk and sterilised water in your hand baggage. This includes:

• soya milk for babies
• sterilised water for the baby (must be in a baby bottle)
• formula, breast milk or cow milk specifically for babies
• baby food of various consistencies

You are allowed to take enough for the journey. In some cases this may be over 100ml. The adult carrying the baby food or milk may be asked to verify it by tasting.

Liquids bought at the airport

You can take into the aircraft cabin any liquids you buy after passing through security, as these items go through a separate screening process. This includes bottled water, wines and spirits and fragrances and cosmetics of any size.

Laptops/electrical items

You're allowed to take electrical items (like laptops and hairdryers) in your hand baggage, but they have to be removed and screened separately.

Essential medical equipment

You are allowed to bring medical equipment if it is essential for your journey. The equipment will be screened separately and must be accompanied by supporting documentation from a qualified medical professional, such as a letter from your doctor.

Musical Instruments

If you plan on travelling with a large musical instrument, you should contact your airline before booking. You may need to make special arrangements, like buying an extra seat. Any musical instrument you bring with you will need to be screened separately

Sports equipment

There is no additional allowance for sporting equipment, but it can be carried free of charge as part of your free checked baggage allowance. If the total number of bags is more than your free checked allowance, you will need to pay extra bag charges. Please double check with your agent or the airline direct to make sure if there will be any extra charge for your sporting equipment.

Important information regarding restricted items

Please note that due to the heightened security status in the past, some items have been banned on commercial flights for security. These items are:

• Scissors
• Razor blades
• Knives with blades of any length
• Household cutlery
• Hypodermic needles
• Tools Catapults/slingshots
• Toy or replica guns
• Flammable liquids and solids
• Oxidisers
• Gas cylinders
• Infectious substances
• Fireworks
• Non-safety matches, fire lighters, lighter fuel
• Poisons, arsenic, cyanide, weed killer
• Acids, corrosives, alkalis, caustic soda
• Radioactive materials

The above are just some of the restricted items for travel, also note that each airport has their own policy on what is allowed and what is not. So before flying out make sure the goods you take with you are allowed on your departure and arrival airports

Flight reconfirmations

Please reconfirm your flights as there may be airline schedule changes. Your return flight must be reconfirmed at your destination directly with the airline 3 days prior to your departure.

Foreign Exchange

All passengers 18 years and over have an annual allowance of R500 000. Children under 18 years are permitted R160 000. When purchasing foreign exchange please ensure that you take your air ticket, passport and your latest utility bill with your physical address on.

Passport requirements

Valid SA passports are required and your passport must be valid for 6 months after you return. It is a requirement of SA immigration that you have at least 2 blank pages available in your passport when you travel. You may be refused entry into other countries if you do not have 2 blank pages in your passport.

Customs Duty free allowances – returning to South Africa.

These vary from Country to Country so please make sure you double check what they are depending on the destination you are travelling to.

Important

Check with the Foreign & Commonwealth office before booking any travel, to view any travel warnings - your travel insurance may not be valid if there is a warning issued for the country you are visiting!

Immunisation

Ask your doctor about the necessity of immunisation from disease (e.g. Cholera, Hepatitis, Tetanus, etc.) for the countries you intend to visit. If you have any immunisations done, make sure you receive an International Health Certificate to show at immigration checkpoints and hospitals.

Airport taxes

Please not some airport departure taxes are payable direct to the airline when travelling to/from certain destinations. This payment may be required in a foreign currency. Please make sure that you check this with your travel agent or the airline direct to make sure that you have the required money should you need this.

The Holiday Factory would like to wish you a “Bon Voyage” .The Holiday Factory where dreams are made.