Trip FAQs
Before You Go
Where should I go? What can I do?Where, when, how, why? So many options - how to decide? Start by thinking about what you want: Serious rest & relaxation? Cultural adventures? Probably the best starting point is to take a look at our Theme Guides. These outline our favourite Art, Beaches and Desert spots around the globe, plus our kooky Fatal Attractions and Twilight Zone picks. Look for inspiration in the tall tales and yarns of our authors' adventures On the Road, or in our Travel Literature range.
For those taking some time out after school or university, The Gap Year Book is packed with essential advice about when and where to go and numerous ideas about what to do. And of course, other travellers on our Thorn Tree travel forums are always happy to share their experiences.
Can you tell me about work/study/volunteer opportunities?So you've sussed out you'd like to study or volunteer your services? Check out Modes de Voyage with links to volunteering agencies and working holidays, or ask other travellers on the Gap Year and Living & Working Abroad branches of the Thorn Tree. Don't forget to contact the embassy or consulate of the country in question for details on work permits or study visas. See the Visas section below. The Gap Year Book has loads of info about work and volunteer opportunities, language courses and more.
All of our guidebooks also provide resources and contacts for working, studying and volunteering abroad.
Visas
Do I need a visa?You should always check with the embassy or consulate of the country in question for current information on visa requirements. Basic information is available in the Facts for the Traveller section of our Worldguide destination profiles. Other online resources can be found in the Embassies & Visas section of Travel Links and at Travel Ticker, Lonely Planet's weekly travel advisory. Visa requirements are also included in our guidebooks, under the Visas section of the Directory chapter. Contact details for embassies and consulates are included in the Embassies & Consulates section, also in the Directory chapter.
How can I get a visa extension?Contact the embassy or consulate of the relevant country for the most up-to-date information. You can find information online too - check the Embassies & Visas section of Travel Links. You'll also find some details in each of our guidebooks in the Visas & Documents section in the Facts for the Visitor chapter.
Health & Safety
Is it safe to travel there?For current information, check out the warnings on government travel advice websites. There are links to these at Travel Ticker, Lonely Planet's weekly travel advisory, and in the Travel Advice section of Travel Links. You can also ask travellers currently in the country on our Thorn Tree forums. Our guidebooks provide detail on the general safety environment of most regions.
What immunisations will I need?You can get information from your family doctor, travel health clinics, government health departments and the Web. Visit our Health website - the Predeparture Planning section has a rundown of the types of immunisations that may be required and the Infections & Diseases section outlines all the possible nasties and treatments. The Health & Safety section of Travel Links provides links to medical advice websites around the world.
Along with the Health section of our guidebooks, Lonely Planet publishes pocket-sized Healthy Travel Guides that spell out all the jabs you'll need (ouch!) and include tips for staying healthy on the road.
What about malaria?Speak to your family doctor or visit your local travel health clinic for the most up-to-date information about preventatives and treatments. In the meantime, you can find some information about malaria at our Health website and links to different websites about malaria at Travel Links. You can also visit the Health branch of the Thorn Tree where other travellers discuss the pros and cons of antimalarials and post all sorts of obscure health-related queries (eg Can pathogens be absorbed by watermelons?). Guidebooks to areas afflicted by malaria have dedicated Malaria sections in their Health chapters.
Transport
How do I get there?Our guidebooks provide information about air, land and sea travel in the Transport chapters and dedicated transport sections. Details are also available in our WorldGuide destination profiles online. You can check out the links at Travel Links for information about Airlines, Buses, Rail Travel and even Ferries & Ships. The Getting Around section has links to sites about car rental and ride sharing. You can also check out some options offered by companies that we've partnered up with at Travel Services.
And if you're passionate about a particular mode of travel, the Thorn Tree has branches such as Life on the Open Wave and On Your Bike.
Cheap flights: How can I find them?Do your research! Check out the travel sections of newspapers and magazines. Call the major airlines or visit their websites to find out which carriers fly which routes and what sorts of tickets and deals are available. Get quotes from travel agents and compare prices - different agencies have different flights and deals. You can also check out the Airlines section of Travel Links, which has links to sites for the budget air traveller and even whiz-bang interactive service maps. And last but not least, visit our Thorn Tree forums to share bargain-hunting tips with other travellers.
Do I need an onward ticket?Before granting you entry, many countries require that you show an onward ticket or 'sufficient funds' as proof that you'll eventually leave. This can affect travellers on one-way or open-jaw tickets. Ask your travel agent or airline representative about this when you purchase your ticket. You can also ask for some pointers about onward ticket requirements from other travellers on the Thorn Tree.
Accommodation
Can you recommend a place to stay?Absolutely - our authors have done the hard yards, hand picking the best accommodation options and reviewing them in our guidebooks. Whether you're after a hotel, hostel, B&B, campground or even just a place to string your hammock, you'll find suitable recommendations. We tailor our various guidebook series to meet the needs of different types of travellers, so you'll be able to pick the book that's just right for you. You can also book hostels online at our Hostel Booking service powered by Hostelworld.
Can you tell me more about a particular hostel or tour company?
We get many travellers asking us about particular guesthouses they've discovered on their travels. If there isn't an author's review in our guidebooks, then get thee to the Thorn Tree travel forum. Many travellers on the Thorn Tree ask for tips on a place they're thinking of staying in or a company they're thinking of taking a tour with. It's a great opportunity to find out the latest from other travellers before you make any bookings.
Are the room rates listed in your guidebooks per person
or per room?
The rates listed in our guidebooks are generally per room. For example, if we were to list Tony & Maureen's Fabo Guesthouse (s/d/t $50/80/90), that means single rooms would cost $50, doubles $80 ($80 for two people or $40 each) and triples $90 (or $30 per person). Dormitory beds (dm) are a little different: if you see dm $20, it means your bed in the dorm will cost $20. Any variations to these guidelines will be spelled out in a guidebook's Quick Reference section and in the Accommodation section of the Directory.
Money & Costs
What currency does my LP guide list prices in?Prices in Lonely Planet guidebooks are either given in the local currency or US dollars. US dollar equivalents are sometimes given when the value of the local currency is unstable. The Quick Reference section on the inside front cover, the Fast Facts section or the Money section will tell you what currency the prices in your guidebook are listed in - but just for the record, prices in the Australia guidebook are listed in Australian dollars, Canada in Canadian dollars, New Zealand in New Zealand dollars
and the USA guidebook in US dollars (unless stated otherwise).
How much should I budget for my trip?A good portion of your travel budget will be spent before you leave home. Air fare, equipment, immunisations, visas and travel insurance will all take a bite out of your budget. Your on-road costs will depend very much on where and how you want to travel. Our Country, Regional, Multicountry and City guidebooks cater for travellers on a range of budgets, covering daily costs for transport, accommodation, eating out and more. For those on a tight budget, our Shoestring guidebooks help you go further, stay longer and pay less on your travels. If you're whizzing through town and don't mind paying a bit extra to get the best of what a city has to offer,
then our Best of... Guides are for you. You can also ask Lonely Planet's knowledgeable travel community for tips and advice on the Thorn Tree.
How should I take my money? Cash? Travellers cheques?
Credit cards?
The main options for carrying money are travellers cheques, credit and/or debit cards and cash. Each has advantages, and most experienced travellers carry a combination of all three. You can find out if there are ATMs and international exchange bureaus where you are planning to travel by checking out the Money Matters section of Travel Links. Our guidebooks also cover everything you'll need to know in the Money sections.
Where do I find out about exchange rates?Exchange rates at the time of printing are given in each guidebook in the Quick Reference section on the inside front cover, and also in the Fast Facts or Money sections. You can check out current exchange rates at the links in the Money Matters section of Travel Links, or consult a foreign exchange agent or the financial section of a reputable daily newspaper.
Weather
What will the weather be like?Hopefully you'll have nothing but sunshine during the day and star-filled night skies. But just to be sure, check out the Weather section of Travel Links. For a general idea of when the weather's best, check out the When to Go section of the relevant destination profile at WorldGuide and the Getting Started chapter of our guidebooks, as well as the Climate sections in the Directory. You can also ask your fellow travellers currently in the country on the Thorn Tree.
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