Travel Tips & Guidelines
Everything you need to know for a smooth, stress-free journey
Pre Tour
- Make a checklist of what you want to take with you about a week before your vacation to avoid packing in a panic.
- Keeping a list in your hand luggage will prove handy. If anything goes missing, you can claim insurance.
Medication
- Please carry your medication & all medical details along with a prescription, making sure they include:
- Your Health Insurer's contact details and your policy number
- Name and address of contacts in the event of an emergency
- Your blood type, general medical history, list of any medications you are taking, known allergies, glasses/contact lens prescription, etc.
Need to Carry
- At least one set of clothes in your hand luggage in case of baggage delay or loss
- Your sun glasses, scarf, hat/cap, cardigan, camera in your hand luggage if your tour starts on arrival itself
- A comfortable pair of walking shoes; you may be on your feet for a long time en tour
- Appropriate swimwear/beachwear for swimming activities. You will not be allowed to enter the pool without suitable clothing
- Your camera — check the batteries and carry spares, since replacements can be difficult to find
Pre Departure
- Keep your Passport, Air tickets & Foreign exchange ready
- Double-check passport validity (minimum 6 months validity required for most countries)
- Keep printed copies and soft copies of passport, visa, and travel insurance
- Ensure visa approval and entry requirements are fulfilled for the destination country
- Inform bank about international travel to avoid card blockage
Airport Reporting
- Report at least 3 hours prior to departure.
- Reach airport early to avoid last-minute rush or delays
- Ensure web check-in is completed (if available) for faster processing
- Keep all documents easily accessible (passport, ticket, visa, ID proof)
- Follow baggage drop and security screening instructions carefully
- Remove prohibited items from hand luggage before security check
- Keep electronics and liquids ready for separate screening trays
Check-In Process
- All check-in baggage must be X-rayed
- Check-in baggage must not exceed 20 kgs and hand baggage must not exceed 1 piece (7 kgs)
- All check-in baggage must be locked
- Do not put any cash/jewelry/expensive items inside check-in baggage
- Use some form of permanent identification on your check-in luggage and note its make/brand
- Proceed to check in at the airlines counter and hand over your passports and air tickets
- A baggage identification slip, boarding card, passport, air ticket & embarkation card will be handed to you
- Fill the embarkation card & proceed to the immigration counter
Keep in Safe Custody
- Baggage identification slip
- Passport
- Air ticket
- Boarding card — till the end of the journey
- Personal Foreign Exchange
Immigration
- Proceed to the Immigration Counter; hand over your passport, air ticket, boarding card & embarkation card to the officer
- You may be asked about the reason for travel. Furnish the same
- All documents (except the embarkation card) duly checked and stamped will be returned to you
Customs
- Hand over your passport, air ticket & boarding card to the officer. The same will be stamped & returned
- You are not allowed to carry more than Rs.2000 and US$10,000 (cash limit US$2,000) as per RBI rules
- Any foreign currency carried along must be endorsed on your passport
- Value goods like zoom cameras, video cameras, laptops, etc. should also be endorsed on your passport
Boarding Gate
- Proceed to the boarding gate as specified on your boarding card where your hand baggage will be X-rayed
- Arrive at the boarding gate at least 30–45 minutes before departure time
- Keep your boarding pass and passport ready for final verification
- Listen carefully for final boarding announcements and instructions
- Ensure all belongings are securely packed before boarding begins
On Board
- On board please be seated as per seats allocated
- Snacks/meals will be served as per airlines policy
- En route, you will be handed a disembarkation card to be filled and kept ready on arrival
On Arrival Formalities
- As you leave the aircraft, please ensure you carry along all personal belongings & documents including passport, air tickets, handbag, wallet, cardigans/clothing, etc.
- To use a prepaid cart ('trolley') at certain airports, you will have to insert the required coins in the cart machine
Hotel
- Check-in and check-out times are usually 14:00hrs and 12:00hrs respectively. However, this may differ for some properties.
Rooming
- Room/s will be assigned to you at the time of check-in and can vary in specifications according to availability and at the discretion of the hotel.
Room Key
- Each time you leave the room, please ensure you deposit your room keys at the front desk
- It is not advisable to carry the room key outside the hotel; you may be charged a huge sum if it is misplaced
Security of Documents
- Always keep copies of your passport and air ticket safely in your locked bags or use a locker at the hotel
- It is advisable to carry a hotel card/brochure with you; the address will be helpful if you lose your way
Room Facilities
- Some hotels may have in-room coffee/tea making facility (check if this service is complimentary)
- Some rooms may have a mini refrigerator or mini bar — please note these are chargeable and not included in your tour package
- Rooms may also provide subscribed pay channels, use of which will be charged at checkout
Other Services
- If you order anything extra like tea/coffee, laundry services, liquor, telephone calls, or cause any damages, it will be charged to you directly
- Breakfast timings at the hotel are generally 7:00am onwards and are served at the hotel restaurant
Food Tips — Europe
- Vegetarians can safely try the wide variety of continental food — hearty soups, salads, fruits, shakes and juices
- Tap water is generally safe and potable throughout the continent. A bottle of mineral water costs approx Euro 2
- An average restaurant meal (soup, salad, main course and drink) will cost approx EUR 20–25
- Indian food in London is easy to find but relatively expensive — approx £15–20 per meal
Food Tips — Far East & Islands
- Wide variety of continental food available — soups, salads, fruits, shakes and juices for vegetarians
- An average restaurant meal will cost approx USD 10–15
Food Tips — USA
- Wide variety of continental food available for vegetarians — soups, salads, fruits, shakes and juices
- Tap water is generally safe and potable. A bottle of mineral water costs approx USD 1.50
- An average restaurant meal will cost approx USD 20–25
Food Tips — Australia & New Zealand
- Wide variety of continental food available — soups, salads, fruits, shakes and juices
- All prices stated are approximate and in local currency
Check-Out from Hotel
- After checking out, please clear all personal/extra bills, if any, at the Front Office.
Porterage
- Porterage is not included at hotels and is not part of any itinerary/package
- You may have to pay for portage and tips as per local rules or customs at the destination
Tips for Cruise
- You must check in at least 1 hr 30 min prior to departure
- Proper travel documentation is required: Valid Passports and relevant visas are mandatory
- Liquor Policy: Guests are prohibited from bringing alcoholic beverages on board. Alcoholic beverages purchased in foreign ports will be retained until the end of the voyage
- Sail & Sign: You may charge most of your on-board purchases to your Sail & Sign account
Clothing
- Casual attire is the best option during the day
- For special events like the evening Cocktail and other parties, please carry at least one set of formal attire
- The dress code for other evenings ranges from sport coat and tie to casual resort wear
Shopping
- You are advised not to be lured or encouraged by anybody to shop at a particular place
- Please use your own judgement about price or quality before you buy anything
Punctuality
- Passengers will be responsible for any services missed due to not following the stated time — this includes meals, transfers, sightseeing, flights, etc.