Purchase Travel Items

There are many items that can be purchased before travel to make the journey more enjoyable, less expensive and to limit time spent on mundane tasks.

Pre-order tickets to galleries, museums, shows

In many cases, pre-purchasing tickets online provides guaranteed entry and avoidance of a queue. These tickets also may be purchased for a particular entry time which can help with planning your day. Some tickets may be open-dated but allow you to beat the line at the entry point.

At some sites, demand is so high that entry by queuing 'on the day' may not result in entry as total daily visitor numbers are limited.

It is also often important to check opening hours and fees to be sure that you can visit on a day and time that is suitable.
Many museums and galleries in Europe, for example, are closed on Mondays.

Local tourism sources

Most cities and many larger towns have some sort of tourist information office. Most now can answer travel queries by email and many will answer to a query in English even if this is not the local language. The location of local tourism offices can be found in Google maps.

There are also local and regional web sites that can provide online advice of attractions, opening times and entry fees.

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Travel SIM or global roaming

While you can use your mobile phone with your provider 'global roaming' arrangement, it is possible to use cheaper alternatives.
Some global roaming fees are such that a return from holidays results in bills of thousands of dollars.
Online websites give comparison costs of global roaming vs using a travel SIM.
More details on travelling with your phone are available here.

Luggage, safe bags, screened wallets

Purchasing suitable luggage is possible online. Travel bags and purses are available that have wired straps and mesh screened bags to prevent easy cutting by bag snatchers. Mesh screening may also provide protection against short range wireless reading of credit card and passport details. It is also possible to purchase cheap wallets online to use as dummies for pickpockets.

Electrical adapters

International electrical voltages and frequency vary from 100-240 Volts / 50-60Hz.
Many modern device battery chargers are designed to cover this whole range so that tablets and mobile phones can be charged.
However it is necessary to have the correct mains adapter plug for the countries you are visiting so that your device can be plugged in.

A charger like the one shown below can assist by having the correct plug and multiple charging outlets.

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Because of electrical safety, online purchases of adapters may be risky unless known brands are selected.
In this it might be safer to use Australian online businesses to ensure electrical compliance.

Clothing

Travel clothing is available that combines fast drying, non-iron and light weight and makes a great travel item (but perhaps not a high fashion garment!)
While there are many items available, it is far more comfortable and convenient to travel light.

Consider smaller bags and pack as light as possible. Unless you are confident that you will always have someone else to handle the luggage make sure that you can manage the weight that you have packed. A 30kg luggage allowance is allowed on some flights but a 30kg bag is quite unwieldy.

If you can pack to less than 20kg, handling and lifting are so much easier and you may even build in a little space and weight allowance for souvenirs!

There are many online suppliers and outlets that have online shops. Some outlets allow online purchase and pick-up at a convenient shop to save on postage.

Luggage locks, straps, neck pillows…

Luggage accessories are all available for purchase online.

Some suppliers will provide pick up in their retail stores if this is more convenient.
If you are using luggage locks be aware that security services anywhere in the world may cut off the locks if they have any concern about your checked luggage. Travelling to the USA it may be preferable to use the TSA locks that allow security to open without lock damage.

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