Tips - Travel & Transport

Whether you're organising travel to your schoolies destination or getting around when you get there, these tips will help ensure smooth sailing along the way:

Making bookings & travel arrangements

1. Before you buy a ticket - air, train or bus - make sure you read the terms and conditions. Most tickets carry extra fees for cancellations or altered bookings so be aware of what you can and can't change without incurring an extra charge.

2. Shop around for deals on airfares or any other big-ticket travel items. Check for fare rules regarding cancellations and booking changes before you purchase.

3. Make your travel and accommodation arrangements in advance. Whether you're heading interstate or heading to a Victorian hotspot, schoolies destinations book out fast. If you leave things until the last minute you might find you have an airline or bus ticket, but no accommodation.

4.Consider taking out a travel insurance policy to cover lost baggage, money or travellers cheques. If you plan to go surfing, hiking or any other activity with an element of risk you may need to take out extra coverage.

5. Make sure you get maps for the places you will be visiting during your schoolies break. Maps are available from bookshops, travel agents and online, or visit the Tourist Information Centre at your chosen destination.

Tips for driving

1. Get a few good nights' sleep before heading off. Don't drive when you would normally be sleeping, take regular breaks (at least one every two hours), pull over for a powernap as soon you feel tired and share the driving where possible.

2. Take a 15-minute powernap if you feel yourself becoming drowsy.

3. Ensure your car has a safety check up before your trip.

4. Map out your trip - making sure there's plenty of time to get to your destination, so you aren't tempted to speed or skip rest stops.

5. Never drink alcohol, not even small amounts, before or during a long trip.

6. Always choose an appropriate speed for the conditions and stay within the speed limits.

7. Make sure all people in your car wear seatbelts or restraints, including pets, and make sure all luggage is properly secured and won't become projectiles in the case of sudden braking.

8. Double check the parking signs, move your car before the time limit is up and don't park in a disabled or loading zone or you risk incurring a hefty parking fine.

9. Don't drive and use your mobile phone at the same time. Just like driving drunk, it affects your ability to drive and could cost a life or serious injury.

10. If you feel uncomfortable in the car with someone, tell them! Ask them to slow down or tell them to stop driving like an idiot. Don't get into a car with someone you know has been drinking and/or taking drugs.

Dealing with road accidents

1. Do not discuss what happened during a car accident with anyone else but the police. Don't say that it was your fault, and don't make accusations as these comments may be used against you later in a court case.

2. As a precautionary measure, keep first aid supplies and an emergency kit in your car. Flares, a bright orange vest, torch, a mobile phone, and a disposable camera are all helpful objects to have in case of an accident.

3. If you are in a moving vehicle when an accident occurs:

• Immediately and safely pull over to the side of the road, turn off your car, and turn on your hazard lights
• Check to see if anyone is hurt.
• If someone is injured, don't move them until you take standard first aid measures.
• If a driver is unable to turn off the ignition, turn it off for them.
• If you have them, place flares, cones, or triangles alongside the road a few hundred feet before the accident so traffic is aware that there is an accident ahead.

Using public transport

1. Just because you're on holidays doesn't mean the ticket inspectors go on holidays too. Whatever transport you use, aways have a valid ticket to avoid any nasty fines.

2. However you travel and whatever transport you use always show consideration to other passengers, particularly those commuters who aren't lucky enough to be heading off for a well-earned schoolies break.

Tips for hiring vehicles

1. Read the small print on your vehicle hire contract as it may contain unfair conditions that come back to bite you. Who pays for repairs? How much is the damage insurance excess? Is third-party insurance included? If in doubt - don't hire it.

2. Check that any damage (including windscreen chips or dints in the body) have been noted and documented before you take the vehicle.

3. Shop around for the best deal.

4. Make sure third party insurance is included in the contract and check how much the insurance excess (what you pay if the car is damaged) costs - you may consider paying a little extra to lower the excess charge.

5. Ask about any extra charges or fees e.g. for airport pick-ups/drop-offs or returning a vehicle late.

Handling disputes

1. Stay cool when trying to resolve a dispute, whether with a ticket inspector, bike-shop assistant or whoever. Being polite and courteous goes a long way to getting your problem solved.

2. Got an unresolved dispute or problem with a travel agent or transport provider? Call the local consumer advice agency in your area:

• Consumer Affairs Victoria - 1300 55 81 81
• New South Wales Office of Fair Trading - 13 32 30
• Queensland Office of Fair Trading - 13 13 04