Aussies plan their travel while at work, says KAYAK.com.au

Even those who love their jobs need a break from the monotony of the nine to five. That’s probably why 56% of Aussies plan their holidays during work hours, according to research from KAYAK.com.au.

The data shows the peak time Aussies are browsing travel sites is 2pm, just after lunch hour, which suggests that Aussies may not be quite ready to return to the reality of work after their inspiring lunchtime chats.

“Our data shows that Aussies are not shy about planning their travel from work, with more than half of people making bookings during working hours,” said Country Head of Australia and New Zealand at KAYAK, Robin Chiang.

According to KAYAK, the top five most popular destinations naughty Aussies are searching for are Bali, London, Sydney, Melbourne and Los Angeles.

So if you’re at your work desk dreaming of Bali villas or LA nightlife, here’s a few things you need to remember to do before you jet off:

• Set up a travel budget. It’s easy to get carried away and buy every pretty thing that speaks to you from Paris boutique windows, but unless you want to run out of money, it’s a good idea to set up a budget. Booking things in advance will help you stay on track with your budget (and probably nab you a good deal), so make sure you have a shop around online before you go.
• Lock in a good exchange rate. Travelling isn’t easy on the wallet, so you’ll want to make sure you’re getting the best value for your dollar before you exchange currencies. Take the time to shop around and compare exchange rates, and keep in mind it’s good to avoid exchanging your money at the airport, as they generally don’t offer the best exchange rate.
• Don’t gloss over travel insurance. Cancellations occur, luggage gets lost and accidents happen- you’re not immune to it. Gear up with one of the best travel insurance policies of 2018 as revealed by Mozo’s Experts Choice Awards so you can be confident you’re covered, no matter what. Going on a cruise? You might need evacuation cover. More of a snow fanatic? Get your skis covered in case they’re stolen. Make sure you read the terms and conditions to see what you’re covered for to avoid any claims disasters later on.
• Make sure you have the right travel card. With so many options for travel money cards, it can be confusing to know what you should go with. You might opt for a prepaid travel card to lock in an exchange rate for more certainty when you’re overseas. A travel debit card could be a good pick if you want to use your card all over the world, and only spend what you have. And if you’re looking for flexible spending and extras such as frequent flyers, a travel credit card might be a great option for you.

If you’re looking for more travel money advice before you head off on your next big adventure, check out our travel money hub, where you’ll find everything you need to know from travel cards to exchange rates.