Booking your Flights
Please see the updated process regarding the flight booking process for students participating in Swinburne Abroad Overseas Exchange program.
You're welcome to arrange your flights on your own. Please keep the following in mind before booking:
You're welcome to arrange your flights on your own. Please keep the following in mind before booking:
- Avoid booking with low‑cost carriers, as they may have limited flexibility or support if plans change.
- Your travel itinerary must not include countries classified as DFAT Level 3 or 4.
- Book flexible or changeable flights wherever possible.
- If you are required to apply for a visa, do not travel until your visa has been granted, as many embassies will keep your passport during processing.
NOTE: ALL STUDENTS WILL BE REQUIRED TO PROVIDE THEIR CONFIRMED FLIGHT DETAILS TO SWINBURNE ABROAD BEFORE DEPARTURE.
⚠️ IMPORTANT: PLEASE NOTE WHEN BOOKING FLIGHTS
Transit and Stopovers
Swinburne does not support travel itineraries that transit through countries listed as DFAT Level 3 or Level 4 on Smartraveller. This includes stopovers and flight connections. Travel insurance will not cover incidents in Level 3 or 4 countries when the risk is a known event.
Avoid booking flights that transit via the Middle East (e.g. UAE, Qatar) or Turkey. Book alternative routing options such as stopovers via Singapore or Hong Kong, subject to DFAT advice at the time of booking.
Risk Management
Travel looks very different now. Swinburne Abroad has been approved to run our overseas programs, but in order to offer these programs to you, there are some requirements in place that must be met.
We have a duty of care to keep you safe and these things are in place to assist with that. The following requirements are in place for all students travelling on a Swinburne University overseas program:
- (Process updated for students- see above) Students must book their international flights via REHO Travel: There is no requirements to book particular dates or exact destinations. However, students must be at destination to commence and complete studies at exchange partner on time.
- Students can only book travel to countries that are DFAT level 1 and 2 in Smart traveller.
- Students must be covered by Swinburne's travel and medical insurance (see Insurance for more information)
- Students must complete a Risk Assessment form and Flight Details Form, outlining their travel.
We recommend you register your travel plans with DFAT via the smartraveller.gov.au website.
This website also provides resources like:
- Up to date travel advice specific to the regions you are travelling in.
- Access to embassy/consular service information in case of an emergency.
- Means that family and friends can check your whereabouts in case of an emergency
Tips for Traveling & Flying
For some of you, this might be your first big overseas trip! And for others you might consider yourself a seasoned traveller.
Whatever the case, these tips below can be helpful for you as you approach the travel part of your overseas program:
Whatever the case, these tips below can be helpful for you as you approach the travel part of your overseas program:
- Arrive at your host location from Australia as close to the start date of your program as possible to avoid any issues or accidents. It may be best to do any extra travel after your study program.
- Minimise the amount of layovers you have- more stops means more exposure points, which increases your risk of coming into contact with COVID-19, may mean more testing requirements and also puts you at a higher risk of flight delays or travel disruptions
- Pack minimally if possible- this means you can make a quick layover if you have to run to your next gate!
- Have photocopies or photos on your phone of your key documents handy- your passport, bank cards and insurance documents
- Pack a spare change of clothes- you never know how long you might get caught somewhere, or if your bag gets lost, you'll thank yourself for packing clean undies!
- Bring Rapid Antigen tests (RATs) for COVID 19 with you to test if you have symptoms.
- Wear a mask in crowed areas, especially indoors and on public transport. A N95 mask is recommended.
Travel Advice
Accommodation - When Travelling
Consider hostels and accommodation with the following facilities:
- Kitchens: Save by cooking your own meals
- Breakfast Included: Take full advantage of the provided buffet by stocking up on bread, cereal, etc. to get you through until the next day’s breakfast.
- 24hr security, lockers & luggage Storage: for safety purposes
- Laundry Services or Washing Machines
- Free Wi-Fi and internet access
- Bicycle Hire: As a cheaper, healthier form of transportation
Consider couch surfing as an option. However to be on the safe side, make sure to couch surf with a trusted friend or group.
Accommodation - During Semester
- Research the host university for information about on-campus or off-campus accommodation
- Contact a returned student for recommendations of on-campus, off-campus, or home stay accommodation
- Always book a hostel prior to your departure if you do not already have accommodation set up before arriving to your host destination
Living Cheaply
- Prioritise your purchases (do you really need to purchase alcoholic beverages? That t-shirt? Or souvenir? What would you prefer to spend your money on?)
- Ask locals where to find cheap airline, travel and living deals (i.e. groupon, cudo)
- Choose to walk when you can
- Hire or invest in a push-bike, if your destination is safe enough
Living Cheaply - Food, drink and meals
- Prioritise your purchases (do you really need to purchase alcoholic beverages? That t-shirt? Or souvenir? What would you prefer to spend your money on?)
- Ask locals where to find cheap airline, travel and living deals (i.e. groupon, cudo)
- Choose to walk when you can
- Hire or invest in a push-bike, if your destination is safe enough
Commuting
- Blankets (for overnight buses or long haul flights): Versatile uses such as warm clothing and neck pillows.
- Scarves & sarongs: Also have versatile uses such as towel, neck pillow, scarf, blanket, etc. Downside is it may not keep you as warm however, they can also replace a quick dry towel.
- A good neck pillow, sleep mask, ear plugs and/or noise-blocking headphones.
- A relaxation playlist on your music device designed to put you to sleep for the long haul travels.
- Baggage storage can be difficult even in Western countries. Apart from railway stations, some hotels don’t mind accepting bags (just remember to tip in the US).
- Cheap transit. A lot of cheaper options are known by locals and return home students. These include buses, railways and airlines.
- Plan travel early (i.e. weekend travels and distances between locations)
- Be cautious of the frequency you move around from location to location as it does get costly.
- Travel during off-peak seasons to save money
arrow_drop_down_circle
Divider Text
© Swinburne 2022 | Copyright and disclaimer
CRICOS 00111D RTO 3059 TEQSA PRV12148 Australian University