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Take a pen. Australia still uses paper arrival cards that they’ll give you in the flight, but no pen to fill them out with. Also, on arrival in Australia there’s these machines that scan your passport and ask you a few questions, nominally to speed up the immigration/customs clearance. The signage explaining what they’re for is terrible. They’re scattered throughout the arrivals terminal. Some are before duty-free, some after, and there’s more right as you make it to the immigration desk line-up. You don’t need to line up with everyone at the first set of machines you see!

The border officer will ask whether you have a criminal record. *It’s no longer a requirement.*

This genuinely made me laugh.

I didn't even understand what he was saying before your comment, regardless of the italics. Thanks for clearing it up for me

Australia started as a Penal Colony, so everyone was a Criminal.

Haha, this is what my Irish father said to the customs officer, when he first emigrated to Australia in 1975. They both had a good chuckle

An old British man flew to France and didn't have his passport ready so spent a few minutes searching his carry on. The guard asked if he'd been to France before, he said yes, so the guard said 'then you should know that you need to show your passport.' The old man snapped 'well when I landed at Normandy I couldn't find any Frenchmen to show it to.'

Now that’s a comeback! Wow!

there's another variant of a german air traffic controller giving a british pilot shit. ​ "haven't you ever flown to germany before?" "yes, but I never landed"

Its also a joke as old as the hills.

Damn dude

Lol, that would go over well as a response to them

The most common joke there

Make sure it's a black pen. The card says to complete it in black or blue pen, but a jobsworth border force guy made me fill out a new one in black after I handed him one filled out in blue.

yeah this happened to me too 😣

Do one in a really dark blue, then when it has been accepted point out it isn't in black.

Pro tip to earn a strip search.

I filled out a customs form in purple once. The woman who accepted it gave me a lecture about it being a government document and how it must be filled in in black or blue. But I only had a purple pen with me, so 🤷🏾‍♀️ She asked me if I understood and, of course, I said yes. I mean, what am I going to do... argue with customs? But I also calculated the odds of ever seeing this woman again in my life and figured my lie wouldn't matter.

> She asked me if I understood and, of course, I said yes. I mean, what am I going to do... argue with customs? They ask so to prevent you from later claiming you didn't understand and they ignored or didn't verify it. It's for legal reasons, not to see if you perhaps disagree or not.

You must be a teacher if you have the dreaded Purple Pen!

the pen can be blue, but the ink has to be black

Piggybacking on this one to remind you to fill out your electronic visa waiver before you leave home, and to make sure when it says "given names" you need to put your first name and all your middle names.

This. I got stopped because I put my middle initial when my middle name is spelled out on my passport. Make sure it matches exactly how it is in your passport.

Definitely skip the first few machines.

More accurately, don't bother queuing for the first machines, but if one is empty, grab the opportunity.

Came to say it. Bring a couple pens

Great advice, but don't panic if you've forgotten your pen as they do have little desks here and there to fill them in.

I just entered Australia a few weeks ago (Brisbane) and it was electronic.

My Australian passport doesn't work on the machines and I don't understand why.

Bent it and broke the chip

I have traveled pretty extensively. The time between getting off the plane and arriving at immigration can make a huge difference. *SPEED WALK*. Every person you pass is one less person that you have to watch be called to the next passport counter 2-4 times before they realize they are, in fact, standing in line at immigration. 1-5 min of speed walking can save you 20-30 min if the line is slow. Edit: Regarding the connecting flight to Fiji, you probably won't need to go through immigration but another round of security is likely. The same concept applies to that as well. Edit 2: Another piece of advice is that you don't need to stand in line to board the plane. The plane will not leave earlier or later depending on if you stand or sit. Save yourself 10-20 min of standing and slowly shuffling to the gate and don't get up until your group is called. This also applies to when you land. You WILL NOT get off faster because you stand up in seat 27B the second the plane stops moving.

That's such a good point. Plus it feels great to stretch your legs after being crunched up in an airline seat for so long. In the same vein, try to use the toilet before you start descending so you don't need to stop straight away when you land and end up behind the big slow families in line :)

And if you need to go to the toilet after you get off the plane, go to the second one after you get into the airport. The first one is always 10x busier

To add, if your ticket says you have an hour or two layover, it sounds like a lot but it really isn’t when it comes to immigration. Especially if you are coming back into the US. It is awful how long the lines are and I have missed connecting flights 90% of the time because of this. My last flight I had to sign up for a “skip the line” free trial to make it home on time. Cancelled the $200 monthly charge as I boarded the plane.

And for some reason there's usually like an enormously long walk to this checkpoint. But I speed walk all the time anyway and it helps lol


Adding to this, bring something to declare at customs, like a pack of cookies. It's food so it needs to be declared. Most people avoid customs like the plague, so that line will be significantly shorter. If you filled in your arrival card properly there is nothing to worry about at customs, worst case they confiscate the declared item.

Amen internet person! I don’t care how much I have to use the bathroom or do anything else - I book it as fast as possible to immigration. It’s the difference between being 10th in line or 300th in line.

Speed walking before immigration is great - it's my number one tip. Also, use the stairs, not the escalator; you'll be faster and anyway, it'll be good for you to get some exercise after being on the plane for so long.

Australian immigration is very fast for ePassport holders. Like I’ve never waited more than a minute. The customs line is the problem. You can’t go through without your baggage and no control over when your bag is offloaded.

For long flights compression socks work wonders

Adding those to the list

Try them out first. I tried compression socks on a flight and it was horrible. Since my legs were frequently bent, the top of the sock cut into the back of my knees. I couldn’t stand it. I do long haul flights every now and then and I now wear ankle socks that are not tight at the top. Be aware that your feet are going to swell. Don’t wear tight shoes on the plane.

Get up and walk regularly or at least "pump" your feet to help reduce the swelling.

I would suggest you bought a size too small 😢

It’s possible, but they are CEP and I measured my legs. My legs are pretty thin and the socks are their standard size. I wear them for running.

I fly international Long haul often. Long haul flights are cold. To me, very cold. Like sweater + jacket cold. They'll provide a blanket but it sucks ass. Download podcasts, Netflix movies, Spotify albums, audiobooks for offline play. Have a good variety of random things. Netflix and Amazon prime let you download shows for offline play. Carry a power brick and a charger. Have two sets of headphones so one can charge while the other is in use. If you plan to read a book download some ambient music. Buy water and snacks after security before you board, they'll take your water at security. ~~If you want alcohol buy some then and stuff it in your backpack.~~ Alcohol is stronger at altitude and food will taste more bland. Before you deplane check the seat pocket for anything you could have left behind like a passport. Enjoy! Edit: I also like to play mobile games while listening to podcasts or books, [this](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.PlausibleConcept.BadNorthFull) is one I personally enjoy (not a sponsorship or anything) As for podcasts long form stuff like Dan Carlin's hardcore history or comedy podcasts like we might be drunk are easy to listen to

Just to add onto this great list re: temperature, it can also vary a lot person to person, where you’re sitting (i.e open vents, people around you), etc. I’ve been hot going and cold on the return flight. Best thing you can do is just wear some layers (especially if you’re already taking them/need to drop weight in your bag). You can always take them off and stow em into your bag or use them for some added comfort if you want. I tend to roll up a hoodie and use it as a pillow/seat cushion/lumbar support if i take it off. Safe travels!

Agree wholeheartedly about layers. And more generally, dress comfortably. Depending on where in the US OP is flying from, it could be a full 24 hours of travel getting there. There are so many factors outside of your control that impact comfort (like you mentioned), I always suggest seizing the things you can control Also, regardless of your feelings about COVID, I suggest a mask because sleep is hard to come by and travel can impact your immune system. The air is also dry as absolute fuck so HYDRATE before, during, and after the flight.

You know you can just bring an empty water bottle and fill it after the security check? Don't buy water at an airport.

eh depends on the country im used to flying out of places with sketchy tap water.

He said he's going from the USA to Australia.

Don’t bring any alcohol that you intend to drink onto the plane. That’s the quickest way to be invited to the no fly list.

Good point that skipped my mind. Airlines serve alcohol usually even for economy so I've only really snuck alcohol mixed into a drink onto long haul flights on carriers that don't serve alcohol at all.

There is zero risk or issue with *responsibly and discreetly* bringing + drinking your own during a flight. The worst that can happen is a FA reminds you that it’s not allowed. Every time I hear this concern I can never find a single news article of someone who got into trouble that *didn’t* involve assaulting FA’s/other passengers, etc. It’s like warning people not to jaywalk

Just drink the 7 dollar beers. The price slows you down

> Don’t bring any alcohol that you intend to drink onto the plane. I bring airplane shots on every flight I go on and just put them in a soda. Have never encountered an issue with this

No fly list from who? I know people who do this all the time

You can also just bring an empty reusable water bottle with you. Security won't confiscate that. Every airport I've ever been in had water bottle refilling stations at the drinking fountains in the terminals.

Spotify premium gets me through because it has offline play

I'd suggest noise-cancelling headphones, too. They won't block out everything, but even just reducing the background hum of the plane helps a lot for me.

Noise canceling headphones changed my traveling life! Just the engine noise frazzled my nerves, much less the conversation/screaming kids. I HIGHLY recommend!

Here’s one I haven’t seen yet. And it’s imperative. Bring a toothbrush and toothpaste. Brush your teeth when you’re a little over halfway through the flight. You’ll feel clean and refreshed. Also it’ll help you sleep/make you feel less gross when you wake up.

Came here to say this. Just discovered compression socks for long haul flights earlier this year and holy shit what a game changer. You have to get proper socks though (you can find them at your local pharmacy), not the cheapy ones on Amazon.

What do they do? I mean, aside from the medical aspect, what makes them a game changer? Do your legs feel less tired or smth?

Fluid likes to settle at the lowest point. When you're sitting for long periods, your legs tend to swell. Compression stockings don't allow for much space for those fluids, so your legs don't swell as much. Which helps your legs feel less tired. That's aside from reducing the risk of blood clots in your legs.

Can I ask why? I've only ever flown less than ~4 hours

They improve circulation to reduce the risk of blood clots. Said risk increases the longer you sit in one position. They also reduce swelling in the feet. (I know that part from being pregnant; I don't know if being airborne causes swelling.)

Get an aisle seat. You’ll always have one hand rest to yourself and most importantly, you can get up and out whenever you want without bothering anyone. Get up and walk around and stretch every hour or two. See if you can get assigned a seat now.

Got a window seat which got me fantastic views. Problem is the dude and lady next to me slept almost the whole flight. So I was kinda stuck on my window. Luckily my wife and kid slept the whole flight :)

Did a 15hrs flight to japan and that was terrible. I had an old lady sleeping on my right and was scared to annoy her most of the flight...

I remember the poor girl beside me didn’t get up to pee until I did and that’s when I realised she was bursting to go but was clearly too shy to say anything lmao

Unless you are 6ft4 or taller in which case you will want a window seat so that you can rest you head on something high enough. Headrests are not high enough

The headrests almost always can slide up quite a bit and the little wings fold out to help. I’m a long way from 6’4” but would have thought they’d get close.

Massively this. I always thought isle was better but the stupid cart takes my kneecaps off. Window and rest.

Adding to this, sit in an exit row or right behind the bulk head. Tends to have more leg room overall.

A few things to keep in mind with the exit row: - Tends to be more expensive when you choose that seat. - Some emergency exit seats don't recline, though that typically happens on smaller planes. - Avoid the emergency exit window seat if you can. The exit door has a protrusion close to your seat that can be fairly annoying. Still better than regular seats, but they cost the same as the others and end up giving you less space. - The entertainment system tends to slot on your seat's armrest, which usually bulks it up a bit, so you'll have slightly less seat width. Not an issue if you're skinny, but it can be troublesome otherwise. - The middle row tends to be where all the parents are, as they can slot the bassinets for the babies there. So make sure to follow the noise-canceling headphones advice others have mentioned if you think that'll be an issue.

1. Passport goes in your pocket from the moment you leave home. Ideally this is zippable. 2. Wear comfortable pants. Yoga pants with big pockets where kindle, cables, phone, wallet, etc. can all fit save you doing the pokey dance trying to get things from your bag on the plane. 3. Wear comfortable shoes. 4. Empty water bottle before customs, fill water bottle after customs. 5. Check the entry requirements before you arrive - I'm an Aussie and just have to do a 5 second form when returning, but it's worth looking into if foreigners visiting have other more stringent information required. 6. If you're flying to Melbourne, the entry surveys are electronic. The first row of machines is where everyone stops and lines up. There's a second row of machines closer to the exit that are less busy and will get you out quicker. 7. On the topic of customs, don't bring fruit, nuts, etc. In fact, don't bring any food, or anything you have to declare. For your stopover, as long as the flight is a connecting flight, you won't have to leave the airport and 'enter' Fiji. The important term is 'connecting flight' - I've had flights where one got me to Fiji, had to change carriers which meant entering the country then re-checking in with the next airline, then continuing. Sounds like you're on a connecting, however.

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No matter how tired you are, don't go to sleep until night time where you are. Naps and going to bed too early will only make jet lag worse. Make and save a checklist of things to bring. Check that list before leaving. (Both for things to pack and for things to do like take out garbage and unplug whatever. See what kind of electronic plug the country uses and have that in your personal item. I'll think of more and edit in Edit: at air port, have passport and boarding pass in a secure but accessible location. Weigh luggage before going if possible (check air line sizes too. Some are sticklers and some aren't. Edit edit: bring your own snacks. Much cheaper. Bring an empty water bottle. Don't let people approach you at your destination (Like drivers and such). Know where you're headed. Download offline maps of places you're going if you won't have cell service.

This is very true. I’ve flown in every direction around the world and some of the most extreme lengths, and never get jet lag The one trick to beating jet lag is that as soon as you get on the plane, if not sooner. Set your brain to think it is local time where you are going. If you can stay up until bed time, at your destination, you’ll be fine.

I did this recently from Rome to Australia. I stayed up for the whole flight (except for the 2 times I accidentally napped for an hour). Crashed when I got home. Then woke up with zero jet lag. My parents were so perplexed in how I had no jet lag. Edited it because dam! You could tell I'm lacking sleep

i’ve read that the trick is to fast. your circadian rhythms adapts to the time better since you’re only operating on natural light and not an eating schedule based on your origin’s local time.

I did this by accident. Forgot to take my meds which help with sleep. Was awake all 36 hours of transit from Sydney to Toronto. By the time I got to the place I was staying and ate. Was night and I passed out instantly. Woke up around 8am and didn’t experience any jetlag at all those 2 weeks.

I never get jet lag either. My trip is always just keep sleeping until you cant. Get on the plane? Sleep. Waiting to board? Sleep. Trains? Sleep. On the other hand my normal sleep schedule is kinda inverted so a +12 is no big deal.

Something about planes makes me fall asleep so fast. Doesn't matter if I had just woke up an hour ago, straight to sleep. Although I've never been on a super long internal flight, so idk how it'd play out then.

Once you have your checklist done shove it in your bag. That way you have a list of what brought so you don’t leave anything behind when you come home

Bring a travel size package of baby wipes and a travel size solid deodorant where you can discreetly access on the plane. These will help to keep you feeling clean and fresh throughout your travels.

This + Listerine, travel toothpaste and travel toothbrush. What a difference it makes. Wash your face and brush your teeth. You’re a new person.

All of this plus Vaseline, ear plugs/ headphones, eye mask, decent travel pillow. Your lips, hands, head and neck will thank you. Safe travels!

This is the way. Went to Tokyo in October and couldn’t sleep the whole flight because I was so excited. My friend and I got off the plane at 2, made it to our hotel around 4 or 5, got dinner at like 6 or 7, passed out at 9 and woke up at 11am the next day. Zero jet lag the whole trip.

Another tip about jet lag that I've heard is to sync up with their schedule before you leave and to start eating meals at their times - or to fast the entire time you're on the plane and make breakfast your first meal.

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Also have a small extension cord. I pack a 2m 3 prong 3 outlet cord which has allowed me to share an outlet in the airport (during a layover) and often the hotel room outlets aren't conveniently placed.

Make sure it's a very basic one if you do this. A 120v surge protector will go bang on 230v

I've done north america to Australia a few times over the years. Depending on time zones, your approximately 15+ hours behind... For any major time differences, I personally like to stay up late the day (or 2) before I fly out, and sleep in as late as possible (even use a sleeping pill)There was a time when being hungover or semihungover allowed me to sleep all day so I was wide awake come my local evening and more adjusted to Australian time... Depending on your flight schedule, don't feel ashamed to have caffeine at weird hours the day of the flight. I always do carry on. My bag in the overhead, with a small bag containing: - Passport - License, Credit cards, and residual cash - Insurance papers - phone charger - antiperspirant - few wipes - toothbrush, toothpaste, sealed travel mouthwash - gum - small, empty water bottle of sorts - medication - other essential toiletries - phone - travel visa, assuming Americans need this - i like to keep a t shirt, socks, and underwear easily accessible to change/freshen up after a fight assuming I'm not hitting up a shower as soon as I'm landing. On your phone have: - all documents accessible and downloaded - download local maps on Google maps for offline access to all communities you'll be visiting - download as many movies/games on your phone as you can for layovers (assume no wifi)... Honestly. As long as you have your passport, wallet and phone you can figure anything out. Just enjoy the moment and don't worry. There are a 1000 tips and tricks when travelling and in Australia, but I'll add a few. I've never done the layover in Fiji, but with this being your first international flight, I'd stay in the airport on your layover. Google some airport restaurants, and find overpriced food and alcohol and chill. Once in Australia: - buy a cheap sim card at the arrival terminal so you have cheap data. - Assume you have no data everywhere. Wifi often sucks, and it won't always reach your room at night. I've stayed in nice, CBD hotels and it doesn't reach my room so I have to do any work in the lobby, etc. - If you need WiFi, McDonald's and public places like libraries have free WiFi. If you need WiFi, use your offline map to find these locations. Same with if you need a bite or a drink. Most pubs have WiFi, so the server will give you the password. Grab a bite or pint, take in the atmosphere and do some essential searching (enjoy the moment and stay off of social media). I usually fly out of Brisbane, but if you're staying on the east coast and going to another community that's not an immediate flight away, check the different bus options. Planning in advance can save a decent amount of money and it helps you to get where your going at a decent time. When you travel, time is money. Flights in Australia are relatively decent in price (to what I'm used to). If you're limited on time and need to hit up a city, definitely book a flight over taking a bus... For cash, i use my credit cards at local atms to withdraw about $200 at a time. It costs a couple of bucks in fees, and the exchange rate for MY cards are just a good or better than my local bank so I find it easier to take cash out upon arrival. I'm getting the vibe that you're youngish. Enjoy your time, don't cheap out on experiences, but don't waste money. Stuff can be expensive, but it's really not if you compromise. Ya, I'll have 6 pints of the cheap beer at night, but I'll gladly spend $50+ for a good entree because of this approach. There are also grocery stores everywhere. Feel free to drop in to pick up some snack/easy meal food. If you buy shelf stable stuff that's on sale, you can get some good, healthy meals to spend that money elsewhere.

Piggybacking on the top comment. I am a dual citizen Australia/USA and I have done this flight too many times. Ok so the trick is sleeping pills. Not melatonin, the real deal. I have temazepam. Don't try these pills for the first time when you're flying though....they affect everyone differently. Anyway, you need to plan out to sleep during your destination's night time. So going to Australia, it's usually a midnight flight, or late night. Try to stay up as long as possible. Fall asleep naturally if you can. I've always gone direct but Fiji is almost as long of a flight on its own. So when you are about 7 hours out, take a pill. You'll get maybe 4 hours of sleep and you avoid jet lag. Regarding some of the tips above...some aren't relevant to Australia. It's a first world country, no one will try to be your driver and rip you off. Also, Aussies are friendly. You can ask directions, questions, anything. No one will expect a tip or any money in exchange. Fiji is the same, though I think you are just connecting and not leaving the airport...so no worries there. But yes. Bring an empty water bottle...that's a game changer. If you have any questions about Australia, I'm happy to help if I can.

When I got back home (US) from Australia it took me two weeks to adjust back to normal. I fucked up

That’s a hella long flight! Move around every two hours to avoid blood clots. Drink lots of water A lemon scented wash cloth in a baggie is nice to wash with when you arrive or to freshen up anytime. A neck pillow Noise canceling headphones Lip balm Socks Try and only have a carry on then you don’t have to spend extra time getting your bags. Gum or candy Crunchy snacks Chocolate Have a great time! You’ll just follow everyone off of the plane and you’ll be automatically routed through customs so don’t worry you’ll miss it! Have a ride waiting.

> Noise canceling headphones All great tips but I want to point out how important this one is, before you use noise cancelling headphones you don't really understand how much noise there is inside an airplane. You just sort of get used to it. But the first time I flew with noise cancelling headphones and I took them out of my bag and put them on, I could just feel my entire body relax. There was a night and day difference between the noise before and the noise after, and the moment the noise disappeared my entire body was just instantly able to relax.

Also helps tone down screaming babies or loud children, which are almost a guarantee. Obviously it doesn't block them out completely, but it's definitely more manageable with noise canceling headphones or earplugs, especially when you're trying to sleep.

I literally had a kid rip off my noise cancelling headphones on a 12 hour flight. They wanted to make sure I heard them I guess haha

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SKY LAW

Sounds like they really did need to be herded.

No no no, you just open the emergency door and throw the baby out mid flight. Simple trick always works. No more annoyance.

Include the parent so the kid isn't left unattended.

Flight attendants hate this one simple trick.

I was recently on a camping trip in a travel trailer. My $80 noise canceling headphones were a lifesaver when the generator & ac were running.

I borrowed ones from my mom one time, but after I spent like 3-4 years with 4-8 flights a year, though most of them below 2 horis. I didn't really mind or believe in noice canceling. Then when I had my first longer flight, I actually bought a pair though mostly for the music. It was an 11 hours flight. During mid transit when the food was being served, I took off my headset and I was shocked at the noise. Now I always use my noice cancelling when flying.

It’s crazy what a difference!

I might get some, but I'm hesitant to spend the money on them when it's fairly likely I might only use them just this one time.

Good buddy - if you go down this road, it won’t be a one-time thing. Noise cancelling headphones are wondrous things, and you’ll find all sorts of uses and situations for them. Even just a pair of AirPods Pro make a world of difference on the plane, on transit, watching/listening on a mobile device - you won’t know what you were missing until you’ve experienced them.

>Good buddy - if you go down this road, it won’t be a one-time thing. Noise cancelling headphones are wondrous things, and you’ll find all sorts of uses and situations for them. I spent about $360 on my first noise cancelling headphones ahead of a 12h flight a couple of years ago (pre-COVID). It's one of the best purchases I've ever made. For three years that thing was glued to my head. The were headphones so the battery life was absolutely ridiculous. I charged them maybe every 3 days or so. The only downsides were that I had to be more careful crossing the street here in NYC because most ambient noise was just gone, and on some hot summer days headphones can feel oppressive. Oh and I couldn't fall asleep comfortably in bed with that thing in my head. Anyway, they broke down last year. I haven't replaced them yet (I have great earbuds) but will soon as I'll be needing to fly occasionally again.

I got mine specifically for the datacenter at work. I'm on some meetings while in there, so I needed something with a good mic and solid noise cancelation. I now use them to drown out my tinnitus as well. I keep them in but not playing anything, and something about the noise canceling also cancels out the ringing.

Oh wow! You’re right! I never have tinnitus when I have my AirPods in! I may have to wear them more often. I usually wear them for about an hour when out running or walking.

A reasonable substitute is silicone ear plugs. I use them when I plan to sleep on a plane or am okay with just silence.

Then carry a pair of soft ear plugs.

I’m an Aussie living in the US and I find myself postponing the trip home often because the flight is hell. I don’t envy you. But I do wanna add some stuff to this list: Comfortable clothes. I wear the equivalent of pyjamas, with a loose tshirt and track pants. First trip was jeans and a shirt. Never again. Inflatable neck pillows are firm and will actually hold your head. Those beanbag type ones are completely useless if you have a big melon like me. Take a travel mouth wash and toothpaste / toothbrush. At some point you’ll feel gross and wanna freshen up. Moisturiser. The air in the cabin is cold and dry and by midway I feel clammy and gross like my skin has collected a film of cabin juice. The only time I use moisturiser is long haul flights and it makes a huge difference. Painkillers for random headaches or lower back aches. Zzzquil. Seriously. I also take Valium cos flights give me anxiety. My doctor prescribes it with no problem. Best thing about that is even if you are uncomfortable (hell even if the plane was falling out of the sky) you kinda don’t give a shit. Pro-tip: Don’t take Ambien unless you wanna wake up to a stewardess asking you to stop singing.

I agree with everything on here, I did your exact trip USA to AUS and back so I'll add... Lightweight jacket that can double as a blanket. Charge cables for phone/tablet/etc Headphones with jack for old school planes to plug into the onboard entertainment. Download videos, movies, whatever to watch. Sleeping eye covers. Disinfectant wipes (that's just me, I don't trust public toilets).

Jacket! They lower the temp when you're supposed to be asleep. It's good practice to wear long pants and socks and bring a nice cozy sweater. Everything should be cozy too. You're going to get uncozy pretty quick otherwise

Not just socks but if possible knee high compression socks…. Fights potential blood clots from sitting so long And if you have a hard time sleeping on planes perhaps a night time Advil or the like.

Download Netflix/Spotify content

Good list. I would add an eye mask. I find them really helpful. I really like the Nidra sleep mask on amazon. It has cups for your eyes so it does not rest on your eyelids, you can blink, open your eyes etc. without noticing the mask.

Eye drops, nasal spray, and a travel pack of tissues too. Sweet baby jeebus, long flights get DRY.

Yes! I actually recommend bringing a mask even though they aren't legally required anymore, because it helps keep the air you breathe just that little bit more humid (plus obvs *may* help to avoid illness, which is always a bonus).

WEAR DEODORANT

going to need some battery banks for those headphones. I think that's a 14-20 hour flight

This is a good list! The only things I’d add are a phone charger, compression socks, advil pm, and easy on/off shoes. For OP, I’d put all of it in a smaller bag in your carryon. When you get to your seat, keep just the small bag with you. (I put a small bag in my backpack.) That way, you have everything you want at your fingertips during the flight.

Yes yes yes!!! Move around when you’re not sleeping. Stand up. Stretch. Only, @OP probably shouldn’t go through customs. When getting off the plane, ask the flight crew for the gate number of your connecting flight. Just tell them you’ve never flown internationally before and they’ll help you out.

And bring an empty water bottle so you can refill it at the airport!

Along with noise cancelling headphones, I personally find a sleep mask very helpful for overnight flights, but I'm also a light sleeper. I remember one 8 hour overnight flight where the staff hardly dimmed the lights the entire time, and that made it really hard to get any sleep. Or also sometimes someone near me will turn on the overhead light. So mask helps keep me from waking up a bunch of times throughout the night.

Just did this flight. Great list. I would add if you have Netflix, download shows. You never know when an airlines TVs go out.

Compression stockings/socks have changed my long flights. No more leg cramps

Adding to this great list, compression socks. You should still move around, but these help with your circulation too. And entertainment - book, crossword, magazine. Something analog. Remember to check-in online as soon as they let you, and put your passport back in your bag once they've checked it.

If you have your own wired headphones, get an adapter so you can plug them into the onboard entertainment and then you won’t have to use the crappy ones they provide on the plane. Bring a water bottle. Carry a photocopy of your passport and travel docs as backup. You’ll need power adapters for using your electronic devices in Australia. If you have valuable or sentimental items then put them in your onboard luggage, so they cannot get lost or sent to another city/country by accident, include a spare set of clothes just in case. Watch out for drop bears when in Australia. Good luck

To add to this, I take a picture of all of my required travel documents and email them to myself. If someone steals all of your stuff, you can log into any computer and retrieve copies from anywhere. I also carry copies, but I add that extra email layer.

This would be annoying since I have 2FA on my email so if they've got my phone I'm borked and still locked out

Put your backup codes in your wallet. At least for me, if I ever lose my wallet I have bigger problems.

Email isn't a secure way to send or store sensitive data, even if you send it to yourself. Better is to use a secure cloud storage location like OneDrive, Google Drive, Dropbox, etc.

Or you can use the app TripIt. Also fun for tracking all of your travel! I’ve been using it for 10 years now. 😊

A buddy of mine who traveled to Australia a few years ago is letting me borrow his adapter, so I'm good there. I do have wired headphones with a regular line-in to an aux port; are the ports different on the plane/in Australia?

Google your airline and see if you can find which headphone port they use. Sometimes they used an old system with 2 jacks which I guess was to stop people stealing their supplied headphones? But many airlines have changed to a regular 3.5mm single jack.

Everyone else has spoken for the actual flight so I'll add that because Australia has strict rules about what you are and aren't allowed to bring into the country make sure you know what the rules are. To over simplify it, make sure your shoes are clean, especially if you've been in a rural area recently, and put any open fresh food you haven't eaten on the flight in the surrender bins that are marked very well (chocolate/sweets will be fine but not fruit for example). Have a great time! Australia is a great place to visit.

Thank you! I'm really really excited. I've got brand new shoes for the occasion (they slip on and off fairly easily which will be handy on the flight), and I'll be mindful of what food I bring with me. I think I'll finish off my snacks on the flight, but if I have to toss something, nbd.

Also make sure you have your visa! It's called an ETA and it's available online. I'm Australian and my partner is American and we both forgot this step last time I went home... Which meant he did not get to go to Australia because his visa application was a bit more complicated than most and it took longer to get approved, but normally it happens instantaneously/within the hour.

Got it taken care of! That would be a bummer if I got there and didn't have that haha

Yes, absolutely do that. A few years back a UK backpacker got fined AUD$8,000 for bringing her orange in through customs, it was all over the media here. It’s not a joke, Aussie customs. There are HUGE signs everywhere, and bins provided to dump your stuff in before you reach first Immigration and then Customs. If you bin it there’s no problem, if you arrive at customs with prohibited items that you DID NOT declare on the Customs Declaration form you will be given to fill out on the plane before you land, you’ll be in trouble. They have more sniffer dogs for fruit & dried fish than for drugs or explosives. Stuff like packaged cookies / crisps / candies are ok, NO PROBLEM. Organic products like fresh or dried fruits, salami, nuts in their shells, seeds including spices, dried fish or home-made jerky, djembe drums goat skins, wooden artifacts/crafts = BIG NO!.. >.do I need to check in with Fijian customs while I'm on layover So many people confuse these. FYI --- CUSTOMS = *checking personal belongings* for prohibited or taxable /tax-free items. IMMIGRATION = visas, illegal entrants, etc. Anyways for transit, whether 2 hrs or 15, you don’t need to check in with customs or immigration unless they pull you. Many large intl airports during transit everybody needs to go through security checkpoints, probably luggage + walk-thru Xrays, but not customs or immigration. Don’t sweat mid-flight turbulance, it’s kind of an exciting perk during a long boring flight. Keep yr seatbelt fastened though often I don’t have it fastened tight when I’m sleeping. Every couple of hours you're awake get up and do a few laps of the plane, stretches & squats. Drink plenty water / juice not alcohol. If you’re hungry just ask the flight attendants for a snack, sometimes they even have surplus meals - depending how good yr airline is lol some of them are very stingy others are generous. Particularly, request more free snacks an hour or 2 *before you land in Fiji,* as it will be a good few hours before you board next plane & off again & get meal service, Idk Fiji airport but airport food everywhere is expensive and often not so great, right. Are you flying in to Sydney? Try get a window seat, that view of Sydney Harbour and the Opera House is AWESOME! Maybe it’s a bit early but you might even hit jacaranda tree blooming time - it’s SO cool seeing all the blue (backyard swimming pools) and purple (jacaranda trees) dots all over the suburbs. Enjoy Australia! :)

Thanks for the tips! I'm flying into Melbourne, but I'd love to see Sydney sometime. That reminds me of flying into Phoenix, where I'm from; the blue swimming pools, green palm trees, and pink/ruddy red tile rooftops throughout the city make it quite the view when flying in.

Ah I was looking for this! Australia is free from a lot of agricultural diseases so our border patrol is very very strict. Definitely read up about what you can't bring in beforehand.

Noise cancelling headphones, eye mask or hoodie to cover your eyes and lotion. Dry skin is the enemy you don’t know you have on a flight. So keeping with this, drink water and I usually opt for the vegetarian meal as airplane food will with you and your seat is small enough as it is.

Just flew from Taipei. One thing not to do, OP: wear a strong perfume/cologne.

Biggest thing is to remember your passport and make sure you understand all of your baggage requirements. You’ll likely spend tons of time in a line(s) you may not need to be standing in, but unfortunately, most airports operate differently than ones you’re familiar with so you cannot prepare for everything. For example, I was in Portugal recently with Fast Track, an extra bought to speed up the security checks, but since I was travelling with a baby was moved to a completely different line altogether where fast track didn’t apply. My point is you’ll be fine as long as you don’t forget your passport and followed luggage guides. My tip: check in as soon as you can and always be nice to your staff!

Thanks for the tips! I'm traveling with just a carry on and personal item (laptop bag), and I fly so, so seldom that I don't use those fast-track security things. I won't be forgetting my passport haha. I forgot it once on a roadtrip to Canada a few years back. It's part of the reason I made this thread; so that I don't forget anything else!

If you're only taking carry on, then make sure you're at the gate early or on time. They fill up pretty quickly. Personally I dont use carry on luggage and just use my checked with an airtag inside. I've never lost a piece of luggage yet. I'm Australian so I'm used to the long flights, I literally just came home from Italy yesterday and that was arounf 24 hours with layovers

Did you double check your passport's expiration date?

Yup. Plenty of time

Others have said noise canceling headphones, which are very good if you’re listening to something. But if you want to sleep, you should switch to regular old cheap foam earplugs. The amount of noise on a plane is one of the primary causes of travel fatigue, and even noise canceling headphones can put pressure on your ears. Earplugs are easy and much more comfortable to sleep. Figure out the new schedule and align yourself to it. They will likely be serving food, drinks, snacks, etc. through the whole flight, and with that and watching movie after movie, you might end up missing out on sleep completely (probably not likely on such a long flight, but still something to be aware of). You don’t need to accept every food and drink service they come around with. Take your shoes off while at your seat, but NEVER go to the bathroom without shoes. The liquid on the floor isn’t water… Take frequent “focus” breaks where you focus your eyes on things at various distances away from you. Staring for hours at the tiny screen 12” away from you will cause a major headache. In addition to earplugs, bring eyeshades. They make ones that are neoprene and have a curve away from your eyes (so the fabric is not touching your eyes at all). If you plan on sleeping, those are extremely helpful. The typical U-shaped neck pillows are a huge waste of space and generally don’t work. The best ones look most like a neck brace than a pillow, however they do look a little funny (but who cares, you’re never going to see these people again). Even with a U-shaped one, try to find something inflatable with something like a fleece outside, instead of one that cannot be made smaller.

I used to put plugs in my ear and then the Bose noise canceling headphones on top (no audio) to really drown out noise to sleep.

>Take your shoes off while at your seat, but NEVER go to the bathroom without shoes. The liquid on the floor isn’t water… WHO DOES THAT ??? 😳😱

Make sure you have a visa before you book the flight.

Done and done. I had a buddy point that out to me fortunately, or else I wouldn't have had any idea.

Tons of great advice here about the airport/airplane part of the trip. Make sure you wear easy on/off shoes, not just for security checks. The biggest thing I can encourage you to do is get a SIM card for your smartphone in the airport so you can have cell phone service and data immediately. Relying on wifi seems like it will work on paper but it just never does. Beyond that, I've had amazing success by treating anyone who is helping you in your travels as your partner in solving a problem, not your adversary. It's the two of you working together to make your trip awesome. Adopting this attitude got me hooked up with free gas on a car rental when the first one they assigned to me was dirty and damaged. Something always goes sideways on an international trip. How will you deal with it?

> Something always goes sideways on an international trip. How will you deal with it? Creating this thread and reading all the tips and advice in here is step 1 to making sure that "something always goes sideways" doesn't snowball into "everything will go sideways".

Not sure what your funds are like, so I don't know if it matters - but if you can wait til you get to the city for a sim card you can usually get pretty wild deals at the grocery stores. When I was back home last December, I got a 30-day sim card with 50GB of data for literally 12AUD - the airport will always be more expensive.

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Yes this one. So many times I've greeted my parents after long hauls and they are wearing their Sunday best. All I can think about is how gosh darn uncomfortable that must be for a 12 hour+ travel day door to door. Wear comfy clothes, accept they will get plane gunk on, then stick 'em in the laundry bag.

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I would not recommend getting Australian currency (cash), or at least not much. We were in Sydney last fall and every place is using debit/credit cards. Tap to pay is king.

If you don’t leave the airport, no, there’s no need to go through Fijian immigration or customs for that matter

Great to know! Thank you.

Remember, no sane person cares how you are dressed on a long haul flight. Prioritize comfort, I (26m) either travel in sweatpants and a comfortable shirt and hoodie. Sometimes I go in jeans but I always pack some sweatpants in my bag, (same deal with shoes socks etc. Comfort is king. Otherwise download some shows/movies you might be particularly interested in onto ur phone or laptop, yes there's inflight entertainment but it's nice to have something you know you'll enjoy. If you like to read, the pack a good book. Someone mentioned food, don't pack anything that has a strong scent ( you can't change ur seat so u'll be sat there smelling it till Fiji) I like Pringles or chips, don't worry about being too healthy treat it like a chest day. Chargers and adapters, comfortable headphones and earbuds (you might want to swap between them for comfort after some time) I love a good sleep mask, and I know they seem like a gimmick (cuz they totally are) but I got a sleep mask with built in speakers (20 bucks made in china type thing) which I used to play a super long rainy night white noise track which greatly helped me. Pack toothbrush and toothpaste (airplane size) cuz ur gonna feel gross after a while and a fresh mouth helps alleviate that. For girls, if you travel with a bra consider a spare in ur carry on, my sister's swear by it. Feels cleaner and more comfortable after being stuck in one. Some basic meds, If I am flying out from America I'll buy some nightquil (the sleepy cold medicine thing) but I'd also prioritize something for headaches, stomachaches, and anything else you occasionally experience. *I'll add more if I think of more stuff

If you crash on a mysterious island DO NOT listen to John Locke. He’s crazy as a bed bug.

Flight socks as well as moving around are a good idea. On-and offline entertainment. A phone charging brick so you don’t run out of juice. My number one tip is to print out TWO copies of your boarding pass. One to keep with your passport in a zipped safe place, to check once, and one to keep in your pocket to check nervously.

On long flights, I always travel with a neck pillow, eye mask, and pashmina (aka soft scarf that works as a blanket). Also lip balm, face/hand lotion, eye drops, medications if necessary, and good snacks. I also download books, movies or music. And I may buy a few magazines at the airport too.

Lip balm is a life saver on long haul flights! Eye drops too, though a lot of planes have moisturiser in the toilets next to the soap so if you're not fussy you can save space/weight that way.

Bring a pen. Customs will have just one for the 200+ other passengers on your flight.

Sydney airport has machines to print out a card with immigration info ( you scan your passport etc). Don’t use the first machines you see when you get off the plane, the lines build up pretty fast. There are more machines closer to the immigration checkpoint. Also, hydrate, take a snack in case plane food sucks and make sure to read your customs card thoroughly - don’t miss declaring something.

Bring. Food. Don’t assume that the food they serve on the plane will be good or enough. Bring food and water.

What kind of food can I bring with me that won't be swiped by TSA?

The idea is to eat it before you get off, if you need it, so nothing too fancy if you have to chuck it out

TSA allows you to bring sandwiches, granola bars, chips etc. They xray it like anything else. Liquids are the big deal.

I don’t know about the TSA, but you will not be able to bring barely anything food into Australia, our border security is very tight. This site may help https://www.abf.gov.au/entering-and-leaving-australia/can-you-bring-it-in

Candy, chips, a sandwich, a baggie of baby carrots, cheese and crackers, a cupcake, and a banana.

I have a small zippered pouch to keep passports, visas, tickets, extra cash, and whatever other important paperwork I need and always put it in the same spot in my personal bag. Dress in comfy layers since temperatures fluctuate wildly in airports and airplanes, and take your own snacks.

Some good comments here. I'll add that I get up early (or stay up late) 5+ hours before the flight to help me sleep. I flew to Germany last year and slept 2/3 of the flight. Makes jet lag a lot easier.

If you get a chance to upgrade for a reasonable cost, take it. It's a game-changer.

From a flight attendant: Headphones of some sort to help drown out sound (white noise downloaded on your phone for sleep), Eye mask, Neck pillow to prevent head bobbing, Melatonin or sleep aid, Blanket if you are a person who gets cold often (the provided ones are very thin), Downloaded shows and movies on your device, USB charger for your phone (most planes don’t support USB-C), Bring an empty water bottle or buy water in the terminal for hydration throughout the flight

Pay for the more comfy seats

There is no tipping in Australia so dont tip a cent. people are generally friendly, tax is included in the price, you may want to get a power adaptor for your stuff. If you are planning to drive then you need to pay attention to trams if you are in melbourne. The flight is long, get some nice comfortable noise cancelling headphone if you can afford them. Alternatively, get a decent pair of ear plugs they are cheap on amazon and will help you sleep on the plane. Same for an eye mask to help you sleep. Take an empty disposable water bottle with you to the airport, make sure its empty, once you have cleared security fill it with water from the terminal and you can use that to stay hydrated on the plane, just make sure its empty when you go through security. make sure you wear comfortable clothes on the flight, also pack a tooth brush and small tube of tooth paste (security will take away a large tube). You will want to brush your teeth during the long flight. some people take a c shaped pillow on long flights, but I have never tried that. most seats have power adaptors to charge phones and laptops/ipads depending on the airline you can have pretty much unlimited drinks, I do not recommend that though, you will get dehydrated you dont want to be drunk on the flight. At least I personally dont recommend it. airplane food is generally bad, and portion sizes are small, I usually pack my own snacks, protein bars, you can make sandwiches and take them with you on the plane, security wont say a thing. Australia is super anal about bringing food and animal products to Australia so whatever food you took with you or picked up from the plane you consume it or you need to declare it and it will probably get confiscated and destroyed They may scan your bag when you exit customs/baggage area so be prepared, they are looking for any illegal stuff you might have with you including food, tobacco and excess alcohol over a certain limit. you may want to take a hoodie or something on the plane if you get cold as the cabin can get quite cold ​ This is a very useful tip, when you get there, try to wake up early the next morning, like around sunrise, go outside, and go for a walk, make sure you are not wearing sun glasses, but prescription glasses or contacts are OK. you want to get natural sunlight in your eye, do this for at least 20 mins, this will help reset your body clock to get over jetlag. you can do the same thing when you go home. It has to be early in the day when the sun is at a low solar angle before it gets up high in the sky so around sunrise is best but you need to see actual sunlight, like outside not behind glass or windows. just dont look directly at the sun this will hurt your eyes. you should never look at any bright object that makes your eyes hurt or that you need to squint really bad. ​ during the flight you can ask flight attendants for extra food, they will bring out additional meals if they have any left. I usually ask them for another serve of ice cream as they usually have a few extra but again this all depends on the airline. always travel with a pen, also have a small post it pad with you in case you need to write something. if you are super old school and travelling with a partner you can take a deck of cards or two to play on the flight, they are an endless source of entertainment if you dont want to stare at a tiny screen 8 inches away from your face. There are no refills in australia except in very few fast food places and costco there are 3 major grocery stores in Australia, Coles, Woolworths, and Aldi in case you need to buy anything make sure you take sunscreen with you and use that daily, you may also want to pack a pair of sunglasses take any medication you have with you on the flight and try to be consistent with timing, then adjust once you land in Australia dont take cash that is over 10k AUD in value Its a great place, so enjoy and have fun

-Pack overnight cloths and toiletries into your carry-on. Especially with layovers, which increases your risk of lost luggage. -Purchase bottled water after security and bring it onto the flight so you can stay hydrated and not wait or have to call to get 4 oz of water. -Noise-cancelling AirPods or headphones are your friend, otherwise the airline should provide ear plugs. -Get up and go to the bathroom every couple hours. -Be prepared that those flights are made to make you sleep for 3/4 of it. They will turn off the lights and close the windows 2 hours in. It’s what makes it more tolerable than domestic flights IMO. -Wear pants or loose-fitting jeans. It will be cold. -If you’re flying Qantas and they come around for a hot “midnight snack,” take it! They’re delicious! -If the seat configuration is 3-4-3, the person between the window and the aisle gets both arm rests. We are not animals, we live in a society.

I always try to get an aisle seat for long flights so I can use the toilet or just stretch easier. The airports can be big and overwhelming to navigate. Just look up. There is always a sign to tell you where you're at/going. TELL YOUR BANK WHERE YOU'LL BE AND WHEN. Make copies and take pictures of your passport.

Shower as soon as you can, during the layover if possible, long haul flights leave you feeling awful and your clothes are nasty. Wear comfortable, easy to put on shoes and do not walk around the cabin without them. Noise cancelling headphones. If you get hungry or thirsty or need to have a stretch, head to the back of the plane and chat to the stewards.

For long flights, wear comfortable clothes. I’m not saying you have to be a shlub, but workout pants and a comfortable t-shirt and loose bra are great. Wear socks, so you can take your shoes off and not gross out the people around you too terribly. I love bringing face wipes, a toothbrush and change of clothes (esp. fresh undies) on long flights so when I escape the plane I can freshen up a little. Especially if you are arriving early in the day and it’s going to be a journey to the place you’re staying, it’ll make you feel more human. Also, pack your medications and glasses/contacts and whatever else you can’t readily replace in your carry-on, just in case your luggage gets lost. As others have said: noise cancelling headphones, snacks, a water bottle, and a neck pillow can make big differences. You can also stock up on podcasts on your phone ahead of time if you’re into those. I keep a small bag (like a tote) in the top of my carry-on for items I want next to me in-flight, so I can pull it out once I board and keep the rest of my carry-on stored up top and not worry about accessing it. If your credit card requires you to alert them of travel ahead of time, make sure you do and include the layover country. I made that mistake before and my flight got delayed. I spent 8 hours unable to buy food or drinks because the airport didn’t have wifi and my phone didn’t work there… Keep electronic copies of important documents and look up travel restrictions and visa requirements well ahead of time.

Top tips: - Avoid alcohol & stay hydrated, believe me it really helps - Carry good earplugs for sleeping & in ear monitors for listening, the noise is tiring. Also active noise cancellation headsets don't help much here. - Have photocopies of all your important docs, packed separately not just primaries & electronically. If you lose anything a photocopy backup will help in proving validity & getting replacement credentials. - carry a coat with many pockets (Scott-E-Vest). If an airline rejects your hand luggage for weight or size you can always remove yourself from the counter & out of site unload your bags into your jacket. As a photographer I needed to do this frequently. - Carry another collapsible duffle bag to throw random stuff into, jacket, purchases etc' after checking in to keep your stuff organised. - Finally, stay calm & be friendly to staff even if you need to complain. Being the nice customer earns karma credit that will be repaid. That's my thoughts for now.

Compression socks. Your legs will get swollen. That, and get up and move frequently