• FAQs

Frequantly Asked Questions

Ready to book your ULTIMATE adventure?  Check out our frequently asked questions below that most travellers want to know prior to booking. It’s normal to have many question to ask before or after you book your trip, and that’s why we have listed our frequently asked questions below for each tour. Can’t find an answer to your question? No worries! Contact us here.

TRAVEL FAQS AUSTRALIA FAQS ASIA FAQS BOOKING FAQS
travel-faqs-ultimate-travel

Should i travel with a Suitcase or backpack?

For young travellers heading to Australia or across Asia, a backpack is usually the better choice because it’s more practical for moving between hostels, public transport, and uneven streets or islands where wheels can be a hassle, especially in Asia where the ground can be extremely uneven. Backpacks make it easier to stay mobile, pack lighter, and adapt to changing plans, which is common on gap years. That said, a suitcase can work if you’re staying in one place longer or prefer organisation and don’t mind the bulk. If you only plan to travel to Australia you can absolutely travel with a suitcase, our tours are include transfers to the hostels when they are too far to walk. Check out our blog ‘Suitcase VS Backpack’ to help you decide. We recommend not travelling with luggage exceeding 20kg.

What are travel packing essentials?

Travel packing essentials come down to keeping it simple, practical, and versatile. Focus on the basics: your passport, travel documents, bank cards, and a small amount of cash; comfortable, weather-appropriate clothing you can mix and match; good walking shoes; toiletries and any medication; and a few key extras like a power adapter, portable charger, and a reusable water bottle. It’s also smart to pack a small day bag for daily outings and keep valuables secure. The key is not to overpack, whether you’re travelling solo or with a group, you’ll be moving around a lot, so lighter is always better, plus you can always buy when you are there!

Is it easy to make friends solo travelling?

Yes, solo travelling in general is one of the easiest ways to make friends. When you’re on your own, you’re naturally more open to meeting people, and you’ll quickly realise most other travellers are in the exact same position. Whether it’s in hostels, on tours, during day trips, or even just grabbing a drink, it’s very normal to start conversations and form connections quickly. You can go completely solo and still meet loads of people, but joining group experiences can make it even easier by instantly surrounding you with like-minded travellers.

What is the difference between fully guided and semi-guided?

The difference comes down to how much structure and independence you want. A fully guided trip means everything is planned for you-transport, accommodation, most activities, and you’ll have a group leader with you the whole time, so you can just relax and follow the itinerary without worrying about logistics. A semi-guided trip, on the other hand, gives you the key inclusions (like your start, some experiences, and support) but also leaves free time and flexibility to explore on your own, make your own plans, and travel at your own pace.  Semi-guided options give you that balance of structure and freedom. We offer both fully guided group tours, semi-guided trips and custom package. Still not sure? Get in touch with our team to talk it through with someone who has been in the same position.

What is the difference between fully guided and semi-guided?

The difference comes down to how much structure and independence you want. A fully guided trip means everything is planned for you-transport, accommodation, most activities, and you’ll have a group leader with you the whole time, so you can just relax and follow the itinerary without worrying about logistics. A semi-guided trip, on the other hand, gives you the key inclusions (like your start, some experiences, and support) but also leaves free time and flexibility to explore on your own, make your own plans, and travel at your own pace.  Semi-guided options give you that balance of structure and freedom. We offer both fully guided group tours, semi-guided trips and custom package. Still not sure? Get in touch with our team to talk it through with someone who has been in the same position.

Australia-faqs-ultimate-travel

How easy is it to find a job in Australia?

Finding a job in Australia is generally quite achievable for young travellers, especially if you’re on a working holiday visa. There’s consistent demand in industries like hospitality, retail, farming, and tourism, particularly in popular cities and regional areas. While it might take a bit of effort when you first arrive (dropping off CVs, applying online, offering a free trail shift and being flexible with roles), most people find something within a few weeks. Having the right visa, a tax file number, and a local bank account set up will make the process much smoother. Our UltimateOz 7 day tours set everything up for you and help you every step of the way, with support here on the ground in Australia.

When is the best time to travel Australia?

The best time to travel Australia really depends on where you’re going, but generally the sweet spot is spring (September-November) and autumn (March-May). During these months, the weather is warm but not too hot. Summer (December-February) is great for the south like Sydney or Melbourne, but it can be extremely hot and humid in the north, while winter (June-August) is perfect for heading up to places like Cairns or the Great Barrier Reef where it’s dry and sunny. There is no wrong time to travel Australia, with such a big country you are bound to experience all kinds of weather no matter the season. Whilst most people do opt in to travel in Spring/Summer there are major perks to travelling in Autum/Winter like cheaper prices, whale migrations, better weather in Far North Queensland and more availability. Our tours run year-round, so you can plan around the experience you want rather than just the season.

How much money will i need?

To enter Australia on a working holiday visa, you’ll generally be expected to show around AUD $5,000 in savings to prove you can support yourself when you arrive. Beyond that, your day-to-day budget will depend on your lifestyle and where you are, but most travellers spend roughly AUD $70-$150 per day covering accommodation, food, transport, and activities. Big cities like Sydney will be on the higher end, while smaller towns or travelling up the East Coast can be a bit cheaper. Many people reduce costs by staying in hostels, cooking some meals, and booking your travel to your budget.

Is Australia expensive?

Big cities like Sydney and Melbourne tend to have high costs for accommodation, eating out, and transport, and even some popular smaller towns can still feel pricey. That said, it’s very manageable if you’re solo travelling by booking smart, staying in hostels, cooking some meals, using public transport, and picking up work on a working holiday visa can balance things out. Many travellers also save money by doing structured travel routes or group tours that often come with higher discounts on major activities like sailing the Whitsundays and camping on K’gari. If you want to budget, get help with upfront planning to avoid costly mistakes when you first arrive. Australia’s minimum wage is also higher, so once you settle in Australia it won’t feel as extreme as to when you first arrive.

What is travelling on a group tour like?

Travelling on a group tour is like having the stress taken out of the logistics so you can focus on the experience. Your transport, accommodation, and key activities are organised for you, and you travel with the same group of people, which makes it very social and easy to make friends quickly. There’s a group leader who handles planning, gives local knowledge, and helps things run smoothly. At the same time, most of our group tours still give you some free time to explore on your own or with friends from the group, so it’s structured but not overly restrictive. Still unsure if you want to go solo or join a group? Get in touch with our team to plan your perfect adventure.

asia-faqs-ultimate-travel

What are the best countries to visit in Asia?

Some of the best countries to visit in Asia include Bali, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Japan, and Laos, because each offers a different but very accessible travel experience for backpackers and solo travellers. Thailand is great for first-time travel with lively cities and islands, while Vietnam is known for its food and landscapes, and Cambodia for the temples of Angkor Wat and backpacker culture. Bali and the Philippines are perfect for beaches, surfing, and social island life, while Sri Lanka combines beaches, wildlife, and scenic train routes in a compact trip. Japan offers a more unique mix of futuristic cities and deep culture, and Laos is slower-paced and ideal for a relaxed, off-the-beaten-path experience.

Is Asia safe for solo travellers?

Yes, Asia is generally very safe for solo travellers, including first-timers, as long as you use normal common sense like you would anywhere in the world. Countries popular with backpackers such as Thailand, Vietnam & Cambodia are used to tourism, and in many areas you’ll find strong traveller networks, hostels, group tour options that make it easy to meet people and stay connected. Places like Japan and Sri Lanka are especially known for being extremely safe, while in others you just need to be more mindful of things like petty theft, scams in busy tourist areas, and transport safety at night. Overall, millions of people solo travel through Asia every year without issues, and if you stay aware of your surroundings and follow basic safety habits, it’s one of the most rewarding and manageable regions in the world to explore alone.

How cheap is it really?

Asia can be very cheap to travel through, especially compared to places like Australia or Western Europe, but it depends on the country and your travel style. In budget-friendly destinations like Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, and parts of Indonesia, you can often live on around AUD $30-$70 per day as a backpacker. The Philippines and Sri Lanka are also fairly affordable, though island hopping or remote areas can cost a bit more due to transport. Japan, on the other hand, is noticeably more expensive, with similar daily costs often closer to AUD $100-$200 unless you budget carefully. Overall, most of Southeast Asia is very cost-friendly, especially for young travellers, and your money usually stretches a lot further than in many Western countries.

Will i need a visa and vaccinations?

Yes, most travellers to Asia will need either a visa, e-visa, or visa-free entry depending on their nationality and the length of stay, but for many popular destinations it’s quite simple and can often be done online or on arrival. In terms of health, it’s recommended to be up to date with routine vaccinations like tetanus and MMR, and to consider others such as hepatitis A and typhoid depending on your travel plans and how long you’re going for. Some travellers also take extra precautions for mosquito-borne illnesses in certain regions and always carry basic hygiene items like hand sanitiser (talk to your doctor about what is recommended before you travel). Overall, the process is straightforward, and with a bit of planning beforehand, both visas and vaccinations are easy to manage for most trips.

How do i avoid getting sick in Asia?

Getting sick in Asia isn’t inevitable, you can reduce the risk a lot with a few simple habits. The biggest one is food and water safety: stick to bottled or filtered water, avoid ice in rural areas, and eat at busy food stalls where food is cooked fresh and turnover is high. Hand hygiene matters too, carry hand sanitiser and use it before eating, especially after public transport or markets. Be a bit cautious with raw foods (like salads or unpeeled fruit unless you wash it yourself) and ease into street food rather than jumping straight into the spiciest or richest meals on day one. It’s also smart to pack basic medication (like rehydration salts, pain relief, and diarrhoea tablets) just in case.

booking-faqs-ultimate-travel

What is the booking process?

Booking a tour is easy: Browse the site to find the perfect tour for you. Select ‘BOOK NOW’ to access the booking form. Enter your details on the booking form along with your credit card details to process your payment. Once submitted you’ll get a notification that we’ve received your booking and we’ll send you the booking confirmation by the following business day. If you have booked a tour on ‘Request’ or ‘Waitlist’, our team will be in touch with you to reconfirm your reservation. Our crew will assist with anything else you might need to get ready for your adventure!

FLEXIBLE DEPOSITS – If you are booking outside of 6 weeks from your tour departure, you can pay a 20% deposit to secure your spot on any Ultimate Guided tour. Any ‘Experience’ or ‘Adventure’ group tours must be paid in full at time of booking. If you are booking a tour inside of 6 weeks from your departure date, the deposit feature will not be available and you must make full payment to confirm your booking.

PAYMENT – Your final balance will be due at least 6 weeks before your tour starts. We accept payment via credit or debit card via our secure EWay booking platform.

CURRENCY – ULTIMATE is an Australian based company. All payments are processed in AUD currency. We do our best to promote our tours in various currencies so that our customers have a better understanding of the value of our tours. The prices we use to promote each tour in EUR, GBP, USD and CAD are subject to change at any time.

BOOKING CONFIRMATION – After you’ve booked, we’ll send you a confirmation email with receipt of payment and further details about your booking. You will need to to make arrangements for your flights and travel insurance. You will also need to organise the appropriate Visa for the country you are travelling to.

What should i do before i go?

After you’ve booked, we’ll send you a confirmation email with receipt of payment and further details about your booking. You will need to to make arrangements for your flights and travel insurance. You will also need to organise the appropriate Visa for the country you are travelling to.

Do i need travel insurance?

Yes! Travel insurance is compulsory on all of our tours and packages. It is also good measure to take, just to be safe. We recommend fully comprehensive travel insurance, check out our insurance partners HERE.

What happens after i book?

After you’ve booked, we’ll send you a confirmation email with receipt of payment and further details about your booking. You will receive the necessary tour information and welcome emails between 6 and two weeks prior to your tour date (Dependant on which tour you have booked). You can meet your group prior to travel via our Ultimate Travel Community Facebook group. You can access our pre-tour information via the ULTIMATE app via Apple or the Play Store.

Booking Terms and conditions

When processing your booking, you must agree to our booking terms and conditions which cover our booking policy, how we handle your personal information, cancellation policy, general conduct and behaviour and tour liability information. You can view our full Terms & Conditions page for our full T&C’s & Privacy Policy CLICK HERE

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