Traveling to Austrailia

[Helpwanted16]

Ive had copd for around 1 year next year im hoping to go to Australia has anyone got information about the long flight and how ill handle the hot weather im going in April 2020 Thanks

[Mandy6513]

That's a difficult one as we are all different. You will need to see your gp to see if your fit to fly but as far as how will you handle the heat , that will depend on how you handle it here. I struggled last summer I could never go to Australia or anywhere hot.

[SORRELHIPPO]

All I can say is , that from my point of view it depends on where you are staying. I have asthma and Crohn's disease, hot summers here floor me, have to take rehydration drinks to keep body salts right, have fan which does not help much. Have had 2 breaks in the tropics recently. Where there is air conditioning, much better than here in some ways, however in some stores the aircon. seemed to blow round "stuff" which triggered breathing problems. Did all travelling (round island) in the early morning, had airconditioning on in rooms, but not too high, otherwise the difference when leaving room caused breathing issues. Found travelling on unmade roads caused probs, as the vehicle aircon. blew round the dust from the road surface. My experience is, that if you wear natural fibres, such as cotton, you feel cooler, than in polyester, also if you wear too little, can feel hotter. I have to keep skin out of the sun, so wore long cotton loose kaftan styles, which also came down to cover elbows, cooler than fitted clothes with waist bands (I have no waist anyway!!) April is heading into their winter, but it depends as to where you are going, as to the Temp/rainfall at that time of year.

[Helpwanted16 in reply to SORRELHIPPO]

Not sure where we are staying i know its about 4 hours from Sydney,did u have any idea about travel Insurance, thanks for your help in your reply

[SORRELHIPPO in reply to Helpwanted16]

I did my trip twice, first time had Good To Go Insurance, next time came with Avanti Travel Care as heading. I think all difficult Med Insurances end up being dealt with by Good To Go in the end. However I have 6 diagnosis on form, with the Crohn's there is quite a risk of Surgery + very expensive drugs, I ended up paying £430.00 odd for 3 weeks, long haul to South Pacific, in transit over USA, so World wide cover excluding USA, if had been stopping for more than transit, would have been much more. The other expense was the help I needed to arrange at Heathrow, luggage and transit wheelchair, with a staff member to help. Same in the States, the Pacific Island just got on and helped, no cost!!

I must admit I have always found Trailfinders, the experts in travel to Australia, the best place for advice on Insurance etc. They seem to have been doing it forever and have helped me greatly over the years. Including the last time, on my return journey, when local flight to USA was delayed (baggage truck had collided with the plane wing!!) so problem with USA transit connection, Midnight in Pacific, Midday London I spent about 2 hours on/off phone with them in London, but they got it sorted. Gave me a choice between 24 hrs in Hotel in LA (could not tell me if it had steps at access etc) and 24 more hours in South Pacific, guess which I chose!!

[Rattle in reply to SORRELHIPPO]

Great to hear about your travels despite health issues. Very encouraging and good information too, thanks! And bon voyage for future adventures 😀

[kpm346]

Hi I travelled a lot from Australia to London and on to Europe. As a rule it is is from Oz 8 hours to either Singapore or Dubai, connecting flight 14 hours. On average it is between 28 to 32 hours in transit. April is a good time to come I live an hour drive west of Brisbane. It is quite pleasant and not much humidity the more north you go the hotter it gets. Also Australia has a reciprocal agreement with the U.K and other countries with free public hospitals. Worth looking into it. Hope all this has helped you a bit. Good luck and enjoy your holiday. Marg

[Helpwanted16 in reply to kpm346]

Thanks a lot Marg,so is Sydney in the South or more North then,every bit of infomation is good to know Mike

[illawarra]

April is a nice time of the year to come to Australia. Generally in April as it is Autumn it is starting to get cooler, this year has been an exception. We have had quite warm weather. Given that you have not mentioned where you will be going in Australia, maybe check out on google the weather in the places you plan to be visiting.

[Helpwanted16 in reply to illawarra]

I will be coming to Sydney then traveling about 4 hour out of town i will get the full details and write further details,thanks for your help

[kpm346]

Sydney is a twelve hour drive going down south from Brisbane. The more west the hotter in summer and colder in winter. April is a good time all around. Enjoy Marg

[Helpwanted16 in reply to kpm346]

Thanks Marg next thing to find insurance,hope that wont be too expensive

[Beth1949]

My husband and I were just in Australia. We live in the middle of the USA and with airports, layovers and flight time, it took us about 24 hrs to get to Sydney.

We went at the end of March and it was warm, shorts and short sleeved or sleeveless tops. In April it should be cooler and less humide (their fall and winter months start in April - Sept).

While there we flew to Alice Springs (if you are going to the outback and do site seeing of Ayers rock, etc, bring a hat and purchase a head netting along the way. The flies are horrible. They are small and they get right in your face).

I have bronchiectasis, and I did fine on the flights. If you feel the need, you can bring a travel size nebulizer in your carry on or have an inhaler handy. I have flown a lot in the past few years since I retired and never had a breathing issue with the high altitude. I usually have the above air vent on as well.

You'll enjoy Australia, Beth