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  1. Home
  2. Before you go
  3. Going overseas for a major event

Going overseas for a major event

Last Updated
Monday, 23/01/2023

 

If you're travelling overseas for (or during) a major cultural, sporting or religious event, you may need to take extra precautions.

This page provides general advice about:

  • impacts of major events on Australian travellers
  • staying safe and avoiding danger

See also our information pages on:

  • major sporting events
  • major religious events
  • major cultural events

If you're already overseas and need help, see our advice about what to do when things go wrong.

Impacts of major events on Australian travellers

  • Flights and accommodation can be booked out well in advance.
  • Entry requirements, including visas, may change in the lead up to the event.
  • Many restaurants and shops may close for extended periods, particularly during religious festivals.
  • Roads may close, as festivities often take over the streets.
  • Local prices can go up, as there's more demand from tourists.
  • Transport options may be limited due to increased demand.
  • Local mobile reception can become overwhelmed. Have a designated meeting point in case you get separated from your travel companions and can’t use your phone.

Staying safe and avoiding danger

Before and during major events, criminals target foreign tourists. Even experienced travellers can have problems. Know the dangers and how to avoid them.

  • Research your destination. Know what crimes are common. See the travel advisory for your destination.
  • Be aware of scammers. Many operate online. Scammers especially take advantage of the influx of tourists and scarcity of tickets and accommodation available. See our advice on avoiding scams.
  • Practice good digital security and be alert to cybercrime.
  • Go easy on the alcohol. Drunk and disorientated travellers are easy targets for criminals. Especially for robbery and assault. If you're drunk and something goes wrong, your travel insurance may not cover you.
  • Be wary of pickpockets and bag snatchers. Keep valuables out of sight and know where your passport is at all times.
  • Be aware of your surrounds and know where the exit points are in case of an emergency or potential crowd crush.

Before you go, see our general advice about staying safe and avoiding danger.

Looking after your health

With a major influx of foreign tourists, you may have challenges getting health care overseas. Local providers may also increase their prices to take advantage of the increased demand.

  • Get travel insurance. Medical assistance overseas is generally expensive. Sometimes even more during major events. Don't get stuck with a bill you can't afford to pay.
  • See your doctor, ideally 6–8 weeks before you go. Get the right vaccinations for your destination.
  • Know the health risks there. Read the 'health' section of our travel advisory for your destination.

Before you go, see our general advice for taking care of your health.

Stay within the law

You must stay within the law. If you break the law, even in the privacy of your hotel room, you could be arrested or jailed.

  • Don't fight. Major international events generate a sense of national pride. Some people take it too far, which can lead to violence. Know when to walk away.
  • If alcohol is illegal there, don't drink, even in your hotel room.
  • Know and respect local customs and laws. Just because it’s allowed in Australia doesn’t mean it is around the world.

See our general advice on staying within the law.

Read more

  • See our general advice for taking care of your health.
  • See our general advice about staying safe and avoiding danger.
  • Read our travel advisory for your destination.
  • Read our information on major sporting, religious and cultural events.

Related content

Hajj

Explore this page for information about staying safe and secure during the Hajj pilgrimage in Makkah (Mecca).

View details
Ramadan

Ramadan is the most important month on the Islamic calendar. Explore this page to learn local laws and customs during Ramadan and Eid-ul-Fitr, after Ramadan.

View details
Major sporting events
View details

Main navigation

  • The basics
    • Planning to travel during COVID-19: step by step
    • Destinations
    • Passport services
    • Visas
    • Insurance
    • Schengen
    • Travel advice explained
  • Who you are
    • Children
    • Dual nationals
    • LGBTI++
    • Mature
    • School leavers
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  • Activities
    • Adoption
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    • Business
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  • Major events
    • Cultural events
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  • Health
    • Mental health
    • Disability
    • Infectious diseases
    • Medical assistance overseas
    • Medical tourism
    • Medication
    • Pregnancy
    • Reciprocal health
    • Vaccinations
    • Death
  • Staying safe
    • Armed conflict
    • Assault
    • Cyber security
    • Demonstrations
    • Earthquakes and tsunamis
    • Kidnapping
    • Natural disasters
    • Partying safely
    • Piracy
    • Scams
    • Severe weather
    • Sexual assault
    • Terrorism
    • Theft and robbery
  • Laws
    • Carrying or using drugs
    • Child sex offences
    • Female genital mutilation
    • Forced marriage
  • Getting around
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    • Road safety

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Emergency consular assistance

The Australian Government provides 24-hour consular emergency assistance.

+61 2 6261 3305 from overseas

1300 555 135 from within Australia

For how we can help you overseas see the Consular Services Charter.

Enquiries and feedback

For non-urgent enquiries, or to provide feedback on consular services that you've recently received, contact us online.

For information on notarial services, email legalisations.australia@dfat.gov.au

For information about Australian visas, contact the Department of Home Affairs.

About us

Smartraveller is provided by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

For more information go to about us.

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Main navigation

  • HomeHome
  • Before you go
    • The basics
      • Planning to travel during COVID-19: step by step
      • Destinations
      • Passport services
      • Visas
      • Insurance
      • Schengen
      • Travel advice explained
    • Who you are
      • Children
      • Dual nationals
      • LGBTI++
      • Mature
      • School leavers
      • Women
    • Activities
      • Adoption
      • Adventure
      • Backpacking
      • Business
      • Living and working overseas
      • Marriage
      • Studying
      • Surrogacy
      • Volunteering
    • Major events
      • Cultural events
      • Religious events
      • Sporting events
    • Health
      • Mental health
      • Disability
      • Infectious diseases
      • Medical assistance overseas
      • Medical tourism
      • Medication
      • Pregnancy
      • Reciprocal health
      • Vaccinations
      • Death
    • Staying safe
      • Armed conflict
      • Assault
      • Cyber security
      • Demonstrations
      • Earthquakes and tsunamis
      • Kidnapping
      • Natural disasters
      • Partying safely
      • Piracy
      • Scams
      • Severe weather
      • Sexual assault
      • Terrorism
      • Theft and robbery
    • Laws
      • Carrying or using drugs
      • Child sex offences
      • Female genital mutilation
      • Forced marriage
    • Getting around
      • Air travel
      • Boat travel
      • Cruising
      • Public transport
      • Road safety
  • Destinations
    • View all destinations
    • AfricaBrowse destinations in Africa.
    • AmericasBrowse all destinations in the Americas.
    • AsiaBrowse all destinations in Asia.
    • EuropeBrowse all destinations in Europe.
    • Middle EastBrowse all destinations in the Middle East.
    • PacificBrowse all destinations in the Pacific.
  • While you're away
    • When things go wrong
      • Arrested or jailed
      • Lost property
      • Medical assistance
      • Money problems
      • Someone is missing
      • Someone died
    • Crime overseas
      • Assaulted
      • Kidnapped
      • Robbed or mugged
      • Scammed
      • Sexually assaulted
    • Crisis or emergency
      • Demonstration
      • Armed conflict
      • Earthquake
      • Severe weather
      • Terrorist situation
      • Volcanic eruption
      • Bushfire
      • Nuclear incident
    • Australia's biosecurity and border controls
  • Urgent helpLinks to help
  • Our servicesLinks to services
    • Consular Services Charter
      • Arabic
      • Chinese Simplified
      • Chinese Traditional
      • Indonesian
      • Thai
      • Vietnamese
    • Travel advice explained
    • Subscription
    • Crises
    • Passport services
    • Notarial services
      • Documents
      • Documents in Australia
      • Documents overseas
      • Certificate of No Impediment
      • Notarial forms
    • Voting overseas
    • Communities
      • العربية (Arabic)
      • Bahasa Indonesia
      • 中文 简体 (Chinese Simplified)
      • 中文繁體 (Chinese Traditional)
      • 日本語 (Japanese)
      • ภาษาไทย (Thai)
      • Tiếng Việt (Vietnamese)
      • Filipino community
      • Indian community
    • Resources
      • Consular State of Play
      • CHOICE travel insurance guide
      • Fact sheet: Travel Smart
      • Fact sheet: Missing overseas
      • Fact sheet: Arrested or jailed overseas
      • Fact sheet: Sexual assault overseas
      • Fact sheet: Death overseas
      • Consular Privacy Collection Statement