Whether you’re a frequent traveller or heading out to discover the world for the first time, you can never be too prepared for the holidays you have planned in 2026. Being frequent flyers ourselves, we’re often asked to share some of our favourite travel tips and tricks.
Well, if you’re not keen to walk down the road of travel mishaps, then be sure to read on, as we’ve compiled some of the best travel tips and tricks that will help make your holiday a smooth ride.
Look into the future: Plan your breaks ahead of the 2026 holidays
Photo by For starters, planning your breaks ahead of time is always helpful when becoming a smart traveller. This is evident with the release of the Malaysian public holiday list in 2026, because we can already see many locals rejoicing at the potential long weekends ahead. By stacking your annual leave with these holidays, you could be enjoying longer breaks guilt-free. However, many of your colleagues may also utilise this to their best knowledge, making early planning and proper communication the key to balancing time-offs among the team.
What’s more, by looking ahead to your 2026 holidays, you could identify off-shoulder seasons at selected holiday destinations. Unlike peak seasons, where many destinations are packed with holidaymakers, travelling during off-shoulder seasons ensures you have a more relaxed holiday without the crowd. In fact, can you imagine visiting some of the must-see hotspots without the queue or getting a table at your favourite restaurants without a booking? Just be sure to speak with your travel partners if you’re thinking of spending the holiday with your friend groups or family members.
Travel tip: If you’re looking to save money, planning ahead also gives you better options with hotel bookings, flights, trains, and even excursions when you’re at your holiday destination!
Don’t be fooled: Cheaper isn’t always better
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We get it – nobody could ever resist the greatest deals in the market, so it’s only normal if you’d be tempted to put down that deposit for an extremely cheap holiday package. But did you know that cheaper isn’t always better? Or what if it turns out to be a scam that causes you to lose your hard-earned money and waste your annual leave? This is why you should always be vigilant when coming across a deal that seems too good to be true. After all, the last thing you’ll want to experience is to think that you’ve paid for your dream vacation only to realise you’ve been scammed while you’re at the airport or have arrived at your hotel.
Instead, it’s always advisable to book your holidays through a trusted travel agency, such as Holiday Tours. This keeps you protected in case you encounter any disputes during your holidays or need help while you’re abroad. Having celebrated over 50 years of unforgettable journeys at Holiday Tours, your vacation plans are always in safe hands with our team of travel advisors and trusted travel partners.
Travel tip: To enjoy the best deals and exclusive discounts to your dream destination, simply visit Holiday Tours whenever we are at a travel fair. Alternatively, you could also reach out to our team of holiday advisors, who will be happy to craft the perfect holiday package for you.
Papers please: Get your documents in place
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Next on our list of favourite travel tips is to always have your entry documents in place. Depending on your holiday destination, an ETA or visa may be required. As approval processes can take between weeks or even months, applying for these documents from the moment you’ve locked in on your holiday is always ideal.
While you’re at it, don’t forget to check the expiry of your passport. Most airlines and country borders often require you to have a passport with more than 6 months left to its validity, and this includes the time of your return. Unfortunately, many travellers often overlook this detail, resulting in airlines turning them away during check-in. Do note that some visa and ETA applications may be tied to your passport, and you may be required to reapply for these documents after renewal.
Travel tip: To skip on visa applications, consider visiting some of the best visa-free countries. From destinations like China to the Netherlands and more, these hotspots are great for impromptu travellers who don’t want to wait on any border entry documents.
Pets are welcome: Travel tips for your furry companion
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Have you ever looked at your pet and felt the urge to bring them along on a holiday? Well, with pet travel becoming increasingly popular among holidaymakers, you absolutely can! In fact, many hotels and restaurants are now introducing pet-friendly options, and selected airlines may even allow your furry companion to fly in the cabin with you instead of travelling in cargo. At popular holiday destinations, pet parks and beaches where your furry companions can run off-leash are also available, making pet travel the new trend among many adventurous pet owners.
Ahead of travelling, it’s always good to have your pets prepared to fly. This includes keeping their vaccination up to date, having your pet microchipped for safety, and even applying for a pet passport to ensure a seamless experience when passing through borders. The passports, issued by the Jabatan Perkhidmatan Veterinar, can be obtained following a thorough check-up for your pet by any of the appointed vets across Malaysia. And as a bonus, your pet will have its very own passport that’s bright blue in colour and contains basic information such as its name, vaccination details, and health status.
Travel tip: To help your pet feel comfortable with travelling, it’s advisable to gradually introduce them to the pet carrier. This is especially important if this is your pet’s first time travelling, as it can help them feel calm while on the go.
Protecting yourself on the go: Getting travel insurance and dealing with the bank
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Whether you’re travelling for leisure or business, getting travel insurance is a must. Sadly, many travellers will often overlook the importance of applying for a holiday insurance policy or even see it as an unnecessary expenditure, especially when it goes unused. However, having the right travel insurance is what protects you and your family in case the unthinkable happens, be it before, during, or even after your vacation.
And did you know that travel insurance doesn’t just protect you and your companions from a medical perspective? With coverages that extend to flight delays, lost luggage, hotel cancellations, and more, the small premium that you pay for travel insurance is likely to benefit you in the long run.
As most of the world has now moved into a primarily cashless society, it’s always best to call your bank to authorise use of your credit or debit card abroad. This ensures you won’t be caught in a situation where you can’t pay for your shopping or food due to safety restrictions while you’re on a holiday. Just remember to block it again when you’ve returned to avoid falling victim to fraud or set a lower limit to your daily spending allowance to prevent excessive use.
Travel tip: Although many holiday destinations now accept all major credit and debit cards, it’s always best to keep some cash on hand. These can be useful when you’re visiting smaller restaurants or pop-up markets where cards are not accepted, so you can still enjoy the little joys while on vacation.
Packing what matters: Our travel tip on what to pack
Photo by With the bare necessities out of the way, you’re now one step closer to setting off on the holiday of your dreams. This is where packing what matters is important, because you wouldn’t want to overpack and leave no room for souvenirs, but neither should you pack too little. As such, a top travel tip is to check out the weather of your holiday destination. Doing this helps you identify the type of outfits you will need while you’re visiting, and ensures you won’t be caught with too many or too few clothes.
Temperature changes between day and night should also be taken into account, so it’s always advisable to bring a light jacket even if you’re visiting a country that’s known to be warm. In case of delayed or lost check-in luggage, we recommend packing a set of clothes and keeping important items such as medication, chargers for your electronics, basic skincare, and valuables in your carry-on.
However, it’s always best to keep flashy items such as expensive jewellery and accessories at home. This helps avoid unwanted scenarios such as robbery or theft while you’re on holiday, and also protects you from getting hurt in a foreign country.
Travel trick: To get the most out of your luggage, why not invest in packing cubes that help compress your clothes or other non-fragile belongings? This makes packing more convenient and frees up precious space, allowing you to shop even more while you’re on your holiday.
Zero thoughts, just fun: How to enjoy your 2026 holidays fuss-free
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Like most travellers, we know how important it is to have a worry-free holiday. But for first-time adventurers, this is often easier said than done because you may end up thinking about whether everything will go to plan. This is why the travel tip of taking everything easy is so important when it comes to enjoying the 2026 holiday you deserve. And we’re not saying to let loose and keep your eyes off your belongings, but rather to allow things to fall into place naturally.
By accepting your travel hurdles, you’re more likely to enjoy your vacation because you’re not sweating the small stuff. Whether it’s a flight delay or an activity that you have to skip due to weather changes, these setbacks may often lead to a different kind of holiday experience, and paying no mind to changes is always a good way to get by. Alternatively, why not think of it as a challenge that your dream destination has set for you? By gamifying your experience, you may find a new way to enjoy your break.
Travel trick: If you’d prefer a hassle-free holiday experience that guarantees a relaxing break without having to plan your days out, we recommend booking an all-inclusive escapade at your favourite resorts or cruises. With plenty of entertainment and activities to be enjoyed on land, on sea, and even as you fly through the skies in a trapeze course or a rollercoaster ride on a cruise ship, these all-inclusive resorts and cruises are a great way to turn your 2026 holidays into one of the most memorable escapades of all.
Travel like a local: Uncovering the hidden gems
Photo by Last but definitely not least, our favourite travel tip for enjoying your 2026 holidays would definitely be to open your heart to travelling like a local. Whether it’s befriending the barista from the café near your hotel or following a local host through a carefully planned adventure, this travel tip allows you to uncover the hidden gems that you may otherwise miss.
Of course, you should always make time to visit the more popular hotspots at your holiday destination, but it never hurts to include some of the roads less travelled in your itinerary. Who knows, you may just learn something new from the culture of your holiday destination that could turn into an unexpected possibility. From trying new dishes to picking up a new language or being invited to try an activity that’s out of your comfort zone, we recommend giving it a go, and you may just surprise yourself at the end of your trip.
Travel tip: To win the hearts of the locals or even fellow travellers like yourself, why not bring along a souvenir or two from Malaysia to share? This cultural exchange is always a welcome to many, as it allows everyone to experience a part of what makes Malaysia unique, just as you’re discovering somewhere new.