The holidays are a peak travel time as people visit family and friends. Unfortunately, the festive season is also a peak time for germs. With so many travellers on the road and in the air, how can people make certain that the only thing they give their loved ones is gifts and not germs?
Australia’s holiday travel landscape
The Christmas and New Year time frame is the most popular time to travel in Australia. Domestic carriers are preparing to meet heightened demand this season by increasing flights on major routes and to popular holiday destinations like the Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, and Cairns. Sydney Airport is anticipating around 4.84 million passengers between the middle of December and late January.
The busiest travel days are the ones before Christmas, Boxing Day, and early January, and it’s not just Australians taking trips during the holidays. International arrivals are on the rise, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics. Nearly 8.4 million visitors landed in Australia during the 2024-2025 holiday season.
Australians are also enjoying international trips, with 11.6 million travelling in December 2024, according to the Australian government statistics. This was a 16% increase from 2023, with most of those trips related to the holidays, not business.
Despite the growth in international travel, most Australians, around 60%, prefer to travel within Australia when taking holidays, especially during Christmas and New Year.
Common travel-related illnesses & why they happen
In a shocking statistic reported by The Indian Sun, nearly 3 in four Australian travellers report an illness or injury while they are on holiday. Many report gastrointestinal issues, at around 29%, followed closely by colds and flu at 26%. Food poisoning is another common ailment at 17%.
The reasons for an increased chance of illness during a trip include stress, which affects the body’s immune response, and exposure to more people in crowded spaces like airports and train stations.
As Australians increase their travel every year, both domestically and internationally, they increase their chances of illness and risk losing precious days to treatment and recovery.
Australian health advice for holiday travel
The Australian Centre for Disease Control has recommendations to keep you and your family safe while travelling. One suggestion is to check Smartraveller for travel advice and health recommendations to various destinations.
It is also important for everyone travelling to check their vaccination history at the Australian Immunisation Register either online or by calling the support line and make sure it is up to date.
A visit to a general practitioner or travel health specialist 6 to 12 weeks before travelling is also helpful. After reviewing your vaccination history, they can recommend boosters that might be needed due to age, health conditions, and destinations.
While travelling, frequent handwashing and the use of hand sanitiser reduce the risk of being exposed to germs. It’s also essential to remain hydrated and take care with drink and food options.
It is also suggested that travellers take a travel health kit with them that includes basic first aid supplies, common over-the-counter medicines, topical treatments, any prescription medications, and travel safety items.
Expert advice and insight
Dr Christopher M. Colbert is an emergency expert and a frequent medical contributor. He specialises in risk mitigation and informed preparation. He understands how illness can affect someone on holiday and how important it is to seek treatment.
“We meet people on some of the worst days of their lives. Remember that allows us to turn stumbling blocks into stepping stones and play a role in making their day better,” Dr Colbert says.
Dr Colbert believes that by seeking out evidence-based advice, people can make informed decisions about their health that will keep them well and happy during their holiday travel.
Switzer staff were not involved in production of this article
