Planning a trip home in December: Festive season tips for expats

Planning a trip home to South Africa for Christmas can be exciting, especially after months or years away. But the festive season can also turn a simple visit into an expensive logistical exercise. 

Flights, accommodation and car hire need to be booked early, while family plans can quickly add extra journeys to the itinerary. 

Gifts, luggage, travel documents and health precautions deserve attention too. 

A little preparation can help expats spend less time worrying about arrangements and more time enjoying the people and places they have missed.

HOW CAN PLANNING A TRIP KEEP THE BUDGET UNDER CONTROL?

Start with the complete cost rather than focusing only on the flight. 

Include airport transfers, accommodation, car hire, fuel, meals, insurance and domestic travel between family members or destinations. 

If dates are flexible, compare different departure and return dates before booking.

It is also worth discussing accommodation with family early. 

Staying with relatives can reduce costs, but assuming everyone has the space, time and transport to accommodate visitors can create unnecessary pressure. 

Remember that Christmas Day and the Day of Goodwill are not the only public holidays in South Africa in 2026!

WHAT SHOULD YOU CHECK WHEN PLANNING A TRIP?

Book flights, accommodation and car hire as soon as your dates are reasonably certain. 

Allow extra time for airport connections and road journeys, particularly if you will be travelling between cities during the holiday period.

Your travel documents deserve the same attention. 

Check passport validity, travel insurance, driving documents and medication well before departure. 

There is also a new requirement that expats returning to South Africa should know about. Since 1 July 2026, travellers entering or leaving South Africa through air, land, sea or rail ports generally have to submit an online traveller declaration before travelling.

The declaration covers goods, currency and other relevant items. Each traveller must be covered, including children, while the declaration normally needs to be submitted no more than 24 hours before departure. SARS advises travellers to keep their confirmation available when they reach the port.

HOW CAN YOU HANDLE LUGGAGE, GIFTS AND HEALTH?

Gifts from abroad can be a lovely part of coming home, but they can also push luggage over its allowance. 

Check your airline’s baggage rules and weigh your bags before leaving. Also check Customs allowances rather than assuming every gift can simply be packed into a suitcase. 

SARS says international travellers generally have a R5,000 duty-free allowance for new or used goods in accompanied baggage, subject to the applicable conditions.

Health should also feature in planning a trip, particularly if the family itinerary includes northern or eastern parts of the country. 

The National Department of Health identifies parts of Limpopo, Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal as malaria-endemic areas, with transmission generally increasing from October. 

The NICD advises people who develop symptoms after visiting a malaria-endemic area to seek medical attention promptly and request a malaria test.

Finally, resist the temptation to pack every day with visits and road trips. 

Planning a trip home should leave room for the spontaneous coffee, family lunch or quiet afternoon that may become one of the best memories of the visit.