Newsletter #3
June 2026

ITINERARY

Click the button below to download the latest itinerary. Please keep in mind the itinerary is subject to change.

TRAVEL VISA (ESTA)

Now is the time to obtain your authorisaton to travel to the USA. Please follow these instructions carefully.

Each person is required to obtain a USA travel visa (ESTA). These will cost you $40.27 USD. It is essential that you provide the correct information (especially the correct passport number).

Your ESTA lasts for two years so if you have been to the USA recently your current ESTA may just need to be updated.

Please follow the following instructions to obtain your ESTA;

1. When you have your passport and credit card, go to this website
https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/esta/

2. Click 'New Application'

3. Follow the on-screen instructions

4. Read all questions CAREFULLY and answer HONESTLY

5. List your contact address while in the USA as Hotel Edison 228 W 47th St, New York, NY 10036

6. Where it asks you the CONTACT while in the USA, this should be your regular phone number and the address of the hotel (above). Your phone number should include the (+61) international code at the front.

7. Record a copy of your APPLICATION NUMBER. We recommend that you take a photo of the screen when it comes up with your application number.

8. Check the website again in two days for your approval.

NOTE- The form asks you to provide links to your social media accounts. This is usually optional but that may have changed. We recommend you avoid posting any negative political discourse on your social media (it is not viewed favourably).

It is your responsibility to ensure that you have obtained an ESTA and correctly provided your passport number and legal name. Failure to do so will result in the refused entry into the USA.

Please add your approved ESTA number to your online portal by 10/07/26

BROADWAY SHOWS

These two AMAZING shows were selected for different reasons. Firstly, neither have been produced in Australia. The Outsiders on Broadway is a story about loyalty and class struggle among greasers and Socs, based on the classic young adult novel. It has won TONY awards and the Drama League Award for Outstanding Production of a Musical. The second musical is something pretty special, Operation Mincemeat! A fast-paced, comedic true story about a WWII deception plan that took the West End by storm. It has won the Olivier Award for Best New Musical and features a cast of just five actors playing over fifty hilarious and moving roles.

There will be an opportunity for students to see additional Broadway shows at their own cost. These will be coordinated by the staff on tour. We will not permit students to go to Broadway shows alone. Please do not purchase any addional tickets at this stage.

WHAT TO WEAR ON TOUR

School uniform is not required however please pack drama blacks for your workshops.

the temperature in New York at this time of year averages highs of (25°C) and lows (10°C). Pack for these temperature changes so you are warm enough to be moving around the city of on our sight seeing days.

TRAVEL MONEY

We recommend that you budget $60 USD per person each day to purchase your lunch and dinners (these are not included in your tour package). You can use a travel card or debit card providing they are set up for use in the USA (ask your bank). We recommend that you have a small amount of cash for tipping as well as a card.

SIM CARDS

Every tour member is required to have data access on their phones at all time. This is to ensure we can contact everyone and nobody will get lost. For most people, your Australian network will become too expensive. We highly recommend you consider purchasing one of the following travel SIM cards. There is an option for a standard SIM or an eSIM if you have a newer phone. It is your responsibility to check whether your phone is compatible by reading the information on these links below. Travel Gang staff will be able to provide a basic level of support based on these specific SIMs.

This is a physical SIM card (for older phones). It will be posted to your home so this should be purchased in advance. You should select the day before we travel as the activation date (select September 25).

With this physical SIM card, you will need to remove your existing card and look after it carefully so you can put it back into your phone when you return. Your existing number will not be able to be used while you travel.

This is an eSIM (for newer phones). When you make your purchase, you will be emailed instructions on how to set it up. It should not be activated until we arrive in the USA.

The benefit of an eSIM is that you can easily switch between your regular phone number and your travel SIM if required (charges may apply for using your regular phone number while overeseas).

SPECIAL FLIGHT MEALS

Please ensure that your 'dietary requirements' are completed and up-to-date in your portal. We will use this information to request special meals for your long-haul flights. Please be aware that the airlines are notoriously bad at meeting requests for special meals. If you have dietary requirements, we advise that you take plenty of snacks with you on the plane as the meals ordered may not fully meet your needs.

The deadline for submitting your dietary requirements is 10/07/26

NEXT PAYMENT DUE: JUNE 15

Your next payment is due 15/06/2026

PAYMENT PLAN
Based on Quad Share per person.

$1000 (August 15, 2025) - PAID
$2455 (November 21, 2025) - PAID
$2455 (March 6, 2026) - PAID
$2455 (June 15, 2026) - DUE

All payments to be paid through the online portal. If you have misplaced your online portal link, search your emails for the keyword 'portal' or email hello@travelgang.com.au

We use the secure payment gateway 'STRIPE'. You can pay with Visa or Mastercard debit or credit card. Your payment history can be viewed on your portal. Please ensure payments are made BEFORE each deadline. Penalties apply to late payments. For your peace of mind, please note that we do not provide bank details for transfers. This ensures your payments remain safe and traceable.

All payments are estimates and subject to availability of ground components and currency exchange rates.

Failure to make payment on time will result in removal from the tour without refund.

Penalties apply for late payments according to our Terms and Conditions. All payments are non-refundable.

Newsletter #3 June 2026