Travel Tips

India Tatkal tickets – tricks and tips

1/19/2015 3:15:06 PM The IRCTC Magic Autofill Google Chrome extension will save you precious time while booking. Here’s a video explaining how it works: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eYh3s2tRYnY I have used it thrice and it works like a charm. Save precious seconds. Transatlantic cruises allowing casual dressing? 1/13/2015 6:47:06 PM Are there any tricks to get one quickly? […]

Why is air travel to China currently (May 2021) 4x the usual price?

5/27/2021 11:21:25 AM There are fewer flights/itineraries. Chinese authorities have imposed a strict policy regarding international flights with quotas and circuit-breakers ("Five Ones Policy", article on this from Chinese Wikipedia). The number of seats is also limited to 75% of ordinary capacity. Under "Five Ones Policy", for most international routes, one airline can only operate […]

Transatlantic cruises allowing casual dressing?

1/5/2015 3:29:28 AM It’s going to vary so much from ship to ship – back in the day it was easier, but these days there’s such variety. CruiseCritic has a list of dress-codes by cruise line for about a dozen cruises, that’s probably about the best list or method you’re going to get. Alternatively you […]

How safe is traveling from Texas to Mexico by bus?

12/31/2014 5:20:22 AM Actually i live in Reynosa,Tamaulipas (border with Hidalgo,Texas), and actually travel to monterrey the last month, and i will tell you something, mexico its not like you see on the news, i don’t know how to explain, but yea its a war right now, but there is currently a drug war in […]

Recognize a place in Istanbul from an old (1890-1900) postcard

Recognize a place in Istanbul from an old (1890-1900) postcard

11/16/2020 12:01:29 AM I’m not that familiar with Istanbul but this appears to be a navy building: Old photo here from a similar angle. Location on Google maps Photo pre-renovation Modern view: Why does typically nobody check whether one picked up one's own luggage at the airport's luggage claim area? Credit:stackoverflow.com‘

Finding sleepover spots in internet cafes in Japan?

3/28/2015 3:32:18 AM I used this Tokyo Cheapo post to find internet cafes (specifically the Manboo! brand). Manboo! has standard pricing and are relatively easy to find. Am I allowed in the gas station shop without buying anything when waiting for my bus, in Canada? 1/20/2015 8:26:58 PM Some onsens (public bath) offer accomodation too. […]

Why does typically nobody check whether one picked up one's own luggage at the airport's luggage claim area?

9/24/2020 1:38:37 PM "Bang for the buck" mostly. In the US you can certainly walk into any airport’s domestic arrival area and grab any bag you like. Apparently it’s not enough of a problem to warrant any type of control Generally you would end up with a beaten-up bag or suitcase and a lot of […]

Am I allowed in the gas station shop without buying anything when waiting for my bus, in Canada?

12/18/2014 12:43:08 PM If there’s a bus terminal where you can buy a ticket, even if it’s inside a store or restaurant or gas station, there should be at least a chair or bench to wait inside, I’ve seen some. This is Canada, no one would expect paying bus passengers to wait outside in the […]

Are there airlines that offer upgrades on-board?

8/25/2020 12:49:24 PM Air France/KLM allows upgrades on board by speaking to a flight attendant: UPGRADE LAST MINUTE ON BOARD You can even upgrade your cabin after boarding, subject to availability. Eligible airlines: Air France and KLM marketed and operated flights Available payment methods: Miles or just cash How to request: on board What is […]

What is the most isolated building in the world?

What is the most isolated building in the world?

10/24/2020 10:56:34 PM Answers to this type of question generally hinge upon exact meaning or interpretation of words. In this case "isolated", "building" and "in the world" seem to be key. Since the concepts of isolation and what constitutes a building have already been discussed it seems relevant to address what "in the world" means. […]

Why was I served an ice cold towel onboard?

9/1/2016 2:17:15 PM Some airlines (I know one at least) do serve ice cold towels for flights departing from hot countries where there is no jetway and people are transported to the plane by bus. Usually the passengers will arrive on the plane sweaty and feeling hot and the last thing they need is a […]

Overstaying Ukrainian visa due to Coronavirus

4/20/2020 1:10:25 PM It is, or will be in near future, a common problem in most countries that visiting foreigners are practically unable to leave although their visa or right to stay expires. Some countries have already reacted and officially suspended visa requirements. For example in Germany, visa requirements for foreigners already present in Germany, […]

What are the rules for taking electronics and other expensive gifts from the USA to the EU?

9/24/2017 8:57:01 AM Mark and DCTLib already posted a link to official EU guidance on this (+1 to them) but it might be useful to clarify how these rules are intended to work. Firstly, there is a fundamental difference between goods that have never been imported in the EU and things you take with you […]

Why does one often have to check in extra early, i.e. 3-4 hours early, before the flight departure for (covid-19) repatriation flights?

4/13/2020 12:16:11 PM As an employee in an airline that is currently operating many repatriation flights, I can confirm both answers from @jcklopp and @DJClayworth and add one more reason, that is the health briefing. Repatriation flights related to the COVID-19 situation have very special health precautions and passengers must be briefed in advance before […]

Crossing from USA to Canada (or vice versa) by car, without going through a standard border control

12/15/2014 3:32:19 AM According to this web page on the US Customs and Border Patrol web site (last updated March 2014): Can I cross the border via foot, vehicle, or air without visiting an official port of entry? If you are entering the U.S. through the Northern or Southern border, you must enter through an […]

Stuck in New Zealand due to coronavirus

3/27/2020 6:37:07 AM The Deutschlandfunk news today talked about the recovery flights and mentioned that smaller Pacific islands were difficult, so they were going to stage the recovery through New Zealand. At a wild guess, the flight(s) would carry Germans stuck in NZ, too. Extend tourist visa stay in USA due to coronavirus and waive […]

Is there a weight limit for carry-on luggage with United Airlines?

9/10/2018 2:30:20 AM United’s Carry-on rules merely stipulate dimensions, not weight. Unless you’re carrying gold bullion, basically, you’re fine – they don’t have an official weight limit. The reason I mention something extra heavy is that generally, you’re meant to be able to lift it unassisted into the overhead compartments (or someone else if you’re […]

Extend tourist visa stay in USA due to coronavirus and waive I-539 fee

3/22/2020 3:54:35 PM Is filing I-539 the easiest way to extend her stay at this time? Yes. It’s also the hardest way. It’s the only way. More seriously, there could be some sort of amnesty or other program offered to nonimmigrants in the US who are affected by the pandemic. If that happens, it could […]

"Airport-friendly" suspenders (braces) with AIT

1/20/2017 4:18:05 PM It’s been a couple years and I’ve been through the airport several times with these. This question is still getting attention, so I thought I would answer with my actual experience. Yes, they alert the full-body scanners. Every single time. No, they don’t recognize them as suspenders and just let it pass, […]

Clarification on UK Visitor Rules Paragraph 41 and the Schengen cooling off period

3/17/2015 10:25:53 PM The text seems more targeted at people using the Schengen area to reset their UK clock rather than the other way round. Having said that, given that many visitors can only spend 90 days out of 180 in the Schengen zone, anyone trying to alternate 90 days in Schengen and 90 in […]

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