Travel Tips

Fly into Singapore or Kuala Lumpur on one-way ticket to begin overlanding trip?

7/31/2017 5:31:56 AM Since originally asking this question I have now flown into Kuala Lumpur twice with a one-way ticket and into Singapore once with a one-way ticket. Both times I flew into Kuala Lumpur, it was the final destination of my ticket. The first time I was asked for proof of onward travel when […]

Is there an international language at sea?

8/18/2014 9:36:27 AM There have been various attempts to introduce ‘simplified marine English’ (the commonest is Seaspeak), but the reality is that you don’t need to pass any exams, in language or anything else, to become a fisherman, lifeboatman, or (in some places) harbourmaster. English is more widely understood at sea than in the world […]

If your plane gets diverted by a government's order, who is responsible for your missed connection?

7/3/2013 1:46:50 PM This depends primarily on whether you booked the connection flight as a single ticket, or separately. If you booked the flights separately, missing the connection is entirely your risk. If you booked a single ticket, it’s the issuing airline’s responsibility to fulfill the contract and deal with any unforeseen circumstances. In almost […]

Lost passport with Schengen visa

5/8/2014 12:56:10 AM Please do not panic on losing your passport with a valid Schengen visa. You can get everything back, albeit with some extra money spent, all of which is legal and above-board. First and most important, please carry a copy (hard copy and soft copy) of the passport (1st and last pages) and […]

Good (and Bikini) beaches in Turkey (including Izmir and Antalya)?

Good (and Bikini) beaches in Turkey (including Izmir and Antalya)?

2/17/2019 12:53:55 AM Being a Turk and living in İzmir, yes nearly all beaches in Turkey are bikini friendly. In fact, Antalya attracts millions of foreign tourists every year, mostly Russians. You will have no problems about using any kind of swim suits. You can even find topless suntan girls (generally foreigners). For recommendations, Antalya […]

Is it safe for a Muslim to visit Israel nowadays?

2/7/2018 9:48:08 AM There are many Muslims living and working in Israel. This is anecdotal, but I traveled to Israel from Abu Dhabi with heaps of stamps (Yemen, Tunisia, etc) from predominately Muslim countries in my Passport. With an Arabic name, you might be subject to uncomfortable questioning, but you will be safe. I’d recommend […]

Is it normal to have something added to the bill in a restaurant in Italy?

10/30/2018 11:33:36 AM You did get ripped off in Rome, Not sure in Milan. The practice of adding a fee for every person at the table on top of any food ordered is old, but a regional law of Latium (Lazio), which includes the city of Rome, forbade it in 2006. Unfortunately violations are widespread, […]

Can we share the Go Pass?

6/18/2013 7:33:12 PM Yes, the Go Pass allows you to share across multiple people. According to the Belgian Rail website, it is basically 10 tickets to be used on any ride within Belgium, by anyone under 26. There is no name written on the tickets so it could really be used by anyone: they clearly […]

Are there any common, lesser-known services offered by airlines to passengers onboard?

9/28/2012 11:31:07 AM People who wish they could get more liquid may be surprised to find how successful it is to say “A can of Coke please” instead of “Coke please” when they come around with the cart. On every airline that doesn’t charge for soft drinks, this has worked for me. It’s better than […]

Can I bring a small, decorative deer skull from Germany to the US?

Can I bring a small, decorative deer skull from Germany to the US?

6/24/2015 5:23:47 PM Hopefully you were able to bring your deer skull home safely but if anyone else was wondering…here is a comprehensive list of sports equipment that you can and can’t bring on airlines based in America. (Technically a deer skull would be sports equipment b/c it is a product of hunting.) Tld;r: While […]

Are there lockers or luggage storage facilities at the Bruxelles-Midi station?

7/28/2015 7:37:23 PM There are automatic luggage lockers and a staffed left-luggage service at the Bruxelles-Midi station. They are available 24h per day. When you arrive at the station go downstairs to the main hall and follow the signs. They are near the Eurostar check-in and Thalys reception. http://www.belgianrail.be/en/stations-and-train/search-a-station/1/bruxelles-midi.aspx What is a reliable and safe […]

Why do I have to show my ticket stub when entering an airplane?

9/17/2012 8:39:21 PM A few reasons: a final sanity check that you didn’t walk down the wrong corridor. Some gates have two ‘legs’. Or you could have snuck on or something. On larger planes, to see what aisle you should walk down. Otherwise people will randomly choose one and spend time climbing over seats and […]

Planning to travel to Israel, what happens if Israel declares war on Iran?

8/21/2012 8:24:02 PM Re the borders, Jordanian border is the quietest one (taking the honor from the Egyptian & Syrian borders, which now have some potential for danger given the instability there). During the war of 2006 in Israel, land borders with Jordan and Egypt were open and unaffected. Land borders with Syria and Lebanon […]

What is a reliable and safe method of obtaining cash in Madagascar?

6/12/2013 2:33:08 PM First off let’s get things unconfused: Maestro is not the same as MasterCard. Banks may be accepting VISA or MasterCard in their ATMs but not necessarily Maestro, so it is better to have a Major card with you Debit or Credit. That said. Ability to obtain cash in Madagascar will heavily depend […]

Travel agents – can they match ITA Travel Matrix prices?

7/26/2012 7:31:34 PM ITA uses “published” fares, so any travel agent should be able to book them. However, make sure that you’ve correctly set the “Sales city” to be a city in the country where you will be buying the ticket, as ticket prices can vary depending on where you purchase them. So if you […]

Using UK Immigration line with baby who does not yet hold an EU passport

6/19/2013 1:21:12 AM A comment on flyertalk addresses this exact issue: At LHR, it’s been ok about 140 times in the last 24 months for my family doing just as you wish to do. Not one negative comment from any UKBA employee about doing so. Even non-EU/EFTA/EEC nationals who have infants or toddlers are often […]

Can you actually do a road-trip in Greenland?

Can you actually do a road-trip in Greenland?

8/26/2022 9:46:23 AM An Arctic Circle Road between Sisimiut and Kangerlussuaq is under consideration, and a 126 km long ATV track was completed in September 2021: Source. You can probably drive it with a guided ATV tour. Is my U.S. driver's license valid in Europe? 6/12/2012 4:16:16 PM Unfortunately no, according to Wikitravel. There is […]

Zen meditation in Kyoto, Japan

Zen meditation in Kyoto, Japan

6/9/2013 9:55:13 AM General considerations There are several temples in the Kyoto area as well as Osaka which allow you to do this. However, not everyone every day. So you should check one of the several different lists of temples (one, two, three) offering anything between overnight stays, vegetarian food, copying sutras with a brush […]

Is my U.S. driver's license valid in Europe?

6/29/2015 2:20:20 AM You could simply get an International Driving Permit. This, coupled with your US driver’s license, is recognised in over 70 countries. The American Automobile Association and the American Automobile Touring Alliance’s National Automobile Club are the only entities in the United States to issue IDPs. As for recognising your country license, each […]

How to get from Gatwick airport to Paddington?

2/25/2016 5:34:41 AM You can take Gatwick Express train service, It runs non-stop every 15 minutes with a journey time of 30 minutes. Can I fly domestically in the US using my university ID? 2/25/2016 11:19:41 AM The answer to this question (and many others) will change in late 2018 or early 2019 when the […]

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