Travel Tips

Delayed plane: Why is the delay on the departure time larger than the the delay on the arrival time?

7/10/2017 9:35:31 PM I’ve been on a transatlanic flight (North America -> Europe) that was subject to a late departure. This was due to the plane arriving late (Europe -> North America) by about an hour due to a strong headwind. On the flight I was on, the wind was now a tailwind, and the […]

How can you complain about being wrongly denied boarding and demand compensation?

3/24/2018 8:01:00 AM Just as George Y. answered the question on how can you claim compensation. There is another way through which you can claim. First of all, it’s clear that it’s a mistake on the airline’s side. Secondly, you should know the real reason why he was denied boarding. It can be due to […]

Is it possible to purposefully miss a flight to force a short-check?

7/30/2016 1:39:31 PM Just this summer I had a connection at ORD where for fare reasons I could have made a second leg flight before the one on which I was booked. One of my two bags went on the earlier, more expensive flight without me, while the other was inexplicably delayed until the second […]

Schengen tourist visa for a Japanese national

1/20/2017 3:19:34 PM Japanese nationals are exempt from visas to visit UK or Schengen countries. Here is the official source for UK and Schengen states 1. United Kingdom Official source: Check UK visa here: https://www.gov.uk/check-uk-visa/y/japan/tourism You won’t need a visa to come to the UK 2. EU schengen states Council Regulation (EC) No 539/2001 of […]

What's the proper etiquette for visiting the German Biergartens?

What's the proper etiquette for visiting the German Biergartens?

7/7/2016 8:54:35 AM The best source I can find is this picture gallery of the local newspaper (Süddeutsche Zeitung, in German). My advice is based on that, own experience and other sources where mentioned: You can bring your own food. (Within some limits, see below. Unless it is a “Wirtsgarten”.) In case you bring food, […]

Can I return back to the original airport if my valuable item is going to be confiscated in airport security?

7/19/2016 5:35:14 PM If you can back down from the security checkpoint, and go back in the airport, you can try to mail the object to yourself, if there is a post office. This requires going through immigration in some cases to get to the public part of the airport, which possibly requires a visa. […]

Bus from Van/Turkey to Tabriz/Iran

1/19/2017 11:42:05 AM Turkey’s bus network is comprehensive, affordable, safe and comfortable. From (dated) experience, I remember, however, that the further east you go, the harder it is to get reliable information on connections and time tables. Also, I can imagine that, with the current less-than-ideal situation in Turkey’s southeast, scheduled busses, here, are less […]

When I know the airline, the flight number, and the airport at each end, but am very flexible with dates, how can I find the cheapest flights?

When I know the airline, the flight number, and the airport at each end, but am very flexible with dates, how can I find the cheapest flights?

7/18/2016 8:33:56 PM Like the above person said, only be totally inflexible on the times you’re willing to fly out and land. Specifying the airport (not choosing “all airports”) and specifying the airline couldn’t hurt, either. Direct flights between SE/E Asia and South America 7/18/2016 12:37:36 PM You can use google flight for this https://www.google.de/flights/#search;f=SHA,PVG;t=TIJ;d=2016-08-01;r=2016-09-25 […]

Would I be allowed to get on a plane from the UK and fly to America with tea?

1/16/2017 10:54:00 PM My wife has brought tea from China many times. The inspector doesn’t care one bit when she declares “tea”. We have frequently gotten a suitcase inspection (common for travelers from China, even more common for ethnic Chinese travelers from China) and they have never cared about the tea, either. I am travelling […]

Direct flights between SE/E Asia and South America

11/6/2017 1:49:25 PM Thanks to the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner aircraft’s aviation range, Japan’s airlines All Nippon Airways [ANA] flies the NRT-MEX route same as Aeromexico’s AMX57, since 15th February 2017. ANA’s article about the launch can be accessed here -> https://www.ana.co.jp/group/en/pr/201611/20161110.html. a better read is here -> https://airwaysmag.com/airlines/ana-mexico-city-first-asian-carrier-fly-nonstop-latin-america/ On what visa is it legal to […]

Are US / European driver licenses accepted in India?

1/18/2017 6:31:39 PM India is a signatory to the 1949 Geneva Convention on Road Traffic and recognizes the standard format International Driving Permit. As long as you are licensed to drive in your country and your country is also a signatory to the convention, you can get an IDP and use it in India. Assuming […]

On what visa is it legal to work for a bed/food in the USA?

7/12/2016 3:59:47 PM Do not try this on a tourist visa, immigration will send you back if they find out. This article (in German) describes a similar case: a 20 year old girl wanted to visit her relatives(!) in the US for a few months between school and university to improve her English skills. Prior […]

Am I better off using French in Brussels, or should I stick to English?

1/19/2017 6:18:43 PM In Brussels, start with your French with your strong English accent, indicating that you are happy to speak either English or French (or indicate which is your prefered language.) Those who prefer English over French will pick up your accent and switch languages. What I have heard from Belgian people is that […]

How to find dates of big events in any city? (e.g. to avoid price surge during trade fair)

7/12/2016 6:33:30 AM if I use [http://www.booking.com] for example for the next weekend in Paris 14.-16.7. (14.7. Bastille day) I get the following warning: Paris is a top choice on our site with travelers for your selected dates (59% reserved). Tip: Prices might be higher than usual for the dates you’ve selected. Why not try […]

I am travelling with a medication that needs to be cool at all times, will the airline allow me to use the onboard chiller?

1/27/2016 2:44:24 PM We have been allowed to travel with cooling bag and cooling element before. We needed to show a letter from the doctor we needed this medication and that it needed to be kept cool. (not required by the airline, but required by the airport security control, so best to check with them […]

My US visa application has been refused, but I still have an old valid visa. Can I proceed to travel to the US?

My US visa application has been refused, but I still have an old valid visa. Can I proceed to travel to the US?

6/7/2017 5:12:50 PM Don’t risk it. In October 1999 I had essentially the same situation. My visa was a couple of weeks from expiring and I sent it in for a renewal which was supposed to be without an interview. I was promptly called for an interview and the renewal was denied and my passport […]

Are cyclists allowed to use National roads in South Africa?

Are cyclists allowed to use National roads in South Africa?

1/16/2017 3:19:56 PM Whether or not cycling is allowed depends more on the type of road than how it is named. Since you’re already aware that “no cyclists are allowed on freeways” and you suspect that the entire N1 may not all be a freeway, you’re half-way there. Freeways in South Africa are designated by […]

UK last train cancellation and unhelpful staff – what to do?

2/18/2019 12:55:54 AM First, get to your destination. If the only practical method is a taxi, get a taxi. Keep the receipt. The next day, start working on getting a refund. You will, eventually. What is this tower I found in Spain? 8/30/2016 9:54:32 PM If you are in the situation, train staff not helpful, […]

Does a suitcase simply booked in with my flight (not hand luggage) count as unaccompanied luggage/baggage?

1/16/2017 2:48:19 AM For the Customs Form that you fill out on your flight, the question about “Unaccompanied Articles” refers to any personal effects you have sent by other means for use while in Japan. For locals this refers to items mailed home or sent by other means, intended to keep folks from exceeding their […]

What do locals call San Francisco?

3/7/2022 6:11:49 AM in some circles, the term ‘tai fao’ is still in use – it means ‘big town’ or ‘city’ in chinese. some non-chinese use this term, but it’s probably not widespread. still good to know. and btw, only a real hobo can legitimately call the city ‘frisco’ – and they are becoming thinner […]

Prev posts
Next posts

Search Posts

Latest posts

Popular posts