Travel Tips

Is it a good idea to mention to the USA immigration officer that I'm visiting my girlfriend?

Is it a good idea to mention to the USA immigration officer that I'm visiting my girlfriend?

8/30/2018 4:26:39 PM I came to USA on holiday for 3 months on a visa waiver to visit a friend and do a few road trips but while here her uncle took sick so we did a road trip to see him. On our return to my friends house she received a phone call that […]

Do I need to have cash money to be allowed into a Schengen country?

11/25/2016 11:54:02 AM They always ask you those “why are you here?” questions. This is very common question Schengen countries immigration can ask you upon your arrival “why are you here”. You can simply answer you are here for that purpose (a justifiable reason for your travel) also you have connecting flight to your destination […]

Which countries can someone from Sweden freely travel to that someone from the Netherlands can't?

12/1/2019 5:46:52 AM It’s hard to lookup what the answer was as of 2015, but as of 2019 the tables have turned with the Netherlands having one more visa-free country (Mongolia) than Sweden. Otherwise the two passports have similar visa-free/e-visa access rights. The latest Henley Passport Index disagrees, as it still puts Sweden (186) above […]

Interstate travel within the US with an expired visa

2/25/2014 6:21:02 PM Travel between US states never requires presenting a visa. When boarding the plane, you will be required to present a valid, current ID, but they won’t check your visa status then. Only if you raise suspicion in some manner (trying to carry knives on board or something), is anyone likely to inquire […]

What is this extra item that came with my travel bag?

What is this extra item that came with my travel bag?

2/25/2014 2:06:28 AM @Michael and @tohecz are close… but not quite there. It’s not actually a luggage tag… rather it is a protector for your luggage tag. It works like this one: However the rounded shape is intended specifically for the luggage tag that comes on some Guess luggage, such as the one shown here: […]

Is a male guardian required for women skiing in Iran?

2/1/2015 8:56:25 PM Categorically NO! I am a woman, I live in Iran, I go skiing EVERY week, I wear the same gear I wear when I ski in Europe or in the US. I am never, ever accompanied by men. Funnily enough, the slopes are the least ‘Islamic’ places in Iran and it is […]

Overstayed in the Philippines for years: How to go back to the US without paying a big fine?

3/4/2017 6:19:53 AM Actually, you can ask the US Embassy for help. The consul will write a letter to the Commissioner of the Bureau of Immigration. They will let you out, the consequence would then be going back. Because they will put you in the Blacklist and you won’t be allowed to enter the Philippines […]

What facility was our bus blocked from observing in northern Iran?

9/1/2015 12:48:05 PM According to this map from the Nuclear Threat Initiative (2006), your GPS reading at the western bend of the road between Rasht and Qazvin corresponds almost perfectly to “Mo-Allem Kalayeh: Suspected nuclear research center“. However! This (ancient) page gives the site’s coordinates as 36°26’05″N 50°29’53″E, which is a) a lot closer to […]

Is it OK to eat turtles in Cambodia?

1/29/2015 10:28:58 AM Here’s a recent article from the Phnom Penh Post: Dealing in turtles is mostly illegal in Cambodia, where six of the 14 turtle species are endangered, some critically. The only legitimate options are to import them or buy from the single licensed farm. But a thriving trade that stretches from small provincial […]

How to go about paying bills at home during an overseas trip?

5/10/2014 9:35:46 AM Most of my bills are setup to be paid with direct debit, so I only need to tell the bank if I wish them not to be paid. Others I set up with standing orders. I can’t understand one anyone would have a recurring bill and not have use the tools that […]

Is it considered rude if I present a list of pre-translated sentences?

Is it considered rude if I present a list of pre-translated sentences?

8/6/2016 5:50:41 PM It’s not rude, it doe sat least show that you have made an effort to prepare. Having said that it is pretty easy and also basic courtesy to memorise a few general purpose spoken phrases such as ‘please’, ‘thankyou’ ‘hello’and ‘good day’. This will show native speakers that you are trying and […]

How does one know if a rental car takes diesel or gasoline?

How does one know if a rental car takes diesel or gasoline?

5/7/2015 4:03:13 PM The neck of the diesel tank is bigger than the gasoline tank.the diesel tank neck is about 24 cm while gasoline tank neck is about 21 cm.So the diesel pump nozzle will not fit into the gasoline tank neck easily.Secondly, it will be displayed on the tank head cap. Is the water […]

Airbnb-like sites for long term stay

12/6/2015 8:33:14 PM You will probably have to pay a minimum of $10 per day for accommodation using any booking sites like AirBnB. One option would be to look on the site: https://www.workaway.info/ And see if you can come up with some sort of deal. The only way you will find somewhere really cheap is […]

Who was this persistent person at Shanghai airport?

4/16/2015 12:42:06 AM IKeelYou’s answer is excellent for the general case, but I’d like to add some specifics, since you mention this is in China. This guy was trying to sell you transportation service. This is a very popular way for people with cars to make money, because just getting tags (i.e. current stickers, registration, […]

Are there large US-style supermarkets in France?

Are there large US-style supermarkets in France?

8/5/2016 10:20:45 AM This is quite normal in Paris, less in the rest of France. Small shops like the ones you can find in Paris tend to disappear everywhere else I’ve lived. As Aganju mentionned the real-estate in Paris is ridiculously expensive, which drives large supermarkets away from settling in the city center. Another thing […]

Is the water clean in Manila?

5/2/2020 12:16:57 AM I’m a foreigner living in Manila and I’ve been drinking tap water for 8 years. I haven’t experienced any problems. Will I need a power converter for my laptop? (U.S. based.) to Philippines? 11/27/2015 4:50:15 AM MY wife and I got ,stomach cramps and bloating after drinking water and or ice, The […]

Checking in a new bag during a layover

1/26/2015 4:29:44 PM The same questions showed up in TripAdvisor, and on FlyerTalk even though not with the same airport or airline. In TripAdvisor one traveler mentions he checked a new bag during a stop in Amsterdam flying by KLM and he had no problem. On FlyerTalk another traveler says he checked a new luggage […]

How, exactly, does the ESTA system work – specifically on arrival?

7/28/2016 5:32:04 AM The ESTA system is pretty much all done electronically – you apply at least 72 hours before you depart, then simply arrive. Obviously you need to present the passport you used to apply for the ESTA waiver. However there are a few things I think it’s good to be aware of, insomuch […]

Can I see which seats are available on a British Airways flight before I book?

Can I see which seats are available on a British Airways flight before I book?

3/2/2016 10:39:30 PM No, if you’re looking for Premium Economy. Yes for Economy and Business Class. Do not log in and select Flexible Ticket (not Lowest Price). Select flights and click continue without logging in. Enter your name, date of birth etc. (real or fake) and you are allowed to see available seats prior to […]

Is tap water drinkable in Massachusetts (and elsewhere in USA)?

1/8/2017 7:52:06 PM Tap water in the United States is generally safe to use, but if you stay longer (several years), lead poisoning can become a problem. While Flint is mostly known, it is only the tip of an iceberg: Elevated blood levels are widespread in the USA because there are still many deposits of […]

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