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Easiest way to get to Ensenada from Tijuana or Mexicali? I'm on my way to Ensenada (from New Zealand), and am having trouble finding the easiest way to get there. This is made a little trickier by my multitude of options. My two options are to travel there straight from LA (likely train to San Diego, bus to Tijuana an...
Bus travel is generally the cheapest mode of transportation in Mexico (hitchhiking notwithstanding), when traveling alone. If you are in a group, and can fill a vehicle, a rental car may be cheaper.
Cheap way to get around Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka - alternatives to the JR Pass? Me and my friends are going to Japan 2 weeks from now. We'll stay for 4 days in Tokyo, overnight in Hakone, 3 days in Kyoto (with a side visit to Nara) and 2 days in Osaka (Summer Sonic!!). So my question is, what is the most cost effective w...
In addition to the nationwide JR Pass, there are several area-only passes which offer unlimited train travel within a specific region, for example Kanto (Tokyo) or Kansai (Osaka/Kobe/Kyoto). You may also want to get a Suica Card , just for convenience. Current price in JPY is ¥29110 for a standard 7-day pass.
Travel insurance for flight cancellation I know this is a stupid question, I am travelling to Colorado this Friday to see my Uncle, but he has to go to other place due to some work issues. My flight ticket is non refundable and it costs 400$. Is there any insurance policy that would cover the ticket cost if I cancel my...
There are a number of companies that offer "Cancel for any reason" travel insurance.
Is it possible to drink alcoholic beverages at Iranian ski resorts? In Places you never knew you could ski , it's implied that you can't drink alcoholic beverages at Iranian ski resorts: Visit Tehran in winter and salivate over the Alborz mountain range that dominates the horizon. These snow-laden peaks of over thr...
If you want to drink alcohol, just go somewhere else.
Exchanging and using Scottish pounds I have a friend going to Scotland and was planning on giving them money to give me Scottish pounds. I already have all of the Bank of England pounds and don't need any more of those. But the Scottish pounds are another matter. From what I've read Scottish pounds are issued by priv...
In England The only currency that is legal tender is that issued by the Bank of England.
Is any Southeast Asian country easier for obtaining a visa for China? In my experience it can make a lot of difference at which consulate in which country you apply for a visa in an upcoming country on your trip. For instance I seem to recall that it was easiest to get a visa for Iran in Trabzon, Turkey; and easiest t...
As a general rule of thumb I've often found it easiest to apply for visas in countries that border the country in question*.
Can you travel to Canada by road with an expired US passport? Is it possible to leave and re-enter the US through the land border with Canada with an expired (US) passport? My passport expired in December and I didn't realize that until now. In addition to the expired passport, I have my naturalization certificate and ...
Although technically you are still able to enter using an expired passport, it's very possible the airline would refuse to allow you to fly.
Where can I get free maps? (particularly of Southeast Asia) Are there any places I can obtain free printed maps of SEA or countries within? I'm travelling from San Francisco, USA and am going to Thailand and Bali, Indonesia. Feel free to extend this question to any country or region. Generally, do visitor centers offer...
Very, very often, as you arrive at the airport of a country you'll see free (or cheap) maps for tourists.
Where to buy cheap generic camping gear in Kuala Lumpur or Singapore? I'm planning to hitchhike Singapore or Kuala Lumpur to Taiwan in a couple of weeks and I expect to sleep outside sometimes. I've never been to this part of the world before but I've noticed that in some countries finding camping gear is as easy as f...
From my experience, Giant Store at Harbourfront ( Vivo City ) Singapore sell tents. I've also now checked the famous Mustafa Centre in Singapore and they had a very limited range of generic tents and sleeping bags. If you want to go to Bangkok, I'd go to either the weekend market or MBK.
Do I need a towel in saunas in Germany? There is always a problem: what to take with, and what would be provided on place? How it is with towels in saunas in Germany? Do you have to take a sauna towel with you? Or the towel is rented in price? Or maybe you don't need any towel inside sauna, and outside you can use yo...
In most of the saunas you can rent towels and bathrobes.
Is it rude to ask for toilet paper in Bangladesh? I have read this post : Stuck without toilet paper while travelling - what is the best approach? Does not quite answer my question. Are toilet papers common in hotels in Dhaka ? It seems too off to mail the hotel asking for this. Even before I can mail I need to know...
And in hotels, it's about mandatory to put Toilet paper in their toilet to serve their customer with a high standard.
Can I visit Schengen countries on a Type-D Schengen Visa? I’m going to Germany for a semester exchange and I have a long-stay visa from Germany. Can I travel to the other Schengen states during this period with this visa or do I have to apply for a separate short stay Schengen visa? My visa is German national visa typ...
As others suggested, you are allowed to travel in other Schengen states while complying with the 90/180 rule.
How to stay in Brazil for 5 months with a (tourist) visa? I am planning to go to Brazil from 20 Aug - 02 Feb under a tourist visa (three months). My idea was to cross the border to Argentina before the three months are finished, and re-enter Brazil after a short stay there. Now I read on the internet (official site) t...
A tourist in Brazil can stay for a maximum of 90 consecutive days, extendable to 180 days every one year by issuing a request at the Federal Police Department (DPF).
Places worth visiting by train from Munich to Berlin My partner and I are planning to take a train from Munich to Berlin and stop over at a few cities on the way. As it will be our first time visiting Germany for 7 days, can you please advise which is the best route to take and which are the cities and places that shou...
The train ride from Dresden to Nürnberg via Zwickau is a scenic one. Assuming that you have only 7 days in Germany overall (which your wording suggests): Berlin and Munich definitely deserve 2 days each.
Wearing Vibram FiveFingers while travelling in Europe I wear "barefoot" shoes such as Vibram FiveFingers when I need to wear shoes. I'm no longer accustomed to walking in regular shoes, which require the heel-to-toe motion. My transition to this was because of a bad knee (walking heel to toe causes pain in my knee). Be...
You'd stand out, yes, in that they look unusual.
How to avoid losing someone while traveling? Whether traveling with a child or friend, especially in large crowds, should one take precautions to avoid losing someone? I will be backpacking, so packing light is important; however, I still thought it would might be necessary for me to get something like a walkie talkie...
And as a fallback, agree in advance on an easy-to-find place where you'll meet if you lose each other. As the other people suggested, you should know where you're staying but cell phones are the best safety device in the world in my opinion. With small children, the only thing you can do is keep your attention on them ...
Where can I find delay/cancelation statistics for a given airline route? My flight got canceled yesterday and I am currently waiting for the delayed next flight. Is there any website that keeps records of airlines being delayed/canceled? I would like to know my chances. I did find some sites through google (flightawa...
Hence, I suggest flightstats.com , it lets you know the on time performance for an airline and/or
Would I be able to communicate in Vienna in German? I'm planning a trip to Vienna. Since I know German quite well, I didn't foresee any problems... but after reading Wikipedia articles about dialects in Austria , especially about Bairisch dialect, I'm a bit worried. If everyone there speaks Bairisch and not standard...
If you address an Austrian in German, he will reply in German.
Language to communicate in tourist places in Bratislava? English is sufficient? Is English sufficient to communicate in tourist places in Bratislava (musea, buying tickets, restaurants, receptions in hostels)? Should I expect that English would be generally understood in that places, if not by all personnel, then at le...
Especially in cities, most people who were teenagers at the end of communism have learned English to some degree.
Books in Malaysian language in Kuala Lumpur I like to buy books in every language I can when I travel so I'd like to pick up some literature in Malaysian. Yesterday I found an enormous Kinokuniya bookshop but was puzzled to find it sold books only in English, Chinese, and japanese - if they have a Malaysian section I ...
Other locations where you can buy books are KL Sentral 1st level, where you can often find a temporary book market.
Should I renew my passport before it expires? If I plan on taking an international trip early next year (several months from now) but my passport is expiring in a couple months, is there any benefit in renewing it before it expires versus waiting a couple more months? No idea if those extra few months 10 years from no...
If you know that you're not likely to need to travel internationally, then you can hold off until closer to your planned trip.
Will airlines compensate me if my entertainment system is not working? In long haul flights, if I get a seat and after take off I found out that entertainment system is not working, I asked a flight attendant to change my seat but she apologized because there are no empty seats to move to. Is it common to ask for a c...
While they almost certainly won't give you compensation, if you write a polite letter explaining how you were really looking forward to the flight, how you're a frequent flyer member (mention your number), and how you love that airline, and were really disappointed that you couldn't enjoy your flight as you had no ente...
Park or lake with jogging and outdoor gym in Kuala Lumpur? In many cities there's an obvious place to go for a run, such as along a beach front, around a lake, along the river, or some nice big park. In Kuala Lumpur the river is sadly neglected and undeveloped but it would make a perfect park. The only park I've stum...
Merdeka square (big, not natural, not shaded, no bodies of water). I think most locals go to gyms for running and pull-ups.
Where can I buy Sri Lanka rupee (LKR) in Australia (AUD)? Since we will be arriving at 12:15 am, I would like to buy some Sri Lankan rupees before arrival. Is this possible if coming from Australia (via Singapore)? <Q> There are also some restrictions on converting Sri Lankan rupees to foreign currency, which affect l...
There are quite low limits on the amount of rupees you can bring in with you, or take out again, from Sri Lanka. Secondly, if you're happy to take your chances, you can get some great rates at unofficial currency changers in the country.
Can Alcatraz tours only be booked from their website? I'm currently checking the web site www.alcatrazcruises.com to book an Alcatraz tour 2 weeks from now but they are fully booked. Is that web site the only way to book a tour of the island? Will it be possible to show up at the pier and getting on a ferry there to ...
Therefore, if you want to go to Alcatraz, there is only one company you can travel with, and private boats are forbidden.
How do I get from Berlin to Tromsø? I'm going to Tromsø in Norway for the Northern Lights. What is both a fast and affordable way of getting there? I was considering flying, but because I'll be backpacking in the winter, I doubt I'll be able to get my bag to fit RyanAir's carry-on limit; hence, added costs. I'll proba...
If you have a rail pass, you could also consider taking the train to Stockholm or Oslo and fly from there. By far the easiest way to get there is to fly.
Train from Gold Coast to Sydney I'm searching to alternative to travel from Gold Coast to Sydney, other than flying. Is there any train service from Gold Coast to Sydney? How long and which station to go? Is the train ticket able to be booked online? <Q> There are no direct trains between the Gold Coast and Sydney. ...
Another option is to take an early morning Queensland Rail train from the Gold Coast up to Brisbane, then catch the Sydney train there. Tickets can be booked online.
Budget backpacking through Norway Originally I had only wanted to see the Northern Lights, but through the recommendations of some of the users here on TA, they suggested making side trips out of the lengthy journey to Tromso. However, after doing some more research, I find that it's increasingly difficult to do this o...
Northern Lights watching, climb to a mountain near Tromso where we you'll see fantastic views of the city and the nearby landscape and there you can play with the snow (a plastic bag is enough!), play football in the snow (just ask the locals if you can join!), If you want to sleep really cheap, have a look at Tromso C...
Beach huts closest to London Where is the closest place from London (in terms of travel time, assuming flight and public transport further on) that has beach huts like these ? I am after cheap and simple huts, rather than an exclusive resort that looks like beach huts. EDIT: I was a bit unclear: I am looking for hu...
There are places nearer to London than Bournemouth with beach huts, but generally those have pebble or stone beaches.
What is the youngest new natural landmass that can be visited? I recently visited the Vulcão dos Capelinhos , which is an extension of Faial Island in the Azores that erupted from the sea bed only 50 years ago. Visiting this area gives you a great sense of the geological time scale. Although the island is quite fe...
Made by nature and can be visited, declared an island in 2003 Noorderhaaks is just off the coast of the Netherlands, near Den Helder and Texel.
Is it permitted to ask questions of female sex workers in Thailand to be familiar with their real life as a tourist? As a female traveler I will be in Thailand for around 2 months in mid November to have fun and complete my professional diving lessons. I would like to be familiar with Thai culture and foods and also it...
In Bangkok was where I saw more freedom of natives in talking about sex with tourists. The best advice if you want to approach a sex worker is to find where they are many of them and start talking when they are not busy.
Can I board at a different train station with a tatkal ticket in India? I have booked two tickets for Mumbai to Pune in Tatkal quota.The train departs from Mumbai CST, can I board the train at Dadar station? <Q> No. <S> If the TTR checks for your ticket before the train halts at Dadar, he will cancel your ticket. ...
Dadar is the very next stop after Mumbai CST, there will not be any problem.
How to find a decent taxi company in Chicago? I looked up taxi companies on Yelp, and all of them have 1-star reviews. Called a few and said "I'm going to be in Chicago tomorrow and need a ride to O'Hare" and they say either (a) "just call us 5 minutes before" (an impossible level of service), or (b) "give us 3-4 hours...
At ORD, there is a taxi stand right outside the terminals.
Will wearing a bright colored jacket signal that I am a tourist? Rick Steve's recommends wearing neutral colors. As such, I've opted to bring a lot of blacks and greys on my trip this winter. However, my rain jacket is a BRIGHT green -- it's brighter than the circle of the Travel Answers logo, except a bit more yellow....
In the winter I often wear a waterproof jacket that has some bright colors, and I don't think that it's something that stands out.
Can I enter Romania from Dubai with a Schengen visa? Would I be able to enter Romania on a Schengen visa if I'm staying less than 5 days? Basically I would be doing Dubai-Romania-Dubai. <Q> Yes you can! <S> This is how to do: You have to have a valid Schengen Visa <S> You are eligible to stay up to 5 days in Romani...
If you have a Schengen Visa with 2 or multiple entries then you can get into Romania even if you don't want to go a Schengen State afterwards.
Do hostels provide cookware? I have read that many hostels have kitchens or kitchenettes where guests can cook. This is something I plan to do. However, it's not too clear to me what's provided. Do I need to bring my own cookware? <Q> It very much depends on the hostel. <S> Some provide amazing kitchens with multiple...
This varies completely from hostel to hostel. Some hostels have kitchens with even ovens and dishes to cook, some have just some basic plates and cutlery, and some have no kitchens at all.
What would be considered "evidence of adequate funds" for entering Hong Kong? I'll be visiting Hong Kong for a few days next week. I noticed this statement on the Hong Kong Visa Requirements page: must have a U.S. passport valid for at least six months and evidence of adequate funds for their stay and onward trans...
Another evidence in case of business trips would be a letter from your employer stating that the employer is covering the trip expenses.
Can you get complementary upgrades when you check-in online or through a booth at the airport? It the past I have been offered an upgrade while checking in at the airlines desk. These days checking in online, or at one of the automatic booths at the airport can be quite convenient. I am wondering if by using these moda...
Yes, you can ask for an upgrade while checking in online or checking in at the airport using a self-service machine.
Why do people on airplanes often have tomato juice as a drink? Tomato juice seems to be a favorite drink for many travelers to have on board an airplane. I've seen this on almost every flight I've been on, but I have never noticed this same trend at ground-level. What are the reasons for that? Is there an origin of th...
Of all the drinks that are offered on board, other than water - tomato juice is the one that affects jet lag the least.
Amex travel insurance for H1b visa holder I have been living in America for couple of years and I hold H1b work visa. Technically speaking H1b holders are not permanent residents, which seems to be required in Amex travel insurance fineprint. I tried to find it out from Amex, but I don't get definite answers. Can anyon...
You know that Amex requires you to be a permanent resident.
Are there rest areas along Thai motorways? I'm hitchhiked from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur a few days ago. I came along a major expressway where I found it very easy to get rides at the rest areas. Rest areas are places along major long-distance roads where you can stop for a rest, buy petrol/bas, use the toilet, buy fo...
It's not safe at all especially if you travel alone (I'm Thai). In Thailand you can pretty much sleep anywhere really
How much does a taxi from Lisbon airport to city center cost? I'm arriving in Lisbon fairly late on a Sunday with a fair amount of baggage. I've usually used the Aerobus (which works fine) but I've got more baggage than usual and it'll have been a long day by the time I get to Lisbon. So I'm looking at what a taxi is g...
The rate you were quoted is a lot higher than the market rate and seems to be intended to surcharge unaware visitors. You can also go to the Tourist office inside the Airport and buy a fixed price ride.
Can I rely on public transport in Rhodes (Greece) or should I rent a car? I'm planning to visit Rhodes in october. I see the island is not that small: Google Maps tells you'll need roughly a hour by car to travel from north to south. I would like to be based in Rhodes old town (in the very north) and I'm wondering if ...
If you want to be more relax and you can afford rent a car. Even if the buses travel fairly regularly through the "suburbs" of Rhodes City and to some extent down the east coast, at least to Lindos and Gennadi, the time tables for the villages on the west coast and in the interior parts of the island are very sparse. A...
How to filter flights by arrival time? I've tried everything from Kayak to Skyscanner, but I can't seem to find out if it is possible to sort the results of a flight search by arrival time at the destination. Of course I know there may be delays, but I'd like at least to be able to sort by estimated arrival time. How ...
Using ITA Matrix Software you can select when you want to arrive in your destination.
Indian Visa in expired passport, new passport with husband's surname I have an Indian visa valid till 2013 in my old passport. But since I just got married I'm changing my surname and hence changing my passport. Will my Indian visa in my now old passport be valid, provided I have all Marriage documents? <Q> Yes it is ...
If you have not obtained a new passport, and you still have your non-expired passport with your prior name and a valid visa issued in your prior name, please travel with your marriage certificate or proof of name change.
What does the (+1) mean in flight search engines? In Skyscanner results, when I click on details, it shows the arrival time, then (+1), but it doesn't do this for return time. What does (+1) mean? I thought it might mean up to an hour delay, but I would have thought +/- would have been used instead. <Q> It means that ...
Nean Der Thal's answer is correct regarding the meaning of the +1 (it means the flight lands the next day.)
Are Australian passports expensive in comparison to other western / developed countries? I decided not to renew my passport before starting this trip because passports are very expensive in comparison to my income and my low travel budget. But when asking people I find their passports in other countries are much more ...
Australian passports are the ‘most expensive’ in the world
How do I avoid snoring when sharing a room in a hostel or lodge? I snore and I know it. This causes quite some discomfort when I need to share a room with others. I usually try to stay awake until everybody else seems to be sleeping. The pokes or the sudden shaking of the bed has caused quite some sleepless nights for ...
Sleeping face down, on your stomach, reduces snoring. If you notice at any point that you've changed to your back then change to your side.
Exchanging Dollars for Yuan I'm heading to China next month. Any tips for exchanging dollars for yuan? Will I be able to use credit card to get yuan at an ATM? <Q> The cheapest place to change money in China is usually the Bank of China. <S> Typically, only one branch in each city provides such a service. <S> You need ...
Yes, there are ATMs that accept credit cards, but it might be easier if you have an ATM card instead since not all ATMs accept credit cards.
Are there subcategories of seats even within economy class? Recently I had to travel by Singapore Airlines (Economy class). But when I tried to change the return date of my ticket, customer care office informed me that there are no more seats in my class for the expected date. They ask me to pay some extra few dollars ...
Yes, there are premium economy seats.
Adaptors that work in the various electricity outlets in Europe Are there any single-plug (not "powerstrip"-style) adapters that can work for Italy, France, the UK, and Switzerland? It seems very cumbersome to have to pack 4 types of adapters. 'European' outlet, used in continental EU-countries Outlet used in island ...
You can find various types of adapters/switchers for this purpose.
What type of power outlets are used in Bath, UK? I am having a discussion about travel in the UK with some friends and I believe that in the town of Bath buildings use the same power outlets as Europe and not the UK for some reason. Can someone confirm this please and maybe give an explanation why? <Q> Bath, like the r...
Bath, UK uses the same plug as the rest of the UK.
What's the easiest (and ideally safest) way to get from Dubai to Abu Dhabi? I shall be visiting and staying with some friends in Dubai, and want to take a day trip out to visit another group of friends in Abu Dhabi. Without hiring/driving a car, what's the easiest way to get from one to the other and back for under 100...
Taxis are that cheap in Dubai, and in general the public transport system is one of the best in the middle east. If you're settling in Dubai check DubaiHow, they actually have the routes of each bus in Dubai in details without the hassle of maps and some out-dated Wikiroutes: https://dubaihow.com/dubai-bus-routes/
Quebec, responding to French in English: faux pas? I'm currently visiting Montreal. In almost every store or restaurant I go to, I'm greeted with "bonjour!" I know just a little French and I could probably get by with a simple transaction, but then I would be lost if anything more nuanced was required. So I usually res...
I wouldn't say it's a faux pas though perhaps a small minority of people there might regard it as such.
How can I avoid or minimise haggling without causing offence? I'm visiting Dubai soon (although I'm happy to keep the scope of this question wider), where I think haggling is a standard expected part of buying many goods (in my case, probably mostly souvenirs). I don't really enjoy haggling (many reasons, but as the t...
No-one will be offended by you avoiding haggling and meeting the first price offered! If you are offered to speak first, just say that you are not interested and start to leave.
How do you find quiet and well-equipped places to work in cities when travelling? Sometimes, on business trips, I might be going to a meeting with customer for half the day, say. If my flight is not till the evening, I may want to find a quiet place to work on my laptop for several hours. I often tend to head for coffe...
Otherwise, I think the thing you want to be googling for is "co-working space", especially community run ones. I always like finding public libraries when I travel, for different purposes.
Are there any "extended stay" or "multiroom suites" in hotels in England? I'm from the US, and here there are a number of options for staying in a hotel which offer more than one adjoining room. Residence Inns are a great example where I can get a bedroom and a sitting room/kitchen or even 2 bedrooms with a central sit...
In general: Yes, the sort of hotel you're looking for exists in England (arbitrary example, there's a Staybridge Suites in Liverpool), though it doesn't seem there are many in the Portsmouth area in particular. Travelodge is a chain of hotels in the UK where all four family members can definitely stay in one room.
Can I wear all types of military surplus clothing in Germany? I have a lot of clothing from military surplus, mostly trousers, because they are solid and cheap, and they dry fast. But I've heard that at least some kinds of military surplus clothing are illegal in Germany (those which resemble Bundeswehr or Polizei clo...
Some Internet forums (which of course are not particularly authoritative either) suggest that not wearing a full uniform or making sure some part of it like regimental or rank signs are missing would be enough to avoid falling foul of the law.
Overnight train: London to Berlin I can't find any overnight trains from London to Berlin. Only ones that have a bunch of connections, which would mean I would have to travel during the day. Is this actually the case? <Q> Unless I'm proven wrong by another answer, then yes, for the most part. <S> There are some optio...
So, short answer - there's no sleeper rail service between Berlin and London Seat61 has a page on London to Germany travel , and they concur - connections for you would seem to be the only viable option by train.
Overnight train luggage safety concerns in Europe I've heard that in some overnight trains, rooms don't lock (no door); instead its just a curtain. This means thieves can get in and out easily. Is this true? If so, how do my friends and I keep ourselves and our belongings safe? (Even if we secured it with some sort of ...
On the occasion when travelling and sleeping when I have been nervous, I've wrapped my straps of my packs around my legs or arms while sleeping, so that any tugging or moving of the bags would wake me.
Getting Schengen Visa within a week of traveling? I will be studying in Spain for 81 days, then a break for 3 weeks, then to the UK to study another quarter. I leave in a week and never got a Schengen Visa because my second quarter plans came last-minute. The UK is not a schengen country, but would need a visa for trav...
Also, if you're studying in the UK and want to travel to Schengen area and back to the UK again you need to have at least 3 months left on your UK visa.
What is the use of all these towels? I stayed at hotels in different places, and each hotel provides different set of towels. But sometimes I don't know what is the purpose of each towel! For example, attached two photos from a en-suite-bathroom in a businesses-European hotel, with 4 different towels. I think that ...
Without a great sense of scale we'll have to guess at which is which in your photo, but in general you may need them for: bath/shower towel
Where is Kechror, Turkey? I can't seem to locate the town of Kechror, or village of Chukurayva in which I am interested in visiting. I have found a reference to these in an article of an re-discovered acient Armenian chruch. The renown ancient Armenian monastery complex ‘Tzarakar’ has been discovered near the vill...
Keçror is indeed an old Armenian name for the village Tunçkaya.
How can I buy an e-ticket for Netherlands train if I don't have a Dutch bank account? I wanted to buy a train ticket today from the Dutch railroad website . It all worked fine, but when checking out, I was asked for my bank details and it seems that you can only pay if you have a Dutch bank account. I want to use my ...
You could though buy your Dutch railway tickets online at the Belgian Railways .
Preventing theft in Western Europe I'm going to Europe in a few days and I will be going on a cruise that goes to a few different countries including Spain, Monaco, Italy, and Croatia. I've been hearing a lot of bad stories from people about how they got robbed and how "clever" they are. It is scary hearing about all ...
If you take precautions and use common sense then you will be less likely to have any problems, as SpaceDog says if you don't flash expensive cameras and other items around then you will attract less attention from thieves. Try not to look like a tourist, don't flash large amounts of cash -- go to the bathroom to move ...
Is there a metasearch engine for hostels? Is there a site such as kayak, but for hostels instead? There's so many different hostel booking websites, I don't even know where to start. If there isn't such a site, what is the recommended course of action on finding and booking the most suitable hostel? (Suitable to mean ...
Hostelz.com is the metasearch engine for hostels.
Will it be easy to find an automatic transmission car to rent in Killarney? I will be in Killarney in about two weeks. If I set a reservation on the site now will it be that simple to rent/hire a car with an automatic transmission? I have heard people mention on older forum threads that sometimes you don't get one des...
A quick search on google for 'automatic car rental killarney' shows that there are several companies, show that many of the resulting companies let you specify. However, your best bet is to phone the company you rent from, and specify that you're unable to / don't want to drive a manual transmission, and get them to em...
How can I see the Berlin Wall? What, if anything, is left of the Berlin Wall, and where and how can I see it? Is there any official monument and/or museum I should include in my visit as well? <Q> Checkpoint Charlie is probably worth seeing anyway <S> but it's very touristy and not quite a piece of the Berlin Wall: <S...
Like others have said, Checkpoint Charlie is the main tourist point to go. If you want to see the wall intact and some peaceful park space with memorials, please consider going to the Nordbahnhof Station on the S-Bahn or the Bernauer Straße Station on the U-Bahn.
Can I travel in Croatia using only Euro? For a few days trip in Croatia , can I avoid changing euros into the local currency Kuna ? Can I live comfortably (hotels, restaurants, train) directly using euro only? Itinerary: Zagreb , Split , Dubrovnik . <Q> Croatia joined the EU on the 1st of July 2013 but still d...
So just for your understanding, you won't be able to buy anything with Euro in any big shops or government businesses, like public transport etc. So, it seems that Euros are accepted in certain cases but you should be prepared to pay in Kuna as well.
What to do about my US iPhone while traveling around Europe? I've been reading up on how to get my cell phone into Europe and I'm still not entirely sure what to do. I'd prefer to use my iPhone so that I can carry fewer electronics, but my provider will not unlock my phone until my contract expires and it's going to co...
You could buy a factory-unlocked iPhone, and sell it when you are done with it.
Roaming charges from country to country in Europe If I purchase a SIM card for Germany, and I wander over to Salzburg, for example, would I be roaming? How is roaming defined and how does it work? <Q> This usually happens when you are in an area where the home network is not available. <S> It can be national roaming <S...
Roaming is: when you are connected to any network other than your original network.
How long does it take for a SIM card to activate (Europe)? I have been wondering whether or not to buy a new SIM card when I take side trips to countries bordering Germany (one for each country). However, I have heard that each time I get a new SIM card, it may take 24-48 hours to activate -- in which case a 4-day trip...
In Poland (bordering Germany from east) activating a sim card doesn't take any time.
Are there sleeper trains going from Northern Italy to the Rhine Valley (Germany)? I'm trying to get from the Cinque Terra to the Rhine Valley. So departing anywhere from Pisa (or even Florence) to Milan and arriving in between Hahn airport, Cologne, and Frankfurt would work. I've tried rome2rio and some other sites, b...
Furthermore all night trains in Germany are operated by City Night Line ; their brochure contains a map. There is no such train. As an alternative to Milan – Munich followed by domestic connections to the Rhine valley, you may also consider the Milan–Dijon(–Paris) sleeper, followed by a TGV from Dijon to Basel .
Staying in in London Heathrow Airport overnight? FIRST TIME TRAVELER Traveling from Phoenix AZ > London > Barcelona Spain.In London there is a 17.5 over night layover. I am planning on using this time to explore the city. Can you stay in the airport over night? Or would it be better to book a room? <Q> Can confirm from...
If you want a more comfortable stay at Heathrow there are many hotels at Heathrow airport : http://www.heathrow-airport-guide.co.uk/hotels.html
Do US citizens need a visa for Turkey? I understand that Turkey does not belong to Schengen area. So would I need to have a visa to visit Turkey? <Q> NOTE: <S> Due to changing circumstances related to US citizens this answer is NOT currently correct. <S> Turkey is no longer issuing e-visas to US citizens, and visa-on...
United States of America: Ordinary and official passport holders are required to have visa to enter Turkey.
What are the procedures and documents necessary when traveling to France from the UK (not by plane)? I have a United States passport and will be in London this year. I am looking into rail and ferry options to coastal France and was wondering if I will need to present any documents other than having my passport at hand...
When boarding your train at London, you'll have to pass through customs and security check just as if you were taking a plane.
How can I reliably make myself a cup of coffee in my hotel room that doesn't suck? Like most people, I have a habit, and that habit is Coffee. Unfortunately, this can be an expensive habit. There are plenty of methods of making it less expensive, but in my experience, most of them are pretty bulky and not conducive to ...
If this doesn't help you getting a free coffee you can always pack your own bags of instant coffee. Cory Doctorow wrote a blog post about using the Aeropress as a cold-brew filter which might give you some ideas. I would head to your local outdoor / camping store and see what they have. "
Why are some routes unable to be booked on DB's website? I'm trying to book a transfer from Dijon to Basel , but there's no option to book it. I've noticed this on other routes as well. I thought TGV trains must be reserved online. So why is this? <Q> DB Bahn is the group that manages passenger travel within Germany...
The reason that you see so many timetable results on Deutsche Bahn without being able to book is because the journey-planning engine it uses (known as Hafas ) is separate to its ticket booking functionality (Deutsche Bahn's own online "distribution system").
Closest skiing to Indochina From a developed, connected part of SEA - oh, let's say, Thailand - where is the nearest skiing? Mostly thinking of shortest travel time (eg, to go for a long weekend), but would also be interested in physically closest. Japan jumped to mind, as I know there is skiing in Hokkaido. I hea...
Yulong/Jade Dragon Snow Mountain (玉龙雪山) ski resort near Lijiang in Yunnan, China is probably the closest place to Thailand you could actually ski. I've heard that New Zealand tend to have club skifields
Where can I drink draught Beerlao in Vientiane? I have now been in Vientiane a bit over one month and drank several varieties of the national beer, Beerlao many times. But what I have never seen is Beerlao on tap. Wikipedia suggests some few places do have it but doesn't name any places: In limited places, the b...
Besides the two large places that jpatokal and uncovery found, both of which feel designed to attract foreigners, I finally found a small cheap restaurant that has Beerlao on tap tonight.
Which backpack theft protection features are there, and which of them work? While wearing a backpack, what are common/known ways how someone might steal things out of your backpack (or even the whole backpack altogether)? Which backpack security features can protect against which theft method? {I’m asking only abo...
Pickpockets can simply manipulate the outer small pockets when you are wearing the bag without you feeling a thing.
Why do passports expire? Based on this question , why do passports expire? What possible function does it serve to limit their validity in time? <Q> The simple answer is that it's because the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) - the global organisation that is responsible for settings standards for passp...
Expiring passports also reduces the number of stolen/forged/etc passports in circulation - both due to the expiry of those that are in circulation, but also by enforcing newer anti-forgery standards for new passports.
Biometric passport: How can I know if the chip is still working? Does it matter? My biometric passport inadvertently spent some time under the rain. It's not badly damaged but some sheets are a bit deformed and there are tiny brown spots on the side. I am wondering if there is an easy way for me to determine if the chi...
Many modern smartphones include a NFC reader, which allows them to read the data from the e-Passport - if you can read that data, then your ePassport is working.
How can I check if I'm allowed to take a rental car from Argentina to Chile? I'm planning to rent a car in Argentina by one of the big, well-known companies. I'm also planning to drive to Chile for a day or two. I know that quite a lot of rental companies explicitly do not allow to cross into other countries with a ren...
Part of this may depend on where you are renting the car from.
What is the advantage(s) to buying tickets beforehand vs at the station for rail travel in Europe? I am traveling to Europe soon and will be taking the train between London, Paris, Brussels, and Amsterdam. Is there an advantage to purchasing tickets beforehand online versus arriving at the station and purchasing ticke...
If you're planning on taking the Eurostar from London, it's important to book ahead of time since (a) you can often get a better deal if you watch the prices and pick out the cheapest time/date that fits in your schedule, and (b) these trains fill up quickly so booking a ticket ahead of time ensures that you have a spo...
Can growing a beard cause problems in crossing borders? I just recently renewed my passport with a picture taken just after I shaved. I haven't shaved since (>3 weeks) and I kind of like it. I am even looking into how to maintain a beard, but that is a question for another platform. Regarding traveling I am a bit worr...
A big, bushy beard may alter your appearance enough to cause issues. In general the answer is going to be that no, it will not cause any issues.
Carnival in Venice - what to expect If I go to Venice, Italy during carnival (somewhere between mid-January and end-February), should I expect anything special, like eg. herds of tourists? - OK, I know, that's Venice, so, more tourists that usual? any special "carnival" events? people wearing carnival masks around?...
It is easy to find many masks in the city during those weekends. The Carnival is a huge thing in Venice with lots of related events in and outside the city.
Best options for crossing Lake Victoria by ferry I'm looking for the best option for crossing lake Victoria between Uganda (Entebbe) and Kenya (Kisumu) in either direction. Before anyone suggest earthwise I have attempted calling them (number not found) and have emailed them, and as yet no reply. My criteria for be...
It seems that there is no current ferry service between Kisumu and Entebbe. There is a scheduled ferry between Mwanza and Bukoba, both in Tanzania.
Booking hotel with my credit card for a third person. Will that person have issues at check-in? I've booked a hotel (in Hong Kong) for a third person using my credit card (but booking confirmation for the third person). Will there will be any problems while checking in? It seems to check in you need to show YOUR credi...
Hotels don't care who pays for the room itself of course, but every major hotel chain in the world requires that the person staying at the hotel must have their own credit card in their name which the hotel would physically swipe on site for an incidental deposit, regardless of who made or paid for the reservation .
Is there a way to work on a MacBook Pro on >10 hour flights? Whenever I am on a long flight, I try to be as efficient as possible in laptop usage. Everything that I don't need is switched off, from WiFi and Bluetooth to any other unneeded app. I mainly need to write, so this way I can manage up to 5 hours. On my previ...
Dim the screen, turn off the wireless, close the laptop when not in use, turn off Flash animations, and so on. As far as travel goes, there are airlines that have outlets at every seat. You also need to ask yourself if it's reasonable to expect 10+ hours of battery power if your laptop is anything less than new.
Hiking around Iceland: Trails or walking on the ring road? What options are available to hike around Iceland? Other questions address camping but are there marked trails on some or all of the way? Is walking on the ring road allowed at all and is it realistic? Are some sections of the road more interesting or popular? ...
There are numerous hiking trails in Iceland, ranging from easy half-days to strenuous multi-day affairs.
Do U.S. citizens need a Russian transit visa? On a five hour layover in Moscow, changing planes but not airport, would a U.S. citizen need a transit visa? <Q> According to the Russian Embassy page you will not need a visa if you're not leaving the airside. <S> EDIT Additional information on the same from Timatic ...
As an American citizen that has travelled to Moscow and via Moscow many times, I can definitely confirm that you do NOT need a transit visa if your connecting flight is from the same terminal.
Where's the cheapest place in the world for a beginner to learn diving? Would it mostly be in Southeast Asia? Or somewhere else? In response to this Q being "put on hold" for being too broad, let me add the following: Include only cost of equipment rental and lessons. Exclude cost of getting there, cost of food, cost...
An end-to-end course that gets you the standard PADI Open Water license will set you back roughly 9800 baht (~$310 at time of writing); if you're happy with the far more limited PADI Scuba Diver course, you can complete that for 7000 baht (~$225) at this randomly chosen dive shop . A close second is Malaysia, where div...
Are theme parks crowded on Thanksgiving day? Some do special offers - I believe that the Disney parks do something, and Knott's Berry Farm do special buffet dinners, but assuming this isn't happening, are the crowds light that day? (I understand that the weekend of Thanksgiving is likely to be busy.) <Q> So get in ear...
Thanksgiving Week is one of the most crowded weeks of the year at Walt Disney World. They will be very, very busy.
Overstaying ESTA Visa waiver in the US I recently discovered that I will be over-staying my 90 day visa waiver by 2 days.My question is about leaving the country as I fly from NYC to LA before flying home to Australia and I'm wondering that if because the Visa has technically expired will I be allowed to fly from one U...
You will be ineligible for the Visa Waiver Program in the future, because you overstayed.
Is it safe to travel to Tunisia/Tunis with the current news? (March 2014) Created October 2013, Updated February 2014 looking for new answers due to "rapidly changing event" There was a suicide bombing recently near a hotel in Tunis. Also reading the news, it seems they are protesting against the Tunisian government...
It is generally safe and people there are not the violent type. The best resource for accurate information in these type of situations are governmental information pages. The state department advises that it has a limited staff in Tunisia, and it recommends traveling with care, and registering with them (so they know y...
How to open a bank account in the US as a foreign traveler? I am travelling to the US on vacation. I would like to open a bank account, probably a free checking account so that I can purchase tickets & rent hotels online. How do I go about this? Is it easy to open a free checking account in the US? <Q> OK, here's the...
Stop by one of thousands of Walmart locations, cash in hand, and they'll have you set up in 20 minutes.
Must I provide proof of onward travel when entering South Africa? I will be flying one-way from Europe to Cape Town, South Africa in early December. Some time later (early January), I will fly from South Africa to the USA. My employer will be purchasing this ticket; so I don't have it yet (and may not have it at the t...
There have been reports of requiring onward travel to South Africa. Immigration authorities may request visitors and transit passengers to prove that they will depart from the country within the prescribed period, by showing a return or onward ticket to their next international destination.
How can I book a flight plan found on Matrix Airfare Search? When I find a flight I like on the Matrix Airfare Search , it spits out a bunch of travel agent secret codes™. If I look for the same flight on the airline's web site, I often get much higher rates. As an example, looking at a flight from Cape Town (CPT) t...
Just call the airlines shown on the itinerary (if American, call American), and tell them the details of the flight.
Why are there no 2,3,4,5 tier bunk beds on airplanes? Lie-flat seats in business class, are a fact of life. Even private cabins and showers are now a fact of life on airplanes. I have traveled on bunk beds in economy style class train cabins for >22 hours trips in China. Every time I travel on cramped economy class lo...
Others mentioned that there is minimum requirements for evacuation of aircraft; but there are other considerations as well. Bunks, such as crew bunks are not certified for take offs and landings. Evacuating fast would be difficult to do with bunk beds, and merely seeing if it's possible would be a very expensive exerci...