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Is there a celebration in a plane when crossing the Equator line? I recently read that in the old days (early 60s) the planes that crossed the Equator line would do some celebration when this happened. Cabin crew would give some pastries, and even liquors, to the passengers. Is this still common in commercial flights?...
Flying across the Equator in this day and age is a non-event, same as flying over the International Date Line or the Arctic Circle. On a KLM flight from Buenos Aires to Amsterdam in January 2015 they performed an "equatorial baptism" - this is when a crew member is crossing the equator for the first time and a ceremony...
Will my passport number change when I renew it? I'm travelling soon but need to renew my passport. Given that I have to provide my passport number to the airline to book a flight, I was wondering if my passport number would change if I renew it. Or would the number stay the same and the expiry date just change? I'm ...
Yes the passport number changes upon renewal.
Passport expiry date for entering Japan I hear some countries require that you have at least 6 months before the expiry date on your passport from the date you enter (or possibly the date you intend to leave). Is there a limit on passport expiry date for entry into Japan? If it makes a difference, I have Australian a...
Your passport simply must be valid for the duration of your stay in Japan.
Who am I flying with? I purchased a ticket from PIT to CWL with stops in DTW & AMS through a 3rd party website. I'm 99% certain it's KLM, but the ticket lists Endeavor Air, Delta. & KLM Cityhopper for the connections. The return is similar, I'm thinking they are Air France flights, with the connection flights being KL...
If all your flight numbers start with KL then you likely have a KLM marketed ticket using code-share flights.
Where can I find a global heat map of travel spots? For example, if I were to plan a trip between Munich and Berlin by car, it'd be great to have a quick glance at a map that would give me a quick idea on where the interesting spots are. That way there's no need to stumble over dozens of pages on Wikitravel to see if t...
Here's what I'm aware of: Sightsmap (which I think comes closest to what you are looking for) Heatmaps of Flickr photos and Twitter tweets
Do you need a Vignette to travel the roads of Switzerland, and how can I obtain one? To drive on Swiss motorways if I recall correctly one needs a Vignette based on what I have been reading I should be able to buy it at various places in the country. I am renting a car in Frankfurt and my travels will take me thro...
In Switzerland you need a vignette to use the motorways.
Are German festivals safe for foreigners? Given the increased reporting of incidents of violent sexual assaults at German festivals are these festivals safe for foreign women to attend? What should be done to decrease risk when attending, for example, Oktoberfest? <Q> Germany is a very safe place to be in, even as a ...
All things being equal it's safer to go just about anywhere in Germany or just about anywhere in Western Europe than it is to be in the US: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_intentional_homicide_rate
Will I get a Schengen entry stamp when leaving Andorra or Faroe Islands? I (U.S.A. citizen) currently have a Dutch residence permit for purpose of family reunion. When my sponsoring family member will leave the Netherlands later this year, I will also have to turn in my residence permit. At that point my goal is to sw...
The Andorrans nowadays don't stamp any passports unless you ask for it, and their stamps are not Schengen stamps, nor do they issue exit stamps
Germany to Italy by train or car in 2017, now the Gotthard tunnel is open? Since they opened the Gotthard tunnel through the Alps. Is it faster to go from Munich to Genoa by train or by car? <Q> I doubt it will change much, driving will still be faster. <S> Based on a Google Maps itinerary search , we find out that it...
In the end, even if somehow the Deutsche Bahn or the SBB decided to run a train all the way from Munich to Milano/Genoa, the total time it takes will probably not beat the driving time. Travel time by train (as per Deutsche Bahn Website) is 11-12 hours.
Can I have a watermelon in hand luggage? I'm flying from UK to Germany with Easyjet (there's next to no weight restriction to hand luggage). I've never had a problem with various edible items before, on any of my EU routes. I don't see how a watermelon would be different from a plastic bag with 10 sandwiches. But still...
Watermelons can easily be loaded up with other liquids including potently explosive liquids and as such would likely be prohibited as carry on items.
My hands were scanned by a strange device during a security check at the airport. What was the purpose? I had a plane last week from Warsaw Modlin to Barcelona and I had one untypical procedure. It's my 14th flight and I never had something similar before. At the security scan right away after I crossed through metal ...
It's just a swab which tests for traces of explosives . You see them in airports everywhere.
Within the United States (Pittsburgh), when merging onto a lane, which turn signal do you use? While driving in Pennsylvania, specifically in Schenley Park in Pittsburgh, I was merging from a side-street to a main road, as seen in the picture below. I had stopped at the stop-sign, checked for traffic, then proceeded on...
Your right hand signal would be appropriate while stopped at the sign, to signal your intent to cars behind you.
Where in the EU can I rent and drive a sports car on a professional racing track? Many commentators have suggested that speed driving on the Autobahn is not as fun as it sounds and I should consider going for a racing track instead. Where in the EU (preferably Central Europe) can I do so? Since regular rental compan...
There are a reasonable number of car hire places which specialise in this kind of thing: essentially they rent you a car with track day insurance, and access to a track.
What games can I play with friends in the confined space of the seating on a long flight? Background Imagine 8 people, around 24-26, book a 14 hour flight somewhere for vacation. They are seated in 2 rows of 4 seats in the middle of the plane, so there is no strangers in between any of them. It is also in economy so...
There are a variety of games that can be played by passing pieces of paper around, which you could do quietly and discretely. Three word story game (write a story where everyone contributes three words at a time) Dots and Boxes (an actual game)
I'm flying Netherlands → Canada → USA. Is ETA required for this trip? Next month I will fly to New York with United Airlines operated by Air Canada,I have one stop in Toronto, do I need to pick up my luggage and check in again? This is one ticket.And do I need ETA for traveling to Canada?I already got the ESTA. <Q> ...
Travellers whose planes refuel in Canada going to and from the United States, as well as participants in the China Transit Program and Transit Without Visa Program, do not need to have an eTA or a visa to transit Canada.
ESTA Question: "have you ever been issued a passport or national identity card for travel by any other country" If you changed your birth nationality and previously had a passport for the birth nationality, do you have to answer this question with "yes"? The difficulty is that the passport must be returned when you ch...
You definitely have to disclose any other citizenship you hold or held in the past.
Does Frankfurt have two airports? I am planning to fly to Frankfurt and I saw that there are two airports: FRA ( Frankfurt Airport ) and HHN ( Frankfurt–Hahn Airport ). Which one is more convenient and closer to cultural places including Mainz and the Rhine Cruise? <Q> HHN is a small airport and was completely unknow...
FRA is one of the largest international airports in the world, and right next to Frankfurt itself.
The plane is half empty yet the ticket price has risen Consider this as an example:The flight below which is two days from now is half empty. However, the price has risen considerably during last week. Why did this happen? If the plane is half empty why the price should rise? Edit I should mention that in the exampl...
If someone is booking a flight at the last minute, there's a decent chance that particular flight is important to them, so they are willing to pay more.
Leaving Thailand after months-long overstay (can't pay fine) I missed my plane after staying just a couple weeks in Thailand and stayed with my girlfriend. I ended up out of money and no ticket home. I keep hearing about staying a day over here, but nothing about a few months over. I have stayed here for 6 months, so o...
If your overstay is less than 90 days, your passport will be marked as an overstay and any future visits will be subjected to proving your tourist intentions (departing tickets, funding, hotel bookings). Call your Embassy and ask for instructions as they know the thing better than strangers at StackExchange; Ask for a ...
Overstayed visa in Hungary, but attained citizenship during this time. What will happen to me when I leave? I came to Hungary (from the US) for family business and during my stay here I attained Hungarian citizenship. However, I have overstayed my 90 day visa. When I return home to the states, what will happen to me? W...
The Hungarian citizenship allows you to be in Hungary (and, within rather liberal bounds, any other EU country) for as long as you desire, no matter what happened to you in your previous life. When you board a plane to the United States, at check-in show your US passport otherwise they won't let you board.
Flying With Uncharged Laptop I've been living in Australia for the past few months and during that time my laptop charger broke. I haven't bought another one because I have a spare charger back home and haven't seen the need to spend the money on one. I know you are supposed to be able to prove the laptop works and i...
I would definitely not put the laptop into checked luggage because of the possibility of it breaking due to rough handling.
How visa days are counted? (Malaysia) I have a 30 days stamped on my passport, currently I can't get my head around on how those days are counted. Quintessentially, are the visa days counted the day one gets the stamp, or the day after one gets it? I arrived on the 20th of May, I figured that I will either have to l...
In-country days are counted as calendar days not 24 hour periods. It doesn't matter what time you enter, be it 1 am or 11:59 pm, that arrival day is counted as one of your 30.
Where can I change my clothes at the airport? I will have a rather formal event which I will attend in rather formal (and less comfortable) clothing. After that I will head directly to the airport, without having an opportunity to change. If I want to change into something more comfy before my flight, where at the a...
I have changed clothing a few couple of times in airport bathrooms; as other said, just stand in top of your sneakers/ If you happen to be at Sydney airport they have free showers . Call the airport you plan on travelling from and ask their customer service what they recommend.
Which airport should I choose, DCA or IAD? I am coming from outside the US, Which airport should I choose, DCA (Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport) or IAD (Washington Dulles International Airport)? Details: I have two options DCA or IAD at the same cost. Destination: Washington DC. Concerns: Availabilit...
If you plan to stay in a hotel before going to the center of DC, I recommend IAD because the hotels get cheaper the farther you go from DC, but otherwise you should go with DCA to save yourself some hassle.
Business Travel to US for 5 months I do have a business travel to the US that will last for 5 months. This includes technical trainings, knowledge transfers, project planning and client meetings. Im kinda worried since this initial trip of mine is too long. I do have return ticket and a hotel booked for 5 months. Wha...
The core point is you are not doing anything illegal or shady , so there is nothing to worry.
Backup photos to the cloud while traveling? I'm going to travel around China for 3 weeks and I'm thinking how to backup my photo to the cloud (any storage provider is ok) taken with my old Canon 500D. Since I love to take time lapse, I will take several GBs of RAW file per day. I don't want to bring my laptop with me...
If you don't wish to take a laptop with you, I'd suggest buying a memory card backup device.
Native American history in New England I'm vacationing to the Boston area for a week and am interested in Native American history and culture. There's plenty of historic colonial landmarks and museums, but I can't seem to find the equivalent for tribes. (Where) do they exist? I'm not looking for a specific tribe. I'll...
Google shows several Indian museums and a few historical sites in New England, at least one of which is surely subsidized by the casino run by the same tribe, so at least there is some good from all the gambling.
How can I travel to the Great Pacific garbage patch? The Great Pacific garbage patch is a region in the central North Pacific Ocean characterized by a great concentration of plastics and other traces of human trash. Here's an approximate map: Is it possible for a tourist to somehow visit this area? Judging from the...
You can be a part of a clean up project for $10,000 http://www.mnn.com/lifestyle/eco-tourism/stories/take-a-cruise-to-the-north-pacific-garbage-patch
Does insurance for expensive Items in checked luggage exist? While I plan to travel with a desktop computer in checked luggage , I am yet to find an insurance that covers much of significant value. We have coverage that comes with credit cards with limits of $200 to $500 per item, depending on the card. Airlines also...
Many policies will allow you to declare a "high-value item" that is covered for pretty much anything, including lost in transit.
How busy is the Roman Colosseum throughout the year? I just spent a week in Italy, and found that the tourist crowds are more annoying than I had anticipated. I found I was simply unable to enjoy myself due to the crowds, so I ended up skipping some of the common highlights, such as entering the Roman Colosseum, and ma...
The best time (IMO) to visit is September, just after the most popular summer vacation time for most people Your best bet will also be October and November to mid-December or in January, February when the weather is "less nice" We had no large groups around the Roman Colosseum at the time we were there, but Rome being ...
Do I have to go through security twice when transferring between Terminals 1 and 3 at Abu Dhabi airport? I am traveling from Beirut, Lebanon to Incheon, South Korea via Abu Dhabi. The itinerary says that I have to go from T1 to T3 for my transit. The maps I have downloaded say I have to go through security checks twice...
From the official website of the airport : In order to ensure the highest levels of passenger security, each terminal has a security check area at each point of entry, so you will need to go through security again if you have moved between terminals.
Arriving in Zurich the night before Schengen visa validity begins (First off I do realize that someone has already asked this question but there didn't seem to be a conclusive answer.) My flight reaches Zurich on July 4th at 7:25 pm, and the Schengen visa's validity begins from July 5th. I hold an Indian passport (res...
Sleeping in Airports says: Airport staff are generally tolerant of overnight travellers - though you should expect security or police to check your passport and tickets overnight.
Where can I find arrivals / departures timetables for Italian train stations online? I am looking for a place where I can find the arrivals / departures timetables for all Italian train stations (or at least the ones served by Trenitalia & Italo). Ideally a pdf of those paper arrival / departures timetables that you f...
For Italo trains, an official timetable is available from their website .
How can I see all routes flown by a given airline? I've been trying to find a tool that could give me a list or map of all the destinations of a certain airline. Something like this easyjet's route map , but for all airlines. <Q> The interface is a bit inconvenient and it has a limit on the number of routes shown si...
You could try openflights .
Highway/motorway speed limit for non EU tourist in Germany I will be visiting my friend who lives in Germany in August. I would rent a car and drive from Frankfurt to Milan along with my friend who is an EU citizen. I have read in different forums that there is no speed limit on the highway in Germany. I would like to ...
Your nationality does not matter: if you can legally drive in Germany, you can legally drive at any legal speed. Usually, if you are involved in an accident (even if it is not your fault) and you were driving faster than the Richtgeschwindigkeit, you might get in trouble with the insurance.
Can an Indian (tourist) stop in the Schengen area and then continue to USA without going back to India? I apologize for a vague title but here's the scenario: I'm applying for Schengen visa. According to the preliminary itinerary, I'm going to fly from India and then fly back to India. I've USA visitor visa as well. ...
As a practical matter, having a valid visa for such a third country, along with onward tickets to that country, is sufficient, and many people obtain Schengen visas for similar itineraries all the time. You do NOT have to return back to your home country.
What was the meaning of this Indian gesture/greeting? While on a business trip to India last week I saw two different gestures of greeting. Most people greeted me with the traditional Namaste greeting, with the hands held together, as below. However, there was one man at the hotel who consistently greeted me with a...
This gesture means just a "Hi" in a polite way. Namsthe Formal and traditional Indian way of welcoming somebody to a new place, mostly with a smile, to show their happiness about your presence.
Do I need a U.S. Visa if I'm traveling nonstop from Mexico City to Canada? As title says, my flight would go directly from Mexico City to Canada without stopping in the US. But with all the security that US has, I'm not sure if I still need a U.S. Visa because after all, the plane will be flying through United States ...
No, you do not need a US visa.
Should I plan a single route across Australia or split them with a flight? I'm considering migrating to Australia , but before I can make that decision I want to explore the country. I've set my sights on Perth, but relocating through my employment will probably see me ending up in Melbourne or Sydney at first. Becau...
If you're after seeing the sights and places that Australia is known for, then you're better off on the east coast. Unless you really want to see the interior, fly. Perth is usually considered a flight - most wouldn't consider driving, busing or training - although all are options.
How much electronics can I bring duty-free on a plane to Ireland from outside the EU? I'm travelling to Dublin, Republic of Ireland from Malaysia very soon for postgraduate studies. I have this Asus MG279Q gaming monitor that I would like to bring along. Are there any charges if I were to bring this monitor as a check-...
If you were previously resident outside the EU for a significant period of time and are taking up residence in the EU then there are special rules that apply allowing you to import your personal belongings without paying duty/vat on them subject to some conditions. According to the Irish Tax and Customs website : You a...
Is a cardboard box allowed as carry-on luggage? I know that I can use a cardboard box as check-in luggage if it is under the size and weight limits. But I want know if I can carry-on a cardboard box on a domestic flight within the USA, as this will allow me to carry few extra Kilos. All the information I got from ...
There are no US laws or regulations about using a box as carry on luggage. So to be clear, you should not have a problem at the airport, the airline may have a rule against it, but that would be unusual and it's best to call them to find out.
Why do some hotels ask you to leave the key at the reception when you go out to come back later? Sometimes when I check in at a hotel I am asked to drop the key at the reception before leaving the premises, even if I will stay longer.When this happens, I normally do like they ask me, but sometimes I forget and take the...
In addition to the existing answers: In budget hotels, it can save yet another bit of cost as they don't need to give out multiple keys per room.
Can I apply for a Schengen visa at a country where I'm not a citizen? If so, under what conditions? I'm a citizen of country A who would like to apply for a Schengen visa at a consulate in country B. When is this possible? <Q> Generally you must apply for a Schengen visa from the embassy or consulate serving the place ...
An application shall be examined and decided on by the consulate of the competent Member State in whose jurisdiction the applicant legally resides.
Photocopies of important documents stolen While in Budapest, my backpack was stolen. In it I had photocopies of my passport, drivers license , train ticket, insurance policy documents and ehic, and also a journal with my credit card number written in it (only the number). Is there a chance that my identity could be sto...
The credit card number does expose you to a small risk, but the thief does not have the card expiry date nor CVV code.
What is the cheapest way of getting a taxi from Barcelona airport? I'm arriving to Barcelona at midnight and would like to take a cab since the night transport is not too convenient. I know that taxis at airport stands can be prone to scamming tourists and it's not recommended to use them in some cities, e.g. Prague. ...
The best way to not get scammed in pretty much every country in the world is to get a taxi with a meter, and/or ask how much it will be before you get on, so you know what to expect. Your best shot is to take the Aerobus, that goes from the Airport T1/T2 to Catalunya square (center of the city) and cost 5.90
What to do when "no cars available" in Uber Is there a way to automatically search and request a ride when there's no cars available for a ride at the moment. In case I'm flexible with my time, and can tolerate an hour or two of waiting. Other than constantly staring at the app? Is there third-party app maybe? <Q> In ...
Call an Uber and when you get a ride, call the driver and say you're in another location and will he still pick you up. If you want to stick to uber, you will simply have to play the waiting game.
Edward Elgar £20 notes in UK So I got a few £20 notes which were intended to be given as pocket money on a child's trip to UK. As the notes looked differently and some were older than other I realized that: Elgar £20 note no longer legal tender This means that shops no longer have to accept the notes, and it is up ...
Exchanging Notes As well as being able to exchange notes in person at the Bank of England, you can also exchange them by post.
What is the price range to rent a motorbike in Myanmar for a day? I've been reading several blogs, guide books and magazines and I'm a bit confused about what is the right price range to pay for rent a motorbike (scooter) one day (24 hours). For instance, in Vietnam I've been paying around $6. <Q> Ridetheworld lists t...
If you are after the freedom of the road, many parts of Myanmar are best explored by motorbike. It seems in touristy places they charge higher prices because there is more demand.
Is there any app to track the road traveled? I'm looking for an app which, when when enabled, will Wake up every X units of time and record my GPS coordinates. Plot on a map where I have been in the past I did an extensive research to find such an app and majority of what I found were about managing future trips,...
For Android, if you'd prefer to do it with free software and not involve google, OSMTracker works for me, and does what it sounds like you want. It sounds to me that what you're looking for is something like Fog of World (for iOS).
What personally identifiable information should I delete from my smartphone and email before travelling to a high-risk country? I'll be travelling to Mongolia, and I've heard there's a non-trivial chance of theft. I'll be taking two Apple iPhones with me, and I'm not too concerned about the theft of the devices themsel...
The only issue that I see is to ensure that access to your email service is encrypted.
Travelling with Infant to Hong Kong - Need to use Kitchen We are travelling Hong Kong next weekend. We have a 9 months old baby. She has lactose intolerance ( meaning she can't take any milk material ). We give her home made food, mainly, which is made of some rice and grains. Now the thing is, none of the hotels do ...
Rent an apartment hotel (serviced apartment) or an Airbnb apartment instead. Most busy kitchens don't have the time, and most short-order cooks aren't interested in the liability of preparing unfamiliar (to them) meals for an infant with declared health issues.
How easy/hard is it to go from Lyon to Grenoble (France) on a 50cc scooter? I am planning a trip trough the French countryside and was wondering if the elevation climb (roughly 800 meters at the halfway point) will be a big factor. I'm not looking to go fast, roughly between 50 and 80 km/hr. Are there any particular s...
Well, a scooter's engine can only take so much drive before it overheats. However, don't expect to go between 50 and 80 km/h on a stock scooter. Using Google bike planner might not work out as they may give you ways that are exclusive to pedestrians and bikes.
Travelling using two passports of the same country I am German and I am holding two valid German passports.My first passport (Passport A) contains a Chinese visa.My second passport (Passport B) is still empty so far. Now I want to travel from Germany to Singapore and move on to China from there. My plan is to fly to ...
Pretty much always, use the same passport to exit a country that you have used to enter it.
How to secure a roll-top closure bag? I’ve got a pretty big bag—actually, a sack into which you put your bag—with a roll-top closure system. I had never heard of it, but you can see it in action here . That one is pretty small, but they go up to 80-90 liters of capacity, here an example. These sacks are advertise...
One thing you can do is to lock the loops where the plastic clip-lock attaches with a wire-lock as shown in the picture below:
Where to buy an Oyster card and where to get the refund after a short time of use A group of 4 teenage girls will visit London for two days and want to use a travel card for both days. But a paper travel card is £12 per day and the cap on an Oyster card is about £6.50 for the day.Only one of the girls has a contactless...
If you don't have a contactless and Oyster account, you may be able to get a refund from a Tube station ticket machine if your card has: No more than £10 pay as you go credit During our visit to London on the 1st of January 2016, we found out you can not get a refund for your Oyster card through a machine at the statio...
Travelling to Poland alone at the age of 17 I'm headed to Poland from Copenhagen Airport by myself later this month. I am 17 and thus counted as a minor. Do I need any sort of notarized letter? I have confirmed that no permission is needed to leave Denmark by myself, however I'm unsure about the procedures in Poland u...
The document should be signed by both parents and certified by a notary (or validated by a Polish Consul if issued outside Poland) and should show: the dates and reason for travel the details of an adult who will be responsible for the child
Carrying decent cutlery while flying Earlier in my life, when I flew less, I took a small metal knife, fork, and spoon with me most places so that I could eat anywhere without my silverware splintering into my food. Lately, I've learned that silverware gets confiscated at airports, even dull butter knives, but that non...
There are sharp knives available that do not show up on security search machines, but those are often mentioned in the forbidden to take on board lists and might give you problems when found.
Can a friend borrow my U.S. Debit Card with my consent? I have a U.S. bank account with debit card and everything. Right now, I'm not in the U.S. but a friend of mine is going there for holidays. Can he borrow my Debit Card with pin so he can withdraw money from ATM? Can I do that, is it legal? Knowing that I'm not ...
By sharing your card with someone you are in breach of your terms and if shit hits the fan your bank is not going to be happy. This is completely legal and people (against good sense) do it all the time.
How can a tourist register for the Bicing bicycle sharing in Barcelona? When I was in Barcelona I saw many bike sharing stations in the city, belonging to a program called Bicing . Remembering how convenient it was to use the service in London, I decided to try and register. However their website was in Spanish/Catala...
It’s deliberately impossible for tourists since they would utilise all the bikes and stations and put all the rental places out of business.
How to best get through a motorway toll booth safely between paying and the barrier closing? Perhaps this is not the most clear question, so let me explain. I own a toll tag and can normally take the 'subscriber' booth and drive straight through. But today I had left my tag in the other car and immediately realized why...
As a safety matter, you absolutely must not rush.
How to find dates of big events in any city? (e.g. to avoid price surge during trade fair) Is there a resource that warns me for (almost) any city / destination when my travel dates coincide with some big event there? Illustrative example: Say I want to travel to Frankfurt and I'm fairly flexible in my dates. Once a y...
If you intend to stay overnight, you may wish to avoid times when trade fairs are held, as this will make finding affordable accommodation a challenging task. I don't think a global page exists about such events as keeping track of the dates and times would be quite difficult.
Accommodation close to Hong Kong International Airport I'm flying into Hong Kong International Airport on a Saturday just before six pm, and flying out of the airport at 12:05 pm the following day with MIAT. MIAT's terms and conditions apparently say you have to arrive 2.5 hours in advance (not 100% sure because they...
Given that you have little time but your budget doesn't appear to be extremely tight, I think you should aim for the next level: take the airport express train to Tsing Yi or Kowloon, and find a hotel near the train station.
Cheap way to get from Amsterdam to Prague: train? I'm planning to a trip from Budapest to Amsterdam, then to Prague, and back to Budapest. It's very cheap to get from Budapest to Amsterdam using Wizz air, but the return flight is costly, so I was thinking of taking a train. I know you can do Amsterdam to Prague via Co...
The Deutsche Bahn has a quite good search and as you can see the fastest connections are usually via Frankfurt and Nuremberg or Berlin.
What is the oldest building in the world still in use? What is the oldest building or structure in the world that's still in regular use today? For the sake of the question, I'm not looking for something that still exists purely as a tourist attraction. (Unless the building is closed to the public part time to allo...
Parts of the Great Stupa of Sanchi are from as early as 300 B.C. and the complex is still in use as a temple.
Stay in Osaka, Kyoto or both I am planning to stay around Osaka, Kyoto for 4 nights. Is it a good idea to stay 2 nights in each place or I should pick one as a base and move back and forth? I bought the Japan Rail Pass, so moving wouldn't be a problem. <Q> It has far more sights of interest than Osaka, and it's easy to...
Pick Kyoto as your base .
Can a Pakistani dual citizen visit Israel without any problems? Pakistan does not recognize Israel (not sure if vice versa), so Pakistani citizens cannot travel there. However if a Pakistani holds an European passport as well, can s/he travel to Israel for visit without having any problems at immigration? Also do the...
Israel allows citizens of all countries to enter its borders, as long as they have an appropriate visa.
Is it allowed to bring sex toys on a flight to Singapore? I'll be taking a flight from Tokyo to Singapore. If I take a "pocket pussy" (artificial vagina) as carry on, will it be confiscated? Also will it be removed from my bag? I'm traveling with my family and don't want any embarrassment. <Q> As already noted, airport...
A traveler I know tells me there are large signs as you enter Singapore reminding you what you can't bring and they are very specific - no guns, Security doesn't care what your stuff is for, or where you are going, they just care if it looks like something that might be dangerous, or is on top of something that might b...
What is the likelihood of TSA checking a package which has a desktop computer in it? I'll be travelling from Miami to Istanbul (non-stop with Turkish Airlines)I have a HTPC atx case. I kept the protective foam of the case. I will pack it in a hard plastic storage box and tape the lid properly. The box is big and there ...
There is no way for anyone (even other TSA agents) to know with any certainty if your bag will be opened or not, so best to be prepared for that possibility If you have connecting flights in other countries you can expect they have their own due diligence and will x-ray and may inspect your luggage if they evaluate tha...
Taming the nightmare of public toilets in the UK Public toilets in the UK are established and maintained by the local authorities, most commonly local councils . This is great for people that advocate local autonomy, but a hellish nightmare for visitors to the UK. For example, the markings and signage differs from co...
Great British Public Toilet Map
Cheapest ATM strategy in Brazil I need to withdraw lots of Brazil Real in Rio de Janeiro from my USA bank account. What bank has the cheapest ATM (or I could even go to a teller) for me? Suppose I need 10,000 Real and my bank charges $2 per withdrawal. I can not find ATM fees for the Brazil banks. It does seem like...
The worst bank to withdraw large amounts is Banco do Brasil, because it can give you only ~R$500 per day, which is nothing. Most locals deals in credit cards for everything, they are a lot safer. Bradesco allows you to withdraw more than R$1,000, but keep in mind that your bank will set a maximum limit per day as well....
Can I take knitting needles on an international flight? I asked this question at Arts & Craft , but it might be more relevant here. Can I take knitting needles on an international flight? <Q> This tends to vary by country. <S> For example, from Air New Zealand : Can I take knitting needles and/or crochet hooks onb...
You are able to take knitting needles and/or crochet hooks onboard if travelling domestically throughout New Zealand.
Are there any advantages to living near an airline hub? My main airport is a major airport but not as busy as the nearest hubs in YYZ or JFK , some busy routes to Europe and the US have direct flights but a lot of other flights (Asia, Latin America, Africa) have to transit through YYZ or some other US airport. Fl...
An advantage of using a large, but non-hub, airport is you more free to choose the best routing, service and price from multiple carriers. As with most things there are things that are good and things that are bad about a hub.
Scooter on Crete, Greece I wanted to explore the far western part of Crete, namely Balos Beach, Falassarna and Elafonissi, from Kissamos by scooter. However, I get conflicting information here on the island. Some say that the 50cc scooter is useless when it has to take two people uphill, and that Balos beach is a no-go...
If you want to travel longer distances on dirt roads try to get scoooter with 'no excess'. As for quad bikes I agree, they can be fun to ride in the cities & suburbs but other than that again, not really, many accidents happen especially with those who are not experienced with.
AAA benefits as member of a European automobile club? (IHG rates) This travel blog article (in German) mentions that also members of a European Automobile Club can use the AAA preferred rate for booking hotel rooms with IHG (a hotel group): Wer bei einem europäischen Automobilclub ist, kann die AAA Rate auch benutz...
So yes, you are able to use the IHG "AAA/CAA" rate.
When in a window seat on a plane, how do I deal with people who want the shade closed? I take several international flights a year. I find that traveling with the window shade open helps keep me from feeling claustrophobic and, simultaneously, viewing the outdoors (even through a grimy window) is soothing. Most t...
If I'm at a window then I will have it open or shut as I want. However, in your case for claustrophobia, you could also explain it to them, or just simply refuse - or perhaps offer to put a blanket over you and the window to try and reduce the light hitting them.
Mobile phone connectivity in Leh (Kashmir) I'll be travelling to Leh, Ladakh, India this August. Concerned about the mobile connectivity there. Is there mobile networks coverage in Leh and Pangong Lake area? If yes, is it good enough to use mobile internet? <Q> Prepaid connections that are bought from outside the J&K...
You can request the hotel to help you buy a prepaid local sim card when you get to Leh. Airtel and BSNl works good in Leh.. : There is no mobile network at the Pangong Tso lake. Mobile phone connections from abroad which are post paid will work as well. Internet worked mostly in popular places, otherwise GPRS. Yes, you...
Will I have to pay extra for a seat if no standard are left? I am flying in a few days and I was picking seats for my partner and I hoping that we could be next to each other. The first flight was fine and I got seats but the second did not have any standard seats left. There were plenty of premium seats but I would pr...
All the seats available for free are no longer available and you must pay if you wish to select a seat. If by chance there are truly no economy seats left and the airline has sold you a ticket, then they will find a seat for you.
Is it possible to drive from India to Thailand in own car? Can an person with an EU passport drive with an own truck, taken from Europe, from India to Thailand? Please note that the requirement is to drive an own, highly special vehicle from Europe to Thailand, so getting another vehicle misses the whole point. Highl...
Currently it seems to be impossible to enter Thailand by camping car (RV) - which your truck seems to be if it is not considered transporting goods or seeing imported as special machinery. You need to obtain a visa in advance to cross into Myanmar.
Paying for Deutsche Bahn tickets with cash I'm planning on travelling from Frankfurt to Zurich, then from Zurich to Heidelberg and finally from Heidelberg to Frankfurt again via Deutsche Bahn. Since I don't have credit/debit cards, I'm not able to book tickets online, so I'm planning to buy the tickets at the train st...
You can buy Deutsche Bahn tickets at a train station with cash, either at the counter (if you are at a manned station within the counter opening hours) or in the self-service machine (at any time).
Direct flights between SE/E Asia and South America Flights between South America and East Asia are very time consuming and expensive; they generally require a connection in Europe or North America, numerous connections, and long layovers. Every year or so I have done a search for direct flights between South America ...
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.
Flight Search from anywhere to a specific destination Many flight search engines allow you to pick a departure airport and search for flights to anywhere. E.g. Google flights gives you a nice map with prices next to destinations for a set of dates and an origin you selected. We covered this question widely in "How c...
Of all the search engines known to me , it can be done with Kiwi .
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? In my case the airline will be Aeromexico, and it would be from Shanghai, China to Tijuana, Mexico, and the flight numbers are AM98 and AM99 . But the dates could be pretty ...
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 Click on the Start Date and then click on the Price Graph.
How to reach Munich Hbf from Munich's Airport (Terminal 2)? Disabled person Recently I asked here a question about reaching Marktoberdorf from Munich's Airport . @user24582 gave me very helpful information and links. I contacted Mobility service of the Deutsche Bahn and asked if they will be able to help me with my ...
An alternative would be to get the Lufthansa Airport Bus which departs directly from Terminal 2.
Dry ice in various EU countries? A friend of mine wants to travel by car about the EU later this summer. Due to dietary restrictions, she wants to bring her own food in an ice chest rather than relying on local stores for things she can eat. To keep the ice chest cool, she would need dry ice (frozen CO 2 ). Is this so...
Finding a brick-and-mortar store selling this is nigh impossible, I doubt there's any in the entire country.
Do I need to obtain a visa prior to visiting Malawi as a US Citizen? I'm researching visa requirements for a safari in 2017 and from what it looks like most of the countries will give a visa on arrival at the border. However, looking at Malawi it's saying I need to obtain a visa prior: https://travel.state.gov/conten...
You do need a visa however, according to the Malawi embassy in Washington
Reefs for scuba diving or snorkelling, where there is sufficient sunlight streaming in and colourful corals? When browsing the internet for scuba diving or snorkeling locations, all I see are pictures with a dull blue shade everywhere. Something like this: But I've also seen images where there is: - A sufficient...
Go in the right season, to the right site and you should enjoy a bright vibrant dive.
Can I hire a scooter in Spain on a UK provisional license? I hold a UK provisional drivers licence. Will I still be able to hire a scooter in San Antonio, Ibiza? <Q> an international drivers permit. <S> To rent a vehicle you must be allowed to drive it. <S> A provisional license allows you to learn how to drive und...
To drive a vehicle in Spain you need a valid driving license and if your license is not in Spanish or English
Valid Russian Visa Required when Entering Belarus? We are travelling Berlin–Moscow by train. We have a Belarus transit visa valid from August 18, and a Russian visa valid from August 19. The train enters Belarus in the evening August 18 and arrives at the Russian border in the early hours August 19. So, in theory every...
The border officials in Brest only put an entry stamp on my Belarus visa.
Is it legal to camp outside in France and Spain? I plan on hiking the St-Jacques-de-Compostelle trail, starting in France and ending in Spain. To lower the costs, I would like to camp on my own outside. Is it legal to camp outside in a small tent or bivy bag? <Q> As a french hiker often going camping, here is what I k...
The law says that you need the approval of the owner to put your tent there, who may live miles away.
How to dress for Himachal Pradesh in October? I can't find historical weather data for October (or any other month) in Himachal Pradesh. Is it cold? Snowy? What would be a good idea to bring for minimalistic clothes packing? <Q> I got this link which claims to have averaged the temperature data across months in the ...
The cold winds of October won’t let you to wear summer clothing, specially in the evening when the sun sets, so before coming, be prepared with some of the woolen stuff.
Is winter of Bangkok very cold? Is it true that Bangkok can be very cold in winter? If so,when would it be very cold and how cold can it be? <Q> My favourite resource for such questions is weatherspark , which tells me that for Bangkok : <S> Over the course of a year, the temperature typically varies from 23° <S> ...
As a Thai living in Bangkok I would say that central Thailand rarely has cold winter.
How to properly merge on a busy highway? While merging freeway with speed limit of 100 km/hr. I accelerate to catch up merging speed of 100 km/hr, driver behind me almost touching my tail. Vehicles on freeway are not letting me merge because tailgating mode (continuously occupying lane) and merging lane ending up. What...
You slowly brake and wait for space in the main lanes of traffic.
Cheap way to travel last minute across France by public transport? The starting point and end point are not very important, but it will probably be Lille (~Belgium border) and end point around Hendaye (~Spanish border) I am planning to spend ~3 days crossing. Time is not really important (1 day more / 1 day less is ir...
There are three kind of solutions: Expensive and fast : train ( trainline.fr ), plane ( airfrance.com , hop.com ) Check/Google the various bus services. Rideshares are getting very popular with the blablacar website in France.
What do you do if your driver's license was stolen a week before a domestic US flight? Normally to get past the security checkpoint you need to show the TSA agent your boarding pass and a valid picture ID. But what happens if your wallet was stolen a week before your scheduled flight? You might be able to get a tempora...
Call the airline to see if they have any suggestions. According to the TSA's website , you can use any of the following (besides your driver's license and passport): U.S. passport card DHS trusted traveler cards (Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, FAST) U.S. military ID (active duty or retired military and their dependents, ...
Can a US citizen work remotely for a US company while in Japan for sightseeing? Assume a US citizen works for a US company remotely and that this person has a passport, but no visa. Let's say they want to go spend some time in Japan for leisure/tourism/sightseeing - no more than 90 days, but still long enough to requi...
"A visa is NOT necessary for US passport holders visiting Japan for a short-term stay of less than 90 days with the purpose of tourism and business." there are dozens of complex laws and regulations regarding remote employment, under which you may or may not need a special visa in order to work in a given country.
How to protect empty suitcases when checking them in at the airport? I have already gone through this question about empty suitcases. However, it does not address protecting the suitcases from possible damage. My friend (who is a foreign student studying in Germany) would like to take 2 empty large suitcases to India...
The air-filled trash bag in another answer sounds like a good idea, but if you want to go one step further, put a trash bag in the case, and empty a can of expanding foam into it.
Can I use T-Money on AREX Express from Seoul Station to Incheon Airport? I want to go back to Incheon from Seoul Station. When I came here, I used a bus from Incheon to Gangnam Station, but now I want to use AREX Express to return to the airport . Can I purchase the express ticket using my T-Money? It is the direct e...
According to http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/TRP/TP_ENG_2_1.jsp (updated recently): Express train ticket can be purchased by credit card or cash (but not T-Money); All stop train ticket can be "purchased" by cash or T-money (but not credit card)
How does the wave of terrorist attacks in Germany affect travelers? In 2016, there have been at least 5 terrorist attacks in Germany, which is very unusual for that country. How does this affect travelers to Germany? <Q> Currently there are no travel restrictions I have heard of. <S> Politicians are still undecided...
So as a tourist you should expect that your luggage might get checked more frequently than usual and you should avoid carrying larger bags or backpacks when you visit places with many people. While it's true that Germany has recently been targeted by terrorist attacks which resulted in few casualties, they are very rar...
Is there a way to access wifi in Zurich airport without a phone service? I am traveling through Zurich and have a phone without any roaming there; I'm planning on picking up a SIM once I get to my final destination. Last time I was there, I couldn't access the airport wifi because it required a code sent via SMS. In...
Zurich airport offers also mobile wifi hotspots with unlimited high speed data.
Can I drive my British car in the Netherlands using my Dutch drivers license as a UK resident? A friend of mine got fined for "belastingontduiking" (tax evasion) driving in NL with a BE car, owned by his parents who live across the border, in Belgium, 5 km away from him. This resulted in this question, as my husband an...
What is important is that the registration of the car matches your country of residence.