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Travel documents and airlines rules Is a Dutch citizen living in Belgium traveling to Italy allowed to travel on an EU low cost company with his Belgian residency card? <Q> National ID cards are issued by most of the EEA countries for residents (citizens and non-citizens), and contain information about your citizenship as well as the normal data. <S> However, only citizens of an EEA country or Switzerland may use these cards as travel documents <S> An EEA citizen of country A, resident in country B and in possession of a national ID card from country B may use it for travel. <S> These cards may also be used for entering some non-EEA countries, such as Albania and North Cyprus. <S> A residency card is not a national ID card and is thus not applicable as a travel document. <S> It is however up to the personnel at the check-in to accept or reject your travel document (when traveling within the EU), so in worst case scenario you can try to travel with the residence card. <S> I have myself successfully done that a few times. <S> Keep in mind though that even if you manage to fly out, you might have trouble going back, and I do not know if you're breaking any laws doing this. <A> As I understand it, under EU rules you should have a passport or ID card (if applicable) issued by your own country . <S> There is a list of what counts as ID for each country. <S> However, border officials should give EU citizens the opportunity to establish their nationality by other means. <S> Within the Schengen area, laws differ. <S> Some Schengen members require all residents to have ID papers on their territory, and also to carry them during border crossings and to present them on demand to the relevant officials. <S> Some low-cost airlines go beyond the requirements of the law when checking papers, presumably to simplify their procedures and to minimize the risk of being fined for carrying illegals. <A> My wife's situation is somewhat analogous: she's an Irish citizen with a Belgian ID card. <S> However, her ID card looks similar but is not the same as my (Belgian nationality) ID card. <S> Hers is only usable within Belgium, for everyday identification purposes (e.g. stopped by police, or going to town hall). <S> We were explicitly told that it did not apply to travel, and that she would need to use her official passport for that.
| Within the EEA+Switzerland you are allowed to travel, and enter, on a passport or a national ID card issued by one of the countries within the EEA/Switzerland.
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How many times can I travel between the US and Europe in a year? I was just in Germany visiting a friend of mine in early January and I have the chance to go back again in early March. Is there an amount of time I have to wait between visits even though I only stayed for a week? <Q> US citizen? <S> You have to follow the 90/180 rule. <S> At any day you're in any Germany and not just <S> when you enter you must have been no more than 90 days out of the previous 180 in any Schengen state. <S> (Partial days count.) <S> You cannot work in Germany, you have to be able to afford the trip and have either cash on hand or access to funds. <A> No, there is not. <S> If your week-long stay began on a Saturday and ended the following Sunday, you used 9 of your 90 days. <S> That means that if you return within 90 days of your departure, you can only stay for 81 days on your second visit. <S> If you stay away for longer, your second visit can last for up to 90 days. <S> So, as long as you're not planning to stay for longer than 11.5 weeks, you should be fine. <A> As other answers have stated, the only restrictions are the 90/180 day rule and visa-free entry conditions such as not working. <S> If you are planning repeated trips the Schengen short-stay visa calculator https://ec.europa.eu/assets/home/visa-calculator/calculator.htm?lang=en will help you figure out valid length of stay. <A> To answer the title: How many times can I travel between the US and Europe in a year? <S> where Europe means the Schengen zone. <S> An awful lot. <S> You could fly DY 7700 from JFK to AMS arriving at 1pm and come back with KL 643 the same day. <S> Go home, rest 24 hours. <S> You spent one day inside Schengen (well, in reality, it's unlikely you had much time outside the airport, but hey) and one day outside. <S> Repeat, rinse until the border guard gets bored of you and stops the pendulum. <S> So the answer is 182 (or 183 on leap years).
| As long as you comply with the Schengen 90/180 rule, you can return the day after you left.
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Turkish airlines date change during layover Would it be possible to get a date change during a layover in Istanbul? We want to fly from Hong Kong to Johannesburg via Istanbul. My company will reimburse the ticket, but would not allow for a stop over longer than 24 hours. We really want to see Turkey on the way, so we are trying to figure a way around this. Say I book a one way ticket, get my boarding passes through to Johannesburg upon check in at Hong Kong. The the moment we arrive in Istanbul request a date change , for say two weeks later, and then continue the journey to Johannesburg two weeks later. Is this possible? There will probably be a penalty to pay, which we might consider if it's not too hefty. Thanks in advance. <Q> I have done exactly what you're suggesting ( <S> although in my case it was to catch an earlier flight - but same concept), and whilst I was ultimately successful <S> it was one of the worse customer service experiences with any airline I've ever had. <S> I ended up being told to go to about 5 different customer service desks airside at Istanbul airport (including the transfer desk, both service desks in the lounge, and several others - with each telling me to go somewhere else) before I finally went through immigration and to the ticket counter who was able to make the change - but not before charging me US$30 even though I was on a completely flexible business class ticket. <S> If your ticket did not allow for changes (as mine did) then I suspect it would have been a very different story and would not have been allowed. <S> Also, if you had checked bags then there is zero chance that this would be successful as your bags would be checked through to the final destination. <S> What you are suggesting is something that I would not suggest with most any airline, but that is especially true with Turkish Airlines who just simply don't handle this type of thing well <S> (and I say that as a regular flyer of TK!) <S> Also note that if you ticket is booked via a corporate travel agency, they will be notified of this change - even when it's made at the airport on the day of flight. <A> This might work, but it will likely be rather costly. <S> The terms will depend on the fare rules that apply to your ticket, so you'd need to check those carefully before you purchase (the Turkish Airlines website will display them when you search for flights). <S> You'd generally have to pay a change fee plus the difference in fare. <S> The difference in fare could be substantial, possibly even more than the ticket cost in the first place, since you'd be adding a stopover and changing from an advance booking to a more short notice one. <S> It also could be difficult to wait to do this when you arrive in Istanbul, since the entire system is designed for you to get on that connection, and trying to change that and get your checks bags back shortly before departure could pose a problem. <S> If you're going to change your ticket to add a stopover, I'd do it well in advance, not when you get to Istanbul. <S> It would really be easier and cheaper to get the company to reimburse the price of a ticket without the stopover, and then just book a ticket with your desired stopover from the start. <S> Whether this is allowed by their travel and expense policies is a different matter. <S> I would be careful about the one way ticket though. <S> If you're a visitor to South Africa, the airline or the immigration authorities might require proof of onward travel . <S> I'd make sure to have another ticket out of South Africa if this is the case. <S> Also keep in mind that one way tickets sometimes cost more than round trips. <A> If you check the small print of fares, you can usually find out whether they allow stopovers and, if so, how much they add to the cost. <S> ITA Matrix makes searching & viewing these detailed fare T&C's fairly easy. <S> The sane approach is this to identify one of these fares where stopovers are allowed, ask the company to approve the cost (as a simple one-way), then book it with a two-week stopover added. <S> The sneaky approach is to do the same and actually book the fare as a simple one-way (so company policy is fully followed), then call up the airline and change to have a stopover. <S> This may incur change fees though. <S> Both assume that your company is concerned only about cost. <S> If they have the kind of vindictive, raisin-pooping bean counters who will ding you for Violating Policy even if the cost to the company is zero, you're better off avoiding either approach.
| Instead of trying to do a date change on arrival, which will vary from expensive to impossible, I would advise you to find a fare that allows stopovers and expense that to the company up front.
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Passport needed for flight to Guadeloupe (PTP) from Paris-Orly (ORY) for German citizens? Is a passport needed for a German citizen flying from ORY --> PTP directly? What I have found already was: "U. a. Deutsche können für Aufenthalte von bis zu 90 Tagen mit noch mindestens 6 Monate gültigem Personalausweis einreisen. Erfolgt die An- und Abreise jedoch über Drittstaaten, ist ein Reisepass notwendig." Source Roughly translated:"If you are a German citizen you can fly to Guadeloupe with a normal ID (at least 6 months valid) for a stay of less than 90 days - in case you are not traveling from/over a third state." I sent a similar question to visas-francfort-de@diplomatie.gouv.frbut they haven't replied for the last 1-2 months. <Q> Here's a copy-and-paste: <S> / 18FEB19 / 1725 UTC National Germany <S> (DE) <S> Destination French West Indies (GP) <S> French West Indies (GP) <S> Passport required. <S> - Passports and other documents accepted for entry must be valid for the period of intended stay. <S> Passport Exemptions: Nationals of Germany with a national ID card. <S> Nationals of Germany with a temporary passport. <S> VISA NOT REQUIRED. <A> https://www.service-public.fr/particuliers/vosdroits/F10610 Finally got an answer on an official site - here is this stated, 20th of February 2019: <S> Si vous êtes européen, <S> vous pouvez entrer et séjourner jusqu'à 3 mois en France (y compris outre-mer) sans formalité particulière. <S> Vous devez simplement vous munir d'un passeport ou <S> d'un titre d'identité <S> en cours de validité, en cas de contrôle d'identité sur le territoire. <S> La possession d'un de ces 2 documents vous permet de séjourner librement en France. <S> Roughly translated <S> : If you are european, you can travel in/enter france for up to 3 (three) months (including overseas) without doing any paperwork. <S> There is just an ID or a passport needed to identify yourself (in France). <S> If you have one of both (ID or Passport) you are allowed to travel freely in france <A> Guadeloupe (like France's other overseas départements : Martinique, French Guiana, Mayotte, Réunion) is in the European Union. <S> Therefore the EU freedom of movement rules apply: as an EU (and more generally EEA) <S> national, you can visit for a short time, and you can settle if you're economically self-sufficient (to summarize the rules at a very high level). <S> An EEA national id card is sufficient to prove that you are an EEA national. <S> This does not automatically apply to France's other overseas territories, which are not in the EU. <S> However, I think the (populated) French territories all at least allow EEA nationals to visit with a national ID — but you'll probably need a passport to get there from Europe anyway. <S> For non EU/EEA nationals, a Schengen visa does not in general allow visiting Guadeloupe (and vice versa). <S> Visa exemption rules are also different in different overseas départements and territories.
| Timatic (the database used by airlines to show a county's entry requirements, and thus by extension whether the airline will allow you to board the flight) says you may enter Guadeloupe, an overseas department of France, visa-free with a German passport, or specific other German documents.
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Vietnam e-visa: exit Point differing from entry Point While filling out the Vietnam e-visa application, they ask the applicant to fill out the intended entry airport and the intended exit airport. At the time of filling this form, I filled in the same airport for both (Hanoi). However, since that point of time, I have decided to travel to Ho Chi Minh and fly out from there. My question is, can I fly out of an airport which I did not list as my intended departure point? I have received my visa, it only has a field where they have put down "Permitted to enter through: Hanoi Airport"There is no mention of an exit point. Can I use this visa? Thank you! <Q> Wanted to share my experience - <S> The only thing they care about is your entry point. <S> The exit point entered in the visa application process is not binding. <S> To a certain extent, I also feel that the entry point is not binding either - as long as you enter the country through a port which can process an e-visa, you should be good. <S> However, it's probably not worth risking it <S> and you should enter the country through where you said you would. <A> Visa on arrival works if you arrive at any of the five international airports: <S> Tan Son Nhat (in Ho Chi Minh City); Noi Bai (in Hanoi), Da Nang (in Da Nang) and Nha Trang City - Cam Ranh Airport . <S> There is no problem with switching between these five airports. <S> https://www.myvietnamvisa.com/faqs.html <A> I just came back from a week long trip to Vietnam. <S> I just wanted to share that I had my entry point on my evisa as ho chi Minh seaport instead of airport <S> and I had no problem at the immigration. <S> But I had done an additional VOA approval letter from an online site at 6$ (the cheapest one I could get) just in case. <S> But I didn't need it <S> cz <S> they din have any problem with my evisa .
| You can exit the country from any other international airport (or sea/land port) which can process e-visas.
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Is there redundancy between a US Passport Card and an Enhanced Driver's License? I have the right to get any or all of the following: US Passport ($110) US Passport "card" ($30) state Enhanced Driver's License (+$30 on normal DL cost) My travel would be amongst the US, Canada, Mexico and possibly the Caribbean, possibly by air, and I would be thrilled to have a credit card sized thing instead of a book. The EDL would also be a + since it means 1 card instead of 2. How do these items differ in terms of travel rights, in particularly the Passport Card vs the EDL? Does EDL do everything a PPC does and then some? Or vice versa? Is it silly to have both? I am not concerned with cost or expiry date. <Q> The EDL and the passport card are both governed by the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative , and as far as I know, they are equivalent as far as international travel purposes. <S> Importantly, neither of the two allows you to travel internationally by air. <S> So if you want to have that option, you are going to have to get a passport book anyway. <A> I have a passport book and EDL. <S> As far as I can tell, the EDL and passport card give the same travel rights. <S> The only distinction I can think of that might make you want to have both an EDL and a passport card is the information on the face of the cards. <S> My EDL only has my middle initial. <S> If I had a passport card and always carried it, I'd be able to prove my full middle name if I unexpectedly needed to. <S> (If I knew ahead of time it might be a problem, I could bring my passport book .) <S> Other people might have other name variations and want to have a form of ID in both versions, but the respective agencies will have their own rules about how much of a variation they will allow. <S> Also, if I wanted to show my identity without showing my home address, I could use the passport card . <A> If you move out of state, you have to apply for a new EDL which I assume is $30 more. <S> However if you had the passport card and DL separate, you would only need to get a new DL. <S> Assitionally passport cards valid for ten years <S> while EDL’s are typically shorter. <S> You can’t do without the book though if you’ll be visiting the Caribbean or any international location by air.
| Basically just get the passport card separate and a separate DL.
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Where in France can I rent a Citroen 2CV car? I have never driven a Citroen 2CV and I fancy trying one but not to the extent of buying one. So, renting seems to be the solution. However, if I am going to rent one then rural France would seem to be the right place to do it. A week of two cruising around gently in a 2CV might be fun. Does anyone know whether it is possible to rent a 2CV in France? Primarily, I am interested in France but answers from other countries where 2CVs used to be very popular are welcome. <Q> For example the practical top speed is only about 40 mph on the flat, and the 0-40 acceleration time is at least 30 seconds. <S> The brakes are almost (but not quite) as fast acting as the acceleration - except when it is raining, in which case "braking" tends to be a philosophical concept, not a practical one. <S> They are OK to drive in urban traffic so long as you keep away from fast roads and junctions where you need good acceleration to merge into other busy traffic, but they don't play nice with other road users in normal traffic conditions on non-urban roads. <S> On the other hand, the amount of body roll you can get while cornering at 15 or 20 mph <S> is a unique experience... <S> The controls are totally different to any other car you will have driven, as well. <S> For example here's how to change gear - note, the gear lever sticks out horizontally from the dashboard, not vertically from the floor! <S> Hiring one for a day or half a day would be fun, with or without a chauffeur, but not for longer IMO. <S> But they do have some unique selling points. <S> I once helped use one to transport an eight foot tall potted plant between two houses about 20 miles apart. <S> After checking for any low bridges en route, this was no problem at all. <S> Just roll back the canvas roof from the 2CV, take out the passenger side front seat, put the plant pot in the foot well, and have someone sitting in the rear seat to keep hold of the plant and stop it falling over. <S> Simples! <A> 4 roues sous 1 parapluie is based in Paris and specializes in guided tours with a chauffeur but they do offer rentals in Paris and Bordeaux. <S> From there, you could drive to the countryside (Bordeaux is probably more interesting for that). <S> It is indeed quite pricey and actually more expensive than the German prices mentioned in another answer. <A> You may find better prices there, especially if you deal directly with individuals rather than car rental companies. <S> I found a few offers for 80-140€ (for a day, I suppose). <S> Looks like people typically rent these for weddings. <A> The 2CV, or "Ente" (duck) was pretty famous in Germany. <S> However, to find such a rental it helps to know the right search terms. <S> We're calling older cars "Oldtimers" and a search for Oldtimer Vermietung 2CV brings up several hits. <S> It seems you should calculate around 150-250 EUR for a day of cruising. <A> A nice option if you’re interesting in getting a feel for driving a 2CV is to participate in a “ rallye 2CV ”: these are organised tours of parts of the French countryside, usually in picturesque areas, in groups of 2CVs. <S> The advantages are that the itineraries are “2CV-compatible”, you’d be travelling in a group (which could be a disadvantage, depending on your point of view), and you’d benefit from the explanations of a 2CV expert, all of which help alleviate the difficulties mentioned in the other answers. <S> The “2CV-compatible” aspect might make this sound boring, but in my experience part of the point of these tours is to discover a wide range of 2CV handling characteristics. <S> Admittedly this works best in a large group; these tours are used for example as team-building exercises in companies, so everyone involved knows each other to some extent. <S> Obviously this isn’t your case; the second best option then is to take part with one or two friends, and switch drivers during the day or two the tour will take. <S> A web search for “rallye 2CV” in France will turn up a large number of options; pick a region which interests you to limit things. <S> Then pick up the phone and see what the organisers say — if you find a tour organised by 2CV enthusiasts they’ll probably try to work something out with you which meets your requirements! <A> Peer-to-peer carsharing website <S> Drivy has some ads offering 2CVs for rent. <S> It's what I use when I need a car for a few days. <S> In case the above link breaks, here is a starting point . <S> Then select dates and location, and "Classic" as the car type. <S> Hope you'll enjoy your stay in France! :) <A> In Madagascar, we extensively still use them today 2019 as taxi (including 4L Renault, and Pegeuot 205)
| I have driven a 2CV (belonging to a co-worker in the UK), and while they are a lot more fun than driving a "muscle car" unless you are on a race track, you certainly don't want to consider two weeks touring in one. A quick search on Le bon coin (popular classified advertising website in France) for "location 2 CV" (french for "2 CV hire") gives a few results.
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When obtaining gender reassignment/plastic surgery overseas, is an emergency travel document required to return home? I am planning to accompany a friend on an overseas trip, where my friend will be undertaking several medical procedures to finish transitioning gender. These procedures include the actual gender reassignment surgery, and some plastic surgery. His passport currently says his name is "John" and he is male. After the procedure, my friend's name will legally still be 'John', but her gender will be female, and her physical appear will also change. (Here I am using the word "gender" to refer to external genitalia, body shape, etc.) Should we apply for an emergency travel document in order to return home, after the procedures are completed, given the discrepancy in appearance and gender with the official passport? Or will it still be possible to return on the original passport, post-operation, if my friend carries extensive documentation about the procedures performed? (Both of us will be travelling on US passports.) <Q> You do not need an emergency travel document. <S> Thus your travel documents with previous sex still holds valid until you officially effect those changes when you return to the USA. <S> Your sex is not officially determined by your appearance. <S> We are long past that period of stereotyping based purely on looks. <S> There are many people who look like the opposite sex. <S> Also there are many people who look radically different from their passport pictures including people who have transitioned but have not yet reassigned their official gender. <S> In conclusion, regardless of how your friend looks now and how different his/her appearance is from what is on her official documents, he/she will be let in if he <S> /she can prove with documentation that she/he is who she <S> / <S> he claims he <S> /she is. <S> Yes you will spend a little longer at immigration on arrival and when checking in at the departure airport <S> however this is nothing new. <S> REFERENCES <S> https://transequality.org/know-your-rights/passports <S> In June 2010, the State Department announced a new policy to issue passports that reflect a person’s current gender when either a previous passport or other personal documentation presented by an applicant reflects a different gender. <S> Under the new policy, a transgender person can obtain a passport reflecting his or her current gender by submitting a certification from a physician confirming that he or she has had appropriate clinical treatment for gender transition. <S> This policy replaces the Department’s old policy, which required documentation of sex reassignment surgery. <S> In January 2011, the State Department made further improvements to its new policy. <A> You will not need an emergency travel document. <S> First, the US does not have a single concept of "legal sex". <S> Your friend's old passport will be accepted as long as it is valid, although they may have problems if their legal name does not match their passport. <S> Changing name and gender are two separate processes in the US. <S> In order to change their name, your friend will have to request a name change through a court in their US residence. <S> In order to change their sex listed on their passport, they will have to follow the process the state department has defined, which does not require surgery. <S> This is separate of every other legal gender change process, including birth certificate, driver's license, and employment. <S> Finally, their gender, and what pronouns you should use for them, is not defined by their genitalia. <S> You should use the pronouns <S> your friend has asked you to use at all times, and not make up your own rules. <S> Source: personal experience. <S> I traveled to the EU presenting female with the wrong gender and old name on my passport, and have since had experience going to several countries with my updated passport in my new name and with female on my passport. <A> Let's see this: <S> Do I need a new photo if my appearance has changed in the passport photo section of the travel.state.gov site. <S> The answer is as follows: <S> Growing a beard or coloring your hair would not constitute a significant change. <S> You may have to apply for a new passport if you have: <S> Undergone significant facial surgery or trauma Added or removed numerous/large facial piercings or tattoos <S> Undergone a significant amount of weight loss or gain Made a gender transition <S> My own interpreation is "As long as you still can be identified from the photo in your current passport after gender transition you are fine. <S> " <S> My understanding is that unless you do actual facial surgery, a gender transition will not change your face significantly from one minute to the next. <S> That'd be extremely weird, wouldn't it? <S> Sudden face changes happen in movies <S> but in real life, not so much.
| If you can still be identified from the photo in your current passport, you do not need to apply for a new passport. Until you announce to the USA government that you have completed transition and provide documentation, they will not unilaterally change your sex in the records. Only if your appearance has significantly changed from what is in your current passport.
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After checking in online, how do I know whether I need to go show my passport at airport check-in? Most airlines these days offer online checkin, complete with digital boarding passes downloaded to your phone. However, on international flights, you're often -- but not always -- required to go to airport check-in anyway, so they can scan/sight/confirm your passport and any necessary visas. This is separate from the final ticket vs ID check at the gate, and if you try to skip it, frantic paging before boarding starts will ensue. So simple question: How do I know whether I need to detour to get my passport checked? <Q> If you have a boarding pass (whether that was obtained via online check-in or via a kiosk at the airport), then you can skip the check-in counter completely and head straight to security/immigration. <S> If there is a need for them to sight your passport (eg, to check you have the required visas) <S> then one of two things will happen : 1) <S> You will not be allowed to check-in online, or you will be allow check-in, but you will not be issued with a boarding pass. <S> In these cases you'll need to go via the check-in counter at the airport before you can head to security/immigration. <S> 2) <S> They will check your passport/documents at or near the gate. <S> This could occur either as you approach the gate area, before boarding commences by them calling you by name to the podium, or as you are boarding the flight. <A> In my experience it varies a lot how is it organized. <S> The patterns I experienced so far were: Online check–in not available. <S> Online check–in doesn't issue boarding pass. <S> Online check–in issues boarding pass and instruction to visit airport check-in. <S> Person checks boarding pass before entry to security area and asks to visit check-in. <S> Gate announces for my name some time before boarding and checks passport. <S> Person checks my passport during boarding ( separate step from boarding procedure itself). <S> In a nutshell if you need your passport checked then it will happen at some point, but there is a lot of variety in how it can be set up, depending on airline and airport. <S> So unless you are already familiar with specific airline/airport procedure you probably can't guess how is it going to be. <S> If airline had issued you a boarding pass and hadn't explicitly informed you they would prefer you to still visit ariport check–in, that’s their problem. <A> They will frequently give me a replacement boarding pass with DOCS-OK once it is checked, but I also have one with a "Checked" stamp across it instead. <S> Checking in with my passport and boarding card when I get to the gate counter has always worked, but yes, they will page you to visit the gate counter agent prior to starting boarding if you don't do it yourself. <S> On the other hand, if my boarding pass doesn't have either statement (other airlines) I've never had a problem with just approaching the gate agent and asking "do you need to check my passport?" <S> - but do be sensitive to how busy they are.
| When I check in online my boarding pass (Delta) usually says "INTL - Verify PASSPORT" at the top if the passport needs checking, or DOCS-OK if not.
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Intercontinental connecting flight in the US I've booked an international flight from Germany to LA via San Diego and am starting to be a bit worried about being able to catch the connecting flight. It's my first time going to the US, so let's call it inexperience....When booking I didn't really think much about it (well, the airline offered the flight for one thing, but honestly, it's my fault for taking schengen and transit convenience for granted). Anyways, the connection time is 1hr 35m. If I understand correctly, I basically have to pick up luggage get through customs and passport check hand in luggage after customs (not check-in though, since it's checked through to LA) get through security check again get to gate Welp. Can this ever work, really? What's the worst that can happen? If I miss the connecting flight, will the airline rebook me or go "sry, you should have thought about that"? Should I try to change to a flight with more time (for a fee)? I know I should have thought it through more thoroughly when booking, but well... ;) <Q> Yes, you have a decent chance. <S> You are basically right about what you need to do, but there is a slight change of ordering: <S> first you pass immigration, then you pick up your luggage, then you go through customs (which can be fast if you have nothing to declare). <S> This means that if immigration takes some time, you won't have to wait longer for your luggage; it will already be on the carousel. <S> There is likely to be a luggage check desk right after you exit from customs, so this step should not take much time. <S> And the San Diego airport is fairly compact, so <S> it will not be a long trip to reach your gate. <S> If you don't make it, and you had both flights booked on a single ticket, the airline is likely to offer you rebooking on a later flight to LAX (though they may or may not be obliged to do so). <S> There are very many flights per day on this route, so you would probably not have to wait long. <S> It takes about 3 hours and trains leave almost hourly during the day. <S> It costs about $35. <S> The train is not fast like in Germany, but it does the job, and you get some nice views of the ocean along the way. <S> The #992 bus can take you from the airport to the train station (Santa Fe Depot). <S> Or, you could also rent a car and drive to LA. <S> It takes about two hours, or more if there is heavy traffic (which is common). <A> 1 hour 35 mins could be tight, depending on a number of factors including whether your inbound flight is on time, how busy immigration is at the time you arrive, and even whether you're nearer to the front of the back of the plane. <S> If your inbound flight is delayed to the point that you miss your connection then it is the responsibility of the inbound carrier (ie, the one that made you late!) <S> to arrange alternative flights. <S> The problem is that I'm guessing that's Lufthansa <S> and they don't have a large presence at San Diego Airport! <S> If you simply miss your connection because it takes longer to get through immigration than expected, then technically the airline isn't responsible - but presuming you're on a single ticket then they generally will still look after you and arrange an alternative - <S> but again it may be difficult to actually find Lufthansa staff to do that. <S> However one of the areas that US airlines excel over many other airlines in the world is the existence of an unpublished rule that is normally termed the "flat tire rule". <S> If you arrive at the airport late and miss your flight (due to, say, a "flat tire" on the way to the airport) then they will either confirm you onto a later flight or at least put you standby if no seats are available. <S> All up, 1 hour 35 should be enough presuming your inbound flight isn't delayed, and you don't loiter on the way (especially getting to immigration!), but if you do happen to miss your connecting flight you will be looked after, one way or another. <S> It's also worth noting that there's a direct flight FRA-LAX departing around the same time as your flight FRA-SAN. <S> Although Lufthansa doesn't generally allow changing flights, it may be worth asking at check-in to see if they could move you to the direct flight and remove this risk entirely! <A> The airline has a table with minimum connection times for each airport, which considers all your needed steps, and they don't sell tickets that don't allow that window. <S> If they sold you this ticket, you chances are high that you make the connection. <S> If you miss it, even because of an arrival delay, they will reok you for free on the next flight. <S> Overall, you have nothing to worry about. <S> Make sure you understand the sequence of activties, and don't go shopping in the airport, and you are good.
| The exact rule varies from airline to airline, and generally requires you to be at the airport no later than 2 hours after your flight was due to depart, although for something like a delayed inbound flight they will generally be even more flexible than that. If all else fails, and the airline will not do anything for you, it is pretty easy to take the train from San Diego to Los Angeles.
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Why don't hotels mount air conditioning units outside the rooms? At least in the US, air conditioning / heating tends to be on the loud side, since the AC unit is mounted directly inside the room. Often times I resort to turning it off for the night to make sure I can get some quiet sleep. This is an issue in both cheap and middle class hotels - not sure if 5-star places have the same noise problems. What's the reason behind this frequent problem? Is there a general expectation that such noise would not be an issue for most guests? Pictures were requested in the comments, so here's examples of what I'm talking about: one , two . <Q> You can use also the double block air conditioning (or mini split), which is more expensive compared to the mono block and in this case you need to drill a big hole in the wall. <S> The five star resorts use central air conditioning : a big unit outside the building that provides cooling for the whole building (more expensive and requires high budget and maintenance). <S> Bottom line: <S> mono block is cheap. <S> (ref: Sylvane.com: <S> Types of Room Air Conditioners ) <A> The "mini-split" units which are more common in Europe, where the compressor is outside the unit, are much more expensive up front than the cheap window units or floor units found in typical midrange or budget American properties. <S> They also cost more to install. <S> Window unit: $150 Wall unit: $450 <S> Mini-split: $600 for the dead cheapest, plus likely drywall work. <A> One more reason that wasn't yet mentioned <S> : if you mount a monoblock A/C outside, it will disappear quickly - they are relatively cheap, but still worth stealing. <A> It depends on the position of the unit. <S> High class hotels give special attention the the house while middle class hotels might not have sound proofing it take the sound into account.
| Well this is an air conditioning issue: cheap hotels use mono block air conditioning units, as it's cheap!
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How does EU flight delay compensation work for multi-leg trips? I have a question about compensation under EU laws for my flight. We booked tickets from Venice to Lima with Air Canada. We had two layovers, first in Brussels and second in Montreal. Our first two flights were on time, but the last one (Canada-Peru) was delayed by 4 hours. Are we still eligible for compensation even if the delay happened outside of the EU, since our original ticket is from Italy? All tickets were bought on the same reservation made directly with Air Canada, they were not bought as part of multi city trip or anything like that. <Q> Historically most non-EU airlines have claimed that EU261 did not apply in situations like you've described due to the delay not occurring within the EU, and the legislation itself wasn't clear on whether these type of delays were covered or not. <S> This changed in May of 2018 when the European Court of Justice ruled in " Wegener v Royal Air Maroc " and stated that if the trip commenced in the EU, then the entirety of the trip was covered by the legislation - including subsequent connections that occur outside of the EU. <S> This ruling creates a precedent that then applies for subsequent claims under EU261. <S> Of course, the usual rules around EU261 apply - including exceptions for certain delays that are excluded for purposes of compensation - but in general this would be considered a covered delay. <A> Yes. <S> Multi-leg flights are considered as if they were a single flight, and only the arrival time at the final destination counts. <S> Note that this is the case only because you were departing from within the EU. <S> It would not have worked the other way around (as it's not an EU carrier). <A> As in the situation you described, you might be eligible for compensation. <S> Under EU law, it's the final destination which counts to calculate the length of delay, as you described, you reached later than 4 hours, so you may get up to 600€. <S> It's even valid for connecting flights if booked under the same leg. <S> ( Source: https://www.claimflights.co.uk/flight-delay-compensation ) <S> You may contact directly the airlines, if they deny, I would recommend you to contact claim companies (Flight Right, Claim Flights, EU Claim, or Airhelp), who does the Job professionally. <S> And may even know if you are entitled to compensation.
| When the delay exceeds 3 hours, you can claim money back up to 600 Euros.
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Getting a UK passport renewed when you have dual nationality and a different name in your second country? I recently applied to renew my UK passport. Since the last renewal I became a citizen of Costa Rica, which in common with other Latin American countries requires you to have two surnames (apellidos) in your official documents including passports. British people of course don't have two surnames, so it is the custom to take your mother's surname as your second appellido. The UK passport office won't renew a passport unless both passports have the same name, but I don't even know if it is legally possible to change my name in Costa Rica. Do countries allow you to include an alias or also known as in passports?I wonder if anyone has experience in this. <Q> I have subsequently learned that the UK passport office will accept having two surnames in my Costa Rican passport as long as I provide a letter from the Costa Rican authorities such as an embassy that two surnames are required under Costa Rican law for citizenship and passports. <S> They will then issue a UK passport with a note that I am also known as... <S> I think this is a bit like having a maiden name included in a passport. <S> It is a requirement to declare if you hold a non-British passport. <S> I am just surprised that this is not a routine issue at the Passport Office. <S> That fact that I have to go to the trouble of getting the Costa Rican authorities to inform the British authorities that Costa Ricans carry two surnames is astonishing. <S> Thanks to all those who made helpful comments on this post; the problem will soon be solved <A> The official British guidance on documents required for a passport renewal from abroad says the following: Uncancelled non-British passports: Please send us a colour photocopy of your non-British passport (every page including blank pages). <S> We retain the right to ask for the original passport. <S> We will let you know by email or post if we need you to send it to us. <S> Thus you could cancel your Costa Rican passport and then apply for a British passport without including your Costa Rican documents. <S> Unless you've already declared your second nationality to the UK, they wouldn't even know you're a dual national and shouldn't have any further questions. <S> Then as soon as you get your British passport you can renew your Costa Rican passport and live in peace for another 10 years. <A> Taking a straightforward reading of the question, I think you've got things back to front. <S> What you have to do is request a new British passport with a change of name : <S> you want on your British passport. <S> (emphasis added). <S> So the key is to understand that what you want is a British passport with (from a British cultural perspective) <S> your new double-barrelled surname. <S> If your heart is set on a renewed British passport with only one surname 1 , I'm afraid that you made a mistake when you decided to acquire Costa Rican citizenship. <S> As far as the British government is concerned, you have chosen to change your name. <S> 1 <S> I don't take this as implicit in the question, but it seems that some people do. <A> According to the guidance published about changes of names on the UK government site, specifically the document <S> "Annex A: use of names in passports" , if an applicant is unable to meet the requirement of using one name for all purposes for legal reasons, an exception can be made: 6.5 <S> There are individual categories of <S> applicant who may experience <S> restrictions on <S> their ability to meet the identity <S> requirements of <S> one name for <S> all official purposes. <S> These are primarily people who have dual nationality and who hold, have held or can obtain in the future a passport issued by another country. <S> 6.6 Subject to the applicant being able to satisfy the following requirements, a passport may be issued in the name requested even where it differs from the name on the passport issued by another country. <S> The following categories may be given exceptional consideration: i. <S> The law in <S> the applicant’s <S> country of origin restricts or prevents a change of name. <S> Where there is such a restriction, <S> the applicant will be required to provide evidence from their country of origin <S> that a change of name is not permissible; [...] <S> 6.7 <S> In the case of points <S> (i)and (iii) <S> above, a (British) passport may be issued and an observation placed in the passport saying: “The holder has a [country] passport, number [ ] issued on [date] in the name of [ ]. <S> This passport is due to expire on [date].” <S> If Costa Rica genuinely will not let you drop the extra surname from your official name, and this limitation can be documented, it seems like that should be sufficient grounds for considering an exception when you apply for your passport. <S> Costa Rica isn't strictly your "country of origin" but I suspect that should be read as your country of other nationality (perhaps the idea of a Brit wanting to get citizenship somewhere else is unthinkable to the government).
| If you have dual citizenship (‘dual nationality’) and have a non-British passport, the name on your non-British passport must match the name and gender
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Traveling to the Bahamas now worried about robbery sexual assault Just learned this yesterday, saw this article and now many others urging the same thing. https://nypost.com/2019/03/02/state-department-issues-travel-warning-for-bahamas-urges-increased-caution/ I have never traveled carnival cruise and this is my wife and I first time. I did sign up for and already pay for a jet-ski water tour with my wife and am thinking of canceling it. According to those articles that is were some of the sexual assaults can occur. Is anyone experienced with how carnival cruise (out of Baltimore if that makes a difference) does these excursions, do they give you a guide from the boat, are they regulated in any way, looking for advice and any would be appreciated. <Q> If you booked a excursion directly with Carnival, you are most likely fine. <S> The cruise ship companies are very motivated to keep their passengers safe and any type of press positive, so they will make sure they work with reliable and capable suppliers (and typically charge a pretty penny for it too). <S> If you stay with the excursion and don't wander off into a unknown areas and maintain basic safety precautions, chances are you will be quite safe. <S> Keep in mind that it's only a Level 2 advisory which the State Department gives out fairly easily. <S> For example, Germany is currently on Level 2. <S> I was there last week and in my opinion, Germany is considerably safer then many part of the US at the moment. <A> First, simply because there is safety in numbers. <S> Groups, even just a couple are much less likely to be victims of those types of crimes. <S> I always say that 2 people are 10 times more safe than just 1. <S> It is not a statistic but conveys the magnitude in difference. <S> Carnival cruise organizes the excursions are group outings. <S> Evenone gets off the boat together, is led to where the activity takes place and several crew members supervise the whole process. <S> They are there to tell people where to go, when to get in and out and also arrange the timely and safe return. <S> There is no need to worry then given that you will be in a large supervised group. <S> Follow instructions and do not wonder off. <S> Keep an eye on the crew hosting the excursion to make sure you are always within their range. <A> The chances of being the victim of a serious crime are vanishingly small on a tour organized by the cruise lines. <S> You still have to be careful of pick-pockets and merchandise scams but that can happen everywhere. <S> On such an excursion, you will meet your guide and board a bus/boat at the pier. <S> For the entirety of the excursion, you will likely never be more then 5 feet away from the rest of the group which makes it a safety in numbers situation. <S> If you think it will make you feel safer, you can ask the Shore Excursions Desk how many people are booked on that excursion. <S> If you fine it's just you and wife, explain that you don't feel safe alone and can they rebook you.
| Excursions like those are extremely safe.
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Can we carry rice to Japan? We are traveling to Japan for over 18 days and planning to carry 10 KG of rice considering we are two people and eat rice at least twice a day. Are there any challenges at the customs in Japan (Haneda airport)? We will be carrying it in the checked-in luggage. We just wanted to carry good quality rice that is not steamed and heavily processed. Also, it turns out to be less expensive. <Q> To bring rice into Japan, you'll have to declare it on your customs form <S> (rice is specifically listed as a "restricted article"), and it will be subject to inspection to check for pests. <S> However, a phytosanitary certificate is required for them to allow it into the country, which could prove to be a lot of trouble. <S> You can read more about the regulations and the certificate requirement. <S> You may wish to contact the Plant Inspection Station in advance for further details, as some rice imports appear to be prohibited altogether for quarantine purposes. <S> However, rice is an abundant staple food in Japan. <S> Especially if you are willing to accept different varieties of rice from those common in your home, it seems like it would be much easier to purchase it locally than to carry it around with you, given the size and weight of that much rice. <A> Yes, it is absolutely no problem. <S> My Japanese husband has brought rice into Japan from Hong Kong numerous times. <S> Up to 100 kg a year per person (for personal use) with no customs duties. <S> You just need to fill out a customs document on arrival. <A> I tried to bring in some yellow rice from the US today but was told by the quarantine officers that the procedures have changed and you have to do paperwork in the country of origin. <S> Boo.
| In other words you can no longer bring in rice simply by declaring it on your customs form. There is a special duty free allowance for rice that will ensure it is not taxed.
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Royal palaces just outside of major cities? I've been planning a cycling holiday in London and wanted to make a short tour to the Royal palace/castle at Windsor. That got me thinking if other European countries have similar setup of former or current royal residences just outside of major cities? <Q> The Palace of Versailles would seem to qualify. <S> From the Wikipedia article: The Palace of Versailles was the principal royal residence of France from 1682, under Louis XIV, until the start of the French Revolution in 1789, under Louis XVI. <S> It is located in the department of Yvelines, in the region of Île-de-France, about 20 kilometres (12 miles) southwest of the centre of Paris. <A> According to the linked Wikipedia article: <S> [...] on a clear day it can be easily seen from Lisbon and much of its metropolitan area. <A> Saint Petersburg , Russia is known for having at least two royal palaces in the middle of the city (one hosts <S> Hermitage and the other is Engineers' Castle ), as well as multiple palaces just outside the city (still within legal boundaries): <S> Konstantin's palace, the most famous Peterhof palace , Oranienbaum palace, Ekaterina's palace , Paul's palace and Gatchina palace (the only one outside legal boundaries). <S> Of course there are also quite a few minor palaces situated here and there. <A> The link above describes its location as, <S> Iolani Palace is located in downtown Honolulu, on the corner of King Street and Richards Street. <S> The vehicle entrance to the Palace Grounds is located off Likelike Mall, on the left of King Street between the Palace and the Hawaii State Library.
| The Palácio da Pena in Sintra, Portugal, probably counts as being "just outside of" Lisbon. It's not in Europe, but Iolani Palace in Hawaii is located in downtown Honolulu at 364 South King Street, Honolulu, HI 96813.
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Attending a conference in Beijing with special dietary needs There will be a three week international physics conference (taks in English) in Beijing that I might want to attend. Unfortately I'm a picky eater, being a vegetarian with a nut, peanut and raw soy allergy. I do not speak any Chinese, therefore I expect to be unable to communicate this to the personnel in restaurants or the cafeteria. The speakers attending are from various countries, therefore I would expect that the locals help the guests choosing meals. But having them translate the menu into English is one thing, asking them to ask the personnel for allergens every single day might become old rather quickly. I'll get in touch with them about this. Outside of the conference the attendees might go for food in a group as well, but I don't think that an English-speaking local would be available at all times. If one has no special dietary needs, just taking something from a bar or buffet is fine, but I would really like to know what I eat. Is it realistic to do this; perhaps with a note made by a Chinese colleague stating my dietary needs like “please give me some vegetarian dish as long as it does not contain …”? I just do not want to be that guy who is taxing on everyone's patience because I put myself into a situation relying on other people to help me out. <Q> Tricky but doable. <S> While all types of meat (and I mean ALL) are popular China, there are plenty of vegetarian foods as well. <S> Allergies are more difficult since the offending parts are harder to detect and the consequences of a misfire are more severe. <S> Some things to consider Most eating out occasions in China are "lazy Susan" shared meals type of affairs. <S> Someone who speaks Mandarin or Cantonese orders more food than you can possibly eat for the whole table. <S> You dig into the stuff that you want, and pass on the rest. <S> If no one speaks Chinese and none of the wait stuff English, there is typically a menu with pictures so you can point at stuff. <S> If you are comfortable inspecting foods visually, than you should be good to go. <S> For most dishes it's pretty easy to see if they are vegetarian or not. <S> It's perfectly ok to ask "what is this?". <S> Most Chinese are very helpful and get a kick out of introducing Chinese foods to Westerners. <S> This can be a lot of fun for both parties. <S> Allergens are more difficult. <S> Nuts are not all that common and fairly easy to spot. <S> Raw soy is a real problem though, because it's in a lot of common Chinese foods and condiments. <S> Consider carrying a sign saying "no raw soy", but even then, this is tricky since many restaurants may honestly don't know what exactly that means. <S> Read up on common foods in China that are "safe" for you and make sure you know how to order them. <S> Have printed signs or phone screens to help. <S> An easy example would be plain white rice, which is not as common as one would think. <S> It's perfectly fine to bring your own food or drink to a restaurant. <S> It's okay to bring a bag of "known safe" white rice to a restaurant and dig in, if nothing on the menu or that shows up on the table suits your needs. <S> The only exception would be if you have a severe raw soy allergy. <S> This would require more comprehensive preparation. <A> I have heard that vegetarian eating can be difficult in China. <S> I read somewhere, long ago, that the best thing is to say you are Buddhist. <S> Indeed, https://www.insiderjourneys.co.uk/blog/holidaying-in-china-for-vegetarians seems to back up that idea as well as providing other tips that sound worthwhile. <S> However, its guide to what you can say doesn't include the phrase in Chinese characters - therefore you might struggle to make yourself understood unless you get the pronunciation and especially the tones correct. <S> As for your nut allergies, sorry, but I can't help you there. <A> Vegetarian is tricky in China, but doable. <S> A small selection of restaurants cater to Buddhists who do not eat meat (and are, in fact, vegan). <S> The real headache is your peanut allergy, though. <S> But fortunately, there are also restaurants which use rapeseed, soybean or corn oil (those are the most common cooking oils in China). <S> Of course, it doesn't hurt to ask (it would greatly help if you go with someone who could explain it to the waiters), but expect a lot of the restaurants to use peanut oil. <S> Also, I'm not sure what "raw soy allergy" means: <S> do people actually eat raw soybeans? <S> (They contain lectins and I thought they can't be eaten raw anyways.) <S> If that means you're allergic to soy sauce, then even tougher luck... <S> There are some salad restaurants in Beijing, though. <S> I'd be pretty sure you'd be fine with those...
| China has a huge variety of food and I've traveled with vegetarians in China without much trouble. It is very common for Chinese restaurants to cook with peanut oil, so if your tolerance is low enough, then tough luck. I think with a few simple precautions this is manageable without too much trouble.
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Does CDW insurance include TP option automatically in a car rental contract? I see in a car rental contract that insurance is CDW. Does it mean that it includes TP (theft protection) option by default or I need to insist to see TP option in a contract with CDW? <Q> The exact answer will depend upon the company you're renting from and the country, but as a general answer... <S> In some countries what is normally offered is actually "LDW" (Loss Damage Waiver) - although it may still be refereed to as CDW in some places. <S> LDW generally DOES include coverage for Theft. <S> So now the question becomes "Do you need to purchase Theft Protection (TP) separately", and again the answer depends on the company/location. <S> In some countries, loss of the vehicle due to theft is NOT the responsibility of the renter (presuming you locked the car/etc), so there is no real need to have such coverage. <S> In other countries, it is your responsibility, so the coverage is recommended. <S> The only way to know what is and is not included by default <S> is to research specifically for the country (and sometimes, company) <S> you are renting in/from, or to ask the company and hope they give you the correct answer... <A> CDW doesn't include TP (theft protection) automatically. <S> The one that includes TP is LDW: <S> CDW stands for Collision Damage Waiver. <S> This type of insurance pays for damage to your hired car but it usually excludes windscreens, tyres, undercarriage, replacement locks, replacement keys, and towing charges. <S> LDW represents Loss Damage Waiver (which includes CDW and Theft Protection). <S> --from the site of EasyRentCars <A> Form the site of europcar General Rental Terms TW / TP (Theft Waiver / Theft Protection): If chosen and indicated in the enrollment form or if included in the rate, this relieves you of your financial liability in the event of the Vehicle being stolen, except where incurred through negligence and/or breach of contract. <S> Subscribing to the CDW option alone does not necessarily provide this cover. <S> TW may be mandatory in some countries and is strongly recommended in many countries. <S> It may be subject to a non-waivable charge.
| "CDW" (Collision Damage Waiver) generally does NOT include coverage for the car being stolen.
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What will happen if my luggage gets delayed? I understand that if my luggage does not make a transfer on a plane, the company will deliver it to me. However what if: I am far away from the airport? Will they still send me the luggage? I am in adifferent country? Say I booked a cheap flight followed by a bus tosave money. Or I flew with two companies with two transfers and theluggage did not make a transfer between flights of one company. The trip was short and I have already returned by the time theluggage arrived at the destination. How will I get the luggage in these scenarios? <Q> Failure to deliver luggage is almost invariably the fault of the airline so they have to bear responsibility. <S> (It's not as if weather could have delayed your luggage without delaying you). <S> Normal circumstances is that they will deliver your luggage to your door no matter where you are. <S> I've certainly had this happen several hours drive away from the airport, and I've heard of cases where it happened even further away. <S> Even if your trip is very short, they should make a good effort to get it to you. <S> In some circumstances it may be better for both of you to negotiate a delivery that is achievable. <S> If you are taking another flight very soon, and the airline is not confident they can get the luggage to you before that flight, it might be easier to agree that it should be delivered to your next destination than to have them try to deliver it quickly, not quite make it, and end up with it being still delivered to your next destination but later. <S> (That's true even if your 'next desination' is back home). <S> You should always talk to the airline representative when you report your bags missing and get them to agree when and where the bags should be delivered. <S> There should be no circumstances in which the airline refuses to deliver your baggage to where you are because it's too far to go. <S> You should also be aware that you can in fact make claims against the airline for expenses you incur solely because of a luggage delay. <S> If they take a day or so to deliver your luggage, you can often buy clothes or items you need for that time and then claim the cost from the airline. <S> If when you talk to the airline they say they won't be able to get your bags to you for a day or so, negotiate with them about what is reasonable for you to buy and claim from them. <S> Some airlines will fight this harder than others, but it's not an unreasonable thing to do. <A> the very important things about what are your rights and airline duties are hold by the Montreal convention: <S> Lost baggage <S> The Montreal Convention changes and generally increases the maximum liability of airlines for lost baggage to a fixed amount 1,131 SDR per passenger <S> (the amount in the Warsaw Convention is based on weight of the baggage). <S> It requires airlines to fully compensate travelers the cost of replacement items purchased until the baggage is delivered, to a maximum of 1,131 SDR. <S> At 21 days any delayed baggage is considered lost, until the airline finds and delivers it. <S> weather the airline is joined or not is hard to know... <S> but very probably here is the updated list to 2018 <S> https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Montreal_Convention#Ratifications <A> It's happened to us once <S> , they made us come back to the airport to pick them up. <S> Note, however, that this was an international flight and we had to take our bags through customs.
| Under virtually all circumstances if an airline fails to deliver your luggage to you when you arrive at your destination airport, they will deliver it to you wherever you are.
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Traveling to heavily polluted city, what practical measures can I take to minimize impact? I have an upcoming business trip to Gurugram (Gurgaon), a suburb of Delhi which holds the dubious distinction of being the most polluted city in the world . As a traveller, what measures can I take to minimize the impact of pollution ? Open to any practical options (portable devices, rental, hotels with reliable filtration systems), with a particular focus on my hotel and office , which I can control to some extent. Some caveats: I'll be holding talks, meeting customers etc during the day, so wearing masks is not feasible. I'm interested specifically in reducing particulate matter (PM2.5 etc), and would also like a way to measure their actual current concentration in hotel/office so I can judge both risk and effectiveness. I'm open to portable air purifiers, which are widely available on eBay, Aliexpress etc, but would want some independent proof that they actually work. "Portable" means fits comfortably in carry-on baggage, so lugging along a full-size purifier is not an option. I'm not open to pseudoscientific junk like negative ions, ozone generators, UV lights, etc. And yes, I'm aware that a few days are unlikely to kill me (I don't have asthma etc), but if there are sensible measures I can take, why not? For calibration purposes, I've been to Beijing & Xi'an last year in summer (not too bad) and Delhi/Gurgaon in the winter about 10 years ago. Gurgaon was terrible back then (see own photo below) and apparently it's much worse now.... <Q> I visit this area twice a year. <S> Such as flying in in the morning, having your meetings, and flying out as soon as they finish. <S> Or hope the storm comes through right before your tip. <S> Masks don't help as pollution particles are too small. <S> Neither does hotel air filtration systems. <S> The mobile apps such as Air Quality would show the air quality index. <S> But it's quite depressing to look at those numbers, and at those levels you see pollution levels with your eyes anyway. <S> Make sure you pack the headache pills, it really hurts after some time. <S> Pack sleeping pills if you intend to stay overnight, as you'd have hard time getting asleep. <S> Regarding the dates, generally mid-September to late December are the worst times while spring is the best time. <S> This is mostly due to weather patterns such as wind, and reduce in certain activities such as burning. <A> Living in Chengdu, China for a pair of years, the only thing that bothered me on especially polluted days was how it affected my eyes. <S> If it is really thick it can be a little uncomfortable, so you would be good to carry around some eye drops to help clear your vision / head. <A> We traveled there in January, and here are some things that helped: Travel in a closed, air-conditioned car. <S> This means that if you're using Uber or similar, splurge for the nicer cars. <S> Make sure to ask the driver to close all windows and turn on air-recirculate. <S> It makes a huge difference. <S> Avoid traveling during the morning and evening rush hours. <S> If you don't have a face mask, keep a small towel with you at all times. <S> I can not claim scientific evidence <S> but it appeared to help a lot with coughing, sleep quality etc to use an (full size) air purifier. <S> Perhaps you can ask the company or hotel to provide one, or buy one for the trip and leave/sell it at the end. <S> I would not suggest carrying small portable ones in your luggage. <S> Amazon India sells many of them, look for ones with good reviews.
| Assuming you can't change your time of the year to visit - some months are better than others - unfortunately the only thing you can do is to physically limit the time you are present there. A towel, specially a damp one works well in a pinch
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When traveling to Europe from North America, do I need to purchase a different power strip? I'm a Canadian citizen travelling to Europe for the first time and was worried about the difference in voltage between the two regions. Currently, I plan to bring a travel adapter (not a voltage converter) and a power strip which I bought recently. The power strip is marketed as something without surge protection, but at the same time it has overcharge protection and overvoltage protection. As well, I am confused by the power rating which states 125V, when I'm planning to use it with 220V, is this a potential hazard? Would this power strip + adapter combination be alright for Europe? Sorry for my bad physics knowledge and thank you so much in advance. Specifications of the Power Strip: Power rating: 1250W (125V 10A), USB power rating: 15W (5V 3A), USB port input: AC 100-240V 50/60HZ. The power strip in question can be found here: https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B073ZCG3JR/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&th=1 <Q> It's worth treating this as 2 separate devices - a USB charger, and a power board. <S> The USB charger is simple - it'll work fine in Europe. <S> It specifically states that it'll handle 100-240 volts, which means that it's designed to work in all European countries (plus all other countries around the world!) <S> The power board itself is a different story. <S> It states that it's rated for "1250W (125V 10A)". <S> Power in European countries is ~220 volts, not 125 volts, so the question becomes can I use a power board designed for 125 volts in a country that uses 220 volts, and the answer is 'maybe'. <S> Without getting too deep into electrical theory, the difference between a piece of wire (which is basically what this is) that is designed to handle 125 volts and one that is designed to handle 240 volts is the thickness of the insulation around the wired. <S> Google will tell you why this is the case, but simply put the higher the voltage passing through a piece of wire, the thicker the insulation around the wire needs to be. <S> Given the types of loads you will likely be using with this board, odds are that the insulation it includes is "good enough", although it may or may not actually meet the European legal requirements for 240 volt insulation. <S> Presuming you only intend to use low-power devices like mobile chargers and laptops <S> then I would not expect you to have any issues with this device, but technically it may not meet the legal requirements to use it in Europe, and could potentially be a safely risk as a result. <S> The question of <S> why would it states that the USB charger in the device supports working on 240 volts when the board itself is only rated at 125 volts <S> is something you would need to ask the manufacturer... <A> Since the power strip voltage rating is too low for European voltages, leave it at home. <S> It might be fine, might not, and peace of mind is worth at least $50. <S> There are purpose-built travel power strips that are rated for Europe. <S> Google 'travel power strip' (without the quote marks). <S> Here's an example: <S> https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01I5R1LNO/ Note: This adaptor isn't for high-power use. <S> If you want to plug in a high-power thing e.g. hairdryer, you should use a hairdryer rated for 240 VAC, and a simple plug adaptor, and plug directly into the European wall. <A> For a product like this with conversion to USB, switches and protection <S> I would not use it outside its rated input. <S> Much simpler to buy a product rated for 240V. <S> If all your chargers are 240V input rated then the easiest way is to buy enough plug adapters for the number of devices you need to charge simultaneously. <S> One charger with multiple USB outputs and a travel adapter for it, and a second for a laptop charger (assuming that charger is 240V rated). <A> It is basically a complete unknown whether that would work with 240V AC or not, for example it has a switch, who knows what's that rated for. <S> There are any number of power strips on Amazon ( example <S> there's a table for related devices, look at those too) rated for 240V, go with those. <S> However, if you don't need a ground (which very often you don't) <S> then the MOGICS Bagel / Donut and its spiritual successor (and licensee), the upcoming Maru (& Masa) <S> Kickstarter is vastly superior to these devices because of their size and international adapter. <A> You don't need that much hardware for regular electronic gadgets. <S> I (canadian) only bring a couple of plug adapters and a couple of cables (usb and apple). <S> All my gadgets (phone, watch, kindle, laptop, camera chargers) are all rated 110-220v. <S> I've been (recently) to France, Italy and Spain and did not have any problems. <A> 230V is clearly an overvoltage for a 125V device, so your strip should not work. <A> The seller of that specific item has since answered a question stating that " The Voltage Range of this power strip is 100-240V ". <S> Assuming you trust the seller / manufacturer claims the voltage shouldn't be a problem for the power strip itself, though of course you'll need to ensure that all devices you plug in to it are rated for 240V.
| Your power strip is rated at 125V and has overvoltage protection.
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Week to spend in Istanbul/Turkey alone at short notice - walking options? A friend from Turkey got in touch recently. I have arranged to fly out for 8 days (flight out is in 4 days). Unfortunately, she will be bogged down with work for her degree so won't have much time to spend with me. I am deciding whether to go out anyway (the ticket is non-refundable and I asked for time off work), in which case I would like to do some kind of walking trip. I was thinking of setting off from Istanbul on Monday and returning on Friday. Are there any way-marked routes with places to stay on the way that I could follow that I could get to via public transport from Istanbul? I speak English and Spanish (not sure how easy it will be to get by on these travelling outside of Istanbul). <Q> Most streets are quite walkable, and you can see many places that are closeby just by walking! <S> :) <S> There are mostly metro, train, tram, bus, ferry etc. <S> access everywhere. <S> My suggestion is starting at eminonu, and taking the T1 tram to sultanahmet See stations here <S> You can start at sultanahmet square. <S> From here, sultanahmet mosque, Basilica Cistern, Topkapı palace and Hagia Sophia are all at a walking distance. <S> For other such places, such as Grand Bazaar, Istanbul University etc. <S> you can take the T1 tram and easily get there in a few minutes (or walk if you want to!) <S> I'd also suggest taking walks in Taksim (Europe side) and Kadikoy (Asia side). <S> Kadikoy is less frequently traveled by tourists, but it's a great urban environment and there's much to see there, even when walking randomly. <S> You can reach kadikoy by taking the ferry on eminonu. <S> I'd also suggest getting an Istanbul Kart (Istanbul Card) , which is an all-round public transportation boarding pass. <S> If you plan on using public transportation, it'll be very useful. <S> You can get one at major transit stops such as the airport, Sultanahmet, or Eminönü. <S> To buy an Istanbul Kart, you need to pay a non-refundable 10 TL fee (for the actual card and the service), and of course an amount of your choice to load onto the card. <S> 5 pass, 10 pass,etc. <S> cards are also sold, but getting a card will be cheaper. <S> If you want a walk by the sea or nature, see here <S> Alternatively, there are many tourist groups on the sultanahmet walking route I mentioned. <S> You can search for walking tour guides in that area before traveling. <A> Some streets don't have sidewalks but they're still pretty navigable. <S> You can walk the whole Fatih (with all the mosques) and Beyoglu (with Taksim) districts and some Uskudar (Asian side). <S> You can visit Bursa via ferry or Ankara via high speed rail, both are likely to have similar walkability (I have only visited the former). <A> Best walking routes in Istanbul are along the shorelines, because there are no Hills and there is always a view. <S> E.g. <S> Walk from Kadıköy to Bostancı, from Üsküdar to Beykoz, from Kabataş to Rumeli Hısar , from Eminönü to Eyüp, from Yenikapı to Eminönü etc.
| Istanbul is very walkable in my opinion.
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How does airport security verify that you can carry a battery bank over 100 Wh? In about 3 months I will be flying from Estonia (Tallinn) to New York (Newark) via Stockholm (Arlanda) by SAS. I have an Aukey 30000 mAh (~111 Wh) battery bank which I'd like to bring on board with me. I did some research and discovered that batteries over 100 Wh require approval by the airline. On my previous flight from Tallinn on British Airways I wasn't allowed to bring in the battery bank with me, and had to hand it over for storage. I've contacted SAS customer service and they have given me approval (verbally, over the phone) to bring the battery bank on board in my carry on. They also say it's written somewhere in the booking notes, which the check-in staff would see. However, how would the staff at airport security in Tallinn and Newark know that I'm permitted to carry it? Can they look up my booking and verify it there, or should I request a written approval from SAS to show security? <Q> In short, they don't know, but they also (usually) don't care . <S> There are three different things at play here: <S> Airport security , run by the TSA and its equivalents in other countries. <S> The TSA is fine with power banks . <S> (Of course, large lithium batteries actually make pretty impressive incendiary devices , but apparently no terrorist has figured this out yet...) <S> Aviation authority rules , set by the FAA and its equivalents. <S> This one is cut and dry in the US: <S> FAA regulations prohibit carrying portable batteries over 100 <S> Wh , although with explicit airline permission up to 160 <S> Wh is OK. <S> The EU has the same regulation. <S> Airline rules , which each airline can set for themselves. <S> In this case, you've received permission so you're good. <S> In practice, what's going to happen is that your power pack will (most likely) be waved through TSA security and allowed on board by the airline. <S> In the unlikely event of being questioned, a printout of permission from the airline would be handy, otherwise you'll need to convince them to go talk to the airline and that seems like a hassle for everybody involved. <S> FWIW, I always travel with a 20000 mAh power pack <S> and I've had somebody inspect the label exactly once, and that was in Beijing, which is rather infamous for really strict and often pointless security rules. <S> I'm somewhat surprised to hear Tallinn did the same to you, but in my experience this really is the exception rather than the rule. <S> Update : Much to my surprise, the FAA apparently lets airlines allow up to 160 <S> Wh, so amended accordingly. <A> Since I'm new I cannot comment directly on jpatokal's post. <S> It is not the case that the FAA bans all battery packs above 100 <S> Wh. <S> As their own link states, up to two batteries above 100 Wh and up to 160 <S> Wh are permitted onboard, with airline approval. <S> Sometimes the airline approval is just provided carte blanche; sometimes it's provided with advance permission, as in your case. <S> Many countries's security are lax about this and don't check the capacity of the battery. <S> China is one of very few places where I've had a security officer examine the rating on the battery. <A> China often looks at the units--and disallows not only anything that's over the limit but anything that isn't marked. <S> (Presumably to keep people from erasing the markings and claiming it's under the limit.) <S> Personally I have not had them inspect my battery <S> but it's far below the limit <S> , presumably they can see it's ok from the X-ray. <S> I have <S> had them find it in my checked baggage when it inadvertently got placed there instead of with my laptop where it belongs.
| In some airports, you're required to take power banks out of your bag, but this is just to ensure that they're not bombs or something.
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US to Europe trip with Montreal layover - is 52 minutes enough? I'm looking at a flight that goes from the US to Europe via Montreal. Is a 52 minute layover in Montreal enough time to get to the next flight? Arrival time in Montreal would be about 8PM. <Q> Montreal airport has a page you might find useful : <S> United States- <S> International <S> After having gone through border control – primary inspection, you will be asked to follow one of two procedures: <S> If your airline offers the option of automatically transferring your luggage, you will be directed to the international departures area. <S> If your airline does not offer the option of automatically transferring your luggage, you will have to pick it up yourself from the carousel, then follow the normal procedure for international arrivals and then for international departures. <S> If that is the case, you don't have to "clear customs" in a traditional sense at all (in Canada) and you have to simply walk over to the international departure gate. <S> You shouldn't have a problem, unless your flight is delayed. <S> You still have to go through "border control" <S> (speak to a Canadian border agency worker, provide evidence of transit visa or lack of need for one, attest you aren't carrying certain goods, etc). <S> If it isn't the case, then you will have to get your luggage, clear Canadian customs, and only then proceed to the departure gate. <S> This will be much trickier to pull off. <A> Possibly, if you didn't have to re-check your luggage. <S> Canadian immigration is pretty speedy. <S> But it's a tight connection, and a small amount of bad luck could easily lead to a missed flight, and then you'd be stuck in Montreal overnight <S> (a pleasant place to be stuck, but still). <S> (And I also wouldn't do it unless I could easily afford the extra costs for overnight accommodation and <S> whatever messes it would make for my destination plans.) <A> Air Canada note that 40 minutes is the minimum time , although they note this only applies for Air Canada/Jazz flights. <S> I'd personally want to allow more time though
| For USA->International connections, you need to find out if your airline offers the option of automatically transferring your luggage. I would never ever try it unless it was a single-ticket, guaranteed connection.
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Is it feasible to rent a car for a multi-country Europe trip? I'm planning a (mostly Western) European trip starting in London and ending in Rome, and am considering the possibility of renting a car for the entire trip. The countries I'll be entering are the UK, Ireland, France, Belgium, Netherlands, Germany, Czech Republic, Austria, potentially a day trip to Slovakia, Liechtenstein, Switzerland, Monaco and Italy. The trip is for November 2019 - February 2020. I know that I'll need to: have winter tyres for some countries get vignettes for some countries pay more for a one-way rental have an international driving permit (for at least some of the countries) What I'm not sure about is whether this is a feasible, or even good, idea. I've seen some rental companies state that while you can take a car on a ferry (eg. from Scotland to Northern Ireland, and Ireland to Wales), their insurance won't cover any damage while doing so. Picking up a car in a non-winter-tyre country might mean it's difficult to ensure I'm complying with regulations in every country I'm passing through. My main priority is keeping things simple and having flexibility: being able to take day trips/drive to country areas; not having to lug luggage between trains, etc. I don't mind paying extra for the privilege, but don't want to break laws or get myself into difficulty. My question is: is this a feasible plan, and if so, what aspects am I missing in the things I need to plan for? Alternatively, is it worth splitting into multiple rentals (eg. UK & Ireland rental; train from London to Paris; Paris - Rome rental) to simplify the process? <Q> Trying to do this as conventional rental (Hertz, Avis, Europcar, etc.) will be extremely expensive, even if you find one. <S> It's also inconvenient to drive a car from the "wrong" side, so I would at least break it up between the UK and the rest of Europe. <S> Unless you are planning to drive every single day, you may be better off with a combination of flights, trains, ride share, local public transit, and short term rentals. <S> In most larger cities, having a car is actually a headache since traffic tends to be bad and parking is sparse and expensive. <S> Short term rentals can be conventional and "car sharing": For example in Germany there are services like https://www.car2go.com/DE/en/ (not intended as endorsement), where you can simply pick up a car nearby and drop it at your destination (in the same town). <S> Trains and flights are good for larger distance (my wife and daughter just flew from Berlin to Rome for $17,- each). <S> Once in you are a larger city you can rent a car to drive around locally and explore the surroundings. <S> Local rentals also ensure that you have the right equipment and configuration at a reasonable price. <A> (It's trivial to transfer between say Folkestone and Calais by train, or between any UK airport and say Lyon.) <S> It's completely commonplace to do this. <S> You'd be one of a zillion tourists doing it this year! <S> The idea of using one car for both UK/Europe is a non-starter, just forget about that. <S> One of the great joys in life is motoring around the Continent. <S> Enjoy! <S> Some further points: <S> Once you are on the continent save a massive amount of money by making a loop rather than a one-way rental. <S> https://travel.stackexchange.com/a/38154/19233 <S> Whatever you do, in the name of goodness avoid the "living hell" major airports (all London airports, Paris). <S> Fly to a city such as Lyon or Munich <S> The quality of your holiday is boosted to a whole different level. <S> For the record, note that it is no big deal to take a UK rental car to the Continent for a day trip returning to the UK ... <S> if for some reason you want to do that. <S> (Example, Sixt promoting the concept of a day trip! <S> link ) <S> Again, you would never do this for a longer tour: simply rent a car on each landmass. <S> Enjoy! <A> Typically, there is little trouble in taking a rental car through all the countries you listed - I have done more than half of them in the same rental car already. <S> It becomes only difficult if you would want to go further east, like Bulgaria or Poland, as most car rental companies don't allow that. <S> Your main issue will be cost for the one-way (an arm and a leg, for sure), and to find a company that accepts international one-ways. <S> Consider that the company has to get the car back to the original country, so they have to pay someone to fly to your destination, and drive the car all the way back. <S> It's worth a try, but you would save thousands by making it a complete loop - for example, fly to France, rent, drive directly to GB, and then start your trip. <S> At the end, add a day, and drive it back to France. <S> You will lose a day each at the beginning and at the end, but save serious money. <S> Note also that rental are typically not allowed over 30 days. <S> You will have to turn the car in and take a replacement every 30 days latest. <A> There used to be a car hire programme called Le Swap. <S> Suppose you are heading from the UK to France, you would return your right hand drive UK car, travel by Eurostar, and collect a left hand drive car on the other side. <S> I cannot easily find evidence that this programme still exists <S> but you could still try to arrange something similar. <S> Look for rental locations at the points where you cross water. <S> The side of the steering wheel issue won't apply between the UK mainland and the island of Ireland but the cost and complications of taking a rental car on the ferry would still apply. <S> This strategy would certainly work if you were flying over the water but will probably work by ferry or train as well. <S> If you really want to drive all the way then it might actually be cheaper to buy a car. <S> Still expensive and complicated but maybe a little less less so. <S> There have been some recent questions on this subject. <A> https://www.theguardian.com/money/2016/may/28/eu-citizens-car-hire-switzerland <S> This can be awkward for hiring in Switzerland and presumably the UK shortly. <S> You may also find insurance more expensive as a result.
| One-way car rental in Europe is fantastic, but it is incredibly expensive. The solution here could not be simpler, Just hire a car in the UK (pick it up and drop it off anywhere you want), and Just hire a car in Europe (pick it up and drop it off anywhere you want). There are some regulations that ban EU citizens driving non-EU rental cars in the EU.
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Air travel with refrigerated insulin In a couple of weeks I'll be travelling by air on 2 separate airlines with insulin for my dog that must be kept refrigerated else it spoils, and I have no idea how to go about this. I'll probably be travelling with a handful of vials as he'll need a supply before I can get a new prescription for him from a local vet upon arrival. It's delivered to me using those freezer packs, but as they're a gel they won't get through security (I assume). I can't think of any other way to transport this on my person. Can anyone offer some guidance as to how I can keep it cold throughout my travels? I'll be travelling from Manchester Airport (MAN) with Thomas Cook Airlines, and from JFK with American Airlines, if it helps. UPDATE POST TRAVEL (8 April 2019) I chose to travel with ice packs. Travel happened on 4th and 5th April 2019, and involved clearing security at both Manchester airport in the UK, and JFK in the US. Both times I informed security that the bag I was carrying contained insulin that needed to be kept cold, and 2 ice/freezer packs. On both occasions they took the bag and scanned it separately, swabbed it for the various things they swab for, and cleared it with no further issues. Neither of them asked for documentation to prove it was required. I think it also helped that the box of cartridge refills was still sealed, but it also had the product details printed on it, along with a prescription label. At JFK the agent said that the ice packs should have been completely frozen, but due to various delays and the odd schedule we had, we were at the airport for around 6 hours before we were able to check the dogs in and clear security, so they weren't solid ice. That, and the freezer at our hotel didn't work very well, so one of them was barely frozen by the time it came to clearing security. He consulted with his supervisor who allowed him to clear it anyway after a swab. So in conclusion; YES - you can travel with ice packs. Make sure you tell the security agent it's medication that needs to be kept cold. They'll most likely just swab it and allow it to pass. They might say that the ice packs must be completely frozen, but they seem to have enough common sense to do due diligence on it and allow you to proceed. <Q> Contact the airlines in question. <S> You're not the first person with such needs, and they will have special procedures in place. <S> Most likely it'll be something like you hand over the goods to them <S> and they make sure it gets packaged and transported for you and then handed over to you on arrival. <S> While meant for humans, the American Diabetes Association says that restrictions on liquids and gels don't apply towards insulin and related products. <S> Maybe contacting them can also give you some more information: ADA website <S> According to USA Today <S> (again, for humans): <S> Insulin pumps, syringes, ice packs and other equipment related to diabetes management are also exempt from the rule, provided the traveler is also carrying the insulin itself. <S> TSA agents should also allow passengers with diabetes to carry juice or any other medically-necessary liquids through security, even in quantities exceeding 3.4 ounces. <A> I'm someone who has to travel with refrigerated medication too, and have done so to the USA from the UK a couple of times in the last five years. <S> While just my experience, I've never had any issues. <S> My procedure is: 1) <S> the medication and ice packs go in a separate (offical looking) bag, with the sharps bin and a note from my doctor. <S> If the medicine has any notes saying it must be refrigerated, I add one of them too 2) <S> when I show up at the scanner, I tell them I have a bag with medicine and ice packs in it, and that there is a doctor's note in the top. <S> 3) <S> Generally, they swab the inside with one of the explosive detector things, and wave me through <S> The customs officers are seriously used to it, there's a good procedure in place. <S> I think it's important to be a bit proactive about telling people, and they seem to appreciate if you let them know before it goes through the scanner. <S> Every now and then they have to go look for a manager, but it's always been fine after that. <A> I highly recommend a FRIO cooling case . <S> They are designed for this exact purpose and do not require liquids or gels to function. <S> You have to soak the case in water for it to work, but this can be done once you are past security. <S> This will also allow you to keep the medication on you instead of handing it over for transport. <S> I've personally used it to bring insulin on dozens of flights <S> and I've never had an issue. <A> I have traveled many times within the United States with my father that needed many drugs for heart and diabetes issues. <S> The key is to ensure that the gel pack is completely frozen and to inform the TSA agent of exactly what is in there. <S> They will go through all the contents of the bag and test everything for explosives, but you should be fine. <A> "Dry Ice" (solid CO2) is/was allowed to be carried in carryon luggage for food cooling use [!!!]. <S> Do check latest rules. <S> This is actually a dangerous allowance but did exist a few years back (long after "9/11" when I traveled a lot. <S> If Dry Ice is wrapped in enough insulation it can last for days. <S> It self cools the remainder as it "sublimes" to gas - no liquid is produced. <S> I've managed to keep a small portion of some dry ice solid for up to a week by using more insulation than you wish to carry. <S> (In a medium size domestic chilly bin). <S> Layer after layer after layer of Al foil with an occasional separator sheet of plastic bag will probably work. <S> Or a large-as-you-can-manage block of polystyrene. <S> Foil may be better. <S> Meds can be in a wrapping layer near the surface but deep enough to be cooler than ambient. <S> This can be tested in advance by using an outdoor thermometer probe and wrapping ice and watching temperature. <S> Ice with max salt dissolved freezes at a substantially lower temperature. <A> Are you sure it needs refrigeration? <S> As a type-1 diabetic, I've travelled on many flights from the UK, including to the USA and Australia, and I've always kept my insulin just straight in hand luggage. <S> My insulin is fine to be stored at up to about 30 <S> °C for about 4 weeks, despite what it may say about refrigeration in the instructions. <S> Please note I've no experience of insulin for dogs, and there may be some difference, although I'd be surprised. <S> But I'd definitely recommend looking into whether this is a problem you actually need to solve.
| As the medication is for a pet, the airlines' animal handling departments are probably the most appropriate people for you to approach. We purchased a small folding cooler that had gel cooler packs and kept all the medication in that bag (would be able to hold maybe 12 cans or so).
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"You look tired!" In which countries is this a compliment? In which countries/cultures is "You look tired" a compliment? A travel for work and I often hear the phrase "You look tired" delivered as a compliment. The underlying message seems to be "You are working very hard". In the US people might very well get mad at you (although they might not show it) if you tell them something like that. <Q> This greeting is polite and can be used both to people close and not-so-close, as well as your superiors. <S> On a similar note, in Japan it is actually okay to sleep during meetings, to some extent. <S> There is a specific phrase, 居眠り inemuri <S> which literally means "present sleep", i.e., the person is sleeping but still present in the sense that if his name is called he will promptly wake up and reply to whatever question he is asked. <S> This is a sign of working very hard, and is therefore not necessarily (depending on circumstances) seen as a bad thing. <A> A Google search didn’t throw up anywhere where this is a compliment except for Nigeria https://www.quora.com/Is-it-rude-to-tell-people-they-look-tired <A> I don't think Americans would be any more sensitive to this than anyone else. <S> If you've been working hard and look it, it's more a sign of empathy than a compliment. <S> I wouldn't be offended by this in the least if I actually was tired.
| In Japan it is a standard greeting, for example when you meet someone in the evening and have a drink, when you finished work for the day, when congratulating someone for having finished some project: お疲れ様です otsukaresama desu which means something like "you are tired", but is better translated to something like "Good work!"/"You're working hard!"
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Are there commercial airplanes on which I can access the Internet from my mobile phone? I'm wondering if there are airlines that provide Internet access to passengers when flying longer than 2 hours, and if it's technically possible at all. <Q> The plane connects to the internet by satellite and makes a WiFi network available for passengers. <S> Usually, you have to pay to use it, and they don't allow high-bandwidth activities like video and VOIP. <S> Some carriers also make their in-flight entertainment available over the WiFi, for people who'd prefer to use their own device instead of the screen in the back of the seat. <S> Some give free access to a limited range of sites (Delta lets you use Whatsapp <S> and, I think, Facebook). <A> Yes: List of Airlines Offering Inflight WiFi <A> Its for sure possible, many airlines do often at a cost. <S> As for the technical details check out this question. <S> It may depend as much about the aircraft in question as it does the airline.
| Yes, many airlines provide internet access on their flights.
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What are these little yellow boxes at German pedestrian crossings? I've been to Germany twice now: Once to Berlin and once to Bielefeld. Both places had these yellow boxes with the same pattern at pedestrian crossings. At first I thought they were to press for crossing, but there doesn't seem to be any way to actually press them so I'm confused as to what their role is. What exactly are they for? <Q> They vibrate when the light turns green. <S> Please see this and this . <A> They are for the visual impaired people. <S> Source <S> The symbol means: 2 Black Dots on top, and 1 on the bottom mean that the person wearing the symbol is visually impaired, 1 black dot on the top, and 2 on the bottom show that the person is deaf. <S> There's a button on the bottom: <S> Despite what many would think now, the button doesn’t make the light turn green any faster. <S> What it does do is vibrate when the light turns green, and in some cases it even prolongs the time that the light stays green. <A> It's for visually impaired pedestrians. <S> There is a button on the bottom of the box. <S> Some of them are vibrating and others are beeping to indicate when you can cross the road.
| They are an aid for the visually and aurally impaired.
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Checking small items on a plane? Is there any lower limit to the size of a checked item on an airplane? I am traveling internationally and I would like to bring a few small bottles of sauce as a gift. I have them packed in a box that is just large enough to hold three ketchup-sized bottles with plenty of bubble wrap. But looking at it, I am wondering if it will screw anything up to check a box that small. I keep most of the clothes I need at my destination and everything else fits nicely in my carry-on. I am just having to check the sauce because of the liquid restrictions. <Q> A few years ago I answered the question whether an envelope can be checked in and researched whether minimum check in size policies exist and came up with a negative. <S> I found this ancient flyertalk thread <S> but they haven't heard of such either. <S> I quoted <S> , I think it's something like 3 or 4 kilos minimum. <S> and I once checked a cardboard box that was about 8 inches long, 5 inches wide and 3 inches deep. <S> It contained an expensive corkscrew that obviously couldn't be carried on. <S> I conclude you will be fine since you adequately packaged it. <A> At the baggage claim, sometimes I see plastic trays with relatively small items (e.g. backpacks). <S> So there probably isn't any minimum checked bag size -- the airline can put your small item into a plastic tray to make it easier to handle. <A> Keep in mind, airlines still have mail and parcel contracts so flying small items is not at all unusual. <S> Larger airlines also offer express delivery services such as Delta Dash . <S> The most possible, but improbable, oopsie is the baggage handlers mistaking it for cargo and putting it on the wrong cart.
| Some airports with a very sophisticated baggage handling systems have a minimum weight of what can be checked-in (don't know about size)
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Travelling outside the UK without a passport I've read all of the relevant questions on here regarding travelling outside the UK without a passport. As I understand, I, as a British Citizen after naturalisation, can travel to and stay in any EU country without a passport - as long as I have a Biometric Residence Permit. Is that correct? I wish to travel to Ukraine immediately but do not understand if I can enter with a Biometric Residence Permit only - or if I need a passport first. And whether I would be able to get back. I do not hold any other nationality. As a former Ukrainian citizen, my citizenship was revoked automatically as soon as I received my British citizenship. I have never owned an adult Ukrainian passport. Please can someone advise? <Q> As Ukraine is not in the EU <S> https://www.gov.uk/eu-eea <S> according to Timatic you need a passport to enter https://www.timaticweb2.com/integration/external?ref=d975cfc59f5c0abd06d16e872198110b&clear=true <S> BRPs must be returned to the Home Office within 5 working days of getting your certificate of British citizenship, you can be fined up to £1,000 for not doing so. <S> You cannot enter the UK using your BRP or certificate of British citizenship. <S> https://www.gov.uk/apply-citizenship-indefinite-leave-to-remain/after-you-get-your-certificate <A> As a former Ukrainian citizen, my citizenship was revoked automatically as soon as I received my British citizenship. <S> That's not true. <S> Ukraine does not revoke citizenship automatically. <S> You should request for renouncing of your Ukrainian citizenship in the Embassy of Ukraine in the UK.If <S> you did not request it, then you are treated as a citizen of Ukraine. <A> Keep in mind that the Brexit situation is still extremely unsettled as of today (March 23th 2019) and that a "hard Brexit" remains a possibility. <S> While both sides proclaim that there will be generous solutions for UK and EU27 citizens, you should expect that exceptions and special cases may disappear. <S> A proper passport is a good idea. <A> Don't forget that you must return your BRP after naturalisation. <S> It's no longer valid and you must not use it. <S> Also please be aware that the UK typically wants UK nationals to use a UK passport when they enter the country.
| For international travel you will need a valid travel document.
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Explaining alternative travel routes when going to the USA I have plenty of direct flights from my city to the US, however on one occasion I took a connecting flight via Amsterdam, purely for the fun of flying. It was not cheaper than a direct flight. Once in Amsterdam I was questioned about my choice before boarding the flight, I was told to show evidence of a return flight, they also wanted to see ties to my departure country, they wanted to know why I'm flying at that particular time, and once they were satisfied, they waved me through. I believe that all passengers were questioned, but I don't know if they were questioned to the same extent. Is there anything I need to be aware of with this approach? I feel that, when questioned, they won't be satisfied if I'm telling them I'm doing this for entertainment - particularly if the layover is too short to be able to leave the airport and explore. Maybe relevant, maybe not, but this was less than two weeks after President Trump's original Travel Ban. I did not however have any connections with any of the countries in the ban. <Q> Just be honest. <S> Whatever you do, don't lie. <S> Don't make up a "more reasonable" story, don't say that the ticket was cheaper if it clearly wasn't, etc. <S> If you're doing it just for fun, just say so. <S> It may catch their attention and you will likely have to answer a few related questions, but as long as the story is true, its your best bet. <S> Taking a detour for fun is probably not correlated with being an overstay risk; lying about anything is (and can easily get you banned for life). <S> Border officers (and airline staff trying to estimate what the border guard will think) try hard to uncover the slightest inconsistencies in your story, so that they can catch you lying. <A> I would like to expand on the hard rule "do not lie at an airport" and add a companion rule "never furnish information unasked". <S> Both for security and immigration always answer politely, factually, to the point but never drag out, pad, whatever you call it. <S> Also, never make up these elaborate fantasies on what security / border guard might think. <S> You most certainly lack the training to even come close. <S> Spending a transoceanic flight making up stories to present at immigration at the landing point is a recipe for disaster. <S> If you think "your case is special" it almost certainly isn't. <S> (This site is a good resource for both side of the coin: both showing how many cases are not special and then what it takes for you to be special, for example this <S> I don't know my nationality. <S> How can I visit Denmark? <S> insanity) <S> I feel that, when questioned, they won't be satisfied if I'm telling them <S> I'm doing this for entertainment See <S> , this is the fantasy you are spinning. <S> There are no reasons they wouldn't be satisfied, there are blogs, vlogs and more literally titled 'flying is fun'. <S> And even if they are not, the totality of your circumstances will decide what happens. <S> Lying to agents trained to catch lies, however, that never leads to anything good. <A> Is there anything I need to be aware of with this approach? <S> Not really. <S> This was probably just a routine control and you got unlucky. <S> Most likely this was a doc check executed by the airline, as the Schengen exit (if you needed one) really wouldn't care. <S> However, the US heavily fines any airline that brings a passenger who gets denied entry, so they are motivated to be extra thorough when checking US entry requirements. <S> Taking stopover flights is perfectly normal and very common. <S> In most cases it's substantially cheaper than non-stop flights. <S> For example AMS->BOS is much more expensive than DUS->AMS->BOS, because of "revenue optimization" airline pricing.
| The safest way to avoid being caught lying is not to lie at all. An answer like "this was the best fit for my schedule and budget " should be more than enough.
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Does a 'pending' US visa application constitute a denial? I recently applied for a US visa and had the interview, where I was told the application wasn't approved pending a medical examination. I have since found out that I could have travelled on an ESTA after all, so tried to withdraw the visa application. However, I have now had an email back from the embassy saying they will hold my visa application 'pending' for 12 months in case I change my mind and decide to go ahead with it (so that I don't have to pay again). The ESTA application asks if I have ever been denied a visa. Can I say no to this, as I wasn't actually denied a visa, it just wasn't approved until my medical examination was completed, and I subsequently withdrew? Does this mean I now cannot apply for an ESTA for those 12 months while I still have a visa pending? <Q> You were never denied a visa, so the answer is no. <S> Just answer every question factually and truthfully <S> and, if you ever have to, be prepared to explain the situation. <S> Note however that a B1/B2 visa, which is presumably what you applied for, is "stronger" than an ESTA on numerous aspects, <S> so if you went this far anyway and if you think you may benefit from it at some point, you may want to finish off the process. <S> Of course there is no guarantee on how long the visa will be valid for. <A> After all, the embassy themselves state that you can resume the application! <A> 'pending' means "awaiting decision or settlement". <S> So if you were told it was "pending a medical examination", that would mean immigration department would make their decision when they receive the medical reports. <S> At this time, it's just an application, and a decision has not been made. <S> A refusal or grant would mean a decision HAS been made. <S> Even if you withdraw the application, that would still mean an application was received, and subsequently withdrawn; a decision had not been made. <S> Hence, you would NOT have been denied a visa by immigration department. <S> Instead of withdrawing your application, you may allow them to withhold your application, in case you change your mind within 12 months. <S> After that, you may submit another application, with another fee. <S> For your ESTA application, you'd say "NO" (since you've NOT been denied a visa, on this occasion). <S> You'd, of course say "YES" if you HAVE been denied a visa on any previous occasion to this. <S> If the ESTA application has a question: if you have another visa application pending, you'd say "YES". <S> If you need the money back, you may ask immigration if you get a refund BEFORE you go ahead and withdraw the application.
| If no action was taken on your visa and it remains pending, then it has not been refused.
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Can I use my Chinese passport to enter China after I acquired another citizenship? I've recently changed my citizenship from Chinese to Canadian and I'm planning a short visit to China soon. Is it possible to enter China with my existing Chinese passport (not expired yet) and then return to Canada with my new Canadian passport. This becomes complicated since China does not recognize dual-citizenship. So do I need to get a China visa? Any input would be appreciated! <Q> No, this would be illegal. <S> Voluntarily naturalizing in another country results in automatic loss of Chinese citizenship. <S> You need to contact your local Chinese embassy and obtain the proper visa. <S> The question mentioned by Traveller provides an overview of how you might or might not get caught trying to sneak back into China with an invalid passport. <S> Don't risk it unless you enjoy the thought of doing time in a Chinese prison, and then being deported or removed. <A> As Robert Columbia mentioned, voluntarily naturalizing in a foreign country results in automatic loss of Chinese (PRC) citizenship (but not ROC nationality; I'll assume you are talking about the PRC), assuming you are not a resident of Hong Kong or Macau. <S> Since you are no longer a Chinese citizen, you can no longer use your Chinese passport as proof of Chinese citizenship to enter China, even if the passport is unexpired. <S> You must get a Chinese visa to visit China, and usually when you apply for your first Chinese visa, the Chinese consulate will ask for and cancel your Chinese passport. <S> If you still use your Chinese passport to enter China, you are pretending to be a Chinese citizen when you aren't. <S> Although it probably won't be noticed when you go into China, you will have trouble leaving China. <S> You said you will "return to Canada with my new Canadian passport", but China also has exit checks, so what passport will you use at Chinese exit checks? <S> If you use your Canadian passport, it won't match any entry records since you did not enter China on that passport. <S> Presumably the only document you can show that will allow you to enter Canada is your Canadian passport, and if you show that, they will investigate how you acquired Canadian citizenship and whether you had already lost Chinese citizenship. <A> There was an article about a year ago in the South China Morning Post regarding people who attempt to benefit from Chinese citizenship when they are no longer entitled. <S> The government says they will confiscate the documents and deny entry. <S> They've also clawed back some benefits that people have taken advantage of, including seizing a house (the house was provided in compensation for a relocation that foreigners were not entitled to). <S> Other benefits such as schooling at local schools will also be denied, and use of the Chinese health care system as a citizen, tax breaks, <S> easier ability to buy property and so on. <S> They've noticeably tightened up on information-gathering from entrants over the past couple of years and now collect fingerprints from foreigners at every entry and ask a great number of questions to qualify for a visa. <S> If they have any competence in aggregating and correlating all this data with relatives and so on who have moved abroad they may know more than you think. <S> Apparently they've cancelled the documents of more than a million people in a single year.
| If you use your Chinese passport, the Chinese exit checks will ask what document you will enter Canada with, since a Chinese passport is not visa-exempt to Canada.
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Visiting the UK as unmarried couple My girlfriend and I both have Ukrainian citizenship. We're planning to visit the UK at the end of April. While filling in the application form for visitor visa we specified our relationship status as unmarried partners since we have been living together for more than 3 years and I'm going to be her sponsor. Closer to visa appointment I started to google some information, like what documents we should bring to prove our relationship etc. All the information that pops out is about the case when a person already settled in the UK wants to bring his partner. Did we fill in the form right? <Q> They are really only concerned about whether you will both leave at the end. <S> Unless there is something that doesn't make sense about your story they won't care if you are legally married or how long you have been together. <S> That is probably why you are not finding much information about it. <S> It might be helpful to have photos of yourselves together from a while back, and maybe documents showing you live at the same address, but I doubt you will be asked for them. <A> I think your issue might be that you're misusing a critical term. <S> "Sponsor" is a specific term that has nothing to do with who is paying for a trip, and since neither of you currently hold a UK visa, the term isn't applicable to either of you. <S> A "sponsor" in immigration terms is a person (generally a family member, partner, or friend) who is already a citizen or visa holder in the country in question, and who is willing to be a point of contact and vouch for the intentions of the person who wants to immigrate. <S> You probably didn't fill out the form wrong, you might just be Googling using the wrong terminology. <A> IMHO the important point here is whether your girlfriend meets the eligibility criteria for a visa in her own right or not. <S> If she does, there’s <S> really little need to prove your relationship. <S> Just state that you’re travelling together in your respective applications and cross-reference the GWF number of your application in hers. <S> You’ll both be providing your respective bank account statements which should show you share the same address. <S> If you’re paying for the trip because your girlfriend doesn’t meet the eligibility criteria, you probably do need to do a little more to satisfy the ECO that you have a genuine personal relationship per v4.3 https://www.gov.uk/guidance/immigration-rules/immigration-rules-appendix-v-visitor-rules . <S> You can do this very simply by stating in the application (or a covering letter) how long you’ve been in a relationship and why you’re paying the costs of the trip eg because you are currently the wage earner in the household. <S> You will still both have to provide bank statements, which should prove you share the same address. <S> Note that: for a UK Standard Visitor visa, anyone can provide funds, maintenance and accommodation. <S> It is not necessary for the third party doing this to be a UK citizen, or to be in the UK https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/673351/Visit-guidance-v7.0EXT.PDF#page20 <S> In UK Immigration Rules parlance, ‘sponsor’ means the person in relation to whom an applicant is seeking leave to enter or remain as their spouse, fiance, civil partner, proposed civil partner, unmarried partner, same-sex partner or dependent relative, as the case may be, under paragraphs 277 to 295O or 317 to 319 or the person in relation to whom an applicant is seeking entry clearance or leave as their partner or dependent relative under Appendix FM. <S> https://www.gov.uk/guidance/immigration-rules/immigration-rules-introduction .
| If you are both just visiting the UK, the authorities will not be very bothered by what your relationship to each other is.
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UK visitor's visa refused for my dad who is retired Can you provide me some explanation why my father's UK general visa was refused? He is retired, receives pension and he did provide his bank statement, he also provided documents that prove he owns a property in his home country. I want to cover all his expenses, that is why I provided my bank statement. I'm not sure if the amount was not sufficient? He also stated on his application that I'm going to provide him with accommodation. Unfortunately, I didn't provide proof that I own a house in London. Would this fix the issue, if he reapplies? Shall I provide land registry documents or my mortgage documents? What seems strange is they are asking why my father hasn't visited me for 4 years. I don't think it's their business, to be honest! We were just settling in with my wife, now finally we have our own property, we also had a son and now he is 2 years old and it is more manageable to have visitors and leave him with his granddad occasionally. My wife is a stay at home mum and during my dad's visit she was planning to look for jobs, go for interviews as my dad would be extra help with childcare. Shall I explain these reasons? What other paperwork should my father provide? Should I write a cover letter explaining all the circumstances about providing accommodation and funds and why we he didn't come to visit us for the past 4 years since we are in UK ? Thanks in advance!! <Q> You appear to have failed to provide sufficient documentation to support the statements made in the application. <S> For example: a letter of invitation (addressed to your father) stating the reason for the invitation, dates of the proposed visit, the address where your father will stay, how you will cover his costs, how travel arrangements will be made once the visa is approved etc a covering letter (addressed to the ECO) explaining the premise of the visit, your employment and salary, details of the accommodation where your father will stay, and other relevant information to help convince the ECO that a genuine personal relationship exists (this is why the fact that there have been no previous visits is relevant - very much <S> the ECO’s business, despite what your opinion is) eg how often and how you maintain contact <S> What details should a good cover letter contain to back up a UK Visit Visa application? <S> your employment contract and 6 months’ bank statements (since you are covering costs) <S> Should I submit bank statements when applying for a UK Visa? <S> What do they say about me? <S> IMHO <S> you do not need to provide your land registry or mortgage documents. https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/549692/Visitor_Supporting_Documents_Guide_-_English_version.pdf <A> You need to make sure that you give sufficient proof that your father is just coming to UK on a holiday and as a tourist. <S> Never mention that he is going to take care of his grandson or help you or your wife with your personal issues, this would make them believe that your father would stay here permanently. <S> Ask your father to consult a Chartered accountant and get a proof of income (even if he is a pensioner) or tax/IT documents and submit those along with the VISA application. <S> If your dad has any property, submit the copy of those documents as well. <S> In the comments section make sure you write that he is just visiting UK for tourism <S> and he has a family back in India that is dependant on him <S> and he will be going back. <S> Once you get your VISA, it is mandatory that he has a return ticket in his hand when he goes for immigration in UK. <S> They will ask for it and even send them back if they dont have a valid return ticket. <A> my dad would be extra help with childcare . <S> You need to be careful when using nonresident family members instead of employing UK residents for childcare <S> Where a family member is coming to look after a child in the UK, this is permitted provided it is for a short visit and does not amount to the relative being employed as a child-minder. <S> You must be satisfied that the visit is of a short duration, the relative is a genuine visitor and will not live in the UK for extended periods through frequent or successive visits. <S> UK Home-Office "Visit Guidance" version 9.0 <S> Can you provide me some explanation why my father's UK general visa was refused? <S> The letter you received gives some explanation <S> It is unclear to me why you have not visited your son to date <S> In your application, provide the reasons the documents you have provided do not show that your son is willing and able to fund your visit and provide accomodation. <S> I suspect you need to provide a letter stating that you are willing <S> I believe that would ideally be bank statements showing regular income and gradually accumulating savings well in excess of any expected expenditure on your father, including provision for unplanned expenses (maybe non-urgent medical etc).
| You also need to show that you can afford to support your father for the period.
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Which kind of appliances can one connect to electric sockets located in an airplane's toilet? Which kind of appliances can one connect to electric sockets located in an airplane's toilet? I have read/heard conflicting information: http://asiaspirit.com/lavatory.html ( mirror ): The electric socket in the toilet is for shaver only, do no try to power up your notebook computer. -> Why shaver only? What happens if one tries to power up one's notebook computer? Quote from a United Airlines flight attendant: Don't use electric sockets located in a plane's toilet otherwise it'll create a short circuit. Adding some information based on the existing answers and comments: Beside from charging laptop/phone batteries, the socket could be used for more typical bathroom purposes e.g. water floss, hair dryer, etc. I am not looking for moral lessons. Yes thank you, I am aware that typically more than one individual uses an airplane's toilet during a flight... " A flight is not a good place for experimentation for many reasons" -> this is why I'm asking the question here, and not trying directly. <Q> A shaver socket is designed to deliver a very limited current - typically 200mA, or 20 to 40 watts, depending on voltage. <S> What happens if you plug something else in depends on the 'something else', and the circuit supporting the socket. <S> For low power devices they'll probably work just fine. <S> However, even phone chargers can draw more than 200mA, and laptop or notebook computers much more. <S> In the case of an airline toilet it'll probably light a warning light in the cockpit or flight attendant's station, either of which could prompt an invasion of your privacy <S> And in any case, if you do manage to plug your notebook in and browse Facebook for thirty minutes in an airline toilet, do you really want to face the wrath of the assembled queue waiting for increasingly urgent use of the facility? <S> I gathered some of the source material here <A> I was assigned to work as a cabin crew on very long ferry flights before (12+ hrs flights with no passengers) at the times when passenger seats didn't have electric sockets, it was boring flights and laptops were the gadgets of the choice at the time, usually the old Boeing 747, and I have tried using the sockets inside the lavatories <S> and I remember very well that it didn't work. <S> The charging light would go on then off, and keeps doing so while not charging. <S> I also remember trying checking out the sockets next to doors (on the side of the doors in older planes too), which are used for special vacuum cleaners, but it had some big figures written on it (for watts or something, can't remember) <S> , it made me worried <S> so I decided not to. <S> If it says for shavers only, it means it's for shavers only. <S> If it's in the toilet, then for sure it's not meant for laptops even if it did't say "shavers only". <S> I asked the pilots once, they advised me not to, and let me use the socket inside the cockpit, which was a regular one. <S> My advice, follow whatever instructions are written there, especially in older airplanes. <S> Do not cause some confusion among the crew by giving them a popped out circuit breaker, it's not fun. <S> I personally hate popped out circuit breakers and makes me think something is really wrong, whether it's in a cabin galley or when I visit the cockpit and see one. <A> Water and electricity are a dangerous combination . <S> For this reason, there are lots of regulations limiting what kind of powered devices and powered outlets can be used close to water (the details vary from country to country). <S> In fact, in some countries (like the UK), the plugs used for those are different from regular plugs (in the UK they look like a Europlug but they are actually slightly different and incompatible). <S> For this reason, power outlets in lavatories are usually restricted to low currents, with very sensitive breakers so that in case of electrocution power is cut very quickly. <S> You’ll definitely won’t be able to power a laptop with those.
| Plugging in a high-power device will probably trip a fuse or circuit breaker somewhere.
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Domestic-to-international connection at Orlando (MCO) We will fly from Charlotte (CLT) to Orlando (MCO) on American Airlines. From there we will take Copa airlines to Panama. I appreciate any advice: Is 2 hours enough to move from the arrival gate to the departure one, considering that they are two separate booked flights and I will have to check my luggage and go through check point? <Q> This is a pretty bad idea, especially with checked bags. <S> When you book flights separately like this, you're arranging your own connection. <S> If you miss that flight to Panama, the next one with available space may not be for at least a day <S> (Copa does operate a couple of flights a day from MCO, so figuring out whether you're on the first one or the last one would be helpful), and you may have to pay significant change fees. <S> Copa's check-in counters close 60 minutes before departure time , and they recommend that you arrive three hours before departure for flights departing the US. <S> Even if your first flight is on time, it could easily take the better part of an hour before you get off the plane, walk through the satellite terminal, ride the train, wait for your bags, exit the secure area, walk to the departure area, find the Copa counter, and check-in. <S> If your first flight is even slightly delayed, or even if the luggage takes an excessive amount of time to arrive, you could miss the check-in deadline. <S> Unless you're very familiar with dealing with separate bookings, I'd highly recommend you purchase a single ticket for this trip (which will likely involve different airlines and routing), so that you do not need to recheck your bags and benefit from the airline's protections if you misconnect. <A> I wouldn't be comfortable with a two-ticket connection that short. <S> If everything goes to plan, things should be fine. <S> However, all it takes is for your incoming plane to be half an hour late, and baggage reclaim to be slow, and you're butting up against the usual requirement to check in at least an hour before the departure of an international flight. <S> And then if getting back through security is low, you can probably politely push to the front of the line, and probably make your flight but all of this is stressful and not a good start to your trip. <S> If you don't make it to check-in on time, Copa will probably try to rebook you <S> but they're under no obligation to do so: it's your responsibility to get to the departure airport on time and, as far as Copa are concerned, Orlando is your departure airport. <S> It's not their problem that you got there by plane rather than by car from downtown. <S> If you must buy two separate tickets, I would suggest allowing at least three or four hours transit time in Orlando. <S> However, I just searched and found that American will fly you Charlotte–Miami–Panama City on random dates in the middle of April for about $750. <S> The key advantage of being on one ticket is that the airline will automatically rebook you if you miss a connection due to a delayed flight, and your luggage will be checked through to your final destination. <A> Eep. <S> Since the flights aren't on the same ticket, making the connection is all on you . <S> In that case, I wouldn't shave it that close on a domestic flight inside the same terminal , and not checking bags <S> (so I get to stay in the sterile area). <S> And I'm solo and agile. <S> In this case, you are starting with any delays from the first flight (and American owes you nothing if they're late) <S> cat-herding a family <S> somebody needs bathroom waiting for baggage lugging bags around changing terminals (finding transit, etc.) <S> getting to the front in a check-in line, which can be enormous <S> You have 1 hour to do all of the above, since Copa has a 1-hour-before-flight cutoff for check-in. <S> Even if you accomplish the check-in online, which they may randomly not allow, you still have to also (in 30 more minutes) queue and clear TSA inspection find your gate and get to it present your documents to prove you have permission to enter Panama <S> It would be a crowning moment of awesome if you pulled it off. <S> Far more likely, this malfunctions, and it's all on you . <S> Copa owes you nothing, you are at their mercy <S> and I gather you chose this circus because it's cheap , this is why it's cheap <S> so don't expect a bailout. <S> You could have to pay to rebook, then get a motel for the night with transportation there also. <S> My advice would be change the domestic booking so it's earlier. <S> Schedule 5 hours earlier <S> so you have slack time for all of the above. <S> Also, fire your travel agent :)
| If you must travel on two separate bookings, I'd leave much more time in between the flights and be prepared to deal with the effects of any delays.
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Bratislava (airport) to Budapest I am traveling to Budapest next month via Bratislava airport.We will be arriving at 20:40 in Bratislava, and we want to catch a bus or train to Budapest ASAP. From what I have found the best option is to catch the 21:30 FlixBus from Bratislava, AS Mlynské nivy station. The only other available options, that leave later from Bratislava airport, are going through Vienna, which is in the opposite direction, and the trip lasts many hours. So I would like to ask, if you think it would be possible (if the flight has no delays of course) to make it to the bus station by 21:30 from the airport (leaving say at 21:00) on a Friday night. (We will take a taxi from the airport in order to have a chance to be on time.) Our flight is from within Schengen, so we'll only have to wait for checked bags, not immigration. P.S. If you know of any other available options please let me know. Update The FlixBus service is the only one I could find online. I would be greatful if someone local can point me to other transportation services available (like local bus companies) that have any routes later that 21:30 from Bratislava to Budapest. I would be interested also to know how much approximately a taxi fare would be. AFTER TRIP UPDATE For what it's worth, it seems that we could have made it after all, but it would cost about 25€(~30$). The taxi ride was less than 15 minutes, with almost no traffic at all (being it holy Friday i suppose(?)) and since we had no checked in bags, and the taxis were just outside the arrival hall, we were able to get one at 21:00. Just be careful when going to the bus station, as it seems that the old terminal, that is permanently closed, is still listed on Google maps, and that can be misleading. <Q> Is planeside at BTS Airport to AS Mlynské nivy doable in 50 min? <S> It might work out <S> but it's extremely tight with checked bags. <S> In order to make the connetion the flight will need to be exactly on time, the baggage service quite promt and there be no other hiccups. <S> I expect the biggest risk beyond the flight is for the bags to take more than 20 minutes to make it onto the claim. <S> This probably depends on how many other flights are being handled at that moment. <S> BTS Airport is small, planes often park at gates where passengers can just walk up to the terminal and exit through baggage claim. <S> Sometimes, though, passengers need take buses from the plane to terminal, adding a few minutes. <S> 20:40 plane doors open, passengers begin to disembark <S> 20:50 bus leaves side of plane for terminal <S> 20:55 bus arrives terminal, grab bag 21:00 <S> get in taxi <S> 21:15 arrive at bus station <S> (FlixBus reccomends to be there 15 min before departure) <S> Options for travelling Bratislava to Budapest at night <S> Busbud summarizes bus companies on this route: Eurolines, FlixBus, Korona Travel and RegioJet. <S> (Full disclosure: I work there.) <S> Unfortunately the 21:30 FlixBus is indeed the last bus of the night on the dates I checked. <S> RegioJet offers the first bus at 3:15 the next morning. <S> There are no train connections either during this time. <S> Then walk or take a taxi to Komarom (Hungary) to catch train R 4819 departing 3:39 to Budapest-Deli arriving 5:09. <A> The taxi ride is <15 minutes. <S> Here's the Google Maps route. <S> It's a bit tricky to get Gmaps route it properly, it goes bonkers with the lanes on the bridgehead but if you set it to go to the Regiojet stop, then it draws the straight lines. <S> Speaking of Regiojet, while there is no way to prove a negative, but here's what Regiojet has to offer: <S> Googling in Hungarian doesn't get further, this is from a Hungarian site : <S> these are remarkably the same buses. <A> You can try, but is it worth the stress? <S> Imagine arriving at an unfamiliar airport, waiting for your bags, and dashing to the taxi rank (wherever that is), only to miss your bus by three minutes! <S> If I were you, I would find a hotel in Bratislava (a taxi to Budapest costs 142 Euros, according to this website ). <S> I know that some online booking agents seem to treat Bratislava as an alternative airport to Budapest, but it really isn't. <S> It's 200km!
| With one adventerous exception - that only runs on Satudays: you could take the RegioJet train from Bratislava Nove Mesto at 22:13 to Komárno arriving at 00:13.
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Booked my flight with my credit card, but lost the card somewhere? I have booked my airline ticket using my credit card (my name) but for some reasons, I don’t have anymore the physical CC. I heard that airlines need the CC used to book the ticket. Will this be an issue? Thank you <Q> First if you have lost your credit card, or don't know where it is, you should absolutely definitely report it to the card company and get it cancelled right now. <S> I've never travelled with an airline that didn't accept an alternative form of identification. <S> You will probably be OK as long as you have sufficient ID, such as a passport or drivers license. <A> Usually not. <S> They may require it if it's on a different name, say, of your wife. <S> At least you can show the internet banking of your card. <A> Contrary to DJClayworth's answer, here's a report of an experience a traveller once had with SriLankan Airlines. <S> His credit card was swallowed by an ATM, and while the airline did not require to see the actual card, they insisted on at least verifying the credit card number before letting him check in. <S> So, depending on the policy of the airline you're flying with, this might be a problem. <S> Therefore, I would suggest sorting this out with the airline's customer service in advance.
| Airlines often want you to show the credit card the tickets were booked with as identification, but it is not usually necessary.
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Currency to use and expenses in Hungary & Czech republic A week after, I'll be going on a central Europe tour of Budapest-Prague-Vienna. This is the first time I'm travelling abroad, and as a new graduate I'm on a rather tight budget in case of shopping costs. I know Austria uses euros, but Czech republic and Hungary use their respective currencies also. Will using Czech crown (koruna) and forint be more profitable then using euros? If so, will 100 euros to koruna and 100 euros to forint exchange cover the cost of; Lunch and dinner + tips (breakfast is covered by the hotels) A cup of coffee or beer Around 6-7 souvenirs (magnets, snow globes, key chains, etc.) I'll be spending 1 and a half days in Budapest and Prague. <Q> Every tourist-oriented concern I went to in Prague and Budapest took plastic. <S> Indeed, American Express was running a special promotion with the cinema for 15% off: usually that's a lousy card to use overseas. <S> If you can't find such a card, I would attempt to pay with Euros, which will be accepted at some exchange rate, likely poor. <S> However, neither the koruna nor forint will be easy to exchange outside their home country, and I think you will lose even more bringing your change from 100€ home. <A> if you want live on a budget, you need to exchange cash - small shops don't take Euros or Credit Cards, or only on horrible rates. <S> If you go in middle class restaurants, you probably can pay with credit cards (no Euros). <S> Generally, those countries have lower cost of living; but as you will be in 'Tourist Central', you will easily pay equal or more than in western Europe. <A> My advice would be to choose a bank in your home country that has low or no conversion fees, and primarily use an account in your income currency. <S> I travelled to all three cities, and have rarely ran into cash-only places. <S> Since you're saying you're only there for less than 2 days, Cash . <S> If you do need cash, avoid the tourist-area 0% fee exchanges, since they factor their profits into poor conversion rates. <S> Food . <S> Look for low-price places on Google Maps and Foursquare. <S> Also, Install McDonalds Europe and use their deals in Prague and Budapest. <S> Vienna is somewhat trickier, as last time I checked they had rewards rather than coupons. <S> Use their self-service terminals if you need predictable english. <S> Try Jídelna Světozor (Prague) or Las Bombillas Teahouse (Budapest) . <S> Both are cheap but cash-only. <S> Vienna is trickier, again. <S> I had decent full meals at Cafe Votiv and WU Mensa ; you may also want to check mensen.at Coffee . <S> I'd look for individual coffee shops and avoid chains such as Starbucks or Costa Coffee <S> Prague : <S> Coffee Break and Cake Žižkov <S> Vienna : <S> Coffee Pirates, Jonas Reindl, Phil (Gumpendorfer Str.) <S> Budapest : Madal Cafe Internet . <S> Do not buy a separate SIM card for each country, instead enjoy the EU-wide " Roam Like At Home " regulation. <S> For example, I'm getting 11 GB of EU-wide data from an austrian carrier. <S> Souvenirs . <S> I'd look in regular grocery stores or retail chains and avoid tourist-y places like central train stations. <S> Transportation . <S> If you don't mind biking, try using the City Bike system in Vienna: first hour is free, taking a break for 15+ minutes resets the counter and the next hour is first (therefore free) again. <S> They say you can sign up only using a credit card, but I've had two debit cards working on my account for years now. <S> Use their site for a map of stations, I can't post any more links here unfortunately. <S> Toilets . <S> These are non-free most cases. <S> Look for shopping centers (e.g. Palladium in Prague), Starbucks in Vienna, or selected McDonalds locations. <S> For Prague, you can learn a lot from the Honest Guide Prague YouTube channel. <S> For example, their take on budget restaurants from 2016 still holds.
| Our usual advice, and it holds for Hungary and the Czech Republic, is to find an ATM card with no foreign transaction charge, and use it as much as possible.
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Traveling with my 5 year old daughter (as the father) without the mother from Germany to Mexico I will be flying with my 5 year old daughter without the mother to Mexico from Germany with transit in the United States. Her grandmother on her mom's side will also be traveling with us. I was born in Mexico and have acquired German citizenship and kept the Mexican one. I will be traveling with my German passport. I am separated from the mother (she is German; we were never married), but I still have a good relationship with her. My daughter was named according to Mexican law, so her last name is my first last name and her mother's (maiden) last name (to give an example with a fake name: Ana Maria González Müller). Something to note is that the mother has since married someone else and took his name, so her last name is no longer the one on my daughter's last name. I bought the ticket through Lufthansa but I believe the airline will be United Airlines. My question is: Is there something I should consider while traveling with my daughter regarding boarding the plane, going through customs or similar? Should I get a signed letter from the mother or something? I will be for sure carrying her birth certificate. What else can I do or take with me? Edit: -The mother and I have shared custody.-To clarify, I will be entering Mexico with with my Mexican passport as it is required by Mexican law. My daughter has never been to the Mexican consulate in Germany and hence has no Mexican passport or birth certificate. Update: We will be writing a letter of consent in English, German and Spanish, and we will go to the city hall to get the mom's signature notarized Thank you Follow-up: We are back in Germany and everything went smoothly. I took with me a bunch of documents from my daughter including vaccination certificates, but all that was needed was the notarized letter of consent from the mother at the passport control when leaving Germany (apart from the passports and ESTA, of course). For future reference, we got the signatures on the letters notarized at the city hall (Rathaus) and it costed 1,50€ per stamp. Thanks to everyone who answered and commented! <Q> If you do not have sole custody, get a letter from the mother stating that she has no objection. <S> The child's passport. <S> Possibly a transit visa for all concerned. <S> Follow-Up: As far as Germany is concerned, the letter need not be notarized but it should contain the current contact details of the other legal guardian. <A> US authorities are generally very aware of potential 'abductions' of children by one parent ( against the consent of the other parent); especially for international travel. <S> Now that should not affect you much, as you are not taking the child out of the US, but simply 'transiting', but it could be they ask you. <A> I'm surprised no one mentioned it <S> but in addition to the documentation that @o.m. <S> listed, I would also include a copy of the child's birth certificate . <S> Hopefully this document includes the OPs legal name which would be a good document to show their legal relationship to the child. <S> I have traveled multiple times with my preschool age son (across state lines but always within the US) and per recommendations by the airlines always bring along a copy of this document. <S> I have yet to been asked to provide it by the airlines or security <S> but it gives me comfort in knowing that if ever questioned I could provide legal documentation of my relationship to my child. <S> Examples of recommendations from airlines: <S> https://www.allegiantair.com/traveling-with-children https://www.aa.com/i18n/travel-info/special-assistance/traveling-children.jsp https://www.lawdepot.com/blog/3-documents-every-parent-needs-when-traveling-with-children/
| The strong recommendation for the US is to have a signed letter from the other parent; if you want to avoid trouble, this would be a good idea to bring.
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How to coordinate airplane tickets? I'm sorry if this is a duplicate question (or a trivial one) - I don't know what to search for (my searches for the question title only bring back mathematical answers). I'm planning on dropping off my daughter with my grandparents for the summer break and returning at the end of summer to pick her up. The problem is, I'm not familiar with the ordering process - I bought simple 2-way tickets in the past but in this case she needs one return ticket for the whole summer and I need 2 separate return tickets, one at the beginning of summer (for the drop-off) and another at the end of the summer (to pick her up). Obviously, the leaving / returning dates must coincide on the tickets and I'd want her to sit next to me on the flights. The trips are between Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) and Budapest (BUD). What is the easiest way to get such an arrangement? I don't think this is supported on sites like Travelocity and the like. <Q> You could proceed in two different ways: <S> Make three separate bookings: one for your daughter and two for you. <S> You end up with three bookings DFW-BUD-DFW. <S> Make two separate bookings: one for you two for the flights on which you will be travelling together, and one for you for the flights on which you will be travelling alone. <S> You end up with two bookings: DFW-BUD-DFW (2 people) and BUD-DFW-BUD (just you). <S> The advantage of the second method is that you can ensure your daughter and you will be sitting next to each other, since you are booking the tickets for both of you in the same step. <S> However, it might be worth comparing prices between the two methods, because in general trips originating in Dallas are not necessarily equally priced to trips originating in Budapest, so you might end up saving money with the first method. <S> If you do decide to make three bookings, book your daughter's and your ticket directly consecutively to ensure you get the seats that you want. <A> The travel agent option is probably a lot less headache than talking to an airline booking agent directly. <A> This started as a comment on Mophotla but it expanded so much <S> it needs be an answer. <S> First, the two bookings trick is a great trick. <S> To expand on the three bookings booking process: search with whatever engine you prefer but book with the airlines directly. <S> I checked Air France , British Airways , Air Canada and all of them offer seats after booking any time before check in for a fee. <S> I heartily recommend subscribing to Expertflyer -- for five dollars a month you can look at the seat map before booking: <S> The results look like this . <S> As a footnote, towards Budapest I found it much, much better to have a short flight first in North America <S> then the long one. <S> Waiting hours in the morning in Europe after the overnight transatlantic flight is brutal. <S> I absolutely refuse to do this and check into a hotel instead if my routing is such.
| The best way I've found to make this kind of booking is either: Get a travel agent to do it for you, they can "link" separate tickets and arrange seating, or Decide which airline you want to fly, call the airline booking line, and work through it with them on the phone.
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Why are UK visa biometrics appointments suspended at USCIS Application Support Centers? Today (April 2nd 2019), my family had an appointment at USCIS ASC Washington location. At the appointment, we were told that ASC has suspended the processing of UK visa biometrics until further notice. We have a Schengen visa appointment date on April 29th so now we are not sure what our options are. Due to unanticipated events we are unable to accept UK visa applicants at this time. We are working closely with the UK to resolve this and hope to begin processing again soon. Affected customers should monitor the following web page, which will provide an alert when service has been restored, at which point you will be able to return to this ASC to complete your appointment. Does anyone know what these unanticipated events are? Do we have any other option to fast track UK visa? And I am curious why we've received this updated only through some third party vendor (VFS global) and not through an official UK communication channel. UPDATE: We used the VFS Bronze package on 10th April 2019. UPDATE 2:Received email from VFS that our passports are shipped(06th May 2019). Hopefully, we will receive it tomorrow. UPDATE 3:The issue was resolved long back and ASC now schedules the appointments. <Q> According to the VFS Global website : Biometric enrolment services provided for UK visa customers at US Dept. of Homeland Security Application Support Centers (ASCs) are temporarily suspended. <S> Work is ongoing to restore service as soon as possible – please monitor this page for updates. <S> Customers with ASC appointments this week are advised to monitor this page for updates to confirm that service has been restored, before travelling to their chosen ASC location. <S> If you are an affected customer and have missed your appointment due to this service interruption, you may present at your chosen ASC location on a ‘walk-in’ basis, as soon as you see the message on this page that service has been restored. <S> Normal service is in place across all 10 US VFS Premium Application Centres and available to all UK visa customers. <S> Please note that services at these locations attract additional charges. <S> Click ‘Premium Application Centres’ from the choices above for more information. <A> IF you visit the link given in the letter you posted , you will see a link to a message about the disruption , which says in part: <S> Please note that services at these locations attract additional charges. <S> Click ‘Premium Application Centres’ from the choices above for more information. <S> This answers your second question. <A> More information about this: Article in the Guardian, 16 April 2019 says the problem arose because the UK missed a payment to USCIS. <S> Specifically, it says that a UK payment didn't clear before its deadline. <S> It doesn't explain how it is possible that such a problem could happen by mistake. <S> It says that the alternative, applying at VFS premium application centers, can cost nearly $2,000 "for a fast-track service". <S> Post from BAL (law firm), 10 April 2019 explains that applicants can either wait for the problem to be resolved, or go to VFS premium application centers. <A> There are 4 solutions - If there's still a lot of time for travel, then wait for services togo back up. <S> If you have time, then Create a new visa application,and use VFS premium ASC centre, and bronze service right away. <S> Create a refund request for older application. <S> Link for this wouldbe on payment confirmation email. <S> If short on time and in hurry,create new application and purchase silver package VFS for fasterprocessing. <S> If have 3-4 weeks before travelling, wait little longer for the service at ASC to go backup. <S> Once it does, then buy the premium processing service ($289). <S> Note this is not at premium location so do this ONLY if ASC service is back up. <S> This will take 5-7 days for processing so you can make up for the lost time. <S> Hope <S> this helps.
| Normal service is in place across all 10 US VFS Premium Application Centres and available to all UK visa customers.
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US citizen flying to France today and my passport expires in less than 2 months I'm an American citizen and I have a flight out to France today. One of my travel companions informed me that having a passport that expires in less than 2 months (on June 19th) might be a problem. Will I be able to travel or am I not going? <Q> From Visa policy of the Schengen area : To be able to enter the Schengen Area/Bulgaria/Croatia/Cyprus/Romania visa waiver, the above Annex II nationals are required to: have a travel document which is valid for at least 3 months after the intended date of departure and which has been issued in the previous 10 years <A> To expand on Greg's answer , which already covers why you won't be allowed to enter the Schengen area, you might be interested in knowing that you can get a US passport in a hurry for an extra $60 ( <S> slightly more if you have them send the renewed passport by post). <A> I would recommend asking the airline to change your departure date and drive to the nearest passport agency or center. <S> Set up an appointment online while on the way there and get two passport photos taken. <S> Bring your old passport. <S> They can usually get you a passport in about 4-6 hours. <S> Probably too late for OP, but hopefully it helps future travelers. <A> TLDR: Was in exact same situation. <S> Air France did not stop us from going or even comment on my passport expiring in 2.5 months. <S> I was in the exact same situation, was flying to Paris (CDG) from Salt Lake City (SLC) and my passport expired in less than 2.5 months. <S> At the boarding gate, they called my wife and I to check our passports / validity and luckily let us go through. <S> We were initially thinking of cancelling anything but decided it was worth the risk as we wouldn't have gotten much back on the airfare. <S> Hope it worked out for you too! <S> Remember to renew your passport as soon as you're back!
| If your passport expires in less than two months, then unfortunately you will likely be refused boarding your plane by your airline.
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Why does my laptop charger not work with this adapter? I just bought this adapter at the hotel because I forgot to bring mine from home. For some reason my laptop is not charging when I use this. My charger works until ~250V and the adapter accepts 240V. <Q> As the photo shows it's fused. <S> The fuse might be blown. <S> It happened to me before with these adapters, almost none of them adhere to the relevant standards <S> so problems are expected (the adapter on the photo accepts a US and an Australian plug besides the EU plug you have, there is no standard allowing for that). <S> If the hotel room has a nightlight with a plug , you can use it as a tester or you can plug somewhere else. <S> There's a switch next to the UK plugs, try both directions. <A> Having used the same kind of adapter for the same kind of plug, I assume there is something wrong with the actual adapter. <S> That might be the fuse (which is mentioned on the face of it visible in the photo) or some of the wiring inside. <S> (The fuse is also mentioned in one of the other answers.) <S> As you bought it in a hotel to use in that hotel, I would go back and ask them to replace it. <S> That is <S> after you have tested it in an other outlet, checked the switch on the outlet was in the right position, the plug did fit well enough in the adapter to make a good connection and other simple checks you can think up. <S> It might indeed be that your particular adapter does not work with your particular plug, in that case a decent seller will take it back and return your money. <S> Or at least replace it with one that is working. <S> Small warning, you will never get an earthed connection with this combination, as the earth parts do not match. <A> So this does not go answered the plug on the left which we are all assuming is the OP's charger is a common type in some other countries in Europe (hence the tag EU) and adapters to use it in the UK (question tagged UK) look absolutely nothing like the one shown which is for visitors from elsewhere. <S> They would usually have two holes positioned to accept the pins and possibly the clips which ensure earthing with plugs which have contacts on the circumference. <S> They are unlikely to have the pin which is an alternative earthing system. <S> So the conclusion must be that the OP has been sold the wrong adapter possibly as a misunderstanding of what country they came from.
| The other possibility the socket doesn't have power.
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Japan - Any leeway for max visa duration due to unforeseen circumstances? I plan to go to Japan on a regular tourist visa, which is valid for 90 days. I was wondering what the consequences are of missing the return flight (assuming I wasn't at fault, like a cancelled flight, or illness preventing me from travelling, etc.). Should I take that into account and only book 85 days, or are they understanding if the cause for the delay is out of my control? For the sake of argument assume I am not a citizen of one of the six countries which can extend the tourist visa by another 90 days while in Japan. <Q> Give yourself some leeway with your departure date. <S> Don’t rely on ‘understanding’ from Immigration officials of any country if you overstay your visa. <S> In Japan, according to https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/japan/entry-requirements and https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Japan.html for example, overstaying may lead to eg arrest, detention, fine, re-entry ban. <S> Even if ‘force majeure’ circumstances may apply, why knowingly take the risk for the sake of a few extra days on your trip? <S> You’d also have to declare the overstay on any future visa applications for jurisdictions that ask about travel history eg UK. <A> Assuming you have not yet passed through the exit passport control, visit your nearest immigration office before your allowed period of stay expires and explain the situation (if you are so incapacitated as to be unable to go in time, at least get someone to call them). <S> If your reason can be construed as legitimate, they will just hand you an Application for Extension of Period of Stay form, you fill it, you go to a nearby convenience store or post office to purchase the required revenue stamps, and they'll give you the necessary extension to catch your flight ( <S> and no more). <S> Usual caveats, the risk of having an application denied is never zero, blah blah. <S> In reality, as long as you are honest and not trying to game the system, they have no interest in making your life difficult. <S> This is not the UK. <A> Japan has outbound passport control at the airport, so the big question will be when your flight is cancelled and which side of the passport control desk you are standing on when your visa expires. <S> If your departure flight is cancelled before you get to the airport <S> you will not get a boarding pass, will therefore not get past security and therefore will not be able to "depart" the country. <S> You have a boarding pass, you presented your passport to immigration who stamped "Departed" right beside your tourist visa. <S> You have now officially left Japan. <S> If your airline declines to take you anywhere, immigration will either re-admit you to the country or suggest some place in the terminal building. <S> Your gamble is which one of those will happen. <S> If you are on the last day of your visa and the first case happens, you had better hope immigration is in a good mood, because they have NO obligation to do anything for you at this point. <S> Or you buy a same-day ticket to anywhere else. <S> Just book a departing flight at 85 days. <S> Especially if you are coming in typhoon season (June-October). <S> If you (or future readers) are thinking of cutting it close, don't forget that "90 days" and "3 months" are NOT the same.
| If your departure flight is cancelled at the gate, then you are fine.
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How to Plan a Route for Long Distance Bike Trip In Europe I am planning on doing a long distance bike trip through part of Europe. I would like to start in Amsterdam and bike through the Netherlands, parts of Belgium, France, Luxembourg, and Germany and end in Switzerland. I have found that OpenStreepMaps has a very useful "Cycle Map" layer which displays many bike routes. However, when I look up biking directions on Google Maps or OpenStreetMaps, it routes me on many roads. I would prefer to stay on as many bike routes as possible, especially since there are so many in the region. Is there a good way to get directions using only bike routes? Or a good way to create and save my own custom route? <Q> I would suggest at least basing a route on one or more of the EuroVelo routes. <S> Particularly Route 5 and Route 15 . <S> https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EuroVelo <S> http://www.worldbiking.info/wordpress/2018/02/eurovelo-easy-way-cycle-europe/ <S> It should save quite a lot of planning time and the routes are more or less signposted. <S> In terms of a tool for selecting a route manually, I have long been impressed by Ride With GPS's mapping functionality. <A> Use a dedicated bike route planner. <S> For the Netherlands and Belgium you will find several or even many. <S> Search on fiets route planner or try in your preferred language. <S> There are planners which combines those. <S> Fietsvakantie is one of them. <S> This page tells you how to use this site. <S> It combines long distance bike routes into one long route for you, giving several options where there are more routes. <S> In 'overige route voorkeuren' (other route preferences) you can select routes with sign posts, routes with GPS (satnav) and to avoid ferries. <S> Once you have found which routes are useful for you, you can buy them from this site but you can also search online and often get them for free elsewhere. <S> One site where you can find long distance cycle routes in the Netherlands is this one of the cyclist union. <S> The sites I linked to here are mostly to show what is around, there are more sites specific for long distance bicycle trips. <A> There will be quite a lot of road in there, so I think you're best off using a tool that routes well on roads, and pulling it onto bike paths where you can. <S> I've done quite a few (part-day) chunks of Euro-velo 6, and that includes quite a lot of road, most but not all of which is quiet. <S> By sticking too rigidly to maximising bike paths you can end up having to join them with some nasty stuff. <S> I take a multi-tool approach to route planning. <S> For me the biggest requirement is getting out a GPX file of the route I planned. <S> If you can get a reasonably detailed map of a long-distance route that goes in roughly the right direction, it's easy to re-create it, but note that many long-distance routes use quite a lot of road. <S> As a primary tool in the UK and France, I use Strava's route builder . <S> It's quite good at routing on quiet roads, with the "popularity" option turned on. <S> If you're touring you may want to use the "minimise elevation" options to route round hills. <S> The crucial feature in its favour though is that you can drag unlimited points on the route onto the road/track you want. <S> I tend to have OSM and Google maps open in other tabs at the same time (also Cafe Network to plan my stops <S> but that's mainly a UK thing). <S> I initially tend to let Strava auto-route segments of up to about 100 km between points <S> I think I want to stop at (perhaps using Google Maps to generate an overview). <S> Then I tweak the route by hand. <S> Street view is good here if you have the slightest suspicion about the road; some bike paths are on it too. <S> Caveats: <S> The popularity option can pick up busy commuter routes in cities as it works on rides logged within Strava (many users log their commutes, which tend to be more direct than bike paths). <S> Toggling it and looking at the difference in route can help a lot. <S> High in the Alps <S> I found it could route along some rough dirt roads when I was looking to bag cols (so my destination was rather remote). <S> Routing between places normal people would like to visit this wasn't an issue.
| For long distance travel, as you are planning, I would use long distance bike routes.
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Did USCIS resume its biometric service for UK visa? Service has been suspended since Mar 29th. It looks like all the new applicants are allowed to reserve appointment with USCIS for biometrics (see: Steps after appointment booking from USA for UK visa, vfs global registration confusion? ) Did anyone successfully finish biometric process at USCIS post Mar 29th? Sometimes the website does not get updated, leaving people in the dark. This information will help the affected people to plan. <Q> I too went for an appointment at the USCIS Applicaiton Support Center yesterday (8th April). <A> I went for the appointment to a USCIS center yesterday. <S> They basically told me that services were suspended for non-payment. <S> So I came back home and found this and other thread on google. <S> You can still book an appointment but you cannot get biometrics done. <S> I called the paid no. <S> In the UK as well <S> and they said to keep monitoring the VFA global site for updates. <A> This service resumed on the 17th April and is no longer considered an issue. <S> VFS has even deleted the news from its web site.
| Right at the reception I was told that for UK visa bio-metrics, the service is suspended and I should keep checking the website 'news' section for updates.
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Can customers really request a return of restaurant food in the USA? In the US version of the TV show Kitchen Nightmares , I see customers returning food for any reason. But when I am in the US, I pointed out problems with the food in restaurants. They apologized but didn't give me replacements and just asked me to pay. In the first occasion, the worker sneezed on my plate. The restaurant owner says that is normal for a person to sneeze and they can't do anything about it. In the second case, I had pizza with crust that was still dough, clearly not finished cooking. They still asked me to pay for it. Should I be able to expect replacement food in such cases? Can they call the police if I refuse to pay? <Q> Yes, typically you can return food if you have not eaten any/much of it . <S> I would never accept food that I saw someone sneeze on, and what you were told is nonsense. <S> Frankly <S> if I were told that I'd get up and leave, not paying the bill. <S> Legally though I don't know if there is any requirement to "make things right" or not. <S> Certainly if you haven't paid yet (and have not eaten / <S> drunken anything you'd have to pay for) just leaving works. <S> It possible they could call the police, although I don't know what the ramifications of that would be. <S> The police might make you pay, they might not, they might tell both of you to work it out yourselves. <S> In the case of the pizza if you paid upfront, you probably don't have a lot of options. <S> In both cases, leaving a bad Yelp review or equivalent can always be done without worry. <S> Fortunately most restaurants are not as crumby as the ones you went to and will offer to remake the food at the very least, or not charge you for the portion which was done poorly. <S> Its not the whole meal keep in mind, just the thing they messed up, unless they really valuable. <S> I've had times where my wife's dinner was done improperly, and the restaurant comped both of our meals and offered free deserts too, but we are regulars there. <S> One final thing; "any" reason will not fly. <S> Usually if something is improperly cooked, over-salted, has a hair in it, etc. <S> , restraunts will try to make right, but if you simply didn't like the dish and otherwise there was nothing wrong, most would probably not do anything. <A> In addition to Andy's suggestions, if the restaurant is giving you food that they sneezed on, that will be of concern to the state or local department of public health . <S> I would encourage you to contact them and submit a description of what happened. <S> (If you're ever in a similar situation, simply threatening that you will tell the department of public health can sometimes make a difference.) <A> and you can totally argue with the restaurant owner without fear (as @Andy said, at least if they intend to run the place for more than a week!) <S> Although with all good intentions, the reason I don't go over legal advice is that sometimes the questioner or whoever sees these questions later, don't live here and not familiar with how things work. <S> Anything that smells court or police involvement, may scare someone to an extent of not saying anything and prefer a mistreat over a dispute with the restaurant!
| Just to simplify, I'd say you don't need to accept food that's sneezed on
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Is there a service that would inform me whenever a new direct route is scheduled from a given airport? On weekends, I like booking cheap direct flights and flying to see a new city. However the number of direct routes from my airport is not that large and I'm always on the lookout for new destinations to pop up for booking. Is there a website that can automate this for me and send me a notification whenever there are new direct flights from my local airport? <Q> By convention, the Wikipedia articles on airports include a table of airlines and (nonstop) destinations, which seems to get updated fairly promptly by avgeeks/crowdsourcing (and it includes upcoming service with the start date noted). <S> First, you could simply check the article on your airport periodically. <S> For automation, depending on your IT skills, you could program a script to download the page periodically and see if the table has changed. <S> Or, you could use Wikipedia itself or another service to set up an email alert when the article is updated, and could even try to limit or filter the emails to when the destinations section is updated if there are a lot of noise updates. <A> As a frequent traveller and maintainer of OpenFlights , I'd love it if there was such a thing, but I'm not aware of any such global service and up-to-date route/schedule data in general is pretty tightly locked down with copyrights. <S> What I do instead is subscribe to relevant blogs and news sites . <S> Some random examples: <S> Australian Business Traveller keeps a close eye on flights to/from Australia. <S> Most airports and regional aviation authorities also have news feeds that contain updates about new routes; for example, here's Finavia's news for Finland. <A> Since you're interested in specific city the number of airports you're considering seems limited. <S> You may check if they have some sort of a newsfeed/rss on the airport page. <S> I may be wrong, but airports like to brag about any new routes they managed to attract to the airport so the info should be on their webpage. <S> Check if they don't have a newsletter to sign up for. <S> Even if the answer is no, still all airports I have ever checked have a page for departures/arrivals schedule (not the next x, but the plan for the whole week). <S> Use a tool to track changes on such pages. <S> As mentioned in a comment to a different answer, there are browser add-ons (I used to use UpdateScanner for Firefox, I don't know if it is still working though) to do that. <S> Another option you may consider is looking for some newspapers regarding airliners or aviation. <S> If there is anything local enough, they may be listing this kind of information (according to their publishing schedule, so probably once a month). <S> Either case you'll also get some extra junk but that you can rule out by using filters/rules in your mailbox. <S> Changes tracking on the departures page is probably least vulnerable to false positives (i.e. you're notified when there's actually nothing interesting changed).
| Routes Online is a firehose of global updates, with tags that you can use to keep an eye on individual airlines and airports ( example ).
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Transportation in Netherlands: to and around Amsterdam In June, I plan to visit Amsterdam for 4 days. We will need to travel to Hoofdorp and Bussum to visit relatives. In the past I have stayed at hotels in the Hoofdorp area that provide parking as part of the lodging fee (i.e. not downtown), which worked out well with the rental car. We would like to stay at hotel very close to the Centraal train station in Amsterdam, because I can walk to the attractions. It would seem that from parking stand point, a 3 day continuous auto rental would not be cost effective and impractical (unless the local downtown rental company were to overnight parking . What are the travel options to rural areas like Hoofdorp and Bussum from Centraal Train Station? I seek to understand and compare options with respect to time (primary) and financial (secondary) cost. <Q> It would depend on where exactly you need to be in those places. <S> But if staying in a hotel near Amsterdam Central Station is a must, it would probably make sense to use public transport . <S> The public transport planner for The Netherlands is called 9292 . <S> There is a direct train to Hoofddorp <S> , it's a 22 minute ride and costs € 5.30 per person, one way. <S> And you may need a connecting bus, or ask your relatives to pick you up. <S> However, if you're carrying a lot of luggage, this may still be a hassle. <S> To Naarden-Bussum station, it's basically the same story: <S> A 26 minute train ride (or 29 to Bussum-Zuid), with possibly a bus. <S> The train costs € 5.10 per person, one way. <S> Hoofddorp would be a little over an hour, Bussum an hour and a half. <S> This would cost maybe € 15–20 per day for a 7-speed bike, or € 35–40 for an electric bike. <S> A taxi to either of these places would probably be around € 70–90 . <S> This might be more convenient than public transport and probably slightly faster, depending on the exact address. <A> I second Berend for the options of public transport. <S> Very convenient, reliable and not too expensive. <S> If you do prefer to drive yourself and prefer to be flexible, you might find using a car sharing platform easy. <S> In downtown Amsterdam, you'll find car2go for example. <S> It's a bunch of cars to share which are parked throughout the city. <S> These you can use to drive in and around Amsterdam. <S> Bussum and Hoofddorp should work fine. <S> Make sure you register upfront. <S> Please note: I've never used these myself (never had the need). <S> I did see people using them a lot though. <A> From your wording it would seem that you are traveling together. <S> In this case, the abovementioned €5.30 would result in €20 <S> + if you are with two people in one day. <S> That still leaves you at the train station of Hoofddorp or Bussum. <S> Walking to the right location might easily take you 30-45 minutes. <S> Therefore, I would in fact suggest to rent a car after all. <S> It gives you a big amount of freedom and flexibility.
| Parking near the Amsterdam Central Station can be as cheap as €10/day (if you reserve): https://www.interparking.nl/en/find-parking/IJDock/ If you're feeling adventurous, and weather permitting, you could rent a bike .
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Crossing US/Canada Border for less than 24 hours I don't cross the Canadian border by vehicle to the USA very often, and I'm not sure if it will pose a problem that I am crossing for an appointment with a tattoo artist in the morning, returning back later that same day after getting my tattoo. I would have some US cash with me, and would spend most of it by credit card. I would be spending upwards of $1,000, but not in goods and wouldn't be bringing any goods back. Does anyone foresee any reason why there may be a problem with spending less than 24 hours there? Are there any rules on how much you can spend in that time period? <Q> Some go shopping, some visit family, some visit tourist attractions, some have business meetings, some simply want to eat in a fast food restaurant that only exists in the US. <S> Some commute to the US on a daily basis. <S> There is absolutely nothing unusual about visiting the US for less than 24 hours. <A> In the early 1990s, I lived in Windsor, a Canadian border town. <S> Back in the day, every Saturday morning I would cross the border into Detroit. <S> I would drive a couple of miles on I-75, get off at Mack Ave, fill up my car, turn around, and come back to Canada. <S> At the border, on both sides, I would truthfully answer that I was crossing for 20 minutes to get gas. <S> Even with paying the tunnel crossing fee, it was worth it. <S> Granted, things are different now, but still people on both sides of the border routinely cross for less than 24 hours. <S> I have family and friends in Windsor and Detroit who do it at least once a week. <S> When asked your purpose of visit, tell the truth that you're going to see a tattoo artist. <S> Good luck with your tattoo. <A> To address the question of monetary spending limits, they only apply to goods that you bring back to Canada, as clearly stated in the customs declaration form. <S> Services paid for and received outside the country are not subject to any limits. <A> My relative made a less-than-24-hour trip from USA to Canada while carrying a large amount of cash (~$600). <S> Canadian border officials were not concerned with his entry into Canada. <S> However, upon his return into the United States, US Customs became very suspicious of his brief visit, and after determining that he was carrying a large quantity of cash decided to detain him while they conducted a full vehicle search. <S> Of course they found nothing, as he was not engaged in any illicit conduct, but the ordeal was both stressful and time-consuming. <S> I would recommend bringing minimal amounts of cash into the United States so as not to arouse any suspicion of ill intent.
| Literally thousands and thousands of people every day cross into the US from Canada for less than a day.
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Any documents to show when entering USA with ESTA? We'll be soon flying to the US using our ESTA for the first time.We're staying at our relative's place but we will be the ones supporting ourselves financially. Are there any documents (apart from the passport of course) that we might need to bring with us to show to the Immigration Officer of the US? I would assume they want to know that we do have the means to support ourselves? Is it a good idea to have cash in your wallet? If most of the money is on a credit card, do we need to have bank statements to show that? Thanks,Sorry for the dumb questions. P.S. Travelling as a family, everyone is employed full-time in their respective countries of residence (same nationality however). <Q> No, your passport is sufficient. <S> All official sources claim that you don't need a printout of your ESTA, and I have never heard of it being requested as paper. <S> Many people print it anyway, for peace of mind, but don't worry. <S> They might - depending on their mood, line length, and their impression of you, ask you some questions; like how long you plan to stay, where, if you have money, etc. <S> As long as you have valid answers, they don't want to see anything. <S> Claiming 'I'll use my credit card' is sufficient. <S> Sometimes they ask to see your return ticket; but showing an email with the booking comfirmationon your cell phone is sufficient. <S> Note that as a family, you should go together to the counter. <S> Nothing bad happens if you don't, just it takes three times as long. <A> While Aganju's answer is technically correct, I'll share some of my own experience. <S> We (family of 6, from New Zealand, boarding in New Zealand) were denied check-in until we could show we had ESTAs. <S> Before allowing us to even begin the self-check-in process used the kiosks at the airport we had to provide proof of the ESTA. <S> He told us we should have had them printed and ready, and that we should have them for all future flights also. <S> Once I got the laptop fired up and into our emails to show our ESTA he allowed us to begin. <S> Until then it seemed to be no proof of ESTA, no fly. <A> Update: Came to the US today. <S> Didn't need a printed ESTA and surprisingly no one even mentioned ESTA throughout the whole journey from the point of arriving at the airport to the point of walking on the streets of New York (flew with Virgin Atlantic). <S> At the immigration, we were asked the purpose of visit/what we are seeing here to which I also mentioned we had a relative here who we're visiting. <S> And then we were asked when we are planning to leave and whether all of us (me and my parents) were going to leave together/same day. <S> And then they took the fingerprints, a photo <S> and we got a 3 month stamp. <S> We literally only needed our passports (no other print outs or documents) and to answer 2-3 questions. <S> That's just my story and it might be due to the mood of the immigration, the stars, our luck (as it was considerably easier than some stuff that I've read on here).
| Depending on your airline (and your departure country), you might get a paper boarding pass at check-in, but you don't need it either on arrival - it would only be for entering the plane.
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Is there public access to the Meteor Crater in Arizona? Is there public access for hiking or what not in the Meteor Crater in Arizona? <Q> However, it doesn't appear to be possible to walk around on your own. <S> Access to the floor of the crater is not allowed, according to a representative of the company on TripAdvisor: <S> Thank you very much for your inquiry. <S> Our guests may not walk down into the crater for a couple of specific reasons. <S> One is that scientific research is conducted at the Meteor Crater on a regular basis so it is very important to maintain the integrity of the Crater basin. <S> The other reason is to ensure the safety of our guests. <S> We do have guided rim tours (weather permitting) that are conducted by our knowledgeable, friendly rim tour guides. <S> I would encourage you to make time to take a guided rim tour - you will not be disappointed. <S> We appreciate your inquiry! <S> Best regards, <S> The Team at Meteor Crater <S> Similar posts from a company representative are found on this TripAdvisor post and <S> this TripAdvisor post as well. <S> It is unclear, from what I've been able to find online, whether you can walk around the rim on your own or whether you must take part in a guided tour. <S> It is also unclear how far around the crater these tours (and trails) go, though the clues I've found online make me suspect that it's prohibited to go all the way around without special permission. <A> It's not public in the sense that you can just walk there wherever you want. <S> The crater is owned by a private company , which operates a visitor center and guided tours for a fee. <S> It looks on Google Maps as if the crater itself is also fenced. <A> No there isn't. <S> The entry price is 18 $ and there is no other way to visit the crater. <A> No. <S> But @rmaddy posted a link to an excellent albeit somewhat niche alternative <S> Failing that, you can get quite a good overall feel from the viewing platform. <S> ALBUM - <S> > <S> Here's an album of photos [or bit.ly/rm_meteorcrater or http:// <S> bit.ly/rm_meteorcrater] ] <S> that I took in 2003 with a then topline 7Hi 'bridge camera'. <S> Despite it's now passe 5 Mp resolution it gives a good impression. <S> (You need a facebook account to view these. <S> Until recently facebook provided a means to provide a link that non-account holders could use. <S> Sadly that feature vanished in March 2019 - whether intentionally or as a result of FB spaghetti bowl programming- <S> as happens). <S> If anyone who is wise enough not to have a FB account desperately wants to see these I could post a copy on Googlephotos. <S> Editors: Please leave the url shortener alone. <S> This gives me a count of number of people who view the album (and NO ip details) and shows me if my efforts are worthwhile. <S> If you remove that it makes it less likely that I will be bothered in future to take the effort to make an album to address a question. <S> Bitly links have not broken over the last 10+ years I've been using them - if they break it's because the album has gone. <S> Add a + at the end of the URL if you want to check source. <S> A direct URL is hardly safer as an anti-spam measure.
| The company that owns the crater notes that there are guided rim walks and a few separate lookout points from which you can see the crater.
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Flight departed from the gate 5 min before scheduled departure time. Refund options This was Alaska Airlines flight from SJC to LAX. We ran later than we usually do on our way to flights and so we ended up reaching the gate 2 min before the scheduled departure time. On our way from the security check to the gate we didn't hear any call for our names asking us to make it to the gate asap. (Not that we were loitering around. We were running to the gate which was at the end of that terminal.) So anyhow, we reached there 2 min prior but were advised that the flight already left and the gate was closed. We bought a ticket from SFO and continued with the rest of our trip because there was no point arguing as the flight had already left. We were very upset and I am looking into what can be done. A few things that I am not sure of here: Flights can leave ahead of time (but that is if all passengers have already boarded or there is a clear indication of no-show in that the gate is advised that some passengers didn't even checkin at the airport AND they have approval by the ATC of course). We did checkin and so we shouldn't have been marked no-show. Departure time is time to leave the gate and not take-off. Confirm this. How could I prove the airline left minutes ago? Could I ask the airlines for the record of the flight on that particular day? If I do prove this, can we ask for any sort of compensation? Any other advice (other than "don't go that late"). As I said, it doesn't always happen but when it happens we should know our options. <Q> I have seen times required between x=10 and x=60 minutes, but never less than 10 minutes. <S> In other words, if you miss this limit, it's your own problem, and they don't owe you anything. <S> For Alaska Air, it is here: https://www.alaskaair.com/content/travel-info/at-the-airport/airport-boarding-times <S> Boarding: <S> You must be checked in with a valid boarding pass at the gateno later than 30 minutes before your flight. <S> Being late may cause thecancellation of your reserved seats and/or your entire reservation. <S> If you ask at the counter right away and nicely, many airlines will get you on the next flight, for a small fee or even for free. <S> But they do <S> not owe you that. <A> So anyhow, we reached there 2 min prior but were advised that the flight already left and the gate was closed. <S> Say the flight "departure time" is 10:40:00 <S> You simply can't arrive very close to that time. <S> You have to arrive before the "gate closes" . <S> That's that. <S> The time the gate closes is indeed given on the boarding pass stub , and elsewhere in many places. <S> It's usually ten, twenty or thirty minutes before the stated departure time. <S> Perhaps 10:20:00 in the example. <S> Regarding your four questions <S> : 1) <S> You checked in, but, did not make it to the gate before the gate closed. <S> This is totally commonplace. <S> (Indeed, I'd guess that most folks who don't make it to the gate in time, were already checked in.) <S> 2) "Departure time" is neither literally the time the aircraft leaves the gate nor take-off time. <S> So there's nothing to "confirm". <S> "Departure time" is a nominal time. <S> {Note too that FWIW, the airbridge moving away, doors being locked etc, are all different from literally "the wheels beginning to roll".} <S> The gate closes at a certain time (10:20 in the example) and that's that. <S> Everything after that simply depends on airport operations. <S> 3) You can get that info on the various tracking sites, eg flightaware.com. <S> But it's totally irrelevant because (sorry for the bad luck) you did not make it to the gate by the "time the gate closes". <S> (Interestingly, I've noticed that many/most boarding passes now only display the gate closing time, rather than displaying the "departure time". <S> I guess this is sensible <S> but I find it confusing, personally!) <A> I ran into this problem twice about 15 years ago with American Airlines – first time at the gate 10 minutes before scheduled departure, the second 15 minutes before, and each time already gone. <S> Both times they rebooked me for later flights, but weren't apologetic about it. <S> Second time, it completely messed up my itinerary (I needed to connect with someone else arriving at the destination about the same time, for further travel by car to somewhere <S> I didn't have the address for, and everyone else involved had unlisted numbers. <S> Disaster.) <S> Oh well. <S> Several years later I was very interested when The New York Times wrote a story about the fact that this had become official policy of AA, and that it had finally become enough of a PR black eye (as social media grew in prominence) for them to stop it. <S> But what was interesting was why they did it in the first place - because they found in focus groups/surveys <S> that: travelers glanced at their watches as they pulled back from the gate, and this moment anchored their future impression/recollections of whether the airline was efficient and timely; travelers assigned blame for delays to the airline if they left the gate late; but not if the airline was delayed out on the tarmac, waiting for clearance to takeoff – then they blamed the airport , or just rotten luck . <S> So it made sense to game their impressions by always leaving early, and if the occasional traveler was inconvenienced, too bad. <A> Most boarding passes will have two times printed, the boarding time, and the departure time. <S> Boarding time is typically 45 minutes before the departure time. <S> Boarding is usually open for 15 minutes starting at the boarding time. <S> If you do not get to the gate within 15 minutes of the boarding time, you are counted as a no-show. <S> In Heathrow, you have to be there a full hour before your flight's departure time, or else the security gates will not even let you enter the secure zone of the airport. <S> This happened to me once. <S> Got stuck in London traffic, arrived during the fifteen minute boarding time, but the service counter for the airline had already closed, and the security gate scans the boarding pass to let you in. <S> It would not accept my boarding pass. <S> The airline counted it as a "no-show" so I had to buy another ticket.
| If you check your ticket, it will say something like ' all passenger must be at the gate and ready to board x minutes before the scheduled time, or they forfeit their flight '. You typically can apply for a refund of the tax and fee part of the ticket price, as they haven't paid those taxes/fees if you are not on the flight, but the remaining part of the ticket might be lost (as are all follow-up legs of the flight), depending on the airlines conditions.
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As a dual citizen, my US passport will expire one day after traveling to the US. Will this work? As a dual citizen, my US passport will expire one day after traveling to the US (May 4th). I will be staying for one week, flying back to Europe afterwards (where I am a resident). Can I enter with my US passport, and leave with my valid EU passport? I'm flying with Icelandair. Also, in this case I shouldn't try to get an ESTA for my EU passport, right? PS. When trying to use an emergency procedure to renew my US passport, I am not getting any replies from the US consulate. <Q> As a US Citizen - which is what gives you the right to a US Passport, you can stay indefinitely in the US. <S> You are not even required to have a US passport, although that makes it easier to enter the United States. <S> Your passport is valid the day you arrive, so there should not be any problem. <S> You could be coming back to renew your passport as I suggest you do, to make it easier to get back in. <S> Should you not have enough time to do so, you can always have it renewed at a US embassy abroad. <S> Given that you are a US citizen, you are also not eligible for an ESTA. <S> Leaving on any passport is not an issue in the US because the US does not do exit immigration. <S> Airlines do share data telling who is leaving the US but that is not the same as exit immigration. <S> Given your schedule seems a little tight, just procede normally. <S> From there you will have more time to renew your US passport which you can do without the emergency procedure. <S> Just make sure you have all the documentation with you when you leave the US. <S> The US government has all the relevant information on their website here . <A> As a US citizen you cannot be denied entry into the US, regardless whether you have a passport or not or whether it's valid Entering without a valid passport can be pain. <S> The immigration officer will need to let you in eventually <S> but they can make it painful process. <S> Since your passport is valid, you are fine either way. <S> They may grunt at you for a while, but you can just ignore that and say "yes officer" repeatedly. <S> The US has no exit controls, you don't need a US passport to leave the country. <S> Don't use ESTA when dealing with US immigration, use your US passport, expired or not. <A> No US citizen should ever get ESTA. <S> That is for people who do not have any US citizenship. <S> Citizens should enter their own country with their own country's passport. <S> Therefore you should enter the US with a US passport and enter the EU with an EU country's passport. <S> Airlines are concerned with the possibility of you arriving at a country and then being refused entry . <S> They pay fines and penalties if that happens, because airlines are expected to pre-check your paperwork. <S> When they see you are a citizen of the destination country, that puts them at ease because you cannot be refused entry if you are a citizen. <S> America doesn't have exit controls so they don't care how you leave. <S> When boarding a flight to the EU, show your EU passport.
| Enter the US on your still-valid US passport then fly out and enter the EU with your EU passport.
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How will the seats be allocated if I don't reserve one before? I booked two seats for one way flight. The ticket doesn't have seat number yet so I am allowed to select any available seats for a fee usually 2 to 5 USD for a seat. What if I don't select the seats? How will they be allocated? Is it random? I booked via an online travel agency. Company is spicejet airline. <Q> What I usually do is, do not check-in online and go bit early, ask in counter nicely that I prefer a window seat. <S> I always gets the window seat, when asked. <S> I traveled in spicejet and same was the case. <A> They will be randomly distributed at online check-in. <S> Note that if you want to sit together, you can always ask someone in the plane to switch. <S> Unless you got both middle seats...not many people would switch an aisle or window seat to sit in a middle seat. <S> Or you pay to pick your seats. <A> Largely depends on the airline. <S> If there are two of you, most airlines will seat you together after online check-in however some will seat you apart to try and force you to pay for better seats.
| They will assign seats randomly, if you checkin online.
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Would I be safe to drive a 23 year old truck for 7 hours / 450 miles? Apologies in advance if this question should be posted on the mechanics Stack Exchange rather than here, but after seeing a similar question or two, I figure this one may not hurt: I've been driving a '96 Chevy S10 for about five years now, and coming from a family of mechanics and/or vehicle enthusiasts, the truck's been pretty well-maintained in that time frame. I'm on a brand new set of tires (not even two months old), I just refilled the coolant, the oil is fresh, the current heater core has not even had a year of use, etc. It's sitting on about 147k miles. Against all odds, I somehow managed to get an internship for the summer that's all the way in New Jersey. I live in Virginia. I (with the advice of friends that have travel experience, whereas I have none) have already established that it'd be cheaper to drive there (rather than fly), and I would need a vehicle for getting around once I'm there anyways. The route seems to be mostly highway/interstate driving for miles on end, which should be pretty smooth on the truck. So, in summary: Well-maintained '96 Chevy S10 with 147k miles Virginia -> New Jersey, 7hr, 450mi trip Mostly highways/interstates Would it be safe to make the journey? Or is the paranoia from parents justified? Let me know if more information is needed. edit: Is there anything outside of vehicle maintenance/check-up and self-preparation that I may be forgetting that'd be a good idea to prepare for? <Q> Truckers drive much longer distances every day, and the highways you are likely to take (particularly I-95) are major arteries of the US highway system. <S> This could mean AAA, carrying your own spare parts and tools (which you know how to use), or any other contingency plan. <S> If relying on AAA, you may want to verify that your cell service provider has adequate coverage over the entire route. <S> It may also be a good idea to have a mechanic check the truck, but this is not a substitute for AAA or a repair kit. <S> Nobody is ever going to give you an absolute guarantee that the truck won't break down. <S> Plan to stop. <S> Seven hours is short enough to do it all at once, in principle, but I-95 has plenty of rest areas which you can and should take advantage of. <S> In general, these will consist of a food court, gas station, and bathrooms, and occasionally a miscellaneous shop or two, but the precise set of amenities will vary. <S> Some places may be little more than a parking lot. <S> Much of this region is either urban or suburban, so it's often a safe bet to pick a random exit and start looking around for local restaurants and gas stations. <S> Check a map if uncertain. <S> Drive during the day if possible. <S> Night driving is harder than day driving for most people. <S> You can also re-caffeinate or even sleep at the rest areas, if necessary. <S> However, overnight parking is frowned on in both VA and NJ. <S> If they bother to enforce it, they are fairly likely to just ask you to move along, but you could theoretically get a ticket. <S> Bring paper maps, because paper generally does not run out of batteries. <S> If you will be using your phone to any significant degree, either plug it in to charge, or bring a spare battery. <A> There are quite a few variables, but yes, it should be safe. <S> Get AAA if it helps you sleep at night. <A> There's some level of risk in all travel. <S> And risk in staying at home, for that matter. <S> So there's no way to declare a certain trip to be objectively 'safe'. <S> Best you can do is make sure your car is in good shape and that you know where you are going. <S> VA to NJ is a not a very long drive at all. <S> So if your parents are concerned, why not drive there and back once <S> w/ a family member first? <S> You can probably even do it in one long day if you really want to, switching drivers as needed. <A> To look at another angle of safety of the car and yourself, carjackings are incredibly rare on the interstate simply because of the speed of the vehicles involved (and not involved too). <S> And then the entire state of New Jersey have only seen 184 carjacking offenses in 2016 according to the report and only 17 of the 565 municipalities reported even one. <S> So, the chances of a bump-and-rob is nil on the long drive and not significant on the other end either.
| This is most likely safe, as long as you take reasonable precautions: Plan for the truck to break down. Make sure you get plenty of rest before the trip.
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Arriving in Atlanta after US Preclearance in Dublin. Will I go through TSA security in Atlanta to transfer to a connecting flight? For my specific flights, I'm flying out of Dublin (Terminal 2) which has US customs pre-clearance. I arrive in Atlanta before connecting to San Francisco. I'd like to shop at the duty free store in Dublin, but I don't want to risk having a bottle of whiskey with me in my carry-on luggage if I need to go through TSA security in Atlanta. I'm flying on Delta. EDIT: I actually got rebooked a bit, but my flight was treated as a domestic flight once in the US. I did go through a second security screening in Dublin, however, just prior to passing through customs. <Q> From the TSA's website: <S> Duty Free Liquids: You may carry duty free liquids in secure, tamper–evident bags, more than 3.4oz or 100 ml in your carry-on bag if: The duty free liquids were purchased internationally <S> and you are traveling to the United States with a connecting flight <S> Just make sure you get a STEB (secure tamper evident bag) which is basically a self-sealing plastic bag that has the receipt in it. <S> All duty free stores will know what they are and have them. <S> https://www.tsa.gov/blog/2017/05/25/tsas-2017-summer-travel-tips <A> You will almost certainly NOT have to re-clear security - although you can't definitively rule it out. <S> The vast, vast majority of pre-cleared flights will arrive into their US destination as if they were a "domestic" flight. <S> ie, you will be let out into the departure area of the airport. <S> Technically it is possible that pre-cleared flights can be directed to arrive into the standard international arrivals area, with passengers being forced to go through US immigration/customs a second time. <S> This is incredibly rare, so the odds of it occurring are very low - but officially it can happen. <A> In my experience, when arriving in the US after a pre-clearance flight, you arrive in the post-security area of the terminal, and can catch a connecting flight without going through security at that airport, assuming that the gate you arrive at and the gate you will depart from are connected post-security. <A> Pre-cleared flights usually gate at domestic terminals and deplane direct to the terminal as any other domestic flight. <S> For all practical purposes pre-cleared flights are considered domestic flights from a ground operations perspective. <S> It is theoretically possible but quite unlikely that immigration officers might be waiting for one specific passenger at deplaning, but this would be a very rare occurrence. <S> You may have to change terminals: in ATL this is done via a train that runs under the terminals, but always inside the secure zone so you should not have to go through additional security after deplaning if you have pre-cleared at the point of origin.
| Depending on the airport layout you may need to re-clear security in order to get to your departure gate, however in Atlanta all terminals are connected air-side via the "Plane Train" so this will not be required in your case.
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Travel Transformer from US to Japan (100V -> 120V) Voltage? I'm from the US (120V), and am interested in taking my hot air brush on my study abroad trip to Japan. I'm aware of the voltage difference and similar plugs to the US. The problem is that the only travel transformer I can find is ( https://www.amazon.com/VCT-VT-2000J-Voltage-Converter-Transformer/dp/B004O9WIK8/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=japan+travel+transformer&qid=1556559714&s=gateway&sr=8-1 ) and that really seems like rolling the dice. It has a 64% approval for 5 + 4 stars, and numerous complaints about not being well made. Is there any reliable travel transformer that has decent ratings or a proven track record for 100V -> 120V? <Q> You almost certainly don't need a transformer , since 100V instead of 120V is almost certainly within the tolerance of the device, particularly for a simple heating device like a hot air brush. <S> Fun fact: even in the US, that "120V" can actually be anything between 104V and 126V at the "utilization point" where you plug in your device. <A> If you don't mind something heavy, you can also find transformers for this purpose on amazon.jp. <S> They all look like typical made-in-China adapters of dubious approvals status. <S> Also very heavy but maybe acceptable for a long stay. <S> The advantage is that you could order it in-country if your gadget does not work properly. <S> If your Japanese is good enough to deal with their site, try searching for "昇降圧兼用 変圧器". <S> Some of the reviews are bad because they are trying to use devices with high surge currents such as compressors or refrigerators, which your device should not be. <A> Most devices that people are likely to take with them on a trip from Japan to North America or vice-versa are well-suited to handle both nominal 100 V and nominal 120 V. <S> While there is a (small) market for 100/120 V to 230/240 V transformers to go to or from the European standard from the Japanese/North American one <S> the average consumer will not need any transformation from 100 V to 120 V. <S> On the other hand, Japan has a very big market for consumer electronic devices so if you have any doubts about your hot air brush not being able to handle slightly lower Japanese voltage <S> I would suggest just buying a new one in Japan. <S> Japan also has a well-developed second-hand market so you may well be able to sell it off for a good price when you leave, assuming it’s still in good condition.
| You are most likely not going to find a suitable consumer-targeted transformer to go from 100 to 120 V with their respective tolerances.
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Should I mention being denied entry to UK due to a confusion in my Visa and Ticket bookings? I am an Indian national. I was travelling for an interview to Cork, Ireland in March this year. After my visa was approved (BC only, not BC BIVS), my employer booked the tickets for me via Istanbul and London. At Istanbul Airport I was denied boarding for the onward flight to London. The reason given was that I needed a "BC BIVS" visa and not a "BC" to travel through London. After this, I took a direct flight next day to Dublin instead of London and attended my interview. This was a mistake on the travel agent's side, as he did not see the "BC" on my visa and booked me a flight through London instead of a direct flight to Ireland. Now, I am applying for a long term employment visa for Ireland. Does this count as a refusal to entry? Should I mention this as being denied entry to a country in the visa application form? The exact question in my Long Stay visa application is: "Have you ever been refused entry to, deported from, or otherwise required to leave another country?" <Q> The airline just refused to take you there, which is lucky because, if they had taken you to the UK, it seems that you would have been refused entry. <A> Refusal of entry has a specific meaning, and should be accompanied by a stamp in the passport. <S> So if you are using the same passport and there is no refusal stamp, then you have nothing to fear. <S> You were simply not allowed to travel via the UK because you did not have the right type of visa to transit the UK. <S> As is said above, you have not been refused entry to the UK or to Ireland by any immigration authority. <S> You were merely refused permission to board the aircraft because you did not have the right documentation, just as you would be if you had the wrong ticket. <S> The simple fact is that you have previously been to Ireland for your interview, you did the right thing and left again, complying with your conditions of stay, and now you wish to return there to work and are going through the proper process to do so. <S> That's what work interviews are for! <S> Full marks for wanting to be fully honest and open. <S> If for some unlikely reason the issue of the earlier incident comes up, you should have nothing to fear. <S> Even the most hard-bitten immigration officials know that travel agents are not always competent, and will see from your record that you had no reason to want to enter the UK illegally. <A> I would be inclined to mention it. <S> If you choose not to and they find out then you will likely have a black mark. <S> If you disclose it along with the circumstances (i.e. not your fault, just an error, not attempting to cheat etc), then they will take that into account and probably not even worry about it. <S> In my (limited) experience with these types of authorities, they are generally looking for honesty and openness. <S> At the end of the day, it is hard to say exactly they will view any particular disclosure (or non-disclosure). <S> If you choose not to disclose, then you always have the option of saying that there was a mistake and when it was discovered, you voluntarily modified your travel plans so as to avoid any problems with "refusal of entry". <S> So in your case, you are probably safe either way. <A> Don't mention it. <S> PERIOD. <S> If you give them ANY ammunition, you only get yourself shot. <S> As far as you are concerned, you were not refused entry into the UK or anywhere, it was airline staff that denied you boarding the flight, not any official! <S> Telling them you were denied entry to the flight is only going to make them look into it more and possibly find something else wrong to deny you on. <S> In which case, you did it to yourself. <S> The way it stands: you were not denied entry into anywhere! <S> No one can substantiate any different to that. <S> And your knowledge only extends as far as customs officials permit. <S> My take: <S> IF it <S> EVER comes up, you plead ignorance on the basis you weren't denied entry to anywhere, stating as much and nothing more. <S> I didn't think it bore any relevance since it had nothing to do with (INSERT <S> AGENCY) <S> I was travelling to Ireland, not the UK!!! <S> AND I was only travelling for the purpose of an interview. <S> I was only transiting through the UK, nothing more. <S> That's it!
| You were not refused entry to the UK. There is no need to mention your tale of woe if the application form specifically asks if you have been refused entry to any country.
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Am I banned from flying from Hamburg Airport for not paying custom duties? I live in Netherlands. Last summer I flew from outside of Europe to Hamburg, Germany. Upon my arrival I had two boxes of cigarettes in my suitcase. The custom officer confiscated one of the boxes and asked me to pay for custom duties. No payment option was possible for me at that time, therefore the officer gave me some documents and asked me to pay when I got to Netherlands. I lost the piece of paper, although it was written in German I couldn’t understand all of it - I think something about if I do not pay, the amount will be withdrawn from my bank account through “Dutch Tax Authorities”. I think it also said something about being banned from flying or even entering Germany if I do not pay the duties, but I’m not sure. I couldn’t pay the duties because the bank account information written in the documents were for local payment and I needed IBAN, Swift etc. information to be able to pay the duties. I called them, but they said that they cannot provide anything more than what was included in the initial documents and I should either have paid the amount back then or I should find a way to pay it now. It has been almost a year and I have lost the documents. I tried to contact customs authorities at Hamburg Airport, but they say they need the reference number written in the document that I lost. And they claim that they can not tell me whether I am prohibited from flying or even entering Germany or not. Extra details : I did not know that you are only allowed to have one box in your suitcase. I asked the custom officer whether I could just throw the cigarettes in a trash can, but he said I wasn’t allowed to. I did not get any letter/mail from Hamburg Customs after I lost the initial documents. Dutch Tax Authorities have not asked me to do or pay anything. Edit: I am not a permanent resident of EU, I study in EU. I did not know that I could convert the bank account number into an IBAN etc., and now I do not have those informations anymore. The amount that was due to pay I think was around 78 euro. I don't know the right term, but what I mean is that I had two separate boxes that contained multiple packs of cigarette. I do not remember the exact amount. <Q> However, the relevant law to determine an entry ban or a rejection, the Aufenthaltsgesetz (law concerning the presence in the Federal Republic, rough translation), names only one reason for an entry ban (assuming your documents are in order): namely previously being removed from Germany due to certain crimes. <S> Not paying customs duties is not listed, it would require some kind of additional court conviction. <S> However, you are most likely still required to pay the customs duties you owe and interest and fees may have been added since your original infraction. <S> How this is handled may or may not depend on the mood of the customs officer handling your case on your next entry into Germany and there may or may not be a flag popping up on the screen of the immigration officer when they scan your passport. <S> So I would expect you to be charged when you return. <S> For the record, I would assume that customs does not have access to any type of immigration ban lists. <S> This is because there are two different agencies in Germany: customs ( Zoll or Bundeszollverwaltung in the long form) which handles goods inspections and the federal police ( Bundespolizei , formerly Bundesgrenzschutz ) which performs immigration inspections; quite unlike the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) which performs both duties. <S> I strongly expect German customs to have no access whatsoever to the databases of the federal police except where it explicitly concerns their jobs. <S> Further answers may be able to provide additional elaboration. <A> The German term is Karton or Stange , which is 10 packets. <S> The text implies that you gave your Bank information and that the dutch tax office would book it from your account if no payment arrived. <S> Generally older Account numbers are the base of the iban number, with an added country and bank information. <S> So the Dutch tax office will know how to book it if they truly wanted to. <S> If it has not been done by now, it may have been 'lost' somewhere inside/ <S> inbetween the (very deep) realms of the corresponding buroracicies, so either it will never turn up or it will suddenly turn up in 10 years. <S> Not paying a customs duty is not a crime ( Verbrechen : 12 minimal months jail without suspension or money fine), but a misdemeanor ( Vergehen ) . <S> Strafgesetzbuch (StGB) § 12(1) <S> Verbrechen minimal punishment defined as 1 year <S> French equivalent: crime § 12(2) <S> Vergehen <S> minimal punishment less than 1 year or fine <S> French equivalent: drélit <S> § 56(1) <S> Bewährungstrafe <S> conviction of not more than 1 year <S> Note: <S> Durring my (Reserve) <S> Police training, I remember it so that if a suspension (Bewährungsstrafe) was definded inmn the StGB, it was also considered a Vergehen . <S> Looking this up now, I could not find a conformation for such a claim. <S> Misdemeanor <S> (US law) seems to be definded as 1 year or less <S> https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Misdemeanor-- <S> It is such small fee, that in general such things are forgotten or are determined not worth the effort <S> (Verhältnismäßigkeit der Mittel). <S> If you are very unlucky a bored Official, driven crazy by his over eager apprentice says : 'work through that dusty pile of unfinished offenses'. <S> Then, of course, you are sunk since the apprentice will wish to prove himself. <S> It is possible that after sending it to the Dutch, it was promply forgotten by German customs and 'lost' by the Dutch, since for them there is no gain. <S> Don't let it bother you, sleeping well is more important than worrying about this affair. <A> For future reference, you can check allowances at www.zoll.de . <S> In that case you'll basically be fined by paying up to double the normal duties. <S> Theoretically you could be banned for smuggling or other crimes, but this will only happen if you're a professional smuggler and/or repeat offender. <S> Also, the ban will include immediate removal from the country, and you would certainly know if that happened to you. <S> So, you are almost certainly not banned from entering Germany. <S> You technically still owe the fine, though. <S> It is highly unlikely that anybody even cared, though. <S> As has been said, the customes inspection (Zoll) and immigration (Bundespolizei) are different entities, and it is highly unlikely that the customs offices would go to the trouble of contacting immigrations over a missing 70-something Euros. <S> Thus, it's unlikely that you'll be flagged at immigration. <S> If you are inspected by the customs office again (very rare on intra-EU flights), there is a chance that the unpaid fine could pop up - in which case they'd ask you to pay again. <S> Also, if they catch you smuggling again , they're almost certain to check your history in more detail. <S> The most likely scenario is that they're not keeping track of the whole thing. <S> Also, if you're arriving from the Netherlands, you won't go through immigration in the first place and customs <S> very rarely checks travelers on intra-EU flights.
| In general there will be no criminal prosecution for smuggling if it is "accidental" and the duties on your goods would've been less than 250 EUR ( §32 ZollVG ). You are most certainly not banned from flying into Hamburg airport specifically; if anything, you are banned from entering Germany as a whole.
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Is 1h15m a reasonable time to get through Dulles customs to make a connecting flight at 4 p.m.? We flew United from Narita, with a 1 hour 15 min layover. We were scheduled to leave NRT at 16:10, and arrive at Dulles D gates at 15:50. By the time we got off the plane, it was about 16:00. When we got to customs, there were several hundreds of people in line, all bottlenecked by just 3 agents working. I understand these are two of the busiest times of the day at both ends of the journey, but surely United knows this too, and surely they have an obligation to schedule accordingly. There was some weather delay at Narita, and so our connection time was even shorter. We got through customs and scurried to C concourse at 17:05, the scheduled time for our departure, just in time to see the flight leaving on the schedule board. We were on the hook for overnight expenses, not United, they told us, because it was Narita's fault. Really?? Nobody at United had 12 hours to make sure there would enough customs staff to get us through on time? <Q> Nobody at United had 12 hours to make sure there would enough customs <S> staff to get us through on time? <S> Of course not. <S> Customs and immigration is run by the US government. <S> United (or any other airline) has almost zero control over staffing levels, shift schedule, etc. <S> We were on the hook for overnight expenses, not United, they told us, because it was Narita's fault. <S> Really?? <S> Here are United conditions (to which you agreed, when you booked the flight). <S> https://www.united.com/ual/en/us/fly/travel/flight-delays-and-cancellations.html <S> They are responsible for expenses for a missed connection if they are at fault. <S> This specifically excludes weather and immigration/customs is kind of a gray area. <S> But that's never 100% since there are always things that can go wrong and connection time vary a lot with unpredictable factors. <S> In the end, the passenger has to decide what level of risk they are comfortable with in exchange a convenient connection. <S> If you have Global Entry, TSA precheck, and no checked luggage, you can tolerate a much shorter connection than if you have a passport from "difficult" country and lots of heavy luggage. <S> The airline can't know this, when they create the flight plans, so they need to go for "average". <A> 1 hour 15 min is a reasonable time to make an international connection at Washington Dulles - if you have (for example) <S> Global Entry (and thus PreCheck) and no checked baggage. <S> It is absolutely NOT a reasonable time for (for example) <S> a foreign visitor with checked baggage and no PreCheck. <S> As this is a reasonable connection time for some customers, the airline allows you to book such a tight connection. <S> That doesn't mean that you should do it - it just means that they allow it. <S> As the airline allows you to book a tight connection, they will re-accommodate you on a later flight <S> if you do not make your connection. <S> Technically as your inbound flight was (seemingly) on time, they technically have ZERO requirement to do this, but United (and most other US airline) will do it as a courtesy. <S> Given that there was no delay, the airline will NOT be responsible for covering additional expenses like accommodation, however it is possible that your travel insurance will (you do have travel insurance, right?) <S> IF the inbound flight had been delayed, then the story would be a little different. <S> Depending on the class you were travelling in (eg, Business v's Economy), your Frequently Flyer status, and the cause of the delay the airline may have provided a hotel and meal vouchers. <S> Your specific complaint about the number of "customs" staff is irrelevant - the number of staff working is controlled by US Customs and Border Protection, not the airline. <S> CBP actually publishes detailed information on wait times at all airports on their website . <S> A quick look at this shows that it's not uncommon to wait up to an hour or more at the times you're talking about. <A> No. <S> One and a quarter hours is a very very tight and unreasonable connection for an international flight with a stopover going through USA immigration whether on one ticket or multiple tickets. <S> That would require both connecting flights be on schedule and smooth passage through customs and immigration. <S> In the race to maximize profits and please Wall Street, air travel (particularly in the USA) is going to the dogs. <S> Although the contract does not stipulate they have to accommodate you overnight, legacy carrier airlines typically used to do that as a courtesy to their clients but are now now skimping on it. <S> Call their frequent flier customer service line and complain politely but vigorously, they’ll probably gift you some miles. <S> Better still if you’re on social media like Twitter, let them have it there <S> and they’ll pay you off (miles or voucher) to silence you
| All airports/airlines have minimum connection times which are based on statistics, i.e. most flights & people will make it within this time.
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Re-entering US on B-2 visa after leaving over Mexican border without stamp My case is a little complicated so please hang on. I will try and explain as concisely as possible. Last year I have stayed in the US for 3 months on the visa waiver program, left to Canada for 1 month, then re-entered on a B-2 visa for another 6 months (over stayed my visa by 1 day).I left over the Mexican border in a car and did not get any stamps or even showed my passport and my exit date is not noted on my I-94 travel form. The day before I exited the US I was on a national flight from Maui to San Diego, which might be proof of me still being in the US then (?). I now have a new passport but my old passport with my B-2 visa is still intact. If I re-enter this week and say that I left, lets say in December, will the immigration officer have any way of knowing that I was still in the US after that? Do I have a better chance of being admitted if I am just honest about everything? Or should I just enter on my new passport with the visa waiver program? <Q> As stated by @jcaron in comments, nobody here is going to tell you to lie to a CBP officer. <S> In the days before 9/11, it was very common because the databases were not properly synchronized. <S> Folks from my country would come and visit for one year, and when they returned to my home country would get entry stamps indicating they left the USA after a month or two. <S> Those days are long gone . <S> The databases are better synchronized for CBP officers to have exit information within a few days of departure. <S> It is still not perfect, however it is pretty darn good. <S> Thus you cannot even use it, if you try and it is discovered you will immediately be sent back and receive likely a 5 year ban. <S> But if it is discovered and you lie, that will be misrepresentation/fraud and you will be sent back with a permanent ban to reentry. <S> The choice is yours to be honest not only because it is the right thing to do, but because the risk/rewards are heavily skewed out of your favor. <S> In your case IMHO it is better to apply for a fresh visa and come clean, <S> one day overstay can easily be forgiven. <S> The problem I see you facing is you have spent a lot of time in the USA in one shot, approximately nine months with one month break in Canada. <S> That doesn't look like a true visitor. <S> You will likely have problems if the consular officer notices that. <S> If you do choose to apply for an ESTA, be truthful on the application. <S> The ESTA may honestly be the best chance for you to fly under the radar however even that is not guaranteed to get you in if you're questioned by an astute CBP officer at the border. <A> all the previous comment is very wise and correct. <S> I'd try to apply for esta again, answering truthfully to the questions, you may have a denial but that's a 14$ loss. <S> At that point apply for a B2 again. <S> Mind that 1 day overstay may gives you problems (maybe not), but all the other options may cause you big problems. <S> Good luck <A> So your questions boils down to: "should I pretend I exited the US within the allowed time, or should I be truthful and admit the one-day overstay?". <S> If you try to pretend you exited the US at a different date from the actual one, CBP or consular officers will ask questions and possibly require a bit of proof. <S> A plane ticket out of Mexico, hotel invoices in Mexico, the rental car agreement if you used one, charges on your credit card... <S> You won't be able to show any of that for the date you want to pretend you exited the US. <S> On the contrary, there will probably be quite a bit of evidence against you. <S> Whether they'll find it on their own or not will probably depend a lot on what you actually did. <S> But don't be surprised if they do (it's actually quite probable that you will give them the information yourself without even noticing). <S> And if you lied, you'll get banned. <A> I understand your current plan is to apply for ESTA, and collect documentation to have with you on entering the US. <S> It is worth thinking about issues that might arise, and prepare information for each of them: <S> When did you leave the US? <S> For this, you want evidence showing that you were outside the US as soon as possible after you actually left. <S> Were your activities in the US permitted for a B2 visa? <S> The very long stay suggests something other than tourism, possibly work. <S> You need evidence of actual tourism, plus means of support other than working. <S> Are you trying to effectively live in the US while pretending to be a visitor?
| First of all your B visa is automatically voided because of the overstay, it is no longer valid. You need evidence that you really live somewhere else (family, job, university studies, own or rent a home...).
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How to leave Beijing airport (PEK) by foot I have 5 hours between daytime flights in Beijing Capital airport (terminal 3), and my challenge is to walk out of the airport to eat a bowl of soup at any small local restaurant outside the airport . The airport seems to be surrounded by semi-urban areas, so finding some food is probably possible: The main difficulty will probably be to find a walkable way out. How to achieve that? Google Maps shows walking directions, but it makes me walk on roads without sidewalks such as this one, so I think it can not be trusted in this area: <Q> I just tried. <S> It is surprisingly easy, and I would totally recommend it even if you have only 4 hours between flights. <S> I will suppose that like almost everyone coming from an international flight you are at Terminal 3. <S> From the arrivals, go down to the ground floor, where the local buses are, and walk to the right: <S> After the last bus stop there is still a sidewalk, keep walking. <S> Fortunately this road not too busy as most vehicles use a different, larger road. <S> Sometimes there is an entrance going to the right with a security guard, just ignore it and keep walking. <S> The security guards are here to prevent you from entering the VIP parking areas on the right, they are not here to prevent people from using the sidewalk: <S> Continuing on the same sidewalk, on your right you will see a motorcycles parking, then a park with a lake. <S> Immediately after the lake, turn right (leaving Yijing Road and entering Erwei Road): <S> Continue on this road until the next crossroad: <S> On the left side of the picture above, you can see a few parked scooters, they are delivery scooters parked in front of 美食城. <S> Cross the road and enter 美食城, it is a food court with 20 small restaurants providing all sorts of local foods (soup, noodles, dumplings, drinks, etc), at a third the price of any restaurant you can find in the airport: <S> If this foodcourt is not to your taste, there are a lot of other restaurants in that same street and in the backstreets of that area. <S> Summary 15 minutes walk from Terminal 3 arrivals <S> GPS: 40.04501,116.59858 (OpenStreetMap-based apps such as OsmAnd work fine) <S> (do not mind Google Maps' wrongful paths and line names on the map above, I just use it for the satellite image) <A> I suspect you can't. <S> PEK is surrounded by suburban/semi-urban areas, but the immediate surroundings of the airport terminals are runways, fields, and other large open expanses. <S> You can try walking on the connecting roads and leave before you enter the Airport Highway, but it will be very dangerous due to these roads not having sidewalks (and only worsened by Beijing drivers' poor driving habits), and vehicles typically drive very fast. <S> If you would rather not risk your life, I suggest saving that 10 RMB and hailing a taxi :-) <S> BTW, due to Chinese governmental regulations, Google Maps is very inaccurate in mainland China. <S> You'd have to use a Chinese map application, like Baidu. <S> But even Baidu suggests you to walk on roads without sidewalks, so I guess there's no safe way to walk out. <A> I don't get the notion that the lack of a sidewalk makes walking unsafe. <S> I walked a long way out and back. <S> Most was on sidewalk, but some was on grass where the sidewalk could have been. <S> Don't recall whether the flights were on time, but the scheduled times were arriving <S> 2018 Mar 12 10:46 (Monday) and departing 2018 <S> Mar 13 15:34 (Tuesday). <S> I'm having trouble finding my path on a map. <S> I normally walk with a tracking device to record my paths, but it has an Iridium radio in it, and therefore it was in my checked luggage. <S> I've been looking all around the airport in aerials and maps for some time and not finding anything that looks much like the very nice park I passed through. <S> But I definitely picked the wrong road for buying food or anything else. <S> I saw very few cars, though it was a road capable of heavy traffic. <S> A few people walking in the park along a waterway. <S> Almost no buildings on the way out. <S> A few large ones on the way back. <S> I think (not certain) that I walked outward on Sìwěi Road (四纬路), <S> but if that's the case, some of the buildings I see on aerials weren't there then. <S> I know this isn't really an answer, except as a suggestion where to <S> not look for food.
| The only ways out are the connecting roads (and subway), which do not have sidewalks.
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Where do 5 or more U.S. counties meet in a single point? The other day I was looking at a county map near my home in NE Georgia. I noticed that there is a point where 4 counties meet - Hall, Jackson, Gwinnett, and Barrow (see screenshot). This made me wonder if there are any locations in the U.S. where 5 or more counties meet at a single geographic point? If so, where? <Q> Lake Okeechobee in Florida is the best known location in the US where this happens, according to the Twelve Mile Circle website : <S> Looking at Lake Okeechobee on this Microsoft Encarta map clearly shows a point where five different Florida counties come together at a single point: Glades; Hendry; Palm Beach, Martin and Okeechobee. <S> There is no other spot in the United States where this occurs. <S> The blog states that this is the only location in the US; as far as we can tell that's correct, even though Ron Maupin found another near-occurrence in Texas . <A> In Texas, there is a point where five counties meet: <S> The (roughly) triangle shaped county is Delta County . <S> The county to the north is Lamar County . <S> The county to the south is Hopkins county . <S> The two counties to the east are Red River County (NE) and Franklin County (SE). <S> A better picture: <A> I haven't been able to find more, but the Wikipedia article implies that there may be more. <S> Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quadripoint#Multipoints_of_greater_numerical_complexity
| There are five counties in Florida that meet in the middle of Lake Okeechobee .
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UK visitor visa from Lahore Pakistan This a procedural question but very confusing , kindlh help if anyone knowsPeople who are applying for UK visitor visa from Lahore Paksitan are they going to scan the documentsAnd also take the documents packet and what about dependents do they have to provide photocopy set of each and every document of the main applicant ? <Q> The document scanning facility is provided by VFSGlobal without any extra charges. <S> You can upload your documents at home or you can use the document scanning facility at Gerry's Lahore. <S> No need to make extra copies as it is clearly mentioned on Documents checklist that they don't need multiple copies of similar documents . <S> If all members of the family are using same bank statement then just carry one copy with you (no need to get extra for every person) because your documents will be scanned and returned back to you. <S> They will just submit your printd application along with documents checklist and passport. <S> Rest of the documents will be returned back to you after scanning. <S> Make sure to take printout of document separators with you from vfsglobal website, otherwise you will have to pay 1700 Rs just for those 9 pages <S> Hope <S> you are satisfied:) <S> Edit: From now onward you have to select Appointment from VFSGlobal website instead of within the application. <S> Also, you need to pay 13.39 pounds for document scanning assistance and you may have to pay extra depending upon available slots (eg premium lounge slots, prime time appointment etc) <A> The documents are being scanned and uploaded on UK visas and immigration sites. <S> Then they want to return the documents back to applicants. <S> We were 1 independent applicant and 2 dependent applicants. <S> No need of photocopy sets for applicants. <S> Other than this all the documents will be uploaded on the main applicant. <S> There will ne no repetition in the documents scanned and uploaded. <S> Because of system slow down the Office kept the copy of documents submitted so that if there is any issue in the uploading of documents they have a copy of it. <A> From today onwards 10 May 2019 they are also taking a charge of PKR 2600 for scanning document of each applicant.
| The documents of dependent like their own identity card or any property will be uploaded on their own application.
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Does a U.S. citizen need a transit visa for Belarus if traveling by train from Moscow to Warsaw? I plan to travel from Moscow to Warsaw via Belarus by train. I am a U.S. citizen. Do I need a transit visa and where do I get one? <Q> This news article states that the train route from Moscow to Warsaw requires a transit visa for Belarus. <S> It goes on to give this advice: <S> Best is to take care of your Belarus transit visa in advance. <S> You should apply for visa in Belarus Consulate in your country. <S> Required documents may vary depending on your citizenship, but normally the list includes: Passport Russian visa Ticket or ticket booking confirmation <S> Photos 3cm*4cm - have to be taken in advance! <S> They don't provide this service at the consulate Application form - also, better to fill it out in advance. <S> We do not recommend applying for Belarus transit visa while in Russia (just because spending time on sightseeing is much more enjoyable than spending this time at the Consulate!), but if you have to do this here are contact details and working hours of Belarus Consulate in Moscow: <S> Maroseika Str., <S> 17/6 building 4, Tel. <S> +7 <S> 495 777-66-44 <A> The United States are not on the list of countries whose nationals are generally allowed to enter Belarus visa-free. <S> The United States are on the list of countries whose nationals are eligible for visa-free access through Minsk airport. <S> However, this requires you to arrive at and depart from Minsk airport on an international flight that does not originate in or depart to Russia. <S> As you are on a train, you cannot use this exemption. <S> It is usually best to apply in advance at the embassy (or consulate where applicable) responsible for your place of residence. <S> This visa can either be a transit visa or a short-stay visa. <S> To remain up-to-date on Belarus’ requirements, I recommend always checking the information presented on their embassy website. <S> Sources: Wikipedia’s page on the Visa policy of Belarus , Belarusian embassy in the United States <A> You no longer need a transit visa since 2020-07-01, because Russia and Belarus now recognise each others visas . <S> See also this post about border crossings between Russia and Belarus for more details. <S> Warning as of 2020-07-07: another source in Russian, dated 2020-07-01, states it will take several more months until it actually takes force. <S> These sources contradict each other. <S> Either it's already in force, or it will be soon (and as of July 2020, the 2019-2021 Coronavirus Pandemic means few travellers should make the overland EU-Belarus-Russia trip anyway).
| Therefore, you need a visa to transit Belarus.
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Can I use my laptop, which says 100-240V, in the USA? I am planning to take my laptop to the USA. The adapter says input voltage is from 100-240V. However the cord connecting the adapter to the plug mentions 2.5A 250V. Will the laptop work along with the charger in the US? Will the cord have any issue being connected to a US plug via an adapter? Edit (25th Feb 2020) : Just to let everyone know, the laptop worked perfectly fine with an adapter. Thank you everyone for all the responses and the necessary edits to the post! <Q> The cord is marked with the maximal voltage the insulation between the wires in it is designed to withstand. <S> It will transmit lower voltages just fine and not be harmed. <S> It is also marked with the maximal current <S> it can carry before it might begin to overheat and become a fire hazard. <S> Since the cord is rated for 2.5 A and the power supply promises to draw at most 1.6 A, this will be fine too. <A> The ONLY relevant thing to check is the label on the power supply. <S> That covers almost all countries and certainly the US which operates at 120V/60Hz. <S> You may need a passive plug adapter (or travel adapter) since the physcial shape of the outlets is different. <S> See https://www.worldstandards.eu/electricity/plug-voltage-by-country/ for a list per country. <S> While most of these are safe to use, some are not and there is no need for the extra size, weight and cost. <A> The number on the cord is a rating and represents the maximum safe voltage for the cord . <S> It's like automobile tires. <S> If you get an HR-rated tire rated 130 mph, <S> you are allowed to drive slower . <S> That says nothing about the power supply; for that, you have to check the power supply. <S> You did; it appears to be the typical multi-voltage power supply that'll work anywhere from Japan to the UK, with the right cord or adapter. <S> That cord looks like an "IEC C5" cord, which is readily available (mail order, at least) with any nation's plug on the other end. <S> You can't necessarily expect to walk into any retail store and find it, especially now that Radio Shack is in decline. <S> I recommend a local cord instead of those hokey-dokey universal adapters from China, which do not have Underwriter's Laboratories or other NRTL ratings, and teardowns have shown are dreadfully unsafe. <A> You should be fine. <S> The cord between the adapter and the wall doesn't have any sensitive electronics in it; it's just three (or two, but this photograph looks like three) metal conductors. <S> As others have noted, the proposed use will not exceed the limits shown on the cord. <S> You'll need an adapter plug to be able to plug it in to a US wall socket, though. <S> If it makes your feel better, you could instead buy a whole cord with a US plug at the other end, rated and tested for US house current. <A> Short answer: <S> Yes. <S> United States AC voltage is 120V 60Hz, which is within the input range specified on the PSU. <S> Also: Think about it. <S> If they didn't, you would be reading about a lot of fried laptops all the time. <S> Given that laptops are intended to be traveled with, it wouldn't make sense.
| Any outlet that provides voltage and frequencies in that range is safe to use. It states "Input 100V-240V, 50/60Hz". Do not use any type of "transformer" or "AC power converter".
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How do I get past a 3-year ban from overstay with VWP? I have an overstay with a VWP of 333 days, I had to leave the US in January 2018 but stayed until December 2018 to take care of an American citizen who has no family. I have a 3 year ban. So I had to apply for a B2 visa, I have already done this twice and both have been refused. The woman at the embassy told me that I cannot get a visa as long as the 3-year ban lasts, only after those 3 years I can apply for a visa and a waiver. Is this true? Can I ask a waiver before I apply for a visa or do i have to wait until i have the B2? And which waiver should I ask? <Q> You have zero chance of getting into the US legally while the ban lasts. <S> That's what a ban is. <S> You can apply for a visa after the ban has expired, but it's going to be difficult. <S> Since you already overstayed once the US will apply a lot of scrutiny and skepticism to your application. <S> Your best shot is to consult with a capable immigration lawyer and create a strategy that's specific to your case and situation. <A> Forget about a waiver, you are not getting one. <S> Going forward your chances of ever entering the USA on a non-immigrant visa are slim even after your ban is over. <S> Regarding the waiver, there is no form for this process. <S> You would apply for a non-immigrant visa, and if denied solely due to a ban (and not due to immigrant intent), the visa officer may or may not recommend you for a non-immigrant waiver, which is adjudicated through the visa officer and consulate. <S> In your case you did apply and clearly the visa officer did not feel like recommending you, so your case is dead. <S> Waiver of the Three- and Ten-Year Time Bars <S> A waiver is available to people who can demonstrate that if they are not granted the requested immigration benefit, such as a green card, their U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident spouse or parents would suffer extreme hardship. <S> But extreme hardship is notoriously difficult to prove. <S> It means demonstrating more than the hardship that any family member would feel upon facing separation due to denial of a visa. <S> You’d want to be able to show severe financial, emotional, or medical consequences to one of your U.S. family members. <A> only after those 3 years I can apply for a visa and a waiver. <S> Is this true? <S> No, this is not true. <S> After the ban is over in 3 years, you don't need (and can't get) <S> a waiver because you have no ban to "waive" anymore. <S> The point of a waiver is to waive a ban while you still have a ban. <S> Can I ask a waiver before I apply for a visa or do i have to wait until i have the B2? <S> Neither. <S> You would apply for the visa, get denied, and then may or may not be recommended for a nonimmigrant waiver if you are denied solely due to the ban, and the officer who denied you will inform you about the process if they recommend it. <S> However, given your history it is very likely that you will also be denied for immigrant intent, which would make waivers moot, since immigrant intent cannot be waived, so waiving the ban would be useless anyway.
| Serve out your ban, and then hope they overlook your past transgression when you apply for the visa.
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Where to find every-day healthy food near Heathrow Airport? My friend is long-term traveling to Hounslow, UK, and will be working in Heathrow Airport. However, he got sick recently, and has lost a lot of weight. He is still recovering. He was told that there is no restaurant close by their workplace, and employees would bring food from home, and he doesn't want to cook. He is thinking of quitting on his 1st day. As a last resort effort, I am asking here for any recommendations on where he could eat (take-away is OK), with the following very specific criteria: Reachable only by foot or public transport Not spicy (e.g. Indian food is a no-go by the doctor) Daily food (so fast food would not be a choice) Edit: He will be working in the British Airways West base , and I guess passenger terminal is not an option. From the help center (or recommendations on a place (unless VERY specific criteria is listed)), I believe the question is on-topic (or my desperate desire to help him makes be believe so). If you feel more criteria are needed, please ask me! <Q> I suggest a couple of similar options requiring no cooking at all, and also avoiding having to go off-site at lunchtime. <S> The easy option is to pick up something on the way to work from a supermarket/convenience store. <S> You have lots of options then, for example salads, sandwiches, even microwave meals (if there's somewhere to heat them up). <S> Some places have a fridge so you could buy two days' worth at a time; I do this to make sandwiches in work as it's easier than transporting them. <S> Buying it on the way home the previous day is another option and may fit in better depending on working hours. <S> It's also possible to bring other things in depending on facilities - if you really want something hot, then there are various instant noodle/pasta products that only require a supply of boiling water, or make your own starting from couscous. <S> Side note: <S> In the UK the most common lunch in work is probably sandwiches, <S> whether home made, made in work, or bought (the latter prepacked or made to order). <S> Asking for restaurants nearby may not have prompted the most helpful answers, as that would refer to somewhere a bit formal and unusual for everyday lunch. <A> There are multiple restaurants nearby, mostly pubs serving pub food . <S> At less than a mile's walking (depending on the exact location of their employment) there is Green Man and in the same area there are restaurants called Super Singhs and Darya Cafe . <S> While it's hard to recommend food from here, I suggest you pass on these restaurants and let your friend decide on the food at the time of ordering. <S> To be on the safe side, one could contact the individual restaurants beforehand (e.g. by calling them) to discuss specific food needs. <S> Even closer is the Hilton Garden Inn London Heathrow Airport <S> but I imagine their restaurant may be too expensive for everyday lunches. <S> Alternatively, one could catch the Tube from Hatton Cross Station on the Piccadilly Line . <S> That's just one stop away from Heathrow. <S> Personally, I would not do this as airport food tends to be more expensive and you have some (seemingly) good options at walking distance <S> (so you don't need to pay for the Tube and don't need to worry about delays and such). <A> From the Hatten Cross station, you can easily go east (away from the airport) on the Piccadilly line, which has 5-minute headways during lunch. <S> 1 stop to Hounslow West , which has a "restaurant row" on the other side of the street, easily a dozen restaurants within a block. <S> 2 stops to Hounslow Central , which has a small downtown right there, and a couple large malls a few blocks south and southeast. <S> I wouldn't dream of going to the airport, as it will be byzantine and you could easily have a longer walk than the above, and higher priced food to boot. <S> Once he gets to the employment site, he may find they have a break-room <S> and he can sack a lunch. <S> If he has a problem with "fast food" that is certainly the way to solve that. <A> There are quite some people making do without a staff canteen or restaurant nearby. <S> That's not nearly a reason to quit job without a new job lined up. <S> Without knowing something about the location, my 2 cents from five years on a "next restaurant is far away and has only gyros" job: Eat cold lunch and warm dinner. <S> Get a nice sandwich box, buy different types of bread, cheeses and cold cuts, jams or marmelades, maybe some marmite or chocolate spread, then add some carrots or an apple, and you have a daily variation of complete, healthy lunches without cooking. <S> At dinner time, you then have the possibility to explore new options. <A> I felt sure there would be a staff canteen or restaurant at the British Airways West Base <S> but I found comments to the effect that it is open for short hours and serves frozen convenience food. <S> The Green Man mentioned is on Faggs Road about half a mile from the nearest corner of the BA building, and the Duke of Wellington is slightly further on Hatton Road. <S> It is an Indian restaurant and well rated, so it may be possible to order unspiced food. <S> But to reach either of those, you walk via Faggs Road which is a bus route so you should be able to get to central Feltham quite easily. <S> A google search for "feltham restaurants and pubs" brings up a map, click on that and you will see a wide choice of restaurants. <S> Heathrow Terminal 4 is a bit over a mile away. <S> It may not be easy to walk on either the A30 highway, or the Southern Perimeter Road, but it can be reached by underground which has stations at T4 and near the BA building. <A> According to Google Maps There is a Subway sandwich bar in the BP Petrol station on the A30 opposite Hatton Cross station. <S> From the photos on google maps there appears to be a Costa Coffee and a Stone Willys pizza restaurant also in the petrol station, along with a couple of other brands. <S> This is closer than Faggs Road. <S> There is also a Tesco supermarket on Faggs road, a little further down from the places already mentioned in other answers, which apparently has its own cafe. <S> Having not been there I can't say how good it is, but some Tesco "cafes" do serve substantial hot food.
| Cafes or sandwich shops would be better options (the latter may or may not have seating or a slightly wider menu), or convenience stores (which may be at petrol stations).
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Do I need to take cash on my holiday to Sardinia? I'm from the UK. I recently went on holiday to Copenhagen and didn't have to use cash at all because I could use my debit card wherever I went. Will it be the same in Sardinia? Do all restaurants and vendors take card payments? Are there ATMs in all towns? <Q> All towns will have an ATM, though it may not be accessible 24/7. <S> It would be reasonable to expect to mostly use a card, but don't rely on it. <A> Don't expect small villages shops to accept cards. <S> Some of them yes, but especially for low amounts, shops' owners will not accept cards. <A> In terms of card acceptance in Europe <S> I’d rank a few countries basically like so from most able to live just on a card to least: Tier 1: SwedenTier 2: UK, other NordicsTier 3: <S> Germany, FranceTier 4: Switzerland, Italy, Spain Corsica is France though in many ways more akin to Italy. <S> In France to a large extent and particularly in Italy you’ll often find places that don’t accept cards in the countryside. <S> In the large cities however you should have few problems. <S> Overall however it is generally considered these days that the best way to convert money when travelling is to simply withdraw from a foreign ATM using your card- particularly good if you can get an account designed with this in mind. <S> So I’d say to withdraw a decent amount of money from a major bank when you get there <S> but you shouldn’t need to use it too much.
| I would expect most restaurants and shops to accept cards, though small ones may not. ATMs are everywhere, and almost everywhere accessible 24/7.
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Driving a school bus in the USA I am planning on going to the USA with a school trip from Spain and I would like to know if I can drive and rent a Yellow school bus or do I need a special drivers licence? Any help in this respect would be greatly appreciated. We are planning on doing a part of the Route 66. <Q> Federal law mandates that a commercial driver's license or CDL, issued by a state (or territory or the District of Columbia) is required to operate Class A: <S> Any combination of vehicles which has a gross combination weight rating or gross combination weight of 11,794 kilograms or more (26,001 pounds or more) whichever is greater, inclusive of a towed unit(s) with a gross vehicle weight rating or gross vehicle weight of more than 4,536 kilograms (10,000 pounds) whichever is greater. <S> Class B: Any single vehicle which has a gross vehicle weight rating or gross vehicle weight of 11,794 or more kilograms (26,001 pounds or more), or any such vehicle towing a vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating or gross vehicle weight that does not exceed 4,536 kilograms (10,000 pounds). <S> Class C: Any single vehicle, or combination of vehicles, that does not meet the definition of Class A or Class B, but is either designed to transport 16 or more passengers, including the driver , or is transporting material that has been designated as hazardous under 49 U.S.C. 5103 and is required to be placarded under subpart F of 49 CFR Part 172 or is transporting any quantity of a material listed as a select agent or toxin in 42 CFR Part 73. <S> The specific classification of license you need is dependent on the state, but you are required to have a CDL with sufficient endorsements if the school bus is designed to seat 16 or more passengers, even if there are a fewer than 16 of you. <S> If your group is indeed that large, you can rent large vans or mini-buses configured to seat up to 15 (e.g. Ford Transit, Mercedes-Benz Sprinter). <S> Just search for "15-passenger buses" or shuttles, designed specifically to fall under the limit. <S> If you have your heart set on the iconic yellow school bus, a quick web search did turn up a few companies that have configured school buses to seat 14 or 15, though these seem to be aimed at in-town excursions (e.g. youth groups, bachelor parties), and I cannot say whether any would be willing to rent you one for a cross-country trip. <A> I doubt very highly that you will be able to find anyone who will rent or lease a school bus to you unless the driver has a driver's license issued under federal commercial driver's license (CDL) regulations with an S endorsement . <S> According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration , there is reciprocity with Canada and Mexico, but if you have a foreign license that allows you to drive buses from another jurisdiction, you might be able to get a "temporary waiver" of the federal CDL requirement. <S> These are said to be "rare," however. <A> Each state in the US has its own regulations regarding licensing for drivers. <S> Here are the classes of driver's licenses in Maryland, for example. <S> You would need CDL Endorsement "S" in Maryland (not on Rt. <S> 66, obviously, <S> but it's an example). <S> If you are going to be driving in multiple states, you may need licensing and registration with the federal government as well (e.g., the US Department of Transportation), but I'm not sure about that. <S> Renting a bus with the intention of driving passengers, will have its own set of complications, since the liability insurance will be quite different than just driving yourself and a few other passengers. <S> Be aware that the rules of the road are different (school buses must stop at all railroad crossings even if the lights are not flashing, for example). <S> Finally, unless you are actually driving a bus for a school (and are an employee of a school district or a contractor for one), you will probably not be permitted to drive a vehicle with "SCHOOL BUS" markings. <A> Since you hold a european driving license, I suggest you acquire an International Driving Permit . <S> And since you're in Spain, do check the page about "Permiso Internacional" in the Dirección General de Trafico website . <S> It'll take one visit to your nearest DGT office and 10.30€ (as of 2018). <S> It's not needed in all cases, but some states require it : <S> People who drive in the U.S. must have a valid driver's license. <S> Some states require an International Driving Permit (IDP) from foreign nationals, in addition to a valid license from your own country. <S> you will drive in for its requirements. <S> Furthermore, car/bus rental companies commonly require you to hold an IDP. <S> These might in fact be able to tell you if you need an IDP to rent a bus. <S> Even though it might not be needed, it doesn't hurt to do so - it's just a translation of the fields in your Spanish license card, which can be helpful if you need to show your license to a person who doesn't speak any Spanish at all. <S> The spanish ministry of external affairs recommends visitors to have one as well : España <S> no tiene convenio con ningún estado de los EE.UU. <S> sobre validez del permiso de conducir español <S> en ese país. <S> Por tanto, los turistas <S> o los españoles en viaje de negocios en EE.UU. <S> deberán obtener en España <S> , y previamente a su llegada a EE.UU. <S> , el permiso internacional de conducción, que tiene validez de un año y es reconocido por EE.UU. <S> En caso contrario, podrían ser sancionados por carecer de permiso de conducir reconocido por las autoridades de tráfico locales. <S> As other answers point out, laws vary by state. <S> It's up to each state to recognize a class D (bus) european license + IDP as a document enabling you to drive buses - or not. <S> I suggest you find the DMV office for the specific state(s) you're visiting and ask there.
| In most states (if not all), you will need a special category of license to operate a bus with passengers. Contact the motor vehicle department of each state
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How to pay in euros from the US? I am planning a trip to France from the US, and need to make multiple payments in € on-line, including but not limited to train tickets on https://www.oui.sncf/ .Of course, the easiest way to pay those expanses is to use a credit card, but, from my experience, American credit cards are not often accepted by European websites, (for troubles relative to oui.sncf , cf. 1 , 2 , 3 , or 4 .) The exchange rate applied by the bank is often to the disadvantage of the client, Some (hidden or not) fees may apply. I don't mean to endorse them in any way, but converting $ into € using https://transferwise.com/ had been the cheapest solution by a long shot in the past for me.Unfortunately, they don't provide credit cards. I believe a way of getting a good exchange rate and little-to-no fees would be to buy a pre-paid visa card in € using $ transferred from transferwise (or the like). However, I haven't found a way of buying a pre-paid visa card using a wire transfer: does that even exist? <Q> I have never had a problem using my Schwab visa on websites for Renfe (Spanish trains) or airlines based in Spain, Turkey, and elsewhere. <S> Nor for any hotels. <S> Never tried SNCF. <S> I did use it to buy a train ticket on loco2.com which should also be able to book SNCF. <S> Schwab is one of several banks that charges no exchange fee. <S> They use whatever rate Visa uses, which is a hair higher than transferwise. <S> Many sites also accept PayPal, which lets you choose the currency but not at a great rate. <A> For less than $10, you can get a Mastercard, top it up in your local currency and spend it in (almost) any foreign currencies. <S> I have one of them <S> and I already bought a SNCF train ticket with it (and also some flight tickets in EU) <S> , I never get any trouble. <A> Not really an answer, <S> but I thought I'd comment on what I ended up doing: <S> For most of the expenses, I paid cash using euros that I withdrew using my US cards. <S> The exchange rate was fair, and there was little fee (ranging from $1 to $5 per withdraw, but some of the fees were actually refunded at the end of the month). <S> For some (larger) expenses, I paid using my US card: same deal (fair exchange fee, low or no fees). <S> For the on-line payment at https://www.oui.sncf/ , I asked someone with a French credit card to do it for me. <S> For most of the tickets, I obtained e-tickets that I could print myself, but in one case I had no choice but to get the ticket at the station using the card used to pay: in that scenario, having used my US card would have been problematic.
| Some online banks provide the solutions you need, like WeSwap or Revolut :
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Can a UK national work as a paid shop assistant in the USA? I am British and live in the UK. I am visiting friends in the USA for 3 months this year and I would like to help out in their friend's shop in Georgia and also get paid while doing so. What visa do I need to get so I can to do this.I think its a Non immigration visa -but which one? <Q> The only regular non-immigrant visa category that would conceivably allow working in a shop (no matter whether paid or not) would be H-2B for temporary non-agricultural workers. <S> But that is a purely theoretical option, because it will only be issued if the U.S. Department of Labor finds that it is in the interest of the U.S. economy to let the particular work be done by foreign workers. <S> The chances of this happening for ordinary retail work are nil. <S> A few other types of non-immigrant visas would allow such work incidentally to the main purpose of the visa, but they all depend on you being in extremely special situations (as one example, victim of human trafficking assisting law enforcement with investigation ) or a spouse/child/dependent of the holder of certain other visas. <S> Since you write nothing about such things, that is pretty much a non-starter too. <S> For completeness, getting an immigrant visa also seems to be impossible. <S> You don't write that you have any qualifiying family to sponsor a family-based immigrant visa, and <S> the employment-based immigrant categories are even farther removed from retail work than H-2B is. <S> For many, a final (though unlikely) option would be to enter the diversity visa lottery and hope to get lucky, but if you're born in England, Wales, or Scotland you don't qualify for that, due to the large number of Brits who settle in the US by other routes. <S> In short, as the comment said: Forget about it. <S> There’s no visa for that kind of arrangement. <A> I believe it is too late to apply for 2019, but the J-1 visa summer work travel program allows this sort of work situation if you are a currently-enrolled post-secondary student and your visit is during your academic summer break and within the program dates (which are Jun-1 to Sep-30 for 2019). <S> Summer Work Travel Program College and University students enrolled full time and pursuing studies at post-secondary accredited academic institutions located outside the United States come to the United States to share their culture and ideas with people of the United States through temporary work and travel opportunities. <S> One needs to apply for this program through a designated sponsor organization . <S> As the UK is currently a visa waiver country, the sponsor is not required to prearrange employment, as long as applicants can demonstrate they "have sufficient financial resources to support themselves during their search for employment". <S> Note that the sponsor organization does not need to be (and is generally not) the employer. <S> The sponsor's obligation with respect to employment, for applicants from visa waiver countries, ends with providing "participants with a job directory that includes at least as many job listings as the number of participants in their program who are entering the United States without prearranged employment. <S> " Applicants are free to find their own employment, subject to a few exclusions. <S> See the "Program Exclusions" section at the bottom of this page for details. <A> See for instance Wikipedia <S> To sponsor such a visa one of the requirements an employer needs to demonstrate is that "there are not enough "able, willing, and qualified U.S. workers" to fulfil their vacancy. <S> For an unskilled position as an assistent in a shop that is unlikely to be either worth the effort or successful. <A> You cannot do this legally. <S> However, it is quite common for people to work in the US on a cash basis. <S> As there are ~10 million undocumented workers in the US, it is likely that during your travels that you will meet someone who is one of these people. <S> It is possible that your friend and you are interested in this illegal arrangement. <S> However, the penalty if you are caught is extremely high. <S> There are numerous SE Travel questions & answers about deportation and other penalties that restrict the ability to travel to the US. <S> I think if you are from the UK, it isn't worth the risk. <S> If you are starving to death, or are a victim of systemic violence in Central America, perhaps it is. <A> The current very limited possibilities (apart from Marriage to a US Citizen) or as a child of a US Citizen, immigration, include to be a high skilled employee outside the USA for over a year and be so good at the company's processes that you qualify for an intra company transfer (L1B) as an indispensible specialist knowledge employee transferee. <S> Though shops assistant does not fall anywhere near this category unless you are selling something which it would be exceptionally hard to get a US citizen to be trained at doing. <S> There are further rules effectively barring anyone but larger US corporations from using this route. <S> Another way is to bring lots of money and start a business; invest in the USA and get an E1 Visa. <S> Technically any investment can qualify but realistic chances require at least $100k and leading to the employment of atleast a dozen US citizens, so opening a shop is a better approach. <S> Trump's new immigration points based system will make it even harder for low skilled immigrants, but easier for high skilled immigrants, especially if younger and highly educated. <S> Watch that space. <S> (Also, Last year there was talk of a UK-US post Brexit work immigration exchange deal which would allow for bi directional labour migration but with current politics that is uncertain where that is going at the moment along with the rest of Brexit.)Have <S> you considered Australia? <S> They are more open for UK citizens and if <31 you can even get a working holiday visa.
| You would need a non-immigrant temporary worker visa.
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Can a Senior sit in a Handicap Seat on AMTRAK? I have a Senior ticket. While traveling on amtrak, am I prohibited from sitting in an unoccupied seat reserved for passengers with disabilities? <Q> Do you need seating for handicapped people? <S> If yes, you can use it. <S> But you might be asked for proof of the need. <S> If not, please do not use it if there are other seats you can use. <S> Age is not the deciding thing here. <S> A 20 year old girl or guy who looks healthy might have an invisible handicap and need it much more than a healthy 70 year old who can walk on to a seat a bit further into the train. <S> But they are not likely to ask a person old enough to travel on a senior ticket to move on. <S> I am not familiar enough with Amtrak to tell you whether you can use the seat if you are not handicapped. <S> In the answer by John T you can read that at least in some Amtrak trains the seats need to remain empty unless you need such a seat. <S> It is safe to assume that also goes for other Amtrak trains. <S> If you need such a seat but do not hold a card to prove it ask station and/or train staff before you go on. <A> As the number of tickets sold never exceeds the number of seats, if someone has a special reservation you will always be able to find another seat. <S> On the double-decker Capitol Corridor trains, and I assume on other double-deckers, people who have trouble with stairs will buy a ticket for the lower level. <S> I've seen the conductor on a crowded train ask people to move upstairs if possible. <S> Even if you have ticket not specifying a lower-level seat, though, I don't believe there would be an issue if you are on a Senior ticket. <S> Most passengers prefer the upper level unless they have a reason to stay below. <A> On an Amtrak Acela train this am, and the conductor informed a pax that the handicapped seats are reserved solely for handicapped persons - <S> it is not a priority seating scenario, but to be used solely by a handicapped person as per federal law. <S> Similar to a handicapped parking spot in a public parking lot.
| Unreserved Northeast Corridor trains have a few wheelchair-friendly seats, which can (unlike regular seats) be reserved specially.
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Can you still travel to America on the visa waiver program if you have been to Iran in transit? Me and my wife travelled to South East Asia in 2017 and on the way back to the UK we had to do a layover in Iran. We didn't leave the airport nor did we get our passports stamped. My wife would like to visit the USA soon but is wondering whether she will fail the ESTA application as it asks if you have travelled to countries like Iran since 2011? She would like to travel within the next two weeks and is aware that if she has to go through the US embassy route she might not make it in time. Please let me know your thoughts. <Q> Some travelers are not eligible for ESTA. <S> The US Customs and Border Protection <S> FAQ says those travelers include: Nationals of VWP countries who have traveled to or been present in Iraq, Syria, Iran, Sudan, Libya, Somalia, or Yemen at any time on or after March 1, 2011 (with limited exceptions); and where those exceptions are to represent your program country on official military orders or official government business <A> With the disclaimer that I'm not sure how the CBP interprets the rules for this edge case, for most practical purposes, if you never went through immigration, you've never been to Iran . <S> So in your shoes, I would say "no" in the ESTA application, and in the unlikely event of being questioned on arrival, I would simply state the above. <S> The other option would be to state "yes", which will likely cause the ESTA to be rejected, and then apply for a visa and explain the situation. <S> However, while you will very likely get the visa this way, it may take so long that you miss the trip -- and if you've failed ESTA once, you now need to apply for a visa for the US for the rest of your life. <A> I must agree with jpatokal with a small correction: unless you went or should have gone through immigration, you haven't been in Iran (otherwise illegal border crossings wouldn't count). <S> Otherwise really strange questions arise. <S> Like, if you have sailed through the Strait of Hormuz it is entirely possibly you have crossed waters <S> Iran claims theirs but <S> the United States disputes these claims. <S> So, according to the United States have you been to Iran if you have been only on territory the United States doesn't recognize as a territory of Iran...? <S> If your plane does an emergency landing in Iran, do you lose your ESTA rights for life? <S> If your plane does a refuelling stop where you can't get off and noone can get on, have you been to Iran? <S> The possibilities are endless... <S> Even more importantly, what happens if you enter a consulate of Iran? <S> What definition can you find aside from an actual border crossing that differentiates from the territory of the embassy and the country itself? <A> So my wife got a response back from ESTA after applying that the authorisation is still pending even though it's been more than 72 hours since she applied. <S> This was the response from the CBP officer:- <S> Your application is pending additional administrative processing due to your previous travel to Iran. <S> Applications that show travel to a restricted country can take considerably longer than the normal 72 hours to review. <S> Alternatively, we strongly recommend applying for a visa at the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. <S> The trip is in just under a week's time <S> so it looks like she could miss out unfortunately
| It depends on what the US definition of "travelled to or been present in" is, but taking that to be literal "set foot in the country" (the safest definition from your perspective), you and your wife would no longer qualify for an ESTA and would need to do a full visa application.
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One-way train from Paris to Barcelona I'm traveling with my fiance this summer (early August) for 10 days, five in Paris and five in Barcelona. We already have flights and hotels set up, and wanted to take the train from Paris (early afternoon) to Barcelona (arriving that evening). However, depending on the website I've seen prices range across hundreds of dollars, and I've seen plane tickets go for less than some of the train tickets. Cost isn't a huge issue, but we don't want to spend hundreds (USD) per ticket. We will have about two bags per-person, one larger suitcase and one personal bag. This is the first time either of us have taken an international train in Europe so we're hitting the same wall in terms of understanding and decision making. Thank you! Edit: My primary concern is that some train ticket websites have mentioned passes specifically for international train travel that would be a separate purchase. We do not currently have any such passes, and were only looking at train tickets. Are there additional documents required for this trip, other than our passports and the train tickets? <Q> From Paris, €100-200 per person for (high-speed) international trains like Eurostar to London, Thalys to the Benelux or the TGV to Spain are typical prices. <S> You don't need any special pass and can buy a ticket directly on oui.sncf <S> (official French railway website) or trainline.com . <S> Flying is indeed frequently cheaper but there are also super-saver fares for trains when booking long in advance. <S> You can find a lot more information to help you make a decision on seat61.com <A> Cheapest price I found was on the SNCF Oui.sncf website, Paris (Gare de Lyon) to Barcelona (Sants) <S> Wednesday August 1st, 2 adults. <S> Cheapest €218 (€109 each), most expensive €238 (€119 each). <S> This is not expensive. <S> Link <S> These tickets are normal, city-to-city tickets, good for one journey. <S> Another kind of ticket is called a 'pass'. <S> One such, the Eurail pass, is a deal for non-European residents. <S> You have to buy them before you travel to Europe. <S> You get X days (depending on the type) of unlimited rail travel in part, or all, of Europe. <S> They are an alternative to regular tickets for people who want to see a lot of places. <S> They are not some kind of train visa. <S> If you arrive in Europe without such a pass, you just buy ordinary tickets in the normal way. <S> Explanation here . <S> If you don't need to do lots of travel, they may not be a bargain. <A> For trains, high speed is not going to be cheap as mentioned already. <S> Flights on low cost airlines are cheap, but also consider that they tend to fly from and to airports outside of the city. <S> This is key: <S> RyanAir for example flies from Beauvais airport BVA, which is really 1h15 by train from Paris itself!!! <S> You're going to spend another $20-$30 for that ticket to get there, or $50 in a cab or Uber. <S> On the Barcelona side, the airport is also about 45min from the city, and you'll need to take a bus, which I'm not sure is covered by the airline ticket but is also likely extra. <S> I hope that helps.
| In short, train may look more expensive, but it's definitely more convenient and gets you there door to door, while the low cost airlines fly from far away airports not trivial to get to. Prices vary between different trains, including direct trains and a night train option.
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Why do Turkish Airlines gate agents at Istanbul Airport take photos of passenger passports? The gate agents of Turkish Airlines have point-and-shoot digital cameras with which they take photos of passenger passports. They did not ask for permission to do that nor provided a reason. Any idea what could be the reason they are doing that? <Q> Personally I have never experienced what you've described when passing through Istanbul, so it is most likely dependent on either the destination of the flight, or the citizenship of the passenger. <S> For example, Timatic (the system <S> most airlines use to confirm passport/visa requirements) <S> states the following for flights to the Netherlands: <S> Warning: Airlines flying from the following airports to the Netherlands: Abu Dhabi (AUH), Accra (ACC), Bahrain (BAH), Beirut (BEY), Buenos Aires (EZE), Casablanca (CMN), Cartagena (CTG), Damman (DMM), Dar Es Salaam (DAR), Doha (DOH), <S> Dubai: International Airport (DXB) or Al Maktoum (DWC), Entebbe (EBB), Freetown (FNA), <S> Guangzhou (CAN), Hong Kong (HKG), Istanbul: <S> Istanbul (ISL) or Sabiha Gokcen (SAW) , Izmir (ADB), Paramaribo (PBM), Johannesburg (JNB), Kiev (KBP), Kigali (KGL), Konya (KYA), Kuala Lumpur (KUL), Kuwait (KWI), Lagos (LOS), <S> Moscow (SVO), Muscat (MCT), Nairobi (NBO), New Delhi (DEL), Robore (RBO), Sao Paulo (GRU), Singapore (SIN), Teheran (IKA) and Tirana (TIA) must provide copies of travel documents of all passengers on these flights in case they do not hold proper travel documents upon arrival in the Netherlands and are inadmissible. <S> Copies must include the data page of the passport/travel document, the page with the visa and the page with departure/clearance stamp , where applicable. <S> Non-compliance with these entry regulations will result in fines up to EUR 11,250.- per passenger for the carrier. <S> You haven't stated which country you were travelling to, but if it was the Netherlands then that is undoubtedly your answer. <S> If it was a different country it's likely that it was to cover a similar regulation for that country, or possibly just because the airline had been fined in the past for carrying passengers who did not have the correct documentation on arrival, so they were keeping a record on departure to be used to prove that the passenger did show the airline the correct documentation on departure. <A> A speculative answer. <S> It is becoming common for passengers to destroy or conceal their passports en route in order to try to claim asylum as an undocumented individual at the destination airport. <S> That might be because they believe their claim will be stronger if they claim to be from a different country to their true host nation, or that while their true identity is established they will have time to begin legal proceedings in the destination country. <S> The airline involved will bear considerable logistical and potentially punitive expenses for transporting an undocumented individual. <S> If the airline has photographs of the documentation for each at-risk passenger, the problem can be mitigated much sooner and the passenger identified with certainty and returned to the appropriate country. <S> See also <S> Why would a visitor destroy their travel document? <A> The passports of me and my co-travellers were also photographed in Istanbul before entering a plane to Germany last year. <S> I think we were the only people from that flight that got their documents photographed. <S> My assumption was that it was related to the following one of my co-travellers had her German residence as a sticker in her passport rather than in the form of a separate plastic card. <S> The boarding gate lady had asked for an "Ausweis" earlier, which probably means that she found this kind of residence permit odd <S> (It actually is somewhat odd, but it is something that the passport holder has little influence on). <S> the co-traveller is from a country that is not really known for reliable documentation the co-traveller looks as she might be from a country that is a major source of refugees <S> and we were transiting from a country that is just next door <S> In short, my assumption was that it was related to immigration regulations and financial risk for the airline in case of transporting any undocumented passengers.
| Most likely they are doing it because the regulations of the country the flight is going to requires them to do so.
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Expenditure in Poland - Forex Card doesn't have Złoty I have an HDFC Forex Plus Multi currency card. It has Euro and GBP but no Złoty (Polish currency). How would I use it in Poland? I have not found a suitable answer yet so asking again. I am not sure if withdrawing cash is a good idea. POST TRIP UPDATE : I changed my Forex card to a Regalia Forex. The advantage is that you can upload US Dollars into it, and swipe it anywhere, any currency with no conversion charges. See my answer below for more details. <Q> Generally a Visa card can be expected to work for (almost) every currency in the world. <S> If the currency of the transaction is different from the currency the card balance is kept in, the issuer will seamlessly convert the money according to the exchange rate for the day. <S> You pay for this service in the form of slightly worse exchange rates than wholesale forex market quotes -- but the rates on a credit/debit card will usually be better than what you can get at a brick-and-mortar foreign exchange counter. <S> * <S> As far as I can see, the HDFC Multicurrency ForexPlus appears to be a Visa-branded debit card that can maintain balances in several different currencies. <S> Presumably this allows you to bypass the bank's own exchange rates for those currencies, and instead go seek your own fortune with a forex broker of your choice. <S> But the bank's description doesn't seem to say those currencies are the only ones you can do transactions in. <S> For Złoty I would expect it works just like an ordinary Visa card, converting to one of the currencies you have a balance in. <S> *) <S> The rates and fees page about the card explicitly lists a 2% markup for cross-currency transactions, so it is clearly possible . <S> It's a matter of temperament whether you consider 2% to be fair or a rip-off, but it compares quite favorably with the 7.5% markup over the ECB reference rate currently offered on Złoty by a random exchange counter in Berlin . <S> (I tried to google for currency exchangers in Warsaw, but their websites all seem to be in Polish and the apparent spreads on them are so tiny that I think there must be a separate markup or transaction fee charged that I just don't know how to look for). <A> Assuming that card works like a standard Visa/Mastercard, it will work fine. <S> Whenever I have used my (GBP) Mastercard in Poland, the card machine has asked if I want to pay in Złoty or convert to GBP (and siliar in other countries with other currencies) <S> Note that the conversion rate is usually much worse than the Visa/Mastercard rate <S> , so it's generally better to pay in the local currency and let your card issuer do the conversion - but check their terms first to make sure they don't charge a commission. <A> It is not a bad option these days to use your regular debit card (at ATMs) or credit card. <S> Check with your bank about the foreign currency charges. <S> Indian banks generally give your a good currency conversion rate but <S> they do charge 2-3.5% foreign currency fee plus 18% (of the fee) GST. <S> In my experience, credit card fees tend to be higher. <S> I generally do try to get a Forex card and some cash as a fallback. <S> Since you are not able to get zloty, carrying Euros/GBP as backup should be fine. <S> Hope you enjoy your trip! <A> POST SUCCESSFUL TRIP UPDATE <S> :I had carried an HDFC Regalia Forex Plus card . <S> You can load money in US Dollars to it and swipe it anywhere, in any currency. <S> The conversion charges will only be applied when loading money, not while using it. <S> ATM withdrawal costs $4 per transaction. <S> My previous card (the one in my original question content) charged $2 per withdrawal but it would cost me double conversion charges. <S> As I mentioned in the description, it had 23 currencies but it didn't support Zloty, so I would be charged twice, once for loading money, depending on the currency I load, and then for conversion from that currency to Zloty. <S> It could be any other country who's currency is not supported by this card. <S> The ATM withdrawal charges are irrespective of the amount you withdraw. <S> I had a successful trip, and didn't need to withdraw any cash, any time. <S> My Forex contactless card was accepted everywhere. <S> I mean literally everywhere, including the machines inside trams, trains, restaurants, even small stores. <S> I haven't even seen the Polish currency! <S> :) <S> I used the same card in UK and Germany, and most of the times didn't need any cash. <S> In my entire trip, I withdrew money only twice. <S> Once in Derby to pay my Airbnb, and once in Itzehoe (Germany), to pay my taxi driver. <S> So anyone who stumbles across this post, don't worry about cash or not in Poland, UK or Germany. <S> It's safe to withdraw a sufficient amount once and store it somewhere as a back up. <S> Contactless works in most of the places.
| Call your bank and find out that day's Forex rate and the foreign currency fees applicable to your card(s).
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How do I spend money in the US? I'm a Canadian traveling to the US next month. I haven't traveled internationally before and I'm not sure how money works. Am I able to use my credit card in the US? I have a $2000 limit, will USD transactions apply to that via the exchange rate or something else? Is my card able to be preauthorized by a US merchant? Can I withdraw from US ATMs using my debit card? <Q> It would be good to check with your bank. <S> Their policies vary greatly. <S> Some seem to accept charges for anything, anywhere. <S> Others may block charges which seem suspicious. <S> I doubt that using a Canadian card in the US would be regarded as suspicious but it would not hurt to check. <S> Your bank will convert the USD charges to CAD and add a transaction charge. <S> The charge varies considerably from bank to bank. <S> Some give a much better deal than others. <S> If you have time to do some research and maybe get a new card, it could save you a lot. <S> It is always useful to have some local cash. <S> I suggest getting some USD in advance. <S> I would expect that most Canadian banks could help. <S> It is very hard to determine the best rate but your own bank has a good chance of being better than changing small amounts in change offices or at the airport. <S> Some banks offer to change back unused cash at the rate at which you bought it (here in the UK anyway, not sure about Canada but worth looking for). <S> Also, having some local cash can avoid embarrassing situations in which your card is not accepted. <A> Canadian credit cards work almost universally in the US. <S> You will be charged the amount of US currency after it gets converted to Canadian dollars at the bank rate plus a foreign transaction fee. <S> This is now commonly 2.5% for the majority of current credit cards issued by Canadian banks. <S> Whether this amounts to much depends on what you intend spending on. <S> Canadian debit cards do not work for US debit transactions, so when asked somewhere if you will be using debit, the answer will be no . <S> Some banks recommend that you call them to inform them of upcoming travel, but this is less necessary than it used to be. <S> Your bank may have an interface to set your travel dates and destination online <S> or you can do it by phone. <S> It is not necessary, but can reduce the chance of having a transaction blocked. <S> If you do not see a policy about this from your bank, give them a call. <S> A number of Canadian banks offer pre-paid foreign cash cards. <S> You can get one which will work to lock in the rate and avoid fees. <S> You can also get US cash from Canadian banks, and it is a good idea to do so. <S> Tipping is expected in the US even more than in Canada, so it is advisable to ask for small bills when you get US cash. <S> Some tolls still only accept cash, so definitely take some if you are driving, either in Canada, or at a currency exchange, or US banks when you enter the US. <A> You should check with your bank. <S> US bank system is old and inefficient. <S> Many US terminals do not use the chip on the credit card and using magnetic strip can cause card to be blocked. <S> Carious card terminals (also in large hotels) do not yet support PIN with more than 4 numbers. <S> So, sometime you should notify the credit card that you go to US, and so that they would relax the rules. <S> You may get more credit or you may get a way to pre-pay so that you have such payment not counted on the credit. <S> You will get an extra fee to exchange currency (but usually it is much more convenient <S> that letting the merchant to convert the currency for you). <S> Debit cards works (beware of longer PINs and transaction fee). <S> Avoid large notes. <S> You may pay hotels, Uber, etc. <S> online, so no problem with credit card terminals (but they still account on credit limit). <S> In any case, your bank will tell you better information (also considering your card). <A> As a fellow Canadian who has traveled to the US a bunch, here are some tips: 1) Try not to use your credit card as much as you can. <S> The problem is, the bank gives you a horrible exchange rate (this is unique to Canada and may not be true for other locales) plus a transaction fee, so you'll end up losing a whole bunch of money that way. <S> Instead, you should find a good currency dealer near you and convert as much money to USD as you think you'll need. <S> You can almost definitely get a better rate at a currency dealer than at the bank. <S> Bring your credit card anyway just in case, but use it only for emergencies or unforeseen charges, and use cash as much as you can otherwise. <S> 2) <S> If you are staying in a reputable hotel or with a friend, leave as much cash as is reasonable where you are staying. <S> Crime isn't a huge deal in the US (well, depending on where you go), but better to be safe than sorry. <S> You don't want to be carrying around a couple grand and get mugged and now not only did you get mugged but also your vacation is ruined because you have no money at all. <S> Carry as much as you think you'll need, and leave the rest locked in your suitcase in the hotel. <S> 3) US money is confusing for Canadians because their bills are all the same colour. <S> Until you are used to the money, double check your money whenever you pay for things to make sure you're not accidentally giving a $10 bill when you meant to give a $1 bill or something. <S> These are the main pointers I would give, good luck!
| The majority of US ATMs work with Canadian debit cards, which will give you US funds at the bank rate plus a conversion fee and a foreign withdrawal fee which can be $5 or more, so if you go that route, try to make the least amount of withdrawals.
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Is American Express widely accepted in France? I'm going to be in France — mainly cities, especially Paris and Brest — for about a month this summer and the only credit card I have without ridiculous foreign fees is AMEX. How much can I count on this being accepted? If I got a VISA or MasterCard, would I have better acceptance? <Q> For both historical and financial reasons, American Express acceptance in France is quite low. <S> Visa and MasterCard were associated from the start with the CB program, so anywhere they take cards they will take Visa and MasterCard <S> , it's a standard part of the contract a merchant would get from their bank for card acceptance. <S> On the other hand, American Express acceptance often needs to be requested separately, and the fees are often much higher, so merchants often don't bother. <S> American Express have been working hard to expand acceptance, so you can have some nice surprises. <S> They are actually accepted in stores like Carrefour (though not the very small ones) or Monoprix. <S> They have a site where you can look up merchants which will accept AmEx: <S> https://www.americanexpress.com/fr-FR/maps <S> As a side note, even if the stores accepts contactless payments and American Express, it's nearly impossible to find a place where you can use American Express with contactless or Apple Pay, the terminals are usually not configured correctly for this. <S> You will most likely need to have a Visa or MasterCard card, or use cash, in most places. <S> Note also that ATMs that allow you to make withdrawals (cash advances) on American Express are quite rare as well. <A> I am in France for business and personal... <S> Can only use my AMEX when I am in a very obvious "business" situation. <S> Hotels fine (maybe not cheap ones). <S> Restaurants near business districts usually OK but still not 100%. <S> Random restaurant maybe 25% if that. <S> Shops are hit and miss. <S> A high-end store might accept AMEX 60-70% but a mom and pop might be 10% - again usually only if they are in a business district or near a hotel with business travelers. <S> In Paris I can use my AMEX 80% of the time in the financial district and about 20% of the time in other parts. <S> So the answer is if you are only bringing an AMEX you better bring tons of cash. <A> It's well worth paying the 'ridiculous' fees for a Mastercard or Visa card. <S> Or at least searching for a reasonable one; they exist. <S> American Express is basically only accepted in tourist traps, places where you'd expect some visiting American to wander into with their business expenses. <S> Not exactly the best way to spend a vacation in France, and also very hard to find outside of Paris. <A> I'm French <S> and I have both. <S> There are no problems using Visa anywhere. <S> Because of transaction fees, some shops may not accept American Express cards. <S> In big cities you won't have any problem with your American Express card but in a small village I am not so sure. <S> Contactless payment is becoming more popular but having a Visa or Mastercard would be preferable. <S> Have a nice trip. <S> You can try asking (before shopping): <S> Prenez-vous les AMEX ou seulement visacard? <S> (do you accept AMEX or only Visa cards?) <A> How much can I count on this being accepted? <S> Some places would accept them however certainly nowhere as widely accepted as in the USA. <S> I used my AMEX for dining when I visited. <S> Always prudent to have some cash, especially for smaller establishments and hole-in-the-wall locations. <S> If I got a VISA or MasterCard, would I have better acceptance? <S> Absolutely TL;DR <S> I am extremely surprised you indicate you could only find American Express cards without foreign transaction fees because there must be at least five times as many Visa/MasterCard cards without transaction fees as American Express cards.
| American Express cards will be accepted in most upscale hotels, restaurants and shops (mostly those that cater to high-end tourists), but other than that, it's pretty much a lottery.
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What if you don't bring your credit card or debit for incidentals? Usually I never bring my card out, that's what I ask. Will not bringing my credit or debit card be a problem to a hotel such as The Park Ave North? <Q> Travelling without a credit in the US is difficult. <S> It's almost impossible to rent a car. <S> Some hotels will try to work with you, others will not. <S> You may have to put down substantial amounts of cash as deposit. <S> Many providers will simply refuse service. <S> For example: there is asimple food truck outside of Boston's South Station that takes cardonly: no card? <S> no coffee! <S> Some travel providers may report this to local authorities which may or may not decide to check you out. <S> Somewhat far fetched but still possible <S> : The US has statute called "civil forfeiture" where authorities can take your cash just "on a hunch" and even without any wrongdoing, you have no way of getting it back. <S> It's NOT recommended. <S> EDIT Hotels and car rental companies mainly want a credit card or deposit to cover unexpected expense that you didn't plan on having in the first place: a car accident, getting keyed in the parking lot (happened to me), breaking something in the hotel room, late night snack attack on the mini-bar, etc. <A> Some hotels will simply not accept anything else. <S> Others will just block any incidentals on your room. <S> That may include locking the mini-bar if there is one, blocking external calls, pay per view, etc, flagging the room for room service, bars, restaurants, etc. <S> so they refuse to charge your room, and so on. <S> Depending on the hotel, this may be very easy (if there are no stocked minibars anyway, no bar or restaurant, etc.) <S> or not. <S> Others still will ask for a cash deposit instead. <S> Depending on the hotel, it could range from a few dozen USD to hundreds. <S> Of course, if they also need to charge for the room, there will be no choice but paying in advance or leaving a deposit. <S> Note that even if you provided your card when you booked, you may still be asked to present the card , as you are switching from the "Card Not Present" regime (used to charge the penalty in case of no show) to the "Card Present" mode. <S> They want to make sure they see the card, and either swipe it or have you use your PIN. <S> In any case, what exactly happens and what options are available is very dependent on the hotel's policies, so your best bet is simply to call them. <A> Credit Card not REQUIRED for this hotel <S> According to website <S> Hotels.com : <S> Required at check-in . . <S> .Credit card or cash deposit required . . <S> .Government-issued photo ID required . . <S> .Minimum check-in age is 18 <S> It does not specify what the cash deposit is, and is likely tied to the length of your stay (you may need to deposit more than the total bill would be at checkout).
| When you check-in, a card is usually requested, which will be used as a guarantee for incidentals, but also in some cases for the cost of the hotel itself (unless you paid at tile of booking, of course). Large amount of cash are very unusual in the US and may raise suspicion or concerns.
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How do airport currency exchange windows stay in business? It is well known that the exchange rates offered by airport currency exchange windows are poor - see these stories from the BBC for example: Holidaymakers hit as pound falls (20 July 2018) and Tourist pound now down at close to just one dollar (14 Dec 2018) . I have been aware of this for a long time, and for the last 15-20 years of travel I have simply used my card at the nearest ATM when I arrive. I am therefore amazed that the windows manage to stay in business. Is there something else that these windows offer the traveller to make using them worthwhile and therefore keeping their business viable? <Q> Maybe some people end up with some spare cash when they leave a country for good. <S> Their choices basically are: Keep those bills as a souvenir. <S> Spend them in Duty Free. <S> Exchange them at the window to reclaim those money at least partially. <S> Since Duty Free's price policies rival those of exchange windows, it probably makes more sense to exchange your bills at airport's exchange rate. <A> How do convenience stores stay in business when they charge much higher prices than supermarkets? <S> Similarly, airport money exchange counters are convenient, especially for people who trust cash more than electronic transactions (if I'm carrying cash it can get stolen, but it can't be used to drain my bank account), or for people who don't have good credit cards with reasonable foreign transaction fees. <S> And there are still many places in the world where cash is preferred or is the only thing accepted. <S> If you've ever gone thirsty on a hot summer day when surrounded by street vendors selling bottles of cold safe water for cash-only you'd understand. <S> (Note: my analogy of convenience stores may not be globally applicable. <S> Here in the US they are corner shops selling a small selection of merchandise at high prices, but they are easy to get to, don't tend to have checkout lines, and are generally open 24 hours a day. <S> Many are located at gas (petrol) stations.) <A> Using an ATM internationally may require some pre-planning that most people don't do. <S> As a savvy traveler, you probably already know what your bank is going to charge you for an international withdrawal, but I don't think most people do. <S> You may have notified your bank in advance that you're traveling, so that they don't suspect fraud when an international withdrawal comes up, but I'm sure many people don't know that they need to do this, or just forget to. <A> Many (e.g. Travelex) also allow you to pre-book your cash for collection at the airport. <S> The rates are much better (seemingly their own online rate, which, while not in the top 10 today, is quite reasonable). <S> This provides a profit stream for the company, <S> while for the user it provides convenience (you're hanging around there anyway) and peace of mind (collect potentially large sums of money somewhere secure). <S> Of course, the last minute travellers who don't (have time to) plan provide a good revenue stream for them, and it's a good idea to have some cash on arrival, though not as universally necessary as it was a few years ago. <A> They are convenient, well-branded, and trustworthy. <S> Even an idiot (or first time traveler?) can easily get money there, whether or not they know the exchange rate is bad. <S> A person with excess money may care more about the convenience than the poor exchange rate.
| It's easy -- they are selling convenience .
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Will TSA allow me to carry a Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP)/sleep apnea device? When traveling with a Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) medical device (commonly used for sleep apnea), will it need to be removed from your carry on bag when going thru security with TSA Pre-Check? <Q> I carried my Cpap device to/from USA with no problems. <S> I contacted the airline in advance to enquire as I'd not done this before and - like you - I was unsure of the procedure. <S> Without any hesitation they updated my booking to two pieces of hand luggage (one medical). <S> Cabin crew too were helpful and asked if I needed to sit near a power outlet. <S> At TSA and in UK when asked about the machine, no one did more than check that it was what I said it was. <S> In fact one agent was jealous that I had such a new model (thanks NHS !). <S> Maybe give the airline a call to see if they have any specific advice? <S> This is an extract from TSA website (link below) <S> "Individuals with disabilities or medical conditions, who use medical devices should not think of a TSA checkpoint as a barrier to travel. <S> It’s okay to bring along a CPAP machine or a breast pump. <S> Yes, passengers can travel with an insulin pump or an ostomy pouch. <S> If an individual has a temporary medical condition, perhaps a broken leg, it does not prevent him from getting through a checkpoint." <S> Some contact phone numbers there as well: https://www.tsa.gov/news/releases/2017/05/23/tsa-shares-tips-travelers-disabilities-medical-devices-medical-conditions <S> Hope this helps. <A> I happened to chat about this with my doctor recently. <S> She said that you are indeed allowed to bring a CPAP device on the plane with you, and that you really shouldn't put one in your checked luggage. <S> The TSA confirms this, and has a short rundown of how the security screening process will go. <S> Since the security screening equipment and plastic luggage bins aren't even remotely close to sterile, you might want to bring a clear plastic bag to put the machine in to avoid contamination. <S> Sanitize it again at your earliest opportunity. <S> Medical devices like a CPAP are generally treated different than regular carry-on luggage. <S> If in-cabin storage is limited and passengers are having to gate-check their carry-on bags, medical devices typically get priority (even if they have to bump somebody's bag that's already on the plane). <S> The problem with CPAP devices is that they frequently have carrying cases that do too good of a good job of blending in with "normal" luggage. <S> You may have to remind crew members that your bag is a medical device and not a normal carry-on. <S> It might be worthwhile to ask the attendant at the luggage check counter if the airline has an official <S> "this is a medical device" tag you can attach to the case to minimize confusion later. <A> As a medical device, it does not count towards your carry-on allowance. <S> For both regular security and pre-check, the device can stay in a dedicated case. <S> If you're carrying it in e.g. a backpack, however, it should be removed and placed in a bin. <A> My wife & I each carried a CPAP machine in our carry-on luggage while traveling over the past few weeks. <S> With TSA there wasn't even a question. <S> One non-TSA screener asked to pull the devices out to confirm that they actually operated. <A> Yes - you can take it along. <S> You will have to remove it from your bag to go through security so keep an eye on it. <S> (And your laptop and your phone and your car keys at the same time ... darn.) <S> BTW, not endorsing a product here - but there are now "travel" CPAPS that are much more compact yet work great. <S> I've got a dreamstation go <S> w/heated humidifier and w/battery pack <S> and it's just fine <S> - I use it with the battery on the plane and the humidifier in the hotel room. <S> But any of them <S> I'm sure would make travel easier. <S> (I've taken mine in the US and to Europe and back too, no problem. <S> And I don't bother with any separate bag for it. <S> It's small enough <S> I just stick it in a gallon sized "baggie" (to keep it clean - mask&hose get a separate baggie) and jam it in my carry on with everything else.) <A> A nebulizer, CPAP, BiPAP and APAP must be removed from its carrying case and undergo X-ray screening. <S> Facemasks and tubing may remain in the case. <S> You may provide a clear plastic bag to place the device through the X-ray. <S> Am I allowed to carry my CPAP machine onboard the plane, do I have to remove it from my carry-on? <S> Source: <S> Transportation Security Administration <S> Travel tips: <S> Travelling with a CPAP Machine Source: <S> Transportation Security Administration <S> I have flown several times with mine, carry-on, and treat it just like my laptop. <S> It's no big deal, they've seen enough of them.
| Most airlines do not count a medical device towards your quota of carry-on bags or personal items. Your can carry on your CPAP. Yes, you must remove it from the bag for X-ray:
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Responsibility for visa checking IATA rules state that the airline should ensure that the passenger has the correct visa. If failing that, and the passenger is denied entry to the destination country, the airline is subjected to a fine. What are the obligations of the airline towards the passenger having been denied entry? <Q> The airline has no obligation towards a passenger who doesn't have the right visa. <S> They reserve the right to deny you boarding if you're lacking a visa you need, but that is in no way a promise (to you!) <S> that they will do so. <S> They will often try to bill you for that separately once the dust has settled. <A> There is the obligation to bring back the passenger. <S> As far I know, there is no obligation to make such flight free. <S> And this obligation is toward the arrival country. <S> Note <S> : Visa is not a permission to entry to a country. <S> It is just a stamp that tell immigration officer that you had a pre-check. <S> And possibly a link to your documents. <S> This is just done to speed up immigration process. <S> With a visa you do not have right to enter in country. <S> Additionally, there are many rules and exceptions. <S> Airline staff is not trained for all cases in all countries. <S> There are just codes in IATA databases, but they are also not extensive. <S> If you read the travel contract, you see that you are responsible to have correct travel documents (and to notify health problems, and few other obligations). <A> Promise 1: By Airline To Country X. <S> As a condition of flying into country X, the airline promises country <S> X <S> to remove you if you are refused. <S> That is a promise to country X, not to you; in this transaction you are nothing but cargo. <S> * <S> This applies for any reason you are refused . <S> Promise 2: <S> By You to the Airline. <S> You promise that if you are refused, you will pay a fare for the abovementioned ride home. <S> Promise 3: <S> By Airline To Country X. <S> The airline will check your papers for the correct visa. <S> For this, they face a fine if they do not comply . <S> Suppose your papers are fine, and the airline boards you. <S> When you land, the Immigration Officer finds your papers are in order, but your business attire raises questions; you seem to be seeking employment and are refused. <S> The airline 1) must fly you back, 2) you must pay the fare, and 3) the airline does not pay a fine because they did their part. <S> None of these promises are from the airline to you .
| Any airline that flies internationally will have a clause in their conditions of carriage that says it is the passenger's own responsibility to have the right travel documentation. They generally have an obligation towards the country that denied entry , to transport you back where you come from.
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What's the logic behind the the organization of Hamburg's bus transport into "rings"? I'm staying in Hamburg for a while for business reasons and I've been told to get an HVV card for rings A and B as that would cover most of the major destinations I might need to travel to. Now I take it that the bus numbers (e.g., "take the number 2 from Altona") signifies the route (and hence the stops) the bus will cover but what do the rings signify? Is it a collection of bus numbers? A set of routes? A particular loop in the bus network? Something else entirely? I can't find enough info on the HVV website to clarify what a ring might signify. I'm asking because there are some pubs in Hamburg I'd like to visit and in planning this trip, it'd be great to know if they are reachable from rings A and B too. <Q> Each ring is a collection of fare zones -- <S> that is, a particular geographical area -- as shown on the zone map: <S> Even though this is not very detailed, comparison with the S-Bahn and U-Bahn network should show that rings A and B covers pretty much everywhere <S> you will have any reason to go, other than because you live out there. <A> If you live in Hamburg, and you don't regularly need to travel outside Hamburg, then the main zones and rings are those highlighted in blue on Hamburg transport maps. <S> The rings are the letters, i.e., ring A & B. <S> The bold black numbers are the zones. <S> If you take out a season ticket, they become relevant because you may either choose the whole blue region or you choose the distinct zones you need on a regular basis. <S> The blue area is called "Hamburg Greater Area" or "Großbereich Hamburg". <S> Rings C - E are only relevant when you live outside Hamburg and use the public transport including regional trains to go to work and a monthly season ticket makes sense. <S> Otherwise, you would be simply choosing the final destination station in order to buy a single ticket. <S> https://the-red-relocators.com/relocation-guides-germany/travelling/public-transport/public-transport-hamburg/ <S> You can download the Tarifplan or Fare Zones Map from https://www.hvv.de/en/timetables/line-route-networks-plans/overview <A> They're not routes. <S> They're fare zones. <S> People who ride from farther away pay more for their tickets. <S> There may well be circumferential (crosstown) routes that ring the city. <S> However, they want those routes to stay in the same ring, not cross ring borders multiple times during the journey (making fare pricing very confusing). <S> So they place the "rings" <S> so they aren't anywhere near the crosstown routes.
| The 'rings' and 'zones' are used for ticket pricing.
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Payment instructions allegedly from HomeAway look fishy to me I'm in the process of setting up a long-term lease agreement for an apartment in my hometown with a landlord which lives abroad. The landlord suggested to use a middleman called HomeAway so that the landlord would not have to travel to my country for exchange of keys, legal documents and the security deposit, to which I've agreed. In our case, the landlord has sent the keys and legal documents to HomeAway, which will keep them until we have transferred the security deposit to HomeAway. HomeAway has sent me instructions for the bank transfer and I'm not sure what to make of it. Their correspondence looks too fishy for what I would expect from a company dealing with these sums of money but it also looks too good, at least for the average scammer. Here are the things that surprised me: The standardised text for the instructions has a few typographical errors. They mention in multiple places that the transfer has to happen within 48 hours, which is impossible considering that I got the instructions on a Friday and my bank won't process the transfer until Monday morning. Emails from them are sent from a different domain (homeaway-eu.com) than where their website is (homeaway.com). The destination account is registered to a private person in Milan, without any mention of HomeAway. I'm not sure what to make of this. Should I be cautious? Has anyone had a similar experience with HomeAway and how did it play out? <Q> Just looking at the domain name: <S> homeaway-eu.com - registered in 2018 <S> registrar: <S> NAMECHEAP <S> INC <S> registered by: information hidden email account hosted by: privateemail.com (which is a product of NameCheap domain registrar, essentially it's a 1 minute job to create an email account there) <S> Whereas: <S> homeaway.com - registered in 1998 <S> registrar: MarkMonitor, <S> Inc. registered by: HomeAway.com, <S> Inc. there is even a homeaway.eu - registered in 2006 <S> registrar: <S> MarkMonitor International Limited registered by: Vacation Villas International GmbH <S> no email accounts <S> A legitimate website normally creates a subdomain (i.e. eu.homeaway.com), or they use homeaway.com for emails but add a slash in their website (i.e. homeaway.com/eu), or lastly might buy a different domain name still preserving the name (i.e. homeaway.eu - though I don't know whether this is an official one). <S> In this case, having a domain like "homeaway-eu.com" and using a different registrar seems fishy. <S> I would get in contact with the real homeaway.com by either an email or phone number on their website to confirm any details before transferring money. <S> Otherwise, I would simply say ABORT . <S> EDIT: <S> Also, by looking at the SSL certificate of homeaway.com , these are the official domains allowed to be used with that certificate: abritel.fraluguetemporada.com.brbedandbreakfast.comclearstay.comescapia.comfewo-direkt.de (and luxus.fewo-direkt.de)homeaway.athomeaway.ca (and fr.homeaway.ca)homeaway.co.nz (and www.homeaway.co.nz)homeaway.co.uk (and luxury.homeaway.co.uk)homeaway.com <S> (and www.homeaway.com; investors.homeaway.com; professionalreferral.homeaway.com; software.homeaway.com; tech.homeaway.com)homeaway.com.arhomeaway.com.auhomeaway.com.cohomeaway.com.mxhomeaway.de (and www.homeaway.de)homeaway.dkhomeaway.eshomeaway.fihomeaway.fr (and www.homeaway.fr)homeaway.grhomeaway.iehomeaway.ithomeaway.jp (and www.homeaway.jp)homeaway.lk (and www.homeaway.lk)homeaway.mxhomeaway.nlhomeaway.nohomeaway.plhomeaway.pthomeaway.sehomeaway.sg (and www.homeaway.sg)homelidays.comhomelidays.eshomelidays.frhomelidays.itownersdirect.co.ukstayz.com (and www.stayz.com)stayz.com.autravelmob.com (and www.travelmob.com; <S> au.travelmob.com; de.travelmob.com; es.travelmob.com; <S> fr.travelmob.com; it.travelmob.com; <S> uk.travelmob.com)vacationrentals.comvrbo.com <S> (and traveler.vrbo.com)www.homeaway.co.idwww.homeaway.co.inwww.homeaway.co.krwww.homeaway.co.thwww.homeaway.com.cnwww.homeaway.com.mywww.homeaway.com.phwww.homeaway.com.sgwww.homeaway.com.vnwww.homeaway.hkwww.homeaway.tw <A> This is a scam . <S> There are several red flags. <S> With one of them, I'd be highly suspicious. <S> With the trifecta, it's definitely a scam. <S> Using a slightly different domain name which is one of many possible variations on the company's main domain name. <S> Sometimes it's the same name with a different toplevel name (e.g. company.com and company.eu ), but those are often legitimate. <S> Often it adds something to the company name, e.g. here company-eu.com vs company.com . <S> Note that having the suspicious domain redirect to the legitimate domain when you browse it on the web doesn't prove anything. <S> The scammer can do that. <S> If the site is HTTPS and the certificate contains both domains, then it's probably legitimate, but beware that it can be difficult to tell as a layman — there are many loopholes that scammers can exploit. <S> Using a payment method that cannot be reversed such as a bank transfer. <S> Credit cards are no good for scammers because you can cancel a payment. <S> With a bank transfer, when it's done, it's done. <S> Requiring a fast payment . <S> Obviously a legitimate payment will have a deadline, but it'll typically be a fixed number of days before the rental starts. <S> The scammer wants you to pay now and not take the time to think about it. <S> A legitimate business partner also wants you to commit, but it's more important from the scammer, because if you hesitate with renting a property, you remain in the market for renting a property, whereas if you hesitate with falling for a scam, you might realize it's a scam. <S> A destination account whose name and location doesn't match the company. <S> Scams often have poor grammar and spelling. <S> Supposedly that's to be psychologically aligned with people who are more likely to fall for the scam. <S> Note that this is not a problem with HomeAway. <S> The scammer is impersonating HomeAway. <S> You may report the scam to HomeAway. <S> Realistically, there isn't much they can do, other than put up a warning about scams on their web page . <S> They may be able to shut down that particular domain, but a domain is extremely cheap. <S> Shutting down a scammer usually requires tracking them through multiple jurisdictions and is hard. <A> This situation has a couple strong parallels to common housing scams . <S> Rental scam #1 – the cloned listing <S> This is one of the most popular Craigslist rental scams, perhaps because it’s so cheap to execute. <S> The scammer copies and pastes information from a legitimate rental ad, and then offers a price that’s literally “too good to be true.” <S> If you respond to the fake ad, the scammer may invite you to drive by the property to view the exterior. <S> What they will not do is give you a tour of the interior. <S> That’s because they are “on vacation” or otherwise unavailable to show the place. <S> I found many "out of town" landlords when I was apartment hunting recently, and while I don't know for sure whether they were fraudulent (I steered clear), I would be highly suspicious of agreeing to such an arrangement without being able to physically tour the apartment.
| As far as I can tell (I've never used that service), HomeAway acts as a middleman and accepts credit card payments.
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Is an early checkout possible at a hotel before its reception opens? I'm looking a hotel place for a certain town. I will need to take an early train at 05:11 on my departure day so I need an early checkout. However the reception opens at 06:00, i.e. I will need to check out before its reception opens. Is this action possible? The hotel I'm looking at is the only accommodation in the town I'm visiting. There are no hostels, no airbnbs, nor any other choices. <Q> What normally happens at checkout is you settle your bill and you turn in the room key. <S> So most likely, they'll ask you to settle your bill on the previous night, or to just let them charge your payment card after you leave. <S> They may have a drop box for you to leave the key, or they may ask you to just leave it in the room. <A> Note: <S> This might depend on the country, which you didn't state. <S> Normally, this is not a problem at all. <S> I regularly 'check-out' in the evening before I want to leave, not because I leave very early, but to avoid the lines in the morning. <S> This 'checking-out' consists of paying the bill, and notifying the hotel that I will leave in the morning. <S> In the morning, I drop the key and walk away (many hotels are also fine with the key simply staying in the room). <S> So far, no hotel has ever declined this approach - in around fifteen countries, around eighty times a year. <A> This is possible and not that uncommon. <S> The particular hotel might have a policy about it, so you must contact them to handle this. <S> There are several ways I've seen it done: <S> Checkout the Night before: You do the exact checkout procedure at the reception the night before where they settle your balance, charge your card if needed, except that you keep the key which you drop-off in the morning. <S> Self-checkout <S> : They give you a form to complete yourself and you leave both the form and key in the room when you depart. <S> Later checkout <S> : You just leave the keys on the morning at a designated location and will receive information from the hotel about the checkout they will do for you once the reception open. <S> In this case, they usually require payment information to charge anything that is needed, incidentals, taxes, etc without you being there. <S> As you can see, these procedures vary and so you must agree with the hotel ahead of time. <S> In some cases, they might ask for a deposit payment, particularly for high-risk locations. <S> This happens in places where people book hotels often for partying and property damage occurs regularly.
| This is usually possible, but since it's essential to your travel plan, you'll want to confirm it directly with the hotel management before booking.
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Taxi Services at Didcot I am traveling to Didcot this week. I am taking train from London and arriving at Didcot very late at night (around 10-11 PM). I want to go to the Harwell campus . There is no public transport available to Harwell after 10 PM (earliest after this is at 6.04 AM). Will I be able to get taxi or cab at Didcot Parkway station? I checked Uber but it is always showing no cabs available between given places. I found some taxi services on-line where I can pre-book them but I am not sure about their authenticity or whether they work such late night. <Q> You should have no difficulty getting a cab from a railway station the size of Didcot. <S> You could pre-book; if you call a cab when you get there, I doubt you'd have to wait more than ten minutes. <S> I probably wouldn't pre-book because then I wouldn't be worrying about missing my train. <S> I doubt there are taxi scams in Didcot <S> – it's just not a big enough place for that to be worthwhile. <S> I live in Oxford (about 15km to the north) <S> and, while I've never taken a cab from Didcot Parkway, I'd have no hesitation doing as I describe above, in basically any British town. <A> I've done this myself, many times. <S> That late at night, I'd definitely pre-book; I've arrived at Didcot Parkway after 10pm on a freezing cold Sunday only to find no taxis outside and half an hour to wait even after phoning several companies. <S> Other days, there's been a line of cabs waiting but it seems quite random. <S> The people I visit at Harwell usually book me with Pryors: <S> https://pryors.co.uk/ <S> Yes they have very nice cars and use words like "chauffeur driven Mercedes", but for a run like that you'll be on the meter and pay the same as any other taxi. <S> They've never let me down <S> and I'd recommend them whole-heartedly. <A> Further to the other answer, your hosts at Harwell may have a list of local cab companies they use and rely on. <S> Taxi scams are rare in the UK; more common is them failing to turn up when booked, and making a habit of that tends to lose them big clients. <A> There is a taxi rank at Didcot Parkway. <S> There have been occasions when none have been around at that time of night, but there is a good chance you'll find one right away. <S> If not, the town has several reputable firms whose cars will tend to use this rank if they are available, but if not, their dispatch office is sure to be open for you to call. <S> Booking ahead with one of them is probably prudent if you know when you will arrive. <S> Source: I live in Didcot. <A> Pryors is the biggest taxi company in Didcot. <S> They're not the cheapest... <S> but they're the ones with the poshest fleet (everything Mercedes). <S> Their office is about ten minutes walk from Didcot Parkway station / a few minutes drive away. <S> It's possibly worth booking with them (or another taxi company) if you can because at that time of an evening (depending what day of the week) the rank is often empty as the taxis are busy shifting people to or from various evening venues. <S> But if you're not in a hurry, book them when you get there if the rank is empty. <S> My step son has run a cross a few dodgy individuals running taxi service in the area... <S> they tend to put their prices up if they think they can get away with it (double the meter rate late at night... <S> more if you're drunk). <S> I've never heard any complaints about Pryors. <S> The taxi rank is to the right when you walk out of the station (if you walk out the main doors) or straight ahead if you go out the side door. <S> AFAIK Uber doesn't operate in Oxfordshire. <A> Another Didcot resident here. <S> Pryors is a decent choice, but just for completeness there is also "Go Green Taxis" which are common sight in Didcot and online at http://www.gogreentaxisltd.co.uk/didcot-taxi-service/
| If there are none at the taxi rank, phoning any of the minicab companies in Didcot (there seem to be several) will quickly get you a cab. Pretty much any cab company in the UK will work 24hrs and 10–11pm isn't particularly late: any company will surely be operating at that time, since the pubs don't close until 11pm or later, and that's a significant source of income for cab companies.
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Longest bridge/tunnel that can be cycled over/through? I'm cycling around Japan, and a few days ago I cycled the Shimanami Kaido, a series of bridges connecting islands between the mainland and Shikoku in the inland sea. One of the bridges there was (if I recall correctly) 6.5km long. This had a specially made bicycle/pedestrian/moped section. I also have come across several tunnels, the longest of which was 2.8km, on route 317 on a mountain pass between Matsuyama and Imabari. There wasn't a specific cycle path there per se, but there was a sufficiently large raised path on one side so that I was perfectly safe (that said, there were areas where the lights had blown and I was cycling in pitch black!). This got me thinking. What are the longest tunnels and bridges that are safe for cyclists to cross/pass through? I'll add the extra condition that it must not be specifically illegal . <Q> The Seven Mile Bridge in the Florida Keys is open to cyclists. <S> (The bridge is actually 10.9 km or 6.8 miles long.) <A> Not a bridge or a tunnel, but as a bonus, consider the Afsluitdijk , a 32 km artificial enclosure dam and causeway connecting the Dutch provinces Noord-Holland and Friesland, separating IJsselmeer from Waddenzee. <S> As a causeway, I'd argue it's somewhat similar to bridges and tunnels, in that it connects two landmasses otherwise separated by water. <S> Enjoy cycling it, in particular with a strong headwind. <S> Source: <S> C.S. Brooms/Kris Rodenburg, Rijksdienst voor het Cultureel Erfgoed, via Wikimedia Commons <A> Most of the world's longest road tunnels are on express- or motorways, where cycling is prohibited anyway, independent of the tunnel. <S> The longest road tunnel I could find, which is definitely open for bicyclists is the 8,079m long Steigen Tunnel in Norway. <S> I would however also assume that bicycling is allowed in the 14,346m long Mount Ovit Tunnel in Turkey. <S> I can't find any specific information about bicycling in this tunnel, but the road is designated as a regular highway (not a motorway) and bicycling is generally allowed on Turkish highways, even on 4-lane highways. <S> If it is safe or not is a matter of taste. <S> In any tunnel, even very short tunnels, passing vehicles may cause severe and difficult to predict draughts, which can be tedious to cope with when bicycling. <S> Most longer tunnels also have a cold, moist and uncomfortable climate. <S> Completely safe alternatives, but not nearly as long, are all the tunnels along the decommissioned railway lines, which have been rebuilt as pedestrian or bicycle paths in many countries over the past few decades. <S> I am not sure if it is currently open, as it has been frequently closed during the last years for maintenance or because of water leaks. <A> Location of the Dutch Headwind Cycling Championships . <S> This is the longest storm surge barrier and flood barrier in the world. <S> There's a road and a seperate cyclepath crossing it. <S> It consists of 65 pillars of 30 to 40 meters tall, with 62 sluice-gates of 40 meters wide and 6 to 12 meters tall over 3000 meters. <S> It is also a hydro power plant. <S> This is listed as one of the seven wonders of the modern world by the American Society of Civil Engineers, along with the likes of the Golden Gate Bridge and the Panama Canal. <S> While you're there, you'd also have the opportunity to cycle on/in: <S> The 5 km (3.1 mi) <S> long Zeelandbrug , which was the longest bridge in Europe from 1965 to 1972. <S> The the 6.6 km (4.1 mi) <S> long Westerscheldetunnel in the Netherlands. <S> While usually only cars are permitted to drive through it, a few days a year it is open for cycle tours. <S> The next one going through is the ZLM Tour on the 20th of June 2019. <S> The 10.5 km (6.5 mi) long Oesterdam . <S> Part of the Delta Works, just like the Oosterscheldekering. <S> This is a landbrige. <S> Similar to the Afsluitdijk mentioned in gerrit's answer . <A> The Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel is 17.6 miles (28.3 km). <S> It's not normally open to bicycle traffic (though shuttle busses are available to take cyclists and their cycles), but at least twice in its history, one span of the bridge has been opened for special cycling events (with cars redirected/restricted to the other span). <S> If this qualifies, it's almost certainly the longest. <A> Another "bonus" answer, longest elevated bike path 7.6 km (can be considered a bridge in some sense?). <S> In the city of Xiamen, China. <S> https://youtu.be/hUbQyNLkjvo <A> The longest bridge one has already been covered, but the Hiawatha trail in northern Idaho features the St. Paul Pass Tunnel which is 1.661 miles (2.673km) <S> long <S> and it's designated specifically for bicycles. <S> https://www.ridethehiawatha.com/the-trail <A> Additional bonus answer: <S> In Germany there is a mine "Erlebnis Bergwerk Merkers" 800m in the underground, which performs regularly bicycle events. <S> For example on 31.03.2019 there drove 50 cyclists 15km from "Schacht III" (lifting hole 3) to the "Kristallgrotte" (crystal grotto) and back. <S> Some tours are only cycling, others have stations where you could learn about the mine. <S> ( Cycling tours in German language ) <S> ( Mine Merkers in general in English language ) <A> The longest tunnel open to cyclists in Japan is the Kanpu Tunnel (not far from the Route 317 tunnel listed in the question) and is 5,432m long. <S> It has a reasonable gradient and took me the best part of 45 minutes to get through on my loaded touring bike. <S> I rode through in the early morning and it was pretty much empty of traffic <S> so it is definitely safe (especially if one goes the downhill way). <S> Japanese drivers are very courteous to cyclists (even if they pass a bit closer that you might be used to)
| and there are many tunnels that are many kilometers long that cyclists can get through safely. In Europe, the 2,630m long Uitzi Tunnel in Spain is probably the longest. The Florida Keys Overseas Heritage Trail , a nearly-complete 106 mile (171 km) cycling path from Key West to Key Largo, and part of the East Coast Greenway which stretches to the Maine-Canada border, is routed over the bridge. Not the longest, but the 9 km long Oosterscheldekering is certainly noteworthy.
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If I leave the US through an airport, do I have to return through the same airport? My wife and I are flying to Iceland and we are trying to book tickets but I wasn't sure about the flights. So I am just asking to clarify. If I leave the US through an airport, do I have to return to the US through the same airport? <Q> Your question is well founded. <S> Some type of visas to some countries allow you to enter and exit via specific entry points only. <S> For example, ENTRI visa of Malaysia limits to persons who are appearing from direct flights and go out of country on direct flights (or transit to specific countries). <S> And the Airports of arrival is also limited. <S> For USA, there is no such restrictions on any passport or visa. <S> You can enter any international airport and use any other mode of transportation and use any border to come in and out of the country. <S> Also, note that US doesn't have any exit checks. <S> So, if you are not a US citizen, make sure that your exit is recorded in I-94 . <S> Especially if you are not departing by air. <S> Happy journey. <A> There is no requirement to leave and enter through the same port of entry. <S> Note that this applies to everybody: US citizens, permanent residents, visitors, and anybody else entering or leaving the US. <S> If you are planning flights, you are certainly free to choose flight routing that comes back via a different route if that ends up being more economical for you. <A> you can fly out of New York and come back through LA. <S> Source: I travel a lot. <A> For the reason, look at the question reversed. <S> Do you need to exit at any particular location relative to your entry point? <S> No, because the US does not have exit controls . <S> In fact, if you are not a citizen, you should take your own initiative to document that you actually did leave the country, either by airflight, or with an I-94 form.. <S> Otherwise you could be accused of overstaying. <A> AFAIK you can leave and enter back at different airports; heck you could come back by boat if you wanted to. <A> Practical data: <S> The first time I was aware of leaving (there was a previous time as a baby I know almost nothing of) <S> the US I exited via San Francisco (with a fuel stop in Seattle) and returned via New York. <S> Since then I have called a trip short and the outbound was via Seattle and the return via IIRC Los Angeles.
| The answer is no, In the US you do not need to return to the same port of entry (airport, seaport, ect) that you departed from.
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Renting farmhouse in Netherlands - is it normal to be asked to pay deposit via bank transfer? I am going to be travelling to Netherlands and trying to book a farmhouse for 3 night long stay. The farmhouse I am looking at is listed on Booking but is unavailable on the dates I am interested in. However, when I contacted the property directly I was told that there is no problem to book the place and was asked to pay a 30% deposit by transferring money to their bank account. Is this something common? Or should I skip and look somewhere else? <Q> Is this something common? <S> Or should I skip and look somewhere else? <S> Bank transfer is the normal way of transferring money in the Netherlands. <S> If there are any red flags in this situation, that is not among them. <A> It is difficult for us to tell you if you are being scammed or not since you are the one with all the information. <S> So the burden is onto you. <S> I would ask for some sort of proof that the deposit is required and that it guarantees your booking. <S> Off the top of my head such proof could be: an invoice a signed booking contract a proof of payment <S> I would also try to obtain any sort of proof that the person asking for the deposit is in fact the owner/manager of the property - name, address, etc. <S> Best way to do this is to get in touch with the property. <S> Generally speaking, I'm pretty sure that if you get in touch with them and they are genuine they will have no problem in demonstrating this. <S> Be forward and explain that you want to make sure that nothing is wrong before transferring money cross-countries into some stranger's bank account. <S> It is worth noting that Zach Lipton is right . <S> By booking outside of booking.com (or any other trusted site) <S> you will lose any protections that you’d normally have by booking through a service. <S> If it does turn out to be a scam or it goes south in some other way, your money is likely unrecoverable <A> That said, as the accepted answer points out, bank transfers are a normal way of making payments in the Netherlands. <S> It may be a scam, but it's also possible that the person renting it is either doing business in a way that they are used to or wants to cut out Booking as the middleman and avoid credit card payments, which saves them money. <S> Dutch people love to save money.
| When I booked places in the Netherlands (multiple times) through Booking.com, the deposit was either charged to the credit card I provided when booking or it was collected when I arrived, with full payment as I was leaving.
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Forgot passport for Alaska cruise (Anchorage to Vancouver) I have a very recently issued Nevada driver’s license that’s probably “enhanced” but that’s the only ID I have on me. I forgot my passport at home. I’m in anchorage now and the cruise leaves this evening. It doesn’t make any stops in Canada except the final destination of Vancouver in one week. Then I’m flying direct from Vancouver to my hometown of Las Vegas. How screwed am I? Is there any way to salvage the trip? Could I maybe pick up a replacement passport from the Vancouver consulate if I visited a passport office in Anchorage now? Should I leave the ship at the last US stop and just book a new flight from there? Why doesn’t CBP just have all the contents of all the passports in a searchable database so there’s no need for obsolete paper documents? <Q> I think you're out of luck for today. <S> As Richard mentioned, your driver's license is not enhanced, so it really doesn't help you at all. <S> Unfortunately, there are none in Alaska, and I doubt you have time to fly to another state, stand in line for hours, and fly back. <S> You may as well call the cruise line and ask if they will let you on, if you promise to get off at a US port; but I wouldn't count on that. <S> Otherwise, I expect they will not let you board. <S> You could also ask for a refund, but I wouldn't count on that either. <S> However, if you call the cruise line, I would guess they might offer to let you change your cruise to another date, or to credit your fare toward a future cruise on the same line. <S> If you have a few extra days to spend on this trip, you may be able to rebook on a cruise leaving soon that doesn't exit the US. <S> Or, rebook for a cruise to Canada in a few days, and have someone from home fetch your passport and send it to you via overnight shipping. <S> (Anything involving the US consulate in Vancouver is unhelpful, since Canada won't let you enter in the first place without a passport or other accepted travel document. <S> The thing about a CBP database doesn't quite make sense either, since it's Canada that needs to check it. <S> And anyway, beyond the information in the passport, a significant factor in having it prove your identity is that it's physically in your possession ; it would take some work for an impostor to achieve that.) <A> According to the Department of Homeland Security , Nevada does not issues EDLs that can be used to enter the US. <S> Regardless, EDLs cannot be used to enter the US by air. <S> Furthermore, you will likely be refused entry to Canada, and possibly refused boarding for the cruise (not sure on that, but airlines would typically deny boarding in your circumstance, rather than you being rejected at immigration in Canada). <S> Picking up a passport in Alaska before departure is your best bet, but I would work on the assumption that you will not make it to Vancouver. <A> Likely they won't let you on the boat without a passport (like airlines). <S> Even if they do, this is going to be a problem entering into Vancouver. <S> This site indicates that there's a private company able to do expedited passports in Anchorage in 24h, give them a call ASAP to see if they can do it in time. <S> Be prepared to pay a hefty fee... <S> $500+ https://www.uspassporthelpguide.com/passport/alaska/ <S> https://www.uspassporthelpguide.com/emergency-passport/ <S> Edit: Or pay a friend to fly it to you... <A> The US government has expedited service. <S> If you are traveling in the next 2 weeks via plane or cruise ship. <S> The cruise line will most likely reject you due to the stop in Vancouver. <S> You cannot enter Canada with only a Nevada license. <S> https://www.usa.gov/passport#item-34927 <S> It does not look like there are any offices in Alaska. <S> There are ones in Seattle. <S> Technically you still have a passport -- replacing it will invalidate the first one. <S> If you have a passport -- have someone get it and FedEx it to you. <S> They can do it to any place including hotels, the cruise ship. <S> Most likely breaking in and repairing the damage may be cheaper than expedited requests.
| The usual thing to do in this situation would be to go in person to a passport agency , where a passport can be issued the same day.
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Purchase ticket for someone else to come visit I live in the US, I wanna buy a round trip ticket for someone to fly from Brisbane to stl and back (about a week), can I purchase the ticket here and them pick them up at a kiosk there in Brisbane? <Q> Different airlines have different policies so you need to check with them before buying. <S> I've bought plenty of tickets for other people in other countries and never had a problem using the following process: <S> Make sure you have user account and profile with the airline Setup up the actual passenger as an additional "traveler" on your profile. <S> You can typically add as many as you want. <S> Buy the ticket through the airline's website and select the desired traveler from your profile. <S> Don't bother with a paper tickets: the e-ticket and confirmation number are enough and can easily be e-mailed. <S> There is no need to pick up anything. <A> Different people (clients and conferences) routinely buy plane tickets for me, and I buy tickets for family members to visit me. <S> Generally the whole thing can be done entirely by email <S> and I have never been asked to show the credit card it was booked on, etc. <S> Not when I book on the airlines own website, not when I use expedia or equivalent, not when the client uses a travel agent. <S> Sometimes there is wording on the web page or in the emails that warns you may be asked for it, but it has never happened to me or my people in over 20 years of doing this. <S> That said, it may depend to some extent on privilege. <S> If I show up at the airport in business clothes to check in for a flight from Canada to Germany, two roughly equal countries, perhaps that's why nobody asks. <S> Perhaps if I showed up dressed like a person who can't afford plane tickets, or was flying from a very poor country to a rich one, there would be more scrutiny. <S> I expect Australia to the USA to be a less-scrutiny situation. <A> Something similar happened to me once when my father bought me an air ticket through his credit card. <S> It was a hassle and I was asked to provide the airport security with my fathers ID card and my relation to him to confirm the ticket was actually bought by someone for me. <S> It was strange because it wasn't even international flight. <S> If you are buying a ticket for someone, they will have to clearly state their visit is being sponsored by you. <S> Otherwise it might cause some issues at airport. <S> Regards.
| Again, it's different from airline to airline, so you should talk to them first or buy the ticket over the phone confirming that the other person does NOT need to present the booking card at check in The people I have booked for have never had a problem using the tickets I bought them.
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Trekking in Russia similar to Kungsleden I've been walking the Kungsleden in the Sweden Lapland recently and I enjoyed it very much. I'd like to try again a similar trek but this time I'd love to go to either Kamchatka or South Siberia (near Baikal lake). Is there a trek in one of those places which is similar to the Kungsleden? With similar I mean that the the path is well marked, it's possible to sleep in huts (even tho I'm also considering bring a tent this time) and it can be walked alone, without guides or tour. <Q> I am afraid that you won't find a similar infrastructure (well-tended cabins spaced out along the well-marked trek, or at least a well-marked path long enough for multi-day hike) anywhere in Russia. <S> Anywhere that is reasonably picturesque, at least. <S> Casual multi-day hiking is simply not popular enough here; it's generally assumed that people going on long hikes should possess adequate pathfinding skills, set their own tents, find water, etc. <S> As a foreigner, you'd be better off hiring a guide: there are plenty of companies providing guided tours near Baikal, some of them should have English-speaking guides as well. <S> Not to be too alarmist, but going on your own might be dangerous because Baikal weather may change fast, leaving you stranded behind a flooded creek, mobile coverage may be poor, limiting your ability to call for help, and you can't completely discard a possibility of conflicts with locals, which an experienced guide would mediate. <S> I've only been personally in Baikal region, but I'd assume that the same applies to Altai (I heard that they offer wonderful horse tours there) and Kamchatka (BEARS!). <A> This is a partial answer; I hope an expert Russian wilderness explorer can come up with a more comprehensive answer. <S> English language information about Russian nature is very limited. <S> I am not aware of a trail with as high use and staffed and equipped mountain huts as Kungsleden, but there are wilderness huts in certain regions. <S> The Great Baikal Trail is somewhat famous <S> but I don't know what the infrastructure is like. <S> I'm currently learning Russian because I'm planning a trip to Europe's largest national park, Югыд ва . <S> The park is right on the border with northwestern Siberia, in the extreme northeast of Europe. <S> I got hold of <S> an overview map for the northern half of the park. <S> The map shows a number of cabins, some named, some unnamed, along the route from Аранец to Желанная. <S> I have not been there <S> and I don't know the situation, but based on blog posts I have deciphered, the trail is so rarely used it is essentially absent, and the cabins are basic wilderness cabins with neither staff nor provision. <S> I have not found any photo or information from the inside. <S> Some photos I found: Here is one photo of a location that has a cabin marked on my map. <S> I'm not sure if that roof is waterproof! <S> Another one <S> Some posts including photos of the larger area: <S> https://pikabu.ru/story/turisticheskie_mesta_respubliki_komi__natsionalnyiy_park_yugyid_va_4177164 https://www.liveinternet.ru/users/ferinae_flamma/post376799670/ <S> https://af1461.livejournal.com/2006/08/ <S> If my trip happens I can report back in the second half of September! <A> Local trekkers community maintains campsites, springs and marks trails. <S> You are still expected to have a tent on you to make use of those campsites. <S> I imagine that mountains regions near Dombai and Elbrus may have similar level of infrastructure.
| You can find marked trails good for multi-day trek in Crimean mountains, starting from Angarsky pass.
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Should I submit original or copy of my passport to Canadian embassy for an immigration application? Recently my husband applied for my immigration to canada in Family Class. My husband is a canadian citizen. Recently I have been asked to submit as the following Passport/Travel Document: Valid passport or travel document This must be received at this office by: 2019/07/10 I am wondering whether they asked me to submit my original passport or a copy? <Q> They're going to stick an actual physical visa into your actual passport, so a copy won't suffice. <S> Send the real thing. <S> Your husband probably already gave them a copy when your application was submitted. <A> A copy of your passport isn't a valid passport or travel document. <A> My wife had to send her passport to The Philippines (she was in Japan). <S> After they received it with her application, they said that her medical certificate was too old and she needed a new one. <S> But to get it she had to take her passport to the doctor. <S> But they had her passport. <S> In the end, it took me getting our Member of Parliament's office involved, because the Philippines office didn't respond to my emails or faxes (there was no phone number). <S> They sent it back to her, by collect courier -- for which she had to pay almost $200! <S> So yes, you have to send in your passport, even though it seems sketchy, and hopefully your experience isn't as bad as ours!
| They want the actual passport.
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Does having had a visa for a country mean I used to be a citizen/national of that country? I'm answering the question "Have you ever been a citizen or national of any other country? Country of Citizenship / Nationality" I used to have an Artist (O-1B) visa for the USA from 2013-2016. Does this mean I used to be a US Citizen? <Q> No, a visa does not make you a citizen. <S> (Nor does it make you a national). <A> Henning Makholm's answer is correct, that your O-1 does not imply that you were a US citizen or national, but a stronger statement is possible: it does imply that you weren't. <S> Having a US visa means that you are not a US national or citizen because people with US citizenship or nationality may not receive US visas. <S> See the US Foreign Affairs Manual at 9 FAM 301.3-3 : <S> You may not issue a visa to an individual unless you are satisfied that the applicant is an alien. <S> An alien is defined at INA 101(a)(3) as "any person not a citizen or national of the United States." <S> (There are of course cases where US citizens have been given visas because the visa officer has been unaware that the applicant was a US citizen. <S> Often, the applicant is also unaware of this. <S> For example, a person born outside the US to a US citizen parent may be unaware of the law governing the transmission of US citizenship in his or her case, and the visa officer may be unaware that the person's parent was a US citizen.) <A> A visa is like an authorization for a person to enter the country on justified purposes. <S> If you're a citizen of this country, you're automatically authorized to enter, well, because you just can no matter what. <S> So only non-citizens need visas. <S> A visa is like a conditional and temporary ID for the visa holder in that country. <S> A citizen has an unconditional and permanent (more or less) ID. <S> That's the difference.
| To reiterate: not only does your O-1 visa not make you a US citizen or national, it implies the contrary.
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What is the legal status of travelling with (unprescribed) methadone in your carry-on? My girlfriend and her sister will be going to Canada for two weeks at the start of July. They both use drugs recreationally and aren't open with their family and are quite isolated. My girlfriends sister has obtained methadone from a friend and wants to know the legality of travelling with it Her only issue is that it would be confiscated if she packs it in carry-on luggage due to the 100ml 3.4 fluid ounce limit however I'm a bit shocked that they aren't more concerned about the legal status. My girlfriend won't travel with her sister if she brings it because she's worried it might be illegal. The sister doesn't have a prescription for it and AFAIK, I told her that methadone is a controlled substance in nearly every country and so carrying it across an international border without any good reason is like smuggling heroin. She'll certainly faces prison time and/or hefty fines. But I'm not sure, I have a few friends who borrowed opiate pills from their relatives in the States and brought them over to Ireland and they weren't stopped. Will it be an issue or not? <Q> Methadone is a controlled drug in Canada under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act <S> (it's in Schedule <S> I, number 5 (4)). <S> It is illegal to import a controlled drug into Canada without authorization (section 6, "Importing and Exporting"). <S> The maximum punishment is life imprisonment; I suspect in practice the punishment would be less, but I don't know how much. <S> It probably wouldn't be good. <S> There is an exemption that can apply for prescription medications for a traveler's own use, but since the drug was not legally prescribed to your girlfriend or her sister, the exemption does not apply. <S> If they declare the drugs at Customs, the drugs will certainly be confiscated, and they may or may not be punished. <S> If they don't declare them, their luggage may be randomly searched, and if caught they will almost certainly be punished. <A> I am going to assume you want to advise them on the correct and legal behavior, not help them circumvent the rules. <S> (For example, here's the advice for Canadian travellers.) <S> It should have a label that identifies it. <S> I have never been asked to show a doctor letter or other paperwork for prescription meds, but in theory you should have this too. <S> If the label identifies it as medication, being over 100 ml should not be an issue. <S> Of course if it is in some sort of unlabeled container, there is going to be problem with that. <S> This will apply when leaving Ireland, clearing security to get on the plane. <S> I suppose if it says something on the label that gets the agent's attention, they could call the local police, but their focus is really on making sure nobody blows up the plane. <S> Second, while many people put all sorts of things in their checked luggage without consequence, this doesn't mean that there is no problem bringing things into countries where they are controlled. <S> There are xrays and such that are on arrival to look for things like drugs in people's bags. <S> There are sniffer dogs in the arrivals area, and trained border agents who send people to secondary for more inspection. <S> If this methadone had been prescribed to your friend, then bringing it would be ok if The drug must be for your use or for the use of a person who is travelling with you and for whom you are responsible. <S> The drug must be in hospital or pharmacy-dispensed packaging, the original retail packaging, or have the original label attached to it clearly indicating what the health product is and what it contains. <S> (A quote from the link above.) <S> If it's just in some sort of jam jar with no label, there's going to be a problem. <S> Smuggling opiates is non trivial. <S> Hoping to get away with it is not a strategy. <S> If the friends are unable to get any methadone prescribed to them, and unable to function without it, then the trip is a bad idea. <A> There are a whole string of violations here. <S> Failure to Declare the medication. <S> It is a crime to fail to declare anything on a long list of things you need to declare, and you bet medicine is at the top of that list. <S> The only way out of that one is to declare "Yes, I have methadone in my bag". <S> Otherwise if you're caught, it's big trouble, a big fine, and you will not be visiting Canada anymore. <S> But if you admit to having it, you evade that charge but not these: Possession of methadone without a prescription . <S> That itself is a crime even if they were not crossing an international border. <S> Importing drugs into Canada . <S> Obviously, trying to import narcotics into Canada is a serious felony, so they will get to be the guests of the RCMP for a number of years , and will not successfully visit any other countries for the rest of their lives, because they'll be in all the databases as a convicted felon. <S> And your girlfriend will be neck deep in this if she is connected with the friend at all. <S> And she will be connected with the friend because young people can't stop using social media , and will be shown to be fully cognizant of the plot (and thus an accomplice). <S> The texts will be found. <S> This SE post will be found. <S> Everything will be found . <S> Cops are very good at police forensics, young people are very bad at it, and drug use doesn't help. <S> International authorities tend to regard friends traveling together as mutually culpable. <S> Also it is possible for drug users to entangle other people into their schemes. <S> Your girlfriend's best bet is to either not go, or find a pretense to travel separately. <S> Both ways. <S> Your best bet is making sure not to travel with them.
| It is not legal to bring methadone into Canada without a prescription. First, medications are exempt from the 100ml rule and everyone advises you keep your meds in carryon.
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