Questions regarding what is permitted or forbidden in various places including unforseen technicalities.
13
votes
3answers
2k views
Are there any US laws that a US citizen MUST obey while traveling, even if those laws do not exist in the country he is traveling to?
It goes without saying that the laws vary from country to country, and what is illegal in one country might be both legally permitted and culturally accepted in another.
For example, in the US the ...
14
votes
2answers
330 views
What are the rates posted on hotel room doors / in the lobby for?
When I'm travelling, I often see hotel room rates posted on the back of the hotel room door (typically in the US) or in the lobby, behind the check-in desk. These rates are typically eye-wateringly ...
33
votes
4answers
857 views
Your address at destination: What if you don't know any address?
Often, when entering a country, you must fill a form that asks, in particular, where you will stay.
What if you don't know yet?
Even worse, what if you don't have your guidebook in hand luggage, and ...
7
votes
2answers
1k views
Schengen visa rejection
Please help me on this.
I got a multiple entry Schengen visa from 5-3-2011 to 5-9-2011 (valid for 6 months) last year during which I stayed for 42 days out of the allocated 90 days.
I again applied ...
4
votes
2answers
323 views
Are there any “Fantasy Passports” that are recognised by other countries?
I've read about the Conch Republic passports, and Hutt River, and am wondering - these so-called fantasy passports - are any of them actually recognised anywhere else in the world?
@mindcorrosive ...
8
votes
2answers
206 views
Can I get in trouble if, at customs, the police finds media files that I can't prove are mine?
I have ripped some of my DVD series to my phone and laptop so I do not need to waste space and battery with the extra discs.
But what happens when I am traveling, say from Europe->USA or ...
15
votes
3answers
434 views
Declaring illegal substances at customs - what would happen?
I've always wondered this. Occasionally I declare medicines, or wood carvings or whatever when going through customs. The point of asking you to declare these things is so that they can inspect and ...
16
votes
5answers
3k views
What to do if drugs / a bomb are planted in your travel bag?
So the scene: You're flying from Bogota, Colombia to New York, USA. You arrive, pick up your bag from the carousel, and figure you'll stuff your netbook you used on the flight into your bag now ...
10
votes
4answers
379 views
Is it safe to buy-and-forget prepaid SIM card with internet tariff in Germany?
When you're geocaching, or using mobile maps for navigation, or simply you're internet addict :) you're likely to buy a prepaid SIM card for internet in your smartphone when you're in foreign country.
...
16
votes
3answers
678 views
Under what situations can a passenger be restrained by flight crew?
I came across a news story recently where a passenger was restrained using tape for unruly behaviour on an Icelandair flight.
Under what situations is a flight crew allowed to take such action, and ...
3
votes
1answer
104 views
May kids ride in the back of a 5th Wheel in the US?
I'm investigating changing to a 5th wheel RV - that's the kind of travel trailer that you tow behind a pickup. In such a setup, there is no access from the driver in the truck to the living space ...
11
votes
2answers
251 views
Is it allowed to drive a bike after 1 (2, 3) beers in Germany?
What is the regulation about bicycle driving in Germany? What is the acceptable alcohol rate in blood?
So, am I generally allowed to drive a bicycle after 1 or 2 beers? In Poland, for example, I ...
14
votes
3answers
515 views
Do rental cars in France come with the two legally required breathalyzers?
As of June 2012 France requires all cars / drivers to carry two self-test breathalyzers.
Do all rental car companies supply them and if I use one what is the charge associated with it?
16
votes
2answers
1k views
Can the ship's captain really perform your wedding when in international waters?
On the question about whether you can get married while travelling, Mark Mayo posted a comment that any marriage has to be on dry land or close to it.
But I'm sure all of us have heard of ships' ...
10
votes
1answer
225 views
Is it a breach of South African Law or International regulations to not do a full safety briefing on a commercial flight?
I was recently on a scheduled flight (Boeing 737) from Victoria Falls (VFA) to Johannesburg (JNB). At the check in desk I was informed the flight was stopping at Livingston (LVI) on route.
When I ...
9
votes
1answer
194 views
Some travel forms ask if I've visited Africa recently. What restrictions might I encounter due to my travel to Africa?
I know that I may be ineligible to donate blood (in the United States, at least) for a certain period of time after travelling to Africa (from my research, mainly because of presence of malaria, but ...
11
votes
2answers
924 views
What happens if you lose your passport at an airport / during transit?
Once, when flying from India to the UK, I left my passport on the plane's seat-back pocket and forgot that I left it there until I reached the passport control desks. Fortunately in this case, I ...
1
vote
1answer
324 views
Should I pay my rental car company a speeding and toll ticket in Canada? [closed]
Today I got an invoice from a major, world-wide known car rental company. It seems that I have used a toll express highway without paying and I also got a speeding ticket during my vacation in Canada. ...
10
votes
1answer
176 views
How do carpool lanes work?
I'm doing some research for our roadtrip through SW USA (+Calif.) and ran into "carpool lanes" and this came to my attention:
Hopefully if you're not travelling alone, you will be allowed to
...
12
votes
2answers
247 views
Building an Igloo if camping is not allowed? (Switzerland/Liechtenstein)
It's winter time and therefore I'm thinking about how to spend the days between Christmas and New Year's Eve. We have the plan to build an igloo somewhere in the mountains and spend some nights there. ...
3
votes
1answer
134 views
Using a UK paper license counterpart in Australia
A few weeks ago I lost my card UK driver's license somewhere in Arizona/Nevada.
In November I will be in Australia. My new license may not make it here in time.
However I still have the paper ...
14
votes
2answers
1k views
Why are you now required to NOT smile in passport photos?
Passport photos these days are usually pretty specific - certain size, color, etc.
But the odd requirement the past few years is that usually you're not allowed to smile in them.
We're discussing ...
8
votes
1answer
217 views
Can I leave my U.S. car in Mexico on an FM3 visa?
As a U.S. citizen in Mexico on an FM3 visa, can I leave my car in Mexico when I travel to other countries as long as my visa is still current, or must my car follow me when I leave the country?
If it ...
14
votes
2answers
435 views
What questions should I be able to answer when entering USA?
Last time I entered USA, the border officer asked me a lot of questions. Some of them were quite personal and others were about my destination in the USA. For example he asked my where I would stay. I ...
6
votes
1answer
82 views
Can I take motion sickness drugs with me that contain dimenhydratine, or can it be bought at the destination?
I have moderate motion sickness, especially in non-climatised buses, and the drugs that are working very well for me are those containing dimenhydratine.
Is this substance legal in Georgia? Can I ...
10
votes
1answer
153 views
Are anti-influenza drugs containing pseudoephedrine legal in Georgia?
Are the drugs against influenza, that contains pseudoephedrine, legal in Georgia? Can I put them into my travel first-aid kit when traveling by plane?
This drugs have worked very well for me when ...
9
votes
2answers
172 views
Does the hotel need to be fully prepaid before applying for a Swiss tourist visa?
I am an international student now studying in the UK, and I need a visa for traveling to Switzerland.
The visa application requires a confirmed hotel reservation, but it hasn't mentioned what kind of ...
13
votes
1answer
265 views
Is there an EU law that a hotel can't kick you out if you're sick?
Someone told me that there was an EU law that said that if a doctor certifies you as sick (to some degree) and you're staying in a hotel, that the hotel cannot kick you out of the room.
Update Just ...
23
votes
2answers
1k views
Is it technically illegal for US citizens to visit Cuba?
There is a belief that US citizens would be doing something illegal if they were to visit Cuba.
I remember hearing years ago while in Mexico where lots of people go on sidetrips to Cube that it's not ...
4
votes
1answer
116 views
Who to blame or what to do in case things go wrong with a booking through airbnb
I have been pointed to airbnb on several occasions. Although the idea behind that website is really nice, I never actually made a reservation through airbnb. Some times the offers are too good to be ...
11
votes
1answer
310 views
Lost passport with Schengen visa
My passport was stolen in Prague on my way to Vienna. I filed a police report and our embassy swiftly acted by giving me a temporary passport for my onward journey to Munich and Rome. Upon exit from ...
22
votes
6answers
2k views
What are the main differences in traffic regulations between the US/Europe?
There are the obvious ones. The US has the keep-your-lane system, where as in Europe you are expected to keep to the right (left for UK) as long as possible.
On my latest travel to the US, I was ...
6
votes
2answers
261 views
Do Turkish citizens need a visa to come to the UK for one day?
I may need to go to the UK for a day. I live in Turkey and I am a Turkish citizen. Do I need a visa to come to the UK for only one day?
5
votes
1answer
192 views
Applying for a Schengen visa from Greek embassy with an expired resident visa in Israel?
I'm Philippines passport holder and currently living in Israel. A few months ago my resident permit expired and I'm ready to go back home for good. My question is - can I apply for a Schengen visa in ...
3
votes
1answer
46 views
What is the process of extending a single entry Indonesian visa while in country?
A friend of mine is in Indonesia and attempted to get an extension to his single entry visa a day before it was due to expire, instead of an extension he was given a receipt to replace his ...
15
votes
2answers
462 views
What's the value of the “genocide” and similar questions on the US customs form I-94?
It's been a while since I’ve been to the United States, so I’m not sure whether it’s still being used, but I remember having to always fill out form I-94 which asked some odd questions: such as ...
8
votes
3answers
3k views
Travelling to Attu Island
The U.S. Coast Guard recently closed and abandoned (I think) their Loran station on Attu Island, Alaska. Is it possible to legally visit Attu now? Is there any red tape involved? Is the airport open ...
11
votes
1answer
825 views
Is it really forbidden to cross the Indian border with Indian rupee?
Last week I tried to exchange some Swiss Francs into Indian rupees. For that I visited a big bank and they told me that they have rupees but I'm not allowed to import any into India. Is this really ...
7
votes
3answers
2k views
Joining the Mile High Club (MHC) - Can I get into trouble?
The same friend I already mentioned in this question, has an additional travel question. Recently, he read a lot about the Mile High Club (MHC). Wikipedia defines the mile high club as people who had ...
17
votes
1answer
2k views
What happens when a foreigner gets a traffic fine in the United States?
What happens when a foreigner gets a speeding ticket / traffic fine in the United States? I've heard that the issuing officer will demand payment on site or will confiscate the drivers license. That ...
22
votes
2answers
6k views
What should you do if you get arrested in a foreign country?
If a traveller - for whatever reason, is arrested on charges (valid or otherwise), what steps should he/she take to ensure their safety, local and home legal aid and security? How can one make sure ...
11
votes
4answers
359 views
Are there countries other than the Netherlands that support hitchhiking?
According to the Internet, the Netherlands support hitchhiking by placing signs (see picture) in spots that are a good location for hitchhikers. Are there any other countries that have such great ...
5
votes
2answers
127 views
What knives can I take with me when going into Georgia?
What kind of knives can I take with me (by plane) when travelling into Georgia?
Will the small tourist knife be legal? What about survival-like military knives?
I think I would need a knife that ...
11
votes
2answers
2k views
Is there any other country than Germany with no speed limits?
I'm very into road trips. Therefore I'm always looking for something special.
I think it is very special that at least parts of Germany's highways have no speed limits. But since I live very close to ...
6
votes
2answers
148 views
Can I pay with Swiss Franc bills that are cut into pieces?
Is it possible to pay with a Swiss Francs bill that is cut into pieces in a Swiss store such as Migros or Coop?
5
votes
5answers
1k views
Is it possible to carry pepper spray for self-defense?
I want to carry pepper spray with me when traveling for self-defense purposes only. Is there a way to be allowed to do that or is there any official document that allows me to safely travel with ...
5
votes
1answer
144 views
Using a UK paper license counterpart in New Zealand
A few weeks ago I lost my card UK driver's license somewhere in Arizona/Nevada.
Next month I will be in New Zealand. My new license may not make it here in time.
However I still have the paper ...
5
votes
1answer
763 views
Can you rent / drive a car in the USA with just the paper counterpart of the UK driver's license?
A few weeks ago I lost my card UK driver's license somewhere in Arizona/Nevada.
Next week I head to California. My new license may not make it here in time.
However I still have the paper ...
24
votes
4answers
2k views
Birth while traveling on-board an airplane
Yesterday, a friend of mine who works as a purser (chief flight attendant) helped a lady with delivering her baby during a flight to Manila, Philippines while over the ocean :)
I know that pregnant ...
7
votes
1answer
540 views
UK citizen, US company, living in UK: Can I use an ESTA?
So:
I am a UK citizen
I work for a US company
I currently live in the UK and have no US visa
What am I allowed to do when I enter the US on an ESTA? Am I allowed to work if I am getting paid in a ...
