Questions regarding what is permitted or forbidden in various places including unforseen technicalities.
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 ...
12
votes
3answers
444 views
Are there any trains where roof riding is legally possible?
I just read an article about the Indonesian railways, where they put low hanging concrete balls above railroad tracks to deter train rooftop riders.
Roof riding is common on certain trains in ...
7
votes
1answer
510 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 ...
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 ...
11
votes
1answer
814 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 ...
10
votes
4answers
3k views
Are there any legal requirements for renting a car in the US as a foreigner?
I am planning a road trip in the US with some friends and plan to rent a car for the purpose. Are there any legal requirements for renting a car.
Do they require a US driver's license?
Do I have to ...
18
votes
6answers
736 views
Can you get married while traveling?
As a traveler getting married while traveling must be the ultimate experience. Can you actually legally get married while traveling?
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 ...
1
vote
6answers
3k views
Do I have to pay traffic fines issued by foreign governments?
I live in Italy and I own a car registered in Italy as well.
Next year I'm planning a long stay in the US (around 6 months) and I want to bring my car with me.
I was wondering, can I abuse carpool ...
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 ...
26
votes
2answers
5k views
Is weed still legal for tourists in Amsterdam?
I have heard it's not legal starting from 2013. I also heard they postponed applying this? So what's the deal? Allowed or not?
21
votes
4answers
5k views
Legalities and safety concerns of visiting prostitutes in Amsterdam
A friend of mine left his girlfriend after a long (~5 years) relationship. To cheer him up a little bit, we decided to go to Amsterdam, as they have liberal prostitution and drug consuming laws.
...
21
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 ...
15
votes
3answers
431 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 ...
14
votes
2answers
398 views
What exactly is allemansrätten in Sweden?
My understanding is that it is a limited right for a traveler to camp out on any "unsettled" property in Sweden, public or private. Of course, there are important restrictions, such as NO right to ...
14
votes
3answers
500 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?
14
votes
1answer
518 views
Couldn't return papers to border officials last time. Should I be afraid when going back to USA?
Three years ago I was on holidays in Canada and visited the Niagara Falls. I also went to the American side of the falls and got something like a "short-term visa". I also got a green paper with all ...
8
votes
2answers
394 views
Are the TSA rules legally binding?
A user asked
How do I minimize the chances of TSA agents confisticating liquids larger than 3 ounces?
My question is - are the TSA rules legally binding or not? Whether or not you get charged if ...
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' ...
15
votes
3answers
698 views
Will I get in trouble if I drink beer in public in Dubai?
As far as I know, Dubai is a Muslim country. And as far as I know, it is forbidden to drink alcohol in Muslim countries. Is this also true for Dubai and tourists?
So as a tourist can I drink alcohol ...
14
votes
2answers
423 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 ...
11
votes
4answers
356 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 ...
9
votes
2answers
167 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 ...
9
votes
1answer
255 views
Are US citizens legally required to provide a current address on a US customs declaration?
When returning to the USA, US citizens are required to fill out a written customs declaration. This form has space for a "Street Address". See a sample form here: ...
8
votes
1answer
393 views
Is AirBNB legal and legit in Canada?
This answer mentions AirBNB technically being illegal in New York and that causing issues sometimes with unprompted withdrawal of rentals. Are they legal in Canada, and specifically Toronto?
8
votes
1answer
148 views
Is it really permitted for travellers to work while visiting Georgia on a tourist visa?
Last night at a party with lots of expats and Georgians the topic came up that foreigners don't need any special visa or work permit to work in Georgia while they are visiting the country as tourists.
...
8
votes
3answers
594 views
Overlanding in Egypt without a carnet de passage?
I know some people have entered Egypt without a Carnet de Passage so I know it is possible, what I need to know is how long can you drive it in Egypt that way, I know with a Carnet it is 6 months ...
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 ...
7
votes
4answers
386 views
Are all trains/buses within the EU non-smoking? What about smoking on platforms?
No, I'm not a smoker, but some friends coming on a trip with me are, and they want to know what their options are (I suppose some of the 12+ hour journeys we have planned frighten them).
Personally, ...
6
votes
2answers
254 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?
