Questions regarding what is permitted or forbidden in various places including unforseen technicalities.
33
votes
4answers
852 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 ...
29
votes
5answers
2k views
What happens if you cannot pay for a hotel?
What happens if you cannot pay for your hotel stay because you accidentally run out of money (can happen) or your credit card was blocked (much more likely)? I assume you cannot arrange the money on ...
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?
25
votes
5answers
3k views
Can a tourist buy a gun in the USA?
This came up as a discussion. With recent incidents in the news, it's often argued by some members of the public in the US that guns are a requirement for safety, and that everyone should have the ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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.
...
20
votes
3answers
2k views
Should I carry a passport around everywhere I go in the UK?
I am a new student in the UK. I attend classes both in London and Cambridge. Should I carry my passport with me wherever I go within UK? Or is a college identity enough?
My parents are visiting me ...
19
votes
2answers
573 views
Breast feeding in Iran
We are considering a trip to Iran with a 5-month old. What is the local attitude to breast-feeding in public places? Is it legal? Are there any severe consequences? Do you need to use some special ...
18
votes
6answers
739 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?
18
votes
3answers
918 views
How fast may you drive on the Autobahn?
As every American teenager "knows" there is no speed limit on the Autobahn. My understanding, however, is that there is still such a thing as excessive speed even on this free-for-all.
So, ignoring ...
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 ...
16
votes
5answers
1k views
Is wild camping possible in Germany? Where?
Is it possible to do wild camping in Germany? Are there specific zones for that?
If yes, can someone recommend a few, preferably with nice trails to walk.
The idea is to go into nature.
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 ...
16
votes
3answers
670 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 ...
16
votes
3answers
3k views
Do I have to enter the UK on my UK passport?
I'm a British National (Overseas), which basically means that while I don't have the right of abode in the UK, I am permitted to visit the UK without a visa. However, my passport has expired, and ...
16
votes
2answers
492 views
How can I find which European countries require headlights on during daytime?
I know that the driving law in several countries in Europe require headlights on during daytime, some of them only in winter.
But where can I find which countries have such a requirement?
Just to ...
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
2answers
455 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 ...
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 ...
15
votes
3answers
432 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
1k views
TrueCrypt Volumes: Will it cause any trouble?
From various sources (mainly friends and dubious internet sites) I heard that you can get in trouble if you have encrypted volumes/files on your laptop while entering USA. Apparently they assume that ...
14
votes
3answers
506 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 ...
14
votes
2answers
426 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 ...
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 ...
14
votes
2answers
321 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 ...
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 ...
13
votes
5answers
915 views
How to avoid letting a rental business hold my passport in Thailand?
I'm considering renting a motorcycle in Thailand, and the terms on the rental company's website state they will hold my passport for the duration of the rental. While I do not intend to leave the ...
13
votes
3answers
1k views
What are the rules surounding alcohol in Morocco
I will be in Morocco for New Year's: what are the rules surrounding alcohol?
Firstly is alcohol even available? If so do I need a permit or is it just a case of showing your passport at the store?
...
13
votes
2answers
573 views
Are there any laws which prohibit officials from taking a passport out-of-reach of the passport holder?
Normally when you cross a border, the border guards check your passport in your view (i.e. the passport never becomes out-of-sight for the passport-holder).
But sometimes a guard comes, and takes the ...
13
votes
2answers
1k views
Is it legal to smoke weed in Prague?
I know that buying and selling marijuana in Prague is illegal. As I were there in October 2012 I haven't seen any coffeeshops, but I have seen a lot of people smoking weed in bars or on the streets, ...
13
votes
1answer
264 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 ...
13
votes
1answer
790 views
What are the fake police checkpoints in Mexico looking for?
I'm not entirely sure if this is the right place to ask this, but my reason for asking is travel; and travel safety (as well as sheer curiosity).
Last week I came across a clearly1 fake2 police ...
12
votes
3answers
447 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 ...
12
votes
2answers
1k views
Is my U.S. driver's license valid in Europe?
Can I drive using my U.S. (New York State) license in the European Union (if the answer depends on the country, please answer for Czech Republic)?
12
votes
2answers
786 views
Finding a notary in France / Italy
I sometimes need to have documents notarized while travelling abroad. How can I find a notary in a foreign country? The U.S. embassies and consulates will notarize things for me, but this is ...
12
votes
1answer
168 views
Can I import homebrewed alcohol to Norway?
In Norway, as far as I know, the sale of all alcohol is nationalized. I'm going to visit my friend there, and his parents want to send him a bottle (He is from Slovakia, same as myself). Is it legal ...
12
votes
2answers
166 views
How to understand the registration rules in Serbia?
A country like Serbia obligates you to register your stay within 24h. Now how to understand that if you move constantly and do not stay in a place where they do it for you.
Do you have to register ...
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. ...
11
votes
4answers
467 views
Travel to Cuba as dual citizen (USA+other)?
Suppose I am a U.S. citizen with dual citizenship with another country. Citizens of this second country are allowed to travel to Cuba. Suppose further that I live and work outside the United States ...
11
votes
1answer
816 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 ...
11
votes
2answers
249 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 ...
11
votes
4answers
357 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 ...
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 ...
11
votes
2answers
864 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 ...
11
votes
1answer
159 views
Can I explore London by Roller skating?
I'm French and I plan to stroll in London for a few days.
I usually enjoy sightseeing alone, on my roller skates. In France it's mostly tolerated to skate on the sidewalks, you may even sneak between ...
