13
votes
7answers
644 views
Which credit cards have global coverage?
While traveling I ran into two situations where my credit card was not accepted. I mainly use MasterCard. In China (although 10 years ago) Visa was accepted in most stores, but MasterCard was not. In ...
11
votes
4answers
256 views
What's the easiest way to find a vacation rental?
I've rented a few vacation homes and really liked it but it always takes hours and hours to find a good one. It seems like there are 100+ different sites that all list different homes (some with a ...
7
votes
1answer
421 views
Where can I find short term apartment rental offers in Berlin?
I'm looking to rent an apartment in Berlin for three months starting in April.
What websites / real estate agents / vacation rental companies exist for renting an apartment long term in Berlin?
I've ...
16
votes
5answers
6k views
What is the minimum time to consider with a connecting flight in the USA?
Given the extensive time taken for immigration formalities in the US, what is the shortest time to consider between connecting flights in the US, when coming from abroad?
Until now I have always ...
13
votes
4answers
6k views
Free / cheap ways to get airport lounge access?
Until recently, I had a complimentary Priority Pass card. Although the Priority Pass lounges aren't generally great, they are better than nothing when travelling on an airline where you don't have ...
12
votes
2answers
475 views
Cell phones in Japan
What are the options for getting a smart phone up and running when travelling for a couple of weeks in Japan?
12
votes
6answers
2k views
US debit/ATM card with lowest fees for travel
For a US citizen traveling worldwide, what is the best major debit/ATM card (on the Visa or MasterCard networks) to take in terms of lowest fees for withdrawing international currency from ATMs? ...
8
votes
2answers
8k views
Flying with a desktop computer (as checked luggage)
On an upcoming trip, I will be taking a desktop computer and monitor as checked luggage (on a United/Continental flight). What should I be aware of when doing this? What needs to be done to properly ...
20
votes
3answers
2k views
Shipping my car from Europe to Canada or the U.S
The plan is to drive my car (a small 4x4) from Prudhoe Bay1 (Deadhorse), Alaska to Cape Horn, Tierra del Fuego in Chile. I will be travelling for an undetermined duration, with a minimum of two years. ...
15
votes
4answers
322 views
Are there ways to keep long-distance land transport costs down in France when not planning in advance?
Ten years ago I travelled around Europe for the first time and in some countries I was very frustrated by high cost of trains and lack of alternatives to them.
I remember being in Cannes with a ...
14
votes
2answers
6k views
Maximum validity of a Schengen visa for multiple visits
My dodgy Colombian friend has a Schengen visa which is valid for 5 years. It is a multiple entry visa but it also says you are permitted 90 days in the Schengen zone.
Is this 90 days total in 5 ...
11
votes
1answer
3k views
Visit the UK with Schengen visa
I'm Russian, and I have touristic (C-type) Schengen visa. I want to know, can I stay for some period in UK without getting UK visa, or it is not possible (I heard about 36 hours free of visa staying ...
18
votes
1answer
888 views
How can I travel to Germany with my dog?
I will be traveling to Germany (from the USA) in a few months and hope to bring my dog, a 10 lb Chihuahua-mix. I would like to do this with a minimum of difficulty, so I am hoping to hear the ...
15
votes
3answers
1k views
What is the connecting time to consider for International to International Transfers in US Airports?
There is a question on "the minimum time to consider with a connecting flight in the USA". In one answer it is said that "international to domestic transfers are always terrible and should be avoided ...
13
votes
3answers
727 views
Avoiding air travel sickness without Dramamine/Dimenhydrinate or other drugs
My wife is very prone to motion sickness, especially on air flights. In the past we've handled this with Dramamine (Dimenhydrinate), which helped quite a bit.
Unfortunately, my wife's reaction to ...
12
votes
3answers
448 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 ...
10
votes
4answers
166 views
I am looking for a hotel search engine for rural areas
I am trying to find a bucolic holiday destination, which means finding a nice hotel in a small beautiful village for spending some quiet time.
Most search engines are only finding major cities, and ...
10
votes
2answers
892 views
What are the “rules” for multi-city flights?
As I understand things, airlines generally give discounts for round-trips that consist of a flight from A to B followed by a flight from B to A. How does this logic work for multi-city flights? As ...
10
votes
4answers
3k views
Paris Gare du Nord to Gare Montparnasse, by public transport but without lots of walking?
In a couple of weeks time, I'm off to the Loire by Eurostar + TGV, which means a cross Paris change. The Eurostar uses Gare du Nord, while the TGVs down to the Loire are at Gare Montparnasse.
One ...
9
votes
5answers
1k views
Choices for prepaid GSM data with laptop tethering in Europe?
Planning a trip to Europe later this year that will definitely include Italy, and will most likely include the UK, Germany, and a smattering of connecting and/or distractingly shiny countries. Here in ...
7
votes
2answers
619 views
Flight with stopover: How to find a similar flight but with 1-week stopover?
Using some website, the cheapest Tokyo→Paris flight has a 5-hours stopover in Dubai.
I would like to make this stopover 7-days, so that I can visit around that place too.
I can't express this ...
7
votes
1answer
524 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 ...
7
votes
2answers
10k views
90 Day rule on the US Visa Waiver Program not expiring if you go to Canada
I'm on a New Zealand passport.
From most US Embassy webpages:
The Visa Waiver Program (VWP) enables nationals of certain countries,
including Australia, New Zealand, and the U.K., to travel to ...
7
votes
2answers
2k views
Which foreign currencies can be used to exchange for INR in India?
Is there a preferred foreign currency to bring to India to exchange for the Indian Rupee? I understand that USD is the preferred currency in most countries, but is it OK to bring CAD?
Will cab ...
6
votes
2answers
2k views
Is 50 minutes enough time to transfer between Terminal A and C at Newark (EWR)?
We'll be arriving at Newark airport (with two kids under 7) at Terminal A and our flight connection is in Terminal C. Is that enough time to catch the connecting flight?
Update: both flights are on ...
4
votes
1answer
209 views
Is there wifi in Astana Airport (Kazakhstan)?
I have several hours stopover there tomorrow night. I'm debating sleeping in the airport or sleeping in a hotel - I can sleep anywhere, but if there's wifi in the airport that would seal the deal for ...
2
votes
1answer
360 views
How to calculate stays against 90/180 visa rules?
Some destinations have a "90/180 rule" which says you can come and go but you must not spend over 90 days out of any 180 days in the area. A recent question asked by a new contributor concerns this ...
18
votes
2answers
3k views
What are some tricks you use to buy cheap airline tickets in Europe?
I have been flying with Wizzair, Ryanair and Easyjet for some time already and have found that there is really a lot to be learned about how to achieve the lowest prices. It was not uncommon for me to ...
30
votes
6answers
1k views
Japanese etiquette: Most common (and offensive) mistakes?
I am aware that Japan has many unwritten rules of etiquette. What are some of the most common (and offensive) breaches of etiquette made by visitors?
On the flip side, what behaviors show respect ...
18
votes
8answers
6k views
What is the best method for exchanging dollars for Euros?
I'm traveling from the US to Europe in a few weeks. What's the best method of exchanging dollars for Euros?
I imagine there's options like:
at the airport when you arrive in Europe
at a bank in ...
33
votes
9answers
4k views
Where is wild camping possible in Europe?
In which countries is wild camping with a tent allowed or at least tolerated? How high is the probability that someone will get angry at you or even call the police?
Please consider only cases where ...
29
votes
5answers
9k views
When to book tickets from travel sites rather than airline sites?
When booking plane tickets, I generally buy directly from the airline's website (as it is often the lowest or near-lowest price for the destinations I travel between). However, I know there are many ...
27
votes
6answers
3k views
What can I do to prevent passport stamps being put on blank pages?
I'm running low on blank passport pages which are sometimes needed for full page visas such as those issued by Armenia, India, and Vietnam.
When I crossed the border into Turkey the other day I got ...
16
votes
2answers
229 views
Website resources for 'out there' jobs related to travel
I've come across a few travel + working websites - which can get you a 'non-standard' job in a remote place - like EscapeTheCity which has had roles from post office master in Antarctica to landmine ...
21
votes
6answers
709 views
What publicly accessible tall structures to take photos from exist in London?
I'm looking for publicly accessible tall structures in London from where I can take photos of the city.
The Monument to the Great Fire of London has pretty good views, and I understand you can get ...
24
votes
6answers
960 views
What to do with your valuables on a low-cost holiday while swimming/diving?
I am planning to go to central America (Costa Rica + Panama) for a rather budget holiday, and I am wondering what people usually do with their documents, money, cameras, etc. when staying in a budget ...
24
votes
3answers
2k views
What are the signs of a bed bug infestation?
Bed bugs have become a real problem recently, with more and more places reporting outbreaks. What can you do to avoid being exposed to these nasty parasites?
If you do get exposed, what can you do ...
18
votes
4answers
616 views
How many countries are there in the world to travel to?
If you've travelled a bit, at some point you'll either have dreamed of or been asked - 'will you visit every country in the world?'. However, it's not a straightforward goal to aim for...
I've heard ...
14
votes
3answers
215 views
Is there a resource to find free, open wifi hotspots?
It would be great to know where free, publicly accessible (municipal or otherwise) hotspots are when travelling in foreign cities. Does such a utility exist (website/app etc.)?
8
votes
5answers
267 views
Flight deals from the UK
Can someone recommend a good website with flight deals from London/UK, which I could subscribe to? I mean promotions in different airlines, e.g. bmi used to have a bmifriday promotion (not sure if its ...
21
votes
1answer
2k views
Are there any repercussions from having an Israeli stamp in my passport?
I have heard people say that having a stamp from Israel in your passport can cause problems when trying to get into other countries.
Is there any truth to this statement? If so, which countries does ...
18
votes
4answers
2k views
Where can someone see flowing lava at roughly Easter time?
A trip is being planned at roughly Easter 2012 (to match school schedules) that can go anywhere in the world as long it meets these two criteria:
there is flowing lava you can see (not just cooled ...
17
votes
5answers
729 views
Is there a powerstrip which accomodates most if not all AC power plugs?
You can buy travel adapters for AC power plugs, but do powerstrips exist that accomodate different international power plugs in one unit? When travelling and collaborating in an international ...
15
votes
5answers
3k views
Cheap bus lines in Germany, something like Orangeways?
Are there any cheap bus lines inside Germany? Something like Orangeways?
I've checked Deutsche Bahn cost for transport from Berlin to München and I was shocked with the price about 100 Euro. By ...
12
votes
2answers
511 views
Which countries are “Muslim countries”?
In the question about drinking beer in Dubai it arose that the term "Muslim country" can be seen as one where the laws of the country are affected by the rules of the religion (like Dubai), whereas ...
11
votes
1answer
303 views
How to see the Norwegian fjords?
I am currently working in The Hague area of the Netherlands. This summer is too cold to spend weekends on the beach, so I've decided to spend 3-4 days seeing the Norwegian fjords instead.
I ...
10
votes
1answer
186 views
Elephant Trekking in northern Thailand
I would like to know my options for good trekking tours in Thailand, especially in (but not limited to) the Chiang Mai area. Not longer than a week, not too much "intense", but also not too much ...
18
votes
3answers
665 views
OK we're all nerds here, so really, how on earth should I use a Japanese toilet?
OK so for anyone that's travelled to Japan you know what I'm talking about.
They're devices that are a textbook example of excessive featuritis.
But I want to use something other than the flush knob ...
18
votes
7answers
913 views
Is there any trick to checking in more weight on planes?
I soon have to move from France to Spain, one way no coming back. And as with most of the airlines carriers in Europe I am allowed at 23Kg checked-in and 10Kg on board with me. Packing lifetime stuff ...
17
votes
2answers
282 views
How to tip in the United States?
Tipping customs in the United States can be surprising for people who travel there for the first time. It happened to me whan I used a shuttle van service out of LAX a few years ago.
To sum up the ...
