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
4answers
743 views
Can I travel to North Korea overland (via train)?
I understand there's only one company that actually does the North Korea tours (although a lot of other tour agencies will allow you to book through them). I am wondering if they have an option to ...
15
votes
3answers
756 views
What is the state of train travel in USA?
I'm planning to go to the USA for some months. I'd like to travel there by train, but I heard that trains aren't really widely used in USA. So my questions are:
How is the rail network in the USA? ...
13
votes
2answers
754 views
Renting a car in Ireland & Great Britain: 1 rental or 2?
My wife, two kids and I will be traveling in Ireland and the UK Nov. 1st through 21st. We're flying into and out of Dublin. Our plan is to do a clockwise tour: Fly into Dublin -> Belfast -> Scotland ...
11
votes
3answers
190 views
Rooftop bar in Manhattan?
Currently I'm in New York. I'm looking for a rooftop bar that provides a great overview about Manhattan, but is still affordable. (20 dollar for cocktail at maximum.) Additionally, I want to go there ...
11
votes
5answers
551 views
Least stressful method of travelling around Paris
In London I can get one day travel card for the underground train, - it might not always be the absolute cheapest but I nearly always end up getting one. And if I were a tourist I would definitely ...
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 ...
9
votes
4answers
1k views
What is the LONGEST passenger flight (with a flight number) in the world?
For example, JQ151 from Sydney to Christchurch is around 3 hours. NZ1 however, is about another 7 to Hong Kong.
Will need a regular flight number to verify.
Definition is longest in terms of flight ...
8
votes
5answers
1k views
What type of mosquito repellent is most effective?
There are many different kinds of insect repellents and bug sprays on the market: sprays and lotions, chemical and natural, huge percentages of DEET and lower percentages, etc.
What type of mosquito ...
7
votes
1answer
105 views
Am I allowed to transport a bycicle on the train in The Netherlands and Belgium?
I am planning to travel through the Netherlands / Belgium and visit several cities. The most confortable/fast way seems to be the train, but for the city visit and nearby places the bicycle is ideal. ...
5
votes
2answers
116 views
What tips or tricks can you use to get “upgraded”/better hotel rooms?
(Inspired by this question on flight upgrades),
Most non-budget hotels have various categories of rooms - perhaps larger rooms, "Executive" rooms, suites, and so on. What tips or tricks can you use ...
5
votes
2answers
348 views
Is there any website or app to lookup flight paths?
Is there any website or mobile phone app that allows me to look up the flight path, given a specific flight number? (I'm thinking 'SeatGuru for flight paths' here.)
PS - I do know flight paths can ...
4
votes
1answer
130 views
Is there a Paris equivalent of London's Oyster Pay-As-You-Go?
When travelling around London, I usually follow the
standing advice
and use an Oyster pay-as-you-go card for my tube/bus/train/dlr journeys. It works well, as I can load some cash on every so often, ...
23
votes
7answers
2k views
If I travel to Paris, can I get by with just English?
If I plan on visiting Paris, but not really the rest of France, is it still important for me to learn at least enough French to get by? Are people in Paris going to be willing to speak English if they ...
19
votes
6answers
12k views
Best way to make my ears pop?
What is the best way to make my ears pop when landing on a plane? The hold-your-nose-and-pitch method is very painful; are there any other methods to pop ears?
18
votes
7answers
572 views
How can you protect a fragile object like bottle of champagne in your baggage against breaking?
I tend to bring something quite fragile with me as cabin luggage. On my next journey I want to bring a special bottle of champagne (because of sentimental reasons). Unfortunately you can't bring a ...
18
votes
3answers
651 views
How can I protect camera equipment in checked baggage?
While I usually take my camera equipment in a carry-on when I fly (within the US), that's not always an option (small plane where no carry-on other than my purse is allowed, travelling with too much ...
16
votes
4answers
2k views
Can I use USD in Canada?
I will go to Canada for the first time from the United States. I will use credit card as much as possible but I guess I need cash for small shops and cafes anyway. To avoid exchange money back and ...
16
votes
4answers
2k views
What class of travel is suitable for a woman travelling alone on Indian railways?
What class should a lone woman travel on a sleeper train to be safe at night?
16
votes
5answers
389 views
View the Grand Canyon by helicopter - is it real?
I going to visit the United States and its famous geographic places, such as the Grand Canyon.
I heard that there are some helicopter tours are available during visiting the Grand Canyon. Is this ...
15
votes
4answers
299 views
Does one tip in the US/Canada for bad service?
In Aus/NZ you don't tip, it's not generally part of the culture.
In the US/Canada you seem to tip for almost everything, but it's meant to be for a good job. However I've also found some workers ...
15
votes
2answers
657 views
I need to fly today, where can I search for options?
A friend of mine needs to fly today. All typical aggregated booking sites don't allow searching for today. Anyone know where it is possible?
15
votes
3answers
1k views
Will an Iranian or Kuwaiti visa or stamp in my passport pose a problem on a future visit to Israel?
In this question I learned that entering Kuwait with an Israeli stamp in your passport will be a problem. (Less surprising was that Iran doesn't like them either).
Later during my current trip I am ...
13
votes
2answers
316 views
Places to stop off along the Sydney to Brisbane railway?
I'm hoping this is a constrained enough question to not produce either long lists, or lots of subjective answers, so here goes...
In December I'm going to want to get from Sydney to Brisbane. I won't ...
12
votes
1answer
1k views
What is the cheapest way to get from South America to Australia
What is the cheapest way to get from South America to Australia?
I found several flights mostly from Buenos Aires and Santiago de Chile, however the prices are quite prohibitive. Do you recommend ...
12
votes
2answers
306 views
What is the best way to get from the airport to center of Buenos Aires?
Is there a good shuttle service? Taxis? What should one expect to pay? Is it worth pre-arranging?
12
votes
2answers
553 views
Is it possible for a tourist to visit South Ossetia?
South Ossetia is a rebel provice of the Republic of Georgia recognized and supported by Russia as an independent state since 2008 but recognized by most countries in the world as part of the Republic ...
11
votes
3answers
428 views
How to “speak” Russian, if you don't speak Russian?
I saw this really amazing film, called Chapiteau show. It is one of those films, after which, you want to go there. Although it is a Russian film, imdb shows that it is filmed in the Crimea (Ukraine). ...
11
votes
3answers
482 views
Why do return flight costs vary depending on the country of origin?
I had planned for my wife, daughters and I to take a holiday from our home in China to the UK for a few weeks in July. Usually, when people visit us in China from the UK, the cost is around £450 to ...
11
votes
5answers
444 views
Hostels in US vs. Europe
How do hostels in the US compare with hostels in Europe? Are they similar in terms of convenience, availability, cost, amenities, etc? Or is the "hostel culture" completely different in the two ...
11
votes
2answers
235 views
Can Serbian dinars be exchanged in the Republic of Macedonia?
I just crossed the border from Serbia to the Republic of Macedonia and was surprised that the currency exchange booth on the Macedonian side accepted Euros but not Serbian dinar.
Generally I've ...
10
votes
3answers
5k views
What to do when you can't print your boarding pass?
I just use web checkin for my flight tomorrow. After that I should have printed my boarding pass. However, I realised that this is not possible. So what can I do now? I have already checked in, but no ...
10
votes
4answers
890 views
Correct reasons for opting out of millimetre wave scanners
Having travelled through SFO a few times, and each time been asked to go through a millimetre wave (or backscatter) scanner, and each time 'opted out' and gone for the search (in public), I'd like to ...
10
votes
2answers
613 views
Where in the Balkans is free camping permitted?
This question is a spinoff of the question about wild camping in Europe since none of the answers cover the area where I am now with my tent and sleeping bag (-:
Do any of the following countries in ...
9
votes
2answers
4k views
Can you travel to the US 6 months before your tourist visa expires?
I've heard that you can't travel to the US 6 months before your visa expires. Is that true? Or does that only apply to 6 months until the expiration of the passport? (Or does it apply to neither?)
8
votes
5answers
237 views
If I want to make a website of a long bike tour, should I make my own website or pay some one to do it for me?
I am planning on going on a long distance bike tour, and I want to have a good website to blog on, post photos, twitter tweets, and videos. Does anyone have any advice for whether I should build it ...
8
votes
1answer
820 views
Is it possible to travel to Cuba by sea (from e.g. Mexico)?
When I was reading about Cuba around the time I visited there (2008), I got the impression that the only way in is by air.
Now, as of 2012, is this (still) the case? Or are there any cruises, ...
8
votes
2answers
232 views
What is the best source of information for ATM availability?
From Wikitravel:
Some developing countries either have no ATMs, very limited ATMs, or
are not connected to the international networks. This includes Myanmar
in Southeast Asia, as well as parts ...
8
votes
3answers
576 views
Is it possible to visit Abkhazia by land from Georgia?
Is it possible currently (November 2011) to visit the rebel province of Abkhazia from the rest of the Republic of Georgia? (Russia regards it as independent since 2008 but most or all other countries ...
8
votes
4answers
4k views
LAX to Anaheim - how much slower is the Super Shuttle than a cab?
I am flying to LAX and need to get to the Anaheim Hilton (essentially the convention centre). Although it's only 29 miles, I am told it will take 90 minutes and cost $100 by cab. That's quite a cab ...
7
votes
1answer
2k views
What kind of passport do I need when entering the USA?
I heard that you need a biometric passport if you want to enter USA. However, my friend has a biometric passport, but no fingerprints in it. Is this enough? And how long has the passport to be valid? ...
7
votes
5answers
5k views
Non-EU spouse of an EU citizen - is visiting EU without needing a visa possible?
I have a relative who has an EU passport. They emigrated out of the EU many years ago and have married (in Australia) an Australian citizen. They are planning on travelling around EU/Europe later this ...
6
votes
2answers
263 views
Re-enter USA from Canada with Visa Waiver Program
My wife and I are doing a North America trip this summer.
We fly to NYC, stay a couple of days, then fly to Vancouver, spend two weeks in British Columbia and then back home (Germany).
We thought ...
6
votes
5answers
2k views
Can I buy a prepaid mobile data plan while on route in France?
I will be driving through France soon and would like to have a local prepaid sim with data capabilities. I found a very interesting sollution in the French Connection, but I need a French delivery ...
6
votes
1answer
1k views
Re-checking luggage at connecting airports
I'll be leaving Morocco within the next week, and I'm wondering whether I'll need to re-check my luggage after my connecting flights. I fly from Casablanca to Frankfurt and Frankfurt to London via ...
6
votes
1answer
707 views
Sim Card with data plan in China?
I'm traveling to Beijing for a short trip (4 days), and don't want to be without my phone or pay ATT roaming. I have an unlocked, international compatible phone.
What kind of options are available in ...
6
votes
4answers
3k views
A day at Dubai International Airport and the city?
On my way to India I'm planning to stay one day in Dubai. I would arrive at 6am in the morning and leave at 3am the next day.
My naive plan is to lock my backpack at the airport and then walk into ...
6
votes
1answer
426 views
How to visit Wieliczka salt mines and the Auschwitz KZ from Krakow?
I'd like to visit Wieliczka salt mines and the Auschwitz KZ. Is it possible to visit both places the same day? How much time should I stay in each place? What trains/buses have to take from central ...
6
votes
2answers
234 views
Can I apply for a Russian visa from the Republic of Georgia?
I will be in the Republic of Georgia in the Caucasus in a few months and am considering a side trip to Russia; either via the Black Sea to Sochi or across the one land border that is apparently open ...
