17
votes
3answers
4k views
What does “SSSS” on my boarding pass mean?
When I checked in for my American Airlines flight from Costa Rica back to the States, I noticed that my boarding pass had "SSSS" printed across the top left corner.
Nobody else in my party had this ...
17
votes
4answers
1k views
Can I drink stuff bought in duty-free shops onboard a plane?
I have to go into a trip while being slightly ill - doctors say I have to drink a lot. Can I buy water at a duty-free shop, bring it onboard and drink there?
17
votes
4answers
274 views
Good ways to get around the Darién Gap?
I'm planning a backpacking trip from Central America down to South America. Does anyone have a recommended way of getting around the Darién Gap? I read that you can fly, or you can take a boat but ...
17
votes
3answers
500 views
What is the best way to obtain visas for the Trans-Siberian/Trans-Mongolian Railway?
I'm planning on taking the trans-Siberian / trans-Mongolian from Moscow to Beijing via Ulaan Bataar next year and I'd like some advice on how best to organise the visa situation.
I'm a British ...
17
votes
5answers
276 views
Am I going to have trouble flying with a reversed name on the ticket?
I'm flying to Peru with my girlfriend next week and I realized that her name is incorrect on the reservation.
Instead of Sally Marie Jones it's Jones Marie Sally.
We're flying into Houston, then ...
17
votes
2answers
2k views
How bad is baggage theft at Johannesburg airport
South Africa's Johannesburg's airport has a reputation for stolen and rifled baggage and a quick Google search returns many travelers reporting similar stories. My question, is how bad is the ...
17
votes
3answers
295 views
Las Vegas - What is good to do there?
I've been told that unless you have a good plan for Las Vegas, you're not going to have a clue what to do when you get there.
I and my two brothers have a trip planned in October from the 2nd to the ...
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 ...
17
votes
3answers
228 views
Can I participate in the farming/harvesting of chocolate/cacao as a tourist anywhere in the world?
Even us chocolate lovers don't know much about where chocolate comes from. It comes from a plant. Can tourists help out where it is grown anywhere?
Apparently most cacao/cocoa comes from Ivory Coast ...
17
votes
2answers
796 views
What is the best time of year to visit Reykjavík?
When I ask for the "best" time of year, I am looking for a reasonable balance of the following criteria, in order of importance:
Mild weather. Ideally, warm enough to have coffee outside in a light ...
17
votes
2answers
2k views
What does this sticker on the back of my passport mean?
I am currently travelling in the USA and when checking in on the boarding flight to enter the country, the security personnel attached a small yellow-white sticker to my passport (see a somewhat ...
17
votes
1answer
2k views
How can I effectively compare data plans available in a country?
I'm going to spend 5½ months in Netherlands, and need to be able to make calls to Italy without spending a fortune.
After some hunting on Wikipedia I found that there are only three non-virtual ...
17
votes
1answer
4k views
2FABE - the 'secret' international travel postcard stamp code?
I was told about this about three years ago, that if you were desperate and didn't have time to buy stamps for a postcard, merely putting the code '2FABE' would get your postcard to its intended ...
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
7answers
722 views
Are there scheduled flight connections operated with a helicopter?
I know that you can charter a helicopter, it is expensive but possible. But can I go on a scheduled flight with a helicopter? If so, which connections?
16
votes
4answers
3k views
How to prepare for very long train journeys?
A friend of mine is going to take a very long train journey the next week. The journey takes 44 hours according to the train schedule and takes place in Europe. He has to change trains two times. Once ...
16
votes
8answers
2k views
What one-day trips are available from Zurich (Switzerland)?
I'm looking for some suggestions for one-day trips from Zürich (Switzerland). It isn't limited to Switzerland, but the place should be reachable within one day.
I'm particularly interested in cities ...
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
6answers
362 views
Is there a website for searching/booking European trains?
Is there a website to search for european train tickets? I mean something like kayak.com, expedia.com, airfare.com, etc for trains? I know there are specific countries' website like db.de, sbb.ch, ...
16
votes
4answers
747 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 ...
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
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 ...
16
votes
5answers
654 views
How much Russian do I need to know for travelling within Russia?
Or alternatively - how well-spoken (and widely-spoken) is English?
I intend to visit St. Petersburg, Moscow, Irkutsk and Vladivostok. I feel like I might have the most troubles in the latter two ...
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
5answers
390 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 ...
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
2answers
691 views
What does “MO” mean after the name of a US city?
There are some places in US, that contain "MO" in their names. For example, Columbia, MO; Kirkwood, MO; Saint Louis, MO. So, what does MO mean?
16
votes
4answers
3k views
What's the highest number of countries whose borders meet at a single point?
What is the maximum number of countries meeting at a single point on earth?
Where is it?
What are the countries?
16
votes
3answers
1k views
Most radioactive places on earth
I recently visited Iwaki, Fukushima province to visit Spa Resort Hawaiians. Partially because it sounded interesting, and partially to buck the trend of overseas tourists avoiding Fukushima province.
...
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
4answers
2k views
Is it OK to take a disposable safety razor on a plane?
I'm travelling soon with cabin luggage only and I was wondering if I can take a disposable safety razor with me?
This page says it's OK, but it also says it's OK to take small scissors and I've ...
16
votes
3answers
1k views
Benefits of checking in online when checking bags
What is the benefit of checking in online for a flight when you intend to check bags at the airport? I understand some airports have special lines for people that are already checked in but are ...
16
votes
3answers
444 views
Are some parts of Iraq currently possible to visit for the brave, adventurous, and open-minded traveller?
OK I know Iraq is utterly totally off the vast majority of people's itineraries for the immediate future.
But I am pretty sure I have heard of some extreme adventurous types going there and following ...
16
votes
4answers
488 views
5 hours in Amsterdam
I have a 5-hour layover at AMS on a Saturday evening (16:00-21:00), on an intra-EU itinerary to the UK. I'd like to leave the airport and have dinner in town.
Is this reasonable? (From reading ...
16
votes
4answers
660 views
Where to find good cave-swimming?
I'd love to travel to a place that has a good cave-swimming adventure.* I'd like it to be:
Safe
Warm
Fun
Suitable for an amateur
Good for photography is a bonus
I'd love it if it's a cave that's ...
16
votes
3answers
1k views
How dangerous is India for solo women travellers, or female-only groups?
Why India is not safe for solo women is an article in The Telegraph (UK) describing one woman's issues with sexual harassment in India.
Some of the information there describes a worse situation than ...
16
votes
4answers
392 views
How can I get an 'invitation' to Russia?
I understand that in order to get a visa to visit Russia you need an invitation before you can get a visa.
If you don't have family or friends that you are visiting and you aren't part of an ...
16
votes
3answers
377 views
In which cultural regions is taking pictures of people considered offensive?
I have the impression that in Muslim countries taking pictures of people is often not welcome. On the other hand there are other countries where people really enjoy it (and also sometimes expect some ...
16
votes
3answers
943 views
How should I wash clothes in Japan?
I'm going backpacking for a month in Japan and I plan to pack lightly. So I have couple of questions about how I can wash my clothes in Japan.
I expect laundromats to be quite common in big cities ...
16
votes
2answers
493 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
4answers
4k views
What are safe uses of non-potable water?
While traveling, you come across many different levels of water safety. In some countries you can drink the tap water, and in others you should avoid it at all costs.
Where do you draw the line when ...
16
votes
3answers
285 views
Trans-Siberian Express: Stopping along the way?
I'm planning a trip on the Trans-Siberian Express. I've already received excellent advice on a related post, but I've got a couple more questions.
My plan is to head from Moscow to Beijing. It's six ...
16
votes
3answers
518 views
Visa-friendly country for an international conference?
Let's suppose I want to organize a conference with one attendee from each country of the globe.
Considering visa fees/problems, where would be a convenient location?
If transportation is not ...
16
votes
1answer
237 views
Are there currently any international ferries that travel to Saint Petersburg, Russia?
Years ago I was in Europe and decided it would be a great idea to go to Saint Petersburg by ferry since it is regarded as a beautiful city and is a port. I didn't mind departing from Finland, Estonia, ...
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' ...
16
votes
4answers
234 views
Which country should I go to in order to see gorillas?
I understand that you can see gorillas in the wild in Uganda, Rwanda and Congo. In planning a trip to Africa to see gorillas, why might I choose one country over another considering factors such as ...
16
votes
2answers
767 views
When will the Sistine Chapel open after the Papal Conclave?
The Sistine Chapel is now closed for visitors.
When will it reopen after a pope is elected?
My question is does anyone know how many days after the conclave is done, it is re-opened?
16
votes
2answers
261 views
Do infants need their own seats on long flights?
What is the best way to approach a long (8+ hours) flight with a young child (1-2 years old)?
It seems I am not required to purchase a seat for a child under two years of age which would save some ...
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 ...
