Questions tagged [legal]
Questions regarding permitted or forbidden activities in various places, including unforeseen technicalities.
1,087
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Took airline plane blanket by accident; didn't realize it was forbidden. What should I do?
I'm very new to traveling in general. When I flew on a long flight, the airline gave us blankets and pillows. I, having no idea that I was supposed to leave the blanket behind, took it as I collected ...
- 1,277
151
votes
4
answers
23k
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Immigration officer that stopped me at the airport is texting me. What do I do?
Yesterday my cousin arrived to Chicago from Mexico, she is visiting family there to spend the holidays, this is not the first time she visits.
She was stopped by immigration, because they thought it ...
- 1,273
140
votes
3
answers
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Canadian citizen, on US no-fly list. What can I do in order to be allowed on flights which go through US airspace?
My father and I, both Canadian citizens, were denied to board a direct Turkish Airlines flight from Istanbul to Toronto non-stop without any prior warning or information. Literally, at the gate, we ...
- 959
117
votes
11
answers
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How can I convince airport screeners to stop asking why I prefer pat-downs?
At a London airport, a security screener ordered my granddad to the full-body scanner. As a Luddite, he requested a full pat-down. But this screener, and 3 others, kept rebuffing him:
Screener: Why ...
user13759
86
votes
11
answers
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When flying on a very tight schedule, are you obligated to run to make it to the next gate on a connection?
In reference to this question, let's say you've bought a single ticket with a 45-minute layover. Your plane arrives on time but the next gate is so far away you have to run to make it. Assuming you ...
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82
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5
answers
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Can I fly with a gold bar?
Can I fly with a Good Delivery gold bar? I'll have the certificate that I have been given with it.
I have looked on Google and found nothing that suggests it's a prohibited item on an aircraft. It's ...
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79
votes
7
answers
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How to book a flight if my passport doesn't state my gender?
I am asking on behalf of my friend.
My friend doesn't have a gender (in other words they are gender-neutral) and on their new passport their gender is represented as X (indeterminate/unspecified). ...
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76
votes
2
answers
13k
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Do I break the law as a foreigner in Germany if an embassy keeps my passport to stick a visa in?
An Armenian national lives in Germany and holds a permanent residence (Niederlassungserlaubnis). This is a sticker in their Armenian passport. They have applied at the UK embassy in Berlin to get a ...
- 4,765
73
votes
5
answers
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Is standing actually illegal in Venice?
The Venice tourism site lists a bunch of rules. Okay, no swimming in the canals, and littering is also not allowed (duh?). But there's something baffling to me here:
“No standing at any time” – ...
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73
votes
1
answer
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No Facebook account, will I be able to visit the US?
I heard that the US immigration is asking people for their Facebook or any other social media logins, or at least are planning to do so.
I value my privacy so I don't even have a Facebook account and ...
- 643
68
votes
7
answers
35k
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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 ...
- 158k
67
votes
7
answers
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Caught speeding 111 Mph (179 km/h) in California. How can I settle the case with the court?
I was driving to Los Angeles from the Bay area, and was on a wonderful, straight road with no cars in sight. For whatever reason (doesn't matter) I was briefly speeding around 111mph (179 km/h), and ...
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66
votes
11
answers
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Texas, USA speed ticket as a European citizen, already left the country
I had an interesting experience in the US while speeding. I'll put the full scenario in quotes, as I'm not sure if the whole story really adds to the question.
We are unsure of what to do with the ...
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64
votes
16
answers
46k
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Can a tourist shoot a gun in the USA?
We're planning a holiday to the USA. In our country (UK) guns are strongly controlled so I wondered if we would be able to easily visit a range to have the experience of shooting and interacting with ...
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63
votes
6
answers
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Refused entry into Schengen after Ryanair checked passport. Now the airline wants me to pay a fine. What are my options?
I was travelling from London to Kaunas (Lithuania) and was refused entry because I did not have a biometric passport, even though a Ryanair officer at the gate before boarding checked my passport, ...
- 711
62
votes
4
answers
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What harm can be done with a copy of one's passport?
In one of the questions on this site, it was suggested the use of Dropbox to save a backup copy of your passport, in case you need to proof who you are if your original document is lost.
I like the ...
user141
61
votes
1
answer
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When an individual enters the United States, can they have an attorney present when going through the U.S. Customs and Border Protection?
When an individual enters the United States, can they have an immigration attorney present (physically or remotely via phone) when going through the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)? E.g., to ...
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60
votes
10
answers
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If, like Edward Snowden, your passport was revoked or cancelled, how could you travel?
As per the news, NSA whistle-blower Edward Snowden has had his passport revoked by the United States Government.
From the article:
It was not immediately clear how Snowden was able to travel,
...
- 158k
59
votes
8
answers
11k
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Giving First Aid in the USA
I am a qualified first-aider in the UK and as such would automatically stop to give aid to any accidents and emergencies I saw. I was watching a US show on the TV the other night where someone was ...
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57
votes
11
answers
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Where is wild camping possible in Europe?
Are there countries in Europe where 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 ...
57
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7
answers
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What are the legal consequences for a tourist who runs out of gas on the Autobahn?
There are many international travelers and tourists that enjoy driving cars on Germany's Autobahn every day, some of them would be unaware that running out of gas on the autobahn is illegal.
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4
answers
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Can I travel with cremated remains (father's ashes) from USA to India?
Recently our beloved father passed away in the USA. We have already performed his cremation, and now we are planning to take the cremated remains to India. We don't know anything regarding the ...
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54
votes
3
answers
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Does it make sense to use a kayak or canoe in Venice?
By does it make sense I mean whether it is at all legal, safe to an acceptable degree, technically possible (and at least a bit enjoyable) to use own canoe or kayak in the water canals of Venice.
I'd ...
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53
votes
6
answers
19k
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Is it legal to travel with a suitcase full of physical cash (worthless banknotes) from Venezuela?
I want to buy some cash.
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-45246409
These banknotes are so cool, they are worth much more as collectibles.
Is it legal to travel with a suitcase full of ...
- 1,363
53
votes
5
answers
18k
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What does this British road sign mean?
BBC Radio Solent tweeted a picture of a road closure (apparently near Winchester):
In the background, there is a road sign with two red lights on and a yellow "symbol". What does it mean?
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53
votes
12
answers
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Is it safe and legal to sleep in my car in California (L.A. area)?
I will be visiting California and some parts of the US West Coast in the coming September.
I'd like to rent a car for travelling, and to reduce travel expenses I would like to sleep in it some nights. ...
- 2,849
53
votes
3
answers
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Why do I need to report to the police when I visit Indonesia?
I will go to Indonesia to marry my fiancee. She tells me that when I arrive there, at her village called Cianjur, I have to report to the police. I don't understand these procedures well so I am ...
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52
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10
answers
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Can I stop a fellow passenger from using their cell phone during take off?
What can I do for my personal safety when I see a fellow passenger use their cellphone after the instructions to switch off mobile devices is given?
On a recent flight in India, I was seated next to ...
- 8,421
52
votes
4
answers
15k
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Is it legal to bring board games (made of wood) to Australia?
I am traveling and I would like to bring some local board games (all made from timber and marble) that I really liked back to Australia. However, I found this article.
Relevent bit:
All wooden, ...
- 613
52
votes
2
answers
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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?
- 95.7k
52
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1
answer
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UAE now banning VPN access - fines of up to $545,000? Any workarounds?
According to a few news articles, the UAE is passing a new law with heavy penalties for using a VPN.
Another report says:
Travelers also come under this law and if caught using any VPNs could
...
- 158k
51
votes
5
answers
143k
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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 ...
- 158k
51
votes
1
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Why are balloons prohibited at Amsterdam Schiphol?
At Amsterdam Schiphol Airport there are prominent No Balloons signs on each entrance to train platforms.
What is the story or rationale behind that ban?
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50
votes
9
answers
142k
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Will my passport number change when I renew it?
I'm travelling soon but need to renew my passport.
Given that I have to provide my passport number to the airline to book a flight, I was wondering if my passport number would change if I renew it.
...
- 1,463
50
votes
4
answers
7k
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What citizenship/place of birth would a child born on an airplane have?
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 ...
- 95.7k
50
votes
3
answers
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Why are you now required NOT to 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 ...
- 158k
49
votes
6
answers
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Is it prohibited to lie down (and fall asleep) on a commercial flight?
When there is enough space to do that.
I have traveled with EasyJet and I was lucky enough to have three seats to myself!
I didn't have the courage to try lying down and see if I would get told ...
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49
votes
4
answers
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Which countries can punish you for doing drugs elsewhere? [closed]
I am a Russian citizen living in the Netherlands, my travel plans for this year include many EU countries, many trips to Russia as well as UK, US and Japan. At the moment, I have never done drugs, but ...
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48
votes
3
answers
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Can I wear a bulletproof vest while traveling on British Airways from Heathrow?
I'll be wearing it all the time anyway once I arrive at my hostile destination but how about wearing it during the flight? It makes sense to wear it in case someone try to hijack the plane.
- 9,188
48
votes
7
answers
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As tourist in China do I have to fear consequences for having publicly liked South Park?
I am a German citizen planning to travel to China next year for leisure. On my various social media accounts I have previously liked South Park (including using characters from the show as avatars, ...
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48
votes
3
answers
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Travelling as unmarried couple in Dubai
I'd wish to visit Dubai with my girlfriend, but after reading this travel advice and this question on sex and couples in Dubai I started to get a little worried about it.
How should I book an hotel? ...
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48
votes
1
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Is the 5 euro coin accepted anywhere?
Three years ago I went to the post office in a big city in France, there I received change back after I paid for something. I didn't look at it first but later on I discovered that I received a €5 ...
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47
votes
6
answers
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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 ...
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47
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7
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In US rental car terms and conditions, what exactly is a "regularly maintained road?"
Many rental car companies have terms and conditions such as Hertz:
Generally, Hertz vehicles, including 4-wheel drives, are to be operated only on regularly maintained roads. Off-road use is a ...
- 53.7k
47
votes
1
answer
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Why can't we use the toilet when the train isn't moving in some countries?
I am not sure if the sign in the toilet said that we shouldn't use it if the train was not moving or that we shouldn't do so if the train was at the station.
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votes
4
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Is it illegal to take a piece of the Berlin Wall?
As a keepsake for my traveling in Germany, I would like to take a pebble from the Berlin Wall-is it illegal (or perhaps frowned upon) to do so? I'm aware that they sell (presumably fake) pieces in ...
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45
votes
7
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Can I fly with white powder in a transparent bag?
Instead of plain old coffee, I sometimes like to get my daily caffeine ration from other drinks, e.g. fruit juice. For this purpose I have bought some pure caffeine, which takes the form of white ...
- 2,790
43
votes
8
answers
24k
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What regulations should a European driver know when driving in the US?
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 ...
user141
43
votes
4
answers
24k
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As a tourist, can I try firearms in California?
I will be traveling to the United States soon (with an ESTA application). I come from an European country where firearms are forbidden. (For regular citizens.) I would really like to try it when I'll ...
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43
votes
7
answers
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Is leaving airport at a stop before the final destination illegal?
There are tricks such as "fuel dumping" or "hidden city ticketing" which involve booking a ticket composed of several connecting flights, then leaving the airport at a stop, possibly even "hopping off"...
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