If you are flying overseas, what are some good travel tips?

Question

I am from the United States and will be traveling to England and France this summer. I've never traveled overseas before, so I would like some tips on traveling that far away from home. Any kind of tips, whether it be tips about clearing customs, airplane tips, packing tips, etc., are welcome.

Thanks!

Answer 1

Best advice? Don't worry about it.

Airports are designed for travelers who don't even speak the language so are easy to navigate. Just about every airport has signage bilingual in the local language and english. Plus the first people off the plane will know the way, just follow the herd. Don't forget to reclaim your baggage at baggage reclaim (but you are directed there by default)

Best tip? Most people are nice. So most people will try to help.

Answer 2

If you are tall, try and get a seat in an 'exit' row because you can stretch your feet out.  Take munchies and reading material and unopened water/drinks.  Get up and stretch your feet and walk around several times during flight.  When you check-in, always ask if there are any upgrades.  Sometimes you can get a much better more comfortable seat for cheap.  Go to duty-free; always great buys.  Always know where your passport and your tickets and itinerary are for your entire trip.  Don't pack valuables in your checked luggage.  Don't leave valuables in hotel room unless you have in-room safe, then use it.  Watch out for London pickpockets.  Best to have pouch of some sort around neck or waist inside jacket at the front.  Keep your passport and money there.  Get everything together on your bed of what you plan to take.  Pick out 1/3 of that and pack it.  Take lots of money because England is very very expensive, even just a coffee and burger, ouch!  Try not to drive as they drive in a totally different way (and I don't just mean on the wrong side of the road), and driving there can be very scary.  Plus gas must be out of this world right now.  Get a train pass - cheapest most comfortable and best way to travel Great Britain and Europe.  Don't ever leave your suitcase unattended.  Flights into Manchester are much cheaper than into London Heathrow if that works for you.  Be sure you are aware of the items you cannot take in your carry-on; these are changing a lot and if you are going through security you may be forced to leave something behind.  That happened to us - hubby has an expensive multi-tool that he keeps on his belt, so he totally forgot about it.  Security said we had to leave it (was like $200) - I wasn't about to leave it, so went back into the main airport and mailed it home.  It actually arrived a day after we returned, LOL.  Go to all the pubs and have lots of chips with malt vinegar, mmm (that's french fries in US terms).  Take a compact fold-up umbrella and rain poncho from home.  They take little room and will be much cheaper than buying there when you need it.  Take warm jacket or sweater - depending when you go, if it rains, you will feel a chill to your bones.  You will have a blast, it is a great trip.

Answer 3

Make sure you learn etiquette and manners from the back of your head. You don't want to get the residents mad at you.

Answer 4

My first flight was about a year ago, from Toronto to Hong Kong. (16 hours!) There were a few things I wish I'd been told before going, and a few things I picked up along the way.

Airplanes are cold. If you think, it makes sense -- the temperature outside the plane is, like, -50C. Even if you're flying to and from somewhere reasonably warm, you'll still likely want a blanket, jacket, or sweater on the plane. And airplane blankets tend to be uber-thin -- ask for an extra one as soon as you get on the plane, before everybody else gets cold.

Bring everything you can on your carry-on, in case your luggage goes missing. (Obviously, there are restrictions on liquid content and that sort of thing.) Soap, camera, glasses, an extra pair of socks and change of clothes if you can fit it... you want to be inconvenienced as little as possible. Put your contact information on top in your suitcase; if it goes missing, they can open it and easily figure out whose it is, helping it get back to you faster.

Security and Customs: possibly the two most annoying things ever. Supposedly America's even worse -- I've never flown there, but I hear they make you take off your shoes and all sorts of stupid things. Be polite but brief when talking to immigration officers. Don't volunteer info -- they'll ask you what they need or want to know. Make sure you've got all your paperwork and information available -- most countries will want to know why you're there, where you're staying, etc, and if you can answer these questions without having to dig through your luggage for that hotel's business card, life runs smoother. Don't be rude, speak clearly (especially en France, parce-que tout les personnes ne parlerai pas l'anglais!), and don't joke about being a terrorist or anything stupid like that.

Lastly, bring a camera and take lots of photos. Make sure you're in a bunch of them, so you can show people where you went, but take a bunch of random things like streets, cafes and restaurants, children.... anything that gives a sense of the atmosphere. You'll look back on those photos time and time again, so make sure you're got enough to bring back memories! (Extra memory cards for digital cameras are cheap -- carry an extra one with you if possible!) And try to pick up a bit of French before going to France -- it's much easier, and you'll avoid some of the stereotypical French 'rudeness', if you can say things like "bienvenue", "bonjour", "merci", and "s'il vous plait" (welcome, hello, thanks, and please) in the local language.

Have fun!

Answer 5

If you are planning on traveling a lot, learn your train/subways routes...you will save time and money. Be open minded, specially in France...many dont really care for Americans, and dont wonder off to areas that are not tourist friendly.

Dont let the other answers scare you off...you will find a lot more freedom there than here. Be respectful and try to learn some basic french, and you will get better treatement just because you are trying.

Also, in France, when you eat out, dont ask for an american type meal. Try something new...avoid Mc Donalds!!! :)

Last and most important...have fun!!!!

Answer 6

bring a seat cushion

Answer 7

Don't get involved in political discussions with strangers. They may blame you for any or all of the perceived ills caused by US foreign policy.

If you are going to France take the time to learn a little french. It will be appreciated by the locals.

The same applies in England. It's a taxi...not a cab, a tap...not a faucet, etc....

Have fun. Remember your on holiday...not vacation

Answer 8

Get a passport way ahead of time.

Learn all you can about where you are going.

If you can afford it, hire a tour guide.

You will not enjoy the food there as much as you do at home.

Get plenty of rest so you don't get sick while you are gone.

Answer 9

Know the laws and make sure you follow thier immigration rules...you dnt wanna get stuck in another country