The Pistonheads Travel Guide sticky
Discussion
Ahead of your travel
- Check your passport validity
- Check if you need a visa
- Allow 2 hours for an international flight (they say 3 but 2 is normally enough).
- Allow for public transport, delays en route to airport.
- Check on currency / credit card usage.
- For long flights try to book seats with extra legroom on the plane
- Make sure you have travel insurance, including medical cover that will pick up medical costs in-country and medically evacuate you/your family back to the UK if necessary.
- For some countries, take sun creams, mosquito repellents, prescription medicines and a good first-aid kit with you.
- Carry a basic set of clothes in your hand luggage. At least underwear, socks and t-shirt. Just so you can change and arrive a little less ‘travel-stained’ and also so you have spares in case your luggage decides to go in a different holiday to you.
- Check you have power adaptors, etc for your gadgets
- Make sure your phone / tablet is loaded with music and movies for the journey / holiday
- Turn off data roaming once you leave the UK (unless it is included) and check the cost of making calls locally (Outside of Europe can be very expensive)
- In some countries you can buy a temporary sim only for a few $ per day
- Consider getting a trial subscription to Readly (cheap or free for a month) which allows you to download magazines to a tablet. Depending on your airline and cabin the in flight entertainment can be very poor or non-existent.
- Don’t put expensive stuff in your check-in luggage
- Taking good headphones or ear plugs can help get some sleep (and or booze/sleeping aids)
- If you can afford them, over the ear noise cancelling headphones do an amazing job of removing the drone from the engines. Most frequent fliers have a pair of Bose QC25 or 35.
- In the US and other countries, Uber (and Lyft in the US) are really popular and easy for taxis around cities. Download the app before you leave and set up an account. You can charge a UK credit or debit card (though you will need data)
- You will check in first at a numbered desk. Easy to find though double check your terminal first, nothing worse than being in the right airport and wrong terminal.
- You will pass them your main baggage and hopefully you will see it again.
- At the airport, you will need to be at your gate about 30 - 40 minutes before the scheduled departure of your flight.
- It can occasionally take 10 - 15 minutes to walk from the main concourse to your gate (e.g. Schipol, Heathrow T5)
- Double check your hand luggage for prohibited items.
- Going through security, you will make everyone happy by having your laptop and liquids ready separated and out of your bag before arriving at the x-Ray scanner.
- No liquids over 100ml in your hand luggage.
- Take any medicines with prescriptions.
- No jokes about bombs, etc. Security have no sense of humour.
- You will need to remove your belt, jacket/coat, maybe your shoes and take out any big electronics (ipad, etc)
- The line to clear security will vary from a few mins to 30 mins, depending on your airport. Some will sell you a fast track pass for a few quid that will greatly reduce the time in queue. Your call.
- Get some boiled sweets, or similar, for during the flight. The air is usually very dry on planes and can be a little irritating.
- Once through the security checks, you’re free to buy bottled water to take on board with you. You can be waiting a while to get a drink once onboard.
- Depending on your airport you can then shop, eat, drink. Avoid too much drink as you can find it's up to an hour stuck in your seat before they allow you to move round the cabin and go to the loo...
- Check your airport and google as well. Some have lounges that you can pay to use, providing power, food, drinks, etc. They can be expensive, but some are quite reasonable and it's a nicer way to start the holiday than 4 hours milling about the noisy airport.
- Then that's it really. You then find your gate for your aircraft and wait to board.
- As soon as you board the aircraft, try to switch into the new time zone. Sleep is optional. Going west it just becomes a very long day, it can be better to stay awake and go to bed once you get to the hotel.
- Make sure you keep drinking water throughout the flight to keep hydrated
- They will feed you something that they claim is a meal. Food onboard is generally poor so you may want to eat at the airport.
- Wear comfortable clothes for the flight (esp long ones) Those u-shaped neck cushions can be great.
- When you land you will be guided through security/passport control.
- Make sure you have a printed document with the telephone number and address of the hotel in your possession. And make sure you have a phone charger just in case your phone is low on power and you need to make an urgent call.
- Depending upon how you have booked your holiday, a transfer to your hotel could be included in the price. Worth checking in advance so you know the details on what to look for as you exit the airport if that is the case.
- If a transfer isn't included, consider booking one in advance with the hotel. This way, when you arrive at the airport and have collected your luggage there will be a man with a sign with your name to greet you just before you exit the airport. * Alternatively ask the hotel on the best method of getting to the hotel and find out how much a taxi should reasonably charge from the hotel to the airport.
- Be very wary of scams - you will find someone on every corner who might seem congenial but whose aim is to relieve you of your money before you realise what is happening.
- Don’t go jumping into un-marked taxis etc. Often, with taxis, negotiate and agree a price up front unless they do it on the meter.
- Don’t wear expensive watches or clothes.
- Try to learn a bit of the language. Even just being able to speak the very basics goes a huge way to breaking down barriers.
- Try to get up a little on local customs / faux pas etc. e.g. drug / alcohol use, same sex relationships, unmarried couples, even kissing in public etc. Some countries are super-strict and ignorance is not an excuse.
- When doing activities (boat trips, diving, water skiing etc) don’t assume that everything will be up to UK/EU safety standards but make your own decision on how safe and professional they are
- Divide cash and credit cards between yourself and either room safe or partner.
- Secrete at least one credit card hidden away - in a sock for instance.
- Passports in room safe or keep with you. Always have a photocopy of passports with your other travel documents.
- Consider carrying a photo of both of passports on your phone.
- Some countries require to to carry ID. If so then use your drivers licence instead of passport. They rarely insist that it is a passport and a photo ID is often enough (and less valuable to lose)
Edited by Vaud on Tuesday 16th April 12:48
Great guide. Thank you! I'd like to add...
For Health and Hygiene:
Drink bottled water and avoid tap water.
Use hand sanitizer or carry hand wipes to maintain hygiene.
For Sightseeing and Activities:
Research and prioritize attractions that interest you the most.
Plan a mix of cultural experiences, historical sites, and natural landscapes.
For Local Cuisine:
Be adventurous and try local dishes, street food, and traditional restaurants.
Be aware of any food allergies or dietary restrictions.
For Transportation:
Research transportation options within each country, including trains, buses, and domestic flights.
Consider getting local SIM cards for internet access and navigation.
For Health and Hygiene:
Drink bottled water and avoid tap water.
Use hand sanitizer or carry hand wipes to maintain hygiene.
For Sightseeing and Activities:
Research and prioritize attractions that interest you the most.
Plan a mix of cultural experiences, historical sites, and natural landscapes.
For Local Cuisine:
Be adventurous and try local dishes, street food, and traditional restaurants.
Be aware of any food allergies or dietary restrictions.
For Transportation:
Research transportation options within each country, including trains, buses, and domestic flights.
Consider getting local SIM cards for internet access and navigation.
overheels said:
Great guide. Thank you! I'd like to add...
For Health and Hygiene:
Drink bottled water and avoid tap water.
Use hand sanitizer or carry hand wipes to maintain hygiene.
For Sightseeing and Activities:
Research and prioritize attractions that interest you the most.
Plan a mix of cultural experiences, historical sites, and natural landscapes.
For Local Cuisine:
Be adventurous and try local dishes, street food, and traditional restaurants.
Be aware of any food allergies or dietary restrictions.
For Transportation:
Research transportation options within each country, including trains, buses, and domestic flights.
Consider getting local SIM cards for internet access and navigation.
I had forgotten that I had written this!For Health and Hygiene:
Drink bottled water and avoid tap water.
Use hand sanitizer or carry hand wipes to maintain hygiene.
For Sightseeing and Activities:
Research and prioritize attractions that interest you the most.
Plan a mix of cultural experiences, historical sites, and natural landscapes.
For Local Cuisine:
Be adventurous and try local dishes, street food, and traditional restaurants.
Be aware of any food allergies or dietary restrictions.
For Transportation:
Research transportation options within each country, including trains, buses, and domestic flights.
Consider getting local SIM cards for internet access and navigation.
For your:
- Be adventurous and try local dishes, street food, and traditional restaurants.
- Drink bottled water and avoid tap water
Gassing Station | Holidays & Travel | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff