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International Travel Advice needed
I am going to England for two weeks next month to visit a friend who lives in Essex. I have never
1. Been to England 2. Taken an international flight. What advice can you folks give me that would make the travel and the stay less bumpy??? |
International flights are long. Try to get an aisle seat so you can get up and move around a little.
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Wear socks through security so you don't have to walk around the airport barefoot. Don't pack stuff that has USA voltage plugs unless you absolutely have to - buy or borrow cheap replacements while you're there. Make sure to pack all essentials and at least one change of clothes in your carry-on bag; getting luggage lost on an overseas trip is a huge hassle and it can take a while for your stuff to show up. Also, don't be that person who tries to game the system by overpacking their carry-on to a point where it takes three flight attendants to jam the bag into the overhead compartment. My heart is always filled with glee when those people are forced to gate check their bags.
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Oh you'll have so much fun. What airline are you flying? Please say British Airways...they are the best and have tea service, which is just awesome.
I assume you'll be taking a red-eye there...just try to get as much sleep on board as possible. Will your friend be picking you up to take to you Essex or will you be taking the bus. The bus is very accessible and easy to navigate. Public transportation in the UK (in general) is much better than a lot of US public transportation. Will your friend be spending the whole time with you or will he/she have to work during the weekdays? There are a lot of things to see in the UK and it's really a pretty small island. If you are staying for two weeks, I'd try to do a few days in Wales if you can swing it (book into a B&B, they are nicer and less expensive than hotels). It's really not far of a drive and is just stunning! Check out the British National Trust (http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/) - there are lots of properties around Essex that would be great cultural things to see. Spend some time in London too since it'll be so close. Maybe take in a West End Theater show -- I did a girl's weekend in London for my 30th birthday (we were living in England at the time) and we saw Wicked...it was AMAZING! You'll have a fab time! It's an amazing place! We're dreaming of getting back there! Also make sure to see if your sorority has an alumnae group there -- you could hook up or get some local advice from those living nearby. :-) |
White Daisy, you are quite right about flying BA! : ) I travel quite a bit to the UK. Though my English friends may whinge, I just love BA (which says something about flying Stateside.) BA is a bit more expensive but the price is all inclusive (meals, two small botles of wine, blanket) and none of this line item tally. Only one caveat --- beware the British versions of Italian dishes, the sauces were sugared! Weird. Never ordered it in-flight again, so maybe it was an anomoly.
TC, be sure to stay hydrated. The wine is nice, but it is no substitute for water, and it is easy to become dehydrated when you fly. Leave the hairdryer, etc at home. But if you do have any US voltage appliances, you can pick up a converter for about 7 pounds at any if the airport shops at Heathrow. Will you be taking the Express into London or will your friends meet you? Getting a ticket and accessing it is easy. Also, if you like international foods, truly some of the most fantastic Indian cuisine can be had there. English breakfasts can be an experience! Beans (as in baked beans), no thanks. But the grilled tomatoes are nice with eggs. Lastly, you'll want your credit card, not travelr's checks. I wish we had chip and pin here in the States, but we don't so getting cash can (depending) be a varied experience. Cheers! |
It will definitely be chillier and damper than Charlotte! Check the weather on-line, so that you can pack appropriately. (Checking in the US will also provide temps in F versus C). Don't overpack. And if you forget toiletires, there are shops galore with wonderful products, including trustystand-by Boots.
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And lastly, don't mix up your teas! : )
High tea is pub grub, not fancy china and finger foods. High tea =supper. The scone and china tea is simply "Tea". You will have so much fun! |
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Beans on toast is popular for breakfast! So funny. And watch out for the black pudding (blood sausage!). Ick. And bacon is different too...way less fatty and greasy...more like "Canadian Bacon." When buying things with a credit card (which is definitely better than travelers checks - or cheques as they would say), make sure to say you have a "swipy card" -- that will clue them into what to do with it (all of their credit cards are chip & pin so they clerks don't even hold the card usually). Oh, and your friend will let you know this, but if you pay with a credit card in a restaurant, they'll bring the machine to you...they won't take your card out of your sight. And don't tip as much...10% is usually MORE than enough. |
Socks are your friend and alcohol is not. A flight attendant told me one time she drinks a liter of water for every hour in flight. That is a LOT of water, particularly when you want to sleep as much as possible. Just use that as a guideline to drink a lot more water than you think necessary, and that means not waiting for the flight attendants to come around. Get up and go to the galley for water at least every hour you're awake. Besides, it's an excuse to get out of your chair. And notice I did not say soda, tea, coffee, wine, beer or anything else that is not WATER.
And regardless of what anyone says, if you're flying economy, they ALL suck. Going in with low expectations for comfort, customer service, food, etc. will go a long way toward making the flight tolerable. SigKapSweetie is exactly on point. The flight to England isn't too bad. It's basically the same time from New York to London as from LA to New York. So yes, it sucks, but one of these days you'll be flying WAY further. I wouldn't take a sleeping pill for that length (unless you are on a flight that is at least 8 hours long), but you definitely want to do everything you can to get into relax mode ASAP once on board. Noise cancelling headphones (that technology is completely beyond my comprehension) are invaluable. They're expensive so maybe you have a friend from which you can borrow. In lieu of that, get ear plugs. If you can at all afford it, try to get the Premium Economy, Economy Plus, whatever your airline calls them. There are several reasons beyond just the additional legroom and recline, like there usually aren't kids in those seats and the air is better in the front of the plane instead of the back. Same with exit row. Bulkhead (the front row) is a bad choice for lots of reasons on a long flight. OK, one last thing. As soon as you sit down, turn off the fan. All those do is force the bacteria into your face faster. And take lots of deep breaths. Part of the reason people feel bad after they get off a flight is because they have been denied sufficient oxygen. |
Check out www.magellans.com - things I've found to be super-useful:
- No Jetlag pills - they really helped me. I usually get VERY nauseated when hit with jet lag but these helped keep it down to a bearable level. - Good Night Sleep Mask - I have trouble sleeping on a plane. These helped on the plane and during my trip. I can't sleep with pressure on my eyes, so the molded eye cups on these are important to me. - Econo-high foot rest - I'm 5' 2", so this helped support my legs and feet. - Last but not least, the First Class Sleeper! I've only flown the dreaded coach to Europe - but using this made it far more comfortable. I also have a security bag with a steel cable in the shoulder strap - luckily, I've never been in a situation where someone tried to do a cut and run with my bag, but it was great for my peace of mind. HTH! |
White Daisy -- LOL at the swipy card! That is spot-on!
Oh, and jacket potatoes! TCSparky, a jacket potato (baked poato with skin) with a topping could be just the ticket for a rainy, chilly day. White Daisy, the variety of regional Indian cuisines available makes me jealous!! And we are soon entering the season for the tiny mince pies. I literally pack my suitcase for the return trip with boxes from Sainsbury's. Actually, visiting Sainsbury's is a top priority outing for me! |
Wear layers on the flight. Being too hot or too cold for that much time is MISERABLE.
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DubaiSis is correct on upgrading to Premium Economy if you can. The extra space is worth it. (I am a little person and even I appreciate it.). Don't forget to check your setaback pockets two or three times before deboarding -- you don't want to forget anything! And though DubaisSis is right about water, I still like the little bottle of wine on BA .. : )
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Depending on the airline, be careful about the bulkhead seats in the middle. That is often where the families with babies sit bcause of the room for babyseats and gear. If they cry on ascent or descent, it often is because of ear pressure and they do not know how to "pop" their ears. For you, TC Sparky, chewing gum can help pop your ears.
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Duty free shopping at Heathrow is extensive. This summer I saw name brand bags for half of the price they sell for in US.
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Thank you to everyone for all of the helpful hints! I am flying on Air Canada. didn't see an Economy Plus option. ..only Economy, Business and First.
My friend is picking me up at Heathrow. He will be off work for most of the time I am there. I am combining the holiday with a research study I am doing. Hopefully he won't let me commit too many social faux pas! He plays rugby, so I will get to see a match while I am there. He will also have his kids one weekend, so we'll do mild tourism stuff with them. |
A rugby match -- that's terrific! You will have a blast. I have flown Air Canada only once long ago, so I can't speak to amenities/food on it.
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I fly from Charlotte to Toronto, then leave Toronto at 9 p.m., landing in London at about 11 a.m.. My friend figured that between waiting for luggage and customs, he needed to be out front at about 1 p.m to pick me up. Does that sound about right?
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I don't think it's ever taken me more than an hour from ground to cab. YMMV, though, and it's hard to predict. Your flight could run late or early, your luggage could get lost, etc. It's more a question of which one of you will do the waiting - him in the car or you in the airport!
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It's never taken me longer than an hour to get to the trains. The luggage and customs are quite fast at Heathrow. Wear socks with your shoes, and make sure you pack your toiletries on top of your carry on, since you will have to take them out for security checks. I usually don't bother with big bottles of shampoo because they always seem to leak and weigh a lot. I pack a small bottle in my carry on, and buy a bottle on location.
I agree with drinking a lot of water and wearing layers on the plane. I usually wear a big scarf that can double as a blanket or pillow. On overnight flights I prefer the window seat, that way I can sleep and sit away from the person next to me. Chewing gum helps with the pressure on your ears when taking off/landing. Rugby matches are great! Have fun! The only major difference I've noticed in social settings it that Brits tend to be more reserved at first. |
When you check in 24 hours in advance, there may be some special seating available for a cost. Just keep a look out for that online.
I think 1 hour is sufficient for him. Make sure you have your cell phone set for international calling/texting/data. It's cheap and will be a life-saver. Like all major airports, he's not going to be able to stop and wait for you, so being able to call him and say where you are when you've made it outside will help the process. |
I didn't realize it was complicated to travel overseas until I started working on this. I called my cell phone company, and can get a 1-month international plan for $25. Phone calls will be $.99 a minute, incoming texts $.05 and outgoing texts are $.50. As for data, 2 MB is $25.....that's not much. I don't think I will get a data plan, but try to use free wi-fi where ever I can.
Since I will definitely want to be able to change into not-dirty clothes and freshen up some before leaving the airport, the extra hour may give me a chance to rehydrate, wash my face, brush my teeth, change clothes....become human again after a night spent in an airplane seat. I don't mind waiting for someone at the airport. I hate circling the airport waiting for someone to call me, though. |
As a flight attendant, I can share several tips with you that I have found to be helpful, and also some things I have witnessed that are not. Try to sleep on the flight over, but remember flying is very dehydrating, so do not use alcohol to lull you into sleep and definitely do not mix sleep plissé and alcohol...you do not even want to hear the stories I could tell on that one. Speaking of sleeping pills, I do not encourage their use at all unless you are currently using them and know how you react. If you feel it may be an issue, I would recommend a 'simply sleep' option or melatonin. You really shouldn't need them unless you already have sleep issues.
Be careful about consuming too much salt, etc. before or during the flight due to dehydration. If you must imbibe, remember alcohol affects the body inflight much differently. 1 drink equals 2, and it can get embarrassing quickly. Use noise canceling headsets (you can get these online for a decent price). Get on schedule as quickly as possible. Stay up when you arrive until a decent bed time. This should help your sleep cycle. If you get to the Nottinghill area, eating at Churchill's is a must! Great Thai food in the back of a very beautiful, traditional British Pub. Tell your bank you will be traveling, so no charges are blocked. If you have an iPhone, imessaging is free from phone to phone in wifi area (as is FaceTime). Otherwise, sign up for magic jack or viber. (Other users must have viber to receive calls). Use your credit/ATM card to get money while you are there. You get the best rate this way. Many banks charge a small fee, so consider that so you don't have too many transactions. |
I agree about the one hour through customs and at the door. It's good to have a bit of time to get a Starbuck's and wash up quickly. But the loos at Heathrow are large (regardless of terminal) (Douglas Airport this is not ). : )
They never appealed much to me other than a usual tour of duty. When flying I tend to wear some black pants or jeans on-board and a comfy grey top that allows a snooze but looks good upon landing when paired with a pretty knotted scarf or chain necklace. Put your hair up, and you can look fairly polished with a facewash and some lipstick! : ) Remember that 11 am Greenwich is 6 am Eastern. You may be famished after disembarking. Use your time to eat something too. |
And speaking of Starbuck's, English coffee has improved. Howecver, you can still get some pretty sorry coffee. If you are a coffee fiend, buy a pack of Starbuck's Via coffee (the little tube packets of instant). They can be a godsend. Our office coffee was vile; and the coffeeshop, pricey.
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Thank you for explaining that........glad I don't have to pack the Keurig!!!!
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I also will agree that an hour is MORE than enough time for the plane to land, get to immigration, get through immigration, and get your luggage at Heathrow. I would typically plan 3 hours from landing to when my train would leave King's Cross and had LOTS of time to spend in King's Cross. |
I agree with the others -- if you land at 11 AM, I'd have your friend waiting at noon - unless you plan to get lunch at the airport before he arrives.
I also agree on the pay as you go phone plan. If you want a phone while you are there, have your friend ask around to see if anyone has an old phone you can borrow...then once you arrive, you can take the phone to any phone store (there are lots of them all over) and get a pay as you go sim card. It'll be way cheaper. Load £10 on it and you'll be good to go. If there are no extra phones, you can buy a cheapo one for less than your US carrier will charge for a loaner phone, etc. |
Yeah, I'd get a local pay as you go sim card. But be careful which provider you go with, as some didn't have excellent coverage in London (this was 10 years ago, so may have improved)
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Thank you for the advice on the phone. Getting a "disposable phone" sounds like a fine idea. I can communicate with him while I'm there, and maybe even be able to communicate with my family by using the Facebook chat feature (if the phone has data) or text messages.
I'm hoping the trip will be fun. I haven't seen my friend since before his children were born, even though we've kept in touch. I went to Costa Rica once with a friend, but haven't been out of the country otherwise (does across the border to Mexico or Canada even count as international???). I'll be there two weeks, so that should be enough time for culture shock to wear off enough for me to enjoy the trip!! Thanks for the advice on the "blood pudding" or sausage, or whatever.....I'll avoid anything with the word "blood" in the title. He does want me to make Southern biscuits, as soon as he can wrap his head around the fact that they aren't digestives. :confused: For some reason, physical adjustments on the flight have me more worried than strange food, and even stranger accents, do! I don't typically have a problem with flying. I've flown from Charlotte to Costa Rico, Palm Springs, Denver.....those were long flights. This one shouldn't really be different, correct? |
LOL at the digestives!! "Biscuits" are cookies in the UK, and the closest kin to digestives are maybe graham crackers (andthen again, maybe not). Buy a pack of HobNobs -- with chocolate! Some other terms: potato chips are "crisps" and "puddings" means all desserts, not just the soft stuff. There isn't a proper counterpart to hot, fluffy Southern biscuits. Don't let anyone tell you that scones are! : )
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Re the flight: the principal difference will be the change in time zones and flying at night. Everyone has a theory on jetlag from staying awake the full next day in the UK to synch your body clock, to melatonin, to just giving up and flopping on the bed for a couple hours snooze.
Do get up and move around the cabin while flying, and drink water. |
I've done plenty of transatlantic and transpacific flights.
My advice: - Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. Even if there isn't a flight attendant running a beverage service, you can always walk to the galley and get some water. - Speaking of walking, WALK. Walk to the lavatory, walk to the galley, walk around the cabin. If you sit still, you risk DVT - blood clots in your legs. The last time I flew transpacific, this fact was actually part of the safety lecture. - Be sure your passport doesn't expire in the next 6 months. Some countries will not accept a passport with an imminent expiration date. (Of course, you can't exactly renew your passport with the current government shutdown, but that's a whole other animal.) - If you have the time while in London, treat yourself to tea at the Ritz. They have a strict dress code (no sneakers, no jeans, jacket and tie required for men) but it's worth the experience. |
I happen to be in Europe now and here are a few more tips:
-In addition to the sleeping mask, get those squishy earplugs. It's just enough to muffle out chatter to allow you to sleep. -I concur on buying the premium seats, particularly an aisle. If you can afford it, get the exit row too. -Whatever you do, the day you land DO NOT SLEEP. Go to your room, shower and get outside for fresh air. Wait until evening to go to bed so that you are on Euro time. -Order your money from your bank. I know this sounds funny but money exchanges are expensive and Euro ATMs charge Ridiculous fees. ($5 fee + 3% adjustment to the amount withdraw) -If you have one, use a travel credit card that doesn't charge a conversion fee. I think the one I used last year was also a 3% fee. I have already been here for 2 weeks and turned off my phone when I left the US. I have been using Skype for all of my calls (even my 80-year old mother is now on Skype), and I do everything by WiFi. I'm in Madrid and there is free WiFi everywhere. Paris was not so generous. I haven't been to England in about 20 years but jump at the chance to get to Europe when I can. I'm flying home on Thursday and will probably be back in May. p.s. Economy Plus is a United term. Econo Plus are all seats from the exit row and forward and give you about 5-6" more leg room and 3" in seat width. Not that I'm that tall, but the extra space is a big deal on an overnight flight. I once booked AC and trying to choose a seat was a PITA. United allows you to select your seat anytime once the ticket is booked. You can see what seats are open on their webpage and using SeatGuru.com is a big help to determine which seats are good are not. Be careful of the row in front of the exit row -- seats don't recline. Also, if there are two exit rows, the first one doesn't recline either. |
Tips
My bank does not charge any ATM fees or foreign exchange fees, so cash out was our best option. Obviously, YMMV.
Carry anti bacterial wipes on your flight. Everyone keeps telling you to hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. Airplane bathrooms are very, very nasty after eight hours. I try to avoid the toilets after 3 hours in flight. Please have have wipes or liquid hand sanitizer available to keep you healthy for you trip. |
I usually take a pashmina with me when I fly. Doubles as blanket, pillow, wrap....whatever I need.
I was wondering what to do about money, whether to take cash and exchange it or withdraw from an ATM. If I do one big withdrawal, I guess it it would be less expensive due to only paying one transaction fee?? I'm not sure how to order money from my bank. It's actually a credit union, so it may not do that. |
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I always hold onto my cash and use my Visa whenever possible so that I don't get blow through it so quickly. With Taxis, I always ask if they accept a credit card before getting in. I'm really surprised how much cash I have left after 2 weeks. One additional BIG tip: call each of your credit card and ATM companies and tell them to put an alert on your account that you will be out of the country between what days. It would really stink for your card to be refused if they think someone from Nigeria got ahold or your card and was going on a London spending spree. |
Have a great time. I am currently living in London and work just north of Oxford.
Understanding which credit card to use is important. We are lucky because DH's company gave us premier standing with his company (bank) so we only have to pay straight conversion with no transaction fees or makeup. I believe American Express and Capital One may be the same way on some of their cards. Carry a pen with you if you plan to use a credit card any. Most everyone is used to the chip and pin for credit cards and don't always have a pen to sign. |
Register with the Embassy in the country you are visiting. If there is an emergency, it's good for them to know where the Americans are. Even if you think it can't happen in that country, you never know. https://step.state.gov/step/
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Just wait and get money when you get there. The exchange rates are current and you won't end up with a lot of extra money you don't need if you just take out little bits at a time.
I agree about the disposable phone. We did that on our last Paris trip. If you do somehow run up minutes on your own phone, if you have AT&T, they will send you a message and let you retroactively let you buy a fairly cheap package to cover the cost (happened to me in Paris with texting.) I wouldn't recommend using your own phone to make calls...texting is expensive enough, but is fairly inexpensive if you make a mistake. Just enjoy the trip and don't obsess about all the details. It's not really that difficult to travel internationally. I never get up midflight. I sleep the whole way after the meal. Customs is quicker than you thinks. Then, you are in a whole new country! I leave for Berlin on Saturday for my birthday so I'm super excited. I haven't been to London because it just hasn't worked out. Have a great time! |
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