International Travel Advice needed

[tcsparky]

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.

[Beryana]

Originally Posted by tcsparky

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.

If you have an unlocked smart phone, just look at buying a pay-as-you-go sim card once you get to the UK. It would be a LOT cheaper (MAYBE £10 for unlimited). Free wi-fi is actually not as easily found in the UK as it is in the US - coffee shops will have it as will some restaurants, but overall the UK has better mobile service and I think they don't do as much wi-fi for that reason (and the fact internet service is more expensive and slower).

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.

[WhiteDaisy128]

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.