I agree with having relaxing days when you land instead of overbooking and risking serious disappointment and exhaustion. Not everything needs to be fully scheduled—allow sone time for spontaneity, to visit something that looks intriguing, spend longer at a favorite place or just people watch and talk to folks you meet.
Bit of a tangential question - assuming you have no bags to check, for international travel do you need to check in at the main ticket counter or can you just check in at the gate (I assume they need to do a passport check)?
This for departing from the US.
Yes! Also, keep in mind that when you fly from the USA to Europe, you arrive the next day. I know a travel agent who says that people often forget this. They have a ten day trip planned and they’re making an itinerary assuming they’ll get to Europe the same day they leave.
So true! That said, some attractions require reservations and it is worth giving up some unscheduled time to avoid waiting in line…
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No checkin at the counter, I just print my ticket or have my ticket in Apple wallet and then stand in security line. That’s when you have to show passport and ticket.
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@anomander, no need to check in at check-in counter but be aware that your bags might still be gate checked at your boarding gate. D20 went overseas this summer, hers was the only bag in the overhead compartment in at least three sections in front of and in back of her as no one else’s ‘carry on’ bag passed muster with Luftansa (they are stringent when it comes to both weight and size). It was a completely full flight.
In the boarding area, they made it clear that if your bag did not already have a tag allowing it as a carry on (which you received at the check in counter) it would need to pass boarding gate weight/size inspection before being allowed to board or it would be gate checked. Most people’s bag were gate checked.
If you are flying a US carrier, not nearly the same kind of issues.
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Thanks for the heads-up. We’re flying with American and we all use true international-size carryons.
I’m always amazed at the gigantic carryons the domestic carriers let people bring on board.
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I bought mine from Costco and have not had any problem.
I just thought of another tip.
Make sure whatever baggage you take, you can manage yourself. A friend who is very petite and not strong just bought a HUGE Pullman suitcase she will use when she travels. Yes, she will check the bag, but can she drag it around, lift it into a taxi, things like that? No she can’t.
Question: we are renting a house in the Caribbean. Food selection isn’t great and its expensive. Does it make sense to bring some things like coffee, gluten free pasta, eg, with us in luggage? Any other tips?
I don’t know if this has been mentioned, but be aware that some low cost airlines in Europe, especially Ryanair, use smaller/secondary airports that can be a long way from the city they serve. For cheap prices that doesn’t have to be a deal breaker, but it is something to keep in mind. For instance Ryanair often leaves from London-Stanstead Airport, which is a quite a ways outside of London. They also land at Frankfurt-Hahn airport which is a small airport a long way from Frankfurt, Germany, which is serves.
Also, those low cost airlines love to tack on extra charges for just about everything…
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I believe it does make sense to bring some food with you. We aren’t as good about that as we could be, but even a couple of boxes of breakfast cereal, coffee, a bag of rice, stuff like that can save a little. Just make sure it’s OK to bring in. Also, if you drink, think about getting some alcohol at the duty free shop in the airport.
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Remember no fruits or vegetables. Those will be confiscated.
I heard that SAS airline declared bankruptcy yesterday and the pilots went on strike.
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I once had to go through the “bad people line” when I came back to US from another country bc I failed to eat the apple I took on board. Fortunately the line wasn’t long, and they just laughed and sent me on my way, but I think it could have been more difficult if they chose to make it so.
Tropical fruits are awesome - be sure to try some out while you’re there.
I usually buy the local stuff, I want to spend money there. Hopefully the King dollar will even out somehow.
Yup. Found that out the hard way. Easy Jet cancelled a flight on us 30 days before travel. Ryan air was basically the only other option. Hahn was an our past FRA - in the wrong direction for us.
Depending on where you live in the US…you can be left with the impression that GF is easily available anywhere. It.Is.Not. Plus it can be super expensive. DD always brings a large portion of GF items for her celiac hubby. Especially quick grab snacks.
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My husband was gluten free for years, maybe 4-5 years and I didn’t bring anything even in a Italy, I made rice and potato for carbs and served him lots of vegetables. But he didn’t have celiac though, when we ate out, the waiters were very careful about that, they asked and made sure they didn’t mix gluten food together when cooking gluten free dish for us.
I remember food being very expensive when H &I went to the Bahamas. A box of corn flakes was $6 in the early 90s! There was one pizza place we could sort of afford. We brought some food with us, but mostly we starved.
A few years ago, I researched going back to Atlantis with the kids and a lot of comments mentioned the same thing. Some people said they shared one suitcase and packed another with food. I was contemplating doing something like that, but we wound up taking a carnival cruise instead that stopped at Atlantis for the day.
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@cinnamon1212 when we go on sailing trips we always bring along some food. Definitely coffee if that is important to you. Our last sailing trip we were 8 and each of us brought items in our bags that we thought we wouldn’t find. In a lot of the spots we go sailing the grocery store selection can be slim. Things we brought tortillas, oatmeal, cashew butter, coffee, bars such as fig bars, Kind, Cliff. Lol I’m lion light of the macaroni and cheese thread one of my kids brought several boxes of Annie’s Mac and cheese.
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