I have this dream to travel overseas. And I'm actually wanting to make it a goal of mine. I want to make it possible.. thing is I have never ever travelling outside my country on a plane.. not even in my country. I've only ever driven when travelling. But basically what are the basics I need to know and I need to do? Can anyone help? Thanks
Know that your plane is NOT just going to fall out of the sky. Take boiled sweets for take off and landing.
What really do you want to know? There's a lot to say.
Wake me up before I change again
Remind me the story that I won't get insane
Tell me why it's always the same
Explain me the reason why I'm so much in pain.
You best be planning on coming to England to see me :P
And not much to know. Taking off can be a bit scary because of the different air pressures. Sometimes I feel really dizzy taking off and have passed out a lot because of the air pressure but I think that is more down to my blood pressure. I have no idea.
Passport, just remember to always have it and keep it up to date.
Passport advice is keep it in a secure pocket when actually undergoing the travelling part of your journey, take a photocopy of it too just in case. When not travelling, don't carry it round with you, most hotels will have a safe where you can store valuables and i'd take advantage of this.
Travelling alone, basically be sensible. Don't trust anyone too much. Check the foreign Office website for any advice specific to that country. Have a schedule, make sure someone knows whereabouts you are meant to be on each leg of your journey. If possible phone/text someone everytime you move bases so people are aware if you haven't turned up where you said you would. A good guide book is invaluable as is a few basics of the language (obviously depending greatly on destinations) but being able to say please and thankyou, understand directions and numbers (so you understand prices when buying things) would be a good start.
Yes Sammiekins.. I'm hoping to plan a trip to see you and.. go somewhere else, I think you can guess where :P
I'm actually going to go and see about applying for a passport this week :D
Thanks guys for the replies. I did think of more questions grr but I'll come back I need to. Might be seeing the travel place tomorrow at uni to get some info too :)
And not much to know. Taking off can be a bit scary because of the different air pressures. Sometimes I feel really dizzy taking off and have passed out a lot because of the air pressure but I think that is more down to my blood pressure. I have no idea.
Are you sure that's the change in pressure, not just something psychological? Normally the worst that should happen is your ears popping, hence the boiled sweet suggestion. I guess another thing is go to the loo before boarding the plane, because you're stuck in your seat for TOL. Landing can be a little bumpy, but nothing really to worry about. Turbulence can happen in the air, but again. Nothing really to worry about but can be uncomfortable if it's severe, but it's better this time of year as there's less weather disruption. Oh, and I'd reccomend getting currency before you leave since you don't know how much the bank will charge for taking out money abroad. Keep ahold of the receipt things when you put your baggage in, just in case they get lost, you then have "proof". Also put your name and address somewhere on it for this reason (or I tend to put my surname, house number and postcode. Less conspicuous).
I'm trying to think of stuff that I did when I went to Tanzania, since I went alone then, but I've been overseas a lot before then, so the flying was just routine to me. The hurry up and wait is rubbish on your own though.
Wake me up before I change again
Remind me the story that I won't get insane
Tell me why it's always the same
Explain me the reason why I'm so much in pain.
Are you sure that's the change in pressure, not just something psychological? Normally the worst that should happen is your ears popping, hence the boiled sweet suggestion.
Possibly! I have no idea.
Katie, good luck with your passport honey!
And if you seriously ever do come to England, I can give you loads of travel advice about the country as can a lot of people on here!! <3
Ok.. where I am planning on going- America
When- hopefully mid next year for a few weeks and then end of next year for a bit longer.. then hope to head to England :) (although curcumstances may change it :/ chances are it could only be England.)
Where I'm going to stay- friends :D
Now I have a question on airlines. How do you know what one to fly with? Do you go with the cheapest one? One that people recommend? I don't know??
And yes Sammie, I seriously WILL come to England :D
Well Helen.. you know whats happening and at the moment it's looking like England is first on the list :P In fact it's looking like the only one on the list, lmao. I don't know. I'll figure it out I guess...? *shrugs* Too many people living in different places lol. Well.. I don't know. Imagining that other thing works out I'll take a trip to England first :D But if not.. well it will still be first.. ack.. I'm losing my thoughts here. I got time :D
It depends on what you're looking for in an airline. US Airways (I think) tends to be cheap transatlantic, but it's nowhere as good a service as BA. End of the day, they'll all serve food and stuff. But BA you get your own TV screen in the headrest, staff regularly come down the aisles with tea/coffee/oj/water, the food is much better (i.e. you get 2 decent meals instead of a pathetic excuse for a meal and a snack). Virgin is also nice... but it depends on where you want to fly from/to as to what kind of choice you get.
Wake me up before I change again
Remind me the story that I won't get insane
Tell me why it's always the same
Explain me the reason why I'm so much in pain.
Cheap is... Cheap. But it's cheap for a reason. If you're going long-distance, I'd recommend going slightly more expensive if your budget allows, as it'd just be a whole lot more comfy and spacious (don't expect luxury :P but it'll be nicer).
Make sure you check things like visas, too - very important! And this sounds stupid, sorry for being patronising - but make sure you get the right currency, too. One of my Dad's family friends came over to the UK for the first time, and was shocked and horrified that we don't accept US dollars over here :P
First you will have to get a passport. Make sure you have any visas if you plan to stay for a while.......you should be able to get a tourist visa if you're only going to stay for a couple of weeks. Make sure you make all reservations beforehand because customs will want to make sure that you're not arriving there to work or overstay your visa. You won't be able to take food or drink past customs........I had to throw out a bottle of water at Brisbane airport before they'd let me in. If you're driving, make sure you know the local road rules and have your car hire sorted out. It would be a good idea to get immunizations if necessary and get a letter from your doctor for any meds you take so they don't think you're a drug dealer Oh and most importantly.........have fun!
PS: Virgin airlines might seem cheap but from what I've experienced their service leaves a lot to be desired. Out of our airlines, I'd pick Qantas any day.
Last edited by airwolf282 : 16-08-2009 at 09:20 AM.
Reason: added text
"For those who fight for it, life has a flavour the sheltered never know"
-Pinned to a noticeboard at the US Command Post in Khe Sanh.
I'm definately going to make sure I have everything done right. The last thing I want (and I'm so paranoid it will happen) is to be refused entry or whatever. Haha. But thanks for all the advice :D
But BA you get your own TV screen in the headrest, staff regularly come down the aisles with tea/coffee/oj/water, the food is much better (i.e. you get 2 decent meals instead of a pathetic excuse for a meal and a snack). Virgin is also nice... but it depends on where you want to fly from/to as to what kind of choice you get.
BA are now giving you 2 pathetic excuses for meals. it's honestly revolting.
i've been on planes a few times & 2 weeks ago was the first time i'd flown alone. as long as you're organised, it's fine. make sure you check repeatedly you have your passport & ticket. get to check in with plenty of time. get to your gate with plenty of time. make sure if you don't know whether to go/what to do, you ask someone, people are usually very willing to help you find your way but airports are well signposted and generally it's sort of like, all linked. so you get through one bit, then onto the next bit etc etc. but anyways, those are all smaller details to look at. i'd plan it all out. look at the costs of different airlines, price out the whole trip & then see how much you can afford to pay & then maybe look up some reviews on them? the only thing is, at the end of the day, there are going to be a lot of people who say they're really good, and a lot of people who have had bad experiences so yeh, looking at what they give you for the money is also a good idea.
but yeh, first thing i'd say is cost it all out; you said you could stay with friends, could you stay with friends the whole time? how are you going to get from one friends to another? are these people you've met online; are you sure you want to stay with them having never met them? do you have enough money to pay for a hotel if things don't work out? etc etc etc :) i'd just completely plan it out & then you can work out what you can do, where you can go etc?
I'd rather have 2 pathetic excuses for meals and a lot of OJ, than one pathetic meal and an apple on an 8 hour flight. But I haven't flown BA in a couple of years since we've had to go out of Gatwick instead of Heathrow to Philly. I still stand that I'd rather take BA over US Airways because US Airways are that *****. Virgin used to be lovely, but I haven't flown with them since I was a child because they only fly into Newark, not Philadelphia. That's just my experience with trans atlantic flights though, I only do it once a year, I'm hardly an expert.
When I went to Tanzania on my own, KLM were alright, nothing particularly amazing, but I don't remember being disappointed with anything.
Wake me up before I change again
Remind me the story that I won't get insane
Tell me why it's always the same
Explain me the reason why I'm so much in pain.
Oh and most importantly.........have fun!
