Woot! My first Passport!

[Ugg]

Just got back from a trip to Sweden, Denmark, Finland, and Estonia and got stamps from each.

Very geeky, but love getting the stamp!!!

I know, I'm really sort of chuffed about my Bosnia and Hercegovina stamp that I got a couple of weeks ago.

My old passport has one of the German Democratic Republic. It's sort of cool to have stamps of countries that don't exist anymore.

 

[itmakesmecool]

If you are traveling between two countries in the EU you do not get your passport stamped unless you request it. In fact, you can go from airport to airport without pulling out your passport once. Customs regulations are very relaxed, and you can "choose" to declare things. If you choose not to you walk through the gate no questions asked (scary really).

 

[Ugg]

If you are traveling between two countries in the EU you do not get your passport stamped unless you request it. In fact, you can go from airport to airport without pulling out your passport once. Customs regulations are very relaxed, and you can "choose" to declare things. If you choose not to you walk through the gate no questions asked (scary really).

I'm not sure where you're from or when the last time you've traveled but on my recent trip to Europe, I flew 5 internal flights and was required every single time both leaving and entering a country to show my passport and it was stamped without my requesting it.

It wasn't just me, an American, but everyone on the plane. Only one flight was from an 'old' EU country to another 'old' EU country. Three were from/to Berlin to a new EU country and one was from Ljubljana to London. It may be the case for EU residents that you only need to show id to get on a plane but if you're a non-EU resident be prepared to show your passport.

 

[Applespider]

It may be the case for EU residents that you only need to show id to get on a plane but if you're a non-EU resident be prepared to show your passport.

I'd question itmakesmecool's statement too; I make 6 or 7 inter-Europe flights a year and I've never managed it without showing my passport. You do still have to show your EU passport to get into EU countries at the port of entry. They don't stamp EU ones as a rule; they (occasionally, most in Germany and the UK from non-EU flights) run it through a machine, but they always stare severely at you and the picture at the back, thumb through a few pages and then hand it back to you. They may well stamp non-EU passports at each entry point. Internal flights within an EU country, it's photo ID at check-in and/or boarding.

 

[Chip NoVaMac]

I know, I'm really sort of chuffed about my Bosnia and Hercegovina stamp that I got a couple of weeks ago.

My old passport has one of the German Democratic Republic. It's sort of cool to have stamps of countries that don't exist anymore.

I think I understand where you are coming from. I have an opportunity to do a trip to Dublin over the St. Patrick Holiday. How cool is that IMO to spend St. Patrick Day in Ireland!

The question I have for you all is, some of the cheapest flight from WAS to DUB round trip are through flights that give me a 3 to 6 hour layover in places like Frankfort, Paris, Amsterdam, and the such. No real time to leave the airport to see the city, but how silly is it to go through their customs and step outside on the curb of the airport in order to get a stamp in my passport (and maybe a smoke)?

Before some scoff, if my connecting flight is less than 2 hours, I don't see the "benefit" in my plan. On the other hand, if I have 3 to 7 hours, I see no real problem with my idea. I also realize that it will depend on the actual arrival times, compared to my departure times. I will most likely have "checked" baggage.

Also any tips on the amount of time to allow between "domestic" travel and getting aboard an "international" flight - when booked on the same airline or travel agent (even like Orbitz)?

Thanks for the help...

Chip

 

[CanadaRAM]

Hey, some of you know what I have been through. But I am not looking for a free ride.

Now if some MR members could find their way to help with lodging, that is a different matter.

Hey Chip, you can come and stay with us in Canada any time.

Bring your camera, be a good excuse to go out shooting.

 

[Chip NoVaMac]

Getting closer to my first International trip

I am now waiting for reservation confirmation from the B&B in Reykjavik so that I can book my flight!

The B&B has been so helpful. They are located in the Embassy Row area of Reykjavik. They even went as far as suggesting that I forego the tour buses (which lead me to their B&B), and rent a car instead.

This may work out better since the weather in Iceland can be unpredictable in the Winter months. Sorry for sounding like a kid at Christmas, but I am so jazzed on getting to the Blue Lagoon, the Ice Bar, and The Pearl. Not so sure that I am jazzed up for Sheepshead Jelly and Lamb Testicles.

 

[Ugg]

The question I have for you all is, some of the cheapest flight from WAS to DUB round trip are through flights that give me a 3 to 6 hour layover in places like Frankfort, Paris, Amsterdam, and the such. No real time to leave the airport to see the city, but how silly is it to go through their customs and step outside on the curb of the airport in order to get a stamp in my passport (and maybe a smoke)?

Before some scoff, if my connecting flight is less than 2 hours, I don't see the "benefit" in my plan. On the other hand, if I have 3 to 7 hours, I see no real problem with my idea. I also realize that it will depend on the actual arrival times, compared to my departure times. I will most likely have "checked" baggage.

Also any tips on the amount of time to allow between "domestic" travel and getting aboard an "international" flight - when booked on the same airline or travel agent (even like Orbitz)?

Thanks for the help...

Chip

When you arrive in an EU country, you will get a stamp in your passport for the country you arrive in. If you arrive in Paris, you'll get a French stamp, and that means that you have cleared customs in France. You're free to go outside for a smoke or whatever. When you come back in, you'll only have to go through airport security. I did that in Amsterdam a few years ago. Most European airports have smoking areas but sometimes it's nice to get a breath of fresh air with the nicotine!

If you're flying from WAS to DUB via CGI, only the WAS to DUB leg is considered international, the CGI to DUB is considered an intra-EU flight. It's not quite the same as flying from LHR to EXE (Buenos Aries) via MIA. In that case you would be issued a transit visa and if you're not an American you would not be able to exit the airport.

Check in times vary from airline to airline but transatlantic flights generally require up to a three hour check in with a minimum of an hour. It also greatly depends upon the airport that you fly into. I would recommend a minimum window of 3 hours between an intra-Eu flight and a transatlantic flight, and a minimum of 2 hours between a transatlantic flight and an intra-Eu flight. Those are bare minimums though.

Any layover less than 6 hours is going to give you a maximum of 4 hours on the ground. Generally, getting to a city from an international airport is going to take 30-60 minutes which leaves less than 2 hours for sightseeing.

Another approach is to fly into a city, take a whirlwind 6 hour tour, then catch a budget flight (Ryanair, easyjet.com, German Wings, etc) to your destination. It takes a little bit more work and may be slightly more than your 2 leg ticket and may leave you absolutely exhausted!, but it's worth looking into.

 

[Chip NoVaMac]

Hey Chip, you can come and stay with us in Canada any time.

Bring your camera, be a good excuse to go out shooting.

Be careful on what you ask for!

The BVC area is a place that I would love to visit.

I am keeping my eyes out for cheap flights any where outside of the 50 states of the US.

In keeping with my 12 trips a year both in the US, and in other "countries", even though many don't consider travel to Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean to be "international" travel - I am already looking at NYC in December, Iceland in February, Dublin in March, the Caribbean and Mexico in October. Add to that SF in late July.

I would love to do the BCV, Montreal, and/or Quebec "run" with a late Saturday night flight, returning on a Monday afternoon flight. Maybe a little longer for the BCV area.

Some may wonder about my new desire for travel. It has always been there. But as some have noted, my personal life has made it hard. Some of my co-workers asked about my ability to do a week in SF this past summer. And a few days in Chicago. Most that that travel was done within my monthly budget. Only because I did not have to worry about meeting bills and such for two people.

Hate to say it, but when you are paying for 4 to 5 nites a week on eating out at $20 to $50 each night - that adds up to major money. I am lucky if I eat out 2 to 3 times a week, and even then it is the McDonald's Value Menu. I have so much more money now!

In the end I am looking forward to getting as many "stamps" as I can.

 

[Chip NoVaMac]

When you arrive in an EU country, you will get a stamp in your passport for the country you arrive in.

Sorry if I am dense on this.

But lets say that I am on a flight from DCA to DUB, that goes through Frankfort Germany. I arrive with 3+ hours between connecting flights. I was with the understanding that as long as I stay within the terminal, I did not have to be concerned Passport issues. Much like taking a flight from Dc via STL to SF. The only concern is is if you left the airport terminal.

If you arrive in Paris, you'll get a French stamp, and that means that you have cleared customs in France. You're free to go outside for a smoke or whatever. When you come back in, you'll only have to go through airport security. I did that in Amsterdam a few years ago. Most European airports have smoking areas but sometimes it's nice to get a breath of fresh air with the nicotine!

or in my case to get a stamp in the passport.

How does this work if you have baggage that is checked for the cargo hold, and decide to leave the terminal?

If you're flying from WAS to DUB via CGI, only the WAS to DUB leg is considered international, the CGI to DUB is considered an intra-EU flight. It's not quite the same as flying from LHR to EXE (Buenos Aries) via MIA. In that case you would be issued a transit visa and if you're not an American you would not be able to exit the airport.

Head spinning on that one. The idea of being able to fly out of a domestic airport and take an international flight and it being considered "intra" is just hard to fathom, based on 20+ year old knowledge. Considering that DCA has no Customs that I am aware of.

Check in times vary from airline to airline but transatlantic flights generally require up to a three hour check in with a minimum of an hour. It also greatly depends upon the airport that you fly into. I would recommend a minimum window of 3 hours between an intra-Eu flight and a transatlantic flight, and a minimum of 2 hours between a transatlantic flight and an intra-Eu flight. Those are bare minimums though

So if I follow you. For a flight that is from lets say the US to Dublin via Frankfort, then allow 2 hours. For Dublin to Frankfort to the US, allow 3 hours.

Any layover less than 6 hours is going to give you a maximum of 4 hours on the ground.

Pretty much what I thought.

Another approach is to fly into a city, take a whirlwind 6 hour tour, then catch a budget flight (Ryanair, easyjet.com, German Wings, etc) to your destination. It takes a little bit more work and may be slightly more than your 2 leg ticket and may leave you absolutely exhausted!, but it's worth looking into.

I looked at those; but trying to stay within a budget - that may not work. Unless I can book something like a RyanAir flight for under GPB5 for each leg, the $303-$350US RT between WAS and DUB may be my best bet.

Thanks for the help and kind words....

Chip

 

[Applespider]

I looked at those; but trying to stay within a budget - that may not work. Unless I can book something like a RyanAir flight for under GPB5 for each leg, the $303-$350US RT between WAS and DUB may be my best bet.

At certain times, you might find Ryanair fares etc that cheaply but bear in mind that they may fly from a different airport - some of their fares are so cheap because they use 'out of the way' airports.

However, it can be really worth doing. I understand what you are saying about budgets but if you have the opportunity to spend a day in another city for even an extra $100, then it's worth considering doing it since to go and see it some other time would end up being closer to $1000

I've never understood the logic of spending lots of cash to go somewhere and then not experiencing it fully. I have two friends who came over from the US to see London but decided that the £10 to go inside the Tower of London to see the Crown Jewels wasn't worthwhile; same with Westminster Abbey. I couldn't believe it; $800 for flights and then to say that $15 to see something you can't see anywhere else isn't worth it.

Chip... you need to have a budget sure, but make sure that it's flexible enough so that if you see an experience you feel you must have, you can stick it on the credit card and just do it. Money is only money that can be paid back, the experiences and the memories will stay with you longer than the short-term cash hit.

 

[mojohanna]

i love my passport , not too sure why though ? must be all them good memory's .

i hate it in europe now , they do not stamp your passport anymore if your in th EU

Not correct, just traveled to germany and got stamped going in and coming out. I think they all use the same stamp now where each country used to have their own unique stamp. Also, no need for the visas to most EU coutries if you are a us citizen.

 

[Applespider]

Not correct, just traveled to germany and got stamped going in and coming out.

Liketom is correct for himself and other EU-passport holders. We no longer get passports stamped flying from the UK to Germany or other EU countries unless, I guess, you request it. Non-EU passport holders will have their passports stamped on entry/exit from an EU country (at the point where the EU passports are scrutinised), just as EU passport-holders have theirs stamped on the way in/out of the US/Canada/Australia etc

 

[mojohanna]

Liketom is correct for himself and other EU-passport holders. We no longer get passports stamped flying from the UK to Germany or other EU countries unless, I guess, you request it. Non-EU passport holders will have their passports stamped on entry/exit from an EU country (at the point where the EU passports are scrutinised), just as EU passport-holders have theirs stamped on the way in/out of the US/Canada/Australia etc

Sorry, I should have left my US centric thoughts at home. I forgot about posters being from Europe and traveling within EU countries. I guess it is amost like traveling state to state here.

 

[Chip NoVaMac]

At certain times, you might find Ryanair fares etc that cheaply but bear in mind that they may fly from a different airport - some of their fares are so cheap because they use 'out of the way' airports.

Thanks for the info.

However, it can be really worth doing. I understand what you are saying about budgets but if you have the opportunity to spend a day in another city for even an extra $100, then it's worth considering doing it since to go and see it some other time would end up being closer to $1000

Much like when I looked at doing a trip to Rome in January 2006. Orbitz had a fare that was just a $100US more than some others offered, this one was with LOT, and would give me an overnight in Warsaw on my outbound trip. Sure it would cost me a day in Rome, but it seems to be a great way to see more of the world.

I've never understood the logic of spending lots of cash to go somewhere and then not experiencing it fully. I have two friends who came over from the US to see London but decided that the £10 to go inside the Tower of London to see the Crown Jewels wasn't worthwhile; same with Westminster Abbey. I couldn't believe it; $800 for flights and then to say that $15 to see something you can't see anywhere else isn't worth it.

That makes no sense to me either. I can understand in years past, passing on a helicopter flight over Las Vegas. I had to be prepared to budget money after the trip for my ex's "unexpected" expenses.

Sort of like my trip to Chicago. I did the Hancock observatory on a rainy day. Others at the hotel mentioned about going, but decided to pass because of the weather. For me I will forever regret being too cheap and too busy on a trip to NYC back in Spring 2001 to have gone to the top of the WTC. And I was staying at the Millennium Hilton across the street!

I figured that I would make other trips up to NYC, and I could do the WTC observation deck another time. Never made it back that year, and now the WTC towers are gone.

Chip... you need to have a budget sure, but make sure that it's flexible enough so that if you see an experience you feel you must have, you can stick it on the credit card and just do it. Money is only money that can be paid back, the experiences and the memories will stay with you longer than the short-term cash hit.

I know that all too well. My Mom was always saving for a rainy day. She died before she could enjoy her rainy day. I am lucky that money is not a major obstacle for travel any longer.

Amazing how much money one can save when they are solely responsible for themselves. And having the profits from my TH sale help too. My two trips this year to SF and Chicago never required my dipping in to the TH profits. And neither will the pending trips to Iceland and Rome (so far <g>). And both of the trips this year have left me with many fond memories. I am looking forward to many more in 2006!