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Posts Tagged ‘airport’
Airport Transfers: To Take a Taxi or Not?
Taxi drivers seem to be synonymous with getting ripped off in most places I travel. Whether it was the time the cab driver took me all the way to the airport instead of the train station like I requested in Shanghai (causing me to run into the terminal to get additional money) or another time in India where the cab driver tried to add on a surcharge for every bag I had with (I understand my suitcase but my purse, really??). So, it is no surprise that I was warned about the cab drivers in Tunisia. As I went to depart the country, I grabbed a taxi outside my hotel who said he would use the meter (usually, a good thing) but this meter was moving a little too quick leading me to believe it had been manipulated, especially since the hotel said it would be 5 Dinar (about $4 US) and the meter was well at that as soon as we drove down the street! As we drove, the driver continued to speak to me in French which I somehow understood. He wanted to add a 5 Dinar surcharge for each of my bags and another fee since it was 6:30am (however, I had done my research and learned that this “evening surcharge” is only valid between 9:00pm and 6:00am). He was now telling me my total fare was going to be 20-some Dinar, not what I had budgeted for! Luckily, I was able to stand my ground and haggle the price down to a lower rate. I was able to be forceful without being emotional—I was so impressed with myself! To prevent a scene playing out like this, here are some tips to follow:
1) Always ask the price before getting in the cab. If it seems too high, haggle or find another cab. Make sure the price is all inclusive of fees, surcharges, tolls, etc. I would advise against asking “Are there any other fees” as a slimy cab driver will use that opportunity to tack on more money. Instead, repeat back the total to firm up the verbal agreement.
2) Get your money out while in the cab, preferably out of sight of the cab driver. I have seen occurrences where the cab driver saw a larger note or another currency in someone’s wallet and insisted upon a different total. Not cool, cab drivers! I usually stash the money in my pocket so I don’t even need to open my purse.
3) When it comes time to pay, I wait until everyone is safely out of the car and all luggage is curbside. In the event the cab driver gets irate about the total fare or the tip (or lack therefore of if service/driving was less than optimal), at least you and your belongings are out of the way.
Don’t want to deal with a cab? Ask your hotel or tour operator about the charges for private transport. The advantage is a set price and they will run on your schedule. Downside, they tend to be more expensive. If you can gather a few people together to split the fare, usually it will work out to be pretty affordable. Don’t forget, you usually tip the driver who transports you to the airport. Usually $1-2 per person (more if you have lots of bags). Another option is bus, train or subway. This option will vary so do your homework beforehand to see what options exist (remember, you can post a question like this in the DIWYY forums to get advice for other readers) and to see costs and schedules.
I hope I don’t scare you but I want you to be informed of the way cab drivers work. By being prepared and holding your ground, you can get the upper hand in the situation. Sometimes, a cabbie who is trying to take advantage of you just needs a swift (verbal) kick in the you-know-what!
Have another taxi tip? Post it here or on Facebook.
Written by DIWYY co-founder, Kristina. Email her at Kristina@diwyy.com
Healthy Eating at all Altitudes
For some reason, the airport used to be like a caloric black hole for me. I would tell myself that calories and fat grams didn’t exist in the terminal. While I get the temporary satisfaction of McDonald’s french fries or an ice cream sundae, I usually end up feeling lethargic and full. I recently adopted a new plan to help break this pattern by making smarter decisions and planning ahead a little more. Here is an overview of my strategy.
BEFORE THE AIRPORT:
-Eat a small snack or meal at home before you leave. If you end up waiting in long lines for check-in or security, at least you will have a little fuel in your body. My favorite picks? A sandwich, pasta, soup or fruit (apples and bananas).
-I grab an empty plastic or stainless steel water bottle and throw it in my carry-on bag for filling after I pass through security (so I adhere to the TSA’s 3-1-1 rules for liquids).
AT THE AIRPORT:
-If you arrived at the airport early, use it as an opportunity to walk around and get some exercise in before the forced sitting begins. During this time, either buy bottled water or use the water fountain to fill-up the plastic or stainless steel container you brought with.
-In search of a meal? Try to find a light yet filling combination like a green salad with grilled chicken, a healthy sandwich with a cup of soup or another low-fat option.
-In more of a snack mood? I eat six small meals throughout the day and like to continue this pattern during travel too (which can be challenging but is worth the effort!). Instead of a larger items, I’ll try to find a fruit cup, yogurt parfait, air-popped popcorn or frozen yogurt.
-I always have an emergency supply of snacks in my bag. I can’t travel without Luna Bars, Fiber One Peanut Butter bars and Planter’s Trail Mix.
ON THE AIRPLANE:
-These days, you never know whether your in-flight meal consists of a bag of peanuts or a full meal (yes, they still exist—check out Continental Airlines). Check your airline’s website or your air itinerary for what the meal policy is. If you do have an option, do know that you can easily request a special meal from a list of over fifteen choices including low-fat, low-calorie, low-sodium or vegetarian, among others. Another perk of ordering a special meal: your food comes out first!
-If you find a good ‘grab and go’ option in the terminal, feel free to bring it on-board. Sandwiches work great in this situation.
-Also have items from your emergency snack supply in hand.
What are your airport staples? What snacks do you pack in your bag? Post them here to share with other readers.
Written by Kristina, DIWYY founder. Email her at kristina@diwyy.com
What to Expect When Traveling Abroad: Immigration & Customs Edition
Planning for your first trip abroad? Instead of merely showing your driver’s license, you suddenly need your passport and, in some cases, a Visa. Today’s post will prepare you for what to expect at check-in, what usually happens upon arrival in a foreign country, and the formalities of re-entering the United States.
AT THE AIRPORT: The first major difference you will notice is that on-line check-in is sometimes restricted for international flights, depending on your destination. This is because a representative from the airline needs to check your documents prior to accepting your baggage and giving you your boarding pass. Because of this notion, plan to get to the airport a little earlier than normal in case of long lines. Once you are at the counter, show your passport and you’ll be on your way!
UPON ARRIVAL IN A FOREIGN COUNTRY: If you had to obtain a Visa prior to departure (countries like Brazil, China, and Vietnam, among others, require this), this document will be inserted into your passport and will need to be shown to government officials upon arrival. The flight attendants may also pass out additional paperwork which you should fill out on the plane to expedite your arrival processing. Typically, there is a standard immigration form as well as a customs form, which is a declaration of what you are bringing into the country. Since the days of Avian Flu and H1N1, many countries have also started passing out a health questionnaire in-flight which asks about your health in the days before you boarded your aircraft. And furthermore, on a trip to Russia this past summer, I wasn’t allowed to disembark from my plane until my temperature was taken by this contraption that basically scanned your head!
Once you are off the airplane, you will be sequestered to a certain area of the airport to undergo Immigration & Custom formalities. Have you passport as well as any documents you completed on the plane handy to expedite the process. Once you’re at the counter with the government personnel, they may ask you questions about your visit (examples: whether your trip is business or pleasure, where you will be staying, etc). This is also when your passport will get stamped (if the country does so). Avoid using your phone or camera during this process as it is typically not allowed.
After you have moved through the documentation process, you will need to re-claim your luggage and then pass through Customs. When entering a country, you won’t typically have anything to declare but check the forms to be precise. After, you enter the arrivals hall where your friends, family, or tour operator will meet you. If you are traveling independently, there are usually counters to get a taxi or signs to point you to the train or bus station.
COMING BACK TO THE US: Coming back home, as a US citizen, is much simpler. Only one form is required (Customs declaration). After you disembark your aircraft, you will proceed to Immigration where someone from U.S. Customs & Border Patrol will scan your passport, review your Customs declaration, and usually ask you a question or two about your trip. Remember, you can only approach the Immigration counter with members of your family. If you are traveling with friends, you will need to wait in line for separate transactions.
After, you will re-claim your baggage and then turn in your Customs Declaration. If you did buy something subject to inspection, this is when someone will check your bag. But, if you adhered to the stated limits, you should be clear to pass. From here, you proceed to exit the terminal or find the gate for your connecting flight.
While this seems overwhelming, after a few trips, you will have the routine down pat! Have a follow-up question? Post a question in our Travel Forums or a leave a comment here.
Navigating the Airport
So far, in 2009, I have flown over 60,000 miles so to say I am familiar with the airport is an understatement! Everything has become so second-nature to me that I actually had to think pretty hard to remember all the steps I take in order to have a stress-free airport experience. Today, I’ll share some of the things I do. If you have additional tips, I would love to hear them! Post a comment here, write a note on our Facebook page, or send me a note at kristina@diwyy.com.
TIME:
-I usually follow the “get there 2 hours early” rule, especially at an airport I am not familiar with. This allows for a cushion at check-in, baggage drop, and/or security. If you know your home airport really well, you can sometimes do a little less time but, in my opinion, I would rather have a little free time to walk around then be frantically running to the gate. For international flights (heading abroad from the US) or those leaving from a non-US country, check with the airline’s suggestions since it can be up to 3 hours in some cities.
-If you clear security quickly and have some time, I like to walk through the terminals and check out the stores but I always aim to get to the gate about 45 minutes prior to the scheduled boarding time. When my flight is international, I am usually at the gate no less than 1 hour before. Standard boarding time for domestic is 30 minutes, 45 minutes for international but I like to have a buffer in case there is a gate change or they need to verify your passport again.
OTHER TIPS:
-I always bring a snack with and eat it in the terminal or right after I board the plane. Food within the terminal is always marked-up and you can’t always guarantee what will be available for purchase. Some of my favorite picks are trail mix, nuts, an apple or banana (I use my Banana Saver to keep it from getting smashed), or a granola bar.
-Since you can’t bring liquids over three ounces through security, I bring an empty water bottle (I personally use a Nalgene brand bottle), and fill it up at a water fountain post-security. If you preferred the taste of bottled water, buy a bottle and pour it into your container.
-After check-in, I keep my boarding pass and identification nearby in case I need either. If your purse or bag has a small pocket, it is good to immediately put them in the pouch after you have gone through security screening. Then you can quickly reference your gate or flight number and be able to show identification in case the airline asks again. Once I have boarded, I put my ID in its original place (travel document holder or wallet) and keep my boarding pass as well in the event that the airline doesn’t credit me for my frequent flyer miles.
