The Mini Tour
Sep. 23rd, 2018 11:01 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
aseI'm going to Oxford and London for a short overseas vacation. Since this is my ex-Americas trip, I would be Most Interested in advice and common pitfalls I should try to avoid. For example, what is different about US international departures versus US domestic departures? Is this "arrive three hours before your flight" advice in deadly earnest, and should procrastinators of the world budget their time accordingly? What can I expect at immigration at the other end? I'm bringing one carry-on, and my passport is good for more than six months out. Also, how bad should I expect the US customs experience to be on the return trip?
If one of these pitfalls is "don't book the bare-bones airline", sadly, it's too late. The money saved on airfare is being rolled into noise-cancelling headphones (not earbuds).
If one of these pitfalls is "don't book the bare-bones airline", sadly, it's too late. The money saved on airfare is being rolled into noise-cancelling headphones (not earbuds).
(no subject)
Date: 2018-10-01 05:08 am (UTC)All this depends on the airports. Intl security lines can be longer. You'll probably have to scan your passport on checkin. So maybe not 3 hours but you should definitely try for 2.
Some airlines weigh carry on bags.
UK immigration isn't bad. They ask me the main purpose, maybe what you plan to do, then stamp your passport. You'll make your way through the green customs channel (I suppose).
On the way back, US isn't too bad if you're a citizen. Some airports now have kiosks where you'll scan your passport, have tote picture taken, answer a few questions and get a receipt . You'll hand that off and go through customs I declare food and when they hear its chocolate and crisps I get waved through. No meat,cheese is iffy, no fruit or veg.
Have fun!
(no subject)
Date: 2018-10-05 03:38 am (UTC)