What document's do I need?

Irezumi aka Reuben · Carrot Top Joined: 28 Sep 2004 Karma :

Right, I've never been abroad (bar when I was 3 which I dont really count) and will be going away for the first time in about a month, will also be on my own.

I have no idea what an airport is like on the inside or a plane apart from what I see on telly.

What do I need to ensure i have and what is the process from getting in the main entrance to the plane? Does somebody take you etc?

Also what document's do I need to ensure I have and any other information people can offer.

Also with travel insurance if I'm only going to be stopping in L.A. airport to then board another plane (less than a couple of hours) do I still need the insurance to cover the U.S.A?

Any other useful information appreciated.
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Pictorgraphicalfantastical

..... · Quote Me Happy Joined: 15 Jan 2005 Karma :

Passport.

syl · World Chat Champion Joined: 05 Dec 2005 Karma :

You need a passport, that's about it. Driving licence if you want to hire a car (or prove UK residence - see the link).

Insurance would be wise. The chances of you needing insurance for the USA are very slim - I wouldn't bother. But if you get ill on the flight they are going to drop you in the USA and treatment is going to be expensive.

Insurance prices vary wildly. Shop around. Don't buy it from the travel agent. If you're going several times within the year, or for a long time, buy an annual policy.

If you're going to Europe or somewhere that has reciprocal agreements with the UK, get a free EHIC (E111 replacement).

Have a read here.

Regarding the airport:

You park your car (some are free for bikes). Get a bus to the airport (time). Check in (time). Walk through security (time). Wait for your flight to board (plenty of shops). Board (time).

There's a lot of waiting around. You really do need to arrive at the airport 2-3 hours before your flight is due to leave. Especially at a bigger airport (Heathrow/Gatwick). You board about 30 minutes before departure.

Take a book for the flight, it's boring. There will be a movie on a long flight - with a decent airline you will have your own TV and a choice of films. You'll be fed. Depending on the airline drinks will be free or charged, as will headphones for the movie.

If you pay (££) for business class, you cut down on a lot of the time. Smaller airports are also much quicker (car parks nearer, queues shorter).
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Current bike: Kawasaki Z750S

Irezumi aka Reuben · Carrot Top Joined: 28 Sep 2004 Karma :

I'm going to New Zealand for at least a year.

Also has anybody here opened up a bank account in another country. What is the best way to do this, should I exchange the money and take the cash with me (about £1.5k) then open a new bank account in NZ or is there a way I can use my current VISA electron card in NZ to put the money into a new account over there?
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Pictorgraphicalfantastical

Paivi · World Chat Champion Joined: 30 Sep 2005 Karma :

Check with your bank if they have operations in that country or if they have agreements with another bank to enable you to open an account. Due to anti-money laundrering regulations, it is very difficult for a non-resident to open an account, especially is that person does not have a guaranteed income.

Do not take that much cash with you, as it's a long flight, so you'll need to sleep. People have had money and jewellery stolen from their bumbags, let alone holdalls, as they've slept. Even if you notice it as you're collecting your stuff to leave the plane, they will not stop the disembarkment to call the police to do a search. Not much point with money, but with £30k worth of distinctive jewellery, you'd think they'd bother, but this is what happened to somebody I know when she was returning home to Oz.

Don't forget, you're only allowed one small bag to take with you, so if you're taking any valuables or larger, fragile items (laptops, SLRs, etc), have a look at getting them couriered by the likes of DHL.

You may be able to check in on your PC 24h in advance, so this will cut your wait at the airport. Also, hopefully you'll get in early, so you get to choose a seat. Whether to go for aisle or window is a difficult choice: if you're by the window, you may have to wake people up or crawl over them to get to the loo or for a walk, but if you're by the aisle, people will need to wake you up. I take the window seat... Wink

Take a hoodie with you in the plane, as usually the aircon is too strong, so it can get pretty cold. They don't carry that many blankets as a routine any longer. Get one of those inflatable neck pillows for a long flight, so you can sleep, as well as eyemasks to block off the light if your neighbour wants to read. Flightsocks are a good investment (just a few quid, can get them at Boots at the airport) to help ward off DVT, which can be fatal. Get up and walk regularly to keep the circulation going and when you're sitting down, do the exercises suggested in the in-flight magazine (circling your ankles, flexing and relaxing calf muscles.

As tempting as it can be with free booze, avoid alcohol as it will dehydrate you and you'll get to your destination feeling a lot rougher than you would had you stuck to water. Don't be tempted not to drink water to avoid going to the loo, you need 2-3 litres in 24h anyway, whether you're on the ground or airborne, so keep the fluid intake up. Avoid fizzy drinks, too, you're much better off sticking to just water. You can't take any liquids past the security, so don't take your expensive camping bottle with you in hand luggage, just buy a couple of bottles after security, which you can take in the plane.

And, take your earplugs, as you will have babies screaming, especially when landing and you can't listen to your mp3 player to drown it out then (you can when airborne, with the 'fasten the seatbelts' sign is turned off, but not on taking off or landing, and this is when the babies start their synchronised crying).

Check with your airline about any luggage regulations, as they keep changing all the time and you don't want any surprises when you get to the airport.
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My other bike's a Monster... Wink

WavyGravy · Scooby Slapper Joined: 10 Mar 2006 Karma :

Visa Electron cards are not as widely accepted as standard Visa, though mosy UK banks ought to have an arrangement with NZ, but you need to check before you go, i'd change the card for a standard Visa debit card which I have used without trouble overseas.

Couple of things about air travel. If going from heathrow/gatwick I have found it best to get there by National Express, it's cheap, and if you leave enough time it can be more relaxing than your best mate complaining that the traffic on the m4 - m25 - m1 etc looks horrendous for his journey back.

If your first stop is USA your plane will be delayed in the UK, the last time I went the additional security checks involved the pilot forwarding the passenger list to USA security for clearance before he could request a take-off slot, he cant do it 'till the doors are shut so the plane will be stuck, thankfully the BA pilot told us about this, when i flew Delta he didnt bother.

Even though you'll be in transit while in USA it might be advisable to fill out the forms that are offered you onboard your first flight to clear usa customs/immigration, one is a visa waiver form (if you're a brit) the other is a customs declaration. I'd do this as there is always a possibility your onward flight has a big delay, and transit areas in airports are the absolute pits man (mcenroe mode off) ... the one in - i think - Adelaide doesnt even have a window. If your plane is only stopping to refuel/restock you might not be offered this option, though I would imagine it is also carrying passengers whose final destination is LA.

If you check in online you can choose your seat, the ones behind bulkheads on BA 747's have massive legroom (row 33 or 34 if I recall correctly) try to get on the outside rows as the central ones have the baby cots/ drop down changing tables and you might be asked to move should the flight have babys onboard.

USA customs/immigration have ZERO sense of humour, treat them as if youd just been pulled over by the local plod, engine off/lid off/ stand still and 'yes sir no sir'

You should be able to book your luggage all the way through to NZ so you dont need to see it in USA - check this when you check in in UK.

I dont take any hand luggage onboard other than what i can stuff in my jacket pockets, watching backpackers trying to walk down the narrow aisles and then stuff their weird shaped luggage into the overhead lockers is one the few entertainments left to the rest of us onboard. Not so much an issue these days with hand luggage restrictions.

Take some mints with you, I take vicks sinex as my nose always blocks during the flight, but last time I had to use it before check in and put it in my main luggage as it is a liquid, a blocked nose is the last straw when you're already half deaf/cramped and bloated from all the free food.

Dont watch any of those air crash investigation shows the day before you fly Very Happy

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1975 CB125s, 1991 GN250, 1990 Ducati Paso 906
"Don't wake him up - He's got insomnia - He's trying to sleep it off"

MementoMori · World Chat Champion Joined: 22 Aug 2004 Karma :

Dan 4RR · World Chat Champion Joined: 02 Dec 2004 Karma :

I always thought that if you were travelling to Oz, NZ, then you would fly across Europe, into Asia, re fuel at Singapore and away you go. Suppose it makes more sense to go to L.A , then down to NZ. Confused

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Humans....the largest form of cancer the world has ever seen!
Speed Cameras - Putting goverment revenue before public safety!

MementoMori · World Chat Champion Joined: 22 Aug 2004 Karma :

You can go via Singapore, Osaka, LA or Hong Kong. There might be others, I'm not sure. But there's a few choices.
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The tiger who came for a pint

m99dws · World Chat Champion Joined: 09 Jun 2004 Karma :

British Airways goes Thailand, Sydney then Wellington/Auckland
Air NZ goes LA or Hong Kong to Auckland
Emirates goes via Dubai to Auckland
Singapore Airlines Singapore then Auckland.

You'll only fly into Wellington if you come from Oz as its not an international airport like Auckland. Largest plane I've seen at Welly is a 737.

No experience with any others though.

You won't have an issue being non-resident and having a bank account, they just require proof of ID and postal address to use for correspondance. If you are here for a while it's worth it.

On your trip over, don't be afraid to ask anyone for assistance. It's not rocket science but can be daunting for 1st time travellers - and there are plenty of customer service people at airports to help.