1st time international traveler

[tom_g 3]

when you get to the UK, there'll be a long walk, a long line at immigration, possibly a ten minute interview, then a long wait at the baggage carosel. Don't panic about it taking so long, its always like that

don't worry when every other bag goes past on the carosel but yours, it'll turn up sooner or later. Don't bother trying to get front place at the carosel, leave that for the pushy people. when you spot your bag just go forwards and cut it off

the big UK airports are a massive blur of people and movement and chaos. don't let it get to you, just keep cool and stay focused..

I take it you don't have to drive when you get here? there's nothing quite like getting into a hire car and driving off on the other side of the road through m25 traffic

all in all, its cool. just remember that people do it all the time, and its a process that runs smoothly most of the time. And its kind of fun

[rebeccajo 14]

Oh yeah - taxis!

When we were processing everybody was like 'oh don't take the cabs in London they are so expensive'.

We took three cab rides in London in September 2005. The MOST we paid was 9 quid. I'm sorry, but to me that's NOT expensive when you are completely unfamiliar with the city. And the drivers were wonderful with lifting luggage, etc.

Take the taxi!

[no name 1]

Gatwick is so much better than Heathrow!

How are you getting home - is he meeting you?

I had horrific jetlag last week when we flew but it was 7 hours difference, not 4. You're lucky!

[tom_g 3]

Oh yeah - taxis!

When we were processing everybody was like 'oh don't take the cabs in London they are so expensive'.

We took three cab rides in London in September 2005. The MOST we paid was 9 quid. I'm sorry, but to me that's NOT expensive when you are completely unfamiliar with the city. And the drivers were wonderful with lifting luggage, etc.

Take the taxi!

9 pounds is cheap for a cab ride, but its still 20 bucks. the same as a meal over here. and don't tip cab drivers in the UK, for the love of god...

I personally wouldn't flag down a black-cab type taxi, those things are highway robbers. Great for expensing to a business account to set against taxes, bad to pay for using hard-earned dollars at 2-to-1. Use your phone to find a local cab co and use them instead. Ken Livingstone is cracking down on cabs, as well, so you'll get a better quality of cab (i once paid to ride in a clapped out old nissan with a drunk driver who fell out of the cab, and i had to hold the door shut myself)

In central london the tube is perfectly okay, i reckon. late at night (if you're a party animal) you have to do more work to find the night busses. Day time busses are A LOT better than people give them credit for. Especially if you have an oyster card. they go everywhere.

One thing that cracked me up recently was that parking at a train station just outside san francisco was $2 - ALL DAY! I was tempted to park there just to get the receipt to post to my dad. In the UK station car parks are almost as expensive as the trains!

[rebeccajo 14]

We actually paid more to hire a mini-cab than we did to ride in the black cabs.

But all the experiences were fine.

20 bucks is cheap IMO. Really. I do not want to get lost in London.

[Mickitwin 0]

Hey~

I'm in Orlando too--it looks like there are a few of us here!

Do not wear heels! The walk from the gates to immigration takes forever and from past experience is not fun in heels! If you are a bit of a fashionista like me and want to look perfect walking through the doors at arrivals pack them in your carry on and change while waiting for your luggage!

Make sure when the flight attendents come around handing out immigration cards (also called landing cards) get one and fill it out on the plane--then you can just pop into line. Just pray you are the only plane scheduled--last time I flew 3 planes got in at the same time--it took forever!!

I agree take your own headphones--the airline ones never work.

Sign up for the frequent flier program--I just used my miles for a ticket next month. I got a British Airways credit card and use it for everything so I was able to rack up points fast. Hint--use it to pay your bills then transfer one payment to your credit card instead of paying each bill individually. I just saved $1000 bucks by doing that. I have to wait until April 9 to leave though.

Pack a heavy coat--it was just snowing over there!

Good Luck and have a great time!

Micki

[greeneyedgirlfl 0]

Thanks, everyone for your great suggestions and tips...I will take every one of them to heart. I'm getting very excited about the trip, less than a day now...and this will probably be the last post I make before I come back next Saturday...I'll be thinking of you all!!!

Thanks again!!!

[Jeraly 4]

Have a great trip!! Let us know how you get on with the travelling!!

[Krikit 1,164]

One more sleep!!!!! Have a great trip, and a safe flight, GEG!

[wifetobe 2]

I have never been outside the US in my entire life. As a USC, what do I need to take besides my passport? What should I expect at Gatwick when I arrive early Friday morning?

Any clarification will put my mind more at ease...I'm already petrified of flying! I have read the safety and security information and have looked at the map of the South Terminal at Gatwick.

Right now, I am a bundle of nerves!!!

Thanks for your help!

Gatwick is one of the better airports in the UK if you ask me.. I always fly in and out of Gatwick. You needn't worry about the IOs here, they are most friendly and welcoming so I've heard. I hope it all goes well for your fiance at his interview today!!

[payxibka 10,045]

front row of economy class??!!! that is a "bulkhead seat' you are GOLDEN !!!! insist on that seat no matter what you do...and the video screen is down between the seat you have to pull it up to watch it.

Dr. Bill

Unless you are a person with long legs then there is no place to stretch your legs as you keep hitting the wall with your toes.

[Hanna&Mohamed 0]

You will be fine I remember going to Egypt for the 1st time I was so nervous of flying also. People are very helpful at the airport .I have been to Egypt 3 times now! I still get nervous! Mohamed will be on his first flight on Tuesday to come here . Have a wonderful trip!

[msu17 0]

I know you've already left, but I just wanted to share a funny story from the last time I was over. This girl in front of me managed to get in the non EU line, but that was about it. She turned around and asked me what this line was for, I said Immigration and she didn't know what that meant. She got up to the lady, was asked for her VW card, she didn't have one (cause they'd only gone around the plane HOW many times with them and have HOW many signs posted!). I don't think she realized how the baggage claim worked either. Too funny!

Then there was another girl sitting in front of me on a different flight. She had to ask the steward what Surname meant and lister her nationality as hispanic She was American by the way...

[greeneyedgirlfl 0]

I know you've already left, but I just wanted to share a funny story from the last time I was over. This girl in front of me managed to get in the non EU line, but that was about it. She turned around and asked me what this line was for, I said Immigration and she didn't know what that meant. She got up to the lady, was asked for her VW card, she didn't have one (cause they'd only gone around the plane HOW many times with them and have HOW many signs posted!). I don't think she realized how the baggage claim worked either. Too funny!

Then there was another girl sitting in front of me on a different flight. She had to ask the steward what Surname meant and lister her nationality as hispanic She was American by the way...

None of that surprises me...I live in Orlando where the tourists go...and it's like their brains (not to mention their common sense) goes on vacation before they get here, and it was to a different place! I wanted so much to not look like a tourist, but I'm sure the camera (and taking pictures of the Underground station signs every time we stopped) gave it away! I fell in love with England and wish I could live there!!!

[debbylyn 0]

I know you've already left, but I just wanted to share a funny story from the last time I was over. This girl in front of me managed to get in the non EU line, but that was about it. She turned around and asked me what this line was for, I said Immigration and she didn't know what that meant. She got up to the lady, was asked for her VW card, she didn't have one (cause they'd only gone around the plane HOW many times with them and have HOW many signs posted!). I don't think she realized how the baggage claim worked either. Too funny!

Then there was another girl sitting in front of me on a different flight. She had to ask the steward what Surname meant and lister her nationality as hispanic She was American by the way...

None of that surprises me...I live in Orlando where the tourists go...and it's like their brains (not to mention their common sense) goes on vacation before they get here, and it was to a different place! I wanted so much to not look like a tourist, but I'm sure the camera (and taking pictures of the Underground station signs every time we stopped) gave it away! I fell in love with England and wish I could live there!!!

Glad you enjoyed your trip! I fell in love with England too and can't wait to go back!!!!

Edited April 26, 2008 by debbylyn