I am a dumb and nervous would-be traveler.
I booked a flight online for the very first time. My understanding is that doing it online through a booking site like Expedia or FlightHub can be cheap, but also nightmarish in other aspects. There are many people who use these sites successfully, and it seems that there are many more who have only bad things to say about it.
That's why I'm so nervous right now. I honestly don't know if I did everything right, and I don't know what could go wrong. It's actually progressing a little TOO smooth for me. As in, it's almost too good to be true, especially given how new to this I am.
I got a PNR number, both global and airline. I even got my e-ticket number, and that took honest to god less than 2 hours. From what I've heard, it usually takes at least 24 hours, and some people end up not getting one at all and it ruined their trip.
Another bad thing I hear is that there could be a conflict of information between the booking site, and the airline itself. I actually checked my flight details directly on my airline's website, and not only did they exist, it's also accurate. Again, this is progressing a little too smoothly. How can I be this lucky?
So I've got a PNR, an e-ticket number, and my airline is actually agreeing with the site that I booked with. For what it's worth, I don't have any seat numbers assigned to me yet, and while I am a little worried about that, apparently this is actually a very minor traveling issue. From what I've read, that just means the flight is overbooked, and it usually results in a few passengers moving to an alternate flight.
At this point, what can go wrong? I either need some reassurance, or I need someone to slap me upside the head over what I did wrong. I think you can tell that this is definitely my first time booking a flight. God I'm so nervous.
>>1179470
>There are many people who use these sites successfully, and it seems that there are many more who have only bad things to say about it.
No, that's dumb, otherwise these websites would have gone down eons ago.
Nothing too bad.
It's only complicated when you have to cancel your flight or change it, if everything goes to plan, normally it's no problem.
>and that took honest to god less than 2 hours.
Completely normal. Waiting 24h to return booking details online ? What kind of nigger company would do that ? It's all automatised.
>I don't have any seat numbers assigned to me yet
You do that when it's time to web check-in, usually the day before departure. You will receive an email to do it.
If not done online, you will do it when you check your luggage in at the airport anyway.
Everything seems to go alright OP, no need to worry so far.
I'm in the same boat as you are OP. I've only ever booked directly from airlines and got boarding passes from them. 20 days until my trip and I have ticket numbers for each airline and my Expedia E-Ticket. It feels so weird not travelling with a boarding pass.
The person above is right in that booking seats is usually for 24 hours before your flight. Also, some websites will SAY that they are not compatible with Expedia bookings for online check-in, but it will actually work if you enter the booking number they gave you for the airline. I'm in this situation now with Aer Lingus.
Also, one of the benefits of booking with Expedia is that all of your flights are booked under a 'single ticket'. The airline should forward your luggage to your final destination so that you don't have to arrive, collect luggage, book in luggage, run through security etc. Just double-check this when it's being checked in though as it's better to be safe than sorry.
>>1179470
This isn't 1998 anymore.
I just bought an international ticket with Delta last week. I used to some low airfare website, found a cheap flight, and then went to the Delta website and booked it in under 5 minutes.
Confirmation email came within 2 seconds.
I will be going to Berlin this winter for a week and a day to celebrate New Years Eve and will be heading to France afterwards with my first stop being Paris.
Is it safe to travel around Europe, especially Paris since the migrant issue still hasn't been resolved yet
It's never safe for stupid people, op, better stay home
>>1179474
>It's never safe for stupid people, op, better stay home
This.
Stay home op.
>>1179464
Eh, it's fine as long as you're not a girl
I'm from Europe and I want to travel around the US for 3 months as cheap as possible and see as much as possible, not just the big cities. How do I do that?
Lots of people here backpack around Europe by train for a couple of months, but I want to do the same but in the US. Is it possible? How much would it cost?
How are the trains in America? I have heard they are pretty shit compared to Europe.
Working is not possible without a H1B, right?
Any help is appreciated.
Public transport in America sucks. The best way to get around and see the best sites is by car, which means splashing cash on a halfway decent one.
>>1179371
hitchiking, sleeping outside, winter in the south
>>1179371
trains are shit, it might work in the north east. considering you have to do it on the cheap hitchhiking may be your only option, good thing you have 3 months. bus stations like greyhound offer some decent tickets like seattle to portland for like $25 which is another option, I don't know how many go across the country though.
Anyone have experience travelling / living in Xinjiang?
I lived in Kyrgyzstan for awhile and loved it but have never been attracted to China, with the exception of this place.
>>1179092
I can't help you OP but I would love to hear about your stay in Kyrgyzstan. I've never really heard much of anything about it.
>>1179483
Me three. How is it in winter time? Is it too cold to travel there.
Currently in Guadalajara on Saturday night, what do? Already went to a massage parlor 10/10
>>1179033
Lucky bastard.
The hottest women in Mexico come from there and I love the boots they wear.
Monterrey is my favorite city in Mexico though, and Cancun is good for tourists...Cabo if you're rich.
Op here Yeah, beautiful women. I've noticed that a bunch of the sex workers and strip joints are heavy on plastic surgery though. That's a turnoff for me. I'd take nAtural a cups over plastic any day.
>>1179041
To each their own. Of course I prefer huge tits (yep, even if they're saggy) to hard basketball like fake tits; but I'm not attracted to flat chested women at all. Maybe 10% are actually done well and at least look nice. If a flat chested stripper tries to get my attention I usually wave her away or make it obviousy that I'm aggressively interested in another girl until she leaves.
Honestly not sure what else to do in Guadalajara, were you at least there to see Day of the Dead
What building in pic?
Hey /trv/ this is /k/. I'm heading to South Africa next month. What would be appropriate attire? (Both in town and on safari)
>>1178433
South Africans are very casual and in the summer expect the men to wear t-shirt, shorts, flip-flops around town. As for the safari, just remember that you're not Hemingway; you're a 21C tourist. Wear whatever is comfortable.
>>1178433
Lion pelt.
Full Rhodesian uniform. You should know this.
In two weeks time I'm going to Bulgaria for a week.
How many nights for Sofia?
Here is what I was thinking of visiting:
Sofia (2 nights, 3 days)
Varna (take sleeper coach, 1 night)
Shumen (day trip to see monument)
Veliko Turnovo (2 nights mountains and Buzludja monument)
Plovdiv (1 night, take train to Sofia airport in day)
I think I'm being too ambitious and should probably cut some stuff out and see more around a few places.
Also in Sofia, my flight gets in at about 00:30 local time, and according to the airport website that means no buses into town. Taxi my only choice?
Thanks /trv/
>>1177985
If you don't visit our mountains don't bother coming
Also, Shumen is boring. Turnovo and Plovdid are the most interesting of the places you've picked, I'd spend more time there. The capital is dirty as fuck, Varna is great.
Hello friend and cheers for choosing Bulgaria!
Your list and time seem pretty good. 3 days is too much for Sofia, make sure 1 of those days is a day trip to Rila Monastery, I see there's some bus options.
>Taxi my only choice?
Yes. There's a taxi stand that will get you a hassle-free cab but I'm not sure if they're operating that late. Otherwise just insist on the meter and it won't be expensive.
I can tell you're interested in Soviet stuff from the very specific and deliberate locations you've picked. If you want a better, personalized tour of Soviet-era Sofia let me know and I can show you around including some of the off-the-beaten path and stuff like that.
>>1178000
Thanks for the tips. I thought Turnovo was in the mountains?
>>1178009
Rila Monastery looks good.
Haha yes you read me like a book. I'd love to see a more Soviet-era Sofia. A lot of this is orientated around photography, and I often find the Soviet stuff interesting to photograph.
throwaway is [email protected]
New Japan General
As always, feel free to ask about:
>Traveling to Japan
>Living in Japan
>Teaching in Japan
>Joining the Yakuza
>Getting your weeb fantasies crushed
*Info on prostitution*
>http://rockitreports.com/category/sex-in-tokyo/
>http://erolin.net/
*Note about the JR Pass*
Many people ask about whether or not the JR Rail Pass is worth it. It depends on your itinerary.
>http://www.hyperdia.com/en/
Plug your itinerary into Hyperdia to determine ticket costs, then compare to the below JR Pass options:
>7 day Pass: 29,110¥
>14 day Pass: 46,390¥
>21 day Pass: 59,350¥
Please check the /trv/ sticky before asking questions. It's filled with links to great resources, many of them specific to Japan travel.
Please refer to the old thread while it's still up: >>1174950
How might one call the US from Japan (without a smartphone)? I've heard about international payphones in Japan--but how common are these?
>>1177759
Leaving from North Eastern U.S. in Pennsylvania. I am holding a somewhat flexible flight schedule due to these questions. I was looking to go around mid June (to only experience the beginning of the heatt) or early July (to climb Mt. Fuji)
>>1177787
Google voice
Hello /trv/. I have a double nationality (Mexican / French), and I'm hoping to go do a masters degree in Germany and maybe stay there. The thing is, the strange gene mix my parents gave me makes me look pretty arabic. am I gonna have racial issues there for how I look?
This doesn't really belong on /trv/
that being said, you'll most likely be fine and don't believe everything you read on 4chan, especially when it concerns race and ethnicity
>>1177661
bad bait, gtfo
>>1177661
yes we will put you into the gas chamber
Can we have a thread about crazy journeys? I really like the idea of going on some really long or at least weird trip that most people never think of. Panamerican roadtrip, walking Eurasia, or smaller things like pic related, Mauritania Railroad.
What truly adventurous shit have you done or what are you planning? Also videos, articles, or picture albums about this kind of thing would be appreciated.
>>1176417
>Panamerican roadtrip,
But...but.... muh ... Gap... is... CLOSED!
>>1176433
Ferry
Funny, because I was actually planning on going with someone from /trv/ to Mauritania to do just that, but I couldn't afford the flight to Morocco.
I've always dreamt of a long trip where I go from New Zealand to Iceland overland/oversea, without talking a plane (to the best of my ability) and going by bike/hitchhiking/train/boat
New Zealand
(problem 1: no boat to Oz)
Australia
(problem 2: no boat to PNG)
Papua New Guinea
(p3: no infrastructure - have to use small plane, maybe go to Indonesia instead? but no boat)
Indonesia (maybe East Timor?)
(p4: no boat to Singapore)
Singapore
Malaysia
Thailand (stay there for a bit because it's cheap)
-can't go overland through Myanmar but maybe visit?)
Laos
China
-I've seen many blogs where people ride their bikes through Tibet illegally. I doubt if I could do it, but one can dream)
Tibet
-decisions. I want to go to India really badly but then I must go through Pakistan/Afghanistan. Might just go to Ürümqi, China to Kyrgyzstan-
Nepal
India
-here lies the Pakistan/Afghanistan problem-
Pakistan*
Afghanistan*
-I've always wanted to ride my bike through the Tamir Highway in Tajikistan-
Tajikistan*
Kyrgyzstan (seems the safest, also no visa)
Kazakhstan
Uzbekistan
Turkmenistan (also a must-go for me)
-ride ferry across Caspian Sea to Azerbaijan-
Azerbaijan
Armenia
Georgia
Turkey
Greece
Albania
Montenegro
Bosnia
Croatia
Slovenia
Italy
Austria
Liechtenstein (kek)
Switzerland
France
Belgium
-there are cargo boats to Iceland in Belgium, Netherlands or United Kingdom-
Netherlands*
United Kingdom*
Iceland
I know this is ridiculous, but I spend a lot of time daydreaming about it.
What are your travel goals for 2017?
Tell us where you would like to go and what you would like to do, whether they are concrete plans or still in the planning stages.
Place: Western Europe
Objective: Lose my virginity
>>1173541
That's easy enough -- are you hoping to meet girls at a bar/hostel, or just go for a prostitute?
>>1173534
Take a picture that gets 1000 likes on Instagram
So i just got back from my second trip to europe went to czech republic, austria and hungary. My question is why does it take so long to eat at restaurants in Europe? Everytime we went out to a restaraunt the dinner for two people was like 90 mins to 2 hours long. In America it would be like 60 mins top. Never seemed to have this problem in Asia or other countries in the Caribean, Mexico, and Canada. I love food and do enjoy a good dinner but i felt like i was wasting alot of time in the restaraunt when there were other things i wanted to see. Whats the trick getting in out of European restaraunts quicker?
>>1179458
Really? Going out to a nice restaurant is the evening's entertainment for many people. If you want a faster experience go to crappier restaurants. Or eat fast food. I've had meals in Italy and France that lasted three hours. Don't forget that at many of the top restaurants in the States a tasting menu can take 1 1/2 - 2 hours to get through, even in fast paced cities like New York. This is not an unusual thing for a good restaurant. If you're in a rush just hit a place that's much more casual.
Just order a main course and skip starters/dessert
>>1179458
The waiter wants to create a nice atmosphere and give you enough time to talk etc. instead of rushing with the dishes. Especially if they think you are doing business or are a couple. 90 min for a three course menu is pretty standard.
Either order only a main course, or just plainly ask before ordering whether they can recommend something fast for you because you don't have so much time (try not to sound impolite though you uncultured american).
Is there any way to safely carry large sums of cash while traveling? It's no news that theft is more common in third-world countries, and tourists are often the most common victims.
I'll be traveling to an unspecified southeast Asian country for two weeks, and I will need to bring enough money for that duration. I will also need to try and not lose most/all of it.
What can I do to travel safe while carrying all this cash?
>room safe
Many people don't trust the hotel staff enough to rely on room safes, and even if the staff aren't questionable, sometimes the build of the safe can be.
>dummy wallets
I've heard of people carrying two wallets; their main wallet, and a "dummy" wallet that contains mostly nothing. The idea is to hand over the dummy wallet if you're being mugged. I can't imagine thieves falling for this kind of thing, and I can also imagine them delivering an ass-kicking for trying something so stupid.
>no cash, just credit card
Credit cards are usually only accepted in big cities, and not so much in marketplaces. And even when you do use your credit card, there are often service charges and wonky exchange rates. Sure, you're safer this way, but it really limits your spending. Also, you could be one of those poor bastards with the misfortune of having a really stupid bank; I've heard countless stories of people telling their banks to NOT block any spending in foreign countries, only for them to be blocked anyway because those dumbasses didn't listen to their clients.
So what else can be done?
I was thinking of hiding the majority of my money in my shoe (forgoing comfort), and have just enough in my wallet for the day. But even I think this is stupid, and I'm pretty sure someone has thought of this before.
I'm contemplating sewing internal pockets in my pants (and I'll bet even THIS has already been thought of, and the dick-ass thieves have already thought of a counter to that).
What the fuck did you guys do?
>>1178723
>What the fuck did you guys do?
The only really safe option is to roll the bills up tight, wrap them in saran wrap, and then shove them up your ass. That's what all of us do, although most will deny it as it's a bit embarrassing.
I feel like you may be a bit too paranoid, OP. Unless going into obviously shady areas there is likely no need for drastic measures.
Leave most your cash in your travel bag(s), assuming it's in a hostel and safe. Otherwise carry it all in a little bum bag or something of the sort, though your secret pocket idea sounds cool also.
>>1178723
Stop being a dumbass and jump into the 21st century, use ATM. Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia (which I assume is the "unspecified" country you're going to) all have ATMs in major et medium cities, it's not the stone age anymore. Even Burma now has a large range of ATMs.
I usually withdraw around 200 USD (roughly what I need for the week bar some extras) and I'm set to go. It's enough for every day life, and not too much distress either if I'm stolen. Yes, you'll pay a fee but if you do it well, it won't be more than 2-3%, which is an acceptable cost not to carry huge wads of cash.
I do have two credit cards from different accounts though, in case one of them is blocked/stolen. But it has never happened in many travels in countries way more fucked up and prone to cyber thieves than where you go. I keep one of them at the hostel buried in my bags, and the other one in the bottom of my day bag, not with my wallet.
In places where ATMs are scarce, I'd just withdraw a lot and then dispatch the money in 3-4 places in the traveling bag, 2 places in my day bag and my wallet. All of them wrapped in some freezer plastic pouches after a past incident (pouring tropical rain soaked me wet and fucked the equivalent of 100USD in local bills)
> mfw my money smells like toothpaste at the end of the trip
All the money in shoes or extra sewn pockets is just stupid, incomfortable, obvious and generally autistic all around.
Hi guys. I've noticed a lot of threads about people wanting to start fresh and abandon the stagnant life they're living now. I never thought I'd have the opportunity to do so, but I can literally offer one or two of you a chance to do just that, start somewhat fresh.
I work in a university in China near Taiyuan. It's only my second week here but I think that's been enough for me to deem it a decent, if not attractive position. I was hired directly by the university and the man who got me here has become a friend of mine. He wants one or two other foreign teachers but has no idea about making advertisements online, and the recruiter he's been working with seems to be a poor one. So he asked us of we could help him find a teacher and after giving it some thought, I figured I might be able to extend just the opportunity someone on here has been waiting for.
>>1178126
About the job itself: 18 teaching hours with complete freedom in how to teach, which is among my favorite things about teaching here as opposed to the high school setting I've taught in in the past. The pay comes out to 1000 dollars, but I have no doubt that 60-70% of that can be saved. Meals can be as cheap as a dollar and they provide an apartment, about a seven minute walk from the classes. The foreign teachers are in one building but we don't share anything.
One thing that's important to know is how little there is to do here. You might have a hard time if you have no personal enterprises to pursue. But even if this is a problem initially, I think the free time you have gives you time enough to develop a new hobby or refine some skill you might not have had the time for.
I apologize if this is not appropriate for this board, but I think it has the potential to help someone. I should have mentioned above that a bachelor's degree is required, experienced preferred but I don't think it's necessary. I actually have class in an hour, but I will be done at noon and if I find any questions, I will take the time to answer them.
Thanks for reading and if this has been on your mind for a while, I think you should pull the trigger.
Pic is the building I teach in, sorry that it's upside down.
That's nice of you, I hope this can help someone who'd need this opportunity right now.
I had to google Taiyuan to see where it was and it is effectively in the middle of nowhere, what are the options for the expat who wants to keep a partly western lifestyle?
I've lived in HK and visited some of the biggest cities both for work and leisure (Shenzhen Guangzhou Beijing Shanghai Xi an Xiamen...) and I never saw myself living in Mainland China... but I wonder how's life in this kind of remote province?
>>1178127
So you need a masters? I have a BA but if I did have a masters I would be very interested! I've been interested in China for a long time too. It's nice of you to extend your hand like this anon.
Ola /trv/,
I'm taking my boyfriend on a surprise trip for his 21st birthday in a fortnights time – looking for some fun/unique stuff to do for 11 hours in Singapore and overnight in Hong Kong.
Money is no object, so if you've got any ideas let me know!
So I am going to tell him we have to visit my uncle in Sydney– then once we get to Sydney Airport, I'll tell him we're going to Hong Kong First Class!
Basic Itinerary below...
>Depart SYD 16:10
>SYD to SIN 17th via SQ Suites
>Arrive SIN 21:20
11 hours free in this gap, my only plan is to have a cigar and gin & tonic on top of marina bay sands. Anything else we could do in these odd hours would be appreciated.
>Depart SIN 8:25
>SIN to HKG 18th via SQ Suites
>Arrive HKG 12:25
Rolls Royce Phantom pick up for a bit of a cruise and then taken to Ritz Carlton to check into room (got one the 117th floor! Very excited about this!). After that I have no ideas about what to do in Hong Kong.
>Depart HKG 19:05
>HKG to ADL via CX Business
>Arrive ADL
HELPFUL HINTS...
We do like to party, but also just do things that are very unique and will be very memorable. Like the "crazier" the better. I am 21yo Australian, and he is Dutch.
We're both on pretty hectic schedules hence the short trip– but are used to a fast pace so if you think we can do it, recommend it please!
>>1177898
Jesus– I'd like to be your boyfriend.
>>1177898
Can I have some money
>>1177898
Trying not to judge but you sound kind of awful OP.
Not even trying to RealTravellerTM here but there's the concept of 'just being' that you need to figure out. You can't make experiences happen, especially unique experiences with just money alone.
Drinking G&Ts while jet setting, smoking cigars and renting expensive cars is all well and good but you don't need any kind of travel advice to do that.
Whatever vacation you want is basically already on yelp with all the stars maxed out.
Like why are you going to Hong Kong? Do you like suits? Or hiking? Or cantonese food? Do you want to talk to locals about yellow umbrellas or go hang out in some half assed cyberpunk cafe?
If you want flagrant displays of wealth for the sake of it, just do the world a favor by staying home and make some abbo fight a huntsman spider for money.