I have never had the means/opportunity to travel overseas before, but I am going to be going to Scotland over the summer for work, for just under a week.
What do I need to consider for international travel that a newb might not think of? On my list: -buy power converter (how do I know what kind?) -call cell company to add int'l service -get a small amt of cash in pounds before leaving
Also Scotland: Anyone have experience with the train bet glasgow and Edinburgh? I'll be in Glasgow for work stuff for 3/4 days and mostly occupied. Considering taking the train fri night (possibly as late as 9 or 10) to Edinburgh and staying there for the night so I can sightsee in Edinburgh on Saturday and then take the train back to Glasgow late Sat night. (Flying home on Sun and unfortunately locked into departing from Glasgow) Looking for a sense of whether this train is a fairly chill commute or if it'd be unwise as a solo female traveler after dark.
Post by basilosaurus on Mar 31, 2024 1:06:05 GMT -5
UK has the stupidist power plug, and I deal with it in Malaysia and Singapore (thanks, colonists!) It's a giant 3 prong. If you're staying at a good place, there's likely a universal plug. I prefer traveling with my EU usb charger because it's much smaller, but I know ahead of time if I get those universal options. So, try contacting where you're staying to see if you even need an adapter.
I don't know your cell phone. tmobile used to have automatic roaming. One option is to get a local sim at the airport, and all major, even minor, airports have many counters. I don't know Scotland specifically, but it was $20 more for me to do that recently than to just get to my hotel and find the local shop (I wouldn't recommend making it on your own for a first time visitor. I've been here many times and know my way without a phone). Even better is often to get an eSim if your phone supports that. There are tons of options for that, and it allows you to keep your regular # in case places want to text. It's become increasingly common that you need to input your number to even order from menus. And, sure, I can look up my current local #, but it's a pita I'd prefer to avoid.
Just get money from the atm at the airport. IME the exchange rate is better than any money exchange desk. In the 40+ countries I've been to, only once did I need cash before leaving security and there were no machines, so I had to pay an exorbitant rate just to pay for my sim card. It was a wholescale scam, but I don't think you'll encounter that in Scotland.
Post by basilosaurus on Mar 31, 2024 2:00:46 GMT -5
Oh, I missed about train travel. I don't have firsthand knowledge with that country, but I wouldn't think twice as a solo female traveler about taking the train there.
Note: this will work for most electronics. Your cell phone, laptop, etc. It will NOT convert current so you don’t want to use it for anything with a motor (like a hairdryer) or anything that heats up (like a curling iron — unless it’s specifically dual voltage, which some are). Most hotels provide hair dryers.
You may want to bring a small packable cloth shopping bag, because shops here generally charge extra for bags.
We brought a very small amount of cash, but haven’t used any yet because just about everywhere takes card or ApplePay.
For phones, we have ATT so we just use international day pass. It’s like $10/day and you get the same data/calling plan as in the US. For a short visit, this is probably the easiest. You can activate in the ATT app, no need to call (which is good because calling ATT is a PITA). Also, SO many places have WiFi.
Post by mrsslocombe on Mar 31, 2024 5:08:52 GMT -5
-just get cash at the atm at the airport. I usually buy a candy bar to break the large notes and get some small change. -check your credit cards to see what the international change fee is-my Apple Card is 0%, Amex is 2%, Visa debit is 3%, so I use my Apple Card as much as possible. Some places will offer to charge you in American dollars vs pounds, if you have 0% exchange fee, it’s better to charge in local currency. -Verizon and ATT charge $10/day for international roaming, I just buy an ESIM card. You can get the data you need for less than $20 total. If your phone is older it’s pretty easy to get a physical SIM card when you land. -I’ve only done Glasgow-Edinburgh in the daytime but generally train travel in Scotland is easy and much nicer than train travel in the US. I’ve never felt unsafe but I also travel extensively and live in NYC, so have a different level of comfortability than some newer to travel/cities. -get a universal converter, and also a multi USB plug like this www.anker.com/products/a2142?variant=37436886810774&collections_for-multi-device&Sort_by=Recommended
If you have multiple things to charge. I also always travel with a portable charger/powerbank.
-if you have particular sights you want to see, make sure you look up ahead of time to see if tickets need to be booked in advance, or if they are typically available same day.
For the flight, drink a lot of water, skip the alcohol. Make sure you research how you are getting from the airport to where you are staying. Cabs are very expensive, there’s always YouTube tutorials that show you how to use public transport.
Post by SusanBAnthony on Mar 31, 2024 5:56:56 GMT -5
We use Goggle Fi overseas. If you are an android user and have an e Sim it's super duper easy. Just sign up for it a couple days before you leave (needs to be active 24 hours in the US).
I haven't been on a train on that route but I've never felt unsafe anywhere on public transportation in Europe.
They use 220 volt power and most things you plug in (laptop charger etc) will say they are capable of 220 and 110 volt. But occasionally things won't- like our electric toothbrushes. So check before plugging things in.
We just hit an ATM for cash once we get somewhere a d pay the couple dollars in fees. I figure you are paying a little extra for the conversion either way, so just do whatever is easiest.
UK may be different but a lot of places in Europe have limited acceptance of Amex. Make sure you have a Visa or MC with you too.
It really isn't as hard as it may seem when you think of all the little details. Anything you need you will be able to buy once you are there. Figuring out trains is easy with smart phones- Google maps has a transit option that is freakishly accurate. Etc. I can't believe I spent 6 weeks traveling all over Europe with just a paper ticket and having to physically go to the station to get train times 25 years ago!
Agree with the power bank suggestion. Sometimes places I stay have only a single outlet. And sometimes it's nowhere near the bed so I have a 3m USB cord that I attach to the power bank and another cord to get from there to the bed. I doubt you'll deal with that.
See if your bank has a partnership with any of the UK banks. I have Bank of America and I can get away with withdrawing money without fees in many countries as long as I use the right ATMs. I know that was the case in Scotland, just not sure which bank at the moment.
We took other trains while in Scotland and I definitely wouldn't have any hesitations about taking one alone. Even at night.
Agree with the power bank suggestion. Sometimes places I stay have only a single outlet. And sometimes it's nowhere near the bed so I have a 3m USB cord that I attach to the power bank and another cord to get from there to the bed. I doubt you'll deal with that.
I'm literally standing at Heathrow waiting for my purse to be brought to me. 🤦‍♀️
I also just get cash at ATM in airport but agree to look up foreign transaction fees from your bank.
I took the train in the Highlands but used the ScotRail app for my ticket. It was super easy.
Edinburgh is really walkable. If you’re a foodie, we did a food tour which was a great way to get an overview of the city & try out local cuisine (the haggis is pretty good! And there’s vegetarian haggis if you want to try the flavor without the weird stuff)
Agree with the power bank suggestion. Sometimes places I stay have only a single outlet. And sometimes it's nowhere near the bed so I have a 3m USB cord that I attach to the power bank and another cord to get from there to the bed. I doubt you'll deal with that.
I'm literally standing at Heathrow waiting for my purse to be brought to me. 🤦‍♀️
Post by dutchgirl678 on Mar 31, 2024 13:37:14 GMT -5
I only found out about an eSIM last year. I traveled to Ireland, France, and the Netherlands and got an eSIM through Airalo, which was pretty easy to set up on my iPhone. It only cost me $15 for a week. It is data only, so I could use it for maps, internet browsing, and messaging with other iPhones. I didn't need it for calls, but you could use an app like Skype or even FB messenger to make audio/video calls using data instead of cellular.
Train travel in Europe/UK is super easy and safe. You don't have to buy a ticket in advance and 2nd class seats are perfectly fine. I've been to Edinburgh by myself several times and I walk around all over the place. The highlights in Edinburgh for me were the castle (obviously), climbing up the Scott monument, walking up to Calton Hill, hiking around Holyrood Park, the National Museum of Scotland.
I never get cash and on my last few trips I didn't even get money out of an ATM. I just pay with a credit card through Applepay wherever I go.
I have never had the means/opportunity to travel overseas before, but I am going to be going to Scotland over the summer for work, for just under a week.
What do I need to consider for international travel that a newb might not think of? On my list: -buy power converter (how do I know what kind?) -call cell company to add int'l service -get a small amt of cash in pounds before leaving
Also Scotland: Anyone have experience with the train bet glasgow and Edinburgh? I'll be in Glasgow for work stuff for 3/4 days and mostly occupied. Considering taking the train fri night (possibly as late as 9 or 10) to Edinburgh and staying there for the night so I can sightsee in Edinburgh on Saturday and then take the train back to Glasgow late Sat night. (Flying home on Sun and unfortunately locked into departing from Glasgow) Looking for a sense of whether this train is a fairly chill commute or if it'd be unwise as a solo female traveler after dark.
You don't need a power converter - just a plug adapter. Buy a universal one that you can use for any country. You can also get an 'e-Sim' which means you wouldn't need to get a sim to put in your phone. The e-Sim is for data use, so you could use it for Whatsapp to make calls to people. I use Holafly: esim.holafly.com/ Scotland - while you can use British pounds in Scotland, you might want to get Scottish pounds for smaller shops. But as others have said, you don't NEED cash.
Trains are SO EASY to use and get in the UK. You serious won't have a problem at all. Super safe. There are tons every single day (I think more than 200 per day). I'd try to get the fast train, if you can.
For things like hair dryer and curling irons, I found it way simpler to just go to Boots (which is like CVS or Walgreens) the day we arrived and buy basic ones made for the local current/ voltage. That’s what I did on our second trip as I had all kinds of problems with my US items running through voltage converter on our first trip. I kept them packed away when we got home but always have them handy for future trips.
If you bank at B of A, you can get cash from Barclay’s atms.
For things like hair dryer and curling irons, I found it way simpler to just go to Boots (which is like CVS or Walgreens) the day we arrived and buy basic ones made for the local current/ voltage. That’s what I did on our second trip as I had all kinds of problems with my US items running through voltage converter on our first trip. I kept them packed away when we got home but always have them handy for future trips.
Yep! I got my straightener and curling iron at Boots when I got there. I still have them and have brought them back the three times we've traveled there again. I use the hair dryer in the hotel.
Also, yes, just need the adapter for the plug. They use the big three prong one.
Loved Ediburgh. It's still one of David's favorite trips we've done.
I'm sure you have hotel accommodations, but just in case, this is where we stayed. It was so charming and cozy. Highly recommended
Post by ellipses84 on Mar 31, 2024 20:19:09 GMT -5
We went to Scotland last June. We took the train from London to St Andrews and while we were there I took the kids alone to Edinburgh for a day. Compared to Paris or London, I think train travel in Scotland is a lot easier and feels safer. The cities you mention are mid-size and between are small towns and countryside. It wouldn’t get dark until 10pm that time of year. For some trains you can book a specific seat and/or a specific class of seat which will tell you which train car to use. The main Edinburgh train station is right in the middle of the city next to a mall and walking distance to the major tourist sights. I would feel fine there alone at night. Just use precautions like you would in any city and stay in the more populated areas. Also make sure you know the train station to get off at - there’s more than one Edinburgh and I had a minor panic where I was frantically googling it as we were stopping.
Having a phone is an enormous help. Beware of pickpockets everywhere in Europe. I use a wrist strap for my phone and have a cross body zip up purse with lock (I use a locking carabiner on the zipper and strap). Have a plan / emergency info in case you lose your phone.
My BFF has traveled extensively alone in Scotland for the past few years without an issue.
I usually get cash from the airport ATM and keep a couple cash / cards in separate places, like some in my phone case, some in my purse. Most places take cards. Use a credit card with no foreign transaction fees. I only take a small carry on rolling suitcase for international trips, and a packable bag (like nylon zipping tote or backpack) for day trips or shorter sub trips. We had some issues with hotel outlets being recessed and not working well with our large multi-country converter but you can always buy something there. Having a small UK specific one with a usb port was ideal. Not all hotel rooms had USB outlets and we usually have multiple devices when traveling.
Post by ellipses84 on Mar 31, 2024 20:40:40 GMT -5
Also, we loved Edinburgh and want to go back since we didn’t have much time there. If you want to see the castle, I suggest getting your ticket in advance. Our trip was last minute and it was sold out the day before. We had sun in Scotland but we also had rain and our day in Edinburgh was pretty cold and rainy. Take an umbrella. We walked around Old Town and went to the Museum of Illusions, which I only went to because I thought the kids would like it. They loved it and thought it was one of the best things we did on our trip and I thought the view from the roof deck and seeing the camera obscura in action were really cool.
We didn’t go to Glasgow but took the train from Edinburgh to Inverness (before renting a car and heading on to Isle of Skye) and I would have felt fine solo.
For things like hair dryer and curling irons, I found it way simpler to just go to Boots (which is like CVS or Walgreens) the day we arrived and buy basic ones made for the local current/ voltage. That’s what I did on our second trip as I had all kinds of problems with my US items running through voltage converter on our first trip. I kept them packed away when we got home but always have them handy for future trips.
Yep! I got my straightener and curling iron at Boots when I got there. I still have them and have brought them back the three times we've traveled there again. I use the hair dryer in the hotel.
Also, yes, just need the adapter for the plug. They use the big three prong one.Â
Loved Ediburgh. It's still one of David's favorite trips we've done.
I'm sure you have hotel accommodations, but just in case, this is where we stayed. It was so charming and cozy. Highly recommended
I don't have a place to stay yet for Edinburgh; still working out whether I can swing it and when (which looks more like a yes!), so that's helpful, thanks!