HOW TO GET TO ENGLAND
BY AIR.
AIR TRAVEL FOR THE NOVICE AND EXPERT ALIKE
(WORKS FOR OTHER COUNTRIES TOO).
To return to my LONDON page, click above.
International Flight Information
Have a small amount of cash in the foreign currency of your destination. England uses the Pound Sterling (£) and Pence. Your local bank can assist you with this ($50 to $100 is plenty). Further cash requirements should be handled in Europe as the exchange rate is generally better overseas. Stay as cash poor as possible so you don’t get stuck converting leftover currency back. Frequent travellers should check out dual-currency accounts or international banking at a bank with branches in your home city as well as your destination such as HSBC, Barclay’s, Credit Suisse, etc.
You must be at the airport check-in counter at least two hours prior to departure -- more in some countires. If you aren’t, you can be denied boarding. You will require a US passport and a visa (some countries UK, France, Germany, etc do not require a visas as of the date below). Your passport must be valid for at least six months after your return ticket or immigration will stop you at your point of entry and you will be sent home on the next flight. I also suggest you keep a photocopy of your passport and birth certificate in a separate location in case your passport gets lost. This way, the US embassy can issue you a new passport. I also suggest all travellers bring their own pen in their carry-on luggage. Finding one to fill out your immigration and customs forms can be nearly impossible. The goal is to be prepared and beat the other 400 people on your plane to getting in queue for Immigration and Customs.
Upon check-in for your international flight you will be given immigration forms to complete. Some airlines pass these forms out on the airplane. (If you’re on a connecting flight you will get these on the part of your flight that actually transits to the foreign country -- if you exit your plane in more than one foreign country, you will have to repeat this process for each of them.). Complete them prior to landing to speed up the process. Make sure you have your hotel name and address and your return ticket. They have information you will need to complete these forms.
Leave a photocopy of your passport and itinerary with someone back home. Do not bring original birth certificates with you – take certified copies with you if you’re bringing these to a country that requires them.
Minors must have notarised letters from both parents (unless travelling with both) allowing them to leave the country or they will not be permitted to board the flight. This rule is to prevent people from absconding with a child during a divorce proceeding as well as preventing outright kidnapping.
In terms of carry-on luggage, the rules are the not the same for US and International flights. Every country has their own rules for intra-country and inter-country travel. You need to check the rules for both your inbound, outbound, and connecting flights. There is nothing more disheartening that being allowed to board one flight with an item only to be denied it on another. The United Kingdom now has some of the most strict carry-on rules in the world including the prohibition of any liquid except prescription medicines and baby forumla.
In terms of checked luggage, the rules are the same for US and International flights with the EXCEPTION of Laptop Computers. Laptop computers are not permitted on some foreign airlines. Do not place any film in your luggage – it will be ruined. Insist on hand inspection of film, keeping in mind that in the US they must comply. Foreign countries do not have to comply but most inspectors will. Items in checked luggage will be subject to theft. Do not pack valuables in checked luggage.
Upon arrival in your destination country, you will get in the foreign citizen line. You will wait from 5 to 120 minutes depending on the airport, time of arrival, and how quickly you beat the other passengers off the plane. If you travelled first class, you may be blessed with a "Fast Track" card which enables you to get in the express line. It is best you hurry as best as you can, and have all your documents prepared and ready. Immigration officers have no sense of humour. Be friendly, respectful, and answer their questions and that’s it. Do not joke with them. (Travellers to mainland China will note that you need to go through this procedure both inbound and outbound.)
(Some UK airports have train tickets for sale after immigration and before luggage claim. If you’re taking the train to the city, be sure and get a return ticket. “Return” is a round-trip and “Single” is one-way. It is generally cheaper to buy your tickets in advance as opposed to on the train.)
After clearing immigration, you will claim your luggage. Many airports offer free luggage carts (trolleys in the UK). Feel free to use one, but make sure you have a luggage cart if your luggage doesn’t have wheels. Follow the appropriate signs to the exit. You generally will not be stopped by customs as an entering foreign citizen.
I continue to encourage luggage with wheels because otherwise you will DIE hauling your luggage all over the place. The walks with heavy luggage are long and in many places luggage carts are not permitted. Gatwick, Heathrow, and Charles De Gaulle are the absolute worst.
Travellers to the UK arriving in Gatwick or Heathrow should take Gatwick Express or Heathrow Express into the city and take a taxi from the train station to the hotel. A taxi from the airport to central London can exceed US$120. A train ride is about $35 plus an inexpensive Taxi ride.
On the train, the conductor will ask for and stamp your ticket. Save your ticket until you exit the train station as spot checks are common. Food trolleys on the train are standard if you’re hungry but are cash only. When the train arrives in the city, follow signs to the Taxi and take it to your hotel. A 10% tip is customary without luggage handling or 20% with.
Travel time on train from airport to city train station (LHR 30, LGW 45, CDG 40). Taxis from the train station to the hotel are relatively inexpensive and are short rides.
JET LAG SOLUTIONS
During your waking hours, every 60 minutes get up and walk to the bathroom even if you don’t have to go. Keep your circulation healthy and moving as it alleviates cramps and will help you avoid the dreaded Deep Leg Thrombosis. Traditional wisdom says effects of jet-lag linger one day for each time zone you travel, but this system mitigates that substantially.
(EASTBOUND): This assumes an East Coast USA to Western Europe leaving at night arriving next day. Stay awake on boarding and eat meal service as normal. Promptly after meal service go to bed around ten-thirty to eleven PM Eastern Time even if it means just keeping your eyes closed and not sleeping. Stay down for the duration even if you aren’t tired. When breakfast is served (if breakfast is not available in your class of service, you’ll still get coffee service), you’ll wake up because you’ll smell the coffee. Go to the bathroom, rinse out your mouth, and prepare like you’re getting up normally.
You’re now in your destination country and it’s the next morning. You MUST stay awake. It’ll be hard because mid-day your body will start to realize something isn’t quite right. Fight it and stay awake all through the day until your regular bed time (11pm to 12pm) and go to bed. You won’t be as tried as you think you’d be because your body’s clock is out of synch. Wake up about 8am the next day. You’re basically cured.
(WESTBOUND): This assumes Western Europe to East Coast USA leaving in the first half of the day and arriving in the USA in the early evening. Stay awake for the entire flight and do NOT nap. When you get home, go to bed around midnight and set your alarm for 8am. You will not feel any major effects after the first days.