Tips for travelling

[dede1217]

1. Always good to print a copy of flight itinerary, or at least keep a print screen or email ready for inspection. Some airports might require you to produce some form of proof that you're flying before you even get to enter the airport for check in. Some airline check in staff and immigration officer might ask for your return ticket.

2. If you plan to take a cab, good to have the destination's name and address in their native language.

Point 1:
Sometimes just show the passport can already ...
then tell them your flight

Point 2:
Agree with you. If you are staying those not so popular hotel, or smaller hotel, sometimes the driver might not know where it is ...
Print the hotel name in that language, plus screen shot the road names in that language , to show the cab driver ...

 

[butterbarter]

In some countries (eg, India), you are required to show a copy of your airticket or itinerary before they even allow you into the airport to catch your flight. Best to hv a copy, at least on your phone.

What I do is I put softcopies of all documents that I need, including eticket, in a folder that gets automatically synced with Google Drive so that it is always available from any device. You can also mark some docs as "available offline" in Google drive, so that you can access them even without Internet access.

I usually also mark the places I intend to visit and the location of my hotel on Google My Maps. I then export the locations as a KML file, which I put in my Google drive folder (mentioned above). The KML file can then be imported into your offline maps, such as Locus or Maps.Me.

You can easily find your hotel and places of interest this way.

Point 1:
Sometimes just show the passport can already ...
then tell them your flight

Point 2:
Agree with you. If you are staying those not so popular hotel, or smaller hotel, sometimes the driver might not know where it is ...
Print the hotel name in that language, plus screen shot the road names in that language , to show the cab driver ...

 

[fone]

2nd tips: To do web check in online or not

For full fledged airline, such as Cathay, you can only select seats 48hours prior to departure. In the event if the flight is quite full, if you did not select seats, there might be a chance for you to be upgraded to business class.
However, is up to the discretion of the staff.

Lol, the staff also have a set of "guidelines" to follow for operational upgrades (ie economy is overbooked). Also, these is usually in the following order:
1. Status of passenger
2. Fare paid (ie full fare or highly discounted fare)
3. By order of check in (if comes down to tie, whoever checks in earlier).

So, not doing online check in or not selecting a seat does not have too much bearings on your free upgrade, unless you already checked in without a seat then go to the plane very last minute (ie just before door about to close) and get a very lazy agent. That said, checking in earlier(if you do have status and/or full fare ticket) might give you a higher chance.

 

[agent_719]

Are you looking for a top loading or panel loading backpacking bag?

I have the older version of the Tatonka flight case. Have it for approximately 5 years. I bring it with me on almost all my trips including non-backpacking trips. No regrets getting this. I can put a lock thru the 2 zippers and check in the bag. Cabin size bag.

I have a Kathmandu backpack too. Use it only when others borrow my flight case.

Cabin Zero has been pretty popular in recent years too.

I'm looking for panel loading backpack. Currently looking at Osprey brand on Amazon. Kinda pricey and it doesn't ship to SG, need to go through forwarder.

Where in SG is a good place to check out the bags you mentioned?
My budget is around 150sgd

 

[agent_719]

what kind of bag do you all use to store clean / dirty clothes?

 

[dilphinus]

what kind of bag do you all use to store clean / dirty clothes?

I have a 2 sided packing cube. Sometimes I just put the dirty stuff into the smaller packing cubes.

 

[dilphinus]

Lol, the staff also have a set of "guidelines" to follow for operational upgrades (ie economy is overbooked). Also, these is usually in the following order:
1. Status of passenger
2. Fare paid (ie full fare or highly discounted fare)
3. By order of check in (if comes down to tie, whoever checks in earlier).

So, not doing online check in or not selecting a seat does not have too much bearings on your free upgrade, unless you already checked in without a seat then go to the plane very last minute (ie just before door about to close) and get a very lazy agent. That said, checking in earlier(if you do have status and/or full fare ticket) might give you a higher chance.

Most airlines do not allow check in without an allocated seat.

 

[butterbarter]

Osprey and other backpacks are available at Sports Connection shops in Singapore. Locations include Shaw Tower and Queensway Shopping Center.

If you want panel loading, try looking at the Osprey Porter and Farpoint series.


http://www.bodypac.com/

I'm looking for panel loading backpack. Currently looking at Osprey brand on Amazon. Kinda pricey and it doesn't ship to SG, need to go through forwarder.

Where in SG is a good place to check out the bags you mentioned?
My budget is around 150sgd

 

[butterbarter]

For clean clothes, I use drawstring stuff sacks. They are light and cheap. I use 2 - one for shirts, and another for all other clothing items.

For non-clean clothes, I just use supermarket plastic bags. I have one for dirty clothes, and one for clothes I have worn, but will wear again, such as my shorts.

what kind of bag do you all use to store clean / dirty clothes?

 

[Ruriel]

Most airlines do not allow check in without an allocated seat.

Yeah, I thought seats will be assigned during checking in...?

 

[Ruriel]

what kind of bag do you all use to store clean / dirty clothes?

I used to pack clothes with super big sized ziploc bags (not those vacuum bags) for both clean/dirty clothes. Then I realised while they looked neater, the ziploc bags took up a lot of precious spaces as they are quite stiff. Now I use just very normal big plastic bags (they sell super cheap in taobao with very good quality - very thin but very durable) for both clean and dirty clothes. Easier to pack and allow more space for additional items in the backpack / luggage.

 

[Delsamor]

what kind of bag do you all use to store clean / dirty clothes?

I put dirty and clean clothes together to save space Dirty also is my own germs, nothing to worry. But most of the time I will get my clothes washed before leaving a place.

Btw, I bring only disposable underwear, wear and throw and save space day by day. Go there fully packed, come back with just enough space for some souvenirs. Can this be counted as a tips?

 

[agent_719]

I have a 2 sided packing cube. Sometimes I just put the dirty stuff into the smaller packing cubes.

im looking at packing cubes too. looks pretty useful and neat

 

[agent_719]

do you all carry liquid such as shampoo? or go there then buy?

 

[Din0saurus]

I've replaced my ziplock bag with these: http://www.exped.com/international/en/product-category/packsacks/fold-drybag-ul-xxl

For big trips I start with everything in the XXL and slowly move dirty stuff into the XL. At 57g for the XXL (40L), weight is negligible vs the benefits. I switched over when my stash of ziplock bags disintegrated (surface became oily) one day and I had a mild panic attack since I usually start packing 2hrs before having to leave home. Other than being a more permanent solution, the waterproofness has also been a lifesaver and I think it's great to be able to offload unnecessary items at the accoms when I head out overnight or for a few days.

for toiletries, I have a muji toiletries bag and containers. saves a lot of time having everything ready to go all the time and not wasting time trying to buy toiletries overseas.

 

[Satki General]

I just use laundry bag from hotel to keep my dirty clothings

 

[noslek]

Lol, the staff also have a set of "guidelines" to follow for operational upgrades (ie economy is overbooked). Also, these is usually in the following order:
1. Status of passenger
2. Fare paid (ie full fare or highly discounted fare)
3. By order of check in (if comes down to tie, whoever checks in earlier).

So, not doing online check in or not selecting a seat does not have too much bearings on your free upgrade, unless you already checked in without a seat then go to the plane very last minute (ie just before door about to close) and get a very lazy agent. That said, checking in earlier(if you do have status and/or full fare ticket) might give you a higher chance.

I did online check in, selected my seats in economy but am still being upgraded at check in just now.

Guess my status still count more than whether I OLCI or not.

 

[Ruriel]

do you all carry liquid such as shampoo? or go there then buy?

I used to, coz my hair is chemically treated, and I was particular about the shampoo and conditioner I use. But nowadays I getting lazier liao, especially when my trips are getting longer. I just go buy when I reach the country. Don't think my hair will GG from just 2 weeks use of normal shampoo lol.

 

[dede1217]

do you all carry liquid such as shampoo? or go there then buy?

I always go hotel take their shower bottles...
then empty them ...
bring back to singapore ...

then I always put my shampoos and shower necessities inside the empty bottle
Since I travel quite alot , hence more empty bottle is useful for me ...

 

[dede1217]

I used to, coz my hair is chemically treated, and I was particular about the shampoo and conditioner I use. But nowadays I getting lazier liao, especially when my trips are getting longer. I just go buy when I reach the country. Don't think my hair will GG from just 2 weeks use of normal shampoo lol.

the hotel shampoo always make my hair very dry ...
same as u, if using their shampoo for few days, wont really have much damaged to my hair ...

In taiwan, some hotels used palmolive and lux for their shampoo and shower ...