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Navigating an Airport – Getting there and checking in

February 3, 2020 9:00 am Leave a Comment

No two airports are built the same, but for the travelling public they all have one thing in common, their purpose. That purpose is to get passengers from the ground, into the air on a flight to their destination; help passengers connect between flights not served non-stop from their origin; and receive arriving passengers, be it domestic or international. Each of these scenarios follows a slightly different pattern, but getting you on or off a plane is the goal.

For any traveller, the mantra should be: leave yourself plenty of time. With lineups and security delays, the last thing you want to do is to miss your flight. Airlines and airports publish recommended check-in times so check with them before your trip. Plan your journey to the airport. Are you driving? Taking a train? Is someone dropping you off? Are you getting a cab? Your journey doesn’t start at the airport so plan for this as part of the overall experience and feel relaxed the moment you step in to the terminal.

If you’re on the airport’s website, try and see if there’s a map. Often there will be a digital file or web page which has a schematic of the airport. Acquaint yourself with the layout, find where your airline’s check-in counter is. How do you get from there to Security, and then on to your gate? Have a picture in your head and you’ll find that you’re more confident and less stressed on the day of travel.

If you’re flying in business class, first class, or you have elite status; you often have designated check-in counters. Check with your airline and see if you’re eligible to use these and once you’re at the airport have your confirmation or membership card ready to show to staff. If you’ve checked-in online and you already have your boarding pass, look for baggage drop counters. the queues for these counters are often shorter than check-in queues and you’ll speed through the airport a lot quicker. Didn’t have a chance to check-in online or print your boarding pass? Look for the touch-screen kiosks for your airline and use these to check-in. This should also give you a boarding pass and let you use the Bag-Drop counters.

Once this is done, it’s time to wave goodbye to anyone who has accompanied you and make your way to security. More to follow…

5 Things You Need to Know About the Trans-Siberian Railway

December 16, 2019 9:00 am Leave a Comment

If you don’t like the idea of a scenic train journey through one of the most fascinating stretches of land on the planet, look away now. If, on the other hand, you think that taking a ride along the world’s longest railway would be an incredible experience, stay with me.

Running for 9,289km, the railway connects the Russian capital Moscow with Vladivostok, in the far east of Russia. The railway also branches off across the border and into Mongolia, China, and North Korea. For a handful of adventurous people, riding the Trans-Siberian Railway is a bucket list experience. Indeed, the train journey is a holiday in itself, taking the best part of a week to travel from one end to the other.

Has your curiosity been piqued? Would you like to know more about this iconic railway? Here are five things you should know before you go.

You Need to Have a Plan

Unlike most destinations, which welcome spontaneity, riding the Trans-Siberian Railway requires meticulous planning and forethought. First you need to sort out your Russian visa, which is no small task. Secondly, you need to get your tickets and know where you want to stop off along the way. Thirdly, this is a serious beast of a journey and you want to have plenty of time to enjoy it. Chances are you will spend at least six days on the train so ideally you want one to two days off the train for every day you spend on it.

The Food is Pretty Good But You Should Still Take Snacks

Train food doesn’t have the best reputation and Russia is hardly a culinary capital so it figures that Russian train food is going to be pretty bad. Fortunately, most people are surprised at what the Trans-Siberian Railway dishes up. Meals are basic but edible and they don’t cost an arm and a leg. You can usually get a starter and a main for around £25. Nevertheless, stock up on crisps, fruit, biscuits and nuts whenever you can because you’re going to get peckish and you won’t always want train food.

There Is a Big Difference Between the Carriage Classes

If you are on a tight budget you might want to rethink your plans. Travelling in third class on the Trans-Siberian Railway for six days is going to be uncomfortable. On the first night it might feel like an adventure but by the third night it will feel more like fresh hell. First class is ideal, but second class is satisfactory if you’re not willing to splash out quite that much.

You Can Ride the Train All Year Round – But Summer Is Best

The train runs throughout the year but if you want the best experience you should go during the summer months. From June until September you will have long days and plenty of sunlight so you can gaze out of the window and enjoy uninhibited views of the Russian countryside. Sunny weather also makes for more pleasant exploring when you disembark the train at your stop-off points.

You Can Carry On Into Mongolia or China But Plan it in Advance

If six days on a train through Russia isn’t enough for you, you can extend your journey into China or Mongolia. You can get a 72 hour visa for Mongolia if you are riding the Trans-Mongolian Railway but you will need to show proof of onward travel and your visa for the next country. If you plan on going into China then you will need to organise your Chinese visa well in advance.

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