Wikivoyage:Tourist office/Archives/2017/August

Post
Hello, could you review this OP's post please? Regards.

Asked by: 43.245.120.135 16:30, 29 July 2017 (UTC)


 * The meat of the question: "which would be the cheapest way to travel in UK, starting with London please? For example, buy one or separate ticket for transporting vehicles and crafts, and so on". And I'd respond with another question: What vehicles and crafts is transporting? I won't be able to answer that kind of question, but perhaps one of our British users could help, if the question is made more specific. Ikan Kekek (talk) 17:36, 29 July 2017 (UTC)


 * I assume that the question is about transport for an individual. London has a very good fairly integrated public transport system, with an Oyster Card stored value smartcard (virtual wallet), which you can load money into - this will automatically convert your single journey tickets into a day pass when you make several journeys in a day - so you automatically get the best deal. For the rest of Britain, see Rail travel in Great Britain which explains the cheapest way to buy train tickets, and also consider long distance coaches - in both cases you will find tickets much cheaper if bought 10 weeks in advance. There is also the Britrail rail pass for visitors, but generally this may cost more than regular advance tickets bought soon after they go on sale. For local public transport elsewhere, see the get in and get around sections of the city articles. AlasdairW (talk) 21:50, 29 July 2017 (UTC)


 * What on earth is meant by the second half of the question? Hobbitschuster (talk) 20:19, 1 August 2017 (UTC)


 * The second half of the question: "A fare understanding displayed in the webpage is also desirable, for UK starting with London, of all transporting vehicles and crafts please." This points to the TFL fares website. I think this could be either "I don't understand the TFL webpage, please explain", to which my reply would be ask a friend who is fluent in English, or "Please provide links to similar pages for all possible forms of public transport (rail, bus, ferry etc)", for which my reply would be that there are no similar UK wide pages, rail fares are very variable (an advance ticket can cost a tenth of the on the day fare), and some bus fares are not available online at all. AlasdairW (talk) 22:24, 1 August 2017 (UTC)


 * No I mean "one or separate ticket for transporting vehicles and crafts, and so on" - which vehicles, which crafts? Hobbitschuster (talk) 00:16, 2 August 2017 (UTC)

Could you give me specifics, for example, "If you buy this 'type of ticket', it will cost this much 'for all zones', than you can travel around UK's this 'land' and this 'underground transport(s)' for the day (and night), month and/or yearly... If you understand what I mean.

I require an estimation cost for a year so that I don't have no trouble travelling anywhere whatsoever, day and or as well as night...

116.58.201.40 07:21, 2 August 2017 (UTC)


 * In my understanding you would have to travel an awful lot for any kind of ticket - if such a ticket even exists - that covers all trains on every day in all of Britain to be a sound financial investment. However, a ticket that covers some region (e.g. a ticket covering all of the London Underground) for a period of time may be an alternative. What they cost, I do not know. I only know they are more expensive than comparable tickets in Germany. As for long distance travel, your best bet really is to buy as far as feasible in advance and take those tickets that are bound to one specific train. You can find amazing deals on that, but if you show up on the platform without a ticket, it becomes akin to trying to buy a plane ticket at baggage dropoff... Hobbitschuster (talk) 14:19, 2 August 2017 (UTC)


 * There are no passes that cover all forms of transport together, other than within some cities, like the Oyster Card in London. Outside London, I would budget £10 per day to cover such local transport, whether buying local day passes or separate tickets.
 * For long distance transport, the best deals are tickets bough 2-3 months in advance. As said before there is the Britrail Pass, but you have to buy this before you leave home - put your coat on and visit a travel agent near you for prices. If you live in Europe, the Interrail pass is also available. The only rail pass for the whole of Britain is the All Line Rover (14 Days) Standard Class which costs    £745.00 and has restrictions on morning travel (7 day version is £492.00). Regional passes are also available, and are more reasonable prices - the Kent Rover is £45 for 3 days.
 * National Express runs long distance coaches in England and Wales. Citylink run coaches in Scotland and have a pass for £99 giving 8 days of travel in a 16 day period. Translink run coaches and trains in Northern Ireland, and for this month only have a day pass for £17. AlasdairW (talk) 21:01, 2 August 2017 (UTC)

Traveling from Thailand to Malaysia
Hello,

I am looking for reccomendations on traveling from Thailand to Malaysia. According to lonely planet it is not safe to go by land. Especially since the political parties are stable along with the border between the countries are also unstable. If anyone has recently traveled between those countries and have an insight I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks!

Asked by:98.5.9.236 23:10, 31 July 2017 (UTC)


 * Wikivoyage is not the right place to ask for advice around safety. Your government can likely provide official advice whether it is safe to travel or not. If they don't then check out the travel advice of either the UK https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/thailand or the USA https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/country/thailand.html --Andrewssi2 (talk) 23:40, 31 July 2017 (UTC)


 * Does Lonely Planet say it's unsafe to take the train across the Thai-Malaysian border? Ikan Kekek (talk) 00:03, 1 August 2017 (UTC)


 * The Australian government also provides travel advice on the Smart Traveller website, a subsidiary f the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.


 * Look into low-cost air travel as a possibility for travel. —The preceding comment was added by 122.106.88.56 (talk • contribs) 10:31, 1 August 2017


 * Cycled end of last year from Yala region into Malaysia and crossed the border at Betong. During the ride army people at a road block sent me back and asked me to take a different route ("Too dangerous"). This was my route. Else extremely hospitable people! They are happy to see tourists. Those separatists are targeting mainly Thais with number plates from other regions and people working in public service. Tourists are not really on their radar. At least that is what locals told me. But there is definitely a certain risk involved. But the travel advice of your home country for sure will tell you to not go there. I felt perfectly save. Scenery wise this region is a blast! Pristine rain forests, beautiful mountains. One day I should definitely come back and spend more time there. --Renek78 (talk) 22:34, 2 August 2017 (UTC)

What to do if my ÖBB RailJet train is cancelled?
I'm going to the World Bodypainting Festival on the last weekend of July. What worries me is how I'll get back home from there.

I've booked an ÖBB RailJet train on the morning of Monday 31 July from Klagenfurt at 09:39 to Vienna at 13:35. My flight back home to Finland leaves Vienna Airport at 19:20 in the evening. So if everything goes well, I'll have plenty of time to get there.

But what if everything doesn't go well? What if the train gets cancelled? Currently the ÖBB track information site doesn't show any planned interruptions or cancellations for RailJet trains between Vienna and Klagenfurt, but that doesn't mean something can't still come up.

If I don't reach Vienna by 18:00 in the evening, I'll miss my flight. I'll have to spend another night at a hotel and book another flight to Finland. This will cost me at least 600 € extra, which I'm hoping to avoid.

I am ready to allow for the train to be delayed up to 3 hours, I can still reach my flight then. If there's another train, I can buy a ticket to there. However, I have a Sparschien ticket, which isn't transferable. Can I still use the ticket on the new train if the intended train was cancelled?

But if all the trains get cancelled, I'm stuck in Klagenfurt. Eventually I'll die there if I can't get out in a few days.

Will ÖBB be providing replacement buses from Klagenfurt to Vienna, or at least somewhere along the route, if the train gets cancelled? Judging by what I've found on the Internet, they usually do, but not always. Sometimes they just leave passengers stranded.

And if I miss my flight, can I just go to Vienna Airport and book another flight there at a sales counter, or will I have to phone home and ask someone to do it for me online? If the flight only leaves the next morning, can I spend the night at the airport or do I have to book a hotel room?

I have e-mailed ÖBB about this question but they haven't answered.

Asked by: JIP (talk) 18:58, 20 July 2017 (UTC)
 * There is such a thing about worrying too much. There are regular trains between Klagenfurt and Vienna, with a departure every two hours and a trip taking a little over 3:45. Getting from downtown Vienna to the airport is a breeze. You have plenty of time to make it to your flight even if by some incredible piece of bad luck your train was cancelled for no reason. These are two major cities, and would not be left without rail connection for an extended period. The Austrian railroad is very reliable and punctual and is not known for stranding passengers. But if you are stranded, Vienna is only a four-hour drive away from Klagenfurt and there is regular bus service to Vienna via WESTbus . So you're unlikely to die there, fortunately. Finally, you can usually buy tickets at the airport in the very unlikely eventuality you were to miss your flight. Have a nice trip. --Xuxl (talk) 19:30, 20 July 2017 (UTC)
 * The WESTbus service only provides two connections: One at 07:30 in the morning, which is before my train leaves, and another one which only arrives at Vienna after 18:30, meaning I will have no time to catch my flight. But if it were happen for me to depend on WESTbus, I could try to spend the night either in Klagenfurt or in Vienna. But I would still need a new flight. JIP (talk) 21:22, 20 July 2017 (UTC)
 * Unfortunately Flixbus is no alternative, either as they bunch their departures to be five minutes ahead of Westbus - oh the joys of capitalist competition! Hobbitschuster (talk) 22:19, 20 July 2017 (UTC)


 * Yeah I also think you should be fine. If ÖBB has to cancel the trains, they will likely offer some form of alternative transportation for their customers (and even if it takes hours more, you'd still be fine) and if some event were to befall Austria that shuts down all rail lines and all roads between Vienna and Klagenfurt for a day, I think missing your plane would be one of your lesser concerns. Do enjoy yourself and have a safe trip! Hobbitschuster (talk) 19:54, 20 July 2017 (UTC)

Judging by http://www.zugfinder.de, the train RJ 534 I'm going back from Klagenfurt to Vienna only stays at Klagenfurt for two minutes. That means I have all of two minutes from the train arriving at the station to get on board. If I don't manage it, I'm stuck in Klagenfurt. And what's more, it will be my own fault, not ÖBB's, which means that any possible further expenses to get back to Finland will be paid by me, not by ÖBB or my insurance company. Only a few seconds' delay on getting on board the train could cost me almost 1000 € extra plus loss of income on the next day.

Still, I did the same trip last year, only the festival was in Pörtschach, not in Klagenfurt. I left back home on the same train, and judging by the timetable, it only stayed in Pörtschach for one minute. I still managed to get aboard the train.

Will ÖBB trains wait for all passengers on the platform to come aboard or will they depart punctually on schedule, regardless of passengers? JIP (talk) 23:45, 22 July 2017 (UTC)


 * I don't understand, what takes so long in getting on a train? You know which platform it is arriving at, right? And you'll be at the platform before the train arrives, right? So you just wait for the doors to open (or you push the button) and you get on. That takes all of a few seconds. If you need to find your seat, you can walk around in the train as well. Hobbitschuster (talk) 18:50, 23 July 2017 (UTC)


 * No offense, but I think you have traveled on trains before? Stations all over the world have information billboards or screens, in visible locations, saying at which track the next trains arrive and depart. Be at the station at least 10-15 minutes before the train should be there according to the schedule. Read on the billboard/screen at which track your train will arrive, go to that platform, wait for the train and enter it. As a side note, trains rarely if ever wait for passengers.
 * You travel between two major cities in a western country. In the unlikely event that the train will be canceled or delayed the train company will definitely inform the passengers, if needed arrange alternative transport for you and the other passengers going to Vienna.
 * As well, in the worst case you can probably travel by taxi from Klagenfurt to Vienna airport; given that you will be at a railway station there are probably taxis right outside. Not cheap, but probably much cheaper than having to buy new flight tickets, accommodation etc. and definitely much less hassle. Have a nice trip. ϒpsilon (talk) 19:33, 23 July 2017 (UTC)
 * I took a test today about my time to get on board a train. I got on a local train at Leppävaara railway station in Espoo and recorded the exact time. I sat on a bench until the doors opened, and then got on board the train. It took 18 seconds.
 * However, that was at a time when the train and the platform were relatively empty. In Austria, I'm travelling back home after the World Bodypainting Festival. Thousands of other people are also travelling back home after the festival. There might be huge queues at the station.
 * I understand the train cannot wait for everyone who has a ticket to get on board. They don't even know everyone who has a ticket. But if there's people queuing right at the door to get on board, can the train simply close the door right in front of someone's nose? JIP (talk) 22:45, 23 July 2017 (UTC)
 * Unlike airplanes trains do not wait for people showing up late. But if you are on the platform in time, you will be on the train. Trains do not shut the doors and depart while people are still boarding. Like someone said before, you worry a bit too much. Have a nice trip. :) Jahoe (talk) 09:07, 24 July 2017 (UTC)
 * I have never seen a long distance train platform sufficiently crowded for it to impede safe and speedy boarding. On metros and light rail, sure. But not on long distance trains. True, that experience is mostly from Germany, but Railjet and ICE are targeted to similar demos in similar places. That said, the earlier you are on the platform, the less can get in the way. If you have a seat reservation, there should also be some overview where the car with your seat is supposed to stop (at least they have that in Germany). If you fear the train to be crowded, get a seat reservation; they are available separately from a ticket and should cost single digit Euros. Have a look here Hobbitschuster (talk) 11:49, 24 July 2017 (UTC)

Both my mother and my uncle have said that the train is not automatic, there is a conductor who checks if there are people still boarding the train and will make the train wait until they all are aboard. The train will of course not wait for anyone not already on the platform. Is this also true for Austrian Railjet trains? I have asked ÖBB but all they have replied is that it's a 2 minute interval between arrival and departure, and the doors stay open less than that, although they didn't say how much less.

Given that I'm already on the platform by the time the train arrives, if I'm standing right in front of the door and there are no people coming out, I can get on board the train in less than ten seconds. My only worry is that there will be people in front of me blocking the way or I'll be standing too far from the door to reach it.

My mother and my uncle said that the train will wait for people already boarding to get on the train. For example, if the boarding time is 1 minute 30 seconds, but after that time it takes an additional 5 seconds for someone to get on board, the boarding time will be 1 minute 35 seconds. Is this true in practice with ÖBB? JIP (talk) 21:45, 25 July 2017 (UTC)


 * Safety practice throughout Europe dictates that the conductor looks up and down the train to check that passengers have finished boarding. Then he blows a whistle (either a real one or an electronic audible signal) and looks up and down the train again. Only after he sees that all the doors are free of obstacles (that includes boarding passengers of course) he's allowed to turn the key that closes the doors.
 * I'm a bit older now and have traveled by train for decades. Believe me, I've not seen problems like this.
 * Try to focus on the purpose of your trip. I've not done bodypainting yet, but it seems big fun to me. ;) Jahoe (talk) 07:21, 26 July 2017 (UTC)

In the end, I got from Klagenfurt to Vienna without hassle. I bought a ticket to the 07:39 Railjet train to Vienna and was able to board it easily. There were surprisingly many people coming out of the train in Klagenfurt, as it was a long-distance train to Vienna but had only come from Villach. I had to wait about 10 to 15 seconds for people to come off the train, but then I just got on board. I hadn't looked in advance where my seat was, but it turned out it was just in the car I had just entered.

The trip to Vienna was pretty much uneventful. There were no cancellations, replacement vehicles, or even delays. I went to Henry am Zug to eat and when I came back I found that some woman had taken my seat. I told her it was my seat and she moved away.

In Vienna, however, I almost missed my train to the airport. I had four hours of time to spend in Vienna so I went to the Vienna natural history museum. I didn't keep track of time and only got out of there when I had one hour left of the time I had allotted to spend there. I was planning to go to a restaurant near the Austrian national opera to eat a Wiener Schnitzel but found out I didn't have nearly enough time, so I skipped it.

I went back to Vienna central railway station and was about to board a train to the airport but found out that the train was nowhere in sight, only a train to Bratislava. Then I looked across the platform and saw that my train was at the opposite end of the platform, leaving in two minutes. I hurried on board the train and reached it with less than one minute to spare. Then I got to the airport and had one hour to spend at the gate before my flight back home to Finland started boarding. I was among the last people to be allowed to board. JIP (talk) 21:55, 4 August 2017 (UTC)

Honky-Tonk Highway
When listening to a live country band in one of the clubs/bars on Honky-Tonk Highway in Nashville, about how much is the recommended tip for the band?

Asked by: 2601:646:8E01:7E0B:1C44:225C:6039:189C 11:19, 15 August 2017 (UTC)


 * Other than street buskers, for whom an (optional) dollar or two is fine, it's not usual practice in the U.S. to tip live musicians, who are usually paid a nightly rate by the venue where they perform. However, if you do want to show additional support in a monetary way, many larger concerts have "merch tables" where you can buy records, T-shirts, bumper stickers, etc. sold by the band. -- AndreCarrotflower (talk) 13:40, 21 August 2017 (UTC)

how can i find job in the u.s from Jamaica?
Asked by: Craigdon (talk) 21:52, 27 August 2017 (UTC)

We have some info at United_States_of_America. For some types of work, working abroad or articles it links to might help. Pashley (talk) 22:16, 27 August 2017 (UTC)
 * If I read the current media about Trump's (proposed?) immigration reforms correctly, getting a work visa is rather difficult... Hobbitschuster (talk) 15:33, 28 August 2017 (UTC)

There are a wide range of temporary worker visas that fit different types of jobs. You can find a complete list of them at http://travel.state.gov/content/visas/en/employment/temporary.html One way that temporary worker visas are different from the regular visitor's visa is that they involve two approvals before the visa can be issued. Visitor's visas, also known as B-1/B-2 visas, are usually issued after an interview at the US Embassy in Kingston in which the traveller's application is approved. The temporary worker visa has an additional step because the employer in the United States must also have an application approved by the US Government before applicants can apply.

Is camping at the Citadelle in Northern Haiti allowed?
I'm planning to go to Haiti in the future and Citadelle Laferrière is on the list of places to go and check out. I love the outdoors in general. I'm wondering since it is in a national park, what are the rules regarding camping or sleeping for a night under the stars in or next to the Citadelle? Is it allowed? If so, would it be safe? What would the cost be and would I pay a guide or the office to do that? If staying for a night at the Citadelle is not allowed, is there a time limit to stay at the mountain top fort?

Asked by: 173.170.94.104 13:16, 21 August 2017 (UTC)
 * Unfortunately our guides on Milot and Northern Haiti could do with some work, but if what wikipedia says is accurate, there is a parking lot some way up the route to the Citadelle and from there it is onwards on foot or horseback. It's possible they may accommodate RVs or the likes... If and when you go, it would be awesome if you could update our articles accordingly. Hobbitschuster (talk) 14:56, 21 August 2017 (UTC)
 * According to Haiti "Camping is a high-risk activity in certain parts of Haiti and is not recommended.", though it doesn't explain in which parts of the country it is safe and where it isn't, nor if the risks are crime, tropical diseases, snakes or what. ϒpsilon (talk) 16:23, 21 August 2017 (UTC)
 * So bringing camping tents, sleeping bags, or the likes in or next to the Citadelle would not be a good idea, right? 173.170.94.104 22:15, 21 August 2017 (UTC)
 * Would fines, jail time, forced expulsion, robbery, kidnapping, or even murder be the possible consequences of camping out for a night in the Citadelle? 2600:1006:B00F:191B:6173:3F6D:8B80:C6B2 02:41, 22 August 2017 (UTC)
 * The state department has a travel warning, but it seems to refer mostly to the South of the country. Hobbitschuster (talk) 11:41, 22 August 2017 (UTC)
 * Generally, camping anywhere in Haiti should be considered extremely unsafe. The reason it is not addressed in most travel guides (or travel advice issued by western countries) is that hardly anyone is foolish enough to attempt it. Robbery, kidnapping and murder are indeed the things to fear as you are unlikely to benefit from any type of police protection or security. --Xuxl (talk) 14:39, 22 August 2017 (UTC)

So I decided to call Hotel Du Roi Christophe earlier today and asked them if spending a night in the Citadelle is permitted. To make their answer short, it's no. 2600:1006:B01D:FA1:35E0:8D85:D5C8:23E8 18:45, 31 August 2017 (UTC)

US to Canada
Hi I am planning to visit both the US and Canada in September. I would like to cross US Canada border via land (train preferably) therefore need guidance on the last main city in the US and the first main port of entry in Canada please.

Asked by: Saqib (talk) 15:08, 31 August 2017 (UTC)
 * Hi, User:Saqib! There are apparently three places in where you can cross the border by passenger train (in addition to a huge number of road crossings, some of which probably are served by bus), one on the west coast and two in the eastern part of the countries. On the west coast there's the Amtrak Cascades train, there the last city in the US is Bellingham (Washington) and the first Canadian city is Vancouver. The Maple Leaf crosses the border at the Niagara Falls, and the stations there are Niagara Falls (New York) and Niagara Falls (Ontario). Furthest east there's the Adirondack, and there the last US station is Rouses Point, and the first a Canadian "Customs stop" named CBSA Lacolle. Source: schedules on the Amtrak website. --ϒpsilon (talk) 15:41, 31 August 2017 (UTC)
 * Furthermore while no rail border crossing exists, Detroit and Windsor (Ontario) are both served by their respective national passenger railroads. As for the procedures, I think Amtrak and Via Rail have varying procedures, with some of their routes allowing border control before boarding (iirc that's what happens on the "Cascades") while others make all riders get off at the border to do the whole crossing stuff. On another note, do check out whether the type of visa you're applying for allows what you intend to do and whether you need an additional visa in advance. Hobbitschuster (talk) 16:35, 31 August 2017 (UTC)
 * Regarding my travel docs, I have Pakistani passport with US and Canada B1 visas. I did some research and found that I can travel from NYC to either Montreal or Toronto by trains. I wonder do I need to change the trains at the border crossing? --Saqib (talk) 17:24, 31 August 2017 (UTC)
 * As far as I know you'll disembark and get on the same train later on. Amtrak has some info on crossing the border. Hobbitschuster (talk) 17:29, 31 August 2017 (UTC)


 * In fact, you have to continue by the same train or you'll be seriously delayed, because the Maple Leaf and the Adirondack each run only once a day.


 * I have crossed the border by both these trains, and also by the International (a former Amtrak service from Toronto to Chicago that used to cross between Sarnia and Port Huron). In all three cases the procedure was that the customs/immigration people came on board and walked through the car talking to everybody while the train remained stopped with nobody allowed on or off.  I suppose if they had a problem with any particular passenger then that person would have had to get off.  I think the stop took 1 to 1&frac12; hours in each case.  (It was quite a contrast with my first border crossing by train, back in 1976, with a train that ran from Toronto only as far as Buffalo and had about 10 passengers on it.  The procedure was the same then, but it only took a few minutes.)  However, I haven't taken any of these trains since 2007, so it's possible my experience is out of date.  And I'm a Canadian citizen (and white), so my experience might be different from a Pakistani's.


 * As to Detroit and Windsor, there is a local public transit route specifically for people crossing the border, called the Tunnel Bus. When I used this in 2008, we all got off at the border and then reboarded the same bus.  I was crossing into Canada at a quiet time of day and it only took a few minutes.  But I was starting from Detroit that day; it would not be convenient to take a train to Detroit, then the Tunnel Bus, then another train to Toronto. --69.159.60.147 22:29, 31 August 2017 (UTC)