Difference between revisions of "Travel Tips"

From Burden's Landing
(electric adapter index)
(Hipcamp. Updated cell phone tips.)
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Also see [[Road Trip Tips]].
Also see [[Road Trip Tips]].


== Temperature Conversion ==
= Temperature Conversion =


Easy C-to-F conversion guide, courtesy [https://twitter.com/#!/ValdisKrebs/status/110548463430799360 Valdis Krebs] and [https://twitter.com/#!/bobblakley/status/110549263607537666 Bob Blakely]:
Easy C-to-F conversion guide, courtesy [https://twitter.com/#!/ValdisKrebs/status/110548463430799360 Valdis Krebs] and [https://twitter.com/#!/bobblakley/status/110549263607537666 Bob Blakely]:
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* 40=hellish
* 40=hellish


== Packing ==
= Packing =


Must have items:
Must have items:
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* Sue Gardner's, [http://suegardner.org/2011/08/06/user-centred-agile-packing/ User-Centered (Agile!) Packing]
* Sue Gardner's, [http://suegardner.org/2011/08/06/user-centred-agile-packing/ User-Centered (Agile!) Packing]


== Leaving Town ==
= Leaving Town =


'''Holding mail'''
'''Holding mail'''
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* Once back in San Francisco, best to call the hold mail facility (415-643-3721) the day before you plan to pick up your mail to make sure it's delivered to the Geary post office (at 21st Ave).
* Once back in San Francisco, best to call the hold mail facility (415-643-3721) the day before you plan to pick up your mail to make sure it's delivered to the Geary post office (at 21st Ave).


== Traveling Internationally ==
= Traveling Internationally =


[https://www.walkabouttravelgear.com/wwelect.htm International Electric Adapter Index]
[https://www.walkabouttravelgear.com/wwelect.htm International Electric Adapter Index]
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Electricity: [http://howto.wired.com/wiki/Stay_Plugged_In_While_Traveling "Staying Plugged in while Traveling."]
Electricity: [http://howto.wired.com/wiki/Stay_Plugged_In_While_Traveling "Staying Plugged in while Traveling."]


=== International Cell Phones ===
== International Cell Phones ==


[http://www.thetravelinsider.info/2002/0308.htm Eight part series] on international cell phones.
I have a Google Pixel on Project Fi, which has great international rates. Barring this, the easiest thing to do is to unlock your cell phone and buy a local SIM card.


[http://www.telestial.com/ Telestial.com] seems to be the most promising place for SIM cards and phone information. They also have a call-back service. Their prices seem good, and they seem reputable.
= Transportation =
 
Hostelling International USA sells [http://www.hiayh.ekit.com/ekit/MobilePurchase/Service_ckglobal SIM cards] and refurbished phones.  The prices seem high, and the phones are very old.
 
Other possibilities:
 
* [http://www.cellularabroad.com/cellAbroadppsc.php Cellular Abroad]
 
I'm investigating the Siemens A70 unlocked GSM phone as a second phone for international travel. There seem to be some [http://cgi.ebay.com/Siemens-A70-A71-new-GSM-phone_W0QQitemZ300033285442QQcmdZViewItem decent deals] on eBay.
 
== Transportation ==


RashmiSinha [http://twitter.com/rashmi/status/1244157523 tweeted] about [http://www.seatguru.com/ Seat Guru], which helps you identify the most desirable seats on a plane.
RashmiSinha [http://twitter.com/rashmi/status/1244157523 tweeted] about [http://www.seatguru.com/ Seat Guru], which helps you identify the most desirable seats on a plane.


=== Driving ===
== Driving ==


In Canada, you need a [http://www.explore.canada.travel/ctc/ke/things_to_know_2.jsp?cat=4013&localeId=16#driver Non-resident Inter-Provincial Motor Vehicle Liability Insurance Card], which you can get for free from your insurance company.
In Canada, you need a [http://www.explore.canada.travel/ctc/ke/things_to_know_2.jsp?cat=4013&localeId=16#driver Non-resident Inter-Provincial Motor Vehicle Liability Insurance Card], which you can get for free from your insurance company.


=== Cheap Fares ===
== Cheap Fares ==


Start looking about two months before trip, when sales start appearing.
Start looking about two months before trip, when sales start appearing.
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[http://www.johnbreslin.com/ John Breslin] recommended [http://www.ryanair.com/site/EN/ RyanAir], a super cheap airline in Europe (based in Ireland).
[http://www.johnbreslin.com/ John Breslin] recommended [http://www.ryanair.com/site/EN/ RyanAir], a super cheap airline in Europe (based in Ireland).


== Hotels ==
= Lodging =


[http://www.tripadvisor.com/ TripAdvisor] has worldwide listings and user ratings. I used it to find a place to stay in [[Sedona]] for November 2005.
[http://www.tripadvisor.com/ TripAdvisor] has worldwide listings and user ratings. I used it to find a place to stay in [[Sedona]] for November 2005.
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[http://biddingfortravel.yuku.com/topic/2560/t/Hotel-FAQ.html BiddingForTravel.com] has advice on successful [http://www.priceline.com/ Priceline.com] bidding.
[http://biddingfortravel.yuku.com/topic/2560/t/Hotel-FAQ.html BiddingForTravel.com] has advice on successful [http://www.priceline.com/ Priceline.com] bidding.


=== Web Sites ===
[https://www.hipcamp.com/ Hipcamp] is awesome for private campsites.
 
== Web Sites ==


* [http://www.smarterliving.com/ Smarter Living]
* [http://www.smarterliving.com/ Smarter Living]
* [http://www.digitalcity.com/ Digital City]
* [http://www.digitalcity.com/ Digital City]

Revision as of 01:14, 16 August 2018

Also see Road Trip Tips.

Temperature Conversion

Easy C-to-F conversion guide, courtesy Valdis Krebs and Bob Blakely:

  • 10=cold (jacket)
  • 20=cool (nice)
  • 30=hot
  • 40=hellish

Packing

Must have items:

  • Outlet Extender. Great for airports.

Others I've seen recommended:

  • Sink plug. For doing laundry in your hotel room.

See also:

Leaving Town

Holding mail

  • Must be for at least 3 days, but no more than 30 days.
  • Must submit request at least one business day and no more than 14 calendar days in advance.
  • Can do so online as long as your zip code is one of the ones that offer this service.
  • Otherwise fill out Form PS8076 in person at your local post office or call 1-800-ASK-USPS (1-800-275-8777).
  • Once back in San Francisco, best to call the hold mail facility (415-643-3721) the day before you plan to pick up your mail to make sure it's delivered to the Geary post office (at 21st Ave).

Traveling Internationally

International Electric Adapter Index

When traveling internationally, it's a good idea to register your trip with the State Department in case of emergency.

Currency exchange at Travelex (in the U.S. Bank building, next to the Castro Theater):

443 Castro Street
San Francisco, CA
415-552-3108

Electricity: "Staying Plugged in while Traveling."

International Cell Phones

I have a Google Pixel on Project Fi, which has great international rates. Barring this, the easiest thing to do is to unlock your cell phone and buy a local SIM card.

Transportation

RashmiSinha tweeted about Seat Guru, which helps you identify the most desirable seats on a plane.

Driving

In Canada, you need a Non-resident Inter-Provincial Motor Vehicle Liability Insurance Card, which you can get for free from your insurance company.

Cheap Fares

Start looking about two months before trip, when sales start appearing.

For domestic flights, there's Hipmunk and Kayak.

A good way to fly cheaper to continental Europe is to fly to London, then find cheap round trip fares to final destination. For fly/drive deals, see Auto Europe and go-today.com. Also, it can be cheaper to fly to JFK (NY) and then to European destination rather than flying direct from other states.

Amsterdam is second to London in this regard.

Icelandair offers free seven day stopovers in Iceland for anyone heading to or from continental Europe.

Underbid on Priceline 20 percent less than the lowest airfare you find.

John Breslin recommended RyanAir, a super cheap airline in Europe (based in Ireland).

Lodging

TripAdvisor has worldwide listings and user ratings. I used it to find a place to stay in Sedona for November 2005.

Call to make reservations during regular office hours. I have had many poor experiences with evening staff who didn't know anything, gave me misinformation, or were generally rude and unhelpful.

BiddingForTravel.com has advice on successful Priceline.com bidding.

Hipcamp is awesome for private campsites.

Web Sites

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