Page Title

PLANES TRAINS
AUTOMOBILES

GENERAL TIPS:

PLANES - TRAINS - AUTOMOBILES:

AIRPLANES-

IF you are planning on getting frequent flyer miles to get one or more tix - get these as soon as you
can - I found out that a lot of airlines only have a few seats in each class of service per plane per
day. Most tix for award points open around 11 months prior. Another good reason to plan the
major aspects of your travel in advance.

TAXES for your infant? You will need to pay for the taxes of bringing on a child even if they do not
sit in a seat. 2 and under.

Bassinets - most airlines have these ON board - be sure to mention your baby as you will to be
placed in the bulk-head.

Car seat for the airplane - is excellent - IF you don't mind paying what you paid for your seat -
OCCASIONALLY, but less so today, you can hang on to your car seat until the gate and see if they
can accommodate you and your car seat without paying the price. But don't bet on it, even
overseas flights are booked solid most of the time.

Strollers - (see below for list of must-have strollers) hold on to these until boarding the plane -
with a 2 hour wait and sometimes plane change - having to haul your family around without one is
really unappealing thought!! Besides, ours doubles for our personal sherpa! Don't forget your rain
gear for your stroller.

Bringing on the plane (see kids section for tweens and older kids):

Waters for all (get these AFTER security)
Snacks (goldfish, raisins, etc)
Medicines - for your child and for you - JUST in case - Tylenol, etc
New toy that child hasn't seen until you get on airplane, train. For younger - Battat (great
pretend inexpensive cell phone) or Mr Whoozits, crayons or hand held games, Pixters or
DVD players for older ones. (flight have ones but you obviously can't take them with you!)
Great kids travel books
PJ's or change of clothes for long trips
8 -10 diapers, wipes if you need them -
Binkys, blanket
For whole family - change of underwear - sounds crazy but after 14 hours on a plane -
they're nice to have!
socks - for all
Comfy shoes - NOT brand new
Black clothes - for you - the kids WILL spill on you!

If you decide on travelling from country to country via airplanes - keep in mind that once 24
hours have elapsed from your original transatlantic flight, the rules of baggage, etc. no longer apply
and you will be heavily charged/penalized for your extra weight.

That being said, competition is steep and flights are cheap - there are no luxuries on board but
then again, we don't get peanuts here anymore either!

Airports:

This is where the tax returns are handled BEFORE your trip home! Go to a Kiosk
designated for VAT (Value added Tax) and reclaim your money - as a non-European, you do
not need to pay VAT - Be ready to show your items to the person at the Kiosk.
Also, you can only reclaim VAT if you spend more than E150.00 in EACH store. The stores
will have forms to fill out. VAT is about 25% of your purchase so it does add up very quickly!
Indulge in Duty-free items before departing! These can be good deals! Hey, if you’re into
Bordeaux wines – MY family actually sells their wine now also! Arnaud de Jacquemeau - a
yummy St. Emilion wine that just got upgraded to a premier Grand Cru! Quite an honour!!
At CDG airport. The airplane actually sells a few duty-free items also but your choice is very
limited.
Wine, etc purchases - Check your alcohol allowance (I think two bottles each only per adult.
If you’re getting a taxi to your hotel– ask how much BEFORE getting in and ask – “do you
speak English?!” Also, ask do you know such and such address – or hotel name?
Sometimes they claim total ignorance once you're in.
Some overseas airports have playgrounds - great way for children to burn off energy!

TRAINS:

This is where thieves can and DO hang out (trust me!) We had our passports stolen prior to
boarding an over night train! The thieves, we were told prey on Americans with kids - because we
are distracted with them!

If you do NOT want to stand your entire trip on board - you MUST pay extra for a reserved seat - non
smoking? You could end up standing the all the way if you do not - ask for RES

Keep hold of all your possessions while waiting for your train - one person on the kids - one
on your possessions - also true when boarding.
Do keep in mind that your train’s name will NOT necessarily be your stop’s name – just the
END LINE name! VERY IMPORTANT!!!!
Most all train stations and trains do NOT bother with any other language other than the
country's own language – you must be aware of the time, and look out the window for the
train station name!!!!
Overnight trains can be a lot of fun - especially for the kids - not great for parents but it is
one way to avoid a ton of driving and a good use of time if you are limited.

CAR RENTALAND GETTING AROUND:
Plan your itinerary at www.viamichelin.com - get directions from one country to another or city to
city. Get hotels, tourist info, etc. We used this a few months back to plan a vacation crossing the
entire length of France into Italy - and all over there also. It got us from Nice - Bordeaux - St. Emilion
- Marigny-les-Usages - Evians-les-Bains - Milano - Stresa - Venice. So, we gave it the full run and
it worked. However, the better our address locations were, the better the maps,etc.

ALSO - My in-laws actually purchased and sold a car in France and it worked for them, though their
stress level was high wondering if they were going to get their money back. It did end up costing
them as much to do this as it would renting - so my advise is unless you plan on being overseas
for at least a month it may not be worth it?

Rent in the USA PRIOR to departure – so much cheaper this way. Also, if you choose an American
car company, they will be more likely to have English speaking staff to assist you at the desk once
you arrive.

Cars, at least in Europe are a LOT smaller but more fuel efficient. Look at the company’s website
and get a car that works for you and your family – with your bags, strollers, etc. You can also
choose to rent a car seat from these companies too, instead of hauling yours around. They may
not be as nice though.

We choose car rentals all the time – once we are out of a major city. It is NO fun trying to drive your
way out of the center of London, Paris, Rome (ask my husband!) We now either rent one on the
outskirts of the city or in a neighbouring town.

ISLANDS - When we are in Hawaii, St. Thomas, St John - however, we find that we do not need a
car. We go by boat, walk or the hotels have great shuttles to and from all attractions. It is very easy.

Cars are great ways to see the countryside and experience so much more than if you
did not have one - I highly advise you to get one unless you just don't like driving.
UK can be a little nerve wrecking with the stick shift on the other side and driving on
the "wrong side" of the roads too! You get to be your own travel planner this way. IF
you decide on renting a car - brush up on foreign road signs

i.e. - put in your country destination and road signs on Google - and voila!

GET YOUR ROAD SIGNS HERE ---

Italy/European road signs: http://www.aviano.af.mil/newcomer/signs/

France: http://www.diversedirections.net/Frenchsigns.html