Find Out Fridays: Travel Advice

Since many of you will be travelling to other countries in Europe while you’re here in London, here is some important information regarding how to prepare for your upcoming trip(s) and what to expect from several popular air/train lines:

*REMINDER* Most European airlines require ONLINE check-in, which is open up until 5 hours before the flight departure. Check your e-mail for instructions from your airline and don’t forget to print your boarding pass if necessary! Download the airlines’ mobile app or visit the website to check-in to your flight(s). Most check-ins open 1 month before the departure date, but if you haven’t paid for a selected seat you will usually check in several days before your flight. If you don’t have a cabin bag that meets the size requirements of your airline (see info below), you should pay for a checked bag online while you are checking in. The fee for a checked bag will be cheaper if you purchase it in advance instead of at the airport. Prices vary depending on airline and where you are flying to.

*If you are flying with liquids (such as toiletries) they MUST be travel sized (100mL/3 ounces or less) and put in a clear plastic bag. Trust me, you want to do this as otherwise your luggage will be checked thoroughly at the security line, and who wants or has time for that?!

British Airways

Baggage Policy: Your adult ticket allows you to bring ONE personal bag as well as a cabin luggage that doesn’t exceed 56 cm x 45 cm x 25 cm. This airline is a little more generous with the weight of each bag, allowing up to 23 kg (51 lbs.).  This may be a suitable for option for those who are chronic over-packers! This airline tends to be more expensive as it is not a budget airline like the others, but its customer service and lenient baggage allowance may be worth paying for.

RyanAir

Baggage Policy: Your adult ticket allows you to bring ONE carry-on luggage that cannot exceed 55 cm x 40 cm x 20 cm in size and 10 kg in weight (approx. 22 lbs). You are also allowed a small personal bag (i.e. laptop case or purse). These items are considered cabin baggage and will be brought on board without paying an extra fee. Be mindful of the size and weight of your bags! Oversized cabin baggage may be refused at the boarding gate and you will then be charged a fee of £50 to have your bag placed in the aircraft hold.

IMPORTANT: For this airline, only the first 90 carry-on luggages are allowed in the cabin space on the plane. If you don’t arrive early enough, there may not be enough space for your bag! We recommend getting to the airport AT LEAST 2.5 hours before your plane departs.

Vueling

Baggage Policy: Your adult ticket allows you to bring ONE carry-on luggage as well as a small personal bag. The carry on-luggage cannot exceed 55 cm x 45 cm x 20 cm in size and 10 kg in weight. You may also carry a plastic bag of any purchases you’ve made at the airport that you’d like to bring on the plane (i.e. food, souvenirs, etc.). Be mindful of the size and weight of your bags! Oversized cabin baggage may be refused at the boarding gate and you will then be charged a fee of €35 to have your bag checked in.

EasyJet

Baggage Policy: Please read carefully, EasyJet is stricter than most other airlines. Your adult ticket only allows you to bring ONE carry-on luggage without paying an extra fee. If you are bringing a personal bag as well, you will be asked to place that bag inside of your carry-on luggage in order to board the plane. The good news is that EasyJet has no weight limit for the carry-on luggage, so long as the bag doesn’t exceed 56 cm x 45 cm x 25 cm in size.

Monarch

Baggage Policy: Your adult ticket allows ONE of the following two options:

One carry-on luggage (no bigger than 56 x 40 x 25cm and no heavier than 10 kilos) plus a small duty free bag from the departure airport (to carry liquids, food purchased at the airport, etc.).
OR
Two separate pieces of hand baggage, as long as the combined size is no bigger than 56 x 40 x 25cm (including wheels and handles.) and the combined weight no heavier than 10 kilos, plus a small duty free bag from the departure airport.

 

*Alternatively, some of you may be traveling by rail. This also may be a better option for those who prefer less strict baggage policies.

Eurostar

Most train policies are universal, so we will use Eurostar as an example.

Baggage policy: Your adult ticket permits you to bring TWO pieces of luggage of any size/weight as well as a personal bag aboard the train. Keep in mind that you will need to be able to lift your luggage up/down stairs, through customs and security, and into the cabin storage on the train. This option may also be more convenient for those who wouldn’t wish to travel the 1-2 hour commute to London airports and would like to depart/return right at King’s Cross/St. Pancras station.

Also, please don’t forget to explore the incredible city that is London and the rest of the UK. You’re very welcome to come and have a chat with us in the Program Office if you’d like to brainstorm any ideas of destinations – use us as a resource 🙂 But for now, check out this TimeOut London link for some great suggestions on day-trips, weekend breaks, etc. outside of London.

Safe and happy travels to you all!

 

Photo credit: Google

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