Flying to Europe for the first time..

[suspiciousmind]

This will be the longest flight I've ever been on.. Around 8 hours or so not including the initial connecting flight to Toronto.

We're flying into Zurich, Switzerland then traveling to Paris, France and Munich, Germany.

Any advice from my well traveled friends here? I'm so excited!

[Hozzie]

It's not really that different as far as the flight. Biggest thing is try to sleep on the flight. Stay up the first night until at least 8pm, 9 is better. Otherwise it will take a long time to adjust.

Enjoy. Those are all great locations.

[peejman]

Stay awake until it's time to sleep where you're going. The jet lag when you come back will be worse. Look the customs people in the eye when you answer their questions. Enjoy your trip!

[Hozzie]

Stay awake until it's time to sleep where you're going. The jet lag when you come back will be worse. Look the customs people in the eye when you answer their questions. Enjoy your trip!

I can't agree with the jet lag when you get back. It way easier (at least for me) to go west.

[frankmako]

if you drink, drink wine only on the flight.  sleep if you can on the plane.  i hate the long flights overseas. 

[FUJIMO]

I can't agree with the jet lag when you get back. It way easier (at least for me) to go west.

Same here. 8pm flight out of ATL to Europe and I got up at 4 am that day just so I would sack out as soon as we boarded. Jet lag was minimal thanks to this and non existent on the flight back.

[Ugly]

I recommend to drink at least two wines with/ after dinner and try to sleep the rest off. The more sleep you get on the Abe the more awake time you you'll have over there. Great places to go, have fun and a Hefeweizen in Deutchland for me!

[mjramsey1]

I agree with others, tough it out all day when you land, no matter how tired. You will sleep great that first night and get your internal clock set pretty fast. When you are in Munich, go to the town square. There will be free walking tours, many from American students. Tip them at the end. Most take a couple of hours and give you a great history as Germany obviously isn't proud of some of their history, so there isn't much obvious to see.

[jwinter]

When we flew to Spain for a European cruise I got up every couple hours and walked up and down the isle a couple times. Keeps the legs from swelling and getting sore. Lots of people did it so I didn't feel too weird about it.

[ken56]

I agree with getting up every so often to get the blood going again. We did 9 hrs. to Amsterdam and then 2 more to Rome. I couldn't sleep on the flight and did suffer some jet lag for the next 2 days.  Nothing you wont get over so don't be too concerned, but do sleep if you can. I think the seats have a bit more leg room than on the domestic flights too. You will find Europe to be a very different world than the good ol' USA. Have fun and enjoy your trip. I thoroughly enjoyed ours by the way.

[ncomarc]

Congrats, traveling is a passion of mine only superseded by food. Lots of good advice, I usually stay up a day or so before my flight, that way when I'm on the leg that has the most hours, I'm out for the duration. If your worried about falling asleep at the gate, set several alarms on your phone. Key is to nor zone out till that long flight - gotta make sure you make all the connecting flights.

[monkeylizard]

Going west is much easier for jet lag to me.

 

 

As for tips,

 

Money -

• Call your credit/debit card companies and tell them you'll be traveling. They'll usually want the dates and countries you'll be visiting. This will help prevent them from freezing your accounts if they think it's fraudulent activity.
• You can order foreign currency from your bank. Having a few hundred dollars worth of Swiss Francs for pocket money when you get off the plane is nice for some food, cab fare, etc. Then you don't feel rushed to find an ATM or an over-priced currency exchange counter at the airport or train station. I wouldn't bother ordering any Euros. By the time you leave Swissyland you'll have figured out how it all works. You'll probably get hit with an ATM fee each time, so minimize that by taking out as much as you feel comfortable with. Some US banks have partnerships with foreign banks to waive ATM fees. I know Bank of America is partnered with Barclay's in the UK, BNP Parabas in France, and Deutschebank in Germany.
• See if your card of choice charges a foreign transaction fee in addition to the currency conversion fee. You can't avoid the conversion fee, but you can avoid the foreign transaction fee by using a card without one or by paying with cash as much as possible.
• You should have a 4-digit PIN on your credit/debit card. If you have a 3-digit one, change it. Some European ATMs require a 4-digit PIN.
• If you don't have chip-and-PIN cards yet (card with the gold chip) get them. Just ask your card issuer and they'll send you one. Magnetic stripes are all but gone in Europe.

Language -

• Don't sweat it too much if you don't know the language. Focus on learning as much German as you can because it's easier than French (much of English is Germanic) and because German will be used in both Munich and Zurich. Then pick up a little French. Despite the stereotypes, I've found the French (even in Paris) to be accommodating as long as I don't start the conversations with a poorly pronounced "Parlay voo Eenglash?" If I try to speak French, they'll usually speak English because it's apparent that my French isn't very good, but they appreciate the effort.
• I've found the Berlitz "Rush Hour" audio series to be excellent for some quick conversational/travel phrases. they set it to music so it gets in your brain like an ear worm. I still remember the songs from an Italian one I listened to over-and-over-and-over again 10 years ago. Nashville Public Library has many of them, so try some for free and see what you like.

Books -

• I love the Eyewitness Travel books from D-K publishing. Most others are lousy because you have to read too much. The Nashville library has just about all of them. McKay Books on OHB in west Nashville usually has quite a few too for cheaper prices than a bookstore or Amazon. I like the little "Top 10" versions for carrying around with me in a day bag or a pocket.

[NextExit]

I did plenty of walking around on the plane on my way back but that's because I was on a KC-135 and those "seats" aren't comfortable. :-\

You picked the wrong time of the year to go to Munich... should go during Oktoberfest. :cheers:

[2.ooohhh]

If you have a smart phone download field trip from niantic. It's really great for killing a few hours wherever you are. I use it extensively when I travel, especially when I'm trying to find stuff to do on foot or via public transit.

[btq96r]

Any advice from my well traveled friends here? I'm so excited!

 

Try not to over pack your carry-on.  Some music, a book (or tablet), taking a few Advil when you board since you'll be stuck in a pressurized cabin for a good bit always helps me. Don't expect a power outlet for your laptop, hell don't expect any room to take it out really.  Dress in layers for the flight, there are never any fixed standards on how warm or cold a flight is.   

 

What airline are you flying?

 

 

I can't agree with the jet lag when you get back. It way easier (at least for me) to go west.

 

Same for me.  Coming west from Kuwait, I could land in the US anytime of the day and be fine until it was a normal time to go to sleep.  Going east, it always took me a day or two to get adjusted again. 

[suspiciousmind]

You guys are awesome!! Thank you all for your advice!

I'm going over there for work.. I wish I could go during Octoberfest!

[suspiciousmind]

Try not to over pack your carry-on.  Some music, a book (or tablet), taking a few Advil when you board since you'll be stuck in a pressurized cabin for a good bit always helps me. Don't expect a power outlet for your laptop, hell don't expect any room to take it out really.  Dress in layers for the flight, there are never any fixed standards on how warm or cold a flight is.   
 
What airline are you flying?
 
 

 
Same for me.  Coming west from Kuwait, I could land in the US anytime of the day and be fine until it was a normal time to go to sleep.  Going east, it always took me a day or two to get adjusted again.

Flying United.

[btq96r]

Flying United.

 

I'd pay the extra money to upgrade to their Economy Plus or whatever it's called if they offer it to you.  It's worth it for a long haul flight.

 

United isn't too bad long haul all things considered.

[runco]

Leave your EDC of pocket knives and guns at home or in the car!  Bring lots of gun mags (Guns & Ammo, SWAT, & American Rifleman).  And for Pete's sake, don't apologize for the U.S., O has already done that.  Don't forget, the Euro is trading around ~1.12 USD to 1 Euro, don't get took!

[Sam1]

#1 go to walmart and get a bottle of melatonin.  It helps reset your internal clock and gets rid of jet lag.  I used to fly a lot, often going into time zones that were 12 hours difference from here (worst possible scenario for jet lag) and it dramatically reduces the time to adjust going back and forth.

 

#2 have fun

 

<edited> #3 http://www.seatguru.com/ go there and find the best seats available before booking your tickets.  The same model of planes have different layouts depending on the company, so don't just look for seat abc123 on them - there are some pretty decent differences in seats without having to upgrade (I'm cheap).

Edited February 6, 2016 by Sam1

[waynesan]

Since you are going for work I don't know how much free time you will have, but if you have some free time you are definitely going to some amazing places. In Zurich you are only 1 hour from Mt. Pilatus and Lake Lucerne. Both of which are awesome.

Then in Paris don't fail to go up in the Eiffel Tower. You can see it from just about anywhere in the city. Also go to Notre Dame Cathedral (whether Catholic or not, it is amazing to read the history of the place and see all that is in there). And if you can, take a river cruise on the River Seine. It is an amazing, once in a lifetime experience (especially the night cruise and see the Eiffel Tower lit up in the dark).

And of course in Munich you have to go the Hofbrauhaus Beer Hall. Founded in 1589 it is one of Munich's oldest beer halls.

Have fun and soak in every moment you can.

[suspiciousmind]

Since you are going for work I don't know how much free time you will have, but if you have some free time you are definitely going to some amazing places. In Zurich you are only 1 hour from Mt. Pilatus and Lake Lucerne. Both of which are awesome.
Then in Paris don't fail to go up in the Eiffel Tower. You can see it from just about anywhere in the city. Also go to Notre Dame Cathedral (whether Catholic or not, it is amazing to read the history of the place and see all that is in there). And if you can, take a river cruise on the River Seine. It is an amazing, once in a lifetime experience (especially the night cruise and see the Eiffel Tower lit up in the dark).
And of course in Munich you have to go the Hofbrauhaus Beer Hall. Founded in 1589 it is one of Munich's oldest beer halls.
Have fun and soak in every moment you can.

"SANCTUARY!!!!" - Quasimodo ;) great ideas!

[Cherokee Slim]

Get off the tourist path and explore. The Happy Meal at McDonald's cost $15 the last time we were in Zurich. Off on side streets you can get relatively large and good meals for $5 to $6. Any US franchise is expensive. Eating food Off the street carts may be romantic but learn the local phrases for stomach & diarrhea medicine ahead of time. They will not understand your humor and Google translate will make it worse. The "ugly american" who knows it all and tells them what's wrong with their country or work process Will offend the nationals and limit the positive interaction you can have. You are rich, just because you could make the trip so look for prices to increase and legal issues like drugs to not be forgiven easily. Keep copies of your passport stashed in different suitcases in case you get robbed. Current value of stolen US passport was $1000 last I checked. My experience. Your mileage may vary.

[Hershmeister]

Drink plenty of water on the plane. Those long flights will dry you out! When you get to your hotel, take a shower to help rehydrate and freshen up then get outside in the sun.

Above all else do not succumb to the thought that you can lay down for a quick nap!

Otherwise learn how to say hello, please, yes, no and thank you french and german and you will do great

[btq96r]

#1 go to walmart and get a bottle of melatonin.  It helps reset your internal clock and gets rid of jet lag.  I used to fly a lot, often going into time zones that were 12 hours difference from here (worst possible scenario for jet lag) and it dramatically reduces the time to adjust going back and forth.

 

#2 have fun

 

<edited> #3 http://www.seatguru.com/ go there and find the best seats available before booking your tickets.  The same model of planes have different layouts depending on the company, so don't just look for seat abc123 on them - there are some pretty decent differences in seats without having to upgrade (I'm cheap).

 

 

Otherwise learn how to say hello, please, yes, no and thank you french and german and you will do great

 

I've found this to be an good thing to do when traveling, or even living abroad where English is pretty widespread.  In places that have to deal with tourists and expats, knowing how to say simple things like please and thank you in their language goes a long way with the locals.