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Local bumpkin needs overseas travel advice.
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Anonymous
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Hi all.
We're a pretty cosmopolitan bunch here, so I figured someone would have some insight. I'm traveling to Austria with my 6 y.o. this summer for a wedding, and I'm wondering about a couple of things. Ds is on the big end for a 6 y.o., but we use a booster. Would you advise I bring it? Does anyone have any idea what the law is in AT re: kids and car travel, or where I could check? Also, it's a 14 hour flight. We leave in the evening and arrive at the crack of dawn the next day. Any advice for dealing with the impending jet lag we'll both be experiencing? It's just my son and myself doing the travelling. Any other words of wisdom would be appreciated. FWIW, we don't speak German. We've been cramming for functional travel phrases. |
Anonymous
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The State Departments website has some good country-specific information. May not answer all your questions but a good place to start.
http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_965.html#country |
Anonymous
| 14 hours sounds like too long a flight from DC to Austria, especially if it's non-stop. Usually flights to Europe from the East Coast are in the 6-8 hour range. (At first I thought you meant Australia, but you also mention speaking German so that can't be it). |
Anonymous
| You probably have a long layover somewhere. I don't know what the car seat restrictions are in Austria, but I wouldn't bring it with me on th eplane. He would be fine strapeed in his own seat. As for the jet lag, I have no help for you and we will be going thru the same thing in a couple months. I am going to plan on adjusting her sleep so she is up later at night and getting up later in the morning to help acclimize to the local town of the country we are visiting. |
Anonymous
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Boy, unless they've really slowed those planes down, its not a 14 hour flight. The flight itself is probably only 7-8 hours... the rest is the time change.
I have found that going over is not so bad, because hopefully your kid will sleep on the plane... Just think of it as a short night's sleep. To help him, don't give him lots of sugar, juice, or soda on the plane. When you arrive, you'll both be wiped out. Do you level best to gut through as much of the first day as you can. If you need a nap (and your child probably will), try to limit it to an hour or and hour and a half,... stay up as late as you can (shoot for 8? or 9?). If you can manage that... the rest of your trip will be much better. |
Anonymous
OP hhere. It's entirely possible that I did the math completely wrong. 14 hours seemed like a long time to me, too. |
Anonymous
| And thanks, all! |
Anonymous
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I went to Austria a few years ago with husband and we don't speak a lick of German. We were totally fine. Just learn please and thank you.
One guidebook I recommend for western europe is Rick Steves. He has really good recommendations, especially for restaurants. You can check his website too. I checked out his book from the library, so I didn't even have to pay for it--we brought it with us, consulted it, and then left it in the hotel room so we didn't look like complete tourists. Get the latest version you can though (2007 or 08) because places get popular because he recommends them. Two other main things --one, Europeans in general don't wear shorts when they're trying to look sophisticated at all. To me it was a dead giveaway that someone was a teenager or American when we were walking around. Get some lightweight skirts and you will feel more dressed up but comfortable. And wear and dress what you would wear when walking around downtown DC and going to the smithsonian.--ie. a purse, not a fanny pack and a camera around your neck! PS Get a chocolate croissant for breakfast. These are all over Europe and I love them!!!!!!! |
Anonymous
| just point to one and say, ein, bitte (one, please) or something like that. |
Anonymous
| On a trip to Vienna a few years ago, I had a hard time finding anyone who would let me speak German. Most people switched to English as soon as they recognized my accent. I *think* they were trying to be hospitable, since I'm pretty sure my grammar is decent. |
Anonymous
You may not have factored in the time difference. |
Anonymous
| Another thing... I'll agree with the shorts comment. After living in Europe for a few years, I have a hard time respecting adults in shorts. |
Anonymous
| It should say on your e-ticket or itinerary how long the flight is. It's probably 14 hours less 6 hour time difference = 8 hours |
Anonymous
If you are just going for a long weekend to attend the wedding then I suggest staying on US time. You both will be wide awake at the party if it is at night 
If you stay longer, do what an above poster said: adjust to the local time asap. Good luck and enjoy the mountains! P.S. Some German for you: Bitte (please) Danke (Thank you) and Guten Tag (Good day). |
Anonymous
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Hi - I travel to Austria often when I go home (I am European) - the direct flight is 9 hours there, 10 hours on the way back. It is long but since your son is already 6 yo, he can watch movies, etc. About the jet lag - you will have truble falling asleep in the evening since you will be 6 hours ahead of your bio time - the first day is usually OK, since youare tired from the travel, the next day is a hassle. I usually bring some DVDs to play on lap top in bed for my kids if they wake up at 2 am and do not want to go back to sleep. It usually settles after a few days but you may be heading back by that time.
Do not worry about shorts! It will be hot, so wear whatever you like - Europeans do wear shorts, especially young people (for yourself, skirt may be more comfy), and dont worry about backpack. I used to wear backpack all the time haulling around my stuff to work, gym, etc, in Vienna and elsewhere and it is totally fine. Just take it easy and you will enjoy! |