| If it's your first time on an international flight to | | | | will be signage in English directing you to your |
| Asia, things may be a little confusing. Your trip will | | | | destination. Be aware though that not all staff |
| require a lot more planning than the short flight | | | | speak English, but if you ask around, you should |
| you took to visit Uncle Joe in Peoria last year. | | | | have no problem finding a staff member who can |
| Here's a few tips for making that long trip go a | | | | understand you. Announcements about flights are |
| little more smoothly. | | | | usually made in multiple languages, but the |
| 1. Make sure your ticket has the same name as | | | | announcer may have a heavy accent and may be |
| your ID and passport. If your passport says | | | | hard to understand-so make sure you have also |
| "Daniel" for example, don't book your ticket under | | | | checked the flight board to make sure you know |
| "Dan." And if your passport has your maiden | | | | when your plane is leaving. |
| name, book your ticket the same way. | | | | 7. Review your airport transportation options. |
| 2. Get to the airport on time. Plan to get to your | | | | When you arrive in a foreign country, finding your |
| departing airport at least two hours before your | | | | way from the airport to your hotel may be a |
| flight leaves. Remember too that airport traffic | | | | challenge, especially if you are unable to read the |
| can be very congested, and it may take you | | | | signs. Your hotel may have a shuttle; alternately, |
| longer to even get to the airport than you | | | | there is probably a taxi stand at the airport. Be |
| anticipated. Confirm that your flight is still on | | | | sure to take a taxi directly from the official taxi |
| schedule before you leave your home. | | | | queue. In some airports, you may find rogue taxi |
| 3. The comfort factor. You will be sitting in a small | | | | drivers circulating the airport perimeter. These |
| seat in close quarters for hours on end. Chicago | | | | taxis don't use the taxi stand for a reason-they |
| to Tokyo for example, might be a 12 hour flight. | | | | may be trying to rip you off. They may not have |
| Sitting that long in a small seat is going to be | | | | a meter, or they may even have more sinister |
| more uncomfortable than you ever imagined | | | | motives in mind. |
| (unless you're lucky enough to be flying first-class). | | | | 8. Get some local money, in small denominations. |
| Even under the best conditions, it's hard to sleep, | | | | Major Asian airports will have money exchange |
| it's not very comfortable, and your legs may | | | | booths, some of which are open 24 hours. Some |
| cramp. It's important to keep your circulation | | | | airports, such as Tokyo's Narita, even have an |
| flowing to your legs by getting up every now and | | | | automated machine for exchanging currency. As |
| then just to stretch or walk down the aisle. You | | | | soon as you get through customs, before you |
| can even do a little exercise right in your seat if | | | | leave the airport, avail yourself of this service, |
| the aisle's blocked-just move your legs around a | | | | even if you think you can get a better rate |
| bit at your seat, cross and un-cross your legs, | | | | elsewhere. You will need local currency as soon as |
| and stretch them in and out. Removing your | | | | you walk outside of the airport. Greenbacks, |
| shoes will also increase your comfort factor-but | | | | Loons, Euros, or Pounds won't do you any good if |
| make sure you have clean socks when you do! | | | | you want something to eat or need a ride. Make |
| 4. How many suitcases? The rules are tighter, and | | | | sure to get small denominations, as taxi drivers |
| not all airlines are the same. Don't assume you | | | | and food stall operators are unlikely to carry |
| can bring two big suitcases to check in and two | | | | much change-and if all you have are thousand |
| more to carry on. Many international airlines now | | | | baht notes in your pocket, you may be stuck |
| only allow you one large and one small check-in, | | | | giving your driver a much larger tip than you |
| one carry-on and one handbag or laptop, so check | | | | intended. |
| the allowed dimensions ahead of time before | | | | 9. Getting to your hotel. Once you leave the |
| packing. | | | | airport, finding people that speak English may be a |
| 5. What to pack? Don't overdo it. Basic items like | | | | little more difficult. Check the web site of your |
| razors, shaving cream, toothpaste or shampoo | | | | hotel-it will probably have directions and a map |
| are available there, too. If you have children with | | | | written both in English and in the native language. |
| you, a few comfort foods from back home will | | | | Print out a copy of this, so you can show it to |
| go a long way. Take into account the local | | | | your driver. Airport drivers, even if they don't |
| weather-if you're leaving from Minnesota in | | | | speak English, are usually familiar with most of the |
| January and landing in Kuala Lampur, bring some | | | | major tourist hotels. |
| light clothes and sandals with you, it's going to be | | | | 10. Don't have a tight schedule. If you're planning |
| hot. And of course, be aware of the restrictions | | | | on getting to a meeting an hour after you land, |
| regarding sharp objects and liquids. | | | | forget about it. Plan on at least two hours to get |
| 6. Connecting flight confusion. You may need to | | | | your bags and go through immigration. Also keep |
| connect to another flight in a strange airport in a | | | | in mind that large airports tend to be quite some |
| country you've never been to before. Typically, | | | | distance from the center of town, and your taxi |
| these connecting flights are in a major hub, such | | | | ride to your final destination may easily consume |
| as Bangkok, Tokyo, or Seoul, all of which have | | | | another hour's worth of time. |
| very large and busy airports. Rest assured, there | | | | |