DD,16, Going To UK...New Questions pg 3 #38

[ugadog99]

My younger dd has the amazing opportunity to travel with her drama group to The Fringe Festival in Edinburgh, Scotland. The group leaves on August 3 and will return August 16. She has never flown before and has never been outside of the country. She does have her passport, and I have opened a joint account so she can access money. Our director has really not given us too much information. (I think it's a male, artist thingy...you know) I'm sure he will let us know more, but I would rather be prepared and not have to head out the day before they leave to get things. I know her cell phone won't work over there. He has really discouraged the cell thing anyway for any purpose other than an alarm clock. He said that last year he was able to purchase calling cards and they worked fine. Only one student will be carrying a laptop and we all have Skype accounts, so they will be able to use that, too. They will leave Atlanta at night, fly all night, and then begin touring when they touch down in London. They only have one day/night in London and then it's on to Edinburgh. In London they are in a hotel, but in Edinburgh they will be in dorms. The director also said that last year many people were having trouble accessing their cash with a debit card, but that an old fashioned ATM card was working fine. With her account, we requested the ATM card for now. I am thinking she will need to carry some cash (US dollars) and then will need to access an ATM for money once arriving in Scotland. I know I'm missing so much, though. What about electricity/converters, etc? I need tons of advice and suggestions. I haven't flown since way before 9/11, so I don't know those restrictions, either. I do know he is allowing them one suitcase to be checked and wants their carryon to be a backpack. Given their schedule, it seems she would need to carry some items to freshen up a bit after the long flight since they will begin touring immediately. Ok...I know this is long...but I'm open to all ideas!!

 

[daughter_of_amid_chaos]

In England the ATM machines only take money out of checking accounts so if her ATM card is connected to a savings account she will have trouble getting out money.

Make sure she has American cash on her for traveling.

I got stuck in Atlanta airport on my way back from London spending 17 hours there including sleeping on the terminal floor. Always be prepared with a change of clothes, toothbrush, etc.

 

[Gigi22]

Your daughter should have some British pounds as well as some US dollars. Otherwise she will have to exchange her money there.

 

[Kath2003]

My younger dd has the amazing opportunity to travel with her drama group to The Fringe Festival in Edinburgh, Scotland. The group leaves on August 3 and will return August 16. She has never flown before and has never been outside of the country. She does have her passport, and I have opened a joint account so she can access money. Our director has really not given us too much information. (I think it's a male, artist thingy...you know) I'm sure he will let us know more, but I would rather be prepared and not have to head out the day before they leave to get things. I know her cell phone won't work over there. He has really discouraged the cell thing anyway for any purpose other than an alarm clock. He said that last year he was able to purchase calling cards and they worked fine. Only one student will be carrying a laptop and we all have Skype accounts, so they will be able to use that, too. They will leave Atlanta at night, fly all night, and then begin touring when they touch down in London. They only have one day/night in London and then it's on to Edinburgh. In London they are in a hotel, but in Edinburgh they will be in dorms. The director also said that last year many people were having trouble accessing their cash with a debit card, but that an old fashioned ATM card was working fine. With her account, we requested the ATM card for now. I am thinking she will need to carry some cash (US dollars) and then will need to access an ATM for money once arriving in Scotland. I know I'm missing so much, though. What about electricity/converters, etc? I need tons of advice and suggestions. I haven't flown since way before 9/11, so I don't know those restrictions, either. I do know he is allowing them one suitcase to be checked and wants their carryon to be a backpack. Given their schedule, it seems she would need to carry some items to freshen up a bit after the long flight since they will begin touring immediately. Ok...I know this is long...but I'm open to all ideas!!

She WILL need UK currency in London. You need to send her with some cash, not wait for her to find an ATM 36 hours after landing.

You will need a UK converter; what electrical items is she planning on taking? I can't imagine she'll need much.

She should carry a change of clothes, of course. Always carry at least 24-hours worth of clothes when travelling.

The restrictions are no sharp objects and no liquids over 3 oz in hand luggage. Liquids 3oz or less need to be in a zip-lock baggie of no bigger than quart size. She needs to be prepared to get this out at security separate from her bag, take off all coats, jackets and shoes and scan them all.

At Heathrow, they randomly frisk and search half of transatlantic passengers at the gate. I have never experienced this in the UK. She needs to be patient if this happens to her.

NO perishables (fruit, veg, meat, dairy etc.) into the UK!

If she's in dorms, I'd be sure not to take anything valuable.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Ah since my dd went to China the other day and we could not get Chinese money last minute here in St. Louis, plan to get her some foreign currency ahead of time, if you can.

Start on that first because you may be able to do it. Some banks we checked into would have done it if we were a member and it had to be ordered in early. Worth looking into away.

We sent my dd off with cash and travelers checks & a credit card. I imagine she figured out how to exchange her currency by now. She is 19 though & hopefully can figure things out by now.

We are telling her to get a Trac Phone or something local. The cell phone cost is a killer. If a calling card works for your dd, I would go with that.

Right now my dd is in a dorm in Beijing.

We bought a converter thing at WalMart by the luggage section. Not sure if it came in handy. Today is her first full day there so I don't know too much.

 

[ugadog99]

Her ATM card is tied to a checking account, so we are good on that. Now, please don't laugh at me, but how do I go about getting pounds here? See, this is the stuff I need to know. I feel like such an idiot.

She will be carrying her hairdryer, straightener (no idea why on that one?), her ipod, and probably her DS for something to do on the plane, and her camera with the battery that has to be charged. I think that's it for electric things.

 

[Kath2003]

Her ATM card is tied to a checking account, so we are good on that. Now, please don't laugh at me, but how do I go about getting pounds here? See, this is the stuff I need to know. I feel like such an idiot.

I assume you go to any bank. Get some coins - vending machines here DO NOT TAKE NOTES. Also £50 notes are viewed suspiciously, so stick to £10 and £20 notes. You may also have to pay to pee in the big cities - most major train stations ask for 30p to allow you to access the bathrooms. There are lots of free bathrooms but when touring she may not have the time to find them.

She will be carrying her hairdryer, straightener (no idea why on that one?), her ipod, and probably her DS for something to do on the plane, and her camera with the battery that has to be charged. I think that's it for electric things.

Her hair straighteners probably won't work here, on the 240V. That is certainly the experience of many foreign visitors here. Hairdriers may work, if they are dual-voltage, otherwise some of them short out.

 

[starrzone]

She will be carrying her hairdryer, straightener (no idea why on that one?), her ipod, and probably her DS for something to do on the plane, and her camera with the battery that has to be charged. I think that's it for electric things.

I second Kath with the hairdryer and shorting out; mine caught fire (nothing major, it was caused by a short and I unplugged the dryer and put the fire out VERY quickly!) the very first time I used it in Germany. Make sure she has an adapter and a converter when she uses her hairdryer and any other appliances.

 

[whatcateydid]

I assume you go to any bank. Get some coins - vending machines here DO NOT TAKE NOTES.

Don't worry if you can't get coins from your bank or travel agent though. I recently bought dollars for my trip to Florida in August and the travel agent I bought them from (travel agents are another idea for where you can exchange currency!) will not convert to or from coins. If she desperately needs coins there will no doubt be a few shops in the airport where she can buy something small and get change from a note.

Also, if your daughter has a tri band or quad band phone it should work in the UK. The call charges will be extortionate though.

 

[daughter_of_amid_chaos]

It is typically cheaper to get money once you land. When I traveled with school, the professors took time for us to exchange money or stop at ATM at the airport.

 

[ugadog99]

I hate to break the straightener news to her! I think our hairdryer has a switch to convert it, but I'm going to check when I head upstairs. I will definitely ask the director if they will be planning a stop to convert to pounds once they land. (That makes a lot of sense to me.) I'm really starting to feel the crunch as the time approaches now. It's been so long in the planning that it is weird that the time is almost here! Keep your advice coming, please!

 

[whatcateydid]

I'd also recommend checking with your bank about the charges you'd incur for using an ATM abroad. My bank charges £1 per transaction, plus 2.99% of the amount of the transaction. They also give me an exchange rate which is considerably worse than I'd get from a travel agent. I'm not sure if banks in the US are different though.

The Fringe is amazing, though. Your daughter will have a brilliant time.

 

[NewDCLGuy]

Probably not what you want to hear - but relax. You aren't going to the UK. She is. Get a UK travel guide from you local library or bookstore and give it to her. All the practical issues you are questioning will be covered.

SHE will figure most stuff out. And if she hits a few hiccups along the way, it's "educational." It's the UK, not Uganda. What's the worst that can happen from a lack of travel knowledge? And, yes , I realize that a non-functioning hair straightner can seem like the end of the world to a 16-year old. Learning that it isn't is part of the education.

But to answer a few of your specific questions - I find it easiest to just use an airport ATM to get currency, and a quick purchase to get change.

You need cheap plug adaptorts. Don't bother with voltage adaptors! Only bring electronics that are built to take up to 240v. Most are, check.

As I said, this and much more is covered in any decent guide book - get her started reading.

 

[Northstar]

You can buy foreign currency online for delivery to your home from Wells Fargo. (I haven't done this myself since I'm in Canada and use different methods for getting small quantities of foreign currencies for travel). Here's the link:

https://www.wellsfargo.com/foreignexchange/

They're kind of pricey, though, for the convenience, so you should check with your bank and also with travel agents and AAA if you're a member. They might sell you a bit of cash for a better rate.

Accept that however you get your hands on foreign currency, you're going to pay a fee, and you won't get the bank-to-bank rate for buying it... that's for the big currency dealers, not the likes of you and me trying to get a little cash for our vacation!

The ATM route has worked best for me for years, ever since all the credit cards started charging a currency conversion fee. But you can't necessarily locate an ATM in the airport right away, especially if you're travelling with a group on a schedule, so I agree that it's best to go with a little cash.

By the way, another reason you always lose on the currency exchange is that, if you use an ATM for the best rate, you can never figure out exactly how much money you're going to need. So you either end up short, or you end up with foreign currency stuck in a drawer at home waiting for your next trip!

 

[Kath2003]

I hate to break the straightener news to her! I think our hairdryer has a switch to convert it, but I'm going to check when I head upstairs. I will definitely ask the director if they will be planning a stop to convert to pounds once they land. (That makes a lot of sense to me.) I'm really starting to feel the crunch as the time approaches now. It's been so long in the planning that it is weird that the time is almost here! Keep your advice coming, please!

There are no plug sockets in bathrooms in the UK. She should be prepared to dry her hair in the dorm - assuming there are mirrors.

I assume you have considered the weather in your packing!

 

[ugadog99]

But to answer a few of your specific questions - I find it easiest to just use an airport ATM to get currency, and a quick purchase to get change.

This makes a lot of sense. The money has been my biggest concern. I don't care if her hair is straight, curly, dry, or wet. That's one of our major arguments here. I'm thrilled to have 13 days of no hair drama!

We are keeping up with the weather. It is certainly going to be very different than here in Georgia. We need to pull out some of her more cooler weather clothes and pajamas. She has an umbrella, so that should handle the rain.


Trying to figure out how much money to send with her is a big deal. The package with AHSTF provides two meals a day. The third she is responsible for purchasing. All of her touring/shows/etc have been paid for. The rest is for incidentals (calling cards, laundry, etc) and souvenir money. She can, like most 16 year old girls, blow through a wad of money in a short time.

 

[peanut1967]

In England the ATM machines only take money out of checking accounts so if her ATM card is connected to a savings account she will have trouble getting out money.

Make sure she has American cash on her for traveling.

I got stuck in Atlanta airport on my way back from London spending 17 hours there including sleeping on the terminal floor. Always be prepared with a change of clothes, toothbrush, etc.

Hi
not just chequeing accounts but also savings accounts.
I have one for both and live in the UK.

The other thing to remember is unlike in the USA were you sign a payment slip wherever you go, you will be asked to punch in your pin number so make sure she knows her pin number to the card she is taking.
Angie

 

[Kath2003]

This makes a lot of sense. The money has been my biggest concern. I don't care if her hair is straight, curly, dry, or wet. That's one of our major arguments here. I'm thrilled to have 13 days of no hair drama!

We are keeping up with the weather. It is certainly going to be very different than here in Georgia. We need to pull out some of her more cooler weather clothes and pajamas. She has an umbrella, so that should handle the rain.

Trying to figure out how much money to send with her is a big deal. The package with AHSTF provides two meals a day. The third she is responsible for purchasing. All of her touring/shows/etc have been paid for. The rest is for incidentals (calling cards, laundry, etc) and souvenir money. She can, like most 16 year old girls, blow through a wad of money in a short time.

The minimum I would send per day is £5 for lunch. Realistically she could well spend more than that. A coffee at Starbucks will set her back at least £2.

I'd recommend a good waterproof jacket over an umbrella - it can get windy too and then an umbrella is utterly redundant. Plus your hands are free in a waterproof jacket.

 

[lila]

I wouldn't stress about this, personally. I travel internationally all the time for business and holiday and have done so since college on my own. This will be a great experience for her.

I *never* get in cash in advance - I was in China and Hong Kong last week and just waltzed up to the ATM on arrival, which is what I typically do. I do try to carry a couple hundred US dollars in case I need to change money, but have only had to do that a handful of times. I would make sure she has an ATM linked to a checking account (I carry 2 from 2 seperate banks) and a couple of credit cards (usually I carry a Capital One Visa card as there is no foreign service fees as well as a Mastercard and my corporate Amex. Some places will only take one type of card).

Candidly, I wouldn't bring a hair dryer or straightner, although I use both in the US as well. I have seen too many devices fried despite converters. I doubt she will want to leave them behind, but if she is going to be there a couple of weeks, an alternative is she buy an inexpensive hair dryer over there on arrival and use that.

Anyway, what I would recommend you do is buy her a travel guide and both of you read the intro planning section. I would get something geared towards a budget traveler, like Let's Go or Rough Guide.

Personally, I do think it's unacceptable you don't have an itinerary and packing list from the director of the trip. You are 2 weeks out!

And I second Kath's statement above - make sure she brings some warm clothes and a raincoat. The UK has tricked me in the summer more than once. ETA - I would suggest a rain coat with a hood over an umbrella).

 

[ugadog99]

Waterproof jacket=great idea! Now...to find one that is acceptable in her fashion rules!

Someone asked about the fee to use the ATM, I think. Her account is with BOA which has an agreement/sister bank/something with Barclays. Apparently, using her card at a Barclays will not incur the fee. Now, if there isn't a Barclays around, there will be a fee. The account is a joint account, so I will be able to access it daily to keep up with what is going on.

I hadn't thought about the traveler's checks. That might be a good idea for some back up emergency funds just in case there is an ATM issue.