I might go to Europe - Page 5 - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

OffsideSpecialist · 08-06-2013, 11:57 AM

So...this is happening tomorrow I guess.

What can I expect at customs screening, and airport security screening?

valo403 · 08-06-2013, 12:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OffsideSpecialist

So...this is happening tomorrow I guess.

What can I expect at customs screening, and airport security screening?

Airport security screening is airport security screening, no difference for a European flight.

I haven't been through European customs for a couple of years but I never found it to be much different. A couple of questions, look at your passport, stamp and off you go.

Table 5 · 08-06-2013, 12:15 PM

Just got back from a month of Europe myself. 6 countries, 2500kms driven... all with a 7 month old. Funnily enough, she has now been in more countries (8) than months since birth.

I love that place...can't wait to go back! The only downside is now I have to slog through 4400 photos.

OffsideSpecialist · 08-06-2013, 12:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by valo403

Airport security screening is airport security screening, no difference for a European flight.

I haven't been on a flight since 2000 (to Calgary incidentally). And I was 8 so I don't recall it haha.

Table 5 · 08-06-2013, 12:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by valo403

Airport security screening is airport security screening, no difference for a European flight.

The only real difference Ive noticed is that in some countries, you don't have to take your shoes off at security, so don't do it automatically. Typically happens more in the southern (ie, Italian) airports.

DownhillGoat · 08-06-2013, 12:25 PM

Re: airport security:

Unlike here, European airports consider iPads/tablets/e-readers as laptops. So take them out of your bag and case. A very un-amused security agent with an MP5 informed me of this little difference.

bigtmac19 · 08-06-2013, 01:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OffsideSpecialist

So...this is happening tomorrow I guess.

What can I expect at customs screening, and airport security screening?

Was pretty quick and easy in my experience last year. Both in the airport in Paris, London and the train station in Paris.

Have fun, I envy you.

I absolutely loved Europe, wish I could go every year.

_Q_ · 08-06-2013, 01:30 PM

Airport security is pretty much the same in Europe as it is here.

Customs, however, is a breeze. Most airports in Europe, it goes something like this "Anything to claim? No? OK, have a nice stay... NEXT!"

In Amsterdam actually, if you have nothing to claim, you just walk to the "Nothing to claim" line and proceed to walk right through without having to talk to anyone.

OffsideSpecialist · 08-06-2013, 01:31 PM

I also have to go through American customs each way as I have a stop in Philadelphia. I am kind of dreading that, but at least I believe I can pre-clear in Toronto on the way there which should make things a little easier

undercoverbrother · 08-06-2013, 02:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OffsideSpecialist

I also have to go through American customs each way as I have a stop in Philadelphia. I am kind of dreading that, but at least I believe I can pre-clear in Toronto on the way there which should make things a little easier

It was a #### hole airport when i was there 5 yrs ago.

I don't think you have to do US customs in Philly. IIRC, you do us customs in Toronto when you fly out.

valo403 · 08-06-2013, 02:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by _Q_

Airport security is pretty much the same in Europe as it is here.

Customs, however, is a breeze. Most airports in Europe, it goes something like this "Anything to claim? No? OK, have a nice stay... NEXT!"

In Amsterdam actually, if you have nothing to claim, you just walk to the "Nothing to claim" line and proceed to walk right through without having to talk to anyone.

Do they separate customs from immigration? You'd certainly have to go through some sort of immigration process if arriving from outside of the EU.

polak · 08-06-2013, 02:51 PM

The only thing that pissed me off in European airports is when you're leaving the EU and there always seemed to be one customs agent per 200 travelers.

DownhillGoat · 08-06-2013, 02:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by undercoverbrother

I don't think you have to do US customs in Philly. IIRC, you do us customs in Toronto when you fly out.

He'll have to use it in Philly flying back...

_Q_ · 08-06-2013, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by valo403

Do they separate customs from immigration? You'd certainly have to go through some sort of immigration process if arriving from outside of the EU.

Yes, oddly enough it's separate. I don't remember in which order it was precisely, but I believe after immigration there were two doors. One that was green and said "nothing to claim" through which you walk out and that's that. The other one was red in which you go if you want to claim something.

Edit: found this on the AMS website

Quote:

Passport control can be reached by following the signs to the "Baggage hall" and “Arrivals hall" (if applicable). After passport control you will proceed to the baggage belts in the baggage hall located on the ground floor. Once you have retrieved your bags you will pass through customs, where a security check will be carried out. Passengers having nothing to declare can proceed to the arrivals hall through the green passageway. There are several catering establishments located here, as well as the main exit and the train station

http://www.schiphol.nl/Travellers/At...ponArrival.htm

MissAvery16 · 08-06-2013, 07:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OffsideSpecialist

So...this is happening tomorrow I guess.

What can I expect at customs screening, and airport security screening?

I'm on the morning flight through Chicago than too London!

NBC · 08-07-2013, 02:59 AM

Funny thing with most of the EU airports that I've been through is that both the red and green customs exits lead to the same area. I've only once witnessed a customs official checking the baggage of a passenger and it appeared to be a random check.

icarus · 08-07-2013, 04:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NBC

Funny thing with most of the EU airports that I've been through is that both the red and green customs exits lead to the same area. I've only once witnessed a customs official checking the baggage of a passenger and it appeared to be a random check.

There are three exits: Nothing to Declare (green), Arrivals from the EU (blue), and Items to Declare (red). They all lead to the same place, except the red exit might have someone in there waiting. Usually the other exits have no one around.

OffsideSpecialist · 09-26-2013, 09:34 PM

I've been back for about a month now and figure I should thank you all for your great suggestions (should have sooner, but it slipped my mind). I had the time of my life.

I spent time in Munich, Vienna, Budapest, Bratislava, Cesky Krumlov, Prague and Berlin. Also went for day trips to Fussen, Salzburg, Wachau Valley and stopped in Ceske Budejovice for some real Budweiser.

Unfortunately, I was sick for most of my time in Berlin, so I didn't get to experience the world's best night life too much. Night one I attempted to go out, but was with another guy and they wouldn't let us in anywhere (I guess they are notorious for doing that).

Budapest was definitely my favourite city, and it and Berlin are the two cities I want to go back to sooner rather than later. I didn't care for Bratislava at all, it probably would have been okay as a day trip from Vienna. Krakow seemed to be immensely popular among other young travelers, so if I had a do-over I think I would have gone to Krakow rather than Bratislava and Cesky Krumlov. Despite that, I still had one hell of a trip, and once I graduate next December I am looking forward to a trip to SE Asia, hopefully.