Country Calling Codes

When making an international phone call, it is necessary to use an exit code and country code before the number you are calling.  

The country code TO the US is 1, but if you have family calling you FROM the U.S. to any of our destination countries, they must insert a different country code in front of the phone number or the hotel phone number: Germany – 49, Czech Republic – 420, Poland – 48, Hungary – 36. 

Below is an easy table to use including the exit code and country code for calls in both directions.  Be sure to share it with family.

From US to Germany – 011 + 49 + (number)

From US to Czech Republic – 011 + 420 + (number)

From US to Poland – 011 + 48 +  (number)

From US to Hungary – 011 + 36 + (number)

From any country to US – 00 + 1 + (number)

Our tour director says that if a family member wishes to reach you on your cell phone, they do not need to dial the country code though, just your cell mobile number. They then get automatically forwarded to the roaming service and the receiver pays the charge.

Dialing the country code is necessary when someone from the U.S. calls a local number in that country, e.g. the hotel room.

However, please remember that extensive use of your cell phone overseas could result in excessively large phone bills when you return from roaming data charges.  See the blog post on Tips for Saving $ on International Phone Usage.

An easy way to save money on phone calls is to use the ekit phonecard for travelers provided by EF.  You get up to 5 minutes free talk time with the card you received.  If you like, you can recharge the card before you go for more minutes and receive a $5 bonus.  Please see the details on the card.  I have used one before and it is easy to use with the directions right on the card.

Another way to keep in touch would be email and Skype, especially with the use of free wifi.

Tips for Saving $ on International Phone Usage

If you are like me, you don’t go many places without your phone, and I expect most of you are planning to take yours on our trip.  However, there are some precautionary measures you should also take to avoid a surprisingly high phone bill when you return home.  I’ve heard horror stories of travelers who rack up bills over $1,000!

Each phone company has its own guidelines, and you should always contact yours to get accurate information for your phone and your company’s billing procedures.  You will want to follow those procedures to keep data charges in check.  Most companies offer international data plans.

The same tips could apply to laptops and tablets if using apps that use a lot of data.  Turning data roaming off while traveling internationally blocks email, browsing, visual voicemail, and downloads, but it will not block text messages.  Roaming is when you are accessing a wireless carrier other than your own.

By default, the international data roaming function is turned off, but be sure to check your settings before traveling abroad.  International roaming rates apply when you send text, photo, or video messages.  In no time, you can rack up an expensive phone bill.

Some tips:

1.       Contact your phone company before departure.  Don’t assume you will have service.

2.      Turn on airplane mode to disable the wireless features.

3.      Take advantage of free wifi anywhere we have it.  Search the internet and send email and texts when it is free.

4.      Avoid uploading photos unless you have free wifi.

5.      Make sure your charger will work in all 4 countries and have a voltage converter and correct plug.

6.      There are some great travel apps but using them could incur expensive roaming fees.

7.      If there is information from the internet that you think you might want to access (currency rates, sightseeing info, maps) simply copy and paste them to the notes feature of your phone which does not use data when accessed.

I will take my phone but I don’t plan to use it except for emergencies and will buy a minimum data international plan for those emergency calls.

I recommend the following sites to learn more about using iPhones and other technical devices economically on international trips.

AT&T International Travel Tips

Avoiding International Charges While Traveling Internationally with an iPhone

International iPhone Travel Tips

Using Your ATT 3GS, 4, and 4S During International Travel Without Breaking the Bank

10 Tips for Saving on Roaming Charges While Overseas

World Time Zones

World Time Zones

The time in all four of our major destinations is 7 hours ahead of Central Standard Time.  The World Clock is a fantastic web site that allows you to insert a city name and get all kinds of important information we need to know for the trip.  In addition to the current time, it also shows weather forecasts and current temperature, phone dialing codes, airports and codes, as well as other information.

Begin by typing Berlin for the city.  From the Berlin page, scroll to the bottom click on “Make a Personal World Clock and include Berlin.”  Here type in Prague and click Go.  Scroll down and at the bottom click “Add Prague to Your Personal World Clock.” 

Do the same with Krakow and Budapest.  You can see the time is the same in all 4 cities and you can add this page to your favorites to periodically check the weather as well as the time.  Looks like the daytime weather at our destinations is currently in the 70’s and 80’s. 

You can use my personal clock if you are in my time zone.  Just click on the city name links to see the full information.  I am including the directions as some of you are not in my time zone. 

Also you might like to compare time using this Time Zone Map or this Time Zone Converter.

Packing for Our Trip

Rule #1 (Actually it's the ONLY packing rule!) – Pack light! You can have one checked bag and two carry-on bags, but I don’t recommend large suitcases because you have to porter your own luggage. You should plan on one average size suitcase (rolling is your best bet) and a backpack or under the airplane seat size bag. I do not plan to check my bag but use the smaller size and carry on both bags. Your call.

BAGGAGE:

--Dallas travelers on Lufthansa may carry on one bag maximum size 22” x 15” x 9” and also carry on a personal bag maximum size 12” x 15” x 4”, such as a woman’s handbag, laptop case or shoulder bag.  Any electrical appliances such as in iPod, iPad, laptop, CD player and/or phone must be in one of the carry-on bags.  (EF backpacks are acceptable.)

--for detailed carry-on baggage information on Lufthansa, click here.

--Lufthansa allows for one free checked bag in economy class with maximum 50 pounds and 62 inches (length+width+height).

--for detailed checked baggage information on Lufthansa, click here.

--St. Louis travelers on United may carry on one bag maximum size 14” x 9” x 22” and also carry on one personal item such as a shoulder bag, backpack, or laptop bag.

--for detailed carry-on baggage information on United, click here.

--looks like the United travelers will have a $25 checked baggage fee for each leg of the flight.  You will need to be prepared to pay that at your initial airport when you first check your bag with maximum size of 62” (length + width + height) and 50 pounds.  This can be avoided if you carry on two bags as detailed above. (Note: This is based on looking at United’s web site.  If I’m wrong I will let you know.)

--for detailed checked baggage information on United, click here.

--consider packing a day bag in your luggage, something a bit smaller to carry just the essentials you need for the day (camera, water, itinerary, notes, tissues, etc.)  You won’t want to carry a backpack full of all your toiletries and extra items around all day.

PACKING TIPS:

Roll clothes to save space

--roll clothes to prevent wrinkles and save space or put a day’s set of clothes in 2-1/2 gallon Ziploc bags.

--consider wearing slacks twice with different shirts each day to save space.
--put toiletries, camera, and a change of clothes in your carry on…going and coming.
--pack extra camera batteries and memory cards.
--prescriptions need to be in original bottles. Ask your pharmacy if they can provide you with smaller bottles with labels.
--will need an electric voltage converter and a plug adaptor for the countries we are visiting as European electrical outlets are different from US. They are 220v instead of 110v. I recommend getting a universal adapter and converter kit available at Walmart or Target. View more information about electrical standards around the world.
--pack some extra garbage bags for dirty or wet clothes. Pack extra different sizes of Ziploc bags for a variety of reasons.
--pack easy traveling snacks (not ones that crumble or melt). Sometimes dinner or lunch is late depending on the schedule.

--consider collapsible refillable water bottles.
--put a copy of your passport in your bag and keep your actual passport inside your clothes in a neck or waist pouch. Also keep the majority of your money in this same safe place. Just take out the daily amount of cash. Also watch out for pickpockets!  Also leave a copy of your passport at home.
--make sure that any day visiting a religious site that shoulders and knees should be covered (if you’re in shorts, wrap a shawl around your waist or slip on wind pants)

3-1-1 rule

--toiletries should be packed 3-1-1….gels, aerosols, liquids in containers of no more than 3.4 ounces in only one bag that is no larger than one quart. Try to get as many in travel size as possible. This bag will need to be out and go through the security scan outside your luggage. Too many toiletries or health and beauty aids in too large sizes is the number one way to take up a lot of space in luggage.
--wear comfortable shoes!! Don’t bring new ones you haven’t broken in. Bring a spare pair in case a strap breaks or they get wet. I like Teva brand, and I've bought them on clearance racks, Ross at a discount, and on Amazon.
--pack a journal and write, write, write. Remember the fun!
--weather is expected to be in the low 50s to high 70s so you need to bring a light jacket.

--always carry an umbrella or a rain jacket.

--prepare for both kinds of weather and bring sunscreen also.
--avoid packing valuable jewelry. Less is more.
--pack a travel alarm. There are wake up calls, but sometimes they don’t always go through.

--wear a watch or use a phone clock to make sure you are where you need to be on time.
--share some things with roomies (i.e. hair dryer, curling irons, etc.) and save space.
--wear your most bulky shoes and pack the lighter ones.
--It’s an overnight flight so try to get sleep. A neck pillow really helps! There are inflatable ones that save space in luggage and those comfy, cushy ones that I just drape on the outside of my luggage handle and don't pack.
--throw in a fabric softener sheet to keep your suitcase fresh.
--pack a flat duffel or backpack that you could use as a second carry on to hold souvenirs on the return flight if you check your larger bag.
--always have some tissue in your pocket…just in case there is no toilet paper at a pit stop.

--bring your own washcloths or bath sponges.  European hotels typically do not provide washcloths.
--information on this blog is meant to be printed and used as your travel guide, so you only need to print the parts you want. However, if you want a published guide, I recommend the Dorling-Kindersley Eyewitness Travel Guides. They are detailed, lots of pictures and diagrams, and my favorite...but they are heavy! There is one for each of the cities we will visit: Berlin, Prague, Krakow, and Budapest. Try Half-Price Books or the used ones on Amazon.
--checked bags should not be locked for possible security checks, so use a twist tie on the flight. You can lock them during the trip. Also if you check your bag, tell the airport check-in attendant to check your bag all the way to Berlin..and then make sure the tag they attach says Berlin BEFORE they put it on the conveyer belt!

For additional information on packing, refer to a previous blog posting that I wrote after having a meeting for a previous tour.  It has detailed information about packing light and other tips.  You might pick up a few more packing tips from this earlier blog posting too.

“How to Pack for a Trip to Central Europe” is also an informative site.

Here are some interesting Pinterest boards on packing:
Pinterest: Packing Tips and Inspiration
Pinterest: Travel Tips: Packing (How and What to Pack)
Pinterest: Packing Ideas

Or better yet, repin your favorites on your own Pinterest board.