Travel
MeganAngela
member
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Note: This only affects The Nest's community members and will not affect members on The Bump or The Knot.
Our tech team has launched updates to The Nest today. As a result of these updates, members of the Nest Community will need to change their password in order to continue participating in the community. In addition, The Nest community member's avatars will be replaced with generic default avatars. If you wish to revert to your original avatar, you will need to re-upload it via The Nest.
If you have questions about this, please email help@theknot.com.
Thank you.
Note: This only affects The Nest's community members and will not affect members on The Bump or The Knot.
First Time Traveling Out of Country?
in Travel
Hi, Nesties!
So, I need a little advice! My BFF lives in England, and my husband and I are trying to plan a trip to go visit her late in the year. I've never been out of the country and I'm getting largely overwhelmed by the official border and custom websites over what all I'll need to do to be able to travel there. I don't have a passport, so that is definitely my first order of business. Outside of that I'm completely lost. I've been doing my own research online, but I feel like I'm just confusing myself more.
If anyone has any tips, experiences, or resources they could point me to, I'd really be forever grateful!
Thanks in advance! 
Re: First Time Traveling Out of Country?
If you are an American citizen:
Get a passport. Buy a ticket.
That's pretty much it. You can't work there, and you can only stay for a few months, but once you have a passport, you can pretty much just get on a plane and go visit the UK, because they have a visa waiver agreement with the US.
The easiest option is to just not take any food, alcohol, or tobacco. If you do, you need to find out what kinds of food and how much alcohol/tobacco you're allowed to bring in. There are similar restrictions returning to theUS. At customs in the UK, follow the signs for "Nothing to Declare." Returning to the US you'll fill out a customs form explaining what you're bringing home with you.
Both directions, have a pen and your passports accessible on the flight to fallout the forms. On the way to the UK, make sure you have the full address of the place you'll be staying to put on the form.
Thanks for the info! I've been looking at what all I'd need to fill out, and I'm slightly concerned with the landing card. I'm a SAHW, and I've heard that stating that you are unemployed (for any reason, even retirement) throws up a red flag. I just want to make sure I won't be turned away at the gate because they are afraid I'm coming to stay and live off of government funds or something. My friend is suggesting we bring over a payslip of DH's and a recent bank statement, and she is also writing us a signed letter with her information on it that states that she and her BF are taking care of a good portion of our funds. Do you think I have anything to worry about?
Agree with pp.
Buy ticket,have passport that's it. Oh, and a pen to fill out forms.
As far as the landing form...it's no big deal. That is the same form you fill out for any type of international travel. We've been to St. Lucia two times,Jamaica,Antigua and Mexico and have had to fill out the form each time. Just because you are not working means nothing (I was unemployed this last time for St. Lucia).
Don't stress so much. Go and have a wonderful time with your bff.
Kristi and Kerry June 21,2008
Have a copy of your friend's name/address (or your hotel name/address) handy when you go through customs. AND BE HONEST. The customs officials are there to try to catch people who are lying to them. If you're trying to avoid telling them you're a SAHM you're going to look more suspicious than if you're honest! Also, when they ask where you're staying having the hotel address or your friend's address gives you legitimacy that you have a destination in mind, you're not a bum, you have a plan, etc.
Some countries are much more anal about the address thing than others, but I've learned to just have it handy.
Otherwise, UK is a very easy first destination. They love Americans. We spend our money there and already speak the language.
We just got back from London. It's pretty simple, as pps have said. We got a few extra questions when they asked why we were there since DH said "work" and I said "vacation" but it was no biggie.
Just check the TSA website to be sure what you can/can't bring on your carryon and if your friend isn't picking you up, you'll need to figure out the underground/bus system to get where you are going.