Wikivoyage:Tourist office/Archives/2015/January

Metro-North express lines

I've been trying to find a source: I know that much of the Metro-North Hudson Line has four tracks, the outside two for north- and south-bound train boarding; the middle two for express Metro-North and Amtrak trains. What I can't seem to find anywhere is whether those express lines are specifically used - one for northbound trains and one for southbound, and if so, is the east or west middle track used for northbound trains, and which is used for southbound trains. I could easily go to a station and watch, but that's be OR, right? Asked by: Ɱ (talk) 15:53, 30 December 2014 (UTC)

Fortunately, on Wikivoyage it's perfectly fine to use original research :-) This is not an encyclopaedia, and in fact we heavily rely on users sharing their own experiences and knowledge. JuliasTravels (talk) 19:14, 30 December 2014 (UTC)

Indeed using your own experience of travel and adding a personal touch is preferable to copying information from Lonely Planet, Frommers and DK Eyewitness. The travel guide becomes much more interesting and helpful. This is one important distinction Wikivoyage has with Wikipedia. Gizza ^(t)(c) 04:20, 1 January 2015 (UTC)

Getting from Södermalm, Stockholm to Helsinki via Turku Harbour

This summer, I plan on coming back from my annual InterRail trip on Viking Grace. That the ship leaves Stockholm so early and arrives in Turku so late the same day (the ships to Helsinki spend the night at sea) presents a problem.

I failed to find a train arriving in Stockholm early enough to catch the ship the same morning. So I plan on spending the night in Stockholm, at a hotel on Götgatan, near the Medborgarsplatsen metro station. I think I can walk from there to the harbour in less than half an hour. But what route should I use? Alternatively, the hotel is right next to a metro station. I have to be at the harbour before 07:00 AM. Does the Stockholm metro run that early? Is there a metro station near the harbour?

The last train from Turku harbour to Helsinki leaves at 20:35 PM and arrives in Helsinki around midnight. I wouldn't dream of walking all the way home from the central railway station now during winter, but I think I can easily manage it in summer. And there is a taxi station right next to the railway station. But will I have time to reach the train in the first place? The ship arrives at 19:50 PM. How close is the Turku harbour railway station to the Viking Line terminal? Will there be any hassle in getting there?

Asked by: JIP (talk) 19:12, 4 January 2015 (UTC)

Hi there!

In your situation, it's meaningless to use the metro in Stockholm; that metro line moves north-south under Götgatan and you would need to move east to get to the harbour. From Medborgarplatsen, just walk along Folkungagatan, it's just a bit over 1km..

In Turku, the harbour station is next to the terminal and its very purpose is to serve ferry passengers to and from Helsinki. No need whatsoever to go to Turku central station. ϒpsilon (talk) 20:44, 4 January 2015 (UTC)

Require a driving Map having problems getting it

Require a driving direction map from Pisa Airport, Italy to the following address Via Poderone n.1

Sasseto Monsagrati

Monsagrati

Lucca

55100 Can you help...I tried but could not produce and exact map...thanks...neil Asked by: 198.53.224.68 19:12, 6 January 2015 (UTC)

Something is not quite right in the address. Check the street or the town name. --Traveler100 (talk) 19:42, 6 January 2015 (UTC)

I think this could be it, but I would double check before driving there. --Traveler100 (talk) 19:47, 6 January 2015 (UTC)

budget required

how much budget is required to travel andaman and nicobar for 1 person Asked by: laxman

The main city in that region is Port Blair, and it had hotels ranging from $17/night (http://www.andamanresidency.com/index.htm) to $115/night (http://www.fortunehotels.in/resort/Port_Blair-Fortune_Resort_Bay_Island.aspx). Obviously a large part of your expenses will be spent actually getting there, via plane or boat. Can you provide a little more detail as to what you are looking for? Would this be an adventurous trip, or a relaxing trip? Fractal618 (talk) 16:16, 12 January 2015 (UTC)

How much time do I need at Munich airport?

In the end, I decided that I'm indeed going to Munich in late May. My plane back to Finland leaves Munich airport at 10:20 in the morning. The confirmation e-mail I got says I have to check in by 09:35 in the morning at the latest. How much time will I need? What time should I be at the airport?

To save time, I intend to bring a suitcase that is small enough to be taken as hand baggage, a shoulder bag and my camera bag. I trust this will be OK? But what about the liquids? Am I allowed to bring toothpaste and a spray bottle of lens cleaning liquid on board? The spray bottle is transparent (although it has a sticker on it) and its size is exactly 100 ml.

Asked by: JIP (talk) 19:12, 11 January 2015 (UTC)

Yes, you can bring the toothpaste and lens cleaning liquid if they are in max 100ml bottles or tubes, but you have to put them all together in a transparent plastic bag of max 1 liter content. Can be any plastic bag, like a freezer bag, of you can buy them at the airport. It's hard to say how much time you need; no-one can guarantee you make your flight if you cut it tight. It depends on how you do your checkin (if you check in online and have no luggage to check in either, you will need less time than otherwise), but also on the exact dates, e.g. if it's a holiday or not. JuliasTravels (talk) 22:31, 11 January 2015 (UTC)

Also your time depends on where you are staying and your airline.

If you fly on Lufthansa (for example) you can check in at a terminal (or even online at your hotel) saving you much time.

If you are staying in Munich Centre then you should leave enough time to take the S-Bahn to the airport (from memory it is over an hour including potential waiting) --Andrewssi2 (talk) 22:37, 11 January 2015 (UTC)

It's Finnair flight AY 804 leaving from Munich airport terminal 1 at 10:20 on Monday 25 May 2015. There's a direct S-Bahn line from Munich central railway station, which is less than a kilometre from my hotel, to the airport, taking about 40 minutes according to the MVV web page. Is it enough if I get to the railway station at about 07:00 - 07:30 in the morning? Are there automatic check-in machines at Munich airport? JIP (talk) 08:01, 12 January 2015 (UTC)

My knowledge is now 10 years old, so you should verify. There were automatic checkin machines for Lufthansa, but no idea for FinnAir. In any case you can checkin online at http://www.finnair.com/ the night before, saving you some more time.

Just worth noting that the S-Bahn to the airport actually goes both directions! The route from Central westwards (S1 - Blue Line) is quicker (I believe the 40 minutes you found).

07:00 would be comfortable, 07:30 would be OK and I wouldn't want to leave Central later than 08:00 to fly at 10:20.

I believe User:Ikan_Kekek was there recently. --Andrewssi2 (talk) 22:43, 12 January 2015 (UTC)

I flew into Munich Airport last January 1 but have never flown out of the airport, to date. Ikan Kekek (talk) 04:22, 13 January 2015 (UTC)

I failed to find any information on the Internet whether Munich airport has automatic check-in machines for Finnair. Is there a way to contact them by e-mail about this? As for online check-in, I won't be bringing a laptop, although I will be bringing a smartphone. The smartphone's Internet access will only work outside Finland if there is a WLAN available, and I don't know if the hotel has one. Does Munich central railway station have a free WLAN? I have never checked in to a flight with a smartphone before. I won't get a chance to print out a paper boarding pass. Will I get some sort of QR code on the smartphone I can show at the airport gate? JIP (talk) 18:52, 13 January 2015 (UTC)

The biggest tourist attraction in the world

What's the biggest tourist attraction in the world? Asked by: 129.100.253.79 20:48, 12 January 2015 (UTC)

I'm assuming by "biggest" you mean "most visited". A quick Google search brought up two answers, either of which might be true depending on how you define the issue. According to The Huffington Post inter alia, the Las Vegas Strip plays host to nearly 40 million visitors per year. Several other sources list the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul, which sees between 90 and 100 million visitors per year - but a large proportion of those visitors are likely to be locals rather than tourists. -- AndreCarrotflower (talk) 21:21, 12 January 2015 (UTC)

Best place for a vacation

Asked by: Msreddy1 (talk) 22:44, 14 January 2015 (UTC) whats the best place to visit in world for vactaion

Using what criteria? Ikan Kekek (talk) 01:51, 15 January 2015 (UTC)

That depends on many things, at least your starting point, your budget and your interests. You might try our index of Travel topics for links to places for specific activities like diving, polar bear watching, etc. The table at Wikivoyage:World cities/Large lists the world's biggest cities and has column (F, V & S) showing which are the top travel destinations. Previous Destinations of the month and Previously Off the beaten path have lists of articles here that have been featured on the main page. Pashley (talk) 02:18, 15 January 2015 (UTC)

Things to do in Munich

As mentioned above, I've decided after all to go to Munich this May, after previously visiting it only two years before. I'll be there from Thursday 21 May to Monday 25 May. Most of my time (late afternoon to midnight) from Friday to Sunday is already reserved, and on Monday I'll be leaving too early to actually see anything. But what is there to do in the remaining time?

Things I have already seen include the Englischer Garten (although only a small part of it, including the Aumeister restaurant), the Residenz, the Hofbräuhaus, the Deutsches Museum, a church tower near Marienplatz (I forgot its name, but it has a splendid view over the city centre at the top) and the central library of Bavaria. If I can't find anything else, I can probably visit some of them again. I won't be venturing very far (over 10 km or so) from the city centre anyway.

Asked by: JIP (talk) 19:37, 13 January 2015 (UTC)

I believe you visited Peterskirche. Munich is a beautiful city to walk around, and it sounds like there are several churches and some lovely areas of the city that you may not have seen yet. For example, have you walked into the Theatinerkirche? Either that or Michaelskirche would be my favorite church in Munich (at least so far), considering the interior as well as the exterior. Have a seat at one of the branches of Cafe Rischart and get some wonderful Kaiserschmarrn and - I'd say hot chocolate, but late May might not be conducive weather; I don't know. Visit one of the art museums if you like. Ikan Kekek (talk) 06:40, 14 January 2015 (UTC)

I would recommend a visit to the German science and technology museum in Ludwigsvorstadt-Isarvorstadt area. For a good meal and classic Bavarian beer the Weißes Bräuhaus in the Altstadt is a good choice.--Traveler100 (talk) 07:56, 14 January 2015 (UTC)

Just to clarity for other contributors, this "German science and technology museum" is the same as the "Deutsches Museum" mentioned by the original poster. --65.94.50.4 08:38, 14 January 2015 (UTC)

I'm completely non-religious, so churches don't particularly interest me. (Unless they have special architecture, such as the glass paintings in the Palma de Mallorca cathedral or the tall tower with the splendid view in Peterskirche.) Deutsches Museum was certainly interesting, so visiting it again would be an option. I'm quite sure I didn't see exactly all of it. Visiting cafés and beerhouses would be another option. I'd love to try authentic Bavarian food. I don't think I'd want to drink much (or any) alcohol during my exploration of the city though, as the program I have already planned during the evening will take most of my time, and I want to stay sharp there. I'll probably drink a couple or so of beers at the end of the program and when coming back to my hotel. JIP (talk) 19:53, 14 January 2015 (UTC)

You don't have to drink heavily at a Bräuhaus. You can have a small beer with your food or even drink something without alcohol, if you prefer (though I'd really recommend beer, since these are often places that brew their own beers), and they serve big portions of Bavarian food and are probably the best place to have Bavarian savory (as opposed to sweet) food. I should say that I'm not a Christian and love beautiful churches for aesthetic, rather than religious reasons, but it sounds like I like older architectural styles a lot more than you do, because I would say that a number of churches in Munich have special architecture. I'm thinking that maybe you'd enjoy visiting the BMW headquarters. Last year, my girlfriend and I were quite interested in touring their museum, but ended up lacking the time. See Munich/North for details and a link to the BMW Welt and Museum website. Ikan Kekek (talk) 22:48, 14 January 2015 (UTC)

Popular low alcohol options in Munich that you can get most places are the 'Radler' w:Shandy#Radler which is half beer and half lemonade (so called because it allows you to drink and then cycle to the next bar), 'Weißweinschorle' (wine and sparkling mineral water). If non-alcoholic then ask for an 'Apfelsaftschorle' which is just apple juice and sparkling mineral water, available at all bars/restaurants as well. Andrewssi2 (talk) 23:00, 14 January 2015 (UTC)

My program only starts on Friday afternoon. I'll be arriving in Munich on Thursday afternoon. I have the whole Thursday evening and night to explore the Bräuhäusen of central Munich and drink beer with my food. Is there any specific Bräuhaus you could recommend? JIP (talk) 20:26, 16 January 2015 (UTC)

I liked this place, which was described to me by a friend who lives in Munich as Augustiner's oldest Bräuhaus in town, which is known to have the best food. It's a pretty place in a basement. Ikan Kekek (talk) 21:40, 16 January 2015 (UTC)

Also, this is the Augustiner Keller's own website. By the way, I don't see it listed in any of the Munich district guides; which district would Arnulfstr. 52 be in? The neighborhood is Schwanthalerhöhe. Ikan Kekek (talk) 21:43, 16 January 2015 (UTC)

I'd be happy to add it to Wikivoyage's Munich district listings, but I haven't actually been there yet. I'll probably do it once I come back from Munich. JIP (talk) 21:42, 17 January 2015 (UTC)

I can add it. I just need to know which article to add it to. Ikan Kekek (talk) 21:59, 17 January 2015 (UTC)

Munich U-Bahn and S-Bahn tickets

Still regarding my upcoming trip to Munich. I remember you can buy U-Bahn and S-Bahn tickets from automats on U-Bahn and S-Bahn stations. When I'm leaving back to Finland I just want to get to the airport as soon as possible. Is it possible to buy an S-Bahn ticket in advance the previous day?

I shall be needing two S-Bahn trips through all four zones, one to get from the airport to my hotel, the other to get back to the airport. I think I'll be spending by far the most, if not all, my time in between from Friday to Sunday in the innermost zone. What kind of ticket should I buy?

Asked by: JIP (talk) 19:13, 19 January 2015 (UTC)

Three Cities in Punjab

I want to visit Amritsar, Ludhiana & Jallandhar in Punjab. I will go from Howrah. Where should I get down first when travelling by train and what are the tourist attractions worth a visit at those places? Which time of the year will be appropriate for the visit? Asked by: 112.79.38.175 16:57, 23 January 2015 (UTC)D. Ghosh

Placencia, Belize

How does one get around? I plan to stay for 3 months to fish so I'll need to move equipment such as a Kayak around. What are some good cheap hotels? Asked by: 70.197.64.17 23:51, 29 January 2015 (UTC) 70.197.64.17 23:51, 29 January 2015 (UTC)jfb