Transport
Flight delays and cancellations — your options
When flights delay or cancel, stay at the gate desk or use the airline app for rebooking — queues at counters spike fast. EU and some other jurisdictions grant specific passenger rights for delays; elsewhere policies vary by carrier and fare type. Save receipts for meals and hotels if the airline instructs you to wait overnight; travel insurance may cover gaps official duty does not.
Last updated 2026-08-05
Immediate steps
- Screenshot new schedule and gate from app.
- Ask about meal vouchers, hotel, and transport if overnight delay.
- Do not book alternative flights on your own without airline approval unless you accept forfeiting refund help.
- Contact travel insurance with PIR or delay certificate if claiming.
Know your fare
Basic economy may rebook slower than full fare on the same airline. Separate tickets mean missed connections are your problem — build buffer or insurance. Official aviation consumer sites describe rights by region; we summarize patterns only.
More transport guides
Airport security — liquids, laptops, and queues
Prepare before the belt: liquids in one transparent liter bag, laptops and large electronics out unless TSA Pre or equivalent, empty pockets, belt and watch off. Wear slip-on shoes if you must remove them. Power banks stay in carry-on — never checked. Rules differ slightly by country; follow posted signs at departure airport, not last trip’s habits.
Border crossings — passports, queues, and land borders
At any border, have passport ready, know visa rules for your nationality, declare goods that require it, and answer questions briefly and honestly. Land borders can take minutes or hours — build slack into same-day connections. Never carry items for strangers; customs rules are your responsibility regardless of what someone told you at the market.
Domestic flights vs trains between cities
Fly domestic when distance exceeds roughly five hundred kilometers and train time exceeds half a day — but count airport transfers and two-hour check-in buffers, not just flight minutes. Trains win city-center to city-center on routes with high-speed service, generous bag allowance, and stable schedules. Price spikes on last-minute flights; trains sometimes sell out on holiday weekends too.
Ferries and island hopping
Island trips hinge on ferry schedules — book high-speed or car ferries ahead in peak season, arrive at port early, and keep one buffer day between islands for weather delays. Motion sickness meds work best taken before boarding; outdoor deck space beats enclosed air conditioning for nausea. Pack a day bag for the crossing; large suitcases go in hold on vehicle ferries.
Long airport layovers — how to use the time
On a layover under four hours, stay airside and stay near your gate. Four to eight hours with visa-free landside access can justify a quick city trip if immigration is fast and you have buffer. Overnight layovers need a sleep plan — lounge, airport hotel, or quiet zone — and never gamble on a tight connection after a self-guided excursion.
Lost or delayed luggage — what to do
If your bag does not arrive on the carousel, go to the airline baggage desk before leaving the secure area — file a Property Irregularity Report (PIR), keep the reference number, and list contents for insurance. Most delayed bags reunite within one to three days; carry-on essentials exist precisely for this scenario.
Apply this on your trip
Planning guidance only — not legal, medical, or booking advice. Verify entry rules, insurance terms, and prices on official or partner sites before you travel.