What do you need to know before you go?
Passports |
The most important thing to do before you leave is apply for a passport. You will need to visit a post office or court house to apply. You can download the passport forms here. Apply at least 12 weeks in advance to guarantee that you will receive your passport in time. If you have a passport which expires while you are overseas you must apply for a renewal through the mail.
Arrival Date |
Consider planning your arrival to coincide with the Open House London weekend.
During the weekend hundreds of buildings normally closed to the public in London open their doors to allow visitors to come in and look around. Several of the buildings have guided tours given by facilities staff, engineers and architects. Arup is participating by giving tours of some of our completed projects.
Airlines & Travel Agents |
The cheapest airline tickets are student tickets. With student tickets you will be able to change you departure dates without a penalty, and they are valid for a year. The only way to get student tickets is to use a travel agent. Sta Travel is located in the HUB, and it also has many offices located in Leeds and throughout Europe. Currently the prices of student tickets for flying from U.S. cities to London roundtrip range from the following as of Fall 2003:
Philadelphia: $350 - $475 + tax
Pittsburgh: $350 - $400 + tax
Newark/New York: $310 - $375 + tax
Baltimore: $330 - $345 + tax
To purchase student tickets you will need to buy an ISIC (International Student Identification Card) card. The cost is about $25 and can be purchased at most travel agencies. You will also need a photo ID for the card.
Photo ID |
You will need at least 10 pictures of yourself to use on your passport, and other forms of identification. These pictures can be taken at travel agencies, Wal-Mart, or CVS. Some students have taken digital photos of themselves and printed out a few pictures to use. I suggest that you still get a real photo for the passport.
Luggage & Airports |
Pack as little as possible. Every person is allowed one carry-on item, one personal item such as a backpack or laptop computer, and two checked pieces. Check with the individual airline for size and weight limits. Leave some extra space in your suitcases for any items that you buy while traveling. Also, remember that you should be able to carry or push all of your luggage by yourself. When you arrive in England you will need to be able to carry your suitcases up and down steps to get to your train or bus so keep that in mind while packing.