wackcook

My daughter is studying in Graz, Austria for an academic year beginning in September. She will probably have two suitcases and a carry-on bag to take all her belongings for the year. The ideal is that she arrives during the day to be picked up by someone in the university international office.
1. How much time should I allow for airline transfers in London or Berlin, or wherever the lowest rate travels?
2. Do the trains from Prague or Vienna to Graz run on time?
3. Does it matter if she arrives in Graz by train or airplane in terms of getting all her gear moved?
4. Will she go through customs at each new country or just the final destination?
5. Is there a way to get a cheaper flight without having a return flight (and does Austria allow this?)? [She does not want to come home during the semester break in February, but the 2nd semester doesn't end until July. Airline reservations only go to April right now...]

I think I also have these facts correct, but please tell me if I'm wrong.
1. She can get a SIM card for an unlocked phone at the airport.
2. She can use ATMs around town to get cash from her credit union debit/ATM card (VISA or PLUS system machines), and the local ATMs do not have charges.

Thanks for any advice you can give! I can't wait to go visit her!

nytraveler

First - there is no need for her to haul everything with her. She can take enough for the first week ro so with her and ship the rest. It will make her trip there much less onerous. (Managing alone with two large bags and a back-pack wil not be easy.)

She will go through Immigration once - when she enters the Schengen zone - possibly in Vienna or whatever stop she makes in between. (The train from Wien to Graz is 2.5 hours with no stops.) And she would go through customs at the final airport - again I presume Wien - where she picks up her luggage - which should be checked through).

Don/t know best cities for fares - nor where she is coming from. But I would fly direct from the US to Wien to make life simple if possible. (A quick check showed a bunch of flights from NYC to Wien through Brussels - a small, easy airport - but your options may differ.)

For transfers between flight I would allow at least 3 hours - possibly a little less in smaller airports - but do be sure that the flight she is trying to catch is not the last flight of the day. Andmake sure this is bought as a single ticket so the airline is responsible if she misses the ongoing flight.

On a student visa for a full year I don't think entering without a return ticket is an issue - but she should be prepared to show proof of health insurance - presumably her school will be providing this - or she will need to buy privately.

Also strongly suggest that she uses google earth to check out Graz, the university and the area she will be living - so she is familiar with it before she gets there.

tomboy

Do I hear the fluttering sound of a helicopter parent hovering?

Why is a college student's parent asking these questions?
Isn't college where a fledgling bird learns to fly by herself?

That said, I'll try to be helpful (but really, try to get HER involved in this...it's part of growing up, and will make her better understand the ramifications if she's partly responsible for the decision making).

1. When you decide the route over, then check out on this site the estimated time to clear customs and immigration (note: the search box on this site doesn't search well...and, the fewer search words, the less inaccurate it is).
2. The trains in Europe are far more timely than the aircraft.
3. ?
4. answered above

Most airlines take reservations 364 days out and sooner. So August 1st perhaps the July 31, 2014 flights should appear.

Have her inquire if there's a 3% fee on cash withdrawals and charges on her card. If so, find another. If not, you made a good choice.

Is she aware that some US cellphones don't work in Europe, because they're not GSM?

Re: what to take. Bear in mind that Europeans shampoo as we do, and have been known to brush their teeth. So she doesn't have to cart every conceivable item for a year's stay over to Graz. They have stores there. Admittedly, it's a temptation ("maybe they don't have razors there").

Hans

"2. Do the trains from Prague or Vienna to Graz run on time?"

I wouldn't recommend a transatlantic flight with maybe a change in London or Berlin and then a transfer from Prague airport outside of town to the Prague railway station followed by a few hours of train ride to Vienna and then a change to a train to Graz, all of it with two suitases and a bag.

Trains from Vienna to Graz run often, so if she misses one she can take the next one unless she arrives in the middle of the night. www.bahn.de is the website of the German railway but it also shows the schedule (not prices) of other railways if you want to check for details.


"3. Does it matter if she arrives in Graz by train or airplane in terms of getting all her gear moved?"

Railway stations are normally in the middle of the city while airports are outside of it, so railway stations are normally easier. But I don't know Graz airport.

"1. She can get a SIM card for an unlocked phone at the airport."

There are many different phone contracts with widely differing costs. If she's there for a year I wouldn't try to do something at the airport with jet lag.

"2. She can use ATMs around town to get cash from her credit union debit/ATM card (VISA or PLUS system machines), and the local ATMs do not have charges."

Not sure but if she stays there for a year I think it should be a transition thing anyway. It think she needs to open a bank account with a local bank and then she gets a local ATM card as part of the package. I think she needs the bank acccount for making bank transfers which is the normal way to pay the rent, telephone bills etc. (at least it is in Germany and I'd be surprised if Austria is different).

Maybe look up Sparkasse in Graz. For students it's normally more or less free, though you should best check with them what references they demand for opening an account.

wackcook

Thank you for your advice, nytraveler. She is flying from NC, so may either have a NY transfer or London transfer. I know she can fly into Graz, but I'm weighing all the cost vs time options.

You mention shipping - how expensive is it to ship from the US to Austria? I thought it would be very expensive, so hadn't yet looked into it.

We did already plan that large luggage would be checked through to her final airline destination. I figured she could tip porters or use a rented cart to get everything through imm/customs and from plane to train, if she goes that route. Then it's just getting help from the person picking her up to get items to a vehicle.

To understand you correctly, for example, if she flies US-London-Vienna, she has customs and immigration only in Vienna. If she flies US-Berlin-Graz, she has immigration in Berlin and customs in Graz. I didn't see Brussels connections before, but it's been about a month since I looked for airline rates and routes. Time to get back on that search.

So even though she might not have an immigration issue at a particular transfer point, you recommend a 3-hour layover. I had read negative reviews about the Berlin airport, but that had the cheapest flights at the time. Maybe that's a case of get what you pay for!

Is there an optimum time for making airline reservations to Europe? She needs to be there the last week of August, so about 8.5 weeks.

Health insurance is already taken care of. Apparently, for someone staying longer than 90 days in Austria, they want to be sure you are not going to drain the system. We had to make a trip to the embassy in DC to provide the application for resident permit, proof of health insurance (plus she will have to purchase more there), bank accounts, citizenship, criminal history check, paid tuition, and where she will be staying. I respect their assurances. [divergent note to anyone also seeking to study in Austria longer than a semester - daughter said the work to prepare for study abroad was like taking another 3-hour course, and this was the semester she already had 18 credit hours for a grade! I'm sure it will be worth it.]

We have studied Google Earth quite extensively - what a wonderful tool!

One last question: when is the cheapest time for me to go visit? I know every season will have plenty to do and see, so I'm not worried about being entertained.

Thanks, again, for your prompt reply!

wackcook

Tomboy, you made me laugh! I guess it does sound like I am a helicopter parent, but if you knew me, you'd agree that I am far from it. (my first child was treated like I'd already had three, loved but not coddled) I'm just doing the reservations for the flight over (plus I helped get local paperwork ready for the embassy trip since she was at school and there was a time issue). She has, by far, done all the other work getting this study abroad experience to happen. She started planning and researching before graduating high school!

And thanks to you and to Hans for your prompt replies.

Credit/debit/ATM cards have all been researched and our credit union has the best situation. 75 cents/transaction is the total charge for ATM use, and 1% for point-of-sale use. I did think about her opening a local account. It's a possibility, but she might not really need it. Because she is an "exchange" student, all school expenses (tuition, fees, and room, at least) are paid directly by her US university. Her payment needs will be travel, personal incidentals and food.

I looked up Sparkasse - a German bank. I'll have to employ Google translate to get through the site - the English version doesn't search. Thanks for the reference - I'll look into it further.

Tomboy, which site are you referencing for customs/immigration clearance times?

As for phones, yes, we've discovered that our Verizon phones are out of the picture. She has an unlocked global phone but has to buy a SIM card. We're just not sure how to find the best card for her needs.

Things to take: you are right, of course, that Austrians surely brush teeth, bathe, and dress. The question is, are there items that are significantly more or less costly than in the States? Maybe all is about equal, or maybe there are key things that should be a. brought from home, or b. definitely purchased there. Likewise, what items are prized to purchase there and brought back home? For instance, are winter clothes (big, bulky, heavy) better to purchase there, or are they expensive enough that the ones she already owns here are worth taking?

Travel: no matter the route, there would only be one transfer, if any, to train (Prague or Vienna directly to Graz). But Hans makes a good point about carting all her stuff through multiple check points. I'm assuming that her large bags can be checked through on the trains the same way we can do that in the US. Let me know if that's incorrect!

thursdaysd

If I were taking a train to Graz I would definitely choose Vienna over Prague. Not only is it closer, but the stations will be much nicer and easier to navigate, plus she will only be handling one currency. In any case, she'd have to change trains in Vienna - no direct trains from Prague (see bahn.de). I really liked Graz, and there seemed to be plenty of students from all over - good choice!

tomboy

Glad you could chuckle. I meant well.

Actually, this fodors site is where I meant for you to check.
But, given the nature of its search engine, if it were me, I just might Google the following http://www.fodors.com/community/europe/ +"clear customs" + airport +London

Or, instead of London, use Frankfurt, or Vienna/Wien,

Over the years, there've been numerous queries on this forum of transit/clearing times at European airports.

You're wise to ask what's pricey...on a recent trip to France, we ran out of dental floss one night, and bought some at the apothecary shop in the small town. $11.30!!!!!! The next day, we went to a super-marche', and paid $2.00. Ya gotta know where to shop, or where not to. I'm sure other students will know the drill.

asps

I suspect that getting from Vienna airport to the railway station with large luggage could be unconfortable unless you take a taxi, and it is a long trip. I would try if possible to fly directly into Graz - also connections through Munich, Frankfurt and Zurich could be possible. The Graz airport will probably not be the best place to buy a SIM card. Leave the poor soul some time the following days to have a look around.

Toiletries are cheap in Austria (at least, they are cheap by European standards, I usually stock up in Austria for the whole year before going back to Italy).

Opening a local bank account would not be a bad idea; a post account could be another possibility (if transfers from US are not too expensive). An Austrian credit card will be difficult to get unless she has a work with regular wages, but a debit card could be handy for everyday life. But this is better researched once there, maybe with the help of a local.

nytraveler

A couple of notes:

I have no idea of the cost of shipping. But in the overall cost of a year abroad - what difference does it make? Hauling a bunch of luggage through multiple changes just makes no sense.

And it sounds like you have never been in an airport. You don;t get luggage when you get off the plane. First you have to wend your way to and through Immigration (if first stop in Schengen)then to baggage carousels. Am not aware of porters but you can rent carts for a lot of luggage - with euros. But she will need that only at her final stop. The airlines should check her luggage from your home town to final airport (assuming it's all one ticket - which it MUST BE to protect her from expensive repurchases if she missed a flight.

If you can get a route with just one stop - as in NC to London or Frankfurt and then on to Wien - it will be much easier/less stressful than multiple changes.

Clothing is likely to be much more expensive in europe than in the US. The question is - does she have real winter clothing - since you live in NC? If she does - that's part of what she should ship rather than haul (just think of trundling through an airport with all those coats, hats, scarfs, gloves, multiple pairs of boots, etc - madness!)

Hans

"I looked up Sparkasse - a German bank. I'll have to employ Google translate to get through the site - the English version doesn't search. Thanks for the reference - I'll look into it further."

Sparkassen exist in Germany and in Austria. They're something like local Saving & Loans. The one in Graz is the Steiermaerkische Sparkasse which is part of a cooperation with the other Austrian Sparkassen. The cooperation is also active outside of Austria mainly in Eastern Europe. One of their advantages is that they have a lot of ATM's and offices, so you don't need a lot of time to find one.

"Credit/debit/ATM cards have all been researched and our credit union has the best situation. 75 cents/transaction is the total charge for ATM use, and 1% for point-of-sale use. I did think about her opening a local account. It's a possibility, but she might not really need it. Because she is an "exchange" student, all school expenses (tuition, fees, and room, at least) are paid directly by her US university. Her payment needs will be travel, personal incidentals and food."

I think that bank transfers are often the standard method of payment in Austria. If you try to make a bank transfer from outside the European system, I think that it's complicated and expensive. But probably the university can recommend whether opening a bank account makes sense.

"I'm assuming that her large bags can be checked through on the trains the same way we can do that in the US. Let me know if that's incorrect!"

Normally one carries the luggage on and off the train and also carries it when changing trains. I'm not sure whether it's possible to check it in but it's certainly uncommon and I wouldn't want to organize it with jet lag and maybe in a hurry in Prague.

asps

No, usually you cannot check baggage on trains. You have to take care of it yourself, and travelling with large or multiple baggage on trains is hell. So if the girl has, say, two large pieces of baggage the best thing to do is send her by air to Graz - multiple connections will not be a problem as the airlines will take care of the baggage; she will claim the baggage at the arrival airport, take a cart so she can handle two pieces herself and look for a taxi to her new home. Any other solution means she has to bring her baggage with herself.

tomboy

Wackcook: lest you think ASPS is exaggerating: unless your daughter doubles in the hammer throw and discus on the college track team, that's a lot of luggage to take off the train. Bear in mind, she won't be the only person struggling at the luggage rack; she won't know how long the train will stay at her stop until the doors close and it leaves; she'll have to get both suitcases off simultaneously (the other passengers won't politely wait for her to unload); she won't be able to offload one bag, and go back up the stream of people to get the second; all while she has the carryon somehow suspended around her neck. The luggage rack is quite near the entrance/exit door, so proximity to it is affected by both boarding and disembarking passengers.

Hans

A train from Vienna to Graz is in most cases start to end, so there's no need to hurry. Still two suitcases are awful to navigate.

By the way if one ever needs to hurry, one should move to the door before the train pulls into the station. People are out in the first minute and then other people move into the train making it difficult to exit. If there's a concern to lift a suitcase, it's absolutely acceptable to ask other passengers for help. One can also do this in advance while waiting at a door and most people will be happy to help, not least since they all know this situation.

nytraveler

sorry - on the train your luggage is yours to deal with. Typically there is no way to check on trains (I didn't know you could in the US) but in europe very few stations have porters - so she needs to be able to haul all of her luggage up and down sttep narrow stairs, the length of platforms and out to a cab.

joannyc

Completely agree with asps. Fly into Graz and taxi to accommodations.

Some good sites in Graz and some great ones nearby.

KL467

Looks like you got your questions answered. I recommend that you encourage your daughter to blend in with the locals in Austria. I met a large group of American foreign exchange students at the Vienna airport in December 2011. They were returning from a semester somewhere in Austria (not Vienna). Several of them told me that, even after that long, they only knew two words in German. My husband and I were flabbergasted. Learning a foreign language does not come easily for me, but only TWO words!

I hope your daughter has a rewarding year in the very lovely Austria!

Cowboy1968

If your daughter has a chance to fly into Graz, you should go for that option.
Otherwise she will have to deal with all her luggage in Vienna to get from the airport to train station, on the train etc.
Which will be much more stressful than changing planes a 2nd time with just her cabin luggage to deal with.

Berlin Tegel airport is a bit cramped as the new, much larger airport will not open until in 2+ years. But it is still a very small and compact airport so changing planes will take MUCH less time than anywhere else.
Be aware that the service from Berlin to Graz could be handled with a small aircraft which will not have enough space for roll-a-boards that fit into a big plane. So she wants to prepare for having to gate or plane check that bag and keep her most important belongings in a seperate small backpack or tote bag.

She does not need to worry about opening a bank account until she gets there.
All she needs is her US passport and Austrian residence permit - and her Uni ID, as most banks have free banking for students. She will have no problem finding that out after a few days in the country and after talking with her peers.
Opening a bank account takes a few minutes (at the bank), and then a few days until she gets the ATM card and PIN codes for online/ mobile banking in her mail.

Having a local mobile phone is a must - especially when you stay longer than the average tourist. Not only for communicating with friends, but also for banking transactions, buying train tickets. etc - if only to save queuing up at counters.

If her winter clothes can handle temperatures as low as minus 20-25C she shall be fine with those.
Otherwise she will have enough time from September till winter kicks in to shop around locally for bargains (again, stores often have student discounts). As Graz is not far from winter sports areas, it can be assumed that her peers will go there quite often in wintertime.

In general there is not much she needs to bring - and could bring in substantial quantities to last for a year even if those items were cheaper in the US. For basic needs, you find discount drugstores with 69c toothbrushes, 79c toothpastes or 99c floss.. I guess you get the picture.

OTC drugs are usually cheaper in the US - if compared with store brands from Walgreens or similar. So it won't hurt to bring a larger box of Ibuprofen. But if you buy big brands in the US, the difference in costs is negligable.

tomboy

I can't imagine a more huge waste of time, and money, than spending a year in Austria and only learning two words of German. What in the h&&& is a year abroad supposed to accomplish if not a broadening of one's horizons? One's not going to achieve that while closeted with your culture-mates.

Ibake

Shipping will be very expensive to Europe. I sent a box to myself in Germany, it cost $180...it was about 25 pounds. To send it back to the US cost under $50. The first phone card I got for my unblocked Blackberry was for calls within Germany, or pay a small fortune to call the US... The second card I bought, came with a free phone, my Blackberry then became my alarm clock! As for trains, they are very punctual. The ticket kiosks are in German and English and it is possible to print out the transfers. The tracks usually list the last stop of the train. The train announcements will be in German and English in large cities, but the further away you go, they will be in German.