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Enjoy!

This bus represents no monetary savings to Shoestring travelers.

• Berliners with a regular AB ticket need only purchase an “Anschlussticket” for 1.40 euros to take the RE train, the S-Bahn or a BVG bus to the airport.
• Visitors coming into town for a few days will most certainly be better off purchasing a 2-, 3- or 5-day tourist card or a weekly ticket and traveling by one of the aforementioned methods.
• If you’re still weighing your options, a single Berlin ABC ticket will get you into town and beyond for just 2.80 euros!

I’m posting about the service nevertheless, as you may find that it will save you transit time, depending on where you are staying/living.  For less than 2 euros more (with my monthly ticket), I may cut up to 30 minutes off my route to the airport — and that’s something worth writing about!

Related Posts

• Additional Travel Time and Cost to Low-Cost Carrier Airports, Part I
• Picks and Pans: From Low-Cost Airports
• More Tips for Low-Cost Fliers

While in DC at the beginning of January, my destination of choice was the new visitors’ center at the U.S. Capitol.  On the way, I passed the inauguration grounds with stage building in progress, pictured on Tuesday.  (Where did you spend your inauguration day? Share your stories in the comments.)

In sheer contrast to the classical American dome is that of the German Reichstag, whose glass dome by Sir Norman Foster was added to the building after reunification.  The overarching theme of Germany’s new governmental architecture is transparency, with buildings and offices as visible as possible.  From the visitors’ area of the dome, it is possible to look down into the plenary room below, as pictured here.

A visit to the Reichstag is fun and free — check all the details for making yours a smooth one in this previous post.

Follow other Photo Friday participants here.

Wherever you are in the world today celebrating (EuroCheapo’s got the partial scoop on events in Europe) — Happy Obama Day to you!

Are you headed to the Mall, attending a Ball, or watching the events on your TV in the hall? Share the stories of your Inauguration Day experience in the comments.

As much as I complain about the security theater Americans abbreviate TSA, there is one upside to the system:  once you’re in (and don’t connect in a stupid airport [ahem, JFK] where you have to exit and reenter secured areas when changing flights), you and your liquids are in.  Put that chapstick back in your pocket, enjoy a long swig from your refilled water bottle — no one will bug you about those items again.

Unfortunately, if you are connecting onward through a European airport, you will be subject to repeated searches – necessitating the return of your chapstick to your 1L ziploc, the dumping of your secure-area beverages and, for the unlucky, the confisciation of your duty-free liquids, creams and gels.

How do you avoid this expensive dilemma?  Find out after the jump.

If you have purchased native wines, perfumes or other liquids disallowed in carry-on luggage due to their size, place these items in your checked luggage.  Wrap up in a plastic bag or three and cushion with every dirty sock and pair of underwear you’re carrying — or consider specialized packing tools to avoid breakage.

If, like my friends, you discover a must-have item in the duty-free and your flight originates in the EU, it must be:

• sealed shut in a clear duty-free bag
• clearly displaying a receipt that the items were purchased on the day of flight

Most duty-free shops should know and comply with these rules.  This is (as evidenced above) not always the case.  If the duty-free shop does not follow these simple guidelines, your purchases may be confiscated at your next EU transfer point.   If they cannot follow these guidelines, do not make the purchase!

If you are flying to and transferring within the U.S., you must place these items in your checked luggage when reclaimed for customs inspection or it may then be confiscated by TSA.

A quick example to illustrate:  Gallant flies Northwest from Berlin to San Francisco via Amsterdam and Minneapolis and purchases a duty-free liqueur in the secured area of the Berlin airport.  If it is sealed properly as noted above, Gallant may carry it through the Amsterdam security checkpoint to Minneapolis.  When luggage is reclaimed in Minneapolis, Gallant repacks the bottle in checked luggage to be flown onward to San Francisco.
>If it is not sealed properly, Goofus’ liqueur can be taken away in Amsterdam.
>If it is not moved to checked luggage in Minneapolis, Goofus’ liqueur can be taken away in Minneapolis.
Got it?

Now, if we reverse the scenario, so Goofus and Gallant are flying from San Francisco to Berlin via Minneapolis and Amsterdam, it looks different.  A duty-free purchase in San Francisco or Minneapolis (or their airplane) will be confiscated without exception when they arrive in Amsterdam.  In the EU, customs is handled at the final destination, so it isn’t possible to restow items in checked luggage.  These liquids are simply not allowed, so don’t waste your hard-earned money!

Have you been burned by these opaque regulations?  Giddily awaiting the day when liquids are allowed on board again?  Share your stories and concerns in the comments.

Related Posts

• U.S. to Require Online Registration for Visa-Free Travelers
• TSA One Step Closer to Mandating ID for Domestic Flights
• Solid Recommendations for Travel Beauty Products

If it’s not too darn cold, Winter Trails 2009 is an excellent reason to get off your kiester and get moving!  Are you one of the millions of Americans who’ve resolved to shed weight this year?  Take your first steps toward that goal, on a pair of free rental skis or snowshoes!

If there’s snow on the ground in your state, there is probably an event being held somewhere.  Check out the full list of locations here.  Before heading out, fill a thermos with your warm beverage of choice, consult the list of appropriate outdoor wear and fill out, print and sign the event release form.

Stay warm and have fun!

Have you already completed your first travels of 2009?  Have something planned for January or February?  Please share your destination in the comments.

• Follow other Photo Friday participants here.
• Download this month’s free desktop calendar here.

• Flying to the United States this year?  As of January 12, 2009, all travelers to the U.S. from Visa Waiver countries (that’s Andorra, Austria, Australia, Belgium, Brunei, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Monaco, The Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom [and in the near future, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Greece, Malta, Poland  and Romania too]) will be required to submit their travel plans online 72 hours prior to travel.  Failure to complete ESTA authorization before travel may result in denial of boarding or entry.  Read the details about this change in the post U.S. to Require Online Registration for Visa-Free Travelers.

• After January 16, 2009, you’ve got to use Euros when traveling in Slovakia.  They’re the 16th EU country to switch to the currency since its introduction a decade ago.  Later this year, expect the Czech Republic to finalize a date for their switch (expected early 2010).

• Travelers transiting or changing planes within Mexico will now be subject to customs inspection before continuing to their next flight.  International travelers to the United States will be familiar with the drill:  claim checked baggage and proceed through customs, then drop off baggage again before heading to the connecting gate.  Flights from the Caribbean, Central and South America have already begun the procedure; February 1 is the date for flights from Canada, Asia and Europe; flights from the U.S. have until September 1 to comply.  Be aware and avoid tight connections.  And don’t forget to lock that luggage!

• Starting June 1, 2009, it will no longer be possible to travel by air, land or sea without a passport to destinations in the Western Hemisphere, such as Mexico, Canada and the Caribbean.  Children under 16 may use a birth certificate in lieu of passport.  This requirement also applies to Americans attempting to reenter the United States.  Details here.

If you’re not sure how to change your desktop wallpaper, follow the easy instructions in the For Your Desktop tab.

Making three different versions of the calendar each month was tedious, so I’m giving it a go with just one.  If you find that the calendar is cut off or the image is otherwise wonky, please send me a message and let me know.  Include your screen dimensions and I’ll try to create and post a version that works for you. 

Have you been missing the calendar too?  Leave a comment below.

First, it’s your last chance to get your suggestions in for the running Reader Tips Contest for New York City and Washington DC. I’m still waiting to hear *your* best tips and tricks before I take off on Wednesday, so please add your comments on the linked post.

Second, today is the final day to make your donation to the Passports with Purpose fundraiser/raffle for Heifer International. If you’re interested in winning, chances were best on the prizes linked here or here. The drawings will be held tomorrow.

Finally, a tardy Photo Friday entry from the chilly wilds of northern Minnesota:

Though the cold keeps us indoors and the ice and snow off the slippery roads, there are some mornings too beautiful not to appreciate winter, right?