Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Because
airline carry-on restrictions
are always changing, visit the
Transportation Security Administration's website (
www.tsa.gov
)
for an up-to-
date list of what you can bring on the plane with you...and what you must
check.
Emergency Telephone Numbers:
In all the countries in this topic, dial 112
for medical or other emergencies. If you get sick, go to a pharmacist for ad-
vice. Or ask at your hotel for help; they know of the nearest medical and
emergency services.
For police, dial 112 in Denmark, Norway, Finland, and Sweden—but in
Estonia, dial 110.
Theft or Loss:
To replace a passport, you'll need to go in person to an
port, either on the spot or within a day or two; you'll need it to submit an in-
surance claim for lost or stolen railpasses or travel gear, and it can help with
replacing your passport or credit and debit cards. For more information, see
www.ricksteves.com/help
.
Precautionary measures can minimize the effects
of loss—back up photos and other files frequently.
Time Zones:
Norway, Sweden, and Denmark, which share the same time
zone as continental Europe, are generally six/nine hours ahead of the East/
West Coasts of the US. Finland and Estonia are one hour ahead of Norway,
Sweden, and Denmark. The exceptions are the beginning and end of Daylight
Saving Time: Europe “springs forward” the last Sunday in March (two weeks
after most of North America) and “falls back” the last Sunday in October
(one week before North America). For a handy online time converter, try
Business Hours:
Banks are generally open weekdays from 9:00 to 15:00
or 16:00, with retail shops open an hour or two later. Saturdays are virtually
weekdays, with earlier closing hours and no rush hour. Sundays have the same
pros and cons as they do for travelers in the US: Sightseeing attractions are
generally open, while shops and banks are closed, public transportation op-
