If you're not sure where you need to go in the airports, ask someone in a uniform to help you. But airports are generally very well signposted in at least two languages so you might not even need to ask. Do keep an eye on the Departures monitors so that you know where you need to be, allow yourself plenty of time, and when you get there, check with the staff at the departure gate that this is flight number whatever for wherever.
And don't worry about the language when you're there. You're going to need the first couple of days to recover from your journey, so relax. Have a few set phrases learned off that you can use with reasonable ease, but don't worry if you find it hard to understand everything. Just ask people to speak a bit more slowly, and try to be patient with them and yourself. It will take you a couple of weeks to acclimatise, but you'll find in a suprisingly short time that you're able to understand pretty much everything that's said around you, and not long after that you'll be talking away in German too. There really is nothing like total immersion to help someone develop fluency in any language.
Don't expect anything. Just be open to the experience and don't freak out about things you can't control.
If you get lost or need help, ask someone at the ticket counter of the airline you're flying. Think of it as an adventure that you get to go on, how lucky are you?!
Seriously, the better your attitude is the better time you will have. Things will happen but you'll figure them out.
Don't worry :) There are these devices you can purchase where you can translate things on the spot. Also just know a couple of basic words like
'Where am I?' ' I don't speak German very well' and write down the addresses of places you need to get to incase people there don't understand your pronounciation
Join the frequent flier program for the airline you will use. Joining and belonging are free and you can join online.Call the airline and talk to a human to add your frequent flier number to the trip. Ask about seat selection when you have them on the phone. Go to www.seatguru.com for info on seats.
Pack almost everything in a suitcase that you will give to the airline to "check". The suitcase has to weigh 50 pounds or less.
All liquids & gels in containers over 3 ounces and anything that might even LOOK like a weapon (nail file, scissors, etc.) should go in your checked bag. Go to www.tsa.gov for more info on prohibited items.
Clearly tag ALL bags > inside and outside < with your name and a good phone number + e-mail address (but not your home address). The free tags from the check-in counter are OK, but don't forget to do it.
Check in online 24 hours before your flight. Do that even if you can't or don't want to print boarding passes.
Dress in shoes & clothing that are comfortable and not tight, but also not overly casual. Avoid clothing with metal attached (ex. jeans with studs).
Make sure you have your passport, frequent flier number, and ticket (or flight information if it's an e-ticket) on you before leaving home.
Get to the airport and be in line for check-in two (2) full hours before your flight. Really. It is MUCH better to have an hour to wait than to arrive later and have a problem.
Go to the airline counter and give the agent your passport, FF number, and flight info or ticket. Tell them how many bags you want to "check". The agent will put destination tags on your checked luggage and give you a Boarding Pass. They will then either take your checked bag(s) or tell you to carry it/them to the baggage security x-ray machine.
The "Gate" for your flight will be on the boarding pass (example E-17). Follow the signs toward your gate.
At some point you will have to go through security. There will be a stack of plastic bins - place your shoes, carryon bag, the clear plastic bag containing any liquids or gels, sweater/jacket, and anything in your pockets (including cellphone) in the bin. Your laptop has to be taken out of the bag and placed in a bin by itself. Keep your ID and boarding pass in your hand unless the staff tells you to do otherwise. Follow the instructions of the security personnel - they will have you place the bin on the X-ray conveyor belt and you will walk through the metal detector or scanner. Once through you collect the bin and put everything back where it belongs.
Then go to the gate. Check to make sure there has not been a gate change - most airports have TV-type monitors with the info. Try to wait near your gate. If you want to wander off then be back not less than 45 minutes before your flight is scheduled to depart.
Follow the instructions of the ground staff when boarding starts. Your seat number will be on your boarding pass; The numbers increase toward the back of the airplane and the letters go from left to right >> as you face the front of the plane << (Seat 1A is at the front on the left and seat 22 F would be towards the rear + probably on the right). .
When the flight is almost over, the crew will instruct the passengers to put everything away and fasten seatbelts. Follow their instructions.
Once the plane has landed it will taxi to the airport terminal. Stay in your seat with the seatbelt fastened until the crew tells you it is OK to exit the aircraft. It will be obvious when you can do so.
Make sure you collect everything you brought with you. CHECK the pocket in back of the seat in front of you to make sure you aren't leaving something you put there.
You should get boarding passes for the connecting flights when you check-in at your home airport. Once off the plane at each stop check the flight monitors and just follow the signs to the gate for the next flight. You may have to go through security again. Your checked bags will be automatically transferred to the connecting flight by the airline.
If your first arrival airport in Europe is not your final destination you will go through Immigration there but you probably do not have to collect your luggage until your final destination (ASK!). If you have a domestic flight inside Europe then when you get to your final destination you just collect your luggage and exit the airport.
For example, if you fly from the USA to Frankfurt, change planes, and fly to another city in Germany you will go through passport control (Immigration/Customs) at Frankfurt. The flight to your final destination will be a domestic flight and you won't go passport control when you arrive.
If your first arrival airport in Europe is also your final destination, exit the aircraft and follow the signs to Arrivals or Passport Control.
Then collect your bag(s) and go to Customs.
If your first arrival airport in Europe is not your finals destination you skip collecting your bag(s) and just go to Customs. In most places you can leave the Customs area via the “green” Nothing To Declare doors.
Exit the terminal (usually by going out the doors marked "Ground Transportation"). The people collecting you will be waiting just outside the secured part of the airport.
Hope you have a good trip!
Ask a cop. Use your cell phone mapping system. ask the people in the airport for directions to the next terminal. I'm sure someone is picking you up at the airport, right?
Don′t worry usually europeans have mercy with 15 years old "lost" girls at the airport ;)
So the airport stuff will help you if you should really get "lost".
