Verified answer

Getting a US passport is not incredibly difficult. Get your photo taken at a walgreens, grocery store, UPS Store, AAA office, Costco, or anyplace else where they take photos. Visit the http://travel.state.gov/passport/get/first/first_8... site and figure out what you need and where to take it. Download the application and fill it out at home to save you time. Turn it in at your local passport acceptance center, along with your $97, and wait up to 6 weeks for your passport. Mine came in about 3 weeks.

Europe is a continent with may airports and cities, so I can't tell you the cost for "europe" taxis from the airport. I can say that Rome & Paris are around 50 Euro, Frankfurt and Munich have a great train system that costs aroung 10 Euro, and other cities will vary by the distance it is from the airport to the location you need to get to.

I have ridden trains in various countries and they vary. German trains are fabulous. Italian trains suck. I have not been through the chunnel because of the time involved and the cost.

Edit: Maegwynne isn't quite right, but I know she means well. Not all post offices are passport centers. I know that our local one isn't one, so just advising people to go to the post office isn't a great idea. Check the link I posted above to find out where your closest acceptance center is.

As far as avoiding taxis - taxis are one of my preferred ways to travel from the airport at many European locations. You don't want to be hauling your luggage around on the bus. Many train and subway systems in Europe are lousy and unsafe, so again, trying to fight with your luggage on the subway can be a giant pain. If cost isn't an issue and you don't trust the train, then a taxi, or shuttle service, is great.

HI,

go to the post office to apply for your passport asap. As long as you have the documents, birth certificate (original) and so on, it isn't hard, just takes time and money.

You can look them up on line.

The Eurostar is fine, a bit boring so bring a book or some music. The cost varies whether you book in advance or not. The train leaves from Waterloo.

Try to avoid getting a taxi to and from the airport unless you book in advance and agree upon a reasonable price. Don't get in an unregistered cab,,,,ever! And be wary that once they hear your accent they may try to push up the price.....so tell them that you only have x amount of cash inyour pocket before you leave.....do not mention credit cards.

What airport are you leaving from? And where is your destination? If you tell me this I can tell you what train to get to avoid taxis.

Look on www.thetrainline.com for train schedules and fares.

Enjoy your trip.

passports take 6 weeks to get , the railway system would be a better bet for you , cab service can varies by town and location