Murphy Writing of Stockton University

If you haven’t already, it’s time for you to start thinking about traveling and what to do when you arrive at your destination.

It is very important that you follow these suggested times. The retreat location is approximately 1.5 hours from the airport. If you do not follow these times, you will need to make your way there by train.

Logistics

For maximum flexibility, airfare is not included. You will be responsible for making your own round-trip travel arrangements which will allow you to choose your airports and make it easy to extend your trip. We will assist you in identifying budget-conscious flights. For best fares, you should look to purchase your ticket soon.

Arrival: Thursday, August 1. The program is designed so you can arrive in Scotland on the first day of the retreat. We recommend you fly to Edinburgh Airport. If you fly non-stop from the US, depart on the evening of July 31 and you will land early the next morning. You should book a flight that arrives at the airport no later than 9:30 am so you have time to clear customs, pick up your luggage and meet the group at 11:00 am. If you cannot arrive by 9:30 am, plan to arrive a day early and spend the night in a hotel. NOTE: The retreat location is approximately 1.5 hours from the airport. It is very important that you follow these times or you will need to make your way there on your own.

If you wish to arrive in the country prior to August 1, plan to head to the airport in time to meet the group. We will send details on where to meet at the airport and emergency contact phone numbers approximately two weeks before the program.

Departure: Friday, August 9. We will depart Dundee at 12:30 pm after the closing workshop and head to Edinburgh. We will offer two drop off options: approximately 1:45 pm at Edinburgh Airport and approximately 2:15 pm at Waverley Train Station for those staying in Edinburgh or traveling on.

Most flights to the US depart in the morning. If you can’t book a flight after 4:45 pm, plan to fly out the next day, August 10. If you stay the night (or longer) in Edinburgh, consider the Old Town neighborhood which is close to Waverley Train Station and has many good hotel options and easy access to public transportation.

Flights

Here are some preliminary questions to consider when looking for flights.

• What dates would you like to be away?
• Would you like tour other parts of Scotland, the UK or Europe?
• If you are concerned about jet lag, plan to arrive in Scotland at least a day or two early to adjust to the time change.

The more flexible you are, the better chance you have of saving money on your flight. Be sure to look at how many stops or layovers a potential flight has and make sure you have a good cushion of time to make a connecting flight. Make sure when you compare flight prices that they include taxes and fees. If not, it might cost you an additional $300 or more. Summer is the peak of the tourist season, and you should expect to pay approximately $1,200-1,500 including taxes and fees for a nonstop flight to Edinburgh from the East Coast. If you find something cheaper, then you probably have found a bargain. Flight prices change every day, sometimes every hour, so if you find the flight you want at the price you are willing to pay, don’t dawdle.

Meta sites such as www.skyscanner.com and www.kayak.com are good places to find bargains. Plus, Kayak offers an option to sign up for email alerts on the route you are interested in and will notify you when the price changes.

Additional Tips

• Be aware that if you book through a 3rd party website such as www.travelocity.com or www.orbitz.com, they may charge you an extra service fee, so compare whatever flight you are considering with the airline’s website.
• While it may be easier for you to leave from your local airport, you might find cheaper options. For example, as of this writing, flights from JFK to Edinburgh are about 40% less than from Philadelphia. 
• Regardless of which airport you land in, you must meet us at Edinburgh Airport. Otherwise, you will have to make your own way to Dundee. Follow the times listed above in this post.
• While many international economy flights include 1 checked bag at no additional cost, the latest gimmick is to offer no-frills economy fares where you pay extra for luggage, seat selection and meals. Check to make sure you know what you’re getting.
• If you book a good deal, please tell us so we can share it with the group.

Travel Insurance

• Travel medical insurance: This is included in your program fee.
• Additional travel insurance: We encourage you to buy traditional travel insurance to cover things like lost bags, delayed flights or trip cancellations, but it is not required. Check with a broker such as InsureMyTrip, which is recommended by Consumer Reports to view a list of plans you can choose from.