WYD Packages
Booking a tour
Frequently Asked Questions (Sydney)
WYD FAQ
Airline Baggage Limits
1. Will we have etickets or paper tickets and when will we get them? Your tickets may be either paper or e-tickets. We will email the confirmations or e-tickets or mail the paper tickets to the group leader when all of the following is true:
1. We have received them from the airlines.
2. We have received the full balance for your group’s pilgrimage.
3.
We have received all the liability release forms and emergency contact information for everyone in your group.
Your group leader will then distribute the documents to individual pilgrims at the appropriate time.
2. Can we choose our seats on the plane? Seats on the overseas plane are in group blocks. You can request specific allocations within that block at the time of check-in with the airline. You can also choose to rearrange yourselves within your groups seats. We suggest that group leaders limit specific requests to chaperones alone and only at the airport..
3. Will I get frequest flyer miles? Yes, if you give your frequent flyer number at check-in.
4. What are the luggage restrictions? Luggage restrictions vary from airline to airline and most have been altered recently. Please click on your airline on the left column for specifics. Youth in Europe strongly recommends limiting your luggage to one moderately sized checked bag and one small carry on, or even better, only one carry on.
5. When can we check in for our overseas flight? If you are traveling on Southwest Airlines for your domestic flight, you will need to pick up your checked bags upon arrival in Los Angeles or San Francisco and recheck them on your next airline for your international flight. If you are traveling on another airline, you may be able to check the bags all the way to Sydney or Auckland. To find out, simply ask upon check in if you can check your bags all the way through. You will be asked to present your oversees ticket for verification.
If you need to pick up your bags in LA or San Francisco, make sure you check in at least 2 hours prior to departure. However, you will not be able to check in too early...
United Airlines allows you to check in 4 hours prior to departure
Qantas allows limited check in at 2pm (no special requests for seats) or 5pm for regular check in
Air New Zealand allows you to check in 3 hours prior to departure
6. How long is the flight? Flights from LAX or SFO to Auckland or Sydney range from 12 to 15 hours. We recommend cutting out salty and processed foods while traveling and drinking plenty of water.
7. How do I request a special meal and will I be fed? Special meal requests should be made directly to the airline 3 weeks prior to departure. All oversees flights provide meals.
1. What if I forget something or leave it behind and need it? Australia and New Zealand are exotic lands, but you still can buy everything there that you can buy here including toiletries and clothing.
2. Will there be laundry facilities? Seasoned pilgrims wash their clothing in a sink and let it dry overnight. A good rule of thumb is to wash one or two things every night. If you need a washing maching and dryer, it varies by location. There are plenty of locations in the city center and Bondi.
1. How much will I need?
This question requires you consider how many meals are included and how many free days of sighteeing and shopping you will have. Meals are included for all YIE groups from dinner July 15th through lunch July 20th. Outside of those dates, it varies from group to group. A good estimate for food is $10/meal, $6/fast food meal, or you can picnic for even less. There are many tourist attractions in Sydney; they range from free to $200 (to climb the Harbour Bridge). Many pilgrims will bring around $400
2. Can I use a credit or debit card? You can buy almost anything in Australia with Visa or MC. You will get the banks exchange rate minus their commission (usually 3%). This is a good safety net for emergencies. Be sure to call your credit card company before you travel and let them know your plans so they do not put a hold on your card. Debit cards are very handy to withdraw money anywhere in Australia. If the bank is not open, the ATM will be! Your bank will charge you a withdrawal fee, but you should get a good exchange rate. Only use this for larger withdrawals since the fee is charged each time. Imagine a $5 fee on a $20 w/d.
3. Where should I stash my cash? Youth in Europe recommends that everyone use a money belt. Your money belt will be worn under your pants and only comes off when you shower. The around the neck types are good in Winter and will probably be acceptable in Sydney, but in Queensland they will not work very well because of the heat.
4. When/where can I change money? If you would like to change money before you leave the US you are welcome to do so at your local bank, just be sure they don’t charge more than a 5% commission. You will have the opportunity to change money when you arrive. The best exchange we’ve found is at the local banks (not the street vendors!) but keep in mind the banks are not open on weekends. ATM's are always open and a good place to pull out money..
1. Do I have to be a group member if I am a group leader? Yes, you have to be listed as a group member if you plan to participate in WYD events.
2. Why does my registration say incomplete? Even after all the details are entered and payment is made the registration will still say incomplete. That is a technical issue Egeria is having according to one of their recent group leader updates. They advise everyone not to worry, and once you've done all you can do, just consider your registration complete unless they contact you and tell you otherwise.
3. What if I still have not received my visa confirmation?
Please call the visa help line: 1-888-990-8888
1. What are the outlets like in Australia and New Zealand? The continent of Australia operates on 220V not the 110V like in the US. Their plugs are diagonal, not rectangular (European plugs are round).
2. Will my electric thing work there? Virtually every high end electronic device these days (cameras, video-cams, cell phones) can handle the 220V without a converter (look at the fine print on the charger). All you need is an adaptor to change the plug shape. You can buy these at any REI or online (just google Australian electrical adaptor).
3. What about other stuff like hair equipment?
The first rule of thumb is don't bring anything you have to plug in that has to do with your hair. Things like that almost always blow up or melt in Australia's 220V current. (A converter will work, but is bulky and heavy, and let’s remember this is a pilgrimage not a debut at fashion week.)
Will I have Internet Access? There are plenty of internet cafes in Sydney. They are moderately priced to send a quick email or sign on to Skype to talk to your loved ones!
Can I bring a pre-paid phone card? The best way to call home is using these. They are inexpensive at Sam's Club and Costco. If you buy one you have to call the company (MCI, ATT) before you leave to ask for their access numbers for the countries you will be in.
Will my cell phone work? Some cell phones work in Australia. If you have T-Mobile or Cingular, your phone might work. If you have a tri-band phone that operates on the 900/1800/1900 bands, it will work, but you have to call your company and ask them to turn on the international function. We definitely do not recommend anyone bring their cell phones except chaperones. Roaming charges will be around $1.50 per minute. You can purchase SIM cards in Australia and make calls back to North America for around $0.28 per minute.
Will I have a cell phone provided & contact info in advance? We have set up a group webpage for each of our groups. Every pilgrim, and parents staying behind, should have access to that link. Before you leave the country it will be updated with the contact information for Hotels (if you have chosen hotels), Cell Phones (every Youth in Europe and Harvest Guide will have a cell phone, as well as the group leader of every group that does not have a guide) in case you need to get in contact with someone immediately, and Youth in Europe’s numbers in Australia to help if a problem arises (you will also have these cell phone numbers). You can also get a message to your group through Youth in Europe's office.
What will the weather be like? World Youth Day will take place from July 15th to the 20th, 2008. This is the middle of winter for Australia, but not to worry, it's like winter in San Diego. The highs are typically 60F and the lows 48F. This will be much like Cologne in August of 2005. Auckland and Melbourne are a little cooler: averages 47-55F, while Christchurch will be even colder: 35-54F. Brisbane will have warmer highs (70’s). Check the internet for specific forecasts on the internet before departure.
How will we be getting around? In most cases you will be transferred from and to the airport in Sydney by coach. Groups will be using the public transit to get around throughout WYD week. Transit is included in your pilgrim pass on July 14th-21st. World Youth Day is working on getting half price passes for pilgrims on July 11th-13th and 22nd-24th, though this has not yet been finalized. During Days in the Diocese you are in the care of your host family or parish, specific details and questions about meals and transit should be directed to them, as answers vary.
How far is the pilgrimage to the vigil site? The pilgrimage walk begins on the north shore of Sydney, crosses the Harbour Bridge, and takes you through Sydney city center to Randwick Racecourse: about 6 miles in all. Walking is central to traditional pilgrimage, we encourage everyone who is able to participate. There will be public transit stops all along the way as well; unlike past WYD’s none of the journey is in the country side.
What will be included in my registration materials? You will receive a pilgrim pack on arrival in Sydney (unless you are going onto DID from there, then you will likely get your materials as DID or when you return to Sydney). WYD and YIE will work to ensure that your registration materials are delivered to you (no waiting in long lines as in the past). The materials generally included a backpack, lanyard with your registration pass, meal passes, a liturgical guide, maps, a detailed program of events and youth festival venues, and a few other handy goodies.
When will we get our pilgrim mats for simple accommodations or if we purchased them? All YIE groups with simple accommodations will receive a pilgrim mats; these should be on your bus when you arrive in Sydney. They will otherwise meet you at your accommodation. If you do not have simple accommodations but ordered mats to use for the vigil, they will be delivered to your lodging provided you have ordered 10 or more.
Tuesday 15 July 2008
- Opening Mass celebrated by Cardinal George Pell: 4.30-6.30pm at Barangaroo
- Youth Festival events : 2 - 10pm (except during Opening Mass) at Sydney CBD locations.
Wednesday 16 - Friday 18 July 2008
- Catechesis (teaching) sessions: 9.00am-12.00pm OR 10.00am-1.00pm at over 250 locations across Sydney (you should be assigned to a location near your accommodation)
- Youth Festival events : 2-10pm at Sydney CBD locations.
Thursday 17 July 2008
- Catechesis (teaching) sessions: 9.00am-12.00pm OR 10.00am-1.00pm at over 250 locations across Sydney
- Papal Arrival via Boat-a-cade and welcome of the Pope on Sydney Harbour. Commences at 2.45pm on Sydney Harbour and at Barangaroo
- Youth Festival events : 2 - 10pm (except during Papal Arrival) at Sydney CBD locations.
Friday 18 July 2008
- Catechesis (teaching) sessions: 9.00am-12.00pm OR 10.00am-1.00pm at over 250 locations across Sydney
- Stations of the Cross : a re-enactment of the last moments of Jesus' life: 3-6pm at St Mary?s Cathedral, Barangaroo, Darling Harbour, Sydney Opera House Forecourt, Domain
- Youth Festival events : 2 - 10pm (except during Stations of the Cross) at Sydney CBD locations.
Saturday 19 July 2008
- Pilgrimage walk across the Sydney Harbour Bridge to Randwick Racecourse: 5.30am starting at Sydney Harbour Bridge through city to Southern Cross Precinct
- Evening Vigil with the Pope and sleep out 'under the stars': 7.00pm-9.00pm at Randwick Racecourse
Sunday 20 July 2008
- Papal motorcade commencing in Centennial Park at 9am.
- Final Mass celebrated by the Pope: 10am at Southern Cross Precinct, Randwick Racecourse and Centennial Park
- Announcement of next host city: 12.15pm
Does WYD provide medical insurance? Yes, WYD provides emergency medical coverage for all WYD participants from July 11th-July 23rd.
Do I need additional medical insurance?
You should check your insurance company to see if you have coverage in Australia and under what terms. Many do cover you but you must pay up front and then get reimbursed. If you do not have coverage you can buy travelers medical insurance online (google it).
What if I have prescription medications?
If you will be bringing a prescription med, get an extra prescription from the doctor in case the meds get lost. It's always best to bring the meds in the original bottle.