Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How long does it take to get to France?

A: – This depends on your location. We recommend using www.google.maps.com to find your route.

–  When possible we recommend looking into alternative means of travel to flying. This can be trains, busses, ferries, private cars, bikes, etc. These are all more sustainable ways to get to the VSS and this makes our green hearts happy.

– Websites like https://www.omio.com/, www.skyscanner.net or google flights help you book your travels in case you are flying.

Q: Can you arrange pick-up at the airport?

A: – All participants will have to travel individually to the venue in Reims. Make sure to plan your travel to be at the venue between 4-6 PM on Sunday 23 July. Check-in at the venue will NOT be possible before 4 PM (though you might be able to leave your luggage there). 

Q: I changed my travel plans after completing the registration, does it matter? 

A: – YES! Please make sure you send the most up-to-date travel information via e-mail (vss@afs.org) so we can plan arrivals and departures accurately. Should you change your plan after you complete the registration make sure to let us know. 

Q: Who do I contact if my flight is delayed and what do I do in that case?

A: – If your flight is delayed by a short time and you will still make it to the venue on time there is no need to notify anyone.

– In case your delay is long enough to affect your transfer to the venue on arrival day please contact Allegra at vss@afs.org or the EFIL emergency phone.

Q: When can I leave on Friday 28 July 2023?

A: – You are free to leave at any time on Friday but please note that check-out is maximum by 10am. You will have to use public transport to reach other destinations in France so make sure to check at what time public transport starts in the morning. 

Q: Is it possible to book your own accommodation outside the venue?

A: A part of the VSS is staying together at the venue and in the offered accommodations. It is not an option to stay outside of the venue.

Q: Can you recommend any budget hotels for before and after the VSS?

A: – We recommend checking www.booking.com, www.hostelworld.com, www.airbnb.com, or other similar web pages to find budget accommodation to stay at before and after the event. 

– Such bookings have to be made individually and the EFIL Office or AFS France are not a part of this process.

Q: How will the weather be at the VSS?

A: – Unfortunately the EFIL Office does not have an especially tight bond with the weather gods.

– What we can tell you is that the event is hosted in the last week of July and the average temperature at the venue at this time of year has an average of 22°C / 72°F during the day, while at night it averages at 13°C / 55°F. There is a chance of rain but if we are lucky it might also be sunny and nice.

– We recommend preparing for different weather. Dress like an onion, then you can rather take off layers if it gets too warm than being cold. Please note that there is no air conditioning at the venue. 

– We also recommend keeping an eye on the weather. 

Q: What is the attire for the event? Formal? Casual?

A: The attire is completely up to you. There is no dress code at the VSS but people tend to dress rather casually at this event. On the other hand, we do recommend taking the weather into consideration when packing, as well as the Bazaar night (you can wear something traditional) and the theme for the final party.

Q: Can I bring my spouse or other family members to the event?

A: – If they are AFS volunteers and have registered, gotten confirmed, and paid the registration fee: Yes!

– If not: The VSS is an event held exclusively for AFS volunteers that are registered participants. It is therefore not possible to bring external people to the event.