Well, friends, here we are just days away from our pilgrimages to Lisbon (and beyond, for some of you). This FINAL UPDATE is full of answers to the common questions we've had at the office, including some helpful last-minute tips for leaders and pilgrims alike. Please read through carefully, as we're sure there are multiple nuggets of wisdom that will be helpful for even the most experienced WYD pilgrim.

In this update:

• Arrival & Meeting Your Guide
• Money Matters: 
  • How much money should I bring?
  • What about tipping?
• Meals/Dietary Restrictions/Preferences
• ​Catechesis Locations
• Offline Maps
• WhatsApp & Phone Usage
• Mobile Passport if you are re-entering the USA​
• Notes for groups/families traveling with anyone under 18
• Optional (but awesome) events during WYD week
• Check your group websites!
• Tag Us!

Arrival
When you land in Lisbon/other European destination, follow signs leading you to immigration. (If you need to use the restroom, the time to do it is before you get to immigration and a possibly very long line.) Unless you are a citizen in an EU country, follow the long line for all foreigners. It is important to note that you are not permitted to be on your phone (not even scrolling Instagram) while in line. 

After your passport is stamped, you will continue to baggage claim and if you checked luggage, grab your bag, and continue to the exit.

Meeting Your Guide
At the exit, look for your Extension Guide (if applicable) or JMJyouth WYD Guide holding a large "JMJ Youth" flag or sign with your group name. They will lead you to meet your fellow pilgrims to wait for your group transfer to your lodging.

If you have alternate transportation plans, we should have already exchanged emails so that our office knows when and where to expect your group. If you are not using the group transfers and have NOT communicated with our office about your arrival plans, please email us immediately!

How much money should you bring?

This has been the most frequently asked question for the last week, and the answer entirely depends on your own spending habits. Prices in Lisbon are similar to mid-size cities in the United States, with some things being a little cheaper (such as good coffee!). You can buy a nice lunch in a sit-down restaurant for 16-22 Euro, and a souvenir keychain will cost you 6-8 Euro. Keeping those price points (and our tipping guidelines) in mind, plan how much cash to bring based on your typical eating and shopping habits. If you run out of cash, there are plenty of ATMs everywhere you go, and debit/credit cards/Apple Pay/Google Pay are accepted just about everywhere. Just be sure your debit card has a 4-digit PIN if you plan to use an ATM.

What about tipping?

​It is appropriate to bring cash on your day trips to tip your drivers (1 Euro per person per transfer and/or 2 Euro per person per day trip). You can pay these tips directly to your drivers. The same applies for your professional guides if you are going on a pre or post WYD Extension.

If you go to a sit-down restaurant, tipping isn't expected but if the service is very good, you can leave 5-10% of your bill as a tip.

You are not expected to tip your JMJyouth WYD Guide, though we will never 'forbid' you from showing gratitude for good service in whatever way you are comfortable.

Breakfast will take place in your lodging every morning, with the exception of the overnight Vigil which will be a packed meal. Lunch and dinner from July 31-August 6 are included with your WYD registration. Lunch is not included as of August 7, but your JMJ WYD Guide will help you find locations or you can choose your own options if you are still in Lisbon that day. If you are going on a pre or post WYD Extension, please visit your group website for meal inclusions.

As far as WYD meals are concerned, it will be up to each pilgrim to choose appropriate foods from among the choices offered by restaurants participating in the WYD food program. Sometimes, pilgrims may find that diet-friendly foods are limited. We recommend that pilgrims with restrictive diets carry supplemental food/snacks to ensure they have plenty of energy for the week. There are many grocery stores nearby that can help in this regard, but note that they have limited hours on Sundays.

WYD has not yet specified exact Catechesis locations, but those will be updated on your group websites as soon as they are published.

WYD Guides will navigate the group to and from Catechesis (including using public transportation when practical), and will lead everyone to the correct zone for the larger WYD events. ​

Google Maps' "Offine Maps" feature is a great tool for navigating any city from your smartphone without a data or Wifi connection. Here's a quick tutorial on how to download an Offline Map. This will take quite a bit of data, so we recommend connecting to WiFi first.

• Open the app and search for Lisbon, Portugal.
• Click the Menu button at the top left, and choose "Offline Maps."
• Click the first option, "Select your own map."
• Pinch and zoom the map to include as much or as little of Lisbon as you prefer. (We suggest Belem to the west and Parque Tejo to the east, with the airport to the north to set parameters.)
• Click "Download." You will now be able to see street names and limited location information (e.g., public places, metro stops, some restaurants) even when you're not connected to a network or to Wifi.

The best way to communicate while traveling internationally is by using WhatsApp. In most of Europe, this is the primary way that people communicate by voice or text. If you haven't already, we recommend downloading and setting up the app while you are home and using your primary phone number.

Once you are overseas, you can continue using WhatsApp (a) with your cell phone data via an international plan with your carrier, or (b) over wifi only while your phone is in airplane mode / data is turned off.

While you can call any of our listed office numbers, we will be available over WhatsApp for messaging and audio calls at  +1 760 216 6075 ​. We will do our best to answer all of your calls as quickly as possible.

Mobile Passport Control (MPC) allows eligible travelers to submit their travel document, photo, and customs declaration information through a free, secure app on their smartphone or other mobile device. The use of MPC streamlines the traveler’s entry process into the United States by reducing passport control inspection time and overall wait time. Use of MPC does not require pre-approval. Travelers who successfully use the MPC app will no longer have to complete a paper form or use an APC kiosk. As a result, travelers may experience shorter wait times, less congestion and efficient processing.

For more information, please visit the US Customs and Border Patrol's website with instructions to download this potentially very helpful app!

Due to heightened security measures to combat child trafficking and make sure anyone under 18 is safely traveling with designated chaperones, it is imperative that group leaders/chaperones/parents bring the original copies of the WYD Parental Consent Forms with them during travel. If a parent is not accompanying anyone under 18, this form must be notarized (required by the Portuguese government and the US Department of State, among other countries).

While we have digital copies on file, if your forms need to be reviewed by passport control or at your lodging, you need to have those original copies. While we know paperwork can be a hassle, child safety is worth it!

• The Blessed Carlo Acutis Center hosted by Catholic Christian Outreach and Worldyouthday.com with Fr. Rob Galea. There will be Holy Hour on Tuesday, August 1st from 9:00-11:00 PM at the Basilica of Our Lady of the Martyrs. For more information, check out CCO.ca/wyd
• The JP2 Project hosting relics of Pope St. John Paul II and Bl. Pier Giorgio Frassati. From dynamic talks to Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, this is a must-visit youth festival site of WYD23! There are multiple events and times, so please visit their website for more information.
• United States National Pilgrim Gathering at WYD 2023 featuring Bishop Robert E. Barron, Chairman of the USCCB Committee on Laity, Marriage, Family Life and Youth. This event will take place on Wednesday, August 2, 2023, with doors opening at 6:30 p.m., and the event from 7:00-9:00pm at the Parque da Quinta das Conches, Lisbon. Come together with WYD pilgrims from across the USA for a special national gathering. The program will feature prayer, music, testimony, networking, and a Holy Hour with the Lord, led by Bishop Robert Barron of Winona-Rochester.

Have we mentioned this enough? Just in case we haven't, please do, and please do often! There is A LOT of very important information there that may answer many questions (but of course please contact our office for whatever you and your guide cannot solve).

We want you to share your pilgrimage experience with us via social media - from packing your bag before you leave to unpacking your memories once you're home.

Facebook: Like our page. When you're writing a post, type @JMJ to search and tag our page.

Instagram: Tag us in your stories, photos, and text @jmjyouth

Want to be featured on WorldYouthDay.com? Tag them, too!

Facebook: Like their page. When you're writing a post, type @World Youth Day to search and tag their page.

Instagram: Tag your stories, photos, and text with @WorldYouthDayMedia

We want to engage with all of our pilgrims before, during, and after World Youth Day. Like and Follow us to share this journey together!