My former prof switched university and now I can't ask him in person for a LOR - should I try to see him? My former prof switched university and now I can't ask him in person for a letter of recommendation - should I try to see him in person? I've read on here that asking him via email might not be the best approach. 

I could travel to that city - I have a friend living there - but it's not close and I am not sure how important it is I see him in person. I also don't want to annoy my professor with this, so I'm not sure.

The problem is only that it's been 2 years since I studied with him, and I did not do research with him, just submitted an excellent essay. So I think it would probably be good to remind him a bit of who I am. What would you advise me to do?

edit: It's not a duplicate of Should I ask my professor by email or in person, I'm asking whether travelling to that professor in order to see him in person is overkill.
I don't think a visit is necessary (and I don't see where in the linked thread it says otherwise). Even if you were to visit him, you would contact him first to make an appointment, presumably by email.

Why not send a mail in which you both ask for a letter of recommendation and whether the prof would like to talk to you to refresh his memory (be it in person or on the phone)?