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Undercover Tourist Review [Discounted Tickets, Hotels, and Car Rentals]

Katie Seemann

Senior Content Contributor and News Editor

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Keri Stooksbury

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What is Undercover Tourist?

Paper tickets vs. e-tickets, refundable tickets, travel insurance, undercover tourist crowd calendar, the frog guarantee and frog family promise, price comparisons, earning points on tickets, final thoughts.

We may be compensated when you click on product links, such as credit cards, from one or more of our advertising partners. Terms apply to the offers below. See our Advertising Policy for more about our partners, how we make money, and our rating methodology. Opinions and recommendations are ours alone.

Undercover Tourist is a popular website for purchasing theme park tickets at a discount. If you’ve planned a trip to Walt Disney World , Universal Studios, or SeaWorld, you’ve probably come across Undercover Tourist. But did you also know you can use this website to book hotels and rental cars, too?

In this post, we’ll go over what you need to know to use Undercover Tourist to find the best prices on amusement park tickets, hotels, and rental cars. Plus, we’ll go over some of the popular features of the site like the Crowd Calendar.

Undercover Tourist is a website that that’s been around since 2000 and is known for offering discounted tickets to theme parks across the U.S. The site is an authorized seller of tickets for all the major theme parks you know and love:

• Walt Disney World Resort in Florida
• Disneyland in California
• Universal Orlando Resort
• Universal Studios Hollywood
• SeaWorld Orlando
• SeaWorld San Diego
• LEGOLAND Florida Resort
• LEGOLAND California Resort

Undercover Tourist also has discounted tickets to non-theme park attractions like Ripley’s Believe It or Not, ski resorts, zoos, movie theaters, and lots more! Plus, it acts as an online travel agency for hotels and car rentals.

While Undercover Tourist offers a ton of ticket, hotel, and car options, the site is limited in the number of destinations it covers. You’ll only find options in the following cities:

• Breckenridge, CO
• Chicago, IL
• Los Angeles, CA
• New York City, NY
• Orlando, FL
• Park City, Utah
• San Antonio, Texas
• San Diego, CA
• San Francisco, CA
• Washington, D.C.

Options in Seattle, London, and Paris are coming soon.

Bottom Line: Undercover Tourist is a resource for discounted tickets to theme parks and other attractions in select cities across the U.S. It’s best known for offering discounted tickets to Walt Disney World and Universal Studios theme parks.  The site also acts as an online travel agency for hotel reservations and car rentals in these select cities.

Discount Tickets

Let’s review the steps to using Undercover Tourist to purchase discounted tickets.

You can start your search for discounted tickets from many different places on the home page. Click on Discount Tickets in the top menu bar, click on a logo underneath the menu bar, or click on any of the featured tickets in the middle of your screen to start your search.

After choosing your destination, you’ll be able to see lots of information about your chosen theme park, including maps, hotels, tips, and more. Scroll down a bit to find the availability calendar and ticket options.

The tickets you buy through Undercover Tourist are exactly the same as if you purchased them directly from the park, except you’ll probably save some money.

After choosing the type and number of tickets you need, you’ll be able to see your final price and choose your travel dates. The price you see is what you’ll pay — taxes are included and shipping is free!

Hot Tip: Are you on a tight budget? Check out our full guide to using visiting Disney World for cheap using points and miles.

You may be inclined to have your tickets emailed to you, but there are some risks. E-tickets are non-refundable, and you’ll need to stop at Will Call at the gate to pick up your physical tickets. For Disney tickets, if you have a MagicBand, you can add the e-tickets to your account and proceed directly to the gate, but they’ll still be non-refundable.

Instead, it may be a better idea to have the physical tickets mailed to you. This option is also free and the tickets will be eligible for a refund. Plus, you’ll be able to go straight to the gate at the park which can be a huge timesaver.

Many tickets sold on Undercover Tourist are refundable within 90 days of purchase. To get a refundable ticket, you’ll need to have tickets mailed to you vs. opting for email delivery. Refundable tickets will be clearly marked. Be sure to confirm the return policy for your specific tickets before completing your purchase.

If you need to return tickets that you purchased, you’ll be charged a 5% fee to cover the return.

Hot Tip: E-tickets are non-refundable. To get a ticket that is eligible for a refund, you’ll need to select the Mailed To Your Door  option.

Before finalizing your purchase, you’ll be prompted to add travel insurance. Before choosing whether or not to add insurance to your purchase, you’ll want to learn about all of your options.

Undercover Tourist offers insurance through Allianz Global Assistance , a popular travel insurance company. However, the policy offered by Undercover Tourist covers lots of areas that may already be covered through your credit card including trip cancellation and interruption , lost or delayed baggage, and travel accident insurance, so it may not be needed.

If you purchase tickets that are eligible for a refund, insurance is probably not necessary. If you’re also booking a hotel or rental car, take a minute to determine if you have a credit card with rental car insurance  before purchasing a separate policy.

The Undercover Tourist Crowd Calendar is a popular feature on the site that helps you identify the least and most crowded times to visit a specific park.

To access the Crowd Calendar, just click on Crowd Calendar in the top menu bar of the website.

You’ll be able to look at specifics for a handful of the most popular destinations:

• Discovery Cove
• Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park
• Disney’s Hollywood Studios
• Magic Kingdom Park
• Universal’s Islands of Adventure
• Universal Studios Florida
• Universal’s Volcano Bay

Hot Tip: The Undercover Tourist Crowd Calendar is a color-coded chart that helps you predict which parks will be more or less crowded on a specific day.

If you’re headed to Orlando, be sure to download the Undercover Tourist Orlando Planning App, free for iOS . This handy app will take the stress out of trying to navigate the parks on your own with features like an interactive map, up-to-date park information, park plans, and estimated wait times.

The app covers Walt Disney World Resort, Universal Orlando, and SeaWorld Orlando.

The Frog Guarantee and Frog Family Promise are not price guarantees, rather they’re guarantees of quality and customer service.

When purchasing amusement park tickets through Undercover Tourist you’ll always receive:

• Authentic tickets from an authorized seller
• Free standard shipping
• No hidden fees
• 90-day refund/return policy (not applicable to e-tickets)
• RFID enabled and Genie+ eligible Disney tickets
• Next-day pickup or delivery availability

So, let’s answer the question you really want to know, “Can Undercover Tourist save me money?”

To do this, we priced out some ticket options for 1 adult on Undercover Tourist and compared those to what we could get directly from the park’s website.

In every single example we priced out, Undercover Tourist was the cheapest option! If you’re looking for discounted tickets to Walt Disney World and other popular theme parks, you’ll probably save money by using Undercover Tourist.

Hot Tip: You can NOT use Disney gift cards to pay for tickets through Undercover Tourist. So, if you’ve been collecting gift cards from stores with high points bonuses (like grocery stores ), you’ll need to purchase your tickets directly through the park.

Purchasing tickets to an amusement park can be expensive. So, of course, you’ll want to make sure you’re earning as many points as possible on your purchase.

Amusement park tickets usually code as “entertainment,” so if you’re purchasing them directly, you’ll want to use a credit card that offers bonus categories on entertainment purchases . The Citi Premier ® Card earns 2 points per dollar spent on entertainment purchases, including tickets to amusement parks.

However, purchases from Undercover Tourist code as “travel” which opens up the door to earn points on a variety of different credit cards. These credit cards all earn bonus points on the travel category, which will include amusement park tickets purchased from Undercover Tourist.

Earn 3x points on travel purchases with these credit cards:

• Ink Business Preferred ® Credit Card
• Chase Sapphire Reserve ® card
• Citi Premier card

Earn 2x points on travel purchases with these credit cards:

• Chase Sapphire Preferred ® card
• Capital One ® Venture ® Rewards card

Hot Tip: If you have an American Express card, check to see if Amex Offers has any current money-back offers from Undercover Tourist. 

While Undercover Tourist is known as the place to buy theme park tickets, the site also acts as an online travel agency for booking hotels.

To get started, click on Hotels in the top menu bar. Then select your destination from the drop-down box and enter the number of travelers and your travel dates.

Your search results will be displayed in a format similar to other hotel booking websites that you may be familiar with (like Expedia , Priceline , Hotels.com , etc). Filtering options will be available on the left side of your screen and sorting options are located on the upper right-hand side, above the results.

Unlike with tickets on Undercover Tourist, the prices you see initially don’t include tax. You’ll have to click through to the payment page to see the full price with taxes and fees included.

Cancellation policies will vary by the hotel but will be clearly displayed once you add an item to your cart.

Hot Tip: If you’re traveling to Florida to enjoy the theme parks, check out these places to stay in Orlando for your Disney vacation!

Let’s take a look at a couple of examples to see if booking a hotel through Undercover Tourist can save you money. For both of these examples, we priced out a week-long stay for 2 adults and 1 child. Prices include taxes and fees and are for the hotel stay only (tickets are not included).

The results are typical of most price comparisons we do — they aren’t consistent! Undercover Tourist had the best price for the first option, but Trivago came out with the best price in the second example. The bottom line is that you can definitely save money by using Undercover Tourist for your hotel stay, but not always.

The car rental search functionality on the Undercover Tourist website is pretty limited. You’ll only be able to search for car rentals at Orlando International Airport (MCO) from only 5 car rental companies — Alamo, Avis , Budget , Enterprise , and National .

We did a couple of searches to find out if booking your Orlando car rental through Undercover Tourist could save you money. We searched for the cheapest price for a week-long rental on 2 different dates.

In both of these examples, Undercover Tourist came out as the second most expensive option. Interestingly, Momondo  had the lowest price and Priceline had the highest price in both examples.

Undercover Tourist may be a great place to purchase theme park tickets, but it’s not a great option when you’re searching for a rental car.

Undercover Tourist is a popular website for purchasing theme park tickets on the cheap. It also acts as an online travel agency for hotels and car rentals, but only in select cities.

It’s a great site to use to save some money on theme park tickets, but the savings on hotels and cars aren’t as consistent.

Before you head to Disney, check out some of our helpful guides including re-opening plans , packing lists , and even how to visit virtually .

The information regarding the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does undercover tourist give refunds.

Yes, most ticket purchases are eligible for a refund within 90 days of purchase if you choose to have your tickets mailed to you. E-tickets are usually non-refundable. If you choose to return tickets, you’ll be charged a 5% fee.

What is the Undercover Tourist crowd calendar?

The Undercover Tourist Crowd Calendar helps you identify the least and most crowded times to visit a specific park using a color-coded system.

Is Undercover Tourist legitimate?

Yes, Undercover Tourist is a legitimate website that sells discounted amusement park tickets and it acts as an online travel agency for hotels and rental cars. It’s an authorized seller for tickets to some of the most popular parks in the U.S. including Walt Disney World and Universal Studios.

Why is Undercover Tourist cheaper?

Undercover Tourist buys tickets at a wholesale price from the theme parks so they’re able to re-sell them to you at a discounted price. Plus, they don’t charge any additional fees so the price you see is the price you’ll pay.

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About Katie Seemann

Katie has been in the points and miles game since 2015 and started her own blog in 2016. She’s been freelance writing since then and her work has been featured in publications like Travel + Leisure, Forbes Advisor, and Fortune Recommends.

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The 7 Best Seattle Tours

Explore the Emerald City's natural beauty and urban offerings with these guided excursions.

Courtesy of Argosy Cruises

See Seattle's top sights from the water with a tour from Argosy Cruises.

Note: Some tour providers on this list may have limited or ceased operations due to COVID-19. Check with your tour operator about availability before you book.

Idyllically situated in the Pacific Northwest, Seattle is a mecca for foodies, tech experts and outdoor enthusiasts. Whether you're here to see its city-based attractions like the Olympic Sculpture Park or its natural wonders like Mount Si , the best way to experience it all is with a guided tour. Browse through these 7 top Seattle tours, identified by U.S. News using both expert opinions and traveler sentiment, to help you plan your ideal getaway.

Argosy Cruises – Harbor Cruise

Sail through Seattle's Elliott Bay with Argosy Cruises. The one-hour narrated boat tour takes passengers through Puget Sound, by the shipping port and offers city skyline views. The vessel sports a full-service bar with snacks and alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks. Tour-goers report seeing lots of wildlife and fantastic views. They also enjoy their friendly and informative guides. Seating is first-come, first-served, and boarding begins 20 minutes ahead of departure time. Tickets start at $33 for adults and $20 for kids ages 4 to 12; children 3 and younger ride for free. Tours run multiple times daily during peak summer months; there is an abbreviated schedule in the winter. The company also conducts wine cruises, as well as cruises of Lake Washington, among other sailings.

[ View & Book Tickets .]

Tours Northwest – Mt Rainier Tour

A trip to Mount Rainier is a must when visiting Seattle, but if you don't want to navigate to the peak yourself, consider this daytrip with Tours Northwest. You'll ride in an air-conditioned coach bus through incredible scenery en route to the mountain. At the park, you'll have the opportunity to hike as much or as little as you want to see waterfalls, meadows and old-growth forests. Tourgoers rave about their guides' knowledge of the park and its trails. They also relish the beautiful scenery and the frequent stops for photo-ops and exploration. Tours operate May through October. Each tour begins at 7:30 a.m. and lasts about 10 hours. Tickets for adults cost approximately $140 and tickets for children 7 to 12 cost approximately $120. Park fees are included, but you will need to pay for lunch. Tours Northwest also provides tours of Seattle and the Boeing facility.

Customized Tours – Olympic National Park Tour

Olympic National Park encompasses nearly 1 million acres and features a variety of ecosystems, including temperate rainforests, mountains and coastline. Customized Tours' daylong outing of the park aims to see each of these ecosystems. The tour begins with pickup from select Seattle hotels before hopping on a ferry ride across the Puget Sound to explore the park. Travelers agree that the park is incredible and the long day (about 12 hours) is worth it. They also advise wearing comfortable shoes; you'll be chauffeured in a bus to different locations, but you will still do a lot of walking. Tickets start at $170 for adults and $145 for children 11 and younger. Pickups start around 7:30 a.m. Tours run Monday, Wednesday and Friday from April through October. The company operates several other Seattle outings, including city tours and trips to Mount Rainier.

[View & Book Tickets: Option 1 | Option 2 | Option 3 .]

Beneath the Streets

Learn about the formation of Seattle and its original neighborhood, Pioneer Square, on this one-hour Beneath the Streets tour. Expert guides will lead you through underground passageways dating back to the 1890s, sharing historic information, along with stories of the Klondike Gold Rush, the city's architecture and the Coast Salish tribes who originally inhabited the area. Tourgoers describe the experience as full of interesting information and praise their well-educated guides. Tours, limited to 16 people, leave every 30 minutes between 10:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Though tours run daily, there is limited availability on Tuesday and Wednesday. Tickets cost approximately $25 for adults, $22 for college students and teens, and $15 for children ages 7 to 12. The company also operates an adults-only red-light district tour.

Eat Seattle – Food Tour of Pike Place

Taste your way through Seattle's famous Pike Place Market with a chef leading the way. Guides will share insider tips about where area chefs shop and explain the history of the market. Along the way, you could sample chowder, chocolate, pasta and more. Tour-takers say the guides are wonderful and the food is delicious. Many commented the samples are enough for lunch. The two-hour tours depart several times daily, typically between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Tickets cost about $50 per person. Abbreviated, hourlong tours of the market are also available on select days.

Puget Sound Express – Seattle Whale Watching Tours

A variety of wildlife species call Seattle home, including several different types of whales. The Puget Sound Express offers a half-day whale-watching tour that gives visitors the opportunity to see orcas, humpback whales, otters, sea lions and more in the San Juan Islands. The company's speedy boats reach the islands in about an hour and feature indoor seating with large windows, outdoor viewing decks and a cafe serving fresh blueberry buckle. Plus, the Puget Sound Express guarantees you will see whales on your tour or your next trip is free. Tourgoers rave about the courteous crew and all the wildlife spotted thanks to the crew's attentiveness and knowledge of the area. Tours last four to five hours and leave daily from April through October. Exact departure times vary by season. Ticket prices start at $135 for adults and $95 for children 2 to 10, while children younger than 2 ride for free. The company also offers bird-watching and multi-day wildlife cruises.

Shutter Tours – Snoqualmie Falls and Seattle City Tour

Travelers enjoy this comprehensive tour because it offers a balance of gorgeous natural scenery and a great overview of the city's top sights. During the four-hour excursion, tourgoers start with a lesson in Seattle history, exploring the Pioneer Square area – the hub of the Klondike Gold Rush. Travelers are then transported to the beautiful Snoqualmie Falls in the Cascade foothills. Next, the tour continues to the famous Fremont Troll and then the Ballard Locks. Finally, it concludes at Kerry Park , a popular spot to snap photos of the Seattle skyline. Reviewers recommend booking this tour your first day in Seattle to get your bearings. Tickets cost approximately $70 for adults, $65 for seniors, and $55 for children 12 and younger. Tours run daily at 10 a.m. Shutter Tours also operates a tour to Mount Rainier and a Tulip Festival tour every April.

You may also be interested in:

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• The Best Whale Watching in Seattle
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Tags: Tours , Vacations , Seattle , Travel , Pacific Northwest Vacations , Washington State Vacations , US Vacations

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Best Online Travel Agencies

Booking.com is our top choice for making your trip arrangements

Ligaya Malones is an editor, blogger, and freelance writer specializing in food and travel. Ligaya's work has appeared in publications including Lonely Planet and BRIDES.

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Planning a trip can be easier through an online travel agency than if you handle each aspect of the planning separately. You can book hotels, air travel, rental cars, and more through a single site, and booking everything together sometimes results in discounts. By inputting a destination, a range of dates, and other preferences, you will see a list of options for each aspect of travel.

The best online travel agencies offer options from the largest number of airlines, hotels, car rental agencies, and more. Look for sites that offer discounts for combining reservations for different aspects of your trip. For example, the best sites will have lower rates if you book both plane tickets and a hotel through their services. The best sites also provide reviews from customers who actually have booked through the service. These are our top picks.

• Best Overall: Booking.com
• Best Budget: Skyscanner
• Best Price Predictor: Hopper
• Most Innovative: Kiwi.com
• Best for Eco-Conscious: Kind Traveler
• Best for Social Impact: I Like Local
• Best for Design-Forward Homestays: Plum Guide
• Our Top Picks
• Booking.com

Kind Traveler

I Like Local

• See More (4)

Final Verdict

Frequently asked questions, methodology, best overall : booking.com.

 Booking.com

This industry leader offers one of the most comprehensive trip planning platforms on the Internet.

Lots of options to choose from

Interface is easy to use

Numerous filters to customize your search

Tricky to tell whether changes/cancellations can be made with Booking.com or the vendor directly

Booking.com was founded in 1996 and has grown into an industry leader that stands out for being one of the most comprehensive trip planning platforms out there. From one website, you can compare and book accommodations, flights (including one-way and multi-city flights), sightseeing activities, and even airport taxis. The website lists more than 28 million accommodation options, from hotels, hostels, and B&Bs to vacation homes and luxury resorts—you can browse more choices per destination on Booking.com than other online travel agencies. The website also performs well on cost and typically returns lower-than-average prices for flights and hotels. 

Booking.com's interface is also easy to use. On the home page, search for a hotel by entering your chosen destination and dates. Then, use the extensive list of filters—such as price range and distance from the city center—to narrow the results down and find the best fit. You can also search for a specific hotel, or seek inspiration by clicking through options grouped by destination or property type or by topic such as the country’s best Michelin-starred hotel restaurants or the top cities for vegan travelers. The flights, car rental, and other tabs are just as intuitive. 

Best Budget : Skyscanner

 Skyscanner

You can compare prices across airlines, hotels, and car rentals.

Simple interface

Option to toggle searches between specific dates or by monthly calendars

Search Everywhere button is great for spontaneous planners

Extra clicks are required to make a final purchase

Must read fine print for changes/cancellations—may need to deal directly with the vendor

Ads on the sidebar can be distracting

Find deals on airfare, hotels, and car rentals with an aggregator site like Skyscanner , which uses a metasearch engine to compare prices from all online travel agencies and the airline, hotel, or car rental company in question. Run searches with fixed dates, opt to compare airfare prices month to month, or click “Cheapest Month.” Searches also include options for nearby airports or non-stop flights only. With hotel searches, you can choose to select only from properties with free cancellation, a cleanliness rating of 4.5/5 or higher, or 3- or 4-starred hotels only. Car rental searches include an option to select “return car to different location.”

Once you’ve found the best rate, click on the link to be redirected to the third-party site to make your booking. Feeling spontaneous? The Search Everywhere button on the homepage offers a list of the cheapest flight deals for destinations both locally and across the world—just plug in your departure airport first.

Best Price Predictor : Hopper

The company claims a 95 percent accuracy rate at predicting when flights and hotel rates will be cheapest.

Color-coded system makes it easy to determine cheapest days to buy

App is easy to use

Option to track flights and receive alerts when the best time to buy arises

Some have mentioned the app functions better as a research tool than a booking tool

Unclear whether Hopper will price match if you find a cheaper flight elsewhere

Hopper is a travel app available on iOS and Android that aims to help travelers save on airfare by usng historical data and their own algorithm to predict when flights will be cheapest. Just type in where and when you’d like to fly and Hopper will present you with a color-coded pricing calendar indicating how much tickets are likely to cost. (Green is the least expensive, then yellow, orange, and red for most expensive.) Hopper will also recommend you either buy now or wait, or you can choose to watch a trip and receive notifications on the best time to buy. In addition, the app has expanded to offer hotel and car rental price predictions, too.

Some newer features since the app’s inception in 2009 include an option to freeze a price for a limited time—for an extra fee—as well as exclusive app-only discounts. Hopper is free to download, and you can choose to book directly through the app, though some users mentioned they use Hopper as more of a research tool before booking directly with the airline or hotel. The company claims a 95 percent accuracy rate at predicting flight rates up to a year ahead.

Most Innovative : Kiwi.com

This metasearch engine scours the web to piece together the ideal itinerary using planes, trains, buses, and more.

Creative itineraries get you where you need to go, especially if you’ve got a multi-stop trip

Kiwi Guarantee offers rebooking or cancellation protections

Nomad option appeals to travelers with a lot of flexibility

Creative itineraries mean you may not fly out of the same airport you flew into

Kiwi Guarantee has an additional fee

Charges all-in-one fee for booking flights, trains, buses (though you can always purchase a la carte)

Travelers planning multi-city destinations and seeking a bargain, as well as those looking to take planes, trains, and automobiles to get there, might consider Kiwi . Kiwi is a metasearch engine that scours and pieces together itineraries from various airlines (even if they don’t have a codeshare agreement), considers multiple airports (even if your arrival airport is different from departure), and offers booking options, whether you’re looking at very specific dates or more general ones (up to 60 nights).

Some will find the ability to make multiple bookings for a particular trip more convenient than going at it manually several different times, though note that you must opt into the Kiwi Guarantee program to access rebooking and refund protections should your reservation change or be canceled. Kiwi’s Nomad option allows you to plug in a bunch of destinations you’d like to visit and the length of your intended stay, and the website will churn out the most affordable itineraries for review.

Best for Eco-Conscious : Kind Traveler

A give-and-get business model means booking accommodations with exclusive perks, a donation to environmental organizations, and more.

All participating hotels include a local give-back component

Exclusive savings and perks

Participating hotels are located in some of the most beautiful places in the world

Inventory is much smaller compared to other booking platforms

Some of the amenities mentioned are based on availability only

In 2022, Kind Traveler (an online trave agency focused on hotel bookings) announced an increase in environmentally and socially conscious hotels, charity donations, voluntourism opportunities, and additional perks like waived resort fees or a welcome amenity.

Unlock exclusive hotel rates and perks from participating Kind Traveler hotels with a minimum $10/night minimum donation to a local charity. For example, stay at the Six Senses Laamu in the Maldives and receive up to $33 off the nightly rate and perks such as a food and beverage credit and an Earth Lab or Alchemy Bar workshop when you make a donation to Manta Trust. The organization funds coastal research to protect the island nation’s large yet fragile population of reef mantas.

Select from more than 140 participating hotels from the Hawaiian Islands to Bozeman, Montana, and the Maldives. Charities include wildlife, human rights, arts, education, and environmental preservation organizations.

Best for Social Impact : I Like Local

Choose from a host of travel experiences with the peace of mind that 100 percent of the cost goes directly to local partners.

Social impact mission woven into organization’s business model

Immersive experiences led by local guides

Range of experiences offered

May not be best fit for those seeking upscale, luxury experiences and stays

Can’t sort experiences by a list of countries (though an interactive map is available)

No experiences outside of Africa and Asia

For an online travel agency with a booking platform designed to route dollars spent directly to the communities travelers intend to visit, consider I Like Local . Visit the website to browse a host of travel experiences in countries including Indonesia, Kenya, and Cambodia. Experiences include homestays and farmstays as well as wellness and culturally oriented experiences—from cooking and cycling tours to weaving classes.

To search for an experience, select from drop-down items like travel dates and experience categories, or view a global map and click on a country to view experiences that way.

The platform got its start in 2014 and has grown to 4,000 local hosts across nearly 20 countries. As a social impact organization, 100 percent of each booking fee goes to local hosts. To date, 16,000 travelers have booked with I Like Local.

Best for Design-Forward Homestays : Plum Guide

Browse and book seriously vetted, design-forward vacation homes.

Highly curated inventory of vacation rentals across the world

Design-forward

Thorough vetting process

Does not publish guest reviews

Other platforms have homes available across more destinations

When it comes to booking a vacation home, serviced apartment, or condo, travelers are spoiled for choice. Plum Guide is an online travel agency that specializes in accommodations—though not just any home makes its directory. The company claims that each potential home listed on its site must jump through 150 hoops to be included, from internet speed and mattress and pillow quality to the showers’ water pressure and the home’s proximity to dining, shopping, and attractions.

Search by a featured collection on the website such as “ pet-friendly homes ” or “one-of-a-kind homes in Palm Springs.” Scroll to the bottom of its homepage to view its top destinations, as well as a list of all destinations where Plum Guide homes are available, including Barbados, Mexico, Portugal, Switzerland, the U.S., and Turkey. Note: From the top right-hand corner of the site, use the dropdown menu to select currency of choice.

As long as you know what you value most out of your travel experience—such as affordability, social impact, or luxe accommodations—there’s an online travel agency to help plan your next trip. Be sure to read the fine print, as some agencies are third-party websites and not direct vendors. If you're not sure where to start, Booking.com is your best bet for a smooth user experience and hard-to-beat offers on flights, hotels, and other travel arrangements.

What Is the Biggest Travel Agency?

Our choice for best overall, Booking.com, is known as an industry leader with listings for all major hotels, airlines, car rental companies, and more. It boasts more choices for accommodations per destination than any other site, and we found its interface to be user-friendly.

Are Online Travel Agencies Worth It?

This depends on your needs and priorities. The best online travel agencies certainly can save time by booking everything all at once. However, if you're someone who is good at haggling and enjoys the details of planning a trip, you might be able to find better deals by reaching out to hotels or other destinations and speaking to someone personally.

Is It Cheaper to Book Online Than With a Travel Agent?

Not always. A travel agent you know and trust should have the experience and connections to find deals that can match or surpass what you'll find online. Additionally, if something goes wrong, travel agents provide you with an actual person you can use as an advocate to correct the problem . But if you don't have access to a good travel agent, online sites still provide plenty of ways to streamline planning and save money .

We considered dozens of online travel agencies and narrowed down the options based on user experience, volume and quality of inventory, unique offerings and specials, and customer reviews. We also assessed travel companies’ environmentally and socially conscious policies.

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A History of Moscow in 13 Dishes

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A Retro Look At Underground Travel Through The Years

Posted: November 24, 2023 | Last updated: November 24, 2023

Going underground

London's first underground trains

Preliminary designs for a subway system in New York City

An early shot of London's Trafalgar Square

A metro station in Budapest

Boston's Park Street station

Construction of City Hall subway station in New York

Flash forward to the early 1900s and work on New York City's subway was well under way. City Hall, pictured here under construction, was part of the very first line, which ran 9.1 miles from here to 145th Street in Harlem.

The first passengers on New York City's subway

New York City subway tunnels

Women's carriage on New York City's subway

Women-only carriages were debuted on the Uptown Hudson Tubes in 1909. The last car on each train was reserved for female passengers and became nicknamed the "suffragette car." One such car is snapped here – notice the multiple "women-only" signs and the impressive Edwardian-era headgear.

A London Underground advert

A District Line carriage on the London Underground

A London Underground ticket hall

A ticket booth along the New York City subway

Tottenham Court Road station in London

Inside 1920s Tottenham Court Road station

Escalators were a novelty in the early 20th century. The first escalator was introduced to the London Underground at Earl's Court station in 1911. Commuters are pictured here in the mid-1920s riding down an escalator at London's Tottenham Court Road station. You can spot charming vintage ads lining the wall next to them.

Passengers relax at London's Waterloo station

Ticket stations on the London Underground

An early Moscow Metro map

A U-Bahn station in Berlin

Outside a U-Bahn station in Berlin

There's something warm and inviting about this night-time scene in Berlin, with Französische Straße U-Bahn station shining like a beacon at the center. The glittering hotel signs and corner cafés add to the ambiance. The station pictured is shuttered today.

Passengers on the Buenos Aires Underground

An Eighth Avenue subway car in New York

A man at a Chicago "L" station

Early Chicago subway passengers

Commuters at a metro station in Paris

Today, the Paris Métro, which opened right at the turn of the century, is renowned for its striking Art Nouveau-style subway entrances and its perpetual buzz – it's tipped as one of the busiest subway systems in the world. It's even bustling in this circa-1940 photograph. The shot shows the Place d'Italie metro station heaving with commuters.

Turnstiles at a Toronto subway station

Passengers read papers on a Glasgow metro car

Crowds at Komsomolskaya metro station in Moscow

A subway station in Osaka, Japan

Japan's first subway system opened in Tokyo in 1927, and Osaka soon followed suit in 1933. This photo dating from 1956 shows thronging crowds as far as the eye can see at an Osaka station.

On the subway in 1960s Tokyo

Passengers on the Moscow Metro

The NYC Transit Authority inspect new subway cars

The oldest cars still in operation on the New York City Subway are the R32 'Brightliners,' which were introduced in 1964. This photograph shows New York City Transit Authority officials checking out the new cars at the Budd Company Railway Division plant in Philadelphia, prior to their launch.

A subway station in Washington DC

The USA's capital was surprisingly late in establishing a subway system, when compared with other major cities like NYC and Chicago. Ground was broken for Washington DC's metro in 1969, with the first line opening in 1976 (the Red Line from Farragut North to Rhode Island Avenue). Early commuters wait on a metro platform in this photo from the same year.

Now read on for the world's most beautiful subway and metro stations

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Going underground

There is a surprising number of underground attractions in Poland with some real gems to be discovered including 17 mines, 9 cave systems, tunnels, dungeons, medieval cellars and even a city.

Some of the most notable underground attractions in Poland include:

Wieliczka Salt Mine: located in the town of Wieliczka, this mine is one of the oldest in Europe, with a history dating back to the 13th century. Visitors can take a tour of the mine, which includes a visit to the underground chapel, sculptures and an underground lake.

Krakow’s Underground Museum: located in the heart of Krakow, this museum offers visitors a glimpse of the city’s hidden underground. It includes a visit to the medieval cellars, an underground marketplace, and a WWII bunker.

Underground City of Osówka: located in the Sudeten mountains, this underground complex was built by the Germans during WWII as a secret weapons factory. Visitors can take a tour of the underground tunnels, and learn about the history of the complex and its role during the war.

Twardowski’s Cave: located in the Karkonosze Mountains, this cave offers visitors a chance to explore one of the longest and most beautiful caves in Poland. The cave is known for its impressive rock formations, underground lakes and rivers.

The Riese Complex: located near the town of Walim, this underground complex was built by the Nazis during WWII, and it is one of the largest underground structures in Europe. Visitors can take a tour of the underground tunnels, and learn about the history of the complex and its purpose during the war.

These are just a few examples of the many underground attractions that Poland has to offer. It’s worth noting that some of the tours may require a certain level of physical fitness or mobility.

Haunted tunnels

There’s plenty of underground attractions for ghost & ghoul hunters to explore. A favourite haunt are the cellars beneath the market square in Sandomierz where you may meet the ghost of Halina Krepianka who was rumoured to be both beautiful and brave or for those who like their ghosts to be benevolent, the tunnels beneath Chelm are rumoured to be home to a nasty spirit named Bieluch.

Beneath the city of Krakow and housed within the underground corridors of the market square, you will find a museum; which showcases how the city looked and felt during the Middle Ages complete with stone roads with potholes made by cart wheels during the 13 th century. Learn more about the Krakow Main Market Square Underground Museum and book tickets for a tour.

Wieliczka Salt Mine tickets and tours

Make your descent to 64 meters below the surface of Krakow for a guided tour of one of the most popular World Heritage sites in Poland. Wander through chambers, see underground lakes, shrines and salty monuments in one of the oldest UNESCO-listed salt mines!

• Wieliczka Salt Mine

The Wieliczka Salt Mine is a UNESCO World Heritage site located around 14km southeast of Kraków and is one of Poland’s most popular underground attractions, welcoming tourists since 1722. Wieliczka Salt Mine is a subterranean labyrinth of tunnels, shafts and chambers, underground saline lakes, chapels with altarpieces, majestic timber constructions and unique statues sculpted in rock salt. The size of the mine is staggering, it reaches a depth of 327m and extends via horizontal passages and chambers for over 287 km distributed over nine levels. Only a small part of the mine is open to the public. The highlight of the mine is a vast chamber housing the ornamented Chapel of St Kinga. Everything that you will see within the chamber is made from salt including altarpieces and chandeliers.

• Bochnia Salt Mine

Established between the 12th and 13th centuries, the Bochnia Salt Mine, is one of the oldest salt mines in the world and the oldest commercial company in Poland. The mine stopped producing salt in 1990 at which time, it became a tourist attraction. In 2013, a multimedia aspect was added to the tourist route; which spans two kilometres in length. The complex offers four different routes for visitors. Among the mine’s attractions, there is the underground mining train that transports tourists along the tourist route, a 140m slide connecting two levels of the mine, and an underground boat crossing. Bochnia Salt Mine is one of Poland’s official national Historic Monuments and has also been added to the UNESCO World Heritage List as an extension of the Wieliczka Salt Mine inscription.

• Guido Coal Mine

The Guido Coal Mine is a historic deep coal mine and museum in Zabrze, Silesia, Poland. It gets its name from the founder, Guido Henckel von Donnersmarck who opened the mine in 1855. Today, the mine is a museum and has been designated as an object of cultural heritage and a cultural monument in Poland. Two levels of Guido Coal Mine are open to visitors with depths of 170m and 320m below ground level, which makes it the deepest visitor mine in Europe. The underground museum is located at the deepest level. Visitors are transported down the shaft at a speed of 4m/s in an original Berlin hoisting machine dating from 1927. At the 170m level, there are chambers and galleries containing tools, rescue equipment and perfectly preserved horse stables, which are more than 100 years old.

Tarnowskie Góry Lead-Silver-Zinc Mine

The Tarnowskie Góry Lead-Silver-Zinc Mine is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Tarnowskie Góry, Upper Silesia, Poland. Today, it is a museum and one of the country’s most popular underground attractions. A mining settlement and the first silver-bearing ore mines emerged in the region at the turn of the 15th and 16th centuries, today the mine and neighbouring Black Trout Adit are just remnants of a bygone silver mining industry. During the mid-1930s, the idea to make part of the mine suitable for tourists was first considered but was put on hold due to the outbreak of World War II. The Tarnowskie Góry Land Lovers Association was founded in the 1950s to look at the feasibility of opening up a tourist route; which led to part of the drainage system called Black Trout Adit being opened to visitors in 1957. For a long time, this was the longest underground boat tour in Poland.

Krzemionki Prehistoric Striped Flint Mining Region

Krzemionki is a complex of banded (striped) flint mines, which were in operation during the Neolithic and Early Bronze Ages (3,900-1,600 BC), and have been preserved in an almost intact state. The Krzemionki mines are located in the mountain region of Świętokrzyskie. They were dedicated to the extraction and processing of striped flint, which was mainly used for axe-making. Products from the mines have been found as far away as 660km. The Krzemionki mines were discovered in 1922 by a Polish geologist, Professor Jan Samsonowicz. His discovery was significant, Krzemionki is one of the most comprehensive prehistoric underground flint extraction and processing systems identified to date with underground mining structures, flint workshops and around 4,000 shafts and pits.

• Ksiaz Castle

The incredibly beautiful and photogenic Ksiaz Castle was built in the late 13th century following the destruction of an earlier stronghold. Over the years the castle has been the home to many noble families including the Silesian Duke Bolko 1 (who built it) and the mighty House of Hochberg. The castle is situated in thick woodlands adding to its majesty and is at the heart of a rumour of a lost Nazi gold train believed to be buried in the vicinity of the castle. During World War II, Ksiaz Castle was taken over by the occupying German forces and following Hitler’s direct orders, a system of tunnels was constructed underneath the castle and surrounding areas. The construction was one of seven underground structures all developed under the code name Project Riese. The function of the tunnels underneath Ksiaz Castle remains unclear.

Krakow: Rynek Underground Museum Guided Tour

Discover the secrets of modern and medieval Krakow with a guided tour of the Rynek Underground Museum. Discover Krakow’s rich world of legends, secrets, witches, and its history in the Inquisition.

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Sabang’s Underground River – DIY Tour Guide

Posted on February 28, 2023 | Julie J. |

Last Updated on April 5, 2023

The Underground River in Sabang, Palawan, is not a   UNESCO world heritage site for nothing, it’s one of the Philippines’ most beautiful landmarks. A trip to Palawan is not complete without visiting this impressive limestone karst cave.

The cave is flooded with water emerging directly into the sea and part of the river is subject to tidal influences. The river is part of the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park . The park has a rich “mountain-to-sea” eco-system and is surrounded by cliffs and a lush forest. The scenery is breathtaking and the underground river is a unique sight.

This guide will detail how to organize your DIY Underground River Tour.

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on any links and make a purchase, I’ll get a small commission, at no cost to you.

DIY Underground River Tour – How to get to Sabang

Many agencies offer  the tour from Puerto Princesa (around 2k per person), but it’s also really easy to go on your own and plan a DIY Underground River tour. The best would be to spend the night in Sabang . This way you can either be the first in the morning or the last in the evening. You’ll avoid the crowds and won’t have to wait forever for your turn. The first trip is at 8 am and the last one around 4 pm.

You can also organize your DIY Underground River tour as a day trip from Puerto Princesa.

Getting to Sabang from Puerto Princesa is pretty easy, there are regular vans and buses going, starting at 7 am. Just go to the bus terminal near the new market, you can easily take a jeepney. It’s much better to take the bus because the vans tend to charge you more if you’re a foreigner and you’ll end up paying double.

If you are coming from the other way, there are regular vans doing the Port-Barton/Sabang route. From El Nido, just take any bus/van going to Puerto Princesa, get down at Salvacion and wait for a van to pass.

Once in Sabang, you just have to show up at the pier, pay the fees and wait for a boat to take you. They usually group you with other people.

Getting your Underground River Permit

You’ll need to arrange a permit, at least a day in advance, 2 is better. There’s a limited number of visitors allowed each day and the agencies take a good chunk of it.

You can arrange it at Mendoza Park near the airport in Puerto Princesa. They open at 8 am, you just need to show your ID, they’ll issue the permit and you’ll pay later, before the tour.

You can also have it arranged in Sabang, but you’ll probably have to pay a small fee because you’ll need to go through an agency.

Underground River price

The price for the underground river is around 1000 pesos per person, if you have been to Honda Bay already you won’t have to pay the environmental fee again, just show the receipt. When you pay for the boat ask to share it to reduce the cost, they will take care of it for you.

DIY Underground River tour – What to expect

Once you paid for your tickets, you’ll sign up for the boat and wait for your turn. You will first take a boat to the next beach where the river ends and then you’ll have to take another boat inside the cave. You might have to wait for a while at the beach, as there is a limited number of boats going inside the cave.

If it’s crowded count at least 3 hours, with the ride inside the cave only lasting 45 minutes. You’ll get an audio guide included in the price explaining everything about the caves and the formations you’ll see. You are not allowed to talk inside to protect the animals living there and the boat driver will just use his light to show you the interesting formations.

The cave is really amazing, only 1.5 kilometers is open to the public but it’s much deeper than that. Some parts are at least 50 meters high, and the ceiling is full of bats. You might also see water snakes. The formations are impressive and some of the rocks are truly beautiful. Even if it’s crowded it’s a great experience.

Related articles to help you plan your trip to Palawan:

• Taytay – Discovering Palawan without the crowds
• Best things to do in Port Barton – Island hopping, snorkeling, and farniente
• Honda Bay DIY travel guide
• More destinations in the Philippines

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Reviews of San Francisco Underground (Travel Agency)

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You will be able to see all the feddbacks of people who are purchasing the services and products of San Francisco Underground (Travel Agency) in the state of California. At the present the business gets a rating of 4.5 stars over 5 and that score has been calculated on 2 reviews. As you can read, it reaches an feddbacks average is basically the top, but it is based on very few opinions, so the assessment isn't too credible. You know that we do not usually bother to set tatings when they are positive and we usually do it only if we have had a problem or incidence... This Travel Agency belongs to the category of Travel agency .

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What a wonderful company and service San Francisco Underground Provides. I am so happy that whenever I have any kind of travel plans that need to be done quickly and correctly they come to my rescue. I have only the best things to say as I've been using them for about 5 years and I am always so happy with the service they provide. I will continue to be a customer and look forward to my upcoming amazing vacations and destinations around the world. Thank you Svetlana and the entire San Francisco Underground team!

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The Travel Underground

By Paul Hoffman

• Feb. 14, 1971

I'M not a joiner. About the only organization I belong to is the Book‐of‐the‐Month Club. But a few days ago I plunked down $10 and signed up as a member of the Caledonian Friendship.Society. I have no idea who else belongs to the society, where its headquarters are or even if it really exists. Like many others, I joined solely because each Friday this pos sibly‐dummy organization sponsors a suspiciously unorthodox charter flight from New York to London at very real knockdown rates—more than one‐third below those charged by the scheduled airlines.

The Caledonian Friendship Society and dozens of organizations like it form what Robert Lindsey recently described in the news columns of The Times as “an extensive underground travel dustry that makes low‐cost travel available to legally ineligible passengers.” What this underground does is circumvent the Civil Aeronautics Board's rules and regulations that restrict the cheap charter flights to organizations set up for purposes other than air travel and to members of those organizations who have been active in them for at least six months. Here's how the underground gets around all that.

A few days ago, I walked into the 11th‐floor office of Tour Europe Travel Agency, Inc., at 119 West 57th Street, and said I was interested in “cheap flights to Europe.” A young woman with a British accent asked how I happened to come to the agency. I said a friend had recently taken one of its flights.

She explained that flights left every Friday and handed me fare schedule sheet that began “Dear Member,” plus two forms to fill out. A round trip to London was listed as $185; one‐way $100. There was also the $10 “membership fee.” The total was a little higher than legitimate charters, which usually prorate at about $150, round trip. But it was far lower than Pan American World Airways' 14‐to‐28‐ day, off‐season excursion rate of $300 round trip, or one‐way fare of $210. Tour Europe's planes are Boeing 707's, often operated by Laker Airways, Ltd., a British‐based charter line.

I filled out the forms. One enrolled me in the Caledonian Friendship So ciety; the other was a “member's” ap plication for charter passage. Name, address, telephone number and citizen ship—plus, on the charter application, date of departure. I signed up for the Feb. 12 flight, return “open.”

I then wrote two checks—one for $185 to Tour Europe for the fare, the other for $10 to the “Membership Fund” to enroll me in the society (“which you've been a member of for one year,” the receptionist explained with a wink). I was given receipts from two separate hooks and told to come in the Monday before the flight to pick up my tickets and to learn the exact time and place of departure. It was all done in 10 minutes.

I didn't take the flight. Two days later, I canceled my reservation and stopped payment on the checks—I had merely gone to the agency and signed up to find out how the underground goes about its business. And my first impression, which was to be borne out by further investigation, was that the so‐called travel underground is really misnamed. It is no more secretive in its operation than the “underground” news papers that can be purchased at almost any newsstand, or the “underground” movies that are ballyhooed everywhere. The travel underground, like its coun terparts, is a very open and a very big business in the United States today. In fact, one survey report I came across suggests that close to half a million Americans participate in the travel un derground every year.

‘Real Flagrant’

One C.A.B. official told me that Tour Europe is “one of the real flagrant ex amples of what's happening”—as though there were something extraordinary about this agency. And William C. Clarke, an attorney for Pan American, called Tour Europe “the most blatantly illegal operation we've seen all year.” But I found the seemingly shameless openness with which this agency ap peared to do business to be actually quite typical of a great many other such agencies. Abounding in student newspapers and underground press, for example, are ads reading: JETS TO EU ROPE — LOWEST FARES. “Lowest Fares' is the well‐known code phrase signaling that prospective travelers will be enrolled in dummy organizations for illegal charter. I checked out several such ads, not by any super‐sleuth work as might befit the exposure of a clan destine organization but simply by call ing the advertised telephone numbers. A typical response came from something called “Monocle Tours” (which had a Manhattan number, but no listing in the phone book). Its deal turned out to be $210 for a round‐trip charter to Lon don, plus a $10 “membership fee.” Its “lowest fares” were $25 more than Tour Europe charged. Student Holi days, at 663 Fifth Avenue in New York City, had a similiar deal, for $220, on the same day as Monocle's flight—quite possibly oil the same airplane.

The travel underground also includes numerous individuals and organizations that do not make a practice of falsify ing terms of membership, but which take what the airlines regard as unfair advantage of loopholes in the C.A.B. rules and regulations. For example, on the West Coast, nominal social clubs frequently take in other organizations to offer a wide range of charter flights. The Los Angeles Junior Chamber of Commerce recently joined the Goodwill Ambassadors Club to take advantage of the group's extensive charter sched ule.

The C.A.B. calls groups like the Good will Ambassadors Club “umbrae” or ganizations. There are about 10 such clubs now operating in the United States, one of which expanded from 20.0 members to 60,000 by drawing in other organizations in the Los Angeles area. These “umbrella” groups offer regularly scheduled flights to major European cities at rates $200 to $300 below those charged by scheduled airlines.

‘More Flights Than Pan Am’

“We've got outfits out on the West Coast operating more flights than Pan Am,” attorney Clarke told me indig nantly.

The United European American Club ran 109 flights from Southern California to Europe in 1970. According tb the C.A.B., the “umbrella” organizations op erated about 600 such charter flights last year, involving more than 100,000 passengers.

In the New York‐New England area, the “legal” underground is operated by travel agents, about 150 of them ac cording to C.A.B.'s estimate. The board divides them into “wholesale” and “re tail” agents. The wholesalers organize the, clubs—or pay legitimate organiza tions for the use of their names—and arrange the charters. Ticket sales are farmed out to the “retail” agents. Be cause both agents get a cut, the per centage markup above the prorated cost is slightly higher than that charged by the West Coast “umbrella” organiza tions. The C.A.B. has calculated the agents' profits at $10,000 to $15,000 a flight.

‘Dummy’ Organizations

For some reason, a great many of the “dummy” organizations set up for the charters are ethnic clubs. In Detroit, the Deutsch‐Americanischen Leserkreis (German Reading Circle) automatically Included in its membership all sub scribers to the Detroiter Abend Post. Or, as a C.A.B. official put it, “Voila! Mr. Murphy and Mr. Cohen have be come members of the Friendly Sons of Persia.”

...With a Wink

Indeed, there can be some incongru ous combinations. A young attorney paid $5 to enroll in an association of English professors so he could take the group's charter to Greece. Most of his fellow passengers, he reported, were Greek nationals returning, for visits home. “There was nobody there who had an education above the high‐school level and they could barely speak English.”

According to Richard J. O'Melia, di rector of the C.A.B.'s bureau of en forcement, “The whole effect of these abuses has been to provide cut‐rate, individually‐ticketed flights to the gen eral public through the guise of char ters.”

There is also an “underground” un derground—the illegal trade in individ ual tickets on charter flights. Some of it is done by travel agents. “Even where legitimate organiiations charter the flights, they ofteri have difficulty in filling the planes,” O'Melia explained. “The wholesaler then broadcasts to the small retail agents his call for bodies. The retailer, with this information on his desk, is ready to steer those who want a cheap trip.” The markup is usually $25 to $30 a head.

Everybody benefits from such scal ping—the passenger who gets a cheap fare, the travel agent who gets his com mission, the organization which other wise might have had to cancel the flight, and the airline which otherwise would have had to “dead‐head” across the Atlantic.

Scalping at the Airport

In the high season, seats may be scalped openly at the airport. Travel agents and tour operators peddle un sold or “no‐show” tickets to “stand‐by” passengers who cluster around John F. Kennedy International Airport's North Terminal—the departure point for most charters. Sometimes the stand‐bys will sigh in under the names of passengers originally listed on the manifests. Air line officials are supposed to check pas sengers' passports when they sign in, but this is often overlooked in the last minute rush. And, as one travel agent explained, “They're closing a few eyes and opening a few palms.”

At most European airports, tickets and passports are checked at different counters. Consequently, there is a brisk trade in scalping seats on return char ters, much of it by students who decide to extend their vacations in Europe. Notices may be posted on the bulletin boards of hotels frequented by students, or passersby are buttonholed in the lobbies of American Express offices.

There's little the C.A.B. can do to stop the “underground” underground. “If the flight is basically good and there happen to be five who aren't members, we won't take action,” said a C.A.B. investigator. “There are more important things to do than worry about the one guy who shouldn't be on the flight.”

Actually, as the C.A.B. found out, there was little it could do to stop the more flagrant violations. So last week it announced that it proposed to legiti mize at least some of the underground by eliminating the “affinity” rule that chartering groups be organized for a purpose other than air travel. The change is certain to be opposed by the scheduled airlines and there's no Indica tion when—if ever—it will take effect.

The change is a reflection of the fact that the C.A.B.'s minuscule enforcement staff—seven attorneys and seven in vestigators—could do little more than make spot checks on the thousands of trans‐Atlantic charter flights and. mil lions of passengers while policing all the other airline operations as well.

‘Illegal’ Charters

Last year, the C.A.B. filed 12 suits involving “illegal” charters; seven on the West Coast, five on the East. The agency's aim is to crack down on the airlines and force them to enforce the regulations. The airlines run the risk of heavy fines, and agents and organi zations risk the right to do business with the lines, but individual passengers are never prosecuted.

The biggest risk faced by a passenger on the underground is cancellation of his flight. Last year, the C.A.B. can celled 70 charters for rule violations. Every summer, the newspapers carry stories of students stranded in Europe without funds when someone blew the whistle'on an illegal charter. Even well heeled passengers whose charter flights have been canceled may find it dif ficult to book space on another flight during the peak season. In most cases, the stranded passengers eventually get refunds, though a few fly‐by‐night oper ators have been known to default.

A much more prevalent risk is delay. Few of the supplementals have the back‐up fleets to match those of the scheduled airlines. A few minutes de lay at Orly, Heathrow or Gatwick can escalate into hours before the plane can make its return flight from Kennedy. Any passenger on the underground should anticipate a delay of up to five or six hours, and waits of 12 or 14 hours are not uncommon.

Any wait can be uncomfortable, but those on the underground are more so. The North Terminal does not have the facilities that scheduled airlines offer at the international terminals, nor do the supplementals provide meals and lodg ing for long‐delayed passengers. In the summer season, when as many as a half‐dozen planeloads of passengers may be waiting for passage, the North Termirial can be as crowded as the subway, as hot as a sauna, as smelly as a gymnasium and as noisy as a boiler factory.

In addition, there are the same dis advantages as those on legitimate char ters. The passenger is restricted to the flight he's booked on and usually loses his money if he has to cancel at the last minute. The supplemental lines do not offer the services scheduled car riers provide in booking connecting transportation and hotel accommoda tions, nor can a charter passenger take advantage of the special rates offered by scheduled lines to add other legs to his trip.

‘Going For a Bargain’

The offsetting advantage, of course, is dollar savings. “If people see a bar gain, they'll go for it,” said a travel agent. The C.A.B. recognizes the prob lem. “Much of the general public is apathetic to the charter requirements and could not care less about them,” O'Melia said, “so long as they can buy air transportation, substantially below scheduled airline fares.”

As long as a passenger can save $100 on a lidw York‐to‐London round trip, the underground will flourish and illegal charters will continue their flights. Or, as a C.A.B. investigator told me: “If I were flying to Europe, I'd look for one.”

Who flies the underground? Pan Amer ican was recently concerned enough about it to retain Louis Harris and As sociates to find out. The pollsters ques tioned 1,328 charter passengers at seven United States terminals, and came up with the surprising conclusion that be tween 25 and 40 per cent of this group had been members for less than six months of the organizations they were flying with.

The Harris poll also turned up some other interesting data about this group of people who contribute so substan tially to the underground, Most charter passengers are affluent, well‐educated and white collar. More than 70 per cent make (or come from homes with in comes of) $10,000 or more a year. More than 65 per cent have been to college. More than 67 per cent come from the professional, executive or creative classes.

Other findings Included the fact that charter passengers tend to be clustered at the ends of the age spectrum: 30 per cent over age 50, 33 per cent between 18 and 30 (though only 12 per cent are students). Forty‐eight per cent are trav eling with other members of the family, 7 per cent with children. Only 14 per cent are traveling on business.

Charter passengers are well‐traveled, too. The survey showed that 68 per cent had been to Europe before taking a charter flight, more than half of them on scheduled airlines. “For the most part,” Harris concluded, “these were not new air travelers who were brought into the market by the lure of a charter flight.” Indeed, all the evidence Indi cates that they are experienced air trav elers looking for the best bargain. Only 27 per cent of those surveyed indicated they would have stayed home had the cheap charter not been available. Sev enty‐nine per cent of the charter pas sengers cited cheap air fares as their reason for joining the “affinity” group. Nearly one‐fourth of those questioned had gone “shopping” for the best char ter.

A Boost From the War

In a curious, roundabout way, the war in Vietnam has contributed sig nificantly to the growth of the travel underground. About 600,000 people, or More than half of the trans‐Atlantic charter passengers in 1969 (the latest year for which figures are available) did not fly with one of the major sched uled airlines but rather with one of the six so‐called supplemental carriers— World, Capitol, Overseas National, American Flyer, Saturn and Trans‐Inter national. And these airlines, licensed only for charter flights, have been able to build up jet capacity as a result of the war in Vietnam, augmenting their old propeller fleets with 707's, DC8's and Stretch‐8's purchased with money, earned from the transportation of troops to and from Southeast Asia.

For some reason, military flights peak in the winter and decline in the sum mer. For example, World, the largest supplemental, showed military business of $16‐million in January, February and March, 1969, but only $6‐million in July, August and September. As a result of this cycle, the supplementals have been diverting their flights to the lucrative trans‐Atlantic market during the sum mer months. And thus, with more planes available for charter at a time when increased numbers of tourists were eager to charter them, an underground came to flourish by making it possible for seller and buyer to get together.

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PUERTO PRINCESA TRAVEL GUIDE with Requirements, Sample Itinerary & Budget

Ever heard of kambak-kambak syndrome ?

Prior to our last Puerto Princesa trip, I’d never encountered this term before. You know how you tend to return to a destination over and over again? It seems to happen a lot in Palawan, and so the locals gave it a name — kambak-kambak — a tongue-in-cheek spin to “come back, come back”. Given that our team have set foot in Puerto Princesa multiple times over the past decade, if it were a real condition, we probably had caught it, too!

Whether it’s your first time or you’re a kambak-kambak traveler, we’ve put together this Puerto Princesa travel guide to help you plan a hassle-free journey!

ESSENTIAL LINKS

Here’s a list of links to some of the recommended hotels, tours, and attractions that you can book online.

Top Puerto Princesa Hotels on Agoda

• Search for HOTEL DEALS!

Top Puerto Princesa Tours on Klook

• Underground River Tour

Honda Bay Tour

Top Puerto Princesa Attractions

• Cacaoyan Forest Park Lunch Buffet Discount

WHAT'S COVERED IN THIS GUIDE?

UNDERSTANDING PUERTO PRINCESA

The capital of the province of Palawan, Puerto Princesa is a first-class, highly urbanized city. But despite the rapid development over the years, it retains its rustic and partly suburban vibe; thanks to the lines of trees and the lush greenery that cover the area. No wonder it’s often dubbed “The City in the Forest” and has been recognized as one of the cleanest and greenest cities in the country.

Strategically located in the middle of Palawan, it serves as the primary gateway to the main island. Although it can take hours, you could access up to El Nido in the northernmost tip or Bataraza in the south, which serves as the jump off point to the legendary Balabac Islands. The city proper faces Sulu Sea to the southeast, but its territory reaches until the West Philippine Sea to the northwest. Puerto Princesa is also the second largest city in the Philippines, next only to Davao.

Dubbed as the Eco-Tourism Center of the Philippines, Puerto Princesa is known for its organized and synchronized tourism industry. Various sectors like tour guides, boat operators, and tricycle drivers work together. The tours are regulated and monitored by the Tourism Office, hence standardized tours are offered to tourists. The most popular is a tour of the Puerto Princesa Underground River, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and voted as one of the New7Wonders of Nature in 2012.

Here are some essential information that you might find useful to know before going to Puerto Princesa.

• Location: Puerto Princesa City, Palawan, Region IV-B (MIMAROPA), Philippines.
• Nicknames: Eco-Tourism Center of the Philippines, City in the Forest
• Time Zone: UTC+8 (Philippine Standard Time). The Philippines is in the same time zone as Singapore and Beijing, one hour ahead of Thailand, and one hour behind Japan.
• Language: Tagalog is the most commonly used, but English is widely understood and spoken. Locals also use Cuyonon and other Visayan languages.
• Currency: Philippine Peso (PHP, ₱)
• Modes of Payment: Cash. Some upscale establishments accept credit cards but most still prefer cash. GCash is also getting more common. For public transportation and small purchases, cash is essential.

PUERTO PRINCESA TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS

Puerto Princesa is open to all travelers regardless of their vaccination status. We didn’t experience any document inspection upon arrival in the city. But airline staff do ask to see the following upon checkin:

• Vaccination card or VaxCertPH (for fully vaccinated tourists)

However, if you’re coming from a place under Alert Level 2 or higher, a negative antigen test result valid within one day prior to departure is required.

HOW TO GET TO PUERTO PRINCESA

The Puerto Princesa International Airport (PPS) serves as the main gateway to the city and other municipalities in Palawan. Most domestic airlines — Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific, AirAsia — have flights to and from Puerto Princesa, so looking for one would not be a problem.

Puerto Princesa Airport to City Center

The Puerto Princesa International Airport is located within the city center. From here, going to areas within the city proper would take only few minutes.

The most convenient mode of transportation from the airport is the tricycle. Tricycles can be found parked outside the airport, waiting for passengers. You’ll have to walk a bit to the gate and exit the airport to ride one.

Here are the fares from the airport to different parts of the city. Tricycles can accommodate up to 3 people.

• Within the city center: P150
• To San Jose Terminal: P200
• To Honda Bay: P500

If you’re booked with an upscale hotel or resort, double check with the management first and see if they offer free airport transfers.

WHERE TO STAY IN PUERTO PRINCESA

A lot of accommodations are situated within the city center, not too far from the airport. Beachfront hotels or resorts are usually located a bit farther. Staying in the city proper is ideal if you want to see more of the city and have easy access to its many restaurants and shops.

Top Budget Hotels & Guesthouses in Puerto Princesa

Here are some of the top-ranking but affordable properties on Agoda with over 100 reviews:

• Cleon Villas Pension. Check Rates & Availability! ✅
• Villa Skanderbeg Guest House. Check Rates & Availability! ✅
• OYO 554 Dads Bayview Pension. Check Rates & Availability! ✅
• Mariafe Inn. Check Rates & Availability! ✅
• Greenspace Palawan Hotel. Check Rates & Availability! ✅
• Dolce Vita Hotel. Check Rates & Availability! ✅
• Floral Villarosa Hotel. Check Rates & Availability! ✅
• Balay Tuko Garden Inn. Check Rates & Availability! ✅

Popular Puerto Princesa Resorts

If you have a bigger budget, here are some of the most well-known properties in the city.

• Astoria Palawan Resort . Check Rates & Availability! ✅
• Aziza Paradise Hotel . Check Rates & Availability! ✅
• Citystate Asturias Hotel . Check Rates & Availability! ✅
• Daluyon Beach and Mountain Resort , Sabang Beach. Check Rates & Availability! ✅
• Hue Hotels and Resorts . Check Rates & Availability! ✅
• Princesa Garden Island Resort and Spa . Check Rates & Availability! ✅

Search for more Puerto Princesa Hotels!

PUERTO PRINCESA TOURS & TOURIST SPOTS

Many of the attractions in Puerto Princesa can be visited as part of a tour. Although it is possible to pull a DIY to save on the costs, booking a packaged tour will make it more convenient and hassle-free. When you avail of one, you’ll also have a trained tour guide who can give you more information and insights about each spot, allowing you to appreciate it more.

In this section, we’ll share with you the best attractions and activities in Puerto Princesa, grouped according to the tours that they’re usually a part of. We’ll include costs for both packaged and DIY tours.

Puerto Princesa Underground River Tour

The city’s most well-known tourist spot, the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a Ramsar Wetland Site, and one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature.

On a paddle boat, you’ll be led by a guide on a journey into the cave that shelters the underground river. The tour covers only the first 1.5 kilometers, but the river measures 8.2 kilometers long in full. Some parts are open only to scientists and other permitted explorers.

Inside the cave, you will see stunning stalactites, stalagmites and the various formations that took shape for over thousands of years. You’ll also learn more about the cave system through the provided audio guide.

If you have limited time or budget and could only avail of one packaged tour, this should be it. The PPUR management only allows a limited number of tourists per day. Because of this, walk-ins are not allowed and advanced reservation is required. If you book a tour with a travel agency or tour operator, they will handle the paperwork for you. You’ll also avoid the trouble of arranging transportation to Sabang Beach which is the jump-off point, around one and a half hours away.

Packaged tours usually include:

• roundtrip land transfer to Sabang Beach
• roundtrip boat transfer to the underground river
• audio guide

You may also avail this tour via Klook for P1900. But if you have more time and bigger budget, consider doing a 3-in-1 Sabang Tour. At P3550, it includes the following:

• Sabang X Zipline
• Mangrove Paddle Tour

Check updated rates or book below:

✅ BOOK UNDERGROUND RIVER TOUR HERE!

✅ BOOK UNDERGROUND RIVER + SABANG ZIPLINE + MANGROVE PADDLE TOUR!

Honda Bay Tour is an island hopping activity that will take you to at least three islands not too far away from the city. As of this writing, only 3 islands are open for island hopping tours: Starfish Island, Luli Island, and Cowrie Island.

If you’re traveling with a large group, pulling a DIY can help you save. If you’re traveling solo, with a small group or you simply want the convenience of availing a packaged tour, travel agencies and hotels usually offer this tour for P1500 per person.

If you plan to travel independently, here are the rates for private boats. You’ll see two prices because you have two boat options: 3-cylinder and 4-cylinder boats.

• 3 Islands (Starfish, Luli & Cowrie): P1800 to P2100
• 2 Islands (Luli & Cowrie only): P1500 to P1800

You may also opt to skip the island hopping if you have a particular island you want to visit.

There’s also an environmental fee that you have to pay at the wharf. Here are the rates:

• Environmental fee: P150
• Terminal fee: P5
• Goggles & snorkel rental: P150
• Full face mask rental: P200
• Aqua shoes rental: P150
• Fins rental: P150

Each island also has a separate entrance fee and cottage rental fees as well. Here are the entrance fees per island.

• Cowrie Island: P100
• Luli Island: P70
• Starfish Island: P50

If you want to avoid the hassle of paying these fees on your own, you can just book a packaged tour. Honda Bay Tours are inclusive of land and boat transfers, entrance and cottages fees, and lunch. You may also avail this tour via Klook!

✅ RESERVE A SLOT HERE!

Puerto Princesa City Tour

This half-day tour can be done either in the morning or afternoon. Tour operators usually offer this tour for P600 per person, but you can also charter a tricycle for P1000 per vehicle, which could accommodate up to 3 people.

The city tour usually includes the following stops:

• Palawan Wildlife Rescue and Conservation Center. First known as Crocodile Farming Institute, it keeps and breeds two species of crocodiles: the Philippine crocodile ( Crocodylus mindorensis ) and the saltwater crocodile ( Crocodylus porosus ). Rescued animals are also housed in this facility, especially those that are endemic to the province.
• Plaza Cuartel. A historic square, Plaza Cuartel was an old garrison where the Palawan Massacre took place in December 1944. One hundred fifty American prisoners of war were kept in a tunnel during World War II until they were killed by the Japanese by burning them alive. Eleven prisoners were able to escape and survive. Their names are now displayed on a plaque inside the plaza.
• Binuatan Creations. A gift shop where you can buy handloom woven products made from Palawan’s native grasses and fibers. Aside from shopping, you can also see how the products are made in their workshop and even try weaving yourself!
• Mitra’s Ranch. This property sitting on top of a hill in Brgy. Sta. Monica is owned by the late Senator Ramon Mitra and his family. It is open to the public and serves as a viewpoint.
• Baker’s Hill. Popular for their hopia and other pastries, this is the usual pasalubong stop! It’s also a park with many picture-worthy corners and has an in-house restaurant if you want to grab a bite.

If you want to have a more comfortable tour in an air-conditioned van, you can avail this tour on Klook.

Firefly Watching Tour

Spend a magical night and watch fireflies and the stars while on board a small boat. There are three locations for firefly watching in Puerto Princesa:

• Iwahig. The first firefly watching location in Puerto Princesa. As of writing, this is closed and firefly watching tours here are unavailable.
• Sicsican River. The tour commences on the Baywalk, where you will hop on a boat that will take you to Sicsican River. A dinner on the boat is also included on this tour.
• Nagsaguipi River. Indulge in a buffet dinner before you feast your eyes with the glowing fireflies!

Tour operators offer this tour between P1300- P1600 per person. Firefly watching tour in Nagsaguipi River is also available on Klook.

✅ JOIN FIREFLY WATCHING TOUR!

Nagtabon Beach

Less than an hour away from the city proper, Nagtabon Beach used to be a spot for those who want to avoid the crowd. Now, a number of accommodation establishments stand along the beach, but the place remains just as breathtaking. This is a nice place to visit if you’re looking to spend more time on the beach without having to travel too far away from the city.

Make your way to San Jose terminal and hop on a bus going north. Any bus bound for Taytay, Roxas, or El Nido will do. Tell the driver to drop you off in Bacungan (P80) then ride a tricycle going to Nagtabon Beach (P300, max 3 pax).

If you’re a group, you can rent a van to take you straight to Nagtabon. If you can drive two wheels, renting a motorbike is also an option if there are two of you or you’re traveling solo.

Nagtabon Beach can also be included in your Puerto Princesa City Tour itinerary for an additional fee. Just ask your driver if he’s OK with it.

Sabang X-Zipline

Thrill-seekers will love this attraction. This 800-meter long zipline is said to be one of the longest ziplines in the Philippines. You can enjoy this solo or by pair as you glide across Sabang Beach. The ride would also treat you to a fantastic view of Sabang from above. It takes a short 15-minute hike to reach the zipline’s starting point.

This is usually packaged with Underground River since Sabang also serves as the jump-off point to it. You can do this prior to the underground river stop if there’s a long waiting time or after it just before you have lunch. Sabang X-Zipline costs P550.

You may also avail this via Klook for a discounted price.

✅ GET DISCOUNTED TICKET HERE!

Other Puerto Princesa Attractions

• Ugong Rock Adventures. An adventure park located in Barangay Tagabinet where you can go trekking, rappeling, and spelunking. A 71-meter zipline is also one of the features, making your adventure more unforgettable. Book here! ✅
• Palawan Waterpark by Astoria. This is the only waterpark in Palawan. If you’re looking for an activity that kids and kids at heart alike would enjoy, add this to your itinerary. Each ticket is inclusive of a lunch buffet. Rate: Adults, P1200; Kids (4ft and below), P950; Kids (2 years old and below), FREE
• Tibag Falls. About 40 minutes away from the city center, Tibag Falls is located in Bacungan. To get here, board a bus going north at San Jose Terminal. Ask the driver to drop you off near Bacungan Bridge. From there, it would take a 2-hour walk to reach this glorious falls.

To see more places to visit, check out: PUERTO PRINCESA TOURIST SPOTS!

WHERE TO EAT IN PUERTO PRINCESA

Finding a place to eat in Puerto Princesa will not be a problem. The city center is teeming with a diverse collection of food spots. If you want to try the Puerto Princesa classics, a few of them are located along Rizal Avenue.

If you’re on a budget, you can always rely on carinderias (small eateries) where a P100-budget can get you a full meal.

Here are some of the most well-known restaurants in Puerto Princesa:

Arguably the most popular dining spot in Puerto Princesa, this homey restaurant specializes in Pinoy seafood dishes like seafood kare-kare, grilled fish, and shrimp or tuna sinigang. Their menu is composed mostly of seafood and vegetables dishes. They also have a special set meal that is good for two for only P795. If you’re planning to dine here, make sure to call the restaurant and make a reservation.

Location: Rizal Avenue, Puerto Princesa City Operating Hours: Monday-Saturday, 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM – Lunch, 6:00 PM to 11:00 PM – Dinner; Sunda, CLOSED Contact number: (048) 726 6217

Kinabuch’s is an open-air grill and bar where you can enjoy some drinks with your meal. Their menu has a wide variety of Pinoy dishes from appetizers to dessert. It’s also a go-to place for those who want to try Puerto Princesa’s exotic dish, tamilok. It’s usually served raw with a side of spiced vinegar.

Location: Rizal Avenue, Puerto Princesa City Operating Hours: Daily, 4:00 PM to 11:00 PM

Cacaoyan Forest Park

Cacaoyan Forest Park is a buffet restaurant set in a lush garden bursting with IG-worthy spots. It serves as a lunch stop on many Underground River tours offered by travel agencies. But if you want to experience this on its own, best to make advance reservations.

The lunch buffet is priced at P350/person, but you can get a discount if you book with Klook.

✅ GET DISCOUNTS HERE!

Location: Sabang, Puerto Princesa Operating Hours: Daily, 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM You can also order tamilok here for P100 per plate.

Other Puerto Princesa Restaurants

• Badjao Seafront Restaurant. If you want to dine by the bay and feast on fresh seafood, this is the place to be. It stands next to mangroves and has a view of the sunset which adds to its charm. Price starts at P125 up to P550. Their seafood platter costs P1,150. – Location: Abueg St., Puerto Princesa City – Operating hours: Daily, 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM
• Balinsasayaw Restaurant. A budget-friendly restaurant serving cheap to mid-range Pinoy dishes. Their value meals costs less than P200. If you’re with a group, they also have group meals that you can avail. – Address: Manalo St., Puerto Princesa City – Operating Hours: Daily, 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM
• Ka Joel’s Restaurant. Another reliable name in the city’s food scene, Ka Joel’s serves Filipino cuisine. Its bestsellers include chicken inasal and beef kare kare. – Location: Purok Centro, Puerto Princesa City – Operating Hours: Daily, 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM- Lunch, 5:30 PM to 9:30 PM- Dinner

For loaded tourists, big hotels have their in-house restaurants that highlight their take on Filipino cuisine.

• Hue Hotel houses Matiz Restaurant and Tapas Bar , which boasts a mostly Spanish menu.
• Princesa Garden Island Resort and Spa has a dining complex featuring four restaurants including the Golden Elephant Seafood Village , which specializes in Thai food.

SAMPLE PUERTO PRINCESA ITINERARY

Here’s a sample 3-day 2-night Puerto Princesa itinerary with breakdown of expenses. Note that this itinerary assumes the following:

• You’re a party of 2, splitting some of the costs.
• The accommodation you’ll book costs P1500 per night. If you split it between 2 people, that would be P750 per night per person.
• You’ll book most of the tours via Klook.

But as always, feel free to make adjustments based on your schedule and preferences.

• DAY 1: CITY TOUR 08:20 AM – Arrival in Puerto Princesa 09:00 AM – Tricycle to hotel, P75 (P150/2pax) 09:20 AM – Hotel check-in 11:00 AM – Early lunch 12:30 PM – City Tour (Tricycle), P500 (P1000/2pax) – Crocodile Park: P70 – Butterfly Garden: P60 – Mitra’s Ranch: P20 04:00 PM – Hotel, freshen up 06:00 PM – Dinner at Ka Lui, P500 09:30 PM – Back to hotel
• DAY 2: UNDERGROUND RIVER 06:00 AM – Wake up call 07:00 AM – Underground River Tour, P1900, Book here! ✅ 04:00 PM – Back to hotel, Rest 07:00 PM – Dinner at Kinabuch’s, P500 10:00 PM – Back to hotel
• DAY 3: HONDA BAY TOUR 6:00 am – Wake up, early check-out, leave bags 7:00 am – Honday Bay Tour, P1640, Book here! ✅ 2:00 pm – Back to hotel, pick up bags 3:00 pm – Tricycle to airport, P75 (P150/2pax) 5:30 pm – Flight back to Manila

This itinerary would cost you around PhP 5700 (USD 103, EUR 96, SGD 139) , excluding airfare and hotel but including a bit of allowance for incidental expenses.

If you’re able to book a room for P1400/night or P700/night/person, prepare to shell out a total of PhP 7,100 (USD 128, EUR 120, SGD 172) excluding airfare but including some allowance.

You can bring the cost even lower if you’re a bigger group and by doing the Honda Bay Tour on your own (DIY-style).

MORE TIPS FOR THE POOR TRAVELER

• Tricycle fare for short distances is around P15-25. Fares to and for the airport usually cost more than the regular fares.
• Walk when you can. The streets of Puerto Princesa are punctuated with trees so it doesn’t get as hot as other highly urbanized cities.
• Bring your own reusable water bottle , so you don’t need to keep buying bottled water. Doing this will help you save money and reduce plastic waste at the same time. You can just refill your water bottle at your hotel or at your lunch/dinner stops.
• Bring insect repellent lotion. Protect yourself from mosquitoes by applying insect repellent lotion especially when you go trekking or island hopping.
• Use coral-friendly sunscreen. Avoid using sunscreen that contains ingredients that could harm the coral reef like oxybenzone and parabens.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs)

When is the best time to visit puerto princesa.

January to April , the driest period. But keep in mind that these are also the busiest months, peaking in March and April, which are considered “summer” months in the Philippines.

If you want to avoid the crowd, schedule a trip around January to February when the weather is not too hot and not that rainy either. Yet, it is also important to note that Palawan is in between two major seas, the West Philippine Sea and the Sulu Sea. Its location highly affects its weather system, which is different from the rest of the country. Even during the dry season, it could be pretty damp and rain is expected in the afternoons. In fact, our team have visited in April once and it still poured on a couple of days. And even in our other visits in other months, it would often rain in the afternoon.

Puerto Princesa is a year-round destination. While the city took a beating from Typhoon Odette a few years ago, this isn’t a normal occurrence. Palawan is located in the western extreme of the country, isolated from most other main islands. It is not along the usual typhoon route.

What is the power plug/socket used in Puerto Princesa?

Electricity Info : 220V, 60Hz. Socket Type A, mostly.

2022 • 12 • 13

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Beauty Hidden Underground In Moscow Sub Way Stations

Moscow is the home to a bevy of sub way stations that are beautiful beyond description and artistic in every definition. Outcome of some of the most creative brains in architecture, the underground stations are the expression of artistic zeal in a unique way.

1. Prospekt Mira

: Located in the northern Moscow, Prospekt Mira's design is hugely influenced by the Botanical Gardens of Moscow State University. However, architects Vladimir Gelfreyech and Mikhail Minkus added the sophiscated touch by including ornate chandeliers, interesting reliefs and white marble pillars.

2. Arbatskaya

: Heavily influenced by Stalin, this station is built in the oval shape designs and flaunts several ?Stalinist Baroque? decorations. Further, Arbatskaya is the deepest sub way station (41 meter underground) and the second largest in Moscow.

3. Mayakovskaya

: Named after a poet- Vladimir Mayakovsky and built under the vision of an artist- Alexander Deyneka, you can easily imagine how this might look like. One of the most beautiful subway stations in the world, Mayakovskaya is a fine instance of the pre-World War II Stalinist architecture mixed with the stunning art decor inside with the ceiling studded with 34 mosaics of art work.

4. Komsomolskaya

: The sheer views of this station is enough to leave you open mouth! Vibrant colours with an illuminated atmosphere with elaborate chandeliers makes it look like some hotel lounge. Located under the Komsomolskaya Square, this station showcases some of the most intricate art work on its ceilings. Artistic beauty may find myriad expression and this is one of them. So, book your trip to Moscow just to go underground, literally though.

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Bars & Nightlife

The nightlife scene in Moscow is varied, and long gone are the days when the only kind of venues in operation were luxury establishments guarded by stern-looking bouncers. Although some places still enforce FC/DC, many are now leaning towards a more casual approach to entry - the recent decade has seen a rise in the number of casual bars modelled after hip urban haunts of West European capitals. Wine bars, craft breweries, bohemian cafes, indie bars, and glitzy nightclubs are all to be found in abundance, spread throughout the city's many neighbourhoods. And here are the best bars and nightclubs in Moscow, Russia:

Chinese Pilot Jao Da

16 Tons Club

Hookah Bar Friends

In order to satisfy the wishes of Moscow's well-off upper middle classes, many chic designer stores have opened their stores in Moscow. Today there is definitely a risk that tourists will return home with considerably more expensive souvenirs than fur hats and Russian "matryoshka" dolls, which are readily available throughout - a good place to start browsing for these is the souvenir market right next to the Red Square.

Popular Shopping Streets

Eliseyevskiy Store

Perlov Tea House

Tourist Information

Vnukovo International Airport

The city's third and most compact airport, Vnukovo is located approximately 28 kilometres southwest of the city centre. The air hub is best reached by Aeroexpress trains departing from the Kievskaya Railway Station. Several mini-buses also run here from Yugo-Zapadnaya metro station (south end of the red line).

Phone: +7 495 937-55-55

Website: www.vnukovo.ru/en

More Information:

Sheremetyevo International Airport

The largest international airport in Moscow is Sheremetyevo International Airport, located 30 kilometres from the city centre. The easiest and fastest way to reach any of Moscow's three major airports is by Aeroexpress - a fast train designated for air travelers (train departs from Belorussky Railway Station). The train ride takes 35 minutes. Another way to get here is by taxi. At the airport you can order taxis at the operator desk. You can usually book a taxi in advance through the hotel or travel agency when going to the airport. Alternatively, there are different bus routes. The buses take about 30-70 minutes depending on the route and your final destination. When traveling by car or bus, do keep in mind that rush hour traffic may sometimes be very dense, and significant delays are possible.

Address: Sheremetyevo International Airport, Moscow

Phone: +7 495 578 65 65

Website: https://www.svo.aero/en/main

Domodedovo International Airport

Another large airport in Moscow is Moscow Domodedovo Airport. The airport is located 22 kilometres away from the city. You can also reach the airport from Domodedovskaya underground station by mini-bus or bus and from Paveletsky railway station by train. The train from Paveletsky railway station takes 40-50 minutes going on the Aeroexpress train, and 1 hour and 10 minutes on the commuter train. The express buses and shuttles from Domodedovskaya underground station take 25-30 minutes and leave every 15 minutes. Buses run from 6am-12am. Taxis can be ordered at the domestic and international arrivals hall. There are car rental services at the airport.

Address: Moscow Domodedovo Airport, Moscow

Phone: +7 495 933 6666

Website: www.domodedovo.ru

Moscow has one of the world’s most beautiful underground railways which operates very efficiently. If you carry big luggage on the metro, make sure you buy a special luggage ticket. Tickets can be bought at station entrances - either at vending machines or special staffed kiosks.If you plan to use the metro multiple times during your stay, it makes sense to purchase a top-up card called "Troika".

Phone: +7 495 688 02 93

Website: www.mosmetro.ru

Public Transport

In Moscow there are also buses, trolley buses and trams apart from the beautiful metro. Tickets can be bought from the kiosks in the street or from the driver and validated once aboard.

Phone: +7 495 950 4204

Website: www.mosgortrans.ru

In Moscow the easiest way to get a taxi is the traditional way: to stand in the street and hold out your arm. Civilian cars like to operate as taxis, it is therefore recommended to only use professional taxi services. Taxi meters are not always used, so agree on a price before travelling. English-speaking taxi services in Moscow: Welcome Taxi +7 499 922 06 74 www.welcometaxi.ru LingoTaxi: +7 495 204 21 34

There are many post offices around town. If you want to send a letter you can drop it of in one of the dark blue post boxes. Main Post Office:

Address: Ul. Myasnitskaya 26, Moscow

Phone: +7 495 623 67 01

Website: https://www.pochta.ru

Medical care may be very expensive if you do not have insurance. Hotels often have their own doctor, so start there if you need help. There are dozens of pharmacies all throughout the city, and many work 24/7. Rigla 102 www.rigla.ru 15/43 Arbat, Moscow Apteka 36,6 www.366.ru 25 str 1A Zemlyanoy val, Moscow

National code: +7 Area code: 495/499

Electricity

220 volt, 50 Hz

ENCYCLOPEDIC ENTRY

The underground railroad.

During the era of slavery, the Underground Railroad was a network of routes, places, and people that helped enslaved people in the American South escape to the North.

Social Studies, U.S. History

Home of Levi Coffin

Historic image of the home of American Quaker and abolitionist Levi Coffin located in Cincinnati, Ohio, with a group of African Americans out front.

Photography by Cincinnati Museum Center

During the era of slavery , the Underground Railroad was a network of routes, places, and people that helped enslaved people in the American South escape to the North. The name “ Underground Railroad ” was used metaphorically, not literally. It was not an actual railroad, but it served the same purpose—it transported people long distances. It also did not run underground, but through homes, barns, churches, and businesses. The people who worked for the Underground Railroad had a passion for justice and drive to end the practice of slavery —a drive so strong that they risked their lives and jeopardized their own freedom to help enslaved people escape from bondage and keep them safe along the route.

According to some estimates, between 1810 and 1850, the Underground Railroad helped to guide one hundred thousand enslaved people to freedom. As the network grew, the railroad metaphor stuck. “Conductors” guided runaway enslaved people from place to place along the routes. The places that sheltered the runaways were referred to as “stations,” and the people who hid the enslaved people were called “station masters.” The fugitives traveling along the routes were called “passengers,” and those who had arrived at the safe houses were called “cargo.”

Contemporary scholarship has shown that most of those who participated in the Underground Railroad largely worked alone, rather than as part of an organized group. There were people from many occupations and income levels, including former enslaved persons . According to historical accounts of the Railroad, conductors often posed as enslaved people and snuck the runaways out of plantations. Due to the danger associated with capture, they conducted much of their activity at night. The conductors and passengers traveled from safe-house to safe-house, often with 16-19 kilometers (10–20 miles) between each stop. Lanterns in the windows welcomed them and promised safety. Patrols seeking to catch enslaved people were frequently hot on their heels.

These images of the Underground Railroad stuck in the minds of the nation, and they captured the hearts of writers, who told suspenseful stories of dark, dangerous passages and dramatic enslaved person   escapes . However, historians who study the Railroad struggle to separate truth from myth . A number of prominent historians who have devoted their life’s work to uncover the truths of the Underground Railroad claim that much of the activity was not in fact hidden, but rather, conducted openly and in broad daylight. Eric Foner is one of these historians. He dug deep into the history of the Railroad and found that though a large network did exist that kept its activities secret, the network became so powerful that it extended the limits of its myth . Even so, the Underground Railroad was at the heart of the abolitionist movement. The Railroad heightened divisions between the North and South, which set the stage for the Civil War .

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October 19, 2023

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