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Home » Budget Travel » How to Travel FOR FREE: No Money, No Problems!

How to Travel FOR FREE: No Money, No Problems!

It’s something I’ve never been able to fully instil in my non-travelling friends back home:  just how cheap travel can be.  The myth is that travelling the world is expensive; the reality is that it’s often cheaper than being at home. Travellers don’t pay taxes, or electricity bills, or student loans. Travellers live cheap.

So what if we took it one step further? Today, we’re talking about how to travel the world for free!

The best things in life are free, or so it’s been told. Everything we need is right here. Maybe these things are true, I’m not sure. What I do know is…

Life is as simple as we choose to make it.

Nothing in this list of tips for travelling without money is complicated (except maybe frequent flyer miles – goddamn credit cards). Everything in this guide is easy and actionable – the more you apply, the more inexpensive your travelling will be. With enough practice and ingenuity, you may even find yourself spending  $0 !

Did anyone say  “Take a vacation for free” ? Yes, me, right now! Weren’t you listening? Well, you better start because I’m about to teach you…

How to travel for free!

Dis shit is gonna get cheap, yo!

A Big, Sexy Disclaimer

Folks, this article is not about how to travel the world like a dickweed. Anyone can travel for free if they take advantage of people along the way, lying, cheating, stealing, and being an all-round douchenozzle.

Similarly, though we’ll cover some of the more crusty methods of travel, as well as tackle that sticky topic of ‘begpacking’ , THAT’S not what this article is about either.

This article is about  learning how to live a low-cost lifestyle of travel. One that’s sustainable in the long-term as well as financially independent.  Travelling until you run out of cash and move back in with your Mum or Dad is cute in your early 20s, but that’s not what we’re about at The Broke Backpacker. That’s not what a broke backpacker is .

At The Broke Backpacker, we’re about teaching you how to live a lifestyle of indefinite travel in a responsible way – responsible to the world, yourself, and those who love you. Go out, travel, see the world, and do it for as long as you like, but do it right.

Don’t begpack, don’t abuse your privilege, and don’t ever expect a handout. Free travel is NOT about exploitation; it’s about travelling without burning through your savings in a way that’s more authentic and less insipid than simply blowing your funds on all the cheap booze and drugs .

Oh, and it shouldn’t have to be said, but, please,  don’t ever go travelling with literally $0 in your bank account. That’s just bloody stupid.

The Best Ways to Travel for Free

How to get a free vacation, how to travel when you’re broke, travel the world for free: is it possible, remaining tips for how to travel free, closing thoughts on free travel.

Let’s start by talking about how to travel for a living. These options for free travel mean exchanging your time and energy (i.e. working) for the freedom of being on the road. (And probably somewhere super-duper pretty too!)

Yes, ok, they aren’t all strictly ‘free trips’ but you’re away from home, not burning through your savings, and, potentially, maybe even saving some money too! If you disagree with my criteria, well, shush your face! Go travel the world for more than three years with your savings still intact like I have and then come back and we’ll argue semantics.

Still with me? Good because I want to travel the world for free and you should too!

Travel the World for Free Volunteering

Volunteering abroad for free – ahhh . This is where it all began for me and, sometimes, when it all becomes too much, it’s back with the hippies in the fields, shoes off and muddy, that I return to. For me, this will always be one of the most authentic and best ways to travel for free or otherwise.

The name of the game is simple: you work some agreed subset of hours, you get a place to sleep and food in return. Hopefully, a washing machine too!

Travelling free by way of volunteering could mean a lot of things: hostel work, farms, working with kids, charities, construction, kitten sanctuaries (god yes). The only way to find out what’s out there is to get out there! (You could also start by reading this review/guide/informational post on Workaway .)

Interested in travelling the world for free volunteering? Here are some excellent platforms:

• Workaway – The biggest in the game. Follow the link and sign up to receive an extra 3 months on your subscription!
• HelpX – The oft-forgotten cousin of Workaway.
• WWOOF – Exclusively for organic farm work.
• Talking to people – In the 21st-century? Get outta my house!
• Facebook and other platforms – Plenty of groups for this stuff but it’s best to search by the country or local area.
• Worldpackers – Follow the link or enter the code BROKEBACKPACKER to get $10 off your subscription. We’ve also reviewed Worldpackers !

Note:  Most of the platforms have an initial subscription fee (nothing in life is  truly  free). It’s a small price to pay in exchange for a year of travelling and volunteering around the world for free.

Work and Travel for Free Teaching English

If you’re reading this sentence, then you probably speak English. Awesome! Step one complete! What’s step two?

Get your TEFL certificate. With that in hand, it’s time to discover another one of the best ways to travel the world. Didja guess yet?

Yup, teaching English!

There’s a whole host of ways to get involved teaching English overseas and what an experience it is! Impart wisdom, see cute Asian kids smile (yay), and learn how to travel abroad for free. Well, not free… you’re actually earning money – oh snap!

If you want to take it a step further, you can teach English online . You’re entering the realm of the digital nomad which is certainly a different way to travel but that’s ok because – BOOM, SEGUE!

Ditch Your Desk for a Different Way to Travel

Now entering the realm of the digital nomad . If you really want to learn how to travel more, nothing will give you quite so much geographical freedom.

Anywhere your laptop (and stable internet connection goes), your source of revenue goes. Living the vanlife? Easy.

Renting a nudists-only Airbnb by a beach somewhere? Making money online is best done while tanning your best bits.

Volunteering at a kibbutz in Israel? Now you’re actually travelling for free, costs covered, WHILE earning money. Level-up!

Learning how to travel the world for a living is a whole new ball game. It’s the holy grail for many travellers but beware of the ‘grass is greener’ syndrome: it’s a lotta work and a lot to take on and, at times, your brain will hate you. Is it awesome though?

Fuck yes it is.

So, yeah, this may be stretching the how to travel for free concept but it’s an important mention for anyone looking at opportunities to travel free and extend their already indefinite adventures. Theoretically, we all gotta grow up eventually and make some cash, right?

I dunno, don’t ask me. I’m still Peter Pan-ning it up over here.

Or Just Work for Inexpensive Travelling

If a job that glues you to your laptop isn’t appealing but adopting the low-cost travel lifestyle of a working traveller is, then maybe just get a job-job. You know, one that sounds better on your Tinder profile than “influencer” .

What kind of job? Well, potential travel jobs is a long-ass list (which we conveniently have right here) , but if you’re starting from scratch and need to know how to travel the world with no money, here are a few ideas to get you started:

• Busker – Traveller-life and street performance go together like drugs and sex.
• Bartender – A extremely internationally-transferable trade and lucrative too… if you know how to bat those eyelids just right.
• Scaffolding and stage construction – Construction/labouring is good in general, but the stage construction and scaffolding industries are very international.
• Picking/Trimming – Also a lucrative industry IF you’re fast.
• Flight attendant – How to travel around the world for free 101.
• Cruise ship work – The money can be good contingent on the company and you’ll always have the added bonus of copious amounts of drugs and sex!
• Tuk-tuk races in Sri Lanka – I dunno; my cousin does them and he seems to be doin’ alright!

Do You Want to Travel FOREVER??

Pop your email in below to get a FREE copy of ‘How to Travel the World on $10 a Day!’.

Free international travel is about to get hacked! Ready to hack? It’s time to hack with these hacks!

Did I say ‘hack’ too much? Righto, moving along.

These following ways to travel the world for free are more courtesy of the convenience of the 21st-century. And, that’s exactly where we like to be.

Being a “nomad” these days is very different from what it used to be. No longer do we have to hunt elk and forage for berries in the woods – now we can just order a pizza with UberEats!

Now, we have a whole host of tools and platforms to uncover and exchange free travel opportunities!

Catch Flights Right: How to Travel Overseas for Free

It doesn’t matter how cheap you live when you arrive, you’ll still have to pay for an expensive-ass flight to get there… right? Wrong!

Learning how to catch cheap flights is going to be integral to learning how to travel without money. Error fares, mega-discounts, turning on incognito mode… booking flights does my head in – truly. I just want to travel the world; I don’t have time for this humdrum!

I’d suggest reading the above-linked post because it’s really a whole other Pandora’s Box.

To take it one step further, you can sign up with airlines to earn frequent flyer miles. Accrue enough of these and you’re looking at a cheap or even free trip overseas. A travel rewards credit card is going to stack up points in much the same way until, eventually, you get a free trip.

All of this credit stuff does my head in but the point is obvious. Do your research and find the best program to sign up in. Don’t you be wasting them points!

Or, if you’re like me and credit cards and booking flights gives you anxiety, just do what I do – overland it ! Planes are for fools; border crossings are where it’s at. And cheaper!

Apps and Platforms with Opportunities for Free Travel

Ok, now it’s really time to hack this open, right to the gooey, delicious centre. Oh, sorry, I made it weird, didn’t I?

No matter. It’s the 21st-century and now the smartphone has paved the way in much the same way that the wheel once did. These days, a lot of good platforms exist online that offer their own free ways to travel the world:

• Couchsurfing – Where to go when you have no money… to a mate’s couch! Except now all your mates are strangers and internationally based. Check out our Beginner’s Couchsurfing Guide for more info but it’s basically a platform where travellers asked to be hosted by people with a sleeping space to spare.
• Housesitting – You’ll need to build up a few references and pay a membership fee but then you can get all kinds of free accommodation… and in a private home too! Travelling by housesitting is a fantastic way to travel for free with the bonus of never having to share a hostel dorm with fatty, unshowered humans.
• Fly and swap vacations – It’s kind of like housesitting except your swapping homes with someone. That means it’s a bit more nuanced – you need to actually have a home to swap away. HomeExchange and HomeLink are two platforms that cover this.
• Au Pair – If you enjoy the company of miniature-monster-gremlins hiding in the bodies of children, then consider working as an Au Pair . Travel around the world for free, connect with a family and their spawn, and make some money too!

Yay, ok, my speciality! I may get anxiety from credit cards and fancy hotels but the broke-ass swashbuckling backpacker lifestyle is my answer to the emptiness of existence. Life gets simpler.

Real quick, these tips can be also found in our Budget Backpacking 101 article – some crossover is inevitable in the world of low-cost travel!

There’s a whole host of good advice in there if you’re not just specifically looking at how to travel for free but also at the cheapest way to travel the world. Yeah, these two posts may crossover a bit but hand-in-hand they make for some excellent reading (self-plug) if you’re dedicated to learning about how to backpack around the world with no money.

Consider this your Budget Backpacking Light.

Believe it or not, there is a lot of free food out there! The first and most common way (arguably) to eat for free is dumpster diving . People throw away a lot of perfectly edible food and useful stuff (half my wardrobe comes from late-night scores) and getting good at harnessing this awesome power of wastage is going to go a long way if you want to travel for free.

From the humble park trashcan up to the almighty power of the supermarket skip, free food is everywhere. Alternatively, you can acquire food before it hits the bin by asking for food wastage: bakeries, fruit and veg shops, food markets especially. Then there’s tablesurfing too – eating someone’s leftovers at a restaurant.

It’s an excellently fun game!

You’ve also always got food giveaways (we’ll touch on that tentative topic of begpacking in a moment) and religious shindigs too. The Hare Krishnas love, love, love feeding travellers for nothing or next to it.

I’ve eaten free Prasad in the streets of Varanasi and in Gurdwaras in Agra. There’s free food near the Ibrahimi Mosque in Hebron and free bread at every turn in Jerusalem (it might be for the cats…). Hell, there’s even an online platform dedicated to helping us intrepid raccoons find excellent freegan sources (urban fruit trees are shockingly common).

The point is if you’re travelling without money, there are still heaps of ways to fill your belly. You just gotta get creative!

This one is a pretty basic tip for free travel. I’ve already mentioned Couchsurfing but option two is to just sleep where you land . It’s a big, wide world out there with ample floor space!

For this, except for truly warm and rain-free climates, you’re gonna need a few things. In my personal order of importance:

• A sexy-warm sleeping bag
• Backpacking sleeping pad (the floor is cold)
• A budget backpacking tent (you could get really nice tent but I’ve always found it to be overkill)
• A sleeping bag liner
• Or, alternatively to the tent and pad, a backpacking hammock

With a combination of these things, you can sleep free while travelling pretty much anywhere. Camp out in the woods, in urban environments, or if you think the cops will get funny about you pitching a tent, sleep under a bridge or in a bus station or abandoned building. As my dirtbag travel companion in New Zealand always said: we can sleep anywhere!

This, however, is not a commentary on safety. I’ve never had an issue but also I’m a white man covered in tattoos that looks like he sleeps with a knife in his pocket. Be smart, be safe , don’t go past your limits, and learn what a good pitch looks like.

Pro-tip: No one goes into graveyards at night. Oh, and on that note, leave no fucking trace.

Travel Free

If we’re talking the most literal definition of the term, there’s only one way to travel for free that I can think of: hitchhiking. I love hitchhiking! It’s free travel to places, you meet local people – people you never would have met otherwise – and see many worlds from the inside (or outside) of many vehicles.

Hell, sometimes people invite you over, offer to let you stay the night, or to go on an adventure. I don’t do it as much as I used to but sometimes, when I’m just needing a holiday from the work and travel life, I take a break from the tech and hit the road.

I see who picks me up and sleep where I land – no schedule, no itinerary. Simplicity at its finest. Hitchhiking is grand! And to those who question if it’s ethical – I can assure you some of my best travel memories involve those that gave me a ride.

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I guess that’s the last big question:

How can I travel for free? Is it really possible? Teach me sensei that hasn’t bought a new piece of clothing in almost-three-and-a-half years!

Yes! It is. Buy a plane ticket on miles, choose a visa-waiver country, hitchhike from the airport to your volunteering gig, eat only the finest cuisine from the dumpster! It’s a free year long trip !

Ok, look, that may not be your ideal vacation (free or not), but it’s a portrayal of an extreme circumstance. This isn’t a strict guide to travelling the world for free; it’s a handbook. Take what works, when it works, and apply it at will.

Practice makes perfect and pretty soon you’ll be finding that you’re having some pretty dope-ass adventures on some pretty low spendings. Hell, why not set up some passive income at home and then earn a bit while you’re volunteering abroad cheaply. (Or just Couchsurfing.)

I met a dude in New Zealand way back near the beginning and he said something very insightful.

“You don’t need a lot to travel. A plane ticket, $500, and you can be gone for a while.”

He was so right.

Why travel without money?

Because it’s fucking awesome!

Seriously, the stunning sunrises and sunsets I’ve seen only because my days hitching ended where they did. The adventures I’ve ended up on just because I was asking around for a spot of work. The things I’ve done because I was working for a bed and feed… I milked a goat once!

Learning how to start travelling abroad for free opens up a lot of doors, both in the world and in yourself. Pretty soon you start to realise that you’re pretty damn capable! That in all likelihood, you got dis.

And, on the off-chance you don’t, chances are there’ll be someone around to lend a hand.

Give it some time and you’ll start to find that there’s always somewhere to sleep and something to eat. There’s always a spot of work that needs to be done by a willing hand.

After a bit more time travelling the world without money, you may start finding you already have everything you need. If not the best, then at least some pretty insanely spectacular things are free, and, best of all…

Simplicity is so damn blissful!

“I want to travel but have no money.” – Voluntourism, begpacking, and tact.

I said we were gonna touch on this, yeah?

Voluntourism is one can of worms; one that I feel fewer people take issue with. There are some points against it, and some validity in these points, but nothing that I truly believe is able to undo the sheer amount of good that comes from people travelling through volunteering overseas.

Connections between local communities and travellers are made and something is returned while travelling around the world. It’s a symbiotic relationship – if you’re heart is equally in it for the work as it is for the free-living – and it works, usually for the best.

Begpacking gets stickier – it’s a modern-day complaint against a style of living that has existed much longer. That, somehow, choosing to travel with no money makes you self-entitled and undeserving of the kindness of strangers. However, even the name “begpacking” itself stands as a bit of a misnomer.

I’ve never “begged” for something and I don’t know anyone who has. (However, travellers who do quite literally “beg” exist and they should promptly hand in their backpacker card).

I’ve hitchhiked but I’ve never even directly asked someone for a ride. I’ve never asked someone for a place to stay and certainly never for money. I have eaten at free food giveaways but only ones that were welcoming and warm to travellers and wanted me there (sometimes, with some volunteering on the side).

Usually, if someone wants to offer you something, then that’s a gift of kindness (except when ulterior motives may be at play). As a traveller, a long way from the comfort of home, a bit of kindness goes a long way.

I know there are people out there that abuse this kindness in their attempts to get a free trip. This is a reminder not to .

It’s about having tact and moving with grace; leaving places in the world better than when you arrived. Be a little bit of good in the world wherever you go. Considering all the places you’ll go, that’s a lot of good.

If you’re choosing to travel without money, then remember that’s your choice. A long way from home or not, no one owes you a hand, so be grateful when they lend it.

Before I tie up the ‘How to Get a Free Vacation Handbook’, it’s time for the final bonus tips. These may not individually rock your boat, but together they’ll groove it a bit for sure!

• Don’t burn out – Always stressing about money, looking for the cheapest way to travel to your next destination, and racing against yourself: it can be exhausting. Don’t push yourself too hard. Take a rest sometimes, go slow, and remember that when travelling without money gets stressful, home is always waiting.
• Every country is unique – Every country has its own nuances. What food is cheap, expectations on people volunteering abroad, even the hitchhiking hand signals! It takes time to learn a new place and mistakes probably will happen so cut yourself some slack, alright?
• Mistakes do happen – On that note, so as much as free travelling around the world may be the goal, it pays to stockpile a little rainy day money. Unless you don’t mind calling in financial favours from the ‘rents.
• There’s free food in more places than the dumpster – Many countries have food growing in abundance that isn’t privately owned (or in a bin). Learning edible plants and how to forage is pretty goddamn top-tier Broke Backpacking, but it’s certainly possible.
• Know your rights volunteering – While it’s important to put the hard work in for your hosts when volunteering, it’s equally important that you aren’t being exploited either. Not all hosts are top blokes and some do seek to take advantage of backpackers. Remember that no one is doing anyone any favours: it’s an exchange.
• You’re broke but you’re not poor – This is especially true when travelling in developing nations. It does get tiresome feeling like you’re being targeted as a tourist by touts and beggars, but you are a tourist. Travelling without money doesn’t bring you down to the level of the legitimately homeless and impoverished; one party chose to be there, the other did not. Just keep that in mind.

Our GREATEST Travel Secrets…

Pop your email here & get the original Broke Backpacker Bible for FREE.

Oh, and one last tip… Get insured before embarking on your free travel adventure!

Yeah, ok, insurance isn’t free (or cheap) but when you’re lying in a hospital bed with some truly astounding food poisoning from the dumpster diving, at least your treatment will be! Seriously, travel insurance is a super important consideration for any journey.

Members of The Broke Backpacker team have been using World Nomads for some time now and made a few claims over the years. They’re an easy to use and professional provider that the team swears by.

ALWAYS sort out your backpacker insurance before your trip. There’s plenty to choose from in that department, but a good place to start is Safety Wing .

They offer month-to-month payments, no lock-in contracts, and require absolutely no itineraries: that’s the exact kind of insurance long-term travellers and digital nomads need.

SafetyWing is cheap, easy, and admin-free: just sign up lickety-split so you can get back to it!

Click the button below to learn more about SafetyWing’s setup or read our insider review for the full tasty scoop.

You don’t need a lot of money to travel: that’s the takeaway! Maybe eventually you’ll need some money so leaving the country with $0 in the bank account isn’t necessarily smart. That said, I have a friend that got his working visa in Australia by photoshopping his bank statement, so, really, anything is possible!

Even if the low-cost world traveller game isn’t for you, I still think everyone should try it once. It changes your perspective a lot.

It changes your perspective on the idea of what you need and what you need to be happy; on what is possible. I have a friend that lost it all in Australia (a different friend) and spent months as a hammock-hobo in Melbourne. He says it was the happiest time of his life.

I can relate. My first experience travelling still remains some of my sweetest memories. It was free travel in New Zealand – a smelly backpacking vagabond volunteering, hitching, busking, dumpster diving, and sleeping in parks – and It taught me how beautiful life is. It taught me how kind people are and how simple things can be, should we so choose.

Gratitude turns what we have into enough.

To close, I’d like to repeat what a friend said to me today as we bid farewell (at another hippy farm). He said:

“No, I won’t wish you ‘safe travels’ because everywhere you go, you are safe. You have a good heart and many adventures ahead. I wish you to be free because that is the most important thing.”

And I smiled because I understood (and because he’d just written my outro for me). That’s all it is: be free, travel the world with a good heart, and learn what joy there is in nothing. You don’t need anything to learn how to travel for free.

And you don’t need money to travel.

And for transparency’s sake, please know that some of the links in our content are affiliate links . That means that if you book your accommodation, buy your gear, or sort your insurance through our link, we earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you). That said, we only link to the gear we trust and never recommend services we don’t believe are up to scratch. Again, thank you!

Ziggy Samuels

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16 Comments

Awesome article for traveller specially who has low budget. Wonderful Insight.

Hey, great blog, read it like 3 times already!!! One question though…do you also get jobs ‘under the table’ with tourist Visa? Cause everyone talks about working and traveling to finance their further travels, but nobody talks about Visa issues. Could I work for a bit of money (whatever crappy job) with a tourist Visa/Visa waiver? And would people actually accept my work for cash on the hand, or can you actually find people who would accept your work for them although it could cause trouble because of the ‘under the table’ issue? Cause Work and travel Visa is too expensive for a broke gal like me and one year a long time for one country. I’m talking more about the ‘getting a bit of cash for travel’ kinda thing. Answers would be so so appreciated. Greetings from germany Svenja

People find, and will continue to find all sort of ways to make it work, Svenja… and so will you I’m sure. Some countries do have very strong rules against this type of thing tho, so it may be better looking for other things to trade for, such as food, accommodation, transport.

Wonderful and surprising information, Thank you

What a blog! Very funny and different, I was delighted with this wonderful content.

😀 dumpster eating

Thank you so much for sharing all this wonderful info with us! It is so appreciated and I would suggest you travel once to India

Hahah guess where that first picture of me in the tree is taken? Gokarna, baby! 😀

now i know how to travel, the next thing that is left is how to have guts to travel lol

Just do it, dude – you got this!!! All you gotta do is take the first step :)))

Is panhandling, begging/scamming arrogant rich backpackers and sneaking into peoples bushes/fields to sleep considered douchebaggery?

Scamming people is morally deplorable on every level.

As for sleeping in peoples fields and bushes, well as long as you remember the “leave no trace” principle.

Ziggy Samuels, it is very courageous of you to be able to travel like this. Besides, in the middle of the way, find good people to help you, even without asking. Good luck in this adventure that in a way is the best freedom.

Thanking you kindly, Sam – Perhaps it’s equal parts courage and stupidiity 😉 You’re 100% right though. There are good and kind people everywhere, and often, travel wouldn’t be possible (nor nearly as special) without them.

Last year i traveled for Australia for volunteering work and i can say it was one of the best experience of my life without any cost.

One good App for volunteering work is Workaway and it was that i used.

Interesting, I never thought that one can travel so easily without expenses a penny. But few ideas are really I think works like “volunteering the work” helps one to travel without any cost. I’m curious to check how this work. You shared some great ideas here to work on…Thank you for sharing such wonderful post.

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How to travel better: a beginner's guide to sustainable travel in 2023 and beyond

Sustainable, green, responsible — planet-friendly ways to explore the world are more popular than ever but how do you start to make better decisions when you travel? The first step is to understand what sustainable travel is and why it’s important.

What’s sustainable travel? Sustainable travel is about travelling in a way that’s sensitive to the climate and nature emergencies while ensuring that the wellbeing of the places we visit gain long-term benefit from us travelling there. It’s a balancing act between maximising the positives of travel while reducing or eliminating the negatives.

What’s happening and why? The concentration of carbon dioxide currently in the atmosphere is well over 400 parts per million higher than at any time in at least 800,000 years — and it’s still increasing, causing global temperatures to rise. The consensus is that a rise of just 1.5C will cause dangerous warming of the planet. The stability of our world’s climate hinges on whether we can keep this small rise in global temperatures in check and time’s running out. This is the decade that counts.

How does this impact the natural world? Commensurate with the climate crisis is the nature emergency: worldwide, 1 million animal and plant species are threatened with extinction due to the intensification of agriculture and forestry, resource extraction, hunting, invasive species, urban sprawl, pollution and climate change. Yet, this is not just about the disappearance of remote rainforests or polar bears at the extremities of the planet – habitat and biodiversity loss are happening on a colossal scale in the UK, to our hedgerows and forests, our garden birds, and the fish in our seas.

What can you do about it? Being a sustainable traveller is not about making grand, one-off gestures, it’s a state of mind, an ongoing attitude to conscious adventure that influences all aspects of how we holiday, including what we pack in our luggage and how we travel out to destinations, as well as the choice of hotels and activities we take part in while we’re there.

How do I even get started? To begin with, consider packing less: travelling lighter will reduce the chances of having to dispose of items; it makes it much easier to travel around, especially on foot, by bike or on public transport; and it’s more fuel efficient — especially noticeable if you’re travelling in an electric car. A useful device for packing economically is to consider the three Rs: Reduce: What can I get away with not taking; are there items that can double up for several uses? Reuse: What can I take that I can reuse over and over again? Recycle: What can I take that can be recycled once I’ve finished using it? Try to avoid taking single-use plastic, such as bottles, bags and straws, which break down over time into tiny microplastics that enter the food chain when they’re consumed by marine wildlife and ultimately cause serious health issues for humans. Instead, pack a refillable water bottle, coffee cup, Tupperware containers for food and toiletries, and a shopping bag — it’ll be handy not just as a replacement for buying a plastic bag at a supermarket, but also when you’re out buying food and groceries at a local market.

What’s the most important change that I can make? The single more significant way to reduce the carbon emissions of travelling is to tackle the transport portion, which is often responsible for at least 70% of the carbon emissions of a holiday. The most effective way to do this is to reduce the distance travelled and to travel in a way that burns less or, even better, no fossil fuels, using more sustainable modes of transport; or by not travelling in a vehicle at all, choosing instead to travel on foot, by bike or under sail. There’s a steep difference in terms of the amount of carbon dioxide emitted by aeroplanes compared with most land-based vehicles. There are concerted efforts to decarbonise air travel using alternative fuels and methods of propulsion (such as via electricity and hydrogen), but even the most optimistic predictions support that this change is at least a decade away for most airlines. For the time being, the emissions from just one long-haul flight can be more than those caused by someone driving a standard petrol car for a whole year. Taking the train within the UK emits about six times less than flying and taking the bus emits about nine times less. In Europe, where many trains (including Eurostar) are electric, the emissions from rail travel can be as much as 10 times less than flying.

And what if I do need to fly? If you do fly, bear in mind that there’s quite a large disparity between the carbon emissions of aircraft and the operating procedures of airlines, so do use online tools such as the ‘Greener Choices’ label on the search results provided by the flight search engine skyscanner.net , which flags up those flights that have less than average emissions.

While flying continues to be such a large polluter, consider adopting a more selective approach to flying: just as with the flexitarian approach to food where you eat a mainly plant-based diet and only occasionally eat lean meat and sustainably sourced fish, a similar attitude to flying could be that you mainly travel overland and only occasionally fly, staying for longer, and making the most of the flight by choosing a positive-impact holiday that benefits nature conservation and/or genuinely benefits the wellbeing of local communities.

What does my carbon impact look like once I get to a destination? There are other factors that will affect your carbon emissions when you’re at the destination, including your choice of hotel and the food you eat. The average carbon footprint of a night in a typical hotel in the UK is about 31.1kg CO2, according to the Hotel Carbon Measurement Initiative, so choosing a hotel that has lower than average carbon emissions can make a significant difference to your holiday’s footprint. Thankfully it’s becoming easier to find green accommodation — keep an eye out for the green filters on specialist accommodation booking sites, such as Airbnb’s ‘off-the-grid’, Sawday’s 'Sustainable stars'   and   i-escape's 'eco rating', there are several online agencies that specialise in green accommodation, such as fairbnb.coop and myecostay.eu , and even the big online agencies, such as Booking.com , TripAdvisor and Google , now flag up eco-certified hotels in their search results. Many of these eco-certified accommodations do much more than reducing their carbon emissions, they’ll also reduce the amount of waste they send to landfill and reduce the use of chemicals and the amount of water they use.

Feasting on local, seasonal food washed down with the local tipple conveys a sense of place better than any travel brochure. It’s also much better for the environment as there are significant emissions of carbon arising from the ‘food miles’ associated with transporting food great distances. Whether it’s freshly baked bread for breakfast, salad from the local market for lunch, or the catch of the day at the nearby restaurant, choosing local isn’t just good for the planet, it’s also healthier and a great way to put money into the local community.

Where to go Some of the most colourful cities in Europe are a great choice for a green break, such as Bristol, Angers, Nantes, Zurich, Ljubljana and Copenhagen. Here, pragmatic local authorities are implementing the circular economy to create sustainable transport, housing and economic development policies that are accelerating their transition to net zero, which has the knock-on effect of improving the experience for sustainable travellers. For example, regenerative wetlands and connected green spaces help manage storm water, air quality and improve biodiversity, but also provide wonderful green sanctuaries that are great for appreciating urban nature or for just chilling out in parks and gardens across urban villages.

And how to get around? Countries that have a modern, high-speed rail infrastructure make it easy to travel with a lower carbon footprint. Switzerland has an extensive public transport network across the country (the Swiss Travel Pass provides free admission to 500 museums as well as unlimited travel on trains, bus, boat and public transport in cities), while France, Spain, Italy and Germany have impressive high-speed rail networks, particularly between major cities.

What about long haul? Further afield, some countries have made concerted efforts to include tourism in their sustainable development goals. Following decades of tree clearing for agriculture and livestock production, in the 1980s the Costa Rican government implemented policies that have halted and reversed this deforestation. Today, over half of Costa Rica’s land is covered by forest, compared to just 26% in 1983, allowing it to make the most of the biodiversity in its rainforests and pioneer the concept of ecotourism, developing small-scale, high-end eco lodges that have contributed to the conservation of its rainforests. Guyana, too, is developing community-based ecotourism to fund the protection of its rainforests. Lodges such as Iwokrama River Lodge , Rewa Eco-Lodge and Surama Eco-Lodge enable visitors to enjoy the country’s incredible biodiversity, while contributing to its conservation and to the livelihoods of remote communities.

Where can I look for more information? Richard Hammond is a sustainable travel expert and founder of Green Traveller and the author of The Green Traveller: Conscious Adventure That Doesn’t Cost the Earth (£18.99, Pavilion).

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Frequently asked questions

What do i need to know before booking a flight.

There are various factors to consider when booking a flight including cost, fare classes, baggage policies, the complications of flying long haul, and complying with airport regulations. To make your booking journey smoother KAYAK has developed a comprehensive flight guide including insights on finding affordable flights, packing efficiently, and utilizing the best travel tools.

Which month of the year are flight prices lowest?

It’s well established that flights in the low season are generally cheaper than ticket prices during the high season. That means that knowing which month to find the lowest priced plane tickets will depend heavily on seasonality and your destination. While avoiding peak travel times can help you keep costs down, our data shows that the month with the lowest priced plane tickets for domestic flights based on all searches made on KAYAK in the last 12 months was January, while the most expensive was March. If you’re booking an international flight, then January is the cheapest month to fly and June the most expensive.

Can flying international flights with a layover save money on airfare?

For many long-haul international flights, flying non-stop is not possible and you will have to fly with a layover. Some routes will offer both and you could consider flying with a layover for a number of reasons. Firstly, breaking up what would otherwise be a long-haul flight, taking a rest and then completing the journey might make the flight more manageable. Secondly, prices can also be lower than non-stop flights, so while it might take longer for you to reach your destination, you could save money. We’ve looked at prices over the last 12 months for the 100 most popular international destinations for KAYAK users and on average, prices for non-stop flights were cheaper than flights with a layover.

How do I find the best flight deals on KAYAK?

A simple flight search at https://www.kayak.com/flights scans for prices on hundreds of travel sites in seconds. We gather flight deals from across the web and put them in one place. Then on the search results page you can use various filters to compare options for the same flight and easily choose the best flight deal from all of the deals coming straight from the travel sites to your screen, with no extra fee from KAYAK.

Does KAYAK query more flight providers than competitors?

Yes, KAYAK has access to more data and information than online travel agencies and consistently outperforms the competition in accuracy, globally.

What is KAYAK's "flexible dates" feature and why should I care?

Sometimes travel dates aren't set in stone. If your preferred travel dates have some wiggle room, flexible dates will show you flights up to 3 days before/after your preferred dates. That way, you can see if leaving a day or two earlier will find you a better deal. You can also select the flexible "weekend" or "month" search options to widen your search range and find the cheapest price that works for you.

What is the cheapest day of the week to book a flight?

The best day to book your flight depends on a number of factors, but there are general trends that you can follow to increase your chances of cheaper plane tickets. Based on an analysis of KAYAK data for all flights departing from inside United States over the last 12 months, the cheapest day to fly for domestic flights is Wednesday. For international flights, Tuesday had the cheapest tickets on average.

When is the best time to buy plane tickets - Last minute or in advance?

Last minute flight deals are definitely up for grabs but when exactly to purchase your plane tickets will depend on where you’re traveling to and from. Based on all data for flight searches made on KAYAK over the last 12 months, prices for domestic flights remained below the average price up to 1 weeks before departure. For international flights, deals could still be had up to 1 weeks prior to the departure date, with prices remaining below average. If you’re flexible, KAYAK brings you both advance and last minute one-way and round-trip flight deals.

How does KAYAK find such low flight prices?

KAYAK processes over 2 billion flight queries annually and displays results from hundreds of airlines and third party sites, allowing it to find a variety of flight prices and options. It also displays results from 2M+ properties along with rental cars, vacation packages, activities and millions of verified reviews so users can see as many available travel options as possible.

How can Hacker Fares save me money?

Hacker Fares allow you to combine one-way tickets on different airlines when it can save you money over a traditional round-trip ticket.

How does KAYAK's flight Price Forecast tool help me choose the right time to buy?

KAYAK's flight Price Forecast tool uses historical data to determine whether the price for a given destination and date is likely to change within 7 days, so travelers know whether to wait or book now.

Protect Your Trip »

12 Unconventional Ways to Save on Travel

Points and miles are major, but there are other cheap ways to travel too.

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Consider setting up airfare alerts, housesitting and traveling midweek to help stay in budget.

Traveling can be expensive, and even when you rely on widely known savings tactics – such as traveling in off-peak seasons or staying at a hostel or a rental with a kitchen – the costs inevitably add up. If you're looking for ways to save on your next trip, add these unconventional tips provided by travel industry experts to your hat of travel tricks.

Get a set of packing cubes

Traveling with just a carry-on bag is a cost-effective option since it's typically free on most major airlines, but it's often easier said than done. That's why packing cubes are a good investment. They don't cost much – you can get a quality set like this one by Bagail for less than $25 – and they inevitably allow you to save space and fit more in your carry-on (or checked luggage ).

[Read: Guide: Carry-on Luggage Sizes by Airline .]

Choose the flight, then the destination

Scott Keyes, flight expert and founder of Scott's Cheap Flights , recommends changing the way you search for flights to save on airfare . Instead of looking for flights to a specific destination, use a flight comparison tool like Google Flights , Momondo or Skyscanner to browse a variety of airfares from your preferred airport(s). Maybe a trip to Barcelona wasn't what you originally had in mind, but if the price is right, why not head there instead?

Consider alternate airports

While flying from the airport closest to home is always the most convenient option, Keyes also suggests comparing fares from other airports, even those that are a few hours away. You may find prices are hundreds of dollars less to get to the same location, making the combined cost of gas, parking and driving time an excellent investment.

If you can drive a few hours to a larger airport with more flight options in general, that may be even better. Not only do you have the potential to save money, but you're more likely to find a direct flight or a route with fewer layovers.

[Read: What to Do If Your Flight Is Canceled or Delayed .]

Set up airfare alerts

If you're eager to travel far and want to save big on airfare, keep an eye out for short-term airfare offers on websites like Hopper and Trip.com . These sites offer deals that usually last a short time, meaning you have to strike while the iron is hot. "I do this every time I book a flight and I usually save at least 10%, but sometimes up to 75%," says Josh Band of A Backpacker's World . "I once got a flight that should have been $200-plus for just over $50 by setting up an alert."

Go to Europe for Thanksgiving

Many Americans opt to head to Grandma's house or another domestic destination for turkey dinner. However, not as many escape to the Caribbean and Mexico, and even less go to Europe – which means you're more likely to find flight deals to Paris , London and other European vacations you've been wanting to cross off your bucket list.

Travel midweek

There's no set day of the week to book the cheapest airfare, but there are less expensive days to travel, says Keyes. He recommends flying on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays since most business travelers fly on Sundays and Mondays (and consequently drive up the cost of airfare on those days).

Consider a 'bleisure' trip

If you have an upcoming business trip in a unique or new-to-you destination, consider tacking on a few personal days to the journey. This way, you can enjoy a mini-vacation sans airfare (assuming your company will cover that portion).

[Read: The Best Garment Bags for Travel, According to Reviews .]

Buy travel insurance

It may sound counterintuitive, but purchasing travel insurance can save your bank account (and your sanity) in the event that you or a family member falls ill or has another emergency that forces you to change your vacation plans before or during the trip. A basic and cheap travel insurance policy will suffice, though there are coverage options for a wide variety of needs – including cancel for any reason travel insurance (which is exactly what it sounds like).

Housesit for free accommodations

Did you know you can enjoy free accommodations in exchange for housesitting? Sites like House Sitters America and Mind My House offer housesitting opportunities for a small annual fee (less than $50). Many of the homeowners have pets who need TLC while they're gone, too, making this a fun and budget-friendly alternative to traditional rentals like Airbnb. No matter where you travel, it doesn't get much better than living like a local and playing with pups.

Similarly, you can try couch surfing, which allows you to stay with a local for free. Services like the site Couchsurfing charge a negligible monthly or annual fee to sign up and get verified for safety purposes, while others such as BeWelcome are free. These services also provide exclusive meetups with other travelers.

Read: The Best Vacation Rental Travel Insurance Plans

Sign up for a family loyalty program

Did you know there are loyalty programs that allow family members or groups to pool rewards or freely transfer rewards to others?

"This can be a great option for infrequent travelers who may not rack up enough points or miles for a free flight or hotel room individually – but can reach those rewards when combined," says Nick Ewen, director of content for The Points Guy . "In some cases, it's a single, pooled account that automatically combines points (like JetBlue). In other cases, you can simply transfer points from one account to another (like Hilton Honors, World of Hyatt, or Marriott Bonvoy)." He recommends reading the full terms and conditions of these programs, as some impose time limits, maximum transfer amounts and other restrictions.

Use travel rewards on experiences

Don't forget that both airline credit cards and airline rewards programs can be used to cover more than flights and hotels. Programs like Chase Ultimate Rewards make it easy to redeem points for sporting events, dining (including reservations, exclusive culinary experiences and takeout orders) and more.

You can also use points earned on hotel credit cards as well as hotel rewards programs to pay for fun experiences in hundreds of destinations around the world. Options range from cooking classes and concerts to outdoor activities and spa experiences .

Book a refundable car rental

While some companies offer discounts for prepaid car rentals, many travelers say they've had better luck with booking refundable car rentals , allowing them to secure a reasonable rate while keeping a watchful eye for price drops. If a better price pops up, simply cancel your original reservation and book at the lower rate. Frequent traveler Pamela Howard, who writes about her experiences on Our Adventure Is Everywhere , says she's consistently able to save anywhere from $25 to $100 using this tactic on Costco Travel car rentals. "It's simple and that little bit of time rechecking rates pays substantially in savings."

Ewen says you can do the same when you book a flight or hotel using points since many loyalty programs have flexible cancellation policies. "If you lock in a flight at 35,000 miles and see that your same ticket is 30,000 miles just a week later, you should be able to rebook and get those 5,000 miles back into your account," he explains.

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Ask Lonely Planet: how do I cope with little to no travel?

Jul 23, 2020 • 7 min read

There are proven ways for us to move forward while the travel industry is at a standstill © The South Wind / Shutterstock

The past few months have been a challenge for everyone.  But for travelers, wanderlusters, and global adventurers, the subsequent closed borders and shrinking world have been especially depressing. Here are 10 ways to cope for the foreseeable future, according to experts.

Although not being able to travel is a first-world problem, for many the struggle is real. The good news is there are several great coping mechanisms and homebound hacks to boost your mood, according to more than 300 travel experts that answered my call for advice. As you can tell from the overwhelming response, this is an issue that is clearly on a lot of people’s minds.

And while there’s never a replacement for actually being somewhere and seeing something for yourself, many of the below are both proven and clever in their ability to help us move forward while the travel industry hits pause for an indefinite amount of time. Either way, this is what they told me.

Accept the changed world

When COVID-19 lockdowns first began, many people were understandably hoping that the pandemic might pass in a matter of months. Sadly that didn’t happen, and now most health officials expect a one or two year recovery before things return to “normal,” travel very much included. “Like other major society events (eg 9/11, WWII, the Vietnam War), we are going to be living in a post-COVID world that looks different than the one we were used to,” explains Thomas Plante, a licensed psychologist and professor at Stanford University. “This may be true for decades to come, so we must remind ourselves that we will all travel differently moving forward.”

Challenge extreme thinking

At the same time, accepting the above doesn’t mean we get to make blanket statements about the future. So instead of saying, “I'll never be able to travel again,” consider the more objective, “What will it take for me to travel again?” counsels behavioral psychologist Christina Pierpaoli. “Extreme thoughts lack both helpfulness and accuracy,” she says, “Which may engender feelings of hopelessness, sadness, and decrease our motivation to plan.” The first step to feeling better about a temporary, if not prolonged, absence from travel, is to avoid extreme thoughts and treat the current situation as an uncomfortable “season,” rather than a fixed “never going back” change.

Develop skills for future trips

This was one of the most consistent pieces of advice I heard. Rather than waiting for the world to change, many I spoke to have thrived in recent months by learning new languages or choosing new activities to enhance their future trips. “My husband and I are taking kitesurfing lessons,” says  travel blogger  Skye Sherman from South Florida. “The second we can fly again, we're heading to the top kitesurfing spots around the world to flex our newfound muscles.” Similarly, you could get scuba-certified, learn rock climbing, or even do something simple like renewing your passport or applying for shorter airport security lines.

Travel by pen pal

When both the internet and I were young, I met a British boy in a “chat room” (remember those?) that ignited my interest in foreign travel. He was my first pen pal, and I remember marveling at his description of everyday life. Although we’ve since lost touch, the pen pal spirit lives on today. “I've been using Facebook groups to find experts in the areas I want to visit,” says  avid traveler  Travis Luther. “It's not just Americans who are home, bored, and in front of the computer all day. And because of that, you're probably way more likely to get a famous international chef to Zoom with you about Chilean cuisine than at any other time in history, or simply strike up a conversation with a local from afar.” Another idea: consider emailing or calling fellow travelers that you shared a country, city, or trail with in the past.

Focus on local trips for now

You might be tired of hearing advice to “travel locally,” but if you dig deep, this is the gift that can keep on giving. "For the last seven years, I've run  UncoveringPA.com , a travel blog devoted solely to exploring the state of Pennsylvania ,” says Jim Cheney. “When I started the site, I didn't think there was much to do in my own state. But I've since visited more than 1000 spots and have so many more to explore. While I love traveling abroad and have visited more than 30 countries, there are so many great places near my home that I would have never discovered had I not shifted my focus. I'm sure the same is true for everyone, no matter where in the world they live.”

Time-shift for new perspective

This is a fun one, although you might have to sacrifice normal sleeping hours. Ellen Levitt from Brooklyn is a big fan of seeing the Big Apple at different times of the day, especially at night. “Try driving or biking at 2am to observe your city or region in a way you’ve probably never seen before,” she says. “Or wake up at 5am and see the sunrise in your own home town, which I bet many of you haven’t done in years, if ever.” Similarly, you could hike your favorite national park by full moonlight, which a seasoned ranger once told me was his favorite activity at any of the parks he previously worked at.

Organize old travel photos

You may have been to a lot of cool places, but your photo library is probably a mess. With extra downtime now, “make time to finally go through and sort old photos from your past adventures,” says  Tammilee Tillison  of Spokane Washington. “Then share them with friends and family or those who traveled with you.” Not only will this make you feel proud of what you’ve accomplished and fill you with joy, it’s an excellent way of practicing “reminiscence therapy,” which is the fancy term scientists give to walking down memory lane.

Count your blessings

If you’re bummed about not being able to travel, that’s valid. But rather than focus on what you’ve temporarily lost, think about what you’ve already done. “Recognize that travel is a privilege that many don't get to experience ever,” says  Kara Patterson  from Denver. “I've met people in the US who have never left their home state, and people abroad who have never been to the country next door. Those of us who are lucky enough to get to see the world are just that: lucky. We will get to do it again someday, but many, many others never will. Be thankful for that.”

Reinvent yourself

Whatever you do, don't wait for the world to return to normal to live the life you want to, experts say. That likely means reinventing yourself somehow, at least temporarily. Maybe it means starting a new hobby or picking up an old one such as music or art. Whatever it is, we can all make lemonade from the COVID lemons. That’s because humans adapt. You can too and will be better for it.

Best of the rest

Other popular advice includes: starting or augmenting your "travel fund" for when restrictions loosen, learning how to cook international cuisine at home, exploring thousands of online virtual tours in high definition, starting or revising your travel bucket list, or even making home improvements that will make travel easier in the future. “I'm currently in the process of removing grass and replacing it with ground cover that requires less maintenance,” explains Erin Clarkson from Savannah , Georgia . “That way I'll be able to go overseas for extended periods of time without having to worry about my yard overgrowing.”

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The Most—and Least—Ecofriendly Ways to Travel

What type of transportation should you take if you want to leave the smallest carbon footprint the answer is not that simple..

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Being a greener traveler isn’t as simple as swapping one mode of transport for another.

Photo by misign/Shutterstock

The flight shame movement has taken off on the basis that flying is terrible for the environment. But for those who want to do better by planet Earth and reduce their climate change–inducing carbon footprint, simply reducing their reliance on air travel will only address one small slice of the problem.

In the United States, the overall transportation sector is the biggest producer of greenhouse gas emissions, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) . In 2017 (the most recent year for which data is currently available), transportation accounted for 29 percent of greenhouse gas emissions, followed by electricity at 28 percent, and industry at 22 percent.

Within the transportation sector, road vehicles are actually the biggest culprit, accounting for a whopping 82 percent of those emissions, with aircraft accounting for 9 percent, and rail for 2 percent (ships, boats, and other forms of transportation account for 7 percent combined), according to the EPA.

It’s a similar story on the global front. In the European Union, road transport accounted for 72 percent of transportation-related CO 2 emissions in 2016, according to a report released by the European Parliament this year. The next largest contributor was water transport (boats and ships), at 13.6 percent, followed by air travel at 13.4 percent. Rail only contributed 0.5 percent.

When in doubt, take a train

So, why does air travel get such a bad rap? Well, that’s because when you look at the emissions attributable to an individual passenger traveling by car versus rail versus air, air travel does pretty miserably. For instance, according to the site EcoPassenger , which calculates per-passenger carbon emissions between destinations in Europe, for a person traveling from London to Paris during a popular travel time (so when trains and planes are likely to be more full and thus more efficient), the CO 2 output would be 122 kilograms if that person flew, versus 48 kilograms if he or she drove or 15 kilograms by train.

And if you’re wondering where cruise ships fall into the lineup, they don’t have a strong track record either. The International Council on Clean Transportation recently concluded that even the most efficient cruise ships emit between three and four times more CO 2 per passenger, per kilometer than an airplane.

Rail travel, however, is consistently one of the lowest emitters. It’s not surprising that the flygskam or “flight shame” movement inspired by Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg has put the emphasis on converting air travel to much less impactful rail journeys.

National rail operator Amtrak reports that one of its electric trains emits .074 kilograms of greenhouse gases (CO 2 ) per passenger mile, compared with .227 kilograms of greenhouse gases per passenger mile for short-haul flights (flights less than 300 miles), and .137 kilograms of greenhouse gases per passenger mile for longer flights (flights between 300 and 2,300 miles). That translates into 70 percent fewer emissions for a rail journey when compared to a short-haul flight and about half the emissions for a rail journey when compared to a long-haul flight.

In short, if you opt to take a train versus a plane, your carbon output for that journey will likely be quite a bit lower. But that’s definitely not as easily done in the United States, which as the fourth largest country in the world has huge expanses to cross, and where the rail system is notoriously behind in sophistication and scope compared to its international counterparts, including the high-speed rail networks of Europe.

The environmental cost of driving

So, what if you opt to drive instead of fly? Well, that’s where the issue becomes more complicated. For one, depending on the distance and the passenger load, driving may not result in a considerably lower emissions output. A recent BBC article citing U.K. government energy data noted that CO 2 emissions per passenger, per kilometer traveled were .171 kilograms for a passenger car with one person in it, versus .102 kilograms for a long-haul flight, and .133 kilograms for a shorter-haul domestic flight within the United Kingdom.

Sure enough, the more people in the road-based vehicle, the lower the per-passenger emissions, with CO 2 emissions per passenger, per kilometer traveled being .043 for a bus, and .041 for each person in a car with four people traveling in it (versus only one, cited above). The lowest emitter (once again) was high-speed rail, at .006 kilograms, according to the U.K. government data.

Additionally, if you opt out of a flight and choose to drive instead, you are joining the masses on the road to be part of what is in fact the biggest overall contributor to greenhouse gas emissions in the transportation sector. A lot more people drive in this world than fly. The aviation industry accounts for about 2 percent of global carbon emissions, according to the Natural Resources Defense Council. So that means that if everyone were to stop flying, just 2 percent of the problem would be solved.

Focus on greener vehicles

While some people might be craving a simple, impactful solution to reducing their travel carbon footprint—and sure, making a statement by not flying, for instance, is certainly significant—the reality is that for those who want to make a lasting and longer-term difference, a more thoughtful approach to transportation decisions will be needed.

According to David Reichmuth, Ph.D., a senior engineer with the Union of Concerned Scientists’ Clean Vehicles Program, for travelers looking to reduce their impact, they should be thinking about several factors.

“There’s a lot we can do to make [transportation] cleaner and have fewer emissions. So, for passenger vehicles, having both more efficient gasoline vehicles but then also switching entirely from petroleum to electricity allows for reducing both tailpipe emissions and climate-changing emissions,” said Reichmuth.

Reichmuth added that concerned travelers should be thinking about greener vehicles, whether that is their own cars (which he argues is where the biggest impact could be made within a given household) or by being more informed about how efficient their aircraft, bus, or train is. Even within rail travel, for instance, there is a wide range of emissions output depending on the types of trains—diesel trains are typically more polluting than electric trains, and some electric trains are less efficient than others. He also said travelers should think about avoiding vehicle use when possible by walking or biking and should consider taking greater advantage of public transit opportunities and carpooling.

One way to be more informed about each mode of travel is to calculate and compare the carbon emissions output of a given trip. Thankfully, there are numerous, free, online calculators that help travelers do this now. The International Civil Aviation Organization, which is part of the United Nations, has a version for air travel that is intended for use in buying carbon offsets. The site offCents , meanwhile, allows users to calculate emissions for their rail, car, or airplane travel, with the aim of recommending corresponding offset programs, which users can contribute toward to offset their journeys.

Flex those influence muscles

Ultimately, the biggest factors impacting emissions related to travel are decisions that are made at the policy level—regulations that dictate what kind of emissions standards manufacturers must abide by.

Travelers who want to see their journey truly become greener should speak up. The airline industry is beginning to take notice of growing concerns about climate change and has begun to make some serious strides when it comes to scaling back on emissions, as well as offsetting them (they are also being required to do so by national and international regulations that have been put into place).

“To the extent that you can, take an active role in advocating for these policy actions. That can be at the local level,” said Reichmuth, noting that many municipalities have their own individual climate goals and action plans that citizens can get involved in. At the state and federal level, people can also advocate for and support clean vehicle policies that could ultimately result in travelers having a larger, and ideally greener, range of vehicles and modes of transportation to choose from.

>> Next: These Are the World’s Most Environmentally Friendly Countries

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The 7 Cheapest Ways to Travel

Caroline Costello

Caroline Costello's travel accomplishments include surviving a 2 a.m. whitewater rafting excursion in the Canadian wilderness, successfully biking from Dusseldorf to Cologne without a map, and gaining access to a covert pizza speakeasy in New Orleans.

Caroline is an active member of the Society of American Travel Writers (SATW). Her work has appeared on USA Today , the Boston Globe , AOL.com, MSNBC.com, ABC News, TODAY Travel, and CruiseCritic.com, among other publications.

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One of the most common excuses for not traveling is not having enough money. But while globetrotting can be a pricey pastime, creative travelers can find plenty of inexpensive ways to see the world.

If you want to stick to your budget and satisfy your wanderlust, try rethinking your travel style. Just because one type of trip is less expensive than what you’re used to, it doesn’t mean you’re getting a subpar experience—you’re just getting a different experience. Go out on a limb and try some cheaper ways to take a trip, like booking a vacation rental, couch surfing or taking a day trip. You’ll save money by choosing a less expensive vacation, and the best part is you may even discover a new favorite way to travel.

Travel in the Low Season

While shoulder-season deals offer great prices to destinations just as the weather turns favorable, those brave enough to take the less traveled path of low-season trips can expect to put up with less desirable weather for deliciously low prices. In many destinations (like Ireland and Greece), some attractions, restaurants and even hotels close during the low tourist season—but that doesn’t mean that you can’t plan a great vacation that time of year.

Plan ahead to make the most of your low-season getaway. Buy a good guidebook and check the website of each place you want to visit ahead of time to make sure that it will be open. Dress appropriately, especially if you will be dealing with frigid temperatures. And focus on the positive! Paris may be cold in November, but you won’t have to deal with an eternal wait when you want to visit the Eiffel Tower. Spring is mud season in New England, when most ski resorts start to shut down, but you can still eat fresh lobster and tour charming towns. For travel to the Caribbean, save money by booking during hurricane season in the fall (buy travel insurance and closely follow the weather before you trip, and you should be fine). Once you get used to the shorter lines and cheaper prices, don’t be surprised if you feel the urge to permanently break from the pack and only take low-season trips!

Take a Day Trip

I’m suggesting a day trip in lieu of the increasingly ubiquitous term “staycation” because frankly, the words “stay” and “vacation” just don’t mix. Sure, you can take museum tour of your city’s best, or book a day at the spa down the road, but is that really a vacation?

A day trip—even if it’s only an hour-long car ride—injects an element of actual travel into the uninteresting “staycation.” Plus, a day trip is quite possibly the least expensive way to travel to relatively local destinations. Pick a place that’s far, but not too far, like a national park , famous landmark, interesting town or historic site. Check out your region’s tourism website or Google the names of local towns to see what’s nearby—you may be surprised by the number of attractions that are just a gas tank away. In the U.S., Gasbuddy.com is a great website that allows drivers to map out where to find the cheapest gas prices along their routes. To avoid paying for accommodations, leave early in the morning and plan to get home late; this way, you’ll still have plenty of time to see what you want to see, even if your destination is a few hours away.

Arrange a Home Exchange

If you’re a homeowner, swapping your property with someone else is a great way to find comfortable, cozy and virtually cost-free accommodations for your trip. Home exchange participants typically stay in each other’s residences at the same time, or they may even stay as guests in each other’s homes. Uneasy about a stranger sleeping in your humble abode? Remember that since this arrangement is a mutual exchange, your partner will likely take great care to treat your home as she would treat her own. Plus, if you do your homework, check references, chat on the phone or even arrange to meet your home exchange partner in person, you greatly reduce your risk of abandoning your property to the evil whims of a destructive squatter.

Home exchanges are typically arranged through online networks. For links to these networks plus more information about setting up your own house swap, check out Home Exchange: A How-To Guide .

Book a Vacation Rental … with Lots of Friends

Vacation rentals may not be your best bet if you’re a solo traveler or you like to eat out. But if you’re traveling with a family or another couple, a vacation rental could save you big bucks over a hotel. Staying in a vacation rental with a number of people is less expensive because each person you add to your party cuts costs significantly.

For example, on HomeAway.com , we found a two-bedroom, two-bathroom ocean-view condo in Maui that sleeps four for just $185 per night—that’s less than $50 per person per night if you can find three travel buddies to bring along. Plus, buying larger quantities of food at the grocery store and cooking in instead of eating at restaurants can help you save even more (who doesn’t love a good barbecue?). The downside is you may have to share a room or step around an unfolded sofa bed as you make your way to the kitchen … but as they say, the more the merrier! For more information, read Vacation Rentals: A Traveler’s Guide .

Go Couch Surfing

Couch surfing is an unconventional way to find cheap or even free accommodations in a destination by arranging to sleep on a local’s couch (or sometimes in a spare bedroom, but we think “spare bedroom surfing” sounds less catchy). One of the most popular couch surfing networks is CouchSurfing.com , where citizens of the world meet and arrange couch stays with other travelers. Sleeping in the home of a stranger naturally raises issues of safety, but a good host will provide plenty of references. In addition, CouchSurfing.com has developed a number of safeguards for its users. For example, the site has a verification process for hosts; in order for a host to confirm that he or she is an actual resident of his or her community, the host must enter a special code online after receiving the code on a postcard in the mail.

While couch surfing is generally a safe way to travel, nothing is foolproof. A sense of adventure is a prerequisite for any successful couch surfing experience. If you don’t feel comfortable sleeping in the home of a stranger, don’t do it!

Go All-Inclusive

All-inclusive vacations: Most travelers either love ’em or hate ’em. If you’re a member of the former party and only stay at resorts named after summer footwear, you’re probably already familiar with the money-saving virtues of all-inclusive packages. But here’s a tip for the self-proclaimed independent travelers who associate all-inclusive resorts with sterile buffets and organized line dancing: don’t knock it till you try it—especially if you’re on a budget. All-inclusive resorts often offer a convenient and affordable base for exploring a destination, and you don’t have to stay chained to the resort property.

Most all-inclusive resorts are located in the Caribbean and Mexico, which are top spots for active adventure travelers. If you’re planning to scuba, snorkel, surf, hike, sail or explore, staying at an all-inclusive resort in a good location could make your trip a lot less expensive, especially if water sports or equipment rentals are included in your rate. A quick search on Expedia.com turned up a number of all-inclusive hotels in Cabo San Lucas during August from less than $300 per night based on double occupancy (including lodging, meals, beverages and some activities). Book an air/resort package, and you can often save even more.

Take a Cruise

Booking a cruise yields substantial savings by allowing you to pay for your food, lodging and entertainment together in one low price. It’s not uncommon to see seven-night cruises for under $700 per person, especially if you’re willing to stay in an interior stateroom (how much time will you spend in your cabin anyway?). If you live near a coast, you can avoid paying airfare by sailing directly out of the nearest port city. To learn more about cruising, check out How to Save Money on Your Next Cruise from our sister site, Cruise Critic.

More from SmarterTravel:

• 9 Creative Ways to Save for a Vacation
• How to Save Money on Food When You Travel
• Overbooked Flight? How (Not) to Get Bumped

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Cheap Holiday Ideas: 8 Budget Vacation Deals

While many of us dream of traveling the world (or at least taking a few months off from work in pursuit of adventure), it’s not always feasible — even for those with the best of intentions. A lot of things can get in the way.

I frequently talk about long-term travel and round-the-world trips , but I know that realistically, not everyone can take those kinds of trips — or wants to. I don’t think traveling the world as a digital nomad is hard , but I also know that what I do isn’t for everyone.

Some people just want to go on a cheap vacation for a few weeks. Not everyone has the time or interest in taking an extended trip.

And that’s perfectly ok!

So, what do you do when you only have a short amount of time and a limited budget? What are some budget vacation ideas that  aren’t about traveling the world?

Even if you don’t want to backpack Cambodia for three months or walk the Camino de Santiago , there are many ways to get on the road and see the world without breaking the bank!

Here are eight cheap travel ideas if you are cash-strapped and/or time-poor:

Table of Contents

1. Be a Local Tourist

2. travel regionally, 3. go to national (and regional) parks, 4. book a last-minute cruise (or book far in advance), 5. think outside the box, 6. book a last-minute tour, 7. become a house sitter, 8. grab a cheap flight, want more cheap vacation ideas.

We’re all guilty of this. It took me five years to see the Jim Thompson House in Bangkok (even after living there), and I’ve still never been to Bunker Hill in Boston despite spending the first 24 years of my life there.

We always put it off until tomorrow , because when we live in a city, we think there is always a tomorrow.

We get so caught up in our daily lives we forget that we can have a cheap vacation in our own city. We don’t have to go anywhere!

If you’re short on time and money, there’s no better way to spend some free time than to wander your own city. No matter what its size, it has a number of wonders that you’ve never seen or even known about because you just haven’t explored it like you would somewhere far-flung and “exotic.”

Explore your city the way you would explore it if it were half a world away. Be a traveler in your own town and look at it with new eyes. You might just be surprised!

Check and see what unique activities you can do that you wouldn’t do otherwise. To see what fun activities are available near you, check out Get Your Guide .

EatWith can also be found in cities all around the world, offering unique, locally-created culinary experiences. You’ll get to try new food and meet new people — all while staying in your own backyard!

Additionally, check and see if there are any walking or cycling tour companies in your city (or nearby cities). Take Walks runs fun, detailed, and insightful tours in cities all around the world. I always book a tour with them when I want to get beneath the surface of a destination!

Moreover, if you live in a large city, be sure to go to your local tourism office and get a city tourism pass. These cards allow you to see a wide range of local attractions for free or reduced prices and can be your way to see your local sites on a budget. They aren’t just for outsiders!

Important Tip: When you become a local tourist, check out of your house and into a hotel, hostel, or guesthouse. It’s important to get out of your familiar environment because if you stay home, you’ll find something to do around the house and create excuses for why you can’t sightsee.

To find accommodation, Booking.com is the best place to start. It has an easy-to-use interface and generous cancellation policies should you change your mind.

Moving to a different location can help give you that feeling of adventure, excitement, and unfamiliarity.

LEARN MORE :

• Staycations: 5 Ways to Embrace Your Next Holiday at Home
• How to Find Cheap Accommodation in 7 Easy Steps
• My Favorite Hostels Around the World
• How to Find the Perfect Airbnb

But I could say the same thing as my Aussie friends.

I grew up in Boston , and from there, I could road-trip New England and visit New Hampshire, the woods of Maine, the bed-and-breakfasts of the Berkshires, or the farms of Vermont. New York was a four-hour car ride from home.

How often did I do that? Not often enough!

Exploring your own region is an underrated and often overlooked aspect of travel. It gets the occasional lip service in magazines, but driving across the United States made me realize how much our own countries have to offer us and how often we overlook that for some foreign place.

There’s something special about being a stranger in your homeland and realizing you really don’t know as much about it as you thought.

We think because we’re born in a place we understand it but every country has regional differences that make it unique and, unless we travel to see and experience them, we’ll never fully understand the place we call home.

Driving across the US taught me a lot about this . It gave me a deep appreciation for the country, the people, and the diversity within its borders. It broke down stereotypes and misconceptions I had about the different regions in the US.

My time exploring my own backyard was just as important to my growth as any trip to a foreign country.

If you’re on a limited budget, can’t afford a flight or a trip to exotic lands, or just want to do something different, don’t forget that you can always travel around your own country. It can be just as powerful as going abroad.

Budget-friendly bus companies like FlixBus can help you travel your region on the cheap. They have routes around Europe and the US, with tickets starting at just $5 USD!

• The Great American Road Trip: A 4 Month Itinerary
• How to Road Trip Across the USA on a Budget
• A 21-Day Road Trip Itinerary Around the Deep South
• A 7-Day Southern California Road Trip Itinerary

In many countries, particularly in Europe (especially Scandinavia), you can camp on public lands for free. In the United States, you can camp on undeveloped BLM (Bureau of Land Management) lands for free, provided the spot you choose is a sufficient distance from established campgrounds and you follow local restrictions.

Additionally, you go camping stocked with all your own supplies and accommodation (i.e., a tent), so you don’t have to worry about spending lots of extra money once you have the gear. Your food bill can be whatever you spend on groceries and nothing more. Just be sure to leave no trace of your stay at your campsite and pack out anything you brought with you.

You don’t need to love camping to spend time in the national parks, either. Personally, I hate camping. I’m not the camp-in-a-tent kind of guy; I need toilets, beds, and hot water. Luckily, many parks provide cabins for rent. While hiking the Grand Canyon, I stayed at a national park lodge at the bottom. I had a room in a dormitory, but for a few nights, it was the cheap accommodation I needed.

And while national parks are impressive, state or provincial parks can be just as spectacular, but with fewer crowds, and easier to access. There’s almost always a park nearby and spending a few days with nature is not only good for your wallet but also good for your mental health.

Looking for a more unique experience? Campspace is a website that lets people camp in someone’s backyard, garden, parked camper, or private land for a small fee. It’s like Airbnb but for unique camping spots.

Want to do a mini road trip around your region? Use RVShare to rent an RV from a local for cheap!

And if you’re looking to rent a car, use Discover Cars to find the best rental car prices.

• Hiking the Grand Canyon
• The Girl’s Guide to Hiking Solo
• How to Plan a Successful RV Trip

But, if you’re the last passenger running onto that ship, you can find some sweet deals.

Cruise lines always offer incredible last-minute deals. No cruise company wants to leave with half the cabins empty. If you wait until a few weeks before departure, you can usually find some really amazing deals as cruise lines scramble to find passengers. Plus, cruise operators always throw in some onboard amenities, free upgrades, and cash vouchers to sweeten the deal.

The website CruiseSheet often has cruises as low as $50 per day! (It’s the best cruise booking website in the world!)

Conversely, if you book over a year in advance, cruise lines also offer amazing low fares for early birds.

Cruises are the one form of travel for which I recommend visiting a travel agent if you’re part of a big group. They have wonderful working relationships with the operators and can score better packages than booking online.

After you book, keep an eye out on prices, because if they drop, you can often call your travel agent or the cruise company itself to get a partial refund or vouchers to use for dining and alcohol on the boat.

The cruise industry was drastically impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Most cruise lines lost billions of dollars, which means there are some amazing deals out there if you’re looking to plan a cruise.

That said, lots of passengers ended up stuck in quarantine on cruise ships as well. Cruise ships, while fun, can easily turn into floating petri dishes, so make sure if you book a cruise that you have comprehensive travel insurance that covers cruises in case you get sick.

• How to Find a Cheap Cruise
• The Best Cruise Travel Insurance
• The 20 Best Tropical Islands in the World

The list goes on and on. There are countless cheap alternatives and budget destinations around the world!

Travel counter to the prevailing trend.

Zig when everyone zags.

If people are going in the summer, you go in the spring or winter. Skip the popular destinations and head off the beaten path a bit.

Contrarian travel will save you a bundle of money. It’s like reverse commuting. While others heading into the city in the morning for work are stuck in traffic, you breeze the opposite way hassle-free. The same is true for travel.

The more you are a contrarian in where — and when — you go, the better off your wallet will be. Plus, you’ll enjoy destinations more because there will be fewer crowds. No one loves a crowd!

LEARN MORE : 

• 10 Destinations to Visit on a Budget
• Cheap Places to Visit on the US Dollar

Why are tours so cheap last-minute? Well, think about how people plan vacations. You get the time off work, you book your vacation, you buy your flight, and you go. Since people pre-book, prices are higher in advance because these companies understand booking patterns and then price accordingly.

As departure time nears, companies know people aren’t likely to turn up and book on departure day, so they sweeten the price to increase bookings. So take the time off work, wait until the week before, see what’s cheap, and then go.

My favorite company, Intrepid Travel , often offers 15–30% discounts on last-minute tours.

• How to Choose the Perfect Tour Company
• The Best Tour Companies in Europe
• The Best Tour Companies in Costa Rica

A way around that is to stay somewhere for free.

While I like Couchsurfing , it’s hard to do that for two weeks without annoying your host. A unique way to overcome this is to housesit for someone while they are on vacation. You get free accommodation, a kitchen to cook in, and the chance to explore a destination in depth. It’s a pretty unique way to travel and one that I know a lot of world travelers take advantage of. You can even do this in your own region too, to cut down on transportation costs.

The best way to secure housesitting gigs is to build up your portfolio of reviews on a site like Trusted Housesitters by starting small. Find opportunities near you so secure a few reviews before you start competing for housesitting gigs in popular places like NYC or Paris (since those are more competitive). If you’re willing to do housesits in “less popular” destinations you can easily find opportunities.

• How to Become a Housesitter
• How to Start House Sitting

With those sites, you can type in “(the closest airport to you)” for your departure city and “everywhere” for your destination. Then a list of the cheapest flights appears in front of your very eyes, so you can choose where to go within your budget. This is how I decide where to go when I don’t have a specific place in mind. It’s a great tool!

The website Going (formerly Scott’s Cheap Flights) is another great way to find rock bottom flight prices. They scour the web daily and send the cheap flights they find directly to your inbox, saving you hundreds of dollars – as well as the time spent to find those deals!

The key to finding the best deals is to be flexible — with either your dates or your destination (but ideally both). The more flexible you are, the more likely it is that you’ll be able to snag a great deal.

• The Ultimate Guide to Finding a Cheap Flight
• Going (Scott’s Cheap Flights) Review
• How to Buy A Round-The-World Ticket

Not everyone can jump overseas at the drop of a hat or spend six months backpacking around Europe or Asia . A fancy vacation to Mexico may be out of your reach.

But while you might not have a lot of time or money, there’s more than one way to see the world.

After all, travel is simply the art of going somewhere new and different and exploring everything the place has to offer. It doesn’t matter if you have two days, two weeks, or two months. Use these cheap vacation ideas and go explore on a budget. You might just be surprised what you discover.  

Here are a few more posts that can help you plan an epic trip without breaking the bank:

• Ten Destinations Under $50
• 10 Best Places to Travel on a Budget
• The Ultimate Guide to Traveling When You Have No Money
• How to Travel the World on $50 A Day

Book Your Trip: Logistical Tips and Tricks

Book Your Flight Find a cheap flight by using Skyscanner . It’s my favorite search engine because it searches websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is being left unturned.

Book Your Accommodation You can book your hostel with Hostelworld . If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com as it consistently returns the cheapest rates for guesthouses and hotels.

Don’t Forget Travel Insurance Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:

• SafetyWing (best for everyone)
• Insure My Trip (for those 70 and over)
• Medjet (for additional evacuation coverage)

Want to Travel for Free? Travel credit cards allow you to earn points that can be redeemed for free flights and accommodation — all without any extra spending. Check out my guide to picking the right card and my current favorites to get started and see the latest best deals.

Need Help Finding Activities for Your Trip? Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace where you can find cool walking tours, fun excursions, skip-the-line tickets, private guides, and more.

Ready to Book Your Trip? Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel. I list all the ones I use when I travel. They are the best in class and you can’t go wrong using them on your trip.

Got a comment on this article? Join the conversation on Facebook , Instagram , or Twitter and share your thoughts!

Disclosure: Please note that some of the links above may be affiliate links, and at no additional cost to you, I earn a commission if you make a purchase. I recommend only products and companies I use and the income goes to keeping the site community supported and ad free.

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The Dos and Don’ts of Traveling With Friends

In theory, traveling with friends should be the ultimate vacation. What could go wrong? Here are the dos and don’ts for a great “friendcation”

In theory, traveling with friends should be the ultimate vacation. The itinerary is filled with beautiful landscapes and awesome adventures, and your besties are by your side. What could go wrong? Spoiler alert! The answer is a lot can go wrong!

We all want that great adventure we can reminisce over when we’re old and gray. Every group trip offers the possibility for these kinds of memories. However, each trip also has the potential to cause strife and even ruin your friendship. Put simply, group travel can deepen bonds, or destroy them. Obviously, we would all prefer the first option, so we have gathered all the best travel tips, to ensure that your ”friendcation” is a fun-filled and healthy one

Made for Travel—Made for Friendship

Let’s Roam was founded by two brothers who were also best friends. At the very heart of our company is the idea that there’s nothing like good company. So if you’re looking for the best way for you and your BFFs to take in the views, look no further than our world-renowned scavenger hunts ! We can scare you silly or point you in the direction of the best beverages in town . Whatever adventure you’re after, the Let’s Roam app will make sure you enjoy it together.

“I have found out that there ain’t no surer way to find out whether you like people or hate them than to travel with them.” Mark Twain

Tips for Traveling with Friends

The biggest tip we can give you for successful group travel is to not assume anything. If you have never traveled with friends before, you don’t realize just how much your vacation ideals might vary from someone else’s. Each person has a vision for their getaway, and everyone has different ideas about how and where money should be spent and what activities are and are not fun. Take nothing for granted. A lack of planning and discussion is a recipe for disaster.

1. Start with a short trip .

If you’re traveling with a friend for the first time, you will certainly get to know them better than you ever have before, even if you have been close friends for years. The last thing you want to do is find out you and your bestie are not compatible as travel companions on day two of a two-week international trip!

Start small. Book a short weekend road trip to a fun destination. This will allow you to test the waters, so to speak. If it goes swimmingly, then consider a more expansive next trip.

2. Discuss your trip expectations .

As stated above, it might surprise you just how different your expectations are from your friend’s expectations. If your vision of the perfect Parisian vacation is a loaded itinerary, with museums, excursions, and guided tours in every fifteen-minute slot, but your friend was expecting to wander the city aimlessly and sip coffee in cafes, you’re heading for a disaster.

The key to success is to have a friendly conversation about what each of you wants to get out of this trip. A good friend listens to the needs of their companions, but that doesn’t mean you need to forfeit your trip dreams either. If you can reach a compromise, then great! If not, then maybe you aren’t meant to travel together, and that’s ok.

3. Choose the right destination .

Choosing the right travel destination is quite possibly the most important aspect of the whole trip. It’s important for a group trip that everybody involved is excited about the location. If you want to visit Thailand, but your buds all want to go to Venice, you have three options. You either skip the group offer and solo travel to Bangkok, put Thailand aside for a while and join the group, or work out a compromise destination you all want to visit. Ideally, your travel destination will be somewhere that everyone is interested in.

It shouldn’t just be somewhere you all want to visit, but it should also be a destination that has a wide variety of entertainment options. No two friends are going to want to do all the same things on a trip. Each person must have the ability to choose a few adventures that cater to their tastes. If you pick a beach destination that has no other options, besides sitting and looking at the waves, chances are one of you is not going to be fulfilled.

4. You may need to compromise on travel style .

Travel style is a key conversation that you need to talk about before you leave for the trip. Are you an all-inclusive resort traveler or a hostel traveler? Do you prefer local experiences and immersing yourself in the culture, or do you like to stay on the safe tourist track? Do you prefer high-end restaurants, or do you gorge yourself on street food? Do you use public transit, private shuttles, or rental cars?

There is no right or wrong way to travel! Everyone prefers different things, and to successfully travel with friends, you may find that you all have to compromise a bit. You might need to split an Airbnb, or spend a few nights in a hostel, to accommodate your friend’s financial needs, and they may need to give up a day of beach-sitting to join you at the local festival. True friends are usually willing to compromise, and remember, travel is about new experiences!

4. Plan the itinerary together .

There is usually a more seasoned traveler in every travel group. This person often gets tasked with planning the whole trip. It makes sense, in a way. They know all the best ways to find deals, and they have connections. However, seasoned travelers also tend to travel very differently than novices, and the trip they plan may not be satisfactory to those in the group who only have one two-week vacation a year to enjoy. Plus, it isn’t fair to put all that pressure on one person!

Grab some snacks and schedule a night to plan your basic itinerary. You don’t need to have every minute accounted for, but the big stuff should be decided together. You can still have your travel expert gather all the info if you want, but the choices like destination, hotels, transportation, and expensive tours should be decided as a group. If one person has done the research, they should present all the facts to the group and ensure that everyone looks at the online pictures, descriptions, etc. It works best if the planner brings multiple options for the group to choose from.

An even better approach is for each member to bring their favorite options to the table, and everyone can choose from the options presented. We suggest that each person bring their pick of the hotel and their bucket list attractions. You can rate attractions with a 3,2,1 star system if you want, but try to make sure that every person’s 3-star attractions are included in the itinerary. The best way to keep the peace is to make sure that each person gets to see the things they wanted to see.

5. Talk about the budget .

Budget is the number one friend-killer category! When you’re in the moment, it’s easy to just agree to go on that tour, eat at a fancy restaurant, or stay in that nice hotel last minute. However, at the end of the trip, or somewhere in the middle, resentment begins to build at how much money is being spent, especially if one of you is usually a frugal traveler.

It’s best to set a budget for the trip in the beginning, including a breakdown of major items. This way everyone knows what is expected, and there is already an agreement going into it. It will likely take some compromise on each member’s part, but a good budget strategy can save you from major blow-ups later. If a budget cannot be agreed on, then it might be a dealbreaker. As stated previously, not all friends are good travel partners.

6. Schedule some alone time .

While we have mentioned the importance of compromise and an agreed-upon itinerary, that only applies to the major aspects of your trip! For smaller things, like excursions, meals, or shows, it’s perfectly acceptable to go alone. Everyone on the trip will be happier if you do! Why drag along the whole clan who will just be miserable all day? They will resent having to go and spend money on something they don’t like, and you will have your day hampered by knowing they are miserable.

Avoid this by scheduling alone time, but do it during the planning stage. If a friend just wanders off on their own during the trip, it can cause hurt feelings, as the rest of the group feels like you don’t want to spend time with them, or they feel guilty for not going with you. These slights are easily avoided by having each person schedule the things they want to see from the beginning. This way, everyone knows that there are no hard feelings, you’re just going to that super nerdy museum that no one else was interested in. No big deal. People need space! Go do you for the day, and then meet up for drinks in the evening.

7. Try new things .

While we have talked a lot about compromise in this article, that doesn’t have to be a bad thing. Traveling with someone who has a different style can help you bust out of your comfort zone and experience the world in a whole new way! Seasoned travelers will tell you that some of their most memorable moments have been on unexpected journeys they never intended to take. Traveling with other people broadens your horizon and opens your mind to possibilities that you didn’t even know existed. Be brave. Take a chance on something new, you just might love it!

8. Communicate openly and honestly .

Good friends are honest friends! If you don’t want to do something, or you don’t feel safe, communicate it. If you feel like you’re compromising everything you wanted out of the trip, then communicate that too. It doesn’t need to be a fight, and you will likely find that your friend feels like they have been compromising a lot too. This is why “number 6” is so important!

Compromise is important, but it should not be a one-way street. Certainly don’t take advantage of meeker travel buddies, but don’t be taken advantage of either. Keep the communication open and honest, reassuring everyone, from the beginning, that if they are unhappy, this is a safe community of friends, and they can speak up! Keeping it in breeds resentment, which will eventually explode.

9. Pick your travel companion wisely .

Now that we have discussed some of the in and outs of group travel, you can probably see that who you choose to travel with is of utmost importance. Just because they are your best friend, doesn’t mean that the two of you’re compatible as travel companions. It’s better to say no to a trip than to ruin a friendship during it.

Do you have similar schedules?

It can be really hard for early birds to travel with night owls! If your idea of a vacation is sleeping until noon, and your bestie wants social media sunrise pics, bitterness awaits!

Do you have similar financial means?

As discussed, money can be a dealbreaker for traveling together. Be respectful of your friend’s budget needs, and if you just can’t agree on it, then don’t take the trip together. For some people vacation equals luxury, for others, it equals adventure and local experiences. Sometimes those aren’t reconcilable.

Are they good company?

We all have friends that we love dearly, but they aren’t the kind of people you want to spend all day, every day with. Make sure your travel companions are people that you enjoy spending time with. It should be easy, not a struggle.

Do you have similar tastes?

If everything about you is different, you might be fantastic friends. Opposites do attract, but you likely won’t travel very well together. One of you is going to have to compromise incessantly.

Do you have similar travel experience?

It’s easiest to travel with someone who has similar life experience. Newbies will stress out seasoned travelers with all their questions and doubts, and seasoned folks can be too hardcore for casual vacationers.

Do you have similar eating habits?

This one might sound silly, but if you’re a carnivore trying to travel with a dedicated vegan, you will be surprised at how much strife this can cause. You have to eat several times a day, and some people will spend hours trying to find a place that fits their dietary needs, leaving you hangry. Others will want to lecture you on your eating habits. It can get old quickly.

Dos and Don’ts

We have covered all the umbrella topics, but any good travel planner knows that “the devil is in the details.” To make sure you have the absolute best vacation with your buds, this section covers some very specific dos and don’ts to help maintain the positive vibe!

1. Do be flexible .

Going with the flow is important on a group trip. You have planned well, but the joy of travel is that nothing ever goes exactly as planned. This fact can be super stressful for the one who did all that organizing, as they feel responsible for the contentment of the group. It can also be stressful for inexperienced travelers. The whole group will fair better if you set the tone with a laid-back vibe. Just go with the flow!

2. Do pay attention to the vibe .

At some point during the trip, the mood will start to shift. Someone gets tired. Some activities didn’t live up to the expectation. A million little things go wrong, and it finally gets to one of the crew. It’s ok, you just need to take a break and adjust. Paying attention to social cues is a big part of heading off disasters. If someone needs a moment alone, suggest they take it. If you need to cool off, take a walk. If everyone is feeling wiped, drop the plans for tomorrow and take a rest day.

3. Do split money fairly .

You need to have a system for who pays for what. You can split everything amongst the group, or you can have certain members handle certain categories and shore up at the end of the trip. It’s up to you, there is no right or wrong way, as long as it’s agreed upon and fair.

4. Do pull your weight .

Renting a car? Then take your turn driving. If you’re too scared to drive in another country, then offer to buy the next tank of gas instead. Sharing a hotel room, then make sure your space is clean. If your friend bought takeout last night, then you buy it tonight. Everyone has to pull their weight.

5. Do have an opinion .

Some travelers think that going with the flow means never voicing an opinion. “I don’t care” seems like a laid-back response, but it usually just puts more pressure on the other person. If they give you options, just pick one. If you have a better option, speak up.

6. Do soak up the moment .

At the end of the day, this trip is about bonding with your friends! Be present. Enjoy their company. If you’re in a bad mood, adjust yourself. The most important aspect is togetherness, not the hotel, not the activities, not the dinner. Those things will fade. The lasting thing is the memories you make with your besties.

1. Don’t gossip .

When things turn south on the trip, and they might, it’s best to confront the situation with the person who is having trouble. Usually, that person isolates themself, and everyone else talks about it when they aren’t around. This is a recipe for a ruined friendship. If you notice one of your travel companions is struggling, go to them privately and see what you can do to help.

2. Don’t assume anything… remember?

Do not assume that your travel companions will want to go here or there. Don’t assume they know the customs of the region. Don’t assume they don’t. It’s best to discuss all aspects of your trip and to ask questions, especially before making any big decisions.

3. Don’t drink too much .

Most people are going to enjoy themselves on vacation, nothing wrong with that. However, if your hangover is holding up the group every day, or you’re belligerent every night, no one wants to hang out with you for very long. Have a good time, but read the room.

4. Don’t share a room if you don’t have to .

You will be spending a lot of time together on this trip, and while sharing a room can help with the budget, it can also add major stress to the situation. Some travelers are very messy. Some like to sleep with the TV on. Others like to walk around naked. Some like to bring home sexual partners while on vacation, while others do not. When possible, it’s best to have your own space to retreat to in the evening.

5. Don’t lock in too many activities .

Travel plans change, especially when groups are involved. While you want to make sure you lock in your appointment for heavily visited attractions, leave the other stuff unbooked, or at least make sure your booking is completely refundable. You may get there and find something else you all would rather do or a much better deal. Keep the itinerary as adjustable as possible.

Book those tickets !

“Friendcations” can be one of the most rewarding experiences of your life! Take that trip, but do your research, pull your weight, and above all be flexible. It takes a lot of work, but a successful trip with your besties is worth the effort.

What if your travel partner is more of a stranger? It’s common to meet like-minded travelers on the road and want to continue your adventure together. Check out our guide “Tips for Traveling With Strangers” for the deets on traveling with new companions. Or if you’re traveling with friends, you might consider taking an organized group tour. Here are “20 Types of Group Tours You Won’t Regret.”

Do you have a hilarious or moving story about the time you went traveling with friends? We want to hear it! Drop us a comment below.

Frequently Asked Questions

If done correctly, traveling with friends provides a chance to deepen bonds, experience a different kind of travel, and travel inexpensively.

A successful friendship trip requires open communication and good planning. You need to decide on a location, plan your itinerary, and have a discussion on the budget before anything is booked.

For the first time, book an adventure that is short to test your travel compatibility. Take a fun tour of a nearby city , adventure in your closest national park, or go on a road trip.

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How to Get There Without Using the Interstate – RV Traveling the Beautiful Two Lanes

Charles Kuralt once echoed John Steinbeck by writing, “The interstate highway system is a wonderful thing. It makes it possible to go from coast to coast without seeing anything or meeting anybody. If the United States interests you, stay off the interstates.” RV traveling is more satisfying when you stick to the 2-lane roads as much as possible. Where Interstate highways offer a faster way to get between points, they lack the scenic beauty of America’s open roads.

• 1 There are Many Reasons To Avoid Interstates
• 2 San Simeon and Big Sur
• 3 California 89 and 99
• 4 Oregon’s Valleys and Badlands
• 5 Florida A1A
• 6 Crossing Texas
• 7 The King’s Road Through Maine
• 8 Which ones have you traveled?
• 9 Ready to Plan an RV Trip? Here's the tool we use:
• 10 Looking for Expert RV Trip ideas and RV Travel suggestions?

There are Many Reasons To Avoid Interstates

Interstate highways are indispensable if you have vehicle problems or need major shopping areas, but the back roads and scenic byways offer quite a few advantages and are seldom far from the major roadways. Some of the best reasons to avoid the interstates include:

• Traffic Congestion – Because they run alongside the Interstate system state roads and U.S. highways have a lot less traffic and tractor-trailers are a rare occurrence. If you are trying to avoid rush hour and large commercial vehicles, the 2-lane roads are ideal for RV drivers.
• Lack of Scenic Stops – As mentioned, you can now travel the country without seeing much. Since the RV lifestyle is all about seeing the sights and experiencing localities, RV traveling on the 2-lanes is the way to get to historic markers as well as state and national parks.
• Point-to-Point Travel – The interstates are all about getting you from one location to another in the shortest possible time. Some offer exits into small towns, but many times the villages and burgs that have made America great are secluded from the Interstates. U.S. highways tend to wind through these small towns, where rustic storefronts filled with mom and pop businesses are still the order of the day.

San Simeon and Big Sur

Route 1 along western California widens frequently, but in between, it is a 2-lane road that follows the coastline. The RV parks through Big Sur and San Simeon fill with whale watchers between October and April. You will also find historic sites like Hearst Castle and experience natural features like the Redwood forests. North America’s only elephant seal population is only found along Route 1 in San Simeon, where RV resorts are often the only inhabited areas. Fill your tanks before San Simeon because prices at the coastal resorts are astronomical.

California 89 and 99

Cutting inland above Monterey Bay allows the RV traveler to avoid San Francisco’s heavy traffic. California’s connecting state roads, 89 and 99, widen briefly in places like Redding and Red Bluff but narrow down to 2-lanes as they take you through the northern part of the state. There are beautiful state parks, and Burney, California offers a casino, RV parks, and majestic Burney Falls. The tiny town of Mount Shasta sits a short distance off I-5, but State Road 99 is the town’s Main Street. You will find ample sites for recreational vehicles, world-class skiing, marvel at the backdrop of a towering dormant volcano, and drink from the headwaters of the fabled Sacramento River in the town’s City Park.

Oregon’s Valleys and Badlands

From Newport, Oregon to Boise, Idaho, U.S. 20 is a mostly 2-lane road every RV driver will love. The views are spectacular, and communities like Sisters and Sweet Home are little more than wide spots on the 2-lane road with RV parks, skiing, and recreational opportunities that are one-of-a-kind. Outside of Bend, Oregon, you will cross the Oregon Badlands, a National Park renowned for its high desert ecosystem.

Like most small roads, the 2 lanes give way to larger highways as they pass through larger towns, but those are few and far between, and even the biggest ones take only a few minutes to pass through. U.S. 20 traverses almost every type of terrain, from lowlands in the West to forested mountains, high desert, and plains as you go eastward.

Florida A1A

Florida’s A1A is primarily a 2-lane open road following the entire eastern coastline of the state, avoiding both I-95 and U.S.1. For beach lovers, the First Coast Highway should not be missed because it goes through Fernandina Beach, the famous surfing town of Cocoa Beach, and many others. Scenic stops along the way include the nation’s oldest city, St. Augustine, closeup rocket launches at Cape Canaveral, and the coral reef of Key Biscayne. From Spanish history to world-renowned sport fishing, A1A is a 2-lane road the RV driver will love. Our Content Director used to travel A1A from Juno Beach, FL all the way to Ft. Lauderdale – just for relaxation.

Crossing Texas

You can rush across Texas on I-10, but that will eliminate many of the best views and locations the state has to offer. A better idea is to take the 2-lane roads across Texas, experiencing winding hills, breathtaking vistas, exotic animal ranches, and quaint communities like Junction, the halfway point between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Texas 105 allows the RV driver to bypass Houston and Austin and connects to other scenic roads. U.S. highways 190 and 290 cross the Texas Hill Country on 2-lanes.

Eventually, westbound RV travel will take you back to I-10, but a majority of western Texas has 2-lane service roads and ranch roads that parallel the interstate and have very little traffic on even the busiest days.

The King’s Road Through Maine

U.S. 1, known as the King’s Road, is a major thoroughfare through the southern states but transforms into a scenic country road as it follows the Atlantic coast through northern Maine. There are plenty of RV parks along the way, and exceptional opportunities to discover everything Maine has to offer. Along the open road, you’ll find beaver dams, taste the state’s famous lobster rolls, stroll rock-strewn beaches, and much more.

The road is wider and more congested in cities such as Saco, but the beauty of locations like Machias makes it worth taking the scenic route. If you want to visit West Quoddy Head, Maine, the easternmost point in the U.S., the King’s Road is the only way to go, and the track eastward from it is little more than a country road.

Which ones have you traveled?

Let us know in the comments or in our social media posts! Which ones do we need to add to this list?

Ready to Plan an RV Trip? Here's the tool we use:

Planning an RV Trip has never been easier than with  RV TripWizard . It is a comprehensive tool that Jennifer and I use whenever we are planning a trip. It works seamlessly with all our devices and gives us access to the info we need on where to stop, what camping is nearby and what we should do in an area.

Best of all, you can try it for free to see how it will fit into your trip planning process.

Looking for Expert RV Trip ideas and RV Travel suggestions?

We've written a library of  RV Travel books  that lay out seven-day guided explorations of scenic areas of the US that we'’ve explored and think would make an excellent RV trip for you.

In each location, we provide a suggested route and itinerary (7 stops in each guide, one for each day of a week trip!) as well as links to multiple campgrounds and boondocking spots, local tips, and interesting things to do at each location.

You can hit everything in seven days, do a whirlwind weekend tour, or you can take your time and explore the area over a 2+ week period.

Planning an RV trip can be very time-consuming so that’s why we’ve done the research for you! Just take our guides and use them, we’re sure you’ll have an RV trip for the ages! Instant download.  CLICK HERE for information on our RV Travel Guides

Published on 2021-06-14

Mike Wendland is a multiple Emmy-award-winning Journalist, Podcaster, YouTuber, and Blogger, who has traveled with his wife, Jennifer, all over North America in an RV, sharing adventures and reviewing RV, Camping, Outdoor, Travel and Tech Gear for the past 12 years. They are leading industry experts in RV living and have written 18 travel books.

12 Responses to “How to Get There Without Using the Interstate – RV Traveling the Beautiful Two Lanes”

June 02, 2022at11:03 pm , Our 13 Best RV Road Food Stops – so far! said:

[…] least that’s our feeling. Sometimes, we saw a highway sign on a two-lane somewhere. Maybe it was a bunch of cars and RVs parked in the lot outside that signaled “Great Road Food […]

May 26, 2022at5:18 pm , Our 13 Best RV Road Food Stops For 2022 | RV Lifestyle said:

July 15, 2021at10:25 am , Sls said:

And US 11 north/south which starts in eastern New Orleans and runs northward to the Canadian border between NY and Quebec (it even extends into Quebec as route 223)…rich in historical locations especially through the Shenandoah Valley; Civil War battlefields, etc.

July 15, 2021at10:15 am , Sls said:

Old U.S. 40 traveling east/west through Indiana, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. US highways 41 and 27 north and south Florida to Michigan–great roads.

July 09, 2021at8:31 am , M2bh said:

And don’t forget, doing so may also help to costly toll roads!

July 09, 2021at8:33 am , M2bh said:

And don’t forget, doing so may also help to *avoid* costly toll roads!

July 05, 2021at3:16 pm , Daryl Gerke said:

For the last 20 years, we have trekked between AZ (where we live) and MN (where there are grandkids.) We often take the back roads, and two of our favorites were the Sante Fe Trail and the Mormon Trail. Still on the bucket list is the full Oregon Trail, but we have done parts. All three have detailed maps from the National Park Service — great fun and highly recommended. Many small RV parks along the way.

June 15, 2021at10:07 pm , Ralph said:

Travel US Hwy 54, start in Missouri go thru Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, back into Texas by El Paso. Much of it is 2 lane, many small towns with interesting sights to see. Does have a fair amount of semi-truck traffic which is the only drawback.

June 15, 2021at1:48 pm , Joanne Talarico said:

Right now we are traveling on highway 30 thru Nebraska instead of I80. We’re parallel to the railway with views of farmland, cattle, and small towns.

June 15, 2021at10:55 am , Eileen Herberger said:

TECHNICAL CORRECTION FOR INFORMATION POSTED ABOUT MAINE: West Quoddy Maine is not the easternmost point in the US. Although it is for the contiguous United States. The Aleutian Islands cross the 180 degree meridian into the Eastern Hemisphere. They are the easternmost part of the United States. Semisopochnoi Island in Alaska with gps coordinates 51°57′42″N 179°46′23″E – easternmost point in all U.S. territory by longitude .Alaska has both the easternmost and westernmost points in the United States? I love the articles but as a Trivia buff I had to send this reply.

December 25, 2021at7:00 pm , Karen Trekell said:

Great point. I have been to West and East Quoddy and do remember something about the contiguous US. Still a milestone and it is absolutely gorgeous there. I went tent camping there in September and remember being the only tent with lots of RVs. We froze our tushy off.

June 14, 2021at4:21 pm , Beth Gorton said:

Route 100, up through central Vermont. US 20 goes coast to coast, to Boston – the section through central NY state is gorgeous, through rolling farmland. I rarely drive interstates now that I’m retired – it’s all about the journey, after all!

Comments are closed.

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9 Ways To Travel More Safely

Many or all of the products featured here are from our partners who compensate us. This influences which products we write about and where and how the product appears on a page. However, this does not influence our evaluations. Our opinions are our own. Here is a list of our partners and here's how we make money .

Whether you're traveling within the U.S. or to a foreign country, you should take extra precautions to stay safe. Distractions born of travel — such as taking in the sights, eating delectable food and exploring new cities — can increase your risk.

But it doesn't have to be this way.

These international and domestic travel safety tips will help you reduce your risk so you can enjoy your vacation and avoid trouble as much as feasible. Here's how to travel safely — ranging from actions that can be implemented on the fly and ones that require a bit more preparation.

1. Digitize important documents

Your wallet or purse is filled with important documents that criminals can exploit. Leave unnecessary items at home (like your Social Security card) and make copies of everything else you would need in an emergency, like prescriptions, a backup credit card (so you can at least make a digital purchase in a pinch) and your passport.

Take a picture and upload them to a secure folder on the web. This way, if anything is stolen, you can easily take steps to reduce the damage that criminals can cause. You can easily call the bank to cancel debit and credit cards and request a new ID from the embassy. You can also use a secure digital vault system like 1Password or LastPass to store these documents.

2. Minimize how much cash you carry

It is important to have a little cash when traveling, but most retailers accept credit cards, even abroad. Not having cash minimizes your wallet's value to a thief, and you can dispute unknown charges from a card. Just make sure to carry a card that has no foreign transaction fees when traveling internationally.

3. Look less like a tourist

The more you dress and act like a local, the less risk there is from criminals targeting you as a tourist. Adapting your style to that of the locals, walking with confidence and keeping maps hidden can help you blend in. When using directions on your phone, only look at it briefly while walking.

Further, familiarize yourself with the city and your route before leaving the hotel. If you do need to look up directions for an extended period of time, consider stepping into a store or cafe to do so, rather than staying outside.

4. Share your itinerary with someone you trust

Whether you're traveling alone or with others, share your itinerary with someone you trust back home. Check in once a day to let them know that you've made it to your next destination or back to your hotel. These small steps increase your safety during travel.

It's also wise to create and share a safe word so that family or friends would know if you're in trouble, even if the conversation seems normal to someone else who may be listening. You can take this a step further and consider sharing your live location with a trusted friend or family member via your smartphone.

5. Research travel advisories for destinations

According to the U.S. Department of State, "conditions can change rapidly in a country at any time." Its website keeps a continuous list of travel advisories in destinations around the world. While these advisories don't always mean that you shouldn't travel, they do help make you aware of the potential conditions you'll find when you arrive, or areas to avoid.

Check the State Department website before making travel plans, and again before you depart. Somewhere that may have been safe when you booked your trip may have deteriorated since then.

6. Sign up for Smart Traveler Enrollment Program

The Smart Traveler Enrollment Program , or STEP, is a free service from the State Department that allows citizens traveling or living abroad to receive the latest security updates. The information that you provide also makes it easier for the nearest U.S. Embassy or consulate to contact you in an emergency.

7. Notify credit card companies of your travel plans

Because you may be traveling to cities outside your normal spending patterns, let your bank know your dates and destinations of travel. Many banks allow you to notify them via your online banking portal.

This will minimize the potential of the bank locking your account due to perceived fraudulent transactions, which could leave you stranded.

Additionally, consider bringing a backup credit card.

8. Be careful with public Wi-Fi

Wi-Fi can open your devices and sensitive information to hackers. Using a VPN service is one of the best ways we know of to stay safe in an airport, when exploring your destination or at your hotel. VPN services create a secure connection to protect your personal information when browsing the internet or using web-connected apps on an open connection.

Security.org , a security product review site, conducted a study in June 2020 and found that just 31% of U.S. internet users use a VPN service for public Wi-Fi connections. That means almost 70% of public Wi-Fi users are at risk of being hacked.

9. Get travel insurance

To improve both your physical and financial safety, consider purchasing a travel insurance policy ahead of your trip. This safety net is helpful in avoiding out-of-pocket expenses for emergency medical treatment, trip delays, cancellations or interruptions, lost luggage or evacuations.

Most policies will reimburse travelers for unused accommodations, transit or activities that were nonrefundable but had to be canceled for a covered reason. Similarly, if your luggage is lost by an airline or train company, you’ll likely get reimbursed through the baggage protection on your policy. Plus, if your policy has emergency medical coverage, you won’t be hit with a huge bill for medical attention overseas (where your U.S.-based health insurance is likely not useful).

Some credit cards come with built-in protections, whereas others don’t — in the case of the latter, you will need to purchase a stand-alone policy .

If finding ways to travel safely is your goal …

Now that we've shared some tips on how to travel safely, you can travel with more confidence and less risk. Though implementing most of these tips has little or no cost, they may take time to set up. Investing the time to increase your travel safety will be well worth it if you can avoid dangerous situations that can interrupt or ruin your next trip.

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are our picks for the best travel credit cards of 2023 , including those best for:

Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

No annual fee:   Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

Flat-rate travel rewards:  Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card  

Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express

Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

on Chase's website

1x-5x 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases.

60,000 Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

1.5%-6.5% Enjoy 6.5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel; 4.5% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and 3% on all other purchases (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year). After your first year or $20,000 spent, enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.

$300 Earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) - worth up to $300 cash back!

on Capital One's website

2x-5x Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day. Earn 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options.

75,000 Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel.

The World's 30 Most Impressive Ways to Travel

Getting from place to place in style.

Once there was only walking—and the occasional running—to get us from place to place. But we've come a long way since then, haven't we? From super-fast elevators to gigantic cruise ships and from cable cars to ferries, let's explore the most amazing, most wondrous ways to get from point A to point B.

Each of these ways to travel is accessible without special certification (no military, no NASA, no special training) but that doesn't mean you don't have to have mountains of cash to make them happen.

Atlantis Submarines

Located in some of the most beautiful ocean-focused tourist destinations, such as Hawaii, Guam, Cozumel, Aruba and the Grand Caymans, the Atlantis Submarines take visitors in a “real submarine” that dives more than 100 feet below the surface. Designed to carry 48 passengers, the submarine opens up the marine environment to a new set of tourists in the comfort of a submarine.

Horse Caravan, Ireland

Go a bit old-school with a horse caravan in Ireland. While riding a horse may not offer much in the way of impressiveness, how about learning to harness and yoke a horse to a four-berth carriage that includes cooking and sleeping areas? That sounds a bit more remarkable. Plus, the horse-drawn carriages allow a fresh perspective on the countryside and beaches.

SpaceShipTwo, California

It hasn’t arrived just yet, but thinking about Virgin Galactic’s plans for both space travel and then sped-up point-to-point space flights has the opportunity to change the way some folks—we’re talking the super-rich—travel. Flying anywhere from Mach 3 up to Mach 5, the space plane plans to enter suborbital space, which gives passengers the weightlessness experiences and a view of the curvature of Earth, and then head to a destination for a runway landing.

Extreme First Class

Maybe you aren’t chartering your own private jet, but when it comes to traveling in luxury just sign on for the most extreme first-class experiences around, whether the Emirates Boeing 777 40-square-feet of personal space designed by a Mercedes-Benz team for a full enclosure or the Singapore Airlines Airbus A380 that includes a private suite with a leather reclining swivel chair and a double bed. Either sounds extraordinary.

Terra Bus, Canada

Made in Calgary, only roughly 20 of these Terra Bus Ice Explorer all-terrain vehicles exist and they almost all serve the Icefields Parkway and the Athabasca Glacier in Jasper, Canada. Designed specifically for glacier travel, the six-wheel, 49-foot-long vehicle looks like the most robust tour bus on the plant. And it is. At about 13-feet tall and with Goodyear Terra tires five feet in diameter, the Terra Bus Ice Explorer can handle 56 passengers and nearly any sort of ice, mud, sand, snow and rock the Canadian Rocky Mountains have to offer.

The Tünel, Turkey

Opened in 1875 as the second-oldest underground urban rail line in the world, the Tünel in Istanbul, Turkey, still contains a funicular section, basically an inclined cable railway. The stretch of this brick-lined tunnel is 1,820 feet long with the upper station 202 feet higher than the one below it thanks to a slope that reaches 15 percent in places. This historical trip—now with updated rolling stock—takes under two minutes.

Shinkansen, Japan

The original high-speed bullet trains, the Shinkansen can reach over 200 mph as they send visitors to Japan from Tokyo to throughout the country. Now with over 1,700 miles of track since first opening in 1964, the most popular lines ferry users to and from Tokyo to Osaka and to and from Tokyo to Nagano. The busiest high-speed line in the world can run more than a dozen trainer per hour and seat over 1,300 passengers per train in the highest-speed train efficiency in the world.

Umeda Sky Building escalator, Japan

The two 40-story skyscrapers that make up the Umeda Sky Building in Osaka, Japan, contain the world’s highest escalators. Suspended 550 feet in the air, a pair of escalators cuts through the open space between the buildings and brings visitors to the top of the structure in an escalator experience unlike any other.

Ice Angel, Wisconsin

When the waters of Lake Superior freeze completely, the residents of Wisconsin’s Madeline Island can take an ice road to Bayfield. And when the waters remain clear of ice, a typical ferry offers transportation. But for those in between months when the ice can’t quite support a vehicle and ferries can’t run, the Ice Angel steps into action. These ice boats with a pair of air propellers can run on thin ice across the 2.5-mile stretch that turns from water to slush to ice in one trip. With three different styles of these wind sleds, one features room for six passengers and plenty of cargo, while another can carry up to 22 passengers.

Freighter Cruise

You don’t need to captain a freighter—or stowaway—for a chance to get a new sailing experience. Whether the U.S.-based Maris or others from across the globe, expect to ride in impressive size, yet without the style. With limited passengers, often as few as a handful, freighter cruises can take months of your time with no special amenities (don’t even expect Internet), but they do offer an industrial-sized experience and ports you may not otherwise frequent.

Alaskan Hovercraft

We can't pick out just one hovercraft, but we can pick our favorite state where civilians use them: Alaska. In 1998 the United States Postal Services brought in hovercraft to start handling mail. But mail isn't the only thing getting hauled around by hovercraft in Alaska, where multiple hovercrafts—from the British built Hoverwork AP1-88 from the USPS to the Hoverwork BHT130—also work as a ferry service for freight and passengers, although the high cost to operate the machines have led to their demise in some places (i.e. King Cove, Alaska). Either way, the unique way of handling transportation offers up a variety of impressive hovering.

Peak 2 Peak Gondola, Canada

With the longest free span between ropeway towers in the world, and the highest point above ground of any cable car in the world, this British Columbia cable car takes visitors across a 2.7-mile journey from the peak of Whistler to the peak of Blackcomb. Dubbed B.C.'s "rooftop," the Peak 2 Peak Gondola on Whistler Blackcomb Mountain includes 360-degree views of the mountain terrain below, used for snow sports in the winter and hiking and biking in the summer.

World is Not Enough

Symphony of the seas.

At 1,181 feet in length and a gross tonnage of 228,000, the Royal Caribbean Symphony of the Seas is the largest cruise ship in the world. The steel ship features seven distinct on-board neighborhoods, surfing, ziplining, ice-skating, 3D movies and pools. Symphony also has a 21,500-square-foot solar array to power all these amenities while cruising throughout the Caribbean.

The Central-Mid-Levels Escalator, Hong Kong

If this Colossal Hong Kong escalator system didn't exist, you'd have all sorts of stairs to deal with to climb between the western and central Hong Kong districts. This system of 20 escalators, built in 1993, combines to become the longest outdoor covered escalator in the world, running a total length of 2,624 feet and rising 442 feet in the process. From end to end it's a ride lasting 20 minutes. That's a hearty "no thank you" on the stair option.

The London Eye, London

The world's largest cantilevered observation wheel won't take you to a new city, but it will offer you a new perspective. The 443-foot-tall London Eye, designed by Marks Barfield Architects, opened in 2000 as a temporary structure meant for a five-year run on the River Thames. The wheel's popularity skyrocketed, though, and it became a permanent, unique icon and an unmistakable piece of the London skyline.

Shanghai Maglev, China

The fastest train in the world travels whisks travelers between Pudong International Airport and Shanghai in a cool eight minutes. The magnetic levitation (Maglev) train, also know as the Shanghai Transrapid, has a maximum operational speed of 223 miles per hour. Manufactured by CSR Qingdao Sifang Locomotive & Rolling Stock in 2004, the rapid train system has taken modern train travel to new speeds.

Airlander 10

The world's largest aircraft prepares for a return to flight after a few trial flight mishaps. It first flew in 2012 as part of a U.S. Army contract, but was returned to Britain in 2013. The Hybrid Air Vehicles Airlander 10, a helium-filled craft powered by turbocharged diesel engines, went through a series of test flights from 2016 and 2017, which included a couple minor mishaps that will require repairs. Once airbone, it can fly for five days non-stop. The four engines include vectored thrusts for takeoff and landing, and the makeup of the 301-foot airship allows it to land in a variety of locations, such as the tops of buildings.

Icy Strait Point Zipline, Alaska

Traveling at an average speed of 60 miles per hour, people flying down the mile-long Icy Strait Point Zipline in Alaska finish the course in just 90 seconds. This isn't the longest zipline in the world, but if you find yourself zooming down its 1,300-foot, 24-degree vertical drop, you'll have a hard time saying it's not impressive. One fun thing to do while you're here: Six riders can strap in and take off simultaneously on parallel lines, allowing for a race to the bottom against five of your friends. The longest ride in North America offers views of the mountains, trees, and ocean—if you can see all that scenery while you're moving so fast, that is.

Stanserhorn Cabrio, Switzerland

Stanserhorn Cabrio can carry 60 people at a time near the top of Switzerland's 6,233-foot-tall Mount Stanserhorn. But what really gives visitors the "wow" factor is that this is world's first cable car with a roofless upper deck (it moves on side-mounted support cables), letting people on the top of the double-decker cable car bask in 360-degree panorama views. The lower level has wall-to-wall windows, but a staircase leads to the sun deck, with room for an additional 30 visitors.

Tim Newcomb is a journalist based in the Pacific Northwest. He covers stadiums, sneakers, gear, infrastructure, and more for a variety of publications, including Popular Mechanics. His favorite interviews have included sit-downs with Roger Federer in Switzerland, Kobe Bryant in Los Angeles, and Tinker Hatfield in Portland. 

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8 Best Ways to Travel Without Breaking the Bank

Posted: March 24, 2024 | Last updated: March 24, 2024

Embarking on sustainable travel doesn’t require a hefty budget, nor does it mean sacrificing the richness of your travel experience. In an age where eco-consciousness is paramount, finding affordable and environmentally friendly travel options has become increasingly accessible.

From staying in eco-lodges nestled in nature to exploring cities with robust public transportation systems, sustainable budget travel is feasible and rewarding. This guide explores eight key ways travelers can minimize their carbon footprint while maximizing their travel experiences, highlighting destinations and practices that exemplify sustainability principles without breaking the bank.

1. Eco-Lodges and Green Hostels

Image Credit: Shutterstock / Alena Ozerova

Staying in eco-lodges or green hostels is an excellent way to reduce your environmental impact while traveling. These accommodations often use renewable energy sources, water-saving devices, and sustainable building materials. They also typically support local communities by sourcing food locally and participating in conservation efforts. Many are in stunning natural settings, offering guests unique experiences such as wildlife watching, hiking, and cultural tours promoting environmental awareness.

Insider’s Tip: Look for certifications from reputable organizations like Green Key or the Global Sustainable Tourism Council to ensure the eco-credentials of your accommodation. Booking directly through the lodge or hostel’s website can often result in lower prices and a better chance of securing a spot in the eco-friendly activities they organize.

When to Travel: Traveling during the shoulder seasons (spring and autumn) can offer lower rates and fewer crowds, making it easier to book eco-conscious accommodations.

How to Get There: Research eco-lodges and hostels that are accessible by public transportation to reduce your carbon footprint further.

2. Public Transportation and Bike Sharing

Image Credit: Shutterstock / AnastasiaDudka

Utilizing public transportation and bike-sharing programs is not only budget-friendly but also significantly reduces your travel-related carbon emissions. Many cities worldwide offer extensive metro, bus, and tram networks that provide an efficient and low-cost way to explore. Bike-sharing programs in urban and some rural areas offer a healthy and eco-friendly alternative to car rentals and taxis.

Insider’s Tip: Purchase a travel card or pass if you plan to use public transportation frequently. Many cities offer tourist passes that include unlimited travel for a set number of days and discounts on attractions.

When to Travel: Public transportation and bike-sharing are available year-round, but nicer weather will make biking and walking more enjoyable.

How to Get There: Choose destinations known for their reliable and comprehensive public transport systems or extensive bike paths to maximize your sustainable travel options.

3. Local Markets and Farm-to-Table Dining

Image Credit: Shutterstock / Ground Picture

Supporting local markets and farm-to-table dining experiences reduces your carbon footprint by cutting down on food miles and contributes to the local economy. Local markets offer fresh, seasonal produce directly from farmers, while farm-to-table restaurants focus on sustainability by sourcing ingredients locally and often employing eco-friendly practices in their operations. These dining experiences provide a taste of the local cuisine that’s both authentic and environmentally conscious.

Insider’s Tip: Ask locals for recommendations for the best farm-to-table restaurants and local markets. Many such establishments may not be widely advertised, relying instead on word-of-mouth for their patronage.

When to Travel: Visiting during the local growing season will offer the widest variety of fresh produce and specialty items at markets, enhancing your farm-to-table dining experience.

How to Get There: Local markets and farm-to-table restaurants are usually found in most town centers. Walking or using public transportation to reach these spots further minimizes environmental impact.

4. Volunteering with Environmental Projects

Image Credit: Shutterstock / Trismegist san

Volunteering with environmental projects during your travels can offer a meaningful way to contribute to conservation efforts while immersing yourself in the local culture and natural environment. Many organizations worldwide seek volunteers for projects ranging from wildlife conservation to reforestation and beach clean-ups. This form of travel enriches your experience and ensures that your journey has a positive impact on the planet.

Insider’s Tip: Choose projects and organizations carefully, ensuring they positively impact the environment and local communities. Look for volunteer opportunities that require no or minimal participation fees, as many reputable projects do not charge volunteers excessively.

When to Travel: The best time to volunteer depends on the specific project and its needs. Wildlife conservation projects may have specific seasons; other environmental initiatives might welcome help year-round.

How to Get There: Select projects accessible by public transportation or that provide transportation from a central meeting point to further minimize your carbon footprint.

5. Sustainable Souvenirs and Shopping

Image Credit: Shutterstock / Kochneva Tetyana

Purchasing sustainable souvenirs and engaging in responsible shopping practices are crucial aspects of eco-friendly travel. Opt for products that are locally made and crafted from sustainable or recycled materials, supporting local artisans and reducing the environmental impact of your purchases. Avoid souvenirs made from endangered species or resources, and be mindful of the packaging and overall sustainability of the items you buy.

Insider’s Tip: Research local cooperatives or social enterprises that sell crafts and products; these organizations often return a significant portion of the proceeds to the artisans and their communities, ensuring your purchases support local development.

When to Travel: Local craft fairs and markets are often seasonal, with more products available during peak tourist seasons. However, many artisan shops and cooperatives operate year-round.

How to Get There: Sustainable shopping destinations are typically located in city centers or popular tourist areas, easily reachable by public transport or on foot in most cities.

6. Eco-Friendly Accommodation Certification

Image Credit: Shutterstock / Tursk Aleksandra

Choosing accommodations certified as eco-friendly by recognized global or local environmental organizations can significantly enhance the sustainability of your travel. These certifications ensure that the establishments adhere to strict environmental standards, including energy efficiency, water conservation, and waste reduction. Staying at these accommodations not only supports their eco-friendly practices but also promotes the growth of sustainable tourism.

Insider’s Tip: Look for certifications from organizations such as Green Globe, EarthCheck, or local eco-labels that are reputable in your destination. Booking directly with the accommodation can often provide more detailed information about their sustainability initiatives.

When to Travel: Eco-certified accommodations operate year-round, though booking in advance is recommended, especially during peak travel seasons, to secure your stay at these popular establishments.

How to Get There: Many eco-friendly accommodations are in or near major tourist destinations, making them accessible by public transportation or eco-friendly transport options like bike rentals.

7. Digital Travel Resources and Minimal Impact Practices

Image Credit: Shutterstock / kitzcorner

Embracing digital travel resources instead of physical guidebooks and maps reduces paper waste and ensures you have the most up-to-date information. Apps for transportation, accommodation, and even digital tickets for attractions contribute to a more sustainable travel experience.

Adopting minimal impact practices such as carrying a reusable water bottle, avoiding single-use plastics, and practicing Leave No Trace principles in natural areas minimizes your environmental footprint.

Insider’s Tip: Many destinations offer apps specifically designed for tourists, including maps, public transport information, and even discounts for attractions. Downloading these before your trip can save time and resources.

When to Travel: Digital resources and minimal impact practices are applicable year-round and can be adapted to any travel destination.

How to Get There: Using the most efficient and eco-friendly routes available, leveraging digital maps and transportation apps will guide you to your destination.

8. Participating in Local Conservation Efforts

Image Credit: Shutterstock / Chokniti-Studio

Participating in local conservation efforts during travels can provide a deeper connection to the destination and contribute positively to its environmental preservation. Many communities and conservation organizations offer programs for travelers to get involved, whether through educational workshops, guided nature walks that emphasize conservation, or direct participation in conservation projects.

Insider’s Tip: Research local conservation initiatives before your trip and ask how you can participate. Activities like guided bird-watching tours or reef-safe snorkeling excursions can support conservation through education and awareness.

When to Travel: The timing for participating in conservation efforts varies by the project and destination. Some seasonal conservation activities correspond with animal migrations or specific environmental conditions.

How to Get There: Choosing conservation activities and projects accessible by public transportation or that provide their own eco-friendly transport solutions is ideal.

The Bottom Line

Image Credit: Shutterstock / everst

Sustainable travel on a budget is not only possible; it’s a rewarding way to explore the world while respecting and preserving its natural and cultural treasures. By making thoughtful choices about where you stay, how you get around, and how you interact with the environment and local communities, you can positively impact the places you visit. These tips offer a starting point for planning your eco-friendly adventures, encouraging a travel ethos that values conservation, community, and mindfulness. As you embark on your sustainable journey, remember that every small choice contributes to a larger global effort to protect and celebrate our planet’s incredible diversity and beauty.

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The post 8 Best Ways to Travel Without Breaking the Bank republished on Passing Thru with permission from The Green Voyage .

Featured Image Credit: Shutterstock / Jacob Lund.

For transparency, this content was partly developed with AI assistance and carefully curated by an experienced editor to be informative and ensure accuracy.

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Iran launches barrage of strikes toward Israel

By Tori B. Powell , Sophie Tanno, Emma Tucker , Kaanita Iyer , Paul LeBlanc and Adrienne Vogt , Jerome Taylor and James Legge, CNN

Our live coverage of Iran's attack on Israel has moved here .

Iran warns its response will be "stronger and more resolute" if Israel retaliates following latest strikes

From CNN’s Alireza Hajihosseini and Eyad Kourdi

Iran has warned that it will respond with more force if Israel retaliates over this weekend's strikes, which Tehran said were themselves a reply to an Israeli attack earlier this month on its embassy complex in Syria's capital Damascus.

“The Islamic Republic of Iran will not hesitate to exercise its inherent right of self-defense when required," Iran’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the UN, Amir Saeid Iravani, said in a statement.

Citing self-defense against repeated Israeli military aggressions, Iravani said the strikes were specifically in retaliation to an Israeli attack on April 1 against what Iran says were diplomatic facilities in Damascus.

Iran claims the attack violated international law and led to the death of seven Iranian military advisors, including key commanders from the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps.

The statement also criticizes the United Nations Security Council for “failing to uphold international peace,” allowing Israel to “breach” established international norms and “escalate” regional tensions.

Additional context: Israel has carried out numerous strikes on Iran-backed targets in Syria, often targeting weapons shipments allegedly intended for Hezbollah, a powerful Iranian proxy in Lebanon. 

Israel has not claimed responsibility for the April 1 attack which destroyed an Iranian consulate building in the capital Damascus, including Mohammed Reza Zahedi, a top Revolutionary Guards commander.

However an Israel Defense Forces spokesman told CNN that their intelligence showed the building was not a consulate and was instead “a military building of Quds forces disguised as a civilian building.”

China expresses 'deep concern', calls for ceasefire

From CNN's Philip Wang and Irene Nasser

China has expressed "deep concern" over the "current escalation" following Iran's attack on Israel, according to a spokesperson for its Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Sunday, adding that it is a "spillover of the Gaza conflict" and a ceasefire should be implemented without delay.

In a statement, China called "on relevant parties to exercise calm and restraint to prevent further escalations."

"The ongoing situation is the latest spillover of the Gaza conflict," the spokesperson said, adding that a UN Security Council resolution calling for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas should be implemented without any more delay.

Beijing did not  name or condemn Hamas  in the wake of the initial October 7 attacks. Since then, it has condemned the war and been a vocal  proponent of an immediate ceasefire  and the implementation of a “two-state” solution.

Last month, Chinese diplomat Wang Kejian met Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh in Qatar, the first meeting between a Chinese and Hamas official publicly acknowledged by Beijing since the outbreak of the  war in Gaza .

Wang’s visit follows efforts by Beijing to step up its profile as a  peace broker in the Middle East conflict.

US forces intercepted 70+ drones and at least three ballistic missiles, US officials say

From CNN's Oren Liebermann and Haley Britzky

US forces intercepted more than 70 one-way attack drones and at least three ballistic missiles during Iran's attack on Israel, according to two US officials familiar with the situation.

The ballistic missiles were intercepted by warships in the eastern Mediterranean Sea, one of the officials said. Iran launched more than 100 ballistic missiles in total at Israel, according to a senior administration official.

The US Navy currently has two destroyers in that area, both are guided missile destroyers capable of intercepting missile and drone launches.

US fighter jets were also part of the response to Iran’s attack on Saturday and shot down drones launched towards Israel, another US official told CNN.

Biden to meet with G7 leaders Sunday as he condemns Iran's "brazen attack"

From CNN’s Lauren Koenig

US President Joe Biden will meet with G7 leaders Sunday “to coordinate a united diplomatic response to Iran’s brazen attack,” according to a statement released by the White House. 

“My team will engage with their counterparts across the region. And we will stay in close touch with Israel’s leaders,” the statement from Biden reads. “And while we have not seen attacks on our forces or facilities today, we will remain vigilant to all threats and will not hesitate to take all necessary action to protect our people.”

US defensive assets moved to the region earlier this week and “helped Israel take down nearly all of the incoming drones and missiles,” according to the statement.

Biden also spoke to Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu following Saturday’s attack “to reaffirm America’s ironclad commitment to the security of Israel.” 

United Airlines cancels three Middle East flights

From CNN’s Sara Smart

At least three United Airlines flights headed to or departing from the Middle East have been canceled amid the ongoing conflict unfolding between Iran and Israel.

On Saturday a flight from Newark, New Jersey to Tel Aviv, a flight from Washington D.C. to Amman, Jordan, and one from Dubai to Newark were canceled, the airline told CNN in a statement.

There have been no changes to any Sunday flights for United as of Saturday night, according to the airline. 

CNN has reached out to other airlines regarding cancellations.

Biden told Netanyahu US will not participate in offensive operations against Iran, US official says

From CNN's MJ Lee

The US will not participate in any offensive operations against Iran, US President Joe Biden has made clear to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, a senior administration official told CNN.

The comments were relayed during the phone call that the two leaders shared in the aftermath of Iran's retaliatory strikes against Israel.

Biden tells Netanyahu tonight was a win, nothing of "value" hit in Israel, US official says 

Israel should consider tonight a win because the current US assessment is that Iran’s attacks had been largely unsuccessful and demonstrated Israel’s superior military capability, President Joe Biden told Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in their phone call, a senior administration official told CNN.

The US’s assessment tonight was that almost all of the drones and missiles – including more than 100 ballistic missiles -- launched by Iran had been knocked out of the sky. No cruise missile made impact, the official said, and nothing of “value” was hit. 

Bolton: 'Passivity at this point for Israel would be a big mistake'

From CNN's Heather Chen

John Bolton, the former US national security adviser and ambassador to the UN, said “passivity at this point for Israel would be a big mistake,” warning of more attacks. 

“This is not time to play academic games and message and signal. This is a question of power,” Bolton told CNN’s Wolf Blitzer. "If they came from a different location containing nuclear warheads, Israel might not be so lucky.”

A known Iran policy hawk, Bolton served in senior national security positions during the Trump and Bush administrations. A neoconservative, Bolton has in the past advocated war with Iran and a pre-emptive strike on North Korea.

In 2022, he was the target of an alleged assassination attempt orchestrated by a member of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. 

He has warned against underestimating Iran’s nuclear program, which Tehran has said is for peaceful purposes only.

“I think we have enough experience with faulty intelligence by now, not to be so sure, not to know how much of Iran’s uranium enrichment program is really being conducted under a mountain in North Korea,” Bolton said.

If Tehran sent “a wire transfer to Pyongyang,” it would give the North Koreans “enough time to put a couple of warheads on an airplane and fly them to Tehran. (But) if you take away their nuclear capability, that would be a dramatic hit to the regime, maybe enough to topple it.”

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4 travel tips to put your mind at ease during your next trip

The season of summer holiday travel is just around the corner. 

You might find yourself heading to one of the U.S.’s many national parks, exploring a historic European city or jetting off somewhere tropical, like the Maldives.  

That all sounds like fun, but unfortunately, travel mishaps may also happen. Luggage gets lost, passports get misplaced and phones may not work at international destinations when they aren't connected to Wi-Fi.  

To avoid the headaches and prepare for whatever may come your way (or what accidentally gets left behind), follow these simple tips.  

Watch this video to see the four things you should do before your next trip.

Learn more: Best credit cards of 2023

Pre-Travel Tips 

All you need to get travel-ready is your smartphone.

• Take pictures. 

Take pictures and screenshots of the important items and documents before you leave for your trip. 

This would include: 

• Your luggage
• The photo page of your passport
• Your ID cards
• Any travel-related confirmations
• Location and contact details for the places you’re staying

Creating an album on your phone or marking the images as favorites will make it easier to find them should you need them. 

It couldn’t hurt to also share these pictures with a trusted loved one, like a significant other or close friend.

• Turn on Notify When Left Behind

Turn on Notify When Left Behind if you use Apple products.  

The feature, available on some iPhones, iPads, Macs, and AirPods, will notify you if you are separated from your items, like if you forget your AirPods in your hotel room. 

To turn Notify When Left Behind on or off, open the “Find My” app, select the device and then toggle the setting on or off.  

• Tell your credit card company about your plans

Have you ever had your card payment declined when paying for something on a trip? That’s probably because your credit card company is picking up unusual activity and flagging it as suspicious. 

Prevent that from happening by informing your credit card company of any upcoming domestic or international travel by setting a travel notification. 

Many credit card companies allow you to set the notification online or via the app, though some companies may not require one at all. 

• Check international phone plans

If you want to use your phone when you're not connected to Wi-Fi while traveling, see what international phone plans your mobile carrier offers that fit your budget. An international plan will allow you to do things like make and receive phone calls, access social media and find directions as long as you have cell service. Without a plan, those functions will only be available when the device is connected to Wi-Fi.

Bonus tip, you can download maps to use offline and easily navigate a new place!

Reviewed-approved travel recommendations  

Purchases you make through our links may earn us and our publishing partners a commission.    

Reviewed helps you find the best stuff and get the most out of what you already own. Our team of experts test everything from sleep masks and travel pillows to luggage and packing cubes to help you shop for the best of the best.  

• Tracking game-changer: Apple AirTags  
• Our favorite sleep mask: Mzoo Sleep Eye Mask  
• A top wireless charger: Yootech Wireless Charger   
• Must-have luggage: Travelpro Platinum Elite Softside Expandable Luggage  
• Organization hack: Amazon Basics 4-Piece Packing Cubes Set  
• The best portable battery pack: Mophie Powerstation Plus   
• Our favorite travel pillow: Cabeau Evolution Classic Travel Neck Pillow  
• Top-rated adult coloring book: Cindy Elsharouni Stress Relieving Adult Coloring Book  

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With international traffic roaring back, there’s a new No. 2 busiest airport

Globe-trotters are on the move again in a big way, boosting the rankings of a handful of international aviation hubs on the list of the world’s busiest airports.

There’s no change at the top of the list. The No. 1 airport for passenger volume in 2023, Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International, has held that position every year — except pandemic-walloped 2020 — for more than two decades.

But for the first time, Dubai takes the No. 2 ranking, according to Airports Council International’s preliminary rankings for 2023, released on Monday.

“Dubai served around 87 million passengers in 2023. That is a year-to-year increase of 31%, and that is 1% higher than 2019. And they connected 262 destinations around 104 countries to 102 international carriers,” said Luis Felipe de Oliveira, ACI World’s director general.

The airport’s jump up from No. 5 in 2022 is representative of a big growth area in aviation, with industry expansion in emerging and developing economies in the Middle East and Asia Pacific expected at more than twice the rate of advanced economies in the decades to come, de Oliveira said.

But Atlanta doesn’t have too much to worry about for now. With 104.7 million passengers in 2023, Dubai’s not nipping at its heels just yet.

That figure is still about 5% below ATL’s pre-pandemic 2019 passenger total, but de Oliveira said ACI expects Atlanta to serve about 110 million passengers in 2024 – bringing the airport back to 2019 passenger levels.

Globally, passenger traffic in 2023 grew by 27% from 2022 to reach nearly 94% of 2019 results, with domestic travel rebounding more quickly from the pandemic — growing by 20% from 2022 to reach almost 97% of 2019 levels.

The world’s largest domestic market, the United States, had four more airports – all with significant domestic passenger shares – in the top 10 in 2023: Dallas/Fort Worth (No. 3), Denver (No. 6), Los Angeles (No. 8) and Chicago O’Hare (No. 9).

International travel is driving recovery

But in 2023, it was the international market that drove recovery, growing about 37% to reach about 90% of 2019 figures. And while Dubai is the No. 2 airport for overall traffic, it’s No. 1 in the world for international passengers. Plus, it has evolved into a destination in its own right.

London Heathrow, another strong international player, jumped up from No. 8 in 2022 to No. 4 last year. But it was Tokyo Haneda in Japan that made the biggest leap – from No. 16 to No. 5, thanks largely to Japan’s reopening. It’s a welcome indicator that Asia’s passenger numbers are getting back on track, de Oliveira said.

Istanbul’s airport held steady at No. 7, and Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi dropped one spot from No. 9 in 2022 to No. 10 last year. India, with an enormous population that’s increasingly connected by air, is an example of growth in the industry’s capillary network in different parts of the world.

“In the US, you have a very good capillarity in the system – the small, medium and big airports connecting with each other. We don’t have that in many parts of the world,” de Oliveira said.

But it’s growing rapidly in India, he said, with Air India and IndiGo buying hundreds of aircraft and the government investing in the country’s more than 140 airports.

The 2023 global total passengers figure is close to 8.5 billion, according to ACI’s preliminary figures.

Smoothing out rough air

The global outlook is “very positive” for continued growth. “In 2020, we lost like 20 years of development of the aviation sector in one year, so we are recovering very fast considering that,” de Oliveira said.

In 2023, the system was able to cope better with surging demand than it did earlier in the pandemic rebound, he said, although there are still some pressure points, including a shortage of US air traffic controllers.

There’s also very high demand for new, more efficient aircraft to reduce fuel costs and increase sustainability.

In addition to the most recent production slowdowns precipitated by issues with Boeing aircraft, supply chain slowdowns have contributed to a backlog of orders. The supply chain issues have improved, but the backlog is still significant, de Oliveira said.

Aircraft delivery delays could affect growth if airlines aren’t able to cope with demand, but he added that airlines are consequently likely to delay retiring less efficient planes to continue to meet strong demand.

Everything that happened as a result of the pandemic has underlined the importance of being ready for future issues, de Oliveira said, and ACI is working with member airports to become more resilient.

“That is always with the focus on the passenger … We have this ecosystem, if the ecosystem doesn’t work well, the passenger suffers.”

World’s top 10 busiest airports for passenger traffic in 2023

1.  Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta , Georgia (ATL):  104.7 million passengers; up 11.7% from 2022

2.  Dubai , United Arab Emirates (DXB):  87 million passengers; up 31.7% from 2022

3.  Dallas/Fort Worth , Texas (DFW): 81.8 million passengers; up 11.4% from 2022

4.  London Heathrow , United Kingdom (LHR): 79.2 million passengers; up 28.5% from 2022

5.  Tokyo Haneda , Japan (HND): 78.7 million passengers; up 55.1% from 2022

6.  Denver , Colorado (DEN): 77.8 million passengers; up 12.3% from 2022

7.  Istanbul , Turkey (IST): 76 million passengers; up 18.3% from 2022

8.  Los Angeles , California (LAX): 75.1 million passengers; up 13.8% from 2022

9.  Chicago O’Hare , Illinois (ORD): 73.9 million passengers; up 8.1% from 2022

10. Delhi , India (DEL): 72.2 million passengers; up 21.4% from 2022

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Express boat Trondheim - Kristiansund (one way)

Hurtigbåtterminalen, Trondheim

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Travel like the locals by express boat from Trondheim to Kristiansund. The tour takes about 3,5 hours. Buy your tickets here.

Travel one way by expressboat from Trondheim to Kristiansund t Buy the round trip ticket on the website, you can easily show these digitally on your mobile.

This trips takes you by sea from Trondheim to Kristiansund by express boat. The boat starts from Trondheim express boat terminal centrally in Trondheim and goes to Kristiansund express boat quay in the town centre of Kristiansund.

Between Trondheim and Kristiansund the boat has several stops, including Brekstad at Ørlandet, Hitra island, Kjørsvikbugen in Aure and Edøya at Smøla. The stops are short, so we ask our travellers to remain on board during the whole voyage. The ticket is only valid on the date and for the departure time specified on the ticket.

On board the boat there is a possibility to purchase food like sandwiches, fast food, cakes, etc

From the boat you can see the coastal landscape of the middle part of Norway. You will see small and large island, local communities and a fascinating “seascape”.

Kristiansund is Norway’s klippfisk («cliff fish») town, with rich traditions for bacalao and other klippfisk dishes, that are served in several restaurants in town. Kristiansund also has a varied cultural offering and a variety of shops, cafes and restaurants. From “Varden” you have a splendid view of the town and if you want to further explore transport on water you can take a trip with Sundbåten.

This is a “Travel like the locals” tour. The tours use public transport, i.e. regular buses, ferries and boats, but we have done the planning for you so that you can concentrate on enjoying your trip. You travel on your own - there is no guide or tour leader. On most of our tours you must change several times between different buses/ferries/boats, and it is up to you to make sure you catch your connections – truly travelling like a local!

Departure from: Trondheim express boat terminal

Last updated: 04/16/2024

Source: VisitNordvest

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Hearings on Trump's criminal cases in New York and Georgia

By Kara Scannell , Lauren del Valle , Jeremy Herb , Zachary Cohen , Jason Morris, Nick Valencia , Kristina Sgueglia, Dan Berman , Tori B. Powell and Matt Meyer , CNN

Here are key takeaways from Fani Willis' stunning testimony

From CNN's Marshall Cohen, Devan Cole, Holmes Lybrand and Katelyn Polantz

The Georgia election subversion case against  Donald Trump and 14 of his allies took a stunning turn Thursday when two top prosecutors testified under oath about their romantic relationship at a hearing triggered by allegations of self-dealing that have the potential to derail the entire effort.

The all-day hearing escalated steadily throughout the day, culminating with Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis taking the witness stand for a combative brawl with defense attorneys that drew several rebukes from the judge.

These are key takeaways:

• Willis' defiant afternoon: Things quickly went off the rails. Willis didn’t act much like a traditional witness on the stand and was more like a prosecutor, arguing with the defense attorneys, raising objections, making legal arguments and even having exchanges with Judge Scott McAfee . She even raised her voice at one point. This led to a few rebukes from McAfee. Willis repeatedly accused some of the defense attorneys of peddling lies – before and after the judge’s admonishment.
• Willis says she's not on trial: Willis seized several opportunities to defend herself. “You think I’m on trial,” Willis said, in her sharpest pushback of the day. “These people are on trial for trying to steal an election in 2020,” she added, pointing toward the table of attorneys representing defendants in the criminal case. “I’m not on trial, no matter how hard you try to put me on trial.” She later slammed the defense attorneys, calling them “confused” and “intrusive.”
• When did the relationship start? On the stand, prosecutor Nathan Wade stuck to his earlier claim – in a sworn affidavit submitted to the court – that his romantic relationship with Willis began in early 2022 and that they split travel and vacation expenses. But Robin Bryant-Yeartie, a former friend of Willis and Fulton County employee, contradicted that claim , testifying that she had “no doubt” that the Willis-Wade affair began in late 2019. Notably, that would be before Willis hired Wade to lead the Trump probe in late 2021.
• Wade and Willis describe using cash for reimbursements: Wade and Willis have offered a simple explanation for why there’s essentially no paper trail to back up his claims they split expenses: Willis used cash .
• When did the relationship end? There was also a dispute over when the relationship ended, and whether it had any impact on the decision to seek the massive RICO indictment against Trump and others last August. Both said the relationship ended in summer 2023. Willis implied that the physical component ended earlier in the summer, but that the two had a “tough conversation” that fully ended things afterward.
• Huge distraction from Trump's charges: Nothing that happened Thursday undercut the factual allegations against Trump, Rudy Giuliani, Mark Meadows, or the other GOP allies who are accused of trying to overturn the 2020 election. But the hearing shifted the conversation away from those allegation and away from Trump’s legal woes for now.

Trump reacts to Willis' testimony in Georgia

From CNN's Kate Sullivan

Former President Donald Trump on Thursday reacted to c and her lead prosecutor on the 2020 election case, Nathan Wade.

“FANI NEVER PAID CASH. SHE GOT FREE TRIPS AND OTHER THINGS FROM HER LOVER, WITH THE EXORBITANT AMOUNTS OF MONEY SHE AUTHORIZED TO BE PAID TO HIM. A GIANT SCAM. WITCH HUNT!!!”  Trump posted  on Truth Social. 

Wade and Willis pushed back against allegations from the defense that Willis was essentially getting kickbacks from Wade in the form of vacations. They said they split expenses and that Willis reimbursed Wade in cash for certain things.

Georgia judge says no ruling will be issued tomorrow in case over whether to dismiss Willis

From CNN’s Holmes Lybrand

Fulton County Judge Scott McAfee said he would not issue any rulings Friday after the evidentiary hearing on efforts to disqualify District Attorney Fani Willis from the Georgia election subversion case. 

“I’m not ruling on any of this tomorrow,” McAfee said in closing the hearing Thursday. “This is something that’s going to be taken under advisement on all aspects.”  

McAfee also raised the possibility of scheduling final arguments from the parties at a later date. 

“My goal, my hope is perhaps we can just close the evidence tomorrow, and we can take it from there,” McAfee said.

Willis woke up "ready to testify," bishop who prayed with her before court says

From CNN's Nick Valencia and Devon Sayers

Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis woke up Thursday morning "ready to testify," according to the African Methodist Episcopal bishop who says he prayed with her before today’s hearing.

Bishop Reginald Jackson told CNN he met with Willis earlier this morning before court began to "offer her words of encouragement," and they prayed together.

"She seemed comfortable. She seemed eager to address," Jackson said.  "I had the feeling this morning that she was ready for this. It's been going on for over a month, these efforts to destroy her reputation,” he added. “She wanted to meet it head on.” 

When the bishop spoke to Willis this morning before court, he said he told Willis "to keep praying and that the people have her back. I really believe they do."

Hearing ends for the day and Willis will continue testimony Friday 

From CNN's Holmes Lybrand and Dan Berman

The first day of an evidentiary hearing over whether to dismiss Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis from the Georgia election subversion case has concluded after Willis and her top prosecutor, Nathan Wade, testified over their relationships and payments they made during vacations together.

The district attorney's testimony will continue Friday at 9 a.m. ET, with Willis starting with under cross examination from District Attorney lawyer Anna Cross.

Defense attorney Ashleigh Merchant, who is leading the removal effort, said she plans to call two more witnesses after that.  

Cross also said she had three to four witnesses to call tomorrow, which she estimated would take four to five hours.

Willis: "I'm not on trial, no matter how hard you try to put me on trial"

From CNN's Devan Cole

Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis pushed back forcefully on Thursday as she engaged in a tense back and forth with a defense attorney seeking to disqualify her from the 2020 election interference case she’s brought against Donald Trump and others.

“You've been intrusive into people's personal lives. You're confused,” she told Ashleigh Merchant, an attorney for defendant Mike Roman.

“You think I'm on trial. These people are on trial for trying to steal an election in 2020,” she added, pointing toward the table of attorneys representing defendants in the criminal case.

Willis says Wade made sexist remarks during relationship

From CNN’s Devan Cole and Marshall Cohen

In an extraordinary moment in court Thursday, Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis testified about sexist behavior from Nathan Wade, the top prosecutor on the election interference case with whom she once had a romantic relationship.

“It's interesting that we're here about this money. Mr. Wade is used to women that, as he told me one time: 'The only thing a woman can do for him is make him a sandwich,'” she testified as she faced tough questioning from defense attorney Steve Sadow, who represents Donald Trump, about whether their romantic relationship ended last summer because of the forthcoming indictment against the former president and his allies. 

“We would have brutal arguments about the fact that I am your equal," she continued. "I don't need anything from a man — a man is not a plan. A man is a companion. And so there was tension always in our relationship, which is why I would give him his money back. I don't need anybody to foot my bills. The only man who's ever foot my bills completely is my daddy.” 

The defense attorneys have zeroed in on the timing of when the Willis-Wade relationship ended because it's critical to their self-dealing allegations against Willis.

In court filings, defendant Mike Roman's team argued that Willis would be incentivized to bring an indictment because it would prolong the case, and keep the money flowing to Wade. And, according to their theory, back to her as well, through vacations and other gifts.

Willis said on the stand that their break-up had “absolutely nothing” to do with the indictment.

Fulton County judge admonishes parties to remain professional

Fulton County Judge Scott McAfee admonished parties in court on Thursday after heated exchanges between District Attorney Fani Willis and the defense attorney trying to get her removed from the Georgia election subversion case. 

“We all know what professionalism looks like,” McAfee said. “We won’t talk over each other. And from there, we’ll get through this.”

The judge took a brief break during Willis’ testimony after she raised her voice in court, holding up several motions filed by defense attorney Ashleigh Merchant and declaring: “It is a lie.” 

Merchant was asking if the top prosecutor she hired to investigate Trump had ever visited Willis “at the place you lay your head?”

“So let’s be clear because you’ve lied in this,” Willis said, pointing to copies she held of the filings. Willis, continuing to point at the copies, added, “right here, I think you lied right here.”

Willis details trips she took with top prosecutor in Trump case

District Attorney Fani Willis detailed vacations and trips she took with prosecutor Nathan Wade, who she hired to investigate Donald Trump and others for election interference in Georgia, saying she would pay cash for everything.

“When I travel I always pay cash,” Willis said of the trips with Wade, saying that she paid Wade back for certain travel and excursions during the trips.

Willis has been accused of financially benefitting from hiring Wade, who defense attorneys say paid for vacations for the two. The vacations, according to Willis, included trips to Aruba, the Bahamas Belize as well as Napa Valley where they attended wine tastings.

“He likes wine, I don’t really like wine to be honest with you,” Willis said. “I like Grey Goose.” 

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