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Travel Time Calculator

Travel time calculation.

• Q) I am driving from one city to another city and need to know how long it will take me to get there, where can I find this information?
• Q) I am traveling cross country and need to know whether I should drive or take a plane, how can I figure out approximately how long it will take to get there by car?
• Q) I am planning a trip and plan to make a stop along the way... I need to know the time it would take me to get to these 2 locations, how can I get this info?

A) The travel time calculator can give you a good estimate of how long it would take you to get to your destination.

Additionally, you can calculate the time it would take you to drive to your destination and compare that to how long it would take you to fly to your destination.

If you plan on stopping at a particular location along the way, you can calculate how long it would take you to get to and from that stop to your final destination.

Travel Time Information

Knowing the time it takes you to travel to a place is in many cases the deciding factor of which means of travel to take. Cost is usually the other factor.

With the travel time calculator you can figure out whether it's worth driving to your destination or whether you'll get there on time.

Now while driving may often seem like the right choice, certain delays along the way can make your trip take longer.

Delays such as stopping for gas, food or sleep can add to the time it takes you to get there. Poor whether conditions, road work and traffic can also cause delays along the way.

While the travel time calculator can't predict many of these things, it can prepare you for the road and give you an estimate of how long it would take you to get where you need to go.

Additionally, you can also view a road map so that you can see why the trip takes as long as it does.

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Estimates are based on an analysis of current and historical minimum roundtrip flight prices for one traveler and average car rental prices in the past 31 days. Actual prices may vary. Always check current prices and routes before booking. See Methodology .

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Travel Time Calculator

Introduction.

In the fast-paced world of travel and transportation, optimizing the time spent on journeys is essential. The Travel Time Calculator emerges as a handy tool, offering a swift solution to estimate travel durations. Whether planning a road trip, commuting, or scheduling flights, this calculator proves invaluable for individuals seeking accurate and efficient travel time predictions.

The Travel Time Calculator relies on a simple formula to determine the duration of a journey. The formula is expressed as:

Travel Time=Distance Speed Travel Time = Speed Distance ​

Here, the distance represents the length of the journey, and the speed denotes the average speed at which the travel occurs. The result is the estimated time required to cover the specified distance.

How to Use?

Utilizing the Travel Time Calculator is a straightforward process. Follow these steps to obtain quick and accurate travel time estimates:

• Enter Distance : Input the distance of your journey. This could be in miles, kilometers, or any other relevant unit.
• Specify Average Speed : Enter the average speed at which you anticipate traveling. This speed should reflect the overall pace of your journey, considering factors such as speed limits and road conditions.
• Click Calculate or Submit : Most calculators feature a button to initiate the computation. Clicking this button will generate the estimated travel time based on the provided distance and speed.
• Review the Output : The calculator will display the estimated travel time, allowing you to plan your schedule with precision.

Consider a road trip covering a distance of 300 miles, with an anticipated average speed of 60 miles per hour. Using the Travel Time Calculator, the estimated travel time would be calculated as follows:

Travel Time=300 miles60 mph=5 hours  Travel Time = 60 mph 300 miles ​ = 5 hours

Q: Can the Travel Time Calculator account for variations in speed during a journey? A: The calculator provides an average travel time based on the entered average speed. For more detailed calculations, consider segmenting the journey into different legs with varying speeds.

Q: Is the Travel Time Calculator suitable for air travel? A: While the calculator primarily focuses on ground travel, it can provide rough estimates for air travel based on the average speed of the flight.

Q: Does the calculator consider factors like traffic and stops? A: The Travel Time Calculator offers a basic estimate and may not account for variables like traffic, stops, or delays. It’s advisable to use it as a planning tool and adjust for real-time conditions.

Conclusion:

The Travel Time Calculator is a valuable companion for anyone planning journeys, whether for business or leisure. By providing quick and reliable estimates, it facilitates effective time management and helps individuals make informed decisions about their travel schedules. Embracing this calculator empowers travelers to plan their trips with confidence, ensuring they reach their destinations on time and with minimal hassle.

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Travel Time Calculator

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The Travel Time Calculator will instantly calculate the travel time it takes to get anywhere if you enter the distance to your destination and the average speed you plan to travel. The default units are miles and miles per hour, but the calculator will also work if you use kilometers and kilometers per hour.

If you already know how long it takes (or took) to get to your destination, try our average speed calculator to see what your average speed was.

How to Calculate Travel Time

Let's be honest - sometimes the best travel time calculator is the one that is easy to use and doesn't require us to even know what the travel time formula is in the first place! But if you want to know the exact formula for calculating travel time then please check out the "Formula" box above.

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Travel Time Calculator

Estimated travel time.

These average speeds are based on typical urban travel conditions. Your travel time may vary.

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Understanding Travel Time Calculator: A Comprehensive Guide

Travel planning is an integral part of our daily lives, whether it involves commuting to work, delivering goods, or planning a vacation. A critical aspect of this planning is estimating travel time. The Travel Time Calculator is an invaluable tool in this respect, offering detailed time estimations based on different modes of transportation.

Decoding the Travel Time Calculator

A travel time calculator is a dynamic tool designed to calculate estimated travel time considering various factors such as distance, mode of transport, speed, and possible stops. It takes the hassle out of travel planning by providing accurate time estimates, transforming the way we plan our journeys.

From Sundials to Digital Calculators: A Historical Overview

The idea of calculating time has its roots in antiquity, with traders and explorers estimating their travel times to strategize their journeys. The digitization of this concept came much later with the advent of the internet. Now, we have evolved from simplistic models that considered constant speeds to more sophisticated calculators accounting for variable speeds, different modes of transport, and additional factors that influence travel times.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Use a Travel Time Calculator?

Using a travel time calculator is easy and intuitive. Here's a quick guide:

• Select your mode of transport: Options typically include walking, cycling, driving, or using public transport.
• Input the total distance to your destination.
• Click the "Calculate" button.
• The tool instantly provides an estimated travel time.

Example Calculations

Let's look at some example calculations using a travel time calculator:

• Walking: If the total distance to your destination is 5 kilometers and your walking speed is 5 km/h, your estimated travel time will be 1 hour.
• Cycling: If the total distance to your destination is 10 kilometers and your cycling speed is 15 km/h, your estimated travel time will be approximately 40 minutes.
• Driving: If the total distance to your destination is 60 kilometers and your average driving speed is 60 km/h, your estimated travel time will be 1 hour.

The Business Perspective: An Indispensable Tool

The travel time calculator has wide-ranging applications in the business world. Logistics companies use it to estimate delivery times, improving their service efficiency. Ride-hailing services utilize it to predict travel times, which are crucial for fare calculations. Travel and tourism businesses use it to design optimal itineraries. Thus, it's a vital tool for businesses requiring any form of travel planning.

Educational Implications: A Learning Tool

In education, travel time calculators can facilitate interactive learning. They serve as practical tools for teaching the concept of speed, distance, and time. Using these calculators, students can solve problems and apply their understanding in real-world contexts, thereby improving their mathematical and logical skills.

Applications in Daily Life

For the everyday user, the travel time calculator is a godsend. It enables efficient journey planning, helps manage time effectively, and reduces the uncertainty associated with travel times. In a time-crunched world, it makes life simpler and travel planning a breeze.

Limitations and Future Potential

While the travel time calculator is an excellent tool, it's not without limitations. The accuracy of travel times can be affected by variable factors such as traffic, weather conditions, and unforeseen delays. However, the future holds promise with advances in artificial intelligence and machine learning that could enable these calculators to consider these variables, providing even more accurate time estimations.

The travel time calculator, despite some limitations, continues to be invaluable for businesses, educational institutions, and individual users. Harness its potential to make your travel planning more efficient and hassle-free.

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Distance Calculator Between Cities for Precise Driving Distances

Efficiently find the distance between cities, including driving distances, estimated travel times, and detailed route maps for any journey in the USA, from cross-country adventures to short drives.

This distance calculator, covering the United States, North America, and worldwide, simplifies your travel planning. Enter your start and end points in the "From" and "To" fields — accepting city names, addresses, or GPS coordinates — and click "Calculate" to get started.

Customize your journey with "Fuel consumption" and "Fuel price" for cost estimates, and use the crosshair icon for map selections. Dive into "Advanced options" to add stops or adjust speeds, tailoring the trip to your pace and ensuring accurate travel time predictions.

Driving Distance Between Two Cities: US Route Examples

• Distance from Dallas to Houston
• Distance from Austin to Houston
• Distance from Seattle to Portland
• Distance from Dallas to San Antonio
• Distance from San Francisco to Sacramento
• Distance from San Francisco to San Diego
• Distance from Dallas to Chicago
• Distance from Houston to New Orleans
• Distance from Denver to Chicago
• Distance from New York to Chicago

Route Planner for Estimating Distance Between Two Points

Family Vacation Planning : Families planning summer vacations can use the distance calculator to plan their route, estimate fuel costs based on their car's fuel consumption, and calculate budget needs, ensuring a cost-effective and enjoyable journey.

Business Travel Optimization : Professionals can plot the most efficient routes for their business trips, incorporating distance calculations to manage time effectively and budget for travel expenses accurately.

Logistics and Freight Management : Long-haul truckers and freight forwarders can utilize the tool to map out routes between cities, estimate mileage, and calculate transportation costs based on company tariffs, optimizing delivery schedules and pricing.

Meeting Halfway : Friends living in different cities can find a central meeting point by calculating the halfway distance between their locations, making it easier to arrange reunions and share new adventures together.

Explore Functions of the City-to-City Distance Calculator

City distances evolve annually with the construction of new roads, highways, and bridges.

Our online Distance Between Cities Calculator complements your preferred GPS navigator by allowing you to map out your route in advance, while your GPS assists during the drive.

The calculator utilizes OSM data and incorporates key Google Maps functionalities, including:

• Viewing distances and routes on a map for a comprehensive journey overview.
• Interactive map features like zoom, drag-and-drop, and full-screen mode.
• Route customization by adjusting markers directly on the map or adding stops via addresses.
• Distance calculations in either kilometers or miles, with unit preferences adjustable in the menu.

Exclusive features of our calculator include:

• The ability to print, save as PDF/PNG, or export routes to GIS and GPS formats such as GPX, KML, and GeoJSON .
• A route scheme offering a sequence of cities and timing for passing intermediate cities, an efficient alternative to detailed turn-by-turn directions for long distances.
• Fuel cost estimation adaptable to various fuel types. Just input your vehicle's fuel efficiency.
• Capability to generate distance matrices, savable in Excel format, for comprehensive planning.

USA, North America, and Worldwide Coverage

138,192 localities covered in United States. 1,971,411 localities worldwide.

This service measures the distance between cities around the world and is available in several languages:

• English ca.drivebestway.com Canada Mileage Calculator
• Spanish www.mejoresrutas.com Traza tu ruta por México
• Portuguese www.melhoresrotas.com Calculadora de distância entre cidades do Brasil
• English au.drivebestway.com Aussie Distance Calculator
• English gb.drivebestway.com UK Road Distance Calculator
• Spanish es.mejoresrutas.com Calcular ruta entre ciudades españolas
• Spanish ar.mejoresrutas.com Calcular distancia entre ciudades argentinas
• Spanish co.mejoresrutas.com Calcular distancia entre ciudades colombianas
• Spanish us.mejoresrutas.com Calcular distancia entre ciudades de EE. UU.
• Spanish cl.mejoresrutas.com Calcular km entre ciudades chilenas
• Spanish pe.mejoresrutas.com Distancia entre dos puntos en Perú
• Spanish ve.mejoresrutas.com Distancia entre dos puntos en Venezuela
• Spanish br.mejoresrutas.com Distancia entre ciudades brasileñas
• Portuguese pt.melhoresrotas.com Calculadora de distância entre cidades em Portugal
• French www.bonnesroutes.com Calculateur de distance France
• French ca.bonnesroutes.com Calculateur de distance Canadien
• German www.besterouten.com Routenplaner Deutschland
• Polish www.najlepszetrasy.com Kalkulator odległości drogowych w Polsce
• Czech www.dobracesta.com Kalkulačka vzdálenosti mezi českými městy
• Italian www.percorsomigliore.com Calcola distanze chilometriche in Italia
• Malay www.pandujalanterbaik.com Pengiraan jarak antara bandar di Malaysia
• Dutch www.besteroutes.com Afstand meten in Nederland
• Turkish www.duzgunyolusec.com Türkiye şehirler arası mesafe hesaplama
• Dutch be.besteroutes.com Afstand berekenen tussen Belgische steden
• German be.besterouten.com Routenplaner Belgien Auto
• French be.bonnesroutes.com Calculateur de distance belge
• French ch.bonnesroutes.com Calculateur de distance Suisse
• German ch.besterouten.com Routenplaner Schweiz
• German at.besterouten.com Routenplaner Österreich

How Driving Distance Is Calculated Between Two Locations

Algorithm for calculating driving distances between cities.

This route calculation tool harnesses the power of shortest path search algorithms within a weighted road graph, employing sophisticated algorithms like Dijkstra, A-Star, and Contraction Hierarchies . Unlike conventional calculators that use distance or travel time as the graph weight, our system optimizes drive time for vehicles, favoring routes on higher-class roads for a smoother journey.

The backbone of this tool is built on OpenStreetMap data, ensuring our road graphs are accurate and up-to-date. We calculate distances between road segments with the haversine formula , using precise GPS coordinates to measure the Great Circle Distance. This formula is pivotal for calculating "air distance" or "straight line distance" between two points, taking into account the curvature of the Earth.

Road distances, however, diverge from straight line distances due to the natural curvature and layout of roads . To address this, roads are represented as segmented lines, and the haversine formula is applied to each segment, allowing for precise calculation of the journey length between any two points.

Recognizing that cities encompass large areas, our tool selects a central point within each city for distance calculations between cities. For personalized route planning, users can specify exact addresses or select points on the map. Additionally, the route's start and end points can be adjusted directly on the map for enhanced customization.

Travel time calculations break down the route into segments, evaluating the maximum permitted speed for each segment to estimate the fastest possible travel time.

It’s important to note that while our route calculation relies on advanced computer modeling for accuracy, no model is perfect. We encourage users to plan with a margin for adjustment to ensure a reliable and efficient journey.

Alternative Methods for Distance Calculation Between Two Addresses

One simple way to measure distance is by using a highway atlas. By tracing a route with your eye and rolling a curvimeter along it, you can gauge the distance. Estimating travel time involves assuming an average speed of 50 miles/hour on major intercity roads. Although this method provides rough estimates, it's straightforward.

In the absence of a curvimeter, a ruler can serve as a substitute. Start by aligning the ruler's zero mark with your route's beginning and follow the road's bends closely. Then, translate the measured length into kilometers or miles using the map's scale, which is typically provided in the atlas.

For those seeking a more streamlined approach, pre-calculated distance tables specifically for the USA are available on websites, atlases, and guidebooks. Particularly useful for journeys between major cities, these tables streamline planning, although they may omit smaller locales.

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What is TravelTime?

Create a Travel Time Map

Travel time map generator & isochrones, i know i can get from a to b by public transport within my selected time, but it's not showing up.

• Walking to the station platform
• Waiting for the next available departure
• Time spent boarding the train
• Giving enough time to take the A to B journey
• Depart on the station on the other side.

You can't drive that far / you can drive much further than that"

• Open another mapping app of your choice and enter an A to B route
• Select a departure time for tomorrow.

Still not convinced?

About this tool, what is a travel time map, how to create a drive time radius map or other modes.

• Select a start location
• Select a maximum travel time limit
• Select a mode of transport, for example driving
• Voila! There's your driving radius map

Use cases for consumers

• Create a commute time map so you can see where to live based on commute time.
• How far can i travel in a given time: compare transport coverage for different areas.
• Create a drive time radius map: explore how far you can travel on a road trip.

Use cases for businesses

• Travel time mapping up to 4 hours & cross reference other data sets in GIS such as population data
• Site selection analysis: analyse the best location to locate a business by adding thousands of analysis points
• Create a distance matrix or travel time matrix & calculate travel times from thousands of origins to thousands of destinations
• Network analysis / travelling salesman problem: use spatial analytics to solve routing problems
• Commute time map - plot thousands of employee commute times for an office relocation
• Create up to 3 time polygons visualising where's reachable within 2 hours or less. Our API can create large travel time areas, talk to sales.
• Calculate travel times from an origin to various points of interest - in this demo we use points from Foursquare Give A to B routing details

Full access

• Book a demo
• Trial TravelTime API
• Trial QGIS Plugin
• Trial ArcGIS Pro Add-In
• Trial Alteryx Macros

TravelTime Features

• See 'How far can I get' in X minutes
• Create a drive time map or any other transport mode
• Overlap many shapes & highlight overlap area
• Search points of interest within the area
• Get A to B routing details

• Skip to main content
• Skip to primary sidebar

Distance and Average Speed to Travel Time Calculator

Click save settings to reload page with unique web page address for bookmarking and sharing the current tool settings

✕ clear settings

Flip tool with current settings and calculate average speed or total distance

Related Tools

• Average speed calculator
• Travel distance calculator
• Convert speed into different units
• Convert distance into different units
• Convert time duration into different units

This calculator will estimate the travel time for a journey using the travel distance to destination and the expected average speed of the method of travel.

Once a distance and speed have been entered the calculated time will be displayed in the answer box. Also a conversion scale will be generated for different values of distance versus time at the same speed.

This tool estimates the journey time with the following formula:

• d = Distance

Distance Travelled

Enter the expected distance to be travelled in any units.

Average Speed

Enter the estimated average speed of the intended method of transport.

Time Estimate

This is an estimate of the total time it will take to complete the journey without any delays.

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• Published: 10 January 2018

A global map of travel time to cities to assess inequalities in accessibility in 2015

• D. J. Weiss 1 ,
• A. Nelson 2 ,
• H. S. Gibson 1 ,
• W. Temperley 3 ,
• S. Peedell 3 ,
• A. Lieber 4 ,
• M. Hancher 4 ,
• E. Poyart 4 ,
• S. Belchior 5 ,
• N. Fullman 6 ,
• B. Mappin 7 ,
• U. Dalrymple 1 ,
• J. Rozier 1 ,
• T. C. D. Lucas 1 ,
• R. E. Howes 1 ,
• L. S. Tusting 1 ,
• S. Y. Kang 1 ,
• E. Cameron 1 ,
• D. Bisanzio 1 ,
• K. E. Battle 1 ,
• S. Bhatt 8 &
• P. W. Gething 1  

Nature volume  553 ,  pages 333–336 ( 2018 ) Cite this article

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• Developing world
• Sustainability

The economic and man-made resources that sustain human wellbeing are not distributed evenly across the world, but are instead heavily concentrated in cities. Poor access to opportunities and services offered by urban centres (a function of distance, transport infrastructure, and the spatial distribution of cities) is a major barrier to improved livelihoods and overall development. Advancing accessibility worldwide underpins the equity agenda of ‘leaving no one behind’ established by the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations 1 . This has renewed international efforts to accurately measure accessibility and generate a metric that can inform the design and implementation of development policies. The only previous attempt to reliably map accessibility worldwide, which was published nearly a decade ago 2 , predated the baseline for the Sustainable Development Goals and excluded the recent expansion in infrastructure networks, particularly in lower-resource settings. In parallel, new data sources provided by Open Street Map and Google now capture transportation networks with unprecedented detail and precision. Here we develop and validate a map that quantifies travel time to cities for 2015 at a spatial resolution of approximately one by one kilometre by integrating ten global-scale surfaces that characterize factors affecting human movement rates and 13,840 high-density urban centres within an established geospatial-modelling framework. Our results highlight disparities in accessibility relative to wealth as 50.9% of individuals living in low-income settings (concentrated in sub-Saharan Africa) reside within an hour of a city compared to 90.7% of individuals in high-income settings. By further triangulating this map against socioeconomic datasets, we demonstrate how access to urban centres stratifies the economic, educational, and health status of humanity.

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Chambers, J. M ., Cleveland, W. S ., Kleiner, B. & Tukey, P. A. Graphical Methods for Data Analysis (Wadsworth International Group, 1983)

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Acknowledgements

We thank J. C. Alonso, G. Pacheco, E. Brett, A. Arenzana, and B. A. Laken for the development of http://roadlessforest.eu/map.html and D. Pfeffer and K. Twohig for formatting of the figures and references. Funding was provided by a Google Earth Engine Research Award entitled “Developing and validating an online accessibility mapping tool powered by Google Earth Engine” and the “Roadless Forest” project “Making efficient use of EU climate finance: Using roads as an early performance indicator for REDD+ projects” (European Parliament/European Commission Directorate General for Climate Action).

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D. J. Weiss, H. S. Gibson, U. Dalrymple, J. Rozier, T. C. D. Lucas, R. E. Howes, L. S. Tusting, S. Y. Kang, E. Cameron, D. Bisanzio, K. E. Battle & P. W. Gething

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D.J.W., A.N., S.P. and P.W.G. came up with the research concept and designed experiments. D.J.W. drafted the manuscript. D.J.W., A.N., H.S.G., W.T., A.L., B.M. and U.D. prepared and supplied data. D.J.W. conducted the analyses. M.H. and E.P. implemented algorithms. D.J.W. and A.L. coordinated the project. A.N., H.S.G., N.F., T.C.D.L., R.E.H., K.E.B. and S.Bh. supported the analyses and interpretations. J.R. and S.Be. produced visualizations. All authors discussed the results and revised the final manuscript.

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Extended data figures and tables

Extended data figure 1 accessibility and forest loss in brazil..

a , b , Maps of travel time to urban centres ( a ) and forest loss ( b ) from 2000 to 2015. Forest loss is defined as the fraction of land area identified as forest in 2000 that experienced any loss in forest density (but not necessarily total removal) by 2015.

Extended Data Figure 2 Accessibility and forest loss in Indonesia.

Extended data figure 3 forest loss relative to accessibility..

a , b , The distribution of the population and land area by accessibility category in Brazil ( a ) and Indonesia ( b ). c , The percentage of area that experienced any loss in forest density since 2000 for each country and the global average.

Extended Data Figure 4 Travel time relative to percentage of urban population.

Mean national accessibility for countries with populations over ten million relative to the percentage of urban population as estimated by the UN, colour-coded by World Bank income category.

Supplementary information

Life sciences reporting summary (pdf 72 kb), supplementary tables.

This file contains Supplementary Tables 1-2. Supplementary Table 1, national travel times by population, shows cumulative proportion of national population by travel time, binned in 30-minute increments. Supplementary Table 2, national travel times by area, shows cumulative proportion of national land area by travel time, binned in 30-minute increments. (XLS 239 kb)

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Weiss, D., Nelson, A., Gibson, H. et al. A global map of travel time to cities to assess inequalities in accessibility in 2015. Nature 553 , 333–336 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1038/nature25181

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Received : 22 May 2017

Accepted : 23 November 2017

Published : 10 January 2018

Issue Date : 18 January 2018

DOI : https://doi.org/10.1038/nature25181

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Fjords, Pharaohs or Koalas? Time to Plan for Your Next Eclipse.

If you can’t get enough of totality, or missed out this time, you’ll have three more chances in the next four years in destinations like Iceland, Spain, Egypt and Australia.

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By Danielle Dowling

Are you still a little giddy from the magical moments of totality during Monday’s solar eclipse? Or did clouds swoop in to block your view? Maybe you just couldn’t make it to the path of totality this time. No matter what, the question now is “ Where and when will it happen again?”

“People who have never seen it before, the first words out of their mouth after the totality ends is ‘I’ve got to see another one, this is incredible, this is unbelievable.’ That is when you become addicted to these things and end up traveling no matter where the next one is,” said Joseph Rao, an eclipse chaser and guest lecturer at the Hayden Planetarium.

So, if like Mr. Rao, you’ve developed a raging case of umbraphilia — the love of eclipses — you’ll have three chances over the next four years to see the moon blot out the sun. The first, on Aug. 12, 2026, will start above Greenland, then strafe the west coast of Iceland and move along the Atlantic Ocean and over Spain. Almost a year later, on Aug. 2, 2027, another will skirt the Mediterranean coast of North Africa then cross Egypt and part of the Arabian Peninsula. The third, on July 22, 2028, will cut across Australia and the southern tip of New Zealand.

Future Eclipses

Eclipse chasers will have several more chances this decade to view a total solar eclipse .

Last week, as Victoria Sahami , the owner of Sirius Travel , was preparing to guide a group of tourists in Mazatlán, Mexico, for Monday’s big event, she was also planning for these other upcoming eclipses. Ms. Sahami joined the ranks of the eclipse-obsessed when she witnessed one in Venezuela in the 1990s. “Like many people, I was hooked. There was no going back,” she said.

Total solar eclipses happen fairly regularly — about every one to two years — in locations scattered around the world. “That’s the great thing about them: You wind up in places that you don’t normally go,” Ms. Sahami said.

A major spoiler is weather, which will be a big variable in the 2026 eclipse — one Greenland, Iceland and Spain will see.

“Iceland normally has a lot of cloud during that time of year,” said Paul Maley , who runs Ring of Fire Expeditions . “The data shows Spain to have the higher good-weather prospects of all three. However, the sun is low in the sky and the eclipse ends as the sun hits the horizon at sunset.”

Because of Iceland’s mercurial meteorology, Ring of Fire Expeditions is going all in on Spain, with a 10-day excursion on the mainland. Sirius Travel is offering not only a five-day trip to Majorca but also an eight-day tour around Iceland. It will be based in Reykjavik, and the itinerary will remain flexible on the day of the eclipse so the tour can easily pivot toward the location with the least cloud cover. Ms. Sahami recommends the trip for those who already have a few eclipses under their belt and would be happy just to take in the sights of Iceland if the weather doesn’t cooperate.

The 2027 eclipse, on the other hand, promises to be truly stellar: Luxor, Egypt — the site of numerous ancient temples as well as the Valleys of the Kings and Queens — sits right in the middle of the path of totality and will be bathed in darkness for a full 6 minutes 23 seconds. Weather-wise, it is what Ms. Sahami called “a slam dunk.” “You know you’re going to see it. You know that you’re not going to get any clouds,” she said.

But for all its potential, those considering Egypt should be aware that the State Department has a Level 3 “Reconsider Travel” warning for the country because of the risk of terrorism.

The 2028 eclipse will darken the skies over Sydney, Australia, for 3 minutes 49 seconds. It will be the first time the city has experienced a total solar eclipse since 1857. Ms. Sahami has her eyes on a trip based out of there, while Mr. Maley has chartered a cruise ship off the northwest coast of Australia. It will be winter there, he said, but that isn’t likely to mean bad eclipse-viewing weather.

If you want to see any (or all) of these eclipses, you should get started on planning and booking now, particularly if you want to sign up for a trip organized by a tour company. One of Sirius Travel’s excursions to Luxor is already full.

Scrutinize refund policies and look into insuring your trip. Several companies will fully refund your deposit if you cancel a year in advance. A lot can happen, Ms. Sahami said, “but if you think you’re going to go, why not?”

Follow New York Times Travel on Instagram and sign up for our weekly Travel Dispatch newsletter to get expert tips on traveling smarter and inspiration for your next vacation. Dreaming up a future getaway or just armchair traveling? Check out our 52 Places to Go in 2024 .

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Travel Time

Time spent traveling during normal work hours is considered compensable work time. Time spent in home-to-work travel by an employee in an employer-provided vehicle, or in activities performed by an employee that are incidental to the use of the vehicle for commuting, generally is not "hours worked" and, therefore, does not have to be paid. This provision applies only if the travel is within the normal commuting area for the employer's business and the use of the vehicle is subject to an agreement between the employer and the employee or the employee's representative.

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Handy Reference Guide to the Fair Labor Standards Act - Answers many questions about the FLSA and gives information about certain occupations that are exempt from the Act.

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Work starts on america’s first high-speed train between la, las vegas that could cut travel time in half.

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The much-anticipated construction of the first high-speed passenger train between Los Angeles and Las Vegas got underway Monday — promising to ferry passengers between the two cities in half the the time it now takes to drive through the desert.

The $12 billion project is being spearheaded by Brightline West, which will lay 218 miles of track between a new terminal in Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., and another station just south of the Las Vegas Strip by 2028, according to Fortune .

In a statement, Brightline Holdings founder and chair Wes Edens said that breaking ground on the rail on Monday — thanks to $6.5 billion in backing from Joe Biden’s administration, plus $2.5 billion in tax-exempt bonds — was laying “the foundation for a new industry.”

Brightline also won federal authorization in 2020 to sell $1 billion in similar bonds, Fortune reported.

US Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg will reportedly participate in the rail’s Monday groundbreaking.

Upon its completion, Brightline West is expecting to welcome millions of passengers aboard the high-speed train, which will travel up to 200 miles per hour between the two major US cities in just over two hours — about half the time it takes to drive between LA and Vegas.

The high speeds are comparable to Japan’s Shinkansen bullet trains, whose network includes nearly 2,000 miles of lines on the country’s four major islands.

Brightline’s estimates are that 11 million passengers will take the electric-powered train one way per year, meaning there will be 30,000 travelers per day. The trains will also have restrooms, Wi-Fi, and food and beverage.

There will also be the option to check luggage — with ticket fares with or without large bags anticipated to be well below the cost of flying across the Mojave Desert.

It wasn’t immedately clear what a ticket aboard Brightline West will cost, though airline costs range between $80 and $230 depending on the time of the year.

Passenger traffic at Sin City’s Harry Reid International Airport set a record of 57.6 million people in 2023, Fortune reported.

Meanwhile, an average of more than 44,000 automobiles per day crossed the California-Nevada state line on Interstate 15 in 2023, according to Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority data — perhaps because of the Super Bowl and Formula 1 Grand Prix race that both took place in Las Vegas last year.

Las Vegas — which has nearly 3 million residents — draws more than 40 million visitors per year.

Brightline CEO Mike Reininger has said the goal is to have high-speed trains operating in time for the Summer Olympics in Los Angeles in 2028.

Almost the full distance of the forthcoming train will be along the median of I-15, according to Fortune, which begins in San Diego and runs through Los Angeles before passing through Nevada and into parts of Arizona, Utah, Idaho and Montana.

At this point, only one station stop along the route will take place in San Bernardino County’s Victorville area, per Fortune.

At a later date, Brightline West has said it may add more stops in Palmdale, Calif., and other US metros that are too close to fly between but too far to drive to, though details have yet to be finalized.

The goal is to relieve congestion on I-15, where motorists often get caught in slow-moving traffic.

Representatives for Brightline West did not immediately respond to The Post’s request for comment.

Florida-based Brightline already operates a Miami-to-Orlando high-speed line, where trains reach speeds of up to 125 miles per hour.

The service launched in 2018 and expanded to include service to the Orlando International Airport in September 2022, Fortune reported. It now offers 16 round trips daily, with one-way tickets to travel the 235-mile-long track going for about $80.

Another fast train in the US include Amtrack’s Acels, which can reach 150 miles per hour while transporting passengers between Boston and Washington, DC — but rails aren’t considered “high speed” unless they top at least 160 miles per hour.

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First-timer’s guide to Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park

Apr 18, 2024 • 11 min read

The scale and ferocity of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park is a wonder to experience © Yiming Chen / Getty Images

Unsurprisingly, Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park on Hawaiʻi Island is one of the state’s most popular attractions.

This incredible landscape is home to two massive volcanoes – Kīlauea being one of the world’s most active – and stretches from sea level to the summit of Mauna Loa, one of the world’s largest. Sprawling across 333,259 acres on the island's southeastern side, the park is one of the most dynamic and diverse in the US.

Its ever-changing landscape boasts an assortment of terrain, from lush rainforests and barren lava fields to a volcano often dusted with snow every winter. Yes, even in Hawaiʻi!

So grab those hiking boots and binoculars and use our insider guide to get the most out of your first trip to this unique national park.

When is the best time to visit Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park? 

There isn’t an especially bad time to visit the park, which sees nearly two million visitors annually. The weather on the Islands doesn’t vary much, with temperatures fluctuating between 66-85°F throughout the year. Winter and early spring, though, tend to be rainier and cooler than other times of the year and hurricane season runs from June to November, which can mean tropical storms, whipping winds and torrential rain.

The busiest travel seasons in Hawaiʻi are summer and winter – summer is peak vacation time for families and winter lures travelers eager to escape colder climes. Expect more people on trails and longer waits for parking during these periods.

Spring and fall are slower travel months and ideal times to visit the park. Trekking conditions are much more comfortable without the intense summer heat and you’ll likely find better airfare prices and hotel rates at nearby hotels. The park does get a surge of visitors during spring break and around the weekend of the annual Merrie Monarch Festival , a week-long hula competition based in Hilo around late March or early April.

Tuesday is the busiest day at the park – pick another day if at all possible. This is when the Pride of America , a cruise ship that sails around the Islands, docks in Hilo. Many of its 2000 passengers head to the national park, hitting popular stops like the Kīlauea Visitor Center , the Kīlauea Iki Trail , and Nāhuku (otherwise known as Thurston Lava Tube ). Winter brings yet more cruise ships to Hawaiʻi Island as thousands of North Pacific humpback whales migrate annually from Alaska to the warmer waters surrounding the Islands.

Though Kīlauea stopped erupting on Sept 16, 2023, the volcano still attracts visitors despite no visible lava fountains or flows. And it’s likely it will erupt again – the Puʻuʻōʻō eruption, which began in 1983 and lasted 35 years, ranks as the longest and most voluminous known outpouring of lava from Kīlauea’s east rift zone in more than 500 years. “If there is an eruption,” says Jessica Ferracane, the park’s spokesperson, “it is busy all day, every day, especially if it’s at the summit of Kīlauea.”

Planning tip: The park is currently undergoing a big disaster recovery project following the 2018 Kīlauea eruption and summit collapse. There could be temporary area closures, lane closures, reduced parking and other limited services for the next two years. Check the park website to check for construction closures and delays . 

Find out everything you need to know about what's happening in Hawaii throughout the year in  our guide to the best time to visit the Aloha State

How much time should I plan to spend at the park?

Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park may not be as huge as Alaska’s 13.2-million-acre Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve – larger than Yellowstone National Park, Yosemite National Park and Switzerland combined – but it does stretch from sea level to the summit of 13,681-ft Mauna Loa and across seven different ecological zones. You’ll need at least a full day to explore all the best parts of the park but two days are even better. 

Park staff recommend that visitors arrive by sunrise to hit the park’s most popular trails first – it's open 24 hours to allow everyone to maximize their time. Dusk is also a wonderful time to go exploring – the lack of light pollution provides dark skies that are perfect for stargazing.

There are a variety of hikes within the national park, from the easy 1.2-mile Kīpukapuaulu Trail to the challenging backcountry treks up Mauna Loa that can take two days. And having an extra day means you can visit the park’s quieter and less crowded Kahuku Unit on the southerly slopes of Mauna Loa. This 116,000-acre former ranchland is about an hour's drive from the Kīlauea Visitor Center and is open to the public five days a week. You can hike to the top of an old cinder cone, trek through a pristine Hawaiian rainforest or bike through scenic pastures with panoramic views of the ranchlands.

The tiny town of Volcano Village just outside the park is also well worth a visit, with its laid-back eateries and food trucks, art galleries, and  a vineyard and winery .

Is it easy to get in and around the park?

The nearest airport is Hilo International, about 30 miles northeast of the park (you can fly into the Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keāhole, but the drive from Kailua-Kona will take about two hours). Getting to the park from Hilo is easy – take Route 11 (Hawaiʻi Belt Road) west until you reach the main entrance. The drive takes about 45 minutes.

Hele-On Bus is the island’s only public bus service, operated by Hawaiʻi County. The No. 11 Red Line runs between Hilo and Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, stopping daily at the Kīlauea Visitor Center. The bus schedule is subject to change, so check ahead. There is no public transportation or shuttle service within the park, so you’ll need a car to get around.

Top things to do at Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park

Kīlauea iki trail.

One of the most popular hikes in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park is the 4-mile roundtrip Kīlauea Iki Trail. The terrain is varied – it starts in a forest of native ʻōhiʻa trees and hapuʻu (Hawaiian tree fern) and ends with a walk across an otherworldly crater floor – and it’s short enough to complete in a few hours, giving you plenty of time to visit other parts of the park.

The trailhead is at an overlook of the crater formed from an eruption in 1959 that was marked by fountaining lava over a half-mile long and a plume reaching a world-record 1900ft high. The first part of the trail is a descent through a lush rainforest lined with native ʻōhiʻa and koa trees. Look for the white-rumped ʻapapanae , a nectarivorous Hawaiian honeycreeper, often found flitting from tree to tree. The switchbacks end at the crater floor, a vast moonscape that sharply contrasts with the surrounding native forests.

This lava tube – also known as Thurston Lava Tube – was created by a river of 2000°F (1093°C) molten lava about 500 years ago. Discovered in 1913, this massive lava cave is very accessible, with a flat rock floor and ceiling height of more than 20ft in places. Electric lights illuminate most of the path, though you may want to bring a flashlight – it takes about 20 minutes to stroll through the tube. The rainforest that surrounds Nāhuku is brimming with native birds, including the scarlet ʻiʻiwi , a Hawaiian honeycreeper listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act.

Hōlei Sea Arch

At the end of the Chain of Craters Road – about 18 miles from the Kīlauea Visitor Center – is the Hōlei Sea Arch , a 90-ft-tall rock formation cut into the cliff of an ancient lava flow about 550 years ago. In 2020, the park opened a new viewing area about 1000ft past the gate at the end of the road and set back away from the cliff edge.

Puʻuloa Petroglyphs

There’s an area of Pānau Nui on the southern flank of Kīlauea with numerous pecked images, or petroglyphs, in the hardened lava. Puʻuloa, which translates to “long hill” in ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi (the Hawaiian language), is a sacred place to Native Hawaiians. The archaeological site here boasts more than 23,000 petroglyphs – the largest collection in Hawaiʻi – with motifs of circles, canoe sails, human forms, feathered capes and other geometric shapes.

Devastation Trail

This half-mile hike is suitable for everyone as it's wheelchair and stroller accessible. The paved path meanders through a stark yet beautiful landscape buried by falling cinder from lava fountains of the 1959 Kīlauea Iki eruption. You might find volcanic debris in the form of glass-like droplets and strands called Pele’s Tears and Pele’s Hair, respectively, named after the revered Hawaiian goddess of fire and volcanoes. Nēnē (Hawaiian geese) frequent this area; refrain from feeding or interacting with this threatened species.

My favorite thing to do at Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park

Unfortunately, there aren’t many places in Hawaiʻi where you find native forest birds anymore. Their populations have plummeted due to habitat destruction, predators like feral cats, mongoose and non-native mosquitoes that spread avian pox and avian malaria.

But at Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, where native habitats are protected and able to thrive, you can see – and hear – a variety of these special birds, from the friendly ʻelepaio (Hawaiian flycatcher) to the elusive ʻōmaʻo (Hawaiian thrush), which can only be found in the montane rainforests on Hawaiʻi Island. The bright orange ʻākepa , an endangered Hawaiian honeycreeper with an odd-shaped beak, can be spotted in the high-elevation forests of the park’s Kahuku Unit. And if you’re lucky, you might catch a glimpse of the endemic ʻio , the only hawk species native to Hawaiʻi.

I love wandering along the 1.2-mile Kīpukapuaulu Trail, an easy loop through pristine native forestland in an area known as a “bird park.” A kīpuka is an area of land that’s surrounded by younger lava flows, like an “island” within a sea of lava. There are more native tree species per acre here than any other forest in the national park, which means you’ll find native forest birds that rely on the native trees that grow here.

How much money do I need?

Park entry costs $30 for a private car, $25 for a motorcycle, and $15 for pedestrians and cyclists. The park has gone cashless, so payment has to be made with debit or credit cards in person or online .

If you're also planning to visit Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park near Kailua-Kona or Haleakalā National Park on Maui, consider buying the Hawaiʻi Tri-Park Annual Pass for $55. This allows you to enter all three of these parks in a single, private vehicle.

The National Park Service offers free admission to everyone on the following days: Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the first day of National Park Week in April, Juneteenth, the Great American Outdoors Act, National Public Lands Day and Veterans Day.

Average costs at Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park

• Basic room for two at Volcano House: $80 to $385 per night
• Airbnb in Volcano: $150 average per night
• Cup of coffee: $3.50
• Midrange meal: $15-$20 per person
• Local beer: $10
• Gas (regular) in Hilo: $4.81 per gallon

How to travel in the park consciously

With two active volcanoes and ongoing construction to repair damage caused by the 2018 Kīlauea eruption, it’s important to stay on marked trails and overlooks and keep out of closed areas. And no matter what you may have seen on social media, please leave the rocks alone and unstacked. Park staff often use ahu (stacked rocks) to mark trails; it’s not an invitation to do the same. Not only is it culturally insensitive but it can be disorienting to hikers who rely on the ahu to guide them along trails. It’s also long believed that taking lava rocks brings bad luck. Hundreds of people return rocks they’ve taken from the park every year.

There are many culturally significant sites within the park, itself a Unesco World Heritage Site. These include petroglyphs, historic trails, fossilized footprints, shelter caves, heiau (Hawaiian temples) and stone walls of canoe sheds and corrals. Many of these sites are listed in the National Register of Historic Places – please be respectful when you get the chance to see them close up.

The land within the park is sacred to Native Hawaiians, with moʻolelo (stories) and mele (songs) tied to this area. They believe Pele, the Hawaiian goddess of fire and volcanoes, lives in Halemaʻumaʻu Crater at the summit of Kīlauea. If you come across Native Hawaiians performing cultural rituals in the park, keep a respectful distance. Let them – and others – connect undisturbed with nature.

This article was first published September 2021 and updated April 2024

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The kids are going to summer camp. Time to plan an adult vacation.

The nearby trip can be comforting while also maintaining independence.

Michelle Minor drove more than 600 miles last summer to drop off her 12-year-old son at NASA space camp, his first overnight summer camp. Once he was settled in, Minor didn’t drive back home. She and her partner drove about two hours away to Nashville, where they stayed for the week.

“I wanted to be close. That’s really it. I did not feel like I could have him far away,” Minor said, who lives in Evanston, Ill., multiple states away from her son’s camp in Alabama. “I think he kind of also felt comforted by the fact that I was close by, that I wasn’t states and states away.”

It was an added bonus that for the first time in a long time, Minor and her partner got to enjoy a couples vacation. They’re planning a similar trip this August, when Minor’s son goes back to overnight camp.

“We could get to know each other as just adults again, doing things that we like, that aren’t necessarily related to us being parents, like art museums or live music. ... We could actually go see live music that starts at 9 p.m., and we don’t have to get up and make scrambled eggs at 7:30,” she joked.

Every summer, more than 26 million kids and adults attend camps, with overnight camps increasing their enrollment, according to the American Camp Association. As some parents sort out their children’s summer plans and make camp packing lists, they’re also planning nearby trips of their own. Here’s how to start thinking about one.

What to consider

Jody LeVos, chief learning officer at the children’s education company Begin, said staying close by while kids go to camp can be comforting for parents, but still allows children to build friendships and independence.

“It’s not going to impact the child’s experience. They’re away from their parents, whether the parent is half an hour away or six hours away, so it’s more about the parent and what makes them comfortable,” LeVos said.

She says each child develops independence at their own pace, but when they’re emotionally and mentally prepared, overnight camp can be a great opportunity for kids to enhance their skills. The transition, however, can be nerve-racking for parents who are seeing their child’s growing independence.

“Parents may be asking the what-ifs, you know, what happens if my child needs me or gets hurt? And so there is some anxiety around, what will the child do when I’m not there to protect them or respond to their every need?” LeVos said.

She recommends practicing overnight camp routines with children who are going away for the first time, like having them sleep in their sleeping bag at home first and practicing other routines that may typically get done with help from parents.

Melanie Gast is planning her first summer vacation spent without her older kids. After years of attending camps near their home in West Palm Beach, Fla., her 13-year-old daughter and 10-year-old son will attend their first overnight camps during the same week; an outdoors summer camp for the eldest, and a nearby overnight science camp for her son.

“I look at this as an amazing vacation for my husband and I,” Gast said. She and her husband will bring their 2-year-old daughter along on the trip to Memphis, but they’re planning to take turns entertaining her at the hotel while the other parent visits Graceland, the National Civil Rights Museum and other sights.

“We’ll still have a baby, but that’s really different than having a teenager and a 10-year-old,” Gast said. “So for me this is the best it can get.”

Most parents find a camp first then find a nearby city to explore, but it’s possible to reverse engineer that part of the process. The most important thing to do is make sure the chosen camp will be one that keeps your child engaged from start to finish. Once your kid is enrolled, you can start planning your own nearby getaway, but know that unforeseen hiccups at camp could cut a parent’s vacation short, such as illness.

Gast chose Memphis as the city she wanted to visit for vacation, then found summer camps for her children that were within a driving range that made her comfortable. Both Gast and Minor said a city that’s about a three-hour drive or less from camp is best.

LeVos says parents who are nervous about how well their child is adapting to their new environment should make time for movement to relieve stress.

“Going for a walk at night, looking up at the stars, knowing that your child is looking at the same stars can be really helpful and remind families that they may be a little bit apart, but they’re still together,” she said.

LeVos also recommends journaling, for both children at camp and their parents, to explore what emotions come up when the family is apart. Once reunited, family members can use their notes as an entry point for understanding how the time went for everyone.

A win for both parents and kids

At the end of camp, LeVos says children will likely return home feeling proud of the way they cared for themselves and developed new skills for managing their emotions.

That’s what Minor experienced when her son returned from camp last year. He did better than she expected. “I was like, ‘Oh, okay, you did bring all the clothes home? You actually wore all of them versus wearing the same thing? Oh, you did good.’ Those are important life skills,” she said.

She’s more comfortable sending her son back for another overnight camp this year, but she’ll still be vacationing nearby, just in case.

“This is an opportunity to not only still be the best parent – because as a parent, you get a lot of credibility when you send your kid to space camp, but then you also get to enjoy some of the benefits in a rewarding way,” Minor said. “Everybody wins here.”

Sheeka Sanahori is a travel journalist and video producer based in Atlanta. You can find her on Instagram: @sheeka.sanahori .

More From Forbes

7 ways to travel more sustainably.

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Sustainable travel can be fun, rewarding and not at all challenging

Sustainable travel is surging in popularity, but what does it mean? The vague term can refer to traveling in a way that’s conscientious of the environment and local communities, leaving less of an impact on a destination and perhaps even bettering the location in the process. Sustainable tourism, in many ways a reaction to overtourism, helps protect the planet, to ensure destinations are liveable and worth visiting for years to come. And while travel can certainly takes its toll, creating carbon emissions, waste and more, responsible tourism is an essential step in protecting the planet.

Sustainable Travel Tips

Responsible tourism helps the environment by limiting ecological impact, supporting indigenous wildlife, respecting cultural heritage, and not taking away from a destination as a visitor, be it removing a shell from a beach or littering on a hiking trail. Plenty of responsible travel itineraries are easily replicable, but many trips can be adapted to be more sustainable. There are so many ways, big and small, to travel more responsibly and sustainably. Here’s how to start:

1. TSA-Friendly Doesn’t Need To Be Earth Hostile

You can buy single use and tiny versions of pretty much every care product these days, but do you actually need to? Opt for refillable travel bottles to decant your normal products into, and you’ll always have TSA-friendly bottles of shampoo, lotion, whatever you need at the ready. If you prefer to travel without liquids, consider switching to bars of shampoo and conditioner toothpaste powder and other products, which are eco-friendly wherever you are.

Planning ahead can be a major factor in sustainable travel

2. Opt For Public Transit

Public transportation — buses, trains, light rail, etc. — is always more sustainable than a private ride. If possible, use public transit to get to and from your destination and learn your destination’s public transit system to navigate while you explore. Not only will you likely save money as well as lower your carbon footprint, you’ll get a taste of how locals live. If public transit isn’t an option, consider booking shared rides to the airport and excursions, or renting an electric or hybrid vehicle if driving solo is the only option.

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A bit of planning ahead can save considerable landfill waste. Bringing a reusable coffee cup for morning coffee runs and reusable water bottle will hopefully cut down the amount of single-use items you purchase on the go. Other easy to pack items including a reusable travel utensil set, reusable straws and reusable earplugs can help avoid creating more waste on the road. If you’re someone who discards beach reads, consider switching to an e-reader. Pack tote bags to carry souvenirs or other items purchased on the road that won’t require disposable plastic bags.

4. Eat Conscientiously

Eating local is the best way for your diet to support local eco-systems. Not only does dining at independent, small businesses (e.g. not chains), support local business people, but can often have lower environmental impact than major franchised restaurants that ship ingredients and supplies across the country. Making lower impact choices, including eating mostly plant-based, when possible, can also make travel a bit greener. If you don’t have anything to do with leftovers, consider ordering with a bit more restriction so you aren’t creating an excess of food waste.

Local culinary experiences can be healthy, fulfilling and sustainable

5. Book A Sustainable Hotel

Staying at a property dedicated to sustainability can make a big impact, especially by showing the travel industry that this is a priority for hospitality. Hotels are offered various certifications to prove their sustainable status, which can be achieved as a remote eco-lodge or luxury property in a major city. Several hotels are seeking LEED certification , the Green Hotels Association has a collection of vendors who prioritize sustainability, and the Leading Hotels of the World has a sustainability collection of five star properties.

6. Buy Carbon Offsets

While we technically can’t undo the damage we cause to the environment, there are initiatives to at least mitigate it. Carbon offsets allow consumers to compensate for their carbon footprint by funding projects that reduce carbon dioxide pollution. CoolEffect.org can help you decide how much to give, based on trip itinerary and logistics. For example, to offset air travel, a roundtrip, 6-hour flight would add about 1.89 tons of CO2 per passenger, and $31.17 of carbon offsets would help mitigate that.

Some airlines offer the option to purchase carbon offsets alongside airfare

7. Slow Down Your Travel

Slow travel is a buzzword that’s emerged in the 2020s, when work and leisure travel aka bleisure have melded more than ever, and the concept of working and even socializing remotely is totally normalized. Rather than a quick jaunt back and forth, slow travel emphasizes taking your time with tourism, be it living in a rental property for a month and enjoying the sights on the weekends, going backpacking, biking or hiking for an extended off the grid period, or traveling via train instead of air. Slow tourism has been proven to have a positive environmental impact .

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Being back in the beach house that witnessed much of my 20s feels strange and wondrous – like a sort of time travel

I run from room to room, touching things as if they’ll somehow transport me to the past. Not much has changed in the old weatherboard

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M any years ago, a friend from university invited some of us to his mum’s beach house at Walkerville South. His mum had bought the house super cheap before the world had discovered that there was another impressive coastline in Victoria, far away from the more established houses of the Mornington Peninsula or the Great Ocean Road.

The house was a weatherboard shack hidden in thick native bush. There were two bedrooms, and a large corner couch in the lounge that doubled as two extra beds when needed. Fronted by large windows, you could spy the ocean through the tall trees while standing in the kitchen and waiting for the kettle to boil. It was a house that didn’t need too much attention. From the straw matting on the floor to the green bathroom straight out of the 1970s, it was immediately welcoming, and once you arrived, you didn’t want to leave.

On that first visit, I slept on one of the couch-beds, preferring to keep the curtains open so I could see the darkness of the sky. And in the morning, I woke to a row of noisy rosellas hanging out on the edge of the deck, waiting for birdseed. We swam even in the height of winter, running into the cold, foamy water and lasting only minutes before tiptoeing with bare feet back up the hill to the waiting fire. We drank too much cheap red wine, ate simple meals of beans and rice, and laughed late into the night. It was one of those bonding weekends that was so joyful, it was repeated more than once.

After we left university and scattered in different directions, I still borrowed the house from time to time, introducing it to other friends, including the man who would one day become my partner. After he and I started going out, we visited just the two of us, and I remember mocking him for pulling on a wetsuit before wading into the sea. The house witnessed much of my 20s, those lost years when none of us knew what we were going to do with the rest of our lives, and coming together somehow made us feel safe.

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And then my university friend married his partner and moved to another state, and we lost contact. I stopped visiting the house because he wasn’t around to lend me the keys. But years later, each time I read Alison Lester’s wonderful Magic Beach to my children, I would be transported back to the wilds of Walkerville South, a place that had become almost mythical in my memory.

Three years ago, as the pandemic restrictions lifted, friends invited the kids and I to visit them on their summer holiday. I’d been to the Gippsland coast often as an adult and knew the roads well, but I hadn’t stayed at Walkerville South since that time. I was surprised to see how little had changed. A gravel road still led the way in, and the hill behind the beach was still dotted with only a handful of houses.

We pulled up outside the place my friends had rented and started unloading the car. As we walked in, I felt a prickle of familiarity. There was a corner couch that doubled as a bed in the lounge, large sliding glass doors out to the deck, and a green kitchen straight out of the 1970s. But it was the coloured Marimekko curtains that hung to the floor, more faded than when I’d last seen them, that did it. I knew immediately that it was the same house.

Excited, I asked who owned the house and my friend told me. I grinned when I heard that my old university friend’s mum still owned it. They didn’t know her well, but she was a friend of a friend and she still rented out the place to people sometimes. Now in her 90s, she didn’t visit it herself very often any more.

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I ran from room to room checking the fittings to see if they were the same, touching things as if they’d somehow transport me back to the past. I gripped the same green ball handles on the bathroom door. Ran my fingers along the same boxed-up board games stacked in the shelves in the lounge. And bent down to rub the fur back of the large grey, stuffed wombat that sat waiting near the fireplace, a little more loved looking than it had been all those years before.

Not much had changed in the old weatherboard. It held such stories in its walls. And now I was back, and it felt strange and wondrous like a sort of time travel. I stood on the deck, knowing the rosellas would soon land, and remembered a time when I was younger, freer, less worried about what was coming. When sleeping on a couch in the corner of a room was fought over, and when swimming in the winter sea was a given.

Nova Weetman is an award-winning children’s author. Her adult memoir, Love, Death & Other Scenes , is out in April 2024 from UQP

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