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• Road Trip Planner

Road Trip Planning Made Easy

Create custom day trips, weekend getaways, and cross country adventures worldwide

Powerful features for planning your epic road trips (and the shorter adventures in between)

Unlimited stops.

Add unlimited stops and sub-stops. Combine your own stops with our pre-planned routes and recommended places of interest.

Smart Scheduling

By the minute, hour, or overnight, set preferences for each stop. Export your trip to your own Calendar.

Set Vehicle Type

Car, RV, camper trailer, truck, motorcycle, pulling a boat? Get a realistic estimate of driving time. Adjust travel speed by percentages for each unique situation.

Divide Trips Into Days

Divide your trips into manageable driving days based on your custom settings by time or distance. And of course you can customize each day differently.

Route Preferences

Configure route preferences such as avoiding highways or tolls for each day or any segment of your trip.

Use Any Device

Plan trips from your desktop computer, iPad, Android tablet, and mobile phone with the same easy-to-use interface. No app to download or software to install.

Automated To Do List guides you through the road trip planning process.

Manage Your Budget

Track expenditures before you go and along the way. See a summary of expenses for entrance fees, activities, restaurants, and lodging, etc.

Gas Calculator

See the estimated fuel cost for your vehicle type.

EV Charging

Find EV charging stations along your route. Get reminders to recharge. Use Charging Ranges to display icons on the map where your vehicle will require recharging.

Export Options

We support Google Earth (KML), Garmin Communicator, BaseCamp and MapSource (GPX), Co-Pilot Live (TRP), Microsoft Streets and Trips, TomTom itineraries (ITN), TomTom Places of Interest (OV2), Comma Separated Files (CSV), and Tab Separated Files (TSV).

Directions on paper come in handy. Print your road trip with turn-by-turn maps and full directions, divided into your day-by-day itinerary.

Is This Really Free?

Yes! It is free to use our Scenic Drive Itineraries and Road Trip Planner. Please consider purchasing your National Park or National Forest passes on myscenicdrives.com.

Why Do I Need An Account?

A free account is only required for the Road Trip Planner, enabling you to create, edit, and save your trips. Your account is secure. We never share your information.

Do I Need to Download An App or Install Software?

No app or software is needed. myscenicdrives.com works in any browser. Simply go to myscenicdrives.com

More Resources

Documentation, myscenicdrives.com, how it works.

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Get directions & show routes

You can get directions for driving, public transit, walking, ride sharing, cycling, flight, or motorcycle on Google Maps. If there are multiple routes, the best route to your destination is blue, all other routes are gray. Some directions in Google Maps are in development and may have limited availability. 

Important: Stay alert when you use directions on Google Maps. Always be aware of your surroundings to ensure the safety of yourself and others. When in doubt, follow actual traffic regulations and confirm signage from the road or path that you’re on.

• On your computer, open Google Maps .

• Click points on the map, type an address, or add a place name.

Tip: To choose another route in any transportation mode, select it on the map. Each route shows the estimated travel time on the map.

Google Maps transportation modes

You can get directions for different modes of transportation in Google Maps. Learn about the differences in features and availability between each mode:

• If you want to change a driving route, click and hold a spot on the route and drag it to a new spot on the map.

• Not all cities have public transit directions in Google Maps. Before you can get transit directions, your local transit agency needs to add their route info to Google Maps.

• If you want directions in an area with ride or taxi services, you can compare ride services with transit and walking directions. Learn how to request a ride .

• Directions to multiple destinations, or waypoints, aren’t available for public transit or flight searches.
• Learn more about how to search for flights .

• Learn how to get directions for motorcycles .

Add multiple destinations

You can get directions to multiple destinations for all modes of transportation except public transit or flight.

• Add a starting point and a destination.

• You can add up to 9 stops.
• Click on a route to get the directions.

Tip : You can search for places along your route.

To change the order of your stops: 

• Find the destination you want to move. 
• Drag the destination.

Preview directions in Street View

• On your computer, under the route you want, click Details.

• Point to a step in the directions. If Street View is available, you get a preview photo.
• To get Street View for other steps in the route, in the bottom-left box, click Previous step or Next step.

Customize your route

• Choose Options .
• Check the box next to "Tolls" or "Highways."
• Get directions.
• After you get your directions, click Leave now .
• To change your travel dates or times, select Depart at or Arrive by .

When you enter a destination in Google Maps, we show you how to get there using different travel modes, like driving, cycling, or walking. 

Sometimes, the transport options we show you are ranked according to a combination of objective factors designed to help you find relevant and useful information. These factors can include duration, distance, price, your mode preference, or the relevance of a mode to your query. Generally, the most important factors are your mode preference, trip durations, and sometimes price.

Where available, we also show you other mobility services like public transport, scooter or bicycle rentals, and vehicle ride services. These mobility services are provided by third parties who have made their transport data publicly available or who have a partner agreement with us. Any partnerships or business relationships we may have with any transportation service providers do not influence the ranking of these services.

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• Plan your commute or trip

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5 Travel Planning Apps With Live Maps to Plot a Trip Itinerary

These free travel planning apps show all your activities and attractions on a live map and help you plot an itinerary.

Since the pandemic, you need to plan your trips carefully. So many things can change in no time, and people, in general, are traveling more, so advance bookings are crucial. These travel planning apps will help you plot an itinerary and ensure you don't miss out on any activities or attractions.

All the apps in this list come with maps that show all the locations you're traveling to. It's much better than using a Google Doc to write out your plan. Each app does something a little different or better than the others, so you'll likely find exactly what you're looking for in a travel planning app.

1. Scout (Web): Best Travel Planner for Cities With Detailed Map

When you're planning a trip to a new city, either alone or as a group, you will usually list many places you want to visit. With Scout, you can add these in different sections and see them on a live map, thus making it easier to figure out which places are within close distance and create an itinerary.

When you start a new trip in Scout, you'll first have to pick a city you're visiting and set your arrival and departure dates. By default, you get sections for attractions, food, and accommodations. But you can always add more custom sections. Each section gets its colored pin marker (for example, all food places will show as blue pins). You can add a place by searching for it or typing out the full address. It's powered by Google Maps, so it'll be easy to find any place.

Once you've added the points of interest, open the itinerary view to see your dates. Drag-and-drop places from the first bar to any day's itinerary. Once you add multiple places to a day, the map will automatically create a route for that day, linking all the places. You can rearrange them to find the best route to take.

You can also share your Scout trip with others, so that they can add their own points of interest and update the itinerary to create a group plan. It's also a helpful way to get tips from locals, as they'll be able to add recommendations directly to your map.

Scout also lets you publish your map or itinerary to its directory so that others can discover your helpful recommendations. And of course, you can browse the directory to find what others have recommended.

2. Puffin (Web): Find the Best Commute or Route for Your Travel Itinerary

Puffin is similar to Scout, with a few minor differences. When you create a new trip in Puffin and add a city, it automatically gives you a few recommendations for interesting and unique tourist spots , which show up as flowers on the map. Then, you start adding places of interest by searching for them in the left sidebar when set to Places, after which they'll show up as pins on the map.

Once you've added all the pins you want, switch the sidebar from Places to Itinerary. Create a new "day" and drag places from the map to that day. Puffin will automatically create a commute for you in the order of the places. Rearrange the places to get a better commute. You can also set a custom color for all the places and routes for a day.

For a detailed view of your entire itinerary, toggle the "View Full Schedule" button at the top of the sidebar. This will show a kanban board-like view of all your days. You can quickly drag and drop places between different days.

Puffin trips can also be shared between friends to build a trip collaboratively. Other users can comment on any place, so you can have a chat within Puffin on whether that place is worth going to or not.

3. Travel Trove (Web): Detailed Travel Planner for Multi-City Trips

Travel Trove is an excellent app if you go to a new country and plan to visit multiple cities. First, add the country you'll be going to, and then add the places you want to visit. For example, if you were going to Italy, search for the Colosseum and for the Leaning Tower of Pisa, and add both. Then, in your sidebar, Travel Trove will automatically list them under the different cities of Rome and Pisa.

For every place you add, you can also put in a few notes about it. Travel Trove also automatically scrapes information from Google Maps like the website, timings, and address of that place.

Once you've added all the places, switch to itinerary mode (and select all the cities in your trip when prompted). Now you'll be building a day-by-day itinerary for your visit. Each day has an "accommodation" slot and more slots for AM and PM to plan your holidays. Simply drag-and-drop your places to these slots to build the plan. You can also add notes for each day.

Travel Trove lets you quickly filter places by categories you have set while adding them, like must-visit, food, accommodation, etc. You can also add Packing Notes to your itinerary to ensure you don't forget anything. Once you're done with the travel plan, you can share it with others too.

4. Travel Mapper (Web): Google Sheets Travel Itinerary With Live Map

When you're planning the itinerary for your next trip, you usually want to visualize it on Google Maps too. Travel Mapper is a custom Google Sheets template that lets you create your travel itinerary, share it with friends, and instantly add the locations to Google Maps.

Travel Mapper is simple to use. Once you download the add-on, open a new Google Sheet and go to Extensions > Travel Mapper > Start Here > Generate Template . Add the date, time, activity, location, links, costs, and any additional notes in the sheet. The sidebar shows the Google Map for your itinerary, which you can update when you make any changes.

The map is customizable. You can add color codes for different elements and filter activities to see your map differently. The Google Maps in the sidebar can also be used to discover other places of interest nearby to any location. It's one of the best Google Maps hacks for travel trips .

Travel Mapper also includes a to-do list, a packing checklist, and a favorites list to ensure you don't forget anything. You can also share your newly created sheet with friends, who can add their own locations to the map.

5. Plip (Web, Android, iOS): Mobile-First Collaborative Trip Planner With Maps

The apps mentioned above in this list are all made to be used on computers. However, Plip bucks the trend by being a mobile-first travel planning app so that you can plan your entire trip on your phone or tablet. Plip also has a web app if you want to use it on your laptop.

Register for an account once you create a new trip; otherwise, your travels won't be saved. You can keep the trip private or share it with a group by adding others' emails.

When you want to add a new entry, there are eight types of plans to choose from: plan (generic), flight, reservation, lodging, restaurant, event, vehicle rental, and transit. The default details to fill for any entry are the title, the location, the start and end date and time, and any notes if necessary. Certain plans have additional entries, like "Provider" in events or "Confirmation number" in lodgings.

You can quickly filter your entries by the type of plan to view them in a list. Otherwise, switch to the Map view to view all your places of interest marked on the map, and scroll through a pane at the bottom.

Download: Plip for Android | iOS (Free)

Plan Well, But Look for Last Minute Deals

These apps will help plan out your entire trip, giving you a clear idea of when and where you will be. But don't yet rush to book it all.

The travel and hospitality industry has a lot of last-minute deals on flights, hotels, and tourist attractions. You should try to take advantage of these where you can. Since you will plan out your trip, add a few alternatives or flexible dates with flexible itineraries so that you can wait a bit more and benefit from these deals.

How to use Google Maps as a trip planner and make a full itinerary

• You can use Google Maps as a trip planner through the "Places" and "My Maps" features.
• Both the Google Maps website and app let you save locations to lists, which you can then get immediate directions to.
• When getting directions, you can look up reviews and add multiple stops to your route.

Google Maps has become an essential part of any road trip. After all, it's a GPS, business directory, and reviews platform all-in-one.

But if you spend some time with it, you can integrate Google Maps even more seamlessly into your next vacation. Google Maps has a variety of features you can use to plan your trip and save any interesting spots you find on the way.

Here's how to make Google Maps your trip planner, using the Places feature, My Maps, and more.

How to use Google Maps as a trip planner

Use the 'places' feature to save points of interest.

Let's say you're traveling, and happen to stumble upon the cutest coffee shop you've ever seen. You want to visit, but don't have time right now — what's the best way to remember it?

Google Maps' Places feature can help you out. Both the Google Maps website and app let you save any location on the map to a list, which you can then easily find later.

1. Open Google Maps and click, tap, or search for the location that you want to save.

2. Find the Save icon , which has the icon of a bookmark. You'll find it right under the location's name, but you might need to swipe to find it in the mobile app.

3. Pick where you want to save the location to. You've got three lists to start with — Favorites , Starred places , and Want to go — but you can make a new one by tapping New list .

4. Once you've saved the location, you can find it again by opening the list. In the mobile app, tap Saved at the bottom of the screen; on the website, click the three stacked lines in the top-left and then Your places .

Tap on a location in your list to have the map jump straight to it.

Look at Google Reviews to find the best shops

Nearly every point of interest on Google Maps has a section for user reviews. Similar to sites like Yelp, these reviews can be a great way to see which stops are must-sees and which you can pass.

To check out reviews:

1. Open Google Maps and find the location that you're interested in.

2. At the top of its information page should be a star rating and a number, showing how many people have left reviews.

3. Scroll down until you hit the Reviews section, and you'll find reviews from other users who've visited the location. They'll include a star rating, a date, and occasionally a picture.

If you're interested in leaving a review of your own, check out our article on how to write Google reviews .

Make a custom My Maps page to share your road trip plan

Only available on a computer as of this month , Google's My Maps program lets you make a custom map or plot out a route with as many waypoints as you like, and then save and share it with others.

1. Head to the My Maps homepage and click Create a New Map .

2. You'll be given a world map. In the menu in the top-left, click the Untitled map name to give your map a name.

3. Use the search bar at the top of the page to find any location, then click Add to map to save it. You can add as many points of interest as you like.

4. You can also save multiple separate lists of locations to the same map; just click Add layer in the top-left menu.

5. To save directions between multiple locations, click the Add directions icon that looks like a curved arrow. It'll add a new layer that you can use to plot a path.

6. When you're done, click Share or Preview in the top-left window.

Add multiple stops to one trip

Driving from one city to another is simple. But if you want to make stops along the way — lunch, the beach, a mall — things get complicated.

Luckily, you don't need to start a new Google Maps route for every stop. You can create one navigation route that includes every stop from the start, giving you a clear way to see how long it'll all take.

1. Open the Google Maps app and start navigating to another location.

2. On the screen that lets you pick your starting and ending location, tap the three dot icon .

3. Select Add stop .

4. A third waypoint — labeled "B" — will appear. Tap it to choose your second destination, or drag it to reorder the waypoints.

On a computer

1. On the Google Maps app website, find a location and start getting directions to it.

2. Underneath the menu that lets you pick your starting and ending location, click Add destination . 

3. A new field will appear. Enter your third waypoint.

4. Once you pick a new waypoint, you'll be able to click Add destination again and pick another one, as well as reorder them.

You can add up to nine destinations on both the website and mobile app.

On February 28, Axel Springer, Business Insider's parent company, joined 31 other media groups and filed a $2.3 billion suit against Google in Dutch court, alleging losses suffered due to the company's advertising practices.

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The best trip planner apps to make your travels easier

Booking a trip can be an exciting yet daunting task. As if booking airfare, hotel, and transportation weren't enough, you also need to consider food, sights, and attractions. As a travel lover myself, I often dread planning and preparing for a trip. Not only do I never have the time, but I often get oversaturated by the vast amount of information found online and the fear of getting scammed. 

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Over the years, I've found the best websites and apps to help smooth out the planning process. These apps help me keep track of all my reservations, send me booking reminders, and guarantee I always find the best prices -- because there is nothing worse than falling for tourist traps or overpriced offerings. 

Whether you are a spontaneous or a nitty-gritty planner traveler, ZDNET has tested and reviewed the best trip planner apps on the market. Our top pick for the best trip planner site and app is Booking.com due to its easy-to-use user interface, extensive booking capabilities, and pricing. However, since not every trip or traveler is the same, we've included several options to help you plan and stay organized during your travels. 

Keep reading to learn more about ZDNET's expert-tested and reviewed trip planner apps. 

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The best trip planner apps of 2023

Booking.com, best overall trip planner.

• Multiple bookings
• Great deals
• Can earn points from bookings and reservations
• Easy to use
• No group planning
• Can't organize bookings per trip

Booking.com features:   Platform: App and website |  Compatibility:  iOS and Android |  Pricing:  Free |  Booking:  Yes |  Group planning:  No

When planning my trips, I always make a stop at the Booking.com app, especially when reserving hotels. I find their user interface visually appealing and easy to use, and that it provides just the right amount of information I need when scrolling through hotel suggestions. Personally, I enjoy that I can add my top picks to my favorites with a quick tap of a heart, glance through reviews, look at cancellation policies, and even find out how far away hotels are from key spots. Through Booking.com, you can also book flights, car rentals, taxis, and city attractions, making it a great all-in-one place to plan and book upcoming weekend getaways or longer vacations. While I have personally never used the car rentals, taxis, or city attractions components of the app, I enjoy knowing that if I ever needed to, I can quickly hop on my phone and glance at the latest offerings. 

My favorite feature when using Booking.com to plan trips is the offers and promotions it displays for users. In the app, when you click your profile, you can see your "Genius" loyalty program status as well as discover the best deals around the world for your specific chosen dates. My only critique of Booking.com is that it does not enable group trip planning or let you organize your bookings per trip. This means if you are planning a trip with a friend, only one person can book and have access to reservations. 

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Best trip planner for organization

• Synced with e-mail inbox
• Organizes reservations no matter where you book
• Works offline
• Can't make any bookings
• Need to pay for advanced features
• UI could use an upgrade

TripIt features:   Platform:  App and website |  Compatibility: iOS and Android | Pricing: Free or $49 per year | Booking: No | Group planning: Yes

In terms of planning a trip, creating an itinerary, and keeping all your information in one place, TripIt is one of the best travel apps to keep yourself organized. When you first create an account, TripIt will sync with your inbox and automatically add all of your upcoming flights and reservations to your account. You can then modify each trip to include as little or as much information as you'd like. As someone who likes to be spontaneous when traveling, I usually only add the essentials: flight information, hotel reservations, and important documents. However, if you like to plan your trips down by the hour, you can also include activities, restaurant reservations, transportation, and more in your trip plan to share with fellow travelers.

As your trip approaches, TripIt will also send you packing reminders, give you COVID-19 travel guidance, and show transportation options. While you can get most of the essential features within the free version of the app (this is the one I use), you can also pay $49 a year to get advanced features such as check-in reminders, real-time flight alerts, point tracking, and even notifications for drops in airfare prices. 

Keep in mind that while TripIt gives you transportation options and finds places near your hotel, you cannot book or make any reservations directly from the app. The app is solely used to organize and keep track of all of your travel plans in one place, no matter where you book them. 

Best AI trip planner

• Personalized travel itinerary
• Hotel booking
• Can modify recommendations
• Group planning enabled
• Only available as a website
• No flight or restaurant booking

Guide features:   Platform: Website  Compatibility: all major browsers |  Pricing:  Free | Booking: Yes, but hotels only | Group Planning: Yes  Generative AI is everyone's favorite buzzword this year, and slowly but surely, it has been making its way across all industries -- including the travel industry. Guide is an innovative AI travel planning tool that creates personalized travel itineraries based on your preferences. (Full disclosure, it's also owned by ZDNET's sister company. It's currently in private beta, but you can join a wait list.) All you need to do is select your destination, the dates, whether you are traveling alone or in a group, your budget, and the types of activities you are looking for, and Guide will do the planning. 

After generating a trip itinerary for you based on your prompt, Guide then lets you modify and customize the itinerary to your liking. I recently used Guide to plan a six-day trip to Austin, Texas, and this was the feature I enjoyed the most, since I had specific restaurants and activities I wanted to incorporate into my trip, but I also needed some additional recommendations. While you can't book flights or restaurant reservations through Guide, you can book and find great hotel deals powered by Expedia on the platform. 

Guide will also give you an overall budget for your trip, a packing list, and a comprehensive list of things to know about your destination -- which may be helpful for some more than others. While my trip to Austin was a solo trip, Guide has a feature where you can invite other fellow travelers to collaborate in planning your trip through Guide's chatbot, GuideBot. This chatbot also works sort of like ChatGPT, where you can ask GuideBot questions about your trip, your destination, or recommendations. Keep in mind you can not ask GuideBot to directly modify your trip for you, and instead need to manually do it yourself -- believe me, I tried. 

Tripadvisor

Best trip planner app for reviews.

• Countless reviews
• Used by travelers worldwide
• Variety of information
• Booking capabilities
• Great for local spots
• Booking is not its strongest feature and you may not always find the best deals
• Doesn't vet reviews

Tripadvisor  features: Platform:  App and website |  Compatibility:  iOS and Android |  Pricing:  Free |  Booking:  Yes |  Group planning:  No

Reading customer reviews is one of the most important steps when planning a trip. While you shouldn't base all of your decisions on reviews, you should consider past customer experiences to get a feel for the brand and company you are about to trust, or the experience you are going to pay for.  When it comes to travel reviews, Tripadvisor is the best trip planner app to rely on. Since the platform has so many reviews for restaurants, activities, accommodations, and locations all over the world, it is always easy and convenient to log onto the app or website to help you make an educated decision. (However, remember that not all Tripadvisor reviews are legit, since the platform does not independently verify customer postings.) Beyond reviews, TripAdvisor also lets you book hotels, restaurants, things to do, and more while also providing detailed insights into their offerings -- including cancellation policies, ratings, and features. 

Tripadvisor's "Travelers' Choice" best-of list is also a popular part of its platform, allowing visitors to see top-rated destinations, hotels, restaurants, and things to do around the world. With Tripadvisor, you can plan a trip yourself from scratch, hire a trip designer, or get a custom itinerary built by AI. 

Best trip planner app for transportation

• Great multi-mode travel comparison
• convenient and seamless transportation booking
• Multiple currency and language availability
• Flight deals and suggestions are not the strongest
• Limited offers depending on the country or city of travel
• Not the most reliable customer service

Omio features:  Platform:  App and website |  Compatibility:  iOS and Android |  Pricing:  Free |  Booking:  Yes, transportation only |  Group planning:  No

I first discovered Omio when a friend recommended it to me while I was studying abroad in Spain, and ever since I downloaded it, it has become my go-to app for booking the best deals and fares on transportation within Europe. The concept behind Omio is simple: You plug in your departure and arrival location, including the number of people you are traveling with, and add whether you are looking for a one-way or round-trip journey. Omio will then show you the best deals by train, bus, or plane to and from your desired destination, including how much time each option will take you and the number of stops. 

The German-based travel booking site is great at aggregating travel information from multiple sites, allowing you to view all of your transportation options in one place. This is incredibly beneficial when planning trips within Europe since there are several ways you can cross each border and often various languages and regulations to keep in mind. Omio is set in English but has multiple additional languages available, as well as currency options. During my time abroad, I solely used Omio to book all of my transportation, including planning a 17-day trip across seven different European countries. Overall, using Omio was not only convenient and seamless but also helped me save hundreds of dollars by helping me maximize my travel time by switching between flights, trains, and buses. 

However, since returning from Europe, I have not used Omio as much as I thought I would -- maybe because I have a car and take most of my trips by plane. And Omio's flight deals and suggestions are not the strongest compared to Booking.com or Skyscanner's, which heavily focus on flight deals. I have also found they have some limitations depending on the country or city you are traveling in. Be mindful of the deals and tickets you buy through Omio since some tickets are non-refundable, and some customers complain their customer service is not the best -- although I have yet to have any issues with them. 

What is the best trip planner app?

Booking.com gets our vote for the best trip planner app due to its wide selection of accommodations, its points and promotions offerings, and its easy-to-use user interface. Not only does Booking.com help you find the best deals throughout your trip, but it will also help you stay organized throughout your trip by keeping all of your reservations in one place. To determine which trip planner app or combination of trip planners is best for you, check out this comparison chart below. 

Which is the right trip planner app for you?

The best trip planner app ultimately depends on your travel and planning style. If you like booking and planning everything in one place while also earning points and getting great deals, then Booking.com is your top app. However, if you are looking for a place to keep all of your accommodations, reservations, and activity details organized, then TripIt is a better app for you. Check out the following chart to help you find the best trip planner app or a combination of apps for you to plan your next adventure. 

How did we choose these trip planner apps?

To find the best trip planner apps, we drew upon real-life experiences and tested their performance and capabilities during our latest trips. Ultimately, we weighted the following factors when choosing which trip planners to include on our list: 

• Features: Each app can vary significantly with the features it offers, whether it is solely to book flights and hotels, help you plan your next trip using AI, or help you find the best deals and booking information, each app on this list can help you address several common inconveniences that present themselves while planning that next adventure.  
• Compatibility: An app is of little use if it does not work with your devices, so we look to see what compatibility each trip-planning app offers and which platforms you can access it from. Personally, I enjoy apps that combine an app and website component since this quickly helps me switch between my wide computer screen and my tiny yet portable iPhone screen. 
• Customer reviews: We study real customer reviews and ratings to evaluate customer satisfaction and service. This is incredibly important since most times when you travel, you visit an unknown city or country, and you should be mindful of past experiences others have had. 
• Cost : Most trip planner apps are free, but you may have to upgrade to receive special access to exclusive features or deals. If your app is already free, it means you only have to pay a small amount (often unnoticeable) when you book your accommodations. 

What is a trip planner app?

A trip planner app is an app that provides organizational features for your upcoming trip. It is often free and incorporates trip planning tools, whether you are traveling by ground, water or air.   

How does a trip planner app work?

A trip planner app can incorporate special features, like an itinerary, calendar, reservation and booking hub, and map assistance. Depending on the app you choose, there is even trip-sharing with friends and family to simplify the entire trip planning process.  

How much does a trip planner app cost?

Most trip planner apps are free, but some may offer in-app purchases to upgrade or enhance your experience. Within this list, only Tripit costs money, but only for their advanced features version, which costs $49 a year. However, you can get access to most if not all, trip-planning features, through their free version. 

Are there alternative trip planner apps worth considering?

As I mentioned earlier, trip planning heavily depends on your personal style of travel and preferences. However, whether you like to plan your trips down by the minute or prefer to just have the basics, there are several apps that can optimize your planning. Here are a few apps worth considering that almost made it onto our list: 

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What are some things to do in Elektrostal?

This section could be endless, so rather than trying to suggest every local activity or attraction, we'll leave it open-ended.

Of course, Trippy is the perfect place to ask questions because there's an entire community of travelers talking to each other and sharing tips and advice. Trippy is where you can get answers personalized for your tastes, budgets, trip dates & more!

Click the button below to explore more questions and answers related to Elektrostal.

Do I really have to go back home?

Yes, even this step is optional, because if you're on vacation who wants the trip to end? It's okay, you can start planning your next trip!

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Looking for ideas for more destinations within driving distance of Moscow? Try searching for places within 1 hour of Moscow .

You can also compare the travel time if you're flying or driving by calculating the distance from Moscow to Elektrostal . Or get a full Moscow to Elektrostal flight plan .

Don't forget about exploring your own hometown with a staycation. You can also find some cool day trips or get away for a weekend.

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Where to Find AAA TourBook Guides and Maps

Updated : April 23, 2024

Michelle Palmer

Table of contents, what information is in a tourbook, what else will i find, travel information from experts you can trust, where can i find aaa maps.

Get TourBook ® guides for destinations across the U.S., Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean at TourBook.AAA.com , and find paper maps at your local AAA offices as well as printable maps at AAA’s online map gallery.

Since 1926, AAA’s free TourBook guides have been providing trustworthy travel information to AAA members. The digital guide is the same great TourBook you know and love, but now you can get that information and more in an eco-friendly, easy-to-use format on your smartphone, tablet or desktop. It is also downloadable, so you can access the guide wherever you are at any time of day.

Go from dreaming about your next vacation — whether that’s a family adventure to Yosemite, a romantic getaway in Asheville or a fun trip with friends in Austin — to planning with this interactive guide. You can find a hotel with ease and book your room with just a click of the Book Now button. Save money with access to special deals and benefits available only to AAA members, and you can rest assured that wherever you choose to stay, it will be clean and comfortable. Or follow the link to contact a travel agent at your local AAA office. They can assist you with a complete vacation package from finding the best deals and booking your hotel to helping you plan an entire itinerary.

All hotels in the guide have earned a AAA Diamond designation by going through rigorous evaluations conducted by AAA’s team of professional inspectors. Not only are they clean; you can know what level of amenities are offered making it easy to choose a hotel that best suits your budget and your preferences.

Save time planning your trip by using our helpful articles. AAA’s team of travel editors has created one-day itineraries that you can follow exactly to get the most out of a short excursion. Alternatively, use them as a guide to get an idea of where things are in a city to assist in planning your trip, so you don’t waste valuable vacation time.

Our travel editors also have identified must-see attractions including AAA GEMs (Great Experience for Members ® ) that shouldn’t be missed. These include stops ranging from the Montréal Botanical Garden and The Field Museum in Chicago to the Painted Desert in the Petrified Forest National Park. They have also noted top places to take children, so everyone of all ages has a good time during your family vacation.

Unlike the printed guides, the digital TourBook includes road trips. You can use these to plan out an entire itinerary like a classic trip down Route 66 or a drive up the Northern California coast. Our suggested routes include stops such as tasty local restaurants to refuel, museums to learn about the area, and parks to recharge and stretch your legs in an idyllic setting. Or use them to take a detour down a scenic byway through forests, around lakes and even for leaf-peeping in the fall.

• Diamond-designated restaurants with information on cuisine
• Sports and recreation, including where to catch games as well as places to hike, bike, golf and other activities
• Recreation charts to quickly identify national, state, provincial and local parks, as well as available activities and amenities
• High-quality maps to see nearby cities, national parks and scenic natural features
• Interactive table of contents that navigates where you want in just a click
• Shopping information on malls and specialty districts
• Nightlife articles to find the best bars and late-night eats

For more than 80 years, AAA’s expert inspectors have been evaluating hotels and restaurants across the United States, Canada, Mexico, Costa Rica and the Caribbean. They conduct surprise evaluations based on a rigorous set of guidelines to provide members with detailed comments on what to expect at AAA Diamond-designated hotels and restaurants.

Unlike other rating systems that are based solely on travelers’ experiences, AAA inspectors determine Diamond designations on-site and according to established guidelines and requirements. The AAA Diamond Program reflects the latest in industry trends and travelers’ expectations. The designations not only indicate the level of amenities that you can expect at a property; they also assure that hotels offer a clean, comfortable experience no matter the budget.

Our team of AAA travel editors has been providing travel advice and information for members since the release of the first TourBook in 1926. They are experienced travelers who provide in-depth information on cities and attractions as well as sample travel plans. With the AAA TourBook guides, AAA’s travel information is more convenient than ever.

There are a few ways to get AAA maps. Firstly, you can stop by your local AAA office to pick up paper maps of U.S., Canada and Mexico — for free for AAA members. Plus, select offices carry an atlas of North America.

The second way you can get maps is via the AAA Map Gallery , an online gallery where you can access printable maps of destinations in the U.S., Canada and Mexico, as well as maps of cruise terminals and national parks.

The other way to access maps is with TripTik Travel Planner . The TripTik tool allows you to plan and save routes, find important points of interest like hotels (including pet-friendly hotels), campgrounds, restaurants and attractions as well as identify locations that offer discounts and savings to AAA members.

Michelle Palmer is a development editor who has over 10 years of experience in the travel publishing industry. She loves telling the stories, histories and culture of places that inspire others to go and experience new destinations. When not traveling, she participates in circus arts, goes to live shows and is a “Murder, She Wrote” aficionado.

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Google Maps vs. Waze: Which map app goes the distance?

G oogle Maps is preinstalled on most Android phones, but Waze is a popular alternative many use for directions. Despite Google owning both apps, they offer different approaches to navigation with unique features that can make one a better choice for your day-to-day traveling. We explain what makes each app unique and why one or the other might be better for your navigation needs. Waze is unavailable on WearOS. If you're considering jumping into the increasingly impressive world of Android smartwatches , stick with Google Maps.

A short explanation of Google Maps and Waze

Google Maps has been around since 2005 and is the go-to navigation choice for most Android users. It's preinstalled on most Android phones, and its helpful features make it more than a navigation app. From leaving reviews, checking traffic, filtering restaurants by dietary requirements, and seeing how much you've traveled, there are many great Google Maps features that many people aren't even aware of.

Waze, founded in 2008 and bought by Google in 2013, focuses on driving personal vehicles. It gives real-time journey updates by relying on users to enter information about traffic, speed cameras, accidents, road closures, or anything affecting road conditions. It doesn't provide information on public transport and only offers limited information about nearby businesses.

Google Maps vs. Waze: Transport options

Google Maps should be your go-to option when traveling by public transport, taxi, bike, or foot. Waze shows public transport routes but doesn't provide walking directions along roads. If you frequently travel by bus or train, use Google Maps to stay up to date on timetables and route times.

When it comes to traveling by car, competition is tighter. While driving directions are only one of Google Maps' features, the entire Waze app is built around helping drivers get from A to B as quickly and safely as possible. We break down what each app offers drivers to help you choose which app to use.

Google Maps vs. Waze: Safe driving features

Many apps offer driver-friendly features, such as increasing the size of essential UI elements and activating voice commands for actions. Google Maps and Waze are designed for use in your car, so they have plenty of features to ensure you can safely navigate while driving.

When you start a journey, both apps have large UIs that are easy to interact with. You don't need to hunt through menus and windows to perform everyday actions. For example, both apps let you navigate to nearby locations (for example, gas stations) with a few taps. You don't need to type any information.

How to set your commute in Google Maps

You can also issue instructions via voice commands. For example, on both apps, you can say, "Hey, Google, take me to the nearest gas station," and they automatically redirect you.

For driver safety, Waze wins out. While Google Maps follows the company's trend of prioritizing aesthetics over practicality, Waze's interface is bright, bold, and intuitive.

Google Maps vs. Waze: Traffic information and hazards

Both apps provide real-time traffic updates but display them in different ways. Waze's reliance on user input means you can expect almost instantaneous updates in busy areas. Google Maps' is slower at identifying hazards and traffic jams.

While using Waze, the app prompts you to check if a reported hazard or traffic slowdown is still there. If you respond negatively, the app removes the hazard from everyone's maps if other drivers agree. There's a constant stream of updates on hazards or traffic slowdowns, along with drivers' estimated speeds.

Google Maps color-codes roads from red to green depending on traffic congestion. You don't see estimated speeds or receive real-time updates. Google Maps allows you to report hazards or speed cameras, but it doesn't prompt you like Waze.

For up-to-date traffic information, Waze easily wins. The data is more detailed and up-to-date. However, due to the reliance on users, hazards may go unreported for a while in rural areas.

Google Maps vs. Waze: Trip planning

Both apps provide trip-planning features. While Waze offers a detailed breakdown of traffic and estimated arrival times, Google Maps' public transport information gives a better idea of the options available.

Waze's trip planning tool makes it easy to check the estimated arrival time from your date and time of departure by car. It's accurate and quick to use. You can connect it to your calendar to receive notifications of the best time to leave.

Google Maps' trip planning isn't convenient when comparing different times, but it is more detailed. The app automatically generates alternative public transport routes even when exploring private transport options. Even if you're planning to drive, you might discover that a train is the faster option. Something that's impossible with Waze.

If your only transport option is driving, Waze is the better choice for trip planning. If you want to see all your options, Google Maps provides a detailed breakdown of every transport option that gets you to your destination.

Google Maps vs. Waze: Discovering nearby locations

Google Maps and Waze support discovering nearby gas stations, restaurants, coffee shops, and other locations. Google Maps' extensive database of businesses and user reviews is more informative than the information Waze provides.

Google's business information pages contain opening times, reviews, menus, photos, updates, contact details, and more. The app is a comprehensive guide to nearby services, whether in the middle of traveling or planning a trip.

Waze offers a limited selection of nearby location options and only displays crucial information like opening times, contact details, and reviews. It's helpful in a pinch but switch to Google Maps or Yelp for a comprehensive guide to nearby businesses.

How to record and use your voice for Waze Navigation

Google maps vs. waze: which is best for you.

Google Maps' comprehensive database of routes and locations makes it the perfect companion if you like to explore all your transport and location options before setting off. While offering unparalleled real-time updates for driving, Waze is useless when it comes to public transport and has limited offline support for routes. In contrast, Google Maps can save entire regions offline.

If you drive regularly, Waze will help you get from A to B as fast as possible while minimizing the risk of hazards. If you're exploring a new location or regularly use public transport, Google Maps should be your go-to navigation app. Either way, both are compatible with Android Auto .

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How to plan your dream vacation

Sometimes you crave a vacation — but actually taking one feels out of reach. Maybe you're struggling to find the time or save up the money. Or maybe you just can't seem to launch those plans out of the group chat. Overcome that planning inertia and take the big trip of your dreams. Here's where to start your search, organize your logistics and enjoy yourself.

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Google unveils new updates to make trip planning easier for travelers

Google Maps is launching new updates that are intended to make finding travel inspiration and local recommendations in your destination easier. Users will start seeing these lists of suggestions popping up in Google Maps in more than 40 cities across the U.S. and Canada this week. These updates will also be rolled out globally on Android and iOS mobile platforms later this month.

With this trio of updates, users can discover curated lists of local recommendations from other users and esteemed websites, customize their own lists and access key insights, making vacation planning a breeze and ensuring a seamless on-the-go experience. To access the new features, simply search for a city in Google Maps and and swipe up to see curated lists of places from people who know the city inside and out. You’ll also see lists from such reputable sources as Lonely Planet, the New York Times and OpenTable.

And, when away from home, the question of where to eat is always top of mind. Now, whether you’re a traveler or just want to find a trendy spot in town, you can use new restaurant lists created by Google Maps. These lists will spotlight the eateries people are showing interest in or rating highly on Maps at the time. Google has sorted restaurants into three separate lists based on various criteria, creating indices for trending, top-rated, and hidden gem locations.

The Trending list is updated weekly to spotlight places that experienced a recent spike in popularity on Maps, making it ideal for discovering the latest hot spots.

The Top list showcases the places that the Maps community has consistently shown love for. Use this list to find a neighborhood’s longstanding favorites.

The Gems list is for places that are considered an area's best-kept secrets, highlighting great restaurants that still fly under the radar.

Creating Maps lists allows you to organize places you’d like to visit and places you’ve already been that you might wish to revisit. With the new lists format, users will also be able to more easily arrange their selections for easy reference, as they can now choose the order in which places appear. Simply move them up or down in whatever order you prefer to have them displayed. Users can also link in content from their social media streams, such as their own reviews of a certain venue.

Similarly, to give users a good sense of each place at a glance, Google’s AI pulls key insights to display from the Maps community. When you search a spot, you’ll see select photos and reviews that encapsulate what patrons love about it. The AI function can even help you identify the name of a particular dish and display helpful information based on a restaurant’s menu.

New design updates are also set to give Google Maps a fresh look, including a simplified home screen and new pin colors that make places on the map easier to find.

Trip-planning AI

Google has also just announced an update that’s coming to its Search Generative Experience (SGE), which will enable users to create travel itineraries and compile trip ideas using AI. This means that Google will be taking on other companies that are already applying the generative AI’s capabilities to help travelers plan their trips, such as Mindtrip and Layla.

To come up with its travel recommendations, Google’s AI engine relies upon information from sites across the internet, as well as photos, reviews and other specifics users have submitted about any given place. Conversationally, users can ask the AI something like “plan me a five-day trip to New York City that focuses on entertainment” and receive a sample itinerary that includes local restaurants, attractions and points of interest. Once you’ve constructed your ideal itinerary, you can export it to Gmail, or Google Docs or Maps.

This new capability is currently available only in the U.S. (in English) to those who are signed up for Google’s Search Labs program, which invites users to experiment with early-phase Google Search functions. The company has not stated if or when this function will become more widely available. According to TechCrunch, Google is not only testing out new realms for using generative AI, it’s also gathering data about consumers’ travel purchasing intent, which would support its wider ad business.

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Bolt Scooter Rental Locations - Lisbon Forum

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Bolt Scooter Rental Locations

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Can anyone please advise if the scooter rentals are readily available in these two areas and which metro station might be easier to manage with mobility issues. We would like to see the typcal first time visitor sights, Belem tower, Costelo St. Jorge, Santa Junta Lift, Praca de Commercio and Ave du Liberdad, Monastery, etc. Any advise for trying to tour these by scooter is very appreciated. Thank you.

2 replies to this topic

Personally, I am glad they are slowing the scooters down. People have been going WAY too fast in congested areas. I am also glad that they must be returned to the designated parking areas. Over the years, they have just been left places including on the sidewalks. There always was a big pile of them down near Cais do Sodre train station and on the grass along Av. Riberia das Naus near the river. I thought this was an eye sore.

While I know you have walking issues, public transportation is excellent in Lisbon. I seriously doubt that I would want to ride a scooter to Belem from Rossio area since it would almost 8km. The streets in the Alfama are fairly narrow and cobblestone thus very bumpy. My husband is now on a cane and has trouble getting on and off buses. We have got so Uber is our friend. Uber is fairly cheap, and Bolt is even cheaper.

I am hoping that people that have used scooters in Lisbon will give you more information.

I also agree with the poster above that trying to zip around the very busy, often cobbled, streets if you have mobility issues might not be a good idea though as I saw a few near misses last week when people didn't hear scooters or bicycles approaching.

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Claudia Looi

Touring the Top 10 Moscow Metro Stations

By Claudia Looi 2 Comments

Komsomolskaya metro station looks like a museum. It has vaulted ceilings and baroque decor.

Hidden underground, in the heart of Moscow, are historical and architectural treasures of Russia. These are Soviet-era creations – the metro stations of Moscow.

Our guide Maria introduced these elaborate metro stations as “the palaces for the people.” Built between 1937 and 1955, each station holds its own history and stories. Stalin had the idea of building beautiful underground spaces that the masses could enjoy. They would look like museums, art centers, concert halls, palaces and churches. Each would have a different theme. None would be alike.

The two-hour private tour was with a former Intourist tour guide named Maria. Maria lived in Moscow all her life and through the communist era of 60s to 90s. She has been a tour guide for more than 30 years. Being in her 60s, she moved rather quickly for her age. We traveled and crammed with Maria and other Muscovites on the metro to visit 10 different metro stations.

Arrow showing the direction of metro line 1 and 2

Moscow subways are very clean

To Maria, every street, metro and building told a story. I couldn’t keep up with her stories. I don’t remember most of what she said because I was just thrilled being in Moscow.   Added to that, she spilled out so many Russian words and names, which to one who can’t read Cyrillic, sounded so foreign and could be easily forgotten.

The metro tour was the first part of our all day tour of Moscow with Maria. Here are the stations we visited:

1. Komsomolskaya Metro Station  is the most beautiful of them all. Painted yellow and decorated with chandeliers, gold leaves and semi precious stones, the station looks like a stately museum. And possibly decorated like a palace. I saw Komsomolskaya first, before the rest of the stations upon arrival in Moscow by train from St. Petersburg.

2. Revolution Square Metro Station (Ploshchad Revolyutsii) has marble arches and 72 bronze sculptures designed by Alexey Dushkin. The marble arches are flanked by the bronze sculptures. If you look closely you will see passersby touching the bronze dog's nose. Legend has it that good luck comes to those who touch the dog's nose.

Touch the dog's nose for good luck. At the Revolution Square station

Revolution Square Metro Station

3. Arbatskaya Metro Station served as a shelter during the Soviet-era. It is one of the largest and the deepest metro stations in Moscow.

Arbatskaya Metro Station

4. Biblioteka Imeni Lenina Metro Station was built in 1935 and named after the Russian State Library. It is located near the library and has a big mosaic portrait of Lenin and yellow ceramic tiles on the track walls.

Lenin's portrait at the Biblioteka Imeni Lenina Metro Station

5. Kievskaya Metro Station was one of the first to be completed in Moscow. Named after the capital city of Ukraine by Kiev-born, Nikita Khruschev, Stalin's successor.

Kievskaya Metro Station

6. Novoslobodskaya Metro Station  was built in 1952. It has 32 stained glass murals with brass borders.

Novoslobodskaya metro station

7. Kurskaya Metro Station was one of the first few to be built in Moscow in 1938. It has ceiling panels and artwork showing Soviet leadership, Soviet lifestyle and political power. It has a dome with patriotic slogans decorated with red stars representing the Soviet's World War II Hall of Fame. Kurskaya Metro Station is a must-visit station in Moscow.

Ceiling panel and artworks at Kurskaya Metro Station

8. Mayakovskaya Metro Station built in 1938. It was named after Russian poet Vladmir Mayakovsky. This is one of the most beautiful metro stations in the world with 34 mosaics painted by Alexander Deyneka.

Mayakovskaya station

One of the over 30 ceiling mosaics in Mayakovskaya metro station

9. Belorusskaya Metro Station is named after the people of Belarus. In the picture below, there are statues of 3 members of the Partisan Resistance in Belarus during World War II. The statues were sculpted by Sergei Orlov, S. Rabinovich and I. Slonim.

10. Teatralnaya Metro Station (Theatre Metro Station) is located near the Bolshoi Theatre.

Teatralnaya Metro Station decorated with porcelain figures .

Taking the metro's escalator at the end of the tour with Maria the tour guide.

Have you visited the Moscow Metro? Leave your comment below.

January 15, 2017 at 8:17 am

An excellent read! Thanks for much for sharing the Russian metro system with us. We're heading to Moscow in April and exploring the metro stations were on our list and after reading your post, I'm even more excited to go visit them. Thanks again 🙂

December 6, 2017 at 10:45 pm

Hi, do you remember which tour company you contacted for this tour?

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A first-timer's guide to Atrani

Apr 25, 2024 • 6 min read

Atrani, on Italy's Amalfi Coast, is attracting new interest from tourists thanks to the new Netflix series Ripley © Sean Pavone / Shutterstock

Atrani on Italy's Amalfi Coast is attracting new interest as a filming location in the Netflix series Ripley.

And it's easy to see why. The pocket-sized town is considered one of the most beautiful in Italy .

Once a power to rival its mighty neighbor Amalfi , today Atrani, a UNESCO World Heritage site, takes home the award for smallest municipality in Italy. This enchanting beach town nestled between two mountains is perhaps the one town on the Amalfi Coast that has stayed most true to its original medieval structure. You can still walk through the original alleyways, courtyards, archways and the recognizable scalinatelle (little stairways) that make Atrani look like a Neapolitan nativity scene come to life.

Like all villages on the Amalfi Coast, Atrani has long been a tourist destination due to the natural beauty of its location and landscape. Now, tourist interest in the town is rising even more because of the Netflix series Ripley , starring Andrew Scott, set in Atrani. 

Explore more of the Amalfi Coast with our guide to the region's best experiences

When should I go to Atrani?

Because of its location and mild weather, the perfect time to visit Atrani is in late spring/early summer (April to June) or late summer/early fall (September to October). The tourist season usually soft-launches around Easter and explodes in mid-July. To engage in more sustainable tourism, try to avoid visiting in August, when Atrani is undoubtedly busiest and most crowded. 

During the summer months, the Amalfi Coast welcomes hundreds of thousands of visitors; this tourist gold rush benefits the local economy, but it’s important to also note the negative impact that overtourism has had. Some towns, including Atrani, have become physically and economically inaccessible at times because of how crowded they are, with prices skyrocketing due to all establishments being filled to the brink. That’s not even counting the irreparable damages to the environment and to the marine ecosystem. 

Atrani has mostly stayed out of mainstream attention for a very simple reason: it’s blessed by its size. With 0.2 sq km (0.07 sq miles) surface, the town has no space to physically house too many tourists. At any rate, it is advisable to travel to Atrani in low season. 

How much time should I spend in Atrani?

Most tourists make Atrani a half-day stop on their Amalfi Coast trip. If you are staying elsewhere on the Amalfi Coast, take advantage of how close Atrani is to Amalfi and pop in for a quick visit after you’ve been to Amalfi. You’ll notice the different vibe right away: after spending a day in Amalfi, Atrani is the perfect place to escape the chaos while still enjoying the same otherworldly natural beauty of the coast. 

You could walk every inch of Atrani in half a day, if you wanted to. How long to stay largely depends on your resources and what activities you want to pursue here. If you want to immerse yourself, relax and truly appreciate the town and what it has to offer, you should spend at least a night in Atrani.

How to get in and around Atrani?

Atrani is so close to Amalfi that you can reach Atrani from Amalfi on foot in less than 15 minutes. By car or bus, it takes only a couple of minutes with no traffic. If taking the public bus SITA during high season, be prepared to queue before you can climb aboard, and don’t expect a seat as buses are often very crowded. Tickets (€1.30) must be purchased before climbing on board; the main stop in Amalfi has a ticket machine and various physical stores that sell tickets nearby. 

There are no train stations close to Atrani, but there are white cabs that can take you to and from towns on the Amalfi Coast. A tip: always ask for an estimate of the fare before you climb aboard a cab, as the amount might be more than you expect. 

Be careful if you’re driving privately, as Atrani has little parking space and traffic is heavily limited. Everywhere on the Amalfi Coast, non residents’ cars can only circulate on alternate days based on license plate numbers, so look into this further if you’re thinking of renting a car to visit Atrani. Through the town hall-sponsored KCity app , you can check if there’s space to park. Car parking usually costs €3 per hour in summer. 

If you only intend to visit Atrani for a few hours, another way of reaching it is by walking a scenic path from Ravello, that starts by the church of Santa Maria del Gradillo. Trek for an hour and a half among fragrant lemon trees, ancient stairways, and breathtaking views, until you pass Atrani’s cemetery and the church of San Michele Fuori Le Mura (“outside the walls”) and finally arrive in the main square Piazzetta Umberto I.

Exploring more of the Amalfi Coast? Here's our guide to getting around

Top things to do in Atrani

Everything there is to see in Atrani can be reached on foot. It’s impossible to get lost in such a cozy town, so travel without a map and let Atrani surprise you. Walking around, you can still find traces of its ancient and glorious origins in its architecture. You’ll stumble upon churches that have stood here for almost a thousand years, like the beautiful Santa Maria Maddalena, San Salvatore de Birecto and Santa Maria Penitente. 

A classic activity, especially for families , is to spend the morning at the seaside and take a dip in the Tyrrhenian Sea. Atrani’s sandy beach is small – only 130m (426ft) long – and you must reserve and pay for your spot in advance. On average, two chairs and an umbrella cost €30, and can be occupied by a max of 5 people, of which at least 2 must be children. Pets are not allowed on the beach, except for service dogs. 

Don’t underestimate the beauty of Atrani’s beach at night. Come dusk, you might see lampare , fishers' boats, sailing into the night – with their tiny lamps illuminating the darkness, they create an image out of a painting or a fairy tale.

In the morning, if you are not able to get a spot on the beach but you still want to bathe in Atrani’s crystalline waters, you could consider either renting a boat or joining a tour to visit the enchanted hidden corner that the coast has to offer from the sea.

A unique thing to do in Atrani is to prepare their signature dish (sarchiapone) with the locals. Every year on July 22, Atranesi eat sarchiapone to celebrate their Patron Saint. The basis of the dish is a lean, elongated, green variety of pumpkin typical of the hills of the Amalfi Coast. The green pumpkin is carved out of its flesh, which is cooked with onion and minced meat, which will later stuff the sarchiapone before it goes in the oven, along with a filling of ricotta, mozzarella, salami, hard-boiled egg, parmesan, ham… the ingredients can vary, depending on what each Atranese family likes in their sarchiapone . If you don’t happen to be in Atrani on July 22, you can surely ask a local establishment for a private cooking class to make sarchiapone . 

No matter when you go in Atrani, one of your meals should be in a restaurant by the beach – like Le Palme or Savò – and you should order a typical seafood dish like scialatielli ai frutti di mare ; you’ll be able to see, taste and smell the sea that’s right in front of you.

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Buc-ee's coming to West Tennessee: How close will it be from Memphis and what to know about the plans

It's official − Buc-ee's is coming to West Tennessee.

It was revealed Wednesday that the large travel center chain plans to expand across the Volunteer State to Fayette County. In a post on Facebook, State Senator Page Walley, R-Savannah, announced plans for a new location saying, "BUC-EE’S-WELCOME TO FAYETTE COUNTY!!!" This will be the first Buc-ee's location in West Tennessee .

Though little is known about the specifics of the store, people are still excited about the store's opening if comments on Senator Walley's post are anything to go by.

Here is what we know about the store's opening.

Where is Buc-ee's coming to West Tennessee?

According to Senator Walley's Facebook post , the newest location for Buc-ee's would be at exit 28 on Interstate 40 in Gallaway, Tennessee. It will be on the side of Interstate 40 on the way to Jackson, Tennessee.

How far will the new Buc-ee's be from Memphis?

The new location for Buc-ee's is about 35 to 40 minutes from Downtown Memphis. Memphis residents further east in the suburbs will have a shorter drive. The location is only about 15 minutes west of Ford's new BlueOval City .

However, no one needs to worry about rushing to Buc-ee's before it closes as all locations are open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

BlueOval City: Former military recruiter now leads Ford's quest to hire veterans at BlueOval City in TN

Where is Fayette County?

Fayette County is right next door to Shelby County. It is directly to the east of Shelby County and includes cities like Piperton, Somerville, Oakland and Gallaway. The new Buc-ee's location would be going in the northwestern part of the county.

When is the new Buc-ee's opening in West Tennessee?

No date for the opening has been announced.

Buc-ee's is massive

Buc-ee's travel center will be 74,000 square feet. The location will have 120 fueling positions and 71 restrooms for guests to use. Despite its large size, there are no semi-trucks allowed at the fueling center. It is just for cars and travelers.

What to know about Buc-ee's

If you've never been to Buc-ee's, you may be wondering why you keep seeing posts about some gas station from friends on social media. Well in short, the fuss is about all that Buc-ee's has to offer. It's not just a gas station − there is so much more .

People from all over travel to get a taste of Buc-ee's famous sliced brisket sandwich, beef jerky and beaver nuggets. While these may sound like meals, there are also numerous snack options at the travel center as well. After having Buc-ee's key lime pie in a cup, cinnamon almonds or tiger butter fudge, your sweet tooth may end up asking for a break.

How many Buc-ee's are in Tennessee?

There are only two operating locations in Tennessee. One is located in Sevierville and the other in Crossville. The Fayette County location will be the third operating site in Tennessee.

In total, there are 46 stores as of 2023 with 28 travel centers in seven states.