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My Best 61 Travel Tips to Make You the World’s Savviest Traveler

Most people aren’t born savvy travelers. It’s something that only comes with on-the-road experience. Travel savviness is a process born of missed buses, foolish behavior, cultural unawareness, and countless tiny errors. Then, one day, you begin to seamlessly move through airports and integrate yourself into new cultures like a fish to water.

In the beginning, you just make a lot of travel mistakes.

But I want to help speed up the process and help you avoid my mistakes ( and I often make a lot of them ), so I put together this giant list of my best travel tips that cover everything under the sun to help you reach your full travel ninja potential.

I’ve learned these tips over the last sixteen years being a nomad.

These tips for traveling will have you saving money, sleeping better, getting off the beaten path more, meeting locals, and just being a better traveler.

So, without further ado, here are the best 61 travel tips in the world:

1. Always pack a towel. It’s the key to successful galactic hitchhiking – and plain common sense. You never know when you will need it, whether it’s at the beach, on a picnic, or just to dry off after a shower. While many hostels offer towels, you never know if they will or not, and carrying a small towel won’t add that much weight to your bag.

Make sure it’s a lightweight, quick-drying towel since regular towels are too bulky and heavy (and they take a long time to dry). Dry Fox travel towels are my favorite (use the code “nomadicmatt” for 15% off your purchase)!

My favorite bag is the Flash Pack from REI . Other companies offering high-quality bags are Osprey, Nomatic, and MEC (for Canadians).

This article has more tips on finding the best travel backpack for your needs.

The same rule applies to suitcases. Don’t take a huge suitcase because they are a pain in the butt to lug around, especially if you’re traveling long term (short term, not so much). I like Level 8 suitcases. They are durable, quite spacious, nicely designed, and well-priced (luggage can be pretty damn expensive). Plus, they have a TSA lock built into the zipper. You can click here to learn more and buy one .

I also recommend packing cubes , which are essential if you’re going to be living out of a backpack for a few weeks (or months), or you just want to keep your suitcase better organized. They come in a variety of sizes, allowing you to store items big and small. They’re great for making it easy to find everything in your backpack or suitcase.

3. Pack light. Write down a list of essentials, cut it in half, and then only pack that! Plus, since you bought a small backpack like I said above, you won’t have much room for extra stuff anyways! Take half the clothes you think you will need…you won’t need as much as you think. It’s OK to wear the same t-shirt a few days in a row.

I love Unbound Merino , as their travel clothing can be worn daily for weeks without getting smelly. They are super light and they look sylish too. I really love the material, they’re comfortable, they hardly ever need a wash, and they last forever!

Click here for more packing tips .

4. But take extra socks. You’ll lose a bunch to laundry gremlins, wear and tear, and hiking so packing extra will come in handy. Take a few more than you need. Trust me on this. Nothing beats a fresh pair of socks!

Here’s a list of all my best hostels around the world . If you’re planning on backpacking Europe , it’s worth getting HostelPass , a card that gives you up to 20% off hostels throughout Europe. It’s a great way to save money, and they’re constantly adding new hostels too. I’ve always wanted something like this and so I’m glad it finally exists. Use code NOMADICMATT for 25% off.

6. Take an extra bank card and credit card with you Disasters happen and things get stolen or compromised. I once had a card duplicated and a freeze put on it. I couldn’t use it for the rest of my trip. I was very happy I had a backup. You don’t want to be stuck somewhere new without access to your funds. This happened to a friend once and they had to borrow money for me for weeks while they waited for their new card to arrive.

Here are some helpful articles on banking:

• How to Avoid Banking Fees While Traveling
• 22 Ways to Cut Your Expenses and Have Money for Travel
• How to Pick the Best Travel Credit Card

7. Make sure to use no-fee bank cards. Don’t give banks your hard-earned money. Keep that for yourself and spend it on your travels. Get a credit card and debit card that doesn’t charge a foreign transaction fee or an ATM fee. Over the course of a long trip, the few dollars they take every time will really add up!

Here’s an article that will tell you how to do that.

8. Don’t fly direct. When booking flights, sometimes it is cheaper to fly in to airports close to your final destination, and then take a train, bus, or budget airline to where you need to go.

To use this method, find out how much it is to go directly to your destination. Then, look at prices to nearby airports. If the difference is more than $150 USD, I look to see how much it is to get from the second airport to my primary destination.

My favorite flight search engine is Skyscanner . This is my go-to website for finding cheap flights. It searches a lot of different airlines, including many of the budget carriers that larger sites miss.

Here are some more tips on finding cheap flights!

Here are some helpful articles on solo travel:

• Why I Travel Alone
• The Joy of Solo Travel
• Travel: The Ultimate Personal Development Tool
• How to Overcome Being Alone
• Reading People: One Skill Travel Has Taught Me

10. Always visit the local tourism information center. This is probably one of the most underused travel tips in the world. Tourism information centers know about everything going on in town. They can point you to free activities, special events happening during your stay, and everything in between. They even offer discounts on attractions and transportation. It is their job to help you experience the destination better. It’s amazing how many travelers skip this when they are visiting somewhere but, as a savvy traveler, you know to use this resource!

11. Take free walking tours. Besides being free, these tours will give you a good orientation and background of the city you are visiting. I love, love, love taking walking tours when I travel. You pass the time, you get to pepper the guide with questions, and you get to learn so much about where you are. Here are some of my favorite walking tour companies around the world:

• The Best Walking Tours in New York City
• The Best Walking Tours in London
• The Best Walking Tours in Paris
• The Best Walking Tours in Berlin
• The Best Walking Tours in Amsterdam

And while free walking tours are great, sometimes it’s worth it to take a paid walking tour if you’d like to dig deeper into a particular aspect of the destination. Walks is one of my favorite paid walking tour companies, offering in-depth history and cultural tours in cities around the world (especially Europe). Its small-group tours also tend to offer exclusive behind-the-scenes access you can’t get elsewhere.

For fellow foodies, Devour Food Tours has all kinds of amazing food tours around Europe.

12. Don’t be afraid to use a map. Looking like a tourist isn’t as bad as getting really lost and ending up in the wrong neighborhood. Don’t be afraid to use a map or ask for directions and look like a tourist. After all, you are one!

13. But don’t be afraid to get purposefully lost. Wandering aimlessly through a new city is a good way to get to know it, get off the beaten path, and away from the tourists. You might be surprised by the hidden gems you find. I like to wander around and try to find my way without using Google Maps. Travel is the art of discovery and you never know what cool little spot you’ll come across.

14. Ask hostel staff for information — even when you aren’t staying there. Hostel staff deal with budget travelers all day, every day. They know exactly where to go for cheap meals and attractions. They also tend to be locals so they know the city very well. Ask them for all sorts of information. Even if you aren’t staying in one, just pop in and ask for help. They’ll usually give it.

15. Sign up for flight deals. When it comes to travel, your flight(s) will likely be your biggest expense. Save money by signing up for flight deal websites. You’ll get epic flight deals straight to your inbox, saving you time and money. Also be sure to sign up for airline newsletters, since that is where they will announce their sales first. The best websites for finding travel deals are:

• Going (formerly Scott’s Cheap Flights) – The BEST for upcoming US flight deals.
• The Flight Deal – Great for global flight deals.
• Holiday Pirates – The best for European flight deals.
• Secret Flying – A great site for flight deals from around the world.

16. Don’t buy a money belt — they’re stupid. Thieves know they exist and being seen with one basically shouts, “Look at me, I’m a tourist with money! Rip me off!” The more you can blend in and act like a local, the easier it will be to get deals and avoid touts. If you’re worried about pickpockets, keep a better eye on your stuff!

17. When you go out, take only what you need. Limit the amount of cash and bank cards you carry with you when you go out, so if something does happen, you can easily recover. Never take more than one credit card or ATM card with you. My rule for cash is to limit what I carry to $50 USD.

18. Always carry a lock. Carry a small combination lock with you when you travel. They come in handy, especially when you stay in dorms. Most hostels use lockers, so budget travelers need to provide their own travel lock to keep stuff secured. While you can usually rent or buy them at hostels, it’s much cheaper just to buy one before you go. (Just don’t use one with keys because if you lose the keys, you’re screwed!)

19. Make extra copies of your passport and important documents. Don’t forget to e-mail a copy to yourself too. You never know when you might need to have some sort of documentation with you and might not want to carry your original. Additionally, if your passport gets stolen having a copy will come in handy for your police report.

20. Learn basic phrases in the native language of your destination. The locals will appreciate it and it will make your interactions easier. You don’t need to master the language but learning a few things like “Hello,” “Goodbye,” “Thank you!”, “Where’s the bathroom?” will go a long way to endearing yourself with the locals. They’ll like that you tried.

Here are some tips on how to learn a language .

Here are some posts that highlight my favorite reads:

• 13 Travel Books That Will Give You Serious Wanderlust
• The Best Travel Books
• 12 Books to Take You Around the World

22. Don’t be ashamed to walk into a Starbucks or McDonald’s. Sometimes familiarity is comforting and both places have free wifi and public restrooms you can use. (Just don’t eat the food at McDonald’s! That shit is gross and unhealthy for you! You can get it back home!). Libraries and most modern coffee shops also have free Wi-Fi too.

23. Always get behind business travelers when in security lines. They move fast since they are usually in a rush and travel light. They know the drill. Line up behind them as much as possible. You’ll speed through the line!

24. Never get behind families in airport security. They take forever. It’s not their fault. They just have a lot of stuff because of the kids. Try to avoid getting in lines with lots of kids. It’s going to take a while.

25. When you check in to the hotel, don’t be afraid to ask for an upgrade. They have a lot of flexibility when it comes to assigning upgrades at check-in. It never hurts to ask. Often times they can accommodate you if the hotel isn’t full. Just be super nice!

Note: If you stay in hotels frequently (or want to), it might be worth it to get a hotel credit card . You can earn points on your everyday spending at home and convert those points into free stays. The best cards come with status, making upgrades more likely too!

26. Write down your experiences. Even in this hyper-technological age, I think everyone needs to write more during their travels so they have something to look back on. I never leave home without a journal. Not only do I use them for work (I’m constantly taking notes and writing down ideas) but I also use them to keep track of my travels.

Simple travel journals work great for journaling during your trip as well as for writing down logistical information like directions, contact information, and language tips.

If you want a travel journal that isn’t just blank pages but rather has space for itinerary planning, places to jot notes in the local language, inspirational quotes, and more, grab our new travel journal. It was designed specifically with travelers in mind, so you can take notes as well as write down stories and reflections during your travels.

27. Lunchtime is the best time to visit historical sites. Be a contrarian. You’ll have fewer crowds getting in your way as big tour buses, groups, and most travelers head to lunch. It’s always best to visit an attraction super early, late, or when people eat. You’ll have even the most popular places to yourself!

28. Never eat in a touristy area or near a tourist attraction. As a general rule, I walk five blocks in either direction before I find a place to eat. The closer you are to tourist attractions the more you are going to pay and the worse the food (and service). Use websites like Yelp , Google Maps , or Open Rice to find some delicious and popular restaurants around you.

Additionally, never eat anywhere the menu is in like 6 languages! That means the restaurant is just for tourists!

29. Locals don’t eat out every night and neither should you. Go grocery shopping. You can learn a lot about locals’ diets by seeing the type of food they buy. Plus, it will save you a lot of money. You won’t regret it. Cook your food, save money, and surprise yourself!

30. Eat at expensive restaurants during lunch. Most expensive restaurants offer lunch specials featuring the same food they would serve for dinner but for a fraction of the cost! That’s the best time to eat out when you travel.

I share more tips on how to eat cheaply around the world here.

31. Pack a headlamp. This is a handy tool for both backpackers and anyone looking to do any hiking or camping. If you’re going to be staying in a hostel, having a headlamp is helpful when you need to check in or out but don’t want to disturb your fellow travelers by turning on the lights. They’re also helpful in emergencies.

32. Carry a basic first-aid kit. Accidents happen, so be prepared. I always take band-aids, antibacterial cream, and ointments for minor cuts and scrapes. You never know when you’re going to need it and you can’t always get it when you travel.

You can either assemble a first aid kit yourself ( here are some tips for doing so ), or purchase a pre-made kit online .

33. Don’t believe the cheap flight myths. Don’t drive yourself too crazy trying to get the absolute cheapest fare. There are a lot of myths online about how to find cheap flights, but there is no magic bullet or one secret ninja trick. It’s not cheaper to book on a particular day of the week, or if you search in an incognito window.

Spending five hours to try to save $10 will cause you a lot of stress. Once you find a flight deal that you’re happy with, book right away, as airfares change by the minute. Remember, you usually have a 24-hour window to cancel in case you need to.

Here are some article on how to save money on flights:

• 5 Steps to Booking a Cheap Flight Online
• How to Always Find a Cheap Flight
• Where I Find the Best Travel Deals

34. Use Meetup, the sharing economy, and hospitality websites to meet locals. These websites will help you get an insider’s perspective on your destination by connecting you with locals in the places you visit. The sharing economy has changed the way people travel allowing you to meet locals, get off the tourist travel, and save mega money! It’s a triple win – and I use these resources all the time when I travel.

Here’s an article on how to use the sharing economy (and what websites to use) when you travel.

35. Be open to strangers. Not everyone bites. Say hi to people on the road. Turn strangers into friends. Remember they are just like you! They want to live a happy, full life and have hopes and dreams too! You never know. You just might make some lifelong friends.

36. But keep your guard up. Some people do bite, so keep a healthy level of suspicion. You don’t want to fall for any travel scams or get yourself into uncomfortable situations. Be open but cautious. Here is a list of travel scams to avoid.

• My Favorite Restaurants in Europe
• The Best Places to Eat in NYC
• How to Eat Cheap Around the World
• 30+ Places to Eat in Tokyo
• How to Eat Around the World on a Vegan Diet

38. Avoid taxis. They are always a budget buster. Never, ever take a taxi unless you absolutely have too!

39. Take a reusable water bottle through airport security and fill it up at your gate. Single-use plastics are common in a lot of countries around the world. They’re also polluting our oceans and destroying the environment. Drink from the tap when you can — you’ll save money and help the environment. If you’re going somewhere where you can’t drink the water, be sure to get a water bottle with a filter. I love Lifestraw .

40. Get city attraction cards. If you are going to visit a lot of museums and other attractions in a short period of time, a city pass is going to save you money on admission (plus most provide free public transportation too!).

41. Take pictures of your luggage and clothes. If your bag gets lost, this will help identify it more easily and speed up the process of having your travel insurance reimburse you.

42. Carry emergency cash. Because emergencies happen, like that time in Romania when I couldn’t find an ATM and needed money for the bus to the hostel. I usually try to keep around $200 USD in emergency cash in case something happens!

43. Get good shoes. You walk a lot when you travel. Don’t beat up your feet. Love them as much as they love you, and they’ll take you to amazing places.

My favorite shoes for traveling are Suavs shoes , which are versatile and durable. They’re comfortable and great for exploring a new city all day, but also look nice enough that you can dress them up if you want to at night.

44. Get vaccinated. Because falling prey to an illness in a foreign country is not fun — and many countries require you to get vaccinated in order to visit them. So regardless of your opinion on the subject, you just might have to.

Here is an article on how to stay healthy on the road.

45. Learn to haggle. Haggling is a fun, playful way of not getting charged the foreigner price. It’s the art of negotiating and one that will help you throughout all of life, not just at the market.

Here are some articles to help you get started with using points and miles:

• Points and Miles 101: A Beginner’s Guide
• How I Earn 1 Million Frequent Flier Miles Every Year
• The Best Travel Credit Cards
• The Ultimate Guide to Picking the Best Travel Credit Card

47. Take a jacket. Nights get chilly.

48. Eat street food! If you skip the street food, you miss out on culture. Don’t be scared. If you’re nervous, look for places where kids are eating. If it’s safe for them, it’s safe for you.

49. Get travel insurance. Travel insurance is the most important thing to get that you never want to use. If something goes wrong, you don’t want to be out thousands of dollars in bills. Travel insurance will be there if you get robbed, flights get canceled, you get sick or injured, or have to be sent home. It’s comprehensive and, for just a few dollars a day, one of the best investments you can get for a trip.

You may think you’re superman/woman but so did my friend who broke her arm, didn’t have insurance, and had to pay thousands out of pocket. Insurance was there when I had to replace my camera and when I popped an eardrum scuba diving! Get it! Here are some tips on how to find the best travel insurance.

My favorite companies are:

• SafetyWing – A budget-friendly choice for travelers who need basic coverage. They are affordable, have great customer service, and make it easy to make a claim. If you’re on a tight budget, go with SafetyWing!
• Insure My Trip – The best insurance for those over 70 years old.
• Medjet – This is a membership program that provides emergency evacuation coverage should you get into a dire situation while traveling and be hospitalized. Medjet is meant to supplement your regular travel insurance.

50. Be patient. Things will work out in the end. No need to rush. You’ll get to where you are going in due time. Travel is about the journey, not the destination.

51. Be respectful. Locals are willing to help you out, but there’s probably a language barrier, so keep your cool when something doesn’t go your way. If you don’t, you’ll end up just looking like an asshole tourist.

52. Don’t over plan your trip. Let your days unfold naturally. Schedule two or three things and let the day fill in the rest on its own. It’s less stressful, and letting the day just take you is one of the best ways to travel. Here’s my advice on how not to over plan your travels!

53. Relax. See Be patient .

54. Be frugal — but not cheap. Don’t be pennywise but pound-foolish. Look for deals and don’t waste money, but don’t miss out on great experiences or walk 10 miles to save a couple of dollars. Time is money. Spend them both wisely.

55. Take earplugs. Anyone who has ever stayed in a hostel knows that earplugs are a necessity. Snorers are everywhere and you need your sleep.

But even if you’re not going to be in a hostel, they’re still helpful for sleeping well if your accommodation is located on a busy street, or for sleeping in buses, overnight trains, and other types of transportation. A good night’s sleep is priceless — be prepared!

These earplugs are reusable and work much better than the cheap foam ones, blocking out any distracting noises.

56. Always carry a power bank. Batteries die. Your good mood shouldn’t.

We all travel with numerous electronic devices like phones and tablets, but it can be hard to keep them all charged. An external battery solves that problem.

57. Remember that you’re not alone even if you’re traveling solo. Traveling alone never means you’re really alone. Wherever you go, there is a network of travelers who will be your friends, give you advice or tips, and help you out. They will guide you, point you in the right direction, and be your mentors. You aren’t out there on your own. You’ll make lots of friends and tons of memories.

If you’re not sure about traveling on your own for the first time, you can always join a group tour, such as those we offer at The Nomadic Network . I’ve designed all the itineraries myself to ensure they cover the highlights, get you off the tourist trail, and connect you with friends and locals.

59. Pre-book your tickets to attractions, activities, and excursions online. If you’re planning to do any activities or excursions on your trip, book them online. Companies usually offer a discounted price when compared to buying in person. Not only that but you’ll be able to pay with a credit card, giving you some extra protection as well as more travel points!

Many major attractions also allow you to reserve your spot and skip the line. Always look online to see if this is an option. This will you to avoid wasting time in multi-hour lines and go right in. I’ve seen people wait hours for the Paris Catacombs, Louvre, London Churchill War Rooms, churches, temples, historic fortresses, and more. Pre-book the day before, skip the line, get to see more during your day!

Get Your Guide is my favorite place to book activities in advance. It’s a huge online marketplace for tours and excursions, with tons of options in cities all around the world, including skip-the-line attraction tickets, cooking classes, walking tours, and more!

60. Avoid TripAdvisor. TripAdvisor is fine when you need opening hours or an address, but when it comes to reviews I ignore it completely. People always leave a negative review when something bad happens but rarely leave a positive review when something good happens so the reviews tend to be skewed.

On top of that, it’s very easy to create fake reviews and make a place seem better than it is. Many hotels and restaurants hire firms to artificially inflate their reviews on the platform. Additionally, TripAdvisor has been known to take down reviews that are overly negative as well as reviews on sexual assault. Use TripAdvisor with caution. Or better yet, don’t use it at all.

61. Finally, wear sunscreen. For as the Baz Luhrmann song “Everybody’s Free (To Wear Sunscreen)” goes:

If I could offer you only one tip for the future, sunscreen would be it. The long-term benefits of sunscreen have been proved by scientists Whereas the rest of my advice has no basis more reliable Than my own meandering experience.

*** There you have it! My top travel tips! Follow them and you’ll be the best traveler you can be in no time flat!

Book Your Trip: Logistical Tips and Tricks

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

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

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

• SafetyWing (best for everyone)
• InsureMyTrip (for those 70 and over)
• Medjet (for additional evacuation coverage)

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

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

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

Disclosure: Please note that some of the links above may be affiliate links, and at no additional cost to you, I may earn a commission if you make a purchase. I only recommend products and companies I use. Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are mine alone and have not been reviewed, endorsed, or approved by any of these entities. This page does not include all card companies or all available card offers.

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The Best Destinations in the World: The Gold List 2022

All products and listings featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors. If you purchase something through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

There are three great lists annually in  Condé Nast Traveler,  all of which have changed due to the events of the last two years: the Readers’ Choice Awards , which you, our beloved audience, select; the Hot List , which compiles the new and notable of the previous year; and this one, which is ultimately about the places and experiences our editors carry in their hearts. This year, when we say  our editors,  we mean  CNT ’s entire global crew, working in locations from California to Beijing ; we’ve also expanded the parameters of the list to include not just the hotels and cruises you’ve seen in years past, but also the destinations we treasure. The Gold List is, more than ever, made by humans for other humans—something we need more than ever in this day and age. Here, our favorite destinations in the world.

Read the complete set of Gold List winners   here .

All listings featured in this story are independently selected by our editors. However, when you book something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Puebla, Mexico

I love when I can feel familiar with a new place in 48 hours. In Puebla , Mexico’s historic, fourth-largest city, all the spots you want to hit are walking distance within its center, itself a tidy sprawl of bright pink and yellow villas and small plazas. That includes food markets for a crispy cemita (a schnitzel-­style sandwich with all the fixings); the gilded Capilla del Rosario and the city’s famed talavera, or ceramic houses; I stayed for close to an hour watching the row of artisans hand-paint and hand-fire their mugs, plates, and vases at Uriarte Talavera. Before the pandemic, tourism was just starting to happen here, and the city was in that sweet spot of supporting a new breed of traveler, like with the artisanal-inspired Cartesiano hotel, but without muting any of its essence for international business. I liked that I had to use my shoddy Spanish with barkeeps and store owners. And that sitting in those plazas meant a front-row seat to daily Poblano life: vendors selling sliced cucumber spices with cayenne, old-timers playing dominos. Puebla felt like a special somewhere on the verge of discovery in a country with pockets already turned over to the masses. My guess with all that’s happened this past year is that it still does. —Erin Florio

Rio de Janeiro

If you were to hook the city of Rio de Janeiro up to a cardiogram, the needle would swing off the page. The city thrums with live samba and bossa nova at all hours of the day; the bustling streets, bookended by the dramatic rise of granite monoliths on one end and the pounding waves of the Atlantic on the other, have a pulse all their own. It's easy to feel this when you're amid throngs of colorfully clad cariocas —I feel it most swaying to the live music at Pedra do Sal on Monday nights, or when, perched in the leafy hilltop neighborhood of Santa Teresa, I hear people in neighborhoods below lean out their windows to cheer when Flamengo scores a goal. It's a complicated city, with plenty of issues—insecurity, corruption, inequity, to name just a few—but there's a premium on joy and celebration that isn't reserved for Carnaval . There are few places in the world where you know you couldn't possibly be anywhere else, and whenever I hear the whole of Arpoador beach break into applause as the sun sets in summer, I'm reminded that Rio is one of them. —Megan Spurrell

Alentejo, Portugal

I call the road to the sea through Portugal’s Alentejo region the place where the beatniks read Pessoa; you can imagine Kerouac breezing through its small hotels, surf camps, and villages scattered with craft shops, markets, and bohemian bars. For me it’s a place of happiness. There are boutique hotels like São Lourenço do Barrocal and Dá Licença and olive groves, cork oaks, and infinite horizons. The road ends at Vicentine Coast National Park, a wild, protected coastline in southern Europe. A paradise for surfers , it has electrifying sunsets, but the icy waters stop it from ever getting too crowded. —David Moralejo

Svalbard, Norway

Arctic Svalbard —whose capital, Longyearbyen, is the world’s northernmost town—is like nowhere else I’ve been. On the one hand, it’s a deep-nature Scandi fantasy of snowmobiles, Northern Lights, ski-touring along glacial valleys, and surprisingly smart boutiques with stacked wine cellars. But there’s also a compelling strangeness to this international settlement, where no one is born and no one dies. There are the Soviet mining towns with their Lenin busts, whether abandoned or (even weirder) still working; the Svalbard Global Seed Vault, which preempts a coming apocalypse; it’s advisable to leave Longyearbyen with a shotgun, in case of polar-bear attack. As much as a destination, it’s a journey into the heart of the climate crisis, with academics from across the world doing game-changing research here. I’m itching to go again—to escape but also to think and connect, which is what happens in all the best places. —Toby Skinner

My first trip to Goa as a college student was wrapped in dreams of homemade chorizo and reliving moments from the cult Bollywood coming-of-age film Dil Chahta Hai . Many trips and feni cocktails later, Goa remained a respite for my city-weary bones. The state straddles its multicultural past and present, trading up ’60s hippie markets for hipster boutiques while keeping its old-world Indian and Portuguese traditions intact. Simple fish-curry plates, aunties doing an impromptu jig to fado, old-timers squabbling over their favorite Goan soccer club, and the right freshness of bread coexist with edgy global menus, alt-music gigs, and all that is artisanal and arty. The ocean changes color from one season to the next, the multi-color sunsets never repeat, and like many travelers, I continue to return and find my salve in sunshine, sea, and susegad —the quintessential Goan idea of the slow, easy, and good life. —Diya Kohl

Plettenberg Bay, South Africa

Plettenberg Bay is South Africa's summer playground, and I, a Capetonian, would drive the 186-mile coastal path along the scenic Garden Route each year to join the fun. The bohemian seaside town sits atop a sheltered bay, where a jumble of hipster coffee shops, seafood restaurants, and kitsch boutiques tumble down onto fynbos-covered cliffs—where a slew of new hotels like The Robberg Beach Lodge sit beside grandes dames like The Plettenberg Hotel . Pretty young things like to celebrate the end of matric student exams, where hedonism sweeps across the bay, while dolphin and whale watches come during the languid, warm winter months. Venture just outside Plett to find the luxury Tsala Treetop Lodge , a manicured Gary Player golf course, indigenous Keurbooms River Nature Reserve, the Plett Polo Club on the Kurland Estate, and a host of animal sanctuaries to meet cheetahs, elephants, and monkeys. But above all, come for the glorious golden beaches. Central Beach—dotted with bars—surfy Lookout Beach, and the eerie, mist-covered sands of Robberg Nature Reserve. Search hard enough and you might stumble on a sand dollar—the symbol of Plettenberg Bay, thought to bring eternal luck. —Isabella Sullivan

When I can’t take another minute of winter, I head to Scottsdale. As, historically, do the day-drinking spring breakers and the far less rowdy snowbirds. Recently, though, the Valley of the Sun has come into its own, claiming its stunning desert setting and Southwest culture in new ways. If I’m bringing the kids, the 1929 Frank Lloyd Wright–designed grande dame The Arizona Biltmore, A Waldorf Astoria Resort (on the border of Scottsdale and Phoenix), is my place. It has sprawling grounds and seven pools, one with a legitimate waterslide, and just underwent a much-needed facelift. Sanctuary Camelback Mountain Resort , terraced into the side of its namesake adobe-hued mountain, has my favorite spa in town. Its adults-only pool on weekends and easy access to sunrise hiking give me plenty of excuses to leave the kids at home. Solo or with family, I can always bank on sunshine, a great exhibit at Phoenix’s nearby Desert Botanical Garden, and excellent Sonoran-style Mexican food. —Rebecca Misner

Val Graziosa, Italy

I am a frequent traveler to Val Graziosa, a valley near the Pisan mountains and a part of Tuscany relatively unknown and terribly beautiful. Here there is Monte Pisano—“ che i Pisan veder Lucca non ponno, ” the poet Dante said, a small group of mountains that hides Lucca from Pisa and makes it impossible for the Pisan locals to see the city of Lucca. There are olive trees everywhere, producing the best olive oil on Earth in a splendid countryside. I love to walk around the surroundings of Montemagno—please read the book Maledetti Toscani, by Curzio Malaparte, and you will understand a lot about Italians from this region. I love to go to the grocery store in Patrizia for a glass of wine (the one and only épicerie of the village) and then to Certosa di Calci, a 14th-century monastery, and one of the many secret beauties in my crazy country of Italy. —Maddalena Fosati

Chiang Mai, Thailand

When I first went to Chiang Mai, I intended to stay a couple of nights and ended up staying more than a week; for me, that trip is a reminder of travel at its most impulsive and impetuous: the freedom to move on when you feel like it. There’s no beach pressure here, and inland Thailand always feels more interesting than the obvious hits of the beachfront. And, away from the beaches, there's the sense of a modern Thai city where young creatives are carving out a contemporary aesthetic, with the energy that a large student population gives a city. —Rick Jordan

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5 Scientifically Proven Health Benefits of Traveling Abroad

When was the last time you traveled abroad? Traveling for business is one thing, but I’m talking about packing your bags, logging out of your email account and disconnecting from your normal routine for a week or more.

Traveling the world isn’t just fun and exciting; there’s ample research to suggest it’s highly beneficial for your physical, mental and emotional health as well.

Check Out These Five Proven Benefits

Americans may say they like to travel, but most don’t venture abroad very often. According to a study published in the Hostelworld Global Traveler Report, Americans are half as likely as Europeans to go abroad and visit more than one country.

The average resident of the UK has visited 10 countries, Germans have seen eight, and the French traveled to five nations on average. But Americans? They tend to visit just three. In fact, 29 percent of American adults have never been abroad!

When citizens of the U.S. do move past the border, most visit Canada or Mexico. Affordability is evidently a big factor — about 71 percent of Americans say it’s too expensive to leave the country — but that’s hardly the whole story.

Given what all the travel and deal sites have to offer today, you can travel abroad without ransacking your piggy bank. Perhaps many Americans don’t grasp the benefits of traveling abroad — and there are many!

Let’s dive in and take a look at some of the health benefits that researchers have explored and verified scientifically.

1. Travel Makes You Healthier

According to a joint study from the Global Commission on Aging and Transamerica Center for Retirement Studies, in partnership with the U.S. Travel Association, traveling actually keeps you healthier . The study found that women who vacation at least twice a year show a significantly lower risk of suffering a heart attack than those who only travel every six years or so.

The same is true for men. Men who do not take an annual vacation show a 20 percent higher risk of death and 30 percent greater risk of heart disease.

2. Travel Relieves Stress

Although missing a connecting flight or losing baggage in a foreign airport is sure to boost your anxiety, traveling has been scientifically proven to lower stress levels, and rather dramatically.

RELATED: Try These Simple 1-minute Meditations to Calm Your Mind

According to one study , three days after taking a vacation, travelers report feeling less anxious, more rested and in a better mood. Interestingly, these benefits tend to linger for weeks after the trip has ended.

3. Travel Enhances Your Creativity

“Foreign experiences increase both cognitive flexibility and depth and integrativeness of thought, the ability to make deep connections between disparate forms,” explains Adam Galinsky , a professor at Columbia Business School who has authored a number of studies that investigate the concrete links between creativity and international travel.

Travel alone isn’t enough, however. Galinsky has found that international travelers have to be purposeful about engaging.

RELATED: 7 Creative Pep Talks to Get You Through the Work Week

“The key, critical process is multicultural engagement, immersion and adaptation,” he continues. “Someone who lives abroad and doesn’t engage with the local culture will likely get less of a creative boost than someone who travels abroad and really engages in the local environment.”

4. Travel Boosts Happiness and Satisfaction

Most people tend to be happier when they’re traveling and don’t have to worry about work, of course. However, one of the more interesting takeaways from a Cornell University study is that people also experience a direct increase in happiness from just planning a trip.

Three days after taking a vacation, travelers report feeling less anxious, more rested and in a better mood.

The study found that the anticipation of taking a vacation is far greater than the anticipation of acquiring a physical possession. Thus, the benefits of traveling abroad begin well before the trip does.

5. Travel Lowers the Risk of Depression

While people tend to avoid the subject in our society, depression is unfortunately a major problem. Millions of Americans struggle with depression on a regular basis and it’s not uncommon for doctors to overprescribe medication for depression.

Luckily, healthier alternatives are available for escaping the hopelessness of a depressed state. According to research, travel may be one of them.

A study from the Marshfield Clinic in Wisconsin found that women who vacation at least twice a year are less likely to suffer from depression and chronic stress than women who vacation less than once every two years.

Where Will Your Travels Take You This Year?

So there are clear, scientifically-backed health benefits of traveling the world. Mentally, physically and emotionally, you can gain a lot from packing your bags and visiting places you’ve never been.

But where will you go? Thousands of places across the world are worth visiting. Here are a few that should be on your radar:

• London, England. London is a must-visit city. If you’re new to international travel and want to get your feet wet, there’s probably no better destination. Not only is there a lot to do in London , but it’s cheap and easy to get to from most major U.S. cities. There’s also no language barrier, which is a bonus for people who get nervous about that.
• Cape Town, South Africa. The beauty of Cape Town is astonishing. Not only is the landscape unique, but there’s wildlife galore, including the Big Five (lion, elephant, Cape buffalo, leopard, and rhino). There’s much to see ; whether you prefer a fast pace or slow and easy, there’s an itinerary for you.
• Lucerne, Switzerland. If you’ve never been to Switzerland, Lucerne is a fantastic first city to experience. Conveniently near to the Zurich airport, the town is compact, yet lively. Not only are there lots of attractions in the city , but you can enjoy an array of hiking trails just outside of town.
• Auckland, New Zealand. Whether you want to kayak to a volcano, abseil down a waterfall, swim with sharks, or tackle challenging trails on a mountain bike, Auckland has everything an adventure lover could ask for. Oh, and it’s also a city that teems with good food and entertainment.

For many, the notion of international travel isn’t as mysterious and thrilling as it used to be. In a world accessible via YouTube, Google Earth, and virtual reality, many think they’ve already seen all the world has to offer, when they’ve really only stared at a screen a few inches in front of their face.

If you want to enjoy the scientifically proven health benefits of travel abroad, you should start planning a trip. Whether you go to London, Cape Town, Lucerne, Auckland, or somewhere entirely different, boarding a plane and flying to a foreign destination where you’re equal parts excited and intimidated is great for your growth and development.

Where will you go?

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• THE BIG IDEA

Why travel should be considered an essential human activity

Travel is not rational, but it’s in our genes. Here’s why you should start planning a trip now.

In 1961, legendary National Geographic photographer Volkmar Wentzel captured two women gazing at the surf off Peggy’s Cove, Nova Scotia. This and all the other images in this story come from the National Geographic image collection.

I’ve been putting my passport to good use lately. I use it as a coaster and to level wobbly table legs. It makes an excellent cat toy.

Welcome to the pandemic of disappointments. Canceled trips, or ones never planned lest they be canceled. Family reunions, study-abroad years, lazy beach vacations. Poof. Gone. Obliterated by a tiny virus, and the long list of countries where United States passports are not welcome.

Only a third of Americans say they have traveled overnight for leisure since March, and only slightly more, 38 percent, say they are likely to do so by the end of the year, according to one report. Only a quarter of us plan on leaving home for Thanksgiving, typically the busiest travel time. The numbers paint a grim picture of our stilled lives.

It is not natural for us to be this sedentary. Travel is in our genes. For most of the time our species has existed, “we’ve lived as nomadic hunter-gatherers moving about in small bands of 150 or fewer people,” writes Christopher Ryan in Civilized to Death . This nomadic life was no accident. It was useful. “Moving to a neighboring band is always an option to avoid brewing conflict or just for a change in social scenery,” says Ryan. Robert Louis Stevenson put it more succinctly: “The great affair is to move.”

What if we can’t move, though? What if we’re unable to hunt or gather? What’s a traveler to do? There are many ways to answer that question. “Despair,” though, is not one of them.

In this aerial view from 1967, wall-to-wall seaside sunbathers relax under umbrellas or on beach towels in Ocean City, Maryland .

A 1967 fall festival in Guadalajara, Mexico , starred traditionally costumed musicians and dancers.

We are an adaptive species. We can tolerate brief periods of forced sedentariness. A dash of self-delusion helps. We’re not grounded, we tell ourselves. We’re merely between trips, like the unemployed salesman in between opportunities. We pass the days thumbing though old travel journals and Instagram feeds. We gaze at souvenirs. All this helps. For a while.

We put on brave faces. “Staycation Nation,” the cover of the current issue of Canadian Traveller magazine declares cheerfully, as if it were a choice, not a consolation.

Today, the U.S. Travel Association, the industry trade organization, is launching a national recovery campaign called “ Let’s Go There .” Backed by a coalition of businesses related to tourism—hotels, convention and visitor bureaus, airlines—the initiative’s goal is to encourage Americans to turn idle wanderlust into actual itineraries.

The travel industry is hurting. So are travelers. “I dwelled so much on my disappointment that it almost physically hurt,” Paris -based journalist Joelle Diderich told me recently, after canceling five trips last spring.

(Related: How hard has the coronavirus hit the travel industry? These charts tell us.)

My friend James Hopkins is a Buddhist living in Kathmandu . You’d think he’d thrive during the lockdown, a sort-of mandatory meditation retreat. For a while he did.

But during a recent Skype call, James looked haggard and dejected. He was growing restless, he confessed, and longed “for the old 10-countries-a-year schedule.” Nothing seemed to help, he told me. “No matter how many candles I lit, or how much incense I burned, and in spite of living in one of the most sacred places in South Asia, I just couldn’t change my habits.”

When we ended our call, I felt relieved, my grumpiness validated. It’s not me; it’s the pandemic. But I also worried. If a Buddhist in Kathmandu is going nuts, what hope do the rest of us stilled souls have?

I think hope lies in the very nature of travel. Travel entails wishful thinking. It demands a leap of faith, and of imagination, to board a plane for some faraway land, hoping, wishing, for a taste of the ineffable. Travel is one of the few activities we engage in not knowing the outcome and reveling in that uncertainty. Nothing is more forgettable than the trip that goes exactly as planned.

Related: Vintage photos of the glamour of travel

Travel is not a rational activity. It makes no sense to squeeze yourself into an alleged seat only to be hurled at frightening speed to a distant place where you don’t speak the language or know the customs. All at great expense. If we stopped to do the cost-benefit analysis, we’d never go anywhere. Yet we do.

That’s one reason why I’m bullish on travel’s future. In fact, I’d argue travel is an essential industry, an essential activity. It’s not essential the way hospitals and grocery stores are essential. Travel is essential the way books and hugs are essential. Food for the soul. Right now, we’re between courses, savoring where we’ve been, anticipating where we’ll go. Maybe it’s Zanzibar and maybe it’s the campground down the road that you’ve always wanted to visit.

(Related: Going camping this fall? Here’s how to get started.)

James Oglethorpe, a seasoned traveler, is happy to sit still for a while, and gaze at “the slow change of light and clouds on the Blue Ridge Mountains” in Virginia, where he lives. “My mind can take me the rest of the way around this world and beyond it.”

It’s not the place that is special but what we bring to it and, crucially, how we interact with it. Travel is not about the destination, or the journey. It is about stumbling across “a new way of looking at things,” as writer Henry Miller observed. We need not travel far to gain a fresh perspective.

No one knew this better than Henry David Thoreau , who lived nearly all of his too-short life in Concord, Massachusetts. There he observed Walden Pond from every conceivable vantage point: from a hilltop, on its shores, underwater. Sometimes he’d even bend over and peer through his legs, marveling at the inverted world. “From the right point of view, every storm and every drop in it is a rainbow,” he wrote.

Thoreau never tired of gazing at his beloved pond, nor have we outgrown the quiet beauty of our frumpy, analog world. If anything, the pandemic has rekindled our affection for it. We’ve seen what an atomized, digital existence looks like, and we (most of us anyway) don’t care for it. The bleachers at Chicago ’s Wrigley Field; the orchestra section at New York City ’s Lincoln Center; the alleyways of Tokyo . We miss these places. We are creatures of place, and always will be.

After the attacks of September 11, many predicted the end of air travel, or at least a dramatic reduction. Yet the airlines rebounded steadily and by 2017 flew a record four billion passengers. Briefly deprived of the miracle of flight, we appreciated it more and today tolerate the inconvenience of body scans and pat-downs for the privilege of transporting our flesh-and-bone selves to far-flung locations, where we break bread with other incarnate beings.

Landscape architects work in their Rio de Janeiro, Brazil , studio in 1955.

A tourist photographs a towering century plant in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, in 1956.

In our rush to return to the world, we should be mindful of the impact of mass tourism on the planet. Now is the time to embrace the fundamental values of sustainable tourism and let them guide your future journeys. Go off the beaten path. Linger longer in destinations. Travel in the off-season. Connect with communities and spend your money in ways that support locals. Consider purchasing carbon offsets. And remember that the whole point of getting out there is to embrace the differences that make the world so colorful.

“One of the great benefits of travel is meeting new people and coming into contact with different points of view,” says Pauline Frommer, travel expert and radio host.

So go ahead and plan that trip. It’s good for you, scientists say . Plotting a trip is nearly as enjoyable as actually taking one. Merely thinking about a pleasurable experience is itself pleasurable. Anticipation is its own reward.

I’ve witnessed first-hand the frisson of anticipatory travel. My wife, not usually a fan of travel photography, now spends hours on Instagram, gazing longingly at photos of Alpine lodges and Balinese rice fields. “What’s going on?” I asked one day. “They’re just absolutely captivating,” she replied. “They make me remember that there is a big, beautiful world out there.”

Many of us, myself included, have taken travel for granted. We grew lazy and entitled, and that is never good. Tom Swick, a friend and travel writer, tells me he used to view travel as a given. Now, he says, “I look forward to experiencing it as a gift.”

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Go good - your guide to sustainable travel, go good: your guide to good travel, making sustainable travel easy, guided by local communities, the gogood app helps travelers explore and sustain treasured places., welcome to gogood.

Are you a thoughtful traveler ?

You probably love nature and culture —seeing it, being in it, and doing what you can to conserve it.

Undoubtedly, you love interesting places —in your home town, state, region, or country, or places you’ve visited.

If so, you’ll love GoGood, the app for thoughtful travelers to explore and sustain the world’s treasured places, and help authentic, sustainable destinations reach those travelers.

Sign up  for updates and early access and join the Good Travel community.

We will never sell or use your information for commercial purposes.

GoGood is a digital map and travel guide app — let’s call it a mapguide —designed  for thoughtful travelers who love to explore places and cultures and want their visits to have a positive local impact.

It’s a fun and trusted way to find authentic places that preserve nature and culture and support local communities.

Like us, you probably spend weeks searching dozens of websites, apps, books, and videos —most of which are highly promoted and guide you to overcrowded, unsustainable places owned by large corporations—and tracking and marketing to you in the process.

Guided by local experts and dedicated to positive local impact , the GoGood app provides a trusted, carefully curated source of maps, guides, and local knowledge for the most interesting, authentic, and sustainable places and experiences in a destination. 

It helps you enrich your travel experiences and sustain the places you love.

And it’s free to use without advertising or collecting and selling your personal data.

Plus, it offers opportunities to directly support local projects that sustain destinations and local and Indigenous communities.

GoGood is a not-for-profit venture run by an expert team of technologists, travelers, conservationists, and supporters who love nature and culture and are driven to sustain treasured places and the people who care for them.

Like you, we love nature, culture, and history. We love traveling and experiencing these things close to home and around the world. 

We’re explorers and sustainable travel experts who live in tourist destinations and care deeply about the places, people, and ecosystems around us. We spend a good chunk of our time and money traveling to see and experience the best of what the world has to offer—and we try to do it in ways that sustain and enhance the places we visit .

We know the enormous impact of the travel industry— a sector representing about 10% of global GDP— on ecosystems, economies, and cultures . And we know the impact is often greatest in places with the most important natural and cultural heritage.

The Big Problem—Unsustainable Tourism

Through our travels and conservation work (and lots of data), we’ve found that natural and cultural heritage sites and landscapes are essential to the identity, pride, and economies of the local communities that care for them—and many are globally essential for their cultural value to humanity and their priceless ecosystem services.

But tragically, the natural areas, heritage sites, and cultures that are the hearts of these places are being degraded by unsustainable, inauthentic tourism and human-caused environmental threats, including:

• Overtourism that degrades the resident and visitor experience and environment in popular places;
• Undertourism and lack of economic development and commitment to sustain resources in less-visited places;
• Leakage where tourism income flows disproportionately to foreign interests instead of destination communities;
• Inauthentic and inappropriate tourism that does not accurately represent or support local culture and ecology;
• Pollution from tourism operations that affects the health and well-being of residents, visitors, and ecosystems;
• Habitat loss and degradation that reduces biodiversity richness, ecosystem health, and water quality and quantity.

The Traveler Problem—Lack of Guidance 

As frequent travelers, we know that  travel planning is difficult and time-consuming.

Information about places is fragmented and unreliable —with an annoying preponderance of promotions, clickbait, popups, and trackers.

It takes weeks to research destinations —searching dozens of websites, apps, books, magazines, and videos to find interesting, authentic, sustainable destinations and experiences and plan thoughtful and enriching vacations or “bleisure” trips. 

We’re tired of swimming in a flood of inconsistent, untrustworthy, and highly-promoted destination content .

We’re sick of our online activity being tracked and sold to target us with advertising and scams.  

And we refuse to be funneled into overcrowded, inauthentic, and unsustainable mass tourism that mainly benefits big corporations and does little to conserve places or support local economies and disadvantaged communities.  

That’s why we’re building GoGood as an innovative community-based solution to these interrelated problems of sustainable tourism supply, demand, and market access.

GoGood is  a one-stop, easy, trusted resource to research and plan enriching, sustainable trips.

Recent consumer surveys show that over 75% of travelers worldwide want to travel more sustainably .

But, many travelers feel overwhelmed with the effort and lack of guidance . They want more information to use in their trip planning process, including:

• Recommendations for locally owned businesses/restaurants
• Information on how to engage with local cultures and communities
• Transportation options with lower environmental impact
• Environmentally conscious lodging
• Recommendations for destinations that support Indigenous culture and heritage
• Walkable or bikeable destination recommendations
• Eco-friendly activity recommendations
• Recommendations for destinations that are not over-visited

GoGood makes it easy to find these things with the help of local knowledge and global sustainability standards.

Places and experiences featured on the GoGood app are nominated by local people  and assessed against internationally recognized environmental, social, and governance (ESG) standards and progress toward the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The app gives recognition and  targeted market access to businesses and destinations to understand and enhance their sustainability. It encourages and helps them pursue sustainability assessments and certifications , such as the Good Travel Seal ,  B-Corp Certification , Travelife , and others listed by Travalyst .

Local nonprofit projects are also showcased , with opportunities for travelers to support conservation, education, and  sustainability projects through donations and volunteering.

At its core, GoGood is a community-based market solution for conservation and sustainable economic development, executed through thoughtful tourism promotion, knowledge sharing, and destination stewardship.

The GoGood mobile and web apps are free to use —without subscriptions, in-app purchases, or advertising—making them the go-to source of destination information for smart, thoughtful travelers.

Instead of advertising, subscriptions, or selling your personal data, GoGood is supported by sponsorships, like a public broadcasting corporation .

Sponsors include organizations and individuals who want to increase the sustainability and authenticity of the places they care about . 

Sponsorships support the creation and curation of rich Destination Mapguides for countries, cities, regions, parks, water bodies, heritage sites, and routes—featuring their most authentic and sustainable lodging, dining, shopping, attractions, events, and tours.

Potential sponsors are reviewed and vetted for their commitment to sustainability. They may suggest and offer content for places, but do not have final editorial control over destination profiles.

Building out Destination MapGuide content begins with listening and conversations with Indigenous and local communities to ensure that the places and experiences featured, and the stories of the place and its people, are accurately expressed and carefully promoted to benefit them.  

Principles and practices of economic and environmental justice and regenerative development are core to GoGood’s mission, vision, and implementation.  This approach enables authenticity, trust, and positive local impact—helping places regenerate from historical injustice and conflict, and end the use of tourism as a method of colonization and exploitation.  

Learn more about GoGood Sponsorship Opportunities .

GoGood will launch in February 2025.

Of course, it will take time to research places and build rich content for every country and destination. GoGood 1.0 will focus on the app user experience and content for select destinations.

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Green Destinations  and other s ustainable tourism experts and certification authorities help us assess destinations and businesses to feature on the app . Other sustainable tourism NGOs, brands, and consultants aligned with The Future of Tourism Coalition provide further support and guidance.

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30 essential travel apps every traveler needs before their next trip

When it comes to planning and taking a vacation, travelers rely on their phones now more than ever.

Travel apps are a source of inspiration and are extremely useful for booking and managing logistics — even making restaurant reservations or finding a great fitness class wherever in the world you're flying next.

From apps that help with everything from day-of hotel bookings and last-minute flight changes to those that serve as guidebooks and foreign-language dictionaries, travel is infinitely easier thanks to technology.

Apps can help you navigate a new city, make currency conversions, pack a perfect suitcase and even provide on-the-ground local expertise. Whatever you need when you hit the road, there's an app for that.

We've rounded up the most-loved apps here at TPG. Some may be obvious, and others more obscure, but either way, get ready to download.

Best apps for researching and booking trips

In addition to the apps for the airlines you fly most frequently and your favorite hotel brands, these apps can help you save money on flights and accommodations.

Hopper has changed in recent years from just offering a price prediction tool for flights to being a true online travel agency. The app helps travelers find the cheapest flights, hotels and rental cars.

Of course, Hopper also still offers its signature price prediction technology to help you plan out when to book, as well as travel protection options and a price freeze to help you lock in the lowest possible price on hotels and flights.

Kiwi is used mainly to book flights, but it also helps you book hotels (using its partnership with Booking.com) and car rentals (using its partnership with RentalCars.com).

Some of the app's most interesting features include the "Deals" section, which pulls in discounted flights, and the "Travel hacks" section, which includes options for hidden city ticketing, throwaway ticketing (making one-way flights more affordable) and free price alerts.

Hotel Tonight

A dream for last-minute travelers, Hotel Tonight ( now owned by Airbnb ) lets you book stays for the same evening up to a few months in advance in thousands of cities worldwide. Available hotel rooms are categorized into sections like basic, luxe, hip, charming and solid, so you can select what works for your vibe. Take advantage of the daily drop feature, where you swipe to find a personalized deal with a special price only valid for 15 minutes after unlocked.

At TPG, we love a good loyalty program, and HT Perks, the app's nine-level reward program, is extensive. Not unlike a video game, you "level up" by reaching specific spending thresholds on the app, and you'll gain access to perks like discounts, VIP customer support and credits. Also, your levels never expire, so you can only continue to move up.

To book home rentals instead of hotels, use the Airbnb app. After entering your destination and dates, you can filter results based on the home type, price, requisite amenities and more. If you find something you like, you can book directly through the app.

The app is ideal for managing your trips while on the road — you can access all your bookings under the "Trips" tab, where you can view your reservation (and the address or directions), contact the host or change your reservation. Once you have a booking, you can also explore and book local experiences in your destination, such as wine tastings, kayak tours, hikes, shows and concerts.

We can't talk about travel apps without mentioning the TPG App. Use it to track your credit card, airline and hotel points balances; earn points and miles efficiently through using the right credit card ; and research how many points or miles you'll need to book your dream getaway. You can even curate your own news feed so you see the news and advice that matters most to you first.

The TPG App is available for download on iOS . Android users can join the waitlist here .

Related: The TPG App has arrived — here's why you should download it now

Best apps for organizing a trip

From keeping all your documents in order to perfectly packing your suitcase without forgetting a thing, these are the best apps for organizing travel plans.

TripIt declutters your itineraries and documents by keeping them organized in one place. You can set your reservations to automatically send to TripIt, which lets you view travel confirmations, flight itineraries, tickets, hotel and Airbnb booking information, rental car reservations, ferry tickets and driving directions without ever leaving the app.

TripIt also makes it simple to share your trip plans with whoever picks you up from the airport or train station or anyone else who may need to coordinate with you. TripIt Pro subscriptions cost $49 per year and include extras like real-time flight alerts, security wait times, baggage claim information and updates on your loyalty reward programs.

Roadtrippers

Perfect for organizing that epic road trip you've always wanted to take, Roadtrippers plans out your driving route and lets you book hotels and activities along the way. The app is especially useful for finding interesting and off-the-beaten-path roadside attractions, cool restaurants and can't-miss landmarks you can bookmark.

A Roadtrippers Premium membership includes offline maps, live traffic information, overnight RV parking and more for $59.99 per year. For those looking to only venture on a few road trips per year, the app also offers a Pro ($49.99 per year) and Basic ($35.99 per year) membership.

PackPoint takes all the stress out of packing . The app shows you what to bring based on the length of your trip, the weather in your destination and any activities you're planning along the way. If you have access to laundry facilities at your destination, PackPoint even allows you to account for washing your clothes and wearing them multiple times.

Just download and install the app, type in the city you're visiting and plug in your travel details. So, stop waiting until the day before your trip — or the hours before you have to leave for the airport — and start packing now.

Best apps for navigating the airport and flights

Track flights, navigate airports and find airport lounges with these apps.

LoungeBuddy

LoungeBuddy offers access to premium airport lounges around the world, regardless of the airline or class you're flying. When you create a trip in the app and type in the credit cards you currently hold, it will tell you which lounges you have access to based on the airports you'll be transiting through and how to purchase access if you don't already have it.

You can purchase access on the day you're traveling or up to two months in advance if you're the plan-ahead type. If you prefer to search by lounge or lounge program, the app will tell you exactly what is needed to use them.

Priority Pass

Priority Pass offers access to more than 1,300 lounges worldwide and provides meal vouchers at select airport restaurants across the world for an annual fee starting at $99.

Several cards, including The Platinum Card® from American Express , the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card and the Chase Sapphire Reserve , offer Priority Pass memberships for all cardholders (enrollment required). Otherwise, you'll have to pay an annual fee to be a member and, depending on your membership tier, a fee to enter each lounge on top of the annual fee.

To use the Priority Pass app, enter the name or code of the airport you're in, and Priority Pass will pull up the lounges or restaurants that you have access to, including photos, hours, amenities and specific location information. For more information on the Priority Pass Program and how to gain lounge access, click here . Enrollment is required for select benefits.

Related: The best credit cards for Priority Pass lounge access

FlightAware

The FlightAware app allows you to track flights online, see a live map of a flight and check on delays, cancellations and gate changes. This app is especially helpful if you have a tight connection or want to track your flight.

It's also useful when picking up friends and family at the airport, as you can track their flight and see updated landing times or delays. AvGeeks will enjoy digging into flight statistics, flight maps and community aviation discussions on the app.

Best apps to use during your flight

Timeshifter.

What better way to cure jet lag than with an app? Timeshifter actually helps you avoid jet lag long before your flight takes off and also offers inflight and post-flight suggestions. The app relies on neuroscience research about sleep and circadian rhythms to provide personalized recommendations, taking into consideration your age, gender and normal sleep patterns — as well as specifics about your trip and travel plans. Timeshifter maps out when you should avoid or seek light, take a nap or try to stay awake. It even tells you if you should consider supplementing with melatonin or caffeine.

Your first jet lag plan is free, then $9.99 per plan, or you can enjoy unlimited plans for a year for $24.99.

Flying can cause anxiety — or provide a welcome relief from constant contact with our digital devices. Either way, use travel as an opportunity to relax, meditate or listen to soothing sounds that will lull you to sleep or a deep, relaxed state. Or, perhaps, you'll simply find it helps pass the time during a long flight.

Calm offers meditations on topics such as self-awareness, calming anxiety, breathing, lowering stress levels and happiness, among others. The app also has music options for focusing, relaxing and sleeping, as well as stories for adults and content for kids.

A limited selection of meditations and music is available for free (which you can download to use when you're offline or in flight). The premium version of the app costs $14.99 per month or $69.99 annually.

OK, so Netflix isn't really a travel app, but it can be a lifesaver during a long flight on an aircraft without seatback inflight entertainment or at the airport during an unexpected flight delay or boring layover. If you have a Netflix account, the app allows you to download your favorite shows onto your device to watch offline.

Just make sure to download your shows while connected to Wi-Fi before flying and check them again preflight to make sure they haven't expired (you can usually renew any expired downloads, but you must be connected to Wi-Fi or data to do so). Monthly prices vary depending on the plan.

Another app that's not really a travel app, Spotify can still be incredibly useful during tedious travel moments — just pop in those noise-canceling headphones and listen to your favorite music, meditations, podcasts and more.

The app's Premium plans (prices vary) allow you to download all your content offline on your phone, so you'll have it during long flights or when you don't have data or Wi-Fi access. Whether you want to take a morning jog in Bali to your favorite tunes or pass the time with a podcast on the metro in Barcelona, Spotify has it all.

Best apps to use in your destination

From exchanging money and sightseeing to communicating and knowing all the local tips and tricks, you don't want to land in a foreign city for the first time without these key apps.

XE Currency Converter

The XE Currency Converter app quickly provides live, up-to-the-minute currency rates, then allows you to store and view them even when you're offline. You'll never need to wonder if you're really getting a good deal in another country if you have this app.

Google Translate

Google Translate is a translation app that allows you to do it all — translate into more than 100 languages by typing, access 59 languages offline, translate via photo, translate bilingual conversations and even use the handwriting tool to translate.

The app is simple to use, too, with icons at the top you can click on to draw, take a photo, speak or type.

Not quite sure how much to tip when traveling internationally? GlobeTips will advise you on how to tip appropriately in more than 200 countries. It also offers a tip calculator for easy math. Globe also has apps for currency conversion, unit conversion and more that may be useful for travelers.

Related: The ultimate guide to tipping while traveling

For travelers globe-trotting with friends and family members or simply splitting the cost between groups, Tricount calculates shared costs and splits bills so you don't have to think twice about who owes what. Just enter your trip and currency and invite your travel mates to join your trip.

Each time someone pays for something, you enter the amount in Tricount, and the app splits everything up. You can also snap and store photos of receipts in the app. At the end of your trip, it will show the balances of who owes who what, making it easy to settle up.

Metric Conversions

Never be baffled by Celsius temperatures or suitcase weight in kilograms again with the Metric Conversions app . Whether you're measuring flour to cook at your Airbnb, figuring out distances for your Europe road trip or deciding whether to take a sweatshirt with you during your walking tour of the Great Wall of China, this app has you covered with easy conversions in volume, weight, temperature, area and more.

Google Maps

Google Maps is essential when visiting a new city (or even for getting around your hometown). You can map locations, get directions (walking, driving, public transportation, ride-hailing services and beyond) and see how crowded your subway will be in select cities .

You can make restaurant reservations, save your favorite spots and read and write reviews of attractions, eateries, shops and more. Make sure to download specific city or area maps ahead of time for offline access if you know you'll be without internet at your destination. For obvious reasons, the app works best when your GPS is turned on.

WhatsApp is a handy messaging service for travelers abroad as it uses an internet connection to avoid SMS fees.

It works like most other messaging apps: You start by creating an account, then add your friends and family members to contact and voila! You're able to call, video chat and send messages, images, voice memos, gifs and files just as you would in, say, iMessage (but with Android users too). You can also download WhatsApp on your Windows or Mac computer.

Best apps for planning activities

Traveling is about more than just getting from point A to point B. If you're looking for activities to add to your itinerary, check out these apps.

Meetup is an app designed for interacting with locals and other travelers who have mutual interests or shared hobbies. Whether you're traveling or at home, take what you love and do more of it with Meetup.

The app shows you groups that are formed around particular interests in your city, including yoga, photography, cooking, wine tasting, hiking, cinema and other activities. You can join groups to get updates on particular events you may want to participate in. The app can even help with networking, as there are many groups dedicated to business and technology. You might even be able to join a coworking group. Travelers with kids can participate in family-friendly meetups, and it's a great way for solo travelers to make friends and connect with others.

TheFork is one of the most useful resources for making restaurant reservations in Europe. Similar to OpenTable or Resy, the app lets you browse different restaurants by category and make reservations. TheFork features more than 60,000 restaurants in cities like London, Madrid and Geneva, as well as spots outside of Europe like Sydney, Australia.

The biggest perk is that many restaurant reservations come with discounts — in some cases, you can get up to 50% off your meal just by reserving a table through TheFork. Since we here at TPG are always down for earning rewards, make sure to monitor your YUMS — TheFork's reward system. You'll earn YUMS with each reservation, and when you hit 1,000, you receive a discount on your bill. Foodie travelers should also consider downloading these apps , too.

Happy Cow helps vegan and vegetarian eaters locate more than 180,000 restaurants, coffee shops, bakeries, farmers markets and grocery stores in over 180 countries around the world. The app allows you to filter by not only vegan and vegetarian but also gluten-free and cuisine types. You can also read reviews and get recipes on the app as well.

The app does cost $3.99, but it's a one-time expense.

TripAdvisor

Besides reading reviews of restaurants, hotels and attractions, you can book almost anything on TripAdvisor, from vacation rentals and restaurant reservations to tours and tickets.

The app has grown to include almost all things travel, allowing you to search by destination or interest (like the outdoors, food and drink, family or by the water, for example), which can give you inspiration for a trip or help you get your activities, meals and accommodations organized before traveling or on the fly.

With over 400,000 curated trails, AllTrails can help you find the hike or walk perfect for you and your group. It's not just mountain trails — AllTrails offers city walks, too, like easy meanders through the Marais district in Paris or peaceful strolls through Bangkok's Lumpini Park in Thailand.

See photos, updated weather predictions and key information about each route and connect with other travelers through reviews and forums. Access to AllTrails+ is $35.99 per year, which offers perks like offline maps and wrong turn alerts.

Best apps for staying safe

Use these apps to stay safe when traveling.

Smart Traveler

Smart Traveler is a free service that offers tips and information specifically for U.S. travelers. You can see what visas and vaccines you'll need before traveling and where to find help if you need it during your trip.

Register your trip on the app, which gives your information to local embassies and consulates in your destination. If there's any kind of disaster or tragedy, the local embassy can contact you to see if you need help.

TripWhistle

Another app dedicated to keeping you safe, TripWhistle maps your location and allows you to easily text or send your GPS coordinates or location. It also provides emergency numbers for firefighters, medical personnel and police in nearly 200 countries. After all, 911 is only for U.S.-based emergencies: Each country has its own specific emergency number.

Yes, Uber (or any local ride-hailing service app) is convenient, but it may also keep you safe. Using this app when traveling means you'll never get stuck wandering around in an unfamiliar area late at night or have to deal with unscrupulous taxi drivers trying to scam you. Uber also has in-app safety features such as an emergency assistance button which will allow you to call local emergency services right in the app.

More From Forbes

The world’s best luxury cruise lines, according to globe travel awards.

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Seabourn Sojourn

From poolside mini-massages to Picasso artworks, personal butlers, private access to historic sites and grand 4,443 square-foot suites, here are five of the world’s best luxury cruise lines shortlisted in the 2024 Globe Travel Awards .

1. Regent Seven Seas Cruises

Regent Seven Seas Grandeur

Often dubbed the world’s most luxurious fleet, Regent Seven Seas Cruises offers stylish, ultra-luxury cruising, with complimentary shore excursions in over 550 destinations from Arabia to the South Pacific , carrying fewer than 750 guests on its six sumptuous ships, adorned with Picasso artworks, 40-foot tapestries, and bronze Bonsai Cherry Trees .

Onboard its newest ship , Regent Seven Seas Grandeur , you’ll find a $6 million art collection (including the first Fabergé egg at sea), 503 crystal chandeliers, unlimited high-speed WiFi, gourmet dining from modern French to Pan-Asian (serving more than 130 new dishes), specialist lectures from war history to winemaking and ancestry; a state-of-the-art cooking school, the Culinary Arts Kitchen; and a high-tech spa boasting a zero-gravity wellness massage on quartz crystal bed.

Its palatial $11,000-a-night Regent Suite is set across 4,443 square feet, overlooking the bow of the ship, with two lavish bedrooms (one with a four-poster bed), a marble-wrapped bathroom, a full-size dining room and living room with a personalized bar, three walk-in wardrobes, and a sweeping wraparound balcony with a heated whirlpool.

You’ll also receive daily canapés, access to The Study, a private dining room for up to 12 guests; a personal butler, and a personal car and guide to explore ashore.

2. Seabourn Cruise Line

Seabourn Encore

Seabourn is a leader in small-ship ultra-luxury cruising, boasting an elegant fleet of six ships designed for suave travelers who demand the very best–bearing a private yacht-like atmosphere onboard with all ocean-front suites.

Service is at the heart of Seabourn with complimentary fine wines and premium spirits, mini-massages at the poolside, wine tastings, and fine dining from lobster to quail. While its shore excursions often include private access to historic sites when they’re closed to the general public, as well as sailings into secluded coves and champagne and caviar beach picnics.

The newest of Seabourn’s two purpose-built expedition ships– Seabourn Pursuit , was designed to reach some of the most coveted, remote destinations in the world, carrying just 264 guests with two custom-built submarines, 24 zodiacs, kayaks, and a 24-person expedition team.

Onboard, you can whiz up and down its ten passenger decks boasting an Expedition Lounge , eight dining venues, an infinity pool, and a Discovery Center hosting enthralling lectures–or retire to your Owner’s Suite, set across 1,023 square feet, with a private veranda, sweeping walk-in wardrobe, and a lavish bathroom with a deep soaking tub and plush robes.

At sunset, sip a glass of Montaudon or order gourmet in-room dining, served course by course.

3. Silversea Cruises

A pioneer in ultra-luxury cruising since 1994, Silversea Cruises offers exceptional service standards across its 12 a ll-suite ships, with 24-hour butler service, a Venetian Society loyalty program (earning complimentary 14-day sailings), and some of the highest space-to-guest ratios at sea.

Launched in 2024, its newest ship– Silver Ray –sails with 728 passengers, swanning across its 11 decks with a two-story Venetian Lounge hosting musical performances, film screenings, and guest lectures; a cozy 32-guest cocktail bar, The Shelter ; a sexy cigar lounge, The Connoisseur’s Corner, with floor-to-ceiling windows and Chesterfield armchairs; a panoramic 270-degree observation lounge, The Panorama Lounge; a culinary test kitchen S.A.L.T. Lab, and the Otium Spa inspired by Ancient Roman baths.

Guests staying in the one-bedroom Otium Suite will have 1,324 square feet of space to spread out across with a commodious living room, dining area, a decadent bathroom with its own whirlpool bath, walk-in wardrobes, and floor-to-ceiling glass doors opening onto a vast veranda with a private hot tub.

4. Explora Journeys

Private veranda.

A passion project by the Aponte family, Explora Journeys launched its first ship, EXPLORA I , in August 2023, offering 461 ‘ Homes at Sea.’ At the top of the tree, its Owner’s Residence is set across 3,000 square feet, bearing a private steam room and panoramic ocean-front terrace with a swirling whirlpool where your butler will service you a chilled glass of Dom Pérignon .

Onboard restaurants range from Mediterranean to Pan-Asian , plus a fine-dining restaurant , Anthology , curated by Franck Garanger , serving fine Italian regional dishes like Mediterranean seabass with Arabica coffee and scallop cannelloni with black truffle.

You’ll also find four heated swimming pools, a spacious thermal area, 64 private cabanas, two VIP double spa suites, a Technogym fitness area, Luminaries –hosting expert-led talks, and the first Rolex at Sea boutique.

Sustainability is a focus area for Explora Journeys , and from EXPLORA III onwards, it will use LNG fuel, allowing engines to reduce CO2 emissions by up to 25%.

5. Scenic Luxury Cruises and Tours

Scenic Eclipse

With a focus on exclusive experiences from private concerts to gourmet feasts and after-hours access to historical sites, Scenic offers six-star cruising using ground-breaking technology to access some of the most remote environments in the world, from Vanuatu to Snow Hill Island –while protecting the wildlife’s natural habitat and sensitive underwater ecosystems

While cruising with Scenic , you can make use of state-of-the-art helicopters, next-generation submersibles for eight passengers (diving up to 200 meters below sea level), and 20-member expedition teams made up of naturalists, marine biologists, and glaciologists.

Its ultra-luxury yacht Scenic Eclipse II launched in 2023 with a maximum of just 228 guests–bearing 114 luxury suites, a Senses Spa , and a Sky Deck boasting a Vitality pool, private cabanas, and a Sky Bar .

Stay in its Owner’s Penthouse Suite stretching across 1,990 square feet with a sweeping 110 square foot terrace, adorned with sun loungers and a private Jacuzzi; a therapeutic spa bath, dual steam showers, a personalized mini-bar, and a Spa Day Bed transforming for in-suite spa treatments where you can indulge in hot stone massages and eye lift facials as you sail by Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands .

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• Flight Denver - Tokyo (DEN - TYO) $697+
• Flight Salt Lake City - Tokyo (SLC - TYO) $716+

Chicago Flights

• Flight New York - Chicago (NYC - CHI) $51+
• Flight Atlanta - Chicago (ATL - CHI) $57+
• Flight Houston - Chicago (IAH - CHI) $62+
• Flight San Diego - Chicago (SAN - CHI) $64+
• Flight Dallas - Chicago (DFW - CHI) $67+
• Flight New Orleans - Chicago (MSY - CHI) $69+
• Flight Phoenix - Chicago (PHX - CHI) $71+
• Flight Charlotte - Chicago (CLT - CHI) $73+
• Flight Nashville - Chicago (BNA - CHI) $74+
• Flight Denver - Chicago (DEN - CHI) $76+

Phoenix Flights

• Flight Los Angeles - Phoenix (LAX - PHX) $41+
• Flight Las Vegas - Phoenix (LAS - PHX) $46+
• Flight Ontario - Phoenix (ONT - PHX) $52+
• Flight San Diego - Phoenix (SAN - PHX) $55+
• Flight San Francisco - Phoenix (SFO - PHX) $66+
• Flight Seattle - Phoenix (SEA - PHX) $66+
• Flight Chicago - Phoenix (CHI - PHX) $67+
• Flight Santa Ana - Phoenix (SNA - PHX) $67+
• Flight Portland - Phoenix (PDX - PHX) $69+
• Flight Dallas - Phoenix (DFW - PHX) $71+

India Flights

• Flight Boston - New Delhi (BOS - DEL) $649+
• Flight New York - Mumbai (NYC - BOM) $650+
• Flight New York - New Delhi (NYC - DEL) $655+
• Flight Boston - Mumbai (BOS - BOM) $657+
• Flight San Francisco - Mumbai (SFO - BOM) $682+
• Flight San Francisco - Bengaluru (SFO - BLR) $686+
• Flight New York - Ahmedabad (NYC - AMD) $696+
• Flight Washington, D.C. - Hyderabad (WAS - HYD) $701+
• Flight Dallas - New Delhi (DFW - DEL) $703+
• Flight Dallas - Mumbai (DFW - BOM) $711+

Japan Flights

• Flight Dallas - Tokyo (DFW - TYO) $720+
• Flight San Francisco - Osaka (SFO - OSA) $721+
• Flight Atlanta - Tokyo (ATL - TYO) $752+
• Flight Los Angeles - Osaka (LAX - OSA) $752+
• Flight Houston - Tokyo (IAH - TYO) $756+
• Flight Seattle - Tokyo (SEA - TYO) $827+
• Flight New York - Tokyo (NYC - TYO) $869+
• Flight Los Angeles - Okinawa (LAX - OKA) $873+
• Flight Chicago - Tokyo (CHI - TYO) $919+
• Flight Boston - Tokyo (BOS - TYO) $939+

New York Flights

• Flight Atlanta - New York (ATL - NYC) $37+
• Flight Boston - Newark (BOS - NYC) $37+
• Flight Charlotte - New York (CLT - NYC) $43+
• Flight Miami - New York (MIA - NYC) $45+
• Flight Fort Lauderdale - New York (FLL - NYC) $51+
• Flight Raleigh - New York (RDU - NYC) $55+
• Flight Tampa - New York (TPA - NYC) $56+
• Flight Indianapolis - Newark (IND - NYC) $57+
• Flight Dallas - New York (DFW - NYC) $64+
• Flight Orlando - New York (ORL - NYC) $65+

Miami Flights

• Flight Dallas - Miami (DFW - MIA) $40+
• Flight Atlanta - Miami (ATL - MIA) $45+
• Flight New York - Miami (NYC - MIA) $52+
• Flight Charlotte - Miami (CLT - MIA) $66+
• Flight Raleigh - Miami (RDU - MIA) $67+
• Flight Chicago - Miami (CHI - MIA) $76+
• Flight Houston - Miami (IAH - MIA) $76+
• Flight Philadelphia - Miami (PHL - MIA) $76+
• Flight Baltimore - Miami (BWI - MIA) $77+
• Flight Nashville - Miami (BNA - MIA) $78+

Rome Flights

• Flight Boston - Rome (BOS - ROM) $337+
• Flight New York - Rome (NYC - ROM) $356+
• Flight Miami - Rome (MIA - ROM) $398+
• Flight Baltimore - Rome (BWI - ROM) $399+
• Flight San Francisco - Rome (SFO - ROM) $447+
• Flight Los Angeles - Rome (LAX - ROM) $449+
• Flight Minneapolis - Rome (MSP - ROM) $465+
• Flight Fort Lauderdale - Rome (FLL - ROM) $466+
• Flight Atlanta - Rome (ATL - ROM) $482+
• Flight Seattle - Rome (SEA - ROM) $509+

Seattle Flights

• Flight Las Vegas - Seattle (LAS - SEA) $38+
• Flight Los Angeles - Seattle (LAX - SEA) $41+
• Flight Phoenix - Seattle (PHX - SEA) $63+
• Flight San Jose - Seattle (SJC - SEA) $64+
• Flight Ontario - Seattle (ONT - SEA) $72+
• Flight Sacramento - Seattle (SMF - SEA) $75+
• Flight Dallas - Seattle (DFW - SEA) $76+
• Flight San Diego - Seattle (SAN - SEA) $79+
• Flight Denver - Seattle (DEN - SEA) $82+
• Flight Salt Lake City - Seattle (SLC - SEA) $84+

Fort Lauderdale Flights

• Flight Raleigh - Fort Lauderdale (RDU - FLL) $38+
• Flight Dallas - Fort Lauderdale (DFW - FLL) $45+
• Flight New York - Fort Lauderdale (NYC - FLL) $50+
• Flight Atlanta - Fort Lauderdale (ATL - FLL) $51+
• Flight Nashville - Fort Lauderdale (BNA - FLL) $51+
• Flight Hartford - Fort Lauderdale (BDL - FLL) $56+
• Flight Richmond - Fort Lauderdale (RIC - FLL) $56+
• Flight Tampa - Fort Lauderdale (TPA - FLL) $57+
• Flight Indianapolis - Fort Lauderdale (IND - FLL) $68+
• Flight Charlotte - Fort Lauderdale (CLT - FLL) $74+

Atlanta Flights

• Flight New York - Atlanta (NYC - ATL) $31+
• Flight Philadelphia - Atlanta (PHL - ATL) $47+
• Flight Orlando - Atlanta (ORL - ATL) $49+
• Flight Boston - Atlanta (BOS - ATL) $51+
• Flight Houston - Atlanta (IAH - ATL) $51+
• Flight Houston - Atlanta (HOU - ATL) $51+
• Flight Tampa - Atlanta (TPA - ATL) $51+
• Flight Dallas - Atlanta (DFW - ATL) $57+
• Flight Fort Lauderdale - Atlanta (FLL - ATL) $59+
• Flight Baltimore - Atlanta (BWI - ATL) $62+

Boston Flights

• Flight Baltimore - Boston (BWI - BOS) $47+
• Flight Atlanta - Boston (ATL - BOS) $50+
• Flight Houston - Boston (IAH - BOS) $63+
• Flight Raleigh - Boston (RDU - BOS) $66+
• Flight Dallas - Boston (DFW - BOS) $68+
• Flight Tampa - Boston (TPA - BOS) $68+
• Flight Nashville - Boston (BNA - BOS) $72+
• Flight Orlando - Boston (ORL - BOS) $73+
• Flight Charlotte - Boston (CLT - BOS) $75+
• Flight Fort Myers - Boston (RSW - BOS) $76+

United States Flights

• Flight Dallas - Las Vegas (DFW - LAS) $62+
• Flight Boston - Miami (BOS - MIA) $82+
• Flight Denver - Las Vegas (DEN - LAS) $87+
• Flight Minneapolis - Phoenix (MSP - PH1) $91+
• Flight Atlanta - Las Vegas (ATL - LAS) $97+
• Flight Atlanta - Los Angeles (ATL - LAX) $101+
• Flight Minneapolis - Las Vegas (MSP - LAS) $119+
• Flight Los Angeles - Honolulu (LAX - HNL) $161+

Hawaii Flights

• Flight San Francisco - Hawaii (SFO - USHI) $150+
• Flight Los Angeles - Hawaii (LAX - USHI) $161+
• Flight Oakland - Hawaii (OAK - USHI) $206+
• Flight San Jose - Hawaii (SJC - USHI) $206+
• Flight Seattle - Hawaii (SEA - USHI) $226+
• Flight San Diego - Hawaii (SAN - USHI) $230+
• Flight Portland - Hawaii (PDX - USHI) $236+
• Flight Sacramento - Hawaii (SMF - USHI) $236+
• Flight Ontario - Hawaii (ONT - USHI) $271+
• Flight Denver - Hawaii (DEN - USHI) $318+

London Flights

• Flight Boston - London (BOS - LON) $305+
• Flight New York - London (NYC - LON) $315+
• Flight Miami - London (MIA - LON) $380+
• Flight Chicago - London (CHI - LON) $450+
• Flight Atlanta - London (ATL - LON) $455+
• Flight Denver - London (DEN - LON) $455+
• Flight Baltimore - London (BWI - LON) $462+
• Flight Los Angeles - London (LAX - LON) $470+
• Flight Seattle - London (SEA - LON) $473+
• Flight Portland - London (PDX - LON) $475+

Paris Flights

• Flight New Windsor - Paris (SWF - PAR) $314+
• Flight Baltimore - Paris (BWI - PAR) $332+
• Flight Boston - Paris (BOS - PAR) $336+
• Flight New York - Paris (NYC - PAR) $338+
• Flight Washington, D.C. - Paris (WAS - PAR) $338+
• Flight Chicago - Paris (CHI - PAR) $364+
• Flight Miami - Paris (MIA - PAR) $384+
• Flight Orlando - Paris (ORL - PAR) $385+
• Flight Raleigh - Paris (RDU - PAR) $397+
• Flight Portland - Paris (PDX - PAR) $430+

Manila Flights

• Flight Los Angeles - Manila (LAX - MNL) $614+
• Flight Chicago - Manila (CHI - MNL) $727+
• Flight San Francisco - Manila (SFO - MNL) $742+
• Flight Ontario - Manila (ONT - MNL) $745+
• Flight Seattle - Manila (SEA - MNL) $751+
• Flight Honolulu - Manila (HNL - MNL) $780+
• Flight Boston - Manila (BOS - MNL) $809+
• Flight Washington, D.C. - Manila (WAS - MNL) $838+
• Flight Las Vegas - Manila (LAS - MNL) $850+
• Flight New York - Manila (NYC - MNL) $851+

Denver Flights

• Flight Los Angeles - Denver (LAX - DEN) $56+
• Flight Ontario - Denver (ONT - DEN) $57+
• Flight San Francisco - Denver (SFO - DEN) $57+
• Flight Houston - Denver (HOU - DEN) $58+
• Flight Austin - Denver (AUS - DEN) $68+
• Flight Minneapolis - Denver (MSP - DEN) $74+
• Flight San Diego - Denver (SAN - DEN) $76+
• Flight Las Vegas - Denver (LAS - DEN) $77+
• Flight Seattle - Denver (SEA - DEN) $81+
• Flight Atlanta - Denver (ATL - DEN) $82+

San Francisco Flights

• Flight Ontario - San Francisco (ONT - SFO) $41+
• Flight San Diego - San Francisco (SAN - SFO) $41+
• Flight Los Angeles - San Francisco (LAX - SFO) $42+
• Flight Santa Ana - San Francisco (SNA - SFO) $45+
• Flight Las Vegas - San Francisco (LAS - SFO) $46+
• Flight Portland - San Francisco (PDX - SFO) $56+
• Flight Salt Lake City - San Francisco (SLC - SFO) $57+
• Flight Phoenix - San Francisco (PHX - SFO) $66+
• Flight Denver - San Francisco (DEN - SFO) $72+
• Flight Dallas - San Francisco (DFW - SFO) $106+

San Diego Flights

• Flight Las Vegas - San Diego (LAS - SAN) $37+
• Flight San Jose - San Diego (SJC - SAN) $38+
• Flight San Francisco - San Diego (SFO - SAN) $45+
• Flight Oakland - San Diego (OAK - SAN) $47+
• Flight Portland - San Diego (PDX - SAN) $49+
• Flight Sacramento - San Diego (SMF - SAN) $55+
• Flight Salt Lake City - San Diego (SLC - SAN) $56+
• Flight Phoenix - San Diego (PHX - SAN) $58+
• Flight Chicago - San Diego (CHI - SAN) $62+
• Flight Dallas - San Diego (DFW - SAN) $67+

Punta Cana Flights

• Flight Fort Lauderdale - Punta Cana (FLL - PUJ) $188+
• Flight Chicago - Punta Cana (CHI - PUJ) $218+
• Flight Miami - Punta Cana (MIA - PUJ) $225+
• Flight Philadelphia - Punta Cana (PHL - PUJ) $226+
• Flight Tampa - Punta Cana (TPA - PUJ) $229+
• Flight Boston - Punta Cana (BOS - PUJ) $235+
• Flight Baltimore - Punta Cana (BWI - PUJ) $247+
• Flight New York - Punta Cana (NYC - PUJ) $248+
• Flight Charlotte - Punta Cana (CLT - PUJ) $250+
• Flight Cleveland - Punta Cana (CLE - PUJ) $252+

Europe Flights

• Flight Miami - Madrid (MIA - MAD) $326+
• Flight Boston - Dublin (BOS - DUB) $333+
• Flight Boston - Lisbon (BOS - LIS) $362+
• Flight San Francisco - Madrid (SFO - MAD) $380+
• Flight Los Angeles - Madrid (LAX - MAD) $416+
• Flight Boston - Athens (BOS - ATH) $435+
• Flight New York - Athens (NYC - ATH) $447+
• Flight Los Angeles - Lisbon (LAX - LIS) $448+
• Flight Los Angeles - Paris (LAX - PAR) $477+
• Flight San Francisco - London (SFO - LON) $483+

Florida Flights

• Flight Dallas - Florida (DFW - USFL) $40+
• Flight Atlanta - Florida (ATL - USFL) $45+
• Flight New York - Florida (NYC - USFL) $56+
• Flight Philadelphia - Florida (PHL - USFL) $62+
• Flight Hartford - Florida (BDL - USFL) $65+
• Flight Charlotte - Florida (CLT - USFL) $66+
• Flight Boston - Florida (BOS - USFL) $67+
• Flight Baltimore - Florida (BWI - USFL) $77+
• Flight Los Angeles - Florida (LAX - USFL) $105+
• Flight Minneapolis - Florida (MSP - USFL) $120+

Frequently asked questions

What do i need to know before booking a flight.

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

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

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

Which month of the year are flight prices lowest?

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

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

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

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

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

How does KAYAK find such low flight prices?

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

How do I find the best flight deals on KAYAK?

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

How can Hacker Fares save me money?

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

Does KAYAK query more flight providers than competitors?

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

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

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

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

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

Search cheap flights with KAYAK. Search for the cheapest airline tickets for all the top airlines around the world, airports around the world and the top international flight routes . KAYAK searches hundreds of travel sites to help you find cheap airfare and book a flight that suits you best. Since KAYAK searches many plane tickets sites at once, you can find cheap tickets from cheap airlines and for trains and buses quickly.

KAYAK also helps you find the right hotels for your needs.

These WNC locations are among the 25 best in NC: Here's what Travel + Leisure says

A list of 25 best places to visit in North Carolina from Travel + Leisure included several Western N.C. favorites including Asheville itself.

Travel media website Travel + Leisure publishes travel guides, lists of suggestions and more - and it's not the first time the website has praised WNC locations . A new list of 25 travel recommendations in the Tar Heel State ranges from entire cities to museums to national forests and beyond.

Here are the WNC locations that made it onto Travel + Leisure's list, plus the rest of its suggestions.

More: 5 best 'crowd-free' fall leaf hikes in US: Western NC waterfall trail picked by Backpacker

Best places to visit in WNC

The locations included on the list located in WNC were:

• No. 1 - Biltmore Estate
• No. 4 - Pisgah National Forest
• No. 5 - Asheville
• No. 6 - Brevard
• No. 13 - Blue Ridge Parkway
• No. 14 - Linville Falls in the Blue Ridge Mountains
• No. 15 - Grandfather Mountain in the Blue Ridge Mountains
• No. 18 - Great Smoky Mountains National Park
• No. 19 - Cherokee
• No. 24 - Chimney Rock State Park

Here's what Travel + Leisure writers said about each.

Biltmore Estate

In first place on the list, the Biltmore Estate was called "one of the most beautiful and iconic homes in the country" by Travel + Leisure writers. The estate receives millions of visitors yearly, but writers said it's "worth braving the crowds."

Suggestions from the writers included:

• Stroll the 8,000 acre grounds.
• Tour the luxurious architecture of the home.
• Visit nearby Antler Hill Village for dining, shopping, additional exhibits, and even a winery.

More: Forbes names 4 Western NC companies among best employers in 2024: Check out the NC list

• Pisgah National Forest

The over 500,000 Pisgah National Forest was praised by Travel + Leisure writers for its rich history of conservation and culture. Writers also praised the area for:

• America's first forestry school
• The Cradle of Forestry
• Natural waterslide and swimming hole Sliding Rock
• Romantic cabin getaways at the Pisgah Highlands complex

Writers had plenty to say on our very own Asheville. Their favorite things about the area included:

• "Quirky, artistic vibe" and mountain views.
• "Food hot spot" status, with chefs who embrace Appalachian traditions for their menus.
• Thriving craft beer scene.
• Historic architecture.
• Galleries and working artists' studios across several art districts.
• New Age shops and events.
• "Lively scene" year-round.

More: This Western NC apple orchard was voted top 10 in the country: What to know, full rankings

Brevard's "Land of Waterfalls" title - and the 250 waterfalls within Transylvania County that come with it - wasn't the only thing Travel + Leisure appreciated about Brevard. Also included in the Brevard list entry were:

• Glamping tents and cabins at resorts like Pilot Cove and DuPont Yurts.
• River activities like kayaking and paddling.
• Scenic hiking areas to top sites like Looking Glass Falls, Cove Creek Falls and Moore Cove Falls.
• Blue Ridge Parkway

Though the parkway is about 600 miles in length, Travel + Leisure writers gave the area broader praise. The versatility of choices, from an hour drive to view the parkway's flora and fauna to a multiday road trip, the N.C. section of the parkway alone can be whatever travelers are looking for.

In particular, the list entry praised the Blue Ridge Music Center's celebration of regional folk music traditions through seasonal performances.

More: Raw gems: How many WNC locations are among a list of best 'undiscovered' towns in NC

• Linville Falls in the Blue Ridge Mountains

Writers appreciated the multi-tiered cascade that is Linville Falls for its five different vantage points for viewing with various skill levels required - the easiest being only a 20-minute walk from the parking area. The area's campground was also praised.

• Grandfather Mountain in the Blue Ridge Mountains

Beyond stunning scenery, Travel + Leisure writers were appreciative of the variety of options for what to do at Grandfather Mountain. Their suggestions included:

• Wilson Center for Nature Discovery
• Hugh Morton photo gallery
• Wildlife habitat enclosure including animals like black bears and river otters

More: 7 unique traditions in North Carolina include 3 in WNC: See the list and make your plans

• Great Smoky Mountains National Park

What list of NC destinations would be complete without the most-visited national park in the U.S.? Travel + Leisure authors praised the national park's miles of hiking trails, as well as these specifics:

• Hiking options for sections of the East Coast-spanning Appalachian Trail including the 7.5-mile hike from Newfound Gap to Clingmans Dome
• The Deep Creek area, with an "enchanting" bevy of streams and waterfalls

Writers appreciated the capital of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Nation for the chance it provides for a "deeper connection and understanding of the state's Indigenous heritage." To make the most of this opportunity, Travel + Leisure suggested:

• Buy a ticket for "Unto These Hills," an outdoor theater show put on by the Cherokee Historical Association
• Enjoy natural beauty of the area with mountain bike trails, waterfall hikes, fishing and river tubing

More: These 4 Western NC places made Southern Living's Best Fall Trips in the South: See all 20

• Chimney Rock State Park

Last but not least at No. 24 on the list, Travel + Leisure writers said that Chimney Rock State Park has some of the most beautiful views in WNC, with unique geological features and biodiversity to add to the draw. In particular, they praised:

• The area's status as a filming location for several famous movies including "Last of the Mohicans"
• The "namesake rock," a 315-foot perch accessible by elevator
• Devil's Head, which writers called "another rock worth seeing"

Best places to visit in NC

As for the whole list, here's what Travel + Leisure writers deemed most worth of a visit in NC:

• Biltmore Estate in Asheville
• Shackleford Banks
• Outer Banks
• Wright Brothers National Memorial in Kitty Hawk
• North Carolina Museum of History in Raleigh
• Chapel Hill
• Levine Museum of the New South in Charlotte
• Winston-Salem
• Winkler Bakery in Winston-Salem
• Sarah P. Duke Gardens in Durham
• International Civil Rights Center & Museum in Greensboro
• Merchants Millpond State Park

More: 5 WNC hotels named among 12 best for fall stays by Southern Living: No. 1 is in Waynesville

Iris Seaton is the trending news reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach her at [email protected].

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An ultimate guide to purpose-driven travel

The choices we make in how and where we travel matter more than ever—and embracing purpose-driven travel can turn our wanderlust into a force for good.

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Travel has the profound ability to transform us personally—awakening and indulging our passions, fostering a deeper understanding of diverse cultures, and enriching our lives.

It can also have significant implications for the planet and the communities we encounter.

From immersive tours and ethical wildlife encounters to environmentally conscious accommodations and locally sourced dining, each purposeful travel decision can have a positive ripple effect. Along the journey, expect hands-on learning opportunities and horizon-broadening encounters that showcase the interconnectedness of the global community—the kind that might have prompted Mark Twain to describe travel as “fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness.”

By aligning our travel choices with our values, we can elevate our personal experiences while also contributing to the wellbeing of the places we visit and the people who call them home.

Start by exploring these luxury hotels and customizable tours that are making meaningful strides in areas such as conservation and community impact.

Stay with Purpose

From marine conservation to habitat preservation to prioritizing self-sufficiency and waste reduction, a hotel’s actions all add up. We’ve curated a list of luxury properties that understand the value of purposeful travel and have implemented initiatives such as supporting and celebrating local communities, prioritizing inclusivity, and reducing their environmental impact.

Explore with Purpose

American Express Travel® worked with Kensington Tours to carefully develop itineraries that promote positive cultural exchange and support local economies. Explore the transformational adventures available in Peru, Denmark, Kenya, South Africa, and Vietnam. These five trips are customizable and bookable exclusively through American Express Travel.

Traveling responsibly can be rewarding.

Book through American Express Travel® to get elevated benefits and curated, luxury booking options.*

Platinum Card Members® can book at over 1,500 extraordinary properties worldwide and enjoy a complimentary suite of benefits with an average total value of $600. † *

12pm check-in, when available

Room upgrade, when available 2

Daily breakfast for two

$100 experience credit 1

Guaranteed 4pm check-out

1 Experience credit varies by property.

2 Certain room categories are not eligible for upgrade.

Platinum and Gold Card Members® can explore more than 700 boutique and design-inspired hotels and receive elevated benefits on stays of two or more consecutive nights.*

Custom Tours and Vacations

Platinum Card Members® can enjoy personalized itineraries with world-class service and support, and earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on eligible bookings with Platinum Destinations® Vacations.*

CUSTOM TOURS AND VACATIONS

Get one extra Membership Rewards® point for every eligible dollar spent on a qualifying package

† Average value based on Fine Hotels + Resorts® bookings in 2022 for stays of two nights. Actual value will vary based on property, room rate, upgrade availability, and use of benefits.

Fine Hotels + Resorts ®

Fine Hotels + Resorts ®  (FHR) program benefits are available for new bookings made through American Express Travel with participating properties and are valid only for eligible U.S. Consumer, Business, and Corporate Platinum Card ®  Members and Centurion ®  Members (Delta SkyMiles ® Platinum Card Members are not eligible). Bookings must be made using an eligible Card and must be paid using that Card, or another American Express® Card, in the eligible Card Member's name, and that Card Member must be traveling on the itinerary booked. The average total value of the program benefits is based on prior-year bookings for stays of two nights; the actual value varies. Noon check-in and room upgrade are subject to availability and are provided at check-in; certain room categories are not eligible for upgrade. The type of experience credit or additional amenity (if applicable) varies by property; the experience credit will be applied to eligible charges up to the amount of the experience credit. Advance reservations are recommended for certain experience credits. The type and value of the daily breakfast (for two) varies by property; breakfast will be valued at a minimum of US$60 per room per day. If the cost of Wi-Fi is included in a mandatory property fee, a daily credit of that amount will be applied at check-out. Benefits are applied per room, per stay (with a three-room limit per stay). Back-to-back stays booked by a single Card Member, Card Members staying inthe same room or Card Members traveling in the same party within a 24-hour period at the same property are considered one stay and are ineligible for additional FHR benefits (“Prohibited Action”). American Express and the Property reserve the right to modify or revoke FHR benefits at any time without notice if we or they determine, in our or their sole discretion, that you may have engaged in a Prohibited Action, or have engaged in abuse, misuse, or gaming in connection with your FHR benefits. Benefit restrictions vary by property. Benefits cannot be redeemed for cash and are not combinable with other offers unless indicated. Benefits must be used during the stay booked. Any credits applicable are applied at check-out in USD or the local currency equivalent. Benefits, participating properties, and availability and amenities at those properties are subject to change.

The Hotel Collection

The Hotel Collection (THC) benefits are available for new bookings of two consecutive nights or more made through American Express Travel with participating properties and are valid only for eligible U.S. Consumer and Business Gold Card, Platinum Card ®  and Centurion ®  Members (Delta SkyMiles ®  Gold and Platinum Card Members are not eligible). Bookings must be made using an eligible Card and must be paid using that Card, or another American Express ® Card, in the eligible Card Member's name, and that Card Member must be traveling on the itinerary booked. Room upgrade is subject to availability and is provided at check-in; certain room categories are not eligible for upgrade. The type of experience credit or additional amenity (if applicable) varies by property; the experience credit will be applied to eligible charges up to $100. Advance reservations are recommended for certain experience credits. Benefit restrictions vary by property. Benefits are applied per room, per stay (with a three-room limit per stay). Back-to-back stays booked by a single Card Member, Card Members staying in the same room or Card Members traveling in the same party within a 24-hour period at the same property are considered one stay and are ineligible for additional THC benefits (“Prohibited Action”). American Express and the Property reserve the right to modify or revoke the THC benefits at any time without notice if we or they determine, in our or their sole discretion, that you have engaged in a Prohibited Action, or have engaged in abuse, misuse, or gaming in connection with your THC benefits. Benefits cannot be redeemed for cash and are not combinable with other offers unless indicated. Benefits must be used during the stay booked. Any credits applicable are applied at check-out in USD or the local currency equivalent. Benefits, participating properties, and availability and amenities at those properties are subject to change.

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• Travel Products

The Best Travel Watches for Men, Tested and Reviewed

My favorite tried-and-true travel watches come from Garmin, Shinola, and more.

Best Smartwatches

Best casual watches, best dressy watches.

• Tips for Buying
• Why Trust T+L

Travel + Leisure / Matthew Medendorp

Watches are a travel must-have. From hopping time zones to navigating international cell phone plans, it pays to know the time (and look put together). And the ultimate watch travel hack can be bringing more than one.

I always travel with multiple watches for a few reasons. First, I’m a huge fan of Strava, who believes the best way to explore a new city is by going for a run and getting lost, necessitating a good GPS to track miles and return home. Second, I wouldn’t wear a smartwatch of any variety to a nice dinner (though it can depend on the case or band of the watch). Even for packing minimalists, a second watch takes up little space and can breathe new life into the inevitable outfit repeating.

As a watch hobbyist and professional product tester with a penchant for travel, I’ve created a personal collection that is ready to hop on a flight at a moment’s notice. All ten picks here are travel-tested and real-world-approved by myself personally.

Garmin Fenix 7S Pro Sapphire Solar Watch

Jam-packed with travel-ready features like jet lag monitoring, it boasts an 18-day battery life augmented by solar power.

The stock rubber straps can break after a few months of heavy use and may need to be replaced.

The Garmin Fenix 7 Solar Pro is hands-down the best GPS smartwatch I’ve used. With its phone connectivity, programmable maps, step counter, customizable face, and stellar battery life (18 days on one charge) — it’s also the best travel smartwatch on the market. On a recent trip to Southern China, I alternated between the Garmin and Tornek Rayville’s dive-capable field watch for experience and more formal- dinners. The Garmin shined, mostly due to its extensive library of travel-ready features.

The Fenix has a jet lag calculator, which helps set your expectations on when to visit the cafe for an afternoon espresso and other recommendations for combating jet lag. I switched the standard rubber strap for the brand's canvas version, which gives it a more casual and less sporty feel. The canvas strap is also more durable, I’ve found those rubber straps easy to break and expensive to replace. The surprise hero of this watch is the integrated flashlight, which I’ve used for everything from navigating back to my seat on a red-eye and pacifier retrieval for sleeping babies. 

The Details: 47 millimeters | Fiber-reinforced polymer case, titanium rear cover, and silicone straps | Power Sapphire lens | 10 ATM

• PHOTO: Travel + Leisure/Matthew Medendorp

G-Shock GBM-2100 Watch

It pulls double duty, camouflaging smartwatch tech in a classic silhouette.

It has fewer features than a traditional smartwatch like the Garmin above.

The G-Shock may have fewer bells and whistles than other smartwatches, but that’s a benefit, not a flaw. Too much screen time can distract in a new city in my opinion. What you need is a watch like the GBM-2100, which provides the essentials without the distraction. It’s a charming combination of analog and smart tech with Bluetooth compatibility and an accompanying phone app.

Despite its Terminator-esque name and full metal construction, it's a remarkably user-friendly watch. Setting a new time upon landing is as easy as syncing up with your phone. No connectivity? No problem. You can adjust on the fly without service or Wi-Fi. It has a full calendar programmed through 2099, access to 50 world time zones, can set up to five alarms simultaneously, and has six language options. While sporty leaning, it can easily pass at the dinner table with its steel case and minimal digital features. This model does lean lower feature-wise, so if you prefer heart rate and step-counting abilities, G-Shock has a range of watches with those capabilities.

The Details: 44 millimeters | Bio-based resin and stainless steel case, bio-based resin band | G-Shock tough solar | 200-meter water resistance

Hamilton Khaki Field Expedition Auto Watch

The watch is incredibly durable, waterproof, and boasts an 80-hour power reserve.

There’s no date window.

Field watches are the original wristwatch and Hamilton was one of the first American watchmakers to build them, outfitting soldiers in WWI for battle. I used this watch in its new NATO canvas strap configuration in Arizona’s Sonoran desert this summer, using it on ATV rides, swims in the Salt River, and pre-dawn hot air balloon rides. The Expedition was a perfect companion for all environments. And at the hotel in Scottsdale , it also cleaned up nicely for dinner and drinks. 

How many watches can go from trail to tasting menu in one day? The Expedition can. The working compass bezel is a fun party trick and, theoretically, could be useful in a survival situation (I’m always theorizing on potential desert island strategies, which the Expedition would be perfect for). The only downside is the lack of a date window, though this makes it easier to set the time via the screw-down crown. And, perhaps most importantly, it’s designed to be ultradurable while looking great on the wrist. In addition to the NATO strap, I also have the leather strap version, which plays a little dressier.

The Details: 37 millimeter | Stainless steel case with multiple strap options | Sapphire crystal | Automatic | 10 bar (100 meters) or 145 PSI (328 feet)

Shinola Lake Michigan Monster Automatic Watch

It’s attractive, waterproof, and American-made.

I found the bracelet clasp scratches easily.

If you’re going to buy an American-made dive watch (and you should), why not get it from a state surrounded by water? Shinola’s Detroit-made Lake Michigan Monster is more than just pretty to look at, it’s a ruggedly capable watch tailor-made for water adventures. The 30 ATM water rating makes it seriously waterproof and the blue dial with the subtle lightning bolt signature is a slick variation on the standard dive watches from other brands.

Normally sand and steel don’t mix well, but I’ve worn this dive watch for dune climbing, freshwater surfing, and piloting a wooden speedboat on the Great Lakes. Dive watches are considered casual from the origins of their sport, but wearing the Lake Michigan Monster out to dinner and drinks while rocking double denim made me feel (slightly) like Robert Redford in his 80s Sundance Film Festival heyday. Whenever I’m planning to be out on the water, I’m packing the Monster.

The Details: 43 millimeters | Stainless steel | Single dome with anti-reflective coating | SW200-1 automatic | 30 ATM

Zodiac Super Sea Wolf GMT Automatic Stainless Steel Watch

The fourth travel hand combined with a dual-tone GMT bezel to track two time zones simultaneously makes this a versatile automatic option.

Due to the slight stretch, the strap can be tricky to size and may require multiple adjustments.

A GMT (Greenwich Mean Time) watch is perhaps the most classic travel style due to its ability to show two or more different time zones at once thanks to a fourth hand and a 24-hour bezel. I’m terrible with the mental math of timezones, so when I‘m traveling, a GMT helps me stay in the normal rhythm of home, making sure I don’t miss a bedtime goodnight call with my kids. Wearing the watch every day helps me navigate calls in time zone differences that, despite Google Calendar’s helpful settings, I can never seem to remember.

I’ve tried a few GMTs before settling on Zodiac’s newest model. The butterfly clasp is intuitive and the steel bracelet has just a hint of stretch, which is helpful on long fights where joint swelling inevitably occurs. The date window is easily adjusted — yet another crucial feature for a travel watch if you’re crossing international date lines. The bracelet can take a trip or two to figure out sizing, but it’s not a deal breaker.

The Details: 40 millimeters | Stainless steel | Sapphire | STP 7-20 automatic | 20 ATM

Casio LA670WGA-1 Vintage Watch

I found it to be durable and practical all for a more-than-fair price.

Because it’s digital, it is less repairable than analog watches, and the bracelet can be tricky to adjust.

Sometimes, you just can’t beat a solid digital watch. This one from Casio hits all the travel-ready features I look for in a digital watch, like alarms, timers, and an easy time adjustment. It’s slim enough to look like a bracelet, which helps dress it up or down depending on context and gives it extra versatility when packing. Its affordable price lets you play in colorways or spaces you might usually avoid, too. For example, I’m normally strictly in the silver or steel world, but I gambled on a little gold with this watch to switch things up. The bracelet can be tricky to adjust when you first pick it up, but a little YouTube detective work and a flathead screwdriver solve the problem.

The Details: Resin, gold-tone with stainless steel band | Digital | Water resistant

TAG Heuer Aquaracer Professional 200 Solargraph Watch

The full titanium construction makes it a great lightweight option.

It doesn’t offer micro-adjustments on the bracelet, which can make sizing difficult, and on the high price range for a solar movement.

Solar-powered watches use sun-powered quartz by allowing light through the face to the solar cell, which is then transferred to the solar battery to power the watch, meaning you’ll never have to worry about batteries dying. Tag Heuer's Aquaracer Solargraph elevates that movement to an art form. I like the titanium version for traveling, which is lightweight and sporty. The titanium’s gunmetal tone is a darker shade than a traditional steel watch, which is helpful when you want to wear a nice watch but not bring too much attention to it. Ideal for being on the go, the solar-powered quartz battery only needs 20 hours of charging to power the watch for a whopping six months. Unique details like a dual-color lume treatment that shows up both green and arctic blue in the dark help shake this up from a traditional Aquaracer and place it in its own category.

If the titanium here is polarizing, also check out the brand’s solargraph offering in steel . If you’re ready to try a watch with a green face, the pistachio dial number is especially fresh. 

The Details: 40 millimeters | Titanium | Solar quartz | 200 meter water resistance

Hamilton Khaki Field Murph 38mm Watch

It has versatile, casual-to-dressy styling capabilities.

Hamilton’s Khaki Field Murph watch may not be a traditional dress watch pick, but I’ll make a case for it from a travel perspective. The 38-millimeter plays as a dress watch, though the 42-millimeter version I have is still workable. It’s slim enough to peek out from a shirt sleeve or suit, but not be distracting. The hardy black leather strap carries a patina akin to selvage denim, which is a travel log in its own right, telling where I’ve taken the watch, what wine I’ve spilled on it, and other tales from the road. The stainless steel case and 80-hour power reserve make it less demanding and fragile than a traditional dress watch. 

I like that the Murph can pull double duty without feeling showy, making it ideal for a date night at a new restaurant with weeks-long reservations and for taking my kids to the local library storytime. This versatile use yet polished look makes it easy to reach for when traveling.

The Details: 38 or 42 millimeters | Stainless steel case with leather strap | Sapphire | Automatic | 10 bar (100 meters)/145 PSI (328 feet)

Timex x Todd Snyder MK-1 Amalfi Dress Watch

It’s an affordable style that punches above its weight class.

It requires a daily wind.

Todd Snyder made a name reinventing American classics in a way that retains the essence of the reference style while adapting to modern standards. The designer’s collaboration with Timex is a signature example of that. The MK-1 Amalfi combines a clever combo of gold and silver details that punches far above its weight on appearance compared to the reasonable price. I’ve found it perfect for trips where I don’t want to risk bringing a more expensive watch, but still want the airport staff to consider me for a trip upgrade . It has a mechanical wind, which requires you to wind by hand, usually at the same time each day to avoid any inaccuracies. I’ve found this to be a helpful ritual, grounding me in a new city and a new routine. Also, this MK-1 is water resistant, which is a rare feature in a dressier watch.

The Details: Stainless steel case, tan leather strap | Domed acrylic | Crown mechanical hand-wound | 50-meter water resistance

Breda Virgil Watch

It has a slim, trendy silhouette perfect for elevating a travel outfit.

The watch doesn’t boast any additional features other than time-telling, so it’s more of a showpiece.

Sure, the Cartier tank watch is having a zeitgeisty moment. However, Breda’s slim Virgil watch hits many of the same style notes at a tenth of the price of the designer option, which is helpful when you’d rather save your travel insurance for possible flight delays and not for what’s on your wrist. I have it in the leather strap version, but the brand also sells one on a steel bracelet if that’s your preferred look. Mine boasts a green dial from a collaboration the brand did with GQ, but there’s a wide range of color options in the style range. It’s excellent for travel and a good entry point to square or rectangular watches for the undecided.

The Details: 26 millimeters | 18 karat gold-plated case, leather band | Japanese-made Miyota quartz

Tips for Buying Men’s Watches

Look for travel-ready features.

Versatility with travel products is key, so you should demand more of your watch: water resistance, versatile styling, and maybe even step-tracking if you’re exploring a new city on foot. Think about the features that might be most useful for you. GMT watches allow you to track multiple time zones and know when to call home. Digital watches have alarms that don’t depend on having the right outlet adapter for your phone. A smartwatch will also have a GPS feature to guide you through your new neighborhood. 

Choose the right watch for your activity

Think about the trip ahead of you and choose a watch that matches the activities you have planned. Snorkeling in the Bahamas ? That’s going to require a dive watch or one with good waterproofness. Are you on a quest for the best negroni in Italy ? Opt for a dressier watch for fine-dining excursions. Of course, many of the watches on the list here can work in various situations, which is why I chose them. But tailor your wrist to your itinerary and you’ll be in the clear.

Frequently Asked Questions

In short: a long time. Good watches (not necessarily expensive, but well-made watches) are a lifetime investment. Watches with automatic movements are perpetually repairable, making them a generational gift. Quartz-powered watches feature easy battery-powered swaps at a shop and are impressive in their own right. The exception to this rule is the digital and smartwatches, which have the lifecycle of other consumer electronic goods — especially smartwatches, where OS updates and hard use may limit lifespan to a few years at best.

A watch roll or case is the safest way to travel with multiple watches. In my experience, one on your wrist and a second in a case will do. I’ve also used multiple bandanas and an inside zipper of my weekender bag when in a pinch, though a recent upgrade to the Shinola Travel Watch Case has been a game changer. I don’t mind scratches on my watches, but I prefer them to happen on my wrist, not in my bag.

Why Trust Travel + Leisure

As a professional product tester with a background in the outdoor adventure space, Matthew Medendorp takes product journalism quite seriously. He has tried and tested all of the travel watches on this list over a series of trips from international flights and hot air balloon rides to 12-hour time changes, long runs, and seven-course dinners alike. Not every watch he tried ended up on this list, and the final picks have been vetted and rigorously tested to provide the most helpful information for your next getaway.

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