most common travel days

These Are the Busiest Travel Days of the Year, According to TSA

The holidays and holiday weekends often bring with them some of the most congested days at the country’s airports and on the roads..

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The Tuesday and Wednesday just before Thanksgiving and the Sunday after Thanksgiving are often among the busiest travel days of the year.

Photo by Jim Lambert / Shutterstock

Every year, millions of people embark on journeys, whether for business or leisure. After a few years of much less crowded airports due to the pandemic, the International Air Transport Association is reporting that passenger numbers are just about what they were prepandemic levels.

However, there have already been a number of days that have surpassed prepandemic levels and they’ve largely fallen right before or after holidays.

Take Independence Day, for example. In 2023, AAA projected that 4.17 million people flew over the July Fourth holiday period, surpassing the previous air travel record of 3.91 million travelers, set in 2019. Similarly, TSA screened a record number of passengers on the Sunday following Thanksgiving in 2022, with more than 2.56 million passengers.

According to the TSA, the busiest travel days of the year are usually the Tuesday and Wednesday before Thanksgiving and the Sunday after Thanksgiving . TSA recorded its highest passenger screening volume in its history on the Sunday after Thanksgiving in 2019, when nearly 2.9 million passengers passed through TSA checkpoints. But Thanksgiving and Christmas aren’t the only times we can expect busy airports. Here are the busiest travel day of the year.

Busiest travel days of the year

Thanksgiving and Christmas tend to be the busiest travel days of the year, but other holidays like Memorial Day, July Fourth, and Labor Day also see some of the highest volumes of air passengers.

So far this year, daily passenger numbers have been growing each month. In all of 2022, only one day had more than 2.5 million air passengers in the United States: November 27 (the Sunday after Thanksgiving), with 2.560 million. As of August 20, 2023, there had already been more than 75 days in the calendar year that had surpassed 2.5 million air passengers, according to TSA checkpoint data .

These have been the five busiest travel days in the last full year:

• July 30: 2.793 million passengers
• July 28: 2.785 million passengers
• July 23: 2.789 million passengers
• June 30: 2.884 million passengers (the new record for the busiest air travel day ever in the United States)
• June 16: 2.785 million passengers

For reference, the busiest travel day in all of 2019 was November 27, with 2.882 million passengers.

The busiest travel days around Christmas and New Year’s, historically

As for Christmas and New Year’s Eve, the number of travelers is likely to ramp up during the end of December and into early January as well. In 2019, the highest number of travelers during the Christmas and New Year period was on Friday, December 17 (one week before Christmas), when 2.6 million travelers passed through TSA checkpoints. The second busiest day was Christmas Eve, with 2.58 million travelers, followed by the day after Christmas with 2.57 million travelers.

New York City consistently ranks as one of the top domestic travel destinations for the holidays.

Photo by Elias Andres Jose/Unsplash

Tips for flying during the busiest times of the year

There are a few ways to make travel easier and clear busy TSA checkpoints more quickly, this holiday season.

Get TSA PreCheck, Clear, and/or Global Entry

Never have these security expediting services been more valuable than during the current congestion happening at U.S. airports. TSA PreCheck recently reduced its prices from $85 to $78 for a five-year membership, and it’s only $70 to renew . Clear costs $189 per year. International travelers should consider the $100 Global Entry, which includes TSA PreCheck, for expedited customs screening upon arrival in the United States—and there’s a secret way to speed up the application process .

Check to see if your airport has a fast-pass security lane you can book in advance—for free

No TSA PreCheck or Clear? Select U.S. airports are giving travelers the option to make an advance “fast pass” reservation to head to the front of the security line—free of charge. We’ve compiled the full list of airports that offer this service .

Consider traveling with carry-on only

For those who don’t want to risk their luggage getting lost during a busy travel time when airports remain understaffed, traveling with carry-on may be your best bet. Another alternative? Luggage-shipping services .

Know what you can bring through security

If you’re traveling with carry-on, know what you can and cannot pack in said carry-on. By now, you know you can only carry on liquids in containers 3.4 ounces or smaller, so be sure that holiday items such as gravy, cranberry sauce, or wine are either left behind or packed in a checked bag as they are considered liquids and could otherwise be confiscated (and create delays). Check AFAR’s in-depth guide to what foods you can bring through TSA to make sure that what you’ve packed in your carry-on can pass through security.

Thoroughly check your bags before leaving the house

TSA recommends that travelers fully empty their bags prior to packing to make sure that they don’t accidentally bring something to the airport that they didn’t intend to bring, which could cause further delays.

Monitor the weather

Check the weather and forecasts that are available on sites such as the National Weather Service , the Weather Channel , and AccuWeather so that you can be prepared for possible disruptions and establish back-up plans for delayed travel.

Get to the airport earlier than you’d think

The lines and wait times at the country’s airports (and abroad, too) are longer than they’ve been in years. Best to arrive early and have some extra time postsecurity than risk missing your flight waiting in an hours-long check-in or security line. Aim for at least two hours before domestic flights and at least three for international flights.

Know if and when you are due a refund because of a delayed or canceled flight

On September 1, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) launched a new Aviation Consumer Protection website to help travelers track down what kind of refunds or compensation their airline should provide when there is a cancellation or delay.

Airlines aren’t required to compensate passengers when flights are delayed or canceled due to problems deemed beyond the company’s control, like bad weather. They also aren’t required to provide a refund when the passenger initiates the cancellation or flight change. But a refund is required by U.S. law when the airline cancels, delays, or alters a flight, or passengers are involuntarily bumped from a flight that is oversold or due to issues originating from the airline, such as operational or staffing problems.

Additionally, after the federal government began cracking down on airlines this year, all of the major U.S. airlines vowed to provide meal vouchers for delays of more than three hours and to provide transfers and hotel stays to passengers affected by an overnight cancellation. They have all also agreed to rebook travelers on an alternate flight at no added cost due to a delay or cancellation and most will also rebook on a partner airline.

This article originally appeared online in 2018; it was most recently updated in August 2023 to include current information.

Simple Flying

A 'peak' at the busiest & quietest days in the week to fly.

It's nice to be able to avoid congestion if possible.

Arriving early at the airport can be fantastic if there is no one else around. There’s time to do duty-free shopping, grab a bite to eat, or even relax in the lounge . But there is nothing more frustrating than arriving in plenty of time, only to find that bag drop and security queues are so long that you end up sprinting to your gate.

Other days, you can plan to arrive just in time and find yourself sailing through an almost deserted airport with plenty of time to spare. So which days should you look to avoid if you want the airport to yourself?

Weekend vs weekdays

When it comes to which day of the week is the quietest, there isn’t a definitive answer. It is worth doing some research into the airport you are flying from. However, Tuesday and Wednesday are often less busy. This is because you have to take more days off work to fly mid-week, which people are usually reluctant to do. Upgraded Points notes that these days are also often cheaper.

Stay informed: Sign up for our daily and weekly aviation news digests.

In contrast, traveling close to or at the weekend is typically more expensive, as well as busier. Leisure travelers looking to enjoy a weekend away tend to go Friday and Monday. At the same time, passengers who commute every week for work also travel Monday and Friday to return home for the weekend. As such, Sundays can be busy as business travelers try to get a head start on the week ahead.

Similarly, people traveling for extended vacations tend to travel during the weekend to maximize holiday time. Friday nights and Saturday mornings can see some airports busier than ever, so Office Needle advises traveling before 4 PM on Fridays. Weekend flights are more in demand and subsequently more expensive.

The exception to the rule

There is one big exception to the rule: package holiday companies. For some tourist destinations, a large percentage of flights are operated by, or in partnership with, package holiday companies. In these cases, if you aren’t traveling with one of these companies, the quietest day is just whatever day isn’t changeover day.

The airline industry is always full of new developments! What aviation news will you check out next?

Generally, there is a standardized changeover day (or days), when holiday companies carry vast numbers of passengers over two days. Typically, this is the weekend, but if they want to allow passengers a whole weekend at the destination, changeover day can be mid-week. If the changeover day is a Tuesday, then this will become the busiest day, while the weekend might become very quiet.

The best time

As the old saying goes, the early bird gets the worm. If you can’t fly on one of the quieter days, then getting up early is your best option. If the flight leaves before 8 AM, meaning you have to arrive around 6 AM, you should be in for a quiet time. This is because fewer people bother (or at least prefer) to travel that early.

However, not everyone can function that early. If you’re more of a night owl, then flying late is also a good option. It may be busier than morning, as many people who fly for business will fly overnight to arrive in time for meetings the next day. So, while you will have to deal with more travelers, they are more likely to be frequent flyers who are familiar with the airport routine, reducing congestion.

In general, traveling on Tuesday or Wednesday will mean you avoid the highest fares and the busiest times. However, you will have to take more time off work if your job conforms to the normal working schedule. If you don’t have a choice, then an early morning flight will reduce the chance of having to queue for hours.

If you are less of a fan of waking up early or staying up late, and prefer to travel in the middle of the day, then you will typically be more likely to have to be prepared to face the crowds. Of course, if you’re flying over a holiday period or to a major event, busier airports and flights are to be expected at most times.

Do you have any tips or tricks for a smooth airport experience? When do you prefer to fly? Let us know your thoughts and experiences in the comments!

Sources: Office Needle , Upgraded Points

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Ultimate Guide to the Best And Worst Days to Fly & Book Flights

Jeff Brownson

Former Content Contributor

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Cash Tickets vs. Award Seats

Holidays and school breaks, large festivals and sporting events, shoulder seasons, the best days of the week to fly, the worst days of the week to fly, the rules don’t always apply, the best day of the week to book flights, help with researching prices, final thoughts.

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No matter where I am or who I am with, the conversation eventually turns to travel. It’s what I’m passionate about, it’s what I know the most about, and it’s what I do for a living. Travel is also something that most people would like to do more.

When talking with friends and relatives, or even with new acquaintances, certain questions come up again and again.

How do you travel so much? How do you travel for so little money? When is the best time to travel for less? How do I save money on flights?

The first two are easy to answer. I make travel a priority in my life and use miles and points to cover as much of the cost as possible.

When it comes to the last two questions, the answers get  a bit more complicated. That’s what we are going to take a look at today.

Below, we will go over the best and worst times of the year to fly, the best and worst days of the week to fly, and the best times to book your flights. By the end of this post, you should understand how to save a bit of money when booking your flights, so you have more to spend at your destination.

When we talk about saving on your flights, most people think only about cash tickets. This is, however, a site all about using points to travel, so we should probably talk about saving points, too.

Fortunately, most of the time, the two go hand in hand. The times of year and days of the week when you will find lower prices often match up with the days you are more likely to find low-level award seats.

Because of this, we will be using examples from both cash bookings and points bookings in our explanations below. We may show cash prices or award availability calendars, but when we talk about saving at certain times, we are generally talking about both.

The Worst Times of the Year to Fly

You can probably guess the worst times of the year to fly. The best times to fly are the days with less demand for the seats, so that means the worst times of the year to fly are the times with the most demand.

These generally include the days around holidays or festivals (in the U.S. or at the destination), sporting events, and any time kids are out of school. Sometimes, holidays and time off from school line up. Those are typically the worst times to fly.

Of course, you may not always have a choice in when you travel. Maybe you have kids in school; perhaps you work at a school, maybe you only get holidays off from work.

If that’s the case, there are a few things you can try to make paying for your flights less painful. For example, try flying to less popular destinations. Instead of a beach trip in January, check out a city you’ve never seen before. You can also try varying your flight dates by a day or two. By taking an extra day off or giving up a day of your trip, you might be able to save significantly.

To help you know when you may need to try these techniques, below are some examples of the worst times of the year to fly, when you will almost definitely find higher airfares and fewer award seats.

Carnival/Mardi Gras

Significant celebrations in New Orleans , Rio de Janeiro, and many other Caribbean and Central and South American countries occur for Carnival and Mardi Gras. People travel from surrounding areas to celebrate before the beginning of Lent. Celebrations last up to two weeks or more before but typically are the biggest and most crowded the weekend and days before Ash Wednesday.

Oktoberfest

Although smaller festivals happen all over the world, Munich is the place where millions of visitors come together between the end of September and the beginning of October for this massive carnival/fair/beer drinking event. People come from all over the world, so expect higher fares during this time to Munich and surrounding cities.

Christmas markets

In Europe, the Christmas markets take place from the beginning of September up until the beginning of January, with dates varying depending on the location. Many Americans fly over for a long weekend just to go to the markets, so you can expect higher fares especially around the weekends during this season.

Every 2 years, alternating between Winter and Summer Games, the Olympics take place in a different country each time. If you plan to attend, your best bet is to get your flight as soon as possible (especially for award seats) or fly into a neighboring city and take a train or drive to the host city.

Every 4 years and in a different country each time, the World Cup is one of the most significant worldwide sporting events. It typically takes place from the middle of June to the middle of July with schedules varying slightly.

Qatar is hosting the 2022 World Cup, and due to the country’s climate, will take place from November to December. Expect fares to be elevated from a few days before the first games until a few days after the final, as fans fly from city to city and back to their homes.

Taking place on the first Sunday in February, the Super Bowl is one of the most significant sporting events in the United States. Hosted in a different city each year, you can expect significantly higher airfares to the host city for the few days before the game and away from the host city for the few days after the game.

World Series

Two cities host the World Series, those of the teams playing. Since no one knows what two cities those will be until the previous round of the playoffs is complete, airfares can shoot up quickly as soon as the final teams are confirmed. If you want to see your team, it might be in your best interest to speculatively book some refundable tickets before the final teams are known. If your team doesn’t make it, you can cancel and start hoping for next year.

The Best Times of the Year to Fly

Finding the best times of the year to fly is not just as simple as avoiding the dates listed above in the worst times of the year to fly. Sure, if you can do that, you will likely find lower prices, but we want to find the lowest prices. We want to look at the best times of the year to fly.

To find the lowest prices, we need to find the flights with the least amount of demand. Traveling to less popular locations and at less popular times of year is the best way to do so.

Of course, destination matters, too. We all want to see the Eiffel Tower and the Sydney Harbor Bridge, but we don’t need a show-stopping attraction like that on every trip. Choosing less popular locations can save you a lot of money. You might be surprised how fantastic your trip will be.

Once you’ve picked a destination, it’s time to figure out when you should fly there.

Most destinations around the world have a high season and a low season. It’s easy to understand that the high season would be more popular and therefore have higher flight prices. The low season would be cheaper, but there is probably a reason it is the low season. Most often, that reason is the weather.

Hot Tip: What many people don’t realize is that in between the high and low seasons, there are what is known as the shoulder seasons. Times of the year where the prices aren’t as high as the high season, but the benefits of traveling in the high season are still mostly there. The weather may be a few degrees cooler on the beach, but it will still be plenty warm enough to enjoy.

The shoulder season is what you want to find. Flights will be cheaper, and the destination will still be a great place to visit. Shoulder seasons are not always obvious, but you can get a little help finding them in some locations.

Check local hotels, buses, and tour prices. Often, they will have different pricing listed for high season and low season. In the middle of those two, you will find the shoulder season. We would advise you to go right on the edge of when things are cheaper to get the best of the high season at low season pricing.

Taking a trip to Nicaragua in the fall, for example, can be a fantastic adventure. Within the span of a few weeks, you can scuba dive with hammerhead sharks, climb a volcano and go boarding back down, whitewater raft through canyons, and see monkeys in the forest. The best part? There are cheap flights , plenty of availability, and since it is a shoulder season in Nicaragua, everything at your destination will be less expensive, too.

Similarly to the best times of year to fly, the best days of the week to fly are those with less demand. The fewer people who want to fly on a major route on a specific day, the lower your price will generally be.

For our best and worst days of the week, we will be concentrating primarily on domestic U.S. travel. International travel doesn’t tend to follow the same patterns in pricing. In fact, it is tough to find any pattern at all in international flight pricing.

Domestically, Tuesday and Wednesday are often the cheapest days to fly, with Thursday coming in slightly more expensive. This makes sense if you think about it.

These are the three days in the middle of the week. Business travelers are usually coming and going at the beginning or end of the week. Leisure travelers are rarely looking forward to the middle of the week, so they can enjoy their days off. Not that many people have a reason to fly on Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday.

Hot Tip: If you can move your plans around so that your flights are mid-week, you are likely to save a bunch on your tickets. The same goes for award seats. You are much more likely to find an award seat to New York City midweek on a Tuesday than at the start of the work week on a Monday.

In a nutshell:

• Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday are the best days to fly domestically
• Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday are the days with the highest cost and lowest number of award seats.

There are two reasons for this, and both of them are relatively simple: business travel and vacations.

Domestically, business travelers who spend the week on location are either heading out on Sunday if they want to get a jump on the week or early Monday morning if they’re going to make the most of their weekend at home. Business travelers typically fly back to their home base at the end of the workweek on Friday, unless they need to work a full day on location and end up flying home Saturday.

Business travel is a huge part of domestic air travel, so you can understand why these travel patterns would lead to more demand and thus higher prices on these days of the week.

Vacationers, in a similar manner, most often take a full week of work off. If possible, they will sneak out and take a flight on Friday to take advantage of two full weekends at their destination. If they can’t do that, then Saturday is the next choice of day to fly to maximize vacation time.

On Sunday, it’s time to head home and get ready to go back to work on Monday.

Vacation travel sometimes extends to two or even three weeks, but most Americans take vacations in full week blocks, and they end up flying on these days. Again, more demand equals higher prices and fewer award seats.

Although this is the definitive guide, there aren’t any absolute rules. For every guideline, there are plenty of examples to contradict it.

In our days of the week sections, we only dealt with domestic flights. That is because those same guidelines don’t usually apply to international flights, as you can see in the pricing screenshot above.

When it comes to awards, a route with either abundant seats or too few seats can throw the rules out the window as well. If you want to fly 6 people to Australia in business class, for example, it doesn’t matter what day of the week you go; it is going to be nearly impossible to find those award seats.

Other routes have so many flights that there will consistently be award seats available. Almost any day you consider, you will be able to get one or more people on those flights with miles, even on the toughest days to fly.

This is an outline of general rules and suggestions for finding cheaper airfare and more available award seats, so these suggestions will not work every single time you try to book a flight.

They will, however, help some of the time. If you can save money some of the time, that is far better than always paying a higher price.

Over the years, there have been several answers to this question. People used to say Sunday night was the best time to book. Then it was widely reported that Tuesday was the day you would find the cheapest fares.

Some places have even argued that the best day for domestic flights is different than the best day for international flights.

Unfortunately, there is usually not a whole lot of data behind these reports. Sure, they will often point to a particular study or a survey or maybe even a well-known travel website, but if you look at the sources, the information they use is often not very convincing.

The first problem is that when media reports on this topic, it is always a big hit. Everyone wants to know the answer. Increased interest in booking on a particular day can influence pricing.

The second problem is that there will never be a single day of the week where all airfare is cheaper than usual. If there were such a day, nobody would ever book on other days of the week.

Airlines are continually adjusting airfares based on dates of travel, the popularity of the flights, and a variety of other factors. Each flight has several different fare buckets, and if one sells out, that price is gone. The airlines aren’t going to wait until Wednesday to change the price.

The same goes for lowering fares. It happens when the factors dictate it should happen. So if you are looking for a magic answer here, you aren’t going to find it. Sorry.

Bottom Line: The most accurate answer we can give you is this: the best day of the week to book your flight is the day that the price is lowest. Unfortunately, there are no consistent patterns, despite what you might have heard or read! 

A great way to find the lowest prices for flights to your destinations is to do a little bit of research ahead of time.

If you need to travel on specific dates, there isn’t too much you can do, but if you are flexible with your dates, looking at pricing history and setting up alerts can be quite helpful.

Google Flights is a great tool for looking at pricing. As you can see in some of the images we used above, you can see the pricing of flights for 2 full months at a time. This makes it quite easy to see which days of the week are going to be the best. It also can save you a lot of money by showing you that a day or two after or before your flight will be cheaper.

Hot Tip: Another helpful thing Google Flights does is allow you to track prices for specific flights. Once you have done a search and selected a particular flight, you will see a Track Prices button. Selecting this will save the flight, and you will get an email every time the price goes up or down. This is a great way to get an idea of pricing trends for a future trip.

In addition to Google Flights, services like Hopper and Kayak offer suggestions about whether it is the right time to buy a flight. They use past data to try to predict whether a flight price will rise or fall in the next week or so. Although these predictions won’t always be correct, they are data-based and can help with your confidence when booking flights.

As finding cheaper airfare is such a vast topic, this is by no means an exhaustive list of services and sites that you can use to research flights. There are plenty of others out there, and with a little digging, you may find one you like even better than what we have listed.

Finding the best and worst days to fly is far from an exact science. There are so many factors affecting flight pricing that you will never find a definitive formula that can be applied every time you want to book a flight.

With that in mind, however, what we have outlined in this post should help you get a broad idea of certain times when it would be possible to save a bit of money on your flight prices.

You should also now have an idea of a few times of the year when you will have a better chance of finding the award seats you need.

With award seats, as with cash bookings, flexibility is critical. The ability to fly on a Tuesday instead of a Monday might mean that you can find the award seat you want. It could also mean you will save 25 percent if you pay for the flight with cash.

Flying in shoulder seasons or to less popular destinations gives you a much higher chance of lower prices and plenty of award seats.

Keep these suggestions in mind next time you are booking, but above all, make sure you are comfortable with the price you are paying. If you are happy with the price, book the flight. Worrying too much about saving 10 or 20 dollars will add unnecessary stress to your life, and that’s the exact opposite of what you are hoping to achieve with a vacation.

Bottom Line: Find a flight you like and a price you can afford, book your trip, and spend the rest of your time concentrating on the time at your destination. Whether you’re relaxing on a beach, hanging from a zip line, or stuffing yourself with street food, we hope that this post helps you save some money and makes your next trip a reality as soon as possible.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best days to fly.

Generally speaking, for domestic travel, Tuesday and Wednesday are often the cheapest days to fly.

What are the worst day to fly?

Generally speaking, for domestic travel, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday tend to be the most expensive.

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About Jeff Brownson

Since discovering miles and points in 2010, Jeff has traveled to over 35 countries, flying in first class, business class, and sometimes even in coach. Whether he’s staying in a hostel dorm, or in a luxury suite at a 5 star hotel, Jeff is constantly looking for the best deal to make travel as close to free as possible.

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These are the busiest days to travel this holiday season

2023 has been a record-setting year for air travel, and there's no reason to think the end-of-year holidays will be any different.

After logging its busiest summer ever at U.S. airport security checkpoints, the Transportation Security Administration saw more passengers on Nov. 26 — the Sunday after Thanksgiving — than on any day in its 22-year history.

And the crowds are just getting started.

AAA expects 7.5 million Americans will fly over the 10-day Christmas and New Year's holiday period. That's a number larger than both last year's holiday airport crowds and those seen in 2019.

At security checkpoints, agents will be working to keep lines moving. Their goal: wait times of 10 minutes or less in the TSA PreCheck lanes and a half-hour or less in the standard lanes.

"We expect this holiday season to be our busiest ever," TSA administrator David Pekoske said in a statement last month.

It was a prediction that the Thanksgiving rush confirmed, and one that tracked with the crowds seen all year. Seven of the 10 busiest days ever at TSA checkpoints have come in 2023. The 2.9 million air travelers seen on Nov. 26 beat out the previous record from June 30, set by Fourth of July weekend travelers.

Suffice it to say, if you're traveling for a December holiday, it's a good time to make sure that your TSA PreCheck, Global Entry or Clear membership is active. Also, make sure your Known Traveler Number is attached to your flight reservation.

Meanwhile, all eyes will be on how airlines perform following 2022's headaches, most notably the Southwest Airlines December meltdown . That meltdown was an operational disaster the airline says it will avoid this year thanks to a host of changes.

Fortunately, airlines are off to a good start with this year's holiday season. Between Nov. 19 and 26, during peak the peak Thanksgiving period, U.S. based carriers canceled a collective 0.2% of flights, according to FlightAware data analyzed by TPG. That was down slightly from a similarly impressive 0.3% cancellation rate during the equivalent period last year. The rate of delays among those carriers hovered at a consistent 17% from last Thanksgiving.

However, travelers have learned all too well the last couple of years that the end-of-year holiday season can bring a plethora of potential roadblocks, including the possibility of bad weather and the lingering threat of air traffic control-related disruptions.

"Mother Nature is always the x-factor," U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg acknowledged at a news conference last month.

Busiest days to travel at Christmas and New Year's

The TSA anticipates heavy volume throughout the Christmas and New Year's holiday period. However, it may likely come in the form of sustained crowds, as opposed to any single, record-setting days. (In recent years, the busiest day of the year has typically been the Sunday after Thanksgiving, as it was this year.)

Exactly which days will be the busiest days to fly this month? It's a little harder to predict the end-of-year holidays, which fall on a different day of the week each year. Also, recent years have held no shortage of abnormalities, from last December's bad weather and Southwest meltdown to COVID-19 and the omicron variant surge disrupting travel in 2020 and 2021.

Last year, the three busiest days for air travel over the December holidays were as follows, per TSA data:

• Dec. 21, 2022 (a Thursday)
• Dec. 30, 2022 (a Friday)
• Jan. 2, 2023 (a Monday — and a federal holiday following New Year's Day)

This year, Christmas Day and New Year's Day fall on a Monday. It seems a safe bet that airports will be busy leading into the weekends prior to the two holidays, particularly Christmas.

Airlines for America, a trade group for the largest U.S. carriers, says the busiest days will be:

• Thursday, Dec. 21
• Friday, Dec. 22
• Tuesday, Dec. 26
• Wednesday, Dec. 27
• Thursday, Dec. 28
• Friday, Dec. 29

On the other hand, if you can find a way to travel on Christmas Day, you may find ultra-light crowds — if Thanksgiving was any indication, at least. Thanksgiving Day was the second least crowded day of 2023 at U.S. airports, according to TSA data. Likewise, Airlines for America projects Christmas Eve, New Year's Eve and New Year's Day will be similarly uncrowded.

What about driving?

As usual, even more Americans will drive than fly for the holidays, although the share of air travelers is up from recent years.

More than 103 million U.S. travelers will take year-end holiday road trips during the 10 days around the end-of-year holidays, according to AAA. That's up nearly 2% from last year.

There's some good news for drivers, too. The national average for a gallon of regular gas currently sits at $3.15, down slightly from this time last year.

That's despite airlines battling cost pressures from jet fuel prices in recent months.

Still, if you are driving for Christmas or New Year's, be sure to pay at the pump with a credit card that offers bonus points or cash back at gas stations . Consider stacking those bonus points with gas rewards programs and other ways to save on gas.

Bottom line

The holiday season is already off to a busy start, and that trend will likely continue this month with Christmas and New Year's travel. With those airport crowds in mind, it's a good time to double-check that you booked your flight and all other trip elements with a credit card that includes travel insurance protections.

As you travel, don't forget to take advantage of those airline fee credits on cards like The Platinum Card® from American Express . Also, don't forget to use an airline credit card for credits on checked bags or travel. This is where you can really offset that annual fee.

Download the MyTSA app so you can check security checkpoint wait times and read up on your rights as an air traveler in the event something goes wrong — including when you're owed a refund.

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AAA says these are the worst (and best) times to travel this holiday season

Take advantage of remote work this holiday season and get to your destination early.

The holiday season is in full swing, and travel disruptions and delays are showing no signs of slowing down. If you are flying or driving around the holidays, then you will want to be strategic about the days and times you begin your trip. 

The best and worst times to hit the road this holiday season

The best and worst times to head to the airport.

The American Automobile Association (AAA) projects 115.2 million travelers will venture more than 50 miles from home over the 10-day holiday travel period (Saturday, December 23 to Monday, January 1). This is a 2.2% increase since last year and the second-highest travel forecast since the start of the century. AAA expects 90% of people to travel by car, 6.5% to travel by air, and 3.5% to use other means of transportation. 

Around 104 million people are expected to travel by car during the 10-day travel period. Particularly congested travel days include Saturday, December 23, Thursday, December 28, and Saturday, December 30. Minimal traffic is expected on Sunday, December 24, Monday, December 25, Sunday, December 31, and Monday, January 1. Traveling on these days is preferable if you can be flexible with your schedule. 

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These are the best and worst times to travel by car this holiday season, according to AAA.

Saturday, December 23

• Worst time: 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM
• Best time: Before 10:00 AM

Tuesday, December 26

• Worst time: 1:00 to 5:00 PM
• Best time: Before 12:00 PM

Wednesday, December 27

• Worst time: 1:00 to 7:00 PM

Thursday, December 28

• Worst time: 2:00 to 8:00 PM

Friday, December 29

Saturday, December 30

• Worst time: 5:00 to 7:00 PM

AAA also predicts peak congestion by metro area, with cities such as Denver, San Francisco, and Washington DC projected to experience over 60% of their normal traffic.

Airports are also expected to be the busiest they have ever been, and AAA projects 7.5 million air travelers over the holiday season. According to USA Today , most people are expected to fly out for their trips on Thursday, December 21, and Friday, December 22. They are expected to return home on Thursday, December 28, and Friday, December 29. 

If possible, traveling before or after these dates is preferable. In fact, if you can be flexible with your travel plans, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve, and New Year’s Day see significantly less airport traffic than the days leading up to and following the holidays.

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Navigating through airports can often feel like a daunting task, especially when confronted with long security lines that seem to stretch into eternity. But what if there was a way to easily breeze through security checkpoints, avoiding the hassle of removing your shoes, belts, and laptops? Welcome to the world of TSA PreCheck, a game-changer for frequent travelers.

However, TSA PreCheck can be pricey, which leaves many people wondering how they can get this coveted privilege without breaking the bank. This is how to get TSA PreCheck for free. Sign up for the right credit cards

Setting sail on a luxury cruise is a dreamy escape that promises comfort, indulgence, and adventure. If you are thinking about heading out to sea, choosing the right cruise line can make all of the difference. From extravagant amenities and world-class cuisine to personalized service and gorgeous destinations, the best luxury cruise lines redefine the notion of a vacation at sea. Whether you seek relaxation, adventure, or a blend of both, these are the finest offerings of the high seas.  The benefits of taking a luxury cruise

The difference between a luxury cruise and a regular cruise extends beyond varying price points. A regular cruise often comes with all of the standard amenities and service levels, while a luxury cruise takes the experience a step further by offering an unparalleled level of opulence and refinement. Luxury cruises often include gourmet dining experiences, unique amenities, and VIP privileges, including priority embarkation and access to exclusive events.

Most major airlines have a loyalty scheme that rewards frequent flyers with various levels of status and associated perks. Some have an extra invite-only level of status that is applied to some of their most valued customers. For United, this is “Global Services.”

Not much has actually been published about Global Services, with United’s MileagePlus program seemingly capping out with Premier 1K status. However, you may notice Global Services members called for pre-boarding, spot one of their dedicated check-in kiosks, or see it written on the side of one of those carts they use to transport elite members from the lounge to the gate.

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Most common months adults plan to go on vacation in summer in the U.S 2022

Leading months adults plan to travel on vacation in summer in the united states as of march 2022.

Additional Information

Show sources information Show publisher information Use Ask Statista Research Service

United States

564 respondents

18 years and older

The source phrased the question as, "When do you plan on traveling this summer?" Figures may not add up to 100 percent due to rounding.

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The Vacationer • Travel Guides • Travel Tips

49 Best Travel Tips to Save Time, Money, & Stress in 2024

Traveling locally, across the country, or to another continent is an exciting way to form memories and experience other cultures. But an awry trip can usher in unnecessary stress, expenses, and potential regrets.

These travel tips can help you have a successful trip from the initial planning stages, as you pack your bags, and once you reach your destination. 

Table of Contents

Best Travel Tips While Preparing for a Trip

This collection of tips covers just about everything you should consider when traveling and before you go. You are most likely practicing some of them, making them a good reminder, and others can help prevent uncommon travel surprises.

1. Book At Least Six Weeks in Advance

Instead of carving time out of your schedule to book your trip at a specific date or time (such as Tuesdays at 3 a.m. using a private browsing session to find discounted fares), a more effective strategy is researching travel options at least four to six weeks in advance.

You can still find cheap flights and ideal flight times at least six weeks before departure. Getting on the hunt two or three months before major holidays is also good.  

Last-minute travel savings are possible but you may be unable to get a desired departure time, layover window, or destination. Waiting until the final days can be worth it if you have a flexible schedule and are open-minded about where you travel to.

Learn More: Best Days and Times to Book Flights

2. Travel in the Off-Season or Shoulder Season

Avoiding the peak travel season is one of the easiest ways to pay less for flights and lodging. You also will enjoy smaller crowds and the weather can still be decent for your intended activities.

For example, visiting Spain is delightful in March and April but travel prices are elevated during Semana Santa (Holy Week) when most cities have processions that virtually shut down the city.

Another example is visiting a beach town during the shoulder season. The shoulder season is the time between the peak and the offseason. So you could take a trip to Cape May, NJ from the middle of May to the end of June instead of during the July/August peak. The weather is still good enough during the shoulder season to enjoy most peak-season activities.

3. Compare Multiple Booking Sites

Comparing prices from several travel booking sites can help you find the best rate within minutes. Airlines, hotels, and rental cars offer several slots to third-party booking sites and you can pay less than booking directly from the carrier.

It’s worth your time to check prices directly from the carrier website but also from one or more third-party booking sites (online travel agencies or OTAs) like Hotels.com , Kayak , or Google Flights .

The Vacationer Tip

Along with looking for the best flight schedule and prices, you can use our guide to help find the best seats on the plane and book them for cheap or for free.

4. Book Directly from the Travel Provider

While you can find discounted prices through online travel agencies and third-party booking sites, booking directly from the airline, hotel, or rental car agency provides more protection if you must cancel or reschedule. This is especially important for flights and the 24-hour cancellation rule .

With third-party reservations, you may be locked into a particular itinerary that could be non-refundable or non-changeable. You will need to call the booking site to determine what your alternatives are. If you’re eligible for a refund, it can take longer to receive your funds.

5. Stay at a Hostel to Save Money

Hostels are a common and safe way to secure affordable lodging in Europe and Asia. If you’re traveling solo or in a group and okay with not having as much privacy, a hostel helps keep your travel costs down. 

Despite many misconceptions, most establishments are well-run with clean bathrooms and bedding. You may also be able to get a basic breakfast at some. With that said, be sure to research your options and consider paying a little more to get more luxurious accommodations.

Related: Everything You Need to Know About Staying in a Hostel

6. Consider Vacation Rentals for Extended Stays

Vacation rental websites like Airbnb and VRBO have become immensely more popular since the pandemic as people yearned for privacy. While hotels are usually better for shorter stays as you avoid expensive cleaning fees and service fees, a vacation home or villa can be more cost-effective for extended stays.

At a minimum, a rental or an extended-stay hotel is more likely to offer a full kitchen suite that allows you to cook full meals instead of relying on packaged snacks or what fits inside the hotel mini-fridge. 

Vacation rentals can also be cheaper per square foot if traveling as a family. Instead of squeezing into a hotel suite or booking multiple rooms, you have spacious accommodations. If you have small children, the extra space can keep you from losing your mind on rainy days.

The Vacationer’s Tip: While many people focus on spending less for flights, hotels and vacation rentals can have variable pricing. Here is how to find and book cheap hotels to enjoy clean and spacious lodging on a budget.

7. Buy Travel Insurance for Expensive or International Trips

Travel insurance is inexpensive on most itineraries and can save you thousands of dollars if your non-refundable travel is canceled or delayed for qualifying reasons. 

Obtaining coverage is a good option for expensive trips. Picking up a policy can also be worth it when traveling outside the United States as you can have medical coverage and emergency evacuation benefits that your ordinary health insurance may not provide outside the country.

You should also consider booking your trips using credit cards with travel insurance coverage . These benefits are sufficient for low-cost excursions and can activate before your standalone travel insurance policy can. They can also provide complimentary rental car coverage .

The Chase Sapphire Reserve® offers the best credit card travel insurance benefits. Namely, you can be eligible for trip interruption and cancellation coverage of up to $10,000 per person ($20,000 per trip), primary auto rental collision damage waiver, up to $500 per ticket in trip delay reimbursement, and up to $100,000 in emergency evacuation  Learn How to Apply Here

8. Consider Annual Travel Insurance Plans

If you travel regularly, an annual travel insurance policy covers multiple trips at a lower premium than buying a new policy for each trip. This is an excellent option for frequent leisure travelers and business travelers.

9. Review Airline and Hotel Cancellation Policies

Your travel plans may change unexpectedly for personal or work reasons. Before you book, take the time to review the cancellation and modification policies just to make sure they are reasonable.

You want to make sure you have a strong possibility of getting a refund or a travel credit to redeem later. Being locked into a non-refundable itinerary may not be worth the savings unless you’re booking right before you go or your travel insurance may issue a refund.

In addition to researching the cancellation policy, be sure to review an airline’s seating and carry-on policy to avoid add-on fees and restrictions. 

10. Choose Early Flights

Early morning flights are the best time to fly for several reasons. First, these departures are less likely to be delayed as it’s a new travel day with rested crews and minimal weather-related interruptions. 

Additionally, these flights can be cheaper as you need to arrive at the airport a little earlier. Routes popular with business travel can be an exception to this rule, but you can anticipate paying less than for a mid-day sortie.

Learn More: How to Avoid Flight Delays and Cancellations

11. Arrive at the Airport Early

Photo: Pixabay

Getting to the airport at least an hour before departure for domestic flights at small airports or when you’re not checking luggage. Plan on arriving at least two hours for domestic flights at busy airports, if you’re checking a bag, or traveling with small children.

What about international flights? Plan on arriving at least three hours before departure to allow additional time for a potentially longer check-in time.

Learn More: How Early Should I Get to the Airport?

12. Qualify for Expedited Airport Security 

If you fly several times a year, obtaining expedited airport security credentials can help you avoid long airport security lines. 

The first step is applying for a federally-administered Trusted Traveler Program, such as:

• TSA PreCheck : Enjoy expedited security at domestic airports only.  
• Global Entry : Get expedited processing at customs lines on international flights plus TSA PreCheck benefits. 
• NEXUS : Ideal for travel between the U.S. and Canada. It also includes Global Entry and TSA PreCheck benefits. 

Several rewards credit cards are offering free Global Entry and TSA PreCheck application fee credits to save a few dollars.

In addition to Trusted Traveler programs, you can also shave a few minutes off security wait times with CLEAR at select major airports and stadiums. Where available, this pre-security program can help you reach the expedited TSA security lines sooner. 

Getting a Redress Number can help those who frequently have boarding pass issues, are subject to additional security screenings (including having SSSS on their boarding pass ), and those who experience delayed or denied boardings.

Learn More: How to Get Through TSA Airport Security Faster

13. Relax at an Airport Lounge

If you have a long layover or arrive at the airport several hours later, visiting an airport lounge (like a Centurion Lounge ) can help you grab a complimentary meal and drink, and recharge your devices. You can also have a comfortable place to sit and the luxury lounges offer spa treatment, sleeping rooms, and shower suites to clean up.

Single-day passes are pricey but there are several credit cards with lounge access . Most lounges allow entry for the primary cardholder and up to two guests complimentary up to three hours before your next flight’s departure.

Airport lounge access is just one way to reduce air travel stress . Check out our article for additional suggestions. 

14. Check Your Passport Expiration Date

Some countries and airlines won’t let you travel if your passport expires within six months. If you’re planning a trip, see if your passport is expiring soon to prevent delaying your trip.

Consider renewing your passport early if you’re approaching the six-month expiration window as the passport processing times can take up to 13 weeks to receive your new document. You can pay extra for expedited processing but the process can still take several weeks.

After submitting your renewal request, you can check your passport application status online .

Finally, use our How to Take Your Own Passport Photo guide to simplify things when applying or renewing.

15. Don’t Go Into Debt for Vacation

As much as you’re earning to get away on a dream trip, it’s probably not worth going into debt for. Whether your bank is offering a vacation loan or you intend on carrying a credit card balance (even with a 0% APR), borrowing money to travel can backfire.

Instead, look for the best options within your spending power. Consider setting aside money each month and delaying your trip if necessary.

In addition to saving up for travel in a dedicated savings account, you can use travel rewards credit cards to redeem points to defray purchases. Some cards offer annual statement credits that reimburse eligible travel bookings. 

Additionally, airline credit cards and hotel credit cards also offer complimentary benefits to spend less.  

Making a travel budget can help you plan for travel expenses so you’re not nervous about running out of cash while you travel or having regrets once you return home.

16. Exercise and Stretch

Once you depart for your trip, be sure to stretch and perform basic exercises as time and space permit. It can be as basic as stationary stretches while sitting in your seat to walking the airport terminal. If driving, stay outside for a few extra minutes at the gas station or rest area.

Stretching and being active once you arrive is also beneficial and can help you sleep better.

Best Travel Tips for Packing

17. only bring a carry-on.

When possible, only bring a carry-on to avoid lost or missing checked luggage. You can also avoid checked baggage fees and excessive weight charges if you overpack. Using the best carry-on can help you find the perfect soft or hard-sided luggage to fit your travel gear.

If you need to check a bag, it most likely won’t get lost but could get delayed. Here’s our helpful guide on what to do during baggage delays .

18. Pack as Light as Possible

Packing is stressful; Many people overpack to ease their anxiety, which sometimes means bringing extra suitcases or paying to check a bag. Write down everything you think you need on your packing list. After it’s complete, cut it down to the bare minimum.

Pack underwear and socks for the number of showers you expect to take; Add an emergency pair for every five or so days of your trip. Shirts and pants can usually be worn multiple days in a row. If your accommodation has a washing machine, you can pack even less.

19. Carry-On Overnight Travel Essentials

You never know when a flight delay will turn into spending the night in the terminal or at a nearby hotel. While the airline may provide meal vouchers, you should pack these travel essentials to freshen up:

• A change of clothes, especially extra underwear and socks
• Powerbank (they cost about $20 and have several phone/tablet recharges)
• Travel charger

Even if you’re not stuck somewhere overnight, these small and compact items can also help you rest while on the road:

• Earplugs (great for plane rides and noisy hotels)
• Noise-canceling earbuds or headphones
• Travel blanket
• Travel pillow (see the best travel neck pillows )

Adding these carry-on essentials to your packing list can prepare you for nearly any change of plans and to weather a long layover or flight. 

20. Don’t Forget a Power Adapter

A power adapter is essential in most foreign destinations to charge your devices. Traveling to Canada or Mexico is an exception as the standard voltage is 120v and these countries have the same outlet design as the United States. Check to see the adapter requirements for the country you are visiting before leaving.

The Vacationer’s Phil Dengler recently visited South Africa and needed a Type M adapter. He purchased this Ceptics International Power Plug Adapter Travel Set , which includes 13 adapters for just about every foreign country.

21. Use Packing Cubes

There are a couple of ways to organize your travel luggage to squeeze everything in. Your bag may include built-in storage compartments or you might roll up clothing and put them in packing cubes or vacuum storage bags. If you’re on a budget, rubber bands or plastic bags can also do the job. I recommend the following packing cubes: Veken 6 Set of Various Colored Packing Cubes .

Packing for a vacation can feel like a fine art at times, even as a seasoned traveler. Our travel packing list can cover everything you need to bring so you don’t forget and have to buy something along the way.

22. Bring an Empty Water Bottle

For over 20 years, it’s become ingrained for air travelers to pack liquids in containers containing no more than three ounces. This security rule means you can’t bring a filled water bottle through airport security, but you can bring an empty one.

Most airports have filtered water dispensers in the post-security terminal that you can fill up your bottle with and avoid paying big bucks for bottled water. You also won’t struggle to stay hydrated during your journey.

If you’re driving, consider bringing a travel water filter or a portable filter that you can use in your hotel room to pay pennies for filtered water.

23. Dress Comfortably for the Flight

You should dress comfortably for the plane ride. Dressing in layers with a light jacket or a travel blanket can help you stay warm if the cabin is cool. Bringing travel slippers or slip-on shoes on long-haul flights is another overlooked comfort hack. Wear sweatpants instead of jeans.

24. Bring Duplicate Travel Documents

Take a few minutes to photocopy your critical travel documents such as your government-issued IDs and passport. Be sure to keep these papers separate from your originals in case one set gets lost.

Once you arrive at your destination, you may decide to go out in public with your duplicates and keep your originals plus at least one payment card in the room safe. That way, a pickpocket doesn’t run off with the more valuable set and you still have a way to make purchases. 

Taking it a step further, write down your credit card numbers and the emergency contact number if you need to call and cancel if your plastic goes missing. If you don’t have a phone number, you can also look for a pay phone that should have a toll-free number to contact Visa or Mastercard to cancel your card.

25. Keep Valuables at Home and Bring a Lock

Unless it’s necessary to bring them along for a business function or a personal event, leave your valuables at home. The hassle of keeping them secure and the risk of losing them may not be worth the replacement cost. 

This includes your fine jewelry, watches, and high-end electronics that are nice to use but optional for this trip. Additionally, these items can make you a target for thieves.

The Vacationer’s Phil Dengler also recommends bringing a luggage lock or a standard combination lock.

26. Install a Luggage Tracking Device

Bluetooth tracking devices like the Apple AirTag are a small and easy way to see where your carry-on and checked luggage are at all times. A single piece is about the size of a coin and costs $30 or less.

27. Bring Comfy Walking Shoes

Most of the world walks more steps than we do daily. Therefore, it’s essential to pack at least one pair of comfortable shoes or sandals to stroll the streets of your destination. Comfortable footwear is also a must-have if you’re staying stateside.

28. Keep a Travel Journal

Consider packing a notebook or diary into your carry-on. Handwriting your favorite travel memories in a journal is an easy way to remember the intricacies that you may struggle to remember years later when you reflect. 

For example, you can write down what you did each day along with exciting facts. Having everybody share their favorite activity for the day is another way to use this journal.

Best Travel Tips for Once You Arrive

29. learn the local customs.

Words and expressions can have different meanings where you’re traveling to. It’s also a good idea to know some of the common phrases and customs the locals practice so you can have a basic conversation.

You can research these details online or in a guidebook.

30. Dress As a Local

Blending in with the crowd can help prevent unwanted attention from panhandlers and pickpockets. For example, don’t wear revealing clothing when the culture favors pants or long dresses. Researching fashion advice for your destination is your best option.

31. Be Wary of Local Scams

Brushing up on the latest tourist scams can help you avoid bad situations. A recent travel guidebook is a reliable way to find the most common tactics for your destination. Two to look out for are unofficial taxis and fake wifi hotspots. 

32. Consider Wearing a Money Belt

Long-time travelers have a love-hate relationship with money belts as they point you out as a tourist if you’re constantly reaching for it in public. Additionally, wearing the belt all day can be a nuisance as it’s an extra layer of fabric you’re not used to.

At the same time, it’s harder to steal a money belt than to grab something from your pockets or purse. They are also inexpensive to buy on Amazon and don’t take up a lot of suitcase space if you decide not to use it.

33. Download Travel Apps

Smartphones make international travel substantially easier as you can download various apps before leaving home so you can hit the ground running.

Some types of apps you may consider downloading for these purposes:

• Offline Maps: Many consider Maps.me to be the best offline maps app and more user-friendly than Apple Maps or Google Maps. You may still try getting paper maps from a local tourism office or bookstore once you arrive though.
• Translation: A translator app for traveling can be pre-loaded with basic phrases with offline access. It may also be able to interpret voice recordings and photographs.
• Jet Lag: Flying to the other side of the world takes a toll on your body and sleep cycle. Timeshifter can help you conquer jet lag quicker while traveling and upon returning home.   

Downloading apps for your airline, hotel, and travel booking sites will help you access your digital reservation information and receive itinerary updates. Some travelers also enjoy downloading tourism apps like Tripadvisor or Yelp to quickly access ratings for attractions.

34. Get an International Sim Card or Phone Plan

Your stateside phone carrier may offer an international plan that you can upgrade to while you’re out of the country. Contract carriers and prepaid providers offer this overseas coverage.

Alternatively, an international sim card can be a budget-friendly and reliable option if you visit multiple countries. Just make sure your device is unlocked and GSM-compatible.  

35. Avoid Eating in Touristy Areas  

You’re likely to pay more and potentially get lower-quality food when eating in touristy areas. This isn’t always the case. For example, dining within sight of Rome’s Pantheon is an exception as there are well-rated restaurants for a memorable ambiance.

However, going a few streets over or to an adjacent community can be the ticket to finding authentic food. Asking your hotel or trustworthy locals can help you find a good spot in addition to researching places to eat online.

36. Lunch Can Be Cheaper than Supper

If you’re only planning on eating out one meal per day, your mid-day meal can be more affordable than in the evening. 

Depending on the restaurant, there can be separate menus for the bar and dining room. Staying in the bar can be more affordable and your meal options can be similar.

37. Use American Chains for Public Restrooms and Wifi

Finding a public bathroom can be challenging in foreign destinations. American restaurants like McDonald’s, Starbucks, and Taco Bell are more likely to offer public access to restrooms and wifi, although you may need to make a small purchase.

38. Look for Free Walking Tours

Free walking tours are common in popular tourist destinations both stateside and internationally. These tours can last a couple of hours and hit the cultural and historical points of interest. They can provide an idea of what you want to spend more time exploring later.  

While these tours don’t have an entry fee, nothing in life is genuinely 100% free ,and leaving a tip is expected in most situations. You may decide to tip more if the guide is knowledgeable and engaging.

39. A Paid Tour Can Be Better Than a Free Tour

You should also compare the free tours to private, guided tours. A paid tour can provide more hands-on support and access to more landmarks. 

In addition to researching the traditional tour providers, the experiences section in Airbnb can also provide curated opportunities to see the sights, enjoy culinary delights, or do physical activities like paddleboarding or folk dancing. 

Further Reading: Best Websites for Booking Cheap Tickets, Tours, & Activities

40. Look for Discounted Sightseeing Passes

Museums and entertainment attractions offer discounted and priority admission with sightseeing pass companies. So, instead of buying tickets directly from the tourist attractions you wish to visit, purchasing a city attraction card in advance can save money and means you won’t need to wait for hours (potentially) to buy a ticket at the door.

For domestic trips, CityPASS® offers discounted packages in approximately 15 major U.S. cities. Entertainment.com can also help you save on experiences in the United States and Canada.

If you’re flying to the “Eternal City” of Rome, Italy, the Roma Tourist Card is worth the upfront cost as you can enjoy these benefits:   

• Skip-the-line access at the Roman Colosseum
• Guided tour of St. Peter’s Basilica
• Access to the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel
• Audio guides for the Pantheon and Rome
• Free return transfer to or from Rome’s international airports (Ciampino and Fiumicino)
• 10% discount on other attractions, museums, and tours

Depending on the program, you may need to book your pass weeks in advance.

41. Get an Interrail Pass for a Eurotrip

If you’re backpacking Europe or touring several countries, an Interrail Pass from Eurail can make it easier to finalize your transportation plan using an interactive map. This platform lets you visit up to 33 countries by rail with a single pass. 

42. Have a Flexible Travel Schedule

Mapping out an initial plan for each day can help you seize the day and optimize your time of playing tourist. Meanwhile, remaining flexible is pivotal as several variables can alter your itinerary such as:

• A change in the weather
• Accomplishing more than you originally scheduled 
• Making friends with other travelers and having dinner with them
• Realizing a planned activity isn’t as appealing once you arrive 

Another related suggestion is to get out and explore the city and the immediate area on your arrival date (time permitting) so you have a better idea of what to do the next day.

43. Wear Sunscreen Early and Often For Beach & Outdoor Trips

There is nothing worse than getting a bad sunburn at the beginning of a trip. Find a good facial sunscreen and buy a travel-sized container. Apply it to your face and neck a few times per day. For beach trips, either cover up with a hat and clothing or apply strong sunscreen to your body multiple times per day. While it may be annoying, it is much better than dealing with painful and peeling sunburn.

Sunscreen is usually marked up at typical tourist spots. If you check a bag, consider buying what you need before leaving and packing it.

44. Use an ATM Instead of a Currency Exchange Booth

Instead of heading directly to the currency exchange booth at the airport or train terminal, look for an ATM instead. Several should be in the public terminals or you can look for a local bank branch to find a secure location.

Why? ATMs provide better currency exchange ratios than the money exchange booth. Even if you pay foreign transaction fees and non-network ATM fees, you will most likely come out ahead financially speaking.

45. Use a Credit Card With No Foreign Transaction Fees

Many travel-focused credit cards like the Chase Sapphire Preferred , the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card , and The Platinum Card from American Express do not have foreign transaction fees. Use cards like those when traveling internationally to avoid potentially expensive fees.

46. Bring at Least One Backup Credit Card

Getting stuck on vacation with no access to money (besides cash) is not something you want to experience; Your main credit card could get lost or stolen. Carry at least one backup credit card (ideally with no foreign transaction fees if overseas) on all trips.

Phil Dengler’s Favorite Travel Tips

Here are a few of Phil’s favorite travel tips.

47. Be Very Flexible – Pick Your Travel Dates Based on the Cheapest Days to Fly

Flights are usually the most costly part of a vacation. I recommend using Google Flights calendar view to find the cheapest days to fly to and from your destination. After identifying those days, book your airfare. You must be flexible, but it can save you hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars planning a vacation this way.

Further Reading: How to Find Cheap Flights and How to Use Google Flights

48. Book the Aisle and Window Seats When Traveling in Pairs

I always book the aisle and window seats when flying with my girlfriend or a friend. No one wants to sit in the middle seat, so people rarely select it. Doing this usually gives us the entire row to ourselves.

It does not work on full flights, however. The good news is people are usually willing to trade their middle seat. Simply offer them your aisle or window seat and you still get to sit next to your significant other or friend.

Further Reading: Can You (and Should You) Change Airplane Seats With Someone Else on a Flight?

49. Follow Proper Airline Etiquette

Knowing how to properly act on a plane can better your flying experience. See our following guides for more information.

• Airplane Seat Reclining Etiquette
• Overhead Bin Space Etiquette – Who Does it Belong To and How to Avoid Fights

The Vacationer’s Final Thoughts

Taking the time to plan for a vacation, whether it’s the annual beach trip or you’re trying some new place, lets you practice these travel tips and not stress before or during your expedition. 

The best part is that you don’t need to be a travel pro to successfully implement these suggestions. If you’re a beginner, try adopting several more each time you leave home.

By Josh Patoka

Josh Patoka writes about maximizing travel rewards for The Vacationer. As well, he contributes to several personal finance sites specializing in making money, paying off debt, and investing.

How to Find Cheap Flights to Anywhere in the World in 2024

The Best Travel Insurance – Guide to the Top Companies, Cost, & Buying Tips in 2024

How to Avoid Airline Flight Delays & Cancellations – 2024

• Get 7 Days Free

These are the best and worst air travel days around Thanksgiving and Christmas

By Sally French

Here are the most and least crowded days around the holidays, and which days might be cheaper

This article is reprinted by permission from NerdWallet.

Most weeks of the year, Friday is the busiest day for air travel, and Tuesday is the least busy day. During the holidays, though, that doesn't necessarily hold true.

In most years, the Sunday after Thanksgiving is the busiest travel day at U.S. airports, according to the Transportation Security Administration, which tracks the number of passengers screened daily. The two days after Christmas also see heavy travel. And since Christmas falls on a Monday this year, that might mean an abnormally busy Tuesday and Wednesday of that week.

To avoid crowds and save money, consider skipping the busy days and book your flights on one of the slower ones. Here's a breakdown of the best and worst days to fly during the winter holidays, and how you can strategize to avoid crowds and save money.

The busiest days to fly around Thanksgiving

The Sunday after Thanksgiving is brutal for airport crowds. Last year, about 83% more people flew on the Sunday after Thanksgiving than on Thanksgiving Day, according to TSA data, making it the busiest travel day of 2022.

That same Sunday was also the year's single busiest airport travel day in both 2019 and 2021. In 2020, the busiest days of the year for air travel were largely concentrated in January and February, before the widespread impact of COVID-19, which would reduce holiday travel later in the year.

Here's a look at the three busiest days to fly in the seven calendar dates before and after Thanksgiving over the past four years, based on TSA checkpoint data:

Source: Transportation Security Administration checkpoint data, 2019-2022.

And here are the three least busy days to fly in that period:

Assuming past trends continue in 2023, expect Sunday, Nov. 26, to be the busiest travel day around Thanksgiving, followed by Wednesday, Nov. 22. Even if you fly out one day ahead of the biggest crowds, Saturday, Nov. 25, will also likely be busy.

And this year, crowds will likely be bigger based on the fact that past 2023 holidays have already set air travel records. For example, 2023's Fourth of July weekend set records for U.S. air travel. More than 2.884 million people passed through TSA checkpoints on the Friday before July 4, according to TSA checkpoint data. That topped the previous record, which was on the Sunday after Thanksgiving 2019, when a recorded 2.882 million people passed through TSA checkpoints.

Learn more: Crowds, costs and cancellation concerns? Try these tips and tricks for booking holiday travel.

The busiest days to fly around Christmas

Christmas airport crowds can be trickier to predict than Thanksgiving crowds given that the holiday falls on a different day of the week each year and air travel patterns are often dictated by the workweek. This year, Christmas falls on a Monday.

But just as the Sunday after Thanksgiving tends to draw huge crowds, the days just after Christmas are wildly popular. And much like how few people travel on Thanksgiving Day itself, relatively few people travel on Christmas Day or New Year's Day.

Here's a look at the three busiest days to fly in the seven calendar dates before and after Christmas over the past four years, based on TSA checkpoint data:

This year, you might expect Friday, Dec. 22, to be particularly busy. Friday is typically the busiest travel day in any given week, and -- especially during Christmas week -- many holiday travelers may leave on that day.

According to Chase Travel, Friday, Dec. 22, is one of the top three busiest days across all flights booked in either December 2023 or January 2024 (the other two busiest days are Saturday, Dec. 23, and Saturday, Dec. 30). Similarly, booking site Hopper anticipates that day having the highest fare for the Christmas season.

This holiday travel season may see some relief, though. Hanukkah, which begins on the 25th of Kislev in the Hebrew calendar, can sometimes align closely with Christmas. The eight-day celebration ran from Dec. 18-26 in 2022, but this year will commence on Dec. 15 -- likely before the Christmas crowds start.

Another consideration for travel is that the weeklong celebration of Kwanzaa runs from Dec. 26 through Jan. 1.

How to choose less crowded (and cheaper) travel days

The holiday travel season is always expensive, but there is some decrease from last year's prices. Airfares for Christmas trips are averaging $400 according to Hopper data. That's down 12%, or about $52 per ticket, from last year. The bad news is that it's still 29% higher than holiday airfares were in 2019.

Travel on the holiday: Traveling on the holiday is often the best way to avoid crowds and save money. Last year, 23.4% more people flew on the day after Christmas versus Christmas Day, which fell on a Sunday.

And that demand has a strong effect on prices. According to Hopper, domestic flights on Christmas Day average about 26% less than peak prices.

Book morning flights: If you are traveling on the holiday, catch the first flight out for the day and you might arrive in time for evening festivities. Taking early flights is also considered good practice to reduce your odds of a flight delay. In the first half of 2023, 7.8% of flights were delayed because an aircraft arrived late, according to Bureau of Transportation Statistics data.

Stay longer: If you can take the days off or work remotely, then it can make sense to fly as long before or after a holiday as possible.

For Thanksgiving, Hopper recommends flying the Monday of Thanksgiving week and returning any weekday the following week. The Sunday after Thanksgiving is historically the busiest day to fly, so extending your trip by just one day can save you money. According to Hopper, airfares average 40% less on the Monday after Thanksgiving versus the Sunday after.

For Christmas, Hopper recommends departing the Monday or Tuesday before Christmas weekend and returning midweek following the holiday.

Skip holiday travel completely: If you don't mind celebrating in an unconventional way, consider participating in something like an un-holiday, where you shift the celebration by a couple of days or weeks.

Read next: If you want to be a more climate-friendly traveler, tough it out on the budget airlines--here's why

More From NerdWallet

The Best Airlines for 2023 Holiday Travel on PointsShould You Buy Travel Insurance for Holiday Travel?The Frequent Traveler Benefit People Want More Than Perks

Sally French writes for NerdWallet. Email: [email protected]. Twitter: @SAFmedia.

-Sally French

This content was created by MarketWatch, which is operated by Dow Jones & Co. MarketWatch is published independently from Dow Jones Newswires and The Wall Street Journal.

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11-06-23 0459ET

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Q2 update: 2024 outlook for the stock market and economy, 6 stocks to sell and 6 stocks to buy instead, markets brief: will the new inflation story hurt stocks, magnificent no more apple and tesla stocks are weighing on the market, what’s happening in the markets this week, what hot inflation and delayed rate cuts mean for investors, these 4 charts show plunging expectations for fed rate cuts, march cpi report: why is inflation still so sticky, stock picks, pnc earnings: expenses are well-managed; net interest income will worsen before seeing improvement, bank of america earnings: investment banking and asset management keep fees strong, but charge-offs rise, going into earnings, is tesla stock a buy, a sell, or fairly valued, johnson & johnson earnings: solid growth to start the year, but we expect that to slow by midyear, 6 surprising stocks to buy now, salesforce: our initial high-level view of possible informatica acquisition is negative, unitedhealth earnings: 2024 outlook maintained despite change outage and elevated utilization, goldman sachs earnings: strong start to year as investment banking and trading power results, sponsor center.

Travel could be a good deal this summer. Here's when plane ticket prices will peak.

Spring is springing, and according to Hopper, it’s time to start thinking about your summer vacation plans.

New data from the online booking site shows some favorable trends for travelers in the next few months, including slightly lower airfares compared with 2023 and hotel and car rental prices that are more or less flat year-over-year.

Here’s what you need to know as you prepare to book, whether you’re looking for a domestic getaway or go on an overseas adventure. It’s also not too late to take advantage of deals on some last-minute trips.

How much are spring and summer plane tickets?

According to Hopper, the best deals right now are on domestic airline tickets. Round-trip flights within the U.S. are averaging $290 in April, but prices are expected to rise in the months ahead.

Hopper’s data shows prices for domestic flights will peak between May and June at $315 on average, then will gradually fall through the summer, reaching a low of $264 on average in September.

On a call with investors discussing first-quarter earnings Wednesday, Delta Air Lines CEO Ed Bastian said summer travel demand has been pushed forward in recent years in part because schools, especially in the South, are finishing their summer breaks earlier in the year.

Is airport Wi-Fi safe to use? How to keep your information safe while traveling.

Short vs. long cruises: Which one is right for you? Here's how they compare.

This summer also will be a good time to travel internationally; Hopper data shows fares to most destinations abroad are down compared with last year. 

“Airfare to international destinations continues to improve following two years of bloated prices due to quickly recovering demand, high fuel prices and supply constraints. Airfare to most major regions of the world has dropped compared to last year with the exception of trips to Canada,” Hayley Berg, Hopper’s chief economist, said in the report. “International fares remain higher than pre-pandemic levels to most regions, as higher fuel prices persist and airlines continue to rebuild capacity to many regions.”

How much will a hotel room for the spring and summer cost?

Hotel prices remain mostly flat compared with the same time last year. Rooms in the U.S. are averaging $206 a night; better deals are available in some trending international destinations like Osaka, Japan, and Istanbul, Turkey.

According to Hopper, Las Vegas, New York and Chicago remain popular destinations in the U.S.

Will car rental prices rise this summer?

Car rental prices also haven’t increased much since last year and average $42 a day, according to Hopper.

The report shows most travelers rent a car for about four days, and warm-weather destinations like Orlando and Los Angeles remain popular pickup points.

Zach Wichter is a travel reporter for USA TODAY based in New York. You can reach him at [email protected].

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• Section 10 - Vietnam
• Section 11 - Rapid Diagnostic Tests for Infectious Diseases

General Approach to the Returned Traveler

Cdc yellow book 2024.

Author(s): Jessica Fairley

The Posttravel Evaluation

Common syndromes, general management.

As many as 43%–79% of travelers to low- and middle-income countries become ill with a travel-associated health problem. Although most of these illnesses are mild, some travelers become sick enough to seek care from a health care provider. Most posttravel infections become apparent soon after returning from abroad, but incubation periods vary, and some syndromes can present months to years after initial infection or after travel.

When evaluating a patient with a probable travel-associated illness, approach the differential diagnosis by incorporating both the patient presentation and risk factors related to travel (e.g., destination, duration of travel, and exposures; see Table 11-01 ). Salient points of the history of present illness and the travel and medical history, descriptions of common nonfebrile syndromes, and initial management steps are outlined below. The differential diagnosis and management for a traveler with fever (or febrile syndrome) is discussed in detail in Sec. 11, Ch. 4, Fever in the Returned Traveler .

Table 11-01 Elements of a complete travel history in an ill returned traveler

HISTORY OF THE PRESENT ILLNESS

Symptoms: primary & associated

Date of symptom or illness onset

Geographic location at time of symptom onset (e.g., while away, in transit, after return)

Healthcare received while abroad and after return (e.g., medications, hospitalizations)

TRAVEL DETAILS

Destinations visited and itineraries

Duration of travel (date of departure and date of return)

Reason for travel

• Business (include details about possible exposures and type of work done)
• Immigration
• Missionary, volunteer, humanitarian aid work
• Providing or receiving medical care
• Research or education
• Visiting friends & relatives

Accommodations and sleeping arrangements

• Hotel with or without air conditioning, window screens, or mosquito nets
• Safari, including camping outdoors, in a lodge, in a luxury tent
• Someone’s home

Transportation used

RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES

Camping and hiking

Sightseeing

Water exposures

• Boating or rafting
• Fresh water (lake, river, stream) bathing, boating, swimming, wading
• Hot springs
• Hot tubs, swimming pools
• Ocean (diving, snorkeling, surfing; consider marine life exposure)

Other activities

Animal or arthropod bites, stings, scratches

Drinking water (bottled, purified, tap, use of ice)

• Raw fruits, vegetables
• Undercooked meat
• Unpasteurized dairy products

Insect bites (mosquito, tick, sand fly, tsetse fly)

Medical or dental care (planned or unplanned)

Disease outbreaks in visited destinations

Sexual activity during travel (document condom use, new partner[s])

Tattoos or piercings while traveling

VECTORBORNE DISEASE PRECAUTIONS

Adherence to malaria prophylaxis

Insect repellent use (25%–40% DEET or other Environmental Protection Agency–registered product)

Mosquito nets

VACCINES RECEIVED

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)

Hepatitis A

Hepatitis B

Japanese encephalitis

Measles-mumps-rubella (MMR)

Meningococcal disease

Tetanus-diphtheria-acellular pertussis (Tdap)

Yellow fever

MEDICATIONS TAKEN

Malaria prophylaxis

All medicines taken (whether routinely or for symptomatic treatment), including antibiotics

• Herbal, complementary, alternative
• Over the counter
• Prescription

PAST MEDICAL HISTORY

Chronic medical conditions

• Autoimmune disease
• Heart disease
• Immunosuppressive conditions

Recent illnesses or surgeries

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Alcohol, tobacco, illicit drug use

Family history

Recent travel, domestic or international, especially ≤6 months

History of the Present Illness

As with any medical evaluation, the history of the present illness and associated clinical factors are the first considerations when approaching an ill returned traveler. Information about the timing of illness, immunization and prophylaxis history, itinerary, exposures, and comorbidities can help refine the diagnosis.

Timing of Illness in Relation to Travel

Because most common travel-associated infections have short incubation periods, most ill travelers will seek medical attention ≤1 month of returning from their destinations. Dengue and other arboviral infections, influenza, and travelers’ diarrhea are examples of infections with shorter incubation periods (<2 weeks). Diseases with slightly longer incubation periods, ≤4–6 weeks, include viral hepatitis, acute HIV, leishmaniasis, malaria, and typhoid fever, among others. Occasionally, some infections (e.g., leishmaniasis, malaria, schistosomiasis, tuberculosis) might become manifest months or even years after a traveler returns. Consider malaria in the differential diagnosis of any traveler who traveled to a malaria-endemic area ≤1 year of presentation. A detailed travel history that extends beyond a few months before presentation is important. The most common travel-associated infections by incubation period are listed in Table 11-02 , Table 11-03 , and Table 11-04 .

Table 11-02 Common travel-associated infections by incubation period: <14 days

Table 11-03 common travel-associated infections by incubation period: 14 days–6 weeks, table 11-04 common travel-associated infections by incubation period: >6 weeks, immunization & prophylaxis history.

When evaluating an ill returned traveler, review the traveler’s vaccination history and malaria prophylaxis used. Fewer than half of US travelers who visit low- and middle-income countries seek pretravel medical advice, increasing the likelihood that they did not receive pretravel vaccines and did not receive or take antimalarial drugs. Although adherence to malaria prophylaxis does not rule out the possibility of malaria, it substantially reduces the risk and increases the possibility of an alternative diagnosis.

Likewise, history of vaccination against hepatitis A and yellow fever would make these diseases unlikely causes of hepatitis or jaundice in a returning traveler. Remember to ask about routine vaccinations like measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) and tetanus-diphtheria-pertussis (Tdap). The most common vaccine-preventable diseases among returned travelers seeking care at GeoSentinel clinics during 1997–2010 included hepatitis A, hepatitis B, influenza, and typhoid fever. More than half of these patients with vaccine-preventable diseases were hospitalized.

Itinerary & Travel Duration

A traveler’s itinerary is crucial to formulating a differential diagnosis because exposures differ depending on the region of travel and the specific areas (e.g., rural vs. urban). A febrile illness with nonspecific symptoms could be dengue, malaria, rickettsial disease, or typhoid fever, among others, depending on the itinerary and endemicity of these infections. Being able to exclude certain infections based on the travel itinerary can help avoid unnecessary testing.

A 2013 study from the GeoSentinel Surveillance Network found that the frequency of certain diseases varied depending on the region of the world visited; among travelers with fevers, for example, dengue was diagnosed most frequently among travelers coming from Asia, while malaria was diagnosed most frequently among travelers returning from Africa.

Travel duration is also a factor because the risk for a travel-associated illness increases with the length of the trip. A tropical medicine specialist can assist with the differential diagnosis and might be aware of outbreaks or the current prevalence of an infectious disease in an area. The 2014–2015 Ebola virus epidemic in West Africa highlighted the importance of epidemiologic factors and travel itineraries in managing patients and protecting staff and the community.

Knowing a patient’s exposures during travel (e.g., consumption of contaminated food or water, insect bites, freshwater swimming) also can assist with the differential diagnosis. In addition to malarial parasites, mosquitoes transmit viruses (e.g., chikungunya, dengue, yellow fever, Zika) and filarial parasites (e.g., Wuchereria bancrofti ). Depending on the clinical syndrome, a history of a tick bite could suggest a diagnosis of tick-borne encephalitis, African tick-bite fever, or other rickettsial infections. Tsetse flies are the vector for transmission of Trypanosoma brucei , a protozoan that causes African sleeping sickness. Tsetse flies are large, and their bites are painful; patients often recall being bitten. Freshwater bathing, swimming, wading, or other contact can put travelers at risk for leptospirosis, schistosomiasis, and other diseases.

Accommodations and activities also can influence the risk of acquiring certain diseases while abroad. Travelers who visit friends and relatives are at greater risk for malaria, typhoid fever, and other diseases, often because they stay longer, travel to more remote destinations, have more contact with local water sources, and typically do not seek pretravel advice (see Sec. 9, Ch. 9, Visiting Friends & Relatives: VFR Travel ). Travelers backpacking and camping in rural areas have a greater risk for certain diseases than those staying in luxury, air-conditioned hotels.

Comorbidities

Underlying illnesses can affect a traveler’s susceptibility to infection as well as the clinical manifestations and severity of disease. An increasing number of international travelers are immunosuppressed, whether due to HIV infection, treatment with immune-modulating medications, being an organ transplant recipient, or other primary or acquired immunodeficiencies (see Sec. 3, Ch. 1, Immunocompromised Travelers ). In addition, several factors associated with travel can exacerbate underlying conditions (e.g., chronic lung disease, inflammatory bowel disease, ischemic heart disease).

Symptoms & Illness Severity

Although the symptoms of many infectious and travel-associated syndromes overlap, the initial symptoms and presentation should ultimately guide the differential diagnosis: gastrointestinal symptoms and febrile illnesses are the most common syndromes in returning travelers. Remember that conditions such as appendicitis, urinary tract infections, and domestically acquired viral infections also can present in returning travelers.

Severity of illness is not only important for patient triage but also can help clinicians distinguish certain infections. Is the traveler hemodynamically stable? Is the infection potentially life-threatening (e.g., malaria)? Does the traveler have a severe respiratory syndrome or signs of hemorrhagic fever? Some suspected illnesses might necessitate prompt involvement of public health authorities. For more details, see General Management, later in this chapter.

The 3 most common clinical syndromes after travel to low- and middle-income countries are dermatologic conditions, diarrheal diseases, and systemic febrile illnesses, each of which is described in more detail elsewhere in this section (see Dermatologic Conditions , Persistent Diarrhea in Returned Travelers , and Fever in the Returned Traveler ). Evaluate febrile travelers returning from malaria-endemic destinations immediately. Other common clinical presentations and findings include animal bites and scratches, asymptomatic eosinophilia, and respiratory illnesses.

Animal Bites & Scratches

Promptly evaluate any traveler who reports animal exposures during travel (see Sec. 4, Ch. 7, Zoonotic Exposures: Bites, Stings, Scratches & Other Hazards ). Consider travelers with animal bites and scratches as high-risk for rabies exposure, and provide rabies postexposure prophylaxis, as indicated (see Sec. 5, Part 2, Ch. 18, Rabies ). If the traveler was exposed to a macaque, herpes B postexposure prophylaxis might be indicated (see Sec. 5, Part 2, Ch. 1, B Virus ).

Asymptomatic Eosinophilia

Eosinophilia in a returning traveler suggests possible helminth infection. Allergic diseases, hematologic disorders, and a few other viral, fungal, and protozoan infections also can cause eosinophilia. Eosinophilia can be present during pulmonary migration of parasites (e.g., Ascaris , hookworm, schistosomiasis, Strongyloides ).

Other parasitic infections associated with eosinophilia include lymphatic filariasis, chronic strongyloidiasis, acute trichinellosis, and visceral larva migrans. These infections might be asymptomatic, but also could have associated symptoms (e.g., rash, swelling). In an outbreak of sarcocystosis among travelers returning from Tioman Island, Malaysia, those affected presented with eosinophilia and myalgias and had eosinophilic myositis on muscle biopsy (see Sec. 5, Part 3, Ch. 18, Sarcocystosis ).

Parasitic infections are rare in most travelers, so consider other etiologies for eosinophilia; for instance, eosinophilia can be a sign of a hematologic malignancy. See Section 5 for more information on specific diseases.

Respiratory Illnesses

Respiratory illnesses are frequent among returned travelers and are typically associated with common respiratory viruses, including influenza and now, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, the cause of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Since the pandemic began in early 2020, coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has overtaken influenza in overall global incidence. And although historically influenza has been the most common vaccine-preventable disease associated with international travel, COVID-19 could surpass it in that regard. To make that determination, however, a better understanding of the epidemiology of travel-associated COVID-19 transmission is needed (see Sec. 5, Part 2, Ch. 3, COVID-19 ).

If the travel history is appropriate and respiratory symptoms do not have a clear alternative diagnosis, include other emerging respiratory infections (e.g., avian influenza, Middle East respiratory syndrome [MERS]) in the differential diagnosis. In suspected cases of an emerging respiratory infection, alert local public health authorities and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) immediately. See relevant chapters in Section 5 for more information on these emerging infections; for a list of febrile respiratory illnesses that can occur after exposures in tropical destinations, see Table 11-10 in the chapter, Fever in the Returned Traveler .

Delayed illness onset and chronic cough after travel could be tuberculosis, especially in a long-term traveler or health care worker. Helminths and helminth infections associated with pulmonary symptoms include Ascaris , hookworms ( Ancylostoma or Necator ), paragonimiasis, schistosomiasis, and strongyloidiasis.

Most posttravel illnesses can be managed on an outpatient basis, but some patients, especially those with systemic febrile illnesses, might need to be hospitalized. Furthermore, potentially severe, transmissible infections (e.g., COVID-19, Ebola, MERS) require enhanced infection control measures and often, higher levels of care. Severe clinical presentations (e.g., acute respiratory distress, hemodynamic instability, mental status changes) require inpatient care. Have a low threshold for admitting a febrile patient if malaria is suspected; complications can occur rapidly. Management in an inpatient setting is especially vital for patients unlikely to follow up reliably or who have no one at home to assist if symptoms quickly worsen.

Initial Evaluation

After conducting a thorough physical exam, paying particular attention to skin manifestations or evidence of prior insect bites, order tests based on chief complaint and exposure history. Frequently useful tests include complete blood count with differential (to look for anemia, eosinophilia, leukocytosis, leukopenia, thrombocytopenia); blood cultures and malaria rapid diagnostic tests (depending on the presence of fever and travel itinerary); a complete metabolic profile (to identify electrolyte, renal, or liver dysfunction); serologic or PCR tests for arboviral infections (as needed); and stool cultures and ova and parasite exams. These tests often can help narrow the differential diagnosis and determine disease severity.

Antimicrobial Resistance

Be aware of the risk to international travelers for acquiring antimicrobial resistant organisms. Carefully consider travel history when caring for patients, both to identify effective treatments for infections and to ensure infection control interventions are in place to prevent spread of antimicrobial resistance (see Sec. 11, Ch. 5, Antimicrobial Resistance ).

Consultation

Consult an infectious disease specialist when managing complicated or severe travel-associated infections, or when the diagnosis remains unclear. A tropical medicine or infectious disease specialist should be involved in cases that require specialized treatment (e.g., leishmaniasis, severe malaria, and neurocysticercosis).

Involve local, state, and federal public health authorities whenever managing transmissible, high-consequence infections. CDC provides on-call assistance with the diagnosis and management of parasitic infections at 404-718-4745 (for parasitic infections other than malaria) or 770-488-7788 (toll-free at 855-856-4713) for malaria, during business hours. After business hours or for other conditions, call the CDC Emergency Operations Center at 770-488-7100.

The following authors contributed to the previous version of this chapter: Jessica K. Fairley

Bibliography

Angelo KM, Kozarsky PE, Ryan ET, Chen LH, Sotir MJ. What proportion of international travellers acquire a travel-related illness? A review of the literature. J Travel Med. 2017;24(5):tax046.

Boggild AK, Castelli F, Gautret P, Torresi J, von Sonnenburg F, Barnett ED, et al. Vaccine preventable diseases in returned international travelers: results from the GeoSentinel Surveillance Network. Vaccine. 2010;28(46):7389–95.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Notes from the field: acute muscular sarcocystosis among returning travelers—Tioman Island, Malaysia, 2011. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2012;61(2):37–8.

Chen LH, Wilson ME, Davis X, Loutan L, Schwartz E, Keystone J, et al. Illness in long-term travelers visiting GeoSentinel clinics. Emerg Infect Dis. 2009;15(11):1773–82.

Fairley JK, Kozarsky PE, Kraft CS, Guarner J, Steinberg JP, Anderson E, et al. Ebola or not? Evaluating the ill traveler from Ebola-affected countries in West Africa. Open Forum Infect Dis. 2016;3(1):ofw005.

Hamer DH, Connor BA. Travel health knowledge, attitudes and practices among United States travelers. J Travel Med. 2004;11(1):23–6.

Hendel-Paterson B, Swanson SJ. Pediatric travelers visiting friends and relatives (VFR) abroad: illnesses, barriers and pre-travel recommendations. Travel Med Infect Dis. 2011;9(4):192–203.

Leder K, Torresi J, Libman MD, Cramer JP, Castelli F, Schlagenhauf P, et al. GeoSentinel surveillance of illness in returned travelers, 2007–2011. Ann Intern Med. 2013;158(6):456–68.

Ryan ET, Wilson ME, Kain KC. Illness after international travel. N Engl J Med. 2002;347(7):505–16.

Schulte C, Krebs B, Jelinek T, Nothdurft HD, von Sonnenburg F, Loscher T. Diagnostic significance of blood eosinophilia in returning travelers. Clin Infect Dis. 2002;34(3):407–11.

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Travel Problems: Solutions That Can Save Your Trip

These days, travel problems aren’t just a possibility, they’re almost an expectation. Learn ways to prevent common issues and deal with any that do occur.

Travel affords fantastic benefits. It allows us to meet new people, experience new cultures, and grow as a person. However, travel does not come without difficulties. There are problems with language barriers, culture shock, and bad weather. Major travel problems aren’t just a possibility at this point; they are almost an expectation. Air travel, after the pandemic, is struggling to keep up with the surge in travelers in 2022, and more complex problems like pilot shortages, poor staffing, fuel problems, and a little bit of rustiness are adding fuel to the fire. So, how do you deal with these almost inevitable disruptions? Is there a way to salvage your trip?

In this guide, we will cover some of the most common travel problems as well as tried-and-true ways to overcome them. We’ll talk about post-pandemic madness, but we’ll also hit on travel concerns that pop up all the time. No matter what travel hardship you come upon, the most important challenge is to keep your head and quickly weigh the options. There are always options! They might not be what you originally intended. They might result in a completely different summer travel experience than you planned, but you know what? That doesn’t have to be devastating. It can actually be really exciting! Let’s dive in.

Plan a sightseeing scavenger hunt!

Looking for just the right tour to start off your trip? Consider an app-guided scavenger hunt from Let’s Roam . We have hundreds of adventures all over the world! Each unique experience includes trivia, photo challenges, and more. Engage in some friendly competition as you and your travel companions learn about landmarks and make new memories!

10 Tips On Being a Prepared Traveler

To be perfectly honest, you can prevent a lot of heartache just by doing things right from the get-go. Before we get to solutions for when problems occur, let’s chat a minute about some travel tips to keep them from happening in the first place!

1. Stay away from the masses.

Flying in and out of New York City, or London Heathrow is a bad idea right now. Large international airports do have the best prices, generally. However, they also have the most flights coming in and out. If one or two get delayed, guess what, they are affected. If you have the ability, book a flight from a smaller airport.

This same strategy goes for choosing your destination. Right now is not a good time to tour London, Greece, or Paris. Check out the Albanian Riviera instead!

2. Get good travel insurance.

Whether you invest in a great travel credit card or you buy extra travel insurance through a company like Safety Wing, make sure that your trip is covered. You may be eligible for lost baggage reimbursement, coverage for a hotel if your flight is delayed overnight, or even full reimbursement if your trip is canceled.

It is important to be familiar with your particular travel insurance company and how it works. Make sure you have read your policy. Print it out and carry it with you so that you have the customer service number and your rights handy. The same thing goes for the airline you are flying.

3. Don’t overbook.

Normally, it is a great practice to book things early, at least from a budget standpoint. That is not the case in today’s travel universe. The more you book in advance, the more you are going to have to fight to get back if you have a missed flight or other disruption.

4. Make sure your trip is refundable.

If you do choose to book ahead, make sure that everything you book is refundable up until the day of service. That means that you only book fully-refundable hotels, activities, etc. Do not book anything expensive for the first two days of your vacation. If your flights are delayed, and you just had free days planned anyway, then you didn’t miss much.

5. Pack light.

Seriously, do not check bags, unless you absolutely have to! For almost any trip in the world, you can manage with a carry-on and personal item. I realize this seems insane to some of you, but I promise it is possible. You can always purchase larger items when you get there. There is probably a Walmart or similar store. Don’t stock up at home on new clothes, shop when you arrive!

6. Pick a straight path.

Direct flights are the most expensive flights. However, they are also the least likely to have problems. If your direct flight is delayed a few hours, so what? You don’t miss your next flight because of it. You will still end up at your destination—just a little later than you had hoped for.

This may not even mean choosing a more expensive flight. It just might mean picking the correct airport. You may need to drive a couple of hours to a different one instead of choosing your nearest and usual. You may need to choose a vacation destination that is pretty close. Most Caribbean, Central American, and even Northern South American destinations can be reached with a non-stop flight from the US.

7. Check in early, and position yourself appropriately.

While I usually don’t recommend this, for travel in 2022, you need to be at the airport at least three hours early. Poor customer service, long waits to check bags, and frequent gate changes mean that there is a lot of opportunity for error. Give yourself time to adjust.

Once you have made it through TSA and to your gate, position yourself close to the flight attendant desk. The desk clerks are the fastest way to get a new flight if you are one of the first ones in line. Otherwise, there are better options we will discuss later.

8. Download all the apps.

The best travel apps aren’t just money savers—they can also help you keep your trip on track. If there is a smartphone app for your trip, download it. That includes the airport, airlines, hotels, etc. Turn on the notifications and set it to vibrate so you will feel when you get an alert. Some airlines will even put flight delays up hours in advance. This can save you from sitting in the airport for half your day when your early morning flight has been delayed until the afternoon.

9. Do your research!

When you leave for a trip, you should have some key information handy. Will your cell data work when you get there? If not, you should have the directions and map to your hotel downloaded. If you land in the morning, and you can’t check in until 3 pm, you should have a plan. Where are you going to get local money? Do they have a certain rideshare app that is prevalent? What are the major scams in the area? Know what to look for as soon as you step off the plane. You can’t research everything, but you can be prepared for 99%.

It is vastly important, that you have emergency services saved on your phone or written down (or both). You should have the address and phone number of the closest hospitals, the emergency service number, your roadside assistance, and the location of the US Embassy handy at all times.

10. Be flexible.

The key to surviving travel (and making the most of a bad situation) is keeping your mind open. If you travel enough, you will run into problems. It is inevitable. The kicker is…how do you react to them? Can you salvage the trip, or are you going to sit in it and be miserable?

Common Travel Problems and Last-Minute Solutions

Some travel-related problems are due to poor planning. Some are due to faulty systems and industry issues. Some are cultural. Some are situational, and some are just downright bad luck! We will cover them all in this section and give you a few tested solutions to make the most of a rotten situation.

Flight Issues

Beforehand: Make sure your flight is insured through credit card or travel insurance. Purchase refundable flights. Have a backup plan and a secondary destination, in case you need to change your entire trip.

In the moment: If you have to deal with a flight cancellation, don’t freak out! Keep your head and get to the customer service desk as soon as possible. If you are in a long line, then begin to contact customer service via social media or the phone number. Believe it or not, it is often quicker to use Twitter than wait for a person.

You will need to decide if you want to cancel your trip, get on the next available flight, or change your destination. Normally, if your flight is canceled, you will automatically be booked on the next available flight. However, you have the right to turn this down. This is where knowing those policies comes in handy. Don’t cancel a flight that is nonrefundable without knowing that you can get some reimbursement or a new flight.

For more information on this common travel problem, we’ve got expert advice on “ How to Make the Most of a Flight Delay “!

Language Barrier

One of the most frustrating things on the planet is to be stuck in a pickle and you can’t speak the local language. While a good chunk of the world speaks some English nowadays, it seems you’re always in a tiny village or rural area when you get in a jam, and there isn’t an English speaker in sight.

Beforehand: Before you travel, make sure to download the destination language on Google Translate on your phone. This way it will work even if you don’t have data service.

In the Moment: There are a few things you can do if you find yourself in an area where you can’t communicate. First, head for the most touristy thing you can find. Generally, hotels, tourist attractions, and popular restaurants are going to have the highest chance of finding someone who speaks your language.

Secondly, make friends! Talk to people on the bus. Look for ex-pats or digital nomad hangouts . I don’t know how many times our travel has been made 100x easier because one of our travel companions spoke a bit of the language. Friends are invaluable!

Don’t be afraid to ask for help. It is likely that a local speaks some English, and if you are brave enough to ask for help, you will find someone who is willing to help you. (Looking really pathetic and lost is also helpful)!

Lost Luggage

Beforehand: Make sure your bags are properly labeled with your name and home address. Have those policies printed out! Keep your claim tag information.

In the Moment: Consult the lost baggage service desk for your airline. It is usually located near baggage claim. You ask for the appropriate amount of money, per their policy, for delayed baggage.

If the airline refuses to give you a stipend, you can still rely on your travel credit card or insurance. Generally, this will be a reimbursement kind of thing, so stick to the budget in your policy and keep all your receipts.

Beforehand: Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate, both before and during your flight. You can also try to book flights that will have you arriving in the later afternoon or evening. Check out our tips for conquering jet lag !

In the Moment: Try not to nap when you land at your destination. You want to get on the local time as soon as possible. Try to get a good night’s sleep on the first night. This may involve a sound app on your phone, a sleeping mask, or adjusting the temperature. Do what you need to do to get a good night’s sleep.

Schedule Gaps

One of the most common frustrations is an early check-out time and a late check-in. You now find yourself with hours to waste, all your heavy bags, and nowhere to go.

What to do: The first solution is to contact your next hotel. They will likely allow you to check in early or store your bags in a safe luggage closet until check-in. If not, check into local locker storage. You can use Google or a specialized app like Bounce, Nannybag, or Stasher to find lockers near you.

When in doubt, find a Let’s Roam scavenger hunt nearby! That will kill 1.5-2 hours and you’ll have a great experience.

Bad Weather

Beforehand: Normal weather patterns should be part of your pre-trip research. You want to choose the season with the least amount of rain, no hurricanes, etc. However, the weather doesn’t always play along. If the weather is questionable, only book a night or two in your preferred hotel. You might need to relocate.

In the Moment: If you wait it out a day, and the weather still stinks, talk to your resort first. They will often be willing to relocate you to a sister hotel in another region. In some countries, just moving a couple of hours can put you in a completely different climate. In Costa Rica, for instance, the east coast has the opposite rainy season as the west coast, and they are only a couple of hours from each other.

If moving is not a possibility, then look into what you can do to have some fun indoors. We can help you with that! At Let’s Roam we have a series of amazing indoor activities for every kind of adventurer. Try one of our indoor scavenger hunts, a virtual murder mystery, or our home date nights. We know it isn’t a substitution for the vaca you planned, but it’s better than moping!

Consult the locals! The local people obviously live in this kind of weather. They know how to entertain themselves during monsoons, keep safe during major storms, and they will be more than willing to share their tips and tricks.

Tummy Troubles

Heard of “Delhi belly”, “the Haitian Sensation”, and “Montezuma’s Revenge”? Travel-related illness is all real, and they are brutal!

Beforehand: Ask your physician for the best antibiotic for food poisoning and traveler’s diarrhea for your destination. They will almost always write you a prescription to take with you. Make sure you research foods to stay away from and how to get clean water to your destination. Carry a filter water bottle.

In the Moment: If you get the dreaded sickness, hydration is key. You will have to force yourself to intake clean water, herbal teas, or whatever you can keep down. In many countries, the pharmacist has much more autonomy than in the United States. They always know the best medications for common ailments, and they can usually give you the correct medications without the need to see a doctor. If you are not better in a couple of days, you may need to visit a clinic or hospital for IV fluids.

Forgot Something

Beforehand: Carry a paper or digital copy of any important prescriptions.

In the Moment: If you have forgotten something you cannot do without. Consider having a family member overnight it by FedEx to your accommodation. If this isn’t possible, you can check with local facilities to get a replacement. Many eye doctors, pharmacists, etc. will fill your valid American prescription.

Getting Lost

Beforehand: Download your directions from Google Maps, or take a screenshot of the detailed directions. Take a screenshot of your hotel address.

In the Moment: Your first concern is to find safety. Drive, or walk, until you find a well-lit and populated area where you can think. Once you reach a store or gas station, ask a local for help. If you are in a rural area, call roadside assistance. When phone maps don’t work, you are best to just get a local taxi to take you safely to your destination.

Being Robbed

You’ve probably been saving for a while to cover your travel costs. Most people work very hard for the right to travel, so what happens if you get robbed? The most common assault is going to be a quick grab and run. Generally, they don’t want to hurt you, they just want your stuff. You are probably better off just to give it to them, and get to safety as soon as possible.

Beforehand: The key to not getting robbed is to pay attention and try not to look like a lost tourist. Do not flash your money or jewelry. Do not discuss money with strangers. Do not carry expensive electronics into crowded areas. Carry a moneybelt or slash-proof purse, and carry them crossbody. Men, put your wallet and documents in your front pockets. Do not keep all your cash, credit cards, and valuables in one place. Split them between your room safe, your travel partner, and a few places on your body. Be extra vigilant outside airports, train stations, and popular tourist attractions.

In the Moment: Get to safety quickly! Notify proper authorities immediately. If you still have your phone, contact your credit card companies, and your bank, and have your cards put on hold. If your phone has been stolen, get online and locate your phone (using the Find My Device App or something similar). This may help the police find the thief. You can also lock or erase your phone so that the thief does not have access to your accounts.

Getting Scammed

Beforehand: Every region has its favorite scam! Do some research on your destination and know what to look for before you travel. Be sure to read our advice on avoiding travel scams around the world !

In the moment: There really isn’t much you can do. If a prosecutable crime has been committed, you need to contact the police. If not, your primary goal is to get to safety. Do not engage with the person or persons, as causing a scene as a foreigner is usually not going to go in your favor.

Relationship Issues

If you travel long enough, you will eventually find travel buds, and they can be amazing! However, good things don’t last forever. It’s pretty common for travel relationships to go bad.

Beforehand: Keep it light. Don’t get into a long rental car or accommodation contract together. Make very clear expectations when you agree to travel with someone. It might sound formal and silly in the moment, but making sure everyone is on the same page about responsibilities, money, and expectations is really important.

In the Moment: When you feel the vibe changing, get out before it gets ugly. You can make up an excuse for why you need to leave, or just say that you need some time alone. Offer to pay your share of the expenses. Have a final drink together, and then part ways. If you don’t, it is going to blow up in your face, and you risk losing a friend totally, or worse.Exhausting Itinerary

This is a common one. If you are an American, you have limited vacation days, and you need to see it all! We get it.

Beforehand: Get a great guidebook! Rick Steves and Lonely Planet will both give you suggested itineraries and help you plan a schedule that is doable and enjoyable.

In the Moment: What do you already have tickets for? What are your top remaining must-sees? Go see these, and get rid of the rest. Ask a few locals (not in the tourist industry) which sites you should keep and which ones can go.

Lost Passport

Losing your travel documents is terrifying, but it happens to the best of us!

Beforehand: You should carry a photocopy of all your important documents with you. Use a secure documents app, like Last Pass . This will make the replacement of your documents much faster and easier!

In the Moment: Contact the local US embassy immediately. They will schedule an appointment to go over your case and get you new documents.

Culture Shock

If you’re heading to a destination for the first time, don’t be surprised if you feel awkward or uncomfortable at first. Culture shock is a real thing, and it can ruin your trip if you don’t know how to deal with it.

We’ve got tips to make you more culture conscious , and they would certainly be worth a read before you travel. Changing your mindset is a great way to ward off culture shock!

Beforehand: Research your destination culture and familiarize yourself with the stages of culture shock. This way you will know the symptoms and how to migrate through them.

In the Moment: If you find that you are judging your destination culture for the “weird” things they do, it’s time to respectfully ask some questions. The key to getting to a healthy place with a new culture is to understand why people do “weird” things, and why things are the way they are. Find a trusted local or traveler that is familiar with the culture. With a little background information, you will find that you can usually sympathize and move forward to a place of acceptance. Understanding and grace should always be your motive. Your way is not the only way or even the best way. They likely know something you don’t.

Terrible WiFi

If you are on a short trip, this isn’t such a big deal, but if you are traveling long-term, the lack of stable WiFi can make you insane. You do need to work, pay bills, and of course, binge Netflix, after all.

Beforehand: Carry a hotspot of your own, with a subscription option, like Skyroam . Always carry an unlocked phone with you.

In the Moment: Pop into the local phone carrier and grab a sim card with data. They usually have large amounts of data, free social media, and a few texting and call minutes for super cheap prices.

You’ve got this!

The best thing you can do to ensure that your trips are enjoyable is to do as much research and planning as you can from home. This will help you form realistic expectations, prepare for common scams, and have all the safety information you need.

You can’t plan for everything though, and problems will happen. The most important in-the-moment advice is to keep your head! If you freak out, you will not be able to make appropriate decisions. Don’t be afraid to ask for help, and remember that a bad vacation is usually salvageable if you are flexible!

In this guide, we have hit on a few of the common problems in travel, but a life of travel presents different problems than a short-term trip. For a good look at the reality of full-time travel, check out “ Essential Considerations for Long-term Travel .”

Frequently Asked Questions

The most common travel problems are lost passports, delayed or canceled flights, and lost baggage. Always carry photocopies of your documents and invest in travel insurance.

Long trips are rife with possible problems. The most common travel problems are relationship issues , canceled or delayed flights , bad Wifi connectivity , and culture shock .

Inclement weather is a common travel problem . If you find yourself in it, look for adventurous indoor activities , and consult locals on what they do when the weather is crummy!

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It has so much space that I could easily fit my passport, wallet, sunglasses, and more.

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Travel + Leisure / Reese Herrington

Back in 2022 I embarked on a 10-day trek across Italy, and if there was one thing I knew I needed to pick up before the journey, it was the Lululemon Everywhere Belt Bag . At the time, the popular bag — the one you’ve likely seen all over the Internet — was sold out online as well as in most of the other stores across Manhattan, but the very morning of my flight I made a last ditch call to the location near my apartment and was met with nine thrilling words: “We just got them back in stock — but hurry.”

After traveling with my new bag through an airport in Norway on an unexpected layover, to the city streets of Rome, I knew that I would never go on another vacation without my belt bag — and two years later that remains to be true. Plus, right now you don’t have to search high and low for these bags like I did, because the $38 pack is currently fully in stock in 14 stunning colors on the Lululemon site, including new shades like the spring-ready Paradise Green.

Lululemon Everywhere Belt Bag

This versatile bag is everything you could possibly need in a functional travel pack: At 7.5 inches by 2 inches by 5 inches and with a capacity of 1L, it’s spacious enough for my sunglasses, wallet, passport, keys, and phone, and is easily adjustable to fit across my body when wearing just a tank top and even when I'm tucked away in my winter coat. The primary pocket features mesh pouches on either side, which I usually pack my keys and a lip balm into, and an additional slim pocket on the back of the pouch is my favorite way to ensure my passport stays safe and protected.

Water-repellent nylon fabric makes this bag perfect for both rainy days and sweaty adventures, and unlike most bags with adjustable straps that leave one long piece left hanging, this pack is made with a thin piece of elastic that evens out the loop for a more streamlined appearance. It can even be worn as a traditional fanny pack (which I use for running outside), as well as across your body for easy access to your essentials while hurrying through the airport. Thanks to its functional and versatile design, the Everywhere Belt Bag made it onto our list of favorite fanny packs to take hiking .

Travel + Leisure / Merrell Readman

I can get overwhelmed if I have too much to carry while I’m traveling, and this bag has shown me the joys of a hands-free vacation experience. It made it much easier to get through TSA and boarding my flight because my passport was always just a short reach away, and even on outings in Florence and Rome, I was happy to not worry about my purse getting snatched off my shoulder if I were to let my guard down. 

I’m not the only shopper that swears by this versatile fanny pack for travel now, and other Lululemon customers can’t help but rave about this sleek and functional bag. One shopper noted that they “travel a lot” and admitted that the bag is now “indispensable,” adding that it is the “perfect size with convenient compartments to keep well organized without the heavy bulk of a traditional purse.”

Another shopper raved that this pack is “nice if you’re traveling or just doing errands” because “if you have to pull your phone out or your wallet, [they’re] right there instead of digging through your purse to find whatever you need.” 

It’s very rare that an item is actually worth the hype that it has garnered, but in this case the Lululemon Everywhere Belt Bag has earned every ounce of praise it has received. Not only can it fit a frankly impressive amount of essentials (I’m an overpacker), but it’s also comfortable to wear, sleek, and has quickly become one of the most-used bags in my collection. 

Right now, the shopper-loved belt bag is available at Lululemon starting at $38, and is currently in stock in 14 stylish shades. Just don’t wait too long — it’s notorious for selling out quickly.

And if you're looking to elevate your travel style with other comfy and functional essentials, keep reading to find more must-have items to shop at Lululemon.

More Travel Essentials at Lululemon

Chargefeel 2 low women's workout shoe, scuba oversized hoodie, tapered-leg mid-rise 7/8 length luxtreme, restfeel women's slide.

At the time of publishing, the price started at $38. 

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FinanceBuzz

12 Most Expensive Mistakes You Never Want to Make Traveling Abroad

Posted: November 21, 2023 | Last updated: April 7, 2024

Vacationing abroad can be one of the most thrilling traveling experiences . Vacationers get to indulge in culture, food, art, and customs they may have been completely unfamiliar with. 

However, while each destination has its own shortlist of things to do before you travel, there are some general rules that travelers should live by no matter where they’re going to avoid frustrations and keep more money in their bank account .

Here are 11 pricey mistakes to avoid while traveling overseas that even experienced travelers can make.

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Forgetting to bring or update your passport

If you’re planning to leave the country, you need to have your passport (and make sure it hasn’t expired). This can be a really expensive mistake. You can avoid this foolish mistake by just checking when you book your trip.

Putting a rush on a renewed (or new) passport is possible — but The State Department notes that travelers will be charged an extra $60 expedition fee on top of the application fee.

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Overplanning outings

If you’re traveling to a distant part of the world, it’s natural to want to pack as much as possible into the trip. However, being overambitious with plans can really put a damper on a trip and lead to wasting time and money.

If you’re the type to book tickets in advance and have already paid for attractions, it’s important to be realistic about how much you can do in a day. 

Consider that the major attractions in big cities may be a significant distance apart and require hours of travel. When it comes to international travel, it’s important to be willing to go with the flow.

Forgetting to tell your bank

If you’re traveling internationally, you should notify your bank beforehand to expect foreign transactions to be taking place during your travel dates. 

Sometimes, banks and credit card companies will shut down a card if they notice purchases being made in another country. They do this to avoid credit card fraud.

It’s also a good idea to check how foreign transaction fees work on each of your cards and use the one that’s the most budget-friendly while traveling.

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Booking plane tickets late

If you wait too long to book an international flight, you could be looking at significantly higher airfares. For traveling overseas, you should prepare to book in advance — far in advance. 

Travel experts recommend keeping an eye on flights to your intended destination up to 10 months out. Once you're familiar with travel trends, you should then plan to book around six months in advance.

If you notice a trend of falling airfares, it may be worth it to wait a bit longer to see if you can get a better deal. But if prices are only going up, don’t wait.

Exchanging cash at the airport

Exchanging cash for your destination’s local currency should be on your to-do list in the week before your vacation. 

International airports do typically have a currency exchange booth, but they tack on extra fees and offer really poor exchange rates.

To avoid this, take some cash to a local bank and exchange it there. Many banks in the US keep currency from dozens of countries all over the world and offer currency exchange.

Forgetting a travel adaptor

After a long flight, traveling to your hotel, and getting settled in — realizing you can’t charge any of your devices because you forgot a travel adaptor is an incredibly unpleasant experience. 

Of course, you can likely purchase one from a local retailer, but that’s another unforeseen vacation cost that’s easy to avoid.

Currently, there are 15 different types of plugs used across the world. Before you go, look into what type of adaptor you’ll need and look for a cheap, reliable model on Amazon or another bargain retailer.

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Not looking into Visa requirements

For some countries, it’s really simple to get an entry visa for a vacation. However, others have travel requirements and documentation that take some time to get approved. 

If you wait until right before your trip to get your documents in order (like if you wait to renew your passport), you may be looking at fees to expedite.

For US travelers, the State Department has a Know Before You Go page where you can search entry requirements for your destination.

Not charging your phone

Travelers should really be taking any opportunity to charge phones when it’s free, including on planes and at their accommodations. 

While some public places do offer the opportunity to charge for free, many others charge a fee. Having a dead phone while in an unfamiliar country can lead to a handful of other issues as well. 

Like it or not, we depend on our phones for a lot these days — from recommendations to directions to arranging transportation (and all of these things help keep you organized and on budget while traveling).

Assuming people will know English

Among native English speakers, it is a common misconception that people in every major city will be able to speak English. 

While Statista reports there are currently about 1.5 billion English speakers in the world — and it’s likely you’ll run into some while abroad — it’s always a good idea to have a backup.

Many travelers have begun to take advantage of Google Translate. You can download an offline dictionary of your chosen language and can even add helpful phrases to your own personal phrasebook.

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Forgetting to factor in time zones

Jet lag can rob you of your precious vacation time — even more so if you haven’t prepared in advance. 

Travelers from the East Coast of the US to Europe, for example, will be dealing with a six-hour time difference (more if they’re heading to Eastern Europe). 

So, a flight that leaves mid-morning from New York may arrive in Paris at 2 p.m. EST, but it will actually be 8 p.m. Central European Standard Time.

Disregarding your budget

While many of us are tempted to splurge while we’re on vacation, it’s a wise financial move to create a budget and stick to it (as close as you can). 

Maybe you are a foodie and one of your favorite things about traveling is sampling the local cuisine — you may want to spend more cash on food and cut from somewhere else in your travel budget.

Pro tip: Make sure you use a travel credit card that helps you earn rewards like cash back or points on future travel so you can protect your financial information overseas and help your money go further.

Bottom line

There are many other steps travelers can take to cut down the overall cost of their trips.

This can include looking for reputable budget hotels, avoiding pricey restaurants, using a credit card that earns travel rewards , and taking advantage of free attractions. 

Avoiding these common (and often expensive) international travel mistakes is a great way to kick off your vacation on the right foot.

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The 13 summer trips Americans are searching for the most, according to Google Flights

• Google Flights revealed the top searched destinations on its platform for summer 2024.
• The data is based on the most searched travel destinations from US users between June and August.
• Neither New York nor Paris took the top spot.

If you're looking to get away this summer, you may find inspiration from Google Flights' list of the top searched destinations for the summer of 2024.

The list is based on US users' most searched destinations on Google Flights for travel between June 1 and August 31.

The list remained largely consistent from 2023, but Chicago and San Francisco didn't make the top 20 this year. The insights also revealed that searches about travel itineraries and "solo travel" reached an all-time high in January 2024.

Here are the top 13 destinations.

13. Barcelona

There's a long list of tourist attractions in Barcelona including renowned museums featuring Picasso and Joan Miró, exploring the Gothic Quarter's architecture. Barcelona is also well known for its iconic nightlife.

Miami is known for its clear beaches and vibrant culture. It's also rated second in US News and World Report's "10 Best Party Cities " in the US.

The travel destination is also a popular site for families, and made the third spot in Google searches for top places to do things with kids, according to Google trend insights from for January 14 to March 14.

11. Los Angeles

Located in Southern California, LA is known for its beaches, Hollywood glamour, Mediterranean climate, and wellness culture. The city has a number of tourist sites, including the iconic Hollywood sign, Universal Studios, and the Getty Center.

If you plan to visit LA, make sure you factor in the cost of transportation — and the time you may spend in traffic .

Athens is rich in history and has a number of tourist attractions. BI has previously suggested visiting the Athens National Garden National Garden, the Acropolis, Panathenaic Stadium, Areopagus Hill, and Mount Lycabettus.

Seattle , often referred to as the Emerald City, is home to major companies like Amazon, Starbucks, and Tableau. Surrounded by water, mountains, and forest, it's also known for classic attractions like the Space Needle, Pike Place Market, and its grunge music scene.

8. Las Vegas

Las Vegas is known for its extravagant gambling scene and luxurious hotels . It was also ranked the number one city to party as of August 2023, according to US News and World Report.

It's not just a hot spot for bachelor parties though — according to Google travel insights from January 14 to March 14, it was the number one location people searched in the US for places to go as a couple.

Orlando was the first ranked location for searches that led with the prompt "things to do" with kids, according to Google travel insights from January 14 to March 14. The Florida destination is filled with family-friendly tourist attractions , like Disney World, Universal Studios, and SeaWorld.

Located on the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico, Cancún is a popular vacation destination known for its Caribbean waters, luxurious all-inclusive resorts , and vibrant nightlife. That, and it's often budget-friendly for the experience you're getting.

Cancún moved down from second to sixth place in Google Flights' 2024 destination list. The popular vacation spot was also listed in the top five locations for couples and families searching to get away, according to Google search insights from January 14 to March 14.

5. New York

New York City, also known as the Big Apple or the city that never sleeps, has a seemingly endless list of tourist attractions. It has iconic landmarks, like the Statue of Liberty; world-renowned museums; a vibrant theatre scene; eclectic nightlife; and some of the world's best restaurants.

New York has something for everyone — but it's expensive. Prepare to spend more on everyday items if you visit New York City.

Rome is filled with rich history and architecture that makes it an easy site for tourists to occupy themselves. Vatican City, St. Peter's Basilica, and the Colosseum are a few of the most popular spots.

If you do visit Rome, make sure you avoid common tourist mistakes and tip the servers.

Tokyo rose from eighth place to third in the last year, according to Google Flights.

The city in Japan has a convenient public transportation system and is relatively affordable. It also includes culturally rich sites like Shibuya Crossing, Tokyo Tower, and Sensō-ji Temple .

Paris is known for its authentic culture, charming architecture, and buttery croissants.

If you visit Paris, you'll want to visit some of the famous tourist attractions like the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, and the Palace of Versailles. That, and you may want to brush up on your French too.

London maintained its spot as the number one searched tourist destination for summer travel. While living in London can be expensive and cloudy, the city is lively and vibrant during the summer.

Buckingham Palace, the Tower of London, and the thriving theatre scene are just a few of the activities this city has to offer.

• Main content

When is Eid al-Fitr 2024 and how is it celebrated?

The three-day festival celebrates the completion of the fasting month of Ramadan by Muslims across the world.

As a new moon was not sighted on Monday evening after Maghrib prayers, Muslims in Saudi Arabia and neighbouring countries will fast one more day, completing 30 days of Ramadan. The first day of Eid will then be celebrated on Wednesday, April 10.

The first day of Eid al-Fitr is determined by the sighting of the crescent moon marking the start of the month of Shawwal, the 10th month of the Islamic (Hijri) calendar.

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Lunar months last between 29 and 30 days so Muslims usually have to wait until the night before Eid to verify its date.

Other countries follow independent sightings.

When the sighting has been verified, Eid is declared on television, radio stations and at mosques.

How do Muslims celebrate Eid?

Traditionally, Eid is celebrated for three days as an official holiday in Muslim-majority countries. However, the number of holiday days varies by country.

Muslims begin Eid day celebrations by partaking in a prayer service that takes place shortly after dawn, followed by a short sermon.

On their way to the prayer, which is traditionally held in an open area, Muslims recite takbeerat, praising God by saying “Allahu Akbar”, meaning “God is great”.

It is customary to eat something sweet before the prayer, such as date -filled biscuits known as maamoul in the Middle East. This particular festival is known as the “sweet” Eid – and the distribution of sweets is common across the Muslim world.

Muslims usually spend the day visiting relatives and neighbours and accepting sweets as they move around from house to house.

Each country has traditional desserts and sweets that are prepared before Eid or on the morning of the first day.

Children, dressed in new clothes, are offered gifts and money to celebrate the joyous occasion.

Girls and women in many countries decorate their hands with henna. The celebration for Eid begins the night before as women gather in neighbourhoods and large family gatherings for the application of henna.

In some countries, families visit graveyards to offer their respects to departed family members right after the morning prayers.

It is common for Muslim-majority countries to decorate their cities with lights and hold festivities to commemorate the end of the fasting month.

Eid amid the onslaught in Gaza

For some 2.3 million Palestinians in Gaza this Eid, this will be the first Muslim religious holiday after more than 33,000 people have been killed in Israeli attacks. With little food aid, and very limited water, Gaza’s Eid al-Fitr will be mired in destruction amid the continuing attacks.

What are common Eid greetings?

The most popular greeting is “Eid Mubarak” (Blessed Eid) or “Eid sa’id” (Happy Eid). Eid greetings also vary depending on the country and language.

The video below shows how people say Eid Mubarak in different languages around the world.