Travelers tips

The first time Johnny Ward went to Chiang Mai, Thailand, he was 22.

Inflation effects us all, but travel remains a high priority for many searching for some respite from home stresses. Ahead of the summer holidays, the United Kingdom Post Office has released their annual City Costs Barometer, showcasing the best destinations to visit that won’t break the bank.

If the residents of Munich look pleased with their lot, it’s little wonder. Not only is this cosmopolitan city a fantastic place to live, it also serves as a great base for exploring the nearby mountains and lakes, as well as other cities and countries. When you've had your fill of art collections, parks and rollicking beer halls, head a little farther afield for new cultural thrills and outdoor adventures.

Kickstart your summer with a free trip from one of these travel-themed contests and sweepstakes to exciting destinations like tropical islands or the Paris Summer Olympics. None has a cost to enter, and for just a few minutes of your time, you could be off on an all-expenses-paid getaway with friends or family with airline tickets, concert tickets and even some spending money.

If you are fortunate enough to own a second home in the $1 million to $50 million range, ThirdHome has a deal for you. You can list your home with them, and in return get access to stays at 17,000 similar homes, boats and private islands around the world.

We often say the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is the best first credit card for those learning about the points and miles hobby. That's not because the card is a "beginner" card — quite the opposite. Many of us at TPG still have the Sapphire Preferred because it's integral to our travel rewards strategy.

When you crack open a list of great travel reads in an esteemed publication like this one, you usually have a pretty good idea of what you’re going to get: books that uncannily bring to life a place or an experience. There’s a very good chance you’ll get a smattering of MFK Fisher, Paul Theroux, and Bruce Chatwin; some iconic American travelogues (On the Road, Travels With Charley, Blue Highways); perhaps the odd title by Mark Twain or Ernest Hemingway. Maybe there’ll be a dutiful inclusion of A Passage to India. You’re virtually assured of getting a very good list. But this is not that kind of list.

This Future of Travel column is a recurring series written by JD Shadel exploring the innovations and bold ideas changing—and challenging—travel.

Women are the key ingredient for the travel market, not only in the planning and preparation process for families but for actual travel itself. According to estimates, 64% of travelers worldwide are female, and women spent $125 billion on travel in 2023. As such, the hospitality industry actively targets the female market, often by offering special “girl getaways” packages for weekend excursions and longer. The following girl getaways are designed with luxury in mind.

Traveling with kids can be daunting, even under the best of circumstances. Many parents are more confident traveling with another adult as a backup to help manage logistics, temper tantrums, carrying luggage, and getting around in a new place.

I’m a freelancer who works remotely. My work requires me to travel, stay connected to my workplaces, and write on-the-go. It also means that I need to carry a bunch of gadgets and accessories in my backpack. I’ve tested several such add-ons before settling on the five mentioned here. I recommend these tech accessories to every traveler, and they have been with me for at least six trips, if not more.

Qatar Airways has a membership program exclusively for students. Dubbed Student Club, the program offers students many benefits, ranging from special fares to excess baggage allowance, greater ticket flexibility, complimentary high-speed inflight Wi-Fi, free elite status as a graduation gift and more.

The federal government is urging worldwide caution and alertness in popular tourist spots amid what it says are potential threats of violence against LGBTQI+ travelers.

This winter could be a lot warmer for some travelers, thanks to American Airlines. The carrier this week announced plans to expand its footprint in the Caribbean and Latin America with eight new routes and additional service on popular flight paths to warmer-weather coastal destinations.

The flight started out like any other. I was returning from a work trip to Orlando and decided to use the time on my two-hour Delta flight to catch up on emails. There I was, happily typing away (and probably listening to a horror movie recap podcast on my headphones) when the unthinkable happened.

The Business Platinum Card® from American Express might come with a high annual fee, but it also has a whole lot of credit card perks.

Packing for a trip to a scorching hot destination requires more than just sunscreen and a big hat. Whether you're wandering the hot cobbles of Rome, bartering in the bustling markets of Marrakech, or simmering in the cool pools of tropical Miami, a smart packing list of breathable clothes, shoes, and accessories is crucial.

Katy Perry is the reigning queen of the Mediterranean. Come summer, you can count on the emergence of paparazzi pics depicting the pop star smooching fiancé Orlando Bloom in Sardinia, catching dinner after a day of yachting in Dubrovnik, and jetskiing with her daughter Daisy in Saint-Tropez. It’s no wonder Perry vacations so hard, given the relentless pace of her music career. Later this week, she’ll end a six-year stint as judge on American Idol, and she wrapped up her wildly popular Las Vegas residency a few months ago. On a recent episode of Idol, she teased a new single, and her next album is expected later this year.

Hopping between Gulf countries could soon be as easy as traveling through Europe's Schengen Area: just flash your passport at the entry point and seamlessly travel from one country to the next—no extra paper work required.

Having elite status can get you the finer things in life, and Delta’s latest promotion may just put you in reach.

I believe every trip to the Amalfi Coast should be just as beautiful as the coastline itself. Like the roughly 5 million travelers who visit each year, I fell in love with the Amalfi Coast while on vacation. In fact, I loved it so much that it's now been my home for 17 years.