The Only Checklist You Need for Studying Abroad

October 1, 2015 Miranda Ashton 4 minute read

Accepted into a study abroad program? Check. Feeling totally prepared? No.

Is Waze Really Better Than Google Maps?

September 23, 2015 Erica Ho 4 minute read

It’s been a long time since I’ve owned a car so it’s been a long time since I jumped on top of the driving train. But being in L.A. does weird things to you, like forcing you to drive and eat lots of fish tacos.

Airlines Flights Reference Charts Tools

This Travel Tool Outlines Carry-On Policies for 250 Airlines

September 15, 2015 Erica Ho Less than a minute to read

Bag manufacturer Maxwell Scott Bags recently released this little nifty tool that outlines carry-on restrictions for over 250 airlines. I’m pretty sure it’s got most people’s needs covered.

Connectivity Flights Gear Hotels Reviews Technology Trip Planning

The Satechi Travel Router Is the Jack-of-all-Trades Power Adapter That Kicks Ass

September 9, 2015 Erica Ho 8 minute read

There’s power adapters, and then there’s the Granddaddy of all travel adapters. Unfortunately, this means I’m going to have to eat my words about what I said about this generic $3 adapter I energetically wrote almost three years ago. (It’s still awesome as a budget, no-frills adapter.)

Airbnb Food Health Hostels Packing Trip Planning Vacation Rentals

The Cooking Essentials for Traveling

August 27, 2015 Erica Ho 4 minute read

Because I am not food snob, I promise. Besides, the doctor told me to lighten up on the steak au poivre.

Cars Ground Reference Charts Trip Planning

A Quick Guide to Rental Car Pick-up and Drop-Off Services

August 26, 2015 Catey Condit 1 minute read

Katy Perry blasting from the radio, sunglasses in check. But how to get to the rental car first without, umm, having a car?

Flights Trip Planning

Best Ways to Fall Asleep on a Plane? Crab Position, Of Course

August 20, 2015 Miranda Ashton Less than a minute to read

Book your seat according to the side you normally sleep on. Brilliant? I think yes.

Countries Europe Features Ground Guides Trains

Price Breakdown: Are Eurail Passes Worth the Cost?

August 19, 2015 Melissa Roskowski 3 minute read

This is part 3 in The Backpacker’s Guide to Eurail Passes series.

How much do you save with the Eurail? That’s the question everyone wants to know.

Cars Ground Hacks Money Transit

The Best Strategies for Getting the Cheapest Car Rental Possible

August 17, 2015 Erica Ho 4 minute read

Occasionally, I manage to impress myself still. I’ve been doing a lot of road trips this summer which means I’ve gotten really snazzy at perfecting a great car deal (no Maserati for free, though).

Airbnb Lodging Vacation Rentals

Better Read This Before You Use Airbnb for the First Time

August 6, 2015 Erica Ho 4 minute read

It’s so great! You save more money than you would than at a hotel! OMG!! You should definitely use it!! Is what everyone seems to say about using Airbnb for the first time.

Bus Ground Technology Trip Planning

Meet the Kayak for Bus Travel, Wanderu

August 4, 2015 Erica Ho 1 minute read

Okay, I didn’t plan ahead.

Cars Flights Itinerary Trip Planning

Is It Better To Drive or Fly Short Distances?

July 29, 2015 Erica Ho 2 minute read

To test out this particular scenario, I actually tried to race a plane in my tiny little car. Talk about reenacting the tortoise and the hare.

Airbnb Hacks Lodging Money Vacation Rentals

Airbnb Charges a Foreign Transaction Fee (and This Is How You Beat It)

July 19, 2015 Erica Ho 2 minute read

Imagine my surprise when I found out Airbnb charges a foreign transaction fee on top of listings booked outside the country.

Money Packing Travel Trip Planning

Is Kiddie Toothpaste Really Perfect for Travel?

July 13, 2015 Margaret Lin 1 minute read

Sometimes childhood dreams are too good to be true.

Customs Documentation Trip Planning

Read This If You’ve Ever Lost a Global Entry Card

July 5, 2015 Erica Ho Less than a minute to read

Ever think, “by golly, I’m really freakin’ dumb?”

Airlines Flights Guides Loyalty

The Guide To Finally Decoding Frequent Flyer Programs

June 28, 2015 Erica Ho 5 minute read

This is part 1 in The Ultimate Guide to Understanding Frequent Flyer Programs series.

I once had a friend who couldn’t understand why he should care about frequent flyer programs until I once pointed out he was missing out on a free domestic flight for the two international flights he was already taking every year. The next day, he signed up.

Flights Misc. Travel

Cocktail Recipes for Getting Drunk on Your Next Flight

June 24, 2015 Erica Ho 1 minute read

Do you know what I love even more than traveling? Drinking.

Airports Connectivity News Technology Trip Planning

The Airport That Has the Fastest Wi-Fi Is…

June 20, 2015 Margaret Lin Less than a minute to read

Okay, I’ll tell you after the jump. I just couldn’t give away all my pearly golds, could I?

Adventure Gear Leisure Photography Technology Travel

How To Use a Selfie Stick for Dummies

June 19, 2015 Karina Martinez-Carter 4 minute read

I have a confession. It’s not that I have a selfie stick but that I’ve become somewhat reliant on it.

Packing Security Trip Planning

Why All Carry-On Liquid Bottles Aren’t Created Equal

June 18, 2015 Erica Ho 2 minute read

It makes the most financial sense to buy refillable plastic bottles for traveling but that doesn’t mean God created them the same. (Okay, humans created them.)

Airlines Documentation Hacks Money Trip Planning

The Most Insane Way To Transfer an Airline Ticket

June 14, 2015 Erica Ho 2 minute read

This is probably the weirdest trick to save money I’ve ever heard about. Time to lock in the honeymoon?

Airbnb Budget Lodging Money Vacation Rentals

How To Perfect the Art of Haggling on Airbnb

June 12, 2015 Erica Ho 5 minute read

Asking is the quickest way to get a discount but it’s also the quickest possible way to piss off an Airbnb host.

Europe Features Ground Guides Trains

The Ins and Outs of Riding the Eurail Like a Pro

June 11, 2015 Melissa Roskowski 6 minute read

This is part 2 in The Backpacker’s Guide to Eurail Passes series.

I would have liked to know what I was getting into beforehand. Before I was standing the entire time for a train ride, without any AC. There are definitely a couple of things to be aware of, well, to make it a pleasant journey.

Connectivity Hotels Lodging News Technology

Now You Can Netflix Binge at a Marriott All Day Long

June 10, 2015 Miranda Ashton 1 minute read

Think Netflix. Now think Netflix plus big comfy hotel bed. Marriott has the answer.

Adventure Countries Features Leisure Travel

How To Find That Perfect Offbeat Destination

June 3, 2015 Karina Martinez-Carter 3 minute read

Pop quiz: What city hosts the world’s biggest carnival celebration? Nope, not Rio.

Expat Features Travel

The Very Easy Way To Live and Work Abroad Instantly

May 28, 2015 Karina Martinez-Carter 2 minute read

All it takes is 30 minutes to fill out a form online. Seriously. Cross my heart, hope to die, stick a needle in my eye. Okay, I don’t really want to stick a needle in my eye.

Gear Opinion Photography Technology

Still on the Fence Over the Selfie Stick?

May 27, 2015 Erica Ho Less than a minute to read

A flow chart that will make it all clear:

Photography Technology Trip Planning

How To Minimize Window Reflection in a Photo

May 19, 2015 Erica Ho 1 minute read

There’s always spectacular cloud formations going on. The main caveat: the picture has to be taken through an airplane window.

Adventure Budget Leisure Money Travel

The Golden Rules for Budget Travel

May 18, 2015 MH Staff 5 minute read

It’s really easy to travel for under $50 a day. All it takes are some powers of observation and a little common sense.

Airbnb Features Lodging Opinion Vacation Rentals

Why You Really Can’t Trust Airbnb Reviews At All

May 14, 2015 Erica Ho 6 minute read

Ever met a perfectly pleasant stranger and then you were asked to critique their communication, habits and home? That’s essentially what leaving an Airbnb review is like.

Gear Photography Reviews Technology Travel Trip Planning

The SnapandGo Selfie Stick Is Expensive, Priceless Fun

May 14, 2015 Karina Martinez-Carter 4 minute read

Come on, it’s time to stop hating. You know you want to! If you can’t fight them then join them, right?

Connectivity Expat Technology Trip Planning

The Best Skype Alternatives for Travelers

May 13, 2015 Karina Martinez-Carter 4 minute read

Because it’s simply not efficient to snail-mail these days.

Europe Features Ground Guides Trains

The Backpacker’s Guide to Eurail Passes

May 12, 2015 Melissa Roskowski 4 minute read

This is part 1 in The Backpacker’s Guide to Eurail Passes series.

Hopping trains through Europe is a backpacker rite of passage and a Eurail pass is the ticket. But it’s way, way more complicated than a couple clicks online and showing up at a train station.