At SmarterTravel, we think the best trips start long before you hit the road. That’s why we deliver expert travel tips, inspiring destination stories, and timely travel news every day to feed your passion for travel before, during, and after your vacation. Here’s just a sampling of the useful travel resources and articles you’ll find on our website.
SmarterTravel Packing Tips
The Ultimate Packing List: Use this list to make sure you never forget a travel necessity. You can print it out and customize it for every trip.
Ultimate Guide to Packing: 18 Stories to Help You Pack Smarter: A must-read for frequent travelers, this series will help you streamline every aspect of your packing routine.
The Essential Beach Packing List: A beach vacation requires its own special set of tools you may not think to bring along on other trips. Here’s an easy-to-use checklist to make sure you’ve got everything you need.
The Ultimate Cruise Packing List: Packing for a cruise comes with its own set of challenges, including the possibility of multiple climates and formal nights. Use this checklist for cruise basics.
SmarterTravel Flight Tips
Air Passenger Rights: The On-the-Go Guide: Bumping? Cancellation? Delays? Print this wallet-sized guide and take it with you whenever you travel to always be in-the-know about your rights as an airline passenger.
Airline Fees: The Ultimate Guide: Use this chart to avoid unexpected airline fees and to determine which airfare is really the lowest once you add in your desired extras.
Tight Airport Connections: What You Need to Know About Making a Connecting Flight: Considering booking a multi-leg flight with a tight connection? Here’s what you should consider before you decide.
Overbooked Flight? How (Not) to Get Bumped: Whether you’re trying to get bumped from a flight to earn extra cash or airline miles, or you’re determined to not give up your seat, these tips are for you.
10 Ways to Get an Upgrade on Your Next Flight: These days, it’s tough but not impossible to snag an upgrade. These tips will increase your chances of a trip to business- or first-class.
SmarterTravel Hotel Tips
How to Get a Hotel Upgrade for Free: Remember these three simple tricks the next time you want a hotel upgrade.
What Customer Rights Do Hotel Guests Have? Here are the rights you do—and don’t—have as a guest at a hotel, resort, or vacation rental.
14 Things a Hotel Concierge Can Do for You: Make the most of your next hotel stay by relying on the hotel concierge. Plus: Four tips for maximizing your moments in the hotel lobby.
Get the Best Hotel Room: Increase your chances of scoring a great hotel room with these tips.
General SmarterTravel Tips
10 Important Rideshare Safety Tips for Travelers: As ridesharing becomes more popular in cities around the world, so does the importance of using the service safely.
Volunteer Vacations: What You Need to Know: From planning and packing to what you can expect, here’s how to make the most of a vacation that keeps on giving.
9 Best Places to Travel Alone: These incredible destinations are particularly friendly to solo travelers. Read on to inspire your next solo adventure.
One Brilliant Way to Hide Money When Traveling: A short video that demonstrates how to turn an everyday item into a hidden travel safe.
How Much to Tip Hotel Housekeeping: Everything you need to know about how to tip hotel housekeeping, including how much and where in the room to leave the tip.
Bedbugs: Everything You Ever Wanted to Know But Were Too Disgusted to Ask: Protect yourself from bedbugs by learning these tips for checking a hotel room, what to do if you find bedbugs, and how to eradicate them if you suffer a post-travel infestation.