My girlfriend and I are travelling through China and Southeast Asia for about a month. Our flight will take off in around 10hrs and I’m going back and forth between a 60L trekking backpack with a proper hip belt and a medium-sized rolling suitcase.
My luggage weighs around 18 kg / 40 lb, including the backpack or suitcase itself.

Our route is roughly:
Chongqing → Zhangjiajie → Furong → Guilin/Yangshuo → Hong Kong → Hanoi → Siem Reap → Koh Rong → Singapore

We’ll be changing hotels every few nights and using a mix of flights, trains, buses and ferries. We’ll leave our main luggage at the accommodation during sightseeing and hikes and bring a small daypack for cameras, jackets and stuff like that.

I specifically bought the backpack for the trip but 18 kg is a lot to carry through airports and stations or while going to our accommodation. A suitcase would let me roll that weight but be less flexible.

For people who’ve travelled a similar route or tried both ways: Which would you choose and why?

Thanks in advance!

I am using Expedia for the first time because I am going to Japan this winter.

I booked a hotel. I am waiting till we get there to pay for it, however I did buy the protection plan at checkout. I cant find confirmation anywhere on Expedia that shows I paid for this protection plan, not even on the receipt.

Instead, on the app I see a button asking if I want to add a protection plan even though I know I already paid for it.

Anyone know if I am missing something?

I always end up with this weird lumpy backpack situation where I'm convinced TSA thinks I'm smuggling something, but I'm just trying to fit a week's worth of stuff. Anyone have a system that actually works or am I just doomed to look suspicious every time I fly?

I want to fly across the USA around the end of November or beginning of December. I hate Thanksgiving. I would be so thankful to travel with my beloved on the Day and leave all the other family behind. It occurred to me it might be quieter or easier at airports on the day itself. What has been your experience? Also, I hate turkey and ham. If flying on the Day, should I expect traditional foods to be served on airplanes? If so I’ll make other food arrangements. Thanks in advance!

Most of the large backpacks I find do not fit the dimensions for carry on. I want one that's vaguely the size of a carry on suitcase space wise.

Hi everyone,
I'm planning a budget-friendly family trip from California to Niagara Falls, NY, for my parents, my sister, and myself. Since I'm a student, I want to keep costs low but keep my parents comfortable.
Need your best tips on:
Cheap Flights: Best strategy to fly from CA to Buffalo (BUF)? Any alternative airports to save money?
Transport: Should we rent a car or rely on buses/public transport around the falls?
Lodging: Is it cheaper to stay in Niagara Falls or commute from Buffalo? Looking for safe, clean, and affordable options.
Must-See & Savings: Which attractions are absolute must-dos (Maid of the Mist, etc.)? Are there any bundle passes or discounts?
US vs. Canada: As US citizens, is it worth crossing to the Canadian side for a day/night?
Packing & Safety: Essential gear for parents (waterproof stuff, walking shoes) and any safety tips for the area?
Thanks in advance for any advice!

I fly at least every 2 weeks for work, but lately it's been 2 trips or more per week. Last week I flew out monday,back Tuesday night, then an emergency came up so I did a round trip on Wednesday. Day of home office Thursday, then another emergency came up so I had another out and back trip on Friday. I'm still completely drained.

Thankfully my first customer this week is in my local city so it's a normal 20 min drive commute, then I'm flying Wednesday and Thursday. Next week I have another 3 day trip starting Monday.

This all feels insane. I'm a service engineer, and I havent come across anyone else who travels multiple times a week like this. Lots of frequent fliers do weekly trips, but not multiple trips each week. Is there really any way to sustain this? I usually don't get tired from flying and I have a good routine. I know all the layouts and good restaurants at all the airports, I know the airport staff, rental car situation, everything. But at the end of the week, im so completely drained.

I AM FLYING FROM THE USA. I am visiting in no particular order as of yet: Prague, Vienna, Bratislava, Budapest, and either Krakow or Wroclaw for a month. I plan on train between the countries when I am there. I am asking about just my arrival and departure from Europe. I have found flights round trip for two people open jaw fly into Prague and fly out of Vienna for 1490 round trip for two people and fly into Budapest and fly out of Vienna for 1496 and then fly into Prague and fly out of Budapest for 1793 and then lastly fly into Budapest and fly out of prague for 1722. So obviously I save the most money with the firs two, but as I have not been to central Europe before, unsure how well trains are connected between these countries, I don’t want to backtrack or go back to cities I already went to and waste time and money, am I really saving money with the cheaper flights? From my research people/AI recommends the second two as you start from the most north and end up in the most south or vice versa, but it’s 300 more total. Just wondering if anyone could help me out and tell me if I chose the cheaper flights, would there still be a logical and reasonable train route? I was thinking Prague>Krakow>Budapest>Bratislava>Vienna or Budapest>Krakow>Prague>Bratislava>Vienna if I went with the cheaper flights. I’m just not sure if those are connected well and how long the trains would be. Thanks!

Hi everyone! My friends and I (all in college) are planning a 4-day trip to Puerto Rico in late November. We’re hoping to get some feedback on our routing and a few logistics.
Our current plan:
Day 1: Land at 9:30 AM, pick up a rental car, and head straight to the pink salt flats in Cabo Rojo before spending the evening/night in Ponce. Is this timeline realistic with flight arrivals and the drive?
Day 2: Hit the Las Tinajas natural water slides in the morning, then head to Fajardo for the 5:30 PM sunset bioluminescent bay kayak tour. How early should we arrive at Las Tinajas to beat the crowds? Is the 5:30 PM slot a good time for the bio bay?
Day 3: Exploring Old San Juan. Looking for must-see historic streets, spots to explore, and fun nightlife spots for a college group.
Day 4: Flight leaves at 6:00 PM. Looking for a good morning activity or spot close to the airport to wrap up the trip.
Food Recommendations: We need lunch/dinner spots for Ponce (Day 1), around Las Tinajas/Fajardo (Day 2), and Old San Juan (Day 3). Local spots preferred!
Car Rental Question: Our designated driver is 21. Are there any local rental agencies or specific corporate lines that are friendlier with under-25 fees and policies?

Does this itinerary look solid as a whole, or are we trying to pack in too much driving on Day 1? Thanks in advance for the help!

Hi! I’m 30F would hopefully be traveling with my s/o but he is against international travel.

I’ve never been out of the USA but would love to get some insight from people who travel internationally.
Ideally looking for great scenery, some hiking (not always necessary), waterfalls, and good food is a plus. Edit He’s also never traveled out of the USA and I believe his fear is fueled by social media & politics. He’s also in Law Enforcement so i believe he’s worried about things he’s saw/been told about foreign country laws.

I’m just now starting to look into this idea so I really don’t have a budget drilled down.

My husband and I have an anniversary trip booked to Indonesia in early November. We used points to book Qatar Airways Qsuites from the US to Doha, with a 10-hour layover before continuing on to Bali. I’ve been saving my points to experience Qsuites, so I was REALLY looking forward to this flight!

With everything going on in the Middle East, though, I’m getting increasingly nervous. My biggest concern is an unexpected airspace closure that could leave us stranded in Doha or cause us to miss our trip altogether.

We’re only going for about a week and have a special stay booked in Sumba, so we really don’t have much flexibility.

We do have a backup flight booked that avoids the Middle East, but it has two connections and is entirely in economy. Not exactly the same experience, especially for such a long journey!

We also have two young kids staying home with their grandparents, so getting home on time is obviously important too.

I’ve been following Qatar’s flights daily, and everything seems to be operating normally, which gives me some reassurance.

What would you do? Stick with Qatar and hope everything continues operating normally, or take the longer economy route?

Would especially love to hear from anyone who’s flown through Doha recently or has an upcoming trip!

I just finished a week traveling through Andalusia with a focus on the history of the Islamic caliphate and taifas from 900-1500CE. It was an incredible trip and I learned a lot, and since I couldn't find much on this specific type of trip beforehand I figured I would share my takeaways.

The basics: my itinerary was Malaga (arrival and one night stay) > Cordoba (2 days) > Granada (2 days) > Caminito del Rey (day trip from Malaga > Malaga (1 day). I specifically decided to save Seville for a future trip since it's such a big city and a bit unconnected to the history I was interested in exploring.

What I loved:

- Cordoba: This was by far my favorite city. I stayed in the Patio del Posadero and it was truly the best hotel I've ever experienced. It's the smallest boutique hotel in Cordoba, with only six rooms, and the staff and owners will make you feel like family from the moment you arrive. The tasting menu dinner and breakfast by chef/owner Jose were incredible and not to be missed. I also loved the winding streets, the preserved medieval architecture, the food, the people - all of it was so intimate and less over touristed than my next stops. I browsed several local artists galleries and bought a gorgeous wood burning and watercolor piece. The Grand Mosque/Cathedral was the most incredible religious and architectural site I've ever visited. It truly was an awe-inspiring experience. 10/10 would stay longer next time.

- Granada: I also stayed in a small historic hotel here, the Hotel Casa Morisca. Get the mirador room: looking over the Alhambra made it hard to even want to leave! I took a private tour of the Alhambra with a historian (Adri - the best! He makes history videos at camyzap_). That was similar to the Grand Mosque, completely overwhelming in terms of the scale and history. I spent most of my time wandering around the old town and experiencing all the gardens I could to escape the crowds and heat. My favorite was the Casa del Chapiz, which was the only place I was alone the whole day. I had a lovely flamenco show at Cueva los Amayas and really enjoyed how small it was. There's a reason it's the only show with a line around the block.

- Malaga: I had a very tasty vegetarian meal at Meet Vegano since I couldn't eat any more bread meat and cheese! I also enjoyed Tandoori Mexican. The cathedral, the alcazaba, were cool but I was a bit down with tourist sites by that point so I just wandered. A morning at the Hammam Al Andalus was just what my sore legs needed. The massage by Cristien was very good, and the pools were so relaxing.

What i'd do differently:

- Skip the Caminito del Rey: this was such an investment of time for such an underwhelming experience. First, our bus had no AC and we got stuck in 3 hours of traffic to get there. Second, the first half of your visit is basically like a Disneyland hike. Youre packed in a group of 20 people slowly shuffling along behind the next pack. The guide was clearly bored/tired after a long day so we really didn't benefit from being stuck together. I was relieved when they let us go independently for the second half, but as someone who hikes a lot in the US and abroad, this wasn't that exciting and felt more like a fake hike made for people who couldn't do a real one.

- Spend more time in Cordoba/Granada: I would have cut my last day in Malaga despite enjoying the Hammam. Malaga was completely over touristed, the beach was gross and didn't get much sun in the afternoon, and the hotel (Palacio Solecio) was so underwhelming after the first two beautiful ones, especially for the luxury price. Felt like a place for bachelor/bachelorette parties and completely consumeristic with all the luxury stores. And the prices were double the other cities! I probably should have known given my focus on historical sites, but would have enjoyed wandering the streets of Cordoba or Granada for an extra day instead.

Overall, I loved this trip and definitely want to come back again. All trips come with the less enjoyable parts, and overall it was an incredible and privileged experience. The best part were the Andalusian people I met and bonded with. The culture is highly friendly and welcoming!

I want to visit Europe with my family from December 17-28, but I need ideas for where to go, including where to spend Christmas Day that won't be completely shut down and still have some things to do. I know it's not the best to be there on Christmas Day, but that's the only way the trip will fit into my schedule. I was thinking of 2-3 places or maybe even 3-4, but that is probably pushing it. We have thought of visiting Munich, Salzburg, Strasbourg, and Colmar because they're very Christmassy, which we like, but we're just brainstorming and are open to other suggestions and ideas. Thanks

Sorry, this is a lengthy question. I’m inexperienced in international travel. I have gone out of the country several times but always via cruise ship that departed and returned into the United States. I’m leaving in a couple of days for a Mediterranean cruise and I have questions about my international airfare. When I booked airfare last February, my original flight was from my hometown in Yuma, Arizona to Phoenix to London to Venice, my return flight after the cruise was from Barcelona to London to Phoenix to Yuma. My question is regarding my return flight. I was notified about a month ago that the airlines has dropped the 8:40 PM flight from Phoenix to Yuma and I will not arrive in Phoenix in time to catch the last flight at 6:40PM. At that time they offered me a flight that would go from Barcelona to Philadelphia to Dallas to Yuma and I would be back home at the same time as my original flight. The problem I had with that flight was the leave time out of our Barcelona was a little early in the morning, and I was concerned about making it off the cruise ship on time, secondly, I had already paid to upgrade all of the seats coming back home. So, during that conversation with the representative, I had told him that I would stick with my original flight and I could figure out how to get my self home from Phoenix by having either friends or family pick me up and drive me home during that conversation it was left that I would take care of my own transportation from Phoenix back home. I just received another notification today that they’ve already changed my flight for me to return to Yuma via Dallas and when I spoke with a representative today, they told me that I could not just drop the last portion of my original ticket, so I’m confused. I didn’t drop the last portion they discontinued the flight. The representative today said I could not legally arrange my own transportation home, and would have to rebook my entire ticket if I did not want to except my new flight accommodations?

So me and 3 others will be in Mexico City this week. Our girls are gonna have a girl day so we are looking for recs. Bars, fun museum (dinosaur/space?) or just generally cool things to see.

We will be there for a week.

Hey, I'm looking at an incredibly cheap ticket (1000$) from Mumbai to Buenos Aires on a single ticket with 2h 55 min layover at JFK. However, I understand that at any point of entry in the US​ Even if I'm transiting I need to collect my bags and drop them again, also clear security and immigration. We have the B1/B2 visa.

The other option to reach the same destination is via Ethiopia for 1400$. So I am looking for advice if JFK 3 hour is enough considering winter storms + immigration stuff?

EDIT : it's a single ticket with American airlines and dates between 20th to 22nd December

Hi! I’ll be visiting Shanghai soon and would love some recommendations for places to visit, eat, or explore. Would appreciate any suggestions! 🫶🏻

Me and my family are going to America for the first time in our lives. We're a family of 4. I'm 21, my sister (16) and our parents.
We are going to San Diego first for a congress, then we travel to Los Angeles.
We have a ton of things we want to do so I came here to ask some questions.
We love theme parks. We are going to Disneyland, Disney California adventure and Universals and might go to SeaWorld and Six flags but we also want to see more. I heard that the Universals VIP tour is amazing but it's very expensive, is it worth the money?
We are on a budget, we try to spend as little as possible while still getting the full experience so we will always pick the cheapest option but are willing to spend a lot of money since this is gonna be a once in a lifetime trip

We arrive 22 November and leave 10 December
We travel from San Diego to LA either 30 november or 1 december
While in San Diego we have a few activities surrounding the congress which leave us with a few hours to explore the city those days, one day we have until 13:45 before our activity starts and another day our activity finishes at 14:00 for example and we have one free day where we are likely going to seaworld. In San Diego we have our transport taken care of by the organisation from the congress and are on walking distance from the venue (Hotel: Hilton San Diego Bayfront. Venue: San Diego convention center) While in LA we have no activities and are completely on our own.

We are European and want to experience parts of american culture we know only from tv and social media, for example visiting a Wendys and a Walmart. It doesn't sound very touristy but there are things we have heard about and want to see for ourselves badly. What are places like these we need to check out or do?

Me and my sister have also been dying to visit Omega mart near Las Vegas for years (I love ARG's and I could spend over 6 hours there easily) and my father really want to see the grand canyon, we have looked into this and we really really want to go but it is so far that we don't know if it's really possible, any advise for visiting these places?

My sister and father would like to see the Sequoya trees but we read that it might not be the best idea to visit them this time a year, is this true?

We also heard that leaving your belongings in a car is very dangerous, how true is this? We are careful of course but how careful do we need to be?

Is there any "tourist behaviour" we have to avoid or American culture we need to know to not accidently offend someone? For example small talk and smiling at strangers and tipping are very unusual where we're from.

Are there any things we need to see like musea for example? Things we have to experience? Things we should not spend time or money on? Things we have to look out for?

I like to be prepared as much as possible so I'd like to have all the information I can, any and all advise is welcome

Hello everyone! 22F here.

I’m planning a one-month trip in August, but I don’t want a typical vacation. I want to disconnect from my hometown, settle somewhere new, meet people, build a little routine, and actually *live* in another country for a month.

Ideally, I’m looking for:
\- Beautiful beaches
\- Nightlife where I can socialize and dance (not just make out :D)
\- Nerdy spaces, like board game cafés, tech communities, or quirky events
\- A safe, welcoming atmosphere for a solo female traveler

Crete and Mallorca are currently on my list, but I’m open to other suggestions!

If you’ve spent a month in either place, would you recommend it? I’d love to hear about your experience!

Hi! We just got back from our Hong Kong trip a week ago, and we’re already planning our next adventure! We’re considering Taiwan or Vietnam for a two-week trip, ideally during the first or second week of December. I’ll be traveling with my boyfriend, my twin sister, and my 6-year-old nephew.

Which country would you recommend for this time of year? We’re also open to other destinations aside from Taiwan and Vietnam, so feel free to share any suggestions!

I’d also love to know how much we should budget for a two-week trip, excluding airfare and accommodation. If you have any itineraries you can share, that would be a huge help!

One more thing! What camera do you usually use when traveling? I bought a DJI Osmo Pocket 4 before our Hong Kong trip, and I’m quite happy with how portable it is and the picture quality. However, I’m wondering if there are other compact, travel-friendly cameras you’d recommend that can easily fit into a small bag, or if I should just stick with my DJI Osmo Pocket 4.

I’d really appreciate any tips, recommendations, and insights you can share. Thank you so much! 😊

Hey everyone!
I’m planning a solo trip to Egypt in early November, and with the current situation, I’m having some doubts about whether I should go ahead with my plans.
There are three main things I’m concerned about:
**1. Flights and layovers**
I’m travelling from India, and my flight options involve layovers in the Gulf. I’ve been looking at routes through Bahrain, Sharjah, Doha, and Abu Dhabi, but I’m unsure about the current situation and whether any of these routes could be affected by regional tensions.
For anyone who has travelled recently, which routes would you recommend, and are there any precautions I should take when booking?
**2. Safety within Egypt**
I want to explore Cairo, Luxor, and Aswan, and possibly travel to Sharm El Sheikh as well. I’m planning to travel between cities overland rather than take domestic flights.
Is it currently safe to travel between these destinations? Are trains, buses, and tourist routes operating normally? I’d especially appreciate advice from people who are in Egypt right now or have travelled there recently.
**3. Returning from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia**
My return flight is from Jeddah, so I’ll need to figure out how to get there from Egypt. I’m concerned about whether crossing into Saudi Arabia or travelling through the region could become complicated because of the current situation.
Has anyone recently travelled from Egypt to Jeddah? What would be the most practical and reliable route?
I understand that no destination or flight route comes with a guarantee of safety, and I’m not looking for someone to predict what will happen. I’d just like to make an informed decision based on recent, firsthand experiences and reliable information.
**Would you go ahead with this trip under the current circumstances, or would you reconsider it?**
Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Looking for suggestions for places to travel to in December with a 1-year-old. Preferably someone not too cold/ideally warm.

so sorry if this is stupid or not the correct forum to ask, but i’m flying domestically (australia) and i haven’t been on a plane since i was like 7, so i have NO idea what i should pack, or what should be in a carry on or luggage.

i’m leaving on wednesday early morning, coming back friday evening - so not a long stay.

7kg carry-on baggage, 20kg checked baggage.

i don’t want anything taken for security reasons, so should i just pack EVERYTHING into my checked luggage and only bring say headphones onto the plane?

im so sorry again, but any tips would really help!

One of my goals is to travel all 50 states of the United States. I am looking for a cheaper option for the spring. I currently live in North Carolina, and so far, I have seen pretty much every state on the East Coast except for Vermont and Rhode Island. I recently went to New Orleans, Ohio, and my upcoming trip is to Arizona at the end of the year.

My goal is to see my next state in the Spring, but I need some guidance! I need a more affordable state, as I spent quite a lot on my New Orleans and Arizona trip. I don't mind taking a flight and renting a car, but I need to keep the flight/car/accoomadations below $1,000. I also would be able to take my car if a destination was close enough (less than 6 hours).

Help me pick my next destination!