Costa Rica Driving Guide

Ready for an epic road trip driving in Costa Rica? Renting a car is the best way to experience this beautiful country. But there are a few things you should know before you go.

So you’ve been wanting to visit for years, and are finally planning your own epic road trip to drive around Costa Rica!

For such a small country, Costa Rica is surprisingly mountainous with winding dirt roads and occasional river crossings, so my first time driving there was quite an adventure! Since then, I’ve visited the country many times, always preferring to rent a car.

Renting a car and self-driving Costa Rica on your own is the best way to experience this stunning country, as it truly gives you the freedom to stop at every waterfall, volcano, beach, and national park along the way.

Here are some important tips I learned about driving Costa Rica, so you’re ready to hit the road and explore the Rich Coast on a vacation you’ll never forget.

Driving In Costa Rica Guide (2023)

1. Should You Drive In Costa Rica?

Hey, if you love those big group bus tours, by all means, go book one. It’s a decent way to see Costa Rica if you don’t have a lot of time.

No planning, no driving, just sit back and let someone else do all the work!

But if you’re like me, you prefer the adventure of independent travel.

No set schedule or timetable — driving around Costa Rica with the freedom to stop anyplace cool you find along the way.

If that’s the kind of traveler you are, renting a car in Costa Rica is the way to go!

Yes, there is a public bus system in Costa Rica too, but it’s really only good for getting from one big town to another, and often the bus stops are located just outside of town, so you’ll also end up having to take a taxi. Not to mention that traveling by public bus is just a slower way to get around the country.

Just keep in mind that some of the back roads in Costa Rica can be very rough & muddy, and some local drivers don’t follow their own laws. With some practice though, you’ll gain confidence driving here!

Another nice thing we enjoyed about having a car was the ability to store things in the trunk, stopping off in Costa Rican towns with small travel backpacks rather than hauling luggage everywhere.

2. Where To Rent Your Car In Costa Rica

Some common car rental companies in Costa Rica include Enterprise, Sixt, Hertz, a local one called Adobe Rent-a-Car, and many more.

But the best site to book your car is Discover Cars. They search both local and international car rental companies to help you find the best possible price. This is the easiest way to rent a car in Costa Rica.

We rented our car from San Jose Airport in Alajuela, and began our Costa Rican road trip from there.

San Jose Airport: Plan to pick up your car about 60 minutes after your flight arrives. When departing, try to be at the airport at least 3 1/2 hours before your flight leaves. Because returning your rental car and catching a shuttle back to the airport can take up to 30 minutes.

Liberia Airport: Plan to pick up your car about 30 minutes after your flight arrives. When departing, try to be at the airport at least 2 1/2 hours before your flight leaves. Again, because of the shuttle.

Rent A Car In Costa Rica

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3. Car Rental Insurance In Costa Rica

Some of the rumors about driving in Costa Rica are true, and the roads are VERY rough in some areas. Especially the back roads outside Costa Rica’s smaller towns. Don’t worry, I’ll share some tips for dealing with them below.

This is why I highly recommend getting full insurance coverage.

Typically, rental cars in Costa Rica come with a basic Collision Damage Waiver (CDW), but this isn’t exactly insurance, and only covers the car for up to $1000-3000 USD worth of damage.

This is the amount they hold on your credit card until you return the car in one piece. CDW typically does not include tire, cracked windshield, or undercarriage damage either.

While you can often save money booking your car with a good travel credit card that includes car rental insurance, you REALLY must read the fine print, because many people wrongly assume their card covers them in Costa Rica.

If you get in a wreck driving in Costa Rica, declined full coverage, and you suddenly learn your credit card doesn’t actually cover the damage — you’re screwed. I can’t tell you how many travel horror stories I’ve heard like this…

It’s why I usually pre-book full coverage online. It’s cheaper than at the counter — and then you won’t have to worry about accidents at all!

4. How Much Does In Cost To Rent A Car In Costa Rica?

Renting a car in Costa Rica is going to cost you around $25-$40 USD a day, depending on the type of car you get. Our 4-door sedan was about $25 per day. A four-wheel drive SUV will cost you more like $40-$70 USD per day.

A 4X4 campervan, or truck with a tent attached, is going to cost over $100 USD per day (however you can sleep in it too!)

I recommend renting a car with an actual trunk (no hatchbacks) to hide your luggage from prying eyes. It helps to prevent break-ins if thieves can’t see your stuff.

Gas Prices

Currently, gas costs about $4.75 USD per gallon ($1.25 per liter) in Costa Rica. Diesel cars will often save you some money on gas, and diesel fuel costs about $4.20 per gallon. It’s much more expensive than in the gas in the United States!

Automatic vs Manual

Automatic cars are more expensive to rent than manual cars (but manuals are more common in Costa Rica), and you must specify what type you want when booking. If you’ve never driven a manual car before, don’t start in Costa Rica! It’s safer to get an automatic.

One-Way Rentals

There’s an additional fee for one-way car rentals in Costa Rica, which can vary by company. For example, if you want to drop off the car in a different city than where you started from. But because the country is so small, you probably won’t need to do this.

5. Age Requirements For Renting A Car

The minimum age for driving in Costa Rica is between 21-25 years old, depending on the company you book a car with. They also might charge an additional fee (usually $10 a day) if you’re under 25 years old.

6. Things To Remember While Driving In Costa Rica

Driving laws in Costa Rica are similar to driving laws in any other country. However local drivers don’t always follow them. For example, drivers may not use turn signals or will run red lights if they think they can get away with it.

Speed Limits In Costa Rica

Speed limits in Costa Rica are quoted in kilometers per hour. The maximum speed on most highways is 120 km/h (about 74 miles per hour). On secondary roads, the limit is usually 60km/h (37 miles per hour), and around towns & cities it is 40km/h (25 miles per hour).

If you happen to get a speeding ticket, please let your car rental company know right away, as you’ll have to pay for it when you drop off the car at the end of your trip.

Road Signs In Costa Rica

The road signs in Costa Rica should be pretty self-explanatory, as they look similar to US road signs, just in Spanish. You can browse some common Costa Rican road signs here.

Road Conditions

Costa Rica’s highways are paved and in good condition, however the country is also covered in back roads. Lots of dirt roads, and many are not in great shape. Muddy, potholes, etc. If you plan on driving off the beaten path in Costa Rica, I highly recommend renting a four-wheel drive SUV. Some bridges are only single lane, requiring one car to wait for the other to cross before proceeding.

River Crossings

You can road trip around Costa Rica without ever having to cross a river, but there are also some back roads that pass through rivers. Especially during the wet/rainy season, and in the Nicoya Peninsula, Drake Bay and Osa Peninsula areas. If you’ve never crossed a river before, please watch someone else go first!

Put your vehicle into 4X4 mode, go slow, and pay attention to the route. Some rivers aren’t crossed directly, but require you to drive up or down stream before exiting. This can be due to hidden obstacles, depth, or simply the best entry/exit points.

7. International Driver’s License

No, you do not need an international driver’s license to drive in Costa Rica or rent a car there. Just bring your passport, credit card, and your driver’s license from your home country. So yes, you can drive in Costa Rica with a US driver’s license.

8. Extra Advice For Renting A Car & Driving In Costa Rica

• Lock your doors while driving in Costa Rica, and never leave valuables visible in your car.
• Pedestrians don’t really have right-of-way in Costa Rica. Meaning if you politely stop in the road to let someone cross, they’ll be confused, and the car behind you won’t expect it — which could cause an accident! This is similar in Mexico and other parts of Central America.
• Don’t book a car without reading the company reviews. You’ll find plenty of bad reviews for every company (people love to complain online), but try to pick one with the LEAST bad reviews.
• You may not always get the make/model/type of car you booked. If they give you a smaller car, or a manual when you asked for an automatic, be pushy and ask for an upgrade.
• Inspect your car thoroughly and record video on your smartphone pointing out damage before you leave. This is a backup if they attempt to charge you for damage that was already there. This is a common car rental scam in Costa Rica….
• Pay attention to if your Costa Rica rental car takes regular gas or diesel fuel, so you fill up with the correct type at gas stations.
• Use Google Maps on your smartphone for directions instead of renting a GPS device. Simply use your own hands-free car mount and a good international cell phone plan.

9. Accident & Breakdown Information

In an emergency, you can dial the Costa Rican Emergency Phone Number which is 911, just like in the United States. They have an English speaking line too.

However if your car simply breaks down, and no one is injured, its probably better to call your Costa Rican car rental company’s own emergency roadside assistance number located on the rental agreement.

Enjoy Your Costa Rica Road Trip!

Exploring the small villages, pristine beaches, jungle mountains, and national parks of Costa Rica in a rental car was definitely the right choice for us.

Self-drive road trips allow you to get off the beaten track to see things most people miss! ★

Rent A Car In Costa Rica

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This is a post from The Expert Vagabond adventure blog.

Travel Safety Tips

Picking travel insurance can be a very confusing part of planning your international trip. Is it worth the expense? Which insurance companies offer the best coverage?

Getting some travel insurance is an extremely important part of planning a trip to foreign countries. Many regular health insurance companies don’t cover much (if anything) when you travel. This means you should purchase a dedicated travel insurance plan.

Travel insurance plans can cover a mix of medical emergencies, accidents, theft of personal property, illness, and even trip cancellation or interruptions. It’s just a smart option if you want to travel safely these days.

But the best part is, decent plans can cost only a few dollars a day.

After 10-years of travel, I’ve had quite a few incidents happen on the road (Dengue Fever, a stolen camera, phone, etc.) So I never travel without insurance to protect me from these unexpected situations.

My goal with this travel insurance guide is to help you narrow down the overwhelming choices out there — and pick some good travel insurance whether you’re traveling for 2-weeks or 6-months.

Why listen to me? Experience! I’ve been traveling around the world for ten years as a digital nomad, while visiting over 50 countries.

Matthew KarstenThe Expert Vagabond

Types Of Travel Insurance

There are a few different kinds of travel insurance, and some plans cover more than others.

You’ll have to ask yourself a few questions before picking a plan. Are you a short-term traveler going away for a week or two? Or are you a long-term traveler leaving for 6-months or more?

Do you carry a lot of expensive photo/computer gear, or not?

Will your current health insurance cover you overseas? How much will it cover? Does it include medical evacuation? Do you have any pre-existing conditions?

Are you the type of person who books hotels/flights/activities in advance? Or do you just wing it and pay for these services as you use them? Are you worried your trip might get canceled?

Travel Medical Insurance is coverage for accidents, injuries, illness, or hospital visits while you are away from home.

Medical Evacuation Insurance is coverage for emergency transportation (often via airplane) to a major hospital for better treatment.

Trip Cancellation Insurance is coverage for unexpected interruptions in your travel plans.

Baggage/Property Insurance is coverage for theft or damage to your gear while traveling.

Best Travel Insurance Options In 2023

Short-Term Travel Insurance

SafetyWing

SafetyWing is a fantastic budget travel insurance option for travelers. They offer the flexibility to purchase a plan before or after your trip has already started. Plans start at only $40 per month, and they include theft of personal property too!

Another big perk is that they can also cover you in your home country, or a dependent child who is traveling with you. Which is nice for digital nomads and families traveling with kids.

World Nomads

World Nomads specializes in short-term travel coverage, including theft, and are very popular among travelers. I used them for years before I decided to get long-term expat type insurance instead.

Buying insurance with World Nomads for your next vacation is quick & easy. You can even purchase a plan with little advanced notice. You can extend coverage online from anywhere too.

Health Coverage Worldwide: Yes.
Coverage At Home: No.
Medical Evacuation: Yes.
Trip Cancellation: Yes.
Theft/Damage Insurance: Yes. ($500 per-item limit)

Long-Term Insurance For Digital Nomads & Expats

Because I’m a digital nomad and travel with thousands of dollars of camera equipment for work, I have a more long-term travel insurance mindset. I use an expat dedicated health insurance policy, combined with a gear policy for professional photographers.

This mix is more expensive than a World Nomads Policy, but works best for my long-term travel lifestyle.

IMG Global

This plan specializes in long-term worldwide medical coverage, but does not cover theft or trip cancelation. Coverage inside the United States is included, but to qualify you must spend at least 6 months of the year living abroad. You can choose a deductible from $250-$10,000.

Health Coverage Worldwide: Yes.
Coverage at Home: Yes.
Medical Evacuation: Yes.
Trip Cancellation: No.
Theft/Damage Insurance: No.
Example Quote: Global Gold (1 year policy) = $74/month with $1000 deductible

HTH Worldwide

Full international medical insurance, including the United States. No limits as to how long you are in the US. Deductible waived for regular doctor checkups. Excellent insurance, but pricey. Sherry from OttsWorld.com is a happy customer.

Health Coverage Worldwide: Yes.
Coverage at Home: Yes.
Medical Evacuation: Yes.
Trip Cancellation: No.
Theft/Damage Insurance: No.
Example Quote: Global Citizen (1 year policy) = $269/month with $1000 deductible

More Insurance Options

Your Current Health Insurance

Already have regular health insurance in your home country? Check to see if they provide coverage internationally. If they do, you might not need anything else.

Homeowners Or Renters Insurance

Your homeowners or renters insurance may cover your belongings when you’re traveling in foreign countries too. Call them up to verify the details.

Credit Card Travel Insurance

Many travel credit cards often include some basic travel, theft, and even car insurance (which is great for renting a car overseas). Call your card company up to get details on what is exactly covered (or not).

Do You Need Travel Insurance?

This is the million-dollar question — and ultimately a personal decision. I’ve met plenty of people who travel without travel insurance and I’ve contemplated doing the same.

But after over 10-years of constant travel, hearing horror stories from other travelers, and getting into a few dangerous predicaments myself — if someone asks for my opinion on the subject I answer with:

YES. Everyone should carry some kind of health/property insurance when traveling.

Why? Because stuff happens. Whether you think it will or not. Despite your best-laid plans and preventative measures. Sure, if you sprain your ankle, it might not be a big deal.

But what if your appendix bursts? Or your bus crashes? Or you contract a deadly disease? Or require medical evacuation after breaking your leg?

These things definitely happen to travelers from time to time, and could cost you tens (or hundreds) of thousands of dollars. Without insurance, you’re screwed!

My recommendation is based on listening to countless first-hand tales of disaster from other travelers, as well as my own personal experiences.

Real-Life Examples

I know a woman traveling in Costa Rica who fell off a ladder, shattering her arm. She did not have health insurance, received horrible treatment at the local hospital, and was basically held hostage there until she was able to pay the HUGE medical bill.

Another person I know lost everything he was traveling with when his locked guesthouse in Ecuador was broken into. Without personal property insurance, he would have needed to spend thousands replacing all his gear.

Another friend contracted a flesh-eating parasite while trekking through the jungles of Peru. He required months worth of treatment from specialized doctors, and a medical evacuation flight back to the United States.

These are all people I know personally.

Making An Insurance Claim

Insurance companies are notorious for trying to avoid paying out claims. Making a claim might take some work on your part, depending on the situation. Here are a few tips for getting paid through travel insurance:

• If you’re having issues filing a claim, always work your way up the corporate ladder. Talk to a supervisor. Then talk to the supervisor’s supervisor. Make your claim issues public using Social Media if needed.
• Record conversations. At the beginning of every phone call, tell the other party you’re recording the conversation to ensure no misunderstandings later.
• When filing a police report of any kind, keep the story simple. The longer and more in-depth the report, the easier it is for insurance companies to find a loophole to deny your claim.

Additional Travel Insurance Tips

• Read the fine print first! Know what you’re covered for. For example, some policies don’t cover extreme sports or theft of unattended items.
• Take photos or a video of all your travel gear with a date stamp.
• Save PDF copies of any travel gear purchases & hospital receipts. Keep originals too.
• Write down serial numbers, policy numbers, and insurance contact information.
• Store this information online in a secure, easy to access place. I use Evernote. Another good option is Dropbox or Google Drive.
• File a police report immediately after any theft or accident while traveling.

No one likes to think about theft or injury when they’re on vacation, but the threat is real, and without good travel insurance, an unexpected incident could ruin the rest of your year. Never travel without it! ★

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This is a post from The Expert Vagabond adventure blog.

After traveling the world for the past 10-years, I’ve learned a lot about staying safe – sometimes the hard way. Here are my best travel safety tips for avoiding trouble on your trip.

COVID UPDATE: Before you travel, research if there are any restrictions for the country you plan to visit. Many countries are open for travel but require proof of vaccinations, a negative COVID-19 test, quarantine or other restrictions. Traveling during a pandemic requires a few extra steps to stay safe.

Nothing ruins an adventure quicker than getting sick, scammed or robbed when you travel!

One time in Panama, some women distracted me at a bar while stealing my laptop from a backpack. I thought it was gone, until this happened months later. I got lucky.

In Mexico, a pickpocket grabbed my iPhone on the street. I managed to get that back too, chasing the thief down the road screaming like a maniac and brandishing a bottle of tequila! LOL.

You don’t even need to travel internationally to have bad stuff happen. In Miami Beach, my camera was stolen when I wasn’t paying attention.

After many years traveling the world, I’ve grown accustomed to deceitful taxi drivers, two-faced tour guides, insincere offers of help, and an occasional theft or scam.

For the most part, the world is a pretty safe place for travelers. I don’t want to scare you too much! However, it’s wise to be prepared.

With that in mind, here are my best travel safety tips to help minimize your chances of something bad happening to you during your travels.

Top Travel Safety Tips For 2022

1. Learn Common Travel Scams

Wherever you go in the world, you’ll always find people ready to trick you out of your hard-earned cash. If you’re lucky, they’ll be kinda obvious – but there are plenty of craftier, professional con-artists out there too.

Everyone thinks they’re too smart to be scammed — but it happens.

Here are some of the most common travel scams I’ve come across. I recommend you learn them all – then fire up the Google and do even more in-depth research into the worst scams happening at your specific destination.

For example, the milk scam in Cuba. “Broken” taxi meters in Costa Rica. Or the famous ring scam in Paris. Every country has its own special scams to watch out for!

Forewarned is forearmed, and this research can help defend you from being tricked out of hundreds, maybe thousands of dollars (while suffering the kind of frustration and misery that ruins a dream trip).

2. Write Down Emergency Info

If disaster strikes, you might not have time to search for numbers for local police or ambulance services, or directions to the nearest embassy for your country. You may also be too stressed and panicky to think straight.

Don’t put yourself in that position. Instead, record that information in advance, and create an “Emergency Plan” for you to follow if things go badly. Save it on your phone somewhere (I use the Evernote App).

I also recommend you write it down on a small card or sheet of paper, get it laminated (easily done at your local office supply store) to protect it from moisture, and keep it in your wallet/purse.

You can also save the information on a small USB thumb drive, along with copies of your passport and other important documents.

That way, if something goes wrong while traveling, you’ll always have access to your documents, plus know exactly who to call and where to go for help.

3. Check The State Department Website

The U.S. Department of State has a travel advisory page for every country in the world, where it lists all known difficulties and current threats to the safety of visitors.

However, a big caveat for this one: it’s the State Department’s job to warn you about everything that could go wrong, which is sometimes different to what is likely to go wrong.

This means their advice is generally on the hyper-cautious side. Factor that in, while you dig up more on-the-ground information.

But researching travel warnings will give you a general idea of what’s going on in the country you’re visiting, and specific problem areas you may want to avoid.

For example, just because certain parts of Thailand or Mexico have problems, doesn’t mean you should completely avoid those countries altogether.

4: Lock Up Your Valuables

Putting aside the fact that traveling with anything super valuable is usually a bad idea, there will always be something you absolutely cannot afford to have stolen. I travel with a lot of expensive camera gear for example.

Your job is to minimize the easy opportunities for theft.

Firstly, know that most travel backpacks aren’t very secure. It’s easy to feel that a zipped, even locked bag is a sufficient deterrent to any thief, and doze off next to it. Waking up to find someone’s slashed a hole in the side!

Unless it’s a slash-proof backpack, the material can be cut or torn by anyone determined enough. Many zippers can be forced open with sharp objects like a writing pen.

Always be aware of your valuables, and try to keep an eye on them in such a way that it would be impossible for someone to steal without you knowing. I’ll use my backpack as a pillow on train/bus routes that have a reputation for theft, and will sometimes lock it to a seat using a thin cable like this.

Secondly, call your accommodation to ask about secure storage options like a room safe, lockers, or a locked storage area. Carry your own locker padlock when staying at backpacking hostels.

5: Get Travel Insurance

You never think you need it, until you do. If you’re really worried about the safety of yourself and your gear while you travel, you can almost completely relax if you have some good insurance.

People ask me all the time if I’m worried about traveling with an expensive computer and camera. I was, when I didn’t have insurance for them. Now that I do, I’m not worried. If stuff gets stolen, it will get replaced.

Everyone should carry some kind of health and property insurance when traveling. Why? Because stuff happens. Whether you think it will or not. It doesn’t matter how careful you think you are.

My recommendation is SafetyWing for short-term travel insurance. They make it super easy to buy online. (They also cover COVID-19!)

If you’re going to be traveling for a long time (like as a digital nomad), there are good long-term options like expat health insurance from SafetyWing Remote Health mixed with photography/computer insurance from TCP Photography Insurance.

Travel Insurance Options

Protect yourself from injury, illness, or theft. SafetyWing offers affordable travel insurance that covers COVID-19 too!

Click For Details

6: Ask Locals For Advice

If you really want to know which neighborhoods are safe and which might be sketchy, ask a local resident of the area.

Most locals are friendly, and will warn you about straying into dangerous areas. On the other hand, if a stranger offers up advice, it’s also wise to get a second opinion – just in case they don’t really know what they’re talking about but simply wanted to help (or worse, are trying to scam you).

Taxi drivers can be hit or miss in this regard. Some can be excellent sources for good information, others are miserable assholes who might actually lead you into trouble.

I’ve found that hostel or hotel front desk workers are generally pretty good sources for local advice.

Don’t be afraid to ask them which parts of the city to avoid, how much taxi fares should cost, and where to find a great place to eat!

7: Register With Your Embassy

The Smart Traveler Enrollment Program, from the U.S. Department of State, is designed to make a destination’s local embassy aware of your arrival and keep you constantly updated with the latest safety information.

It’s free, it’s available for all U.S. citizens and nationals living abroad, and it’s a great way to get reliable, up to date safety information as you travel, along with an extra level of security in case of emergencies.

Canada has it’s own version, called Registration Of Canadians Abroad.

That way if an emergency happens, like a natural disaster or terrorist attack, the local embassy can get a hold of you quickly to share important information or help with evacuation.

8: Email Your Itinerary To Friends/Family

Once you’ve worked out where you’re going and when, make sure someone else knows too.

The best way is to email the full itinerary to a few family members (and double-check with them that they received it – don’t just assume it landed in their Inbox, make sure it did). Then, if you can, check in from time to time.

Before I travel anywhere, I make sure my parents know where I’m going, what my general plans are, and when I should be back.

That way, if they don’t hear from me for a few days after I’m supposed to return, they can help notify the proper local authorities, the embassy, etc.

9: Don’t Share Too Much With Strangers

If you’re ever tempted to make your itinerary more public, say in a Facebook post, just remember it can be a roadmap of your movements – just the sort of thing someone with ill-intentions would love to know.

I also don’t recommend sharing too many details about your travel plans or accommodation details with people you’ve just met. For example, don’t tell a local shop owner or street tout where you’re staying when asked.

If someone does ask, rather than be rude, you can be vague about an area of town rather than the name of your hotel. Or lie and name a hotel you’re not actually staying at.

Sometimes people will ask if it’s your first time visiting their country or city. If you don’t trust them yet, you can pretend it isn’t your first trip. Because sharing that you’re new might also signal you’re a good target for scams.

When feeling vulnerable in a strange place, little white lies won’t hurt.

10: Don’t Do Stupid Things For Photos

In the age of Instagram & TikTok, it often feels like tourists are engaging in increasingly riskier activities just for likes on social media. Every week now you hear about people falling off cliffs or getting attacked by wildlife because they were trying to get an awesome photo.

Know your personal limits! Don’t do stupid things that have a high potential to get you hurt or killed. I’ll admit I enjoy a bit of risk now and then, but I try to be smart about it.

Don’t stand on the edge of a cliff if it’s windy or looks unstable. Pay attention to posted signs and warnings wherever you go. Keep your distance from wildlife, because animals are unpredictable.

Put yourself in the shoes of the locals, be respectful of the places you visit, and don’t trespass on private property either.

11: Splurge On Extra Safety

If you’re traveling as a budget backpacker, like I was, it can be tempting to save as much money as possible with the cheapest accommodation, the cheapest flights, the cheapest activities.

But it’s important to know that this isn’t always the safest way to travel.

Ultra cheap backpacker hostels aren’t always the safest places. I’ve stayed in some without locks on the doors, that felt like make-shift homeless shelters for drug addicts and other seedy people.

Budget flights can often arrive in the middle of the night — usually not the best time to be hailing down a cab in a dangerous city and hoping the driver doesn’t abduct you.

Sometimes it’s worth the extra few bucks to splurge on a slightly better hostel, a more convenient flight, a taxi home from the bar, or a tour operator with a strong safety record.

12: Be Aware Of Your Clothing

When it comes to travel, the wrong clothes scream “TOURIST” and make you a target for scammers, thieves and worse. The less obviously a visitor you look, the less attention you’ll get from the wrong kind of people.

Wearing the right clothes is a sign of respect. Many Islamic countries have specific dress code guidelines that are often strictly enforced – and other destinations have laws that may catch you out (for example, walking topless through the streets of Barcelona is illegal for both sexes).

However, it’s possible to stay within the law and still offend locals with what you’re wearing – generating a lot of hostility towards you in the process. Ignoring local customs can come across as both arrogant and ignorant.

In conservative countries, it’s just safer to dress more conservatively yourself. Obviously as a foreigner you’re still going to stand out a bit, but much less than those who ignore the local customs.

Start by checking out Wikipedia’s general advice on clothing laws by country – and then narrow down your research until you find someone giving advice you can trust, ideally a resident or expat turned local.

13: Stay “Tethered” To Your Bag

Most quick snatch-and-run type robberies happen because the thief can do it easily, and has time to get away. Therefore, anything that slows them down will help prevent it in the first place.

If you can keep your bag tethered to something immovable at all times, and do so in a really obvious way, thieves will consider it way too risky a job – and leave you alone.

A simple and effective method is to use a carabiner clip. Even a regular strap around your leg or chair.

It doesn’t need to be secured with a steel cable and padlock all the time, just attached to something that will make a snatch-and-run attempt too difficult.

14: Learn Basic Self-Defense

You don’t need black-belt skills, but joining a few self defense classes is a worthwhile investment in your personal safety. Some good street-effective styles to consider are Krav Maga or Muay Thai.

Next, learn WHEN to apply it. Just because you can kick someone’s ass, doesn’t mean you should in all situations. In the words of author Sam Harris:

“Do whatever you can to avoid a physical confrontation, but the moment avoidance fails, attack explosively for the purposes of escape.”

A great way to neutralize a threat is to get yourself as far away as physically possible. If someone with a gun or knife just wants your phone, give it to them, run away, and live another day.

Use force only when your life is threatened & there are absolutely no other options available.

If you want an extra level of personal security, pick up a tactical pen (and learn how to use it). I often carry one, and it doesn’t set off any alarms when going through customs.

15: Project Situational Awareness

Did you know that a majority of human communication is based on non-verbal body language? This projection of confidence can prevent you from becoming a target.

Keep your head up, stay alert, and aware of you’re surroundings. When you’re confident, potential attackers can sense it through your body language and eye contact.

Most will choose to move on and find an easier victim to attack.

In many places, making direct eye contact with potential threats can help ward off an attack, ensuring they notice you see them and what they may be planning. Yet in other parts of the world, too much eye contact might invite trouble…

Generally you should stay aware of who is around you, walk with a purpose, and don’t look worried, lost, or scared (even if you feel that way) — but I’d also avoid staring contests with sketchy looking strangers.

16: Tell Your Bank Where You’re Going

Imagine the agony of doing absolutely everything right and keeping yourself perfectly safe and secure – only to have your trip ruined because your bank thinks you’re the thief, and locks down all your cards.

If this happens and you’re lucky, you’ll be asked security questions to determine your identity. The rest of the time, you’ll get a notification from the bank’s fraud detection team that irregular activity has been recorded on your card, and they’ve put a hold on all transactions until the situation is resolved – which might take days.

The solution is simple. Most online banking services have a facility for letting the bank or credit card provider know about your upcoming travels. Make sure you use it, shortly before leaving – and keep them in the loop if your travel plans change.

I also recommend using your debit card at the airport ATM machine as soon as you arrive in a new country, as this also helps let the bank know you’re traveling.

17: Hide Emergency Cash

While it’s good to do everything you can to prevent worst case scenarios – it’s equally smart to assume it’ll happen and plan ahead for it. This is the thinking behind having an emergency stash of funds, stored in a safe place.

Some of my favorite hiding places include:

• Secret pocket sewn into your pants
• Behind a patch on your backpack
• Rolled into an empty chapstick container
• Inside a hidden compartment (like this hair-brush or belt pouch)

How much emergency cash? This will be personal preference, but I usually prefer $200 spread out in 2 different places. Some hidden on me, some hidden in my bag. A hidden backup credit card is wise too.

Now if things got really dire, and everything’s gone, what then? You call up a friend or family member, and ask them to send you the emergency money you left with them before you went traveling, via a Western Union or Moneygram transfer.

Hopefully it will never come to that. But these things do happen occasionally, and it’s better to practice safe travel techniques than to remain ignorant about the possibility.

18: Food & Water Safety

After traveling extensively the last 10-years, to over 50 countries, eating all kinds of weird stuff, I’ve only had food poisoning a couple of times.

Don’t be scared of the food when you travel! In fact, eating strange new foods can be a highlight for many people on their adventures around the world.

My food-obsessed friend Jodi recommends the following tips:

• Eat at popular places with long lines
• Try to watch how your food is prepared
• Pack translation cards to express your allergies
• Fully cooked food is always the safest
• Only eat peel-able fruit to avoid bacteria

I also recommend getting a filtered water bottle. In many modern cities around the world the water is safe to drink, but outside of those places it often isn’t.

Sure, you could keep buying bottled water everywhere you go, but that plastic waste is a huge environmental problem. Why not get one sturdy filtered bottle, and re-use it for years?

It pays for itself and saves the environment at the same time!

19: Use ATMs Wisely

You may have been told to cover your hand when keying in your PIN number at an ATM. That’s good advice worth following, both for others looking over your shoulder, as well as hidden cameras trying to record your pin.

Always take a close look at ATM machines before you use them. Pull on the card reader a bit. Does it have any questionable signs of tampering? If so, go into the bank and get someone to come out and check it (and then use another machine, regardless of what happens).

If an ATM machine appears to have eaten your card, run a finger along the card slot to see if you feel anything protruding. The “Lebanese Loop” is a trick where a thin plastic sleeve captures your card (preventing the machine from reading it) – then as soon as you walk away, a thief yanks it out and runs off with your card.

Another overlooked factor is where other people are when you’re at the machine. Can someone peer over your shoulder? Are they close enough they could grab the cash and run off?

If so, use another ATM elsewhere. Better safe than sorry! Never let anyone “help” you with your transaction either.

20: Stop Using Your Back Pocket

It’s the first place any pickpocket will check – and short of putting a loaded mousetrap in there (not recommended if you forget and sit down), the best way to deal with the dangers of having a back pocket is to never use it…

And if putting money in the back pocket of your pants is a habit you can’t seem to break, grab some needle and thread and sew it shut!

Your front pockets are a lot harder to steal from without being noticed.

If you’re REALLY worried, or plan to travel to a city where pickpockets run rampant, you can wear a money belt. I’m not a fan, but I know many who use them for peace of mind.

21: Travel In Numbers

The more people around you, the more eyeballs are on your valuables – and the more legs are available for running after thieves.

A group is also a much more intimidating physical presence, which helps ward off predators of all kinds. It will help to keep you safer than trying to go it alone in a foreign country.

If you’re traveling solo, consider making some new friends and go exploring together.

Staying at backpacker hostels is an excellent way to make some new friends. Often you’ll find other solo travelers there, who may want to do some of the same activities you want to.

However, I’d also like to highlight the importance of not trusting new people TOO quickly. There are some professional scammers who use the backpacker trail to take advantage of other travelers looking for a friend.

Don’t leave your expensive or important stuff with someone you just met. No matter how friendly they seem.

22: Pack A First Aid Kit

Injuries can happen when you travel abroad, not matter how careful you are. That’s why traveling with a basic first aid kit is always a good idea.

You don’t need to go crazy and bring your own needles and scalpels, but stocking the basics to treat cuts, sprains, stomach issues, and burns can help if you or people around you may need them.

I prefer a basic waterproof adventure first aid kit with a few additions of my own:

• Small tube of sunscreen
• Re-hydration salts
• Anti-histamine tablets
• Small pair of scissors
• Extra pain pills (Ibuprofen)
• Emergency space blanket
• Small tube of petroleum jelly (helps prevent blisters)

23: Stay (Relatively) Sober

Getting too drunk or high when you travel is almost always unacceptably risky. If you’re wasted, you’re not present, and anything could be happening around you (or to you).

I’m not saying don’t enjoy yourself. Hell I have plenty over the years! Just do it responsibly, stay hyper-aware of how much you’re consuming, keep hydrated & fed, and make sure you don’t lose control of the situation.

Harder drugs are especially risky — it’s a good way to get in trouble with the police, who may not be as forgiving (or even law-abiding) as authorities back home. Not to mention having to deal with potentially nefarious people who are providing those drugs — and their own alternative motives.

On a similar note, if you’re partial to late nights out partying until pre-dawn hours, be careful assuming that unfamiliar destinations will be as forgiving as back home.

Many generally safe destinations (especially ones filled with tourists) become far less secure late at night – and if you’re stumbling around intoxicated, you’re far less aware of your surroundings – and a VERY easy target for all kinds of bad stuff.

24: Trust Your Instincts!

This one is easily overlooked – and incredibly important.

You are a walking surveillance network. Your body sees and hears more things than you could ever process into coherent thought. Let’s call it your “spidey sense” — the ability to sense danger.

Your body might sense signs of danger before your brain is fully aware.

This is why gut feelings are always worth examining! If you’re feeling uneasy and you don’t know why, try not to write it off as irrational fear. Stop and pay closer attention to the situation. Can you figure out what the problem is?

It’s easy to dismiss your instincts as “silly”. Never treat them as such. Those gut feelings and intuition have kept humans safe for millions of years.

25: Travel Safety For Women vs. Men

All the tips on traveling safely above are equally important for both men and women. I don’t think the ability to travel safely should be focused on gender.

Unfortunately women are victims of violence everywhere, including here in the United States & Canada. Traveling doesn’t necessarily increase that threat, it simply changes the location.

Women worried about being assaulted or harassed might prefer to visit a local street bazaar or nightclub in a group rather than alone. Especially if it’s a common problem for the area.

I know some women who feel safer carrying a safety whistle and door stop alarm when they travel solo too.

However men also have specific safety concerns they need to watch out for, related to their egos. Like getting goaded into a physical fight that isn’t necessary. Or being scammed by a beautiful woman.

Travel safety is really about staying street smart, prepared for the unexpected, and minimizing your exposure to risky situations in a new and unfamiliar country.

A Few Words About Risk…

If you want to travel, you cannot avoid risk. There is no way to be 100% safe from any threat, in any part of life. Risk is an integral part of adventure too.

This means when you hit the road, you’re bound to get scammed sooner or later, or find yourself in unexpectedly challenging circumstances. It happens to all of us.

Risk is unavoidable – but it can be managed, so you can stay safer.

How do most people hear about events in other countries? It’s usually through the news. This is a big problem, because the media is biased – but not the way politicians would like you to believe.

The media reports on unusual events (most often negative ones). Things get featured in the news because they rarely happen. That’s the definition of “newsworthy”.

If the news was truly representative of what’s happening in the world, 99.9% of each report would sound like: “Today in Namib-istan, absolutely nothing dangerous happened, and everyone had a perfectly normal day – yet again.”

The news media makes other countries feel a lot less safe than they really are. In fact, the world seems to be getting safer every decade, according to data collected by economist Max Roser and psychologist Steven Pinker.

This isn’t saying that bad things don’t happen. It’s saying they’re usually a misleading representation of what normally happens.

Don’t believe the over-hype. Generally speaking, it’s never been a safer time to travel! So get out there with your new-found knowledge, enjoy your trip with confidence. ★

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READ MORE HELPFUL TRAVEL TIPS

I hope you enjoyed my guide on travel safety tips! Hopefully you found it useful. Here are a few more wanderlust-inducing articles that I recommend you read next:

• How To Save Money For Travel
• Best Travel Tips For Beginners
• Travel Jobs That Let You Work Abroad
• Ultimate Travel Vaccination Guide
• My Backpacking Checklist (What To Pack)

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Have any questions about travel safety? What about other suggestions? Join the conversation on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter to share!

This is a post from The Expert Vagabond adventure blog.

Travel Photography Gear

I’ve been working as a travel photographer & blogger for 10-years, so I get a lot of questions about what kind of photography gear I use. Take a peek inside my camera bag!

Now, when you’re reading this list, please understand that I’m a working professional freelance photographer. I own a lot of gear. Much more than I first started with.

Most travelers don’t need backup cameras, drones, and multiple lenses.

If you’re simply interested in a good portable camera for traveling, make sure to check out my complete guide to the best travel cameras for every budget.

I also share some photography gear recommendations for beginners at the end of this post, and you can check out my personal Amazon Shop to see all my photography & travel gear.

Keep in mind that I don’t pack absolutely everything on this list in my camera bag all the time, instead I pack according to each trip and shooting scenario.

My Travel Photography Gear In 2022

Sony A7R III – Main Camera Body

I was a Canon fanboy for years and started my backpacking adventures back in 2010 with the Canon 7D. However, when Sony came out with their smaller (and superior) mirrorless A7 line, I made the switch.

Since then I’ve been using Sony cameras & lenses for the past 6-years.

Sony’s camera & sensor technology is often far ahead of competitors these days — in fact, even Nikon uses Sony sensors in their cameras!

The Sony A7R III is built for high-end landscape photography with a massive 42.4-megapixel full-frame sensor. This sensor is HUGE! But the camera body isn’t, which is pretty incredible.

Frankly, this is far too much camera for most travelers though.

If you are trying to save some money, another great option is picking up a used Sony A7 III or Sony A6600. Both are amazing cameras for travel photos.

Camera Lenses

Sony 16-35mm F2.8 – Wide Angle Lens

The 16-35mm F2.8 is the lens that’s on my camera 75% of the time. As a landscape photographer, I love shooting wide to capture as much of a big landscape as possible.

But you can also get decent portraits out of it zoomed in to 35mm and stopped down to F2.8. This lens works well for night and star photography too.

There is a less expensive version of this, the Sony 16-35mm F4 which is another decent option too.

Sony 24-70mm F2.8 – Medium Zoom Lens

Occasionally I need a little more reach. Or, I only have space for one lens (like on bigger hiking trips), and want the best of both worlds.

The 24-70mm F2.8 isn’t quite as wide, but often wide enough for most landscapes. With the added ability to zoom in to small subjects far away, or to compress the background making mountains “look” bigger.

This is also my go-to portrait lens for taking photos of people!

Sony FE 100-400mm F4.5-5.6 GM – Telephoto Zoom

The 100-400mm F4.5 is my wildlife photography lens, outdoor portraits, or to compress big mountain ranges. I don’t use it that often, and don’t bring it along on every trip. If weight is an issue, it’s usually the first to be left behind.

But if I have a particular shot in mind that requires a telephoto, I’ll bring it.

By adding a Sony 1.4X teleconverter, I can increase the range to 560mm (which is nice for safari photography).

Additional Photography Equipment

Sony RX100 VII – Backup Camera

For a long time, I only traveled with one camera. But as I began getting hired for professional photography gigs, I realized that a backup camera was a wise investment.

The Sony RX100 is a tiny point & shoot pocket camera with professional features. It offers full manual control, and the ability to shoot in RAW format.

I also use it for shooting time-lapses, vlogging, and for certain situations where I don’t want to bring my large camera with me. Like sketchy parts of town, into bars/nightclubs, etc.

For most travelers, this would be a perfectly fine primary travel camera too! It’s super small, but super powerful. It even has a 200mm zoom for wildlife!

GoPro Hero 9 – Action Camera

I’ve been using a GoPro since I started traveling ten years ago. I’ve owned almost all the models! Currently, I travel with the GoPro Hero 9.

GoPro cameras are great at capturing hands-free action or “b-roll” and you can attach them to almost anything. Plus, they are waterproof and shockproof!

I use my GoPro for surfing, mountain biking, hiking, snowboarding, snorkeling, scuba diving, cliff jumping, interior and exterior moving-vehicle footage, and more.

Just owning a GoPro is not enough to get great images and video. The magic of these cameras is in the multitude of accessories that are available for them!

DJI Mavic Air 2 – Flying Drone

The perfect tool for capturing aerial photography and video, while costing much less than renting a helicopter! Drones have really come a long way.

I couldn’t be happier with the DJI Mavic Air 2.

It flies super fast, is extremely reliable, and shoots high-quality RAW photos and 4K video. Not to mention it folds up crazy small!

The 360-degree sensors help stop you from running into things while flying, so you can concentrate on the shot. Active track and intelligent flight modes can do a lot of the work for you.

Top Online Photography Courses

Want to improve your photography? Fancy gear is nice, but learning from other photographers is a better investment.

Click Here For Free Guide

Camera Bags For Travel Photography

Peak Design Travel Backpack – Camera Daypack

It took me a while to find a great camera backpack that I really loved, and I went through many different ones.

I finally found a winner in the Peak Design Travel Backpack. It holds everything I need it to, sits comfortably on my back, and has the perfect amount of weatherproofing and gear protection.

You can strap on a tripod, hiking poles, and other day-hiking gear. There’s a dedicated laptop pocket, room for a jacket and snacks, plus it opens from the back for easy access on the ground. It’s perfect to carry-on airplanes or walk around a city with my photo gear.

Now, it’s not really set up for long-distance trekking or overnight camping though. For that, I use a different setup.

Peak Design Range Pouch – Camera Lens Bag

This is a special lens pouch, and the large size is big enough to keep a 100-400mm zoom lens safe & secure.

Or you can fit two smaller lenses in it (with a divider) or even a drone.

I use this specifically for long-distance trekking adventures, when I want to bring along an extra lens or my drone, but I also need to carry a regular hiking backpack filled with food, clothing, and camping gear.

It’s also handy for safely packing a camera lens in my suitcase, if my camera bag is going to be too heavy for some smaller airplane flights (specifically tropical islands!).

My Lightweight Camera Tripod

Peak Design Travel Tripod – Lightweight Tripod

As a landscape photographer, a solid yet lightweight travel tripod is a key piece of my photography equipment.

I use my Peak Design Travel Tripod (full review here) to stabilize the camera in low light situations and with high f-stop settings (for maximum focus range). It allows me to get shots I just can’t achieve hand-held.

Sunsets, sunrises, the northern lights, star photography, and motion blurred waterfalls are just some of the situations where having a tripod is important.

I also use it to film myself for vlogs, as well as to shoot travel selfies when I’m hiking on my own. There are cheaper tripod options available, which I share in my guide to the best travel tripods.

Favorite Camera Accessories

Peak Design Capture Clip

I love this thing so much! Basically, the Peak Design Capture Clip allows you to “clip” your camera onto your belt, or on the shoulder straps of a backpack, for easy access (and to keep your hands free).

I use it constantly for day hikes, long-distance trekking, walking around cities, and basically, anywhere I know I’ll want quick access to my camera. While I still use a camera strap sometimes, this is the primary way I carry my camera. You can even run with it!

It’s also a great photography gift idea, if you’re unsure what a photographer would want.

HINT: If you have a larger camera, the Peak Design Pro Pad makes carrying it on your belt MUCH more comfortable.

Peak Design Camera Strap

When I’m not using my Peak Design camera clip mentioned above, I snap on this Peak Design Leash Camera Strap and sling it around my shoulders it like you’d wear a rifle.

The Peak Design quick release system allows me to easily remove the strap if it’s getting in the way, or snap it right back on. Adjusting the strap length is also super fast. It’s pretty minimal and doesn’t take up much room in a camera bag. 

Camera Rain & Snow Protection

So, if I’m carrying my camera on my backpack straps, what happens if it starts raining? While my Sony A7R III has decent weather sealing, in bad weather I throw on my Peak Design Shell Rain Cover. This helps protect my camera from the elements, while also keeping it ready to access.

Now if the rain or snow is REALLY coming down, or I’m shooting near the ocean (like in Antarctica), or maybe under a waterfall, I also pack a simple plastic rain sleeve like this.

External Microphones

For video, the internal microphones on cameras just aren’t very good. In fact, they’re pretty terrible. Because audio is SO important for creating a good video, I pack two different external microphones.

One is the Sennheiser MKE 400 Shotgun, which goes on the top of my camera. Great quality, and very small.

The other is the Tascam DR-TL Lavalier. This goes on my body, so I can get great audio even if the camera is far away, the room has a lot of echoes, or if it’s super windy out. You can than easily sync the audio to the video later while editing.

LED Video Light

This tiny but powerful Aputure ALM9 LED Light mounts to the camera’s hot-shoe and allows me to shoot video at night. It takes up almost no space and can be recharged via USB cable.

Camera Lens Filters

Lens filters help you achieve certain photography effects that just aren’t possible with software yet. Think of them as sunglasses for your camera.

I carry a Hoya Fusion One Polarizing Filter to help reduce glare & reflections on water, glass (like through helicopter windows), and to darken up the blues and clouds in a sky.

I also carry a Tiffen Variable ND Filter (neutral density) which cuts down the amount of light going into the camera to different degrees, depending on how much you spin it. Why? To create special effects like motion blur in a waterfall, even when it’s sunny outside.

Wireless Remote

One of my favorite pieces of gear is the Sony Bluetooth Remote. This allows me to shoot photos or video remotely, when I’m away from my camera.

I used to own a wireless radio intervalometer remote, but newer Sony cameras have the time-lapse function built into their camera software (FINALLY!), so it is no longer needed.

However I do still like to shoot photos of myself, or group photos, with the ability to auto-focus, and this Bluetooth remote does that perfectly without any special camera attachments!

Memory Cards

Because I shoot in RAW, with very large camera files, I use very fast memory cards. I own a mixture of Sony High-Performance 64GB and SanDisk Extreme Pro 64GB class 10 cards which read/write at around 300 mb/s. 

Spare Batteries

There is nothing worse than running out of battery power during an epic photography moment! That’s why I always carry spare batteries for my cameras.

I own 4 batteries for my Sony A7R III, 2 batteries for my Sony RX100, 3 batteries for my drone, and 3 batteries for my GoPro.

Portable Hard Drives

I travel with an Apple Macbook Air 13″ with a 2TB SDD, which is usually plenty of room for the images & video I shoot on any given trip.

To back that up, I also pack a super small 2TB Sandisk Extreme Portable SSD. Once I get back “home”, I move everything over to a larger desktop RAID system.

Cold Weather Protection

I bought a cold-weather jacket for my camera a while back, for a few winter projects I was working on. Like camping on a frozen lake in Manitoba, and snowmobiling through the Russian wilderness.

It keeps your camera, batteries, lens, and your hands nice and toasty while shooting outdoors in below-zero temperatures. It’s a bit of a specialty product, and only makes it into my bag when I know I’ll be shooting in very extreme weather conditions.

Clear Accessory Pouches

I own a few Think Tank Camera Accessory Pouches to keep all my cables, battery chargers, and GoPro Accessories organized. The clear sides allow me to quickly figure out what’s inside.

Camera Cleaning & Maintenance

Microfiber Lens Cloths

There’s nothing worse than a foggy or smudged camera lens! I pack no less than 3 of these K&F Concept Microfiber Lens Cloths on every trip. Two go in my camera bag, one goes in my pocket for easy access. 

I always end up losing them too, so it never hurts to have more than you need laying around.

Air Blower

The problem with changing your lenses on mirrorless cameras is that the mirror is exposed to the elements, and they’re a magnet for dust. Dust on your sensor leaves you with “dust spots” on your photos (or worse, video).

A few quick bursts of air with this Camera Air Blower on your sensor can help clear that dust away.

Sticky Sensor Stick

When the air blower doesn’t work, and the dust on my sensor is too stubborn to blow away, I break out the big guns, my Eyelead Sensor Stick. It’s kind of like a gummy bear on a stick that pulls the dust away.

Budget-Friendly Camera Kit Examples

Yes, I own a lot of camera gear now. But that wasn’t always the case.

When I first started traveling, all I used was a Canon 7D, a wide angle zoom lens, a tripod, and a GoPro.

If you are still new to travel and adventure photography, don’t get discouraged by this giant list of gear-porn that I’ve accumulated over the years!

I do this professionally, so I can afford to go a little crazy.

For those of you traveling on a tighter budget, I’ve put together my ideal “starter travel photography kits” below — which won’t cost you an arm and a leg.

The Minimalist Backpacker Kit

• Sony RX100 VII – Compact Point & Shoot
• Joby Gorillapod 3K – Compact Tripod

Travel Photography Enthusiast Kit

• Sony A6600 – Compact Mirrorless
• Sony 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 – Travel Zoom Lens
• MeFoto Backpacker S – Travel Tripod
• Peak Design Everyday Sling – Mirrorless Camera Bag

Improving Your Travel Photography

Ok! That was a big post. But people kept asking about my gear, so there you go.

However please remember that gear isn’t everything.

The best way to improve your travel photography is to practice as much as possible and learn new skills.

Even after ten years doing this, I’m still learning new techniques to get better.

Joining some online photography classes can really help you improve your images, as well as learn about the business side of photography.

Finally, check out my top travel photography tips for beginners too! ★

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Travel Tips

I frequently pay for airline flights using points & miles I’ve built up using travel credit cards. Here are my favorite travel rewards credit cards to help you save money traveling!

I’m sure you’ve already heard about travel rewards credit cards by now. It basically means collecting points and miles on special credit cards and exchanging them for free flights or hotel stays later, saving you tons of money on travel.

I mean, who doesn’t want to travel for free?!

On our recent trip to Antarctica, Anna and I flew round trip from New York City to Buenos Aires, Argentina for only $294 in taxes.

Using our credit card points — we saved $2,269 on that flight!

There are a lot of travel credit cards out there, all of them with different rules. Some are better than others for collecting travel rewards and free flights.

I think everyone should be using at least one good travel credit card (or possibly many) in order to spend less on travel. It’s one of my top travel tips after over 10-years of traveling the world!

I created this guide to help you navigate which travel credit cards are worth getting.

Travel Credit Card Guide For Beginners

Quick Answer: Best Travel Credit Cards In 2021

Card

Description

Bonus points

Details

Best Overall Travel Credit Card

Chase Sapphire Preferred®

For travelers who need flexible points but want a low annual fee. The best of both!

100,000

LEARN MORE

Best Premium Travel Credit Card

Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Higher fee, but more perks. For people who travel a lot. Difficult to get without great credit.

60,000

LEARN MORE

Best Miles Credit Card For Beginners

Capital One Venture Rewards®

Great travel credit card for beginners who want to learn. Hotel bonuses too.

20,000

LEARN MORE

Best Airline Rewards Credit Card

American Express® Gold Skymiles

Gives you priority boarding & double points with Delta.

70,000

LEARN MORE

Best Business Travel Credit Card

Chase Ink Business Preferred®

For business owners. Awesome points bonuses for travel and office expenses.

100,000

LEARN MORE

Important Travel Credit Card Features

We’ll get to the juicy stuff in a second (I promise!), but first, it’s important to understand what makes a credit card good for travel rewards (plus collecting points & miles).

When picking a travel credit card, you must define what your needs are.

Are you looking for flexibility? Something with a low annual fee? The ability to transfer miles to your airline of choice? Free lounge access? Priority boarding? Extra luggage allowance?

Here are some key credit card features you should be aware of moving forward.

INTRODUCTORY OFFER – When signing up for a new credit card, companies offer a large points bonus to help entice you to apply. You usually need to spend a certain amount on the card in the first few months to receive the bonus. The larger the bonus, the quicker you’ll be able to get a free flight.

ANNUAL FEE – Most travel credit cards charge an annual fee. Sometimes the fee is waived for the first year depending on the card. If you don’t use all the credit card’s benefits, and it just sits in your wallet unused, the bank makes money off you by charging that fee. However if you take advantage of all the benefits, they usually outweigh the fee.

LOUNGE ACCESS – Some travel cards give you discounts or completely free access to premium airline lounges (free food, coffee, showers, beer, comfortable seating, etc.). If you travel a lot, this is an awesome perk.

PRIORITY BOARDING – Some of the airline branded travel credit cards give you free priority boarding, like the Delta Skymiles Card. You can also get free checked bags on the airline.

POINTS MULTIPLIERS – You can multiply the number of points you receive on certain cards by using them for specific types of purchases. For example, 2X points at gas stations, or 3X points at restaurants. Paying attention to these offers helps you earn more miles, quicker.

FREE FLIGHT CREDIT – Some travel credit cards give you free credit when you use the card to purchase of flights, or a free companion ticket (so a friend can fly for free with you). This can save you lots of money on flights.

GLOBAL ENTRY CREDIT – Some travel cards will reimburse you for the $100 Global Entry fee when you pay for it using their card. If you don’t have Global Entry yet, this is a great perk!

FREE HOTEL STAYS – Some travel or hotel credit cards will give you a free night stay at certain hotel chains when you spend a certain amount of money on the card.

Top Travel Rewards Credit Card Reviews

1. Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

CURRENT OFFER

100,000 Bonus Points after spending $4,000 within the first three months.

ANNUAL FEE

$95

What I Like About It

The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is always listed as one of the best travel credit cards for new travel hackers due to a generous 100,000 point sign-up bonus and flexibility for using your points. The 100,000 Ultimate Reward points which can be redeemed for over $1250 worth of travel when booking through Chase’s travel portal.

You can also transfer your points to the following airlines: United, Singapore, British Airways, Korean, Southwest, or Virgin Atlantic. Plus, this card offers great travel & car rental insurance if things go wrong on your trip.

Extra Benefits

• 5,000 extra points when you add an authorized user
• No foreign transaction fees
• 2x points on travel & dining purchases
• Trip cancellation insurance
• Travel accident insurance
• Car rental insurance

2. Chase Sapphire Reserve® Card

CURRENT OFFER

60,000 Bonus Points after spending $4,000 within the first three months.

ANNUAL FEE

$550

What I Like About It

The Chase Sapphire Reserve® Card has a very high annual fee, but also some really great travel rewards for people who travel a lot. You get a $300 travel credit every year, so it basically brings the annual fee down to $250. My favorite perk is free Priority Pass membership (worth $100) that gives me and 2 guests free access to over 1,000+ airline lounges!

Your points are worth more when redeemed through the Chase Travel Portal too. At 1.5 cents each, those 60,000 bonus points are worth $750 in free travel. You can also transfer your points to the following airlines: United, Singapore, British Airways, Korean, Southwest, and Virgin Atlantic.

This card isn’t for everyone though. Unless you travel a LOT, you’re probably better off with the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card and its lower annual fee.

Extra Benefits

• Free Priority Pass Lounge Membership
• No foreign transaction fees
• 3x points on travel and dining purchases
• $100 application credit for Global Entry or TSA Pre-check
• Lost luggage reimbursement
• Car rental insurance
• Travel accident insurance

3. Capital One Venture Rewards® Card

CURRENT OFFER

100,000 Bonus Points after spending $20,000 within 12 months.

ANNUAL FEE

$95

What I Like About It

The Capital One Venture Rewards® Card is a great card for travel hackers. First, you’ll earn a massive 100,000 point bonus if you can hit the $20,000 spending target. But you’ll still earn 50,000 miles if you only spend $3000 in the first 3 months. Then you earn 2X points on EVERY purchase without having to worry about special categories. Transfer those points to any of Capital One’s 10 different airline partners. Super easy & flexible!

If you don’t want to keep track of spending spreadsheets or stay up to date on all the latest deals, this is the card for you.

Extra Benefits

• $100 rebate on Global Entry/TSA PreCheck application fees
• No foreign transaction fees when traveling
• Use your points on 10 different airlines
• Earn 10x points when you book your hotel on Hotels.com/venture

4. Delta Skymiles American Express® Card

CURRENT OFFER

70,000 Bonus Points after spending $2,000 within the first three months.

ANNUAL FEE

$99 (waived first year)

What I Like About It

The American Express® Gold Skymiles Card is a great credit card if you fly Delta a lot, like me. It offers a hefty 70,000 point bonus that’s worth $970 in free travel. Then you get 1X points on any purchases, which can be redeemed on Delta flights or 30+ airline partners.

If you travel a lot, I think the American Express® Platinum Skymiles Card is even better (with things like free priority boarding, and complimentary upgrades with status). But if you’re a beginner, the Gold is good one to start with.

Extra Benefits

• No foreign transaction fees
• First checked bag free (worth up to $60)
• Earn 2X miles on purchases with Delta
• Free car rental insurance

5. Chase Ink Business Preferred® Card

CURRENT OFFER

100,000 Bonus Points after spending $15,000 within the first three months.

ANNUAL FEE

$95

What I Like About It

The Chase Ink Business Preferred® Card is awesome if you’re a business owner. It offers a massive 100,000 point bonus that’s worth over $1000 in free travel when redeemed through Chase Ultimate Rewards. Then you get 3X points on any travel expenses and certain regular business expenses (like online advertising, shipping, and phone) too. Transfer those points to 5+ different airline partners.

Extra Benefits

• 5x points when buying office supplies
• 25% more value when redeeming points on the Chase travel portal
• No foreign transaction fees
• Free cell phone protection up to $600
• Points can be transferred to 5+ airlines

Understanding Your Credit Score

Does applying for a lot of credit cards hurt your credit score? Yes, but not much. You can safely open a new credit card every few months without drastically harming your credit score.

Sure, it may go down a few points, but should bounce back quickly as long as you aren’t doing anything else to harm it. That said, some of the travel credit cards I’ve mentioned above will only approve you if you have good credit history.

Plus if you don’t keep a balance on your travel rewards credit cards (which is what I recommend), and own a bunch of them, your debt to credit ratio will actually look great.

My credit score is 804 even with a bunch of travel credit cards under my name! This is because I pay them off every month and don’t keep a balance.

You can check your credit score (for free) here.

My Best Travel Credit Card Tips

While I use travel credit cards to collect points and miles for free flights on a regular basis, I wouldn’t consider myself an expert in this subject. Others are FAR more hardcore about it than me!

That said, I still wanted to share what I do to collect as many points and miles as possible, so you can cash in on those free airline flights ASAP.

Collecting Points & Miles

There are a lot of myths and misunderstandings out there about points & miles if you’re someone who doesn’t use them. I know, because that was me for years! It was confusing, and seemed like a scam or a waste of time.

But using points & miles to snag free flights and hotels, when done right, is basically like getting free money.

You DO NOT need to spend tons of extra money you don’t have to build up a good collection of points & miles.

How To Multiply Your Points

If you want to save money on travel using credit cards, you need to do a little research. For example, on my Chase Sapphire Reserve® Card, I get 3x points on travel and restaurants. So that’s the card I use for those purchases.

You can also do your regular shopping from online airline portals to multiply your points. So, maybe your kitchen toaster is broken. Instead of heading to Walmart, visit Evreward.com and search deals on Kitchen Aid products — discovering a 2X Delta Skymiles bonus by purchasing a new toaster through Delta’s shopping portal instead.

I’m not spending more than I normally would, I’m just putting my regular purchases on a specific card to reap the extra travel rewards.

You can basically put almost anything on credit cards. Your phone bill, your utilities, your groceries, gas, even your taxes! All that spending adds up every year.

If you pay off your credit card bills every month, like a responsible adult, and take advantage of each credit card’s benefits, you’ll come out on top — with at least a few free flights and hotel nights in the process.

Why would anyone say no to free money?! The credit card companies are assuming you won’t take advantage of all their offers, or won’t be responsible with that large credit limit sitting there.

But you can beat them at their own game, and travel for free in the process.

What About The Annual Fee?

Yes, most travel credit cards have an annual fee attached to them. But in my experience, the benefits outweigh the annual fee (if you actually take advantage of them).

For example, let’s look at the American Express® Gold Delta Skymiles Card. Yes, there’s a $95 annual fee (waived for the first year). However you also get a $50 statement credit after you make a Delta purchase with your new Card in the first 3 months.

Plus your first checked bag is free on Delta flights, saving you up to $60 per round-trip flight. So if you fly more than twice a year, this alone covers the annual fee. And those 30,000 bonus miles are worth $410 in free travel too!

More Travel Credit Card Resources

If you really want to dive into the deep end of saving money with travel cards, here are some sites that go into extreme detail on all the different ways to maximize your points & miles for different cards.

• The Points Guy
• Nomadic Matt

Happy Traveling!

I hope you learned how to save money off your next trip with the help of a travel rewards credit card! We regularly get a few free flights per year this way or pay for Business Class upgrades without too much extra work.

Once you get into it, you might become addicted, and end up with a whole wallet full of travel credit cards like me.

But if you do it right, you’ll save a ton of money, and end up with an excellent credit score too. Good luck! ★

This is a post from The Expert Vagabond adventure blog.

Greece driving guide

Renting a car in Greece and self-driving around the country is a wonderful way to experience the Hellenic Republic. But here’s some advice about the best way to do it.

When my wife and I were planning our recent trip to Greece, we were initially hesitant about renting a car to explore the country by ourselves.

Greece has a bit of a reputation for wild driving (and drivers)!

But the more we researched, the more we realized a car rental in Greece would allow us to make our itinerary as interesting as possible.

I love the freedom of road trips. Picking your own routes, visiting the top archaeological sites, hanging out on beautiful Greek beaches, and simply stopping whenever you want to. At your own pace.

Here are some important tips we learned from our experience renting a car in Greece, to help you save money and stay safe while driving around the country!

Greece Travel Restrictions 2022

Greece is open to most travelers again, including American tourists. However you do need proof of your COVID-19 vaccination(s) or a negative test result before being allowed entry.

Many hotels, attractions, and private tours are open with new health & safety protocols in place, and you still have to follow certain guidelines.

You can find the latest updates on traveling to Greece here.

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How To Rent A Car In Greece

1. Should You Self-Drive In Greece?

Now if you’re a fan of group bus tours, by all means, go book one. It’s a decent way to see Greece if you don’t have a lot of time.

No planning, no driving, just sit back and let someone else do all the work!

But if you’re like me, you prefer the adventure of independent travel.

If that’s the kind of traveler you are, renting a car in Greece is the way to go!

No set schedule or timetable — driving around Greece with the freedom to stop anyplace cool you find along the way. Yes, you can take your rental car to the Greek islands too, if you travel by ferry.

Just keep in mind that small back roads on the islands can be winding and narrow. But with some practice, you’ll gain confidence on them!

A great thing about renting your own car is the flexibility you get, should you decide to change your plans or get off the beaten path.

2. Where To Rent Your Car In Greece

Some common car rental companies in Greece include Europecar, Enterprise, Sixt, Hertz and Thrifty, as well as some local ones too.

But the best site to book your car is Discover Cars. They search both local and international car rental companies to help you find the best possible price. This is the easiest way to rent a car in Greece.

Where to rent a car in Greece depends on where you start your journey, but for most of us a Greek vacation begins from Athens Airport.

Some people decide to rent a car AFTER spending a few days in Athens first, using public transportation to get around the city. Then you can pick up your car and explore other parts of Greece using the network of island ferries.

Athens Airport: Plan to pick up your car about 60 minutes after your flight arrives. When departing, try to be at the airport at least 3 1/2 hours before your flight leaves. Because returning your rental car can take up to 30 minutes.

Now, the traffic in Athens is a bit crazy. So you if you can survive driving through Athens traffic, the rest of your trip will be a piece of cake!

3. Car Rental Insurance In Greece

Some of the rumors about driving in Greece are true, and other drivers don’t always follow the rules. Especially in the capital of Athens! Don’t worry, I’ll share some tips for dealing with crazy drivers below.

This is why I highly recommend getting full insurance coverage.

Typically, rental cars in Greece come with a basic Collision Damage Waiver (CDW), but this isn’t exactly insurance, and only covers the car for up to €1000-3000 EUROS worth of damage.

This is the amount they hold on your credit card until you return the car in one piece. CDW typically does not include tire, cracked windshield, or undercarriage damage either.

While you can often save money booking your car with a good travel credit card that includes car rental insurance, you REALLY must read the fine print, because many people wrongly assume their card covers them in Greece.

If you get in a wreck driving in Greece, declined full coverage, and you suddenly learn your credit card doesn’t actually cover the damage — you’re screwed. I can’t tell you how many travel horror stories I’ve heard like this…

It’s why I usually pre-book full coverage online. It’s often cheaper than at the counter — and then you won’t have to worry about accidents at all!

Rental agencies usually include the cost of fire and third party liability insurance, but only up to a certain amount. So please check with the rental agency. Theft protection insurance costs anywhere from $5 to $12 a day. Personal Accident Insurance works out to about $3 to $5 per day. Collision damage waivers cost around $15 to $23 per day.  

4. How Much Does It Cost To Rent A Car In Greece?

Renting a car in Greece is typically going to cost around $18-50 a day, depending on the type of car you get. SUVs or minivans can cost up to $200 a day. Our compact 4-door sedan was about $30 a day.

Gas Prices

Gas (petrol) prices in Greece might seem cheap to Americans at first glance, but remember that the rest of the world quotes gas in Liters, not Gallons (1 Gallon = 3.78 Liters). Currently, gas costs about $7.46 per gallon (€1.61 per liter) in Greece.

Many gas stations only accept cash too. So make sure to have a stash somewhere.

Greek gas stations are often closed on Sundays, and only open till 7 PM on other days. So plan for this, and get your tank filled beforehand.

Automatic vs Manual

Automatic cars are more expensive to rent than manual cars (but manuals are more common in Greece, and Europe in general), and you must specify what type you want when booking. If you’ve never driven a manual car before, don’t start in Greece! It’s safer to get an automatic.

One-Way Rentals

There’s an additional fee for one-way car rentals in Greece, which can vary by company. For example, if you want to drop off the car in a different city than where you started from.

5. Age Requirements For Renting A Car

Although the legal driving age in Greece is 21, many rental providers have a driver age bracket of 25 to 70. So if you’re over 70, or under 25 and over 21, you might have to pay an additional surcharge for driving a car in Greece. 

Car hire excess insurance may also be required if you’re below 25 or above 69. 

6. Greek Driving Laws Tourists Should Know

• The speed limit in Greece is 50 kph (30 mph) in urban areas and 90 kph (55 mph) in rural areas. While on the expressway it’s 110 kph (70 mph) and on the motorway the speed limit is 130 kph (80 mph).
• Greek’s drive on the right-hand side of the road, just like the United States.
• Private toll road rates range from €1.50 to €3.50.
• It’s illegal to drink and drive, or to talk on your phone while driving in Greece.
• Seat belts are a must. Fines are €80 for the first offense, and €350 after that. 
• Fines for going through a red light or illegal overtaking are €700.
• At an intersection with no stop sign, cars on the right have “right of way”. However this is also true for Roundabouts! That means cars already in the roundabout will stop for those entering (this isn’t typical elsewhere). 
• Illegal parking can result in fines of about €150. (This happens quite often in Athens as it’s very difficult to find parking spaces.)  
• Children under 12 years old must sit in the back seat. 
• Car seats are compulsory for children under 4 years old. Book one in advance, or bring your own travel-friendly car seat (like we do). 
• If driving in Greece’s mountainous areas in the winter, you should have snow chains with you. These are required by law, so make sure your car rental company provides them.

7. International Driver’s License

It is essential to show a valid EU Driving License or an International Driving License to be able to rent a car in Greece. While you may not need one to actually rent the car, you would need it if you get into an accident or get pulled over by police.

You can easily apply to for an International Driving License in your home country.

Some car rental agencies may require that you’ve had a driver’s license for at least a year before traveling to Greece. Please check for specific rules with the rental agency you choose. 

8. Helpful Tips For Driving In Greece

Greeks LOVE using their car horn! For pretty much anything. Don’t take it too personally. In fact they may honk the second a traffic light turns green.

If renting a car in Athens, watch out for impatient motorbike riders (which there are many) don’t really obey lane rules. They’ll also whizz past you even when you’re stopped at a red light.

While driving around Greece’s islands or rural areas, traffic may come at you from the other direction without any warning on what seems like single-lane roads. Or even driving backwards down a road. Or stopping in the middle of it.

Roads on many of the popular Greek islands (like Santorini and Mykonos) aren’t always well maintained. They can be narrow, winding, on the edge of sea cliffs, full of potholes, and some can have blind turns (honk first for safety!).

Try to avoid driving your rental car between 8 AM and 9 AM in Athens. Or leaving the city on a Friday, and returning on a Sunday. Rush hour traffic literally gets you nowhere. It can be a nightmare. 

Greek pedestrians follow their own rules. You’ll find people ambling down the road without heed to oncoming traffic. Be careful of them.

9. Extra Advice For Renting A Car In Greece

• Take pictures (or video) of the interior and exterior of the car when it’s handed over to you at the car rental Athens. This ensures you won’t get fined for damage that was already there. 
• If you’re planning to drive in Athens and towns closer to it, choose a smaller car. Traffic in Athens (and parking) can be dreadful, so a smaller car is better. 
• While staying in urban areas, pick hotels that have free parking included. Otherwise you’ll have to shell out around €150 if fined for illegal parking. 
• If you plan to take the car on an island ferry, inform the car rental place in advance. Some of them do not allow this, while others charge extra.
• Drivers in Greece DO NOT STOP at pedestrian crosswalks. So if you do, you’re risking getting hit from behind by a Greek driver not expecting it.

10. Accident & Breakdown Information

While the European Emergency Phone Number is 112, its use hasn’t been fully implemented in Greece. Alternative numbers you can use are 100 for the police, 166 for an ambulance, or 199 for the fire department.

However if your car simply breaks down, and no one is injured, its probably better to call your Greek car rental company’s own emergency roadside assistance number located on the rental agreement.

Enjoy Your Greek Road Trip!

Follow these few road rules, and you’ll survive driving in Greece with a rental car.

Choosing a self-drive rental will give you more of a chance to enjoy your trip exploring the ancient towns and crystal clear waters of this historic country. ★

Rent A Car In Greece

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This is a post from The Expert Vagabond adventure blog.

Europe Driving Guide

Renting a car in Europe and self-driving is a great way to experience the EU. But there are a few different things you should know before you embark on a European road trip.

My wife Anna and I spent a year living in Italy as expats without a car, preferring to rent cars when we wanted to go on a road trip, or for traveling to other European countries like France and Germany.

Over the years we’ve rented many cars in Europe on self-driving travel adventures through different European countries.

Some countries in Europe have a bit of a reputation for crazy driving (and drivers). I’m looking at you, Italy and Greece!

But we absolutely love the freedom of going on road trips and planning our own travel itineraries. Europe is such a diverse area of the world, that it made sense to rent a car so we could stop anywhere we liked — exploring local villages, mountains, and historic cities at our own pace.

Here are some important tips we learned from our MANY experiences renting a car in Europe, to help you save money and stay safe while driving here!

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How To Rent A Car In Europe: 2023 Guide

1. Should You Rent A Car In Europe?

Hey, if you’re a fan of bus tours, by all means, go book one. It’s a decent way to see many countries in Europe if you don’t have a lot of time.

No planning, no driving, just sit back and let someone else do all the work!

But if you’re like me, you prefer the challenge of independent travel.

True adventure, with no set schedule or timetable. Driving around European destinations with the freedom to stop anywhere fun you happen to find along the way. Discovering places off-the-beaten path — that bus tours might miss.

If that’s the kind of traveler you are, renting a car in Europe is the way to go!

Sure, many parts of Europe have an excellent train system compared to the United States. But EuroRail passes can be surprisingly expensive, and they can also limit your options for where to travel.

Another nice thing about having a rental car was the ability to store luggage in the trunk, so you can explore cities with small travel backpacks rather than lugging a giant suitcase everywhere.

2. Where To Rent Your Car In Europe

The best site to book your car is Discover Cars. They search both local and international car rental companies to help you find the best possible price. This is the easiest way to rent a car in Europe.

They search for deals from popular European car rental companies like Avis, Hertz, EuropeCar, Sixt, Budget — as well as the lesser known local ones.

We’ve rented cars here in Italy, France, Iceland, Austria, Ireland, Scotland, Germany, Poland, Greece, Slovenia, Norway, and more.

Some of my favorite European drives so far include exploring the beautiful Amalfi Coast in Italy, and an epic photography road trip in Norway’s Lofoten Islands.

3. Car Rental Insurance In Europe

Some of the rumors about driving in Europe are true, and the roads can be VERY narrow. Especially the back roads outside smaller towns. And some countries have more aggressive drivers than others.

This is why I highly recommend getting full insurance coverage.

Typically, rental cars in Europe come with a basic Collision Damage Waiver (CDW), but this isn’t exactly insurance, and only covers the car for up to €1000-3000 EUROS worth of damage.

This is the amount they hold on your credit card until you return the car in one piece. CDW typically does not include tire, cracked windshield, or undercarriage damage either.

While you can often save money booking your car with a travel credit card that includes car rental insurance, you REALLY must read the fine print, because many people wrongly assume their card covers them everywhere.

If you get in a wreck driving in Europe, declined full coverage, and you suddenly learn your credit card doesn’t actually cover the damage — you’re screwed. I can’t tell you how many travel horror stories I’ve heard like this…

It’s why I usually pre-book full coverage online. It’s cheaper than at the counter — and then you won’t have to worry about accidents at all!

4. How Much Does It Cost To Rent A Car In Europe?

Renting a car in Europe is going to cost you around $30-$80 USD a day, depending on the type of car you get, and which country you rent it from. The typical compact 4-door sedan we usually rent averages about $40 per day.

I recommend renting a car with an actual trunk that can hide your luggage from prying eyes. It helps to prevent break-ins if thieves can’t see your stuff.

Gas Prices

Gas (petrol) prices in Europe might seem cheap to Americans, but remember that the rest of the world quotes gas in Liters, not Gallons (1 Gallon = 3.78 Liters).

Currently, gas costs about $7.14 per gallon (€1.55 per liter) in Portugal, $6.87 per gallon (€1.49 per liter) in Italy, and $5.93 per gallon (€1.29 per liter) in the UK. Diesel cars will often save you some money on gas.

Automatic vs Manual

Automatic cars are more expensive to rent than manual cars (but manuals are more common in Europe), and you must specify what type you want when booking.

If you’ve never driven a manual car before, don’t start in Europe! It’s safer to get an automatic, even if it costs more.

One-Way Rentals

There’s an additional fee for one-way car rentals in most European countries, which can vary by company. For example, if you want to drop off the rental car in a different city than where you started from.

These fees are even more expensive if you want to drop the car off in a different country — which can add a few hundred Euros to the price.

Admin & Credit Card Fees

If you opt to use your own credit card insurance, some companies in Europe will charge you an “admin fee” of about €20-€30 EURO. Other companies may charge a small fee for using a credit card.

Book In Advance

Your best bet is to book ahead if you want a good deal, particularly if you want to travel to popular destinations. Six months in advance seems to be the sweet spot for the best rates.

Many car rental companies offer free cancellation, so if your plans change you can always cancel down the road, without paying a fee. Just make sure to read the fine print.

Travel Off Season

Consider taking your European road trip during the shoulder tourist seasons, or off-season to get lower rental car rates.

Border Crossing Fee

When crossing the border from an EU country to a non-EU country by car, the rental agencies may charge a fee between €15 to €50. However there isn’t usually a fee for crossing from one EU country into another.

5. Rental Car Requirements In Europe

Each country has their own rules when it comes to driving. Canadians and Americans usually just need a driver’s license and passport to rent a car. However, some countries require an International Driving Permit (IDP).

Rules can change from place to place, but generally you’ll need an IDP if you plan to drive in the following countries: Austria, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Poland, Romania, Slovenia, Slovakia, or Spain.

You can get an IDP at the American Automobile Association or Canadian Automobile Association. Expect to pay about $20 plus the cost of two passport photos.

Age Requirements

Age requirements to rent a car in Europe vary. Travelers over the age of 25 shouldn’t have any issues. Younger drivers may have to pay a fee or purchase special insurance, which could cost between $15-$40 extra per day.

Keep in mind drivers over 70 years old may have trouble renting a car in countries like Czech Republic, Great Britain, Greece, Northern Ireland, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, and Turkey.

Drivers over 80 may have problems renting in Denmark. If you are over the age of 69, rental companies in Ireland might charge an extra fee.

Vignettes

In Europe, a vignette is a sticker placed on the windshield to indicate that you paid that country’s highway taxes. You can purchase one at a border crossing for €5 to €40, depending on the country. The vignette is usually good for a year.

Failure to buy a vignette could cost you a €60 fine or more. Border officials will often check for vignettes when you’re driving into or out of their country. Countries in Europe that require vignettes include Austria, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Romania, Switzerland, Hungary, Slovenia, and Bulgaria.

Sometimes, you may get lucky and your rental car will already have a vignette sticker on it. This is more common if you’re renting a car from a city that is close to the other country.

Crossing Borders

Some companies don’t allow drivers to drive to certain countries, usually in eastern or southeastern Europe. Common examples include Croatia, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Albania, and Montenegro. Or, you may have to pay a fee for crossing those borders (mentioned earlier).

If you plan to drive in Ireland and Great Britain from Europe, you might want to book separately. Taking cars on ferries or the Eurotunnel car train can cost a lot. Plus, you’ll have to pay high surcharges and drop-off fees.

The Green Card

If you plan to cross borders, you may need a green card to prove that your car has the minimum level of insurance. Although you won’t need one for most countries in Europe, you will in places in the Balkan Peninsula, like Bosnia and Herzegovina, Albania, and Montenegro.

6. European Driving Laws Tourists Should Know

Right On Red Is Illegal

Unlike in the United States, it’s illegal to make a right turn on red lights in Europe, with some exceptions in Germany as indicated by traffic signs.

Learn European Street Signs

Street signs in Europe can differ greatly from your home country, and even between European countries. Before you start driving in Europe, research the meanings of different street signs for the countries you’re traveling to.

Passing Other Cars

In some countries (such as France, Germany, and the Netherlands), it’s illegal to use the slower lane (right lane) for passing other vehicles. Although in the United Kingdom and Ireland, remember that the lanes are opposite, and the passing lane is on the right side!

If you encounter a slow moving vehicle, and they have their blinker on, it might be an indication that they want you to pass them. This isn’t used consistently, but you may see it from time to time. Especially with large trucks or tractors (yes, tractors!)

Traffic Camera Speed Traps

Many European countries rely heavily on automatic traffic cameras to enforce their speed limits rather than using highway patrol officers, unlike the United States. When I first started driving in Europe, I got a few expensive speeding tickets not realizing this!

Usually the cameras are “announced” with a special sign, allowing you time to slow down right before them. But if you’re not looking for these signs, you could miss it, and end up with a ticket mailed to you after you return from your vacation!

Children’s Car Seat Requirements

If you’re driving in Europe with young kids, make sure to rent or bring your own child seat or booster seat. The EU requires children between the ages of 2 and 12 to use an appropriate restraint in cars. If you fly from the United States, FAA regulations allow passengers to bring a car seat onboard, an easy way to save money versus paying an extra daily fee on renting a car seat.

European car seat regulations are slightly different too, and if you’re using an American style car seat, and get pulled over, there is the potential to get a ticket. Although many tourists just take the risk.

Personally, we like to bring our own travel car seat that packs down super small for road trips overseas!

Learn About The Roundabout

Europeans love roundabouts. They’re much more common than the 4-way intersections found around the United States, and statistically much safer too. In a roundabout, traffic continually flows in a circle around a center island.

Don’t be scared of them, yield to other cars already inside, but keep up with the flow of traffic inside, and remember to signal when you want to exit the roundabout.

If you don’t know where to exit, just take another lap (or two) around the circle until you do. That’s perfectly ok.

As an American, I find it a bit difficult to speed-read all the road signs in the roundabout while also paying attention to traffic. It takes practice, but you’ll get the hang of it.

Zona Traffico Limitato (ZTL Zones)

In many historic cities around Europe, there are areas where tourists are not allowed to drive rental cars. In Italy they are called ZTL Zones (but each country may have a different term for them).

The streets in these areas are usually super narrow, and not equipped to handle tons of vehicle traffic. They are restricted to local residents with permits, or open only during certain times of day.

These special zones are covered with traffic cameras, and if you enter one at the wrong time, without a permit, you will automatically get a ticket sent to you — sometimes months later.

Sometimes it’s just easier and cheaper to park your rental car on the outskirts of large European cities, and then take public transportation in.

7. Extra Advice For Renting A Car In Europe

• Parking can be a pain in European cities, as there usually isn’t a lot of space (if any at all). I recommend renting a compact car to make parking easier, and parking on the outskirts of large cities.
• Don’t book a car without reading company reviews. You’ll find plenty of bad reviews for every company (people love to complain online), but try to pick one with the LEAST bad reviews.
• You may not always get the make/model/type of car you booked. If they give you a smaller car, or a manual when you asked for an automatic, be pushy and ask for an upgrade.
• Inspect your car thoroughly and record video on your smartphone pointing out damage before you leave. This is a backup if they attempt to charge you for damage that was already there. This is a common travel scam in parts of Europe….
• Pay attention to if your rental car takes regular petrol or diesel fuel, so you fill up with the correct type at gas stations.
• Use Google Maps on your smartphone for directions. Bring your own hands-free adapter and buy a European SIM card for your phone at the airport. Just be aware that Google Maps isn’t always accurate either.

8. Accident & Breakdown Information

The European Emergency Phone Number is 112 (similar to 911 in the United States).

However if your car simply breaks down, and no one is injured, its probably better to call your car rental company’s own emergency roadside assistance number located on the rental agreement.

Enjoy Your European Road Trip!

Exploring the small villages, ancient castles, lush mountains, and coastal areas of Europe in a rental car was definitely the right choice for us.

Self-drive road trips allow you to get off the beaten track to see things most people miss! ★

Rent A Car In Europe

Search both local and international car rental companies to help you find a good deal.

Check Latest Prices

Travel Planning Resources For Europe

Packing Guide Check out my travel gear guide to help you start packing for your trip. Book Your Flight Ready to fly? Here’s how I find the cheapest airline flights. Rent A Car Discover Cars is a great site for comparing car prices to find a deal. Cheap Accommodation Learn how I save money booking hotels & vacation apartments. Protect Your Trip Don’t forget travel insurance! Protect yourself from possible injury & theft abroad. Read why you should always carry travel insurance.

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READ MORE BUDGET TRAVEL TIPS

I hope you enjoyed my guide on renting cars in Europe! Hopefully you found it useful. Here are a few more wanderlust-inducing articles that I recommend you read next:

• Tips For Renting A Car In Ireland
• Advice For Driving In Iceland
• How To Rent A Gondola In Venice, Italy
• Top Things To Do In Dublin Ireland
• My Best Budget Travel Tips

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Do you have any other suggestions or stories about renting cars in Europe? Join the conversation on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter to share!

This is a post from The Expert Vagabond adventure blog.

Flying Travel Tips

Want to save money on flights? Professional travelers have a secret trick called “mistake fares” which helps them find amazing airline deals that other people miss.

Although less common, error and mistake fares on flights do happen on a regular basis. If you know how to track and spot them, you can snag some of the cheapest flights possible.

In this guide I’ll show you how to make use mistake fares to save hundreds of dollars on your next airline ticket!

What Are Error & Mistake Fares?

From time to time, airlines and travel sites make mistakes when listing their fares, and advertise a flight for significantly less money than intended.

If you can catch their mistake on time and book a flight, they are obliged to honor that posted price, and you can save hundreds of dollars on a flight.

For example, a flight from New York to Paris might be listed by mistake for only $100, a huge error from the normal price of about $1000 for a round trip ticket.

Error and mistake fares can occur for a number of reasons:

• Human Error – The saying goes, “Everyone makes mistakes.” Well, that’s just as true in the travel industry. Like the case with that flight from Paris, the administrator likely forgot to add a 0 to the price tag.
• Technology Glitches – These days, airlines use complex algorithms to automatically generate flight rates. Technology issues can lead to errors on their websites, resulting in mistake fares.
• Miscommunication – Communication problems between the airline and third-party sellers, such as comparison sites, can result in flight errors, like incorrect fares.
• Foreign Currency Conversion – Airlines may post rates in the incorrect currency, which result in error fares. Paying 1000 Indian Rupees for a flight definitely is a fraction of the cost for paying 1000 US Dollars, for instance.
• Route Fees – Depending on the flight itinerary, airlines may need to include fees in their fares, such as fuel surcharges. Rerouting or forgetting to include these fees can cause a ticket price to drop by mistake.

How To Find Airline Mistake Fares?

Error and mistake fares, while uncommon and unpredictable, still happen regularly enough to keep an eye out for them.

Special tracking sites can do this for you automatically — so you don’t have to check flight prices manually (which would be crazy time-consuming).

You can sign up for mistake fare newsletters or follow the social media profiles of these tracker sites to get price alerts as soon as mistake fares happen.

Or, just check their website on a regular basis before planning a trip.

Taking advantage of mistake fares works best if you’re flexible with WHERE you want to go on vacation.

For example, if you wanted to visit Venice, but find an awesome mistake fare deal for Iceland that would save you $500, are you willing to update your travel plans?

Best Mistake Fare Tracking Sites

Secret Flying

Secret Flying offers a free service to find flight and hotel deals. The Error Fare section lists current mistake fares for impressive savings. For example, a recent round-trip flight from Budapest, Hungary to Sao Paulo, Brazil mistakenly dropped to only 173 EUR.

Scott’s Cheap Flights

Scott’s Cheap Flights seeks out rare price drops and alerts you immediately. Those who travel often may want to invest in the Premium Subscription , which costs $49 per year, with special deals reserved for paying members only (I am one, and it’s great!).

Fly4Free

Fly4Free regularly updates their page with the latest mistake fares on flights. Subscribe to their daily newsletter for updates, so you don’t miss a good deal while it lasts.

TheFlightDeal

TheFlightDeal searches the web for some of the best deals on flights and other travel costs. Sign up for their newsletter to get mistake fares sent straight to your inbox, along with deals on credit card offers, hotels, and car rentals.

Airfare Watchdog

Airfare Watchdog will automatically send you alerts on the lowest flight prices and travel news. You can set up notifications linked to your favorite destinations by airport. On the website, search for deals on your next dream destination or browse through their list of current mistake fares.

Skyscanner

Skyscanner, my favorite flight comparison site, lists some of the lowest deals on flights. If you set up price alerts for your intended travel itinerary, Skyscanner will send notifications so you get good deals on flights and potential mistake fares.

Tips for Booking “Mistake Fare” Flights

Did you find a mistake fare for a fraction of the normal cost? Awesome. To lock in your lower rates, I suggest a few of the following tips:

Book Directly With The Airline

When you book with a third-party website, that travel site sends the booking to the airline for confirmation. Flight confirmation from the airline can take up to 24-hours, enough time for airlines to correct the mistake fare.

Booking directly with the airline cuts out the middleman and gives you a better chance of snagging that mistake fare flight deal.

Also, keep in mind that in the United States, passengers get a 24-hour cancellation period when booking directly with an airline. That gives you a little flexibility in case you change your mind about a flight.

Wait Before Booking Additional Travel Plans

Once you book your mistake fare, I suggest waiting a couple of weeks before booking any hotels or car rentals at the destination. You need to make sure that your sweet flight deal gets approved.

You’ll receive an e-ticket number or 6-digit PNR code for your reservation.

Once you receive this confirmation, airlines are pretty much required to honor their ticket price, even if posted by mistake. Otherwise, they could suffer bad press and negative customer reviews.

Flying Doesn’t Have To Be Expensive!

Error and mistake fares stand out as just one of the many ways to save money traveling. After 10 years exploring the world, I’ve discovered many ways to save on everything from hotels to day to day expenses.

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My Favorite Travel Tips

If you want to save more money on your next travel adventure, make sure to read my free ultimate guide to travel tips for beginners.

➜ Click Here For My Best Travel tips
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This is a post from The Expert Vagabond adventure blog.

Travel Tips

Winter is here, and with the pandemic still raging, many of us are stuck at home day-dreaming about international travel. But where can Americans travel right now?

The COVID-19 pandemic has canceled countless holiday travel plans this year, and its looking like travel won’t be the same again anytime soon for many people.

While I won’t go into the ethics of traveling as a tourist during a pandemic, I know many Americans are wondering where they can go right now.

As a long-time digital nomad, I also know many nomadic types without a real home are looking for somewhere to lay low until the pandemic is over.

Thousands of remote workers who practice nomadic lifestyles and previously called places like Thailand, Spain, or Bali their temporary home now need to relocate.

Because the United States is a hot-spot, many countries originally closed their borders to Americans. But an increasing number of countries have since reopened for tourism, with differing requirements.

A few countries have even created special visas for remote workers & digital nomads to wait out the pandemic abroad!

So where can Americans legally travel internationally right now during the pandemic?

Covid Travel Insurance

Traveling without insurance is never a good idea, especially during a pandemic. If you must travel, SafetyWing offers travel insurance that covers COVID-19!

Learn More Here

COVID-19 Travel Reopening Guide

Many popular tourist destinations have closed themselves off to Americans this year — including Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and parts of Europe. So where can American tourists go?

Here’s the latest list of countries & territories open to Americans:

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• Albania
• Anguilla
• Antigua and Barbuda
• Aruba
• Bahamas
• Bangladesh
• Barbados
• Belarus
• Belize
• Bermuda
• Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Brazil
• Colombia
• Costa Rica
• Croatia
• Dominican Republic
• Dubai
• Egypt
• El Salvador
• French Polynesia
• Grenada
• Honduras
• Ireland
• Jamaica
• Kenya

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• Kosovo
• The Maldives
• Mexico
• Moldova
• Montenegro
• Namibia
• Nicaragua
• North Macedonia
• Panama
• Puerto Rico
• Rwanda
• St. Barths
• St. Lucia
• Saint Maarten
• St. Vincent & Grenadines
• Serbia
• Seychelles
• Slovenia
• South Korea
• Tanzania
• Turkey
• Turks and Caicos
• Ukraine
• United Arab Emirates (Dubai)
• United Kingdom

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Are Americans Allowed To Travel Right Now?

Yes, Americans are allowed to travel internationally. The US Government lifted its Level 4 travel advisory in August that recommended avoiding all unnecessary travel. Depending on your state, you may have to undergo a 14-day quarantine once you return home.

Keep in mind that each country in this list has specific restrictions, that are constantly changing. It is important to check back with local governments and tourism boards before leaving on a trip.

In many cases, countries are requiring Americans to show proof of a negative COVID test within 48-72 hours of your departure to avoid a 14-day quarantine.

But due to the horrible testing situation in the United States, getting a COVID test result just a few days before your departure (when results can sometimes take over 7-days) may be very difficult depending on your state…

The CDC is also still advising against nonessential international travel.

I’ll try to update this list as I learn of any new information.

The Countries Open To Americans

As of December 3rd 2020, Americans are allowed to travel to these countries:

Albania

Albania is currently allowing American tourists to visit, as well as other international tourists. A negative COVID-19 test is NOT required to enter, however there are still health & temperature checks on arrival. No quarantine is needed unless specifically ordered by health officials.

Just keep in mind some airlines have canceled or reduced the number of flights to Albania, like British Airways.

In November the Ministry of Health announced restrictions for indoor and outdoor gatherings of more than 10 people until further notice. There is a public curfew in effect from 10:00pm and 6:00am — except for work reasons, health care emergencies, or urgent needs.

You can find more information about traveling to Albania here.

Anguilla

Anguilla (a British Territory in the Caribbean) is currently allowing American tourists to visit, as well as other international tourists. However you must be pre-approved to visit.

Visitors must provide a negative COVID-19 PCR test conducted within 3-5 days prior to arrival date. You must also have travel insurance which covers COVID-19 medical costs (like SafetyWing), and complete an online passenger information and health screening questionnaire.

You can find more information about traveling to Anguilla here.

Antigua & Barbuda

Antigua and Barbuda is currently allowing American tourists to visit, as well as other international tourists. Visitors are required to show proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR test within 7 days of flying.

Visitors will also be screened with temperature checks and possible additional COVID-19 testing on arrival, at the traveler’s expense.

All arriving passengers will be monitored for COVID-19 for periods of up to 14 days, but they can leave their hotel property if they practice social distancing and wear masks.

You can find more information about traveling to Antigua & Barbuda here.

Antigua Digital Nomad Visa

Antigua just announced a digital nomad visa called the Nomad Digital Residence (NDR). It’s for remote workers who can show the means to support themselves and any family members joining them.

It allows visitors to stay on the Caribbean island for two years. The aim is to attract remote workers to live and work on the island while contributing to its economy.

Aruba

Aruba is currently allowing American tourists to visit, as well as tourists from other countries. Visitors will be screened with temperature checks and COVID-19 testing on arrival.

If you’re tested on arrival, you’ll have to quarantine in a hotel for 24 hours while waiting for the test results. You’ll also have to pay for the test.

You can find more information about traveling to Aruba here.

Bahamas

Barbados is currently allowing American tourists to visit, as well as tourists from other countries. Visitors will be subject to temperature checks, social distancing, and wearing face masks.

Visitors over 10 years old must provide a negative COVID-19 PCR test conducted within 5 days prior to arrival date. You’ll also need to apply for a Bahamas Travel Health Visa and purchase their special COVID-19 health insurance.

You can find more information about traveling to the Bahamas here.

Bangladesh

Bangladesh is currently allowing American tourists to visit, as well as tourists from other countries. Visitors will be subject to temperature checks, social distancing, and wearing face masks.

Visitors must provide a negative COVID-19 PCR test conducted within 72 hours prior to arrival date. You must also “home quarantine” for 14 days on arrival — even with a negative test result.

You can find more information about traveling to Bangladesh here.

Barbados

Barbados is currently allowing American tourists to visit, as well as tourists from other countries. Visitors will be subject to temperature checks, social distancing, and wearing face masks.

If traveling from a high-risk country, like the United States, you’ll be required to show proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR test within 72 hours of flying. You’ll also be required to take another test on arrival and quarantine at your hotel until the results are returned.

You can find more information about traveling to Barbados here.

Barbados Remote Work Visa

Barbados has gone one step further, however, and is inviting digital nomads and remote workers to come wait out the pandemic while working from their white-sand beaches.

The Barbados Welcome Stamp allows visitors to stay on the Caribbean island visa-free for up to one year. The aim is to attract remote workers to live and work on the island while contributing to its economy.

Belize

Belize is currently allowing American tourists to visit, as well as tourists from other countries. Visitors will be subject to temperature checks, social distancing, and wearing face masks.

Travelers will be required to show proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR test within 72 hours of arriving, or be tested on arrival at a cost of $50 and quarantine at your hotel until the results are returned.

Visitors will also be required to download and check in daily on the Belize Health App (NAC Belize).

You can find more information about traveling to Belize here.

Bermuda

Bermuda is currently allowing American tourists to visit, as well as tourists from other countries. Visitors will be subject to temperature checks, social distancing, and wearing face masks.

Americans, Canadians, British and other tourists from high-risk countries will be required to show proof of a negative COVID-19 test within 7-days of flying in order to receive a Travel Authorization.

You can find more information about traveling to Bermuda here.

Bermuda Remote Work Visa

Bermuda has also joined the list of countries who’ve created a special remote work visa called Work From Bermuda in order to entice location independent entrepreneurs to visit and work from home on their beautiful Caribbean island.

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Bosnia is currently allowing American tourists to visit, as well as tourists from other countries. Visitors will be subject to temperature checks, social distancing, and wearing face masks.

Travelers will be required to show proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR test within 48 hours of arriving. U.S. citizens are not required to quarantine unless ordered to by health officials. There is a public curfew in effect from 11:00pm and 5:00am.

You can find more information about traveling to Bosnia here.

Brazil

Brazil is technically open for tourism, however it also boasts a Level 4 Travel Advisory (Do Not Travel) listing due to Covid-19 from the US State Department.

There are no official quarantine restrictions, other than that older people and high-risk people should stay home. Brazil has one of the highest COVID-19 case counts in the world.

Colombia

Colombia is currently allowing American tourists to visit, as well as tourists from other countries. Visitors will be subject to temperature checks, social distancing, and face masks.

Travelers no longer need a negative COVID-19 PCR test before arriving, and there is no quarantine either. However they will have to fill out a pre-registration ‘Check-Mig‘ health questionnaire.

You can find more information about traveling to Colombia here.

Costa Rica

Costa Rica is currently allowing American tourists to visit, as well as tourists from other countries. Visitors will be subject to temperature checks, social distancing, and wearing face masks.

Visitors must also show a negative COVID PCR test taken less than 48-hours before departure, fill out an online health form, and purchase special travel insurance that includes COVID-19 (like SafetyWing).

You can find more information about traveling to Costa Rica here.

Croatia

Croatia is allowing tourists from all countries to enter, including the United States. Croatia has decided to ignore the European Union restrictions, which is ultimately decided by each individual country.

Incoming travelers from the United States must show a negative COVID PCR test taken less than 48-hours before departure, or else submit to a 14-day self-quarantine on arrival.

You can find more information about traveling to Croatia here.

Dominican Republic

The Dominican Republic is currently allowing American tourists to visit, as well as tourists from other countries. Visitors will be subject to temperature checks, and will have to fill out a Health Affidavit to confirm they haven’t had any COVID symptoms.

Authorities will administer the brand new COVID-19 rapid breathalyzer tests tests to a random number of passengers, plus anyone showing symptoms.

You can find more information about traveling to Dominican Republic here.

Dubai (UAE)

The city of Dubai in the United Arab Emirates is currently allowing American tourists to visit, as well as tourists from other countries. Visitors will be subject to temperature checks, and will have to fill out a health declaration form to confirm they haven’t had any COVID symptoms.

Travelers will be required to show proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR test within 96 hours of arriving, and ensure they have travel insurance that covers COVID-19. Everyone will also have to enter their travel information on Dubai’s COVID-19 DXB App on arrival.

You can find more information about traveling to Dubai here.

Egypt

Egypt is currently allowing American tourists to visit, as well as tourists from other countries. Visitors will be subject to temperature checks, social distancing, and wearing face masks.

Incoming travelers from the United States and other COVID hot spots must show a negative COVID PCR test taken less than 48-hours before departure, or else submit to a 14-day self-quarantine on arrival.

You can find more information about traveling to Egypt here.

French Polynesia

French Polynesia (and the island of Tahiti) is currently allowing American tourists to visit, as well as tourists from other countries. Visitors will be subject to temperature checks, social distancing, and wearing face masks.

Travelers need to submit to a COVID-19 (RT-PCR) test 72 hours before departure. Four days after arrival, you may be subject to another COVID-19 test after 4 days.

The Ministry of Health and Prevention conducts these tests on a random basis, and guests may also get visits from medical staff, authorized by the Department of Health to supervise.

There is no 14-day quarantine needed on arrival, however there is a curfew in effect for Tahiti and Moorea from 9pm to 6am until November 16th, with the possibility to extend it.

You can find more information about traveling to French Polynesia here.

Georgia

The Republic of Georgia is currently NOT allowing most international tourists to visit, unless they happen to be remote workers looking to stay in the country long-term (at least 6-months). These people will have to apply online for advance permission to enter.

Visitors will be subject to temperature checks, social distancing, and wearing face masks, as well as a 14-day self-quarantine on arrival.

You can find more information about traveling to Georgia here.

Ireland

Ireland is currently allowing American tourists to visit, as well as tourists from other countries, provided they self-quarantine for 14-days on arrival. Visitors will be subject to temperature checks, social distancing, and wearing face masks.

Visitors will be required to fill out a Passenger Locator Form, with a $2860 fine or 6 months in jail for lying on the form.

You can find more information about traveling to Ireland here.

The Maldives

The Maldives is currently allowing American tourists to visit, as well as tourists from other countries. Visitors will be subject to temperature checks, social distancing, and wearing face masks.

Travelers will not be required to take a COVID test on arrival unless they show symptoms. If they need a PCR test, they’ll have to wait in quarantine until the results come in.

You can find more information about traveling to the Maldives here.

Mexico

Most of Mexico is open to Americans if you’re flying in. The US-Mexico land border is closed to all but “essential crossings.” Non-essential crossings are prohibited until at least July 21, 2020. Some towns in Mexico near the border have also set up roadblocks to keep Americans out.

If you fly, some Mexican states are open for tourism when arriving by airplane, like Quintana Roo, Oaxaca, Yucatan, Campeche, Mexico City, Jalisco, and Baja California Sur. They are designated “orange” under the Mexican system, which means there are some restrictions, but it’s not a total lock-down.

You can find more information about traveling to Mexico here.

Puerto Rico

Yes, Puerto Rico is a territory of the United States, but because the American President thinks it’s a country (seriously, WTF), I thought I’d include it here.

Puerto Rico is currently allowing international travelers to visit. Visitors will be subject to temperature checks, social distancing, and wearing face masks.

Incoming travelers must show a negative COVID PCR test taken less than 72-hours before arrival, or else submit to a 14-day self-quarantine on arrival while you wait for test results.

You can find more information about traveling to Puerto Rico here.

Serbia

Serbia is currently allowing Americans and other international travelers to visit. Visitors will be subject to temperature checks, social distancing, and wearing face masks.

There is no mandatory quarantine at this time. Serbia is located in southeast Europe, but is not part of the European Union.

However travelers should be aware that the country is currently in the middle of mass protests against the government.

You can find more information about traveling to Serbia here.

South Korea

South Korea is currently allowing Americans and other international travelers to visit. However there is a 14-day quarantine in effect, so it’s more for long-term stays rather than for people on vacation.

You’ll be required to download South Korea’s Self-Check App.

On arrival, members of the Ministry of Health and Welfare as well as the Korean Army will determine if you’ve eligible for self-quarantine or government quarantine. For goverment quarantine, there is a 2.1 million KRW fee ($1,760 USD).

You can find more information about traveling to South Korea here.

St. Barts

St. Barts is currently allowing Americans and other international travelers to visit. Visitors will be subject to temperature checks, social distancing, and wearing face masks.

Incoming travelers must show a negative COVID PCR test taken less than 72-hours before arrival, or else submit to a 14-day self-quarantine on arrival while you wait for test results.

Those staying longer than a week will need to pay $150 for another COVID test on the 8th day. The only way to fly to the island is via Antigua or San Juan Puerto Rico — their main international airport (Princess Juliana) is closed to flights from the United States.

St. Lucia

St. Lucia is currently allowing Americans and other international travelers to visit. Visitors will be subject to temperature checks, social distancing, and wearing face masks.

Incoming travelers from the United States must show a negative COVID PCR test taken within 7 days of travel, and complete a Pre-Arrival Registration Form before traveling.

You must also have confirmed reservations from a COVID certified accommodation provider.

You can find more information about traveling to St. Lucia here.

Tanzania

Tanzania is currently allowing Americans and other international travelers to visit. Visitors will be subject to temperature checks, social distancing, and wearing face masks.

Travelers will be required to fill out a Health Surveillance Form on arrival.

However while this is the official Tanzanian government stance, locals are urging tourists to stay away, as they believe the virus is not under control in their country.

Tanzania is not releasing its COVID data to the public, so there is no clear picture of what the situation is like on the ground.

You can find more information about traveling to Tanzania here.

Turkey

Turkey is open to Americans at the moment. Passengers arriving in Turkey will be required to complete an information form and will be checked for symptoms.

Anyone suspected of having COVID-19 will be transported to a hospital for examination. You could be subject to 14-day isolation/quarantine if someone else in the plane tests positive.

You can find more information about traveling to Turkey here.

United Kingdom

The United Kingdom is open to Americans at the moment. A negative COVID-19 test is NOT required on arrival, however US citizens are required to quarantine for 14 days, and you may be contacted for verification.

Anyone found to be breaking quarantine is subject to a fine of £1,000. If just transiting through the UK and not passing into border control, you are exempt from self-isolation requirements.

You can find more information about traveling to the UK here.

US Virgin Islands

The US Virgin Islands, also a territory of the United States which includes the islands of St. Thomas and St. Croix, is currently allowing other Americans to visit. Visitors will be subject to temperature checks, social distancing, and wearing face masks.

Incoming travelers with symptoms will need to be tested and quarantined on arrival.

Healthy visitors will be free to leave their hotel and explore the rest of the islands.

You can find more information about traveling to the US Virgin Islands here.

American Tourists Still Banned From…

Iceland Closed To Americans

Unfortunately while Iceland was hoping to open up to American tourists on July 15th, they decided to stick with the European Union rules, which means no US passport holders. European Union citizens and Canadians can visit Iceland right now though.

Canada Travel Ban

Canada has closed its borders to most international tourists, including Americans. This is to prevent the spread of Corona virus within the country.

Only foreign nationals who are immediate family members to a Canadian citizen or permanent resident are allowed to travel to Canada, provided they stay in the country for at least 15 days to observe quarantine.

You can find more information about travel restrictions in Canada here.

New Zealand & Australia Closed

Both New Zealand and Australia have closed their borders to foreign travelers, including Americans, except under very specific circumstances.

You can find more information on New Zealand travel restrictions here.

You can find more information about Australia travel restrictions here.

COVID-19 Travel Resources

It is important to note that the COVID-19 pandemic is still spreading around the world. Most health experts warn against traveling internationally for tourism right now.

I simply wanted to put together a list of options for people traveling on US passports, because this information is scattered around online and regulations continue to change on a day-to-day basis.

Here are some more helpful links:

• World Map Of Coronavirus Restrictions and Case Counts
• Tips For Travel Planning During The Pandemic

Also, if you think I’m missing any countries in this list, feel free to comment below so I can keep everything up-to-date!

This is a post from The Expert Vagabond adventure blog.

The Top Budget Airlines for Flying Cheap

Flying Travel Tips

Everyone wants to save money when they travel, and flying can be expensive. Here’s how I use budget airlines & low-cost carriers to score cheap flights around the world!

I’m always looking to save money when I travel, and I travel a lot. Booking the cheapest flights with budget airlines is a good way to accomplish this.

Most people book tickets with the airlines that they know best — Delta, United, British Airways, etc. Partly due to all the expensive marketing they do.

But there are many low-cost airlines that offer great flight deals too.

Budget carriers are able to provide cheaper tickets to many destinations around the world because they save money in other ways — for example by restricting free luggage allowances or meals & drinks on their flights.

They cut out some of the extra perks (while still maintaining high safety standards), in order to make their prices more competitive with the big airlines.

Some budget airlines are pretty bad, but others can be awesome!

I frequently use budget airlines to help save money while flying, and wanted to share some of my favorites with you for different popular destinations.

Budget Airlines Guide For 2020

Flying From United States To Europe

Norwegian Air

Norwegian Airlines has cheap flights from the US to Europe

Norwegian Air has been voted the world’s best long-haul, low-cost airline 5 years in a row by the SkyTrax World Airline Awards. And there’s a good reason. Norwegian flies to over 100 destinations in Europe from a dozen different major cities in the United States. And they do it for cheap, too.

While they charge for checked baggage, they are one of the few budget airlines that offers a free personal item and carry-on bag. Another great reason to fly them is their fleet of modern aircraft like the comfy 787 Boeing Dreamliner.

EXAMPLE AIRFARE

NEW YORK CITY (JFK) – ROME (FCO) for $429 roundtrip

Other Budget Airlines In Europe

• LEVEL
• EasyJet
• Eurowings
• RyanAir
• Wizz Air
• Vueling

From US To Latin America & Caribbean

JetBlue Airlines

JetBlue offers cheap flights to Latin America

JetBlue doesn’t just fly in the United States, they fly to 3 destinations in South America as well as all over the Caribbean and Central America. And unlike other low-cost budget airlines, they also provide economy passengers with free snacks, drinks, wifi, and in-flight entertainment.

They’re definitely one of my favorite budget carriers to fly with — especially if you’re close to one of their major airport hubs like New York, Ft Lauderdale, Boston, Long Beach, or Orlando.

EXAMPLE AIRFARE

FT LAUDERDALE (FFL) – QUITO, ECUADOR (UIO) for $299 roundtrip

Other Budget Airlines In Latin America

• Volaris
• Viva Aerobus
• Interjet
• Spirit

Flying From The United States To Asia

AirAsia X

Find low-cost flights on Air Asia

Air Asia X flies from Honolulu to nearly 30 destinations around Asia, plus many connections at other popular destinations like Los Angeles. If you’re going to be spending some time in Southeast Asia, it’s a wonderful choice to fly cheaply. They charge extra for checked baggage and food, but they do offer a free carry-on bag.

EXAMPLE AIRFARE

LOS ANGELES (LAX) – BANGKOK, THAILAND (BKK) for $451 roundtrip

Other Budget Airlines In Asia

• Asiana
• Jetstar
• Scoot

Flying From United States To Canada

Air Canada Rouge

Canada’s Low Cost Carrier

Air Canada Rouge flies from many different US destinations to over 60 Canadian cities, plus a few international stops in Europe, Asia, and South America. It’s basically a stripped down version of the larger Air Canada brand. They don’t provide free in-flight entertainment (but you can rent an ipad). A checked bag will cost you $30, and a meal starts at $6.

EXAMPLE AIRFARE

NEW YORK CITY (LGA) – TORONTO, CANADA (YYZ) for $256 roundtrip

Other Budget Airlines In Canada

• Air Transat
• Swoop
• West Jet

Top Budget Airlines In Africa

• Kulula
• FastJet
• Mango

Flying Domestically Within The United States

Southwest Airlines

Budget Carriers in the United States

Southwest Airlines is the largest low-cost carrier in the world, and my favorite budget airline for traveling domestically within the United States. Not only are their flights super affordable, they offer TWO free checked bags standard (including golf bags and sports equipment), and some of the funniest flight attendants in the business!

EXAMPLE AIRFARE

NEW YORK CITY (LGA) – DENVER (DEN) for $168 roundtrip

Other Budget Airlines In The US

• JetBlue
• Frontier
• Spirit
• Porter

Tips For Flying With Budget Airlines

1. Budget Airlines Are Safe

While flying with a low-cost carrier will leave you without many of the perks of the larger airlines, what they don’t skimp on is safety. In fact, many budget airlines have better safety records! Except Indonesia’s Lion Air. Maybe skip them…

2. You’ll Pay For Luggage

Always check the exact baggage allowance when flying a budget airline. You’ll almost always pay extra for a checked bag, and frequently for a carry-on bag too. That means weighing your bags with a portable luggage scale, because unlike major airlines, they almost ALWAYS weigh every bag (and maybe you!). Check if it’s cheaper to pay for your bags in advance too.

3. You’ll Pay For Food

While some unicorn budget airlines offer free food (JetBlue FTW!), most don’t. That means if you want to eat, you’ll be paying extra. So either budget that into the cost of your flight, or plan to pack your own meal and snacks for the trip. Personally, this doesn’t bother me too much because I prefer to bring my own food anyway. Airline food sucks!

4. The Airplane Interior Is Basic

Another way budget airlines save money is by keeping the interior of their planes pretty basic. Harder, less comfy seats. Possibly no in-seat entertainment system. Maybe less legroom. That’s not always the case (Norwegian planes are awesome!) but it often can be. You get what you pay for after all.

5. Inconvenient Airports

One dirty little secret of flying budget airlines is that some of them use “alternative” airports that are located outside major cities. For example, Beauvais Airport is about 1.5 hours away from Paris, compared to the main international airport of Orly. Keep this in mind, and double check how far away the airport is and how much ground transportation is going to cost.

6. There Are Many Budget Airlines!

While I’ve listed my favorite budget airlines here, it’s hardly all of them. If you really want to save money, you can research fares on every single one with the helpful Wikipedia guide organized by country. There’s a lot!

Happy Flying!

So there you go, a quick guide to booking flights with low-cost airlines in order to save some money on your next trip. I hope you score a great deal, and if you do, feel free to let me know in the comments below!

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Packing Guide

Check out my travel gear guide to help you start packing for your trip.

Book Your Flight

Ready to fly? Here’s how I find the cheapest airline flights.

Rent A Car

Discover Cars is a great site for comparing car prices to find a deal.

Cheap Accommodation

Learn how I save money booking hotels & vacation apartments.

Protect Your Trip

Don’t forget travel insurance! Protect yourself from possible injury & theft abroad. Read why you should always carry travel insurance.
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Have any questions about booking flights with budget airlines? Do you have any favorites? Let me know in the comments below!

This is a post from The Expert Vagabond adventure blog.