Travel to Popular Parks Without a Plan

The annual number of visitors to national parks has exploded recently. In 2023, national parks reported 325.5 million recreation visitors, an increase of 12 million visitors from 2022.

A number of popular national parks have implemented reservation requirements in an effort to control the crowds. When planning your visit, make sure you research reservation requirements, know what is open within the parks, and whether you can drive your car or will need to take a shuttle. Don’t show up without accommodation booked, thinking you can just have a spontaneous trip, especially during peak season. Nothing would be worse than buying flights and booking hotels only to get all the way to the park and not be able to go in because you don’t have a reservation.

These national parks will require reservations in peak season:

• Arches National Parks 
• Glacier National Park (Going-to-the-Sun Road and North Fork)
• Mount Rainier National Park (Paradise Corridor and Sunrise Corridor)
• Shenandoah National Park (Old Rag)
• Rocky Mountain National Park (Bear Lake Road Corridor and “rest of park”)
• Yosemite National Park 
• Zion National Park (Angels Landing)

Leave a Trace

The first rule of national parks, or any outdoor environment, is to leave no trace. Simply put, this means to have as minimal an impact on the environment as possible. This means not only leaving nothing behind (like trash), but also applies to not tampering with the environment by taking things with you. For example, you shouldn’t pick wildflowers or collect stones to bring home as a souvenir 

Get too Close to Wildlife

There are news stories of national park visitors getting gored while trying to snap a selfie with or even pet bison. Although the animals may look adorable, you have to remember that these are wild animals, and you must keep your distance. It’s for your safety and the animals’ safety. 

Most national parks require you to stay a minimum of 25 yards from most wildlife and 100 yards from predators like bears and wolves. If animals react to your presence, you are too close. 

If you’re bad at eyeballing distances, a good trick is to follow the “rule of thumb.” If your thumb can cover the entire animal you’re looking at on the horizon, you’re at a safe distance.

Remember that national parks are wild places, so even if you think an animal needs help, don’t approach it. A pair of visitors to Yellowstone National Park infamously decided a baby bison looked cold and loaded it in their car to “rescue it” by taking it to a ranger station. The ranger tried to reintegrate the calf with its herd, but it was rejected by its mother and had to be euthanized. The tourists were fined for interfering with the wildlife. 

Underestimate Hikes

It can be easy to underestimate trails in the national parks. Many trails are short and leave directly from a parking lot, lulling hikers into a false sense of security. Unfortunately, these trails are still in the wild, and things can easily go wrong. Hikers have gone missing and died in national parks on trails that are as short as half a mile round trip. 

Even if you’re going on a short walk, wear proper footwear and carry plenty of water and supplies.

Get Distracted by the Scenery When Driving

Vehicle crashes are the second leading cause of death in national parks. Roads within national parks are attractions in their own right, winding through stunning scenery. 

As tempting as it can be, keep your eyes on the road when driving through national parks. There are plenty of pull-offs where you can take a break to snap a photo or admire the view. 

Always stay alert for wildlife, especially at dusk and dawn when animals are most active. Keep an eye out for human visitors as well, who may unexpectedly dart into the roadway. Go slow and always follow the speed limit. Many roads are twisty and run alongside steep drop-offs. Exercise extra caution when driving at night, as there won’t be any street lights. 

Feed the Wildlife

The National Parks Service (NPS) doesn’t mince words. “Feeding wildlife is actually a form of animal cruelty.” When animals become accustomed to human-provided food sources, they may lose their natural foraging behaviors and become dependent on humans for sustenance. This also makes wildlife more comfortable around humans, increasing the risk of aggressive encounters.Being fed by humans lures animals into populated areas, like roads, where they are more likely to be hit by a car. 

Additionally, many human foods are unsuitable for wild animals and can cause malnutrition, disease, and even death. Even if you’re not intentionally feeding wildlife, leaving food scraps behind on a hike or picnic, littering, or not properly securing your food can have the same impact. 

Go Off Trail

Going off trail can be dangerous for both you and the environment. Veering off designated paths can easily damage or kill plant species and contribute to trail erosion. In many national parks, it can be extremely easy to get lost, which is why it’s important to stay on the trail. 

Fly Drones

Drones have crashed in geysers in Yellowstone National Park, fallen into the Grand Canyon, and disturbed wildlife—which is why they are banned from national parks. 

Unmanned aircraft, aka drones, are banned in all national parks, so please leave them at home.

The post 8 Things You Should Never Do in National Parks appeared first on SmarterTravel.

We’re not saying that you can’t strike up conversations and enjoy being on your own while traveling, but creating at least the initial illusion of a safety net with a fictional travel companion (who just happens to not be around at that moment) can help keep you safe.

Here are some situations we can think of in which this solo travel safety tip can come in handy:

• Fending off unwanted advances.
• An easy out with persistent sellers: (for example, “Oh, I can’t buy that without consulting my husband, but he’s back at the hotel. Maybe we’ll come back later”).
• An excuse not to join an activity that you don’t want to do—”Sorry, my friend is waiting for me at the hotel; I have to get back!”

If you want to go even further, embellish the story by picking up two room keys when you check in (you never know who might be watching).

Caroline Morse is a Senior Editor at SmarterTravel. Follow her adventures on Instagram @TravelWithCaroline and on Twitter @CarolineMorse1.

The post The One Lie You Should Always Tell While Traveling appeared first on SmarterTravel.

Hotel Checkout Mistake #1: Failing to Double-Check Your Bill

Hotels are notorious for tacking on hidden fees. While some are unavoidable, you’ll want to scan your bill for anything that looks fishy—such as charges for snacks or drinks when you didn’t touch the minibar, or a dinner in the hotel restaurant that was charged to the wrong room number. Be sure to dispute these charges and get an updated copy of the receipt before you check out.

Hotel Checkout Mistake #2: Leaving Something Behind

My parents once made it all the way to the airport in Paris before realizing they had left their passports in the hotel safe. Needless to say, they missed their flight—and had a stressful ending to an otherwise pleasant trip.

Their story isn’t uncommon. In addition to leaving things in the safe, travelers often forget about toiletries in the shower and phone chargers in out-of-sight, out-of-mind electrical outlets.

Pack as much as you can the night before, when you’re not stressed for time. Then, right before hotel checkout time, do one last sweep of your room. Peek under the bed for things that might have fallen, pull back the shower curtain, check all the outlets, and open up the safe.

One trick long recommended by savvy travelers: Put one of your shoes in the safe the night before so you can’t leave without opening it. Another option is to bring along your pre-trip packing list and go over it to make sure you have everything before you leave the hotel.

Hotel Checkout Mistake #3: Forgetting to Leave a Tip

Don’t forget your hardworking (and often underpaid) housekeeper in your rush to get out the door. If you don’t have small bills handy, the front desk can make change for you. Consider leaving the equivalent of $2 to $5 each night of your stay, depending on local tipping norms and how messy you are.

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Hotel Checkout Mistake #4: Not Allowing Enough Time

In an ideal world you’d step out of the elevator, hand the keycard to a front desk staffer, and complete your hotel checkout in about 90 seconds. Don’t count on that—especially if you’re staying at a large hotel that caters to conventions and/or tour groups. Such properties often have long lines at the front desk during the most popular checkout times.

If you’ve got a plane or train to catch, allow yourself plenty of extra time to check out—just in case.

Hotel Checkout Mistake #5: Letting the Hotel Call You a Cab

Yes, it’s convenient, but travelers on a budget should order themselves an Uber or Lyft instead. Not only will the fare likely be cheaper, but you’ll also save a few bucks on tips for the hotel staff.

Hotel Checkout Mistake #6: Failing to Reserve a Spot on the Airport Shuttle

If you’re staying in an airport hotel before an early flight, chances are the property offers a free shuttle—but don’t assume you can just show up at 5:30 a.m. and hop on. Shuttle spots can be limited, and many hotels recommend (or even require) that you reserve your place the night before.

Once you make a reservation, be sure to arrive on time. The front desk might give you a courtesy call if you aren’t in the lobby when the van is ready to leave, but with other passengers in a hurry to make their flights, the shuttle might not wait long.

Hotel Checkout Mistake #7: Overstaying Your Welcome

Normal hotel checkout time for most properties is 11:00 a.m. or noon so housekeepers have time to clean rooms for the next guest. Be sure you know the deadline at your hotel so you can plan accordingly.

If you need a little extra time, call the front desk as far in advance as you can and see if they can accommodate you. Don’t just stay in the room beyond the checkout time; you will disrupt the housekeeping schedule and could face extra fees.

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The post 7 Things Not to Do at Hotel Checkout appeared first on SmarterTravel.

Make Your Bed More Comfortable 

Relegated to a futon, air mattress, or pull-out couch? There are a few things you can do to make your sleeping arrangement more comfortable. Air mattresses get colder than real beds (the air inside cools overnight, making you chilly). Pad it with extra blankets, or use a sleep sack, which is easy to pack and provides a ton of warmth.

Push the air mattress up against the wall if possible so your pillows don’t fall off while you sleep, and put a blanket or a yoga mat underneath the mattress to make it less noisy when you move around.

For futons or rock-hard mattresses, an inflatable sleeping pad is easy to use and will save your back.

Even if you’re staying in a great guest room, most normal bedrooms don’t come with blackout curtains like those you’ll find at hotels, so be sure to pack an eye mask that will block out light. This mask is contoured to allow for eye movement during sleep, but still prevents light from getting in.

Earplugs are also essential if you’re a light sleeper (or just go to bed earlier/get up later than other people in the house). Or bring a travel-sized white noise machine if you really want to drown out the world.

Stuck in the living room? You could go all out and pack a privacy pop-up indoor bed tent if you want to make a statement about the importance of alone time.

Don’t Forget to Breathe

Getting stressed? Take a deep breath to help relax. If you’re staying in an environment that you’re not used to (for example, sharing a house with smokers or pets when you’re allergic), bring along a tiny travel air purifier for your room. This can make a big difference and help you breathe easier.

Get Some Quiet Time

Spending time with other people 24/7 can be tough. But you’re going to be a better guest and family member if you take some solo time to decompress each day. Take a walk, or excuse yourself to take a nap and use the time to sleep or read. If you’re coming home to a deadline-driven family, you could appear busy while also carving out alone time by offering to run errands on your own.

Stay Charged and Connected

If a big group is staying at your family’s house, the Wi-Fi will get overwhelmed quickly. If it’s important to you to stay online, bring along a Wi-Fi hotspot so you avoid the frustration of slow internet. A travel-sized power strip can also save the day if everyone is fighting over one outlet to charge gadgets.

Work Out

There’s a reason the Thanksgiving Turkey Trot is so popular. Whether you head out in the morning for a quick run or get a day pass to a local gym, working out can give you an excuse to get out of the house for a bit. Exercise is also a proven stress reducer and mood enhancer, and will also make you feel less guilty about eating all that home-cooked food.

Knit running shoes like Nike Frees are lightweight and easy to pack, so bring a pair with you. You can also use them to go for a walk with the family after a big holiday dinner.

Can’t get out of the house? Pack exercise bands, which take up minimal space and can be used for an easy at-home workout (or to stretch after a long travel day or a rough night on the couch).

Don’t Dominate the Bathroom

Chances are, you won’t have a private bathroom while staying with family, so don’t leave your toiletries scattered all over the sink and shower. This innovative bag is a great solution, as it lets you lay out all your toiletries on a flat surface to use; when you’re done, simply fold it up and take it back to your room.

Be Your Own Climate Control

Unlike at a hotel, you don’t get control over the thermostat when staying with family. If you know the house is going to be cold, pack extra layers. In shoe-free houses, travel slippers keep you comfy. Merino wool sweaters are easy to layer without looking out of place, and a pashmina can double as a blanket. House too hot? A portable fan can be a lifesaver, and also act as a white noise machine at night.

Pack Modest Pajamas and a Robe

You probably don’t think twice about what you pack for sleepwear at a hotel, but you might want something a little more modest if you’re staying in someone’s home. Don’t forget to pack pajamas and a robe you won’t be embarrassed to be seen in, for those middle-of-the-night bathroom trips.

Bring Board Games

Worried about being bored? Pack travel-sized games that are fun for the whole family. Family Feud, UNO, and Scrabble are all good choices (depending on how competitive the crowd is).

Offer to Grocery Shop, Cook, or Buy Dinner

Try to make your visit as easy on the host as possible. Just because it’s your family doesn’t mean they’re responsible for cleaning up after you and cooking every meal. Show up with a restaurant gift card to let them know a few meals are on you, or offer to go grocery shopping and cook for everyone while you’re there.

Be Appreciative

Your presence is not your present. Make sure to show appreciation to your host for putting you up. A thank you note is never a bad idea. Some good gift ideas include: a bottle of wine and a wine chiller, a gift basket full of tasty treats, an easy-to-care-for plant, or a framed family photo.

Caroline Morse Teel is a Managing Editor at SmarterTravel. Follow her on Instagram @TravelWithCaroline for photos from around the world. 

All of the products featured in this story were hand-selected by our travel editors. Some of the links featured in this story are affiliate links, and SmarterTravel may collect a commission (at no cost to you) if you shop through them. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

The post 10 Strategies to Survive Staying with Family Over the Holidays appeared first on SmarterTravel.

Don’t Assume That a Beach Is Clothing-Optional

Reading somewhere that a beach is clothing-optional does not mean that the beach is actually clothing-optional. Do your due diligence and ensure that the area is truly safe for your naked patronage. To get you started, the American Association for Nude Recreation supplies a short list of nude beaches in the U.S. (there aren’t many), while SmarterTravel has rounded up some of the world’s top nudist destinations.

And if you’re ever unsure as to whether a nude beach is a nude beach? Keep your clothes on. In many places, public nudity is a serious crime that could lead to a fine (or worse).

Don’t Forget to Research Naturist Resorts

Naturist resorts cater to completely clothing-free vacation seekers, so if you want to go all in (or off), consider these options rather than a one-time visit to a nude beach. From family-friendly campgrounds in the Poconos to luxe all-inclusives in the Caribbean, there’s likely a nudist resort option that suits your style and budget.

Rules at each of these resorts differ, and many are adults-only. As with any hotel stay, read the resort’s policies closely before you book.

At a Nude Beach? Don’t Stare

Once you’re on a nudist beach, don’t stare, gawk, point, or giggle. Obviously, you will be required to look at your fellow sunbathers at some point, whether greeting them or fetching their Frisbee from your beach towel. But play it cool: Most nude beach insiders insist that it’s easy, and that at a certain point, you simply stop noticing all the bare skin.

Can’t handle the realities of polite naked society? That’s okay, but stick to clothing-required beaches for the sake of everyone’s comfort.

Don’t Expect Too Much at Nude Beaches

Contrary to popular belief, most nude beaches are not sexy places ripped straight out of the pages of a Playboy Mansion memoir. Patrons come in all sizes, shapes, and states of physical fitness, and are far more likely to veer into dad bod territory than to look like Channing Tatum in the buff. So don’t expect models at a nude beach and then be disappointed when you see, well, normal humans in all their hirsute glory.

Don’t Take Pictures at a Nude Beach

A good rule of thumb: Never, ever take anyone’s photo without their permission. This goes for all tourist destinations—from nude beaches to theme parks to UNESCO World Heritage sites—but it’s especially true when the subject of your photo is naked. Always ask explicitly if you may take a photo and make sure photography is even allowed where you are. (Many nudist beaches prohibit it.)

Furthermore, even if you’re okay with someone snapping a pic of you, keep in mind that you have little control over where that photo ends up—from travel review sites to social media to less pleasant parts of the internet.

Don’t Go Naked in Certain Public Areas

Due to local regulations, many areas at nudist beaches or resorts may, in fact, require clothing, including parking lots, cafes, shops, and so on. Consult any posted signs regarding clothing-required venues and follow them closely. Pack a beach tote with readily accessible garments in case you need to suit up to use the facilities. Most nudist beaches and resorts require you use a towel to sit on public chairs as well.

Don’t Forget the Sunscreen

While this doesn’t fall squarely in the etiquette department, it’s still a critical piece of information to have at a nudist beach: Yes, those sensitive areas that are normally protected by swim trunks and bikinis will need a slather of sunscreen, preferably one that’s gentle on sensitive skin. Test it a few weeks before you hit a nude beach to ensure that you don’t end up with an unsightly rash somewhere that you definitely don’t want one.

Editor’s note: This story was originally published in 2015. It has been updated to reflect the most current information. Some of the links featured in this story are affiliate links, and SmarterTravel may collect a commission (at no cost to you) if you shop through them.

The post What Not to Do at a Nude Beach appeared first on SmarterTravel.

Revealing Clothing

Research your destination, opt for modest clothing in more conservative destinations, and cover up appropriately when you’re visiting religious sites. Tank tops and shorts—as well as shirts with distasteful logos or words—can be considered offensive in many Middle Eastern and Asian countries, and many churches in Europe have strict dress codes.

In some parts of the world, women should avoid miniskirts, tank tops, bra tops, and sometimes even shorts and capri pants. Revealing dresses and cleavage-bearing necklines may also make you stand out in conservative countries. Men should avoid shorts and sleeveless tops in many Middle Eastern countries, or when entering a church or other holy place.

What to wear: Pants and long skirts are a safe bet, and women may want to carry a shawl in their bag or purse just in case. As a general rule, travelers should cover their shoulders and knees when entering any church or holy site to avoid unwanted stares or being denied entry. It’s also wise to keep your feet and ankles covered. When in doubt, stick to long sleeves, and men, keep that chest hair concealed.

Flashy Jewelry

Never wear expensive, flashy jewelry when traveling abroad, unless you want your diamond ring, pearls, or pricey watch to be tagged for someone else’s collection. You may also be more likely to misplace your cherished jewelry while traveling. Instead, leave the valuables at home.

What to wear: If you must have a little adornment, bring one or two costume pieces that will go with your outfits. And if you choose to wear your engagement ring, turn the stone to the inside of your hand on public transportation and in large crowds.

Impractical Shoes

“Impractical” covers a wide range of bad footwear choices, including flip-flops (unless you’re at the beach), high heels (unless you’re attending a formal event), and brand-new shoes (because wearing shoes that haven’t been broken in is just asking for blisters). While sneakers are supportive, it’s wise to stay away from all-white trainers that will just get dirty—and mark you as an American tourist.

What to wear: Consider the climate and the activities you’ll be doing on your trip. Generally speaking, the key is to pick comfortable, supportive shoes in neutral or darker colors—and don’t forget appropriate socks. If you’re traveling anywhere but a beach, stick with closed-toe shoes, which can help prevent insect bites or cuts on your toes from gravelly surfaces.

Need inspiration? Check out The 10 Most Comfortable Shoes for Travel and The 8 Most Packable Shoes for Travel.

The Wrong Colors

We’re all for expressing yourself, but when you travel, bright colors aren’t always the way to do it. You’ll stick out more in many destinations, and if you spill your gelato, it’s going to be harder to hide that stain. You want to blend in, not draw unwanted attention to yourself (and nothing does the latter better than a neon green tank top).

Avoiding certain colors can even keep you safe. In sub-Saharan Africa, where tsetse flies transmit a potentially fatal disease known as trypanosomiasis, the CDC recommends wearing “neutral colors that blend with the background environment” because the flies are attracted to bright or very dark colors.

What to wear: Unless loud colors or bold patterns are the norm in your destination, consider sticking with conservative hues like navy, blue, tan, and gray—and you’ll rarely go wrong with classic black.

The Wrong Pants

Jeans are always a reliable choice, right? Not necessarily. If you’re traveling to a warm and/or rainy climate, consider alternatives; jeans don’t breathe well and take a long time to dry, making them impractical for many itineraries involving the outdoors. Skinny jeans can be uncomfortably tight on long flights or train rides, while baggy or ripped jeans may look disrespectful if you wear them into churches, mosques, or other holy sites.

Meanwhile, you’ll probably look similarly out of place by wearing hiking pants or sweatpants on the streets of large cities.

What to wear: Research your destination’s weather and cultural norms before you start packing to make sure your choices will help you fit in and stay comfortable.

Religious Imagery, Curse Words, or National Flags

Avoid clothing with sporting, religious, or military symbols, swear words, national flags, and any words or symbols written in a language you cannot translate. There’s no need to unintentionally spark an emotional debate while on vacation or to risk being kicked off a plane for wearing something the airline doesn’t approve of.

Be wary of hand gestures, both making them and wearing clothing depicting them, because these can have different meanings depending on where you are. (In Bangladesh and other parts of the world, for example, the “thumbs up” gesture is considered obscene.) Since you may never know what certain images suggest in another country, avoid them to keep from offending anyone.

What to wear: When in doubt, opt for clothing with solid colors or simple patterns, available from brands such as Ann Taylor, Everlane, Banana Republic, and Uniqlo.

Excessive Technology

Please, we beg of you, don’t be that tourist. While we all want the perfect vacation Instagram, we don’t want to be hit in the head by your selfie stick. The same goes for tablet-sized cameras and other large tech accessories. Stick to snapping pics with your phone or an actual camera to avoid injury and inconvenience to those around you.

And unless you’re a serious photographer, reconsider walking around a busy city with a huge camera hanging around your neck. Not only will you stand out, but you may also be targeted by thieves.

What to wear: Between uses, always keep your phone or camera stored safely in a zipped purse, camera bag, or pocket.

Backpacks and Large Purses

Backpacks and large purses tend to be impractical for urban sightseeing—do you really want to lug all that weight around? They’re also appealing targets for thieves, who can easily reach into an unzipped tote or sneak something out of a backpack while you’re wearing it on a busy subway train.

What to wear: Cross-body bags are one of the best options for travel, but any bag that fully zips will make you less of a target for thieves. Sling bags are another, gender-neutral option.

Uncomfortable Fabrics

We’ve all been there. You packed a dress for a wedding, only to unpack and discover it’s a wrinkled mess. Or you thought jeans would be a good idea on the plane, and now they’re cutting off your circulation mid-flight. From discomfort to wrinkles and funky odors, the fabrics you choose can make or break your travel days. Avoid silks, nylon, leather, rubber, and, more generally, clothes made from a non-performance synthetic material.

What to Wear: Check the weather at your destination and keep in mind your activities. Some foolproof fabrics for packing and travel are moisture-wicking activewear, cotton, jersey, and clothes marketed as wrinkle-free.

An Oversized Jacket

Unless you’re skiing or taking on another outdoor winter adventure, leave the oversized jacket at home. This will save you space, weight, and hassle when packing.

What to wear: Layering is your friend. When traveling to a cooler destination, pack a few longer sleeved shirts as a base, then layer sweaters and a looser, lightweight winter jacket. Luckily, many travel and outdoor recreation companies are coming up with lighter down jackets that can be compressed into a small pack, such as this option for men or this one for women.

Editor’s note: This story was originally published in 2017. It has been updated to reflect the most current information. Ashley Rossi, Erin Gifford, and Sarah Schlichter contributed to this story.

The post The 10 Worst Things to Wear While Traveling appeared first on SmarterTravel.

Are you in agreement or are you misaligned with most of the traveling public? Travel site Kayak conducted a poll of the most hotly debated travel opinions to determine the Unspoken Rules of Air Travel.

Here’s what the survey found:

Cutting the Line Is Ok

About to miss your flight? According to Kayak’s survey, 57 percent of travelers will have sympathy for you (and will let you cut the line) if it’s the difference between making it to the gate in time or being left stranded.

Unattended Children Should Be Banned

Letting your kids run around the airport (or plane) freely in the hopes they’ll burn off some energy? 90 percent of respondents ask that you rein them in, voting that children shouldn’t be left unattended during travel.

Don’t Stand on the Moving Sidewalk

If your personal pet peeve is people who ride the moving sidewalks at the airport (rather than walking on it), you’re not alone—57 percent of travelers feel the same way. 

Just remember, moving sidewalks are a huge help to people with mobility issues—so try to extend some grace and patience when travelers aren’t walking on them. 

Clapping When the Plane Lands Is Annoying

Your fellow passengers ask you to hold your applause when the plane touches down. A close margin of 51 percent of flyers thinks this measure of appreciation is “pointless” because the pilots can’t hear you.

The Middle Seat Doesn’t Get Both Armrests

A surprising 57 percent of passengers have no sympathy for the person stuck in the middle seat, saying the armrests are up for anyone to grab. 

Reclining Your Seat is Acceptable

Go ahead and lean back (just please, do it the right way) next time you fly. A vast majority (88 percent) believe that the recline button is offered for a reason.

Leave Your Socks On

Fellow flyers don’t want to see (or smell) your bare feet. Seventy-six percent of passengers voted that people should keep their socks on during a flight.

The post The 7 Most Controversial Travel Opinions appeared first on SmarterTravel.

Tipping expectations vary significantly around the world. These guidelines are based on current US standards for tips, and will be most useful for domestic trips and US-based cruise lines/tour groups/hotel chains.

Download Our Foldable Tipping Guide

Folds down to fit in your wallet!

Hotels

As soon as you enter a hotel, you might have a doorman open the door, a bellhop take your luggage, and a front desk clerk give you an upgrade. Who should you tip at hotels, and how much?

Transportation

Here’s how much to tip everyone who helps you get to where you’re going, from taxi drivers to airport porters.

Restaurants

Tipping at restaurants can be really confusing. Do you have to tip if there is already a “kitchen appreciation fee”? The answer: Yes, because that fee goes toward non-tipped workers in the kitchen, so you’ll still need to tip the waitstaff. Here’s how much to tip everyone at a restaurant.

Tours

For multi-day trips, most tour companies will offer guidelines for tipping that they will share with you after booking. Here’s how much to tip on shorter tours. 

Cruises

Many cruise lines will cover the topic of tipping in their FAQ section of their website. This is where you can learn if gratuities are included in the cost of your cruise. Most cruise lines automatically add about $15-$20 per person, per day, to your onboard bill at the end of the trip to cover tips. These gratuities go into a pool that’s split between the people you’d typically tip (like waiters and housekeeping staff.) 

If an employee went above and beyond for you on a cruise, you can tip them a bit extra at the end of your voyage to show your appreciation. 

Should You Tip the Bartender on a Cruise?

Automatic gratuities are typically added on to your bill when you order drinks, so be sure to check your receipt before tipping the bartender. The same goes for spa treatments—tips are usually automatically added.

The post Tipping: The Ultimate Guide to Tipping for Travelers appeared first on SmarterTravel.

Some flyers believe in a middle ground, feeling that reclining should be done only in certain situations—like on a long-haul flight when everyone is sleeping, and not on a short flight immediately after takeoff. 

We posed the question to our SmarterTravel readers, and the results are in: The majority of people think that reclining on an airplane is okay.

The poll was close, with 54 percent of readers voting for the right to recline.

Reader Kelly G. argues, “I need a slight recline to sleep so if the seat reclines, I’ll use it to get some shut-eye.”

Shannon J. disagrees, saying “In regular coach, no. If I’ve upgraded, I might recline a bit. Coach is just too cramped to infringe on anyone else and I hope the person in front of me follows the same logic.” 

Other passengers feel that the airlines should just eliminate the option to recline to stop the debate. “If the airlines keep reducing legroom, they should also stop with reclining seats. There is literally no room for the passenger behind if someone reclines in front of them, ” says Dori T.

If you do choose to recline, there are a few etiquette tips you should follow.

1. Look behind you before reclining, and be mindful of open laptops you could crush or drinks you might spill.
2. Recline slowly to give the person behind you some warning, rather than slamming your seat back. Better yet, politely give a verbal notification that you’re about to recline.
3. Don’t recline during meal service.

The post Should You Recline Your Seat on an Airplane? appeared first on SmarterTravel.

Slamming Your Seat Back

We won’t get in to the recline vs. no-recline debate, but we can all agree that people who slam their seat straight back immediately after takeoff, without even sparing a glance behind them to see if they’re about to smash a laptop screen or send a drink flying, are the absolute worst. We can all agree on that, right?

Fighting for the Armrest

The poor middle seat passenger should at least get some pity armrest space from the aisle and window seat flyers. Don’t agree and want to passive-aggressively elbow the person next to you the entire flight? Congratulations, you’re a terrible human being.

Pounding the Seatback Screen

The on-demand entertainment screens on the seatback don’t always function the way they should, but when you’re pounding on the screen trying to get it to work, don’t forget about the person sitting in front of you who’s feeling his seat shake with every selection you make. Be gentle or, better yet, use the remote.

Smelling Bad

Is the sense of relief you feel after removing your shoes stronger than the smell of your feet wafting through the cabin? There are reasons you might smell bad when traveling that can be beyond your control, but if you’re tainting the cabin air on purpose by going barefoot or eating something odorous, your fellow flyers are justified in their hatred towards you.

Stealing the Overhead Space

The tiny overhead bins are a huge minefield of airplane etiquette. Major violations include: throwing your stuff in the first overhead bin you see even though your seat is at the back of the plane, utilizing it for small items like a sweatshirt, or taking up all the space with oversized carry-ons.

Not Using Headphones

You have amazing taste in music and movies, so why wouldn’t you want to share your selections with the entire plane? Turns out the people two rows ahead of you may not want to spend the entire flight listening to bleeps and bloops from the game you’re playing on your phone, so please do us all a favor and plug in headphones or entertain yourself on mute.

Ignoring Your Own Children

We get it, you can’t always control a screaming baby. But if you’re pretending to be engrossed in your book while your kid is kicking the back of a seat or running wild down the aisles, be prepared to make some plane enemies.

Caroline Morse Teel tries to follow proper airplane etiquette on all flights. Follow her on Instagram @TravelWithCaroline for photos from the window seat. 

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