r/traveladvice

Hi, for some context I’m 26M, I’ve previously solo backpacked at 22 during my summer of uni, I did a volunteering stint in Fiji, before going onto NZ, Australia, a few South East Asian countries, before running out of money and returning for my final year.

I always intended to go back to South East Asia and finish what I started, so to say. But this time with my partner 23F. She’s fully onboard, hates her job, and is ready to go as soon as I pull the trigger.

The problem is, I’ve had some health problems, and I’m on the waiting list to find out what’s happening neurologically (Every test, MRI, CT has been clear so far). This has been the case for nearly a year, and due to the NHS being in ruins, it takes so long to get seen.

As such, I take medication to control the pain, and this keeps getting upped due to the progression. I’m starting to feel like my time is running out, and I won’t get this opportunity again.

Another issue is I have got a decently paid job for my area of the UK, I’ve finished my training and will be on around £43K, it is alot of hours, but it’s interesting and work have been great with my illness. I’ve worked here for 18months.

I don’t want to give up what I’ve built, especially the start of my career, but I feel like this might be last chance saloon before things go south.

I’m also getting to the age where I want to settle down and feel like this would be the last opportunity to do this before tying myself down (I currently have no commitments, car payments, rent etc). I’m also financially fine and have saved enough for a house deposit, emergency fund, and have money in ETFs for long term.

What would your advice be - should I quit and go travelling one last time, or stay put ?

I know this sounds a bit funny but I'm looking to do some solo traveling within the United States, such as national parks or really anything nature related.

Catching a flight is no issue but once I land how do I exactly get from point A to point B? I assume I can just rent a car but it all seems overwhelming.

I’m traveling to Tashkent, Uzbekistan in the first week of June. I always book flights using Skyscanner with the “Everywhere” and flexible dates options. Even now, when I check, flights are still quite expensive. But I’ve noticed many travel vloggers say they book flights just 1–2 weeks before departure and get very cheap prices. Are they exaggerating or misleading, or am I doing something wrong? I don’t have a credit card, so I can’t use points or offers. I rely purely on finding cheap fares.

Would really appreciate any practical advice or strategies to book cheaper international flights.

A great way to save money in the airport is by using lounges. Companies like Priority Pass (included with Amex cards) or Sanctifly (direct to consumer) can get you access into lounge where there is free food and drinks. Given the astronomical price of airport food, having a meal and a drink or 2 there is well worth the price. Thoughts?

Hi all,

I am considering planning on an Asia "Backpacking" trip in the potential coming months. I've been to EU and Japan solo backpacking before and I will say its fairly easy. A big part of this trip I've been considering is exploring China, which I've only been to twice in my life with my mom. With this Asia trip and China being a big chunk was wondering on the following as I have an android phone and I might bring my mom which will be a big help as a translator. Roughly estimation, nothing concrete yet. Close to 30 days in China, 7 days in taiwan, 7-10 days korea, 30 days in Japan

- I am an android user, what is a reliable map application similar to google maps?

- Translation app

- Cheap hotels/hostel, whats the best way to book. Purposely want cheap accomodation as I do not want to splurge

- Previously in Japan always used Airalo

- Cash, if I include other countries like Japan, Taiwan, Korea on this Asia trip what's the best way to deal with cash? China I know is practically and basically cashless now, not sure about the small town cities, any ideas?

For the other countries, when I travelled to Japan previously past 2 years, I arrive into Japan with the of cash already bought from Bank of America, just wondering as I've seen people are choosing to withdraw from ATM in Japan or foreign country ATM. Is it really that much cheaper? I'm bad with math so im asking. It would be expected that the ATM would take a percentage and also Bank of America will charge a percentage or dollar amount for foreign cash withdrawal from ATM.

- I plan to just bring couple of moisture wicking t-shirts, 3 moisture wicking underwear, and 3 pair of moisture wicking socks.

Anything else, I need to consider? I'm a Canadian Citizen so there is no need for Visa to enter China

For context, I've always wanted to solo backpack in Europe. I'm now 25 and I still haven't done that yet. Although I've traveled a decent amount.

I'm having trouble getting a good job and applied to a masters program in the Netherlands. I want to go but it may just lead me into a full-time job afterwards. I would like to live abroad at some point as well.

What should I focus on now? Backpacking or masters degree?

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I'll be in London in July and need to make my way down to Slovenia within 3, maybe 4 days. I plan to travel by rail and would like to take a route that allows me to use night trains. I was thinking of going to Zurich and then hitting Bernina pass and then onto Slovenia. Just looking for suggestions on alternate routes and cool/fun things to see or do along the way.

I’m trying to plan my first ever trip leaving the U.S. with my girlfriend and I tried asking ChatGPT but it gave conflicting answers twice so now I’m confused on what route to even go. I figured the way I had it laid out like the title of the post is in order but it’s telling me I’ll have to backtrack by train. We definitely want to see those cities for sure and leave August 7-21 so 2 weeks trip. Hoping to fly in directly from NY and fly back home.

Pretty much the title. I used to be able to get to Spokane, WA from Seattle for $150 max. Now I'm looking at over $250 for a flight in June.

I've been watching Hopper, but prices haven't moved and the price drop predictions look too good to be true.

Should I just suck it up and buy? Or wait and hope prices fall instead of spike?

I should add that my car isn't reliable enough to make it over the mountains, so that option is a no-go unfortunately.

My dad and his wife are recently retired and have been talking about wanting to go to New York City for a couple days. Neither have been before. Wanted to see if anyone has any advice on the best option for them to get around and see all the landmarks. The wife doesn’t speak English and my dad speaks enough to get by. I just figured it would be easier for them to pay a guide or go with a group instead of trying to navigate through the entire city by themselves. Any advice would help. Thanks!

Hi everyone,

I’m planning a trip from Athens to Melbourne this August and I’m trying to figure out the best/safest route given the current situation in the Middle East.

Most of the cheaper flights go through Doha or Dubai, but I’m a bit unsure about how safe/reliable that will be over the next few months (in terms of potential disruptions, delays, airspace issues, safety etc.).

Would you consider it safe to book flights through Doha/Dubai for August, or would you avoid that route for now? Tickets are much cheaper than usual with Qatar and Emirates rn.

I was thinking of alternative routes (even with more stops, eg. Athens -> Istanbul -> Singapore -> Melbourne), but prices are quite high (~1900€ return trip), so I’m trying to balance safety with cost.

If anyone has insight into how things are looking, I’d really appreciate your thoughts!

Thanks in advance!

Real talk, I'm booking a Norway itinerary for this couple in July and there are legitimately like 50 fjord tour operators all with four point nines on Google. Four point nines. Everyone's doing something right or everyone's gaming reviews. Not sure which keeps me up at night more.

The thing that's been eating at me though is that I haven't actually done most of these tours myself. I've done maybe two in Norway, both five years ago before I even did this for a living. So now I'm in this weird position of being like, yeah I totally recommend Sognefjord Epic Adventures or whatever, they seem solid based on reviews, but also I have genuinely no idea if the guide is going to be boring or if the group photo spot is actually worth the hike they promise.

It's someone's once in a lifetime trip. They saved for two years. They're spending real money. And I'm out here basically playing Russian roulette with tour operators I found on comparison sites.

I rely on reviews like everyone else, but reviews don't tell you if the coffee on the boat is hot or if the guide actually knows what theyre talking about or if the "breathtaking views" are actually breathtaking or just regular pretty. Reviews tell you if someone got murdered, basically.
Wish I could just say I do all the tours myself to vet them but that would be insane. Also I'd be bankrupt, also I'd probably hate tourism by week three. Does anyone else in travel services just recommend stuff they haven't personally tested and somehow sleep at night or am I the only one anxiety spiraling about this

I’m currently planning a trip and I’m finding myself stuck in "tabs hell"—switching between Booking, Airbnb, TikTok, and Google Maps. I feel like I’m spending 5+ hours just to organize a simple 4-day getaway.

For my thesis, I’m actually researching whether this "planning frustration" is universal or if I’m just using the wrong tools. I’m curious—how do you all handle the "I want to travel but don't know where to go" phase without getting overwhelmed by options?

Do you prefer a "done-for-you" itinerary, or is the research part of the fun for you?

Hey,

Quick question - last year while interrailing I checked into a hotel in Munich and the guy at the front desk told me I could’ve gotten a better deal if I’d booked directly with them instead of using a booking site.

Is that actually true in your experience when traveling in Europe?

Also wondering how timing plays into it:

Is it better to book early through sites?

Or can you sometimes get a better rate by contacting the hotel directly closer to the date?

And if booking direct is better:

how do you usually do it?

Just their website, or do you actually email/call?

Curious what people have found in practice.

not selling anything. just tired of seeing the same mistakes every week on this sub.

stuff I wish tourists knew before landing:

the "fixed price" in the medina is not fixed. obviously. but also, haggling isn't the blood sport reddit makes it sound like. you offer 40% of asking, they act offended, you meet at 60%, everyone's happy, tea is served. it's basically a vibe. if the guy's genuinely mad you lowballed too hard. if he's laughing you're playing the game right.

the guys who approach you at the blue gate in fes offering to "show you the tannery" are not being helpful. they will walk you in a circle for 20 minutes and demand money. if you actually want to see the tannery just walk toward it. yes you'll get lost. getting lost in fes is the point. someone will find you eventually. probably a 9 year old who wants 10 dirham to lead you out. pay him. he earned it.

merzouga vs zagora for the desert. zagora is not the sahara. I'm sorry. it's scrubland with some dunes. if you've only got 2 days and can't make it to merzouga, fine, go to agafay instead. closer to marrakech, genuinely beautiful, nobody talks about it. merzouga is the real thing but it's a long drive and some families with little kids hate the road.

chefchaouen is exactly as blue as instagram. I won't lie to you. it's also packed and overpriced now. go anyway. stay one night not two.

the food thing. every tourist eats tagine for 10 days straight and goes home thinking moroccan food is tagine. it's not. ask for rfissa. ask for bissara for breakfast. ask anyone's grandmother to show you how msemen is actually made. the tourist menu is maybe 5% of what we actually eat.

ramadan travel. if you come during ramadan, respect it, don't eat on the street during daylight, and then experience iftar with a family. it's one of the most beautiful things you'll do in your life. most guides won't offer this. ask.

happy to answer anything. costs, what to skip, how to not get ripped off by the grand taxi guys at the train station, whatever.

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Hi all

I am planning a trip for China in June, where i hope ill do some big city sightseeing but mostly nature hiking.

I would like someone to check my itinerary and tell me pros and cos, as well as correction ideas and overal general tips.

Here is my current plan

\\- Mid june arrive in Xangai.

\\- Stay 3 days in Xangai.

\\- Then take high speed rail to Zhangjiajie (i know i prolly need some kind of extra step here)

\\- Stay in Zhangjiajie 4-5 days there to hike

\\- Then travel by plane or train to Yangshuo (still notnsure how to do this)

Stay 3-4 days in Yangshuo to hike

Then travel out of China.

Hoping to hear improvements and ideas from you guys.

I could potentially stay 1 week longer if someone pitches a good idea. An additional nature spot or an a big city to visit would be nice

Also handy saying that im 37M European, arriving in China from Japan, and going to Vietnam after China. Never been in these countries before.

Thanks !

I’m 25, from Israel, and I’ve only been abroad twice — both times to Prague, which I absolutely loved. I honestly wouldn’t mind going again because the vibe was perfect for me, but I also feel like I should finally see something new.

I’m trying to plan a short trip for late July (around July 24, which is also my birthday), 4–5 nights, and I can’t really decide where to go.

What I’m looking for is a city with a young crowd, good nightlife, clubs, and also decent shopping. I don’t really want a quiet or “older” vibe.

I guess I’m just a bit overwhelmed since I haven’t really seen much of Europe yet and don’t know what fits this kind of trip.

I have a Mumbai-Bahrain-Frankfurt flight in the beginning of Jul 2026, and a Frankfurt-Bahrain-Mumbai flight in the end of Jul 2026. How safe would it be given the current conditions, and how likely is it that it may get cancelled? Should I look for other flight options?

Looking for advice about Eastern Italy…

Where are the best places to visit?

Is it super crowded in late May?

What is the best airport to fly into? I’d be coming in from Canada.

What activities did you enjoy if you’ve been to that part of the country?

Really looking for a pretty chill trip after a difficult year, so I’d love to hear your opinions on whether this would be a great destination.

Thanks! 🌎

I don’t travel a ton, but I’m trying to plan a couple trips this year and want to be smarter about booki͏ng hotel stays.

When is the be͏st time to book a hotel if you’re trying to get good de͏als? Is there a certain window before your trip when prices tend to dip, or does it depend more on the season and location?

I’ve noticed rates fluctuate a lot even week to week. Sometimes I’ll see a solid price on sites like Super. com, Boo͏king, or Exp͏edia, then check again a few days later and it’s different.

Do you normally book as soon as you know your dates, or wait it out hoping for a drop? Any patterns you’ve noticed throughout the year?