- KAYAK for Business NEW
Compare package deals to find the right one.
Search vacation deals by destination, find vacation packages, las vegas vacations, honolulu vacations, toronto vacations, paris vacations, new york vacations, cancún vacations, rome vacations, san juan vacations, miami beach vacations, montego bay vacations, punta cana vacations, key west vacations, orlando vacations, barcelona vacations, hawaii vacations.
Nomadic Matt's Travel Site
Travel Better, Cheaper, Longer
16 Easy Steps for Planning Your Next Trip
I remember when I started planning my first trip around the world. I had no idea what I was doing.
When I decided to quit my job and travel the world , I walked into a bookstore and bought Lonely Planet’s Southeast Asia on Shoestring . Buying that guidebook was my first step toward long-term travel. It made the trip seem more real, more tangible. It made it all seem possible.
While helpful, the book didn’t exactly prepare me for planning a trip around the world. Back then, there weren’t really travel blogs, sharing economy websites, and apps like there are today. I was excited and determined — but I was lost. I had to figure it out as I went, hoping I didn’t miss anything important.
Trip planning can be a daunting task. Where do you begin? What’s step one? What’s step two? What’s step three?
It’s easy to get overwhelmed, especially when you haven’t done something like this before — and especially considering just how much information there is out there these days. Blogs, social media, and guidebooks have never been more plentiful. There’s a firehose of information out there that can sometimes make the task of planning a trip even more challenging and overwhelming.
After a decade of traveling the world , I’ve planned countless trips and vacations for myself, friends, family, and even group tours. In the beginning, it was trial by fire and I learned a lot of lessons the hard way . However, that helped me develop an efficient checklist that ensures I don’t miss anything important during the trip planning process.
After all, I don’t want to get to my next destination and then realize I forgot something. And neither do you!
There is a lot of information on this website ( and even more information packed into my book ), but one question that comes up frequently is, “Matt, how do I put this all together? How do I plan a trip?”
In a continuing effort to help you get out the door and into the world, I’ve created this step-by-step guide on how to plan a trip. It works for any kind of trip — no matter how long you’re going for! Just follow this checklist and you’ll be off in no time!
Table of Contents
Step 1: Decide Where You Want To Go
Step 2: decide the length of your trip, step 3: research your costs, step 4: start saving money, step 5: get a travels rewards credit card, step 6: switch to no-fee atm cards, step 7: stay focused and inspired, step 8: check for last-minute deals, step 9: book your flight, step 10: book your accommodation, step 11: plan your activities, step 12: sell your stuff, step 13: automate your bills, step 14: pack, step 15: buy travel insurance, step 16: enjoy your trip.
If you want to jump ahead, simply click on any of the links above.
It’s a lot easier to mentally get behind “I am going to Paris in the summer” than “I’m going to Europe” or “I’m going somewhere.” Not only will your trip become more concrete for you and easier to commit to, but it will make planning easier as well…because you know what to work towards. Get specific with your plans. Get detailed. The more focused and concrete your goal, the easier it will be to actually reach it.
Resources for picking your travel destination:
- 200+ In-Depth Destination Guides
- 10 Destinations Under $50 Per Day
- The 10 Best Places to Visit as a Budget Traveler
- The 20 Best Tropical Islands in the World
How much does it cost to travel? That depends!
Without knowing how long you’re going away for, I can’t answer that question. And it’s a question you need to answer so you can start planning!
In order to figure out how much you need to save you’ll need to know how long your trip will be.
Are you going away for a week? A month? A year?
The length of your trip is a huge factor in determining how much money you need. Spend some time mulling that over until you have your answer.
For example, after you say “I’m going to Paris this summer,” add “for X days.” That way you can start to narrow down just how much money you’re going to need to save. “I am going to Paris for 10 days” is a trip that you can plan for. It’s an attainable goal.
So you know where you’re going and how long you’ll be there, but to really nail down how much money you need, your next task is to research the costs in your destination at the style of travel you want.
Do you want to backpack, or would you rather stay in luxury hotels?
How much are hostels, hotels, restaurants, and attractions?
Knowing will allow you to estimate how much money you’ll need for your trip. Here is how to research costs:
- Buy a guidebook.
- Check out my travel guide section .
- Google prices for specific things you want to do, such as scuba diving, bungy jumping, winery tours, etc. ( Get Your Guide is a good place to start for that)
You don’t need to do more than that. There’s so much information on the web that if you go down the rabbit hole of overplanning, you’ll get lost and confused by the firehose of information. Stick to those three things and you’ll be set!
In our example, if you are going to Paris for 10 days and need at least $75 USD a day (not including your flight), you know you need to save $750 USD (though round up to $800-900 USD since it’s good to have extra) for your trip.
If you were to travel around the world for a year, you’d need $50 USD a day .
Here are some other insightful posts that will help you better estimate your costs:
- 5 Ways to Make Your Money Last When You Travel
- How to Know the Travel Info You Find is Legit
- How I Research My Solo Travel Destinations
People bleed a lot of money every day through small purchases: a coffee here, a snack there. All of that adds up. In order to make changes to your spending habits, you first need to understand them. Making a list will do just that. It will also put your financial needs into a better perspective.
For example, if you need $2,000 USD for the trip you’re taking in eight months, that means you only have to save $8.33 USD per day. Couldn’t you find a way to save $8 USD per day? Heck, your daily coffee is most of that!
If you’re struggling to save money, here are 23 ways to cut your expenses and save money for travel . This will help you get started and on the road to saving money in no time!
These days, most cards have welcome offers of up to 100,000 points when you meet their minimum spending requirement. That’s enough miles for a free flight almost anywhere in the world!
If you want a free flight, sign up for the cards that help with that. If you want free hotel rooms, get a hotel card. Either way, sign up for a travel credit card and start earning points today. As long as you can pay off your monthly balance, you’ll get free travel credit.
You don’t need to sign up for very many cards either; pick one or two and focus on those. Do this the moment you decide you want to travel. Don’t wait — waiting equals lost miles, which means less free travel.
Collecting points and miles is what all the experts do to cut their costs and travel longer. It’s what has kept my costs down and me on the road for so many years. While the best cards are only available in the US, there are still plenty of options for Canadians as well as folks from Europe, Australia, and New Zealand.
For more information on travel credit cards and using points and miles, check out these posts:
- Points and Miles 101: A Beginner’s Guide
- How to Pick the Best Travel Credit Card
- The Best Travel Credit Cards
- How to Earn Points by Paying Your Rent
- The Ultimate Guide to Points and Miles
- How to Use Points and Miles in Canada
Once you’re abroad, you’re going to need money. While many countries accept credit cards, in the majority of countries cash is still king. That means you’ll need to use ATMs to withdraw the local currency.
And that also means you’re going to get dinged by ATM fees.
If you’re just away for a week or two, paying a few dollars in ATM fees isn’t the end of the world. But if you’re away for a longer period, those fees add up and chew into your travel budget — a budget you’ve worked hard to grow. Don’t give banks any of your hard-earned money.
How? By using a no-fee ATM card.
I use Charles Schwab , but there are lots of other banks (don’t forget to check your local banks) that don’t charge ATM fees. Additionally, you can join a bank in the Global ATM Alliance .
By using a no-fee ATM card you can avoid those pesky ATM fees, leaving you more money for what it was intended for: travel.
Here’s exactly how you can avoid ATM fees while traveling .
While you get closer to your goal, make sure that you keep feeding your desire to travel. Travel planning can be exhausting and overwhelming — especially if you don’t have support from your friends and family (and especially if your trip is still months away). It can often get discouraging and feel out of reach at times.
Luckily, there are tons of ways to stay focused and keep your spirits high thanks to the amazing community we have on this website. Here are some inspiring travel stories to help keep you inspired to travel:
- Why It’s Never the Perfect Time to Travel
- 13 Travel Books That Will Give You Serious Wanderlust
- How to Change the “I’m Too Poor to Travel” Mindset and Say Yes to Travel
- 8 Ways to Stay Motivated to Travel
Additionally, be sure to join our online travel community The Nomadic Network . Not only will you find support (and tons of tips) online, but we also host regular in-person and virtual events all around the world. These are a great way to get inspired, meet other awesome travelers in your area, and get travel advice.
Okay, you’re inspired, prepared, and on your way to saving money for your trip. But before you go buy that flight or book that hotel, check for deals you might have missed. You may dream of Paris but maybe there are great deals to Berlin right now. Or maybe you can get a seven-day cruise for 70% off, a package deal to Hawaii for the price of your flight to Paris, or 50% off sailing trips around Greece.
These days, there is always a deal to be found — especially if you’re flexible with your dates and/or destinations. Some deal websites worth checking out are:
- Going (Formerly Scott’s Cheap Flights)
- The Flight Deal
- Holiday Pirates
Fortunately, there are still many ways to avoid being the person on the flight who paid the most for their ticket. My two favorite sites for finding cheap airfare are:
- Skyscanner – Skyscanner is the best website for searching multiple destinations at the same time.
- Google Flights – Like Skyscanner, Google Flights is great for open searches to multiple destinations.
For the best deals, book your flight about two-three months in advance. Here are two articles on how to score a cheap flight:
- How to Find Cheap Flights
- Booking Flights: Everything You Need to Know
For trips longer than two weeks (or if you are going to be traveling long-term) just book your first few days. That will ensure you have a place to go on arrival. Once there, you can get insider advice from your hotel/hostel staff as well as other travelers. You can then use that info to plan your next steps.
While you can book more than your first few nights, you might end up wanting to change your plans once you land. I prefer having flexibility, which is why I always just book my first few nights and go from there.
Here are my go-to sites when it comes to finding the best deals on accommodation:
- Hostelworld – Hostelworld has the largest selection of hostels and is my go-to site for finding affordable hostels.
- Agoda – Agoda has the best results if you’re heading to Asia (though they sometimes have good US deals too).
- Booking.com – Booking.com is the best overall platform for finding budget hotels and guesthouses.
If you’re on a tight budget or you want to connect with more locals during your travels, consider joining platforms like Couchsurfing or BeWelcome . These communities allow travelers to stay with locals for free as a sort of cultural exchange.
Long-term travelers can also try housesitting or WWOOFing as well as they both offer free accommodation (in exchange for pet sitting or farm work respectively).
Search online for discounts as well. While some countries offer cheaper prices in person, others give discounts to those who book early/online. Research which is which for your itinerary so you can save money.
For shorter trips, you can also book your activities in advance to ensure you get tickets. For longer trips, book as you go.
Additionally, before you leave home, have a rough idea of what activities are priorities for you. That way, if you run out of time or money, you can focus on your top activities so you don’t miss out. Also, make sure to double-check that there are no holidays or other obstacles that will prevent you from certain activities as well.
If you are going on a long-term trip (six months or more), consider selling your stuff in order to earn extra money for your trip. Start doing this about 60 days before you leave. Some sites to use are:
- Gumtree – An online classified site with a focus in the UK and Australia.
- Amazon – The biggest online store in the world.
- Craigslist – Online global classifieds that have both local and global reach.
- eBay – Another global online classified site.
- Facebook Marketplace – Great for finding people near you (so you don’t need to ship your items).
If you aren’t going to be gone that long, skip this step. If you are going away long-term but want to keep your stuff, move it to a friend’s house or keep it in storage. A good storage company in the US is Public Storage . It’s one of the most affordable options out there.
Get rid of your mail, go paperless, and set up online bill payment for your recurring bills to ensure you won’t miss any while overseas. If you are still going to get paper mail, use a service like Earth Class Mail , which will collect and scan your mail for you. (If you are going on a two-week trip, you don’t really need to worry about this, so you can skip this step, too.)
If you have the option (and don’t want to pay for a mail service), you can also have all your mail sent to a friend or family member.
Additionally, you’ll want to make sure you cancel any phone plans you have or switch your plan to one that is more travel-friendly. T-Mobile is great for travelers going on trips under 3 months. For any trips longer than that, you’ll want to cancel your plan and just buy SIM cards abroad as that will be much cheaper.
I travel with a 45L REI bag and then a smaller day bag.
Unless you’re heading to multiple climates and need bulky winter gear, you don’t need a massive 70L bag stuffed to the top. Here’s my suggested packing list to help you take just the right amount of stuff and avoid overpacking ( here’s a list for female travelers as well ).
While what you pack will depend on where you are going, remember that you don’t need to pack everything you own. You can buy things you need on the road. You can do laundry overseas. At the end of the day, you have to carry everything you bring. So bring less!
There are a few extra items you might want to pack beyond your everyday clothes, though. Some things I like to bring with me are:
- First aid kit
- LifeStraw bottle with built-in filter
- Packing cubes (to stay organized)
- Travel lock (for hostel lockers)
- Travel adapter
- Quick-dry towel
Additionally, make sure you bring any prescriptions with you so you have enough for the duration of your trip. If that’s not feasible, bring a doctor’s note and prescription with you so you can fill it abroad.
While a lot of people think, “I’m healthy, I don’t need travel insurance . I won’t get sick,” travel insurance is much more than just medical protection. It covers you when your camera breaks, your flight is canceled, a family member dies and you have to come home, or if something gets stolen.
Yes, it’s an added expense. But it’s always better to be safe than sorry. I never leave home without it because I’ve seen first-hand just what can happen on the road.
I never thought I would pop my eardrum while I was scuba diving in Thailand or break my camera in Italy .
I didn’t know I would get knifed in Colombia .
My friend never thought he would break his leg hiking.
Another friend didn’t expect her father would die and she would have to fly back home.
Unfortunately, bad things can happen when you’re traveling. True, these events are few and far between. But they can cost tens of thousands of dollars to handle on your own. If you’re not prepared to pay out of pocket, buy travel insurance.
To help you figure out the best plan for you and your trip, here’s my ultimate guide to picking a good insurance company . It will show you how to pick a good plan that covers you for when you get sick, your flights get canceled, if you get injured, something gets stolen, or your trip is delayed.
Here’s a breakdown of my recommended travel insurance companies so you can see what company offers the best plans for your needs and budget:
- SafetyWing – Super affordable plans for budget travelers.
- Insure My Trip – Best for senior travelers.
- Medjet – Provides additional evacuation coverage to ensure you get home should an emergency occur.
- Insured Nomads – In-depth emergency and non-emergency coverage for long-term travelers and digital nomads.
For more information on travel insurance, you can check out these posts:
- What Does Travel Insurance Actually Cover?
- Is Travel Insurance Worth It?
- Do You Need Medical Evacuation Insurance?
Additionally, make sure you know your rights as an airline passenger. For example, delayed flights to/from Europe often mean you’re entitled to compensation (beyond anything insurance-related).
Learn how to ensure you are compensated if your travels are delayed or your flight is canceled .
If you’re feeling nervous, don’t worry — that’s perfectly normal. You’re about to embark on an amazing adventure — and that’s a huge change. Feeling anxious or nervous or unsure is something every traveler experiences. But you’ve made it this far. Trust your planning, follow your instincts, and you’ll have the trip of a lifetime. I guarantee it.
By using this post as a guideline for your trip planning, you can better organize and prepare for your trip. You’ll check all the boxes, not miss anything, and have plenty of money for your vacation. It can be as simple as booking a flight and packing or as complex as rearranging your entire life to go backpack the world forever.
But, no matter how long your trip may be, this list will help you stay organized and motivated as you plan your trip and step out into the world.
P.S. – Yes, I did leave out visas and vaccinations, because needing those isn’t as universal as the other stuff on this list, but don’t forget to check if you need those, too!
Book Your Trip: Logistical Tips and Tricks
Book Your Flight Find a cheap flight by using Skyscanner . It’s my favorite search engine because it searches websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is being left unturned.
Book Your Accommodation You can book your hostel with Hostelworld . If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com as it consistently returns the cheapest rates for guesthouses and hotels.
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:
- SafetyWing (best for everyone)
- Insure My Trip (for those 70 and over)
- Medjet (for additional evacuation coverage)
Want to Travel for Free? Travel credit cards allow you to earn points that can be redeemed for free flights and accommodation — all without any extra spending. Check out my guide to picking the right card and my current favorites to get started and see the latest best deals.
Need Help Finding Activities for Your Trip? Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace where you can find cool walking tours, fun excursions, skip-the-line tickets, private guides, and more.
Ready to Book Your Trip? Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel. I list all the ones I use when I travel. They are the best in class and you can’t go wrong using them on your trip.
Got a comment on this article? Join the conversation on Facebook , Instagram , or Twitter and share your thoughts!
Disclosure: Please note that some of the links above may be affiliate links, and at no additional cost to you, I earn a commission if you make a purchase. I recommend only products and companies I use and the income goes to keeping the site community supported and ad free.
Related Posts
Get my best stuff sent straight to you!
Pin it on pinterest.
- Credit cards
- View all credit cards
- Banking guide
- Loans guide
- Insurance guide
- Personal finance
- View all personal finance
- Small business
- Small business guide
- View all taxes
11 Best Travel Insurance Companies in April 2024
Many or all of the products featured here are from our partners who compensate us. This influences which products we write about and where and how the product appears on a page. However, this does not influence our evaluations. Our opinions are our own. Here is a list of our partners and here's how we make money .
If the past few years have shown us anything, it’s that travelers need to be prepared for the unexpected — from a pandemic to flight troubles to the crowded airport terminals so many of us have encountered.
Whether you’re looking for an international travel insurance plan, emergency medical care or a policy that includes extreme sports, these are the best travel insurance providers to get you covered.
How we found the best travel insurance
We looked at quotes from various companies for a 10-day trip to Mexico in September 2024. The traveler was a 55-year-old woman from Florida who spent $3,000 total on the trip, including airfare.
On average, the price of each company’s most basic coverage plan was $126.53. The costs displayed below do not include optional add-ons, such as Cancel For Any Reason coverage or pre-existing medical condition coverage.
Read our full analysis about the average cost of travel insurance so you can budget better for your next trip.
However, depending on the plan, you may be able to customize at an added cost.
As we continue to evaluate more travel insurance companies and receive fresh market data, this collection of best travel insurance companies is likely to change. See our full methodology for more details.
- Best travel insurance companies
Types of travel insurance
What does travel insurance cover.
- What's not covered?
How much does it cost?
Do i need travel insurance, how to choose the best travel insurance policy, what are the top travel destinations in 2024, more resources for travel insurance shoppers.
- Frequently asked questions
Best travel insurance overall: Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection
Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection
- ExactCare Value (basic) plan is among the least expensive we surveyed.
- Speciality plans available for road trips, luxury travel, adventure activities, flights and cruises.
- Company may reimburse claimants faster than average, including possible same-day compensation.
- Multiple "Trip Delay" coverage types might make claims confusing.
- Cheapest plan only includes fixed amounts for its coverage.
Under the direction of chair and CEO Warren Buffett, Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection has been around since 2014. Its plans provide numerous opportunities for travelers to customize coverage to their needs.
At $135 for our sample trip, the ExactCare Value (basic) plan from Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection offers protection roughly $10 above the average price.
Want something cheaper? Air travelers looking for inexpensive, less comprehensive protections might opt for a basic AirCare plan that includes fixed amounts for its coverage .
Read our full review of Berkshire Hathaway .
What else makes Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection great:
Pre-existing medical condition exclusion waivers available at no extra cost.
Plans available for travelers going on a cruise, participating in extreme sports or taking a luxury trip.
ExactCare Value (basic) plan was among the least expensive we surveyed.
Best for emergency medical coverage: Allianz Global Assistance
Annual or single-trip policies are available.
- Multiple types of insurance available.
- All plans include access to a 24/7 assistance hotline.
- More expensive than average.
- CFAR upgrades are not available.
- Rental car protection is only available by adding the One Trip Rental Car protector to your plan or by purchasing a standalone rental car plan.
Allianz Global Assistance is a reputable travel insurance company offering plans for over 25 years. Customers can choose from a variety of single and annual policies to fit their needs. On top of comprehensive coverage, some travelers might opt for the more affordable OneTrip Cancellation Plus, which is geared toward domestic travelers looking for trip protections but don’t need post-departure benefits like emergency medical or baggage lost.
For our test trip, Allianz Global Assistance’s basic coverage cost $149, about $22 above average.
What else makes Allianz Global Assistance great:
Annual and single-trip plans.
Plans are available for international and domestic trips.
Stand-alone and add-on rental car damage product available.
Read our full review of Allianz Global Assistance .
Best for travelers with pre-existing medical conditions: Travel Guard by AIG
Travel Guard by AIG
- Offers last-minute coverage.
- Pre-Existing Medical Conditions Exclusion Waiver available at all plan levels.
- Plan available for business travelers.
- Cancel For Any reason coverage only available for higher-level plans, and only reimburses up to 50% of the trip cost.
- Trip interruption coverage doesn't apply to trips paid for with points and miles.
Travel Guard by AIG offers a variety of plans and coverages to fit travelers’ needs. On top of more standard trip protections like trip cancellation, interruption, baggage and medical coverage, the Cancel For Any Reason upgrade is available on certain Travel Guard plans, which allows you to cancel a trip for any reason and get 50% of your nonrefundable deposit back as long as the trip is canceled at least two days before the scheduled departure date.
At $107 for our sample trip, the Essential plan was below average, saving roughly $20.
What else makes Travel Guard by AIG great:
Three comprehensive plans and a Pack N' Go plan for last-minute travelers who don't need cancellation benefits.
Flight protection, car rental, and medical evacuation coverage, as well as annual plans available.
Pre-existing medical conditions exclusion waiver available on all plan levels, as long as it's purchased within 15 days.
Read our full review of Travel Guard by AIG .
Best for those who pack expensive equipment: Travel Insured International
Travel Insured International
- Higher-level plan include optional add-ons for event tickets and for electronic equipment
- Rental car protection add-on for just $8 per day, even on lower-level plan.
- Many of the customizations are only available on the higher-tier plan.
- Coverage cost comes in above average in our latest analysis.
Travel Insured International offers several customization options. For instance, those going to see a show may want to add on event ticket registration fee protection. Traveling with expensive gear?Consider adding on coverage for electronic equipment for up to $2,000 in coverage.
Be sure to check which policies are available in your state. You will need to input your destination, residence, trip dates and the number of travelers to get a quote and see coverages.
What else makes Travel Insured International great:
Comprehensive plans include medical expense reimbursement accidents, sickness, evacuation and pre-existing conditions, depending on the plan.
Flight plans include coverage for missed and canceled flights and lost or stolen baggage.
Read our full review of Travel Insured International .
Best for adventurous travelers: World Nomads
World Nomads
- Travelers can extend coverage mid-trip.
- The standard plan covers up to $300,000 in emergency evacuation costs.
- Plans automatically cover 200+ adventurous activities.
- No Cancel For Any Reason upgrades are available.
- No pre-existing medical condition waivers are available.
Many travel insurance plans contain exclusions for adventure sports activities. If you plan to ski, bungee jump, windsurf or parasail, this might be a plan to consider.
Note that the Standard plan ($72 for our sample trip), while the most affordable, provides less coverage than other plans. But it can be a good choice for travelers who are satisfied with trip cancellation and interruption coverage of $2,500 or less, do not need rental car damage protection, find the limits to be sufficient and do not need coverage for certain more adventurous activities.
What else makes World Nomads great:
Comprehensive international travel insurance plans.
Coverage available for adventure activities, such as trekking, mountain biking and scuba diving.
Read our full review of World Nomads .
Best for medical coverage: Travelex Insurance Services
Travelex Insurance Services
- Top-tier plan doesn’t break the bank and provides more customization opportunities.
- Offers a plan specifically for domestic travel.
- Sells a post-departure medical coverage plan.
- Fewer customization opportunities on the Basic plan.
- Though perhaps a plus for domestic travelers, keep in mind the Travel America plan only covers domestic trips.
For starters, basic coverage from Travelex Insurance Services came in at $125, almost exactly average for our sample trip.
Travelex’s plans focus heavily on providing protections that are personalized to your travel style and trip type.
While the company does offer comprehensive plans that include medical benefits, you can also choose between cheaper plans that don’t provide cancellation coverage but do offer protections during your travels.
Read our full review of Travelex Insurance Services .
What else makes Travelex Insurance Services great:
Three comprehensive plans available, two of which cover international trips.
Offers a post-departure plan geared exclusively toward disruptions after you leave home.
Two flight insurance plans available.
Best if you have travel credit card coverage: Seven Corners
Seven Corners
- Annual, medical-only and backpacker plans are available.
- Cancel For Any Reason upgrade is available for the cheapest plan.
- Cheapest plan also features a much less costly Interruption for Any Reason add-on.
- Offers only one annual policy option.
Each Seven Corners plan offers several optional add-ons. Among the more unique is a Trip Interruption for Any Reason, which allows you to interrupt a trip 48 hours after the scheduled departure date (for any reason) and receive a refund of up to 75% of your unused nonrefundable deposits.
The basic coverage plan for our trip to Mexico costs $124 — right around the average.
What else makes Seven Corners great:
Comprehensive plans for U.S. residents and foreigners, including travelers visiting the U.S.
Cheap add-ons for rental car damage, sporting equipment rental or trip interruption for any reason.
Read our full review of Seven Corners .
Best for long-term travelers: IMG
- Coverage available for adventure travelers.
- Special medical insurance for ship captains and crew members, international students and missionaries.
- Claim approval can be lengthy.
While some travel insurance companies offer just a handful of plans, with IMG, you’ll really have your pick. Though this requires a bit more research, it allows you to search for coverage that fits your travel needs.
However, travelers will want to be aware that IMG’s iTravelInsured Travel Lite is expensive. Coming in at $149.85, it’s the costliest plan on our list.
Read our full review of IMG .
What else makes IMG great:
More affordable than average.
Many plans to choose from to fit your needs.
Best for travelers with unpredictable work demands: Tin Leg
- In addition Cancel For Any Reason, some plans offer cancel for work reason coverage.
- Adventure sports-specific coverage is available.
- Plans have overlap that can be hard to distinguish.
- Only one plan includes Rental Car Damage coverage available as an add-on.
Tin Leg’s Basic plan came in at $134 for our sample trip, adding about $8 onto the average basic policy cost. Note that you’ll pay a lot more if you shop for the most comprehensive coverage, and there are eight plans to choose from for trips abroad.
The multitude of plans can help you find coverage that fits your needs, but with so many to choose from, deciding can be daunting.
The only real way to figure out your ideal plan is to compare them all, look at the plan details and decide which features and coverage suit you and your travel style best.
Read our full Tin Leg review .
Best for booking travel with points and miles: TravelSafe
- Covers up to $300 redepositing points and miles on eligible canceled award flights.
- Optional add-on protection for business equipment or sports rentals.
- Multi-trip or year-long plans aren’t available.
Selecting your travel insurance plan with TravelSafe is a fairly straightforward process. The company’s website also makes it easy to visualize how optional add-on elements influence the total cost, displaying the final price as soon as you click the coverage.
However, at $136, the Basic plan was among the more expensive for our trip to Mexico.
What else makes TravelSafe great:
Rental car damage coverage add-on is available on both plans.
Cancel For Any Reason coverage available on the TravelSafe Classic plan.
Read our full TravelSafe review .
Best for group travel insurance: HTH Insurance
HTH Travel Insurance
- Covers travelers up to 95 years old.
- Includes direct pay option so members can avoid having to pay up front for services.
- A 24-hour delay is required for baggage delay coverage on the TripProtector Economy plan.
- No waivers for pre-existing conditions on the lower-level plan.
HTH offers single-trip and multitrip medical insurance coverage as well as trip protection plans.
At around $125, the Trip Protector Economy policy is at the average mark for plans we reviewed.
You can choose to insure group trips for educators, crew, religious missionaries and corporate travelers.
What else makes HTH Insurance great:
Medical-only coverage and trip protection coverage.
Lots of options for group travelers.
Read our full review of HTH Insurance .
As you shop for travel insurance, you’ll find many of the same coverage categories across numerous plans.
Trip cancellation
This covers the prepaid costs you make for your trip in cases when you need to cancel for a covered reason. This coverage helps you recoup upfront costs paid for flights and nonrefundable hotel reservations.
Trip interruption
Trip interruption benefits generally involve disruptions after you depart. It helps reimburse costs incurred for flight delays, cancellations and plenty of other covered disruptions you might encounter during your travels.
This coverage can cover the costs for you to return home or reimburse unexpected expenses like an extra hotel stay, meals and ground transportation.
Trip delay coverage helps cover unexpected costs when your trip is delayed. This is another coverage that helps offset the costs of flight trouble or other travel disruptions.
Note that many policies have a total amount a traveler can claim, with caps on per diem benefits, too.
Cancel For Any Reason
Cancel For Any Reason coverage allows you to recoup some of the upfront costs you paid for a trip even if you’re canceling for a reason not otherwise covered by your standard travel insurance policy.
Typically, adding this protection to your plan costs extra.
Baggage delay
This coverage helps cover the costs of essential items you might need when your luggage is delayed. Think toiletries, clothing and other immediate items you might need if your luggage didn’t make it on your flight.
Many travel insurance plans with baggage delay protection will specify how long (six, 12, 24 hours, etc.) your luggage must be delayed before you can make a claim.
Lost baggage
Used for travelers whose luggage is lost or stolen, this helps recoup the lost value of the items in your bag.
You’ll want to make sure you closely follow the correct procedures for your plan. Many plans include a maximum total amount you can claim under this coverage and a per-item cap.
Travel medical insurance
This covers out-of-pocket medical costs when travelers run into an emergency.
Because many travelers’ health insurance plans don’t cover medical care overseas, travel medical insurance can help offset out-of-pocket health care costs.
In addition to emergency medical coverage, many plans have medical evacuation or repatriation coverage for costs incurred when you must be taken to a hospital or return to your home country because of a medical situation.
Most travel insurance plans cover many trip protections that can help you be prepared for unexpected travel disruptions and expenses.
These coverage are generally aimed at protecting the money you put into your trip, expenses you incur because of travel trouble and costs incurred if you have a medical emergency overseas.
On top of core coverages like trip cancellation and interruption and travel medical coverage, some plans offer add-on options like waivers for pre-existing conditions, rental car collision damage waivers or adventure sports riders. These usually cost extra or must be added within a specified timeframe.
What’s not covered?
Typical travel insurance policies offer coverage for many unforeseen events, but as you research to select a plan, consider your needs. Though every plan differs, there are some commonly excluded coverages.
For instance, you typically can’t get coverage for a named storm if you bought the coverage after the storm was named. In other words, if you have a trip to the Caribbean booked for Sept. 25 and on Sept. 20 a hurricane develops and is named, you generally won’t be able to buy a travel insurance plan Sept. 21 in hopes of getting your money back.
Many plans also don’t cover activities performed under the influence of drugs or alcohol or any extreme sports. If the latter applies to you, you might want to consider a plan with specific coverages for adventure-seekers.
For numerous plans, a few other situations don’t qualify as an acceptable reason to cancel and make a claim, such as fear of travel, medical tourism or pregnancies (unless you booked a trip and bought insurance before you became pregnant or there are complications with the pregnancy). This is where a Cancel For Any Reason add-on to your coverage can be helpful.
You can also run into trouble if you give up on a trip too soon: a minor (or even multihour) flight delay likely isn’t sufficient to cancel your entire trip and get reimbursed through your plan. Be sure to review what requirements your specific plan has when it comes to canceling a trip, claiming trip interruption, etc.
Travel insurance costs vary widely. The final price of your plan will fluctuate based on your age, length of trip and destination.
It will also depend on how much coverage you need, whether you add on specialized policies (like Cancel For Any Reason or pre-existing conditions coverage), whether you plan to participate in extreme sports and other factors.
In our examples above, for instance, the 35-year-old traveler taking a $2,000 trip to Italy would have spent an average $76 for a basic plan to get coverage for things like trip cancellation and interruption, baggage protection, etc. That’s a little less than 4% of the total trip cost — lower than average.
If there were multiple members in a traveling party or if they were going on, say, a rock-climbing or bungee-jumping excursion, the costs would go up.
On average, travel insurance comes to about 5% to 10% of the trip cost. However, considering many of the plans reimburse up to 100% of the trip cost (or more) for disruptions like trip cancellation or interruption, it can be a worthwhile expense if something goes wrong.
It depends. Consider the following factors that might affect your decision: You’re young and healthy, all your bookings are refundable or cancelable without a penalty, your flights are nonstop, you’re not checking bags and a credit card you carry offers some travel protections . In that case, travel insurance might not be necessary.
On the other hand, if you prepaid a large chunk of money for a nonrefundable African safari, you’re going on a Caribbean cruise in the middle of a hurricane season or you’re going somewhere where the cost of health care is high, it’s not a bad idea to buy a travel insurance plan. Here’s how to find the best travel insurance coverage for you.
If you’re thinking of booking a trip and not planning to buy travel insurance, you may want to consider at least booking refundable airfare and not prepaying for hotel, rental car and activity reservations. That way, if something goes wrong, you can cancel without losing any money.
Selecting the best travel insurance policy comes down to your needs, concerns, preferences and budget.
As you book, take a few minutes to consider what most concerns you. Is it getting stranded because of flight trouble? Having the ability to cancel for any reason you see fit without losing money? Getting sick or injured right before departure and needing to postpone the trip? Injuring yourself or falling ill while overseas?
Ultimately, you want a plan that protects you, your money and the large investment in your trip — but doesn’t cost too much, either.
Medical coverage. If your priority is having adequate medical coverage abroad, you might want to look for plans with high limits for medical emergencies and medical evacuation.
Complex travel itinerary. If your itinerary has lots of flight connections, prepaid hotels and deposits for activities you can’t get back, prioritizing a plan with the best coverage for trip cancellations or interruptions may land at the top of your list.
Travel uncertainty. If you’re on the fence about a trip and have nonrefundable reservations, you may want to select a plan with a Cancel For Any Reason coverage option, which can help you recoup about 50% to 75% of the costs. This helps provide peace of mind, placing the decision on whether to travel entirely in your hands.
Car rentals. If you’re renting a car, a collision damage waiver is often worth looking into.
The following destinations are the top insured destinations in 2024, according to Squaremouth (a NerdWallet partner).
The Bahamas.
Costa Rica.
Antarctica.
In 2022, travelers spent about 25.53% more on trips than they did before the pandemic.
As of December, NerdWallet analysis determined travel prices are 10% higher than pre-pandemic. Each statistic makes a strong case for protecting your travel investment as you plan your next trip.
Bookmark these resources to help you make smart money moves as you shop for travel insurance.
What is travel insurance?
CFAR explained.
Is travel insurance worth getting?
10 credit cards that provide travel insurance.
Methodology
We used the following factors to choose insurance providers to highlight:
Breadth of coverage: We looked at how many plans each company offered plus the range of their standard plans.
Depth of coverage: We considered two data points to get a sense of how much each company pays out for common travel issues — the maximum caps for trip cancellation and trip interruption claims.
Cost: By looking at the costs for basic coverage across multiple companies, we determined an average cost for shoppers to benchmark plan prices against.
Customizability: While standard plans can cover a lot of ground, sometimes you need something a little more personal.
Customer satisfaction. Using data from Squaremouth when available, and Google Reviews as a backup, we can give kudos to companies with better track records from their clients.
No, it doesn’t necessarily get more expensive the longer you wait to purchase. However, as you put off buying insurance, you may lose access to potential plans and coverage options.
In general, buying travel insurance within a few days to two weeks of prepaying or making an initial deposit for your trip is your best bet. Assuming you’re not booking last-minute, this will provide you with access to the widest possible range of coverage options. It also helps prevent any medical conditions or storms that pop up between booking and buying a plan from ending up as excluded situations, which won’t be covered by your plan.
But, generally, many plans do allow you to buy coverage quite close to your departure date.
To get the most out of your travel insurance plan, buy it soon after making your initial prepayment or deposit to ensure you have access to the biggest menu of plans possible.
Select a plan that’s comprehensive enough to cover the travel scenarios you’re most concerned about or likely to encounter but not too expensive or laden with protections you’d never likely need.
Whatever your coverage, thoroughly review the plan so you understand what’s covered and what’s not, plus how to adhere to the plan’s rules for making a claim.
Travelers frequently use phrases like “trip insurance” and “travel insurance,” as well as “trip protection,” interchangeably, but they do mean different things, according to Stan Sandberg, founder of insurance comparison site TravelInsurance.com.
Trip insurance, or trip protection, generally refers to predeparture (or preevent) coverage if you need to cancel. You may see these plans sold by airlines, online travel agencies or even ticketed event sellers.
“You could refer to it as the portion that protects the investment in the trip,” Sandberg says.
A travel insurance plan typically includes that — plus more comprehensive benefits to protect you during your trip, from medical coverage to trip delay and lost baggage protections, and many more elements, depending on the plan.
Though travel insurance is typically not required for international trips, your personal circumstances will play a key role in whether it’s a good investment.
For instance, young, healthy travelers with few prepaid trip expenses embarking on a relatively risk-free trip may not see a need to buy a plan.
Older travelers with complicated itineraries who are visiting destinations where they could potentially fall ill or get injured — or who could encounter bad weather or some other disrupting factor along the way — may want to buy coverage.
Consider a few key questions:
How well would your health insurance plan cover you if you needed to visit a hospital overseas?
How much did you prepay for a hotel or rental car?
How much money would you be out if weather or some other flight issue derailed your itinerary?
Could you afford an unexpected night in a city where you have a connecting flight?
Do you already have a credit card that provides some travel protections?
Your answers to these questions can help you decide whether you need travel insurance for your international trip.
In general, buying travel insurance
within a few days to two weeks of prepaying or making an initial deposit
for your trip is your best bet. Assuming you’re not booking last-minute, this will provide you with access to the widest possible range of coverage options. It also helps prevent any medical conditions or storms that pop up between booking and buying a plan from ending up as excluded situations, which won’t be covered by your plan.
How to maximize your rewards
You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are our picks for the best travel credit cards of 2024 , including those best for:
Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
No annual fee: Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card
Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®
Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express
Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
On a similar note...
- PRO Courses Guides New Tech Help Pro Expert Videos About wikiHow Pro Upgrade Sign In
- EDIT Edit this Article
- EXPLORE Tech Help Pro About Us Random Article Quizzes Request a New Article Community Dashboard This Or That Game Popular Categories Arts and Entertainment Artwork Books Movies Computers and Electronics Computers Phone Skills Technology Hacks Health Men's Health Mental Health Women's Health Relationships Dating Love Relationship Issues Hobbies and Crafts Crafts Drawing Games Education & Communication Communication Skills Personal Development Studying Personal Care and Style Fashion Hair Care Personal Hygiene Youth Personal Care School Stuff Dating All Categories Arts and Entertainment Finance and Business Home and Garden Relationship Quizzes Cars & Other Vehicles Food and Entertaining Personal Care and Style Sports and Fitness Computers and Electronics Health Pets and Animals Travel Education & Communication Hobbies and Crafts Philosophy and Religion Work World Family Life Holidays and Traditions Relationships Youth
- Browse Articles
- Learn Something New
- Quizzes Hot
- This Or That Game New
- Train Your Brain
- Explore More
- Support wikiHow
- About wikiHow
- Log in / Sign up
- Planning Travel
How to Make Successful Traveling Plans
Last Updated: February 11, 2024 References
This article was co-authored by Amy Tan . Amy Tan is a Travel Planner and the Founder of Planet Hoppers, a boutique travel design team founded in 2002. Planet Hoppers specializes in brainstorming and creating itineraries for dream vacations, honeymoons, exotic adventures, family reunions, and group trips. Planet Hoppers is a TRUE accredited travel agency and a member of the Signature Travel Network, the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), and Travel Leaders. Amy earned a BA in Communications and a BS in Physics from the University of California, Davis in 2000. There are 13 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been viewed 90,857 times.
Whether you’re traveling for business or pleasure, every trip needs a little planning. Things like flights and hotels have to be booked in advance to make sure you get the itinerary you need. Travel planning doesn’t have to be stressful, though. As long as you allow yourself plenty of time to look around, compare prices, and make sure you have everything you need before you leave, you can plan a great travel experience.
Getting Started
- As a general rule, give yourself 6 months to plan an international trip, 3 months to plan a domestic vacation, and at least 4-6 weeks for a trip like a long weekend.
- Some major destinations such as resorts may require a deposit well in advance. As soon as you decide on a destination, contact them to figure out if they require a deposit, and how far in advance you need to pay it.
- If you are planning a last-minute trip, be mindful that you will need to be flexible in where you go and exactly what your vacation will look like. You can certainly plan a successful last-minute vacation, but it often takes more maneuvering.
- Your budget breakdown will vary significantly depending on your trip. If you're going abroad, for example, a lot of your budget may be dedicated to transportation. If you're planning a food tour, you may be spending a lot on meals but relatively little on attractions.
- Remember to plan for little things like taxis or ride shares around town, the cost of boarding your pets, foreign transaction fees, baggage fees, and different sales tax rates in different regions.
- It’s wise to set aside about 10% of your overall vacation fund as an emergency fund for unforeseen circumstances. Forgetting your sunscreen at home, having to take a taxi because you missed the last bus, and ordering an extra drink at dinner all add up. Have an emergency credit card in case you need it, but try to avoid relying on credit cards to curb the potential for overspending.
- If, for example, you want to take an international trip to Paris but you only have 2 vacation days, Paris probably isn’t the right destination at this time. You can always choose to wait until you have more vacation saved up or choose a destination that doesn’t require such a large time commitment for both transit and tourism.
- Likewise, if you are meeting a client with offices downtown, don’t stay in a far-off suburb to avoid the city noise. It can often take a lot of valuable time to commute in the morning -- and that's time you could be using to prepare for your meeting.
- Consider the age groups traveling with you. If you're bringing kids, look for a destination that has kid-friendly activities. If, for example, your child loves dinosaurs, check a destination's natural history museum to see if it has an interactive exhibit on the subject.
- If you and your travel companions like outdoor activities, check the predicted forecast for your destination well in advance to make sure you can participate in the activities you enjoy. Most weather websites and almanacs provide seasonal weather trend information.
- Consider the physical abilities of yourself and your travel companions, too. Your aging parent may want to see the history in Philadelphia, for example, but if they have limited mobility, the relative lack of things like elevators and escalators might make it difficult to visit popular destinations.
- Different countries may have different entry requirements. That’s why it’s important to look for your destination country’s embassy for your home country. This will give you information relevant to you.
- Even if no immunizations are required for entry, it may be advisable to get them if you are traveling to a high-risk area. Check with your country’s department of public health or disease control to see what immunizations they recommend for your intended destination.
- Even if you don't need full-time care for kids or pets, it may be worthwhile to book a house sitter. This person can check your mail, water your plants, and generally just make sure that your home is in order while you're away.
- For small pets like rodents and fish, you may be able to ask your house sitter to feed them and clean their bowl or cage while you're gone. These pets don't necessarily need to stay with someone full-time while you're away.
Making Reservations and an Itinerary
- When traveling to a different country, local aggregate booking sites may offer better deals than the ones you find in your home country. Check local listings to see if you can grab a better deal.
- To get the best idea of how pricing varies, compare itineraries that are the same. Check the same dates and destinations on different sites to see where you can really find the best deals.
- If you’re traveling as a representative of a particular company or organization, they may have an in-house travel site or travel booker that you are required to use. Check with your company’s administrative department to see if that’s the case.
- Likewise, if you're planning on staying in a hostel, hostel-booking sites usually have better offers than hotel booking sites. HostelWorld.com and HostelBookers.com are two options with extensive listings.
- If you're going camping, check your site well in advance. Popular campsites like Big Bend National Park in Texas can run out of permits months in advance. Don't assume you can just show up at a campsite and set up your tent. You often need to reserve a spot on site.
- Think about different routes you can take to get to your destination. Flights directly into Washington DC are often expensive, for example, because the DC airports are close to public transportation, hotels, and attractions. Flying into Baltimore is often more affordable, and still puts you a 20-minute train ride away from DC.
- For international trips, you may need to book further in advance, especially if you are flying or taking a cruise. Try to book at least 4 months out from your intended departure date in these cases.
- Trips taken during popular travel times should also be booked further in advance. If you plan to go to Boston for St. Patrick’s Day, for example, expect hotels to fill up months in advance.
- Some modes of transportation don’t require you to book as far in advance as others. A train, for example, may only require a reservation the week before your departure. Check your carrier to see their suggested booking time frame.
- Think about what meals may be included with your accommodations. Does your hotel offer free breakfast? If not, you may need to adjust your budget to include breakfasts.
- If you're staying at an all-inclusive resort or on a cruise, check with the resort to see if you need to book meals in advance. At some resorts and on some cruises, you have to make reservations for a certain seating time, even if the meal is included in your price.
- Consider your flight, too. If you have a long-haul flight where a meal is included, let the airline know about any dietary restrictions you may have at least 1 week before you depart. This way, you can ensure you get the right in-flight meal for your diet.
- Your daily itinerary doesn’t have to be elaborate. It may be as simple as “Breakfast: 9-10, Acropolis tour: 10:30-12:30, explore the city after the tour ends.” Just make sure you include those things that are really important for you to see and do.
- If you’re traveling for business, your itinerary may have to be more formal. Check with your company or client to see if you need to submit a formal itinerary for your meetings and activities.
- Leave some room in between activities in case things run long or you have any unexpected delays. You don't need to plan every minute of every day, just make sure you have time to fit in those things that are really important for you to see or do.
Getting Ready to Go
- The duration of your trip will also influence how much you pack. You likely won’t need 12 pairs of underwear for a weekend getaway.
- Try to pack light , sheddable layers such as shirts, light sweaters or cardigans, jackets, etc. This way, you can add on or remove a piece to suit the weather without having to pack entirely different outfits for different temperatures.
- Mobile phone charges
- Toothbrush and toothpaste
- Deodorant or antiperspirant
- An umbrella
- For example, in the US, appliances are 110 volts. In the EU, they're 220 volts. If your electronic has a plug or printing somewhere on it that says "110-220," this means the item is safe to use for both voltages.
- If you use an electronic item with incompatible voltage, it could short circuit your item and permanently damage or destroy it. It is also a fire hazard.
- Even if your item is safe for both voltages, it probably doesn't have a plug for both. You need an adapter or converter to plug into the wall outlets at your destination. Different countries have different outlets, so check online and buy your adapter before you depart.
- Ask them about any vaccinations they may advise for your destination, and talk to them about any preventative medications you may need to take while traveling. If, for example, you're going to a place where malaria is common, you may be given a preventative pill.
- 2-3 color copies of your government-issued ID or the information page of your passport
- A copy of your visa, if applicable
- Copies of your transportation and accommodations bookings
- A list of numbers for anyone important back home
- Enough cash to get you to your local embassy or emergency services (enough for a taxi ride from one end of your destination city to the other should be enough)
- An extra dose of any regular medication you take, as well as a few over-the-counter medications like pain relievers, antacids, and antihistamines.
Expert Q&A
- Pass your itinerary along to a friend or family member so that someone else has your information in the case of an emergency. Thanks Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0
- Remember to take some time to relax and enjoy yourself. Travel planning can be stressful, but the travel, itself, can be an amazing experience. Thanks Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0
You Might Also Like
- ↑ https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/travel/when-is-the-best-time-to-book-your-vacation/2017/10/26/6bcb052e-b5ab-11e7-be94-fabb0f1e9ffb_story.html?noredirect=on&utm_term=.da59e7b03972
- ↑ Amy Tan. Travel Planner. Expert Interview. 12 March 2020.
- ↑ https://www.theglobetrottingteacher.com/how-to-successfully-choose-your-travel-destination/
- ↑ https://travel.usnews.com/features/tips-for-getting-an-international-visa
- ↑ https://www.nytimes.com/2017/07/14/realestate/how-to-protect-your-house-when-youre-on-vacation.html
- ↑ https://www.smartertravel.com/2017/06/19/10-tips-finding-cheap-airfare/
- ↑ https://www.nerdwallet.com/blog/finance/cheap-hotel-booking/
- ↑ https://www.nerdwallet.com/blog/credit-cards/how-to-save-on-food-and-drink-costs-while-traveling/
- ↑ https://www.smartertravel.com/2017/06/19/create-perfect-travel-itinerary/
- ↑ https://thesavvybackpacker.com/how-to-dress-for-winter-in-europe-learn-to-layer/
- ↑ https://www.ricksteves.com/travel-tips/phones-tech/electric-adapters-converters
- ↑ https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/page/see-doctor
- ↑ https://www.corporatetravelsafety.com/safety-tips/create-an-emergency-passport-kit/
About This Article
- Send fan mail to authors
Reader Success Stories
Haley Winderlich
Oct 23, 2018
Did this article help you?
Featured Articles
Trending Articles
Watch Articles
- Terms of Use
- Privacy Policy
- Do Not Sell or Share My Info
- Not Selling Info
wikiHow Tech Help Pro:
Level up your tech skills and stay ahead of the curve
Expedia Rewards is now One Key™
Simplify your travel plans with trip planner.
Get started now
Plan with ease
Save and compare travel plans in a seamless experience.
Stay organized
Keep all of your bookings and saved travel plans in one place.
Decide together
Collaborate with family and friends to plan your dream trip together.
Easily save, collaborate and book - all your travel plans in one place
Make your travel plans easier with Expedia's Trip Planner. From saving favorites and organizing, to deciding with your group and booking your ideal trip, everything is together all in one place. You can select your favorite stays and activities while you search, and then find them later in your account. Avoid the hassle of sending multiple links to a group chat by inviting your family and friends to collaborate on a group trip where they can share ideas and see everything at once. After you've settled on your itinerary, you can make the bookings you need and keep them organized all in one place. Its ease of use makes it one of the best trip planning tools around.
How Trip Planner works
Sign into your Expedia account to save and compare your favorites to a new trip, work together with your friends and family on your group vacation, and keep all of your bookings in one itinerary planner. It just takes a few clicks to get the ball rolling.
Create a trip and save your favorites to plan your itinerary
Go to the Trips tab on the homepage, click on "Create a trip", and type in a new trip name. Start trip planning by searching for stays or things to do at your destination. Tap the heart icon to save your favorites to the right trip.
Invite friends and family to create a group trip
Open your trip and invite your fellow travelers to collaborate in the Trip Planner. As soon as they accept the invite sent to their email, they'll be able to view the itinerary planner, save more items, and even book the options you've decided on.
Book and manage your trip itinerary in the same place
Make all the bookings you need by tapping the three dots on your saved options. You can also change and cancel bookings in the same place.
Scan the QR code and download our app
Scan the QR code
FAQ: Learn more about Trip Planner
What should I do to plan my trip?
Get started with our Trip Planner in one of two easy ways:
1. Sign into your account, search for places to stay or things to do, and tap the heart icon on the image of a listing that you want to save. You'll be asked to create a new trip by giving it a name and saving it to your trip planner.
2. Head to the Expedia homepage, click on Trips in the top right corner (on desktop) or in the bottom menu bar (in the app), and then select "Create a trip".
How do I create a trip plan?
Once you've signed into your account and created your trip, you can save accommodations and activities to your trip. Soon you will also be able to save your preferred flights in our Trip Planner.
Why is trip planning important?
Saving items in a travel planner online helps you stay organized by keeping all your favorite stays and activities saved in one place. Instead of switching between multiple browser tabs, just open our Trip Planner.
When you're ready to book, it's easy to compare options , see all your locations on a map, and book directly from your saved items.
When should you start planning a trip?
Any time is a good time to start planning travels, and our Trip Planner can be used for everything from last-minute weekend getaways to a summer vacation planned over the winter. Just click on Trips on our homepage to get started.
How to plan a successful trip?
Saving your stay and activities to a trip helps Expedia better understand your preferences, so we can recommend more places to go and things to do to fill out your travel plans and make your trip unforgettable. Take advantage of our vast inventory and useful filters to make sure you get the accommodations and activities for your ideal trip.
Where can I find the items that I saved to a trip?
Head to the Expedia homepage and click on Trips in the top right (on desktop) or in the bottom menu bar (in the app). Select the trip that you want to view and look for "Saved items" to see all the items you've selected for that trip that haven't been booked yet.
With our trip planner, your booked and saved items are all in one place, which makes it easier to book your trip piece by piece.
Where can I find my booked items?
On the Expedia homepage, click on Trips in the top right (on desktop) or in the bottom menu bar (in the app). Select the trip that you want to view and head to "Bookings" to see all the items booked for that trip.
When you plan a trip online with us, you can keep your booked and saved items all in one place, making it easier to manage and build your trip.
Can I move a booked or saved item to a different trip?
Yes, we've made it easy to move items, because we know that planning your trip can mean adding more places to see or splitting favorite destinations up into multiple trips.
First, select the trip that already has the items you want to move. For booked items, tap the three dots on the top right corner of the item and select "move to another trip". For saved items, follow the same process and select "save to another trip" instead.
How can my friends and family help me plan a trip online?
Friends and family invited to collaborate on a trip with you will be able to view, save, and book items in your trip planner itinerary. All they need to do to start collaborating is accept the trip invite sent to their email.
The best travel insurance policies and providers
It's easy to dismiss the value of travel insurance until you need it.
Many travelers have strong opinions about whether you should buy travel insurance . However, the purpose of this post isn't to determine whether it's worth investing in. Instead, it compares some of the top travel insurance providers and policies so you can determine which travel insurance option is best for you.
Of course, as the coronavirus remains an ongoing concern, it's important to understand whether travel insurance covers pandemics. Some policies will cover you if you're diagnosed with COVID-19 and have proof of illness from a doctor. Others will take coverage a step further, covering additional types of pandemic-related expenses and cancellations.
Know, though, that every policy will have exclusions and restrictions that may limit coverage. For example, fear of travel is generally not a covered reason for invoking trip cancellation or interruption coverage, while specific stipulations may apply to elevated travel warnings from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Interested in travel insurance? Visit InsureMyTrip.com to shop for plans that may fit your travel needs.
So, before buying a specific policy, you must understand the full terms and any special notices the insurer has about COVID-19. You may even want to buy the optional cancel for any reason add-on that's available for some comprehensive policies. While you'll pay more for that protection, it allows you to cancel your trip for any reason and still get some of your costs back. Note that this benefit is time-sensitive and has other eligibility requirements, so not all travelers will qualify.
In this guide, we'll review several policies from top travel insurance providers so you have a better understanding of your options before picking the policy and provider that best address your wants and needs.
The best travel insurance providers
To put together this list of the best travel insurance providers, a number of details were considered: favorable ratings from TPG Lounge members, the availability of details about policies and the claims process online, positive online ratings and the ability to purchase policies in most U.S. states. You can also search for options from these (and other) providers through an insurance comparison site like InsureMyTrip .
When comparing insurance providers, I priced out a single-trip policy for each provider for a $2,000, one-week vacation to Istanbul . I used my actual age and state of residence when obtaining quotes. As a result, you may see a different price — or even additional policies due to regulations for travel insurance varying from state to state — when getting a quote.
AIG Travel Guard
AIG Travel Guard receives many positive reviews from readers in the TPG Lounge who have filed claims with the company. AIG offers three plans online, which you can compare side by side, and the ability to examine sample policies. Here are three plans for my sample trip to Turkey.
AIG Travel Guard also offers an annual travel plan. This plan is priced at $259 per year for one Florida resident.
Additionally, AIG Travel Guard offers several other policies, including a single-trip policy without trip cancellation protection . See AIG Travel Guard's COVID-19 notification and COVID-19 advisory for current details regarding COVID-19 coverage.
Preexisting conditions
Typically, AIG Travel Guard wouldn't cover you for any loss or expense due to a preexisting medical condition that existed within 180 days of the coverage effective date. However, AIG Travel Guard may waive the preexisting medical condition exclusion on some plans if you meet the following conditions:
- You purchase the plan within 15 days of your initial trip payment.
- The amount of coverage you purchase equals all trip costs at the time of purchase. You must update your coverage to insure the costs of any subsequent arrangements that you add to your trip within 15 days of paying the travel supplier for these additional arrangements.
- You must be medically able to travel when you purchase your plan.
Standout features
- The Deluxe and Preferred plans allow you to purchase an upgrade that lets you cancel your trip for any reason. However, reimbursement under this coverage will not exceed 50% or 75% of your covered trip cost.
- You can include one child (age 17 and younger) with each paying adult for no additional cost on most single-trip plans.
- Other optional upgrades, including an adventure sports bundle, a baggage bundle, an inconvenience bundle, a pet bundle, a security bundle and a wedding bundle, are available on some policies. So, an AIG Travel Guard plan may be a good choice if you know you want extra coverage in specific areas.
Purchase your policy here: AIG Travel Guard .
Allianz Travel Insurance
Allianz is one of the most highly regarded providers in the TPG Lounge, and many readers found the claim process reasonable. Allianz offers many plans, including the following single-trip plans for my sample trip to Turkey.
If you travel frequently, it may make sense to purchase an annual multi-trip policy. For this plan, all of the maximum coverage amounts in the table below are per trip (except for the trip cancellation and trip interruption amounts, which are an aggregate limit per policy). Trips typically must last no more than 45 days, although some plans may cover trips of up to 90 days.
See Allianz's coverage alert for current information on COVID-19 coverage.
Most Allianz travel insurance plans may cover preexisting medical conditions if you meet particular requirements. For the OneTrip Premier, Prime and Basic plans, the requirements are as follows:
- You purchased the policy within 14 days of the date of the first trip payment or deposit.
- You were a U.S. resident when you purchased the policy.
- You were medically able to travel when you purchased the policy.
- On the policy purchase date, you insured the total, nonrefundable cost of your trip (including arrangements that will become nonrefundable or subject to cancellation penalties before your departure date). If you incur additional nonrefundable trip expenses after purchasing this policy, you must insure them within 14 days of their purchase.
- Allianz offers reasonably priced annual policies for independent travelers and families who take multiple trips lasting up to 45 days (or 90 days for select plans) per year.
- Some Allianz plans provide the option of receiving a flat reimbursement amount without receipts for trip delay and baggage delay claims. Of course, you can also submit receipts to get up to the maximum refund.
- For emergency transportation coverage, you or someone on your behalf must contact Allianz, and Allianz must then make all transportation arrangements in advance. However, most Allianz policies provide an option if you cannot contact the company: Allianz will pay up to what it would have paid if it had made the arrangements.
Purchase your policy here: Allianz Travel Insurance .
American Express Travel Insurance
American Express Travel Insurance offers four different package plans and a build-your-own coverage option. You don't have to be an American Express cardholder to purchase this insurance. Here are the four package options for my sample weeklong trip to Turkey. Unlike some other providers, Amex won't ask for your travel destination on the initial quote (but will when you purchase the plan).
Amex's build-your-own coverage plan is unique because you can purchase just the coverage you need. For most types of protection, you can even select the coverage amount that works best for you.
The prices for the packages and the build-your-own plan don't increase for longer trips — as long as the trip cost remains constant. However, the emergency medical and dental benefit is only available for your first 60 days of travel.
Typically, Amex won't cover any loss you incur because of a preexisting medical condition that existed within 90 days of the coverage effective date. However, Amex may waive its preexisting-condition exclusion if you meet both of the following requirements:
- You must be medically able to travel at the time you pay the policy premium.
- You pay the policy premium within 14 days of making the first covered trip deposit.
- Amex's build-your-own coverage option allows you to only purchase — and pay for — the coverage you need.
- Coverage on long trips doesn't cost more than coverage for short trips, making this policy ideal for extended getaways. However, the emergency medical and dental benefit only covers your first 60 days of travel.
- American Express Travel Insurance can protect travel expenses you purchase with Amex Membership Rewards points in the Pay with Points program (as well as travel expenses bought with cash, debit or credit). However, travel expenses bought with other types of points and miles aren't covered.
Purchase your policy here: American Express Travel Insurance .
GeoBlue is different from most other providers described in this piece because it only provides medical coverage while you're traveling internationally and does not offer benefits to protect the cost of your trip. There are many different policies. Some require you to have primary health insurance in the U.S. (although it doesn't need to be provided by Blue Cross Blue Shield), but all of them only offer coverage while traveling outside the U.S.
Two single-trip plans are available if you're traveling for six months or less. The Voyager Choice policy provides coverage (including medical services and medical evacuation for a sudden recurrence of a preexisting condition) for trips outside the U.S. to travelers who are 95 or younger and already have a U.S. health insurance policy.
The Voyager Essential policy provides coverage (including medical evacuation for a sudden recurrence of a preexisting condition) for trips outside the U.S. to travelers who are 95 or younger, regardless of whether they have primary health insurance.
In addition to these options, two multi-trip plans cover trips of up to 70 days each for one year. Both policies provide coverage (including medical services and medical evacuation for preexisting conditions) to travelers with primary health insurance.
Be sure to check out GeoBlue's COVID-19 notices before buying a plan.
Most GeoBlue policies explicitly cover sudden recurrences of preexisting conditions for medical services and medical evacuation.
- GeoBlue can be an excellent option if you're mainly concerned about the medical side of travel insurance.
- GeoBlue provides single-trip, multi-trip and long-term medical travel insurance policies for many different types of travel.
Purchase your policy here: GeoBlue .
IMG offers various travel medical insurance policies for travelers, as well as comprehensive travel insurance policies. For a single trip of 90 days or less, there are five policy types available for vacation or holiday travelers. Although you must enter your gender, males and females received the same quote for my one-week search.
You can purchase an annual multi-trip travel medical insurance plan. Some only cover trips lasting up to 30 or 45 days, but others provide coverage for longer trips.
See IMG's page on COVID-19 for additional policy information as it relates to coronavirus-related claims.
Most plans may cover preexisting conditions under set parameters or up to specific amounts. For example, the iTravelInsured Travel LX travel insurance plan shown above may cover preexisting conditions if you purchase the insurance within 24 hours of making the final payment for your trip.
For the travel medical insurance plans shown above, preexisting conditions are covered for travelers younger than 70. However, coverage is capped based on your age and whether you have a primary health insurance policy.
- Some annual multi-trip plans are modestly priced.
- iTravelInsured Travel LX may offer optional cancel for any reason and interruption for any reason coverage, if eligible.
Purchase your policy here: IMG .
Travelex Insurance
Travelex offers three single-trip plans: Travel Basic, Travel Select and Travel America. However, only the Travel Basic and Travel Select plans would be applicable for my trip to Turkey.
See Travelex's COVID-19 coverage statement for coronavirus-specific information.
Typically, Travelex won't cover losses incurred because of a preexisting medical condition that existed within 60 days of the coverage effective date. However, the Travel Select plan may offer a preexisting condition exclusion waiver. To be eligible for this waiver, the insured traveler must meet all the following conditions:
- You purchase the plan within 15 days of the initial trip payment.
- The amount of coverage purchased equals all prepaid, nonrefundable payments or deposits applicable to the trip at the time of purchase. Additionally, you must insure the costs of any subsequent arrangements added to the same trip within 15 days of payment or deposit.
- All insured individuals are medically able to travel when they pay the plan cost.
- The trip cost does not exceed the maximum trip cost limit under trip cancellation as shown in the schedule per person (only applicable to trip cancellation, interruption and delay).
- Travelex's Travel Select policy can cover trips lasting up to 364 days, which is longer than many single-trip policies.
- Neither Travelex policy requires receipts for trip and baggage delay expenses less than $25.
- For emergency evacuation coverage, you or someone on your behalf must contact Travelex and have Travelex make all transportation arrangements in advance. However, both Travelex policies provide an option if you cannot contact Travelex: Travelex will pay up to what it would have paid if it had made the arrangements.
Purchase your policy here: Travelex Insurance .
Seven Corners
Seven Corners offers a wide variety of policies. Here are the policies that are most applicable to travelers on a single international trip.
Seven Corners also offers many other types of travel insurance, including an annual multi-trip plan. You can choose coverage for trips of up to 30, 45 or 60 days when purchasing an annual multi-trip plan.
See Seven Corner's page on COVID-19 for additional policy information as it relates to coronavirus-related claims.
Typically, Seven Corners won't cover losses incurred because of a preexisting medical condition. However, the RoundTrip Choice plan offers a preexisting condition exclusion waiver. To be eligible for this waiver, you must meet all of the following conditions:
- You buy this plan within 20 days of making your initial trip payment or deposit.
- You or your travel companion are medically able and not disabled from travel when you pay for this plan or upgrade your plan.
- You update the coverage to include the additional cost of subsequent travel arrangements within 15 days of paying your travel supplier for them.
- Seven Corners offers the ability to purchase optional sports and golf equipment coverage. If purchased, this extra insurance will reimburse you for the cost of renting sports or golf equipment if yours is lost, stolen, damaged or delayed by a common carrier for six or more hours. However, Seven Corners must authorize the expenses in advance.
- You can add cancel for any reason coverage or trip interruption for any reason coverage to RoundTrip plans. Although some other providers offer cancel for any reason coverage, trip interruption for any reason coverage is less common.
- Seven Corners' RoundTrip Choice policy offers a political or security evacuation benefit that will transport you to the nearest safe place or your residence under specific conditions. You can also add optional event ticket registration fee protection to the RoundTrip Choice policy.
Purchase your policy here: Seven Corners .
World Nomads
World Nomads is popular with younger, active travelers because of its flexibility and adventure-activities coverage on the Explorer plan. Unlike many policies offered by other providers, you don't need to estimate prepaid costs when purchasing the insurance to have access to trip interruption and cancellation insurance.
World Nomads offers two single-trip plans.
World Nomads has a page dedicated to coronavirus coverage , so be sure to view it before buying a policy.
World Nomads won't cover losses incurred because of a preexisting medical condition (except emergency evacuation and repatriation of remains) that existed within 90 days of the coverage effective date. Unlike many other providers, World Nomads doesn't offer a waiver.
- World Nomads' policies cover more adventure sports than most providers, so activities such as bungee jumping are included. The Explorer policy covers almost any adventure sport, including skydiving, stunt flying and caving. So, if you partake in adventure sports while traveling, the Explorer policy may be a good fit.
- World Nomads' policies provide nonmedical evacuation coverage for transportation expenses if there is civil or political unrest in the country you are visiting. The coverage may also transport you home if there is an eligible natural disaster or a government expels you.
Purchase your policy here: World Nomads .
Other options for buying travel insurance
This guide details the policies of eight providers with the information available at the time of publication. There are many options when it comes to travel insurance, though. To compare different policies quickly, you can use a travel insurance aggregator like InsureMyTrip to search. Just note that these search engines won't show every policy and every provider, and you should still research the provided policies to ensure the coverage fits your trip and needs.
You can also purchase a plan through various membership associations, such as USAA, AAA or Costco. Typically, these organizations partner with a specific provider, so if you are a member of any of these associations, you may want to compare the policies offered through the organization with other policies to get the best coverage for your trip.
Related: Should you get travel insurance if you have credit card protection?
Is travel insurance worth getting?
Whether you should purchase travel insurance is a personal decision. Suppose you use a credit card that provides travel insurance for most of your expenses and have medical insurance that provides adequate coverage abroad. In that case, you may be covered enough on most trips to forgo purchasing travel insurance.
However, suppose your medical insurance won't cover you at your destination and you can't comfortably cover a sizable medical evacuation bill or last-minute flight home . In that case, you should consider purchasing travel insurance. If you travel frequently, buying an annual multi-trip policy may be worth it.
What is the best COVID-19 travel insurance?
There are various aspects to keep in mind in the age of COVID-19. Consider booking travel plans that are fully refundable or have modest change or cancellation fees so you don't need to worry about whether your policy will cover trip cancellation. This is important since many standard comprehensive insurance policies won't reimburse your insured expenses in the event of cancellation if it's related to the fear of traveling due to COVID-19.
However, if you book a nonrefundable trip and want to maintain the ability to get reimbursed (up to 75% of your insured costs) if you choose to cancel, you should consider buying a comprehensive travel insurance policy and then adding optional cancel for any reason protection. Just note that this benefit is time-sensitive and has eligibility requirements, so not all travelers will qualify.
Providers will often require CFAR purchasers insure the entire dollar amount of their travels to receive the coverage. Also, many CFAR policies mandate that you must cancel your plans and notify all travel suppliers at least 48 hours before your scheduled departure.
Likewise, if your primary health insurance won't cover you while on your trip, it's essential to consider whether medical expenses related to COVID-19 treatment are covered. You may also want to consider a MedJet medical transport membership if your trip is to a covered destination for coronavirus-related evacuation.
Ultimately, the best pandemic travel insurance policy will depend on your trip details, travel concerns and your willingness to self-insure. Just be sure to thoroughly read and understand any terms or exclusions before purchasing.
What are the different types of travel insurance?
Whether you purchase a comprehensive travel insurance policy or rely on the protections offered by select credit cards, you may have access to the following types of coverage:
- Baggage delay protection may reimburse for essential items and clothing when a common carrier (such as an airline) fails to deliver your checked bag within a set time of your arrival at a destination. Typically, you may be reimbursed up to a particular amount per incident or per day.
- Lost/damaged baggage protection may provide reimbursement to replace lost or damaged luggage and items inside that luggage. However, valuables and electronics usually have a relatively low maximum benefit.
- Trip delay reimbursement may provide reimbursement for necessary items, food, lodging and sometimes transportation when you're delayed for a substantial time while traveling on a common carrier such as an airline. This insurance may be beneficial if weather issues (or other covered reasons for which the airline usually won't provide compensation) delay you.
- Trip cancellation and interruption protection may provide reimbursement if you need to cancel or interrupt your trip for a covered reason, such as a death in your family or jury duty.
- Medical evacuation insurance can arrange and pay for medical evacuation if deemed necessary by the insurance provider and a medical professional. This coverage can be particularly valuable if you're traveling to a region with subpar medical facilities.
- Travel accident insurance may provide a payment to you or your beneficiary in the case of your death or dismemberment.
- Emergency medical insurance may provide payment or reimburse you if you must seek medical care while traveling. Some plans only cover emergency medical care, but some also cover other types of medical care. You may need to pay a deductible or copay.
- Rental car coverage may provide a collision damage waiver when renting a car. This waiver may reimburse for collision damage or theft up to a set amount. Some policies also cover loss-of-use charges assessed by the rental company and towing charges to take the vehicle to the nearest qualified repair facility. You generally need to decline the rental company's collision damage waiver or similar provision to be covered.
Should I buy travel health insurance?
If you purchase travel with credit cards that provide various trip protections, you may not see much need for additional travel insurance. However, you may still wonder whether you should buy travel medical insurance.
If your primary health insurance covers you on your trip, you may not need travel health insurance. Your domestic policy may not cover you outside the U.S., though, so it's worth calling the number on your health insurance card if you have coverage questions. If your primary health insurance wouldn't cover you, it's likely worth purchasing travel medical insurance. After all, as you can see above, travel medical insurance is often very modestly priced.
How much does travel insurance cost?
Travel insurance costs depend on various factors, including the provider, the type of coverage, your trip cost, your destination, your age, your residency and how many travelers you want to insure. That said, a standard travel insurance plan will generally set you back somewhere between 4% and 10% of your total trip cost. However, this can get lower for more basic protections or become even higher if you include add-ons like cancel for any reason protection.
The best way to determine how much travel insurance will cost is to price out your trip with a few providers discussed in the guide. Or, visit an insurance aggregator like InsureMyTrip to quickly compare options across multiple providers.
When and how to get travel insurance
For the most robust selection of available travel insurance benefits — including time-sensitive add-ons like CFAR protection and waivers of preexisting conditions for eligible travelers — you should ideally purchase travel insurance on the same day you make your first payment toward your trip.
However, many plans may still offer a preexisting conditions waiver for those who qualify if you buy your travel insurance within 14 to 21 days of your first trip expense or deposit (this time frame may vary by provider). If you don't need a preexisting conditions waiver or aren't interested in CFAR coverage, you can purchase travel insurance once your departure date nears.
You must purchase coverage before it's needed. Some travel medical plans are available for purchase after you have departed, but comprehensive plans that include medical coverage must be purchased before departing.
Additionally, you can't buy any medical coverage once you require medical attention. The same applies to all travel insurance coverage. Once you recognize the need, it's too late to protect your trip.
Once you've shopped around and decided upon the best travel insurance plan for your trip, you should be able to complete your purchase online. You'll usually be able to download your insurance card and the complete policy shortly after the transaction is complete.
Related: 7 times your credit card's travel insurance might not cover you
Bottom line
Not all travel insurance policies and providers are equal. Before buying a plan, read and understand the policy documents. By doing so, you can choose a plan that's appropriate for you and your trip — including the features that matter most to you.
For example, if you plan to go skiing or rock climbing, make sure the policy you buy doesn't contain exclusions for these activities. Likewise, if you're making two back-to-back trips during which you'll be returning home for a short time in between, be sure the plan doesn't terminate coverage at the end of your first trip.
If you're looking to cover a sudden recurrence of a preexisting condition, select a policy with a preexisting condition waiver and fulfill the requirements for the waiver. After all, buying insurance won't help if your policy doesn't cover your losses.
Disclaimer : This information is provided by IMT Services, LLC ( InsureMyTrip.com ), a licensed insurance producer (NPN: 5119217) and a member of the Tokio Marine HCC group of companies. IMT's services are only available in states where it is licensed to do business and the products provided through InsureMyTrip.com may not be available in all states. All insurance products are governed by the terms in the applicable insurance policy, and all related decisions (such as approval for coverage, premiums, commissions and fees) and policy obligations are the sole responsibility of the underwriting insurer. The information on this site does not create or modify any insurance policy terms in any way. For more information, please visit www.insuremytrip.com .
- Help Center
- 1-866-921-7925
Start Searching
- Packages
- Hotels
- Cruises
- Rental Cars
* Indicates required fields
Rental Period:
pickUpDate - dropOffDate
Pick-Up: pickUpTime - Drop-Off: dropOffTime
Pick-Up Location:
pickUpAddress
pickUpAgencyName
pickUpAgencyAddress
Drop-Off Location:
Same as Pick-Up Location
dropOffAddress
dropOffAgencyName
dropOffAgencyAddress
Coupon Override
Please call.
For drivers under the age of 25, additional fees and/or restrictions may apply.
For information and assistance in completing your reservation, please call:
We're unable to find your location.
{"canada":{"mapOfRegionInfo":{"YUL":{"supportedBundleRegions":[],"regionDisplayName":"Montreal","cityCodeToRegionAndCityWithDropDownDisplayValues":{"YYZ":{"region":"Toronto","city":"Toronto","dropDownDisplayValue":"Toronto, CA"}}},"YVR":{"supportedBundleRegions":[],"regionDisplayName":"Vancouver","cityCodeToRegionAndCityWithDropDownDisplayValues":{"WHI":{"region":"Whistler","city":"Whistler","dropDownDisplayValue":"Whistler, CA"}}},"WHI":{"supportedBundleRegions":[],"regionDisplayName":"Whistler","cityCodeToRegionAndCityWithDropDownDisplayValues":{"YVR":{"region":"Vancouver","city":"Vancouver","dropDownDisplayValue":"Vancouver, CA"}}},"YYZ":{"supportedBundleRegions":[],"regionDisplayName":"Toronto","cityCodeToRegionAndCityWithDropDownDisplayValues":{"YUL":{"region":"Montreal","city":"Montreal","dropDownDisplayValue":"Montreal, CA"}}}},"defaultChecked":false,"multiIsland":false,"multiCity":true},"arizona":{"mapOfRegionInfo":{"PHX":{"supportedBundleRegions":[],"regionDisplayName":"Phoenix/Scottsdale","cityCodeToRegionAndCityWithDropDownDisplayValues":{"SDO":{"region":"Sedona","city":"Sedona","dropDownDisplayValue":"Sedona, AZ"}}},"SDO":{"supportedBundleRegions":[],"regionDisplayName":"Sedona","cityCodeToRegionAndCityWithDropDownDisplayValues":{"PHX":{"region":"Phoenix/Scottsdale","city":"Phoenix/Scottsdale","dropDownDisplayValue":"Phoenix/Scottsdale, AZ"}}}},"defaultChecked":false,"multiIsland":false,"multiCity":true},"hawaii":{"mapOfRegionInfo":{"HNL":{"supportedBundleRegions":[],"regionDisplayName":"Oahu","cityCodeToRegionAndCityWithDropDownDisplayValues":{}},"LIH":{"supportedBundleRegions":[],"regionDisplayName":"Kauai","cityCodeToRegionAndCityWithDropDownDisplayValues":{}},"KOA":{"supportedBundleRegions":[],"regionDisplayName":"Hawaii Island","cityCodeToRegionAndCityWithDropDownDisplayValues":{}},"OGG":{"supportedBundleRegions":[],"regionDisplayName":"Maui","cityCodeToRegionAndCityWithDropDownDisplayValues":{}}},"defaultChecked":false,"multiIsland":true,"multiCity":false},"california":{"mapOfRegionInfo":{"SVV":{"supportedBundleRegions":[],"regionDisplayName":"Napa Valley/Sonoma","cityCodeToRegionAndCityWithDropDownDisplayValues":{}},"SFO":{"supportedBundleRegions":[],"regionDisplayName":"San Francisco","cityCodeToRegionAndCityWithDropDownDisplayValues":{}}},"defaultChecked":false,"multiIsland":false,"multiCity":true},"texas":{"mapOfRegionInfo":{"SAT":{"supportedBundleRegions":[],"regionDisplayName":"San Antonio","cityCodeToRegionAndCityWithDropDownDisplayValues":{}},"AUS":{"supportedBundleRegions":[],"regionDisplayName":"Austin","cityCodeToRegionAndCityWithDropDownDisplayValues":{}}},"defaultChecked":false,"multiIsland":false,"multiCity":true},"europe":{"mapOfRegionInfo":{"PAR":{"supportedBundleRegions":[],"regionDisplayName":"Paris","cityCodeToRegionAndCityWithDropDownDisplayValues":{"AMS":{"region":"Netherlands","city":"Amsterdam","dropDownDisplayValue":"Amsterdam"},"JTR":{"region":"Greece","city":"Santorini","dropDownDisplayValue":"Santorini"},"LON":{"region":"England","city":"London","dropDownDisplayValue":"London"},"EDI":{"region":"Scotland","city":"Edinburgh","dropDownDisplayValue":"Edinburgh"},"BCN":{"region":"Spain","city":"Barcelona","dropDownDisplayValue":"Barcelona"},"FLR":{"region":"Italy","city":"Florence","dropDownDisplayValue":"Florence"},"SVQ":{"region":"Spain","city":"Seville","dropDownDisplayValue":"Seville"},"DUB":{"region":"Ireland","city":"Dublin","dropDownDisplayValue":"Dublin"},"ROM":{"region":"Italy","city":"Rome","dropDownDisplayValue":"Rome"},"MAD":{"region":"Spain","city":"Madrid","dropDownDisplayValue":"Madrid"},"MIL":{"region":"Italy","city":"Milan","dropDownDisplayValue":"Milan"},"ATH":{"region":"Greece","city":"Athens","dropDownDisplayValue":"Athens"},"VCE":{"region":"Italy","city":"Venice","dropDownDisplayValue":"Venice"}}},"AMS":{"supportedBundleRegions":[],"regionDisplayName":"Amsterdam","cityCodeToRegionAndCityWithDropDownDisplayValues":{"PAR":{"region":"France","city":"Paris","dropDownDisplayValue":"Paris"},"LON":{"region":"England","city":"London","dropDownDisplayValue":"London"},"BCN":{"region":"Spain","city":"Barcelona","dropDownDisplayValue":"Barcelona"}}},"GWY":{"supportedBundleRegions":[],"regionDisplayName":"Galway","cityCodeToRegionAndCityWithDropDownDisplayValues":{"DUB":{"region":"Ireland","city":"Dublin","dropDownDisplayValue":"Dublin"},"KIR":{"region":"Ireland","city":"Killarney","dropDownDisplayValue":"Killarney"},"LON":{"region":"England","city":"London","dropDownDisplayValue":"London"},"EDI":{"region":"Scotland","city":"Edinburgh","dropDownDisplayValue":"Edinburgh"},"WSI":{"region":"Ireland","city":"West Ireland","dropDownDisplayValue":"West Ireland"},"EIR":{"region":"Ireland","city":"East Ireland","dropDownDisplayValue":"East Ireland"}}},"JTR":{"supportedBundleRegions":[],"regionDisplayName":"Santorini","cityCodeToRegionAndCityWithDropDownDisplayValues":{"PAR":{"region":"France","city":"Paris","dropDownDisplayValue":"Paris"},"HER":{"region":"Greece","city":"Central Crete","dropDownDisplayValue":"Central Crete"},"ATH":{"region":"Greece","city":"Athens","dropDownDisplayValue":"Athens"},"JMK":{"region":"Greece","city":"Mykonos","dropDownDisplayValue":"Mykonos"},"LON":{"region":"England","city":"London","dropDownDisplayValue":"London"}}},"JMK":{"supportedBundleRegions":[],"regionDisplayName":"Mykonos","cityCodeToRegionAndCityWithDropDownDisplayValues":{"HER":{"region":"Greece","city":"Central Crete","dropDownDisplayValue":"Central Crete"},"ATH":{"region":"Greece","city":"Athens","dropDownDisplayValue":"Athens"},"JTR":{"region":"Greece","city":"Santorini","dropDownDisplayValue":"Santorini"}}},"LON":{"supportedBundleRegions":[],"regionDisplayName":"London","cityCodeToRegionAndCityWithDropDownDisplayValues":{"PAR":{"region":"France","city":"Paris","dropDownDisplayValue":"Paris"},"AMS":{"region":"Netherlands","city":"Amsterdam","dropDownDisplayValue":"Amsterdam"},"GWY":{"region":"Ireland","city":"Galway","dropDownDisplayValue":"Galway"},"JTR":{"region":"Greece","city":"Santorini","dropDownDisplayValue":"Santorini"},"EDI":{"region":"Scotland","city":"Edinburgh","dropDownDisplayValue":"Edinburgh"},"WSI":{"region":"Ireland","city":"West Ireland","dropDownDisplayValue":"West Ireland"},"BCN":{"region":"Spain","city":"Barcelona","dropDownDisplayValue":"Barcelona"},"FLR":{"region":"Italy","city":"Florence","dropDownDisplayValue":"Florence"},"SVQ":{"region":"Spain","city":"Seville","dropDownDisplayValue":"Seville"},"DUB":{"region":"Ireland","city":"Dublin","dropDownDisplayValue":"Dublin"},"ROM":{"region":"Italy","city":"Rome","dropDownDisplayValue":"Rome"},"MIL":{"region":"Italy","city":"Milan","dropDownDisplayValue":"Milan"},"MAD":{"region":"Spain","city":"Madrid","dropDownDisplayValue":"Madrid"},"SCB":{"region":"Scotland","city":"Scottish Countryside","dropDownDisplayValue":"Scottish Countryside"},"KIR":{"region":"Ireland","city":"Killarney","dropDownDisplayValue":"Killarney"},"ATH":{"region":"Greece","city":"Athens","dropDownDisplayValue":"Athens"},"VCE":{"region":"Italy","city":"Venice","dropDownDisplayValue":"Venice"}}},"EDI":{"supportedBundleRegions":[],"regionDisplayName":"Edinburgh","cityCodeToRegionAndCityWithDropDownDisplayValues":{"DUB":{"region":"Ireland","city":"Dublin","dropDownDisplayValue":"Dublin"},"PAR":{"region":"France","city":"Paris","dropDownDisplayValue":"Paris"},"SCB":{"region":"Scotland","city":"Scottish Countryside","dropDownDisplayValue":"Scottish Countryside"},"KIR":{"region":"Ireland","city":"Killarney","dropDownDisplayValue":"Killarney"},"GWY":{"region":"Ireland","city":"Galway","dropDownDisplayValue":"Galway"},"LON":{"region":"England","city":"London","dropDownDisplayValue":"London"},"WSI":{"region":"Ireland","city":"West Ireland","dropDownDisplayValue":"West Ireland"}}},"BCN":{"supportedBundleRegions":[],"regionDisplayName":"Barcelona","cityCodeToRegionAndCityWithDropDownDisplayValues":{"PAR":{"region":"France","city":"Paris","dropDownDisplayValue":"Paris"},"MAD":{"region":"Spain","city":"Madrid","dropDownDisplayValue":"Madrid"},"ROM":{"region":"Italy","city":"Rome","dropDownDisplayValue":"Rome"},"AMS":{"region":"Netherlands","city":"Amsterdam","dropDownDisplayValue":"Amsterdam"},"VCE":{"region":"Italy","city":"Venice","dropDownDisplayValue":"Venice"},"LON":{"region":"England","city":"London","dropDownDisplayValue":"London"},"FLR":{"region":"Italy","city":"Florence","dropDownDisplayValue":"Florence"},"SVQ":{"region":"Spain","city":"Seville","dropDownDisplayValue":"Seville"}}},"WSI":{"supportedBundleRegions":[],"regionDisplayName":"West Ireland","cityCodeToRegionAndCityWithDropDownDisplayValues":{"DUB":{"region":"Ireland","city":"Dublin","dropDownDisplayValue":"Dublin"},"KIR":{"region":"Ireland","city":"Killarney","dropDownDisplayValue":"Killarney"},"GWY":{"region":"Ireland","city":"Galway","dropDownDisplayValue":"Galway"},"LON":{"region":"England","city":"London","dropDownDisplayValue":"London"},"EDI":{"region":"Scotland","city":"Edinburgh","dropDownDisplayValue":"Edinburgh"},"EIR":{"region":"Ireland","city":"East Ireland","dropDownDisplayValue":"East Ireland"}}},"FLR":{"supportedBundleRegions":[],"regionDisplayName":"Florence","cityCodeToRegionAndCityWithDropDownDisplayValues":{"PAR":{"region":"France","city":"Paris","dropDownDisplayValue":"Paris"},"ROM":{"region":"Italy","city":"Rome","dropDownDisplayValue":"Rome"},"MAD":{"region":"Spain","city":"Madrid","dropDownDisplayValue":"Madrid"},"MIL":{"region":"Italy","city":"Milan","dropDownDisplayValue":"Milan"},"ATH":{"region":"Greece","city":"Athens","dropDownDisplayValue":"Athens"},"VCE":{"region":"Italy","city":"Venice","dropDownDisplayValue":"Venice"},"LON":{"region":"England","city":"London","dropDownDisplayValue":"London"},"BCN":{"region":"Spain","city":"Barcelona","dropDownDisplayValue":"Barcelona"},"RRO":{"region":"Italy","city":"Sorrento","dropDownDisplayValue":"Sorrento"}}},"RRO":{"supportedBundleRegions":[],"regionDisplayName":"Sorrento","cityCodeToRegionAndCityWithDropDownDisplayValues":{"ROM":{"region":"Italy","city":"Rome","dropDownDisplayValue":"Rome"},"VCE":{"region":"Italy","city":"Venice","dropDownDisplayValue":"Venice"},"FLR":{"region":"Italy","city":"Florence","dropDownDisplayValue":"Florence"}}},"EIR":{"supportedBundleRegions":[],"regionDisplayName":"East Ireland","cityCodeToRegionAndCityWithDropDownDisplayValues":{"DUB":{"region":"Ireland","city":"Dublin","dropDownDisplayValue":"Dublin"},"KIR":{"region":"Ireland","city":"Killarney","dropDownDisplayValue":"Killarney"},"GWY":{"region":"Ireland","city":"Galway","dropDownDisplayValue":"Galway"},"WSI":{"region":"Ireland","city":"West Ireland","dropDownDisplayValue":"West Ireland"}}},"SVQ":{"supportedBundleRegions":[],"regionDisplayName":"Seville","cityCodeToRegionAndCityWithDropDownDisplayValues":{"PAR":{"region":"France","city":"Paris","dropDownDisplayValue":"Paris"},"MAD":{"region":"Spain","city":"Madrid","dropDownDisplayValue":"Madrid"},"ROM":{"region":"Italy","city":"Rome","dropDownDisplayValue":"Rome"},"LON":{"region":"England","city":"London","dropDownDisplayValue":"London"},"BCN":{"region":"Spain","city":"Barcelona","dropDownDisplayValue":"Barcelona"}}},"DUB":{"supportedBundleRegions":[],"regionDisplayName":"Dublin","cityCodeToRegionAndCityWithDropDownDisplayValues":{"PAR":{"region":"France","city":"Paris","dropDownDisplayValue":"Paris"},"SCB":{"region":"Scotland","city":"Scottish Countryside","dropDownDisplayValue":"Scottish Countryside"},"KIR":{"region":"Ireland","city":"Killarney","dropDownDisplayValue":"Killarney"},"GWY":{"region":"Ireland","city":"Galway","dropDownDisplayValue":"Galway"},"LON":{"region":"England","city":"London","dropDownDisplayValue":"London"},"EDI":{"region":"Scotland","city":"Edinburgh","dropDownDisplayValue":"Edinburgh"},"WSI":{"region":"Ireland","city":"West Ireland","dropDownDisplayValue":"West Ireland"},"EIR":{"region":"Ireland","city":"East Ireland","dropDownDisplayValue":"East Ireland"}}},"MAD":{"supportedBundleRegions":[],"regionDisplayName":"Madrid","cityCodeToRegionAndCityWithDropDownDisplayValues":{"PAR":{"region":"France","city":"Paris","dropDownDisplayValue":"Paris"},"ROM":{"region":"Italy","city":"Rome","dropDownDisplayValue":"Rome"},"VCE":{"region":"Italy","city":"Venice","dropDownDisplayValue":"Venice"},"LON":{"region":"England","city":"London","dropDownDisplayValue":"London"},"BCN":{"region":"Spain","city":"Barcelona","dropDownDisplayValue":"Barcelona"},"FLR":{"region":"Italy","city":"Florence","dropDownDisplayValue":"Florence"},"SVQ":{"region":"Spain","city":"Seville","dropDownDisplayValue":"Seville"}}},"MIL":{"supportedBundleRegions":[],"regionDisplayName":"Milan","cityCodeToRegionAndCityWithDropDownDisplayValues":{"PAR":{"region":"France","city":"Paris","dropDownDisplayValue":"Paris"},"ROM":{"region":"Italy","city":"Rome","dropDownDisplayValue":"Rome"},"VCE":{"region":"Italy","city":"Venice","dropDownDisplayValue":"Venice"},"LON":{"region":"England","city":"London","dropDownDisplayValue":"London"},"FLR":{"region":"Italy","city":"Florence","dropDownDisplayValue":"Florence"}}},"ROM":{"supportedBundleRegions":[],"regionDisplayName":"Rome","cityCodeToRegionAndCityWithDropDownDisplayValues":{"PAR":{"region":"France","city":"Paris","dropDownDisplayValue":"Paris"},"MIL":{"region":"Italy","city":"Milan","dropDownDisplayValue":"Milan"},"MAD":{"region":"Spain","city":"Madrid","dropDownDisplayValue":"Madrid"},"ATH":{"region":"Greece","city":"Athens","dropDownDisplayValue":"Athens"},"VCE":{"region":"Italy","city":"Venice","dropDownDisplayValue":"Venice"},"LON":{"region":"England","city":"London","dropDownDisplayValue":"London"},"BCN":{"region":"Spain","city":"Barcelona","dropDownDisplayValue":"Barcelona"},"FLR":{"region":"Italy","city":"Florence","dropDownDisplayValue":"Florence"},"RRO":{"region":"Italy","city":"Sorrento","dropDownDisplayValue":"Sorrento"},"SVQ":{"region":"Spain","city":"Seville","dropDownDisplayValue":"Seville"}}},"SCB":{"supportedBundleRegions":[],"regionDisplayName":"Scottish Countryside","cityCodeToRegionAndCityWithDropDownDisplayValues":{"DUB":{"region":"Ireland","city":"Dublin","dropDownDisplayValue":"Dublin"},"LON":{"region":"England","city":"London","dropDownDisplayValue":"London"},"EDI":{"region":"Scotland","city":"Edinburgh","dropDownDisplayValue":"Edinburgh"}}},"HER":{"supportedBundleRegions":[],"regionDisplayName":"Central Crete","cityCodeToRegionAndCityWithDropDownDisplayValues":{"ATH":{"region":"Greece","city":"Athens","dropDownDisplayValue":"Athens"},"JMK":{"region":"Greece","city":"Mykonos","dropDownDisplayValue":"Mykonos"},"JTR":{"region":"Greece","city":"Santorini","dropDownDisplayValue":"Santorini"}}},"KIR":{"supportedBundleRegions":[],"regionDisplayName":"Killarney","cityCodeToRegionAndCityWithDropDownDisplayValues":{"DUB":{"region":"Ireland","city":"Dublin","dropDownDisplayValue":"Dublin"},"GWY":{"region":"Ireland","city":"Galway","dropDownDisplayValue":"Galway"},"LON":{"region":"England","city":"London","dropDownDisplayValue":"London"},"EDI":{"region":"Scotland","city":"Edinburgh","dropDownDisplayValue":"Edinburgh"},"WSI":{"region":"Ireland","city":"West Ireland","dropDownDisplayValue":"West Ireland"},"EIR":{"region":"Ireland","city":"East Ireland","dropDownDisplayValue":"East Ireland"}}},"ATH":{"supportedBundleRegions":[],"regionDisplayName":"Athens","cityCodeToRegionAndCityWithDropDownDisplayValues":{"PAR":{"region":"France","city":"Paris","dropDownDisplayValue":"Paris"},"ROM":{"region":"Italy","city":"Rome","dropDownDisplayValue":"Rome"},"HER":{"region":"Greece","city":"Central Crete","dropDownDisplayValue":"Central Crete"},"JMK":{"region":"Greece","city":"Mykonos","dropDownDisplayValue":"Mykonos"},"JTR":{"region":"Greece","city":"Santorini","dropDownDisplayValue":"Santorini"},"VCE":{"region":"Italy","city":"Venice","dropDownDisplayValue":"Venice"},"LON":{"region":"England","city":"London","dropDownDisplayValue":"London"},"FLR":{"region":"Italy","city":"Florence","dropDownDisplayValue":"Florence"}}},"VCE":{"supportedBundleRegions":[],"regionDisplayName":"Venice","cityCodeToRegionAndCityWithDropDownDisplayValues":{"PAR":{"region":"France","city":"Paris","dropDownDisplayValue":"Paris"},"ROM":{"region":"Italy","city":"Rome","dropDownDisplayValue":"Rome"},"MIL":{"region":"Italy","city":"Milan","dropDownDisplayValue":"Milan"},"MAD":{"region":"Spain","city":"Madrid","dropDownDisplayValue":"Madrid"},"ATH":{"region":"Greece","city":"Athens","dropDownDisplayValue":"Athens"},"LON":{"region":"England","city":"London","dropDownDisplayValue":"London"},"BCN":{"region":"Spain","city":"Barcelona","dropDownDisplayValue":"Barcelona"},"FLR":{"region":"Italy","city":"Florence","dropDownDisplayValue":"Florence"},"RRO":{"region":"Italy","city":"Sorrento","dropDownDisplayValue":"Sorrento"}}}},"defaultChecked":true,"multiIsland":false,"multiCity":true}}
- Vacation Packages
- Hotel + Flight
- Hotel + Flight + Car
- Hotel + Car
- Hotel Only
Alaska Cruise Tours:
A cruise tour is a voyage and land tour combination, with the land tour occurring before or after the voyage. Unless otherwise noted, optional services such as airfare, airport transfers, shore excursions, land tour excursions, etc. are not included and are available for an additional cost.
Family-Friendly Resort
Grand palladium jamaica package.
- Unlimited Meals, Snacks and Select Beverages
- Digital Costco Shop Card
Desert Oasis
Palm springs, renaissance esmeralda resort & spa, indian wells package.
- Daily $50 Resort Credit
Luxury on The Strip
The cosmopolitan of las vegas package.
- $75 Food and Beverage Credit
- Invited Guest Check-In
Wellness and Wonder
Omni scottsdale resort & spa at montelucia.
- Costco Member Savings
Historical Hotel
New york city, jw marriott essex house package.
- Welcome Amenity
- $50 Resort Credit
Private Island Resort
Matangi private island buyer's choice package.
- Daily Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
- Private Candlelit Dinner for Two
Customize your experience with a Costco Travel vacation package.
With some of the world's most popular destinations available, a quality vacation is at your fingertips. Maximize your Costco membership and enjoy the value.
Browse by Vacation Destination
Popular Interests
Adult escapes.
Adult-Only Getaways
Condo Resorts
Spacious Accommodations
Family-Friendly Fun
Vacations for All Ages
All-Inclusive Resorts & Cruises
Meals, Beverages and More Included
Romance & Honeymoon
Getaways for Two
North America Vacations
Stay Close to Home or Get Out and Explore
The Costco Traveler Blog
Global entry & tsa precheck updates for 2024, puerto rico on a budget: 5 things to do for free, a visit to stunning sedona, explore more travel, hidden gems.
Discover What Lies Beyond the Ordinary
Off-the-Beaten Path Vacation Packages and Cruises
Experience the Disney Difference
Immerse Yourself in the Magic
Member Value in Every Disney Vacation
Rental Cars
One Additional Driver Fee Waived
Executive Members Earn an Annual 2% Reward
We are processing your payment.
Do not refresh your browser or exit this page.
- Shop all deals
- Free phones
- Smartphones
- Fios Home Internet
- Bring your own device
- Accessories
- Refer a Friend
- Certified pre-owned phones
- Apple iPhone 15 Pro
- Apple iPhone 15
- Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
- Google Pixel 8 Pro
- Other phones
- Trade in your device
- Tablets & laptops
- Certified pre-owned watches
- Jetpacks & hotspots
- Shop all accessories
- Phone cases
- Screen protectors
- Tablet accessories
- Chargers & cables
- Phone attachments
- MagSafe compatible
- Verizon accessories
- Shop all watch accessories
- Smart watches
- Shop all plans
- International services
- Connected devices
- Discounts overview
- Mobile + Home
- First responders
- Verizon Forward
- Connected car plans
- Shop all home solutions
- 5G Home Internet
- LTE Home Internet
- Accessories overview
- Cables & connectors
- Networking & Wi-Fi
- TV accessories
- Phone equipment
- 5G Home accessories
- Prepaid overview
- Phone plans
- International plans
- Basic phones
- Mobile hotspots & routers
- Affordable Connectivity Program
- Why Verizon Prepaid
- Disney+, Hulu, ESPN+
- Apple Arcade
- Google Play Pass
- Apple Music
- Xbox All Access
- Services & perks overview
- Entertainment
- Protection & security
- Digital family
- Financial services
- 5G overview
- Coverage map
- Innovation Labs
- Global coverage
- Devices & plans
- Verizon Visa® Card
- Device protection
- Verizon Cloud
- Health discounts
- Responsibility
- Support overview
- Mobile support overview
- Billing & payments
- Account management
- Device support & setup
- Services & apps
- International trip planner
- Order status
- Community Forums
- Download My Verizon App
- Home support overview
- Billing & account management
- Fios Internet
- Back to Menu
- Sign in to My Account
- Prepaid instant pay
- Business Log in
Choose your cart
- Mobile solutions
- Home solutions
Layer_4 Created with Sketch.
Page contents
Travelpass® faqs.
TravelPass lets you take your talk, text and data with you to 210+ countries and destinations for a set daily fee. For more information about using your device internationally, visit our International Travel FAQs .
- What is TravelPass?
How do I add TravelPass to my line?
Can i use wi-fi calling with travelpass, about travelpass, what is travelpass, where can i use it and how much does it cost.
TravelPass lets you use your domestic talk, text and data* in 210+ countries and destinations outside the US for a set daily fee. You can call within the country you're visiting and you can call back to the US. The fee is:
- $5/day in Mexico and Canada. Keep in mind that calling, texting and data use in Mexico and Canada are included at no extra cost in our Unlimited mobile plans.
- $10/day in other countries where TravelPass can be used . Learn how to get TravelPass reward days . Note: TravelPass isn't available in non-covered countries or on cruise ships.
*High speed data applies for the first 2 GB/day with 3G speeds thereafter. If more than 50% of your talk, text or data usage in a 60-day period is in Canada or Mexico, use of those services in those countries may be removed or limited.
How does TravelPass work and when will I be charged for it?
Here's how TravelPass works. After you add TravelPass to your mobile phone line:
- A 24-hour TravelPass session starts automatically when you use your phone in a TravelPass country (e.g., make or answer a phone call, send a text or use data).
- You're only charged for the days that you use your device in the TravelPass country.
- You must turn on cellular data or data roaming when you go to the TravelPass country.
- App content refreshing (e.g., Weather apps, Fitness Tracker)
- Syncing (e.g., email)
- Device or app software updates
2 hours after the session starts we send you a text letting you know when your 24-hour TravelPass session ends. Using your device after that session starts a new session.
travel-pass
If I travel to multiple countries in the same day, how will I be charged for TravelPass?
If you travel to 2 countries within a single 24-hour session or have a layover in a different country on your way to your final destination, you're still only charged for 1 session.
Which countries can I call with TravelPass?
With TravelPass, you can call within the country you're visiting and you can call back to the US. If you want to call a different country, add an International Long Distance Plan to your line in My Verizon website or the My Verizon app. If you don't add an international long distance plan you'll be charged international long distance pay per minute rates for these calls.
Wi-Fi calling isn't included with TravelPass. Wi-Fi calling to a country other than the US is charged international long distance rates regardless of whether or not you have an international travel plan.
Adding TravelPass to your account
You can add TravelPass to your line in My Verizon , or by texting the word Travel to 4004. Note: For TravelPass to work, you must turn on cellular data or data roaming when you go to the TravelPass country.
Managing TravelPass
Do i have to opt in every day to use travelpass.
No, you don't need to opt in every day. Add TravelPass once and it stays on your line so you're all set for your next trip. You're only charged for the days that you use your device in a TravelPass country . There's no charge when you're in the US.
I reached the daily high speed data limit on TravelPass. How do I get more high speed data?
TravelPass gives you high-speed data for the first 2 GB/day. After that, you'll have unlimited data at 3G speeds for the remainder of your TravelPass session. To get more high speed data:
- The additional 2 GB data is $5 in Mexico and Canada and $10 in all other TravelPass countries.
- Reply speed to this text to get the added high speed data to use in the same 24-hour session.
You can buy additional 2 GB of high speed data multiple times during a single 24-hour session. Note: Additional high speed data sessions are not available in Armenia, Azerbaijan, Burkina Faso, Bangladesh, Cyprus, Faroe Islands, Gabon, Georgia, Gibraltar, Greenland, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Monaco, Mongolia, Mozambique, Pakistan, French Polynesia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan.
Do I need to cancel TravelPass when I return to the US?
No, you don't need to cancel TravelPass when you return to the US. TravelPass only triggers a daily charge when you use your device while traveling outside the US in a TravelPass country . So you can leave TravelPass on your account for no charge and it will be ready to activate a new 24-hour session the next time you travel abroad.
TravelPass days on us
How do i get travelpass days on us.
You get TravelPass days on us when you have:
- 5G Get More*, 5G Do More* – Get a TravelPass day each month.
- Verizon Visa Card – You get 2 TravelPass days per calendar year if you apply and are approved for the Verizon Visa Card.
*No longer available to add to your account.
Can I see how many TravelPass days I have?
All of your TravelPass days are stored in your TravelPass bank. To view your TravelPass bank:
- In the My Verizon app, tap the Menu icon in the top left corner of the screen.
- Tap Verizon Up .
- Scroll down to Manage your TravelPass days.
You’ll see the number of TravelPass days you have. You can tap Manage to see the expiration dates of each of your TravelPass days and/or transfer* them to another eligible line on your account. *TravelPass days earned with 5G Get More or 5G Do More phone plans can't be transferred to other lines.
How do I use my TravelPass days?
The TravelPass days assigned to your line are automatically used when you have TravelPass active on your line and travel outside the US to a TravelPass country. When you arrive at your international destination, you receive a text message telling you how many TravelPass days you have. Once all your TravelPass days are used, the normal TravelPass daily fee will be applied. Note: TravelPass days aren't eligible for use on cruise ships.
Can I transfer my TravelPass days to another line on my account?
TravelPass days you get through the Verizon Visa Card can be transferred to another eligible line on the account. The Account Owner or Account Manager can make the transfer through the My Verizon app:
- Go to your TravelPass bank in the My Verizon app.
- Tap Manage .
- Tap Reassign next to the TravelPass day you want to transfer to another line.
- Select the eligible line you want to reassign the TravelPass day to.
The TravelPass day is now assigned to that line. Note:
- TravelPass days you receive from your Verizon Visa Card won’t automatically be assigned. You can view them and assign them on the Use Rewards tab of the Verizon Up screen in the My Verizon app.
- TravelPass days earned with 5G Get More* or 5G Do More* phone plans can't be transferred to other lines.
Do my TravelPass days expire?
Here's when your TravelPass days expire:
- Verizon Visa Card: TravelPass days expire at the end of the calendar year.
- 5G Get More* and 5G Do More* TravelPass days expire 12 months after you receive them.
Additional support
Complete a transaction.
- Home Internet & TV
- Return policy
- Accessibility
- Check network status
- Verizon Innovative Learning
- Consumer info
- Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max
- Apple iPhone 15 Plus
- Apple AirPods Max
- Apple Watch Series 9
- Elizabeth James
- Terms & Conditions
- Device Payment Terms & Conditions
- Report a security vulnerability
- Mobile customer agreement
- Announcements
- Radio frequency emissions
- Taxes & surcharges
- Legal notices
- facebook-official
- Privacy Policy
- California Privacy Notice
- Open Internet
- Terms & Conditions
- About Our Ads
Best cell phone plans in 2024: The best options for your monthly phone service
The best cell phone plans for families and individuals — from unlimited data to low-cost options
- Best plan overall
Best cheap unlimited plan
Best prepaid plan
- Best unlimited data plan
Best bulk data plan
Best for travelers
Best family plan
Most flexible family plan
- Best low-cost plan
- Best alternative
Best family prepaid plan
- How we pick the best plans
- What kind of plan do you need
MVNOs vs other carriers
1. The quick list 2. The best plan overall 3. Best cheap unlimited plan 4. Best prepaid plan 5. Best unlimited data plan 6. Best bulk data plan 7. Best plan for travelers 8. Best family plan 9. Most flexible family plan 10. Best low-cost plan 11. Best alternative plan 12. Best family prepaid plan 13. How we pick the best plans 14. What to look for 15. What kind of plan do you need 16. What are MVNOs?
Making sure you've got the best cell phone plan for your needs is a great way to save money. There are a lot of different options out there, and hiding among could be a plan that offers the exact amount of data you need at a price that's lower than what you're paying now. You might also be able to get better perks as add-ons to your new phone plan.
Sorting through all the different options is a lot of work, but we're regularly checking what's out there from the best phone carriers to see what different carriers are charging and what they offer in return. That way, you can make an informed decision about whether it's time to sign up for a new cell phone plan.
Price is high on the list of what we look at to evaluate the best cell phone plans. But we also look at the extras that wireless providers include in their plans — things like hotspot data, streaming service subscriptions and traveller benefits. Other factors to consider include network performance, particularly for plans offered by low-cost carriers who piggy-back on the cellular towers operated by other wireless services.
Our picks represent hours of research into what's currently available — not just from the biggest wireless providers but from less well-known entities, too. That way, we can compare what one carrier offers with deals from other providers to make sure we're truly highlighting the best cell phone plans out there. And if you're just interested in price, we've tracked down the best cheap cell phone plans , too, in a separate guide.
The quick list
The best cell phone plan overall
With plans starting at $15 per month, Mint is a great way to save money on your cell phone bill. The low rates cover your first three months of service, then you pay for a year of service ahead of time to keep that rate locked in.
Read more below
Visible has just two plans, both of them with unlimited data. The cheaper of the two lets you enjoy coverage on Verizon's network for just $25 per month, which is less than what you'd pay at Mint.
Our favorite prepaid plan costs just $35 per month when you enroll for automatic payments at Verizon. You'll get 15GB of data, which can also be used as hotspot data. And your coverage includes 5G on Verizon's nationwide network.
Best unlimited plan
T-Mobile has the best unlimited plan among the major carriers, with its Go5G plan. For $75 a month, you get unlimited talk, text and data with 15GB of hotspot data, plus other perks including six free months of Apple TV Plus.
You can't beat AT&T for the huge bucket of data you get by paying for a year up front. That lowers your monthly cost to $25 while giving you unlimited data, with 16GB of that data at high speeds.
Google Fi's $65 per month Unlimited Plus plan is about what you'd pay for unlimited data with many phone carriers. But the plan pays off when you go overseas and can use your unlimited text and data at no additional cost.
Load the next 5 plans...
The Go5G plan is also a good option for families who need unlimited data. Four lines cost $200 per month, though various discounts can drop the monthly rate further. T-Mobile covers the cost of a Netflix subscription with this plan; taxes and fees are included, too.
Verizon's Unlimited Plus plan starts at $80 per month with discounts as you add more lines. You can also mix and match with the cheaper Unlimited Welcome plan. Perks like streaming services are available as add-ons that you can drop at any time.
Lowest cost plans
Tello is great for bargain hunters who just want the lowest-cost plan available. Prices range from $9 per month for 1GB of data all the way to a $25 unlimited plan with multiple stops in between. Tello uses T-Mobile's network.
Best alternative plan
For less than $40 a month, you can get 10GB of data from Cricket, which relies on AT&T's network. You'll need to enroll in autopay for a $5 discount off the regular $40 rate, but there are no data speed caps at Cricket any more.
T-Mobile-owned Metro is one of the few prepaid carriers to offer additional discounts as you add more lines. Our favorite plan is the basic unlimited offering that starts at $40 for a single line, and levels out to $100 per month for four lines of data.
1. Mint Mobile
Specifications, reasons to buy, reasons to avoid.
Mint Mobile is a great option to turn to if you want to keep your monthly cell phone bill low. In addition to the 5GB plan, the best Mint Mobile plans include 15GB, 20GB and unlimited data tiers. The most you'll pay for any plan is $30 per month for unlimited data.
After your three months of service are up, you need to commit to a full year of service to keep the low monthly rate. That means paying up front, which in the case of the 5GB plan is $180. If you can swing that initial cost, Mint provides a great way to lock in a low rate.
Mint runs a frequent promotion where it cuts the price of every plan to $15 for the first three months of service. (After that, plans revert back to their old rate, and you have to commit to a full year to get the best monthly price.) Any time you're looking for a new phone plan, check out Mint to see what kind of promotions the carrier is running.
Mint Mobile | 5GB | $15/month - <a href="https://mint-mobile.pxf.io/c/221109/444520/7915?subId1=hawk-custom-tracking&sharedId=hawk&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.mintmobile.com%2Fplans%2F" data-link-merchant="mintmobile.com"" target="_blank" rel="nofollow"> Best overall cheap cell phone plan Mint's 5GB plan is the best cheap plan for most people, as it provides enough data for social media, internet searches and Maps. You'll pay $15 a month for the first three months, before Mint requires you to pay $180 for a full year of service at the same low monthly rate. Coverage is provided on T-Mobile's network and includes 5G on compatible phones.
The best cheap unlimited data plan
Visible offers just two plans, both of which have unlimited data. For $25 a month, you get coverage on Verizon 's nationwide network — Verizon owns Visible — and the ability to make unlimited calls and texts to Canada and Mexico You can use your phone as a mobile hotspot. The biggest downside is that your network can be slowed at any time if Verizon's network gets congested.
The $45 monthly plan at Visible guarantees you 50GB of high-speed data (i.e., no data throttling), and you can connect to Verizon's faster 5G Ultra Wideband network where available. You also enjoy calling and texting to more countries, with Visible now including a Global Pass that allows you to use your plan overseas for one day. (Normally, that costs $10/day.) Visible Plus subscribers can also add a smartwatch to their plan at no extra cost.
Visible | Visible Unlimited | $25/month - <a href="https://visible.pxf.io/c/221109/1394244/12909?subId1=hawk-custom-tracking&sharedId=hawk&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.visible.com%2Fplans" data-link-merchant="visible.com"" target="_blank" rel="nofollow"> Best cheap unlimited data Even though Visible's $45 Plus plan has the better perks, Visible's $25 unlimited offering is our pick if you want the cheapest unlimited data with no strings attached. It helps that Visible uses Verizon's network for coverage, including 5G coverage.
The best prepaid cell phone plan
You'll find three prepaid options at Verizon — one that gives you 15GB of data each month, and the other two promising unlimited data. The more expensive of Verizon's prepaid unlimited plans has the most perks, with access to Verizon's fastest 5G coverage. (Verizon's other prepaid plans can connect to the slower nationwide 5G.) You also get more hotspot data and 180 minutes of talk time with a country of your choosing.
Whichever prepaid plan you get at Verizon, be sure to enroll in autopay as it lowers your rate significantly. We recommend the 15GB option as the best prepaid phone plan — it normally costs $45/month, but the price drops to $35 with autopay enrollment.
Verizon | 15GB prepaid | $35/month - <a href="https://www.anrdoezrs.net/click-8900245-15733793?sid=hawk-custom-tracking&url=https://www.verizon.com/plans/prepaid" data-link-merchant="verizon.com"" target="_blank" rel="nofollow"> Best prepaid plan Verizon's prepaid plan offers the right mix of price and data. That 15GB per month is more than enough for most users, and autopay discounts bring your monthly rate down to $35. (If you don't enroll in autopay, loyalty discounts eventually drop the rate to $35 if you stick with Verizon for nine months.) Perks are minimal with this plan, but you do get 5G coverage and the ability to use your phone as a mobile hotspot.
The best unlimited data plan overall
4. t-mobile.
T-Mobile offers half-a-dozen unlimited data plans, starting with a $50 Essentials Saver plan for just one line of data all the way up to the $100 Go5G Next offering that packs in the perks. You'll want to pay careful attention to those perks, as they'll help you determine just how much you should be paying for one of the best unlimited data plans at T-Mobile.
Most customers will find themselves choosing between the Magenta/Magenta Max and Go5G/Go5G Plus/Go5G Next plans. Magenta and Go5G let you use 100GB of data before your speeds are slowed, with Go5G customers getting more hotspot data. Magenta Max and Go5G Plus add streaming and travel perks, plus more hotspot data. Go5G Next is the most expensive plan, but its streaming service package includes free Apple TV Plus, Netflix, MLB.TV and Hulu subscriptions. All T-Mobile plans, save for Essentials, include taxes and fees in their price.
T-Mobile | Go5G unlimited data | $75/month - <a href="https://go.redirectingat.com/?id=92X1584493&xcust=hawk-custom-tracking&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.t-mobile.com%2Fcell-phone-plans&sref" data-link-merchant="SkimLinks - t-mobile.com"" target="_blank" rel="nofollow"> Best unlimited data plan We think T-Mobile's Go5G plan is the best option at T-Mobile. You get 15GB of hotspot data to 5GB the less expensive Magenta plan offers; Go5G also sets aside more data to use when you're traveling in Mexico and Canada. With either Go5G or Magenta, you get six months of free Apple TV Plus. For another $15/month, Go5G Plus gives you a full subscription to Apple TV Plus and a Netflix subscription, while boosting travel perks.
The best bulk data plan
5. at&t.
AT&T's main prepaid plans provide 5GB of data for $30/month or unlimited data at $50. (That unlimited price reflects a $15 discount for enrolling in autopay.) We'd steer you toward AT&T's bulk plan, though, as it promises unlimited data for as low as $25/month if you pay for a full year upfront. Only 16GB of the data in that plans is high-speed data — hit that amount in a given month, and your speeds slow down to 1.5Mbps for the rest of the billing cycle — but 16GB is more than enough for most people.
As noted, you'll have to pay the full year up front. But if you can swing the $300 upfront cost, this AT&T prepaid plan is a great way to lock in a low rate ahead of time.
AT&T | Unlimited 12-month prepaid | $25/month - <a href="https://www.anrdoezrs.net/click-8900245-15735111?sid=hawk-custom-tracking&url=https://www.att.com/prepaid/" data-link-merchant="att.com"" target="_blank" rel="nofollow"> Great value on AT&T The main carriers rarely offer the best value prepaid plans and these tend to be more common from MVNOs. However, AT&T can be slightly more affordable and flexible than the likes of Sprint or Verizon. While you can pay for one month at a time, the best price is going to come from investing in a 12-month prepaid plan with AT&T by paying $300 upfront. That gives you unlimited data, though speeds will slow down should you use more than 16GB in a month. If you prefer monthly payments, you can get 5GB of data from AT&T for $30 per month.
The best cell phone plan for travel
6. google fi.
Google has its own wireless carrier, and while Pixel phones are optimized for the network — so are select models from Samsung and Motorola — anyone can use Google Fi .
You have a choice of three plans. The Flexible plans charges $20 for unlimited talk and text plus $10 for every gigabyte of data you use. There are two unlimited plans — one for $50 per month and the other for $65. The $65 Unlimited Plus plan includes travel benefits that let you use your data for no cost when overseas. Other Unlimited Plus perks include a year of YouTube Premium along with 100GB of Google One cloud storage
Google Fi | Unlimited Plus plan | $65/month - <a href="https://fi.google.com/about/plans/" data-link-merchant="fi.google.com"" target="_blank" rel="nofollow"> Best unlimited plan for travel Google Fi's Unlimited Plus plan costs $65/month, with discounts available on additional lines. More importantly, you can use your Google Fi Unlimited Plus plan when you travel to more than 200 other countries with no disruption in service or extra charges; that makes Google Fi Unlimited Plus one of the <a href="https://www.tomsguide.com/us/wireless-carriers-international-travel-plans,review-4327.html" data-link-merchant="tomsguide.com"" data-link-merchant="fi.google.com"">best international phone plans. Unlimited Plus customers now get a year of YouTube Premium, too.
The best family plan overall
7. t-mobile.
Those six unlimited plans available for individuals T-Mobile can also double as family plans. As a bonus, T-Mobile discounts additional lines as you add them, lowering your overall cost per line with each person.
Even better, a frequent promotion at T-Mobile has the carrier waiving the cost of a third line of data, so families of four can get that fourth line for free.
T-Mobile Go5G | 4-line family plan | $180/month - <a href="https://go.redirectingat.com/?id=92X1584493&xcust=hawk-custom-tracking&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.t-mobile.com%2Fcell-phone-plans&sref" data-link-merchant="SkimLinks - t-mobile.com"" target="_blank" rel="nofollow"> Best value family plan Go5G also offers more perks than the standard Magenta unlimited data plan, with an extra 10GB of hotspot data and the ability to use more of your data for free when you travel in Canada and Mexico. The perks are even grander with Go5G Plus, but Go5G is the more affordable option — and when T-Mobile waives the cost of a third line, a four-line plan drops to $155/month, instead of the usual $180.
The most flexible plan for families
Like T-Mobile, Verizon adds escalating discounts as you add more lines. Unlike T-Mobile, you can mix and match Verizon's various unlimited plans, so mom and dad can enjoy the more feature-rich Unlimited Plus option, while assigning cheaper Unlimited Welcome plans to the kids.
The $180 price assumes four lines of Unlimited Plus, as it's Verizon's better option if you want faster 5G. As with individual unlimited plans at Verizon, you can add on perks for $10/month, and cancel them at any time.
Verizon Unlimited Plus| 4-line family plan | $180/month - <a href="https://www.anrdoezrs.net/click-8900245-15733793?sid=hawk-custom-tracking&url=https://www.verizon.com/plans/unlimited/" data-link-merchant="verizon.com"" target="_blank"> Flexible family plan Unlimited Plus lets you access Ultra Wideband 5G; you also get 30GB of hotspot data, and a three year price-guarantee that your rate will stay the same. For $10/month, you can bundle in add-ons like Disney streaming services, travel passes, and an Apple services bundle. Bring your own device for an additional monthly discount for each phone you have.
The best low-cost option
If you want to spend the least amount on data every month, consider Tello, an MVNO that uses T-Mobile's network to provide its coverage. Tello offers six different data plans, which are all priced competitively when compared to other services.
We're highlighting the 1GB plan, which costs $9 a month. But as you can see in our Tello guide , there are also 2GB ($10), 5GB ($14), 10GB ($19), 15GB ($24) and unlimited data ($25) options. Those prices assume unlimited talk and text — you can further reduce your monthly bill by reducing the number of talk minutes you need.
Tello Economy | 1GB | $9/month - <a href="https://www.anrdoezrs.net/click-8900245-13252628?sid=hawk-custom-tracking&url=https://tello.com/buy/custom_plans" data-link-merchant="tello.com"" target="_blank" rel="nofollow"> Lowest priced cell phone plan Tello has added more data to its pricier plans, but the Economy Plan is still the way to go if you want the cheapest possible service. With Tello, you can get a monthly price of $9. You will find yourself limited at 1GB of data in this plan. While you do get unlimited calls and texts, some will find that data cap quite limited so this really is just for those after the lowest monthly cost. Fortunately, jumping up to Tello's 2GB plan costs just $1 more.
The best alternative cell phone plan
10. cricket wireless.
AT&T-owned Cricket Wireless has long since stopped capping data speeds on its service, so if you haven't considered Cricket in a while, it's worth a second look. It's an especially attractive option if you prefer AT&T's network, but want a cheaper plan than what AT&T might offer.
Cricket gives you four different options, ranging in price from $30 a month for 5GB of data to a $60 unlimited data plan that includes hotspot data and a subscription to the ad-supported version of the Max streaming service. We'd steer you toward the $40 monthly plan and its 10GB of data because that's a relative value within more monthly budgets.
Cricket Wireless | 10GB | $40/month - <a href="https://www.anrdoezrs.net/click-8900245-13751603?sid=hawk-custom-tracking&url=https://www.cricketwireless.com/cell-phone-plans" data-link-merchant="cricketwireless.com"" target="_blank" rel="nofollow"> A competitive alternative It used to be easy to dismiss Cricket's prepaid plans because of an 8 Mbps speed cap imposed on downloads. But Cricket's lifted that now and added 5G coverage to all its plans, so this 10GB offering is more compelling than it used to be. You can save $5 per month if you enroll in automatic payments.
The best prepaid plan for families
11. metro by t-mobile.
Prepaid plans typically don't add discounts on additional lines, but Metro by T-Mobile stands out as an exception. All three of Metro's unlimited data options will lower the cost-per-line as you add four lines.
Pricing on unlimited data ranges from $40 to $60 per month for a single line of data, with the three different tiers offering different perks, such as hotspot data and online storage. The $40 plan is probably the most attractive to families, as Metro charges $100 total for four lines.
Metro by T-Mobile | 4-line unlimited data | $100/month - <a href="https://www.metrobyt-mobile.com/cell-phone-plans" data-link-merchant="metrobyt-mobile.com"" target="_blank" rel="nofollow"> Best prepaid family plan Take advantage of Metro by T-Mobile's per-line discounts, and you can get four lines of data for $25 each per month on the discount carrier's lowest-cost unlimited data plan. You won't get the hotspot and online storage perks found in other tiers of unlimited data, but you do get to take advantage of T-Mobile's wireless network, including 5G coverage.
How we pick the best cell phone plans
Picking the best cell phone plans requires extensive research on exactly what each carrier offers. That means we're checking the plans available at each of the three major carriers, as you would expect. We also extend that search to lesser know MVNOs, who often offer lower-priced plans.
Once we've gathered all the data on available smartphone plans, we single out the lowest cost options. But because a best cell phone plan isn't a one-size-fits-all choice, we look at the best options from the most popular carriers, as well as compelling values from discount carriers, giving you a wide variety of options to choose the best plan for you. (More on making that decision in a moment.)
Because phone carriers are often changing up their plans, we make it a habit to periodically review what's available. As a result, these rankings get updated at least once a month so that our picks reflect any changes to pricing or perks. When possible, we try to call out promotions that can save you additional money on a new cell phone plan.
How to choose the best cell phone plan for you
Price is a big consideration when looking for the best cell phone plans, especially if you’re getting more than one line for other members of your family. Most carriers offer escalating discounts as you add lines, so you’ll want to compare the total cost of your plan based on the number of lines that require service.
Cell phone plans are about more than just the amount on your bill each month, though. You also need to consider who offers the best coverage in your area and whether they support the phone you’ll want to use. Our guide to the best phone carriers can answer many of those questions, but you’ll also want to ask friends, neighbors and co-workers about how a specific carrier’s coverage is at your home and office if you’re looking to switch wireless providers.
Speaking of switching carriers, the major carriers are all willing to pick up some of the cost to get you to switch. These promotions can vary over time, so we'd suggest keeping an eye on any new carrier deals when you're mulling a switch, as you could find extra ways to save money.
Wireless carriers have spent the past several years building out their 5G coverage, and if you’ve got the right 5G phone, you can benefit from faster speeds if a carrier offers 5G service in your area. T-Mobile includes 5G coverage with all its plans, and that coverage extends to carriers like Metro By-T-Mobile, Mint Mobile and others that use T-Mobile's towers for coverage. AT&T now includes 5G with all its plans, including prepaid options. Verizon does, too, though only some plans include access to that carrier's faster 5G Ultra Wideband network.
What kind of cell phone plan do I need?
As you would expect, there is no simple answer to this and the question is more about what is the best plan for you. This will obviously depend on a wide variety of factors.
For those on a budget and looking for some flexibility, a prepaid cell phone plan will be an excellent way to go. These are often the cheapest options and the lack of contracts is going to be a massive bonus, especially if you like to change up carriers frequently.
If you frequently stream Netflix on the go, like to play games on your phone or just generally drain your data at impressive speeds, an unlimited plan is an excellent way to go — especially as 5G becomes more common.
For more on picking a plan, check out our guide on how much data you need in your cell phone plan .
Family cell phone plans are an excellent way to save money on each phone line, since many carriers drop the per-line cost for each additional line. Some carriers, such as Verizon and AT&T, let you mix and match plans, so parents can get an unlimited line with greater perks, while giving kids a cheaper line of data to save money overall.
If you are simply after the lowest price possible, carriers including Mint Mobile and Tello can offer you really low costs if you don't mind settling for smaller data caps. In some cases, you can also get a lower rate by paying for a full year of service ahead of time, as is the case at Mint Mobile.
MVNOs are a slightly strange concept but they do offer an excellent way to get a cell phone plan on a budget. So what are they and how do they differ from the main carriers.
Firstly, it's important to note the main carriers. These are: AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile, which absorbed Sprint in 2020. You can also include US Cellular in that group, though its coverage remains regional compared to the Big Three carriers. These brands use their own technology and run their own regional cellular networks.
MVNOs (Mobile Virtual Network Operators), on the other hand, don't own and operate their own technology and instead piggyback off of the services of one of the above brands. This allows them to be far cheaper than the main carriers but does mean they are the first to be restricted during peak usage periods and don't get access to as many additional benefits.
We explain more about this in our MVNO guide , but the main players are:
- Mint Mobile: runs on T-Mobile
- Metro by T-Mobile: runs on T-Mobile
- Cricket Wireless: runs on AT&T
- Visible: runs on Verizon
- Xfinity Mobile runs on Verizon
- Boost Mobile: runs on AT&T
Cell phone plans comparison
Sign up to get the best of tom’s guide direct to your inbox..
Upgrade your life with a daily dose of the biggest tech news, lifestyle hacks and our curated analysis. Be the first to know about cutting-edge gadgets and the hottest deals.
Philip Michaels is a Managing Editor at Tom's Guide. He's been covering personal technology since 1999 and was in the building when Steve Jobs showed off the iPhone for the first time. He's been evaluating smartphones since that first iPhone debuted in 2007, and he's been following phone carriers and smartphone plans since 2015. He has strong opinions about Apple, the Oakland Athletics, old movies and proper butchery techniques. Follow him at @PhilipMichaels.
AT&T sending out emails to millions whose data was stolen in massive breach — what you need to know
Super Bowl 2024 — how Verizon got Las Vegas ready for the biggest game of the year
One of my favorite action movies just crashed the Netflix top 10 — and it’s 92% on Rotten Tomatoes
Most Popular
By Emily Long January 23, 2024
By Sarah Chaney January 18, 2024
By Stephen Lambrechts January 11, 2024
By Dan Cavallari January 10, 2024
By Christian de Looper January 07, 2024
By Olivia Powell December 11, 2023
By Anthony Spadafora December 10, 2023
By Jane McGuire December 08, 2023
By Frances Daniels December 04, 2023
By Frances Daniels November 25, 2023
By Frances Daniels November 23, 2023
- 2 The worst thing about the Galaxy S24 is coming back for the Galaxy S25
- 3 The Xbox is getting its own AI chatbot, and its uses might surprise you
- 4 Meet Stargate — the $100 billion AI supercomputer being built by Microsoft and OpenAI
- 5 Hurry! Apple's new MacBook Air M3 just dropped to all-time low price at Amazon
An official website of the United States government
Here’s how you know
Official websites use .gov A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock ( ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.
- Explore sell to government
- Ways you can sell to government
- How to access contract opportunities
- Conduct market research
- Register your business
- Certify as a small business
- Become a schedule holder
- Market your business
- Research active solicitations
- Respond to a solicitation
- What to expect during the award process
- Comply with contractual requirements
- Handle contract modifications
- Monitor past performance evaluations
- Explore real estate
- 3D-4D building information modeling
- Art in architecture | Fine arts
- Computer-aided design standards
- Commissioning
- Design excellence
- Engineering
- Project management information system
- Spatial data management
- Facilities operations
- Smart buildings
- Tenant services
- Utility services
- Water quality management
- Explore historic buildings
- Heritage tourism
- Historic preservation policy, tools and resources
- Historic building stewardship
- Videos, pictures, posters and more
- NEPA implementation
- Courthouse program
- Land ports of entry
- Prospectus library
- Regional buildings
- Renting property
- Visiting public buildings
- Real property disposal
- Reimbursable services (RWA)
- Rental policy and procedures
- Site selection and relocation
- For businesses seeking opportunities
- For federal customers
- For workers in federal buildings
- Explore policy and regulations
- Acquisition management policy
- Aviation management policy
- Information technology policy
- Real property management policy
- Relocation management policy
- Travel management policy
- Vehicle management policy
- Federal acquisition regulations
- Federal management regulations
- Federal travel regulations
- GSA acquisition manual
- Managing the federal rulemaking process
- Explore small business
- Explore business models
- Research the federal market
- Forecast of contracting opportunities
- Events and contacts
- Explore travel
- Per diem rates
- Transportation (airfare rates, POV rates, etc.)
- State tax exemption
- Travel charge card
- Conferences and meetings
- E-gov travel service (ETS)
- Travel category schedule
- Federal travel regulation
- Travel policy
- Explore technology
- Cloud computing services
- Cybersecurity products and services
- Data center services
- Hardware products and services
- Professional IT services
- Software products and services
- Telecommunications and network services
- Work with small businesses
- Governmentwide acquisition contracts
- MAS information technology
- Software purchase agreements
- Cybersecurity
- Digital strategy
- Emerging citizen technology
- Federal identity, credentials, and access management
- Mobile government
- Technology modernization fund
- Explore about us
- Annual reports
- Mission and strategic goals
- Role in presidential transitions
- Get an internship
- Launch your career
- Elevate your professional career
- Discover special hiring paths
- Events and training
- Agency blog
- Congressional testimony
- GSA does that podcast
- News releases
- Leadership directory
- Staff directory
- Office of the administrator
- Federal Acquisition Service
- Public Buildings Service
- Staff offices
- Board of Contract Appeals
- Office of Inspector General
- Region 1 | New England
- Region 2 | Northeast and Caribbean
- Region 3 | Mid-Atlantic
- Region 4 | Southeast Sunbelt
- Region 5 | Great Lakes
- Region 6 | Heartland
- Region 7 | Greater Southwest
- Region 8 | Rocky Mountain
- Region 9 | Pacific Rim
- Region 10 | Northwest/Arctic
- Region 11 | National Capital Region
- Per Diem Lookup
Privately owned vehicle (POV) mileage reimbursement rates
GSA has adjusted all POV mileage reimbursement rates effective January 1, 2024.
* Airplane nautical miles (NMs) should be converted into statute miles (SMs) or regular miles when submitting a voucher using the formula (1 NM equals 1.15077945 SMs).
For calculating the mileage difference between airports, please visit the U.S. Department of Transportation's Inter-Airport Distance website.
QUESTIONS: For all travel policy questions, email [email protected] .
Have travel policy questions? Use our ' Have a Question? ' site
PER DIEM LOOK-UP
1 choose a location.
Error, The Per Diem API is not responding. Please try again later.
No results could be found for the location you've entered.
Rates for Alaska, Hawaii, U.S. Territories and Possessions are set by the Department of Defense .
Rates for foreign countries are set by the State Department .
2 Choose a date
Rates are available between 10/1/2021 and 09/30/2024.
The End Date of your trip can not occur before the Start Date.
Traveler reimbursement is based on the location of the work activities and not the accommodations, unless lodging is not available at the work activity, then the agency may authorize the rate where lodging is obtained.
Unless otherwise specified, the per diem locality is defined as "all locations within, or entirely surrounded by, the corporate limits of the key city, including independent entities located within those boundaries."
Per diem localities with county definitions shall include "all locations within, or entirely surrounded by, the corporate limits of the key city as well as the boundaries of the listed counties, including independent entities located within the boundaries of the key city and the listed counties (unless otherwise listed separately)."
When a military installation or Government - related facility(whether or not specifically named) is located partially within more than one city or county boundary, the applicable per diem rate for the entire installation or facility is the higher of the rates which apply to the cities and / or counties, even though part(s) of such activities may be located outside the defined per diem locality.
Disneyland plans to electrify Autopia, convert popular attraction's gas-powered cars
P lans are in the works to replace the gas-powered cars at Disneyland's popular Autopia attraction as part of the Anaheim resort's ongoing decarbonization efforts and its goal of net zero emissions, Disney officials said Tuesday.
"Since opening with Disneyland park in 1955, Autopia has remained a guest-favorite most popular with young kids experiencing driving for the first time," Disneyland Resort spokesperson Jessica Good said in statement. "As the industry moves toward alternative fuel sources, we have developed a roadmap to electrify this attraction and are evaluating technology that will enable us to convert from gas engines in the next few years."
Whether the cars will be replaced by electric vehicles or hybrids was not immediately confirmed.
Disneyland Resort's net zero emissions target includes a holistic view of driving energy efficiency, increasing the theme parks' reliance on renewable energy, and shifting pollution-intensive fossil fuels to cleaner sources of energy where feasible.
File image of Autopia in Tomorrowland at Disneyland in Anaheim, CA, on Wednesday, August 10, 2022.
Photo by Jeff Gritchen/MediaNews Group/Orange County Register via Getty Images
The resort has exceeded the California Air Resources Board's zero-emission-vehicle 2024 milestone by converting 14% of the affected fleet -- exceeding the board's 10% 2024 milestone, according to Disney officials. The approach has resulted in over 10 million kilowatt-hours in energy savings over the past 18 months.
News of plans for Autopia comes as Disney is seeking an expansion of the Orange County resort over the next four decades.
The proposed expansion wouldn't increase Disney's 490-acre footprint in Anaheim or change what the company already has permission to build. But it could help the company develop new attractions.
On March 11, the city of Anaheim's planning commission voted to recommend approval of the proposal for Disneyland, dubbed the "happiest place on Earth." The project - which would require Disney to invest at least $1.9 billion in the theme park, lodging, entertainment and related uses over the next decade - still must be approved by the city council before taking effect. The council is expected to consider the project next month.
The Walt Disney Co. is the parent company of this station. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Baltimore cruises to reroute after bridge collapse pauses port traffic
Carnival, royal caribbean will move some operations to norfolk while baltimore recovers from key bridge collapse.
Cruise lines are scrambling to make alternative plans and avoid the Port of Baltimore while officials suspend vessel traffic amid cleanup and rescue efforts around the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse.
Three major cruise lines sail from Baltimore, though no ships were in port Tuesday morning. The next cruise was scheduled to depart Sunday, but its operator confirmed late Tuesday afternoon that the voyage would instead head out from Norfolk.
Amira M. Hairston, a spokeswoman for the Baltimore port, said in an email that the status of the upcoming cruise ship schedule is not yet known.
“At this time we do not know how long vessel traffic will be suspended. As soon as that is determined we will provide an update. Until then please keep those involved in your prayers,” Hairston wrote.
Royal Caribbean International’s Vision of the Seas left Saturday for a 12-night southern Caribbean cruise with plans to return April 4. The cruise line said in a statement Tuesday that it was “closely monitoring the situation, and our port logistics team is currently working on alternatives for Vision of the Seas’ ongoing and upcoming sailings.”
On Thursday, the cruise company said the current sailing would end in Norfolk.
“Our guests on board will be provided compensation and complimentary shuttle transportation as well as Wi-Fi and phone calls to adjust their travel arrangements,” Royal Caribbean said.
Upcoming cruises on April 4 and 12 will sail from Norfolk as well, and passengers will be compensated for the change. The ship was already scheduled for maintenance in the Bahamas after the April 12 cruise.
“We are deeply saddened by the tragedy and collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge and extend our heartfelt prayers to all those impacted,” the company said.
Carnival Legend set off Sunday for a seven-day Bahamas cruise; the ship was scheduled to return March 31 and depart for its next sailing the same day. Instead of coming back to Baltimore, Carnival said late Tuesday, it will end its trip in Norfolk, and free buses will bring passengers back to Baltimore.
The ship’s next seven-day cruise will leave Norfolk and return to the port. In a news release , Carnival said it would temporarily move Baltimore operations to Norfolk “while Key Bridge rescue and cleanup efforts continue.”
“Our thoughts remain with the impacted families and first responders in Baltimore,” Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line, said in a statement. “We appreciate the pledge made by President Biden today to dedicate all available resources to reopen Baltimore Harbor to marine traffic as soon as possible. As those plans are finalized, we will update our future cruise guests on when we will return home to Baltimore, but in the meantime, we appreciate the quick response and support from officials in Norfolk.”
Carnival Pride is supposed to start sailing from Baltimore next month, mostly to the Bahamas and eastern Caribbean.
Norwegian Cruise Line does not have cruises scheduled out of the port until later this year. American Cruise Lines, a U.S. river cruise operator, has Chesapeake Bay trips on small vessels scheduled from Baltimore starting in May. The cruise line said it will monitor developments “and make adjustments if needed.”
Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) said it was “deeply saddened” by the bridge collapse and was closely following the situation. “Right now, the most important thing to do is to allow the emergency workers to do their work,” the group wrote in a statement.
This year, 12 ships are scheduled to make a total of 115 calls at the Port of Baltimore, the industry association said. With room for roughly 2,000 or 2,100 passengers at double occupancy, most Baltimore-based ships are much smaller than the record-breaking behemoths that sail from Florida ports.
“Any adjustments to current cruise activity at the port will be announced as soon as available by the individual cruise lines,” CLIA said in its statement.
A news release issued last month by Maryland Gov. Wes Moore’s office said that more than 444,000 individuals cruised out of the Port of Baltimore last year, the most since 2012. The Maryland Port Administration said in a news release last year that the cruise industry generates nearly 400 jobs and $63 million in revenue every year for local businesses.
The port positions itself as a convenient option for cruising year-round, thanks to its location off Interstate 95 and plentiful parking. More than 40 million people live within a six-hour drive of the city, the port administration says.
Baltimore bridge collapse
How it happened: Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed after being hit by a cargo ship . The container ship lost power shortly before hitting the bridge, Maryland Gov. Wes Moore (D) said. Video shows the bridge collapse in under 40 seconds.
Victims: Divers have recovered the bodies of two construction workers , officials said. They were fathers, husbands and hard workers . A mayday call from the ship prompted first responders to shut down traffic on the four-lane bridge, saving lives.
Economic impact: The collapse of the bridge severed ocean links to the Port of Baltimore, which provides about 20,000 jobs to the area . See how the collapse will disrupt the supply of cars, coal and other goods .
Rebuilding: The bridge, built in the 1970s , will probably take years and cost hundreds of millions of dollars to rebuild , experts said.
- Share full article
Advertisement
Supported by
New York Takes Crucial Step Toward Making Congestion Pricing a Reality
The board of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority voted to approve a new $15 toll to drive into Manhattan. The plan still faces challenges from six lawsuits before it can begin in June.
By Winnie Hu and Ana Ley
New York City completed a crucial final step on Wednesday in a decades-long effort to become the first American city to roll out a comprehensive congestion pricing program, one that aims to push motorists out of their cars and onto mass transit by charging new tolls to drive into Midtown and Lower Manhattan.
The program could start as early as mid-June after the board of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, the state agency that will install and manage the program, voted 11-to-1 to approve the final tolling rates, which will charge most passenger cars $15 a day to enter at 60th Street and below in Manhattan. The program is expected to reduce traffic and raise $1 billion annually for public transit improvements.
It was a historic moment for New York’s leaders and transportation advocates after decades of failed attempts to advance congestion pricing even as other gridlocked cities around the world, including London, Stockholm and Singapore, proved that similar programs could reduce traffic and pollution.
While other American cities have introduced related concepts by establishing toll roads or closing streets to traffic, the plan in New York is unmatched in ambition and scale.
Congestion pricing is expected to reduce the number of vehicles that enter Lower Manhattan by about 17 percent, according to a November study by an advisory committee reporting to the M.T.A. The report also said that the total number of miles driven in 28 counties across the region would be reduced.
“This was the right thing to do,” Janno Lieber, the authority’s chairman and chief executive, said after the vote. “New York has more traffic than any place in the United States, and now we’re doing something about it.”
Congestion pricing has long been a hard sell in New York, where many people commute by car from the boroughs outside of Manhattan and the suburbs, in part because some of them do not have access to public transit.
New York State legislators finally approved congestion pricing in 2019 after Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo helped push it through. A series of recent breakdowns in the city’s subway system had underscored the need for billions of dollars to update its aging infrastructure.
It has taken another five years to reach the starting line. Before the tolling program can begin, it must be reviewed by the Federal Highway Administration, which is expected to approve it.
Congestion pricing also faces legal challenges from six lawsuits that have been brought by elected officials and residents from across the New York region. Opponents have increasingly mobilized against the program in recent months, citing the cost of the tolls and the potential environmental effects from shifting traffic and pollution to other areas as drivers avoid the tolls.
A court hearing is scheduled for April 3 and 4 on a lawsuit brought by the State of New Jersey, which is seen as the most serious legal challenge. The mayor of Fort Lee, N.J., Mark J. Sokolich, has filed a related lawsuit.
Four more lawsuits have been brought in New York: by Ed Day, the Rockland County executive; by Vito Fossella, the Staten Island borough president, and the United Federation of Teachers; and by two separate groups of city residents.
Amid the litigation, M.T.A. officials have suspended some capital construction projects that were to be paid for by the program, and they said at a committee meeting on Monday that crucial work to modernize subway signals on the A and C lines had been delayed.
Nearly all the toll readers have been installed, and will automatically charge drivers for entering the designated congestion zone at 60th Street or below. There is no toll for leaving the zone or driving around in it. Through traffic on Franklin D. Roosevelt Drive and the West Side Highway will not be tolled.
Under the final tolling structure, which was based on recommendations by the advisory panel, most passenger vehicles will be charged $15 a day from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekdays, and from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekends. The toll will be $24 for small trucks and charter buses, and will rise to $36 for large trucks and tour buses. It will be $7.50 for motorcycles.
Those tolls will be discounted by 75 percent at night, dropping the cost for a passenger vehicle to $3.75.
Fares will go up by $1.25 for taxis and black car services, and by $2.50 for Uber and Lyft. Passengers will be responsible for paying the new fees, and they will be added to every ride that begins, ends or occurs within the congestion zone. There will be no nighttime discounts. (The new fees come on top of an existing congestion surcharge that was imposed on for-hire vehicles in 2019.)
The tolls will mostly be collected using the E-ZPass system. Electronic detection points have been placed at entrances and exits to the tolling zone. Drivers who do not use an E-ZPass will pay significantly higher fees — for instance, $22.50 instead of $15 during peak hours for passenger vehicles.
Emergency vehicles like fire trucks, ambulances and police cars, as well as vehicles carrying people with disabilities, were exempted from the new tolls under the state’s congestion pricing legislation .
As for discounts, low-income drivers who make less than $50,000 annually can apply to receive half off the daytime toll after their first 10 trips in a calendar month. In addition, low-income residents of the congestion zone who make less than $60,000 a year can apply for a state tax credit.
All drivers entering the zone directly from four tolled tunnels — the Lincoln, Holland, Hugh L. Carey and Queens-Midtown — will receive a “crossing credit” that will be applied against the daytime toll. The credit will be $5 round-trip for passenger vehicles, $12 for small trucks and intercity and charter buses, $20 for large trucks and tour buses, and $2.50 for motorcycles. No credits will be offered at night.
Grace Ashford contributed reporting.
Winnie Hu is a Times reporter covering the people and neighborhoods of New York City. More about Winnie Hu
Ana Ley is a Times reporter covering New York City’s mass transit system and the millions of passengers who use it. More about Ana Ley
- Live In The D
- Newsletters
Arizona congressman Raúl Grijalva says he has cancer, but plans to work while undergoing treatment
Associated Press
TUCSON, Ariz. – U.S. Rep. Raúl Grijalva announced Tuesday that he has been diagnosed with cancer, but he said he is continuing to work while undergoing treatment.
“A few weeks ago, I sought medical treatment for a persistent cough which was initially diagnosed as pneumonia. After further testing and imaging, my physician discovered that I have cancer,” the 76-year-old Democrat, who is the dean of Arizona's congressional delegation, said in a statement.
Recommended Videos
“This diagnosis has been difficult to process, but I am confident in the vigorous course of treatment that my medical team has developed, and I’ve begun my journey to fight this cancer," Grijalva added.
It is unclear what type of cancer Grijalva has. The congressman's office said no other information was being released at this time.
“I am working hard to get healthy and return to business as usual as soon as I am able,” said Grijalva, who was first elected to the U.S. House in 2002 and is seeking a 12th term in this year's election.
Ruben Reyes, who works for Grijalva as his Southern Arizona district director, said he didn’t think the cancer treatment will affect the congressman’s ability to do his job.
The district Grijalva represents spans most of the Arizona-Mexico border and includes sections of Cochise, Maricopa, Pinal, Santa Cruz and Yuma counties.
“My congressional office remains open and the many services we provide for our constituents continue uninterrupted. I am in regular communication with my staff,” Grijalva said in his statement. “It is a privilege to serve as a Representative for the people of Arizona and take this responsibility very seriously.”
Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
Click here to take a moment and familiarize yourself with our Community Guidelines.
Watch: Local 4 News at 6 p.m. : Apr 02, 2024
University of michigan 'might' study raises genetic testing awareness, local 4 news at 4 -- april 2, 2024, watch: local 4 news at 5 p.m. : apr 02, 2024, first responders save life of 18-month-old in sterling heights.
- Search Please fill out this field.
- Manage Your Subscription
- Give a Gift Subscription
- Sweepstakes
Cruise Lines Are Rerouting Voyages From Baltimore Following Bridge Collapse — What to Know
Prior to the collapse, the port was home to three major cruise lines: Carnival Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean, and Norwegian Cruise Line.
Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images
Cruise lines sailing out of Baltimore are working to make alternative arrangements following Tuesday’s fatal bridge collapse.
All ship operations at the Port of Baltimore have been suspended after a container ship crashed into the Francis Scott Key Bridge in the early hours of Tuesday morning, causing it to collapse, according to the White House . Six workers who were on the bridge at the time remain missing and are presumed dead, according to The New York Times .
On Wednesday, a spokesperson for Carnival Cruise Line told Travel + Leisure it temporarily moved its sailings on the Carnival Legend to Norfolk, Virginia. The company will provide a complimentary bus service from Norfolk back to Baltimore when the ship returns from its current voyage on Sunday for passengers who boarded in Baltimore prior to the collapse.
“Our thoughts remain with the impacted families and first responders in Baltimore,” Christine Duffy, the president of Carnival Cruise Line, said in a statement. “We appreciate the pledge made by President Biden… to dedicate all available resources to reopen Baltimore Harbor to marine traffic as soon as possible. As those plans are finalized, we will update our future cruise guests on when we will return home to Baltimore, but in the meantime, we appreciate the quick response and support from officials in Norfolk.”
A spokesperson for Norwegian Cruise Line, which first launched cruises from the Maryland port last year , told T+L the company isn’t scheduled to return to the port until September.
“We are deeply saddened by the tragic incident that recently took place in Baltimore. Our sincerest thoughts are with the community and all those affected,” the Norwegian spokesperson told T+L. “At this time there is no impact to our itineraries, as we do not have any voyages scheduled to depart from the city until later this year in September and October. We will remain in contact with the Port of Baltimore and provide updates to our guests and travel partners if anything changes. In the meantime, we wish the city of Baltimore strength during this very unfortunate event.”
A representative for Royal Caribbean did not immediately respond to a request for comment on its plans from T+L. But the company told The Washington Post it was “closely monitoring the situation, and our port logistics team is currently working on alternatives for Vision of the Seas’ ongoing and upcoming sailings.”
IMAGES
COMMENTS
The Google Fi Unlimited Plus plan is the best phone plan for international travel. This prepaid unlimited plan costs just $65/month and includes tons of great travel perks, such as: Unlimited 4G LTE data in 200+ countries. Unlimited texts in 200+ countries. Calls for $.20/minute.
Travelers. Search. Book a flight and stay together so you can save up to $585. As a One Key member, earn up to 10x more OneKeyCash on your flight when you book a package. Enjoy flexibility with our Book now Pay later option & fully refundable rates on most hotels. Customize your vacation with ease all in one place.
Methodology. This online survey of 1,000 Americans who plan to travel in 2023 was commissioned by Forbes and conducted by market research company OnePoll, in accordance with the Market Research ...
Miami Beach Vacations. Montego Bay Vacations. Punta Cana Vacations. Key West Vacations. Orlando Vacations. Barcelona Vacations. Hawaii Vacations. KAYAK is a travel tool. KAYAK searches hundreds of travel sites to help you find the vacation that suits you best.
T-Mobile: Best choice for travelers 2. Verizon: TravelPass options 3. AT&T: Best for travel in Latin and Central America 4. Google Fi: An underrated traveling companion 5.Other options: Other ...
Step 7: Stay Focused and Inspired. While you get closer to your goal, make sure that you keep feeding your desire to travel. Travel planning can be exhausting and overwhelming — especially if you don't have support from your friends and family (and especially if your trip is still months away).
Whether you use an adviser or do it yourself, patience is key. "This is not travel in 2019. This is different, and it's probably here to stay for a while, and so you need to be flexible, you ...
Best travel insurance category. Company winner. Best overall. Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection. Best for emergency medical coverage. Allianz Global Assistance. Best for travelers with pre ...
6. Book activities and things to do. Pre-booking your activities and excursions helps you plan your vacation budget and gets you excited about your vacation before you even leave. Choose from a huge range of things to do at your destination, including tours, special events, theme parks, museums, and more. 7.
Check your carrier to see their suggested booking time frame. 4. Make meal plans before you go. You don't need a restaurant reservation for every meal when you're gone, but you should think about meal plans before you go. Think about how often you want to eat out, and how you want to handle things like snacks.
Make your travel plans easier with Expedia's Trip Planner. From saving favorites and organizing, to deciding with your group and booking your ideal trip, everything is together all in one place. You can select your favorite stays and activities while you search, and then find them later in your account. Avoid the hassle of sending multiple ...
1-Day (512MB) International Pass: 512MB of high-speed data and unlimited calling, to be used up to 24 hours, for $5. 10 day (5GB) International Pass: 5GB of high-speed data and unlimited calling, to be used up to 10 days, for $35.
If you have a Verizon plan, you can use the international TripPlanner tool. The TripPlanner will recommend the plan that is best for your trip, allowing you to check to see if the country you are visiting is covered by any current international plan you can add. International travel plans don't have to be complicated, though. The process can ...
For a single trip, multiple trips or long term. Covered by most policies. $15/25. IMG. Single trip or multiple trips (travel insurance and travel medical insurance options are available). Waived under set conditions for travel insurance; covered but capped for single-trip travel medical insurance. $17/$94.
BudgetYourTrip: Compiles traveler-submitted data to provide average prices for various commodities with variable traveling style, so you can select how fancy you plan to get and then plan accordingly. It also has some helpful travel tips and food suggestions as a bonus! Google Flights: The best search engine to find cheap flights, in my opinion ...
International services support. While in the US: (800) 711-8300. Travelling outside the US: 1 (908) 559-4899. If your device is lost, stolen or broken, or you experience a device issue while you are traveling outside the US, please use the below. instructions to reach the International Support Team from a landline phone:
The easiest way to add TravelPass to your Verizon plan is by texting "Travel" to 4004 from your Verizon phone. You can also activate TravelPass using the My Verizon app by taking these steps:. Tap Account and select Manage plans and services.; Choose the line you want to manage and press on International Plans.; Pick Add new plan and follow the prompts. ...
Another option is the Atlas Journey Preferred plan, but this policy doesn't offer the "interruption for any reason" upgrade and has lower travel medical benefits of $100,000 per person.
Costco Travel Vacations, Travel, All-Inclusive Vacations, All Inclusive Resorts and Vacation Packages. Looking for your Digital Costco Shop Card? Please visit this link for more information. X. Skip to main content. Login Costco.com Membership Help Center 1-866-921-7925. United States ...
Several Google platforms are offering helpful updates that can make it easier to compare travel options and plan for upcoming trips. Specifically, Search, Maps, and Shopping have improved travel ...
Shop Verizon's deals. International Phone Plans. Plan your International Trip. Connect with us on Messenger. Visit Community. 24/7 automated phone system: call *611 from your mobile. TravelPass lets you use your domestic talk, text & data allowances while traveling outside the US in 210+ countries and destinations.
Mint Mobile. $15. /mth. Visit Site at Mint Mobile. The best cell phone plan overall. With plans starting at $15 per month, Mint is a great way to save money on your cell phone bill. The low rates ...
83% of Americans with upcoming travel plans intend to charge at least some of their trip. At the onset of 2024, data from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York showed that U.S. household debt had reached a record high of $17.3 trillion, primarily due to an increase in credit card debt. At the time the data was collected, it was revealed that ...
Per diem rates look-up Allowances for lodging, meal and incidental costs while on official government travel. Mileage reimbursement rates Reimbursement rates for the use of your own vehicle while on official government travel.
The approach has resulted in over 10 million kilowatt-hours in energy savings over the past 18 months. News of plans for Autopia comes as Disney is seeking an expansion of the Orange County resort ...
Cruise lines are scrambling to make alternative plans and avoid the Port of Baltimore while officials suspend vessel traffic amid cleanup and rescue efforts around the Francis Scott Key Bridge ...
Gen Z and Millennials prioritize travel. While 64% of global travelers aim to cut other areas of their personal spending to prioritize leisure travel, Gen Z and Millennials are taking it a step ...
The board of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority voted to approve a new $15 toll to drive into Manhattan. The plan still faces challenges from six lawsuits before it can begin in June.
FILE - House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Raul Grijalva, D-Ariz., speaks at the Capitol in Washington, March 28, 2022. Grijalva announced Tuesday, April 2, 2024 that he has been diagnosed ...
Alison Fox is a Travel + Leisure contributor. She has also written for Parents.com, ... A representative for Royal Caribbean did not immediately respond to a request for comment on its plans from T+L.