Articles

Health, Insurance, Security

Article / Arthur Frommer Online

U.S. Passport Wait Times Are Back Under Control. How Long Will It Take Now?

A year ago, as the U.S. government continued to climb out of the bureaucratic hole that Covid-19 and staffing woes had dug, the wait time for a new passport was as long as 13…

Article / Air Travel

The U.S. Hasn't Fully Tested Airline Evacuations in Years. Experts are Alarmed.

Even though nearly everything about flying has changed since the rules were set, the FAA has blocked evacuation testing that reflects actual conditions.

Article / Air Travel

How to Sleep on a Long Plane Flight: 24 Tips to Try

Over the years, I have developed some tricks for sleeping on airplanes—long flights, short flights, or any trip on which you need to get some shuteye.

Article / Hotels

Are Hotel Room Safes Safe? The Surprising Truth Behind Online Fears

In-room safes lock, but do they stay locked when we leave the hotel? Recent viral videos on TikTok have travelers worried about theft, but is there cause to be?

Article / Car, Bus, Rail

Countries That Drive on the Left Side of the Road: The Complete List

All the countries and territories in Europe, the Caribbean, Asia, Africa, and the South Pacific where you'll need to drive on the left side of the road

Article / Passportable

Planning a European Road Trip? The Safest and Most Dangerous Countries for Driving

The ease and affordability of train travel in Europe make a strong case for riding the rails to get around the continent as a tourist rather than renting a car. Plus, trains are better…

Article / Food and Drink

What Is the Legal Drinking Age in Mexico? Liquor Laws Tourists Should Know

Get to know Mexico's alcohol consumption laws—including the legal drinking age and bans on where you can drink—before you visit.

Article / Arthur Frommer Online

No, That Norwegian Cruise Line Ship Never Had Cholera Aboard

You might have seen headlines like this earlier in the week about Norwegian Cruise Line's Norwegian Dawn, which reported that some 20 passengers were feeling ill:"Thousands stranded on…

Article / Arthur Frommer Online

Why Digging Holes at the Beach Is So Dangerous, Especially for Kids

A 7-year-old girl was killed on a Florida beach this week when the sand hole she and her brother were playing in collapsed on the children, who were vacationing with their…

Article / Air Travel

What Happens if Somebody Dies on a Plane During a Flight?

It's rare, but people do die on commercial airplanes midflight. Here's what happens next. 

Article / Air Travel

Flight Routes with the Most Turbulence, According to Global Data

Buckle up! Passengers on these flight routes could be in for a bumpy ride, according to worldwide weather data.

Article / Arthur Frommer Online

Rash of Violent Muggings Plagues Cape Town's Landmark Table Mountain

What can a city do when its most photographed tourism icon gets the reputation as a no-go area?That's the quandary facing Cape Town, South Africa, one of the most beautiful cities in…

Article / Air Travel

Can I Get a Turbulence Forecast for My Flight? Check This Free Online Map

Scientists have determined that flights are getting bumpier and that climate change could make the skies even choppier in years to come. If that prospect gives you the jitters about an…

Article / Air Travel

The Difference Between CLEAR and TSA PreCheck? For Starters, One Has Way More Critics

The security and efficiency concerns facing CLEAR—and how the company has responded

Article / Cruise

Icon of the Seas Doesn't Have Enough Lifeboats—on Purpose

Royal Caribbean's mighty new cruise ship reserves lifeboats for paying customers. So how would the remainder of its 7,960 passengers escape?

Article / Passportable

One of Brazil’s Visa Requirements Could Get You Kidnapped, Consumer Group Says

This post, originally published December 26, 2023, has been updated with new information.As Frommer's has previously reported, Brazil's electronic visa for travelers from the United…

Article / Air Travel

Yes, You Can Survive a Plane Crash: Tips from a Longtime Safety Expert

The airline crash survival rate is better than you might think. Technology has improved, but human behavior must too, says an industry authority.

Article / Air Travel

What’s Behind the Uptick in Close Calls at U.S. Airports?

An increase in near collisions at U.S. airports should be a "wake-up call," say government officials and aviation experts. What's causing the issue? And what's being done about…

Article / Air Travel

Disruptions to Airplane GPS Systems Are on the Rise—What Passengers Should Know

Pilots have been warned to be on the lookout for "jamming" and "spoofing" of aircraft navigation systems. What does that mean for passengers?

Article / Passportable

This Emergency Alert App Saved a Skier’s Life. Make Your Phone a Rescue Locator, Too.

On a foggy day last winter at Idaho's Soldier Mountain resort (pictured above), a skier got separated from her party and wound up lost in an out-of-bounds area where neither chairlifts…

Article / Slideshows

The Frommer's Travel Products Gift Guide for 2023

The success of gift-giving lies in the using. Too many presents are politely received but then wind up on the shelf, at the back of the closet, or in the bin. The real winners are the…

Article / Slideshows

Stunning Images of Natural Attractions and Culture Sites Endangered by Climate Change and Other Threats

Our incredible, imperiled planet risks losing some of its most awe-inspiring natural wonders and cultural treasures due to climate change, conflict, commercial development, and other…

Article / Air Travel

Airport Tips for Faster Service Without TSA PreCheck and Other Perks

Get through the airport quickly and comfortably, even without TSA PreCheck or credit card perks, using these handy tips and tricks—most of which won't cost you a thing. 

Article / Health, Insurance, Security

How to Avoid Bedbugs While Traveling

Follow these practical tips so you don't inadvertently bring back bedbugs as a souvenir.

Article / Passportable

London's Hunterian Museum: Bits of People in Jars That Changed the World

If you lived in 18th-century London and something went wrong with your body, after you died a famous scientist named John Hunter might show up to rummage through your corpse, snip out…