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Sleeping Pills for Flights: What to Know Before You Take Anything

If you have searched for the best sleeping pills for flights, you are probably dreading a long overnight flight, a red-eye before an important meeting, or a trip across so many time zones that you expect to arrive exhausted. That is a real problem and worth solving. But the honest answer is that no website can tell you which pill is right for you, and we are not going to try. Sleep medicines, sedating antihistamines and even supplements such as melatonin carry risks that depend on your health, your other medicines and the flight itself. Those decisions belong with a doctor or pharmacist who knows your history. What we can do is explain the risks in plain terms, point you to the official sources that doctors use, and spend most of this guide on the things that help almost everyone sleep better in the air without taking anything: choosing the right seat, timing the flight, managing light, blocking noise, supporting your neck and using a simple jet-lag routine before and after you land.

The short answer

Before you take any sleep aid on a plane, including an over-the-counter product or melatonin, talk to a doctor or pharmacist first. Official health agencies flag real concerns: sleep medicines can leave you drowsy afterward, they can interact with alcohol and other medicines, and staying still for hours on a long flight is itself a risk factor for blood clots. For most travelers, the bigger and safer gains come from drug-free strategies: pick a seat that suits how you sleep, book a flight whose timing matches your body clock, use an eye mask and earplugs or noise-cancelling headphones, support your head properly, go easy on alcohol and caffeine, move around the cabin when you are awake, and shift your sleep schedule toward your destination before and after you fly.

An economy class airplane cabin with dimmed violet mood lighting on a long-haul flight — Dimmed cabin lighting on overnight flights is your cue to start a sleep routine, not to reach for a pill (Photo: Prateek Karandikar via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0)

Why we changed this guide

An earlier version of this post ranked sleep supplements and an over-the-counter sleep aid and suggested when to take them. We removed that. Ranking medicines on a travel site is not responsible: a product that is harmless for one traveler can be risky for another, and the right choice, if there is one, depends on things only a clinician can weigh, such as your age, pregnancy, other prescriptions, breathing or heart conditions and history of blood clots. This guide now does two things. It explains the risks in general terms, with a link to the official source for every health statement, and it gives you a practical, step-by-step plan for sleeping better on a plane without medication.

What the official sources say about sleep aids on flights

We have kept this section deliberately general. It is not medical advice, and it does not name or compare products. Read it as a list of questions to bring to your doctor or pharmacist.

Drowsiness does not end when you land

The US Food and Drug Administration warns that with certain prescription insomnia medicines, you may still feel drowsy the day after taking one, and that these medicines can cause rare but serious “complex sleep behaviors” such as sleepwalking while not fully awake (source: FDA). On a plane, that matters in practical ways. You may need to wake quickly and follow crew instructions if there is turbulence, a medical situation on board or an emergency. You may need to navigate a busy connection, pass immigration, collect bags or drive a rental car soon after landing. Anything that leaves you groggy works against all of that, which is one reason to get professional advice before you fly rather than experimenting in the air.

Sitting still for hours and blood clot risk

The CDC says that anyone traveling more than four hours, by air, car, bus or train, can be at risk for blood clots, although the risk is generally very small; it is higher for people with other risk factors such as older age, obesity, recent surgery, pregnancy or a previous clot (source: CDC). The CDC’s clinical guidance for travel medicine adds that immobility while flying is a risk for venous thromboembolism, and that maintaining mobility could help prevent it (source: CDC Yellow Book). The UK’s NHS lists a long journey of more than four hours by plane, car or train among the situations that raise the chance of deep vein thrombosis (source: NHS). A deep, long sleep in a cramped seat means hours without moving your legs. If you have any clot risk factors, raise this specifically with your doctor before a long flight.

Interactions with other medicines and supplements

The FDA advises people taking prescription Z-drug insomnia medicines not to take them with any other sleep drugs, including over-the-counter ones (source: FDA). The US National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health says that people taking medicine should consult their health care providers before using melatonin, and that people with epilepsy and those taking blood thinners need medical supervision if they use it (source: NCCIH). The CDC’s clinical guidance also notes that sedating antihistamines and long-acting sedatives can worsen cognitive impairment, increase the risk of falls and impair physical performance (source: CDC Yellow Book). Travel adds its own complications: you may be taking a new antimalarial, a motion sickness remedy or a cold medicine at the same time. A pharmacist can check the whole list in a few minutes.

Alcohol and sleep aids do not mix

The FDA says not to drink alcohol before or while taking Z-drug insomnia medicines because together they may be more likely to cause side effects (source: FDA). The NHS notes that drinking alcohol while taking melatonin can stop it working as well as it should (source: NHS). A glass of wine with dinner service is part of the ritual of flying for many people, so this is worth planning for rather than deciding in the moment.

Sleep aids are not a jet lag cure

The NHS says that medicines are not usually needed for jet lag, which often improves within a few days, and that sleeping tablets can be addictive, so should only be used for a short time and if symptoms are severe (source: NHS). The CDC’s traveler advice is to talk to your doctor about taking medicine or other sleep aids if you struggle with jet lag, and to take any medicine or sleep aid as your healthcare provider directs (source: CDC).

Melatonin: a supplement in some countries, a prescription drug in others

Many travelers think of melatonin as a harmless natural option. Its legal status is a good reminder that it is not that simple, and that the same product can be treated very differently from one border to the next.

United States: melatonin is sold as a dietary supplement, which the NCCIH explains means it is regulated less strictly than a prescription or over-the-counter drug; the NCCIH also notes that “natural” does not always mean safe and that some supplements may not contain what is listed on the label (source: NCCIH). The CDC’s clinical guidance makes the same point about label accuracy (CDC Yellow Book).
Canada: Health Canada licenses melatonin as a natural health product for adults, available over the counter, and encourages parents and caregivers to consult a healthcare professional before giving it to children and adolescents (source: Health Canada).
United Kingdom: the NHS states that melatonin is available on prescription only (source: NHS), and the NHS does not recommend melatonin tablets for jet lag because there is not enough evidence that they work (source: NHS).
Elsewhere: the NCCIH notes that in several other countries, melatonin is available only with a prescription and is considered a drug (source: NCCIH).

Two practical takeaways. First, if you are thinking about melatonin, ask a doctor or pharmacist whether it is appropriate for you, the same as you would for any other sleep aid. Second, if you are flying to a country where it is prescription-only, check that country’s rules before packing a supplement bottle bought at home. We are not giving doses or timing for melatonin or any other product here; that is exactly the kind of advice that needs to come from someone who knows your health.

When to talk to a doctor or pharmacist

A short conversation before a long trip is worthwhile for almost anyone considering a sleep aid, and especially if any of these apply to you:

You are thinking about any sleep aid on the flight, including melatonin, antihistamine-based products or herbal remedies.
You take other prescription medicines, including blood thinners, antidepressants, pain medicines or anything for epilepsy, anxiety, heart or breathing conditions.
You have ever had a blood clot, have had recent surgery, are pregnant or have other clot risk factors (the CDC lists these on its blood clots and travel page).
You have a sleep condition, snore heavily or have been told you stop breathing during sleep.
You are traveling with a child and wondering about anything to help them sleep.
Your jet lag is severe or lasts well beyond a few days after previous trips.

Bring a list of everything you take, including supplements, plus your flight times and the time difference at your destination. A pharmacist at your usual drugstore can often help on the spot.

Several sleeping masks from airline amenity kits laid out side by side — An eye mask is one of the simplest sleep aids the NHS suggests for flights (Photo: User:Mattes via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0)

How to sleep on a plane without medication

This is where most of the real gains are. None of the steps below is dramatic on its own, but together they can turn a miserable overnight flight into a few hours of useful rest.

1. Choose your seat for sleep

Seat choice matters more than almost anything else you control.

Window seat if you want to sleep for a long stretch. You can lean against the wall, you control the shade and nobody climbs over you. The trade-off is that you have to climb over others to get up.
Aisle seat if you want to get up and walk without disturbing anyone. The CDC’s clinical guidance notes that an aisle seat also might be a protective factor against blood clots because it makes moving around easier (source: CDC Yellow Book). If you have clot risk factors, that may outweigh the comfort of the window.
Away from galleys and lavatories. Light, noise and foot traffic are constant near them, especially during meal service and before landing.
Not in the row in front of an exit row on many aircraft, where seats may not recline. Check a seat map before you choose.
Bulkhead rows give you legroom but often have fixed armrests and tray tables, and some airlines use them for bassinets, so they can be busy with families.
Premium economy or business class make the biggest difference on long overnight flights, and a lie-flat seat changes the equation entirely. Our guides to the difference between first and business class and to business class upgrade strategies explain when the extra cost can make sense.

2. Time the flight to your body clock

When you compare fares, the schedule is part of the value. An overnight flight that departs late in the evening, after your normal bedtime, is far easier to sleep on than one that leaves at dinner time and lands before dawn at your destination. On daytime flights heading east, you may be better off staying awake and resetting to local time on arrival. If the fare difference is small, a well-timed flight is often worth more than the savings. Use a flexible-date search on our flight search to compare departure times across several days, and see our international flight booking tips for choosing connections that leave room for rest.

3. Start shifting your schedule before you fly

The NHS suggests getting plenty of rest before you travel and going to bed and getting up earlier or later than usual, closer to the time zone you are heading to (source: NHS). The CDC’s clinical guidance similarly suggests adjusting sleep time toward the destination’s sleep period for a few days before the trip where possible (source: CDC Yellow Book). Even a partial shift helps. Just as important: do not arrive at the airport already sleep-deprived from late-night packing. Pack a day early.

4. Manage light, the strongest signal to your body clock

According to the CDC’s clinical guidance, bright light in the morning tends to shift your body clock earlier, while light in the evening tends to shift it later (source: CDC Yellow Book). In practice:

On board, when it is night at your destination, darken your world: lower the shade, dim your screen, use night mode and wear an eye mask.
When it is day at your destination, open the shade (if your neighbors agree) and stay in the light.
After you land, the CDC suggests staying in well-lit areas during the day, and the NHS recommends going outside during the day because natural light helps your body clock adjust (sources: CDC, NHS).

5. Use an eye mask and earplugs

Both the NHS and the CDC’s clinical guidance mention an eye mask and earplugs as simple ways to help you sleep on a flight (sources: NHS, CDC Yellow Book). The amenity-kit mask airlines hand out is better than nothing, but a contoured mask that sits off your eyelids blocks light more completely and is more comfortable over several hours. For noise, foam earplugs are cheap and light; reusable silicone or flanged plugs suit people who find foam uncomfortable. Pack two pairs, because one always goes missing under the seat.

6. Consider noise-cancelling headphones

Engine noise is a constant low rumble that earplugs only partly block. Active noise-cancelling headphones or earbuds are designed to reduce exactly that kind of steady low-frequency sound, and many travelers find them the single biggest upgrade for sleeping on planes. Over-ear models are often more comfortable for long wear if you sleep sitting up; small earbuds are easier if you lean your head against the window. Our guide to noise-cancelling headphones for airplane travel covers how to choose, battery life and using them with the seatback screen. Keep the volume low or play nothing at all; the cancellation alone helps.

7. Support your head and neck

The reason people wake up on planes is often their head falling forward or sideways. A good travel pillow solves that. Traditional U-shaped pillows help if you sleep upright; wrap-style or chin-support designs help if your head drops forward; a window-seat sleeper may prefer a small wedge against the wall. Our guide to the best airplane pillows for your neck goes through the styles and who each suits, and if space is tight, our guide to bags for travel pillows shows how to carry one without it taking over your carry-on.

8. Dress for sleep and for the cabin

Cabins swing between warm during boarding and cold at altitude. Wear soft, loose layers and bring a warm top or a light scarf that can double as a blanket. The NHS lists wearing loose clothing among ways to lower the chance of DVT on journeys of four hours or more (source: NHS). Slip-on shoes and warm socks make it easier to get comfortable. The CDC notes that some people may benefit from graduated compression stockings and advises talking with your doctor if you think you may be at risk for blood clots (source: CDC); our guide to compression socks for long flights covers the practical side of choosing and wearing them. For the rest of your outfit, see what not to wear on a flight.

9. Go easy on alcohol and caffeine

The CDC advises travelers to avoid alcohol because it disrupts sleep, and to use caffeine strategically during the day but avoid it in the evening (source: CDC). Its clinical guidance explains that alcohol tends to help you fall asleep faster but fragments sleep, so minimizing alcohol and caffeine helps in-flight sleep (source: CDC Yellow Book). The NHS gives similar advice: do not drink too much caffeine or alcohol, as both can make jet lag worse (source: NHS). A practical approach is to switch to water or herbal tea once the meal service starts on an overnight flight.

10. Drink water and keep moving when you are awake

The NHS recommends drinking plenty of water and keeping active by stretching and regularly walking around the cabin during your flight (source: NHS). For blood clot prevention, the CDC suggests moving your legs frequently on long trips, getting up and walking around every one to two hours, and exercising your calf muscles, for example by extending your legs and flexing your ankles to pull your toes toward you (source: CDC). Fasten your seatbelt loosely over your blanket so the crew does not need to wake you during turbulence, and plan your sleep around getting up once or twice, rather than aiming for one unbroken block.

11. Build a mini bedtime routine on board

Your brain responds to cues. The same small ritual you use at home, in the same order, tells it that it is time to sleep: brush your teeth in the lavatory, change into warm socks, put your phone on airplane mode and do not disturb, pull on the mask, put in earplugs or turn on noise cancelling, and recline. Eat the meal early or skip it if you are not hungry; you can ask the crew to not wake you for service. A familiar playlist, podcast or white-noise track can help you drift off.

12. Use the layover well

On a long itinerary with a connection, the layover can make or break the trip. Stretch, walk, get daylight if it is daytime at your destination and eat a light meal. For very long connections, some airports have quiet zones, lounges or airside hotels. Our guide to airport arrival times for international flights helps you plan the ground side of the trip so you are not rushing and stressed before you even board.

A jet lag routine for the days around your flight

When	What to do	Why (source)
A few days before	Shift bedtime and wake time toward your destination	Recommended by the NHS and the CDC Yellow Book
The night before	Pack early and get a full night’s sleep	The NHS advises getting plenty of rest before you travel
On board, destination night	Mask, earplugs or headphones, pillow, dim screens, limit alcohol	Eye masks, earplugs and limiting alcohol and caffeine are advised by the NHS
On board, awake	Water, stretching, walking the aisle	Advised by the NHS and the CDC
Arrival day	Switch to local time, get outside in daylight, avoid long daytime naps	Advised by the NHS and CDC
First few nights	Set an alarm so you do not oversleep; keep caffeine to the daytime	Advised by the NHS and CDC

For short trips, the NHS notes that if you are away only two or three days, you could try keeping your home eating and sleeping times to avoid having to change them again when you get back (source: NHS). For trips across more than three time zones, the CDC suggests following your destination’s sleep and waking routine once you arrive (source: CDC).

Sunrise seen through an airplane window above the clouds — Morning light is a powerful signal to your body clock; use it on arrival to adjust to local time (Photo: Lenny K Photography from Sydney, Australia via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0)

Situations that need a different plan

Red-eyes within North America

A five-hour red-eye gives you, at best, three or four hours of broken sleep. Treat it as a nap rather than a night: get settled fast, skip the meal and drinks, use every sleep tool you packed, and plan a short nap and early night on arrival day rather than a full schedule. If you have an important meeting, a daytime flight the day before is usually the better choice.

Ultra-long-haul flights

On flights of 14 hours or more, you will likely be awake for part of the flight whatever you do. Plan two sleep periods matched to your destination’s night, and use the waking time to walk, stretch and drink water. This is the kind of flight where the CDC’s movement advice matters most.

Traveling with children

Children sleep best with their own routine: pajamas, a familiar blanket or toy, a story. Book seats together, bring snacks and headphones sized for children, and plan for broken sleep for everyone. Health Canada encourages parents to consult a healthcare professional before giving melatonin to children and adolescents (source: Health Canada), and the same caution applies to any other sleep aid for a child.

Flying for work

If you must perform soon after landing, protect your sleep the night before the flight, choose a flight time that suits you, and build in a buffer on arrival. Groggy is not a good state for a presentation or a drive from the airport.

Anxious flyers

If fear of flying is what keeps you awake, that is worth discussing with a doctor in its own right, since anxiety and sleep are different problems with different answers. Breathing exercises, calming audio and choosing a seat over the wing, where motion tends to feel smoother, help some people.

A packing checklist for sleeping on planes

Contoured eye mask
Earplugs (two pairs) or noise-cancelling headphones, fully charged
A travel pillow that suits how you sleep
Warm layer, scarf or wrap, warm socks
Refillable water bottle, empty through security
Toothbrush, lip balm and a small moisturizer within liquid limits
Any medicines you already take, in your carry-on, with the label
A downloaded playlist, podcast or white-noise track

Keep all of this in one pouch at the top of your personal item so you can set up in a minute once you reach your seat. Our main guide to travel luggage helps you choose a carry-on and personal item that make this easy, and our guide to a travel first aid kit covers the small health items worth packing for any trip.

Common mistakes

Trying a sleep aid for the first time on a plane. If you and your doctor decide a sleep aid is appropriate, you do not want your first experience of it to be at 35,000 feet.
Combining alcohol and sleep aids. The FDA specifically warns against mixing alcohol with Z-drug insomnia medicines (FDA).
Assuming “natural” means safe. The NCCIH is clear that it does not, and that supplements can interact with medicines (NCCIH).
Sleeping for hours without moving on a long flight, especially with clot risk factors (CDC).
Choosing the cheapest flight at any hour. A 6 a.m. departure after a sleepless night can cost you a day of your trip.
Napping all afternoon on arrival day. The NHS advises only sleeping at night after you arrive (NHS).
Forgetting your own routine. The same cues that help you sleep at home help in the air.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best sleeping pill for a long flight?

We do not recommend or rank any sleeping pill, sedative, antihistamine or supplement. The right answer depends on your health and other medicines, so ask a doctor or pharmacist before taking anything. Official sources such as the FDA and the CDC describe risks including next-day drowsiness, interactions and blood clots on long journeys.

Is it safe to take melatonin on a plane?

Talk to a doctor or pharmacist first. Melatonin is sold as a dietary supplement in the United States, as an over-the-counter natural health product for adults in Canada and as a prescription-only medicine in the United Kingdom, according to the NCCIH, Health Canada and the NHS. The NCCIH advises anyone taking medicine to consult their provider before using it.

Can I drink alcohol to help me sleep on a flight?

It tends to backfire. The CDC says alcohol disrupts sleep, and its clinical guidance explains that alcohol helps you fall asleep but fragments sleep (source: CDC). Alcohol should never be combined with sleep medicines unless a doctor has told you otherwise.

Which seat is best for sleeping on a plane?

A window seat away from galleys and lavatories is best for uninterrupted sleep. If you need to get up often or have clot risk factors, an aisle seat makes moving easier, which the CDC Yellow Book notes might be protective against clots.

Do eye masks and earplugs really help?

They are simple, cheap and recommended by the NHS as ways to help you sleep on a flight. Noise-cancelling headphones go further for engine noise.

How can I reduce jet lag without medicine?

Shift your schedule before you go, sleep on the plane when it is night at your destination, limit alcohol and caffeine, drink water, get daylight after you land and switch to local time quickly. These steps come from the NHS and CDC.

Should I wear compression socks if I plan to sleep on the flight?

The CDC says some people may benefit from graduated compression stockings and advises talking with your doctor if you think you may be at risk for blood clots. Ask your doctor whether they suit you.

Is it better to stay awake on a red-eye?

Usually not. Even a few hours of broken sleep is better than none. Treat a short red-eye as a nap, then keep arrival day light and go to bed early.

Good sleep in the air starts with the booking. Compare departure times across flexible dates on our flight search to find an overnight flight that fits your body clock, and if you are heading across the Atlantic, our guide to the best time to fly to London and our London flight deals are a good place to start. Book a hotel near the airport or city center on our hotel search so you can get to bed quickly on arrival. For the rest of your kit, start with our main guide to travel luggage. This guide is general information, not medical advice; for any question about medicines or supplements, speak with a doctor or pharmacist.

Keep planning with TicketScanner

Top travel luggage bags: the buying guide — the travel gear guide
Best airplane pillows for your neck
Noise-cancelling headphones for airplane travel
Compression socks for long flights
Bags for travel pillows
Travel first aid kits
What not to wear on a flight
Search flights — compare departure times across flexible dates
Best time to fly to London

February 21, 2025

The Best Cities for Christmas in USA: Where to Spend the Holidays in Style

Some cities put up a tree and call it Christmas. Others turn the whole season into a reason to travel: German-style markets with mulled wine and wooden stalls, river walks strung with lights, candlelit historic districts, ice rinks under skyscrapers, and holiday shows that sell out months ahead. The United States has all of it, from snowy mountain towns to palm-lined boulevards where you can spend Christmas Day outdoors in a T-shirt. The hard part is not finding a festive city. It is choosing the one that matches the trip you actually want, and then booking it before the rest of the country does. This guide sorts the best American cities for Christmas by the kind of holiday they deliver, explains when to go and how to book around the busiest travel weeks of the year, and flags the planning mistakes that turn a festive getaway into a stressful one.

The short answer

For the classic big-city Christmas, New York is still the benchmark, with Chicago, Boston, Philadelphia and Washington, DC close behind and often cheaper. For Christmas markets and storybook small towns, look at Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, Leavenworth, Washington, Grapevine, Texas, Williamsburg, Virginia and Asheville, North Carolina. For a warm-weather holiday, San Antonio, Orlando, San Diego and Las Vegas deliver lights without the snow. For mountain scenery and a chance of a white Christmas, try Denver, Park City via Salt Lake City, or Santa Fe. The festive season generally runs from late November through December, and the sweet spot for most travelers is the first two weeks of December, when the decorations are up but fares and hotel rates have not yet hit their Christmas-week peak. Start by comparing a few weekends on our flight search, then lock in a refundable room on our hotel search.

The Christmas tree and holiday decorations at Rockefeller Center in Midtown Manhattan — The Rockefeller Center tree, lit around the start of December, anchors New York's holiday season (Photo: JJonahJackalope via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0)

How to choose the right Christmas city

Before you look at a single fare, decide what kind of Christmas trip you are after. Four questions narrow the field quickly.

1. Do you want snow, or do you want to be warm?

Nobody can promise a white Christmas anywhere, but the odds are very different in Denver or Park City than in New York, where December snow is possible but far from guaranteed. If snow matters, go to the mountains. If you would rather stroll outdoors after dark without a parka, head south or west: San Antonio, Orlando, San Diego and Las Vegas all have mild December evenings, and they put just as much effort into their lights.

2. Markets, lights, shows or history?

Every city on this list has decorations, but each does one thing especially well. Chicago, Bethlehem and Denver are the places for European-style Christmas markets. San Antonio, Grapevine and Nashville are light-display destinations. New York is the capital of holiday shows and store windows. Williamsburg, Philadelphia and Boston lean on history, candlelight and old architecture. Pick the experience you care about most and plan the rest around it.

3. Who is coming?

Families with young children usually do best somewhere compact, with daytime activities and early-evening light shows: Orlando, Grapevine and San Antonio are strong picks. Couples looking for romance often prefer Williamsburg, Leavenworth or Santa Fe. Groups of friends tend to enjoy the energy of New York, Chicago or Las Vegas. Multigenerational trips work best in cities with good transit or short walking distances, so nobody spends the holiday in traffic.

4. How much time and money do you have?

A long weekend works for a city you can reach nonstop, especially from Canada or the Northeast. Small towns like Leavenworth and Bethlehem take extra travel time from the nearest major airport, so budget at least three nights. Hotel prices in big cities rise sharply in December, while some warm-weather destinations are relatively good value until Christmas week itself. Our guide on how to save money for a trip shows how to turn a holiday wish list into a savings plan, and the pillar guide to budget travel destinations explains how to weigh the flight against the daily cost of being there.

When to go: the four phases of the holiday season

The festive season is not one block of time. Prices, crowds and what is open change noticeably from week to week.

Phase	Roughly when	What to expect	Who it suits
Opening weeks	Late November, around US Thanksgiving	Tree lightings, market openings and parades; Thanksgiving weekend itself is one of the busiest travel periods of the year	Travelers who want the kickoff events and can avoid the holiday weekend
Early December	First two weeks of December	Everything is decorated and open, weekdays are calm, fares and room rates are usually softer than later in the month	Most travelers; the best balance of atmosphere and value
Christmas week	Roughly December 18 to 25	Peak crowds, peak prices, school holidays; some attractions close or shorten hours on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day	Families spending Christmas itself away from home
Between the holidays	December 26 to New Year’s Eve	Decorations still up in most cities, sales in the shops, very busy leisure destinations, high New Year’s Eve hotel rates	Travelers with time off after Christmas

Some attractions keep their lights up into early January, while many markets wind down just before or right after Christmas. Always check the official event page for the current season’s schedule, since dates shift from year to year.

The big-city Christmas

New York City

New York sets the template that the rest of the country copies. The tree at Rockefeller Center, lit each year around the start of December, anchors a stretch of Midtown that also includes the decorated windows of the Fifth Avenue department stores, the ice rink below the tree and the Radio City Christmas Spectacular just across the street. Bryant Park turns into a winter village with a free-admission skating rink and dozens of market stalls, and there are more holiday markets at Union Square, Columbus Circle and Grand Central. In Brooklyn, the residential streets of Dyker Heights are famous for over-the-top home light displays; go on a weeknight to avoid the worst of the crowds.

Where to stay: Midtown puts you close to the tree, the windows and Broadway, although it is the busiest and priciest area in December. Our guide to hotels around Times Square covers the trade-offs, and New York hotels lets you compare neighborhoods for your dates.
How to keep it affordable: go in the first half of December, stay a subway ride from Midtown, and put the free experiences (windows, markets, the tree, Central Park) at the center of the plan. Our guide to New York on a budget goes deeper.
Getting around: do not rent a car. The subway and your feet are faster and far cheaper; our guide to car rental versus transit in New York explains why.

For show tickets, games and concerts during your stay, browse events in New York, and for the full list of sights, see things to do in New York. The official visitor site, NYC Tourism, publishes a seasonal events guide each year.

Chicago

Chicago does the German Christmas market better than almost anywhere outside Germany. Christkindlmarket, a Chicago tradition for decades, fills Daley Plaza in the Loop with wooden huts selling ornaments, sausages, pretzels and hot spiced wine in collectible boot-shaped mugs, and the organizers have run additional locations in some seasons. The Magnificent Mile Lights Festival opens the season along Michigan Avenue in mid-to-late November, Millennium Park and Maggie Daley Park have seasonal skating, and Lincoln Park Zoo’s ZooLights is a free-spirited favorite with families.

Where to stay: the Loop and River North keep you walking distance from the market, the lakefront and the theaters. Browse hotels in the Loop or compare the city on Chicago hotels.
Weather: it is cold, often bitterly so by the lake. Pack a proper coat, hat and gloves, and plan indoor breaks at the Art Institute or the Field Museum.
Getting there: O’Hare has a huge range of nonstop routes, including from most Canadian cities; compare fares on our Chicago flights page.

Our guide to things to do in Chicago covers the year-round highlights, and Choose Chicago, the city’s official tourism site, lists the season’s events.

Wooden stalls and shoppers at the Christkindlmarket Christmas market in Chicago — Chicago's Christkindlmarket brings a German-style Christmas market to the Loop (Photo: Daniel X. O'Neil from USA via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0)

Boston

Boston’s Christmas has a Canadian thread running through it. Each year, Nova Scotia sends a large tree to stand on Boston Common as a thank-you for the help Boston sent after the Halifax Explosion of 1917, and its lighting is one of the city’s favorite holiday traditions. Add skating on the Frog Pond, the decorated brick lanes of Beacon Hill, the tree and lights at Faneuil Hall Marketplace, and holiday concerts at Symphony Hall, and you have a compact, walkable Christmas city with real character.

Where to stay: Back Bay puts you between the Common, Newbury Street and Copley Square; see our guide to hotels in Back Bay.
Getting around: the T and walking cover almost everything a visitor needs. Our guide to renting a car versus transit in Boston explains when a car makes sense.

For sights and neighborhoods, see things to do in Boston.

Philadelphia

Philadelphia combines European-style market stalls with American history. The Christmas Village in LOVE Park brings a German-style market to the heart of Center City, Dilworth Park beside City Hall runs a seasonal rink and light displays, and the historic streets around Independence Hall look their best on a crisp December evening. Hotel rates in Center City are often noticeably lower than in Manhattan, which makes Philadelphia a smart alternative for travelers who want a big-city Christmas on a smaller budget.

Stay near Old City for cobblestones and history, and read our guide to things to do in Philadelphia for the rest.

Washington, DC

The capital’s centerpiece is the National Christmas Tree on the Ellipse, near the White House, surrounded by smaller trees representing each state and territory. The National Park Service manages the tree and the lighting ceremony, and publishes details on its President’s Park page. Beyond the tree, the city’s big museums are free, which makes DC one of the best-value holiday trips on this list: you can spend days indoors on cold afternoons without buying a single ticket. See our guide to things to do in Washington, DC, and compare rooms near Dupont Circle.

Christmas markets and storybook towns

Bethlehem, Pennsylvania

The self-styled Christmas City earns its nickname. Named on Christmas Eve by its Moravian founders, Bethlehem decorates its historic Moravian district with candles in the windows and a large illuminated star above the city. Its Christkindlmarkt, run by the nonprofit arts organization ArtsQuest at the SteelStacks campus beside the old Bethlehem Steel blast furnaces, is one of the best-known Christmas markets in the country, with heated tents, artisans and food. Visit ArtsQuest’s Christmas City page for the current season’s schedule.

How to get there: Lehigh Valley International Airport is closest; many visitors fly into Philadelphia instead and drive about an hour and a half north. Compare flights to Philadelphia and car rentals in Philadelphia.
Tip: combine Bethlehem with a few nights in Philadelphia or New York for two very different Christmases in one trip.

Christmas decorations on the Hill to Hill Bridge looking toward the Moravian Church in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania — Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, has called itself the Christmas City for generations (Photo: The Mebane Greeting Card Co., Wilkes-Barre, PA. via Wikimedia Commons, Public domain)

Leavenworth, Washington

Leavenworth rebuilt itself decades ago as a Bavarian-style alpine village in the Cascade Mountains, and in December it becomes one of the most photographed Christmas towns in the country. Its Village of Lights season covers the whole town in lights, with carolers, roasted chestnuts and snow on the peaks behind Front Street. The official tourism site, Leavenworth.org, posts the season’s events and parking information, which matters: weekends are extremely busy.

How to get there: fly into Seattle, then drive roughly two and a half hours over Stevens Pass. Winter mountain driving requires care; check the WSDOT mountain pass reports before you set out, and carry chains if the rules require them. Compare flights to Seattle and car rentals in Seattle.
Where to stay: rooms in town sell out early for December weekends. Book as soon as your dates are fixed, or stay midweek.

Spending a night or two in the city first? See things to do in Seattle.

Grapevine, Texas

Grapevine, between Dallas and Fort Worth, markets itself as the Christmas Capital of Texas and backs it up with a packed season of events from mid-November through early January. The historic Main Street is lit up, the Grapevine Vintage Railroad runs holiday-themed trips, and local wineries add seasonal tastings. The town’s official site has a dedicated Christmas Capital of Texas page with the current calendar.

Grapevine sits right next to Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, one of the easiest airports in the country to reach, so this is an excellent short-break choice. See our DFW airport guide, compare flights to Dallas, and read things to do in Dallas if you want to add a city day.

Williamsburg, Virginia

Colonial Williamsburg’s restored eighteenth-century town is decorated with natural materials in the colonial style: wreaths of greenery, fruit and dried flowers on the doors, candlelit windows and fifes and drums in the streets. Its Grand Illumination, traditionally held in early December, opens the season with music and lights. It is a quieter, more thoughtful Christmas than the big cities offer, and ideal for couples and history-minded families. Pair it with a few days in Washington, DC, about three hours north by car.

Asheville, North Carolina

Asheville’s star attraction in December is Christmas at Biltmore, when the enormous Vanderbilt mansion is decorated room by room with trees, garland and ornaments. The estate’s evening Candlelight Christmas Evenings run from early November into January and require timed tickets; details are on the official Biltmore Christmas page. Downtown Asheville adds craft galleries, breweries and a strong restaurant scene. Asheville has its own regional airport; Charlotte, about two hours away, has many more flights, so compare flights to Charlotte and Charlotte car rentals if the direct fares look high.

A warm-weather Christmas

San Antonio, Texas

The River Walk is San Antonio’s great holiday stage. Lights hang from the cypress trees along the river, a lighted river parade usually opens the season around Thanksgiving weekend, and on select December evenings the Fiesta de las Luminarias lines the paths with thousands of candle-lit paper bags, a tradition rooted in the region’s Mexican heritage. Mild December evenings make it easy to linger over Tex-Mex on a patio after dark. Visit San Antonio, the official tourism site, lists each season’s events.

Christmas lights strung through the trees along the San Antonio River Walk at night — San Antonio's River Walk: holiday lights and mild December evenings (Photo: Nan Palmero from San Antonio, TX, USA via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0)

Orlando, Florida

Orlando’s theme parks treat Christmas as one of their biggest seasons. Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando both decorate their parks and run holiday entertainment, and some of the most popular experiences are separately ticketed evening events that sell out. Holiday weeks are among the busiest of the year at the parks, so buy park tickets and any special-event tickets early, and expect crowds between Christmas and New Year’s. Compare Orlando hotels, including rooms along International Drive, and look at Orlando car rentals, since the parks are spread out and a car is often the simplest option.

San Diego, California

San Diego offers the rare combination of a genuine holiday atmosphere and beach weather. Balboa Park hosts December Nights, a long-running free festival with lights, food and performances, usually held over a weekend early in the month, and the harbor has boat parades with decorated vessels. Stay in the Gaslamp Quarter for walkable restaurants, and see things to do in San Diego for the rest.

Las Vegas, Nevada

Las Vegas goes all in on spectacle at Christmas too. The Bellagio Conservatory and Botanical Garden installs an elaborate seasonal display, the big resorts decorate their lobbies, and the shows run through the holidays. Early and mid-December can be surprisingly good value for rooms, apart from weekends with big conventions or events, while the days around New Year’s Eve are among the most expensive of the year. See hotels on the Strip and things to do in Las Vegas.

Mountains, snow and music

Denver, Colorado

Denver has a German-style Christmas market of its own in Skyline Park downtown, a lit-up Union Station, the Blossoms of Light display at Denver Botanic Gardens, and the Rocky Mountains an hour or two away for skiing or a snowy cabin. Stay in LoDo, near Union Station and the market, and read things to do in Denver. If you plan to head into the mountains, our guide on renting a car in Denver covers winter tires and I-70 traffic.

Park City and Salt Lake City, Utah

Park City combines a snowy historic Main Street with two major ski areas, all about forty minutes from Salt Lake City International Airport. It is one of the most reliable places in the country for a white Christmas. The trade-off is price: Christmas week is peak ski season, and lodging books up early. Staying in Salt Lake City and driving up for the day can save money. Compare flights to Salt Lake City, see our SLC airport guide, and read things to do in Salt Lake City.

Santa Fe, New Mexico

Santa Fe’s Christmas is unlike anywhere else in the country. Adobe buildings are outlined with farolitos, the small paper-bag lanterns also called luminarias, and on Christmas Eve crowds stroll the galleries of Canyon Road among bonfires and lanterns. Add red and green chile, Pueblo and Spanish colonial traditions, and a high-desert setting that can bring snow, and you have one of the most atmospheric holiday trips in the Southwest. Tourism Santa Fe, the official visitor bureau, lists each season’s events.

Nashville and Branson

For Christmas with a soundtrack, Nashville delivers holiday concerts, honky-tonks and the huge light and decoration displays at the Gaylord Opryland Resort. Branson, in Missouri’s Ozarks, is built around live entertainment, and Silver Dollar City’s long-running An Old Time Christmas festival adds millions of lights to the theme park. Both are strong family options, and both are driving destinations for much of the Midwest and South.

Also worth a look

Charleston and Savannah decorate their historic squares and host candlelight tours of historic homes, with mild weather for walking. Minneapolis and Saint Paul embrace winter properly, with a European-style holiday market and lots of indoor escapes; see things to do in Minneapolis. If snow is less important than scenery, our guide to America’s most unique state parks includes winter-friendly options.

Compare the cities at a glance

City	Style	December weather	Best for	Nearest major airport
New York	Tree, windows, shows, markets	Cold, snow possible	First-timers, couples, friends	JFK, LaGuardia, Newark
Chicago	German market, lights, skating	Very cold, windy	Market lovers, food lovers	O’Hare, Midway
Boston	History, tree, concerts	Cold, snow possible	Walkers, history fans	Logan
Philadelphia	Market, history, rink	Cold	Big city on a smaller budget	PHL
Washington, DC	National tree, free museums	Cool to cold	Families, value seekers	DCA, IAD, BWI
Bethlehem	Market, Moravian candlelight	Cold	Market lovers, add-on to Philly or NYC	ABE or PHL
Leavenworth	Alpine village lights	Snowy	Couples, photographers	Seattle-Tacoma
Grapevine	Lights, railroad, events	Mild to cool	Families, short breaks	DFW
Williamsburg	Colonial decorations	Cool	History lovers, couples	Richmond or Norfolk; DC by car
Asheville	Biltmore, mountains	Cool to cold	Couples, architecture fans	AVL or Charlotte
San Antonio	River lights, luminarias	Mild	Warm-weather strolling	SAT
Orlando	Theme park holidays	Warm	Families with kids	MCO
San Diego	Park festival, boat parades	Mild, sunny	Beach plus lights	SAN
Las Vegas	Resort displays, shows	Cool, dry	Friends, show-goers	LAS
Denver	Market, gardens, mountains	Cold, sunny, snow possible	City plus ski	DEN
Park City	Ski town Main Street	Snowy	White Christmas seekers	SLC
Santa Fe	Farolitos, adobe, chile	Cold, dry, snow possible	Culture lovers, couples	SAF or Albuquerque

How to book flights and hotels for the holidays

Christmas is the toughest booking season of the year. Planes are full, many travelers are flying to visit family rather than for fun, and the most popular dates are the same for everyone. A few rules make a real difference.

Book the peak dates early

If you must fly on the weekend before Christmas, the days right after it, or around New Year’s Eve, search early and book once you see a fare you can live with. Waiting for a last-minute deal on Christmas-week dates rarely pays off. Our guide to the best time to book cheap flights and hotels explains how booking windows work.

Fly on the quiet days

Christmas Day itself, Christmas Eve morning and New Year’s Day are often among the calmer days to fly, because most people want to be somewhere by then. Tuesdays and Wednesdays in early December are usually easier than Fridays and Sundays. A flexible-date search shows the difference quickly.

Choose refundable rooms, then keep checking

Book a refundable hotel rate as soon as your dates are set, especially for small towns with limited rooms, then keep comparing. If a better rate appears, you can switch. Our hotel booking tips cover cancellation terms, resort fees and location, and our guide to last-minute hotel booking helps if you are planning late.

Look at nearby airports

Many Christmas destinations can be reached through more than one airport. Newark or LaGuardia can beat JFK for New York, Midway can beat O’Hare for Chicago, and Philadelphia often beats the small airport near Bethlehem. Compare the total cost, including the drive or train from each airport.

Watch the weather and leave buffer time

Winter storms can delay flights anywhere in the northern half of the country. Avoid the last flight of the day on your outbound trip, leave a full day’s buffer before anything you cannot miss, and pack medication and a change of clothes in your carry-on.

Getting around once you arrive

Whether you need a car depends entirely on the destination. In New York, Chicago, Boston, Philadelphia and Washington, DC, transit and walking beat driving, and parking near the holiday attractions is expensive and scarce. In Orlando, San Antonio, Asheville, Grapevine and anywhere in the mountains, a car is usually the practical choice. For mountain destinations, reserve a vehicle suitable for snow and learn the local chain and tire rules. Our rental car booking tips cover insurance, fuel and airport fees, and each city guide in our series has a dedicated car-or-transit breakdown.

Tips for Canadian travelers

Many of these destinations are an easy hop from Canada. New York, Boston, Chicago and Philadelphia have frequent flights from Toronto, Montreal and Ottawa, while Seattle for Leavenworth is a short trip from Vancouver. Start with our pages for flights from Toronto, from Montreal and from Vancouver. Remember that the exchange rate affects every hotel night and meal, bring a passport that is valid for your whole trip, and check current entry requirements on the Government of Canada’s United States travel page before you go. Buy travel medical insurance, since provincial health plans cover very little in the United States.

Common mistakes to avoid

Assuming everything is open on Christmas Day. Many museums, restaurants and shops close or run reduced hours on December 24 and 25. Book Christmas dinner early and confirm hours for anything you plan to visit.
Going on the busiest weekends. The weekend after Thanksgiving and the weekend before Christmas are the most crowded times at markets and light shows. Weeknights are calmer and often cheaper.
Leaving show tickets to the last minute. Holiday shows, ballets and special events sell out, especially on weekends.
Underestimating the cold. An evening at an outdoor market in Chicago or Bethlehem is much colder than a quick walk between buildings. Layers, warm boots and gloves make the difference.
Ignoring the drive. Small towns like Leavenworth and Bethlehem need extra travel time, and winter roads can slow you down.
Relying on last year’s dates. Markets, tree lightings and festivals shift slightly each year. Always check the official site for the current season.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best city in the USA to spend Christmas?

For the classic experience, New York is hard to beat: the Rockefeller Center tree, the store windows, holiday shows and markets. For a cozier, more traditional feel, Bethlehem, Leavenworth and Williamsburg are excellent. For warm weather, try San Antonio, San Diego or Orlando.

When do Christmas markets open in the US?

Most open in mid-to-late November, around US Thanksgiving, and run through December; some close before Christmas Eve and a few continue into early January. Check the official site for each market’s current schedule.

Where can I get a white Christmas in the United States?

Snow is never guaranteed, but mountain destinations such as Park City, Colorado’s ski towns and Leavenworth have the best odds. Denver, Minneapolis, Chicago and New England are possible but less reliable.

What is the cheapest time to travel for Christmas?

The first two weeks of December, on weekdays, usually offer the best combination of decorations and prices. Christmas Day and New Year’s Day can be cheaper days to fly, while the weekend before Christmas and the days around New Year’s Eve are typically the most expensive.

Which Christmas cities are best for families?

Orlando, Grapevine, San Antonio and Washington, DC stand out for families: plenty of daytime activities, early-evening lights and easy logistics. New York is magical for children but tiring, so plan shorter days.

Do I need a car for a Christmas trip?

Not in New York, Chicago, Boston, Philadelphia or Washington, DC. You probably will in Orlando, Asheville, Grapevine, Leavenworth and the mountains.

How far ahead should I book a Christmas trip?

For Christmas week and New Year’s, the earlier the better: book flights as soon as you see an acceptable fare and reserve a refundable room. For early December, you have a little more flexibility, but small towns still fill up on weekends.

More guides in this series

This article is part of our destinations and planning series. Start with the pillar guide to budget travel destinations, then explore relaxing vacations for doing absolutely nothing if you would rather escape the holidays entirely, the best places to visit in Europe in fall for an autumn trip, and our guide to planning and booking a trip on TicketScanner.

Ready to plan a festive getaway? Compare a few December weekends on our flight search, then find a refundable room near the markets and lights on our hotel search. If New York is calling, start with our New York flights page and our guide to the best time to fly to New York.

Keep planning with TicketScanner

Budget travel destinations: the best-value picks
New York on a budget
Seven relaxing vacations for doing absolutely nothing
America's most unique state parks
How to save money for a trip
How to plan and book a trip on TicketScanner
Compare holiday flights — early December weekdays are usually the best value
Compare hotel prices — book refundable rates early for December weekends
Things to do in New York
Things to do in Chicago

December 18, 2024

Top 10 Destinations to Book with Cyber Monday Flight Deals

Every year, the Monday after U.S. Thanksgiving turns into one of the busiest days on the travel calendar. Airlines, hotels and booking sites stretch their Black Friday promotions into Cyber Monday, and plenty of travelers use the moment to lock in trips for the winter, spring and even the following summer. Some of those sale fares are genuinely good. Others are ordinary prices with a countdown clock attached. The difference between the two is preparation: knowing where you want to go, what a normal fare looks like for your route, and what the sale fare actually includes. This guide explains how travel sales around Cyber Monday work, how to get ready before the sales start, how to judge whether a fare is really a deal, and ten destinations that make especially good use of a sale fare, with the seasons, airports and practical details for each. It is part of our flight booking series, which starts with our guide to the best time to book cheap flights and hotels.

The short answer

Cyber Monday is a good time to buy travel, not necessarily a good time to travel. The best sale fares are usually for trips in the quieter months that follow, so think about late winter, spring and early fall rather than the holidays. Decide on two or three destinations and a range of dates before the sales begin, and check normal fares for those routes in the weeks before, so you can recognize a real discount. Read the fare rules before paying, because sale fares are often the most restrictive. Book hotels on refundable rates so you can rebook if a better price appears. And remember that for flights to, from or within the United States booked at least seven days out, most airlines let you cancel within 24 hours without penalty. The destinations below all have strong airline competition and plenty of seats, which is what makes sale fares likely. Compare fares across a whole month on our flight search.

The Golden Gate Bridge rising above the fog, seen from Battery Spencer — The best sale fares are usually for trips in the quieter months that follow (Photo: Dongmin03 via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0)

How Black Friday and Cyber Monday travel sales work

Airline sales are not random generosity. They are a tool for filling seats that revenue management systems expect to go empty. That tells you a lot about what a sale will and will not include.

Travel windows favor quiet periods. Sale fares typically apply to flights in the airline’s slow months: early in the new year after the holidays, parts of late winter, and sometimes spring and fall. Peak dates such as Christmas, spring break weeks and midsummer are usually excluded or have very few sale seats.
Seats at the sale price are limited. An airline might offer the sale fare on only a portion of seats on each flight. When those are gone, the price reverts to the normal fare level, even while the sale is still advertised.
Days of the week are restricted. Many sales apply only to certain departure days, often Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays, when flights are least full.
Conditions are strict. Sale fares are often nonrefundable, may not allow changes, and are frequently in the basic economy family with no seat selection and limited carry-on allowance.
Sales are not only on one day. Many travel companies run promotions from before Black Friday through Cyber Monday and sometimes beyond, and airlines hold sales at other points in the year too. Missing Cyber Monday does not mean missing your chance to buy a good fare.

Hotels behave a little differently. Hotel sales around Cyber Monday often take the form of discounted prepaid rates, extra nights free, or credits for food and drink. The discount on a prepaid, nonrefundable rate can be real, but so is the risk if your plans change. A flexible rate booked now and rechecked later is often almost as good with none of the risk.

How to prepare before the sales start

The travelers who get the best value out of Cyber Monday do their homework in October and early November.

Shortlist destinations. Pick two or three places you would genuinely like to visit, using the list below as a starting point.
Set a date range, not fixed dates. Decide which months or weeks work for you, and how long a trip you want.
Build a price baseline. Search your routes a few times in the weeks before the sales. Note the typical fare for your dates, including the fare type you would actually buy. Set price alerts. Without a baseline, you cannot tell a discount from a normal price.
Check the calendar at the destination. A big convention, festival or sporting event can make hotels expensive even if flights are cheap. Our events pages, such as New York events and Las Vegas events, show what is on.
Get your details ready. Traveler names exactly as they appear on ID, loyalty numbers, passport details for international trips and the payment card you want to use. Sale seats go quickly, and a fumbled checkout can cost you the fare.
Check your documents. For international trips, make sure passports are valid well beyond your travel dates and check entry requirements. Canadians should read the Government of Canada’s travel advice and advisories; for U.S. domestic flights, adults need a REAL ID-compliant license or another accepted document, as explained on TSA’s REAL ID page.

How to tell whether a sale fare is really a deal

A red banner and a countdown clock are not evidence of savings. Run every sale fare through these checks.

Check	What to look for	Red flag
Compared with your baseline	A meaningful drop from the fare you saw for the same dates before the sale	The “sale” price matches what you saw a month ago
Fare type	The same fare type you would normally buy, or a clear saving after adding what the basic fare excludes	A basic fare compared against a standard one
Travel dates	Your actual dates are available at the advertised price	The advertised price only exists on dates you cannot use
Total price	Taxes, fees, bags and seats included	A low base fare that grows at checkout
Change and cancellation rules	Rules you can live with if plans move	No changes, no refunds, on a trip that is not yet certain
Schedule	Reasonable departure times and connections	A cheap fare with a very early departure, an overnight layover or two separate tickets

Price rules help with the total. In Canada, the Canadian Transportation Agency’s all-inclusive air price advertising rules require advertised air prices to include all mandatory taxes, fees and charges. In the United States, the Federal Trade Commission’s rule on junk fees for hotels and short-term rentals requires the total price, including mandatory fees, to be shown up front. Optional extras like bags, seats and parking are still yours to add. Our flight details guide explains how to read fare brands and baggage allowances.

Ten destinations that make the most of a sale fare

These ten cities share what makes sale fares likely: large airports with many airlines competing, lots of seats, and clear quiet seasons when airlines need to fill planes. For each, we note when a sale fare is most useful, which airports to compare and where to read more. None of this is a list of current prices; check live fares on our flight search.

1. New York City

New York rewards almost any length of trip: Broadway, the big museums, Central Park, food from every corner of the world and neighborhoods that feel like different cities. It is also one of the best-served air markets in North America, with three major airports, JFK, LaGuardia and Newark, which keeps competition high. The sale sweet spot is January through early March, when the holiday crowds have gone and hotel rates are at their lowest, with a second window in late spring before summer peak. Winter in New York is cold, but museums, shows and restaurants are indoors, and hotel savings can be substantial. Our guides to the best time to fly to New York and things to do in New York go deeper; compare flights on New York flights and rooms near the theaters on Times Square hotels.

2. Los Angeles

Los Angeles is a mild-weather escape when the rest of the continent is cold, which makes winter and early spring sale fares especially attractive. LAX is one of the busiest airports in the world, and the region also has Burbank, Long Beach, Ontario and Orange County airports, so compare by where you will actually stay. Plan for a city that is spread out: most visitors base themselves in one or two areas and use a car or rideshare for the rest. Read our best time to fly to Los Angeles and Los Angeles car rental or public transit guides, and compare fares on Los Angeles flights.

3. Miami

Miami’s high season is winter, when northern travelers head south, so sale fares for January and February can be valuable if you can find them, while late spring usually brings lower prices and warm water. Summer and early fall are the cheapest but hottest months and fall inside the Atlantic hurricane season, which runs June through November; travel insurance and flexible bookings make sense then. Compare Miami International with Fort Lauderdale, depending on where you are staying. Our guides to the best time to fly to Miami and things to do in Miami help you choose, and you can compare flights on Miami flights and hotels on South Beach hotels.

4. Las Vegas

Las Vegas is built for sale fares: huge airline capacity, many carriers and dense competition from across North America. What moves the price is not the season so much as the event calendar. Big conventions, fight nights, major races and holiday weekends can push hotel rates sharply higher, while ordinary midweek dates are often very reasonable. Check the calendar before you buy a sale fare, and compare the total with resort fees included. Our dedicated guide to cheap flights to Las Vegas covers the patterns, along with our best time to fly to Las Vegas and things to do in Las Vegas guides. Compare fares on Las Vegas flights.

5. Chicago

Chicago has world-class architecture, museums, a lakefront and a food scene well beyond deep-dish pizza. Winter is cold and windy, which is exactly why January and February fares and hotel rates can be low. Late spring and early fall are the sweet spots for weather and value; summer is lively and priced accordingly. Compare O’Hare and Midway: Midway is closer to downtown for many visitors, O’Hare has more airlines. Our best time to fly to Chicago and things to do in Chicago guides help you plan, and you can compare fares on Chicago flights.

The Chicago skyline seen from the Nichols Bridgeway in Millennium Park — Chicago's cold months are often its cheapest (Photo: Michael Barera via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0)

6. San Francisco

San Francisco’s weather is famously unpredictable, with cool, foggy summers and often clear, pleasant falls, so September and October are some of its best months. Conference weeks can push hotel rates very high, so check the convention calendar before buying a sale fare. Compare SFO, Oakland and San Jose by where you will spend your time. The city is compact and well served by transit, so many visitors skip the rental car. Read our best time to fly to San Francisco and things to do in San Francisco guides and compare fares on San Francisco flights.

7. Orlando

Orlando is the family destination of choice, which means the most expensive weeks follow the school calendar: spring break, summer and the holidays. Sale fares are most valuable for the quieter periods, such as parts of January and February, late April and May outside holidays, and early fall. Orlando International is the main airport, with Orlando Sanford as an alternative on some routes. Theme park tickets and hotel stays add up quickly, so compare packages with separate bookings and read the change rules carefully. Compare fares on Orlando flights and hotels on Orlando hotels.

8. Seattle

Seattle’s summers are dry and beautiful and its winters are gray and damp, and fares follow the weather: July and August are the peak, while the rainy season is usually cheaper. Pike Place Market, the waterfront, the Space Needle, ferries across Puget Sound and day trips into the mountains all work year-round, but spring and early fall offer the best balance. Seattle-Tacoma International is the main airport; our Sea-Tac airport guide covers terminals and getting into the city. See our best time to fly to Seattle and things to do in Seattle guides, and compare fares on Seattle flights.

Bell Street Pier and the Space Needle seen from Elliott Bay in Seattle — Seattle fares follow the weather, with summer the peak (Photo: Joe Mabel via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0)

9. Austin

Austin is known for live music, barbecue, Tex-Mex, swimming holes and a busy festival calendar. That calendar is the key to prices: major festival and conference weeks fill the city and send hotel rates soaring, while ordinary weeks are much calmer. Summers are very hot, so spring and fall are the most comfortable seasons. Austin-Bergstrom International is the airport, a short drive from downtown. Search for Austin on our main flight search and compare dates across the month so you can see which weeks the festivals push up. If you are combining Austin with another Texas city, our Houston and Dallas guides can help.

10. Washington, D.C.

Washington is one of the best-value major cities in North America for sightseeing, because the Smithsonian museums and the monuments on the National Mall are free. Spring brings cherry blossom season and big crowds; late fall and winter outside the holidays are quieter and cheaper. Compare Reagan National, which is on the Metro close to the city, with Dulles and Baltimore/Washington. Read our best time to fly to Washington, D.C., things to do in Washington, D.C. and rent a car or take the Metro guides, and compare fares on Washington, D.C. flights.

The ten destinations at a glance

Destination	Airports to compare	When a sale fare helps most	Watch out for
New York City	JFK, LaGuardia, Newark	January to early March; late spring	Holiday season and big event weekends
Los Angeles	LAX, Burbank, Long Beach, Ontario, Orange County	Winter and early spring	Long drives between areas; pick your base
Miami	Miami, Fort Lauderdale	Late spring; winter if you find a real deal	Winter peak; hurricane season June to November
Las Vegas	Harry Reid International	Midweek dates without big events	Convention and event weekends; resort fees
Chicago	O’Hare, Midway	Late winter; late spring and early fall	Cold January weather; summer peak
San Francisco	SFO, Oakland, San Jose	September and October; winter weekdays	Conference weeks
Orlando	Orlando International, Sanford	Quiet weeks outside school holidays	Spring break, summer, holidays
Seattle	Seattle-Tacoma	Spring and early fall	Summer peak; rainy winters
Austin	Austin-Bergstrom	Ordinary spring and fall weeks	Festival weeks; summer heat
Washington, D.C.	Reagan National, Dulles, BWI	Late fall and winter outside holidays	Cherry blossom season crowds

Flying from Canada? What changes

Many of our readers fly from Canadian cities, and a few things differ for cross-border trips. Transborder fares from Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver and Calgary can be competitive during sales, but also compare driving to a nearby U.S. airport, including the cost of parking, fuel, tolls and time. Several major Canadian airports, including Toronto Pearson, offer U.S. preclearance, so you clear U.S. border formalities before you leave and arrive as a domestic passenger. Check the exchange rate when comparing fares priced in different currencies, and see the Government of Canada’s advice on travel to the United States for entry requirements. For a close look at one of the busiest cross-border routes, read our guide to cheap flights between New York and Toronto; for the reverse direction, our Toronto flight deals guide covers flying in.

The west front of the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C. — Washington's free museums make it strong value outside cherry blossom season (Photo: Architect of the Capitol via Wikimedia Commons, Public domain)

Book the hotel and the car too

A cheap flight is only half a cheap trip. Once your sale fare is booked, move quickly on the rest, because hotel rates on your dates can rise as other sale shoppers book.

Book a refundable room first. Reserve on a flexible rate for your exact nights on our hotel search, then keep checking for better rates before the cancellation deadline. Our hotel booking tips guide explains how to compare total prices and neighborhoods.
Only prepay if you are certain. A prepaid hotel sale rate is worth it if your trip is fixed and the discount is real.
Decide whether you need a car. In New York, Chicago, San Francisco and Washington you probably do not; in Los Angeles, Orlando and Austin you probably do. Compare on our car rental search.
Consider timing for the holidays. If you are planning a festive trip, our guide to the best cities for Christmas in the USA shows which cities are worth it, and why booking early matters.

Common mistakes during travel sales

Buying a trip you had not planned. A cheap fare to somewhere you did not want to go is not a saving.
Not checking the fare type. A basic fare with no carry-on and no seat selection can cost more than a standard fare once you add what you need.
Ignoring the hotel side. A cheap flight on a weekend when the city is full of conventioneers is not a cheap trip.
Forgetting the return. Check both directions of a round trip; the sale may only apply to one.
Booking nonrefundable everything. Keep at least the hotel flexible if you can.
Waiting for the last hour of the sale. Sale seats are limited. If your fare meets your target price, book it.
Assuming Cyber Monday is the only chance. Airlines run sales throughout the year; a fare that meets your baseline in any month is worth taking.

Frequently asked questions

Are Cyber Monday flight deals really cheaper?

Sometimes. Sale fares can be genuinely lower for travel in quieter months, but some “deals” are ordinary prices. Compare against the fare you saw for the same dates before the sale, with the same fare type and extras included.

What dates do Cyber Monday sale fares usually cover?

Each airline sets its own terms, but sale fares commonly apply to travel in the slower months that follow, with blackout dates around major holidays. Always check the travel window and day-of-week restrictions in the fare rules.

Is Black Friday or Cyber Monday better for flights?

Neither is reliably better. Many promotions run across the whole period. Prepare in advance and book when a fare meets your target.

Can I cancel a sale fare?

For flights to, from or within the United States booked at least seven days before departure, most airlines let you cancel within 24 hours without penalty. After that, sale fares are often nonrefundable, so read the rules before you pay.

Should I book the hotel during the sale too?

Book a refundable room as soon as your flight is set, then recheck the price. Only choose a prepaid sale rate if your plans are certain and the discount is meaningful.

Which destinations usually have the best sale fares?

Big airports with lots of airline competition and clear quiet seasons, such as the ten cities above, are where sale fares appear most often. Smaller airports with one or two airlines see fewer and shallower sales.

Are sale fares refundable if the airline changes my flight?

If an airline cancels or significantly changes your flight and you choose not to travel, U.S. Department of Transportation rules say you are entitled to a refund, even on a nonrefundable fare. Canadian passengers have rights under the Air Passenger Protection Regulations. The details depend on the situation, so check the rules for your trip.

Ready for the next sale? Build your price baseline now on our flight search by checking your routes across a whole month, shortlist hotels for the same dates on our hotel search, and you will know a real deal the moment you see one. For more on timing, read our guide to the best time to book cheap flights and hotels.

Keep planning with TicketScanner

Best time to book cheap flights and hotels
Booking cheap local flights in the USA
Cheap flights to Las Vegas
New York to Toronto cheap flights
Cheap flights to Toronto
Cheap flights to Mexico City
Flight details, decoded
International flights booking tips
Compare flight prices — build a price baseline before the sales
Best time to fly to New York

November 28, 2024

Top 10 Travel Wallets for Women: Stylish and Functional Options

The wallet you carry at home is rarely the wallet you want on a trip. At home it holds a dozen cards, receipts, loyalty cards and coins you never use. On the road you need something different: a place for a passport or boarding pass on flying days, one or two payment cards, some local cash, a transit card and perhaps a hotel key, all in something you can hold securely in a crowded market or on a packed train. A good travel wallet is slim enough to keep in a front pocket or crossbody bag, closes securely, and makes it obvious at a glance whether everything is still there. This guide covers the main styles of travel wallets for women, what matters in size, closures, materials and card layout, an honest look at RFID blocking, how to split money and cards so one loss does not strand you, and ten wallets from our original list, grouped by the kind of traveler they suit.

The short answer

For most trips, the best setup is two small wallets rather than one big one: a slim everyday wallet or card holder with one card and the day’s cash, and a passport wallet or hidden pouch with your passport, a backup card and emergency money. Choose an everyday wallet with a zipper or secure snap, room for a few cards and folded notes, and a size that fits a front pocket or a small crossbody bag. A wristlet strap is useful for markets and festivals. RFID blocking is a harmless extra rather than a must-have. Leave the rest of your cards at home.

A slim minimalist wallet holding cards and euro banknotes — On a trip, carry less: one card, a transit card and the day's cash in a slim wallet you can keep in a front pocket (Photo: www.kartenetui.info via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0)

What makes a travel wallet different

It carries less. A travel wallet is about subtraction: fewer cards, less cash and nothing you would hate to lose.
It handles more than one currency. On international trips you may have home currency for the airport and local currency for the trip. Separate note sections make that easier.
It may need to hold travel documents. Passport wallets and larger zip-around wallets have room for a passport, boarding pass and tickets on flying days.
It has to be secure in crowds. A zip closure, a wrist strap or a size that fits a zipped bag pocket matter more on a trip than at home.
It has to be easy to use one-handed. Paying at a ticket machine while holding a bag, a coffee or a child’s hand is normal travel life.

The main styles

Passport wallets

A passport wallet is a zippered case sized for a passport, with card slots, a note section and often a pen loop. It is ideal for flying days, when you need your passport, boarding pass and a card in quick succession. Once you arrive, many travelers move the passport to the hotel safe and switch to a smaller wallet. For more on this style, see our guide to passport holders.

Zip-around wallets and wristlets

A zip-around wallet closes on three sides, so nothing falls out, and holds cards, notes and coins in separate sections. Many include a wrist strap, which lets you carry the wallet on its own for an evening out or keep it looped around your wrist in a busy market. The trade-off is size: they are usually too large for a pocket.

Trifold wallets

Trifolds pack cards, notes and a coin pocket into a compact, thick rectangle. They hold a lot for their footprint and fit most handbags. For travel, look for a secure snap or zipper on the coin pocket, and resist filling every slot.

Slim bifolds and card holders

A small bifold or card holder carries a few cards, folded notes and sometimes an ID window. It fits a front pocket or the smallest crossbody bag, which makes it the best everyday travel wallet for many women. The ID window is handy for transit passes and building access cards.

Keychain and wristlet card cases

Tiny zip card cases that clip to a key ring or bag strap hold a couple of cards and a few notes. They are great for festivals, beach days and nights out when you want the bare minimum and something that is hard to set down and forget.

Crossbody wallet bags

A small crossbody bag with built-in card slots doubles as a wallet and a purse, with room for a phone. Worn across the body and moved to the front in crowds, it is one of the most practical anti-theft carries for city days.

Style	Best for	Watch out for
Passport wallet	Flying days, documents plus cards	Too big for daily carry
Zip-around wristlet	Markets, evenings, organized carry	Usually too large for a pocket
Trifold	Handbag carry with coins	Gets thick if overfilled
Slim bifold or card holder	Front-pocket everyday travel wallet	Limited room for coins and receipts
Keychain card case	Festivals, beach, nights out	Holds only the bare minimum
Crossbody wallet bag	City days, phone plus wallet in one	Another bag to keep track of

What to look for

Size and where you will carry it

Decide first where the wallet will live. A front trouser pocket, a jacket’s inside pocket, a small crossbody bag and a large tote all suit different sizes. A wallet that fits the pocket or bag you use every day is one you will not leave lying on a table.

Closures

Zippers are the most secure closure for travel because nothing falls out and it takes a moment to open. Snaps are quicker and fine for wallets carried inside a zipped bag. Magnetic closures are convenient but less secure in a crowd.

Card slots and layout

You probably need three to six slots on a trip: one or two payment cards, a transit card, an ID and perhaps a hotel key or museum pass. A wallet with far more slots tempts you to carry cards you do not need. Clear ID windows are useful for transit passes you tap often.

Notes and coins

If you are traveling to a country where cash and coins are still widely used, a zipped coin pocket and a full-length note section are worth having. Two note sections make it easy to keep home and local currency apart.

Materials

Leather is durable and looks polished, but can be heavier and needs care if soaked.
Vegan and synthetic leather is lighter and often cheaper; better versions wear well, cheaper ones can peel at the edges.
Nylon and fabric are light, quick-drying and good for beach, hiking and adventure trips.

Color and visibility

A bright or patterned wallet is easier to find in a dark bag and harder to leave behind on a café table. An understated wallet draws less attention in places where you want to blend in. Many travelers pick a bright interior and a plain exterior for both reasons.

RFID blocking, honestly

RFID-blocking wallets use a lining meant to stop radio signals reaching contactless cards. It does no harm, and plenty of good travel wallets include it. But contactless card payments are designed so that each transaction uses a one-time code, and card skimming from a distance is a far less common problem than a wallet lifted from a bag or left on a counter. Choose a wallet for its size, closure and layout first, and treat RFID blocking as a small bonus rather than a deciding feature.

Card payment terminals for contactless and chip card payments at a shop counter — When a terminal offers to charge you in your home currency, choosing the local currency is usually the better deal (Photo: RuinDig/Yuki Uchida via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0)

Build a simple money system for the trip

The wallet matters less than how you split your money. A system that works for most trips:

Everyday wallet. One payment card, a transit card and the day’s cash. This is what you pull out in shops, cafés and ticket machines.
Backup stash. A second card from a different account and some emergency cash in a money belt, a hidden pouch or a separate zipped pocket.
Hotel safe. Your passport on days you do not need it, spare cash and any cards you are not using.
Phone wallet. A card loaded on your phone is a useful extra backup, as long as your phone is charged and secured.

Split like this, a lost or stolen wallet is an annoyance instead of a crisis.

Cards and cash abroad

Tell your bank or check your app. Many banks no longer need travel notices, but it is worth confirming your cards work abroad and noting the phone numbers for reporting a lost card.
Know your fees. Foreign transaction fees and ATM fees vary by card and account. Canada’s Financial Consumer Agency has plain-language information on bank and credit card fees.
Pay in local currency. If a card terminal or ATM offers to charge you in your home currency, the conversion rate is often worse. Choosing the local currency is usually the better option.
Carry a little cash. Even in card-friendly countries, small cafés, markets, tips and some transit need cash.
Use bank ATMs. Machines inside or attached to banks are generally safer than standalone machines in quiet spots. Cover the keypad when you type your PIN.

Ten travel wallets from our original list

The wallets below were featured in the original version of this guide. They are grouped by the kind of traveler they suit rather than ranked. Colors, sizes and features change between versions, and we have not tested them ourselves, so check the current details from the manufacturer or seller before you buy.

1. Travelon RFID Blocking Passport Zip Wallet

Travelon is a well-known travel accessories brand, and this zip wallet is sized for a passport with room for cards and travel documents, plus RFID-blocking lining. It suits flying days and anyone who wants documents, cards and cash in one zipped case. Patterned designs make it easy to spot in a bag.

2. GOIACII Women’s Large Capacity Wallet

A large zip-around wallet with multiple card slots, a cash compartment and a wrist strap, sold with RFID blocking. It suits travelers who like everything organized in one place and want to carry the wallet on its own, looped on the wrist, for markets and evenings out.

3. Michael Kors Women’s Trifold Wallet

A trifold with compartments for cards, cash and coins and a snap closure. It suits travelers who want a dressier wallet that works for a business trip or a nice dinner, carried inside a zipped handbag rather than a pocket.

4. Black Cat Floral RFID Wallet

A small, slim bifold in synthetic leather with a zipper coin pocket and an ID window. It suits travelers who want a compact everyday wallet with a bit of personality, and the ID window is handy for a transit card.

5. CLUCI Leather RFID Trifold Wallet

A larger trifold with multiple card slots and compartments for cash and coins, sold with RFID blocking. It suits women who carry a handbag and want room for two currencies and receipts on a longer trip.

6. BOSTANTEN Vegan Leather Small Crossbody Bag

A small crossbody bag that doubles as a wallet, with an adjustable strap and compartments for cards, cash and a phone. It suits city days when you want your phone and wallet in one bag worn across your body, which you can move to the front in crowds.

7. Slim RFID card holder with ID window

The original list included a small, slim card holder with an ID window and several card slots. This style is ideal for the “everyday wallet” in a two-wallet system: one or two cards, a transit card and folded notes in a front pocket.

8. CLUCI Small Bifold Mini Card Holder

A mini bifold organizer with card slots, a zipper coin pocket and a removable ID window. It suits travelers who want a compact wallet that still handles coins, without carrying a bulky purse.

9. FurArt Keychain Credit Card Wallet

A small zipper card case with a keychain attachment, sold with RFID blocking. It suits festivals, beaches and nights out, when you want just a card and a little cash clipped to your keys or bag strap.

10. Gostwo Small RFID Trifold Wallet

A compact trifold with multiple card slots and a zippered coin pocket. It suits travelers who want trifold organization in a smaller size that fits a crossbody bag.

Choosing by trip type

City breaks

A slim bifold or card holder in a front pocket or crossbody bag, with a backup card at the hotel. If you are heading somewhere famous for crowds, such as the big sights in Rome or Paris, add a hidden pouch for your passport on days you need it. Our guides to things to do in Rome and things to do in Paris will help you plan those days.

Business trips

A dressier trifold or slim leather wallet, plus a passport wallet for the airport. Keep receipts in a separate envelope so your wallet does not swell.

Beach and resort holidays

A small fabric or synthetic card case that can handle sand and damp hands, and a waterproof pouch for the beach. Leave the leather wallet and most of your cards in the room safe.

Festivals and events

A keychain or wristlet card case with one card and a little cash, carried in a front pocket or a small crossbody bag. If you are traveling for a concert or game, our Toronto events page is one place to see what is on.

Backpacking and long trips

A light nylon everyday wallet plus a money belt for backups. Durability and quick-drying fabric matter more than looks when you are on the road for months.

A small handbag on display in a store — A small zipped bag worn across the body is easier to guard in crowds than a wallet loose in an open tote (Photo: Missvain via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0)

Habits that protect your wallet

Front, not back. Keep your wallet in a front pocket or a zipped bag pocket, never a back pocket or an open tote.
Nothing on the table. Cafés and restaurant terraces are a favorite place for quick grabs. Keep the wallet and phone in your bag, and the bag on your lap or strapped to your chair leg.
Take out only what you need. Have the fare or payment ready before you reach the counter or ticket machine.
Watch for distractions. If someone bumps you, spills something or asks for help in a crowd, check your wallet first.
Carry the bag in front in crowds. A crossbody bag or anti-theft backpack worn to the front on packed transit is much harder to open.
Read local advice. Canada’s travel advice and advisories describe common scams and theft hot spots by country.

At the airport

Keep your wallet, passport and phone in one zipped pocket of your personal item, not in a jacket that goes through the scanner separately. Check the tray before you walk away from security. In Canada, CATSA’s what can I bring page covers screening rules for carry-on items; in the US, the TSA’s What Can I Bring? tool does the same. If your trip starts early, our guide to airport arrival times for international flights helps you avoid the rush that leads to lost items.

What to pack alongside your wallet

A travel wallet is one part of a small everyday carry. Alongside it, most travelers want a phone with a charged battery, a compact power bank, a copy of their passport, hand sanitizer and a few basic first aid items. Our guide to travel first aid kits covers what to put in a small pouch, and our guide to travel-friendly feminine hygiene products covers the personal items that are easy to forget. If you are bringing jewelry, a small travel jewelry case keeps it organized and easy to lock in the safe.

If your wallet is lost or stolen

Lock or cancel cards immediately using your banking apps or the phone numbers you saved before the trip.
Use your backup card and cash from the separate stash.
Report it to the police and get a report number for insurance claims.
If your passport was in the wallet, contact your embassy or consulate. Canadians abroad can use the Government of Canada’s emergency assistance page, and US citizens can start with the State Department’s traveler’s checklist resources.
Contact your travel insurer promptly; many policies have time limits.

Common mistakes

Bringing your whole home wallet. Remove loyalty cards, extra credit cards and anything you will not use on the trip.
One wallet for everything. Keep a backup card and cash somewhere else.
Choosing style over closure. An open card sleeve looks neat but loses cards in a busy bag.
Buying for RFID alone. It is a small extra; closure, size and layout matter more.
A wallet too big for your bag. If it does not fit the bag you carry every day, it will end up in an outside pocket.
Not photographing your cards. Keep a secure note of card numbers and bank phone numbers so you can report a loss quickly.

Close-up of the chip contact pad on a credit card — Keep a secure note of your card numbers and your bank's phone numbers so you can lock a lost card in minutes (Photo: Bautsch via Wikimedia Commons, CC0)

Caring for your wallet on the road

Empty receipts every evening so the wallet stays slim and closes properly. If a leather wallet gets wet, empty it, blot it and let it dry naturally away from a heater. Fabric wallets can often be hand-washed after a beach trip. Before a long trip, check the zipper runs smoothly and the stitching around card slots is intact, since those are the first things to fail.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best type of travel wallet for women?

For most trips, a slim zippered wallet or card holder for daily spending plus a passport wallet or hidden pouch for documents and backups. Choose the size by where you will carry it.

Do I need an RFID-blocking wallet?

No. It is a harmless extra. Losing a wallet or having it taken from a bag is much more common than remote card skimming, so choose a wallet for its closure and size first.

Can a travel wallet hold my passport?

Passport wallets and larger zip-around wallets can. Slim card holders and most trifolds cannot, which is one reason many travelers use two wallets.

Is a crossbody bag safer than a wallet in a handbag?

A crossbody bag worn across the body and moved to the front in crowds is easier to keep an eye on than a wallet loose in an open tote. A zipped bag is always better than an open one.

How much cash should I carry?

Enough for the day’s small purchases, tips and transit, plus a separate emergency amount. The right number depends on how widely cards are accepted at your destination.

Are leather wallets better than synthetic ones?

Leather is durable and polished but heavier. Good synthetic and fabric wallets are lighter and handle damp conditions better. Choose by trip type and personal preference.

How do I clean a travel wallet?

Follow the maker’s care instructions. Leather is usually wiped with a slightly damp cloth; many fabric wallets can be hand-washed. Empty the wallet first.

Once your wallet is sorted, put the savings toward the trip itself. Compare fares on our flight search, find a hotel with an in-room safe on our hotel search, and if you are renting a car, compare pickup options on our car rental search. For the bag that carries it all, start with our main guide to travel luggage bags.

Keep planning with TicketScanner

Top travel luggage bags: the buying guide — the travel gear guide
Passport holders: how to choose
Best money belts for travel
Anti-theft backpacks for travel and commuting
Travel jewelry cases
Travel-friendly feminine hygiene products
Travel first aid kits: what to pack
Search hotels — find a room with a safe
Things to do in Rome

November 25, 2024

Top 10 Passport Holders to Safeguard Your Documents While Traveling

Your passport is the one thing in your bag that can end a trip if it goes missing. Flights, hotels and rental cars can all be rebooked; a lost passport means a police report, a trip to an embassy or consulate, and often missed connections while you wait for emergency documents. A passport holder will not make theft impossible, but the right one keeps your passport clean, flat and in one predictable place, keeps boarding passes and cards together at the airport, and makes it much harder to leave something behind on a tray at security. This guide explains the main types of passport holders, what to look for in materials, size and closures, how much RFID blocking really matters, which style suits solo travelers, families and people who want to carry documents under their clothes, and ten options from our original list. It also covers the habits that protect your passport more than any holder can.

The short answer

For most travelers, the best passport holder is a slim cover or wallet that holds your passport plus one or two cards and a boarding pass, closes securely and lets the passport slide out easily when an officer asks for it. If you travel as a family, a zippered document organizer that holds several passports, tickets and a pen saves a lot of fumbling at check-in. If you are going somewhere busy with pickpockets, or you want your passport on you all day, a neck pouch or hidden belt wallet worn under clothing is the more secure carry. RFID blocking is a harmless extra, not a reason to choose one holder over another. Whatever you buy, keep a photo of your passport’s data page somewhere separate, and leave the passport in the hotel safe on days you do not need it.

Four different national passports laid side by side — Passport booklets are a similar size, but thickness varies with pages and visas, so check a holder fits yours without bending it (Photo: Horizon206 via Wikimedia Commons, CC0)

What a passport holder actually does

It is easy to think of a passport holder as a fashion accessory, but its real jobs are practical:

Protection from wear. Passports get bent, wet and scuffed. A damaged passport can cause problems at a border or when you try to use it again, so a cover that keeps the booklet flat and dry has real value over the years you use the same passport.
Organization. At the airport you need your passport, boarding pass, sometimes a visa or arrival form, and a payment card within the space of a few minutes. A holder puts them all in one place.
A fixed home. Travelers most often lose passports by putting them down: on a check-in desk, a seat-back pocket, a security tray or a café table. A holder that always goes back into the same pocket makes that less likely.
Security, in some styles. Holders worn under clothing, in a neck pouch or on a belt, keep the passport out of reach of pickpockets. Ordinary covers do not add security on their own; they are only as safe as the pocket you put them in.

The main types of passport holders

Slim passport covers

A simple cover wraps around the passport and adds a card slot or two. It keeps the booklet clean and adds almost no bulk, which makes it the best choice for travelers who carry their passport in an inside jacket pocket or a zipped bag pocket. The downside is that covers hold very little, and some are so snug that it is awkward to remove the passport at a border desk.

Passport wallets

A passport wallet is larger and usually closes with a zipper or snap. It holds the passport, several cards, some cash, a boarding pass and often a pen. It is the most useful all-in-one travel document holder for flying days, and it can double as your everyday wallet on the trip. Because it is larger, it belongs in a bag rather than a back pocket.

Family document organizers

Family organizers are zippered cases, often the size of a small tablet, with a slot for each passport and room for tickets, itineraries, vaccination records and a pen. One adult carries all the documents and hands them over together at check-in and passport control. They are bulky, but for families they remove a lot of stress.

Neck pouches

A neck pouch hangs on a cord around your neck and is worn under a shirt or jacket. It keeps your passport and backup cash against your body, which pickpockets cannot easily reach. It is less convenient to get into, so treat it as a secure store rather than your everyday wallet.

Hidden belt wallets and money belts

These sit flat around your waist under your clothes, or loop onto your belt and tuck inside your waistband. They are the most discreet way to carry a passport and backup money. Our guide to money belts for travel covers how to choose and wear one comfortably.

Holders with a tracker slot

Some passport holders include a small pocket designed to fit a Bluetooth tracker. A tracker can help you find a holder you left behind or dropped nearby. It does not stop theft and depends on the tracker network where you are, so think of it as a way to locate a misplaced holder, not as security.

Type	Best for	Main trade-off
Slim cover	Light packers, inside-pocket carry	Holds little; some are tight to remove
Passport wallet	Airport days, all-in-one carry	Bulkier; belongs in a bag
Family organizer	Parents carrying several passports	Large; easy to set down and forget
Neck pouch	Busy cities, long travel days	Slow to access; can be warm
Hidden belt wallet	Maximum discretion for backups	Must undress slightly to reach
Tracker-slot holder	Travelers prone to misplacing things	Helps locate, does not prevent theft

What to look for

Fit and size

Passport booklets are a fairly standard size, but thickness varies with the number of pages and how many visas and stamps you have. Look for a holder that takes your passport without bending it and lets it slide in and out cleanly. Border officers often ask travelers to take the passport out of its cover so they can scan and stamp it, so avoid covers that grip so tightly you have to wrestle with them at the desk.

Materials

Leather ages well, feels good and is durable, but it can be heavier and needs a little care if it gets wet.
Synthetic leather is lighter and usually cheaper; quality varies widely, and cheaper versions can peel at the edges over time.
Nylon and ripstop fabrics are light, quick to dry and common on neck pouches and belt wallets that sit against your body.
Water-resistant fabrics or liners are worth having if you travel in rain, near water or in hot climates where sweat can reach a passport worn under clothing.

Closures

Open covers are quick but let cards slip out. Snaps are a good middle ground. Zippers keep everything inside and are best for wallets and family organizers that carry cash and tickets. For neck pouches and belt wallets, a zipper is essential.

Card slots and pockets

Think about what you will actually carry on a flight day: passport, boarding pass, one or two payment cards, some cash and maybe a transit card. More slots are not always better; a holder stuffed with every card you own becomes thick and heavy, and you have more to lose in one go.

Visibility and color

A brightly colored holder is easier to spot in a dark bag and harder to leave on a gray security tray. Some families choose a different color for each person, which also helps when handing documents around.

RFID blocking, honestly

Many passport holders advertise RFID blocking: a lining that stops radio signals reaching the chip in an electronic passport or a contactless card. It does no harm, and some travelers like the reassurance. But the realistic risks to your passport are loss and physical theft, not someone reading its chip from a distance. Remote skimming of passports is not a common problem for travelers, and many holders without RFID lining do the job just as well. Treat RFID blocking as a small extra, never as the main reason to buy one holder over another.

Open passport pages with entry stamps from the United States and United Kingdom — Officers need to open and stamp the passport, so choose a holder it slides out of easily (Photo: Jon Evans via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0)

Choosing by the way you travel

Solo travelers and couples

A slim passport wallet with a zipper or snap is usually the best fit. It holds your passport, a boarding pass and a couple of cards, and goes into a zipped inside pocket of your daypack or jacket. If you carry an anti-theft backpack, its hidden back-panel pocket is an ideal home for the holder.

Families

A family organizer carried by one adult keeps every passport, ticket and printed itinerary in one place, which makes check-in and passport control much smoother. The risk is that you now have every passport in one bag, so never put that organizer down, and consider moving it to a secure bag as soon as you are through the airport.

Business travelers

A leather cover or slim wallet that fits an inside jacket pocket keeps you moving through security and lounges without digging through a bag. If you travel with a laptop bag, pick a dedicated pocket for the passport and use it every time.

Backpackers and long trips

On long trips through busy cities and on overnight buses and trains, a neck pouch or belt wallet worn under clothing is worth the minor discomfort. Carry your daily money in a separate small wallet so you never have to reach under your shirt in public.

Cruises and resort stays

On a cruise you may need your passport at embarkation and in some ports, and a ship card most of the rest of the time. A waterproof pouch or water-resistant holder is useful for beach days and tender boats, and the passport can stay in your cabin safe when you do not need it.

Ten passport holders from our original list

The holders below were featured in the original version of this guide. They cover different needs rather than a strict ranking. Designs, sizes, colors and features change between versions, and we have not tested them ourselves, so check the current details from the manufacturer or seller before you buy.

1. Valante Premium Family Travel Document Organizer

A family-sized zippered organizer meant to hold several passports together with tickets, cards and other travel documents. It suits parents who want every document in one case at check-in and passport control. As with any family organizer, it is bulky, so plan to carry it in a shoulder bag or backpack, not in a pocket.

2. HERO Neck Wallet

A neck wallet designed to be worn under clothing, with compartments for a passport, cards and cash, and RFID-blocking material. It suits travelers who want hands-free carry and their passport kept against their body in crowded places. Keep a separate small wallet for daily spending so the neck wallet stays hidden.

3. Zero Grid Passport Wallet

A compact passport wallet with space for a passport, boarding passes and cards, sold with RFID blocking. It suits travelers who want a single, tidy document wallet for airport days that slips into a bag or jacket pocket.

4. WALNEW Passport Holder Neck Pouch

A slim neck pouch on a lanyard strap with multiple compartments for passports, tickets and cards, designed to be worn under clothing. It is a simple, lightweight option for travelers who want a secure under-shirt carry without much bulk.

5. Spigen Life Passport Card Cover Holder

A passport cover with added slots for cards and cash, marketed with RFID blocking. It suits travelers who want a slim cover rather than a full wallet, and who carry the passport in an inside pocket or bag.

6. Family neck-pouch passport organizers

The original list included a family-sized travel pouch with a neck strap that holds several passports plus tickets and cards. This style keeps family documents on one adult’s body, which is handy at busy check-in desks and boarding gates, but it can get heavy and warm with several passports inside. Look for a wide, comfortable strap.

7. Passport covers with a tracker pocket

The original list included a leather passport cover with a pocket shaped for Apple’s AirTag. This style suits travelers who worry about leaving their passport behind in a taxi or at a café, since the tracker can help you locate it. Remember that the tracker is sold separately, and that it helps you find a lost holder rather than prevent theft.

8. Lightweight family passport holders

A lighter alternative to a full organizer: a slim zippered holder with room for several passports and a zipper pocket for cash. It suits families who want to keep passports together without carrying a tablet-sized case.

9. Leather travel wallets with a passport slot

A compact genuine leather wallet with card slots, a cash pocket and a dedicated space for the passport. It suits travelers who want a single, good-looking wallet that serves as both passport holder and everyday wallet on the trip.

10. Shacke Hidden Travel Belt Wallet

A slim belt wallet from Shacke, worn around the waist under clothing, with compartments for cash, cards and a passport, and an RFID-blocking layer. It suits travelers who want their passport and backup money out of sight all day. See our guide to money belts for tips on wearing one comfortably.

How to carry your passport day to day

On travel days

From the curb to your seat, you may show your passport several times: at check-in or bag drop, at security, at passport control and at the gate. Keep the holder in one zipped pocket that you can reach without taking your bag off, and put it back in that pocket every single time. Before you leave a desk or a security tray, look at your hand and check you have the passport. If you are flying internationally, our guide to airport arrival times for international flights helps you allow enough time that you are not rushing and fumbling.

At your destination

On ordinary sightseeing days you often do not need your passport at all. Many travelers leave it in the hotel room safe and carry a photocopy or a photo of the data page instead. Some countries require visitors to carry identification, and you will usually need the passport to check into hotels, pick up a rental car or change money, so check your destination’s rules. Canada’s travel advice and advisories list local laws and entry requirements by country, and the US State Department’s traveler’s checklist covers what to prepare before you go.

In hotels

Use the room safe for your passport, spare cards and cash. If there is no safe, ask whether the front desk has one. Choosing a hotel with an in-room safe is an easy filter when you search on our hotel search.

When driving

If you rent a car, you will need your driver’s license and usually a credit card and ID at pickup. Do not leave passports in a parked car, even in the glove box. Our car rental search helps you compare pickup locations and vehicles.

Automated e-passport control gates in an airport arrivals area — Automated gates need the photo page open and flat, which is easier with a holder that folds back or releases the passport quickly (Photo: Zurich International Airport – 2018-11-01 – IMG 1783.jpg: PESP/ Wikimedia
derivative work: Bonus bon via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0)

Protect the passport itself

Keep it flat and dry. Water damage, torn pages and a peeling data page can make a passport unusable. A cover helps, and a zip bag inside the cover is a cheap extra layer on beach and boat days.
Check the expiry date early. Many countries require your passport to be valid for a set period beyond your stay, and airlines may refuse boarding if it is not. Check the entry requirements for your destination well before you book.
Check blank pages. Some countries need one or more blank pages for stamps or visas.
Do not write in it or add stickers. Keep notes and addresses on a separate card in the holder.
Know how to renew. Canadians can find renewal and application information on the Government of Canada’s Canadian passports page. Allow plenty of time before a trip.

Backups that make a lost passport less painful

Prepare these before every international trip:

A photo of your passport data page stored on your phone and in your email or a secure cloud folder.
A paper photocopy kept in a different bag from the passport.
Emergency contacts and your embassy or consulate details for each country you visit.
A backup payment card and some cash kept separately from your main wallet.
Your travel insurance policy number and the insurer’s emergency phone number.

At airport security and border control

Passport holders go through screening like any other item. You can usually keep the passport in its holder until you reach the officer, who may ask you to remove it from the cover. In the US, the TSA’s identification page explains which IDs are accepted at checkpoints, and in Canada CATSA’s what can I bring page covers screening rules for the items you carry. Take your holder out of any jacket or bag you put on the belt, or keep it on your body, so it does not ride through the scanner in a tray where it can be picked up by mistake. At automated passport gates, you will need to open the passport to the photo page, so a holder that folds back flat or releases the passport quickly helps.

If your passport is lost or stolen

Report it. Report the loss or theft to local police and get a report number; insurers and consulates may ask for it.
Contact your government. Canadians abroad can find help through the Government of Canada’s emergency assistance page, which explains how to reach consular services. Travelers from other countries should contact their own embassy or consulate as early as possible.
Tell your airline if you have a flight coming up, and ask about rebooking options.
Freeze cards if your holder also carried payment cards, and contact your travel insurer.

Common mistakes

Back-pocket carry. A passport wallet in a back pocket is easy to lose and easy to steal. Use a front or inside pocket, or a zipped bag pocket.
Carrying it every day for no reason. If you do not need it, leave it in the safe and carry a copy.
A holder so full it will not close. Carry only what you need for that day.
Putting every family passport in one unattended bag. One adult, one organizer, never out of hand.
Buying for RFID alone. Choose on fit, closure and how you will carry it; RFID is a small extra.
No backup copy. A photo of the data page takes seconds and saves hours if something goes wrong.

Two Canadian passports from older and newer series — Check your passport's expiry date and blank pages well before you book, not at the airport (Photo: Jusfiq via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0)

Pairing a passport holder with the rest of your kit

A passport holder works best as part of a simple system. Your passport and one backup card live in the holder or a hidden pocket; your daily money lives in a small wallet; your phone lives in a front pocket or crossbody bag; and valuables you do not need stay in the hotel safe. Our guide to travel wallets for women covers everyday wallets that pair well with a passport holder, and if you are packing jewelry, a small travel jewelry case keeps pieces together and easy to lock away. A compact travel first aid kit belongs in the same daypack. For the bag that carries it all, start with our main guide to travel luggage.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a passport holder?

You do not strictly need one, but a holder protects your passport from wear, keeps travel documents together and gives your passport one predictable home, which makes it less likely you will leave it behind.

Is an RFID-blocking passport holder necessary?

No. It is a harmless extra. Loss and physical theft are far more common risks than someone reading a passport chip remotely, so choose a holder for its fit, closure and carry style first.

Will border officers make me remove my passport from its cover?

Often, yes. Officers and automated gates need to scan the data page, and many officers prefer the passport out of its cover. Choose a holder that releases the passport easily.

What is the safest way to carry a passport?

If you do not need it, in the hotel safe. If you do, in a neck pouch, belt wallet or hidden pocket against your body, not in an outside or back pocket.

Can I fit several passports in one holder?

Family organizers are designed for several passports plus tickets. Slim covers usually hold only one.

Are leather passport holders worth it?

Leather is durable and looks good for years, but it is heavier and less water-resistant than nylon. Choose based on how you travel, not on material alone.

Should I carry a copy of my passport?

Yes. Keep a photo on your phone and in email, and a paper copy in a separate bag. It speeds up replacement if the original is lost.

How do I clean a passport holder?

Follow the maker’s instructions. Leather is usually wiped with a slightly damp cloth and left to dry naturally; many fabric holders can be hand-washed. Always remove the passport first.

With your documents organized, the rest is planning the trip itself. Compare fares across flexible dates on our flight search, choose a hotel with a room safe on our hotel search, and if your first stamp is going to be a European one, our guides to things to do in Paris and things to do in London are a good place to start. For the rest of your travel gear, head back to our main guide to travel luggage bags.

Keep planning with TicketScanner

Top travel luggage bags: the buying guide — the travel gear guide
Best money belts for travel
Anti-theft backpacks for travel and commuting
Travel wallets for women
Travel jewelry cases
Travel first aid kits: what to pack
When to arrive for an international flight
Search flights — compare fares across flexible dates
Things to do in London

October 23, 2024

10 Best Airplane Pillows for Neck: Your Ultimate Guide to Comfort

Airplane seats are not designed for sleeping. Unless you are lying flat in a premium cabin, your head has nowhere good to go: it drops forward onto your chest, rolls sideways onto a stranger’s shoulder, or props awkwardly against a cold window. You wake up with a stiff neck, a dry mouth and the feeling that you barely slept. A good travel pillow does not turn an economy seat into a bed, but it gives your head something to rest on and keeps it from lolling around, and that can be the difference between arriving wrecked and arriving able to function. The catch is that travel pillows come in very different designs, and the one that works for a friend may be useless for you. This guide explains the main types, how to match one to the way you sleep, what to look for in materials, fit and packing, how to use a pillow well on a plane, and the pillows from our original list with who each one suits. It is part of our travel gear series, which starts with our main guide to choosing travel luggage.

The short answer

If you tend to nod forward when you fall asleep sitting up, choose a pillow with chin or front support, such as a 360-degree design or a memory foam pillow with an adjustable front clasp, ideally one that straps to the seat. If you lean sideways against the window or the wing of the headrest, a firm U-shaped memory foam pillow or a wrap-style support with a strong side works well. If space is tight, an inflatable pillow packs to almost nothing and lets you set the firmness. Whatever you choose, make sure it comes with a compression case or bag, has a removable washable cover, and does not push your head forward against the seat’s headrest. Try it sitting upright in a chair at home for twenty minutes before a long flight.

A red memory foam travel neck pillow with seat straps on a purple background — Firm memory foam with raised sides and a flatter back gives the head more support than a soft horseshoe (Photo: Cabeautravel via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0)

Why the classic horseshoe pillow often disappoints

The soft, bead-filled horseshoe sold at every airport kiosk is the pillow most people picture, and it is the one most people give up on. There are three common reasons:

It is too soft. A squashy pillow compresses under the weight of your head, so your head still drops, just a little more slowly.
It does nothing at the front. The open end of the U sits under your chin, which is exactly where most people’s heads fall when they sleep upright.
It is too thick at the back. A fat back section pushes your head forward against the seat’s headrest, which can make your neck more uncomfortable, not less.

Better designs address one or more of those problems: firmer materials, front or chin support, a flatter back, or a way to anchor the pillow to the seat. Knowing which problem you have is the key to choosing well.

Types of travel pillows

Memory foam U-shaped pillows

Memory foam pillows keep their shape under your head better than fiber-filled ones, so they give firmer side support. Better designs have raised sides and a flatter back, so they do not push your head forward. Their drawback is bulk: even with a compression case, they take up noticeable room. They suit travelers who lean sideways and value support over packing size.

Memory foam pillows with front support or seat straps

Some memory foam pillows add an adjustable front clasp that closes the gap under the chin, and straps that wrap around the seat’s headrest to hold the pillow in place and stop your head falling forward. They are among the most effective options for people who nod forward, and they suit long-haul flyers who sleep sitting upright.

360-degree and chin-support pillows

These pillows wrap the whole way around the neck, with support at the front and sides. Some include a hood, and some come in kits with an eye mask and earplugs. They suit forward-nodders but can feel warm, and some people find that full wrap-around support feels restrictive.

Inflatable pillows

Inflatable pillows deflate to pocket size, which makes them the best choice when space is tight or you carry a small bag. You can adjust firmness by how much air you put in, and a soft cover, often velour, makes them more comfortable against the skin. The trade-offs are that they can feel less cozy than foam, can slowly lose air, and need blowing up on board. Some inflatable designs include eye masks and earplugs in the set.

Microbead pillows

Microbead pillows are filled with tiny beads that move to fit your neck, giving a soft, squishy feel. They are comfortable for resting and are easy to squeeze into a bag, but they usually give less firm support than memory foam.

Twist and bendable pillows

Twist pillows are long, flexible tubes of foam that you can bend into different shapes: around the neck, under the chin, behind the lower back or between the knees. They suit travelers who shift position a lot or want one pillow for several uses on a road trip or train.

Wrap-style supports

Wrap-style supports look like a soft scarf with a built-in support on one side. You wrap them around your neck, with the support on the side your head leans towards. The maker trtl is known for this design and describes an internal support system that keeps the head and neck in position. They pack flatter than a U-shaped pillow and suit side-leaners.

Regular soft pillows

Some travelers simply bring a small soft pillow to wedge against the window or to support their lower back. It is less structured than a neck pillow but versatile, and it is comfortable in hotels and on trains. It takes up space, so it works best if you clip it to your bag in a pillow bag or case.

Type	Support	Packed size	Best for	Watch out for
Memory foam U-shape	Firm side support	Bulky, smaller in a compression case	Side-leaners, long flights	Thick backs that push the head forward
Memory foam with front clasp or seat straps	Side and front; anchored to seat	Bulky, smaller in a compression case	Forward-nodders	Takes a moment to set up
360-degree or chin support	All around	Medium to bulky	Forward-nodders	Can feel warm or restrictive
Inflatable	Adjustable firmness	Pocket size	Light packers	Slow air loss, less cozy
Microbead	Soft, conforming	Small, squashable	Resting rather than deep sleep	Less firm support
Twist or bendable	Flexible, multi-position	Medium	Road trips, people who shift position	Less support at the front
Wrap-style	One-sided support	Flat	Side-leaners who pack light	Less help for forward-nodders

Match the pillow to how you sleep

Before you buy, think about what your head actually does when you doze off in a chair. If you are not sure, ask a travel companion or notice how you wake up on a train or in front of the television.

You nod forward

This is the most common pattern. You need front support: a 360-degree pillow, a pillow with an adjustable front clasp, or a design that straps to the seat’s headrest. A standard horseshoe will not help much.

You lean sideways

You need firm side support on the side you lean toward, plus something that stops your head sliding off. A firm U-shaped memory foam pillow, a wrap-style support, or a window seat with a soft pillow against the wall all work. The window seat is a big help here; the aisle seat gives you nothing to lean on.

Your head tips backward

Less common in economy, but it happens when the seat reclines. A flatter-backed pillow that fills the gap behind the neck without pushing the head forward is best, combined with the adjustable wings on the seat’s headrest if your aircraft has them.

You shift around a lot

A twist pillow or a soft pillow you can move around gives you options through a long flight. Some travelers carry a compact inflatable plus a small soft pillow for the lower back.

What to look for

Firmness

Firmer is usually better for sleep, because a soft pillow compresses under your head. Memory foam and well-inflated air pillows are firmer than fiber or bead fills. If a pillow feels lovely and soft when you squeeze it in a shop, it may be too soft to hold your head.

Back thickness

Look for a flatter back section, so the pillow does not push your head forward against the seat’s headrest. This is the most common design flaw in cheap pillows.

Height and adjustability

People have different neck lengths and shoulder widths. Adjustable clasps, drawstrings or inflation let you tune the fit. If a pillow sits too low, your head drops anyway; too high and it pushes your chin up.

Cover material and washability

A removable, machine-washable cover is important for hygiene, since the pillow sits against your skin and hair for hours. Soft fabrics feel nice but can be warm; breathable or cooling fabrics suit hot climates and warm sleepers. Check the care instructions before washing.

Packing size and a case

A pillow you leave at home helps nobody. Many memory foam pillows come with a compression case that squeezes them down and clips to a bag. Inflatables pack smallest. If you carry only a backpack, packing size may decide everything. Our guide to bags and cases for travel pillows covers ways to carry a pillow without using up bag space.

Accessories

Some pillows come in kits with an eye mask, earplugs and a carry bag. That can be good value if you do not already own them. A contoured eye mask that does not press on your eyelids is worth having on any overnight flight.

Pillows from our original list

The pillows below were featured in the original version of this guide. They cover different sleep styles and budgets rather than a strict ranking. Designs and features change, so check the current details from the maker or seller before you buy. Where we have linked to a maker’s page, the details mentioned come from that page.

Cabeau Evolution S3

The Cabeau Evolution S3 is a memory foam pillow with raised side supports and a flat back, which addresses the “pushes my head forward” problem. Cabeau describes a sliding front support clasp for a customizable fit, a seat strap system that attaches the pillow to the seat, a removable washable cover, and a travel case that compresses the pillow to about a third of its size. It suits long-haul flyers who nod forward or sideways and want one of the more supportive designs.

Cabeau The Neck’s Evolution

Cabeau also makes The Neck’s Evolution S3, a memory foam pillow with an adjustable strap system designed to support the head in all directions, seat straps, a removable machine-washable cover and a compact travel case. It suits travelers who want support all around, including under the chin.

SNUGL memory foam neck pillow

The SNUGL pillow was featured as a memory foam neck pillow with a carry bag and clip. It suits travelers who want a straightforward memory foam pillow they can clip to their luggage.

Dot&Dot Twist memory foam pillow

The Dot&Dot Twist is a bendable memory foam pillow that can be shaped to support the neck, chin, lower back or legs. It suits road-trippers, train travelers and anyone who shifts position a lot.

360-degree pillow kit with eye mask and earplugs

The original list included a 360-degree neck pillow sold as a kit with a contoured eye mask, earplugs and a mesh carry bag. It suits forward-nodders who want a complete sleep kit in one purchase. Check the listing for cover washability and packed size.

Soft microfiber travel pillow

A soft microfiber pillow in charcoal was on the original list. It is light and easy to pack, and it suits travelers who want gentle comfort rather than firm support, for resting and short naps.

Adjustable memory foam pillow

The list also featured a memory foam airplane pillow with adjustable height and firmness. Adjustability helps if standard pillows sit too high or too low on your neck.

Inflatable pillow with velour cover

A basic inflatable pillow with a soft velour cover and drawstring bag was featured for travelers who want something light and compact that supports the head, neck and chin.

Cloudz microbead neck pillow

Cloudz was featured for its microbead pillow, which molds to the neck and has a soft cover. It suits travelers who like a squishy feel and mainly want to rest rather than sleep deeply.

Sunany inflatable pillow

The Sunany pillow was featured as an inflatable design sold with an eye mask and earplugs. It suits light packers who want an adjustable pillow and a small sleep kit.

A view of clouds from the window seat of an airplane — A window seat gives side-leaners something to rest against and means nobody climbs over you (Photo: Bizelburp123 via Wikimedia Commons, Public domain)

How to use a travel pillow well

Choose your seat with the pillow in mind. A window seat gives side-leaners something to rest against and means nobody needs to climb over you. Aisle seats suit people who want to get up often.
Sit well back in the seat. Get your lower back against the seat back first. A small cushion or rolled sweater behind the lower back can help.
Put the thick part where your head falls. If you nod forward, turn a U-shaped pillow around so the thicker section is under your chin, or use the front clasp.
Use the seat straps if your pillow has them, and the adjustable headrest wings if the seat has them.
Adjust inflation during the flight. Air expands and contracts as cabin pressure changes, so an inflatable may need topping up or letting down a little.
Add an eye mask and earplugs or headphones. Light and noise wake you as much as a lolling head does. Our guide to noise-cancelling headphones for flying covers the noise side.
Dress for sleep. Layers you can add or remove help, since cabins swing between warm and cold. Our guide to what not to wear on a flight covers clothing that makes sleep harder.

Sleep better on a long flight

A pillow is one piece of a bigger routine. On overnight and long-haul flights:

Pick flight times that match your body clock where you can. Overnight departures make it easier to sleep on board.
Limit caffeine and alcohol before and during the flight; both tend to make sleep lighter.
Drink water regularly, since cabin air is dry.
Get up and move when you are awake. The CDC’s guidance on blood clots and travel recommends moving your legs frequently on long trips. Our guide to compression socks for long flights covers leg comfort in more detail.
Talk to a doctor or pharmacist before using any sleep aid. Our guide to sleeping on flights covers routines, light and seat choice.

If you have an existing neck or back condition, a pillow is a comfort item, not a treatment. Ask your doctor or physiotherapist which kind of support suits you before a long flight.

Carrying your pillow through the airport

Travel pillows are generally allowed through security, and the TSA’s What Can I Bring? tool and CATSA’s What can I bring? page let you check items in the US and Canada. Whether a pillow counts toward your carry-on allowance depends on the airline. Many airlines are relaxed about a pillow carried alongside your bags, but on strict budget fares anything outside your personal item can be questioned. Check your airline’s carry-on page, such as WestJet’s carry-on baggage rules, before you fly, and clip the pillow to your bag or pack it inside if in doubt. Our luggage guide explains how carry-on and personal-item allowances work.

A soft panda-shaped travel neck pillow resting on a fabric seat — Smaller, softer pillows suit children, as long as they never get in the way of a seat belt (Photo: Teemeah via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0)

Pillows for children

Children sleep on planes in all sorts of positions, and adult pillows are often too big for them. Smaller, softer pillows made for children, including novelty animal shapes, can make a pillow feel like a treat rather than a chore. Check that any pillow fits without pushing a child’s head forward, and follow the airline’s rules and the crew’s instructions on child seats and restraints, since a pillow must never get in the way of a seat belt.

Keeping your pillow clean

Wash the cover regularly, following the care label, and let it dry fully before packing.
Use the case so the pillow does not touch airport floors and seat pockets.
Air out memory foam after a trip; do not put the foam core in the washing machine unless the maker says you can.
Carry a spare cover on long trips if your pillow has one available.
Replace a pillow when the foam loses its shape or an inflatable starts to leak.

Common mistakes

Buying the softest pillow in the shop. Soft feels nice in the hand but gives little support.
Ignoring how you actually sleep. A side-support pillow will not help a forward-nodder.
Choosing a thick back section. It pushes your head forward.
Leaving the pillow at home because it is bulky. Get a compression case or an inflatable instead.
Relying on the pillow alone. Light, noise, temperature and caffeine matter as much.
Never washing the cover. It spends hours against your skin.

Frequently asked questions

What type of travel pillow is best for sleeping upright?

For most people, a firm memory foam pillow with front support or seat straps works best, because most people’s heads fall forward when they sleep sitting up. Side-leaners do well with firm U-shaped or wrap-style supports.

Are inflatable neck pillows comfortable?

They can be, especially with a soft cover and the right amount of air. They are the best choice for packing small, though some people find them less cozy than foam.

Why does my neck pillow push my head forward?

The back section is probably too thick for the seat’s headrest. Look for a flatter-backed design, or turn the pillow around so the thick part sits under your chin.

Does a travel pillow count as a carry-on item?

It depends on the airline and the fare. Many airlines allow a pillow alongside your bags, but strict basic fares may not. Check the airline’s carry-on rules, or clip the pillow to your bag.

Can I wash a memory foam travel pillow?

Usually you wash the removable cover, not the foam core. Follow the maker’s care instructions.

Is a window or aisle seat better for sleeping?

A window seat usually, because it gives you something to lean against and nobody needs to climb over you. Choose an aisle if you want to get up and move often.

Can a travel pillow help with neck pain?

A pillow can make sitting upright more comfortable, but it is not a treatment. If you have neck or back pain or a medical condition, ask your doctor or physiotherapist what support suits you.

With your sleep kit sorted, choose a flight that gives you the best chance to rest. Compare overnight departures and schedules on our flight search, book somewhere to recover on our hotel search, and if you are driving on arrival, make sure you have slept before you pick up a car from our car rental search. Planning a long flight to Europe? Flights to Rome and our guide to things to do in Rome are a good place to start.

Keep planning with TicketScanner

Top travel luggage bags: the buying guide — the travel gear guide
Bags and cases for travel pillows
Noise-cancelling headphones for flying
Compression socks for long flights
How to sleep on a flight
What not to wear on a flight
Travel pants for men
Search flights — find an overnight departure
Things to do in Rome

October 23, 2024

Must-Have Travel Essentials for Indian Travelers (and Visitors to India)

Travel between India and the rest of the world is a constant flow in both directions: students heading to Canada, the UK and Australia, families visiting relatives in Toronto or New Jersey, professionals flying to conferences in Europe and Singapore, and millions of visitors arriving in India for weddings, business, festivals and some of the most varied travel on earth. Whichever direction you are going, the essentials are surprisingly similar. You need the right documents and a visa or electronic authorization where required, a way to charge your devices in a country with different plugs, a carry-on that gets you through a long-haul flight comfortably, and a few small items that make daily life easier when things work differently from home. This guide covers both journeys: packing and planning for Indian travelers going abroad, and practical preparation for travelers visiting India. We point to official government sources for every rule, because visa and entry requirements change and only the official source is authoritative.

The short answer

For any trip into or out of India, start with documents: a passport with plenty of validity, the visa or electronic authorization your destination requires (checked on that government’s official website) and printed or offline copies of bookings. Then sort power: India uses plug types C, D and M at 230 volts, so check the plug type and voltage at your destination and pack a suitable adapter. Carry a power bank in your carry-on, never in checked baggage. Build a long-haul comfort kit: neck pillow, eye mask, earplugs or headphones, a warm layer and a refillable bottle. Keep medicines in original packaging with a copy of any prescription. And add the small items that make you comfortable, whether that is a handheld bidet bottle, familiar snacks you have declared at customs or a light scarf for visiting places of worship.

The departures hall inside Terminal 3 at Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi — Delhi's Terminal 3 handles many of the long-haul flights between India and North America, Europe and the Gulf (Photo: PDXDUS via Wikimedia Commons, CC0)

Documents and visas: the principles

Entry rules are the one area where a mistake can end a trip before it starts, and they change often. We will not list country-by-country requirements here. Instead, here is how to check them properly.

1. Your passport

Many countries expect your passport to be valid for a period beyond your planned stay, and some require blank pages for stamps. Check your destination’s rule well before you book. Indian citizens apply for and renew passports through the Ministry of External Affairs’ Passport Seva portal; start early, since you may need an appointment at a Passport Seva Kendra.

2. Visas and electronic travel authorizations

Always use the destination government’s own website. For the most common routes from India:

Canada: Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s tool to check if you need a visa or eTA asks about your citizenship, how you are traveling and why.
United States: the US State Department’s US visas section explains the types of US visas and how to apply.
Other destinations: go to the official immigration or foreign affairs website of the country you are visiting, not a third-party site.

Two warnings. Unofficial sites that look like government portals often charge high “service fees” for applications you can make directly. And transit rules matter: some countries require a transit visa even if you never leave the airport, depending on your nationality and route.

3. What your airline checks: IATA Timatic

At check-in, airlines verify that you have the documents to enter your destination and any transit country. Most use IATA’s Timatic database for this. IATA describes its IATA Travel Centre as a source of passport, visa and health requirement information drawn from the same database used by virtually every airline. It is a useful cross-check, but the destination government’s own site is the final word, and the airline can deny boarding if your documents do not meet the requirements.

4. Copies and backups

Keep a photo of your passport data page, visa and bookings in your phone and in cloud storage, and a printed copy in a separate bag. If your passport is lost abroad, contact the nearest Indian embassy or consulate (or your own country’s embassy if you are visiting India) as soon as possible.

Ordinary, official and diplomatic Indian passports side by side — Check your passport's validity well before you book; many countries require it to extend beyond your stay (Photo: Vikassinghhhh via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0)

Visiting India: eVisa and arrival basics

If you are traveling to India from abroad, the Government of India’s official portal is Indian Visa Online (eVisa). Here is what the portal itself sets out:

eVisa categories include e-Tourist, e-Business, e-Medical, e-Medical Attendant, e-Student, e-Transit and others. The e-Tourist visa comes in several durations; check the current options and conditions on the portal.
The process is to apply online and upload a photo and passport page, pay the fee online, receive an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) by email, then present the ETA at the immigration check post, where the eVisa is stamped in your passport.
Eligibility and entry points: the portal lists which nationalities can use the eVisa and the authorized airports and seaports through which eVisa holders can enter. Check both before you book, especially if you plan to arrive by land or sea.
No express fees: the portal advises that the Government of India makes no provision for charging emergency or express fees for an eVisa. Treat any site that charges one with suspicion.
e-Arrival card: the portal notes that foreigners and OCI cardholders can complete the e-Arrival card online within 72 hours before arrival, and that this is for arrival information, not a visa.

The portal also advises travelers to read the instructions on the Bureau of Immigration website. Canadians should also read the Government of Canada’s travel advice for India, which covers entry requirements, safety, health and local laws from a Canadian perspective.

Power: plugs, voltage and adapters

India uses plug types C, D and M, at 230 volts and 50 hertz. Type D (three round pins in a triangle) is the most common for everyday sockets, type M is a larger three-pin version used for heavier appliances, and type C is the familiar two-pin plug. Many Indian hotels and homes have universal or multi-standard sockets, but you cannot count on it. The International Electrotechnical Commission’s World Plugs page shows the plug type and voltage for every country; check your destination before you pack.

Region	Plug types	Voltage	What an Indian traveler needs
India	C, D, M	230 V	Visitors from North America need a C or D adapter and dual-voltage devices
Canada and the United States	A, B	120 V	A/B adapter; check that each device accepts 120 V
United Kingdom	G	230 V	G adapter
Most of continental Europe	C, F (plus E in some countries)	230 V	A two-pin C plug often fits; an adapter covers the rest
Australia	I	230 V	I adapter
Singapore	G	230 V	G adapter

Confirm the details for your exact destination on the IEC World Plugs page, since some countries use more than one type.

Adapter or converter?

An adapter only changes the shape of the plug. A converter changes the voltage. Most phone, tablet and laptop chargers are designed to accept a wide range of voltages; look for an input rating such as “100-240V” printed on the charger. If you see that, an adapter is all you need. High-power heating appliances such as hair dryers, straighteners and kettles are often single-voltage; a 230-volt Indian appliance should not be plugged into a 120-volt North American outlet through an adapter alone, and vice versa. Many travelers simply buy a dual-voltage appliance or leave it at home.

What to pack

A universal travel adapter with USB ports, or two simple adapters for your destination.
A compact multi-port charger to charge several devices from one socket. Our guide to 3-in-1 chargers covers compact options for phone, watch and earbuds.
A short extension or travel power strip with the right plug, useful in hotel rooms with a single socket.
Cables for every device, plus one spare.

Travel plug adapters and power strips hanging on a store display — An adapter changes the plug shape, not the voltage; check each device's input rating before you plug in (Photo: Grandmaster Huon via Wikimedia Commons, CC0)

Power banks and batteries

A power bank is essential for long travel days, but it has to go in your carry-on. The US Federal Aviation Administration states that spare lithium batteries, including power banks and battery charging cases, must be carried in carry-on baggage only, and that many airlines have stricter limits on how many you can bring. Rules in India and other countries follow similar principles, and individual airlines may restrict using or charging power banks on board. Check your airline’s current policy before you fly, and if your cabin bag is checked at the gate, take the power bank out first.

Essentials for Indian travelers going abroad

A long-haul comfort kit

Flights from India to North America are among the longest in the world, and even flights to Europe or with a Gulf connection make for a long day. A small kit makes a real difference:

A neck pillow that suits how you sleep; see our guide to airplane pillows
An eye mask and earplugs, or noise-cancelling headphones; see our guide to noise-cancelling headphones
A warm layer or shawl, since cabins get cold
Comfortable socks and slip-on shoes
A refillable water bottle, empty through security
A phone holder that clips to the seatback, if you like watching your own downloads
Toothbrush, lip balm and small toiletries within liquid limits

Our guide to sleeping on flights covers seat choice, jet lag and drug-free ways to rest on a long-haul flight.

Packing cubes and smart luggage

Packing cubes keep clothes, gifts and electronics separate, make security checks faster and help you repack after a stopover. They are especially helpful for family trips and for students moving abroad with a lot of luggage. Check your airline’s baggage allowance carefully: some fares allow a number of pieces with a weight limit per bag, others a total weight, and allowances often differ between the international and domestic legs of a trip. A luggage scale saves arguments at the check-in counter. Our main guide to travel luggage explains carry-on vs checked bags, hardside vs softside and how airline size rules work.

Documents wallet and security

A passport holder or travel wallet keeps your passport, visa printouts, boarding passes and cards together. For busy cities and transit, a money belt or hidden pocket keeps backup cash and cards safe. See our guides to passport holders, money belts and anti-theft backpacks.

Handheld bidet or peri bottle

Washing with water after using the toilet is the everyday norm in India and in many other countries, while bathrooms in North America, the UK and much of Europe often provide only toilet paper. A collapsible peri bottle or a compact portable bidet sprayer solves this simply and discreetly. Pack it empty; it takes very little space. Travelers visiting India from abroad will often find a hand shower or tap next to the toilet and may want to carry some tissue as well.

Clothing for a different climate

If you are heading to Canada, the northern United States or northern Europe between late autumn and spring, a proper winter coat, gloves, a hat and waterproof shoes are essential, and they are often easier to buy after you arrive, where the range suits local conditions. Pack layers rather than one heavy item, and wear your bulkiest shoes and jacket on the plane to save space. For long walking days, see our guide to comfortable walking shoes.

Food from home and customs

Many travelers carry snacks, spices or sweets from home, and it is a lovely part of visiting family. But customs rules on food are strict in many countries, particularly for meat, dairy, fresh fruit, vegetables and seeds. The safe principle is to declare all food on your customs form or to the officer when you arrive; undeclared food can lead to fines, while declared food is either allowed or simply taken away. Check the destination’s customs agency website before you pack, and keep homemade items well sealed and labeled.

Medicines

Carry prescription medicines in their original labeled packaging in your carry-on, with a copy of the prescription and a letter from your doctor for anything unusual. Some medicines that are sold over the counter in one country are controlled in another, so check the destination’s rules. A small travel first aid kit covers minor needs on the road.

Money and connectivity

Tell your bank you are traveling, carry at least two cards from different networks and keep some local currency for your arrival. A forex card or a card without foreign transaction fees can reduce costs. For your phone, compare an international roaming pack with a local SIM or eSIM at your destination, and make sure your phone is unlocked if you plan to use a local SIM. Download offline maps and your airline’s app before you leave.

Essentials for travelers visiting India

Health preparation

The CDC’s India travel health page recommends seeing your doctor at least a month before your trip for any vaccines or medicines you may need (source: CDC). It also advises choosing safe food and drinks and practicing good hand hygiene, and recommends protecting yourself from mosquito bites with insect repellent, long sleeves and pants, and air-conditioned or screened rooms, noting that several mosquito-borne diseases cannot be prevented by vaccines alone (source: CDC). Pack hand sanitizer, a refillable bottle for filtered or bottled water and insect repellent, and see a travel health clinic for advice specific to your itinerary.

Clothing and respect for local customs

India is vast and diverse, and dress norms range from very relaxed in big cities and beach areas to more conservative in rural areas and at religious sites. Light, breathable cotton and linen suit most of the country for much of the year. Bring a light scarf or shawl: it is useful for covering your head where that is expected, for example in gurdwaras, and for covering shoulders at temples and mosques. Shoes are removed at many places of worship, so slip-ons are practical, and a pair of socks helps on hot stone floors. When in doubt, watch what others do or ask; people are generally happy to explain.

Weather and seasons

Much of India has a hot season, a monsoon season roughly from early summer into early autumn, and a cooler dry season in winter, but the pattern varies widely between the south, the plains and the Himalayas. The mountains can be cold at any time of year. Check the forecast for each region on your itinerary and pack layers, a compact umbrella or rain jacket in the monsoon, and sun protection year-round.

Power and devices

Bring a type C or D adapter (or a universal adapter), and check that your devices accept 230 volts. Power cuts happen in some areas, so a power bank is useful, and a small flashlight or your phone light helps at night.

Getting around

India has an extensive domestic flight network and one of the world’s largest rail systems. Ride-hailing apps work in most big cities. Keep digital and printed copies of your ETA and hotel bookings, since you may be asked for them on arrival and at hotel check-in.

The international departures area of Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru — Airlines check your visa or travel authorization at check-in, so have documents ready before you reach the counter (Photo: Sunnya343 via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0)

Carry-on checklist for a long-haul flight to or from India

Passport, visa or ETA printout, boarding pass and a copy of your hotel or host address
Pen for arrival forms
Phone, charger, universal adapter and power bank
Medicines in original packaging, plus a copy of prescriptions
Neck pillow, eye mask, earplugs or headphones
Warm layer or shawl, socks
Empty refillable bottle
Toothbrush and toiletries within liquid limits
A change of clothes, in case your checked bag is delayed
Peri bottle or small pack of tissues and wipes
Some snacks, declared if you are crossing a border

For women travelers, our guide to travel-friendly feminine hygiene products covers what to carry and how liquid rules apply. For laptop users, our list of laptop travel accessories helps keep work gear organized.

Common mistakes

Using an unofficial visa website. Apply through the destination government’s official portal, such as India’s eVisa portal for visitors to India.
Forgetting transit requirements. A connection in a third country can need its own visa or authorization depending on your nationality.
Packing power banks in checked bags. They belong in your carry-on.
Plugging a single-voltage appliance into the wrong voltage. An adapter does not convert voltage.
Not declaring food. Declaring is almost always the safer choice.
Letting a passport get too close to expiry. Renew early if you have trips planned.
Relying on one card or one copy of documents. Keep backups in separate places.

Frequently asked questions

What plug type does India use?

India uses types C, D and M at 230 volts and 50 hertz. Type D is the most common for everyday sockets. Check your destination on the IEC World Plugs page.

Do I need a voltage converter for India or for travel abroad?

For most phone and laptop chargers, no: check for an input rating like “100-240V”. High-power heating appliances are often single-voltage and need a dual-voltage model or a proper converter.

Where do foreigners apply for an Indian eVisa?

On the Government of India’s official Indian Visa Online portal, which lists eligible nationalities, visa categories, required documents and authorized entry points.

What is the e-Arrival card for India?

According to the official portal, foreigners and OCI cardholders can submit an e-Arrival card online within 72 hours before arriving in India. It provides arrival information and is not a visa.

How do I check visa rules for my destination?

Use the destination government’s official website, such as Canada’s visa and eTA checker, and cross-check with the IATA Travel Centre, which draws on the database airlines use at check-in.

Can I carry a power bank on international flights?

Yes, in your carry-on only, according to the FAA. Airlines may limit the number and capacity and may restrict use on board, so check your airline’s rules.

Can I bring Indian snacks and spices abroad?

Often yes, but rules vary by country and by type of food. Declare all food on arrival and check the destination’s customs website before you pack.

What should visitors to India pack for health?

See a doctor at least a month before your trip, as the CDC recommends, and pack insect repellent, hand sanitizer and a refillable bottle for safe water.

Once your documents and bags are ready, compare fares across flexible dates on our flight search, including routes to Toronto and London, two of the busiest destinations for travelers from India. Our guide to international flight booking tips helps you choose connections and fares, and our guide to airport arrival times for international flights helps you plan the day of travel. If you are visiting family or studying in Canada, our guide to things to do in Toronto and our hotel search will help you plan the rest of the trip.

Keep planning with TicketScanner

Top travel luggage bags: the buying guide — the travel gear guide
3-in-1 chargers for travel
Passport holders
Best airplane pillows for your neck
Noise-cancelling headphones for airplane travel
Travel-friendly feminine hygiene products
Best money belts for travel
International flight booking tips
Search flights — compare fares across flexible dates
Things to do in Toronto

October 10, 2024

Hacks for Scoring a Cheap Airline Business Class Upgrade

A lie-flat seat on an overnight flight can turn a trip you survive into a trip you enjoy, and it is natural to wonder whether there is a clever way to get one without paying the full business class fare. There is, but it rarely looks like the tricks that circulate online. Nobody reliably talks their way into the front cabin at the gate, and a nice jacket is not a boarding pass. What actually works is understanding how airlines sell and give away premium seats, then putting yourself in the right place at the right moment: on the right fare, on the right flight, with the right offer in front of you or the right points in your account. This guide explains how upgrades really work, the five genuine routes to a better seat, when each one pays off, how to judge whether an upgrade is worth the money, and which popular “hacks” to stop worrying about. It is part of our flight booking series, which starts with our guide to the best time to book cheap flights and hotels.

The short answer

If you only remember a handful of things, make it these. Do not buy the cheapest basic fare if you want any chance of an upgrade, because many airlines exclude those fares from both paid and complimentary upgrades. Price the premium cabin outright before you book economy, because a discounted business fare sometimes costs less than economy plus an upgrade. Watch for paid upgrade offers after you book, in the airline’s app, at online check-in and at the airport, since prices often fall as departure approaches and seats remain empty. Use miles for upgrades only when the numbers make sense, and check which fares are eligible first. Concentrate your flying with one airline or alliance if you fly often enough for elite status to matter, because status is what drives complimentary upgrades. And choose flights where premium seats are likely to go unsold: off-peak days, leisure routes and less popular departure times. Start by comparing fares, cabins and dates on our flight search.

A lie-flat business class suite in a Delta One cabin — A lie-flat business class seat: most valuable on an overnight flight (Photo: Delta News Hub via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0)

How airline upgrades actually work

Every premium seat an airline flies empty is revenue it will never get back, so airlines work hard to fill those seats. They do it in a predictable order, and knowing that order explains almost every upgrade tip worth following.

First, they try to sell the seat

The airline’s first choice is to sell a business class seat at a business class fare. Revenue management systems release premium seats at several price levels and watch how quickly they sell. On routes with strong corporate demand, such as weekday flights between major business centers, the front cabin often sells out at high fares. On leisure routes and off-peak days, it may not, and that is where discounted premium fares and cheap upgrade offers come from.

Then they sell it to someone already booked

As departure approaches and seats remain unsold, the airline starts offering them to passengers who have already bought economy or premium economy tickets. These offers appear during booking, in the airline’s app or website after you book, at online check-in, at airport kiosks and sometimes at the gate. Some airlines run an auction instead, inviting passengers to bid for the seat. The price of these offers is set by the airline’s systems and changes with demand, so two passengers on the same flight may be offered different prices on different days.

Then they give it to their best customers

Whatever remains is typically used for complimentary upgrades for elite members of the airline’s loyalty program, and for upgrades booked with miles or upgrade certificates. Airlines rank the list by rules that usually weigh elite tier first, then the fare you paid, then when you requested the upgrade, though each airline sets its own order. Delta, for example, publishes its complimentary upgrade windows by Medallion tier on its Medallion benefits page: higher tiers become eligible earlier before departure. Because programs change, check your airline’s current rules before you count on any of this.

Finally, operational upgrades

Very occasionally, when economy is oversold and premium seats are empty, an airline moves passengers forward to make room. These are rare and usually go to elite members first, so treat one as a pleasant surprise, not a strategy.

The five real routes to a premium seat

Almost every legitimate upgrade comes through one of these five doors. The table compares them before we look at each in detail.

Route	What it costs	Best for	Watch out for
Buy a discounted premium fare	Cash, sometimes surprisingly close to economy plus extras	Anyone with flexible dates on leisure routes	Fare rules, and whether the “business” seat is actually lie-flat
Paid upgrade offer after booking	Cash, priced by demand	Travelers who want certainty before the flight	Fare eligibility and whether the offer covers every flight
Upgrade bid or auction	Cash, only if your bid is accepted	Flexible travelers on flights with empty premium seats	Bidding more than the seat is worth to you
Miles or points upgrade	Miles, sometimes plus a cash co-pay	Members with a healthy balance and an eligible fare	Limited availability and poor value per mile
Elite status or certificates	Your loyalty over a year of flying	Frequent flyers concentrated on one airline or alliance	Long upgrade lists on busy routes

1. Buy a discounted premium fare outright

The most overlooked upgrade is not an upgrade at all. Premium cabins go on sale, especially on routes where the airline has more business seats than business travelers, and during quieter seasons. Before you buy economy and hope, run the same search in business and premium economy across a range of dates. Flexibility matters here even more than in economy: the same route can carry very different premium fares on different days of the week. Our guide to the best time to book flights and hotels explains the seasons and booking windows, and the same patterns apply to the front of the plane.

When you compare, count everything. A premium fare usually includes checked bags, seat selection, priority check-in and boarding, better food and often lounge access. If you would have paid for bags, a seat and airport food anyway, the true gap between economy and business is smaller than the headline fares suggest.

2. Paid upgrade offers after booking

Once you hold a ticket, keep an eye on the airline’s app and your booking page. Many airlines show a price to move up to the next cabin, and that price is not fixed. On flights where premium seats are selling slowly, offers often become cheaper in the days before departure, and they reappear at online check-in and at the airport kiosk. Delta, for instance, explains on its upgrades page that eligible travelers can upgrade after booking through its website or app, for cash or miles, when a seat is available.

Two cautions. First, read what the offer covers: an upgrade may apply to one flight of a connecting itinerary rather than the whole journey. Second, check how it interacts with changes. If you voluntarily change your flight after upgrading, some airlines do not carry the upgrade over. Delta’s own page says exactly that, so assume the same until your airline tells you otherwise.

3. Upgrade bids and auctions

Several airlines let economy passengers bid for a premium seat, usually by invitation by email or through the booking page after purchase. You name an amount within a range the airline sets, provide payment details, and are charged only if your bid is accepted, typically a day or two before departure or at check-in. Whether you win depends on how many seats are empty, how many other passengers bid and what the airline decides to accept, none of which you can see.

The right way to bid is to decide what the upgrade is worth to you before you look at the range. Ask yourself what you would pay for a lie-flat seat on this particular flight if it were on sale at booking. Bid that, and no more. If your bid fails, you have lost nothing but a little hope. Avoid the temptation to bid near the top of the range out of fear of missing out: at that level you may be paying close to a premium fare while taking the risk of not getting the seat at all, and you could have bought the seat outright with certainty.

Bidding programs come and go, and their rules differ, so look for the offer in your booking and read the terms rather than assuming your airline runs one.

4. Miles and points

Most loyalty programs let you use miles to move up a cabin, either through the website and app or by calling the airline. Some add a cash co-pay, and many restrict upgrades to certain fare classes, which is why the cheapest economy tickets usually cannot be upgraded with miles. Delta’s upgrade page, for example, excludes its basic fares from upgrades with miles and notes that upgrading yourself online requires the whole reservation to be marketed and operated by Delta, while some partner flights can be upgraded by calling reservations.

To judge whether a miles upgrade is good value, compare it with two alternatives: the cash price of the same upgrade, and what those miles would buy as an award ticket. If the miles would otherwise cover a whole economy ticket for another trip, spending them on a short daytime upgrade is usually poor value. On an overnight long-haul flight, where a flat bed can decide whether you are functional the next day, it may be the best use of your balance.

Points from bank and credit card programs can often be transferred to airline programs. That flexibility is useful, but transfers are usually one-way, so never move points until you have confirmed that the upgrade or award seat is actually available.

5. Elite status and upgrade certificates

Complimentary upgrades are the classic perk of airline elite status. They are real, but they are earned through a lot of flying or spending with one airline, and on busy routes the upgrade list can be long. Delta’s Medallion program is a good illustration of how structured these benefits are: its benefits page lists complimentary upgrades to Delta First and Delta Comfort for Medallion members on eligible tickets, excluding its basic fares, with the upgrade window opening earlier for higher tiers, and some top-tier benefits include upgrade certificates that can be requested in advance. The details change from year to year, so read the current page rather than relying on a summary.

Status is worth pursuing only if you already fly enough for it to happen naturally. Buying extra flights just to reach a tier rarely pays off for an occasional traveler, and the money is usually better spent buying a premium fare on the one trip that matters.

Wide recliner seats in the domestic first class cabin of a Boeing 737 — On short flights in North America, the upgrade is usually a wider recliner, not a bed (Photo: LuccaV via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0)

Timing: which flights are most likely to have cheap upgrades

Upgrade prices follow the same demand patterns as fares. You cannot see how full a cabin is in every case, but you can make sensible bets.

Off-peak days and seasons. Midweek flights outside holidays, and the shoulder and low seasons for your destination, tend to have more empty premium seats. The fare seasons in our booking timing guide apply here too.
Leisure-heavy routes. Flights to beach and holiday destinations often carry few full-fare business travelers, so airlines are more willing to sell the front cabin cheaply.
Weekends on business routes. A route packed with corporate travelers on Monday morning may have plenty of premium space on Saturday.
Less popular departure times. Very early and late flights sometimes carry fewer premium passengers than the mid-morning and early-evening banks.
Close to departure. Paid offers often get cheaper in the final days if seats remain empty, but on popular flights they can also disappear entirely. If a price is one you are happy to pay, taking it is better than gambling.

Avoid counting on upgrades at the busiest times of year. During major holidays, school breaks and big events, premium cabins often sell out at full price, and elite upgrade lists are at their longest.

Fares matter more than any trick

The single most important upgrade decision happens when you choose your fare. Basic economy products have become common, and they are designed for travelers who want the lowest price and accept strict limits. Upgrades are one of the things they usually give up. Delta’s page for Delta Main Basic, its basic economy product, lists paid or complimentary upgrades among the benefits the fare is not eligible for. Other airlines have similar rules.

If there is any chance you will want to upgrade, whether with cash, miles or status, the standard economy fare is often worth the difference. The same logic applies to premium economy: on a long flight, it can be both a worthwhile product in its own right and a stepping stone, since the price to move from premium economy to business is sometimes lower than from economy.

Understanding what you are buying helps here. Our guide to reading your flight details explains fare brands, fare classes and the codes on your booking, and our international flights booking tips cover how to compare fare brands on long-haul routes.

The popular hacks, honestly assessed

A lot of upgrade advice has been repeated so often that it sounds true. Here is how the common suggestions hold up.

Travel solo

There is a sound logic to this one. When a single premium seat is left, it can only go to one person, and a couple or family on one booking may not be moved forward unless there is room for everyone, depending on the airline’s rules. Traveling alone does not make you more deserving; it simply means you need one seat rather than several. If you are traveling with others and only one of you is offered an upgrade, decide in advance whether you would split up.

Dress the part

Looking neat is a good idea, but modern upgrades are mostly decided by software using status, fare and timing, not by an agent scanning the line for good tailoring. Dressing well will not create an upgrade that the system has not assigned. It may help at the margins if an agent is choosing between otherwise equal passengers, but there is no reliable evidence that it moves the odds much. Wear what is comfortable and practical, and if you want ideas, our guide to what not to wear on a flight covers the balance between comfort and looking put together.

Be polite

Always, but not as a tactic. Courtesy makes seat changes and rebooking go more smoothly; it will not override the upgrade list.

Check in early and ask at the gate

Checking in as soon as your window opens has real benefits: you see any paid upgrade offer early, you get a better choice of seats, and on some airlines the time you requested or checked in can play a role in tie-breaking. Asking at the gate costs nothing, and some airlines do sell remaining premium seats there. Keep your request short: ask whether there are any paid upgrades available, accept the answer gracefully, and step aside. If an offer is made, confirm the price before you hand over a card.

Book a premium economy or flexible fare

The original version of this guide suggested that premium or flexible fares can come with upgrade options. That is broadly right: higher fares tend to rank ahead of cheaper ones on upgrade lists, are more often eligible for miles upgrades, and sometimes come with cheaper paid upgrade offers. The exact benefits depend on the airline, so check the fare rules at booking.

Passengers seated at a departure gate waiting to board a flight — Asking once at the gate about paid upgrades costs nothing (Photo: Wolfmann via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0)

Is an upgrade actually worth it?

A premium seat is a luxury on some flights and nearly a necessity on others. A simple framework helps you decide how much to pay.

Price it by the hour of useful sleep

On an overnight transatlantic or transpacific flight, business class buys you a flat bed and the chance to arrive rested. Divide the upgrade price by the hours of sleep it gives you and compare it with what a hotel night costs at your destination. If you would otherwise lose most of your first day to exhaustion, the value can be high. On a two-hour daytime hop, the same money buys a wider seat, a snack and priority boarding, which is pleasant but rarely life-changing.

Count what comes included

Premium tickets often include checked bags, lounge access, priority security at some airports and better meals. If you were going to pay for two checked bags and eat at the airport, subtract those costs from the upgrade price. Delta’s page for Delta First lists up to two free checked bags among its benefits, for example, and its Delta One page describes lie-flat seats on international and select long-haul domestic routes. Check the current inclusions for your fare, because airlines increasingly sell stripped-back versions of premium cabins too.

Know what seat you are buying

“Business class” covers a huge range of products. On a long-haul widebody, it usually means a lie-flat seat; on a short-haul flight in North America, the premium cabin is usually a wider recliner branded as first class; on many European short-haul flights, business class can mean an economy seat with the middle seat kept empty. Before you pay for an upgrade, look at the seat map and the aircraft type. Our guide to the difference between first class and business class explains how to tell what you are really getting.

Consider the alternatives

Sometimes a smaller spend solves the real problem. An extra-legroom economy seat, a premium economy seat or even a well-chosen standard seat can make a long flight far more bearable for a fraction of the price. Delta’s Delta Comfort, for instance, adds extra legroom, earlier boarding and dedicated overhead bin space without the cost of a premium cabin.

Lounges: the upgrade you can sometimes buy separately

For many travelers, the best part of business class happens before the flight. A quiet lounge with food, showers and reliable Wi-Fi can transform a long connection. Premium tickets usually include lounge access on international flights, but you do not always need the ticket to get the lounge. Depending on the airline, you may be able to buy a day pass, access lounges through an airline membership, or get entry through certain credit cards or elite status. Rules differ widely and change often, including exclusions for basic versions of premium fares; Delta’s Delta One page, for example, notes that some lounge access excludes its basic business fare. If lounge access is the main thing you want, price it on its own before paying for a full upgrade.

Seating and windows in an airline lounge at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport — Lounge access is sometimes available without buying a premium ticket (Photo: Zheng Zhou via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0)

A step-by-step plan for your next long flight

Search economy, premium economy and business together. Compare the full prices across flexible dates on our flight search, and note how much the premium cabins cost on different days.
Look at the aircraft and seat map. Confirm that the business seat on your flight is actually lie-flat if that is what you are paying for.
Choose an upgrade-friendly fare. If you are buying economy, avoid the basic fare so that paid, miles and status upgrades remain possible.
Credit the flight to one program. Put your frequent flyer number on the booking so you earn miles, receive offers and appear on any upgrade list you qualify for.
Watch for offers. Check the airline’s app and your booking page periodically, especially in the week before departure and when online check-in opens.
Bid sensibly if invited. Decide what the seat is worth to you and bid that, not the maximum.
Check in as soon as the window opens. Review any offer, choose the best available seat and confirm your upgrade status.
Enjoy whatever seat you end up in. Pack for comfort either way: layers, a good pillow and headphones make economy much better. Our guide to airplane pillows and our pick of noise-cancelling headphones for flying are good places to start.

Upgrades on connecting and partner flights

Each flight on a connecting journey is usually handled separately, so you might be upgraded on the long-haul flight but not the short connection. The operating airline controls the seat, which means upgrades on partner-operated flights are often more limited; Delta’s upgrade page draws exactly this distinction. Keep connections on one ticket so delays are protected and your requests stay attached to the whole journey, and leave extra time if you hope to sort out an upgrade at check-in. Our guide to how early to arrive for an international flight gives realistic timings.

Common upgrade mistakes

Buying basic economy and hoping. Most basic fares are excluded from upgrades entirely.
Paying for an upgrade on a short flight that you would not buy at booking. Decide your price first so the moment does not decide for you.
Bidding the maximum. At that level, buying the premium fare outright may have been cheaper and certain.
Spending miles at poor value. Compare the miles cost with the cash price and with what the miles would buy as an award.
Transferring points before confirming availability. Transfers are usually irreversible.
Not checking the seat. Paying for “business” and getting an economy seat with an empty middle is a common disappointment on short routes.
Changing your flight after upgrading. Some airlines do not carry an upgrade over to a new flight.

Frequently asked questions

What is the cheapest way to fly business class?

Usually a discounted business fare on a leisure route or an off-peak date, found by searching flexible dates in the premium cabin from the start. Paid upgrade offers and bids can also be good value on flights with empty premium seats, and miles upgrades can work well on overnight flights if your fare is eligible.

Can you still get a free upgrade just by asking?

Rarely. Complimentary upgrades mostly go to elite members according to published rules. Asking at check-in or the gate about paid upgrades is reasonable and costs nothing, but a free upgrade for a polite request is not something to plan around.

Does dressing well get you upgraded?

There is no reliable evidence that it does. Upgrades are mainly decided by status, fare and timing. Dress neatly and comfortably because it makes travel pleasant, not because it will move you forward.

Can I upgrade a basic economy ticket?

Often not. Many airlines exclude basic economy from paid, miles and complimentary upgrades. Delta, for example, lists upgrades among the benefits its basic fare does not include. Check your airline’s fare rules before you buy.

When do upgrade offers appear?

At booking, in your booking page or the airline’s app afterward, at online check-in and sometimes at airport kiosks or the gate. Prices can drop as departure approaches if seats remain unsold, but on busy flights they can also disappear.

Are upgrade bids worth it?

They can be, if you bid what the seat is genuinely worth to you and treat a rejection as no loss. Bidding near the maximum rarely makes sense, because you might have bought the seat outright for a similar price.

Is it better to use miles for an upgrade or a free flight?

It depends on the value. Compare the miles price of the upgrade with the cash price of the same upgrade and with what an award ticket would cost in miles. Upgrades tend to be the better use on long overnight flights, where a flat bed makes the most difference.

Do elite members always get upgraded?

No. Even elite members depend on seat availability, their tier relative to others on the list and their fare. On busy routes and at peak times, many elites do not clear.

Ready to see what a premium seat really costs on your route? Compare economy, premium economy and business fares across flexible dates on our flight search, then find somewhere to recover in comfort with our hotel search. For the timing that makes every fare cheaper, start with our guide to the best time to book cheap flights and hotels.

Keep planning with TicketScanner

November 24, 2023

How Early Should You Arrive at the Airport Before Your International Flight

“Get there three hours early” is the standard advice for international flights, and for many trips it is about right. But it is a rule of thumb, not a law. The time you actually need depends on the airport, the season, the time of day, whether you are checking bags, which border controls you pass through before boarding and who you are traveling with. Arrive too late and you can miss a check-in deadline you did not know existed, even with the plane still at the gate. Arrive far too early and you spend hours in a terminal you did not need to be in. This guide explains what the three hours is actually for, the deadlines that matter, the factors that add or remove time, how U.S. preclearance at Canadian airports changes the math, what happens when you land, and how to build a timeline for your own flight.

The short answer

For most international flights, plan to arrive about three hours before departure, which is what many airlines and large airports recommend. Allow more at peak holiday periods, at very large or unfamiliar airports, when you are checking bags, traveling with children or needing assistance, and when you clear U.S. customs and immigration before boarding at a Canadian airport. You can cut it closer at a smaller airport, off-peak, with no checked bags and a trusted traveler membership, but never plan to arrive after the airline’s check-in and bag drop deadlines. The three numbers to look up for every flight are the check-in cutoff, the bag drop cutoff and the boarding gate closing time. Your airline’s website lists them, and your airport’s website usually lists its own recommended arrival times.

Travelers lined up for security screening at Toronto Pearson International Airport — A security line at Toronto Pearson: the least predictable step in any airport timeline (Photo: Mike from Vancouver, Canada via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0)

What the three hours is actually for

The recommendation is built from a sequence of steps, each of which can take a few minutes or a long time depending on the day. Here is a typical international departure, working backward from the departure time.

Step	Typical time needed	What can slow it down
Getting to the airport and into the terminal	Varies; add a buffer to your normal travel time	Traffic, parking shuttles, rental car returns, weather
Check-in and bag drop	A few minutes to more than an hour	Peak times, document checks, oversize items, overweight bags
Security screening	A few minutes to more than an hour	Time of day, holidays, bags pulled for extra screening
Exit controls or U.S. preclearance (some airports)	A few minutes to an hour or more	Several departures at once, secondary inspection
Walking or taking a train to the gate	5 to 30 minutes at large airports	Remote gates, terminal transfers
Boarding	Often begins 30 to 60 minutes before departure on long-haul flights	Document checks at the gate on international flights

On a quiet day, all of this can take well under an hour. On a busy day, each step can stack. The three-hour guideline gives you enough margin for a bad day at most large airports, and on a good day, time for a meal before you board.

The deadlines that actually matter

Airlines set hard cutoffs, and missing them can cost you your seat even if the aircraft has not left. These vary by airline, airport and route, so check the details for your flight; the principles are the same everywhere.

Check-in cutoff

This is the latest time you can check in for your flight, online or at the airport. For international flights, it is commonly around 60 minutes before departure and can be earlier at some airports and on some routes. After the cutoff, the system may close and the airline can give your seat away. Checking in online, often from 24 hours before departure, protects you from missing this one, but international passengers sometimes must still have documents verified at the counter before a boarding pass is issued.

Bag drop cutoff

If you are checking a bag, there is usually a separate, and sometimes earlier, deadline for dropping it off. Bags need time to be screened and loaded. Arrive after the bag drop closes and you may be told you can fly without the bag or not at all.

Boarding gate closing time

Gates typically close somewhere from 10 to 30 minutes before departure, often earlier on international and wide-body flights, so the airline can finalize the passenger list and close the doors on time. “Departure time” means the time the aircraft door closes and it pushes back, not the time you need to reach the gate.

Put all three times in your calendar the day before, and plan to be at the gate well before boarding begins. Our flight details guide explains where to find these times on your booking and boarding pass.

What adds time, and what saves it

Factor	Effect	What to do
Peak holidays and school breaks	Longer lines at every step	Add an hour to your usual buffer
Early morning departure bank	Many flights leave at once; security can be busy right after opening	Check when security opens and arrive with margin
Checked bags	Adds the bag drop step and its cutoff	Use online check-in and bag tags where offered
Children, strollers, car seats	Slower at security and check-in	Add 30 minutes or more; see family lanes where available
Wheelchair or mobility assistance	Assistance must be arranged and can take time	Request assistance in advance through the airline and arrive early
Pets, sports equipment, oversized items	Special handling counters and documents	Confirm airline procedures and add time
U.S. preclearance or exit passport control	An extra border control before the gate	Add time; use trusted traveler programs if eligible
Returning a rental car	Return, inspection and shuttle to the terminal	Add 30 minutes or more; see our car rental return timing guide
Trusted traveler membership	Faster security or border lanes	Can cut time significantly, but lanes are not always open
Carry-on only, checked in online	Skips the counter entirely at many airports	Go straight to security if no document check is required

Trusted traveler programs

If you fly internationally more than once or twice a year, a trusted traveler program is the most effective way to shorten your airport time.

NEXUS is a joint Canada and U.S. program for pre-approved travelers. It provides expedited border processing when entering Canada and the United States, and members can use dedicated security lines at many Canadian airports.
Global Entry is the U.S. program for expedited entry into the United States for pre-approved travelers.
TSA PreCheck provides expedited security screening at participating U.S. airports, on participating airlines.

Applications take time and include an interview or in-person step, so apply well before a trip. Eligibility and benefits change, so check the official page before relying on a program for a specific flight.

Rows of airline check-in counters in an international departure hall — Check-in and bag drop close well before departure, even when the plane is still at the gate (Photo: Cheng-en Cheng via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0)

Flying from Canada to the U.S.: preclearance

Several large Canadian airports, including Toronto Pearson, Vancouver, Montreal, Calgary, Edmonton, Ottawa, Winnipeg and Halifax, have U.S. preclearance. That means you go through U.S. customs and immigration in Canada, before you board, and arrive in the United States as if on a domestic flight.

Preclearance makes arrival easy, but it moves a border control to the start of your trip. After check-in and security, you queue for U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and the time this takes varies with how many U.S.-bound flights are leaving at once. For that reason, transborder flights often need as much time as long-haul international flights. Many airports and airlines recommend arriving around the same time as for international departures. Checked bags travel through the preclearance process too, so bag drop deadlines can be earlier.

If you are traveling between Canada and the U.S., our guide to cheap flights between New York and Toronto covers the route, and our Toronto Pearson airport guide explains the terminals.

Departing from the U.S., the UK and Europe

From the United States

The U.S. does not have exit passport control in the way many countries do. After check-in, you go through TSA screening, and your airline checks your passport and any required visa or authorization for your destination at check-in or the gate. The liquids rule for carry-on bags is explained on the TSA liquids page, and the full list of what you can bring is on TSA’s What Can I Bring page.

From Canada

Canada does not have exit immigration either. Screening is carried out by CATSA, whose site lists what you can pack. For flights to the United States from a preclearance airport, add the U.S. border step described above.

From the UK and the Schengen area

Leaving the Schengen area involves exit passport control after security, and the EU’s digital Entry/Exit System, which records non-EU travelers’ biometrics, can add time, particularly during rollout and at busy times. Large hubs such as London Heathrow and Paris Charles de Gaulle also have long walks and transit trains between areas, so allow extra time when returning home too.

Security rules that slow people down

Most delays at screening come from avoidable items in carry-on bags. The main principles are similar at most airports, though details differ and change, so check before you fly.

Liquids: in Canada and the U.S., carry-on liquids, gels and aerosols generally must be in containers of 100 ml (3.4 oz) or less, together in one clear, resealable bag of about one liter. Some airports with newer scanners have relaxed these rules, but assume the limit applies unless your departure airport says otherwise, and remember the return airport may have different rules.
Electronics: have laptops and larger electronics easy to reach in case you are asked to remove them.
Sharp items and tools: check the rules for knives, scissors, tools and sporting goods before packing.
Batteries: spare lithium batteries and power banks typically must be in carry-on, not checked bags.
Clothing: belts with big buckles, heavy jewelry and complicated footwear slow things down. Our guide to what not to wear on a flight covers what makes screening easier.
Bag size: an oversized carry-on can be sent back to check-in at the gate. Check your airline’s limits; our carry-on size guide explains how.

Getting to the airport

Your airport timeline starts at home. Build a buffer into the journey itself, especially at rush hour and in winter.

Public transit and airport trains: often the most predictable option at rush hour. Toronto has the UP Express from Union Station to Pearson, and Vancouver’s Canada Line runs to YVR. Check the first and last trains for early or late flights.
Driving and parking: allow time to park and take a shuttle from long-term lots, which can add 20 to 30 minutes. Reserve airport parking ahead at busy times.
Rental car returns: returning a car, having it inspected and taking a shuttle to the terminal can take longer than expected.
Staying near the airport: for very early departures, a hotel near the airport can remove the biggest source of uncertainty. Our hotel search can show properties near major airports.

The gate areas along the concourse of Terminal 1 at Toronto Pearson — At large airports the walk to the gate can take 20 minutes or more; gates close 10 to 30 minutes before departure (Photo: Daniel Case via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0)

How to build your own timeline

Instead of guessing, work backward from your flight.

Start with departure time and look up the gate closing time for your airline. Aim to be at the gate at least 15 minutes before boarding begins.
Add the walk to the gate, which can be 20 minutes or more at large airports.
Add security and any border control. Many airports show estimated wait times online. At busy times, allow at least 30 to 60 minutes for each.
Add check-in and bag drop if you need them, and make sure the result is well before the cutoffs.
Add your journey to the airport plus a buffer for traffic or transit delays.

For most international trips, this works out close to the three-hour guideline. At a small airport off-peak, with no bags and a trusted traveler card, it may be less. At a major hub during the holidays, it may be more.

Examples

Scenario	Suggested arrival	Why
Long-haul flight from a major hub, checked bags, summer	3 hours or a little more	Busy counters, security and long walks
Transborder flight from a Canadian preclearance airport	About 3 hours, especially at peak times	Security plus U.S. customs and immigration before boarding
International flight from a small regional airport, carry-on only	About 2 hours	Shorter lines, but deadlines still apply
Family with young children and a stroller, holiday period	3.5 hours or more	Every step takes longer, and you want time for a break
Traveler needing wheelchair assistance	At least the airline’s recommended time, plus a buffer	Assistance is coordinated across check-in, security and the gate

These are planning examples, not guarantees. Always check your airline’s and airport’s current recommendations for your flight.

Notes on some major airports

Every airport publishes its own advice, and it is worth reading before you go. A few patterns at airports our readers use most:

Toronto Pearson (YYZ): Canada’s busiest airport, with two terminals connected by a free automated train. Know which terminal your airline uses before you set out, and allow time for U.S. preclearance on transborder flights. The Toronto Pearson website shows current guidance and security wait estimates.
Vancouver (YVR): the main gateway to Asia and a preclearance airport for U.S. flights. Domestic, U.S. and international departures use different areas of the terminal, so follow signs for your flight type.
Montreal-Trudeau (YUL): handles domestic, transborder and international flights in one terminal building with separate zones, and has U.S. preclearance.
Calgary (YYC): has U.S. preclearance and a busy international area in summer and during the ski season.
New York JFK: several separate terminals linked by the AirTrain. Road traffic to the airport can be slow, so many travelers use rail connections to the AirTrain instead of a taxi at rush hour.
London Heathrow (LHR): multiple terminals that are not all walkable from each other; check your terminal, and allow for long walks and transit to remote gates.
Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG): a very large airport where terminals can be far apart. Leave time for exit passport control on flights leaving the Schengen area.

Whatever the airport, check your terminal the day before. Going to the wrong one is among the most common ways people lose half an hour they did not have.

Using the extra time well

Arriving early is less painful if you plan to use the time. International terminals often have better food and more seating than domestic ones. If you have lounge access through your ticket, status or a card, check its hours and location beforehand. If you are flying in a premium cabin, our guides to business class upgrade strategies and the difference between first and business class explain the lounge and priority lane benefits that come with them. Otherwise, a refillable water bottle, a snack and a charged phone make the wait easier.

Passport control desks in an airport arrivals hall — On arrival, immigration queues depend on how many flights land at once (Photo: Vasyatka1 via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0)

When you land: immigration and customs

The other half of the airport experience is arriving. Plan for it when you book connections and ground transport.

Immigration: present your passport and any visa or authorization. Many airports use automated kiosks or e-gates for eligible passengers. Queues vary widely with how many flights arrive together.
Baggage claim: if you checked bags, collect them before customs.
Customs: declare goods as required. Entering Canada, the Canada Border Services Agency explains what to declare; entering the U.S., U.S. Customs and Border Protection does the same.
Connections: if you connect after arriving in a new country, you may need to clear immigration, collect and recheck bags and go through security again. This is why international connections need more time; our international flights booking tips cover how much to allow.

If you are running late

Check in online as soon as you can, so you are inside the check-in deadline.
Contact your airline through its app or phone line; it may be able to rebook you before you miss the flight.
Tell staff in line if your flight is close to closing; many airports have procedures to help passengers on imminent flights.
Do not abandon a checked bag plan at the last minute without asking; a bag that misses the cutoff may need to travel on a later flight.
Know the rules if you miss it: policies vary by airline and fare. Some airlines have a same-day rebooking policy for passengers who arrive shortly after departure; others treat a missed flight as a no-show, which can cancel the rest of your itinerary.

The day before your flight

Check in online when it opens and download or print boarding passes.
Check the flight status and the terminal.
Look up check-in, bag drop and gate closing times.
Confirm your passport, visa or electronic authorization.
Pack liquids and electronics where you can reach them.
Weigh checked bags.
Plan your journey to the airport, including a backup.
Set two alarms for early departures.

Frequently asked questions

Is three hours really necessary for an international flight?

Often, yes, at large airports and busy times. At a smaller airport off-peak, with no checked bags, two hours may be enough. Always stay well ahead of the check-in, bag drop and gate closing deadlines.

How early should I arrive for a flight from Canada to the U.S.?

At airports with U.S. preclearance, plan for roughly the same time as an international flight, because you clear U.S. customs and immigration before boarding. Check your airport’s current guidance.

What happens if I arrive after check-in closes?

The airline can refuse to check you in, and you may need to rebook. Policies vary; contact the airline immediately.

Does online check-in mean I can arrive later?

It helps, especially with carry-on only. International passengers may still need a document check at the counter, and security and border lines take the same time either way.

How long does security usually take?

From a few minutes to an hour or more depending on the airport, time of day and season. Many airports publish live wait times on their websites.

Should I arrive earlier during holidays?

Yes. Add at least an hour around major holidays, school breaks and long weekends.

Can I arrive too early?

Yes. Check-in counters for a specific flight often open only a few hours before departure, so arriving much earlier with bags may mean waiting landside. If you have a very early arrival, check when your airline’s counter opens and whether the airport offers bag storage.

How long does it take to clear immigration when I land?

It varies widely by airport and time of arrival. Trusted traveler programs and automated kiosks can shorten it considerably.

Ready to book? Compare departure times as well as fares on our flight search, since an early-morning flight changes your airport timeline, and read our guide to the best time to book cheap flights and hotels before you choose dates. If you need a room near the airport for an early start, check our hotel search.

Keep planning with TicketScanner

Best time to book cheap flights and hotels
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Flight details, decoded
Carry-on size guide
What not to wear on a flight
Cheap flights from New York to Toronto
Car rental return timing
Compare flights — check departure times as well as fares
Toronto Pearson (YYZ) airport guide
Best time to fly to Montreal

November 18, 2023

Does It Matter If You Return Your Car Rental a Few Hours Early or Late

Does it matter if you return a rental car a few hours early or a few hours late? Yes, and more than most travelers expect. The return time on your agreement is not a rough guide; it is the point at which the price you agreed to ends. Bring the car back a couple of hours late and you can pay for a whole extra day, often at a higher rate than the one you booked. Bring it back a day or two early and, depending on the rate and the company, you may get nothing back, or even pay more. This guide explains how rental companies count time, how grace periods and late charges typically work, why early returns can backfire, how to extend properly, what happens with after-hours drop-offs, and how much time to allow when you are returning a car at the airport before a flight.

Policies differ between companies, locations and countries, and they change, so treat this as a guide to the questions to ask. Your rental agreement and the company’s own terms are what count. If you are still at the booking stage, our car rental search shows the pickup and return times for every offer, and it is worth playing with them before you commit.

The short answer

Late: expect a short grace period at best, then hourly charges, then a full extra day once you are a few hours over. Extra days of add-ons such as coverage, child seats and toll programs are usually charged too.
Early: on a prepaid rate, unused days are often not refunded. On a pay-later rate, the company may recalculate your price at a different rate for the shorter rental, which can wipe out the saving or even raise the total. Some companies charge an early-return fee.
Either way: call or use the app before your return time. Changes agreed in advance almost always cost less than surprises.

How rental companies count time

Most car rentals in North America, and many elsewhere, are priced in 24-hour periods starting from the pickup time, not in calendar days. If you pick up at 10 am on Monday and return at 10 am on Thursday, that is three rental days. Return at 1 pm on Thursday and you have started a fourth period, and after any grace period you will be charged for part or all of it.

This has two practical consequences. First, the pickup time you choose sets the return time for the whole rental, so choosing sensibly at booking is the cheapest decision you will make. Second, the clock is indifferent to your reasons: a slow breakfast, a traffic jam or a detour to fill the tank all count.

A few details vary:

Weekly and weekend rates. Many companies offer weekly rates that are cheaper per day than daily rates, and some price weekend rentals differently. The rate you are charged depends on the length of the rental and sometimes on the days it spans, which is why changing the length, in either direction, can change the rate itself.
Some local and international rentals count calendar days or have their own rules. Read the agreement.
The recorded return time is normally when the car is checked in, by an agent with a handheld device or by the location’s system. For after-hours drop-offs this can be different, as explained below.

Rental car return signage at Toronto Pearson International Airport — The return time on your agreement is when the price you agreed to ends, so plan to arrive early (Photo: formulanone from Huntsville, United States via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0)

Grace periods: what to expect, and why not to rely on one

Many major companies allow a short grace period before late charges begin, commonly around half an hour at US locations, but it is not universal, it is not always written in the same way, and it can differ between corporate and franchise locations and between countries. Some locations have none. Some apply a grace period to the time charges but not to add-ons. And a grace period is not an extension; it is a tolerance for small delays.

The safe assumption is that there is no grace period. If you want to know for certain, ask at the counter when you pick up, and check the terms on the company’s own site, such as Hertz, Avis, Budget or National. Write down what you are told and who told you.

Returning late: what typically happens

The first few hours

After any grace period, many companies charge an hourly rate for each hour, or part of an hour, that you are late. Once the hourly charges reach a threshold, commonly after a few hours, they stop charging hourly and charge a full extra day instead. So returning three or four hours late often costs the same as returning twenty hours late.

The rate you pay for the extra time

The extra day may not be charged at the discounted rate you booked. Agreements often allow the company to charge its standard or current rate for additional time, which can be higher, especially at busy periods. If you booked a weekly rate and go over the week, the extra time may be charged at the daily rate.

Add-ons are charged too

Anything priced per day, such as a collision damage waiver, supplemental liability, a child seat, a GPS unit or a toll program with a daily fee, is usually charged for the extra day as well. On a family rental with coverage and two car seats, the add-ons can cost more than the car.

Late fees and knock-on effects

Some companies add a separate late-return fee. If the car was due for another customer, the location may not be pleased, but that is their problem to solve, not a charge you should see. What you do need to watch is coverage: if your rental agreement has ended and you have not extended, the company’s waiver may no longer apply, and your credit card’s rental benefit may only cover the rental period you agreed. Keeping the car without authorization for a long time can eventually lead a company to treat it as overdue or unreturned, with far more serious consequences. That is rare and avoidable: just call.

How to avoid late charges

Set the return time with a buffer. If your flight leaves at 3 pm, do not book a 2 pm return at an airport where the rental center is a shuttle ride away.
Plan the fuel stop and allow for it in your timing.
Check traffic for the drive back, especially on a Friday or a Sunday afternoon near a big city.
Call before your return time if you will be late, and ask whether it is cheaper to extend formally.

Returning early: why it does not always save money

It seems logical that returning a car early should cost less. Sometimes it does. Often it does not, for three reasons.

Prepaid rates

If you paid in advance, many companies and booking platforms do not refund unused days, or refund them only minus fees. The terms of prepaid rates are usually stricter than pay-later rates for exactly this reason.

Rate recalculation

Your price was calculated for the rental you booked. If you shorten it, the company may recalculate at the rate for the new length. The classic example is a weekly rental returned after four or five days: the weekly rate no longer applies, the daily rate does, and four or five days at the daily rate can cost as much as, or more than, the full week. Pay-later rentals are usually recalculated this way.

Early-return fees

Some companies charge a flat fee for returning a car significantly earlier than agreed, and some count an early return as a change to the reservation. The terms, and whether a location applies them, vary.

When early returns make sense

A few hours early on the last day, within the same 24-hour period: usually no effect on price, and it gives you a buffer.
A day or more early on a pay-later daily rate, where no weekly or special rate applies: often a genuine saving.
When your plans have changed and the car would cost you parking, tolls or a hotel garage fee for days you do not need it.

Before you return early, call or check the reservation online and ask exactly what the new total will be. If it is higher, keep the car, or at least keep the reservation, and simply return at the original time.

Scenarios at a glance

Situation	What typically happens	What to do
Return 15 minutes late	Often within a grace period, but not guaranteed	Do not rely on it; call if you are running behind
Return one to three hours late	Hourly charges, plus per-day add-ons, possibly a late fee	Call before the return time; compare an extension
Return more than a few hours late	A full extra day, possibly at a higher rate	Extend formally before the return time
Return a few hours early, same day	Usually no change	Fine; use the buffer
Return a day or more early, pay-later rate	Rate may be recalculated; may or may not save money	Ask for the new total before deciding
Return early on a prepaid rate	Unused days often not refunded	Check the prepaid terms; there may be nothing to gain
After-hours drop-off	You remain responsible until check-in	Photograph everything; ask how the time is recorded
Return to a different location	Drop fee or a recalculated one-way rate	Change the reservation before, not after
Flight delayed at pickup	Car may be released if you are a no-show	Add your flight number; call if very late

A road sign directing drivers to rental car return at the Las Vegas airport — Return entrances are often signposted separately from departures, and easy to miss on the last morning (Photo: Michael Dorausch from Venice, USA via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0)

Extending a rental the right way

If you need the car longer, extend before your return time. Most companies let you do it by phone, in their app or at any branch. Ask for:

The new rate and the new total, including taxes and add-ons for the extra days.
A new return time recorded on the agreement, and a confirmation by email or in the app.
Whether your coverage continues. If you bought the company’s waiver, confirm it is extended. If you rely on a credit card benefit, check the maximum rental length it covers; many cards cap coverage at a set number of consecutive days, and a long extension can push you past it.
Whether a longer rental unlocks a cheaper rate. Extending a five-day rental to seven can sometimes trigger a weekly rate and cost little more.

If the location cannot extend, for example because the car is reserved for someone else, they may ask you to swap it at a branch. That is inconvenient but far better than an unauthorized overrun.

After-hours drop-offs

Many airport locations are open late or around the clock, but many neighborhood branches are not, and most offer a key drop box. Returning after hours is convenient, but it shifts some risk to you:

You are usually responsible for the car until staff check it in, often the next morning. Damage, vandalism or theft overnight can become your problem.
The return time may be recorded at check-in, not when you dropped it, depending on the company. Ask at pickup how after-hours returns are timed.
Fuel and mileage will be recorded when they check it in, so your own record matters.

Protect yourself: park in the designated return area, take a time-stamped video walkaround and dashboard photos showing fuel and mileage, photograph the car in its spot with the branch sign visible, photograph the key going into the drop box, remove all your belongings and keep the fuel receipt. If the branch has a return app or a self-service check-in, use it.

Returning at the airport before a flight

This is where timing problems are most costly, because a late return can mean a missed flight as well as extra charges.

Know where the return is

At some airports the rental return is in a garage next to the terminal. At many large US airports it is a consolidated rental car center reached by a shuttle bus or an automated train, which adds time. San Francisco International, for example, connects its Rental Car Center to the terminals by AirTrain, and Miami International links its Rental Car Center to the terminal by the MIA Mover, as the airport’s site explains. At other airports, individual companies run their own shuttle buses from off-site lots. Check the airport’s own website, or our airport guides such as SFO, Miami and Denver, before your last day.

A rental car shuttle bus at Detroit Metropolitan Airport — Where the rental return is a shuttle ride from the terminal, add that time to your airport buffer (Photo: Dwight Burdette via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0)

How much time to allow

Start with the time your airline and airport recommend you arrive for your flight; our guide to how early to get to the airport covers domestic and international flights. Then add time for:

The fuel stop, which can take longer than expected if the stations nearest the airport are busy.
Finding the return entrance, which is often signposted separately from departures and easy to miss.
The check-in, which is usually quick but can queue at peak times.
The shuttle or train to the terminal, including waiting for it.
Unloading children, car seats and luggage, which always takes longer than you think; our guide to car rentals for family vacations has more on traveling with kids.

As a rule of thumb, add at least 30 minutes on top of the normal recommendation at an airport where the return is next to the terminal, and more where a shuttle is involved or you are traveling with a family. Set the rental return time on your agreement with that in mind, so that you are early for the car and on time for the flight.

Don’t forget the pickup side

Return timing starts with pickup timing:

Add your flight number to the reservation. If your flight is delayed, many locations will hold the car; without it, a late arrival can be treated as a no-show and the car released.
Know the location’s hours. If your flight lands after the counter closes, you may not be able to collect the car until morning.
Choose times that fit the whole trip. If you land at 11 pm and fly home at 8 am a week later, a 10 am pickup the morning after you land might save you a day and a night of hotel parking.

Use timing to lower the price

Keep pickup and return at the same time of day to avoid starting an extra 24-hour period.
Test slightly longer rentals. Five or six days sometimes cost as much as, or more than, seven if a weekly rate applies.
Test weekend pickup and return days, which some locations price differently.
Rent only for the days you need the car. In a transit-friendly city, start the rental on the day you leave town. Our guide to car versus transit versus taxi helps decide.
Book on a free-cancellation rate and rebook if you find a better combination of times or a lower price.

Fuel, charging and tolls around the return

On a full-to-full rental, the car must come back full, and the refueling charge for a car returned short is usually far above the pump price. Plan a fuel stop within a few miles of the return location, and keep the receipt. Some companies ask for it if the needle sits just below full.

For an electric car, ask what charge level is required at return and plan charging time into your last day; a fast charger can still take a meaningful amount of time, and chargers near airports can be busy. The US Department of Energy’s Alternative Fuels Data Center has a station locator.

If you accepted the company’s toll program, remember that its daily fee often applies to each day of the rental, so an extension extends that charge too. Toll-by-plate charges can arrive weeks after the trip; keep your agreement until they have settled.

A car fuel gauge reading close to empty — A car returned short of full on a full-to-full rental is refueled at a rate well above the pump price (Photo: Icomparioimages via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0)

What to do at the return

Remove everything: glove box, door pockets, under the seats, the trunk, the charging cable and any toll transponder you brought.
Record the car: a video walkaround and dashboard photos showing fuel or charge and mileage.
Wait for check-in if an agent is present, and ask for a closed receipt showing the final charges. If the location uses an emailed receipt, check it arrives before you leave the airport or city.
Query anything unexpected immediately, while you are still there with the car.
Watch your card statement for the following weeks for fuel, damage, toll or ticket charges, and dispute anything you cannot match to your records.

When things go wrong

Your flight home is canceled or delayed: call the rental company as soon as you know and extend, rather than returning the car and then needing another one.
The car breaks down: call the roadside assistance number on the key tag or agreement. A breakdown that is not your fault should not lead to late charges, but document the call and the time.
Bad weather closes roads: call, explain, and ask them to note it on the agreement. Keep screenshots of road closure notices.
You have an accident: make sure everyone is safe, follow local rules on reporting, photograph everything and notify the rental company. Timing charges are the least of your concerns, but still tell them if you cannot return on time.

Our complete guide to rental car booking tips covers insurance, fuel policies, inspections and fees in more detail.

Frequently asked questions

Is there a grace period for returning a rental car late?

Many companies allow a short one, commonly around half an hour at US locations, but it varies by company, location and country, and some have none. Ask at pickup and do not rely on it.

How much does it cost to return a rental car late?

Typically an hourly charge for the first few hours, then a full extra day, plus per-day add-ons and sometimes a late fee. The extra day may be charged at a higher rate than the one you booked.

Do I get money back if I return a rental car early?

Not always. Prepaid rates often do not refund unused days, and pay-later rentals may be recalculated at a different rate, which can make a shorter rental cost as much as or more than the original.

Can I return a rental car after hours?

Often, using a key drop box. You usually remain responsible for the car until staff check it in, so photograph the car, the dashboard and the drop, and ask how the return time is recorded.

How early should I return a rental car before a flight?

Take the airport’s recommended arrival time for your flight and add at least 30 minutes, more if the return is a shuttle ride from the terminal or you are traveling with children.

Can I extend my rental without going back to the counter?

Usually, yes, by phone or in the company’s app. Do it before the return time, get the new total and return time confirmed in writing, and check that your coverage extends too.

What if my flight is delayed and I pick up the car late?

If your flight number is on the reservation, many locations will hold the car. The agreement is usually opened when you collect the car, but check the return time printed on it before you drive away, because it may still reflect your original booking.

The simplest way to avoid timing charges is to choose the right times at the start. Compare rates and pickup windows on our car rental search, match them to your flight times, and if you land late, consider a night near the airport with our hotel search and a fresh start at the counter in the morning.

Keep planning with TicketScanner

Rental car booking tips: the complete guide
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Best car rental services for family vacations
Compare car rentals — check pickup and return times before you book
How early to get to the airport
San Francisco International (SFO) airport guide
Miami International (MIA) airport guide
Denver: rent a car or use transit?

November 17, 2023