The team just wrapped up another Boracay trip, and this time, we brought the whole family — aunts, uncles, cousins, and even senior citizens! It is easily one of the most family- and senior-friendly destinations in the Philippines. While it is a small island, it has relatively good infrastructure and plenty of transportation options. Most attractions are easily accessible, requiring minimal physical effort compared to other islands where trekking or swimming is often necessary.
It’s no surprise why Boracay remains a top choice for family getaways. But that doesn’t mean everything will go smoothly without preparation. If you’re planning a trip with seniors or kids, keep reading! We’re sharing tips to make your Boracay family vacation stress-free.
Checking in online before heading to the airport is a huge time-saver and makes the whole process more convenient. Most airlines have dedicated counters for online check-in passengers, and these lines are usually shorter since many travelers still don’t use this feature. Less time standing in line also means less strain on your companions, especially seniors or those with knee problems.
However, seat selection matters. If you didn’t pay to reserve seats when booking, the airline will randomly assign them. If you want to sit together, it’s best to either pay for seat selection in advance or arrive early and ask the airline staff if they can arrange seats next to each other. They often accommodate requests if there are still available seats. Otherwise, there’s not much they can do. If you’re traveling with someone who needs assistance or it’s their first time flying, paying extra for seat selection can be worth it for peace of mind.
2. Avail of priority boarding.
Senior citizens and small kids get priority boarding, so they don’t have to wait long at the gate. When the airline announces priority boarding, head straight to the gate. They are allowed companions, but the number depends on the airline — usually just one per senior or child.
Don’t feel pressured when others rush to line up even before their assigned boarding zone is called. Just walk to the front confidently because passengers with seniors or kids always board first.
3. Collect the senior/student IDs.
After boarding, gather your companions’ senior citizen and student IDs, so you can handle the island transfer smoothly. When you arrive at Caticlan Airport, exit the terminal and head to the tricycle station. Each tricycle can only accommodate two people, and the fare per ride is P75.
Whether you’re going to Caticlan Jetty Port or Tabon Port, let your companions sit and rest first while you line up for the group. You have to present the following:
Tourist Arrival Form. This is not a requirement per person, you only need one arrival form for the entire group.
Hotel Booking. While no longer mandatory when traveling to Boracay, confirmed booking at an accredited hotel or resort is highly recommended, as staff at Caticlan Port may occasionally check and ask to see it. You can check out the list of accredited accommodations in Boracay here: LIST OF ACCREDITED BORACAY RESORTS AND HOTELS!
Valid ID. These are typically government-issued IDs. It’s best to present school ID for students, senior citizen ID for seniors, and passport for foreign visitors.
Providing the school and senior citizen IDs is essential to avail of student and senior discounts. This can lead to big savings, especially when traveling with multiple seniors or children, as there are three fees to pay.
First is the terminal fee. The jump-off port to Boracay depends on the season. It could be Caticlan Jetty Port or Tabon Port. Next is the environmental fee, which has discounted rates for seniors and students, as well as a different rate for foreign tourists. Last is the boat fee. If you’re traveling with kids five (5) years old and below, they are exempted from fees. Just present a birth certificate if they don’t have an ID yet.
The boarding process may vary depending on your port of departure and the type of boat you’ll be using. Typically, you’ll walk along a narrow gangplank or gangway to reach the boat. There’s a handrail for support, but it can still be tricky, especially if you’re carrying luggage. It may also sway slightly with the waves, so be sure to assist companions with mobility issues. We’ve even seen wheelchair users board with the help of the staff.
We also experienced boarding via a floating jetty when we availed of a resort’s transfer service. It was even more challenging for seniors and those with mobility concerns since the surface moves with every step. However, we’re not sure when exactly these floating jetties are used.
5. Consider multi-cab if you’re a big group.
When you arrive on the island, your next step is getting to your hotel. From the port, the usual option is an e-trike. It’s affordable, costing P15 – P50 per person for a regular trip where you share the ride with others, or P100 – P400 per trike for a chartered trip. The exact fare depends on the distance.
But if you’re with a big group, consider riding a multi-cab. A chartered ride to Station 2 costs P250 and can fit up to 10 people, making it a budget-friendly option at just P25 per person.
You can also charter a multi-cab for an island tour. E-trike land tours usually cost P500 per hour (good for 4 people), while we were charged P700 per hour for a multi-cab (good for 10 pax). We’re not sure if this is the standard rate since we haven’t heard back from official sources, but it was much cheaper than hiring multiple e-trikes or a van for a big group.
LAND TOUR RATES
E-trike: P500/hour Good for 4 pax (P125/hr/pax)
Multi-cab: P700/hour Good for 10 pax (P70/hr/pax)
If you’re interested in chartering a multi-cab for your trip, you can contact Kuya Bong, the drive we hired on our previous trip.
MULTICAB TRANSFER/TOUR
Kuya Bong +63 939 823 8198
6. Check hotel location and amenities.
When booking a hotel for a trip with seniors or those with mobility issues, be sure to check its location. While Boracay is small, it is not flat. Some areas are uphill or farther inland. You don’t need to stay at a beachfront hotel. If you are traveling with seniors and people with mobility issues, we recommend booking near the main road for easier access to transportation. Staying close to the main road allows you to hail an e-trike easily, so you can get from Point A to Point B without long walks. This is much more convenient for seniors than walking on sand.
Aside from location, check the hotel’s amenities, especially if it’s a multi-story building. Make sure they have an elevator so elders won’t have to climb up and down the stairs.
7. Pick group-friendly accommodations.
What do we mean by group-friendly? It means the hotel offers rooms for groups and has special group rates. This helps you save more compared to booking multiple standard hotel rooms. Most hotel rooms are for two people, and you’ll have to pay extra for additional guests. So, look for accommodations designed for groups, even if it’s just for four people.
On our recent Boracay trip, we stayed at Azalea Boracay, where a two-bedroom suite for six people cost P6,900 — that’s just P1,150 per person. Plus, it’s a full-service hotel with free breakfast.
8. Bring senior ID when eating out.
Of course, Boracay’s food scene is one of the highlights of any trip to the island! If you’re dining out with senior citizens, don’t forget to bring their Senior ID to avail of discounts. Just present it before getting the bill to enjoy the savings.
✅ If you are looking for budget-friendly meals and grubs on the island, you can visit this article for suggestions: 10 Affordable Restaurants in Boracay
Hey everyone. In light of the Coronavirus pandemic, it almost feels silly to update you with what’s going on in my life. I’ll try to keep this light. I hope you are staying safe, healthy, and sane in these difficult times.
Sorry I haven’t written a recap since, oh, December. Grad school has been intense — I’m taking 15 credits right now, so it’s been tough to focus on anything but school. The good news? I’m done in June!
This winter, I’ve mostly stayed put in Ann Arbor. That being said, I did take two trips out west — Park City, Utah, to ski, and Calfornia to see friends.
The amazing City Lights Bookstore in San Francisco, where I finally picked up Little Women
Where I’ve been:
Park City, Utah (7 days)
Traverse City, Michigan (3 days)
San Francisco, CA (6 days)
LA (3 days)
Ann Arbor, Michigan (the rest of the time)
Highs:
Skiing in Park City. Over the holidays, my family and I spent a week skiing in Park City, Utah. It was delightful. I felt very fortunate to be able to ski and to take a much-needed break from grad school.
Writing a historical fiction novel. After many false starts writing books (by which I mean I started and quit writing at least ten), I think I have found my genre — historical fiction! I’m 80 pages into my novel and it’s been so much fun to research and write. One thing that helped immensely was The Artist’s Way, a book that leads you through a 12-step creative recovery course. I recommend it to everyone, unconditionally.
Spending spring break in California. As I’ve mentioned on this blog many, many times, San Francisco is my favorite city. So it was wonderful to spend five days there catching up with friends and scoping out potential neighborhoods (P.S. I’m very into Richmond and the Sunset). Though the city has changed a lot in the past 10 years, it’s still where I see myself after graduation. (And if you know anyone hiring for UX design, I would be so grateful for an intro.)
Lows:
Coronavirus. This pandemic feels so surreal and is difficult for so many reasons. I’m trying to do the socially responsible thing by staying home and washing my hands frequently. I’m trying to stay positive and not panic. I’m using this opportunity to finish my novel, read a ton, and re-learn piano. That being said, I’m very worried about people in my life who are at risk, as well as the general state of the world right now.
Michigan winter. Honestly, it sucks to live in a place where it hurts to walk outside six months out of the year. It’s just too damn cold here. Thankfully, spring seems to be right around the corner.
Saying goodbye to Cape Town. I never announced this, but last month I got a two-month internship in Cape Town, South Africa in May and June. I was SO excited about it. But yesterday, I got the news that the internship was canceled. It’s a huge bummer but pales in comparison to what other people are going through — so I’m trying to not feel sorry for myself.
My blog traffic took a huge hit in November due to a Google update. Traffic is now taking an even bigger hit due to the coronavirus. Dips in my income like this make me grateful blogging is only a side-gig — I’m really feeling for all bloggers and people who work in the travel industry right now.
February traffic: 47,375 page views
September blogging income – $812.25
Advertising – $693.36
Affiliate income (Amazon) – $61.78
Affiliate income (not Amazon): $57.11
Ebook sales: $0.00
Note that this is my blogging income before deductions or expenses.
Favorite read
The Forgotten Soldier by Guy Sajer – This book won’t be for everyone, but I really enjoyed it. This memoir follows the journey of Guy, a 16-year old French boy who is drafted into the German army in WWII. Though the book has a lot of violence, I really enjoyed Sajer’s introspection on becoming a soldier and what it’s like living in wartime. He is an excellent writer, and writes very poetically about many subjects: “Peace has brought me many pleasures, but nothing as powerful as that passion for survival in wartime, that faith in love, and that sense of absolutes. It often strikes me with horror that peace is really extremely monotonous. During the terrible moments of war one longs for peace with a passion that is painful to bear. But in peacetime one should never, even for an instant, long for war!”
Up next:
Nothing, I guess? I was supposed to go to my friend’s 30th birthday party in Baja, Mexico, in April, but it looks like that won’t be happening. Graduation is also canceled.
How is your winter going? How are you handling/embracing this crazy time?Book recommendations EXTREMELY welcome.
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Time. There just never seems to be enough of it. It always seems to move too fast (and, every year, it seems to just move faster).
Time is something people always tell me they don’t have enough of and is one of the main reasons why they don’t travel as much as they would like. (Money is also an issue, which I’ve talked about here.)
While there are more digital nomads and remote workers now that COVID has changed the concept of the office, not everyone is able to work remotely these days.
But, even if they don’t want to be nomadic, most people I know with office jobs (specifically Americans) want to travel more than they do. They just feel like they don’t have the time.
They are wrong.
Here’s why.
Let’s say you work 50 weeks a year and get two weeks of vacation. (Not American? Then you probably get a lot more and that’s wonderful.) Counting your vacation time and every weekend brings the total number of days per year you can travel to 110 (104 weekend days plus the 10 days in your two-week vacation). That’s a lot of time to travel. Throw in three-day weekends and holidays, and we can add even more days to our total. It may not be all continuous, but you can do a lot with that much time.
Let’s think about that for a second: 110+ days of free time per year. That’s close to four months of potential travel time per year! Four months! The world is your oyster with that much time.
When looking at it this way, our busy schedule becomes a lot more open. What are you doing with that time?
Everything is about priorities. Yes, there are certain obligations we have in our day-to-day lives that take up time but if you really want something, you find a way to make it happen. It’s like when I say I don’t have the time to go to the gym. I have plenty of time to go to the gym; I’m just spending that time elsewhere.
Because the gym just isn’t a priority for me (though it probably should be).
That’s not really their fault. It’s just how the travel industry tells us we need to travel because long and big trips mean people will spend more money. We internalize that concept and never consider other options.
However, if COVID has taught us anything it’s that there are TONS of things to see and do close to home. Even when you don’t have months to travel, as we’ve seen, you still have 110 days of potential travel per year. If you make it a priority, you can certainly travel more.
But what do you do? What kind of trips can you take on a smaller time scale that still have a big impact? Here are some trip ideas to help you plan to travel when you have limited time:
1. Take a weekend getaway
Spend a weekend away somewhere. Two days isn’t a lot of time, but it’s still enough to explore a city, town, or camp in a national park close to you. I used to spend a lot of time in New York City. From there, weekends away would include trips to Atlantic City, Fire Island, the Hamptons, the Berkshires, Boston, Philadelphia, and Washington DC — and those are just the ones a few hours away!
Try to incorporate more weekend trips away. It can help break up your routine and keep your wanderlust in check until your next big trip. Even a couple of days somewhere are better than no days anywhere!
2. Go somewhere close
Only have a week? Don’t travel halfway around the world, wasting tons of time getting to your destination. Go somewhere a short distance away.
Living in Miami and Fiji is too far? Head to Central America!
In Sydney and Los Angeles is too far? Go halfway and stop in Hawaii, visit New Zealand, or pop over to a Pacific island nation!
In Europe? Well, 90% of the continent is a three-hour flight away so you’re set!
Stay close and you’ll need less time to do what you want. Additionally, the best flight deals you can find are often for destinations close to you. So be flexible.
Anywhere you haven’t been is a good place to visit.
And, when you travel, less is always more.
3. Be a local tourist
I don’t think people are tourists in their own city often enough. How often do you visit the museums, explore new areas in your town, or visit the major attractions of your city? I know New Yorkers who have never been to the Met, Bostonians who have never walked the Freedom Trail, and Amsterdammers who have never wandered through the red-light district.
Take the weekend, move out of the house and into a cheap place to stay, and be a tourist. I love playing tourist in my own city because it helps you learn and understand where you come from.
There’s so much around you that you probably don’t take advantage of when you’re busy leading your regular life that, when you stop and look for a second, you can find plenty of exciting activities to fill your time.
After all, travel is about seeing and learning about new things – and that can take place right in your own backyard!
Important: If you are going to do this, stay somewhere that’s not your house so it feels more like a vacation. Otherwise, it will be too tempting to wake up, run some errands, and then “run out of time.” For this to really work, you need to break your routine — and not staying in your house is important to do that.
4. Maximize your time
Don’t try to see everything under the sun. You’ll run around too much. I field a lot of emails from people who want to see half of Europe in two weeks or want to conquer all of South America in a month.
When you think that is how you have to travel and try to cram everything in, it’s easy to get burdened by your itinerary. You look at all those destinations, get overwhelmed, realize there is not enough time, give up, and hold off until you do “have” the time.
I get that you don’t have a lot of vacation and want to see a lot, but don’t! Sticking to just one or two places suddenly opens up a lot of time and opportunity! You’ll never be able to see it all. Even with my open schedule, I still can’t see everything I want. I stopped trying long ago. In travel, less is more. Quality over quantity.
****
You may not have months to travel, but that doesn’t mean you can’t travel at all. There are a plethora of ways to get out and travel the world on a budget without having to be a nomad like me. Telling yourself you don’t have time is just an excuse.
You do have the time and you can learn the skills to travel better. The problem is you probably aren’t thinking of how to spend that time beyond the typical “two-week vacation.”
So the next time you think “I don’t have the time,” think of all the places nearby you could explore. Yes, you’ll have errands to run and things that require your attention. But by using your time productively, prioritizing travel, and thinking outside the box, you’ll find you do have time to explore the world.
Travel is about exploration, and that exploration can happen anywhere for any length of time.
How to Travel the World on $75 a Day
My New York Times best-selling book to travel will teach you how to master the art of travel so that you’ll get off save money, always find deals, and have a deeper travel experience. It’s your A to Z planning guide that the BBC called the “bible for budget travelers.”
Book Your Flight Find a cheap flight by using Skyscanner. It’s my favorite search engine because it searches websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is being left unturned.
Book Your Accommodation You can book your hostel with Hostelworld. If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com as it consistently returns the cheapest rates for guesthouses and hotels.
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:
Want to Travel for Free? Travel credit cards allow you to earn points that can be redeemed for free flights and accommodation — all without any extra spending. Check out my guide to picking the right card and my current favorites to get started and see the latest best deals.
Need a Rental Car? Discover Cars is a budget-friendly international car rental website. No matter where you’re headed, they’ll be able to find the best — and cheapest — rental for your trip!
Need Help Finding Activities for Your Trip? Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace where you can find cool walking tours, fun excursions, skip-the-line tickets, private guides, and more.
Ready to Book Your Trip? Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel. I list all the ones I use when I travel. They are the best in class and you can’t go wrong using them on your trip.
Before I first went traveling in 2006, I had these expectations in my head based on nothing but my imagination and popular culture.
My trip was going to be a nonstop adventure filled with colorful and exciting people. Crazy things were going to happen to me. I’d make friends everywhere. I’d be talking to strangers on buses. Locals would invite me out for drinks. I’d be sipping a latte, strike up a conversation with my beautiful waitress, and then the next thing I’d know, we’d be at a wine bar, staring into each other’s eyes while she taught me French.
It was going to be just like those articles I’d read or travel movies I saw. One adventurous scene after the next.
Then I went overseas.
There I was in the hostel, on the road, seeing amazing attractions in historic cities. I could do whatever I wanted, when I wanted. I was finally marching to the beat of my own drum.
At first, it was exciting, as I set my daily schedule and did things by myself. I was so busy those first couple of days that I had forgotten I was alone. And that was fine — until it wasn’t.
As the days wore on and my tongue forgot what speech sounded like, that excitement dissipated. I began to crave human interaction and companionship.
Suddenly, I was alone — and in the bad way.
Aloneness had turned to loneliness.
Where were the locals who were supposed to show me around? The cool travelers I’d spend nights out with? Once I ran out of things to do, I could no longer hide my aloneness.
Sure, I could move on to another city, hoping that the magic would happen there, that it was the destination’s fault and not me.
But it was me. Life doesn’t just happen to you — you have to make it happen.
As an introvert, it isn’t natural for me to just walk up to strangers and talk to them. That was especially true way back in 2006, when I first started traveling. (Heck, it takes me a lot to overcome that today.)
But that fear was keeping me from living the dreams I had in my head. If I wanted those dreams to happen, I was going to have to make them happen.
A lot of people wonder if traveling alone means they will always be alone. How will they make friends? Is it hard?
It’s a valid concern and, for us to whom socializing doesn’t come naturally, it’s a challenge. But let me tell you: it’s a lot easier than you think.
There are a lot of people traveling solo.
People just like you.
People looking for an adventure.
People who crave interactions with others.
And that other is you.
I overcame being alone when people in my hostel in Prague started talking to me. They were the first ones to reach out, luckily. They broke the barrier I was too afraid to break myself, sitting there, waiting for “something to happen.”
But, after they broke the ice, I realized that it was actually easier and less scary than I thought. Those travelers were like me and looking for a friend.
It took the introvert in me a while to learn that truth, but once I did, I had no trouble meeting people. After those travelers said hello and showed me how easy it was, I realized I was making a mountain out of a molehill. There was nothing to be scared of. I just had to say hi.
Because we all start off in the same boat: in a foreign country without any friends, not speaking the language, and looking for people to spend time with. Once you realize that, you also realize how simple and easy it is to make friends…because everyone is just like you.
That’s the big secret. There’s nothing more to overcome being alone than to get over yourself and say “hi.”
The key is to start small and break out of your shell. Talk to the person in your dorm room. Say hello. Ask them about themselves. Trust me, they will respond. They’ll ask you about you, your home, your travel plans, and more.
From there, just do the same to other travelers you see. Look for a group leaving for the bar and ask, “Can I join you?”
Walk over to that pool table in the hostel and ask, “Who’s next?”
People will say yes. Conversation will begin. Friendships will blossom.
And thanks to the sharing economy, there are lots more ways to meet people beyond meeting them at hostels,
For example, I’m sure you have one thing you are passionate about, right? Well, people around the world have that same passion. Use a website like Meetup.com to find local groups that form around that passion. Maybe it’s swing dancing, maybe it’s pickleball or Dungeons & Dragons. Whatever it is, I’m sure there are locals who do it too. Finding local groups with a shared interest is a great way to break the ice because you already have something to talk about, something that creates an instant connection.
Moreover, you can try the website Couchsurfing. It’s not only a place to find accommodation; it also has tons of meet-ups you can attend to find other travelers and like-minded people.
I’ll be honest, at first, I found it hard to speak to others. Conversations stumbled from time to time. But you either sink or swim on the road. My options were to be alone (and risk potentially going home early) or to get over my fear, take the plunge, and talk to people.
I choose the latter.
And on the occasions I was sinking instead of swimming, other travelers came up to me and said hello. They made the first move so I didn’t have to.
Why? Because they were looking to make friends too. Like me, they understood that if they didn’t do something, they too would have been alone.
Travelers are a friendly bunch. They want to meet new people and make new friends.
And one of those friends is you.
For that reason, you are never alone on the road. There are people everywhere who will be constantly talking to you and inviting you out (especially if you’re staying in hostels).
Take it from this introvert: you’ll meet more people than you’ll know what to do with. (In fact, there will be points when you wished you had some personal “me” time.)
Eventually, you’ll realize there was never a reason to worry in the first place. And you’ll never be alone again.
How to Travel the World on $75 a Day
My New York Times best-selling book to travel will teach you how to master the art of travel so that you’ll get off save money, always find deals, and have a deeper travel experience. It’s your A to Z planning guide that the BBC called the “bible for budget travelers.”
Book Your Flight Find a cheap flight by using Skyscanner. It’s my favorite search engine because it searches websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is being left unturned.
Book Your Accommodation You can book your hostel with Hostelworld. If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com as it consistently returns the cheapest rates for guesthouses and hotels.
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:
Want to Travel for Free? Travel credit cards allow you to earn points that can be redeemed for free flights and accommodation — all without any extra spending. Check out my guide to picking the right card and my current favorites to get started and see the latest best deals.
Need a Rental Car? Discover Cars is a budget-friendly international car rental website. No matter where you’re headed, they’ll be able to find the best — and cheapest — rental for your trip!
Need Help Finding Activities for Your Trip? Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace where you can find cool walking tours, fun excursions, skip-the-line tickets, private guides, and more.
Ready to Book Your Trip? Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel. I list all the ones I use when I travel. They are the best in class and you can’t go wrong using them on your trip.
As I continue my quest to travel on credit card points, my list of personal best travel credit cards is constantly evolving. I’m big on the suite of American Express cards as I get so much value out of them—the AmEx Platinum is my go-to with the Gold a close second—though the Chase Sapphire Reserve is always a top contender, too.
This post was last updated October 2024. This site is part of an affiliate sales network and receives compensation for sending traffic to partner sites. This compensation may impact how and where links appear on this site. This site does not include all financial companies or all available financial offers.
In the past two years, we used points on two vacations to Europe to cover our flights and rental cars, plus three weeks in Thailand and Qatar, as well as trips to Tucson and Hawaii on points. And our miles continue to mount: We booked an upcoming trip to Australia in business class on points, and I’ve accumulated an additional 500,000 or so simply paying for everyday items, insurance, subscriptions and taxes.
Note: The below information pertains to American travelers, as credit card rewards are specific to the country of residence. If you live in Canada, check out this guide to best credit cards for Canadians.
With that said, here are the travel credit cards I currently use, which I update every few months—and how and when I use each. I highly recommend cards with no foreign transaction fees, which includes all of the below cards, if you plan to travel internationally. And if you decide to sign up for one, please use my included referral link so I also get bonus points along with yours!
The Chase Sapphire Preferred is what I consider the gateway card to travel points earning. It’s under the Chase Ultimate Rewards flexible points system—which is key because it means you can spend those points on so many different airlines, hotels or car rental companies—and it’s also got a low annual fee, making it easy to justify for those who are looking for the best travel credit card for their needs (and possibly their first). You can also combine Chase points across products if you hold multiple cards.
Benefits of the Chase Sapphire Preferred include:
$50 Annual Chase Travel Hotel Credit, plus more
5X per $1 on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards
2x per $1 on other travel purchases
3X per $1 on dining, including eligible delivery services, takeout and dining out
3X per $1 on online grocery purchases (excluding Target, Walmart and wholesale clubs)
3x per $1 on select streaming services
Annual fee: $95
And with the Chase Sapphire Reserve, you get additional benefits like:
A $300 travel statement credit reimbursements each anniversary year
Discounts on DoorDash with free DashPass subscription
One statement credit of up to $100 every four years for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or NEXUS
Access to the Chase Sapphire Lounge by The Club
Complimentary membership to Priority Pass lounges (access to 1,300+ lounges in 500 cities worldwide)
The Chase Sapphire Preferred is a great intro card for anyone who wants to get in this game and test the waters without committing to a high annual fee. For years, it was the only travel credit card I had until I eventually product-changed and got the Chase Sapphire Reserve instead.
Note: You can only hold one Sapphire product at a time, so you can’t get this one if you’re applying for the Preferred, but it’s worth investigating if you’re someone who travels a lot. In the credit card universe, you’ll hear what is referred to as the 5/24 rule often. That simply means that in Chase’s mind, you can only apply to and receive five credit cards (from any company) in a 24-month period.
The 5/24 rule is important to keep in mind because if you do decide to play the points game, you will want to make sure you always hover somewhere under that number, meaning that you keep a detailed spreadsheet of any credit cards you hold, as well as when you opened them. If you are close to hitting 5/24, you’ll want to consider going for other cards like American Express while your credit card history with Chase cools off.
Southwest Priority Card
If you fly Southwest regularly, this is the best travel credit card for you. Why? Well, if you earn 135,000 points, you get Southwest Companion Pass status, meaning a plus one will fly for free with you for the rest of the calendar year in which you earned it in addition to the following year. What does this mean? You should plan on hitting your sign-up bonus in January and not a minute before!
Benefits of the Southwest Priority Card include:
10,000 Companion Pass points every year
3X per $1 spent on Southwest Airlines purchases
2X per $1 spent on internet, cable, and phone services; select streaming
$75 Southwest annual travel credit
Annual fee: $99
Current sign-up bonus: 85,000 points for personal card, or you could go for the Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business Credit Card for 80,000
While the Southwest cards are Chase products, you earn miles directly deposited to your Rapid Rewards account instead of Ultimate Rewards in the Chase ecosystem. To earn Companion Pass on credit cards alone, you’ll need to open one Southwest card—I recommend the Performance Business to start—and then wait 30 days and open a personal card like the Plus, Premier or Priority. Here’s the best strategy to do this.
This is the gold standard card for those who travel often and well. It’s not for the frugal traveler, as the annual fee is high, but the American Express Platinum is worth it for many, myself included. That said, you absolutely have to go into the benefits section of your dashboard and enable everything to make the fee worth it.
Benefits of the AmEx Platinum include:
$200 Hotel Credit: Get up to $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings
$240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 back in statement credits each month on eligible purchases made with your Platinum Card® on one or more of the following: Disney+, a Disney Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, The New York Times, Peacock, and The Wall Street Journal. Enrollment required.
$155 Walmart+ Credit: Save on eligible delivery fees, shipping, and more with a Walmart+ membership. Use your Platinum Card® to pay for a monthly Walmart+ membership and get up to $12.95 plus applicable taxes back on one membership (excluding Plus Ups) each month.
$200 Airline Fee Credit
$200 Uber Cash
$189 CLEAR® Plus Credit
A $100 statement credit every 4 years for a Global Entry application fee or a statement credit up to $85 every 4.5 year period for TSA PreCheck® application fee for a 5-year plan only when charged to your Platinum Card®. Card Members approved for Global Entry will also receive access to TSA PreCheck at no additional cost.
Get up to $100 in statement credits annually for purchases in Saks Fifth Avenue stores or at saks.com on your Platinum Card®. Enrollment required
Other benefits include an annual $300 Equinox or SoulCycle credit and 5x points on flights or travel booked through AmEx. So far, not including my sign-up bonus, my annual benefits for the AmEx Platinum exceed $1,100, and that’s not including the cash value of being Gold with both Hilton and Marriott and also lounge access. I’ve also found a lot of value in having the The Business Platinum Card® from American Express as a supplementary card.
This card has similar perks to the Chase Sapphire Reserve at a lower fee—plus advance ticket access to things like bowl games and concerts (it did not, however, help me get Taylor Swift tickets). That said, the Cap One Venture X does offer 2x on all purchases, so if you open it, this is a great everyday spend card for categories where you may not receive regular bonuses (think: hardware stores, pet stores, medical bills). If the network of Capital One lounges expands in the future, this one might get a higher spot on my list in the future. There’s also the Capital One Venture, which is a lower fee of $95 with similar perks.
10x on hotels and cars booked through Capital One Travel
5x on flights booked through Capital One Travel
2x on all other purchases
Unlimited access to Capital One Lounges
Complimentary access to Priority Pass lounges
Receive up to a $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck
Receive a $300 travel credit annually for bookings through Capital One Travel
These are other credit cards that I use for everyday purchases, particularly for software (AmEx Biz Platinum), subscriptions (the Inks), as well as groceries (the AmEx Gold):
If you haven’t already considered business cards, they’re a great way to rack up points without paying much at all in annual fees (even if you don’t have an established business yet and are just a freelancer!).
Note: You can have multiple Inks, even of the exact same card, which you can’t do for other popular credit cards like the Chase Sapphires. Here are a few nuggets to keep in mind as you figure out the best travel credit card for your needs:
Having multiple cards alone will not hurt your credit
Contrary to popular belief, holding multiple credit cards will not damage your credit score if you do it right, including not having too many credit inquiries (or hard pulls) in a set amount of time as well as paying off your balance in full every statement cycle so you don’t find yourself paying interest. I repeat: You should only play this game if you have good credit already and can pay off your credit cards monthly. Free travel is awesome, but there’s nothing worth getting into credit card debt over!
Use all the benefits and offers
Many cards like the AmEx Platinum and the Chase Sapphire Reserve have very high annual fees. One way to justify it? Take advantage of every benefit and offer and activate them upon activating your card. For the AmEx card alone, I get $1200 a year back in bonuses and other perks, not counting my lounge access. Don’t get the cards solely for the points; get them if you plan to use all the perks—and also check regularly for the monthly offers and quarterly bonuses that you can activate via your credit card dashboard.
Many cards offer insurance, so use it
The majority of these best travel credit cards I’ve featured include some form of trip delay or cancellation and baggage insurance, meaning if something happens and you find yourself needing a hotel at an airport in a pinch, you’ll likely be able to get reimbursed. Likewise, they often include both primary rental car insurance and cell insurance, so if you book your trips with these cards and something goes wrong, you can file a claim for reimbursement.
The best way to accrue points you can actually use are to play within both Chase Ultimate Rewards (UR) and American Express Membership Rewards (MR). UR points transfer 1:1 to so many different airlines including Delta, Southwest, Air Canada, British Airways and United, though often I simply use them by booking flights through the Ultimate Rewards portal (always cross-check awards availability via the airline’s website first to make sure you’re not spending more points than needed). MR also have a good roster of transfer partners, which include Delta, Qantas, Virgin, and Singapore Air and Hilton and Marriott on the hotels side.
Don’t cancel cards, product change them instead
One way to build up a great credit score is by having a long history of credit, which includes cards you’ve had open for years (my lengthiest streak is 17 years!). When adding new cards to your roster, it’s often best to keep the old ones—when it makes sense—and just carry a balance of $0. So, for example, even if you decide to change from a Chase Sapphire Preferred to a Reserve, rather than canceling the Preferred outright, you’ll want to call Chase and PC (product change) it to one of the no-fee Freedom cards instead.
That said, at times you may have to cancel a card if you plan to reopen it for a new bonus—the rule is usually that you can’t receive a sign-up bonus for the same card within either 24 or 48 months—which I’m finding myself doing this week to take advantage of getting the Companion Pass through my Southwest credit cards points.
Co-branded cards often aren’t worth it
Co-branded cards like a Sephora or Delta credit card are typically not worth using a credit card slot on. If you’re more of a casual flier with no loyalty to one airline over another, it’s generally smarter to get a Chase Sapphire Reserve or AmEx Platinum that is in one of the flexible point ecosystems (meaning you can transfer your points to many different partners).
Southwest cards for the Companion Pass status is an exception to the rule or if you are a frequent flier who stays loyal to one airline. If you’re more of a casual takes-a-few-trips-a-year kind of traveler, you’ll want to start your points journey in the Chase or AmEx ecosystems.
Transfer monthly payments to meet a new SUB
Every time I get a new credit card, I transfer over any recurring payments like my phone or our insurance, which help me quickly meet a sign-up bonus (SUB). It’s an easy way to capitalize on money I’m already spending by earning points I can use toward travel. And while you can’t pay a mortgage on a credit card, you can pay pretty much everything else including income tax and property tax. Get those points for big payments you’re already making!
The value of points depends on what you spend them on
No matter what credit card you use, the value of individual points will depend on if you spend them on gift cards, online shopping or travel. I find that travel usually yields a higher point value, and you often can get even more out of each point by transferring them to travel partners (assuming a 1:1 transfer rate). You can also take advantage of bonus periods when your credit card, for example, offers 5x points on gas or pay-yourself-back bonuses. Just paying attention to these small details can bank you a good stockpile of points in no time.
What’s your favorite travel credit card?
Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.
Opinions expressed here are author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
Jess and I are lucky enough to travel a lot, with our travels taking us to all sorts of locations and venues around the world. Whilst most of our travels don’t require us to wear formal clothing, there are sometimes occasions where we do need to dress up a bit. So I have been on the hunt for a travel-friendly suit.
I wanted a travel suit for visiting venues with a dress code, such as a fancy restaurant, opera night, or a formal cruise night. Also for those times when we just want to dress up for a special occasion such as for a birthday dinner, Christmas party, or perhaps for a formal afternoon tea experience in Paris.
I also give talks and workshops at travel and photography conferences and often wear either a sports jacket or full suit for some of those events.
We also have other events we attend, such as weddings, holiday parties, charity fundraisers, and funerals, where a suit is often required or expected. Sometimes these events are at home, but sometimes they require travel so having a suit that can travel well to a destination wedding or out-of-state funeral is nice.
What all that means is that from time to time I find myself needing a suit. Of course, when I had a job in the corporate world I had a number of suits. However, most of these weren’t suits designed for travel and required some maintenance to keep them looking sharp and wrinkle-free.
For me, a travel suit has to be something that is going to stand up well to the rigors of travel. We often travel for weeks at a time and the suit needs to survive being packed away for lengthy periods as I don’t tend to wear it all that often. I don’t want to have to worry about wrinkles in the fabric when I unpack it, it just needs to come out of the bag and go on me looking smart.
I’d also prefer it doesn’t take up too much room in my bag if possible, given that I’m not likely to be wearing it that often.
I also want a travel suit that works for most occasions, including those outside of travel, such as events and event photography. And one that will work across most types of destinations and climates. For instance an events or wedding photographer is generally expected to wear a suit to look professional and blend in with the guests.
My initial search for a travel suit started back in 2020. Over the last several years, I’ve actually spent quite a bit of time trying to find the perfect travel suit. Today I have three travel suits in different colors and have tested several others along the way.
So, without further ado, let me help you find the perfect travel suit for you, based on my experiences to date! Whether you’re looking for a good suit for business travel, preparing for a destination wedding, or you just find yourself needing to look more formal when you travel, I hope this guide helps you!
What to Look for in a Travel Suit
Before I recommend specific suits, I want to share some ideas of what to actually look for in a travel suit. This will help explain why I chose the suits I did, but will also help you pick the right suit for you, even if it’s not one I recommend.
Perhaps the two most important aspects of how a suit is going to look and wear are the type of material it is made of and the cut/fit of the suit.
For a travel suit wrinkle resistance, weight, and ease of care are also often very important. But there are a lot of other things to consider as well when choosing a travel-friendly suit, including price, color, pockets, and other features.
Let’s look at each of these.
Material
The choice of material the suit is made from is going to make a big difference when it comes to how well a suit works for travel. It’s also going to make a big difference when it comes to the price of the suit. Some materials travel a lot better than others. The main options you have are as follows.
Wool – Wool is a great natural fabric and generally considered to be the best fabric overall for a suit. It is breathable, good for various weathers, and looks refined. There are even specific wools which are woven to be more wrinkle resistant. There are a lot of wool types and names used for wool fabrics used in suits including twill, merino wool, cashmere, tweed, worsted, and flannel.
Polyester and Polyester Blends – Polyester suits are generally going to be your most budget-friendly option and most polyester suit fabrics tend to be very wrinkle resistant. Polyester also tends to be an easier care option, and some polyester options are even machine washable. The main downside to polyester is that is not a natural material and might not be as breathable as a natural fibre. It also typically doesn’t look or feel as high-end as a wool suit from up close.
Linen – Linen suits have a timeless elegance and can be an option for warm and hot weather destinations. It’s a lightweight and breathable fabric but one that wrinkles easily and is generally harder to care for and it can stain more easily. So linen suits can be a good option for some people but you have to be OK with wrinkles and a more casual look.
Cotton – Cotton is another natural and breathable fabric, like linen, that is often used in suits. Cotton can be a comfortable and affordable options, but its downsides are that it tends to have a more casual look, doesn’t drape as well, and some cotton fabrics can wrinkle easily. However, you can normally iron cotton very easily to get rid of wrinkles. Summer suits will often be made of a seersucker fabric.
Other fabric options like silks, velvet, nylon, etc. are not that common as suit materials. They are generally best avoided as a good travel suit fabric in our opinion.
Of course, you’ll also see a lot of blended fabrics out there being used for suits as well such as wool/polyester blends, linen/cotton blends, wool/silk blends etc. I would check to see which fabric is making up what percentage of the fabric and consider the pros/cons of each.
For example, some suits might use a majority of wool for the breathability, but also include a small amount of polyester blend to add stretch.
Overall, we believe the overall best material option for most people is wool, and specifically a high twist wool weave which will naturally resist wrinkles. This wool weaving process is done at the mill where the suit fabric is produced, and results in a fabric that is naturally wrinkle resistant. A good example of suits that use this type of specialty wool are the Traveller suits by Suitsupply.
For those on a small budget, polyester is probably your best bet. You can also consider polyester/wool blends which can give you a wool suit at a smaller price point with the benefits of both wool and polyester.
A great budget pick that I’ve tested is the Haggar Men’s Travel Performance suit which you can often find on sale for under $200 for both the blazer and matching suit pants!
For those wanting a machine washable suit, you’ll want to consider a harder wearing polyester suit. Most suits, even most polyester ones, are not designed to be machine washed so you specifically need to look for a brand that makes suits that are designed to be machine washed.
One brand I can personally recommend is the Gramercy suit collection by Bluffworks as these suits can be machine washed and even tumble dried on low heat!
Those looking for a more casual summer look who don’t mind wrinkles, we think linen is a great option. For instance in destinations like Italy and Greece, you see a lot of linen in the summers and it’s a great option for those types of settings.
Cotton is probably my least favorite of the above as a travel suit material. However, I do have a green blazer I got in Italy that is 100% cotton that I love. I wear it when I want to look put together but not too formal.
Color
Color is obviously a personal choice when it comes to a travel suit. We’d suggest picking a color that you like and one that will work in a number of situations. You also want to consider your skin tone/complexion and types of climates you will be wearing it in.
You may also want to pick a suit that will coordinate with any accessories you already have that you want to wear, such as shoes, shirts, and ties.
Navy, closely followed by medium grey and charcoal grey, are generally regarded as the most versatile suit colors. You can see this image matrix for a brief guide. These colors are suitable for a range of events and match well with most shoe, belt, and shirt colors.
A royal blue suit can also be a good option if you want something a bit more modern than a classic navy color. Brown and tan suits can also work and are versatile but are generally less popular than navy or grey suits.
If you are planning to use your suit strictly for more formal occasions (e.g., formal weddings, funerals, charity balls), then you might consider a black suit. However, these can look too formal for some settings and are less versatile.
Also, it should be noted that if you attend a lot of black-tie events (where a tuxedo/dinner jacket and bow tie are expected), it probably makes more sense to get a black tuxedo instead to work for those events and a dark suit in another color (such as navy or charcoal gray) for less formal events.
Other colors, such as tans, medium shades of blue, greens, creams, khaki, burgundy, etc. are also widely available but are going to be less versatile and may not work with all skin tones.
However, they may still be a good choice depending on where you want to wear it and your complexion. For instance, khaki, cream, and pastel suits tend to look better on those with darker skin.
If you are looking at linen suits, these often come in natural shades of creams and tan as well as pastel colors which are well-suited for warmer climates and that type of material. Cotton suits also tend to come in a wider variation of colors and patterns than wool ones.
While a solid color is the most versatile choice and is going to be the most timeless, you can also go with a suit with a pattern for a bolder look and to better fit your personal style.
Classic men’s suit patterns include pinstripes, checks, gingham, plaids, herringbone, and houndstooth. If you opt for a patterned suit, choosing a classic color like navy or gray can help keep it being more versatile.
If you are only purchasing one suit and don’t currently own a suit, I would generally recommend choosing a solid navy or grey suit. Generally, I travel with either a navy or gray suit. These will generally work for a pretty wide range of events from interviews and conferences to weddings and formal nights out. They also generally look good on most people.
Of course, the final decision is up to your needs and your own personal sense of style.
Cut/Fit
There are a lot of suit styles, cuts, and variations out there and looking at all the options can be a bit overwhelming, especially if this is your first suit. You’ll find lots of options regarding how the jacket buttons, linings, lapel sizes, various types of cuts, pocket shapes, button types, linings, venting, paddings, and much more.
If you are purchasing a travel suit, then you are likely buying a suit that you want to last for a long time and which you might not be wearing too often. So, you will want a suit style that is going to last for a long time and isn’t going to become dated in a few years.
For instance, imagine the 1920’s pinstripe double-breasted suits we often now associate with American gangsters and bootleggers from that era, or the disco inspired 1970s leisure suits. These are not exactly timeless designs.
As such, we’d recommend choosing a more timeless and conservative style that will likely stay in fashion, rather than anything that might be popular now but fall out of vogue in the coming years.
The key decisions you will have to make will include whether or not you want a single- or double-breasted suit, the number of buttons on the suit jacket, the size and style of the suit lapels, whether or not the pants are pleated, and whether the suit is slim, classic, or looser fitting.
Again, these are all personal decisions. However, for a timeless look we’d recommend:
single breasted jacket (although double breasted is also popular if you prefer that look)
a 2-button jacket (or three roll two, just don’t button the top button!)
a jacket lapel width that matches your body width (generally, thinner people look better with a thinner lapel, and heavier people with a wider lapel)
lapels with a notch in
choose matching pants in a classic suit trousers style such as one with a mid rise, straight or tapered legs, flat front or single pleat, plain hem, belt loops, and 2 back pockets.
a tailored/slim or classic/regular fit (a tailored or slim fit is more fitted to body whereas a classic fit is looser and more relaxed)
Whether or not you opt for slim/tailored or regular/classic fit will depend on your body shape and personal style. It’s really important that you feel comfortable and confident in your suit, so choose the style that works best for you.
Just be sure to read details of each suit’s fit as different suit brands don’t always mean the same thing when using fit terms (slim/tailored/classic/regular/relaxed/loose) to describe their suit fits.
For the suit pants, if you are buy the suit as a set you often don’t have too many choices unless you choose to customize them. But generally you just want to get a classic pair of dress pants that matches your jacket in the exact same fabric that doesn’t have any features that could really date it quickly (e.g., skinny leg, really wide legs, flared bottoms, wide cuffs/turn-ups).
When you are wearing the suit and the jacket is buttoned, it should not be creasing or pulling anywhere. Areas to check include the shoulder, chest, waist and upper back area. It should also fit well to your body shape and not have excess fabric.
If you are trying a suit on in store, then make sure to look at it in a mirror from all angles. Bring along a friend/partner or ask a store associate for advice about how well it fits.
If you purchase online or by catalog, then be sure to do the same at home and ask someone else to give you advice. Minor alterations in length and fit can be made by a tailor and are generally not too expensive, but you want the overall shape, fit, and features to be there. For more information, this is an excellent guide to how a suit should fit.
There are a few factors that affect how heavy a suit is, and these also affect how the suit performs in different climates.
First, and perhaps most importantly, the actual fabric a suit is made from will dictate how heavy the suit is.
Fabric weight is measured in grams per square metre (gsm), with lower numbers reflecting a lighter suit and heavier numbers reflecting a heavier suit.
A lightweight suit will generally be made of fabric which varies from around 150gsm to 290gsm. A midweight suit will fall between 290gsm and 360gsm. A heavyweight suit will be anything over 360gsm. These numbers aren’t fixed of course, but can be helpful as a general rule of thumb.
The fabric weight directly affects the warmth of the suit. The lighter the suit fabric, the more suitable it will be for warm weather. Conversely, a heavier fabric will provide more warmth, good for cold climates.
Naturally, the fabric weight also directly affects how heavy the suit actually is. A heavier fabric will result in a heavier suit, giving you more to carry around. If you pack light, this is definitely something to consider.
Other factors also affect the overall weight of the suit. The suit’s canvassing, lining, and padding, if it has any, can also increase the weight of the suit. A suit jacket often has both canvasing and lining. and it may also have padding in the shoulders.
If you have a choice in the amount of canvasing (a layer of material attached to inside of jacket that gives it shape) and/or lining (thinner layer of cloth that touches your body and can be used in both jackets and/or pants) for your suit, your choice will depend on how much structure you want, the climate where you plan to wear it, and how formal or casual you want your suit to be.
More canvassing and lining is best for more formal jackets, jackets worn in cooler climates, and when you want more structure. Unlined jackets are best for those wanting a lighter jacket, more casual jacket, and warmer climates. The amount of canvasing and lining can vary a lot from completely unlined to full lined. If you are not sure, there are also partial and half lined options.
For a travel suit, we’d recommend something on the lighter end of the spectrum, which will be both easier to pack and carry, and also offer versatility in a number of climates. If it is cooler, you can always wear an undershirt if necessary or opt for a more medium-weight suit. My personal preference is definitely towards less lining and padding.
Suit lining comparison
Size Inclusivity
While most suit brands do offer a wide range of suit sizes, these won’t work for everyone. While travel suits can pretty easily be sized down or made shorter by a tailor, those who need larger or longer suits may have more difficulty finding well-fitting suit options.
However, there are still a lot of options. For example, brands like Suitsupply offer sizes from XXS to XXXXL and offer regular, long, and short sizing.
You also have the option to customize the size and fit of their suits and you can give them your exact measurements. Even budget-friendly brands like Haggar offer big and tall sizes in many of their suits.
Versatility
When choosing a suit for travel, you will want to consider how versatile it is going to be. The versatility is going to come from many of the factors we’ve already discussed including style, color, and fabric weight, as well as how well it pairs with other clothing and accessories in your wardrobe.
Things to think about include:
Can you wear the suit pieces individually as well as together? Would you wear the blazer jacket with different pants for a more casual look for example? Would the pants also work well with a dress shirt to wear for work or business functions or church events?
Will the suit work for you in different situations and events? Would you wear it to a wedding, conference, holiday party, funeral, cruise, business meeting, fancy dinner, baptism, etc. Think about events you’ve been to over the past few years or have coming up, how many of them could it work for?
Does the travel suit work in multiple destinations and climates? Does it work in both cold and hot climates? Would you wear it humid as well as dry destinations? Would it fit in equally well in the places you tend to travel in the USA, Europe, Asia, etc?
Does the suit work well with other wardrobe pieces you already have? You are likely to wear a suit more often if it goes with different colored shoes, belts, bags, shirts, ties, etc.
Generally, the more versatile the suit you choose, the more useful it will be and the more opportunities you will have to wear it.
For instance, consider that you are planning a trip to southern Italy, and you choose a nice cream linen suit for your summer travels there. It can be a great option for an Italian summer trip. However, that same suit isn’t likely going to be as well suited for a business meeting in London, a fjords cruise formal night, or a New York City formal wedding.
Now if you have very different circumstances where you plan to wear a suit, you might consider budgeting for two suits that will cover all scenarios. For instance, one darker and more formal suit and one lighter and more casual suit.
Overall, pick the most versatile suit you can. I feel it is worth spending a bit more on a more versatile suit option that you can wear more often compared to a lower cost suit that is less versatile and you don’t wear so much
Wrinkle Resistance
We’d argue that one of the key criteria to look for when choosing a travel suit is how resistant it is to wrinkles and creases. Travel is going create a lot more potential for wrinkles in a suit compared to having it hanging in a closet at home. This is the case even if the suit is in a suit carrier.
Ideally you want a suit which is going to be resistant to wrinkles and creases, and this all comes down to the material the suit is made from.
Good materials which include wrinkle resistance include high twist open weave wool, as well as some synthetic materials such as a polyester blend.
Most travel-oriented suits should make it clear that they are wrinkle resistant in the suit description but do dig into the claims to see what exactly it is about the suit that validates these claims. Check reviews from customers and see if they report issues with creases or wrinkles. If your suit arrives in the mail wrinkled, that is a bad sign.
Now if you are going for a suit made of linen or cotton, then you’ll likely have to live with some wrinkles and creases. Just be sure to know if it can be ironed as needed.
Care
Travel can be tough on a suit, and you are likely going to need to get it cleaned from time to time. So, when purchasing a suit, you will want to check to see how easy it is to clean.
Can it be machine washed? Tumble dried? Ironed? Hand washed? Does it have a stain repellant? Is it dry clean only?
If these features are important features for you, then be sure to carefully check care instructions prior to any purchase.
In our experience the majority of suits are going to be dry-clean only. This is an additional expense to consider in your budget when purchasing a suit. While you’ll likely get a number of wears out of a suit and be able to just spot clean, eventually it will need a full clean.
That said, there are quite a few travel suits on the market which can be machine washed, hand-washed, machine dried, and even ironed. For lots of travelers, an easy care option is a great plus. If you are looking for this, we recommend checking out suits by Bluffworks, Ministry of Supply, and this suit by Haggar.
Even a lot of “dry clean only suits” can be hand washed and air dried if done gently and with care. My wife, Jess, is pretty good at successfully hand washing and air drying all kinds of “dry clean” only materials to save money on dry cleaning (and to avoid the chemical treatments). But do take into account it is always a risk to ignore the suit’s care recommendations.
Based on our experience, even if you have an easy care travel suit that can be machine washed and everything, you still want to treat it gently to keep it looking it best and extending its life. I would only machine wash when needed, use gentle and delicate cycles, and use low heat or air dry.
Pockets
Most suits will have a number of pockets in both the suit jacket and suit pants, and there is normally a choice in pocket style.
Honestly, this is a personal preference. The main thing is ensuring there are sufficient pockets for your needs. If you are planning on wearing a travel suit to the airport for example, a suit with pockets that zip or that can comfortably handle things like a passport might be useful when going through check in and security.
However, if you usually only wear a suit once you are in destination at an event, then the number and style of pockets may not be as important to you. Just think about what you normally like to carry with you when wearing a suit.
If you like a suit with lots of pockets, then I’d recommend checking out the Bluffworks Gramercy suit, which has 18 pockets between the jacket and pants.
Price is going to be a key deciding factor when it comes to choosing a travel suit. I would say that a good travel suit that should last the test of time will probably run you between $500 and $850 (approximately £400 to £650).
However, you can definitely pick up a more budget oriented travel suit for about $200. It might not have all the features or look quite as nice, but it will serve it’s purpose. A well fitting and tailored inexpensive suit can still look really good.
Another option if you are on a really small budget is to check out secondhand and vintage suits. If you can can score a suit of your size, or slightly larger, you can get it tailored as needed for a better fit or to update it a bit.
You can also, of course, spend much more on a suit with custom tailored wool suits often running in the $1,500 to $6,000 range.
However, I’d say most people would probably find the sweet spot of $500 to $850 will get them a good quality suit that will fulfill all their needs and last a good long time.
Recommended Travel Suits
We’re now going to go through our recommended suits for travel. First, I’ll cover the suits I personally own and travel with, which I decided upon after doing a lot of research and trying on a lot of suits.
I’ll share my picks for overall best wool travel suit, my favorite easy care travel suit, and my favorite suit for those with a small budget.
I’ll share my experiences of those suits first. Then, I’ll cover some other popular options that you might want to consider as well.
My recommendation for a wool travel suit is to choose one from the Suitsupply Traveller Suit collection. Suitsupply is a Dutch menswear fashion brand founded in 2000. The brand is best known for its use of high quality Italian fabric suits sold at a much lower price that those of designer brands using similar fabrics.
The Traveller suits are all made of 4-ply Italian wool midweight fabric and come in both tailored and classic/relaxed fits with both single and double breasted jacket options. The suits can be purchase as a suit set, or you can purchase the jacket and trousers separately. It is available in several colors.
The secret ingredient to the Suitsupply Traveller suit is the material it’s made from. Their suits are made from a specialty 4-ply Italian wool which they call “Traveller Wool”. This is a high twist wool, which is a specific way of weaving wool yarn that results in it being naturally crease resistant as well as light and breathable. They are designed for all season wear in all types of climates.
Suitsupply Traveller Suit in Navy
You can actually customize most of the suits on the Suitsupply website to use this wool if you prefer a different suit style. However, for this review I’m focusing on the standard Suitsupply Traveller suit style.
It is worth noting that Suitsupply have changed their wool yarn supplier over time. The suit I purchased in 2021 has wool made by the Lanificio F. Lli Cerruti mill, and which was branded as iTravel wool. The suit I purchased in 2024 has wool made by the Lanificio Rogna wool mill.
Both of these wool mills are long established and reputable Italian wool mills, and the fabric produced by both mills for the suits is a high twist open weave wool which is specifically designed to stand up well to the rigors of travel.The look and feel of the wool between the two suits is very similar to my eye.
Let’s look at the other details of this suit. Beyond the wool used, there are a couple of other key standard features of this suit that make it more travel friendly.
First, the main body of the jacket is unlined, which means, as the name suggests, that there is no lining on the inside part of the jacket between the wool and you. The exception is the sleeves which are lined.
If you are used to a fully lined suit this may look and feel a bit odd at first, but by leaving the majority of the suit unlined you cut down on some of the weight and it’s also easier to fold. An unlined suit is also cooler, making it more suitable for warmer climates, giving the suit more versatility.
That said, if you prefer a fully lined or half lined suit, that is available as a custom option.
The jacket suit also has a half-canvas construction, rather than a full canvas construction. This ensures the jacket keeps its form around your chest, whilst being lighter than a full canvas construction. Note that this is the default, and you can customize the suit to be either a full canvas or even no canvas (unconstructed) if you prefer.
In terms of the trousers, by default they come half lined (although this changed between my first suit and my second suit, with my first purchase being fully unlined). Again, you can choose to customize the pants to be fully lined, half lined or unlined if you prefer.
I actually own two Suitsupply Traveller suits, and they are my go-to travel suits. I purchased my first one in 2021 in navy blue, and my second one in 2024 in black. Specifically, I chose the Navy Havana suit in 2021, and the Black Havana Tailored Fit Suit in 2024.
The navy suit I actually purchased in store in their London store when I was living in the UK. I was able to try it on, buy it off the rack, and have the pants trimmed all in that same afternoon at the store. I didn’t get any customization done other than hemming the pants which were a little too long.
I have really loved that navy suit, and when I decided I needed a more formal black suit, I decided I wanted to get the same Havana suit in black. I decided to just order these online as I knew my sizes and the fit, and would just take it to a local tailor to get the pants hemmed as it is a simple and cheap alteration.
The design and material of the Suitsupply Traveller suit has changed slightly over the period between my purchases, and like everything in life, the cost has also gone up a bit.
For my second Suitsupply suit I purchased the jacket as the standard option without making any changes. Compared to my navy jacket, there are some slight differences in lapel width and the blazer came with a a 3 roll 2 button design, rather than the two button design in the original. However, these are pretty minor changes and I like both jackets pretty equally.
For the black suit pants, I did customize these. I chose to change the closure type, do a flat front, and just do a plain hem on these. The Traveller pants came as half lined in the upper part as standard and I kept that which I think is nice for more formal black pants.
Both suits have been wonderful travel suits. They are very comfortable and have stood up to weeks of being packed away at the bottom of my suitcase (or carried in the free included suit carrier bag), coming out wrinkle free and ready to go every time. I have worn them to nice dinners, conferences, business talks, afternoon teas, cruise formal nights, weddings, and more.
Overall, I have very much enjoyed my Suitsupply Traveller suits which I plan to keep wearing for years to come. I also appreciate how much they can be customized if you choose. Just note that you’ll save money if you stick to the standard features.
There are a lot of pros of the Suitsupply Traveller suit including the pure Italian wool fabric, breathability, high quality construction, four season weight, modern style, included suit carrier bag, ability to customize, and a decent price point for a pure wool suit. Some cons are that it is dry clean only and that if you want to customize it, it can really increase the price.
If you are interested and this is your first suit, I would recommend that you visit a Suitsupply store to try the suits on and get the fit and look right. You can of course still order online and customize the suits if you prefer (I did this for my second Suitsupply purchase with good results), but I think for a first time purchase an in-store visit is well worth it if there is a store near you.
Suitsupply have physical stores in Europe, Asia and the Americas, with around 150 locations to choose from. You can also purchase and customize all their suits online. You can see the full Suitsupply Traveller range here. They can also ship to most locations worldwide.
The Bluffworks Gramercy Suit is another travel suit I own and is my top recommendation if you want an easy care suit option (machine washable) and/or you want a suit with a lot of pockets. It’s also a good option if you don’t want a wool suit for any reason such as allergies.
Bluffworks has been around since 2012 and the main factor that sets it apart from almost all the other companies out there selling travel suits is that their brand is focused on travel-friendly clothing.
Bluffworks Gramercy Suit in Gotham Grey
I have found their Bluffwork Gramercy suit to be an excellent travel suit and the suit has a number of features that make it stand out from the crowd.
First, Bluffworks makes these suits out of a polyester material they call Gramercy. This is a material that they spent a long time developing to ensure it looks as close to wool as possible. I have to say that they have done a great job—the suit doesn’t have any of the shine you might associate with a polyester suit, and I think most people wouldn’t be able to tell it wasn’t wool.
However, you do still get the benefits of polyester, meaning its lightweight, quick-drying, and breathable.
Even more impressive though is that the suit is fully machine washable. You can even tumble dry it on low heat, and if you really need to, iron it. However, Bluffworks say that the suit shouldn’t need ironing as the material is wrinkle and crease resistant. This has certainly been my experience with it and I haven’t needed to iron it yet.
The other feature that sets it apart is the amount of pockets and storage in this suit. The jacket and trousers between them have 18 pockets (!), which is far more than a regular suit.
Some of these pockets are cleverly hidden, others are zippered, and there’s even one designed for your travel documents. One downside of a suit is often a lack of pockets, but the Bluffworks Gramercy has you covered on that front. This definitely makes it much more travel-friendly and the zipped and hidden pockets add some extra security.
The suit jacket is partially lined (the sleeves are unlined), so it isn’t quite a light and breathable as an unlined suit jacket (all those pockets have to go somewhere after all). So for the hottest climates this is something to think about, although it wears easily and certainly doesn’t feel heavy in the way that a more traditional lined wool suit does.
While there aren’t many colors available, they have the most poplar and recommended ones, including navy, grey, and black. I have the Bluffworks Gramercy suit in Gotham Grey, and I think it looks great. It is honestly pretty hard to tell it’s not wool, and the feel is amazing. I love all the pockets it has, and I have found it’s still comfortable in warmer climates.
Bluffworks also make a range of other travel-friendly clothes (including women’s clothing), all of which are designed to be packable, wrinkle resistant, odor resistant, and easy to care for. The Gramercy suit is their original travel suit but they also have the Presidio travel suit which has a slightly more modern and simpler look with a fully lined jacket.
I also have a Bluffworks Lenox dress shirt. A dress shirt is pretty much an essential item to wear under a suit (unless you’re a tech CEO or something), and I have found that the Bluffworks Lenox also performs really well, standing up to the rigors of travel and looking good as it does.
I think it’s a great looking dress shirt. It offers full stretch, a soft feel, is fully machine washable, and is really comfortable to wear. It has quickly become my favorite dress shirt.
I can highly recommend the Bluffworks range of clothes, they look good, are easy to care for, and won’t break the bank.
Bluffworks is based in the U.S. but ships internationally. Currently, their clothing is only sold online from their website, and you can explore their full range online here.
If you are on a small budget and the Suitsupply and Bluffworks suits above are a bit out of your price range right now, I recommend checking out the Haggar Men’s Travel Performance suit. This is a polyester travel suit that offers a very good value for those with not a lot of money to spend. You can normally get the full suit for less than $200!
I purchased the Haggar Men’s Travel Performance suit in the color Dark Heather Grey to compare it to the more expensive suits I owned, to see how it stood up. I already owned a few pairs of Haggar’s regular travel pants which I’ve always found to be very comfortable.
If you live in the USA, you are probably familiar with the brand as its been around since 1926 and continues to be a popular brand, particularly for men’s pants and suits.
Haggar Travel Performance suit in Dark Heather Grey
Overall, I found this travel-friendly suit to be very comfortable and easy to wear. I really liked how light it was, thanks to the moisture wicking polyester construction. It is lined, but it is still lightweight.
The flexible fit waistband and stretch fabric in the suit itself also made it very comfortable to wear. It is also very resistant to wrinkles and wasn’t wrinkled from shipping or when thrown in my luggage or car.
It comes in a wide variety of colors and sizes, including some short and tall size options. The jacket is fully lined and has some padding around shoulders for a more structured look. It is 100% polyester and it is dry clean only.
This suit has a lot of pros, including its low cost, fast delivery options, range of colors and sizes, and light and comfortable fit. The main downsides are that it doesn’t have the more refined look and detailing as my other suits and isn’t designed to be machine washable. However, I feel it is a very good value at the price point and I think if I got this slightly altered, it would make it look a bit more polished.
Note that Haggar makes a wide range of suits, including an easy care machine washable suit, which you might also consider as another travel suit option. This one might be a particularly good option for those who want to be able to throw it in the washing machine.
You can buy it online (including from Amazon), the brand’s website, or buy from U.S. department stores selling the Haggar brand. You can find their clothing in stores such as Kohl’s, Macy’s, and JCPenney although I purchased mine on Amazon as I couldn’t find them available in the stores we visited.
Note that Haggar doesn’t sell their clothing directly outside the U.S. as far as we are aware. If you live outside the USA and are looking for a similar option in your own country, I’d head to your local department store and see what suits they sell off the rack at the lower price points.
More Travel Suit Options
There are a great many suit manufacturers on the market, and many of them make a suit which is either specifically designed for travel, or happens to have qualities which make it good for travel.
Here are some options that we recommend you look into if our recommendations above don’t quite fit what you are looking for, or you’d just rather have some more options!
Suits are available at a wide range of budgets and in various styles and materials, so you should be able to find something that works for you.
Another travel suit to consider is the Velocity Suit from Ministry of Supply. This is constructed from their Velocity material, which is a blend of 61% polyester, 33% viscose, and 6% elastane. It’s designed to look and feel as much like wool as possible, while offering the benefits of the blended material.
The blend means the suit offers both stretch and wrinkle resistance, and it’s also machine washable and you can put it in the drier.
You can even cool iron it if you want, although Ministry of Supply says that if the suit does have any wrinkles your body temperature will be enough to even them out. Which is pretty neat. The suit jacket is partially lined.
It’s worth noting that Ministry of Supply also makes a suit called Kinetic, which is unlined and even lighter. However it doesn’t look quite as formal, with a three button design and higher lapel. If that works for you, then it is definitely worth considering as well.
If you don’t like wearing suits because you feel they are too restrictive, then the Sene Studio FlexTech suit might be for you. This suit is made with Sene Studio’s FlexTech material, which is a four-way stretch polyester which is designed to be super flexible. That means that you can move freely in the suit and not feel restricted.
There’s lot more to like about the suit. First, it’s going to be tailor made for you, which is quite a benefit especially at this price point.
The way this works is that when you go through the purchase process you will answer a series of questions about your body shape, size and weight, and FlexTech will create the suit specifically for you. If after all that it doesn’t fit, they will remake it or let you return it anyway, which isn’t always the case with a custom suit.
Now this isn’t quite as detailed as the customization on something like the Suitsupply suits, where you can specify detailed measurements for all sorts of the suit parts, but it is a step above your average suit, and is definitely appreciated at this price point.
In terms of other features, this suit can be machine washed in cold weater, but isn’t suitable for a tumble dryer as it needs to be air dried. It also can’t be dry cleaned or ironed. As it’s polyester it will dry pretty quickly, but obviously not as quickly as something that can be machine dried.
Overall, this is definitely a good option for a travel suit to consider if you want the flexibility of stretch fabric.
This suit is made from wool woven by the notable Italian weavers Ermenegildo Zegna and is notable for its crease and wrinkle resistance. It’s dry-clean only, as is to be expected with a wool suit.
The suit is lined, but you can customize it to be half lined or unlined if you prefer. You can also customize a great many more aspects of the suit, from pocket style to lapel size, although of course many customizations do add extra cost.
It’s worth noting that as well as making material for other suit manufacturers to use, Ermenegildo Zegna also make their own suits. So you can purchase a suit directly from Zegna, but just be aware the prices are significantly higher.
Brooks Brothers are a well known suit retailer with a wide range of suits to choose from. They also have a travel-oriented range of suits, known as the Explorer Collection.
These are made from a 98% wool 2% polyester blend. The wool is a lightweight wool made by the Vitale Barberis Canonico mill, which is blended with polyester. This material gives you the best of both worlds—the quality feel and performance of wool, with the benefit of a comfortable stretch fit with wrinkle resistance from the polyester.
The suits have a half canvas construction, meaning they are more lightweight than Brooks Brothers’ traditional full construction suits, allowing for a lighter suit that is easier to pack.
As they are a majority wool construction, these suits are dry-clean only. There’s also not a lot of customization available, but the price is reasonable for a wool suit.
Charles Tyrwhitt is based in the UK and was my go-to brand for shirts when I lived and worked in London. They also make a range of suits, including their Ultimate Performance Suit.
This is made from a superfine 100% 4-ply merino wool with natural stretch. It’s also crease resistant. The jacket is half canvas and lined while the pants are half lined. There aren’t any customizations available but it’s a reasonable price for a wool suit.
Armani and other Designer Brands
If you have a bigger budget, then you can dive into the world of designer and bespoke suits. Armani is probably one of the best known suit designer brands and you can’t really go wrong with a well-tailored Georgio Armani Italian-made suit.
Other well known designer brands, many of which offer custom options, include Tom Ford, Zegna, Brunello Cucinelli, Brooks Brothers, and Brioni. Just note you’ll need to do your own research on which ones are going to be best for travel as most brands don’t specifically label any of their suits as travel friendly.
For a bespoke suit, you can head to NYC, Saville Row in London, or Milan where there are lots of tailor shops offering bespoke suits made to order. Here you can design the perfect travel suit of your dreams with almost unlimited options.
However, if you are looking for a travel suit, you may find that paying a lot more for a suit doesn’t necessarily deliver a lot of added benefits other than the name brand. For instance, in a 2011 blind test conducted by the Wall Street Journal, the reviewers found “little difference in quality” between a $614 Suitsupply suit and a $3,600 Armani option.
Additional Items for a Travel Suit
The suit is going to be the main thing you wear, but you are going to need a few more things to complete the look. Depending on your style and level of formality, these might include a dress shirt, tie, tie bar, belt, dress socks, cuff links, and shoes.
There are also a few other accessories you might consider to make your travel packing easier.
Wrinkle-resistant Dress Shirt
You need to wear something under your suit, and the majority of the time for a more formal occasion that is likely to be a dress shirt.
Ideally you are going to want a dress shirt that travels as well as the suit. After all, having a beautiful wrinkle free suit isn’t any good if you pair it with a crinkled shirt!
Of course, most shirts are a lot easier to iron than most suits, but since an iron isn’t always available then a shirt which features wrinkle resistance is a good option.
I have a number of no iron cotton dress shirts which I purchased from a major UK retailer (John Lewis Non Iron Twill Slim Fit Single Cuff Shirt), which work well. You can buy these kinds of shirts at about any department store.
But my favorite dress shirt at the moment is the Bluffworks Lenox dress shirt which I think looks great and performs really well. In terms of color, white is generally an easy color that pairs well with most suits, but this is a personal preference thing of course.
Comfortable Dress Shoes
Obviously, you are going to need to wear something on your feet, and the standard choice for many occasions is going to be a pair of dress shoes. However, dress shoes can be somewhat impractical to travel with as they take up a fair bit of space for something you might not plan to wear that much.
So what you want are a pair of dress shoes that look the part, but are comfortable and versatile enough to wear all day. This is especially the case if you are hoping to only travel with one pair of shoes.
My current personal favorite dress shoes for travel which look formal are my pair of Amberjack Originals. I also have a pair of Timberland shoes which look a bit less formal but work as dress shoes in a pinch.
Amberjack make a range of leather dress shoes which are designed to look just like a formal dress shoe, but with all the comfort and performance of a sneaker. They are incredibly comfortable, and I highly recommend them. Timberland are also obviously a well known brand, and I appreciate how comfortable their shoes are for all day wear.
In terms of style and color, there are a great many dress shoe styles to choose from. The main colors for dress shoes are black, brown and burgundy. It’s important to choose a shoe color which matches your suit. As a general rule, the following applies:
Black shoes match black, grey/charcoal and navy suits
Brown shoes match grey/charcoal, navy, brown and white suits
Burgundy shoes match grey/charcoal, navy and brown suits
As I recommend navy or grey as a suit color, with black as a backup, then I’d say black shoes are going to be the most versatile, followed by brown. Both are a solid choice though.
Many travel suits, especially those made with man-made materials, are specifically designed so you can essentially stuff them into your regular luggage and by the miracle of technology they’ll come out the other end looking like they were just pressed.
That said, you may prefer to treat them with a bit more care, in which case a good garment bag might be a good idea. This is also a good option if luggage space is less of an issue, such as when you are traveling by road.
Personally I quite like the basic lightweight garment bag that came with my Suitsupply travel suit, although its only really capable of holding my suit and a dress shirt. I also have a larger more padded garment bag like this that works well for road trips.
We highly recommend traveling with packing cubes to help you improve how well organized your luggage is. Rather than a bundle of clothes that you have to dig through to find the item you want, packing cubes allow you to sort and organize your packed items for easy retrieval.
If you don’t have a garment bag, a packing cube can also be a good place to put your travel suit and shirt. This can stay in your bag until you need it.
There are a great many packing cubes on the market, which offer different features. We’d recommend getting packing cubes with a compression feature to improve space, but basic packing cubes like these will work too. It’s also a good idea to get a set of different sizes.
One thing to note with packing cubes is that whilst they help a lot with organization, they do take up more space as the cube itself takes up a bit of room. So you might want to practice packing with them prior to a trip to ensure everything fits nicely.
Tips for Buying a Travel Suit
I’m going to cover a few tips to help you buy a travel suit, to helpfully make the process smoother for you.
Measure Properly
If you are able to visit a physical suit store location or tailor, then this is going to be the easiest way to get properly measured.
If you do go to a physical store, make sure to bring along your dress shirt and dress shoes that you plan to wear with the suit so you can get the fit just right. In my experience, a good suit store will be able to provide you with these items if you don’t have them, but if you do have them I recommend bringing them.
If you can’t visit a physical store, then check the website of the suit you are purchasing. They should have detailed instructions on how to measure yourself for their suit. Take your time and get this right to avoid having to make a return.
It’s also important to note that different manufacturers might use different sizing systems, so don’t take measurements you made on one site and apply them to another site, always measure again following each suit manufacturers specific instructions.
Also be sure to take international differences in measurements and systems in mind if ordering a suit from a country based outside of your own. For example you don’t want to mix up inches with centimeters in providing your measurements!
Trying suits in a Suitsupply store
Check the Returns Policy
If you are buying a suit in person or online, you will want to check what their returns policy is. When buying in person this should be less of an issue as you should be able to get the fit right in store. However, even so, you might change your mind after the fact or decide you want a different color.
If you are purchasing online, you absolutely want to be sure there is a robust and easy returns policy in place so you can return your suit if the fit isn’t quite right, or if it’s not what you expected.
If the suit has any customization, you will want to check if this changes the return policy. Sometimes a custom-made item might not be returnable, which would definitely be an issue if it didn’t fit!
Opt for Something Timeless
If you’re like me, you might not wear a suit that often, or need a travel specific suit that often. So you want to buy a suit that is going to last a long time. In this case you will want to pick a style that is going to last the test of time.
Generally, a solid color like navy, grey or black is going to stay fashionable. Patterns and other color options can come and go in fashion, and what may be popular now might look dated in a couple of years.
Similarly, a classic single-breasted jacket, 2 button jacket with a regular lapel is unlikely to go out of style. Sticking to tailored and classic fits and the most timeless features will help keep your suit from looking dated in the future.
Understand the Power and Limitations of Alterations
Unless you get your suit custom made to your measurements, there is a decent chance your suit could fit a bit better with some small alterations. Getting your suit tailored to you will really make a suit look nicer, more modern, and more expensive.
Even a cheap suit is going to look much better if it fits your body properly and the great thing is that most alterations are fairly inexpensive.
It is good to know what kind of alteration are fairly easy for a tailor or seamstress to make and those that are difficult or not recommended. Generally you want to make sure the overall fit and style, particularly of the jacket, is good as you typically don’t want to be adjusting front jacket buttons, shoulder width, padding, pockets, or overall shape or structure.
But things that are typically easy to change are adjusting the length of jacket sleeve and pant legs, changing the hem of your pants, taking in or letting out the waist of your pants, tapering pant legs, adding/removing cuffs to your pants, and adding/changing buttons to the jacket sleeves. Other changes may also be possible depending on the structure of your suit.
If you are buying a suit off the rack or online and are between the standard sizes, you always want to size up a size. For example if you are a 31 in pants and the only options are a 30 or a 32, always go for the 32 length. You can always make the pant legs shorter but there is a limit to how much you can make them longer depending on amount of excess fabric at the hem.
Just note that while sizing up is always a better option than buying a suit that is too small, I would not recommend buying a suit that is more than 2 sizes too big. Once you get too big, the suit is just not likely to fit you well overall without some major adjustments. You would be better off paying more for a suit in the correct size even if it costs a bit more (the adjustments to a really ill fitting suit can be costly and results may not be great).
Budget for Alterations
You should add a small amount of your suit budget to tailoring as chances are you will need at least a minor alteration unless you are lucky to fit a standard size or get it made to measure.
For example, my Suitsupply suit pants came in a fixed length and I needed to get the adjusted to be a bit shorter. With the first pair I bought, I did that in store and they did it for me for a modest fee. With the second pair, I took them to a local alternations store. I think in both cases this alteration cost between $15 to $20.
Depending on the alteration, you should expect each change to cost between $10 and $30 (£8 – £25). So if you want to for instance taper the legs of your suit pants and also take in the waist, I’d budget about $40 (£30).
But you can also call your local tailor or seamstress to get your local prices before you bring in your suit, and this can also help you shop around for the best price. Just be sure to read reviews first so you don’t end up with shoddy work!
Tailoring a suit isn’t always necessary, but it can often help get the fit just right, especially with an off the rack suit. So just bear in mind that this might be an additional cost on top of your suit budget to take into account.
Further Reading
That summarizes our guide to the best travel suit for men! Hopefully you found it useful.
We also have a number of other relevant posts that we think you will find useful for travel planning.
In fact, eating is one of my favorite activities, and also one of my favorite aspects of traveling.
Food is such an integral part of so many cultures that to skip out on meals when you travel is to miss out on a part of the travel experience.
I’m always disappointed when I meet travelers who cook all their meals in a hostel kitchen or spend so much of their time just getting food at grocery stores.
I mean, don’t get me wrong, grocery stores and markets teach you a lot about a place. And you don’t need to eat out for every meal.
But why come to Italy to cook pasta in your hostel? Or skip a sushi dinner in Japan or paella in Spain?
Of course, eating out all the time is expensive. Imagine if you ate out every day while at home — your food budget would be astronomical! And, when you are traveling long term (or just on a tight budget), you have to think about making your money last.
Additionally, many people have dietary concerns that prevent them from fully embracing new foods. And many travelers are vegan or vegetarian, as well, which might impact their options.
To make sure I can eat out without breaking the bank, I have had to learn how to balance eating 99% of my meals out while still finding a way to save money. Here’s how to eat out on a budget while you travel the world:
1. Follow the Five Block Rule
I live by what I call The Five Block Rule. I don’t eat within five blocks of a major tourist attraction or area. I simply walk in any direction and search for a place to eat when I hit five blocks. There’s an invisible line at this area: tourists don’t go past it. All of a sudden you notice that the crowds are gone, and that’s when you want to start looking.
Sure, you might find a good meal in a tourist area, but you’ll find a better, cheaper meal outside it. Go where the menus aren’t in multiple languages. Go to those little tiny hole in the wall places that you are unsure about. The meal might not knock your socks off each time but it will be a memorable and more local experience.
2. Use Local Knowledge
If you are unsure of where to eat (and don’t like the idea of randomly wandering into restaurants), try apps where locals post reviews. I use them often to find recommendations for food in the cities and towns I visit. You can also ask the tourist office or the staff at your hostel/hotel or taxi drivers, who tend to eat at cheaper food stalls. They will have good recommendations. After all, local workers aren’t going to eat in the tourist area!
My two favorite apps are Yelp and The Fork. For vegan and vegetarian recommendations, check out Happy Cow.
3. Ask The Right Question
Be sure to ask locals the question, “Where do you eat?” not “Where should I eat?” If you ask people the second question, most people will think to send you to the popular restaurants tourists visit because that will be what comes to mind. They’ll think, “Hmmm where do visitors go eat? What’s popular in town?”
However, by asking where they eat, you will get recommendations for more local restaurants because they will tell you all the hole in the wall spots they eat at on a day-to-day basis. Small word change, much better results.
4. Eat Street Food
In most places around the world (and especially in Asia), the streets are lined with little food stalls and areas where food is cooked openly on the street. You grab a plate, sit down in a little plastic chair, and enjoy a delicious meal. Street food is some of the best food in the world. Meals at street stalls and vendors cost just a few dollars (if that) most of the time and are a great way to really experience the local cuisine.
While in Sweden, I lived off these types of vendors. In Amsterdam, FEBO and their croquettes kept my stomach full. In Costa Rica, the empanada seller filled me up for a dollar and I bought local food from vendors at markets for mere pennies in Madagascar.
Many places, like Thailand and Vietnam, for example, wouldn’t be the same if the street food disappeared. (And yes, it’s safe. The locals wouldn’t eat it otherwise.)
5. Eat Fast Food (Sometimes)
Fast food isn’t the best food, but it is another option if you want a cheap meal in inexpensive parts of the world. For as little as $5 USD (more in expensive countries like Norway, home of the $13 Whopper), you can get a filling (and hugely caloric) meal.
Sure, it’s not the greatest food, and I am going to skip the philosophical debate about traveling around the world only to eat McDonald’s to say that it’s cheap and just another way to help you rein in your spending.
6. Stick to Local Ingredients
When you’ve been traveling for a while, it’s only normal to crave a taste of home every now and then. That means that sure, sometimes I get sick of Greek food when I’ve been traveling there for a bit. Other times, I can’t eat any more Thai food and just want a burger. And that’s OK.
However, non-local food is almost always more expensive than local cuisine. For example, in Vietnam, a bowl of pho is less than a dollar, but a burger is about three times as much (or more!). Try to stick to the local cuisine as much as possible and also try to avoid any food that is imported as that will increase the price of your meal too!
7. Find the Lunch Specials
Many restaurants, especially in Europe, offer lunch specials, where items on the dinner menu are offered at a huge discount. You can get an amazing afternoon meal for a fraction of the cost you’d pay for the same meal in the evening.
I usually tend to eat my “nice” meal during lunch, because lunch specials and plates of the day are about 30–40% off what I might pay at dinner. The options will usually be more limited, but the savings more than justify it.
Sadly, there is no one website where you can find all the restaurants in the world that offer lunch specials. They vary from city to city and region to region. What you can do other than wander aimlessly around the city in hopes of finding a place (though I have done that) is to ask the tourist office or the staff at your hostel/hotel if they know where to find lunch specials. They are usually very aware of what places have specials.
8. Bring a Refillable Water Bottle
As you walk around and sightsee, you need to stay hydrated. But buying a bottle of water every day is not only environmentally wasteful, it also makes foolish budget travel sense. Carry a refillable bottle of water (with a filter) with you instead and just use the tap water. I suggest a Lifestraw bottle. It ensures your water is always clean and safe — even if the tap water isn’t.
9. Cook 50% of Your Meals
I don’t cook a lot on the road as I don’t like hostel kitchens. They never have everything I need, and I hate traveling with a portable kitchen so I can have all the ingredients I want. Yet when I am in one place for a while (or if I’m Couchsurfing), I cook a few meals.
Cooking is one of the best ways to keep your travel costs down, and supermarkets are also great places to go see what the local people eat. The only place where cooking your own meals isn’t the most economical option is Asia, where street food is usually cheaper.
As I mentioned, I’ll often go out for a nicer meal at lunch when I can find a good deal. That will usually mean for dinner I’ll be cooking my own food. That way, I’ll still get to try the local cuisine but I’ll also get to keep my budget intact. Double win!
10. Have a Picnic
Another good option is to picnic. This is something I do a lot for lunch if I’m somewhere where the weather is nice. I usually head to a local food market, pick up a bunch of food, and go picnic in the park. Not only am I saving money (sandwiches aren’t expensive), but it affords me a good chance to watch the locals scurry about their daily lives.
If you’re staying at a hostel, this is a great ice-breaker for meeting new people. Just invite everyone along to join you and you’ll be making new friends in no time!
11. Use Tourism Cards
Most people think of tourist cards like the iAmsterdam card or the Oslo Pass as just a way to save money on transportation and attractions. But these cards also offer discounts at many restaurants. Typically, discounts are around 15–25%, but sometimes lunch specials can be up to 50% off.
Visit the local tourism office when you arrive and ask what food discounts are included. Chances are you’ll be able to save even more money if you just take the time to learn about the tourism pass. It’s a worthwhile investment!
12. Get Free Breakfast
If you can find hostels or hotels that include breakfast, you’ve already eliminated the cost of one meal. Plus, if you have a huge breakfast that fills you up for most of the day then you don’t need to eat as many meals out. Moreover, many hostels around the world also offer free dinners, free coffee and tea, and other food-related perks. Search them out to save money and lower your food costs.
13. Eat Where the Students Do
Where there are universities, there are students, and since students are usually broke, that means there are likely cheap places to eat nearby. Check Google Maps for local post-secondary institutions and see what you can find in the nearby area. Many bars in the area will likely have cheap drinks and happy hours too, so you can save even more.
Additionally, use Google to search for places. Type in “Student friendly restaurants in [X]” to get lots of suggestions on where to eat. You can also ask your hotel/hostel for information too.
14. Use Supermarket Deals
In many countries, supermarkets offer lunchtime specials for workers in the surrounding areas. These usually entail fresh sandwiches or some soup or salads. Additionally, many supermarkets also discount food that expires soon, including bread, baked goods, meat, and produce. For example, pre-made meals in Japan are often 50% off right before the grocery store closes because they can’t keep it overnight. Tight food laws in Scandinavia also mean that food that has “expired” is discounted too. (And, since food, especially imported meats, are so expensive in those countries, most locals buy the “expired” food).
Buy groceries in the evening and you can likely find yourself some discounted (but still totally safe and edible) food.
***
I love a nice restaurant. I don’t mind paying money for a good meal with a nice glass of wine. But doing that EVERY meal is simply too expensive.
But, by using the tips above, I can afford to keep my costs down while still being able to afford a quality meal every so often.
And that’s what is really important — finding the right balance.
Because if you can manage to balance eating great food with saving money, both your wallet and your stomach will thank you.
How to Travel the World on $75 a Day
My New York Times best-selling book to travel will teach you how to master the art of travel so that you’ll get off save money, always find deals, and have a deeper travel experience. It’s your A to Z planning guide that the BBC called the “bible for budget travelers.”
Book Your Flight Find a cheap flight by using Skyscanner. It’s my favorite search engine because it searches websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is being left unturned.
Book Your Accommodation You can book your hostel with Hostelworld. If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com as it consistently returns the cheapest rates for guesthouses and hotels.
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:
Want to Travel for Free? Travel credit cards allow you to earn points that can be redeemed for free flights and accommodation — all without any extra spending. Check out my guide to picking the right card and my current favorites to get started and see the latest best deals.
Need a Rental Car? Discover Cars is a budget-friendly international car rental website. No matter where you’re headed, they’ll be able to find the best — and cheapest — rental for your trip!
Need Help Finding Activities for Your Trip? Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace where you can find cool walking tours, fun excursions, skip-the-line tickets, private guides, and more.
Ready to Book Your Trip? Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel. I list all the ones I use when I travel. They are the best in class and you can’t go wrong using them on your trip.
Traveling can be quite stressful when planning and the worst thing that can happen is dealing with theft during your travels. One way to ensure the safety of your belongings is by getting one of the best anti-theft travel bags out there. There are a few companies out there and I’ll lay out which ones to look out for. Whether you are looking for the best anti-theft travel purse, best travel anti theft backpack, or a travel anti theft crossbody bag, I got you covered.
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Best Anti Theft Bag for Travel for 2023
There are a few things to consider when picking out the best anti theft travel bag from the type of fabric, types of zippers, a chain, and protective lining. While it’s not necessary to have an anti theft travel bag, it provides a sense of security and prevent thieves from getting you personal information. A theft proof bag will be one of the best investments you can make for your trip.
Quick Recommendations – Best Anti-Theft Bags Quick Links
If you are just want to get quick and to the point for an anti theft bag for travel, here is the list of the best anti-theft bags listed in this review guide. You can also go by my true and trusted favorite here.
Best Anti Theft Cross Body Bags | Best Anti Theft Purses
Best Anti Theft Backpacks
Best Anti Theft Slings
Best Anti Theft Handbag Totes
Best Anti Theft Travel Bag Comparison Chart
What is an Anti Theft Bag?
Ananti theft bag for travel is pretty much a bag with all the modern conveniences and prevents pickpocketers from getting your important documents and finances. These bags often include a variety of different materials, locking clasps, a chain, and more. Honestly, my best travel tip is to get an anti theft bag for travel. There are many reasons why these bags are worth it.
These bags help prevent thieves from getting to everything that matters to you on your trip. It stops them from slashing your bag open, unzipping them in crowded and public spaces, prevents them from scanning your RFID cards, is easy to clean, and can be used in different circumstances. Most bags are not necessarily equipped with these kinds of materials which is why it’s crucial to consider the following items below.
What to look for in an Anti Theft Bag – Anti Theft Bag Best features
I’ve listed the major features to look for when trying to find the best anti theft bag for travel. Unfortunately, when it comes to many of these bags, a lot of them are not always necessarily beautiful or stylish although they have improved and many are. The purpose of an anti theft bag for travel is primarily for function, however, designs are constantly changing and I think eventually, it will be easier to find fashionable yet functional bags.
How do I choose the best Purse for travel?
Well there are a lot of things to consider in which is the best purse or bag for travel. I’ve listed some of the most common things you need to look out for below and see which suits you best for your future anti theft travel bag, backpack, purse, or tote. It’s important to have a pickpocket proof bag.
Slash-proof Fabric
The first and foremost thing you need to look for in anti theft travel bags is slash-proof materials to make your bag theft proof. This is crucial because a lot of pickpocketers will quickly slash your bag from underneath or the strap around your body in order to get your important belongings. A slash-proof bag should be something you should definitely look for in an anti theft bag.
Zippers with Locking Latches or Clips
This to me be is a very important feature for an anti theft bag for travel. There are some anti theft bags out there that don’t have the locking latches which is a little worrisome for me. The locking latches provide more security to your bag when you lock it up or have it around your body.
These locking clips prevent thieves from accessing your pockets right away. It clips your zippers and keeps them locked and safe. Additionally, some have it on the strap and it prevents thieves from unclasping the lock and dropping the strap of your bag.
There are anti theft travel bags that only have clips and are not locking clips and those are subjectable to what you are looking for. A locking clasp provides more security but a regular clip does a fairly decent job as well. It may or may not be a deal-breaker for you and that is ultimately your decision. I have listed a few that do not have that feature on some of the zippers, however, they are stylish and do not typically look like anti theft bags.
Attachable chain or Shoulder strap to table while dining
When I talk about the clasps above, I highly recommend them for an anti theft bag for travel because these clips are also helpful if you want to take your bag off and attach it to the chair or table at a restaurant when eating. It will prevent someone from taking it easy. You can even add a lock between the 2 for extra security if necessary.
RFID Lining
This is super important to protect you from identity theft from credit cards, debit cards, and passports, it’s crucial that your bag has these features to save you from the headaches of worrying about theft. The worst thing that can happen other than physical theft, is having a canceled credit card and being unable to have the fund to pay for things abroad. These are why RFID travel bags are so important to have.
Easy to Clean Material
An easy-to-clean material is important because well-travel can get stinky, messy, and often requires long and enduring trips. You want an anti theft bag for travel you can easily wash, take care of, and make sure it lasts a lifetime.
Versatility
Finally, I think it’s important to have a bag that is very versatile. A bag that has a lot of pockets so I can store money and cards in different areas of the bag, can be accessible in many areas, areas for a water bottle, or just the necessities.
Brands with the Best Anti Theft Bags
There are 2 major brands with the best anti theft bags. These 2 brands are typically PacSafe Anti Theft Bags and Travelon Anti Theft Bags. Another brand I am introducing is Arden Cove which is more for a stylish and simplistic design.
What is the best-rated anti-theft messenger bag for travel?
I would say that PacSafe and Travelon are the best and more well-known for a reason. Although I do love Arden Cove’s design and aesthetic, I find that PacSafe and Travelon to be more durable and well known. However, that does not discredit Arden Cove. They are still a great brand and their main goal is to provide stylish anti theft bags.
Best Travel Anti Theft Purses and Anti Theft Cross Body Bags
Anti Theft Purses and Anti Theft Cross Body Bags are probably some of the most popular items people search for and are in need of. Many women are worried when they travel about losing items, being a victim of theft, and assault. These items help many of us women who travel solo have a little bit more of a sense of security. Travel secure purses are becoming more common even for everyday use. These are some of my favorite purses for travel security.
The Arden Cove Crossbody is probably one of my favorite anti theft bag for travel as it’s a designed cross body purse that doesn’t look too much like an anti-theft purse. I would say it’s one of the best bag travel anti theft for women. It’s got a modern design, it’s simple, and it seems to go from day to night fairly easily while still being a secure travel purse. It doesn’t look so sporty which is what we love about this product. This anti theft crossbody purse comes in black, cream, grey, navy, maroon, chocolate, and red. This is an anti theft travel bag for women fashion lovers.
Don’t let the size of this anti theft purse fool you. This purse is pretty jam packed with features.
This was honestly my first and favorite cross body bag. It’s an anti theft classic bag. I used this when I traveled all over Italy and I’m so thankful I had this bag. During our trip to Italy, someone had managed to get into my Aunt’s backpack, but thankfully, she had safety pinned it. So all they managed to do was get the safety pin off. This bag is my ultimate favorite because of its size and features.
I was able to carry my Fujifilm Mirrorless Camera, passport, money in different pockets, wallet, a water bottle, and so much more. I love the locking features for this bag as well, it provides locking clasps with a safety clip feature which makes it harder to get into.
Features of this anti theft crossbody bag include:
The Travelon bag is a pretty stylish anti-theft bag that is modern-looking. This is a unisex bag that is perfect for anyone out there. It’s a bit of a city-style which is one of Travelon’s popular designs. This one also has a pocket for a water bottle or small compact umbrella and I would say is pretty comparable to the PacSafe Metrosafe LS250 above. I would say this is a anti theft classic messenger bag. It is a perfect anti theft crossbody travel bag for men.
Features of this anti theft crossbody bag include:
PacSafe created this bag for fashion and function. It’s a minimalist style bag perfect for small things. If you like to pack light and not carry too much on the go, this is the perfect bag for you. This bag is perfect for city touring and just a great little bag for everyday use.
The Travelon anti-theft bag is probably their most common anti theft purses. You can easily find this purse at the container store and my friends have purchased this bag when I recommended they get an anti theft bag for Europe. What we loved about these bags is its sheer amount of space for a crossbody. There was seriously so much space in this bag and lots of pockets, a zipper lock, slash-resistant strap, and versatile design. It was perfect for holding makeup, extra souvenirs, water bottles, and so much more. This is the travelon anti-theft classic messenger bag that is one of the best sellers and best options on the market.
If I didn’t already love my PacSafe bag, this would be an option I would buy for sure.
The best anti-theft backpacks are ones where you feel secure having them on your back and protecting your items. There are so many backpack options out there for travel but to narrow it down to anti theft backpacks is quite difficult. It depends on what type of backpack you are in need of and looking for. These are some of the best anti theft backpack designs out there.
What I love about this backpack is that you can change the straps into a shoulder bag. This is an anti theft travel bag for women. I love a bag that is versatile, a anti theft convertible bag, and can change based on what your needs are. Sometimes you want a backpack and sometimes you want a different bag. There is 1 main compartment with a front pocket perfect for story money and cards. It also has space for things like a tablet, camera, and more. This is the best travel purse backpack combo.
This backpack reminds me of a classic high school backpack. It looks like an everyday backpack which makes it a perfect design. This backpack has a laptop pocket that holds up to a 13” Macbook or 12” laptop. It also has a strap that slides over your luggage handle which makes it perfect for travel. You can easily slip this bag onto your roller carry-on suitcase. It also has a side pocket perfect for holding a water bottle or small umbrella which makes it a perfect anti theft bag for travel.
Introducing the Bagsmart Camera Backpack, a true companion for the intrepid photographers traversing the globe! This backpack is more than just a carrier; it’s a fortress for your precious camera gear, meticulously crafted to safeguard your equipment while providing unmatched convenience. Designed with the modern photographer in mind, the Bagsmart Backpack boasts a cleverly organized interior.
With specialized compartments for your camera and space for up to two lenses, it ensures easy access and ample protection. Its thoughtful design doesn’t stop there; it extends to accommodating your laptop, memory cards, and even a rain cover for those unpredictable weather moments, making it an indispensable travel companion for every shutterbug.
Features of the Bagsmart Camera Backpack include:
Dedicated compartments and pockets for camera and lenses
Padded sleeve for a laptop
Ample storage for memory cards and accessories
Integrated rain cover for weather protection
Adjustable and padded shoulder straps for comfort
Side pockets for a water bottle or compact umbrella
Anti-theft design elements like lockable zippers and RFID protection
Durable, water-resistant materials for added security
Ergonomic design for prolonged wear and ease of use
Stylish yet functional, the Bagsmart Camera Backpack is a testament to innovation meeting practicality, catering to the needs of photographers who seek both security and convenience in their gear-carrying solutions.
This is a backpack has a vintage style that makes it modern yet classic. It’s fairly stylish, fashionable, and perfect for everyday use. I would say that this is a bag that meets function and fashion. You can use this to carry your laptop, tablet, accessories, and would also make for the perfect diaper bag as well.
Key features? It’s got a pocket for a 14” laptop and is built with safety in mind. Slash-resistant fabric and straps, locking clasps, and RFID-blocking pockets protect you and your valuables. This bag’s not just smart; it’s a fortress. It’s perfect for work, travel, or even as a diaper bag. Functional, fashionable, and secure. What more could you want?
Features of this anti-theft backpack:
14″ Laptop Pocket: Designed with a pocket to fit up to a 14″ laptop. Perfect for work or travel.
Slash Resistant: The material and straps are built to resist slashing. Walk confidently through any crowd.
Locking Clasps: Keeps your valuables secure so you can explore without constant worry.
RFID Blocking Pockets: Safeguard your personal information from tech-savvy thieves.
Best Anti Theft Slings or waist packs
Sling bags are another option for an anti theft bag for travel. These are very popular in Asian countries and can be seen as fanny packs in some situations. Most people enjoy wearing these like a crossbody backpack. These provide some space for small important must-haves during your travel and they are light and leave you hands-free. These are 2 of my favorite options of the anti theft slings.
This is the perfect bag for everyday city life. It’s designed to be more like a crossbody backpack. It has a long narrow main pocket and a variety of different pockets to keep your belongings safe. This bag has been well designed and provides a variety of different safety features including locking clips, RFID and splashguard materials.
This is the typical fanny pack-style anti-theft bag for travel. It’s perfect for people who like to wear these packs on their hips. It can also be worn around the back like most sling bags and is interchangeable. This one has a lot of pockets to hold your cards, passport, and more. This one even has a pocket to hold a waterbottle or small umbrella! It makes for the perfect anti theft travel bag for a water bottle.
The Pacsafe Go Anti-Theft Sling Pack is more than just a trendy bag—it’s your security detail wrapped in a sleek design. Ideal for urban adventurers and casual day-trippers alike, this pack offers a perfect blend of style and function. With its versatile design, you can sling it any way you like, all while knowing your essentials are safe and sound.
Key Features of this Anti Theft Sling
Versatile Design: Wear it on the front or back to match your style and situation.
Lockable Zippers: No more constant bag-checks. Lock it and forget it.
RFID Safe Pockets: Protects your cards and passport from unauthorized scans.
Cut-Resistant Straps: Feel secure even in crowded places, thanks to straps that are tough to slice through.
The Monos Metro Sling is for those who love simplicity but won’t compromise on functionality. This pack is the epitome of minimalist design, offering a sleek and clean look while maintaining space for your essentials. It’s perfect for those quick trips out where you just need the basics, but want them to be easily accessible and secure.
Key Features
Compact Yet Roomy: Don’t let its size fool you. It’s designed to hold more than you think, from a tablet to your daily essentials.
Water-Resistant Material: Because nobody likes water damage, right? Your belongings stay dry, come rain or shine.
Multiple Pockets: Organize with ease, thanks to well-placed pockets for everything you need to carry.
Adjustable Strap: Customize the fit to make it as comfortable as it is functional.
Best Anti Theft Handbag Totes
These totes are perfect for someone who just wants a useful messenger workbag and other things. It’s perfect to hold important documents and protect your tech from thieves. These are great substitutions for bulky hard briefcases.
This bag has more of a feminine look to it which provides a lot of security but is also stylish. It’s elegant and timeless which means it won’t go out of style. This is a satchel handbag which is the perfect large-size anti theft travel purse. It’s perfect for fitting in your makeup, tablet, phone, and more.
Use this everyday tote for travel, work, life, and daily errands. It’s a modern tote with everything you need. It has several pockets, an interior wallet, and a spacious pocket for a 10” tablet to keep on hand. This bag is meant to be durable and long-lasting with all the anti theft features.
This is probably my favorite tote bag out of all of the ones I listed above. This tote bag is large and perfect for the beach, grocery shopping, day trips, and as a diaper bag. It’s spacious and has a pocket for a 15” laptop. It’s made from recyclable materials with all of the perfect anti-theft security features as well.
This is a great option for those looking for a briefcase and a secure messenger bag. This is a unisex anti theft bag that holds up to a 15” laptop and a 10” tablet. This has a wide zipper area that allows you to get to your things quickly and easily. It has locking zippers, slash-resistant material and straps, RFID blocking materials, and more. It also includes a strap that allows you to easily slide these over carry-on roller suitcases to allow you to be hands-free at the airport. This is probably a popular anti-theft travel bag for men.
The Peak Design Everyday Tote is the ideal blend of fashion and utility. Its elegant design fits in just as well at a fancy dinner as it does on a casual day out. But don’t let its good looks fool you—this tote is built to handle your daily grind and then some.
Key Features for the Peak Design Everyday Tote
Convertible Straps: Switch between tote and backpack modes for ultimate carrying flexibility.
Weatherproof Exterior: A durable, water-resistant shell ensures your valuables stay dry, no matter what the day throws at you.
Customizable Compartments: The inside is like a personalized locker, with dividers you can adjust to fit all your essentials neatly.
Quick-Access Pockets: No more digging through your bag. Pockets designed for fast access to your most-used items.
Anti Theft Bag for Travel FAQs
Where can I buy an Anti Theft Purse or Travel Bag?
Most of these bags an be found online by clicking on the links above. However, PacSafe and Travelon I have found at the Container Store and at REI. These have been great places to grab some of these popular bags. However, their selections are very limited. I suggest using the links above to grab some bags you may not be able to find in the store.
The Benefits of Anti theft Travel Purses
Honestly, this is completely up to you and your budget. It provides a great sense of security when walking around especially in busy and crowded areas. These anti theft travel purses provide a great deal of protection for your belongings when you are out and about. It doesn’t necessarily have to be used for travel, it can definitely be used every day as well. These bags prevent thieves from getting all of your important information.
I have listed all the materials above that make for a great anti theft bag for travel and those would be the benefits for getting one.
What Is An Anti-Theft Pocket?
An Anti theft pocket can be a variety of things. It can be the hidden pocket within your back that is more secure with RFID pockets that help keep things hidden from view and difficult for thieves or pickpocketers to access.
Why Do You Need An Anti-Theft Bag?
You don’t need an anti-theft bag, but they do make for a great investment and protect your belongings while traveling. Thieves are getting more creative in getting into your belongings and you don’t want to fall victim to theft during your international travel.
There are a lot of benefits from having an anti-theft bag from lockable zippers to anti slash materials, it can’t be beat when it comes to normal purses and bags. I do have to say it is one of my travel essentials and the slash-proof material provides me withextra protection.
What Is The Best Anti-Theft Travel Purse?
This ultimately comes down to your decision. There are a lot of anti-theft bags on the market right now. I highly recommend the Arden Cove Crossbody bag or the PacSafe Metrosafe Bag. These are bags I’ve had in my rotation for a while and have done really well for my trips to Italy where my aunt almost got robbed!
The Arden Cove Crossbody is one of the best anti-theft purses and my favorite right now because it doesn’t look anything like an anti-theft bag with its elegant and stylish design with shoulder straps that you can easily take out to dinner in a nice dress. It can easily be dressed up and dressed down without lacking anti-theft features.
What Is The Best Anti-Theft Bag For Travel?
Well, I would suggest an anti theft backpack ultimately when it comes to am anti theft bag that is best for travel. My suggestion is the PacSafe Go 15L. It looks like a normal backpack with all of the features you need to travel like RFID protection, Slashproof Materials, and locking zippers. You won’t look like a tourist wearing this backpack around town.
Every traveler should have a good carry-on. Even if you only fly occasionally, having a reliable one on hand allows you to bypass the check-in and worry less about your baggage getting lost. But what makes a high-quality carry-on?
As someone who hasn’t checked a bag in the past ten years of travel across the U.S. and abroad, I’ve thought a lot about what makes a good piece of carry-on luggage. And if you ask me, it’s about capacity, maneuverability, durability, and design. After testing quite a few carry-ons over the years, I came across one that beats all the ones I had before: the Level8 Creator Carry-on.
Level8 Creator Carry-on
Why the Level8 Creator Carry-on Stands Out
The best carry-ons should be both spacious and easy to keep organized, with handy pockets and compartments. I prefer a carry-on that also looks good and the Level8 Creator Carry-on meets all these requirements.
In terms of features, the Creator has some that sets it apart from the rest of the suitcases:
Built-in USB-A&C ports
Wide-handle: this suitcase offers an adjustable telescopic wide trolley handle. This revolutionary design is ultra-sturdy and provides enhanced stability. It also has the advantage of creating more interior space for packing.
Quick-Access Laptop Pocket: Front sleeve with an independent laptop compartment for easy access.
Built-in USB-A&C ports: this feature keeps you powered up on the go. (Power bank not included)
Durable Design: premium German Makrolon® polycarbonate, which is lightweight and built to last.
YKK dual-layer zipper: provide better protection against water and dust.
TSA-approved lock: this not only ensures the security of your belongings, but also saves you from the inconvenience of having your lock permanently damaged during a routine security inspection.
360° smooth spinner wheels: this system with precision ball bearings ensures smooth handling and lasting durability, no matter the terrain. The wheels are not only smooth, but also very quiet.
Eco-Friendly Interior: Fully lined with 100% RPET recycled polyester features a divider and dual zippered compartments for smart packing.
Dual zippered compartments and a divider for better packing. The front sleeve includes a mesh pocket and an independent laptop compartment, making organization effortless and your essentials easily accessible.
Lifetime Guarantee: Lifetime warranty that covers functional aspects including shell, wheels, handles, and zippers.
Quick access laptop pocket
My Personal Opinion About the Level 8 Creator Carry-on
I also like the robust construction and organization features, particularly the zipless openings and compression straps.
The spacious interior and smooth wheels are also a big plus.
Smooth wheels
I love the sleek design and modern look of the Creator Carry-on.
The suitcase comes with a sturdy computer sleeve which allows you to carry your computer in your hand if you choose to.
Computer sleeve
Cons
Price wise, the Level8 Creator carry-on is on the expensive side. Nonetheless, it’s a good value for the money and a good investment. Besides, these days Level8 offers a big 15% discount for many of its suitcases, including the Creator.
Due to its sturdy construction it is also a little heavier (10.1 lb) than other Level8 carry on, like the Pro Carry-on spinner or the Adventurer, which are only 9.1. This may be an issue with some airlines carry-on allowance.
While it might not be ideal for all airlines’ carry-on size restrictions, its robust construction, spacious interior, and organized features make it a worthwhile investment for many travelers.
Level8 Creator Carry-on
Don’t Miss the Packing Cube Travel Set!
If you want to pack even smarter, you can complete your Level8 Creator carry on with the 4-piece Packing Cube Travel Set. These are good for garments, gadgets, or grooming essentials and will make your packing way more efficient. A great way to keep your belongings dry and organized.
The packing cubes are made of a two-tone polyester that fightsmildew and repels water and have detachable rubber patches for quick identification. The cubes dimensions are as follows:
Level8 packing cubes set
Dimensions: Garment Cube: 18″L x 12″W x 4″D (46 x 31 x 10 cm) Journey Cube for Worn Attire or Footwear: 12″L x 9″W x 4″D (31 x 23 x 10 cm) Electronics Cube: 9″L x 5.9″W x 3.9″D (23 x 15 x 10 cm) Grooming & Beauty Essentials Pouch: 9″L x 5.9″W x 3.9″D (23 x 15 x 10 cm)
Note: Level8 Group provided me with this suitcase for a review. However, the opinions expressed in this article are based on my own experiences with this piece of luggage.
A gap year, as the name suggests, is a year-long break students often take between high school and college or between undergraduate and postgraduate studies. It provides them with an opportunity to step away from academics and explore various facets of life.
The concept isn’t new, but its popularity has surged in recent times. Young adults now more than ever are choosing to travel, volunteer, or work during this period, seeking both adventure and personal growth. The world becomes their classroom, where every experience is a lesson.
Benefits of Taking a Gap Year
Taking a gap year can profoundly impact personal development. This period allows for intense self-discovery, where individuals often learn more about their passions, strengths, and aspirations outside the confines of structured education.
Another undeniable advantage is the broader world perspective one gains. Platforms like Essaypro best essay writing service emphasize the importance of global awareness in modern education, and nothing expands horizons like traveling and interacting with diverse cultures. It fosters empathy, understanding, and a more rounded worldview.
Lastly, the array of new skills and experiences acquired is vast. From language proficiency to survival skills or even culinary abilities, the learning curve during a gap year is steep and varied.
Planning Your Gap Year
Beginning a gap year journey starts with setting clear objectives and goals. Whether you aim to volunteer, learn a new language, or simply explore, defining these aspirations ensures a purposeful and rewarding trip. It acts as a roadmap, guiding the direction and activities you pursue.
Budgeting and finance management are crucial. Establishing a realistic budget helps in avoiding overspending and ensures that the adventure doesn’t prematurely end due to financial constraints. It’s vital to account for unexpected expenses, ensuring a smoother travel experience.
Lastly, researching potential destinations is key. Understand the cultural nuances, check for travel advisories, and be informed about local customs. This proactive approach not only keeps you safe but also enriches the overall travel experience.
Types of Gap Year Travels
One of the most enriching types of gap year travels is volunteering abroad. Engaging in such endeavors allows individuals to make tangible differences in communities, offering services in areas like education, health, or conservation. Not only does this benefit the host community, but volunteers also gain unique insights and a deeper understanding of global issues.
Cultural immersion programs are another avenue to explore. These programs often include homestays, language classes, and cultural workshops. Participants absorb the nuances of local customs, traditions, and lifestyles, promoting global understanding and fostering personal growth.
For the adrenaline junkies and nature enthusiasts, adventure and nature exploration provide the thrill of discovery. From trekking in the Himalayas to scuba diving in the Great Barrier Reef, these expeditions offer unmatched encounters with the natural world, pushing boundaries and expanding horizons.
Safety Precautions and Preparations
An essential first step before embarking on any travel is ensuring that you’re covered with adequate health and travel insurance. These policies act as safety nets, covering unexpected medical expenses or trip interruptions, giving travelers peace of mind in unfamiliar territories.
Another significant consideration is understanding cultural sensitivities and etiquettes of the destinations. By respecting local customs and behaviors, travelers not only prevent potential misunderstandings but also enrich their cultural experiences, forging genuine connections with locals.
Lastly, always arm yourself with a list of emergency contacts, such as the local embassy or consulate, and try to gain as much local knowledge as possible. This preparation can be crucial when faced with unforeseen situations, allowing travelers to navigate challenges confidently and safely.
Embarking on a gap year adventure doesn’t have to break the bank. It’s entirely possible to travel on a budget by adopting savvy saving strategies, such as setting a daily spending limit, opting for hostel accommodations, or using local transportation instead of taxis. Pre-trip planning and sticking to a set budget can greatly stretch the travel dollar.
Another avenue to explore is work-travel programs. These arrangements allow travelers to earn as they journey, covering expenses while gaining unique work experiences. This can range from teaching English in a foreign country to working on organic farms.
Lastly, being a student or a young traveler often comes with hidden perks. Many organizations, hostels, and tour operators offer discounts and benefits explicitly tailored for this demographic. Always carry a valid student ID and inquire about potential deals to maximize these benefits.
Maximizing Learning on the Road
Traveling isn’t just about sightseeing; it’s a unique opportunity for education beyond the classroom. Attending local workshops or classes can enrich your understanding of a place. Whether it’s a traditional dance class in Bali or a pottery workshop in Morocco, these hands-on experiences offer deep cultural insights while teaching new skills.
Interacting directly with locals is another invaluable learning method. Conversations at local markets, participating in community events, or just chatting with a fellow diner can lead to a genuine understanding of people’s daily lives, traditions, and perspectives.
Lastly, documenting your journey plays a significant role in consolidating your experiences. Keeping a journal or starting a blog not only captures memories but also encourages reflection. Through writing, you process what you’ve seen, learned, and felt, making the journey an ongoing lesson even after you’ve returned home.
Returning Home: Transitioning Back
Coming home after a gap year is a journey in itself, marked by personal evolution. Reflecting on the experiences, one can identify significant growth and change. Many find that using the best assignment writing services helps in consolidating thoughts, experiences, and learnings during this transition.
The richness of the gap year can also be harnessed for future endeavors. Whether it’s university applications, job interviews, or personal projects, the unique experiences can set you apart and provide a fresh perspective.
Reintegrating into academic or work life might seem daunting, but it’s essential to remember that this period of exploration has enhanced your worldview. Bringing this enriched perspective can make the return more rewarding and productive.
Conclusion
A gap year, filled with exploration and discovery, possesses a transformative power that reshapes one’s perspective on life. Through various adventures, challenges, and new experiences, individuals often emerge with a deeper understanding of themselves and the world around them.
Encouraging others to embark on this journey can spread the benefits further. Everyone should consider this enriching experience at least once in their lives, as it paves the way for personal growth and broadened horizons.
