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How the State Department’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program could help you on your next trip abroad

Editor's Note

Though careful planning and common sense are two of the best ways to stay safe when traveling, security situations can rapidly change in foreign countries.

That's why the U.S. State Department's Bureau of Consular Affairs has created the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program to help keep you up-to-date on relevant security updates from the nearest U.S. consulate, wherever in the world you happen to be.

Here's how to sign up for STEP.

Who should register for STEP?

The primary purpose of STEP is to keep American citizens safe. Here are a few reasons to consider signing up:

• You're traveling to an area that's politically unstable or prone to violence.
• You're taking an extended trip (several weeks or months) where you have limited Wi-Fi access.
• You're traveling for a major event, summit or conference (like the World Cup) that might become the target of protests or attacks.
• You're a minority traveling to an area where you might be targeted as an outsider.
• You'd like an additional safety resource during your trip, no matter the destination.

Some group trips or programs may require participants to enroll. For instance, I had to enroll when I studied abroad in college.

In the event of a rapidly deteriorating situation, such as a coup or natural disaster, STEP can connect you with evacuation efforts or provide important safety information and help you take care of yourself.

How to register

To register, create an account and fill in your personal information and emergency contact details.

Once your account is set up, log in and register each specific trip or residence abroad. You'll repeat this process for each new trip to receive STEP alerts.

You'll then be prompted to enroll any upcoming trips to receive STEP notifications. Select the nearest U.S. consulate to where you'll be staying. Note that "destination" refers to the country (not a specific city, state or territory), and the available options will auto-fill as you type.

Next, fill in the dates of your trip, the reason you're traveling and how you can be reached while abroad. If there are any timely alerts specific to your destination, you'll also be alerted of that information at this point.

Bottom line

It may be helpful to think of STEP like travel insurance: If all goes well, you won't need to use it, and you might even forget you have it.

However, if things go wrong while you're traveling abroad, your local U.S. embassy is the quickest way to get help; the embassy's goal is to ensure all Americans in its jurisdiction are safe and accounted for. This is when STEP notifications can become incredibly important.

The entire sign-up process takes less than five minutes, and the trip registration process takes about 60 seconds.

For additional resources, be sure to follow the State Department on Twitter and bookmark its international travel page for the latest country alerts.

Related reading:

• The difference between CDC and State Department travel warnings
• Confused by State Department travel advisories? Here's what they mean
• If you need a passport quickly, this service may be for you
• Passport processing wait times decrease for the 1st time since February
• Prepare to wait: Current Global Entry processing times are up to 11 months

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Are you traveling or living outside the U.S.? STEP is a free service that sends you emails with updates from the local U.S. embassy or consulate. If there’s an emergency where you are, it helps us contact you with instructions on what to do.

Why join STEP?

• Get real time updates about health, weather, safety, and security in the country.
• Plan ahead using information from the local U.S. embassy.
• Help the embassy or consulate contact you if there’s an emergency like a natural disaster, civil unrest, or a family emergency.

What kind of messages does STEP send? Currently, STEP sends emails only. STEP can send you several types of information:

• Routine Messages : News and updates about the country you picked.
• Alerts : Messages about short-term security, terrorism, health, weather, or disaster situations that could impact your travels.
• Travel Advisories : We re-evaluate the situation in each country every 6-12 months. Advisories include a simple 1-4 rating system, details about specific risks in the country, and clear steps U.S. citizens should take to stay safe.

Join the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)

After you set up your account, you can pick what types of messages you want to get.

Stay in touch during an emergency.  Signing up for STEP helps the U.S. embassy get in touch with you if there’s an emergency. And, if your family or friends in the U.S. can’t reach you with urgent news while you’re traveling, we can use the information in STEP to try and contact you.

Become a Smart Traveler Now!   STEP is an easy first step to being a smart traveler. You should also always research your destination , and consider additional ways to get safety and security information from the U.S. Department of State, like on social media.

Enroll in STEP

Subscribe to get up-to-date safety and security information and help us reach you in an emergency abroad.

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Make two copies of all of your travel documents in case of emergency, and leave one with a trusted friend or relative.

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What Is The Smart Traveler Enrollment Program And Why Do You Need It?

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As the COVID-19 pandemic continues and many countries post record-breaking daily or weekly case counts, the U.S. State Department now cautions that U.S. citizens who travel internationally may face unexpected challenges related to the coronavirus as they attempt to return to the U.S. or travel from one foreign country to another.

One of those challenges is to simply stay up-to-date on various countries’ travel restrictions. 

That’s because governments around the world continue to implement new requirements and even impose new travel restrictions as they strive to keep COVID-19 case counts down in their own countries. The problem, however, is that changes are often implemented quickly with little advance notice, which may take those traveling by surprise.

The good news is that the State Department offers a service that helps U.S. citizens and nationals stay informed about changing conditions in countries they are visiting or plan to visit. 

The Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) is a free service that enables U.S. citizens and nationals traveling and living abroad to enroll their trip with the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. That way, they are able to quickly receive important information from the U.S. embassy about safety conditions in their destination country, which helps them make informed decisions about travel plans. Another benefit is that enrolling a trip in STEP makes it easier for the U.S. Embassy to contact travelers with important information about natural disasters or civil unrest in their destination country, or to contact the traveler in the event of a family emergency.

Here’s a quick look at what you need to know about STEP before your next international trip.

Created To Assist U.S. Citizens

Consular officers at U.S. embassies and consulates can help U.S. citizens who run into legal, medical, or financial difficulties while visiting other countries. For example, if a U.S. citizen’s passport is stolen while traveling, staff at an embassy or consulate can help that traveler get a replacement passport. They can also provide the names of English-speaking doctors or local attorneys, as well as provide information about dangerous conditions.

“In a crisis situation such as a natural disaster or severe political instability, the Department of State often takes an active role in providing information and assistance to U.S. citizens in the affected area,” the State Department explains . “We encourage all U.S. citizens travelling or residing overseas to notify the closest U.S. Embassy or Consulate of their contact information so that, in an emergency, we can contact them to provide important safety and security information, or support during a crisis. Enrolling in STEP is an easy way to send your contact information to us online.” 

In addition to Travel Advisories, U.S. embassies and consulates often send alerts about emerging situations in a country. It’s important to enroll your international trip in STEP because these alerts are written specifically for a traveler’s dates of travel and destination.

You can learn more about the STEP service here and create an account to enroll a trip here .

Know Before You Go

If you are planning an international trip, the State Department has two more suggestions for you. The first is to visit its Country Information webpage so you can learn about your destination.

“We provide safety and security information for every country of the world to help you assess for yourself the risks of travel. Each Country Information page contains a Travel Advisory, Alerts, and other important details specific to that country that could affect you,” the State Department explains. “Pay close attention to the entry and exit requirements, local laws and customs, health conditions, and other details to decide whether traveling to that country is right for you.”

The State Department’s Country Information web page may be found here .

The State Department’s second suggestion is to visit its Traveler’s Checklist webpage, which is found here .

That page includes information explaining how to get informed about conditions in a country you plan to visit and ensure you have all necessary documents. It also provides information about three types of insurance: health insurance, evacuation insurance, and additional insurance for unexpected expenses such as those from interrupted or delayed travel and lost luggage.

While you’re thinking about international travel, be sure to read all of our travel news coverage as well as our COVID-19 coverage, including 6 Things The State Department Says You Should Do If You’re Traveling Internationally and 21 Expert Tips For Traveling Internationally Right Now .

Jim Fulcher has been a writer and editor his entire career. In addition to writing, he also enjoys traveling--particularly in an RV. Over the course of numerous trips, Jim has driven an RV through West Virginia, Virginia, Tennessee, Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, Iowa, Nebraska, South Dakota, and Wyoming. His favorite national park is Yellowstone, which he has visited three times.

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The do’s and don’ts of using AI to plan your travel

By David Nield

Posted on Aug 25, 2024 8:10 AM EDT

6 minute read

The generative AI revolution is underway, with these bots now taking care of everything from coding apps to making movies (or at least attempting to). One way you’ll sometimes see these AI chatbots used is as smart travel assistants, giving you recommendations on the locations to stay at, eat at, and tour around in just about any location you can name.

There’s no doubt that AI can be helpful here, in a variety of different ways, but it’s also important to remember the limitations of the technology. These chatbots have never visited the places they’re talking about—they don’t know what fine dining is, or what a cozy hideaway is, they’re just regurgitating text they’ve found on the web (albeit in a smart and natural way).

By all means enlist the help of a generative AI bot when you’re planning a trip, but be aware of the do’s and don’ts. I’ve tested out OpenAI ChatGPT and Google Gemini by asking them for recommendations about local towns near where I live (which I know better than they do), and I’ve included some notes below on what they managed to do well and what they didn’t do so well with.

Do use AI chatbots for complex queries

One area where AI chatbots have the advantage over a standard Google search is in complex queries. Ask about activities in a town for kids and under a certain budget, and an AI-generated answer is going to be much more precise. You can specify opening times, vibes, accessibility features, items on a menu, or whatever you like.

Do bear in mind that the answers you get will be based on whatever information is available on the web: ChatGPT has never visited New York, Venice, or anywhere else. You’re going to get more comprehensive answers about larger, busier, and more popular places, as more will have been written about them.

In the queries I’ve run about local spots, the bots have been mostly spot on about the types of places that are worth a trip, and they do a capable job at filtering through them (“what’s cheap?” for example, or “what’s kid-friendly?”). If you need something more detailed than ‘top 10 tourist spots’ in a location, AI can be really useful.

Do use AI chatbots for inspiration

You’ll find chatbots helpful for getting answers to questions you would ask of a person—what’s the place like at night? What are the best times of year to go? What’s a landmark that could be visited in the space of an afternoon? You’re not necessarily going to get good responses to these types of queries from a search engine.

That extends to follow-up questions too. You can ask for places that are similar to other places, or ask about the facilities at a particular location, or ask about places that are less popular with tourists. The chatbots I tested did well at recommended spots that wouldn’t normally be mentioned in travel round-ups.

These AI interfaces are also useful if you’re not sure where to begin with your plans—you can ask about cities or beaches to see within a particular distance from where you are, for example, or about new destinations that are like other destinations you’ve previously been to. What’s more, these chabots have an almost inexhaustible bank of suggestions to draw upon.

Don’t trust everything you read

The Large Language Models (LLMs) that generative AI chatbots are based on aren’t copying machines. They’re designed to create new text from the text they’ve been trained on, and while that means a lot of impressive creative output, that also means inaccuracies called hallucinations . These hallucinations crop up in travel advice responses as much as they do in any other AI task.

It’s also clear that when LLMs don’t have any information to draw on, they’ll use generic language as filler. You’ll find an awful lot of hotels are “comfortable” and “cozy”, and an awful lot of pubs have a “traditional atmosphere”—even if they don’t. I was told one of the most insalubrious drinking holes in my town had a “warm, inviting atmosphere” (and of course it’s also “cozy” too, apparently). I wouldn’t recommend a visit.

These errors don’t happen very often, but they do happen. Another slip-up was when I was shown a picture of a local joinery shop instead of the museum I was actually asking about. Just be a little wary about what you’re reading, especially when it comes to definitive facts or language that sounds like it could apply to anywhere.

Don’t leave without making checks

You should definitely only use AI chatbots as one of several tools for trip planning: Be sure to also visit listings on portals like Google Maps and TripAdvisor, as well as checking with venues directly, before you set off. Of course these resources aren’t always 100 percent accurate either, but they’re more likely to be up to date and feature first-hand knowledge.

In my trip planning around my local area, I was told a particular park had a children’s play area and tennis courts, when it had neither—and you don’t want to be turning up in sports gear with your kids or racquets only to be disappointed. This is the sort of information a quick browse of Google Maps or Apple Maps would help you verify. It’s the same with hotel and flight prices : Use AI as a guide rather than a definitive source.

There were plenty of times the AI bots got it right, too—with the opening days for a local market, for example—but you should always double-check. In general, the rules around AI and travel advice are the same as they are everywhere else: Generative AI can be an impressively helpful tool, but it’s not something to rely on entirely.

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Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) – A Shrewd Choice for U.S. Citizens

Traveling Overseas? Registering for STEP should be on your to-do list.

Traveling is one of life’s greatest pleasures. If you are reading this, you likely agree. It is one of our happy places and truly feeds the soul. It is both an adventure and relaxation. But as with most things in life, it has inherent risks. It is important not to live in fear of the what-ifs, but it is silly not to do all you can to mitigate those risks. It is always best to be prepared and use whatever tool, especially the free ones at your disposal, such as the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) .

There are many ways to protect yourself when traveling, such as travel insurance, which we are huge advocates for all ages. It is the first thing we buy after booking our flights. We all carry home insurance that covers fire loss. How many houses burn down? Very few, but if you are that victim of losing your home to a fire, that insurance helps you rebuild your life, whereas, for most of us, it would be financially impossible without that insurance. When traveling, the same rules apply.

If you want to learn more about the importance of travel insurance, check our blog post – Travel Insurance: Protecting You and Yours .

The second thing we do after buying travel insurance is register for the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) . It is a free service provided by the U.S. Bureau of Consular Affairs under the auspices of the U.S. State Department. Your tax dollars are already paying for it.

It is surprising how few people know about this service, especially when traveling to less stable parts of the world. We make sure to ask everyone we know before they leave for an overseas trip if they have registered for the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) , and 95% of the time, the response is, what is that? So, let’s chat about why you should register for your next international trip and how quick and easy the process is.

What is the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program(STEP)?

Protecting the lives and interests of U.S. citizens abroad is a core mission of U.S. Embassies and Consulates. The Smart Traveler Enrollment Program is a free service that allows U.S. citizens and nationals traveling and living abroad to enroll in their trip or extended stay with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. Therefore, they can provide important safety and security information and support during a crisis or emergency.

What are the benefits of enrolling your overseas trip?

STEP could aid you in many ways before and during your trip.

• You’ll receive the latest safety and security information for your destination country so that you can make informed decisions about your travel.
• Emergencies happen at home when you are traveling. STEP will help family and friends get in touch with you in an emergency
• Even in the safest of cities, protests, and civil unrest can occur. The service provides the latest information on what areas to avoid in case of events such as strikes, demonstrations, or lockdowns.
• If you become ill or injured and require hospitalization, they already have all your information and know you are in the country. It will expedite the process of getting guidance on what to do next.
• Natural disasters or terrorist attacks can occur at any time. The local U.S. embassies and consulates will take steps to verify and confirm the safety of the Americans they are there to represent and protect.
• Should you run into legal issues or are a victim of a crime while abroad, they are there to assist you in navigating the process.

Check out our Packing for Success Guide

Why should I register for the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)? Can’t I figure this out on my own?

One of the benefits of traveling abroad with a United States Passport is the protection your country provides. The United States is a powerful entity in diplomacy and military strength. Civil and political unrest has impacted many countries, making it risky for Americans who are there. If the U.S. Government knows where you are, through the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) , it can plan to offer assistance to you in circumstances where your safety is in danger.

What happens when I enroll?

When you enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) , you stay informed on the current information about your destination country, which comes in various forms.

• Alerts from the U.S. Embassy about safety and security
• Updates on any travel advisory can be health-related, government instability, impending severe weather, or even crime-related.
• If you live abroad, it provides information about U.S. Embassy events and services, town hall meetings, voting info, federal benefits, and legal obligations to the U.S.
• When enrolled in STEP, you stay connected. The U.S. Embassy contacts you and assists in an emergency overseas. If your family or friends in the U.S. are having difficulty getting you urgent news while you’re traveling, the service can use the information in STEP to try and reach you.

Are you tired of Long TSA Airport security lines? Check out our article on How to avoid them .

What can a consulate or Embassy do for me when I am overseas?

Consular officers at Embassies and Consulates can assist U.S. citizens who encounter serious legal, medical, or financial difficulties overseas. For example, if your passport is stolen while traveling, we can help you obtain a replacement to continue your trip. We can also provide the names of English-speaking doctors or local attorneys, give loans to needy U.S. citizens, and provide information about dangerous conditions affecting your overseas travel or residence.

They also perform non-emergency services such as helping with routine passport applications, absentee voting, selective service registration, receiving federal benefits, and filing U.S. tax forms. Consular officers can notarize documents, issue passports, and register U.S. citizen children born abroad. Most embassies and consulates have websites with more information about their citizen services.

In a crisis, such as a natural disaster or severe political instability, the Department of State provides information and assistance to U.S. citizens in the affected area.

Did you know there is a 24-hour number to reach the U.S. Embassy in emergencies for U.S. citizens traveling abroad? Some U.S. Embassies within the country may be reachable 24 hours a day, but if not, the main number is available at all times.

From the U.S. or while using a U.S. cellphone

1-888-407-4747

From overseas

Dial 001 or +1, then 202-501-4444

Privacy Risks?

We all worry about what is happening to the information we share with others. The information you provide to the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP ) is pretty basic but still personal. There are laws in place to protect the information you give. One concern I hear is then they will know where I am. Here is the bottom line if you use your passport, the system knows where you are. The closest Embassy may not know, though, and you are unaware of what is occurring in that country.

Let’s share some real-life stories

1. On our last trip to Iceland, an exceptionally peaceful and safe country, a work stoppage to protest conditions for workers in the service industry was scheduled. Except for management, all workers were absent from work for 48 hours. This occurred during two of the three days we were there. Some hotels were not as prepared as others. We verified with our hotel they had a contingency plan and what would occur. Restaurants were closed, and no housekeeping was available. It was a bare-bones staff, but they would stay open and do their best. It was not the case at all hotels or restaurants.

2. Before our travels to Spain, we received an email from the State Department warning us of a new crime directed at tourists. It was unique, and we could have easily been victims, not knowing what to avoid and how to prepare.

3. A couple from one of our hometowns was traveling overseas for an extended month. Shortly after departing, their son was in a severe accident. The Embassy assisted in getting the couple home very quickly and escorted them until they were on the plane. Once they arrived in the U.S., they were greeted and expedited through customs to immediately be transported to the hospital to be with their son in the last hours of his life.

4. During the terrorist attacks in Paris, many families desperately tried to reach their loved ones traveling or living in Paris. The families there struggled to get word to their loved ones that they were ok. The U.S. Embassy was able to facilitate the tracking of U.S. citizens and their status. It also guided Americans in Paris on what to do during the crisis.

There are even more great examples

5. While visiting Barcelona, Joelle was there during the annual Catalonia freedom protests seeking independence from Spain. She was there in the heart of it. Though usually peaceful, we were warned there was a potential for violence. Many streets and highways would be blocked and impassable. Details were provided on what areas to avoid. On the morning of her flight, road blockages on the airport route were planned. Due to the advisory, Joelle left early for her flight before the protests began.

6. Some friends were in the Caribbean when a massive hurricane was approaching. There were frequent updates on evacuation plans, where to go for safety, and the services available. Once the storm passed, assistance on how to get off the devastated island was provided.

7. Once in Paris, we received an email warning us of demonstrations likely to get violent. It provided the location, which was where we were planning to be that day. We avoided the area and stayed safe.

8. Transportation strikes are pretty common in Europe. It could make getting to an airport or other destination very problematic. An advanced warning can allow you to have contingency plans.

Traveling soon? Check out our Country Travel Guides .

Registering for Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STE P)

Now that we have discussed why you should get this valuable service let’s talk about what is involved in registering, not surprisingly. It is quick and easy. It can be done via a computer or a mobile app. We chose the computer as it is faster and easier to navigate. We find the process user-friendly and well-presented.

*If you chose the mobile app, the app could be found in your APP store under Smart Traveler .

A Walk Through the Registration Process

There are four options to choose from on the Home page. (The group option is not visible in the photo above). The bullets below explain each option.

• If you are an infrequent traveler, enrolling in a single trip may be best by clicking the “TRAVELING? Enroll a trip” option.
• The staying-at-home option is to track alerts and warnings occurring in a country you are considering traveling to or have people you know visiting there. Perfect for parents with students traveling abroad.
• Those who travel often can create an account by clicking the “FREQUENT TRAVELER? Create an account” option. An account allows travelers to quickly modify their travel information and enroll in additional trips in the future. Much of your information is prepopulated for future trips so it makes registering even faster.
• A large group of travelers can be enrolled by selecting the “Create Organization/Group Account” option at the bottom of the homepage.

The screens for each step in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) registration process

First screen: answer two questions..

Screen two: Review and accept privacy act information.

Screen 3: Provide your name, date of birth, gender, citizenship, email, phone, and passport number. No address is needed.

FYI If you are traveling with someone, you can enter them into this profile, so you don’t have to register separately. Remember that they will be tied to the lead person registering in an emergency. If at any time you go separate ways during the trip, it may be best for each person to register for themselves .

Screen 4: Provide trip details. You will need at least one address of where you will be staying. If moving around a lot best to add each address.

Screen 5: Provide emergency contact info for someone back home who can be reached in an emergency.

Screen 6: You will be taken to a page of any travel advisories that pertain to this country and other info. Below is from our Greece trip.

Screen 7: One last page to review and confirm your entries.

That is it. You are done. It may take 5-10 minutes if you have the hotel addresses ready.

You will receive an email shortly confirming your trip registration.

Final Thoughts

U.S. embassies and consulates assist nearly 200,000 Americans each year who are victims of crime, accident, or illness or whose families need to contact them in an emergency. When an emergency occurs, or if a natural disaster, terrorism, or civil unrest strikes during your international travel, the closest U.S. embassy or consulate can be your source of information and support. By registering your travels with STEP , you are helping the Embassy locate you when you might need them the most.

Using the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) is like having insurance. STEP is voluntary and costs nothing to you. You hope you’ll never have to use it, but it’s good knowing it will be there if an emergency occurs.

Ready to Register Your Trip? Click link below

Smart traveler enrollment program (step).

Have on you at all times the Embassy location and contact details for any country you are traveling in and your passport number. We try not to carry our passports when sightseeing, but we always have a photocopy of the passport. That said, check the specific country regulations before you go, as some do require you to have a passport on you at all times.

We carry a card with all the above info, travel insurance, and medical info. In a crisis or severe injury or illness, you may not want to waste time googling the info or returning to the hotel to get the information.

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Want to learn about Wanderers Compass ?

Our top recommended travel products and services, travel insurance, squaremouth.com our favorite travel insurance site.

We could not be stronger advocates of being well-insured—not just for the little stuff but for the big things like medical emergencies. We never leave home without it. Our go-to place is Squaremouth.com . It does a fantastic job with its user-friendly interface and uses top-rated and reputable insurance carriers. They also mediate on your behalf if you have problems.

To empower you as a consumer, we suggest you read our blog post on the importance of travel insurance and how to get the best coverage from top-rated companies for an affordable price.

MedjetAssist Medical transport back home from anywhere in the world

They are the premier global air medical transport. One caveat to travel insurance is that medical evacuation usually gets you to the closest facility to care for you. Medjet gets you back to the U.S. to the hospital of your choice once you are stable enough to fly. A Medjet membership is only for medical transport. Medjet Horizon offers expanded coverage. They have individual trip policies starting at $99 and annual policies for around $300. Most of their policies limit the age to 74.

To learn more about how Medical Evacuation membership with Medjet Assist works, check out our blog post for a more detailed review.  

Accommodations and Airfare

Expedia and vrbo hotels, home rentals, bnbs, flights, and other transportation & tours  .

Expedia is a US-based company whose mission is to power global travel for everyone and everywhere. Wanderers Compass focuses on independent travel, and using sites like Expedia makes that possible. Every aspect of travel you need, from airfare, accommodations, rental car, and cruises to activities to do at your destination, can be booked on Expedia .  

Booking.com Hotels, Home rentals, BNBs, Flights, and other Transportation & Tours 

Booking.com connects millions of travelers to memorable experiences, various transportation options, and incredible places to stay – from homes to hotels and much more. It is one of the world’s largest travel marketplaces for established brands and entrepreneurs of all sizes. It is our preferred booking site.

Transportatio n

Daytrip personalized city-to-city private car transfer service.

Daytrip is an affordable private car service for city-to-city transfers around the world. We love their service, and it costs much less than renting a car. You can enjoy comfortable, stress-free travel with the added bonus of scenic sightseeing stops along your journey. For example, we used them between Budapest and Vienna, making some fantastic stops along the way. Their professional drivers and customizable routes ensure a smooth ride while allowing you to explore hidden gems and local attractions.

To learn more about how Daytrip, check out our blog post for a more detailed review.  

Travel Experiences

Viator the leading marketplace for travel experiences.

Viator believes that making memories is what travel is all about. And with 300,000+ experiences to explore—everything from simple tours to extreme adventures (and all the niche, interesting stuff in between)—making memories that will last a lifetime has never been easier. We use them often during our travels and love their liberal cancellation policy.

Communication products for seamless connectivity overseas

Gigsky international esim data plans local prices. no roaming. fastest networks..

GigSky eSIM keeps travelers seamlessly connected worldwide without the hassle of swapping physical SIM cards or facing unexpected roaming charges. With affordable data plans and instant activation, you can enjoy reliable internet access in over 190 countries, making travel more convenient than ever. They have a great offer, a 100 MB data plan for free, and no credit card is required. They are that confident you will love their product!

Enjoy 10% off all GigSky Plans (except cruise and inflight) with our discount code WCOMPASS10

To learn more about how GigSky, check out our blog post for a more detailed review.

Wanderers Compass Amazon Storefront An excellent source for all travel essentials and guides that we have vetted ourselves

Amazon is one of the most comprehensive online shopping sources in the world. Teams worldwide provide lower prices, better selection, and rapid delivery on behalf of customers. They offer a vast inventory, and their 1.7 million small and medium businesses worldwide selling on Amazon.com offer extensive options to customers.

This article contains affiliate links. If you use these links to buy something, we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you!

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