Jeff’s travel desk

Know before you go.

2,000+ honest travel guides from Florida to Fuji, and free tools for the questions every trip asks: will my bag fit, how long is the flight, is it hurricane season?

DeparturesReaders’ most-used free tools · last 30 days

01Hotel Check-In AgeHow old you must be to check in, in your state and at your chain: 18 or 21 on the hotels’ own pages, and what a younger guest needs.Open
02Advisory MapEvery country’s State Department advisory level, today, on one map.Open
03Flight TimesJapan, Hawaii, Italy and 25 more: the flight from 19 US airports, both ways, and the time change.Open

All 180+ free travel tools

180+ free travel tools

Every trip question, one tool each

Pick a topic. Free, right in your browser, no sign-up — and the rules are checked against official sources.

Browse every tool

Browse by destination

Where to next?

2,000+ guides across 12 regions, written by someone who went.

World lists & rankings

Beaches & Nature

Beaches196 Islands & Keys155 Wildlife & Safaris66 Springs, Rivers & Waterfalls50 National & State Parks49 Lakes46 Mountains & Canyons23 Sharks16

Things to Do

Museums, History & Culture64 Food & Drink46 Swimming & Clear Water43 Snorkeling, Kayaking & Boating31 Nightlife & After Dark26 Hiking & Trails25 Camping & Glamping19 Theme Parks & Water Parks18

Guides & Comparisons

Things to Do Lists611 Destination Guides240 Comparisons & Showdowns118 Hidden Gems & Local Secrets65 Records, Rankings & Fun Facts65 Is It Worth Visiting?61 Itineraries, Day Trips & Weekends56 Bucket Lists & Wonders29

Getting Around

Trains, Buses & Ferries111 Road Trips & Driving65 Flights & Airlines34 Cruises, Ports & Waterways12

Plan Your Trip

Living, Moving & Retiring39 Safety & Travel Warnings36 Budget Travel & Costs36 Travel Tips & First-Timer Guides36 Weather & Best Time to Visit33 Packing Lists & What to Wear31 Rules, Laws & Etiquette20 Luxury, Spa & Wellness Travel19

Who's Traveling

Solo, Couples & Friends15 Family Travel & Kids13

Seasons

Summer15 Winter & Holidays11 Spring & Fall Travel10

Browse all 45 tags →

Who writes TravelMagma

Hi, I’m Jeff — let’s skip the mistakes on your next trip.

I write our destination guides and travel tips: where to go and when, what it costs, and the mistakes worth skipping.

TravelMagma is written by a small team under pen names, one name for each job.

“Life’s too short not to explore. I’m here to make sure you do it right.”

New · my bookThings I Wish I Knew Before Going to JapanSuitcase too big for the hotel room, the last train missed, hundreds spent on things that cost pennies. The trip briefing to read before you get to the airport.Grab your copy

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