SmarterTravel

Save your money and skip buying these items at the airport.

Stop the presses! Oprah has spoken! Her annual list of favorite things is out - just in time for the holiday rush. Luckily for travelers, she’s got some

Some parts of travel are worth the splurge. Although saving a little cash feels good when you first book that rock-bottom-price plane ticket, that pre-dawn moment when your alarm rings for that 6:00 a.m. flight might make you regret being cheap.

Some people are impossible to shop for. If you can’t name a single thing someone likes (and doesn’t already have), try thinking about what they hate instead. Then buy something to make them hate it less. Here are the gifts that the haters—from nervous flyers to germaphobes—will love.

Bringing souvenirs home for the holidays or simply flying with gifts seems like a great idea. But there are some TSA rules you should know before you make that purchase—especially if you’re only flying with a carry-on.

Renting a car is such a common part of the travel experience that you’d think the process would be straightforward and transparent—yet somehow it is anything but. Many travelers aren’t sure how to rent a car without making a few common mistakes. Do I need to buy additional insurance? What about paying to refuel the car? I hear horror stories about phony damage claims; should I be worried? No one is around to inspect the car with me; is that OK? Can I drive into another country? Do I need all the extras they offer me at the rental counter? These questions come up pretty much every time someone rents a car. Again, anything but straightforward.

Every traveler knows the standard tricks—rolling clothes to save space, snagging better seats by checking in early, and setting airfare price alerts to stretch your budget. But beyond these comfort hacks and money-saving tips lies a more crucial category of travel knowledge: strategies that could save your life.

Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection has released its list of the safest places to travel to in 2025. The group has been surveying travelers since 2016 to inform travelers about where they may want to travel when safety is their top priority.

From states with no sales tax to destinations that are home to incredible shopping districts, these 10 states are the best in the U.S. when it comes to retail. So, bring your credit card and an empty suitcase and shop ’till you drop in any of these hot spots.

It’s that time of year—the Halloween decorations are packed away, the leaves are gone from the trees, and the first twinkling notes of Mariah Carey’s