Travel FAQ

Start with a short trip. Research cities or countries that are safe for solo travel. Check out travel touring groups for solo travelers; you might meet a new travel partner. Book tours to be with other people. Although I have no problem dining alone, sometimes I like to go on a food-tasting tour. I have found great food tours on Viator.

I have a whole post about carry-ons, but only my tips for packing a carry-on. My biggest tip is to use sample-size toiletries and roll your clothing into packing cubes.

Sign up for Global Entry. With Global Entry, you will also get a TSA Pre-Check. Be organized when going through the TSA line. Do not bring liquids larger than 3.4oz. Have your boarding pass ready. Take everything out of your pockets before you reach the machines. Apple Maps now features a new option that displays gates and amenities. Another good app is GateGuru.

My favorite travel app is TripIt, which I could not live without. Here is a list of my other favorite travel apps.

I use Google Flights, Trip Advisor, and Pinterest the most when planning a trip. I enjoy research, so I utilize multiple sources and thoroughly review them. When I am looking for tours, I use Get Your Guide and Viator.

Skyscanner and Google Flights are the primary sources I will use to search for flights. I set notifications for the flights that I am considering. If your travel dates and/or location are flexible, you can use Google Flights to find the cheapest time and place to fly.

Yes, it would be best to protect your investment. If you plan to travel for an extended period, consider Safety Wing for Global Medical Insurance. I use AXA Partners the most often to protect my trips.

I have a whole post HERE for preparing for a long-haul flight.

Contact your cellphone carrier to inquire about the cost of an International plan. Often, this is an expensive option. Buy a SIM or eSIM card for the destination you are traveling to. This is often the most economical option. If you don’t want to use a SIM card, put your cellphone into airplane mode and only use it to connect to Wi-Fi. To find the best eSIM or SIM card, check out Airalo.

Yes, you can bring candy in your carry-on! Solid candies, such as chocolate bars, gummies, hard candies, and licorice, are all permitted through airport security. Just make sure any liquid or gel-like candies (think caramel sauce or gooey fillings) follow the TSA’s 3.4-ounce (100ml) liquid rule and are packed in your quart-sized bag. Sweet tooth travelers, rejoice—you can snack stress-free at 30,000 feet!

Yes, you can bring shaving cream in your carry‑on—but there’s a catch! The TSA treats it like any other liquid, gel, cream, or aerosol, so your shaving cream must be in a container of 3.4 oz (100 ml) or less.
It must be placed inside your single, clear, quart-sized liquid bag, along with your other liquids/gels. Larger cans? They should be checked in as baggage.

Corded hair straighteners are permitted in both carry-on and checked bags, with no restrictions from the TSA. Cordless (battery-powered or lithium) straighteners are only allowed in carry-on baggage, not in checked bags. TSA requires them to be protected from accidental activation, and a safety cover must be used. Security personnel might ask you to power it on if you are unsure.

Yes, you can bring toothpaste in your checked luggage—in any size! There’s no upper limit on tube size or quantity when it’s in your checked bag. Be sure to seal the tube and consider placing it in a plastic bag to prevent any mess if it leaks.

Carry‑on: Umbrellas are allowed through TSA checkpoints. The final decision is up to TSA officers, but standard umbrellas generally pass without issue. Checked bags: Also permitted. Just stash it safely inside your suitcase.

Aerosol Dry Shampoo is allowed in checked bags. Each can must be ≤ 18 oz (500 ml). The total of all aerosol toiletries must stay under 70 oz (2 kg / 2 L) per person. Caps should be on to prevent accidental sprays. Powdered Dry Shampoo is allowed in checked luggage with no size limit. However, for carry-on items, powders exceeding 12 oz (350 ml) can trigger extra screening, so keeping them in checked baggage is usually smoother.

No, a fanny pack usually doesn’t count as a personal item if worn—but don’t push your luck with bulkier ones or when flying budget airlines with stricter rules.

Often accepted as your main carry-on if it fits within the airline’s overhead bin size limits (typically around 22 x 14 x 9 inches / 56 x 36 x 23 cm). You’ll store it folded flat in the overhead bin, or sometimes it can hang in a closet on larger international flights (though this is rare these days and not guaranteed).

Blunt-tipped trekking poles are permitted in both carry-on and checked baggage, provided they pass through security screening. Sharp‑tipped poles are not allowed in carry‑on luggage. Despite the rules, TSA officers have the final say—so outcomes can vary.

Most airlines cap carry-on size at 22 x 14 x 9 inches (56 x 36 x 23 cm)—including wheels and handles. A 24-inch suitcase is usually too large to qualify as a standard carry-on.

Speakers are allowed in both carry-on and checked luggage. Lithium-ion batteries must go in carry-on. Always confirm dimensions/battery specs before traveling.

Yes — you can bring a clothes steamer in your carry-on! TSA allows them (along with irons) as long as they’re completely dry and empty of water before screening.

Manual eyelash curler: Allowed in carry-on & checked. Heated/battery curler: Allowed in carry-on (within battery rules).

Contact lens solution is allowed in checked bags with no size limit. TSA recommends placing bottles over 3.4 oz in your checked baggage to avoid carry-on hassles. Carry-on: YES, but you must declare it as medical, and only “reasonable quantities” are allowed. Larger bottles may be flagged. Best practice: Carry a travel-size bottle for the flight and check the rest to avoid delays or confiscation.