Preparing for the ultimate vegan camping adventure and wondering where to start? Then you’ve come to the right place! Camping while vegan does present its own unique challenges, but it’s fairly straightforward once you know what you’re doing and how to prepare.

Not only will you have to plan your meals ahead of time and source plant-based items that won’t go sour on you, but you’ll also have to bring camping supplies that suit your ethics as well.

From easy camping meals to the best vegan-friendly camping supplies, here is the ultimate guide to vegan camping!

The Ultimate Guide To Vegan Camping

Step 1: Research Your Campsite

Before you start shopping and preparing for your vegan camping trip, you’ll want to take your campsite into account. Are you staying in an area with a ton of amenities such as potable water, electricity, and a firepit? Are you going totally off-grid with plans to fend for yourself every step of the way? Or are you traveling in a campervan or RV with access to a bunch of kitchen utensils?

Any of these options will require you to plan differently, so think about what you’re going to need as far as cooking, shelter, and sleeping goes.

Read more: The Ultimate Packing List for Campers (Must-Have Essentials!)

Step 2: Plan Your Meals

Planning healthy plant-based meals ahead of time is the ultimate key to having a great vegan camping trip. Using the ideas below, I recommend going to the grocery store with a detailed shopping list, and then meal prepping the day before you leave.

In planning your meals, it’s all about easy food that you can whip up in seconds and that doesn’t require a million kitchen utensils. And keep in mind that planning meals ahead of time for one person is super easy, but planning for multiple people with different tastes can get a bit hectic. For this reason, go into the meal situation knowing exactly how much you’ll need of everything.

Too much food could go bad, but too little food could be a disaster. In storing your food, use high-quality reusable containers, a cooler, and a lunch bag. 

And don’t forget any supplements you may be taking — they’re just as important camping as they are at home!

Easy vegan camping breakfast ideas:

• Chia oats soaked in water with raisins and walnuts (these wide-mouth mason jars are the perfect size to prepare with beforehand)
• Sliced banana or apple with peanut butter on whole grain or gluten free bread
• Single serve protein sample packs to add to oats or water
• No-sugar added granola
• Your favorite instant coffee or tea

Easy vegan camping lunch & dinner ideas:

• Amy’s lentil vegetable soup (or any other easy-open Amy’s low sodium soup)
• Plant based burgers & hot dogs (you can purchase these in a store or make your own)
• Skewers: Beyond meat plant-based or vegetable skewers (you can use tempeh or tofu instead of beyond meat if you prefer)
• Frozen quinoa, kale, and beans (these are super easy to put in a pot and heat over the fire or stove
• Burritos: bring wraps, cooked rice, veggies, refried beans, hot sauce, nutritional yeast, and avocado
• Steamed “carrot dogs”: use carrots instead of hot dogs and fill them with all the fixings
• Corn on the cob
• Vegetables in foil: wrap your fave veggies in tin foil with some olive oil and spices, then grill

Vegan camping snack ideas:

• Hummus
• Bag of power greens
• Mary’s crackers
• Fruit on fruit: apples, oranges, bananas, kiwi, peaches, plums, including dried fruit
• Avocado & whole grain or gluten free bread
• Boiled sweet potato (made ahead and packed)
• Veggie crisps (gluten free vegetable crackers) or kale chips
• Forager vegetable chips
• Larabars, or similar
• Trail mix of walnuts, raisins, dates, pumpkin seeds, etc. in a ziplock bag
• Corn thins or brown rice rice cakes with peanut butter or plain
• Quinoa/black bean salad

Vegan camping desserts:

• Smores: Dandies vegan marshmallows, vegan chocolate, and vegan graham crackers
• Campfire banana boats with bananas, vegan dark chocolate, peanut butter, and maple syrup
• Grilled fruit: brush brown sugar on peaches or pineapple and grill over the fire
• Apple crisp: coat apples with brown sugar, nutmeg, granola, vegan butter, and oats, wrap in foil, then grill over the fire

Read more: 20 Genius Camping Hacks Every Camper Should Know

Step 3: Source Your Gear

Now that you know the amenities at your campsite and have a general meal plan, it’s time to start compiling vegan camping equipment. Though finding animal-free camping equipment can be a bit of a search, there are thankfully quite a few reputable options on the market:

Vegan bedding: When choosing bedding that will keep you warm and dry out in the backcountry, skip anything made with down or wool and opt for synthetic fibers. This sleeping bag from Coleman is 100% synthetic and will keep you cozy, and I also recommend bringing a sleeping pad, some hand warmers (if you’re in a cold climate), and a cruelty-free pillow.

Vegan Shoes: If you’ll be doing any hiking or water-based activities on your camping trip, then opt for shoe companies that are certifiably vegan. These Asics hiking shoes are 100% synthetic and highly-rated for their gel cushioning system.

Cooking supplies: Though it’s pretty easy to get vegan-friendly cooking supplies (anything that’s plastic or metal), you’ll want to pack a camping stove, re-usable camping plate and cutlery set, camping kitchen utensils, biodegradable vegan soap, bin for doing dishes, camping grill, and washcloths.

Vegan luggage: As demand grows, more and more companies are switching from using animal products in their luggage and daypacks to synthetic and plant-based fibers. In particular, all of Osprey’s luggage and daypacks are vegan and well-made.

Sunscreen and Bug Spray: More than just about the food and supplies, having a great camping trip requires a few comfy extras. These vegan sunscreen and bug spray products will keep your skin feeling great and protected from the elements. Alternatively, you can make your own vegan bug spray by mixing together 1 part eucalyptus or lavender essential oil with 10 parts witch hazel — put it into a spray container and apply!

The post The Ultimate Guide To Vegan Camping appeared first on Ordinary Traveler.

You’ve booked your flight and are ready for your trip, when the airline sends you an email to notify you of a flight schedule change.

Passengers are regularly affected by a modification of their flight schedule, now more than ever as a result of COVID-19. With most flights cancelled because of coronavirus, passengers are left with the option to either get a refund for flight cancellation or change the flight schedule.

In general, the further in advance you book your flight, the higher the chances of having a schedule change.

While this may ruin your trip, know that when this happens, passengers can sometimes claim a flight schedule change compensation.

But that isn’t always the case. Sometimes, you just have to accept the change of flight time. You may also be entitled to a refund or rerouted via a different flight.

Flight Schedule Change due to Coronavirus

Let’s get one thing out of the way first: because it is (thankfully) an extraodinary circumstance, coronavirus doesn’t make you eligible for compensation when your flight is canceled as a result of it.

While airlines are not obligated to compensate passengers, most of them have set up policies that consist in offering one of two things:

• A travel voucher for you to travel with them at a later date when air traffic will be back to normal
• A refund of your ticket

In general, we do NOT recommend accepting travel vouchers as compensation. However, the air travel industry is among the most seriously hit by the pandemic. Air carriers especially are at risk, with several of them having already declared bankruptcy or been nationalized.

That’s why when given the option, we encourage travellers who believe that they will fly with the airline in the future to accept the voucher rather than the refund, as it will help your air carrier financially.

Of course, the decision is yours, and you may have been finally affected yourself, so the refund is also an option!

Flights Schedule Change Rules

What is considered a change of schedule?

A flight schedule change occurs when the airline announces a change to your flight time after you’ve booked your ticket. There are 3 categories of flight change: minor, significant, or cancellation.

Each airline has their own definition of what constitutes a “minor” or “significant” schedule change. Usually, a significant change is one that doesn’t fall within the limits of what they have defined as a minor delay.

For example, an airline can define a schedule change as “minor” when they postpone the flight to less than 6 hours later than what was originally planned. If the time of your flight is delayed by over 6 hours, then you’re victim of a “significant flight schedule change”.

The distinction matters because it will influence what your rights are. More on that below.

A flight schedule change can also occur when your direct flight becomes a connecting one, or when the airline change the aircraft that will operate the flight.

However, if the airline changes your flight altogether (i.e. you will travel on a flight that has a different flight number than the one you initially book), this is regarded as a flight cancellation instead of a flight schedule change.

What are your rights when the airline modifies the time of you flight?

Your rights depend on the type of schedule change. And the definition of type of schedule change varies from one airline to another.

We’ve listed what is regarded as a minor change by some airlines below. To know what your airline defines as a minor delay, refer to their Terms and Conditions.

• Minor change

Passengers victim of a minor schedule change have generally no choice but to accept it. If this happens to you, feel free to ask a refund or an alternate flight, but keep in mind that you are not covered by any law and the airline doesn’t have the obligation to refund or reroute you on a different flight.

• Significant change

A significant change of schedule gives passengers more options. In most cases, the airline will offer you the choice between getting a refund or a rerouting on a comparable flight.

Note that if the airline offers you a rerouting as an alternative to the schedule change, you do NOT have to accept it if the flight is not to your convenience. In this case, contact the airline to ask for a different flight or a refund.

• Flight cancellation

If the airline cancels your flight altogether (or presents a change of flight as a schedule change), you have even more rights. First, you must be offered a choice between a refund for cancelled flight or an alternate flight.

Then, you may also be entitled to a flight cancellation compensation. For that, the airline must have warned you about the cancellation less than 14 days prior to the flight. The exact notification date influences the flight compensation amount.

Was your flight cancelled? Or did the airline changed your reservation to book you on a different flight? You may be entitled to up to 600€ in compensation!

Flight Schedule Change Compensation

Can you get compensation if the airline changes the flight schedule?

To be entitled to compensation for a flight schedule modification, the airline must have notified you about the change less than 14 days before the flight.

The schedule change must consists of either:

• a flight cancellation, or
• a flight change (i.e. when the flight number is different than the one that you originally booked)

The compensation amount varies based on when you were notified and the length of the journey. You can get up to $700 per passenger in compensation (cash, voucher, or miles).

The Service app automatically detects and files claims on your behalf:

Can you get a refund if the airline changes the flight schedule?

Except in the case of “minor flight schedule change”, you can get a refund when the airline modifies the schedule of your flight. In other words, you’re entitled to a refund in cases of “significant flight schedule change” and flight cancellations.

Note that the airline may offer you a rerouting instead of a refund. As mentioned before, if the alternate flight doesn’t suit you, feel free to reject it and ask for a refund instead.

Flight Schedule Change FAQ

Can flight times change after booking?

When you book a flight, you agree on its schedule. However, all airlines reserve themselves the right to change the time (and sometimes even the date) of the flight, as per their terms and conditions. Specifically, airlines do not guarantee flight times and stress that those are not part of the contract of carriage.

Here’s an example with this extract from American Airlines’ contract of carriage:

“Sometimes we have to make adjustments to our operation, and between the time you book and the day you depart […]. When there are changes that affect your trip, we’ll try to contact you in advance and move you to a similar seat, though we can’t make any guarantees. We do our best to be on time but our flight schedule is not guaranteed and not part of this contract. We are not liable if we’re late or you don’t make your connection, or we change the schedule of any flight.“

And another from British Airways’ contract of carriage:

The flight times shown in our timetables may change between the date of publication and the date you actually travel. We do not guarantee these flight times to you and they do not form part of your contract of carriage with us.

Regulators like the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) confirm this: while a change to the flight number is covered by the law, a modification of the flight time and date is only covered by the airline’s terms and conditions.

How much can an airline change your flight?

There is no specific limit to how much the airline can change your flight time. However, all airlines define the limits of what they consider to be a “minor schedule change”.

Here are a few examples:

• American Airlines: 1 hour
• British Airways: 2 hours
• EasyJet: 5 hours
• Ryanair: 3 hours
• United Airlines: 30 minutes

As a rule of thumb, if your delay at arrival or departure exceeds this amount of time, the flight schedule change is regarded as “significant” and the airline will offer a rerouting or a refund.

Why do airlines have schedule changes?

Airlines make tickets available for purchase about 12 months prior to the flight, but the airports can confirm the time slots only about 3 months prior to the flight, which can result in schedule modifications.

Airlines themselves can change their schedule, especially when the aircraft that will be used changes.

How will I be warned about a schedule change?

Airlines should tell passengers at least 14 days in advance when they change their flight time. The airline usually contacts you via email to tell you about the schedule change.

You may also log into your account or call the airline directly to inquire about schedule changes.

For last-minute schedule changes, you can use an online flight tracker.

How do I accept or refuse a schedule change?

Usually, you don’t have to do anything when you agree to the schedule change. Just present yourself at the airport after checking-in.

If you want a different flight or a refund, however, you must contact the airline. You can usually get in touch with them over email, via phone, or from the “manage my booking” section of the airline’s website.

Victim of a schedule change? Check if you’re entitled to compensation now with the Service app. You only need to connect your inbox – we take care of the rest:

If you’re still intent on travelling during the coronavirus outbreak, make sure to check our travel advice on the topic:

• Coronavirus: Can you get a compensation for a cancelled flight?
• Is air travel safe during the COVID-19 pandemic?
• Am I able to travel during the COVID-19 pandemic?
• Can I get a refund for a flight cancelled during to COVID-19?
• Coronavirus travel restrictions: Can we travel again?
• Can I travel if I have COVID-19?

Have you ever been running late to catch a flight and struggled with the never-ending hallways and escalators you need to pass to reach your gate?

The biggest airports in the world make it feel like you’re walking through an entire city when you’re inside.

In 2020, they’re expecting over four billion passengers to travel by air. Now the biggest airports are also becoming the busiest airports in the world.

Since the airports are getting busier, they’re building bigger airports to accommodate all the passengers.

In September 2019, the world’s largest airport at the time (based on area size) opened in Beijing, China. The Beijing Daxing International Airport will be able to handle over 100 million passengers per year.

Good thing for the passengers, they won’t have to worry about walking a marathon to get to their gate. Architects are taking these considerations into their designs and balancing both size and convenience.

The architect who designed the new Beijing airport, Zaha Hadid, made a futuristic design in a starfish shape, making it easy for passengers to reach their gate in less than 8 minutes.

But a new player has entered the game:

Istanbul Airport is set to dethrone the Beijing’s as the world’s largest airport in the world when it’s finished. It already opened in 2018 but because construction isn’t over yet, we’ve chosen to keep it out of this ranking.

It will be interesting to see how airport design evolves in the years to come!

In the meantime, let’s take a look at all of the “superairports” of the world, both in terms of area size and the number of passengers they serve.

But first… did you know that if you had a delayed or cancelled flight, you could get up to $700 in compensation?

With the Service app, all you need to do is connect your inbox, and we’ll take care of the rest:

Here’s a list of the biggest and busiest airports in the world.

What are the biggest airports in the world?

From Asia to America, the biggest airports in the world feel so gigantic that they deserve their own postal code.

And some even do!

The Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (#3 on this list and one of the busiest US airports) has its very own ZIP code and emergency staff. It’s technically considered a separate city according to the postal service.

These huge airports have their own hotels, spas, restaurants and shopping centres. They really are so much more than a place to catch a flight.

Here’s a list of the top ten biggest airports in the world, based on actual airport size in square kilometers.

1. Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX) –

2. King Fahd International Airport (DMM) – 776 sq. km.

3. Denver International Airport (DEN) – 135.71 sq. km.

4. Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) – 69.63 sq. km.

5. Orlando International Airport (MCO) – 53.83 sq. km.

6. Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) – 48.56 sq. km.

7. George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) – 44.51 sq. km.

8. Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) – 39.88 sq. km.

9. Cairo International Airport (CAI) – 36.25 sq. km.

10. Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) – 32.4 sq. km.

Honorable Mentions:

11. Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD)

12. O’Hare International Airport (ORD)

13. Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC)

14. Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS)

15. Frankfurt Airport (FRA)

#1 Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX) – Beijing, China

Beijing Daxing International Airport is the biggest airport in the world and the latest addition to the list of supersized airports, and they’re topping that list.

With the grand opening in September 2019, Beijing Daxing’s terminal building spans over 7.5 million sq ft, with a total land area covering over 18 square miles.

It cost a staggering $11 billion to build.

This airport is Beijing’s second international one in the city and it’s expected to also become the world’s busiest, with 100 million passengers passing through by 2040.

Nicknamed the “starfish”, after architect Zaha Hadid’s futuristic design, the airport was built for both convenience and eco-friendliness.

The starfish design makes it easy for passengers to travel from security to their gate in under eight minutes.

Its solar panels, waste heat recovery, and water management systems limits the environmental impact that such a big airport can make to the ecosystems in the area.

While it’s still early days for Beijing Daxing International Airport, they have big plans for the future, including flights that will cover 112 destinations around the world.

#2 King Fahd International Airport (DMM) – Dammam, Saudi Arabia

King Fahd International Airport used to hold the #1 position for the world’s largest airport, until it was recently knocked off the pedestal by Beijing Daxing International Airport.

Despite that, it’s still an impressive place, with a total area of 780 square kilometres and a terminal area of 3.52 million square feet.

King Fahd International Airport opened over 20 years ago in 1999 and it’s located in Dammam, Saudi Arabia.

It serves as a hub for three major Saudi Arabian airlines including: Saudia, Aramco Aviation and SaudiGulf Airlines flynas.

The airport also houses a 250-room Hilton hotel and a Mosque that can accommodate 2000+ worshippers.

The airport is designed to handle over 12 million passengers per year.

#3 Denver International Airport (DEN) – Denver, USA

Denver International Airport is the largest airport, in terms of area size, in North America.

Primarily serving the Denver, Colorado area, it spans over 52.4 square miles and flies to over 215 destinations.

The airport opened 25 years ago in 1995, employing over 35,000 employees. That makes it the largest employer in the whole state of Colorado.

Despite being the third largest airport in the entire world, it ranks as the 20th busiest airport. Over 69 million passengers passed through Denver’s airport in 2019.

Over 23 different airlines operate out of Denver International Airport, and it serves as the hub for some popular American airlines including: United Airlines and Frontier Airlines. It’s also the main operating base for Southwest Airlines.

#4 Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) – Dallas, USA

Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport is so big that it has its own ZIP code and emergency services. Like we said earlier, it’s technically considered its own city, according to the postal service.

Spanning over 27 square miles and serving the Dallas and Fort Worth metroplex, the airport is an impressive place.

It’s the fourth busiest airport in the entire world (by aircraft movements). It also offers service to 260 destinations. The busiest domestic route is to LAX in Los Angeles, California, and their busiest international route is to London Heathrow Airport in the UK.

American Airlines calls the Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport home.

#5 Orlando International Airport (MCO) – Orlando, USA

It’s no surprise that Orlando International Airport made this list. Disney World calls Orlando home and an average of 52 million travel to Disney World every year. They need an airport that can accommodate all of the Disney fans.

Serving the Orlando, Florida area, the airport opened in 1981 and currently serves 135 destinations globally.

The airport clocks in at 11,609 acres large and handled over 50 million passengers in 2019.

Its busiest domestic destination is nearby Atlanta, Georgia and its busiest international destination is London Heathrow in England.

The airline, Silver Airways, uses Orlando International Airport as its hub.

#6 Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) – Washington, USA

Next on the list is another American airport, Washington Dulles International Airport.

This airport is named after John Foster Dulles who was the 52nd Secretary of State. It’s fitting that the airport was named after Dulles, considering Washington, DC is home to the White House.

Washington Dulles airport occupies over 13,000 acres in total and it handles over 24 million passengers a year.

It serves 125 destinations and is the hub for United Airlines.

#7 George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) – Houston, USA

The last American airport to rank in the biggest airports in the world list is the George Bush Intercontinental Airport, located in Houston, Texas.

Similar to the Washington Dulles airport, this one is also named after a politician – George H.W. Bush. It’s also another hub for United Airlines.

It’s slightly smaller than the Washington airport, clocking in at 10,000 acres large, but it handled double the amount of passengers, with over 45 million passing through in 2019.

#8 Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) – Shanghai, China

We’re headed back to China with the Shanghai Pudong International Airport, which ranks #8 on the list of the biggest airports in the world.

It’s located in Pudong, Shanghai and services the Shanghai area. It occupies over 10,000 acres of land and it handled a staggering 74 million passengers in 2018, making it the busiest international gateway of mainland China.

Shanghai Pudong International Airport is also the hub for many Chinese airlines including: Air China, China Eastern Airlines, China Southern Airlines, Juneyao Airlines, Shanghai Airlines and Spring Airlines.

#9 Cairo International Airport (CAI) – Cairo, Egypt

As the only African airport to make this list, Cairo International Airport is an impressive building, located in Heliopolis, Egypt.

It’s the busiest airport in all of Egypt too, with over 15 million passengers recorded in 2017.

Cairo International Airport is the primary hub for EgyptAir and Nile Air.

#10 Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) – Bangkok, Thailand

Also known as Bangkok Airport, Suvarnabhumi Airport is one of the biggest in Southeast Asia.

The airport is named after the Sanskrit word for “land of gold”.

Suvarnabhumi has some impressive facts to its name. It covers an area of 8000 acres in Thailand, it handled over 63 million passengers in 2018, and it was the world’s most popular place for taking Instagram photos in 2012.

The airport opened in 2006 and it’s been the hub for Bangkok Airways, Jet Asia Airways, Thai Airways, Thai Smile and Thai Vietjet Air ever since.

Its busiest international route is to Hong Kong.

What are the biggest airports in the United States?

1. Denver International Airport

2. Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport

3. Orlando International Airport

4. Washington Dulles International Airport

5. George Bush Intercontinental

What are the biggest airports in Europe?

1. Charles de Gaulle Airport (France)

2. Adolfo Suárez Madrid (Spain)

3. Leonardo da Vinci International Airport (Italy)

4. Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (Netherlands)

5. Frankfurt Airport (Germany)

What are the biggest airports in India?

1. Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (HYD) – Hyderabad, 5495 acres

2. Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL) – Delhi, 5106 acres

3. Kempegowda International Airport (BLR) – Bangalore, 4500 acres

4. Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport (CCU) – Kolkata, 2460 acres

5. Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport (BOM) – Mumbai, 1850 acres

What are the busiest airports in the world?

The biggest airports are not always the busiest, and vice versa. Most of the airports that top the list of being the busiest didn’t rank in the list of the biggest airports.

The world’s busiest airport for the past 20 years, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta Airport, is nowhere to be seen in the largest airports list. Yet, they handle over 107 million passengers a year.

Here’s our list of the busiest airports in the entire world, based on the yearly passenger traffic that passes through.

1. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta Airport (Atlanta, USA)

2. Beijing Capital International Airport (Beijing, China)

3. Los Angeles International Airport (Los Angeles, USA)

4. Tokyo Haneda Airport (Tokyo, Japan)

5. Dubai International Airport (Dubai, UAE)

6. O’Hare International Airport (Chicago, USA)

7. London Heathrow Airport (London, UK)

8. Shanghai Pudong International Airport (Shanghai, China)

9. Hong Kong International Airport (Hong Kong, China)

10. Charles de Gaulle Airport (Paris, France)

11. Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (Dallas, Texas)

12. Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport (Guangzhou, China)

13. Seoul Incheon International Airport (Incheon, South Korea)

14. Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (Amsterdam, Netherlands)

15 Frankfurt Airport (Frankfurt, Germany)

16. Singapore Changi Airport (Changi, Singapore)

17. Suvarnabhumi Airport (Bang Phli, Thailand)

18. Denver International Airport (Denver, Colorado)

19. Indira Gandhi International Airport (Delhi, India)

20. Soekarno-Hatta International Airport (Tangerang, Indonesia)

What are the busiest airports in the United States?

1. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta Airport (Atlanta, Georgia)

2. Los Angeles International Airport (Los Angeles, California)

3. O’Hare International Airport (Chicago, Illinois)

4. Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (Dallas, Texas)

5. Denver International Airport (Denver, Colorado)

What are the busiest airports in Europe?

1. Heathrow Airport (London, UK)

2. Charles de Gaulle Airport (Paris, France)

3. Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (Amsterdam, Netherlands)

4. Frankfurt am Main Airport (Frankfurt, Germany)

5. Adolfo Suarez Madrid-Barajas Airport (Madrid, Spain)

What are the busiest airports in India?

1. Indira Gandhi International Airport (Delhi)

2. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (Mumbai)

3. Kempegowda International Airport (Bengaluru)

4. Chennai International Airport (Chennai)

5. Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport (Kolkata)

What are the busiest airports in Africa?

1. O. R. Tambo International Airport (South Africa)

2. Cairo International Airport (Egypt)

3. Bole International Airport (Ethiopia)

4. Cape Town International Airport (South Africa)

5. Mohammed V International Airport (Morocco)

What are the busiest airports in China?

1. Beijing Capital International Airport

2. Shanghai Pudong International Airport

3. Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport

4. Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport

5. Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport

6. Kunming Changshui International Airport

7. Xi’an Xianyang International Airport

8. Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport

9. Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport

10. Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport

There you have it! A complete list of the busiest and biggest airports in the world and by region.

Now, ready for take-off?

Do you sometimes travel by plane?

Service saves the average traveler $300 every year:

• Automatically file compensation for flight delays and cancellations
• Automatically get rebooked at the lowest price when the rate of your hotel room drops
• Get compensation for your lost luggage

Everyone keeps saying how important it is to travel. So what’s all this fuss about? Why do people travel and love traveling?

More importantly: why should we travel more?

The benefits of traveling are not just a one-time thing: traveling changes you physically and psychologically. Having little time or money isn’t a valid excuse. You can fly for cheap very easily. If you have a full-time job and a family, you can still travel on the weekends or holidays, even with a baby.

2020 has been a tough year for travel – to say the least. But don’t let that discourage you from making travel plans in 2021!

Here are some of the main benefits of traveling, in case you need convincing. And I’m sure that once you get started, you’ll find some more yourself!

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1. Traveling Improves Your Health

From cutting down on stress, to lowering your chances of developing a heart disease, the health benefits of traveling are huge.

You may stay sitting on a chair all day long at the workplace: including some walking to your trip is sure to make your body feel better. For some people, wandering abroad is even a cure for depression and anxiety. Of course, it’s not a foolproof cure, but it might help you feel better, both physically and psychologically.

Traveling more is likely to have a tremendous impact on your mental well-being, especially if you’re no used to going out of your comfort zone.

Trust me: travel more and your doctor will be happy. Be sure to get in touch with your physician, they might recommend some medication to accompany you in your travels, especially if you’re heading to regions of the globe with potentially dangerous diseases.

2. Traveling Lets You Disconnect From Your Daily Life

This is closely related to my previous point. We tend to get so caught up in our daily lives that sometimes, by simply sticking around, we may do ourselves more harm than good.

Your boss is taking over your life?
Kids are driving you mad?
Your parents are trying to make you live the life they want?

How long do you think you can handle this pressure before you burst and everything falls apart?

Sometimes it is best to take a step back, take a deep breath and take go that Tower Bridge selfie. In all seriousness, travel is not a bad option – it is the most natural way of inducing the feeling you miss someone or that you are missed.

The trick is to leave with a bit of preparation to avoid making a mistake during your journey. Plus, if you’re flying, you better start thinking about booking your tickets sooner than later.

3. Traveling Makes You Smarter

Get used to picking up new words in a different language every time you travel and you will see improvements in your brain capacities, as Dan Roitman wrote in the Huffington Post. If only this, start getting familiar with travel jargon.

Even more than “just” languages, traveling helps you learn about yourself.

You might run into challenging situations where you need to be resourceful and think differently. I’m sure that you will develop a new set of skills that you didn’t suspect you had within you.

4. Traveling Improves Your Understanding Of Other Cultures

Why we travel may differ from one person to another, but people traveling always develop empathy and a deeper understanding of other cultures.

Being more understanding and tolerant about a culture different than ours is part of being smarter, but I consider it as a benefits of traveling in itself.

There is a quote by Saint Augustine, which goes “The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page”.

You could think of it this way:

If you read what’s in the news or watch the news on TV and don’t question it, you’re missing on a ton of information. You might think that it makes you smarter and more aware of the world, but it’s the exact opposite: it narrows your mind to a unique and biased perspective.

Sure, you probably feel comfortable where you are, but that is just a fraction of the world! If you are traveling as a student, take advantage of programs such as Erasmus to get to know more people, experience and understand their culture.

Dare traveling to regions you have a skeptical opinion about. I bet that you will change your mind and realize that everything is not so bad abroad.

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5. Traveling Makes You More Interesting

I have no doubt that you’re quite the conversationalist. That being said, including a few stories from abroad is likely to grant you even more attention. Mentioning something that most people aren’t familiar with or bring a new perspective is always a good way to shine in a social situation. No need to write a whole travel essay, just discuss what you’ve seen and where you’ve been: people who are accustomed to their daily life will travel with your words.

During my trip to Egypt, my Airbnb host and I went out for dinner. He had been to some many different places, the conversation lasted all night long, and I wasn’t bored for one minute.

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Who do you think people want to listen to: the guy who spent his vacations at home doing some gardening and reading the newspaper, or the one who spent a week in Cuba, driving an old American car, swimming with dolphins and tasting deliciously spicy food?

I know which story I want to hear about…

6. Traveling Allows You To Try Amazing Food

Speaking of food, I bet you’re one hell of a chef and your home meals are delicious. But there is no such thing as trying a typical local dish from another country.

Don’t trick yourself into going to the Sushi shop next door: you don’t know what sushi tastes like until you’ve been to Japan.

As you travel, you discover the real thing, and discover that it’s usually very different from what you’re used to.

Eating local food in a new country is an entirely new experience. All the flavors are different. Here me out: I’m French and I love our local recipes. You do too. But let’s not kid ourselves: some change would be more than welcome in our daily diet. If only because we’re naturally curious.

Some food bloggers travel thousands of kilometers for a specific dish! The least you can do is travel to the next region and try something new.

7. Traveling Makes You Feel Like An Adventurer

Despite the fact that the world has never been as well connected as today, there are still places that are little known to the average tourist. Setting up a list of places you want to visit is extremely motivating. You have something tangible to go after.

I’m currently working on my own bucket list, and I think I’ll never see the end of it, with all these amazing travel destinations.

The benefit of traveling to a new place here is that it forces you to face the unknown and think differently. You don’t need to go spend a month in the jungle! If you live in a large city, just going on a hike over the weekend will make you feel different.

Adventures require novelty, so get out of your comfort zone. It might be scary, but in retrospect, you’ll see it as the best decision you ever made!

8. Traveling Expands Your (Real) Social Network

Believe it or not, social networks was once like a real thing – in real life. Crazy, I know. One of the main reasons why I love traveling is that I believe that establishing connections and building a network abroad is one of the smartest things you can do in today’s world.

It is sometimes hard to build long-lasting relationship with the people you meet abroad, but it doesn’t mean it’s not worth meeting new people!

Take this example:

A few years ago, I spent New Year’s Eve in Tanzania. I slept for two days at the flat of an Egyptian expat. I met him on Couchsurfing, which was once one of the best ways to find cheap accommodation when you travel. A year later, this guy invited me to his wedding in Egypt! How amazing is that?!

(It truly was, by the way.)

Some connections you make over your travels are surprisingly strong.

9. Traveling Let you Create Lifetime Memories

My grandfather was an amazing story-teller and he used to tell me stories of the trips he made when he was younger.

One of my favorites is how he tried eating with chopsticks in China for the first time. He regretted not traveling more as a young man. Years later, he still remembered everything in details: because traveling made a real impression on him. And it probably will on you too.

No matter how insignificant it may seem, the fact that you’ve had an experience abroad, something that was out of the ordinary, creates a memory that you will remember for a long time.

I think that creating those memories is why many people keep traveling.

10. Traveling Makes You Love Your Home Even More

“The magic thing about home is that it feels good to leave, and it feels even better to come back”. You will truly understand the meaning of those words by Wendy Wunder, only upon your return home.

On the one hand, it would seem that you’re back where you started, same setting, same people, same problems. Yet you’re not the same – you’re new, full of new knowledge and ideas!

I know that I was getting bored after living my whole life in the same place. I needed to get out, I need a change of scene. I was focusing only the negative: how there isn’t much to do around, how you always meet the same people, how nothing changes.

Now, when I come home, I’m glad about all of this and I see only the positive.

Final Words On the Benefits of Traveling

I hope that this travel article makes you want to travel more in 2021 (and beyond!). As you travel, you realize that the world is a much better place than what you can see on TV when watching the news.

There is a quote by Mark Twain that I love: “Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do.” Cliché as this may sound, the money you spend on travel, is an investment in yourself. Travel doesn’t make you feel as bad for spending money.

(Actually, you could even make money traveling)

And one last benefit of traveling: it might provide some money when your flight is disrupted!

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