Sarah Chen
Travel Writer
Sarah covers budget travel, solo travel, and gear reviews for Best Travel Guides. With 25+ articles published and hundreds of hours researching destinations and travel products, she focuses on honest recommendations based on real user experiences, community feedback, and manufacturer specifications. Her research includes comparing specs, reading Reddit threads on r/onebag and r/travel, and analyzing verified user reviews.
Articles by Sarah Chen
Best Carry-On Luggage: 8 Bags Tested for Durability, Size, and Value
We compared 8 carry-on bags across airlines, materials, and price points to find the ones worth buying and the ones coasting on marketing alone.
May 26, 2026
Best Portable Charger for Travel: 7 Power Banks Compared
A dead phone abroad is a safety risk, not an inconvenience. We compared 7 portable chargers on capacity, weight, charge speed, and airline rules.
May 26, 2026
Best Travel Adapters for International Travel: 6 Adapters Compared
Wall outlets change by country but your charger should not. We compared 6 universal travel adapters on plug coverage, USB ports, safety, and portability.
May 26, 2026
Best Travel Pillow Review: 7 Pillows Ranked for Flights, Cars, and Trains
We evaluated 7 top travel pillows on neck support, packability, comfort, and real user feedback. Here is which ones actually help you sleep on the move.
May 26, 2026
Best Travel Jackets with Hidden Pockets: 7 Jackets Reviewed
Travel jackets with hidden pockets keep your passport, cash, and phone secure without looking tactical. We reviewed 7 options for style, function, and security.
May 26, 2026
Travel Safety Tips for First-Time International Travelers
First international trip? These safety tips cover scams, health, documents, money, and street smarts so you can travel confidently without being paranoid.
May 26, 2026
Cheapest Countries to Visit from the US
Your dollar stretches further abroad than you think. These 12 countries offer outstanding travel experiences for $30-75 per day including food, lodging, and activities.
May 25, 2026
How to Choose the Best Travel Backpack: A Buyer's Guide
Stop guessing which travel backpack to buy. This sizing and fit guide walks you through capacity, frame type, fabric, and features so you pick the right pack the first time.
May 25, 2026
Travel Packing Cubes Review: Are They Actually Worth It?
We put packing cubes to the test across 6 trips to answer the real question: do they save space, reduce wrinkles, and make travel easier? Here's what we found.
May 20, 2026
Best Packing Cubes: Compression vs Regular, 7 Sets Compared
We compared 7 popular packing cube sets on compression, durability, weight, and real traveler feedback to find out which ones actually save space and which are overpriced pouches.
April 8, 2026
Japan on a Budget: What It Actually Costs and How to Save
A realistic Japan budget breakdown covering flights, accommodation, food, transport, and activities with actual prices, money-saving strategies, and tips from solo travelers on Reddit.
April 8, 2026
Free and Cheap Local Experiences in Lisbon That Beat the Tourist Trail
Lisbon on a budget doesn't mean skipping the good stuff. Markets, miradouros, neighborhood festivals, free museums, and €1.50 pasteis de nata , here's how locals enjoy the city without spending much.
April 3, 2026
How to Find Authentic Local Food in Mexico City (Not the Tourist Version)
Mexico City has 300,000+ restaurants. Most tourists eat at the same 20. Here's how to find the markets, street stalls, fondas, and neighborhood joints that locals actually eat at.
April 3, 2026
Off the Beaten Path Neighborhoods in Bangkok Worth Exploring
Beyond Khao San Road and Sukhumvit , Bangkok's most interesting neighborhoods are the ones most visitors never see. Markets, temples, street art, and food worth crossing the city for.
April 3, 2026
Best eSIM for International Travel: Plans Compared
Forget hunting for SIM card kiosks at the airport. eSIMs give you instant data the moment you land. We compare the top eSIM providers for international travel in 2026.
April 1, 2026
Best Travel Safety Apps for International Trips
The right apps can be the difference between a minor inconvenience and a serious problem abroad. These travel safety apps cover emergencies, communication, navigation, and health.
April 1, 2026
15 Best Underrated Travel Destinations That Deserve Your Attention
Skip the overcrowded hotspots. These 15 underrated destinations offer better experiences, lower prices, and far fewer tourists than the places everyone else is going in 2026.
April 1, 2026
12 Hidden Gem Destinations That Are Still Affordable
These affordable destinations fly under the radar for a reason , less marketing, fewer influencer posts, and no Disneyfied tourist zones. That is exactly what makes them worth visiting.
April 1, 2026
How to Avoid Travel Scams Abroad: 20 Common Scams and How to Beat Them
Travel scams cost tourists billions every year. Learn the 20 most common scams you will encounter abroad, how to recognize them instantly, and how to protect yourself without being paranoid.
April 1, 2026
How to Get Travel Insurance: Complete Buyer's Guide
Everything you need to know about travel insurance , what it covers, what it doesn't, how to compare policies, and which companies are actually worth buying from.
March 12, 2026
First Time International Travel: Complete Beginner's Guide
Everything you need to know before your first international trip, from getting a passport to landing safely at your destination. Practical, research-backed advice for first-time travelers.
March 12, 2026
Free Things to Do in Europe: 50+ No-Cost Experiences Across 10 Cities
Europe doesn't have to be expensive. Across its greatest cities, hundreds of world-class experiences cost nothing at all , from free museums and medieval streets to parks, viewpoints, and street markets that rival any paid attraction.
March 11, 2026
Travel Etiquette Around the World: Cultural Dos and Don'ts
Knowing the unwritten rules before you arrive shows respect and can transform how locals receive you. Here are the essential cultural etiquette rules for 10 major travel destinations.
March 11, 2026
Best Backpacks for Air Travel: Carry-On Approved Packs Ranked
The right carry-on backpack makes every airport faster and every trip easier. We compared the best carry-on backpacks by specs, user reviews, and airline compatibility -- and ranked them honestly.
March 10, 2026
Best Luggage Brands: Our Top Picks Compared
The right luggage handles years of travel abuse without falling apart. We review the best luggage brands and top suitcase picks across every price range , carry-on, checked, and hardshell vs. softshell.
March 10, 2026
Best Travel Backpacks: Top Picks for Every Type of Traveler
Choosing the right travel backpack can make or break a trip. We compared the top travel backpacks across every category -- carry-on, weekender, and multi-week -- based on specs, reviews, and community feedback.
March 10, 2026
Best Travel Gear for Women: Expert-Tested Picks for Every Type of Trip
The best travel gear for women isn't just men's gear in pink , it's thoughtfully designed for different body shapes, needs, and priorities. Here's what our female travel team actually uses and recommends.
March 10, 2026
Best Travel Pillows for Long-Haul Flights: Tested & Ranked
The right travel pillow turns a miserable 10-hour flight into actual rest. We researched and ranked the best neck pillows, wrap pillows, and compact options so you can sleep on planes without the neck pain.
March 10, 2026
Best VPNs for Travel: Stay Safe on Public WiFi Anywhere
A VPN is one of the smartest travel tools you can carry , protecting your banking, passwords, and data on hotel WiFi, airport networks, and café hotspots anywhere in the world.
March 10, 2026
Cape Town Safari & Day Tour Guide: Best Operators, Prices & What to Expect
Cape Town is one of the world's most beautiful cities, and within a 2-hour drive are world-class safaris, whale watching, wine regions, and private game reserves. Here's how to find the best tours without getting ripped off.
March 10, 2026
Cheapest Places to Travel Internationally: 12 Budget Destinations That Wow
The world's best travel experiences don't require a Fortune 500 salary. These 12 destinations deliver extraordinary food, culture, beauty, and adventure for $30–60 per day , less than the cost of a mediocre hotel breakfast in London.
March 10, 2026
Denmark Travel Guide: Copenhagen, Countryside & Everything Between
Denmark is Scandinavia's most accessible and least intimidating entry point , a compact country with extraordinary design, cycling culture, world-class food, and Viking heritage. Here's how to see it all.
March 10, 2026
Europe on a Budget: Complete Travel Guide
Traveling Europe doesn't have to cost a fortune. This complete budget travel guide covers the cheapest destinations, accommodation tips, transportation tricks, and how to eat well without breaking the bank.
March 10, 2026
How to Get a Passport Fast: Step-by-Step Guide
Need a passport fast? Whether you have a trip in two weeks or two months, this guide walks you through exactly how to get a US passport , standard processing, expedited service, and the fastest same-day emergency options.
March 10, 2026
How to Pack Light: The Ultimate Carry-On Only Guide for Any Trip
Packing light transforms your trip , no checked bag fees, faster airport transit, and the freedom to move without dragging a suitcase everywhere. Learn exactly how to pack for any trip in one carry-on.
March 10, 2026
Iceland Travel Guide: When to Go, What to See & How to Plan
Iceland is one of the world's most extraordinary destinations , and more accessible than you think. This complete Iceland travel guide covers the best time to visit, the Ring Road, Northern Lights, costs, and everything you need to plan your trip.
March 10, 2026
Solo Travel for Women: The Complete Safety & Planning Guide
Solo travel as a woman is one of the most helping experiences you can have. With the right preparation, destinations, and mindset, it's safer and more rewarding than you'd ever imagine.
March 10, 2026
Southeast Asia for First-Timers: The Complete Beginners' Travel Guide
Southeast Asia is one of the world's best first-time travel destinations , affordable, warm, full of incredible food, and endlessly varied. This guide covers where to go, how to plan, costs, and what first-timers need to know.
March 10, 2026
Top 15 Things to Do in Cape Town, South Africa
From Table Mountain to the Cape Winelands, discover the best things to do in Cape Town , Africa's most striking city. A complete guide for first-time and returning visitors.
March 10, 2026
Tokyo Travel Guide: When to Go, What to Do & How to Get Around
Tokyo is one of the world's most extraordinary cities , endlessly fascinating, safe, efficient, and welcoming. This complete guide covers the best neighborhoods, transportation, food, day trips, and when to visit for cherry blossom season.
March 10, 2026
Travel Budget Calculator: How to Plan Any Trip on Any Budget
The secret to stress-free travel isn't earning more, it's planning smarter. This step-by-step travel budget framework covers flights, accommodation, food, activities, and emergency funds for every type of trip.
March 10, 2026
How to Stay Safe While Traveling Abroad: 20 Essential Safety Tips
Traveling safely is mostly about preparation and awareness, not fear. These 20 practical safety tips will help you travel confidently in any country while avoiding the most common traveler pitfalls.
March 10, 2026
Ultimate Packing List for International Travel: Everything You Actually Need
The definitive international travel packing list, what to bring, what to skip, and the exact gear that makes long-term travel comfortable. Organized by category with tips on packing light without sacrificing anything important.
March 10, 2026