The SimOptions Guide
Travel guides and connectivity tips for 200+ destinations.
Travel Tips (60)
Travel TipsThanksgiving Travel 2026: Your Day-by-Day CalendarThanksgiving 2026 falls on Thursday, 26 November, and the days around it are some of the busiest travel days of the year in the US. The pattern repeats every year: the…Updated November 9, 2026Travel TipsIs It Better to Book Flights Directly With the Airline or a Third Party?Is it better to book flights directly with the airline or through a third party? If you might need to change your dates, want your miles, or want quick help when a…Updated November 9, 2026Travel TipsHow to Avoid International ATM Fees: 8 Simple WaysTo avoid international ATM fees, use a card that doesn't charge foreign fees, pick an ATM run by a bank (ideally a partner of your bank), always choose the local…Updated November 10, 2026Travel TipsWhat Is the Entry/Exit System (EES)? Who It Applies To and What to ExpectThe Entry/Exit System (EES) is the EU's digital border system. It records non-EU visitors on short stays each time they cross the external border of 29 European…Updated November 9, 2026Travel TipsHostel vs Hotel vs Airbnb: Pros and Cons of Each and How to ChooseHostel, hotel or Airbnb? A hostel is usually the cheapest bed and the easiest way to meet people. A hotel gives you privacy, a front desk and simple check-in. An Airbnb…Updated November 9, 2026Travel TipsThe Best Airport Lounge Memberships and Other Ways to Get Lounge AccessThe best airport lounge membership is the one that matches how you fly. If you fly different airlines from many airports, a lounge network membership like Priority Pass…Updated November 10, 2026Travel TipsThe Best Group Travel AppsThere's no single best group travel app. Most groups do best with one app for the plan, one for shared costs and one for photos. Wanderlog or TripIt can hold the…Updated November 9, 2026Travel TipsWho Needs an ETIAS Travel Authorization? Rules, Fee and Start DateETIAS is a travel authorisation for visitors who don't need a visa to enter Europe. It is not a visa. If you can travel to Europe visa-free, you will need an approved…Updated November 9, 2026Travel TipsDirect Flight vs Layover: Pros, Cons and How to ChooseDirect flight or layover? A direct flight saves you time and removes the risk of missing a connection, so it's usually worth paying more when your schedule is tight,…Updated November 9, 2026Travel TipsJet Lag: What Actually Works to Minimize ItJet lag can't be fully prevented, but you can make it shorter and milder. What actually works: shift your sleep towards your destination's time before you leave, drink…Updated November 9, 2026Travel TipsYour 2026 Big Events Calendar: What Happened, What's Left and 2027The biggest events of 2026 were the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics in February, the FIFA World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico from June to July, America's 250th…Updated November 9, 2026Travel TipsBest Travel Apps in 2026: The Must-Have Apps by CategoryThe best travel apps are the ones that solve a real problem on the road: finding your way, understanding the language, booking where to sleep and getting online the…