Travel Questions and Answers
Straight, sourced answers to the 20 travel questions people ask most — and a place to ask your own.
Ask Mister Travel a QuestionTravel Questions and Answers, Plainly Explained
Ask Mister Travel collects the travel questions and answers people look for most often, and answers them straight: what the rule is, where it comes from, and what to do about it. No sales pitch, no guesswork.
We found these questions the honest way, by looking at what travelers actually type into Google and Bing. The same twenty come up again and again: when to book a flight, how long a passport takes, how early to get to the airport, what the TSA liquids rule allows, whether travel insurance is worth it, and what to do when a flight is canceled or a bag goes missing. Each answer below is checked against the official source — the State Department, TSA, the Department of Transportation, Customs and Border Protection, the FAA and the European Union — with a link so you can confirm the details for yourself, because rules do change.
Below you will find all twenty questions with a short answer. Follow any question to the full answer on its topic page. If your question isn’t here, send it to us and we will answer it personally.
The 20 Most-Asked Travel Questions
Booking Flights & Cancellations
- When is the best time to book a flight? There is no magic date, but booking early for holidays and peak summer, watching prices with fare alerts and staying flexible on dates beats any single rule.
- What is the best day to buy airline tickets? The old “buy on Tuesday” rule no longer holds. The day you fly matters far more than the day you buy.
- What should I do if my flight is canceled? Rebook fast (app, phone and agent at once). If you would rather not travel, U.S. rules entitle you to a refund to your original payment.
Passports, Visas & REAL ID
- How long does it take to get a passport? Routine service is currently 4 to 6 weeks and expedited service 2 to 3 weeks, plus mailing time. Apply months ahead if you can.
- Do I need a passport to go to Mexico, Canada or the Bahamas? To fly there, yes. By land or sea a passport card or other approved document works, and closed-loop cruises accept a birth certificate plus photo ID.
- How long must my passport be valid to travel? Many countries want six months of validity left; most of Europe wants at least three months beyond your departure. Check each country.
- Do I need a visa or ETIAS to visit Europe? Not a visa for short trips. ETIAS is not running yet; the new EES border system started in 2026, so expect fingerprints and a photo at your first entry.
- Do I need a REAL ID to fly? Adults need a REAL ID-compliant license or another accepted ID, such as a passport, for TSA checkpoints. It has been enforced since May 2025.
Airport & TSA Security
- How early should I arrive at the airport? As a rule of thumb, about two hours before a domestic flight and three before an international one; more at busy times or if you are checking bags.
- What is the TSA liquids rule? Liquids, gels and aerosols in carry-ons must be 3.4 ounces (100 ml) or less each, all in one quart-size bag. Medicines and baby food are exempt.
- Can I bring food through TSA? Yes. Solid food is fine in a carry-on; anything you can spill, spread or pour follows the liquids rule. Some food cannot cross borders.
- Can I bring a power bank on a plane? Yes, in your carry-on only, never in checked bags. Up to 100 watt-hours is fine; 101 to 160 needs airline approval; above 160 is not allowed.
- Should I get TSA PreCheck or Global Entry? PreCheck speeds U.S. airport security. Global Entry speeds re-entry from abroad and includes PreCheck, so frequent international travelers usually choose it.
Carry-Ons, Packing & Lost Luggage
- What size carry-on bag is allowed? For the largest U.S. airlines, 22 x 14 x 9 inches including wheels and handles, plus a personal item. Budget fares and foreign airlines differ.
- How do I pack a carry-on for a week? Pack a mix-and-match wardrobe in one color family, roll or cube it, wear your bulkiest shoes and jacket, and plan one laundry stop.
- What should I do if the airline loses my luggage? Report it before you leave the airport, keep receipts for essentials, and know your right to a bag-fee refund and compensation.
Travel Insurance & Cash
- Is travel insurance worth it? Usually yes for expensive non-refundable trips and for travel abroad, where your health plan may not pay. Less so for cheap, refundable trips.
- How much cash can I carry on a plane? There is no legal limit, but more than $10,000 must be reported to CBP when entering or leaving the U.S. On domestic flights, large sums may draw questions.
Jet Lag & Flying With Kids
- How can I avoid jet lag? Shift your sleep before you leave, use daylight to reset your body clock when you land, and go easy on alcohol, caffeine and long naps.
- How do I fly with a baby or young child? Under-2s may fly on a lap, but the FAA recommends their own seat and an approved car seat. Formula and breast milk are exempt from the liquids limit.
Ask Mister Travel Your Own Question
Planning a trip and stuck on something these answers don’t cover? A rule for a particular country, a tight connection, traveling with a medical condition, which documents a child needs? Send it in. You will get a personal reply by email — not an automated answer.
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Every question is answered personally by email. Some questions and answers may be published on this site (without your name or email); most are not.
Questions we have answered for readers, with names and emails removed, appear on our Reader Q&A page.
Six Topics, Every Answer Sourced
Booking and canceled flights
The best time to book a flight, the “best day to buy” myth, and your refund rights when an airline cancels.
Booking answers →
Packing and the TSA
The TSA liquids rule, food and power banks at security, carry-on sizes and how to fit a week into one bag.
Airport answers →
Comfort and health
Beating jet lag and flying with babies and young children, from car seats to formula at security.
Health answers →Want deals and travel tips by email? Join our free travel deals newsletter. Thinking about turning your love of travel into a business? See Be a Travel Agent. For U.S. trips, Best of the USA picks the best places and things to do across America.
Who Answers
Ask Mister Travel is part of the Smart Traveler network, led by Peter Coloyan — known across the network as Mister Cruise. He has sold travel since 1972 and worked full-time in the industry since 1977. He has sold or originated more than $500 million in cruises and has trained more than 500 travel agents.
Questions sent to Ask Mister Travel are read and answered personally by email. When you are ready to book, a travel specialist can plan the whole trip with you through the Official Travel Directory. Meet Mister Cruise →
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