There are over 3 million travel hungry members in our community, here's a taste of the discussions, advice and stories being told.

Passengers wait in a seating area at a terminal of Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport, with a view of the runway and a plane outside.

Layover

You've had your eyes on a flight for months, but the prices never drop - and then suddenly, a bargain comes along. But, of course, the layover options are far from ideal.
What would you choose: a short, stressful run through the terminal between gates&nbsp;OR&nbsp;a lengthy wait twiddling your thumbs and eating overpriced airport food?
How long is the right length of time for a layover, and how do you survive the less than ideal?&nbsp;
Drop your thoughts in the comments 👇

Discussion: Short and Stressful or Long and Boring - what kind of layover do you prefer?

Uruguay

Chile

Argentina

Bolivia

Peru

Montevideo

This personal travel story was submitted by Jack's Flight Club member Liz in summer 2026.
<hr>
I&rsquo;m sure this isn&rsquo;t the headline you&rsquo;d expect in The Detour, but I&rsquo;ve never been one for following the expected path.
I turned 50 in January and wanted to celebrate in an unusual way. While most people head to Machu Picchu or the Bolivian salt flats, I set myself a different mission: to follow my ancestors&rsquo; journey through South America, retracing the route they travelled between the late 1870s and 1926.
Armed with family trees, old letters and historical documents, I set out to bring their story to life. Of course, I still found plenty of time for a few tourist adventures along the way.

<h2 dir="ltr">Following Their Footsteps</h2>
Our story begins in the early 1870s, when William and Frances Walters left York for Australia. The entire Walters family emigrated there, and most of their descendants remain in Australia today&mdash;perhaps that&rsquo;s a journey for my 60th birthday.
William and Frances didn&rsquo;t stay long. Their daughter, my great-grandmother Lucy, was born in Sydney before William accepted a position as an engineer on the Chilean railways, taking the family to Santiago, Chile.
<img src="https://cdn.jacksflightclub.com/id/ed7f1c9c4a861186a893d54ee1cb6e49a8457615" width="197" height="259"> William Walters <img src="https://cdn.jacksflightclub.com/id/c08c9cb97632c6468e27066e44de7f7eb92cd1fe" width="223" height="195"> Frances Walters
Around the same time, a young boy named John Mutch was growing up around Aberdeen and Stonehaven, Scotland, where generations of the Mutch family still live today.&nbsp;
John had bigger ambitions, though, and travelled to Santiago to build a career in banking, securing a job at the Anglo South American Bank.
There he met Lucy.
<img src="https://cdn.jacksflightclub.com/id/bb894e896de3426ba864780ffbd53cf7ab3c9464" width="198" height="264" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"> John Mutch
<img src="https://cdn.jacksflightclub.com/id/b78c53be0dfcc6a9e1ecc38eed2cb872e03b1bf8" width="187" height="264"> Lucy Mutch 
<h3 dir="ltr">Santiago, Chile</h3>
Naturally, Santiago was my first stop. While there, I conquered my fear of heights by riding the historic Funicular de Santiago to the summit of Cerro San Crist&oacute;bal. The panoramic views were well worth the shaky knees.
I also explored San Jos&eacute; de Maipo in the Andes. On the journey back, my guide made an unscheduled stop at one of the original railway tunnels built during my great-great-grandfather&rsquo;s era&mdash;a special moment that brought the family story vividly to life.
Back in Santiago, I visited Estaci&oacute;n Central, the Railway Museum, and spent a peaceful afternoon wandering around Santa Luc&iacute;a Hill.

<h3 dir="ltr">Montevideo, Uruguay</h3>
My next destination was Montevideo. It was there, in 1906, that my grandmother Gladys was born. At just 32 years old, John had become an assistant bank manager. Not bad for a wee boy from Aberdeen. Only a couple of years later, another promotion took the family to Iquique, Chile, where he became bank manager. Sadly, I could not make it to Iquiqui on this trip.
It felt important to spend my 50th birthday in Santiago. I visited the bank where my great-grandfather had worked and stood outside the family home where they had once lived.&nbsp;

Before leaving the UK, I&rsquo;d discovered the location of my great-great-grandmother Frances&rsquo; grave. On my birthday, I packed a picnic and spent several hours sitting beside her grave, telling her all about the generations that followed. She probably wished for another hundred years of peace and quiet after that.

<h3 dir="ltr">Buenos Aires, Argentina</h3>
Being so close, it would have been rude not to hop across the R&iacute;o de la Plata to Buenos Aires.
I had grand plans but ended up needing a little rest instead. I still enjoyed exploring my neighbourhood on foot, although I never quite made it to the tango show I&rsquo;d planned. I suppose that just gives me an excuse to return.
<h3 dir="ltr">Cusco and Ollantaytambo, Peru</h3>
Next came Cusco and Ollantaytambo, where I&rsquo;d scheduled in a few quieter days. Rather than taking one of the expensive tourist transfers, I travelled by local colectivo&mdash;a shared minibus costing around &pound;10 each way.

Although I chose not to visit Machu Picchu this time, Ollantaytambo itself was breathtaking. My accommodation overlooked a mountain stream, and I spent my days wandering through the ancient streets, visiting the old Inca Bridge, and simply enjoying everyday life alongside the locals.&nbsp;
I also tried alpaca meat for the first time. It quickly became one of my favourite meals and featured regularly for the rest of my trip.
<h2 dir="ltr">A Change of Plans</h2>
My next stop was supposed to be Arequipa, but storms grounded my flight. After a little negotiation, the airline flew me two days earlier than planned to La Paz, Bolivia, instead.
Sometimes travel disruptions become the best stories.

<h3 dir="ltr">La Paz, Bolivia</h3>
La Paz was perhaps the most emotional stop of the entire journey. This was where my great-grandfather died in 1926, aged just 52. At the time, he was overseeing the relocation of Banco Mercantil&rsquo;s headquarters from Oruro to La Paz. In a letter dated 11 June 1926, he wrote to his son Bobby, suggesting they meet while Bobby was working in Peru.
Sadly, they never did. He died during a work trip to La Paz on 17 July 1926. I visited the bank headquarters, although I was unable to locate his grave due to local burial customs.

La Paz itself is an extraordinary city. I wandered through the Witches&rsquo; Market, explored the streets, and discovered that even coca tea and altitude tablets couldn&rsquo;t entirely prevent the effects of the thin air. Fortunately, an Andean massage helped enormously.
One unforgettable highlight was taking the cable car up to El Alto to watch the famous <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@harriet_eyre/video/7490159225340038422">Cholitas Wrestling</a>. Don&rsquo;t miss it if you ever visit. 
<h3 dir="ltr">Across Lake Titicaca</h3>
Before heading to Lima to meet relatives, I wanted to immerse myself further in Andean culture.
I travelled by bus from La Paz to Puno. The journey itself was spectacular, including a lunch stop in Copacabana before everyone left the bus to board a small boat, while the bus itself was ferried across the Tiquina Strait on a wooden raft. It&rsquo;s exactly as surreal as it sounds.

From Puno I visited the <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/travel/article/20220814-the-floating-homes-of-lake-titicaca">Uros Floating Islands</a>, learning about the remarkable reed islands and the traditions that have survived for generations. Then came one of the greatest highlights of my entire trip.
<h3 dir="ltr">Taquile Island</h3>
This tiny island in Lake Titicaca has no cars and very little modern technology. The local people still speak Quechua and preserve traditions that stretch back to Inca times.
After lunch, I left the tourist group and was collected by my host, Rub&eacute;n. For three days I lived with his family, joining them on walks around the island, learning about their traditions, watching the men weave, sharing meals and even joining in the local dancing.

Between my limited Spanish, their limited English, and my complete lack of Quechua, we still somehow managed to understand one another.&nbsp;
One mystery remains unsolved, though&hellip; How did I manage to rack up a total of 17 miles&rsquo; walking on an island that&rsquo;s only two square miles? At that altitude, coca leaves and mu&ntilde;a tea became my closest companions, clearly keeping me going.&nbsp;
Leaving Taquile was genuinely emotional. There is something magical about Lake Titicaca and the ancient communities who continue to call it home. I&rsquo;ll definitely return.
<h3 dir="ltr">Lima, Peru</h3>
Finally, after eight flights, ferries, boats and buses, it was time to meet family. Instead of flying, I chose a 24-hour luxury coach from Puno to Lima. For around &pound;40 I had a fully reclining bed seat, privacy curtain, breakfast, and some of the most spectacular scenery I&rsquo;ve ever seen.
It was one of the best-value journeys of the entire trip.
Arriving in Lima also meant one unexpected luxury&hellip; Breathing normally again. After weeks at altitude, I practically sprinted down to the Pacific coast to watch the sunset.
Meeting Bobby&rsquo;s great-grandson was incredibly special. Bobby had ended up settling in Peru as an adult after marrying a Peruvian lady. They went on to have two children, John and Madeleine, and it was John&rsquo;s son, Bruce, who I was lucky enough to meet.&nbsp;

I had been in touch with Bruce for years via WhatsApp, but this was the first time we had been in the same place. I brought gifts from Aberdeen, including MacDonald tartan, as our Scottish ancestry traces back through our great-great-grandmother. Fittingly, we celebrated Burns Night together.
I also explored historic Lima, where I unexpectedly crossed paths with the president during a walkabout outside the Presidential Palace. I just happened to be in the square at the right time and saw the press running, so I ran after them to see what was going on. In all honesty, I had to Google him after I took the photo, as I didn&rsquo;t know who he was when I met him!
Visits to Miraflores and the <a href="https://www.peru.travel/attractions/huaca-pucllana-and-huaca-huallamarca">Huaca Pucllana</a> archaeological site rounded off my time in Peru perfectly.

<h2 dir="ltr">Looking Back</h2>
After 28 days travelling solo across South America, I flew home via Colombia with a full heart, renewed confidence and, most importantly, a much deeper understanding of my family&rsquo;s extraordinary story.
It drove home to me how brave my family was to migrate like that during those times to another continent and culture. It wasn&rsquo;t as simple as jumping on a plane. My ancestors would sail for 45 days each way just to visit Britain. Compared with that, I can hardly complain about nine flights in four weeks.
This journey wasn&rsquo;t simply about tracing a family tree. It was about walking in their footsteps, understanding the lives they built so far from home, and discovering a little more about myself along the way. South America gave me history, adventure, family, and memories I&rsquo;ll treasure forever.
I&rsquo;ll certainly be back&mdash;both to continue following my ancestors&rsquo; journey and to discover even more of this remarkable continent.

Who do I think I Am? Liz's Ancestral Voyage Through South America

Bhutan

Morocco

Japan

Indonesia

A stylish graphic from Jack's Flight Club advertising "The Detour," a weekly travel news and inspiration feature.

Detour banner 2026 dark

Hey there, Travellers,
Somehow, it's already the end of July, and we're well and truly in the midst of the summer travel season. The Jack's team is not immune to the summer travel bug, of course; from Ibiza to India, Adelaide to Alberta, Oregon to Orlando, and Tanzania to Tuscany, we've been on family trips, attended weddings and bachelor parties, raced tuk-tuks through the Himalayas, and road-tripped along open highways.&nbsp;
And naturally, the first thing we do when we get back to work is share what we saw along the way. Here's a taster of the snaps we've been sharing with each other:

Golden hour in Adelaide Hills during Navigator Larissa's trip Down Under

Navigator Annya's picture-perfect views from a family weekend in Alberta

A glimpse of Abbazia di Monte Oliveto Maggiore Monastery during Navigator Mark's Tuscan escapades

But what we really want to hear about, dear readers, are your travels. Whether you've been on a staycation near home, spent a week at your fave beach spot, or set off on a whole new adventure, share your 2026 summer travel spots with us <a href="https://members.jacksflightclub.com/articles/detour-248-competition-winner-and-curing-itchy-feet#comments">in the comments</a>. And if you're still to go, it's never too late to ask for tips from the Jack's Community.
Happy travels and safe landings,

Katy - Editor of The Detour

Our travel photo competition has now come to a close, and we're so impressed with all the outstanding pictures and memorable stories we received. But after hundreds of votes, there can only be one winner!
Congratulations to shuotography for <a href="https://members.jacksflightclub.com/postcards/6a3ece370c900494bbac332b">this cracking shot</a> from Bhutan's Tiger Nest Monastery!

Competition Time

"Sometimes, you have to gamble on the clouds."
Twenty-four hours before this shot, the entire valley was a total whiteout. A sudden, heavy snow flurry had rolled in, swallowing the Tiger Nest Monastery whole&mdash;you couldn't have seen the cliffside, let alone captured the frame. I&rsquo;ll be honest: I was genuinely concerned the trip wouldn't yield the visual I had come for.
But here is what went down:
As I stood outside the lodge, waiting for my guide to emerge into the biting morning air, the sky began to break. The heavy, grey weight of the storm started to lift, revealing the monastery clinging to the rock face, exactly as I&rsquo;d pictured.
It was a stark reminder that even with all the planning in the world, the best shots often come down to patience and just showing up.

We can't wait to see where your &pound;500 towards flights takes you next! Keep those pics and travel stories coming.
We also want to give a massive shout-out to our runners up, JakeDaw11&nbsp;and&nbsp;jaknotjack_ for their snaps of the Ouzoud Falls in Morocco and iconic Mt. Fuji. As a special treat, you'll both get a free year of Takeoff&nbsp;membership.&nbsp;

To see all the entries into the competition, or to send us a Postcard about your recent trip or a Jack's Flight that you managed to grab, <a href="https://members.jacksflightclub.com/postcards">head over to our Postcard Wall</a>.

When Your Feet Begin to Itch, Travel is the Ointment

With journeys spanning more than 30 countries and ten years, Akasha's best memories live in the pages of her passport. She always consults her tarot (and her cats) before any big trip. Currently based in Ireland, when she isn't travelling, she&rsquo;s probably drawing in a caf&eacute; somewhere.

By Akasha

Let me ask you: that first breath after disembarking the aircraft on your return home, is it the biggest exhale of relief? Or a sigh of resignation, sucking in the courage to sink back into reality?
If, like me, you&rsquo;re in the latter group, feeling stuck in a never-ending existential jet bridge &mdash; itchy feet ready for more &mdash;&nbsp; don&rsquo;t get down on yourself.&nbsp;
Reading members <a href="https://members.jacksflightclub.com/postcards/6a5320d7ec12892fa8031a3c?_gl=1*135565h*_up*MQ..*_ga*NjM2MjI4NDk5LjE3ODUzMTUxMzM.*_ga_JPL087RCPL*czE3ODUzMTUxMzIkbzEkZzAkdDE3ODUzMTUxNDQkajQ4JGwwJGg2MDcxOTkzNzg.">Luci and Javi&rsquo;s words</a> about their travels in Indonesia and how it persuaded them to skip their flight home, it&rsquo;s my hope that you&rsquo;ll find comfort in knowing you&rsquo;re not the only one asking, &ldquo;Where do I really want to be?&rdquo;

&ldquo;Indonesia changed us far more deeply than we expected. We rediscovered our passion for travelling, connecting with other cultures, discovering new ways of living, and stepping outside everything we had always considered normal.
And the closer our return date came, the clearer it became that we no longer wanted to go back to the same life. So we did something that, just a few months earlier, would have seemed unthinkable: we decided to miss that flight.
We left behind our home in Spain, our old jobs, and the life we had built there to dedicate ourselves to what truly makes us happy.&rdquo;

You don&rsquo;t have to nail your forever place or forgo your boarding pass right away. Perhaps working out what makes you feel "free" is more important than finding a single location; is it community, solitude, creativity, simplicity&hellip;?
That's a lot to reflect on, sure, but humor me just a little longer. Is there somewhere in the world where you've found... 
Community: What place made you feel instantly less alone?
Solitude: Where on the planet gave your mind the quietest, most peaceful exhale of your life?&nbsp;
Creativity: What landscapes or surroundings completely inspired your inner artist?&nbsp;
Simplicity: Which corner of the earth taught you how to live happily with less?&nbsp;
Tell us about the secluded wilderness, the quiet town, or that chaotic city that gave you exactly what you needed <a href="https://members.jacksflightclub.com/articles/detour-248-competition-winner-and-curing-itchy-feet#comments">in the comments</a>. Your recommendations might just inspire something bigger &mdash; and with any luck, they could be the exact thing another reader needs.&nbsp;

Inspring Adventure

All the important (or silly, or strange) news from around the Jack's Community this month.
<ul>
<li>Flying with one airline for the rest of your life. We wouldn&rsquo;t wish it on anyone; variety is the spice of life. But&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/jacksflightclub/permalink/2880110682344774/">here&rsquo;s who you&rsquo;d choose</a>. Spoiler alert: the most popular is probably&nbsp;exactly who you think it'll be. </li>
<li>Ever feel like you&rsquo;ve been missing a trick on spotting those good US airline sales? <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DbaiVCoDZ12/">Let Navigator Mattie talk you through</a> our tips and tricks. </li>
<li>Crowdsourcing instead of Google? We're all for it. Our Facebook community helped <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/jacksflightclub/permalink/2881211862234656/">one member plan to reach New Zealand</a> without transiting through the UAE.&nbsp; </li>
<li>Night mode activated! Here are <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/jacksflightclub/permalink/2869985030024006/">your most picturesque explorations after dark</a>.&nbsp; </li>
<li>The World Cup may be over, but thankfully the <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DapgSZwD_xk/">Haaland memes</a> live on. </li>
<li>Jack&rsquo;s Traveler Derren&rsquo;s <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/jacksflightclub/permalink/2858674437821732/">review of a Rotterdam portaloo</a> sparked an unexpected thread of loo reviews&hellip;&nbsp;The less said, the better.&nbsp; </li>
<li>And finally, one that&rsquo;s been giving us the giggles every time we look at it &mdash; <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DbFuAM5nHkt/?igsh=OGNzNWJ6b2tjenNr&amp;img_index=1">Penguins 1: Tourists 0</a>.&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

Community News

Competition Winner & Curing Your Itchy Feet

Sri Lanka

Italy

Canada

Greece

South Africa

Vietnam

Namibia

France

United States

Kenya

Reynisfjara, the iconic black sand beach in Iceland, features dramatic basalt sea stacks framed by azure waters and rugged cliffs. 

Iceland beach - Katy

At some point on our travels, we&rsquo;ve all probably felt that familiar urge: standing before an iconic landmark and reaching for a camera simply because everyone else is doing the same.
But there&rsquo;s a delicate balance between living in the moment and capturing it.
Do we really take the time to stop and be present to witness the way the afternoon light hits the courtyard of Alhambra, or are we focused on how it&rsquo;ll look to our followers?
Personally, I&rsquo;m team take-the-photo, but don&rsquo;t whisk me away before allowing me to pause and soak in the magic of the moment afterward.&nbsp;
In fact, taking a picture is often how I absorb the experience. Especially when it comes to landscape or street photography. I&rsquo;m by no means an expert, but thinking about what&rsquo;s in front of me and how to snap it helps me notice its nuance. Light, patterns, texture, shadow, emotion...&nbsp;
The camera becomes my tool for mindfulness. Even in the quiet in-between of waiting for &ldquo;the perfect shot,&rdquo; I find myself soaking in the sounds and smells of a place far more deeply than I could have if I had simply admired it and walked on by.
It turns out that most of you seem to feel the same way. We asked our Facebook community for&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/jacksflightclub/permalink/2825021901186986/">their best travel shots</a>, and we were truly blown away!&nbsp;
And since the adage &ldquo;a picture says a thousand words&rdquo;&nbsp;definitely rings true. I&rsquo;ll quit my word count here and let your lenses speak for themselves&hellip;&nbsp;

📸 Jamie in <a href="https://www.yalasrilanka.lk/">Yala National Park, Sri Lanka</a>.

📸 Lynda in <a href="https://www.theroadreel.com/things-to-do-in-scilla-calabria-italy/">Scilla, Italy</a>.&nbsp;

📸 Mel in <a href="https://thebanffblog.com/maligne-lake/">Maligne Lake, AB, Canada</a>

📸 Kathy <a href="https://voyagefox.net/the-best-photo-spots-in-santorini/">in Santorini</a>

📸 Stephen in <a href="https://www.hluhluwegamereserve.com/">Hluhluwe&ndash;iMfolozi Park</a>, South Africa

📸 Jennifer in <a href="https://www.wheregoesrose.com/ha-long-bay-vietnam/">Ha Long Bay, Vietnam</a>

📸 Andy in <a href="https://ellamckendrick.com/the-ultimate-namibia-travel-guide/">Nambia</a>

📸 Vicki in <a href="https://www.wanderwithjamie.com/blog/phuquoc">Phu Quoc, Vietnam</a>

📸 Gillian in <a href="https://thetravelauthor.com/complete-guide-to-annecy-france/">Annecy, France</a>

📸Robin in <a href="https://www.visitutah.com/articles/bonneville-salt-flats-planning-guide">Bonneville, Utah</a>

📸Tammy in <a href="https://beyondthebucketlist.co/where-to-see-wildlife-kenyas-best-national-parks-ranked/">Kenya</a>

<h2 id="n">Now it's your turn!</h2>
Our Travel Photos competition is now closed for entries, but you can still share your fave travel snaps and stories with other Jack's Travelers any time! Bonus points for from a trip you took using a Jack's Flight.
Click the button below, sign into Jack's Members Lounge, hit 'Contribute' in the top right corner, and select 'Share a travel story'. The rest is up to you!

Through Our Lens: Community Travel Photo Competition

A person with a backpack stands on a grassy hill overlooking the lush, expansive view of the Carpathian Mountains.

Woman traveler

We often brag about where we&rsquo;ve traveled, but rarely do we share that exact moment that led us to book the ticket.&nbsp;
Perhaps it was a birthday milestone, a longing to trace your roots, or a realization you long for the road less traveled. Maybe it was the desire to get out of your comfort zone or an enduring (or not so enduring) love that made you book the first ticket out.
We&rsquo;re calling this project &ldquo;Why&rsquo;d You Go?&rdquo;, hoping to gather our community&rsquo;s personal travel motivations to share and inspire other Jack's Travelers in The Detour and our social media this year.&nbsp;
For those of you needing a little inspo to get your juices flowing, here&rsquo;s member Elizabeth&rsquo;s why:&nbsp;

&ldquo;My why happened on 14th September 2022 when my Dad passed away. I had just returned from my first solo trip round Portugal, and my parents from a cruise to Norway. He passed away 5 days later.
My best friend managed to persuade me to go on a trip to Verona and Lake Garda in December. Don&rsquo;t get me wrong, I have travelled before, with friends, family, etc., but this trip was a lightbulb moment. I recall it finally hitting me that people actually do die, and I have a bucket list of places I wanted to visit.
Since then I have travelled far and wide, always taking my Dad&rsquo;s memory with me and doing a mix of solo travel, with friends, volunteering, and also sometimes with my adult son. In early 2025 I started a project to bring my family tree to life and I am following my ancestors around the world. This even took me on a one month trip to South America where I followed their footsteps from the late 1870s to 1926.
I am not going to be on my death bed with any would have, could have or should haves. The nurses are going to be inundated with stories of different cultures and people I have met along the way. Maybe they will be influenced to go see the beauty in the people and places of this earth too.&rdquo; -&nbsp;Elizabeth

Now it's over to you, intrepid Travelers! 
What motivates you to travel? Have you been on a trip that meant more than most? 
Share your why in the comments and help inspire others to get out there on those meaningful adventures!

Why'd You Go?

Spain

Norway

United Kingdom

A yellow sign at passport control in a German-speaking airport.

Passport control

<blockquote>
&ldquo;I&rsquo;d like to know your views on the new EES system which is due to roll out in April &lsquo;26. I&rsquo;m a UK passport holder travelling to Kos in August and concerned about the potential delays at passport control.&rdquo;
</blockquote>

Hey there, Traveller! Great topic, and very timely too.&nbsp;
Since October 2025, countries in the Schengen Zone have been rolling out the EU Entry/Exit System (EES). By collecting your biometric data upon arrival (photo &amp; fingerprints), countries within the zone are aiming to track visitors more consistently and ensure that nobody is overstaying their welcome.&nbsp;
This doesn&rsquo;t feel like anything new in terms of border control techniques (I&rsquo;ve been attempting not to make silly faces in photos at international borders for years), so you&rsquo;d think it wouldn&rsquo;t be a big deal. However, when you try to get <a href="https://travel-europe.europa.eu/ees/what-is-the-ees">29 countries</a> to roll out one system across 500+ airports, all major ferry ports, land border crossings, etc., things get a little complicated.
Anyone entering the Schengen area on a non-EU/Schengen passport will now need to go through this process upon arrival. Well,&nbsp;probably.&nbsp;
Like you, reader, airports and border control agents are getting anxious about the surge in summer visitors possibly leading to utter chaos at immigration. For that reason, the EU has confirmed that, although April 9th is still the legal deadline for implementation, all countries have the <a href="https://etias.com/articles/eu-entry/exit-system-full-implementation-still-april-9,-with-flexibility">ability to pause the EES checks</a> for up to 90 days after that date. They&rsquo;ve also given the possibility of a further 60-day extension on that, with early September as the final final deadline.
All that to say, you may not even have to deal with the new EES system upon your arrival in Kos. But if you do, there&rsquo;s no knowing whether it&rsquo;ll be hellish or plain sailing. <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/jacksflightclub/permalink/2734116543610856/">We asked our Facebook community</a> for their experiences so far, and it really was a mixed bag.

&ldquo;Really quick with lunchtime arrival in Vienna on February 16th. Through in under 10 minutes.&rdquo; - Susan
<hr>
&ldquo;Straight through in Lille, took seconds, and in Fuerteventura they had specific machines for people who hadn&rsquo;t previously done theirs and no queues at all.&rdquo; - Sally
<hr>
&ldquo;Barcelona last month - easy peasy and done in no time.&rdquo; - Liz
<hr>
&ldquo;Alicante in January, returned Feb&hellip;no issue.&rdquo; - Lesley

<h2 dir="ltr">The confused</h2>

&ldquo;Been through Faro (where we did our prints and photos done on the way in) and Rome Ciampino. In Rome when I scanned my passport an official told me to go with him, I was a bit worried but it was just to get my passport stamped and I went straight through. Unfortunately because he was dealing with me, he missed my husband who had to go through the whole process and was almost last through! Teething problems!&rdquo; - Fiona
<hr>
&ldquo;Two very different experiences. One was 2 hours (Tromso), and the other was all automated with self-service scanners! I was pleasantly surprised at Tenerife.&rdquo; - Sophia
<hr>
&ldquo;When I went to Spain, there were some new, very confusing lines, and none of the staff really knew which queues to put people in. When I got to the desk at the front, a grumpy man told me to look into the camera, then do my fingerprints, and that was it. It took around 30-40 minutes, I think, but that was mostly down to the lack of organization; they had people switching queues constantly.&rdquo; - Lauren
<hr>
&ldquo;I&rsquo;ve been through various, and I think depends upon destination. Montpellier in France is a regular trip, and time-wise for me at least, nothing is out of the ordinary. Did experience about an hour delay at Prague, where they seemed to be struggling, and it took about 40 mins at CDG Paris.&rdquo; - Simon
<hr>
&ldquo;We went through with Eurostar in Paris on Wednesday. It was fine and quick for me, but then our train was delayed because so many people, who had arrived at the time the email and tickets told them to arrive, were stuck in big queues at security.
I think, to be honest, it was the bag scanning that slowed it down there, as the staff manning that section could not have been less helpful.&rdquo; - Danielle

&ldquo;Scanner took a while to scan the passport, and the fingerprint scanner didn't work at all no matter how hard or soft you pressed! (Leeds/Bradford) so had to go the usual route anyway, and the queue was enormous!! So it wasn&rsquo;t just us that had a problem.&rdquo; - Jules
<hr>
&ldquo;2 hours to get into Krakow&hellip;&rdquo; - Beverley
<hr>
&ldquo;A nightmare in Lanzarote. Not clear what to do. Those that didn't scan their passports couldn't then get through passport control at the gate. All UK flights were delayed last night.&rdquo; - Anon
<hr>
&ldquo;Scanners "down" at Lanzarote on way in and took ages to get them back up, so there were big queues. There was no one easily found to ask questions of, and I could see that some of the questions might take some folk down rabbit holes&rdquo; - Karen

The main thing I&rsquo;m taking away from all these stories is that it really varies wildly from airport to airport. Anyone arriving in the Schengen Zone on a non-Schengen passport this summer should plan to queue for at least 30 minutes at border control. If the EES system is in use, many people will be going through for the first time and will need to register their details, causing delays. If it&rsquo;s not in use, you&rsquo;ll still have to wait for a manual check and/or stamping.&nbsp;
If you&rsquo;re on a tight schedule, book seats close to the front of the plane so you&rsquo;re first off. Don&rsquo;t stop to use the facilities on your way&mdash;plan ahead and use the toilet on the plane before landing. And it&rsquo;s always worth making sure you have your roaming or eSIM sorted in advance so you can keep on top of your transport plans during delays.
Waiting in a line for hours isn&rsquo;t fun for anyone; however, I would suggest doing your best to go into the situation expecting it but not dreading it. It is what it is, and it will be over eventually. That sentiment may be particularly beneficial for anyone heading to Lanzarote, it seems!
But if you&rsquo;re lucky, reader, Kos will have you through border control in under ten minutes, and you&rsquo;ll be sailing off into the Grecian sunset in no time.

It&rsquo;s worth noting that the EES system is linked to the new <a href="https://travel-europe.europa.eu/etias/about-etias/what-is-etias">Electronic Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS)</a> in Europe, similar to the <a href="https://www.gov.uk/eta">Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA)</a> that the UK brought in this week. While visitors to the UK need an ETA already, ETIAS will only be necessary from late 2026 and won&rsquo;t be a problem for your August trip. However, keep an eye out for updates if you&rsquo;re travelling again later in the year.
I hope this helps you feel a little more prepared for your upcoming trip, reader. It may not be plain sailing, but it shouldn&rsquo;t be the end of the world. Do let us know how it goes once you&rsquo;re back!&nbsp;
<hr>
May 2026 EES update:
The EU Entry/Exit System has now been in place for over a month, and its flaws continue to dominate travel news. As we inch closer to summer travel, non-EU nationals are understandably anxious about delays and disruption. So what can you expect?
<ul>
<li dir="ltr">An April statement on the website of the Greek Embassy in the UK suggested that Greece has suspended the EES system this summer for incoming UK citizens. British travellers make up the largest number of international visitors to the country from outside the EU, so the move is designed to prevent long lines in those smaller, island airports. </li>
<li dir="ltr">This does not mean that tourists from the UK won't face checks&mdash;the usual passport control will be in place.&nbsp; </li>
<li dir="ltr">Visitors from other countries, such as Canada, the USA, Australia, and further afield, will still have to register for the EES system in Greece with their fingerprints and a biometric photograph. </li>
<li dir="ltr">Portugal and Italy have announced that they do not&nbsp;plan to follow suit, despite extensive EES-related delays causing travellers to miss flights out of the country. </li>
<li dir="ltr">Popular summer spots like Faro, Lanzarote, Milan and Lisbon have all recently been called out as airports where an influx of flights landing at the same time has led to hours of queuing. If you're planning a self-transfer trip, where you book an onward connection separately, allow several hours to get through passport control (twice!).</li>
</ul>
All that said, the experience is inconsistent. So far this year, I've travelled through Berlin, Brussels, and Amsterdam airports without any major to-do.
Admittedly, the line at passport control arriving into Brussels was a little slow, but having already provided my biometrics in Berlin a month earlier, I flew through without any issue once I reached the front. The delay wasn't helped by the fact I had to run back to the bathroom beside the gate to retrieve my forgotten suitcase, either...
Amsterdam certainly wasn't making the best use of its 12 border gates with only three operational. However, there was absolutely no need for me to arrive at the airport earlier than usual, despite the warnings on my easyJet app to do so.
Berlin, however, was super efficient. 5 minutes in the line, an apology from the border guard for keeping me waiting. I think I even made it through faster than some of the EU citizens waiting to use the eGates!
So what have our members reported over the last couple of months?

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"Arrived at Verona Airport on 15/04/26 - there were maybe 15 kiosks. It was easy/quick to register and then to go through e-gate. No delays whatsoever."&nbsp;-&nbsp;PassionateHolidaymaker55469
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"12/04 - Arrived at Charles de Gaulle, quite early though - 08.00. Prints and photo in less than 5 minutes. On departure 15/04, scanned passport and straight through - easy."&nbsp;-&nbsp;NomadicHopper67104
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"Nightmare at Malaga on landing. Followed the queues as directed, machines refused to work so we finally joined the back of the original passport control queue. Waste of time and very confusing for those trying to do the right thing. Just about to head off to Faro but I&rsquo;ve read that the new machines have been suspended to be rolled out later this year when it&rsquo;s not so busy."&nbsp;-&nbsp;IndomitableTourist33491
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"We've been through Geneva Airport all winter and it's been a NIGHTMARE!!"&nbsp;-&nbsp;AnimatedExpeditionist08802
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Have you been through the new EES system yet? Share your experiences in the comments!

Will the New EES Give You Border Control Nightmares this Summer?

Ornate Thai architecture with intricate rooftops and spires fills the scene in Bangkok.

Bangkok

George's story was selected as the winning submission of our January 2026 contest 'Plot Twist: This Wasn&rsquo;t on the Itinerary!'&nbsp;
By George Bevan
<hr>
I was visiting my friend, an English teacher in Suphanburi - a town in central Thailand about a 90-minute drive from Bangkok - as a sort of 'trial period' to see if I would like to teach at her school myself (I did end up taking a job at the school, but no thanks to this experience!). The story takes place over 4 fateful days in August 2015.&nbsp;
On Monday, 17th August 2015, I was having dinner with my English teacher friend in a lovely, cozy restaurant in Suphanburi, when all of a sudden our phones started blowing up&mdash;there had, very sadly, been a terrorist attack in Bangkok whereby a shrine had been bombed. People were messaging us from home asking if we were okay, so naturally we replied to everyone, reassuring them that we were safe and nowhere near Bangkok.
On Tuesday, 18th August 2015, the Bangkok police released a sketch of the bomber based on CCTV footage - it was a foreign guy with pale skin, glasses, and dark hair. The guy bore a passing resemblance to yours truly - you can start to see where this is going, right?

On Wednesday, 18th August, 2015, my friend and I went to a night market in Suphanburi where I bought a kilogram of mangoes&mdash;Thai mangoes are the best, sweetest, most delicious mangoes in the world, by the way&mdash;before toddling off home on our scooters.
On Thursday, 19th August, 2015, we were awoken to a commotion in the corridor outside my friend's flat. We went outside, bleary-eyed - I was wearing nothing but a pair of boxers - to find her fellow foreign teachers, all of whom lived in the same apartment building (long story), talking excitedly about how the Bangkok bomber was hiding out in Suphanburi! We were all absolutely gobsmacked; why would a foreigner be in this non-touristy town where foreigners stick out like a sore thumb? Nevertheless, we all agreed to the Thai teachers' advice to stay in our homes unless absolutely necessary, and to go to work as a group for safety reasons.
So there we are, riding our little scooters to a high school out in the rice paddocks of central Thailand, keeping our eyes peeled for the foreign man with the glasses. We didn't see him.&nbsp;
We arrive at school, and I'm shadowing my friend for her first class of the day, with a group of students who are among her lowest-proficiency in English; we walk in, and there's an immediate stir among the students. They nudge each other and point at me, and one of them appears to 'volunteer' another to come forward to talk to me. So this poor girl, about 12 years old, comes haltingly up to me with her phone in her hand, points to it, and says, "you".
So I look at her phone, and sure enough, on it is a screenshot of a Facebook post from the night before; the caption is written in Thai so I don't understand what it says, but the picture is very clearly of me buying mangoes at the night market, with a big red circle drawn around me just to be sure! I nod my head; "yes, that's me," I say, and then she says, "teacher, you - bomb! BOOM!".
At first I think she's accusing me of being the terrorist, which I of course deny, but then she says, "no no no no no", and shows me something else on her phone&mdash;it's some Thai she's put into Google Translate, and the English translation comes up as 'misunderstanding'. At this point I'm thoroughly confused, but as it happens, my teacher friend spots a Thai teacher walking by the classroom who apparently spoke pretty good English, so she calls her in.&nbsp;
"Can you translate for us?" my teacher friend asks.
The Thai teacher doesn't need to. She immediately turns to me and says, with a smile, "oh yes, everyone thinks you're the Bangkok bomber!"
"I'm sorry - WHAT?!"
"Yes yes, someone took a photo of you last night at the market and posted it to Facebook with the caption, 'everybody please stay in your homes; the Bangkok bomber is here.'" The police are looking for you; you should probably go and see them."
I was utterly perplexed and terrified. I have to go to a Thai police station? What if a local vigilante sees me along the way and tries to perform a citizens' arrest? Can you even do citizens' arrests in Thailand?!
Nevertheless, I dutifully drive across to the Suphanburi police station, nerves on edge. I get there, try to explain what's happened and of course nobody speaks English, so I have to wait for them to find a translator. FINALLY, after an hour of my anxiety steadily increasing to fever pitch, I'm granted an audience with the Suphanburi Chief of Police, and I explain the situation with the help of the translator, almost on the brink of tears at this point.
I think it says a lot about the Thai sense of humour that the Chief of Police found this simply the funniest story he'd ever heard - so much so that he demanded a selfie with me. This ended up on the front page of the local newspaper the next day with the headline, "Local teacher mistaken for Bangkok Bomber."! (Photo attached for reference).
All in all, not quite the introduction to Thai culture I was looking for, but I did become a minor local celebrity out of it, and now have a GREAT anecdote to share at parties!

Jack's Traveller of the Month: George - Suspect, Apparently

A person with a backpack walks through a lush, green forest.

Herschel backpack

Frequent travelers tend to be pros at efficient packing, and you just know that means they have opinions on the best carry-on bags available. When we asked the Jack&rsquo;s Flight Club Community for their ultimate cabin bag, the kind that still passes as a &ldquo;personal item&rdquo; on budget airlines, the opinions came rolling in, and the camps became clear.
Personally, I love my Herschel backpack for work and play &mdash; it&rsquo;s got good volume, inside pockets for water bottles, toothbrush, cables etc., and a delightfully furry, padded laptop sleeve. The inside lining is water-resistant, so it&rsquo;s super easy to clean when your moisturizer explodes. And then there&rsquo;s the handy zip-closure front pocket for those little things you want easy access to.&nbsp;
But, alas, my favorite red rucksack is nearing the end of its life. Like any good Millennial, I&rsquo;ve checked Vinted for replacements. But when a second-hand bag in great condition costs nearly the same as a brand-new one in the style you actually want, it makes you think twice.
So, where does the Jack&rsquo;s Community recommend I invest my backpack budget? The loudest voices sing an avian chorus:
<h2 dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.osprey.com/">Osprey</a></h2>

&ldquo;I've had an Osprey Farpoint 40 for the last few years, and so far it's passed every test with flying colours. It's had dozens of work trips, backpacking in Japan, hiking in Iceland, travelling around Europe visiting 28 countries in 28 days with 100s of buses, coaches and trains, numerous trips to the US &amp; Canada and here's the thing: nothing has broken 😱😱 no broken zips, no frayed ends, no rips, nothing. And I have not been careful!
It also opens up fully laid down which is a great plus. If the 40 is a little big, Osprey have brought out a smaller Sojourn backpack in the same style, which I bought my gf and she loves. The Farpoint is probably a 4/5 on comfort when carrying but easily a 5/5 on endurance. I think there is a "trek" version they've recently brought out that is presumably more comfortable. I've also gotten away with it as cabin baggage on easyJet many times, even though it's technically too big (only been fined on 2 occasions out of maybe 25?). Hope this is useful for people!&rdquo;&nbsp;-&nbsp;UninhibitedBackpacker38333
<hr>
&ldquo;I bought my Osprey 40 litre Fairview pack 3 years ago and have been using it nearly year round ever since. It opens flat so I can see everything inside, has enough compartments and easy access whilst on the move. I have travelled for several 3 month trips and it takes everything I need and more, and is comfortable for a nearly 60 year old like me to carry!&nbsp;
There are no signs of wear and tear. 100% recommended.&nbsp;
Good luck, it's a tricky and important decision!&rdquo; - Claire

Pros: Osprey bags are practical, supportive, and clearly have staying power. There are a few nice colorways to choose from, for those who like their functionality served with at least a little pizzazz.
Cons: They&rsquo;re not the cheapest; Navigator Lauren&rsquo;s fave Fairview is currently clocking in at around &pound;115/$140/&euro;150. And while they do come in different colors, they&rsquo;re hardly serving up that enduring <a href="https://www.fjallraven.com/eu/en-gb/bags-gear/kanken/">K&aring;nken</a> style. Maybe more for the outdoorsy types than purely savvy travelers?
Next up, the zero frills, zero fuss crew:
<h2 dir="ltr"><a href="https://cabinmax.com/">Cabin Max</a></h2>

&ldquo;The cabin max bird and stars is amazing, I&rsquo;ve used it for a few trips and I also use it at work!&nbsp;
It easily fits clothes and toiletries in for a whole week for one person, with room to spare for a drink and snacks. Though I haven&rsquo;t tried to fit a proper jacket in there yet as it&rsquo;s only been used for warmer trips.&nbsp;
But it still looks brand new after being used almost every day since the start of May. It even has a clip on bit for you to pop glasses/goggles/sunglasses into, and the front zip up pocket has extra compartments and a tether that clips onto items for extra security. It has a little padded slot for a tablet or such and buckled straps in the main section to hold items in tight for you to fit in extra! I love it.&rdquo; - Danielle
<hr>
&ldquo;Another Cabinmax fan here, especially the Metz 20L that fits the Ryanair bins. Sturdy and it fits a huge amount of stuff!&rdquo; - DauntlessHolidaymaker17406

Pros: Cabin Max cater to nearly every airline&rsquo;s dimensional whims. It&rsquo;s all in the name: you&rsquo;ll get the max cabin space possible (without paying extra). Plus, they&rsquo;re super affordable and come in a variety of jazzy colors and styles, some even a little more stylish than purely functional.
Cons: Not ideal for lugging around on your back all day &mdash; the shoulder straps are all you&rsquo;ve got in the way of support, so don&rsquo;t bring the kitchen sink. And yes, they are on the cheaper side, so pay close attention to design elements like laptop padding and secure closures.
And now we&rsquo;ve got a PSA from Navigator Fran, who, surprisingly, is not being sponsored for this rave review:
<h2 dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.cotopaxi.com/">Cotopaxi</a></h2>

&ldquo;So I have a couple of Cotopaxis, but the ones that I use the most are the Cotopaxi Allpa 28L and the Cotopaxi Allpa 35L. The thing that I love the most about them is that they open fully like a suitcase, but they&rsquo;re backpacks. That&rsquo;s the key thing for me because I hate having to put my hands inside a backpack without seeing what I&rsquo;m touching. Everything gets messy, whereas if your backpack opens completely like a suitcase, it makes everything much more orderly.&nbsp;
Another thing that I love is the material. The external material, especially the front, has a kind of waxy feel, but it&rsquo;s not actually wax, so you don&rsquo;t need to treat it. Even though it&rsquo;s a soft backpack, it's made with sturdy materials, so even if it gets thrown around, it feels like the things inside won&rsquo;t get hit too hard.
<img src="https://cdn.jacksflightclub.com/id/a4a6e696d247b91ff1b2f8c198c762c9f99997cd" width="501" height="626" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" alt="A Cotopaxi backpack resting on a wooden floor.">
I really love all the pockets inside and outside. That&rsquo;s important for me for storing things properly and for accessibility. The Allpa 28L I have is the new model, and it comes with a side pocket, which I absolutely love. I use it for my water bottle, flip-flops, thin sneakers &mdash; whatever fits. That pocket only exists on the newer version Cotopaxi released last year. My 35L is the older model, so it doesn&rsquo;t have it, and I really miss it. I&rsquo;m honestly considering upgrading my 35L just for that pocket (lol Cotopaxi I love you pls send me one).
Another key thing is: the 35L one has back support, which is crucial for me. It has the adjustable chest buckle and the waist strap, while the 28L doesn't have the waist strap. I&rsquo;ve walked endless kilometres with it, and it&rsquo;s essential that the weight sits on my hips and not fully on my back.
I also love the little loops on the outside where you can attach a lock or hang things. Anything with a carabiner can go there &mdash; a portable speaker, flip-flops, whatever. I really love the colours too. They&rsquo;re veeeeeeery fun and stylish.&rdquo; - Fran

&ldquo;The Cotopaxi Allpa is AMAZING. I will not have another bag, ever. The 35L one is still Euro airline friendly, and I've lived out of it for months.&rdquo; - Layla

Pros: Cotopaxi bags are clearly super reliable and practical. Plus, you gotta love their <a href="https://uk.cotopaxi.com/collections/del-dia-collection">&lsquo;Del D&iacute;a&rsquo; collection</a>, made from a patchwork of leftover fabrics. That means you get a completely one-of-a-kind bag, which can come in pretty handy during the shuffle of international travel.
Cons: That price, though. You&rsquo;re looking at &pound;140-&pound;200 new on the Cotopaxi website. If you dig around online, you&rsquo;ll no doubt be able to find them a little cheaper, but they&rsquo;re still far from a budget-friendly option. More of a long-term investment, perhaps.&nbsp;
Also, you might be joining a cult that it&rsquo;s really hard to leave if you buy one.
Now, not to be confused with the Max competition above, the Jack&rsquo;s Community is also fond of&hellip;&nbsp;
<h2 dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.cabinzero.com/">Cabin Zero</a></h2>

&ldquo;Hello! I love my cabin zero. The 28L one is small enough for under Ryanair seats, and you can get them in a variety of sizes. Happy bag shopping!&rdquo; - Daniella
<hr>
&ldquo;I absolutely adore my Cabin Zero military backpack. I used it for 6 months to travel through Asia next to my larger backpack, used it as hand luggage while making short trips. Very roomy, holds a bottle, can be locked and has a separate space for a laptop.&rdquo; - BoldHiker86402

Pros: Once again, we&rsquo;ve got bags designed to beat airline restrictions. Looking for a carry-on that&rsquo;ll fit under the seat in front of you? Just filter by &lsquo;Underseat&rsquo;. They&rsquo;re functional, affordable, and they come in pretty much every color. 
Cons:&nbsp;What they offer in color, they kind of lack in actual style. Maximizing functional bag space is key here, and every model appears to be a cuboid bag designed to fit perfectly in a bag sizer.

<h2 dir="ltr">Honorable mentions</h2>

&ldquo;My Decathlon Quechua NH500 is a dream. Survived my Lupine Racing trip!&rdquo; - DauntlessVacationer96089
<hr>
&ldquo;I swear by my Eastpak Travelpack. Two separate compartments, laptop sleeve, functions as a rucksack or carry bag. Full rectangular form so you can max out the space. Comes in a bunch of colourways, even a few waterproof.&rdquo;&nbsp;- WayfaringHopper65951
<hr>
&ldquo;I absolutely love my <a href="https://solgaard.co/products/lifepack-venture-backpack-with-closet?variant=42373594448045">Solgaard</a>. It's durable, eco-friendly, and comes with a warranty and collapsible closet.&rdquo; - Britny
<hr>
&ldquo;Herschel is hard to beat in terms of price &amp; fun colours. My two suggestions are:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation"><a href="https://bellroy.com/products/lite-travel-pack?color=clay&amp;material=dura_lite_nylon&amp;size=30l#slide-0">Bellroy travel bags</a>. The water proofing is no joke!</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation"><a href="https://www.incase.com/collections/backpacks/products/arc-travel-pack">Incase travel bags</a>. Unlimited pockets for everything, but zippers could be better.</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Bonus suggestion for&nbsp;<a href="https://uk.beistravel.com/collections/backpacks">cute styles &amp; functionality</a>. The backpacks don't have padding, though.&rdquo; - Ramir</li>
</ul>
<hr>
&ldquo;Came across the shop &ldquo;<a href="https://thepropertyof.com/collections/backpacks">Property of</a>&rdquo; during a layover in Amsterdam. Such a fantastic blend of style and practicality. It was next for me after my Herschel. I used the Karl on my 6-week South America trip (hand luggage only: and included a suit). Also completed the 5 day Salkantay trek with it, so comfortable for all day. The back completely zips open; a detachable hip belt, looks unreal&hellip; works for me.&rdquo; - TrailblazingTripper71477
<hr>
&ldquo;I am currently in Bali. I&rsquo;ve travelled with <a href="https://www.samsonite.co.uk/backpacks-with-wheels/">this hybrid carry-on wheeled backpack</a> since at least 2011. I first bought it in an outlet store, then when the telescoping handle failed after 8 years.&nbsp; I purchased a replacement from Amazon in 2019. At that time, it was $73.
For me, it's well worth it. Soft like a backpack but constructed of rugged water-resistant nylon, it's backpack straps are hidden in the back zipper compartment, waiting for you to hit that rocky dirt road that doesn't take the wheels well. It has many compartments, including a good computer sleeve.&rdquo; - Nancie

If, like me, you&rsquo;re in the market for a trusty new travel bag, hopefully the wise words of the Jack&rsquo;s Community have helped you. Whether you&rsquo;re looking for an investment, or just something to get you through the next long weekend getaway, you have plenty of options here.
The winner? Personally, I&rsquo;ve already got a larger rucksack with waist straps that's suitable for a week of Interrailing. What I&rsquo;m really looking for is that handy under-seat bag fit for a weekend away, which may incidentally also look a little bit cool. Right now, I&rsquo;m torn between a cheaper Cabin Max and sticking with my fave &mdash; only time (or a really good offer) will tell.
Let us know below if we've missed anything. Or if you have a favorite full-sized, wheeled cabin bag that fits in the overhead bins, share your tips in the comments.

The Best Underseat and Carry-On Bags for Budget Travel

Kyrgyzstan

A herd of horses grazes peacefully in the lush grasslands of the Steppes of Kyrgyzstan, with traditional yurts visible in the background.

Kyrgyzstan 

<h3>A 9-day journey through mountain storms, remote trails, and the heart of Central Asia&rsquo;s wildest Stan.</h3>

I know why you&rsquo;re here. You want an adventure that doesn&rsquo;t come with souvenir shops or matching tour group hats. You yearn for something wild, untamed, and just a tad off the grid.&nbsp;
So buckle up, babe. We&rsquo;re headed to Kyrgyzstan &ndash; and what unfolds from here is anything but predictable.
In a world that feels mapped and measured, only 0.185% of the world&rsquo;s population will ever set foot on these remote, rugged steppes. And if you dare to make it all the way to <a href="https://inbetweentravels.com/kel-suu-lake/">Kel-Suu Lake</a>? We're talking a microscopic 0.00018%.&nbsp;
That&rsquo;s right. You&rsquo;ll be standing in a spot so rare, 99.99982% of humanity will never breathe its air. I did it, and it was pretty freaking cool.&nbsp;
In fact, it felt so surreal, I knew I had to document it &mdash; the beauty, the breakdowns, the blisters, and the magic. What followed was an epic journey with my best friend: nine days of wild terrain, questionable bathrooms, and moments that cracked me wide open.
Here&rsquo;s the journey, told in snapshots and field notes:

<h3>Day One: Bishkek, Purple Pants &amp; <s>Culture</s> Toilet Shock</h3>

<h6>Itinerary:</h6>
Rolled into Bishkek at 5 a.m. after a full day of travel &mdash; delirious, puffy-eyed, and, in retrospect, wildly under-prepared for cultural differences. The airport? A sea of local men. Us? The only foreign women in sight. I was clad head-to-toe in purple (yes, including an iridescent violet suitcase), standing there like a glittery grape thinking, &ldquo;Oh wow, we are definitely not in <s>Kansas</s> Canada anymore.&rdquo;
<h6 dir="ltr" role="presentation">Highlight:&nbsp;</h6>
The surreal moment of trudging through customs in full lilac glam, feeling both wildly out of place and exactly where I was supposed to be. Plus, nothing could have prepared me for arriving in Bishkek just as the sky turned gold. The sunrise views at the foothills of the <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/EarthPorn/comments/a0trjf/seeing_the_7000m_giants_of_the_tian_shan_mountain/#lightbox">Tian Shan mountains</a>?&nbsp; Pure magic.

<h6 dir="ltr" role="presentation">Challenge:&nbsp;</h6>
Kyrgyz toilets. Oof. Stopped at a gas station, asked for the bathroom, got pointed down a dirt path to a shed. Opened the door to find&hellip; a carved-out hole in the wood floor. No seat, no instructions, just gravity.
(Runner-up: Figuring out how to drive in Bishkek, where traffic rules seem more like suggestions and roundabouts are survival games.) 
<h6 dir="ltr" role="presentation">Coolest Thing I Saw:&nbsp;</h6>
A car so overloaded with boxes, crates, and maybe furniture(?) it looked like a small, fast-moving mountain. 
<h6 dir="ltr" role="presentation">Most Surprising Thing I Ate:</h6>
A full Georgian <a href="https://www.onceuponachef.com/recipes/khachapuri-georgian-cheese-bread.html">khachapuri</a> &mdash; basically a canoe of cheesy, eggy, buttery bread &mdash; consumed entirely by me. No shame. 10/10. Would do it again.

<h3>Day 2: Getting Out Of Dodge (But in our Peugeot)</h3>

<h6 dir="ltr" role="presentation">Itinerary:</h6>
Fled Bishkek in our trusty (read: slightly wheezy) Peugeot and made the 4-hour drive to Kyzart Village &mdash; the gateway to <a href="https://www.journalofnomads.com/horse-riding-in-kyrgyzstan-song-kul-trek/">our horse trek</a> and the unofficial start of &ldquo;Are we lost yet?&rdquo;&nbsp;
<h6 dir="ltr" role="presentation">Highlight:</h6>
Trotting into our first yurt camp amongst the &ldquo;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C8DMdlvNecw/?img_index=1">velvet hills</a>,&rdquo; and hiking through herds of wild horses to chase the setting sun. Also, the feeling of sweet relief when we met up with <a href="https://www.instagram.com/san_cho_tours?igsh=djJtaDVndmtkNnAx">our trek guide, Sancho</a>, and he was even more fun in person. We did a ton of internet research, and it really paid off!
<h6 dir="ltr" role="presentation">Challenge(s):</h6>
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Ate our first &lsquo;surprise meal&rsquo; that was cooked for us. No idea what was in it, but it was warm and didn&rsquo;t fight back.</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">The car engine threw a tantrum mid-highway. No roadside assistance, just the mechanic (me: a travel writer), the open road, and the bag of tools thrust my way along with the rental contract.</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Attempted to buy gas with zero Russian language skills. Thank you, Google Translate, for preventing a preemptive mental breakdown.</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Kash, my travel partner and colleague, would probably say that her greatest challenge was battling a complete stomach revolt. Multiple toilet stops, questionable facilities (if any) &hellip; yet she still got on the horse. Absolute legend.</li>
</ul>

<h6 dir="ltr" role="presentation">Coolest Thing I Saw:</h6>
Actual lightning bolts in the same valley as us &mdash; close enough that our guide casually suggested turning off our phones. Is that science? No clue. Did we do it immediately? Absolutely. Also: wild horses roaming like they owned the place. Because they do.
<h6 dir="ltr" role="presentation">Most Surprising Thing I Ate:</h6>
A mystery meat broth that was either beef, yak, or&hellip; probably something else with hooves. I didn&rsquo;t ask. I just slurped and hoped for the best.

Hot tip: Pack snacks. Your stomach may not always be ready for full-immersion cuisine.

<h3>Day 3: Sorest Butts From Here to China</h3>

<h6 dir="ltr" role="presentation">Itinerary:&nbsp;</h6>
Five hours on horseback in the rain to our next <a href="https://www.livetheworld.com/post/jailoo-tourism-sleeping-under-the-starry-sky-pel6#google_vignette">jailoo</a> (high mountain pasture).
Slipping and sliding over a 3,400m mountain pass. Questioning every life choice that led to this moment &mdash; and why we didn&rsquo;t think to bring waterproof gloves. I did think to bring a waterproof rain skirt though, which led to lots of teasing (on my friend&rsquo;s part) and then lots of smugness (on my part).
<h6 dir="ltr" role="presentation">Highlight:&nbsp;</h6>
Stretching out on a blanket under a waning moon with a stranger I&rsquo;d just met, swapping stories and chatting about life. Later, curled up in my yurt, warmed by a manure fire (yes, that&rsquo;s a thing), reading my book while rain poured outside.

<h6 dir="ltr" role="presentation">Challenge(s):</h6>
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Trying to mount my horse again. I&rsquo;ve never been so aware of my glutes. </li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">My poor travel partner was down for the count &mdash; fever, chills, couldn&rsquo;t move from the bed. We worked with the camp to bring her hot water bottles like we were running a medieval infirmary.</li>
</ul>

Pro tip: Pack muscle rub, wool everything, and more meds than you think you&rsquo;ll need.

<ul>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Navigated a fog-choked, icy mountain pass where visibility was no greater than one horse&rsquo;s butt-length ahead. Horses were slipping toward the cliff&rsquo;s edge. Honestly, terrifying. Also: somehow epic.</li>
</ul>

<h6 dir="ltr" role="presentation">Coolest Thing I Saw:</h6>
Wild horses and their foals galloping across the hills. Also, standing in fog so thick I could barely see my own boots &mdash; it felt like we&rsquo;d ridden straight into another dimension.
<h6 dir="ltr" role="presentation">Most Surprising Thing I Ate:</h6>
<a href="https://www.traveltokyrgyzstan.com/post/how-to-make-manti-central-asian-cuisine">Manti</a>! Aka Kyrgyz dumplings &mdash; hot, fresh, doughy little pockets of joy.

<h3>Day 4: Polar Dipping in Paradise</h3>

<h6 dir="ltr" role="presentation">Itinerary:</h6>
Wrapped up our horse trek with one last ride (and a dip) in Song-Kul Lake. Then things took a turn: my friend needed medical attention, so our guide went allllll the way back to the Kyzart Village, retrieved our rental, and then drove it through ice fields and over that same 3,400m pass. We barely survived on horseback all the way back to the start again. Plot twist: it was a &ldquo;4x4&rdquo; in name only. Scariest drive of my life.&nbsp;
<h6 dir="ltr" role="presentation">Highlight:</h6>
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C8kwzU6tY17/">Galloping along the shore of Song-Kul</a> like a shampoo commercial goddess.
Oh &mdash; and taking my horse, Sulu, in for a swim. Yes, a polar dip. Yes, I stayed on. No, I&rsquo;ll never recover from the icy temps.
<h6 dir="ltr" role="presentation">Challenge(s):</h6>
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">The drive back over the icy pass was an adrenaline-soaked nightmare. At one point, I genuinely thought: &ldquo;Well, this is how I go&rdquo;.</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">The bathrooms? Somehow&nbsp;still getting more rustic.</li>
</ul>

<h6 dir="ltr" role="presentation">Coolest Thing I Saw:</h6>
A legit Kyrgyz beer run mid-emergency evac. Our driver tossed beer (stored in a 4L Sprite bottle, obviously) across a river to some locals at a neighbouring yurt camp. It was so cool to see yurt camp bartering.
<h6 dir="ltr" role="presentation">Most Surprising Thing I Ate:</h6>
Hands down, the best bread of my life. Served at our guide&rsquo;s mother&rsquo;s house after making it back in one piece to Kyzart. 10/10 fresh, warm, crusty perfection..

<h3>Day 5: A Brief Foray Into Kyrgyz Healthcare</h3>

Itinerary:&nbsp;
Took my friend to a town doctor, which happened to be in some random woman&rsquo;s kitchen, picked up some meds, drove 3 hours to <a href="https://www.centralasia-travel.com/en/countries/kirgistan/sights/narin">Naryn</a>, the last real signs of civilization in the mountains.&nbsp;
<h6 dir="ltr" role="presentation">Highlight:&nbsp;</h6>
I got the craziest and best massage of my life in an abandoned (looking) warehouse in town, while her friend played Candy Crush, and they chatted above my barely covered bottom.
<h6 dir="ltr" role="presentation">Challenge(s):&nbsp;</h6>
<ul>
<li>Driving through the mountains! Many semi-truck accidents where the vehicle was just abandoned in the middle of the highway.&nbsp;</li>
<li>Finding a doctor in the middle of nowhere, getting a prescription from said &ldquo;doctor&rdquo; and translating it from Kyrgyz-Russian to English. All while having no idea if we had actually explained Kash&rsquo;s symptoms correctly, or what the prescription was even for.</li>
</ul>

<h6 dir="ltr" role="presentation">Coolest thing I saw:&nbsp;</h6>
A Coca-Cola ad&hellip; made entirely out of loose stones. Because why not? When life gives you rocks, use them for branding!
<h6 dir="ltr" role="presentation">Most surprising thing I ate:&nbsp;</h6>
Vegetables! And not just any veggies, but the crispiest, hottest, spiciest tempura eggplant, after days of meat/bread/dairy overload.

<h3>Day 6: Off-Roading So Far It Became &ldquo;Off-Mapping&rdquo;</h3>

<h6 dir="ltr" role="presentation">Itinerary:&nbsp;</h6>
Took the road less travelled (literally) to <a href="https://www.journalofnomads.com/kel-suu-lake-kyrgyzstan/#:~:text=before%20Kel%20Suu.-,Kok%20Kiya%20Valley,-is%20worth%20it">Kok-Kiya Valley</a> and spent the night at a mountain camp. No fancy roads here&mdash;just adventure!
<h6 dir="ltr" role="presentation">Highlight(s):&nbsp;</h6>
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Drinking mugs of vodka while snow flurried around the cozy gathering yurt.&nbsp;</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">A Kyrgyz guide leading a tour group took me under his wing, and he even convinced me to stand up and give a toast&mdash;which turned into such a special moment.&nbsp;</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">My friend, Kash, was getting sicker and finally had to make the decision to return to Bishkek for medical care. This only made the &lsquo;highlights&rsquo; list because it pushed me to make friends with the receptionist at our mountain inn, who decided last-minute to join me on the expedition.&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

<h6 dir="ltr" role="presentation">Challenge(s):&nbsp;</h6>
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Off-roading using GPS coordinates found on the internet = a legit survival game.&nbsp;</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Showing up at the yurt camp to find&hellip; no yurts. Nada. We had to get creative. There&rsquo;s nothing quite like trying to talk an innkeeper into letting two unexpected guests stay, on a very limited budget (no ATMs in the middle of nowhere), in a language I don&rsquo;t speak!</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Sweating gas usage like it was liquid gold&mdash;I may or may not have ended up talking a border official into donating a sneaky Coke bottle of fuel.&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

<h6 dir="ltr" role="presentation">Coolest thing I saw:&nbsp;</h6>
Golden marmots everywhere! As soon as we hit 3000 meters, these little guys were popping up like it was their own personal party.
<h6 dir="ltr" role="presentation">Most surprising thing I ate:&nbsp;</h6>
Yak and horse meat. Not my favourite, but I tasted it!

<h3>Day 7: Return to Civilization (Sort of)</h3>

<h6 dir="ltr" role="presentation">Itinerary:&nbsp;</h6>
Started the day on horseback to the stunning <a href="https://www.journalofnomads.com/kel-suu-lake-kyrgyzstan/">Kel-Suu Lake</a>, then braved six hours of off-road mud madness back to Naryn. And then treated myself to a bonus two-hour drive to the town of Kochkor to get a head start on the cross-country drive the next day.
<h6 dir="ltr" role="presentation">Highlight:&nbsp;</h6>
Waking up to sunshine sparkling on fresh snow like some kind of high-altitude fairytale. Arriving at Kel-Suu, right near the Chinese border, and realizing: I actually made it. Just me, my determination, and a wildly unreliable (knowledge of how to read) GPS.&nbsp;
<h6 dir="ltr" role="presentation">Challenge(s):&nbsp;</h6>
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Oh, where to begin? A casual mud marathon of a drive</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">A snow-glare sunburn that lit my face on fire</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">White-knuckling it through pitch black mountain passes.&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
Bonus round? Rolling into Kochkor at 11:15pm with no hotel, no internet, no backup plan, and no idea if Kash was even still alive. I ended up calling a random guesthouse number I had scribbled down and winging a conversation in Russian to ask if I could crash at their place. As you do.

<h6 dir="ltr" role="presentation">Coolest thing I saw:&nbsp;</h6>
Yak everywhere! Just strolling up to Kel-Suu without a care in the world.
<h6 dir="ltr" role="presentation">Most surprising thing I ate:&nbsp;</h6>
Chips and granola bars... for lunch and dinner. Turns out, everything was closed. Moral of the story? Never underestimate the power of stuffing snacks into every bag, pocket, and glove compartment you&rsquo;ve got.

<h3>Day 8: Banyas, Beds, and Bliss in Bishkek</h3>

<h6 dir="ltr" role="presentation">Itinerary:&nbsp;</h6>
Wrapped up the trip with a four-hour drive back to Bishkek. Made a pit stop for some shockingly good KFC, and marvelled at the boundless poppy fields along the way. Checked into a swanky 4-star hotel with a bed so comfy it should be illegal, reunited with Kash, then hit up a <a href="https://liamapollodoherty.com/2021/08/18/big-up-the-banya/">banya</a> for some serious steam healing.
<h6 dir="ltr" role="presentation">Highlight:&nbsp;</h6>
The banya experience was enlightening. I made fast friends with a savvy local who schooled me on leaf-whacking etiquette&mdash;yes, that&rsquo;s a thing. I loved pushing myself outside my comfort zone. Also&hellip; room service! Mattress! Pool!
<h6 dir="ltr" role="presentation">Challenge(s):&nbsp;</h6>
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Battling the chaotic traffic and sneaky speed traps of Bishkek (apparently speed limits are mere suggestions here).&nbsp;</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Hitting the banya solo, despite warnings that it would make me look &ldquo;like a real loser.&rdquo; (A helpful expat explained to me that in Kyrgyzstan, going to the banya is a community activity, and is more about spending time with friends than anything else.)</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Finally, reuniting with Kash, who&rsquo;d taken a sketchy taxi back from Naryn&mdash;cue a dramatic &ldquo;You&rsquo;re alive!&rdquo; door-opening moment.</li>
</ul>

<h6 dir="ltr" role="presentation">Coolest thing I saw:&nbsp;</h6>
Endless fields of wild red poppies stretching into the mountains, looking like nature&rsquo;s very own red carpet.
<h6 dir="ltr" role="presentation">Most surprising thing I ate:&nbsp;</h6>
That KFC&mdash;crispy, juicy, and basically the best fried chicken I didn&rsquo;t know I needed.

<h3>Day 9: From Yurt Pads to Pillow-Tops</h3>

<h6 dir="ltr" role="presentation">Itinerary:&nbsp;</h6>
Took a breather in Bishkek&mdash;tracked down a long-lost relative who&rsquo;d moved here in the 90s, <a href="https://www.livetheworld.com/post/three-most-iconic-bazaars-of-bishkek-uiob#google_vignette">wandered the markets</a>, and squeezed in one last blissful massage.
<h6 dir="ltr" role="presentation">Highlight:&nbsp;</h6>
Shopping for Russian Matryoshka dolls like a pro. Returning the rental car with no new dings (basically a miracle). Plus, staying in a 5-star hotel without needing to sell a kidney&hellip;
<h6 dir="ltr" role="presentation">Challenges:&nbsp;</h6>
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">People, people everywhere. This was especially jarring after 8 days in the wilderness.</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Shopping was a full-contact sport, with crowds swarming every aisle.&nbsp;</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Trying to nab a taxi in the chaos of downtown Bishkek? Pure madness.&nbsp;</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">And the markets? A five-story maze stuffed to the brim with everything from samovars to knock off sneakers.&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

<h6 dir="ltr" role="presentation">Coolest thing I saw:&nbsp;</h6>
A Soviet-era sickle, tucked away in a corner of the market. Did I buy it, even though I was travelling carry-on only, and then had to buy another suitcase to get it home? Absolutely.
<h6 dir="ltr" role="presentation">Most surprising thing I ate:&nbsp;</h6>
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/chocolate_yahya/?hl=en">Chocolate from Yahya&rsquo;s</a>. Lemon-yuzu, raspberry-balsamic, tea-infused&mdash;you name it, I devoured it. Basically, Yahya&rsquo;s is my new addiction.

In the end, it wasn&rsquo;t just the altitude that took my breath away &mdash; it was the wildness of it all. The endless mountains. The strangers who became companions. The freezing fog, the burning thighs, the mysterious meals. Kyrgyzstan didn&rsquo;t just push me out of my comfort zone &mdash; it obliterated it, and replaced it with something far more raw, real, and unforgettable.
Adventure isn&rsquo;t always Instagrammable. It&rsquo;s messy, unpredictable, and sometimes smells like yak milk and muscle rub.

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