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Our mission.

We serve the world’s most important customer, and we do it better than anyone else. We make your mission our own, and deliver a travel program that engages your employees, empowers them to be more productive, and helps them navigate the unique complexities of government travel.

Whether you’re traveling for work, reporting for duty, heading home from a long trip or tour, or you and your family are taking a well-earned vacation, we’re here to make your journey as smooth as possible.

NEW: Chat with Us!

Chat with a representative to cancel a trip and/or request a copy of your invoice. You can also arrange car rentals, request an early ticket, check a ticket status, request or see the status of a refund, and resolve CTO issues. You can also notify an agent of credit card issues such as new cards, expirations, or limit changes.

Your time is valuable. Make the most of it by minimizing time spent on the phone  and managing your travel plans.

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Here is a glimpse of what CWTSatoTravel has to offer:

E2 Solutions

Track and maintain your agency's travel expenses, get or approve travel authorizations, and manage your department’s travel, all in one place. 

CWTSato To Go

Keep all your travel information in one place, on your smartphone, with our travel app. Available to all CWTSatoTravel clients. 

CWTSato Hotel Program

Get the best negotiated rates and amenities wherever you travel.

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Travel Alerts & Warnings

• Fri, 12 Apr 2024 See Summaries - Mainland China, Hong Kong & Macau - Level 3 Reconsider Travel
• Fri, 12 Apr 2024 Hong Kong - Level 2 Exercise Increased Caution
• Fri, 12 Apr 2024 Macau - Level 3 Reconsider Travel
• Thu, 11 Apr 2024 See Individual Summaries - See Individual Summaries -
• View all state department travel warnings
• View all international SOS travel alerts and warnings

Stay up to date with the latest travel news and government regulation updates. Discover how you can travel smarter and save money.

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• 13 April, 2024
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Under this category you will find the best countries to visit while vacationing, the major attractions of the places and all the information about it’s airports and also the best time to visit it. With the list of the best vacation spots you may get an ideal place to go on vacation or the best destination for your honeymoon. Look at the list and find yourself place to travel to get refreshed

• Bathroom Ideas
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• Living Room Ideas

Under this category you will find the best countries to visit while vacationing, the major attractions of the places and all the information about it’s airports and also the best time to visit it. With the list of the best vacation spots you may get an ideal place to go on vacation or the best destination for your honeymoon. Look at the list and find yourself place to travel to get refreshed  

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25 Travel Agency Office Interior Designs You Must See

Table of Contents

The work culture has come a long way since the days when travel agency offices were a new phenomenon. The years of seeing the results of office life in the overall welfare of the people have led to many new developments in office design. Designers of interior designers, as well as office furniture makers have proven to be truly creative in their design solutions.

Travel Agency Office Interior Designs

In today’s article we have mentioned some beautiful travel agency office interior design ideas.

Open floor decoration:

Choose some bright colours:

The combined use of psychology and color design is now a very popular trend in contemporary office design. Colors have a definite effect on people, even without knowing or understanding them consciously.

Make it comfortable:

Multipurpose spaces:

Collaboration and versatility contribute well to modern office functionality. Office design that works for multiple purposes helps to manage the work well. It can efficiently adapt to fast-paced environments and today’s demands.

Furniture set up:

Modern concept:

Minimalist:

Biophilic design is a discipline that incorporates natural elements into the built environment and focuses on rational reasons. Designers cannot replicate natural sunlight in the interior. However, they can be decorated with plants, which brings a natural element to the interior. Plants increase productivity and make a workplace more appealing, thus attracting more workers to the organization. Plants help reduce stress as well as clean and purify the indoor air.

Lounge areas:

Lounge may seem responsive to getting the job done but comfort plays a major role in creativity. For a project your mind and body need just as much about the concept of the place to kick your legs and the brain! Lounge areas can encourage people to have a cup of coffee before the start of the work day and relax in the office, or to wander around during their lunch break because they can get virtually relaxed.

Windows view:

Luxurious view:

Encouraging activities:

So far, we’ve seen how color and natural ingredients make for healthier people at work. Offices are taking the practice to the next level by making it easily accessible for their employees. Employees no longer have to buy gym membership and drive to and from the gym. They don’t even have to worry about when they will actually have time to exercise. Instead, they can use the gym on site before, after or during work.

Classic with a touch of modern:

Keep it simple:

Formal set up:

Choose a perfect theme:

Rustic theme:

Black and white:

Contemporary:

Creative design:

Small office design:

Particioned office room decorate:

Glass wall:

Simple decoration:

Naturalistic office decoration:

Cameron Williamson

Hey There!! I am Cameron Williamson creative force behind DECORANTS. My mission is to help home or office renovators like you find happiness with proven design and well-being strategies.

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The 2024 guide to corporate travel management

What is corporate travel management, what does a corporate travel manager do.

• Booking trips for travelers (not only c-suite executives, but employees in any role).
• Helping individual departments track their travel spend so they can stay under budget.
• Providing travel support to travelers before, during, or after their trip.
• Selecting and managing any travel vendors or travel tools used.
• Working to negotiate corporate rates on hotels that the company uses often.
• Booking group travel.
• Organizing ground transportation like rental cars or rail
• Analyzing company travel spend, or delivering travel spend reports to the CFO for analysis.

What does a travel buyer do?

Stakeholders in the travel management process.

• In-house corporate travel manager
• Office manager or office team
• Head of operations / COO
• CFO and finance managers
• Panel of frequent employee travelers
• Current corporate travel agency or company

What solutions are companies using to book their business trips?

Consumer booking sites, traditional travel agencies, travel management software.

Save your company time and money on business travel

What are the drawbacks of each solution.

• Need to compare various websites and pay out of pocket in order to secure the best price
• Many hidden costs, with fees for cancellations and changes
• Many back-and-forth emails when booking for companies
• Need to pay upfront
• No support for issues on the road
• Time-consuming manual reimbursing and expense tracking
• Impossible to ensure compliance with company travel policy
• Online booking tools are typically buggy, with bad UX
• Employees end up calling support or book, when they’d rather save time by booking for themselves, with the options they want
• Costly service
• Above-market transport/accommodation prices
• Company policy compliance is difficult to guarantee
• Lack of travel inventory and options
• Clunky user experience that travelers don’t enjoy
• Offshore customer service, typically ranked as the top frustration in customer reviews
• Often overly complicated and feature-laden
• Impossible to control travel when travelers can’t or won’t use the tool
• Lacks low-price flights and hotels available online
• Impossible to guarantee company policy compliance

The pillars of modern travel management:

• Trust – Trust travelers to book using the approved process and policy, and make it easy for them
• Transparency – Let travelers see what they’re allowed to spend and choose accordingly, and let finance and administrative teams see what is being booked and why.
• Simplicity – Create a process that works and meets everyone’s needs.
• Impact – Measure the impact of business travel on the company and reduce unnecessary trips that leave travelers exhausted and businesses with needless expenses.
• Duty of care – Ensure a thorough duty of care strategy is in place to mitigate risks for employees when traveling
• Sustainability – Being aware of the impact of travel on the environment and adopting good practices to reduce the effect

How can a good corporate travel program help companies to save money?

Ensuring compliance with company travel policy, access to more affordable flight options, stay on top of travel spending trends, six steps to managing corporate travel effectively.

• Choose a smart booking tool
• Assure 24/7 travel support
• Create policies and approval workflows
• Organize and utilize travel spend data in real-time
• Improve collaboration between admin and finance
• Reduce your company’s carbon footprint

1. Choose a smart booking tool

• Self-booking within policy – Trust your travelers to book what they need, and set up policies and parameters
• Consolidated invoicing – The ability to get one monthly invoice for all travel from one vendor, instead of having it spread across the web
• Travel spend reporting – Easy access for all finance and administrative team members who need to track travel itinerary details and spend by cost centers, tags or labels
• Easy booking process that travelers love – Invoice consolidation and accurate reporting are impossible if employees want to cheat on the approved tool, so choose a tool that’s easy to use with consumer-grade UX. Make their entire travel experience, from booking to coming home, as easy and smooth as possible. Introducing a mobile app is just an added bonus!
• Great inventory – Inventory is not a side note. Make sure the platform you use has every available option you can find online and that the company is committed to adding more inventory
• Travel support – You need travel assistance that’s available 24/7 in your native language so that employees can get help even when the internal admin team is unavailable

2. Assure 24/7 travel support

Here are the requirements to look for in travel support:.

• Available 24/7
• Easy to reach a real human
• Guaranteed follow-up and follow-through
• Native language support
• Fast escalation for big issues

3. Create policies and approval workflows

• Maximum cost of airfare
• Maximum cost per hotel per night
• Minimum amount of days booked in advance
• Hotel star rating
• Flight class allowed

Travel Management: The Ultimate Guide

Approval workflows.

• No approval required for any trip
• Approval required for some trips
• Approval required for every trip

4. Organize and utilize travel spend data

• Cost centers – Does your company use different payment accounts for different geographical regions? How many cost centers does the company have? Make sure that travel spend is getting charged to the right accounts and that you're making accurate expense reports.
• Tags and labels – Beyond cost centers, are there any important filters that the finance team would have to have when viewing travel spending reports? For example, would they like each trip tagged by team or by project? Decide upfront so that the tagging system can be implemented clearly from the get-go.
• Keep all travel in one place – to get accurate travel data, you need to keep all travel in one place—whenever possible. Work with a travel management solution that integrates with providers that matter to your company, such as budget airlines, AirBnb or European train lines. If your company has negotiated hotel rates, you want your corporate solution to be able to book those rates for you, so you don’t lose the travel data by booking directly.

5. Improve collaboration between admin and finance

• Streamlined approvals process – If your approval process requires action from the admin and the finance team, try to make this as seamless as possible.
• Easy access invoices – The finance team needs to grab all invoices quickly so they can reconcile expenses and set clear reimbursement processes. The best way to do this is to use a platform that consolidates travel spend into one monthly invoice.
• Ability to track spend instantly – Consolidate all travel spend into one platform so that they can generate reports on what is being spent, by who, and why (when using tags and labels). Same as with the invoices, determine whether you need to send them a monthly report, or if they want to download it themselves.
• Cost savings on trips – Fixing travel isn’t just about saving time. Many businesses are still using travel booking platforms that were built in the 80s and 90s. This means that they markup the inventory so that the company is paying more than a consumer would! Impress the finance team by reducing travel costs and introducing consumer-grade prices for trips.

6. Reduce your company’s carbon footprint

• Work out your starting point by calculating your company’s travel carbon footprint
• Design a green business travel program, which creates data-driven strategies to increase employee commitment
• Choose economy class
• Reduce your fuel consumption where possible
• Pick low-emission airlines and avoid layovers
• Vet your accommodation for sustainability practices
• Utilize green travel tax breaks

The bottom line: it's time to upgrade your travel management

Let’s bring it all together.

• Choose a smart booking tool – Meet everyone’s needs
• Share the burden of travel support – Don’t try to do this alone
• Set up cost centers and labels – Let the tool reflect the business
• Create policies and approval workflows – Put the policy inside the booking process
• Improve collaboration between admin and finance – Grab invoices and reports

Make business travel simpler. Forever.

• See our platform in action . Trusted by thousands of companies worldwide, TravelPerk makes business travel simpler to manage with more flexibility, full control of spending with easy reporting, and options to offset your carbon footprint.
• Find hundreds of resources on all things business travel, from tips on traveling more sustainably, to advice on setting up a business travel policy, and managing your expenses. Our latest e-books and blog posts have you covered.
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Experts in all things Travel! Cruises, Flights, Hotels and More!

The travel office, your source for everything travel, get started on your vacation, why choose us, trust & honesty.

At The Travel Office, we believe that trust and honesty are the foundation of any successful trip, and we strive to build a relationship of transparency and reliability with our clients from the very beginning.

Efficient Booking

Our efficient booking process allows our clients to easily plan and book their travel arrangements, with a simple phone call or email with your travel desires, our experts will guide you in making the experience seamless and stress-free.

On-Time & Safety

Safety is our top priority, and we take pride in our commitment to providing on-time and secure travel, with experienced professionals and trusted partners ensuring that our clients arrive at their destination safely and on schedule.

Luxury Cruises

Group Travel

Guided tours.

Travel Deals

Welcome to the travel office.

Get In Touch

Email address, phone number.

• Emergency Preparedness
• Conferencing and Special Events
• Copy Services
• Document Imaging
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• Facility Operations
• Food Services
• DOE Logo and Seal
• Mail and Distribution
• Parking and Garage
• Photography
• Safety and Health
• Shuttle Bus and Couriers
• Supply Stores
• Definitions
• Delivery and Receipt
• Roles and Lifecycle

The Office of Travel Management serves as the Department's point of contact for the following services:

• Headquarters Travel Management Center (TMC)

Sustainable Travel

Official Travel, Domestic and Foreign

• Required Foreign Travel Training

Foreign Travel Management System (FTMS)

• Travel Card Information (on Powerpedia, DOENET access only)

Official Travel Regulations and Guidelines

• Travel Services Training Videos   (on Powerpedia, DOENET access only)

U.S. Passports and Visa Services (Official and Diplomatic)

Non-Refundable Airfare Guidance

Official International Travel Health Insurance for DOE Employees (MA & S-1-4)

• Hotel Reservations
• Contacts for Travel Services
• Travel FAQs

Travel Management Center (TMC)

The Office of the Chief Financial Officer oversees the Travel Management Center (TMC).

The Reservation Center phone number is 1-888-205-2369 (same number for emergency after-hours).

In addition, travel arrangements can be made via e:mail at [email protected] , or [email protected] . A transaction fee is charged for each ticket issued.

For questions about the Travel Management Center, email: [email protected] .

See ADTRAV Travel Bulletins at:  https://www.adtrav.com/travel-bulletins

• White House M-24-05, Catalyzing Sustainable Transportation Through Federal Travel .  The purpose of this Memorandum is to instruct Federal agencies on prioritizing sustainable transportation for official travel.  By prioritizing sustainable transportation methods for official travel, many of which have achieved cost parity with other transportation methods, agencies can leverage the Federal demand signal for public transit, automobile, rail, and air travel, which will result in the Federal Government’s saving taxpayer dollars and reducing its environmental footprint. 
• GSA Bulletin Federal Travel Regulation (FTR) 24-02 Sustainable Transportation for Official Temporary Duty (TDY) Travel .  This bulletin clarifies existing regulations for determining the method of transportation that is most advantageous to the Government and encourages Federal travelers to make sustainable, cost-effective transportation choices when conducting official TDY travel.
• Review the listing of FedRooms properties with electric vehicle charging , and continue to check back for more resources promoting sustainable travel at DOE.  

Official travel is any travel by a federal or contract employee who is conducting U.S. government business for authorized and official purposes. DOE federal travelers approved to travel for official purposes must make travel reservations through the Department of Energy E-Gov Travel Service 2 (eTS2) .

ADTRAV Travel Management is one of the Department of Energy’s Travel Management Centers, providing a full range of travel agent services including, but not limited to, arranging and booking official travel for individuals and groups; making travel related reservations; providing customer service; reconciling central billed accounts; and providing travel related reports and information to management.  

All Federal employees' travel for DOE requires prior travel authorization and approval in the eTS 2 at: https://in-gotravel.doe.gov

Official Foreign Travel

Official foreign travel is defined as approved travel (whether wholly or partly on official business) from the United States (including Alaska, Hawaii, the Commonwealths of Puerto Rico and the Northern Mariana Islands, and the territories and possessions of the United States) to a foreign country and return or travel between foreign countries by persons, including foreign nationals, or persons whose salaries or travel expenses or both will ultimately be funded in whole or in part by DOE/NNSA from its appropriations.  Official foreign travel may also include travel funded by non-DOE or non-NNSA sources for which the traveler represents the Department or NNSA or conducts business on behalf of the U.S. Government.

The Department of State offers a free Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to U.S. citizens who are traveling to, or living in, a foreign country.  Registration allows you to record information about your upcoming trip abroad that the Department of State can use to assist you in case of an emergency.  The Department of State will also provide Travel Alerts and Warnings through STEP.  To enroll please go to: https://step.state.gov/STEP/Pages/Common/Citizenship.aspx

Foreign Travel Training Required by the State Department

The Foreign Travel Management System (FTMS) is a DOE-wide centralized system for recording, tracking, and securing approvals of all foreign travel conducted by DOE Federal employees and contractors. In order for DOE Federal employees and contractors to conduct international travel, the trip request must be entered and approved in FTMS.  Prior to final approval within FTMS, country clearance must be obtained from the respective country(ies) to be visited.  The system is located at:  https://ftms.doe.gov/   FTMS should be available from most, if not all, DOE sites (you need to be attached to a DOE network to access it).

Processing Foreign Travel at DOE includes the following requirements:

• Approved Travel Authorization in the electronic Travel System 2 (eTS2)   (Federal employees only)
• A completed trip request in FTMS
• Country Clearance Approval
• Valid Official or Diplomatic Passport
• Appropriate and valid Visa(s)
• Review of required immunizations
• Letter of Invitation (LOI) - when required
• DOE O 550.1 Chg 1, Official Travel  (DOE Directives)
• DOE M 552.1-1A, U.S. Department of Energy Travel Manual  (DOE Directives)
• Federal Travel Regulation (GSA)

Travel Services Training Videos

Travel Training Videos are being developed to address reoccurring issues found on DOE-HQ travel vouchers, and to educate DOE travelers and approving officials on travel requirements.

The videos are for DOE employees only, and are available though  Powerpedia  the Department's internal collaboration system.  Please follow this link to the Office of Travel Management's page with the links to the videos and other travel related resources.  The Powerpedia is accessible to all DOE employees while logged onto a DOE network.

The Office of Travel Management (MA-45) provides a variety of services, which facilitate DOE’s international travel for Official or Diplomatic purposes.  The Department of Energy has an authorized Passport unit, and as such, administers Official and Diplomatic Passport and Visa applications and forward to the Department of State for approval.  Further information regarding DOE employees requesting an Official or Diplomatic Passport is available on the Powerpedia, Passports and Visa Services .

The Passport is an internationally recognized travel document that verifies the identity and nationality of the bearer.  A valid U.S. Passport is required to enter and leave most foreign countries.  All persons, whether U.S. Citizens or foreign nationals, must present a valid passport or alternate approved travel document to enter or depart from the United States by air. Additional information is available at the following websites:

• General Travel Information at the U.S. State Department
• Department of Homeland Security, Traveling Overseas
• U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Travel Information

Official and Diplomatic Passports are the property of the U.S. Government and are authorized for Official Use Only.  An Official Passport is issued to an official or employee of the U.S. Government proceeding abroad in the discharge of official duties.  Where appropriate, dependents of such persons may be issued Official passports (22 Code of Federal Regulations, Chapter 1 51.3 (c)(1)).  A Diplomatic Passport is issued to a Foreign Service Officer, a person in the diplomatic service or to a person having diplomatic status either because of the nature of his or her foreign mission or by reason of the office he or she holds.  Where appropriate, dependents of such persons may be issued Diplomatic passports (22 Code of Federal Regulations Chapter 1 51.3 (d)).

U.S. Passport Applications must be completed online via the Department of State's website at: https://www.travel.state.gov .  The completed form must be printed and submitted with an original signature, to the Office of Travel Management (MA-45) in room GE-180, Forrestal Headquarters.  Typically, advance timing of 3-4 weeks is needed for DOE to process and obtain a passport from the Department of State.  The requirements for an Official passport include:

• the passport application,
• two photos,
• Proof of birth (passport, expired passport, or birth certificate),
• Memo on the agency letterhead to the Director, Office of Travel Management, which provides information about the traveler’s grade, title, pending trip, and purpose of travel.

The Visa is a stamp placed in the passport, issued by the foreign consular officials at the Embassy of the foreign country which indicates that country’s approval of your visit and granting permission for you to enter that country for a specific time duration. Most countries require that a passport be valid for at least six months beyond the dates of travel before a visa can be issued.

Visa requirements for official travel differ from the visa requirements for personal and private industry travel.  Processing times for visas are dictated by the various embassies.  When planning official travel, employees are reminded to allow sufficient time for the passport and/or visa application(s) to be processed and returned to DOE. 

Important Notes:

• Original signatures are required for each Visa Application.
• Foreign embassies will not issue a visa in Official or Diplomatic Passports without a letter from the Department of State.
• For purposes of official travel for DOE all officials are required to use a Diplomatic or Official  passport for a number of reasons:
• A Diplomatic or Official visa cannot be stamped into a tourist passport.
• A visa will not be granted for entry into a foreign country when the reason for travel to that country is stated as official business and the tourist passport is presented.
• Some countries will deny entry at the border to individuals entering the country on official government business when they arrive with only a tourist passport and not the official passport.  Further problems may also occur upon departure from that country.
• Violation of Sovereignty.  Use of the tourist passport when traveling in an official capacity misrepresents the true purpose for which the traveler has entered the country.  This can have serious and adverse affects on the U.S. reciprocal relations with foreign countries.
• Security concerns. Should there be a problem which in the host country, the official passport provides quicker access to officials of the host country government and greater protection.
• Travelers need to be 99.9% certain of itinerary.
• The closer to departure date, the higher the price of a non-refundable ticket.
• Non-refundable airfares should be ticketed within 24 hours of booking; however, this does not guarantee the airfare will be available.  Carrier tariff’s change frequently throughout a 24-hour period and are never guaranteed until ticketed.
• All non-refundable tickets should be purchased on the CBA.

PROGRAM OFFICE ACCOUNTABILITY The employee and approving official are to be fully aware of all of the terms and conditions of the ticket.

The program office and approving official are responsible for ensuring that the ticket is reused for official business on a future trip and is not used by the employee for personal use in the unanticipated event that the ticket is not used for the planned trip.

• Non-refundable seats are NOT upgradable.
• Non-refundable seat maps are very limited, so seats may not be desirable by the traveler.

TRAVEL AUTHORIZATION

Travel authorization must provide a justification for use of the non-contract.

UNUSED NON-REFUNDABLE TICKET VALUES

Non-refundable is exactly that – if a traveler does not travel, or does not use all tickets, DOE will not receive a refund as such when using a contract fare.

Fully unused ticket – value of the ticket available usually 1 year from date of ticket issuance (not date of travel).  Some conditions vary.  Penalties and fees apply when fully unused ticket applied.

Outbound used, return unused – partial used tickets have NO value for future travel.

Only fully unused tickets will receive a credit, credits are not transferrable and only valid for one year from date of ticket issuance not dates of travel.

If the outbound is not taken, the return can never be used on a non-refundable ticket.  The carrier will negate the value of the ticket and show the reservation as “no-show.” 

Reservations must be cancelled or value of ticket is lost.  This applies to outbound and return segments.  If you are late for your outbound flight, the carrier will indicate traveler as a “no show.”

If a traveler leaves the Department before using the credit, cost for the unused return is lost.

For further information follow this link for the FAQs on non-refundable tickets .  

The Department of Energy provides insurance for DOE employees on official overseas travel.  The Office of Travel Management (MA-45) manages the Travel & Medical Insurance accounts for the Office of the Secretary, Deputy Secretary, and Under Secretary of Energy.  In addition, MA-45 provides information to DOE Program Offices regarding travel insurance services. The International plan includes the following coverage:

• Travel Insurance for International Travelers
• International Emergency Assistance
• 24 hour multilingual emergency medical and security assistance
• Evacuation and repatriation programs
• Customized global travel solutions, pre-travel advice and contingency planning

Click here to go to the Travel FAQs

MAAdm updated 04/10/24

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TSA PreCheck®

Enjoy the same great tsa precheck benefits you know and love, now with new enrollment options..

Enjoy a smoother security screening process with no need to remove shoes, laptops, 3-1-1 liquids, belts or light jackets.

*TSA uses unpredictable security measures, both seen and unseen, throughout the airport. All travelers will be screened, and no individual is guaranteed expedited screening.

TSA PreCheck Benefits

Wait 10 Minutes or Less

About 99% of TSA PreCheck® passengers wait less than 10 minutes.

Families Welcome

Children 17 and under can join an adult with TSA PreCheck® when TSA PreCheck appears on the child’s boarding pass.  Learn more .

Nationwide Access

More than 200 airports and 90+ airlines  provide TSA PreCheck®

How it works

To enroll in TSA PreCheck just follow these three steps or walk into any enrollment location. Be sure the enrollment provider selected has enrollment locations near you. To renew simply click here and complete your renewal online in as little as 5 minutes.

1. Apply Online

Select an enrollment provider with enrollment locations near you. Submit your TSA PreCheck application online in as little as 5 minutes.

2. Visit an Enrollment Location

Complete enrollment in 10 minutes at your chosen provider which includes fingerprinting, document and photo capture, and payment.

3. Get Your TSA PreCheck Number

Once approved, get your Known Traveler Number (KTN), add it to your airline reservations and start saving time in screening.

New TSA PreCheck Enrollment Options

TSA has selected the following partners to help enroll travelers in TSA PreCheck. Applicants can pick any enrollment provider based on cost, locations , and additional benefits. Get started below.

Costs for enrollment vary by provider which results in pricing variation.

tsaprecheckbytelos.tsa.dhs.gov

Enroll in TSA PreCheck® with Telos and look for upcoming travel deals.

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• Renew online for $70
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610+ Active Locations

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• Renew in-person for $78

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Learn who to contact based on your question or concern, plus ways to contact us.

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Need your Known Traveler Number (KTN) to complete a renewal or update an existing airline reservation? TSA PreCheck members only, excludes Global Entry.

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Solar eclipse 2024: Follow the path of totality

Solar eclipse, what you need to know to watch monday's total solar eclipse.

The NPR Network

A stunning celestial event is visible across the country Monday, when the moon crosses directly in front of the sun: a total solar eclipse. For those in the path of totality, there will be a few brief moments when the moon completely covers the sun and the world becomes dark.

Traveling for totality? Skip ahead.

This will be the last chance to catch a total solar eclipse in the continental U.S. for about 20 years, so here's what you need to know to safely enjoy!

When is the eclipse?

April 8, 2024 there will be a total solar eclipse that crosses from the Pacific coast of Mexico through the United States.

What is totality and why it matters

According to NASA , totality will start around 11:07 a.m. PDT/1:07 EDT in Mexico and leave Maine at around 1:30 pm PDT/3:30 pm EDT.

Here's what time the eclipse will be visible in your region

Check out this table for when the partial eclipse and totality are visible in each region or check by zip code here.

A partial solar eclipse will be visible across the contiguous United States, so even if you're not directly in the path, you should be able to see something special, weather permitting.

Unable to get to totality? We'll be sharing highlights here from across the NPR Network throughout the day Monday if you can't see it in real time.

Where to see totality?

More than 30 million people live in the path of totality for Monday's eclipse, and many more in nearby areas.

Here's what we know about Monday's weather forecast.

Why totality matters

As NPR's Neil Greenfieldboyce explains , "During a total eclipse, the sky darkens suddenly and dramatically . The temperature drops. Stars come out. Beautiful colors appear around the horizon. And the once-familiar sun becomes a black void in the sky surrounded by the glowing corona — that's the ghostly white ring that is the sun's atmosphere."

Eclipse Science

For april's eclipse, going from 'meh' to 'omg' might mean just driving across town.

A partial eclipse, while still a fun experience, is hardly as dramatic. Those with a view of the partial eclipse will see crescent-shaped shadows like those seen here in 2017.

How to watch safely

If you plan to look directly at the eclipse (partial or totality), you're going to need eclipse glasses handy because looking directly at the sun without proper protection ( traditional sunglasses don't count! ) can be harmful to your eyes.

The perfect celestial soundtrack to the total solar eclipse

As NPR's Joe Hernandez explains, "Proper eye protection must be worn throughout a total solar eclipse — except for the roughly 3 1/2 to 4 minutes when the moon fully obscures the sun, a brief period known as 'totality.' (You will need to take your glasses off during totality to actually see it.)"

If you don't have access to eclipse glasses, you can get crafty with things you have around the house ( like some of us did back in 2017!) More on that here.

Traveling for totality?

The celestial event is driving a ton of domestic travel to the path of totality. If you're headed out of town to view the eclipse, here are some NPR Network resources for areas in the path of totality:

Texas The path of totality crosses through the Lone Star State, with some areas expecting a possible influx of visitors in the hundreds of thousands to catch prime viewing. Our member stations across the state have gathered local resources to help you navigate the region and the eclipse!

• San Antonio: Check out the latest from Texas Public Radio
• Dallas: Explore KERA's coverage for the latest
• Austin: Head to KUT for the best local resources

Arkansas The eclipse will be cutting through the state, putting Little Rock in the path of totality. Check out Little Rock Public Radio for local resources.

The southwestern edge of the state will be well-positioned to witness the total solar eclipse this year. Kentucky Public Radio is covering the eclipse throughout the region, from Kentuckiana eclipse mania to the University of Louisville's free class about the celestial event. Keep an eye on WKMS for the latest local updates.

Missouri The southeastern corner of the state will be in the path of totality, crossing across towns like Whitewater and Ste. Genevieve. Head to St. Louis Public Radio for local coverage and resources. Illinois Carbondale seems to have won the eclipse lottery, being in the path of totality both in 2017 and for this year's eclipse . For resources from across the state, check out Illinois Public Media .

Indiana A huge portion of the state will be within the path of totality, giving cities across Indiana, including Bloomington and Indianapolis, prime viewing of the eclipse.

• Bloomington: Check out Indiana Public Media
• Indianapolis: Head to WFYI for the latest
• Fort Wayne: Just north of the path of totality, WBOI has resources for the Allen County area

Ohio The Buckeye State is getting bisected by this year's path of totality, plunging a number of the state's most populous areas into darkness for a few minutes on Monday.

• Cleveland: Head to Ideastream Public Media for the latest.
• Columbus: With the capital city just south of totality, head to WOSU for regional resources.
• Cincinnati: Totality will just miss the border town. Here are some tips from WVXU on how to navigate the eclipse in the region.

Pennsylvania Only the northwestern-most corner of the state will catch totality, with views from the lakeside in Erie being particularly well-positioned for a stunning viewing experience. WESA has more from across the region.

Plan to watch the eclipse from a wild mountain summit? Be ready for harsh conditions

New York Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse and Plattsburgh will fall under the path of totality on Monday. If you're planning to travel to the region for the best views, here are some local resources to stay safe and informed:

• Buffalo: Head to WBFO for the latest
• Syracuse: WAER has more on plans in the Salt City
• North Country: NCPR has the latest from across the region, as well as information on local viewing events to check out

Vermont The Green Mountain State will see totality across its most populous region, including Burlington and Montpelier, as well as the Northeast Kingdom on the Canadian border. Vermont Public has everything you need to know to navigate your time in the region to enjoy the eclipse safely. New Hampshire The northernmost region of the Granite State will be in the path of totality, providing prime viewing to those in Coos County. NHPR has info on local events, travel updates as well as special coverage with New Hampshire Public Television. Maine The last state in the path of totality in the U.S., much of Northern Maine will be positioned for prime viewing. The rural region is preparing for an influx of visitors, and safety officials are encouraging visitors and locals alike to be prepared. Maine Public will be covering the eclipse and has everything you need to know to navigate the region safely.

How to document the eclipse safely

With the ease of cell photography , it can be tempting to reach for your phone to document the eclipse and the moments of totality, but make sure to do so safely.

As NPR's Scott Neuman explains , "For starters, you'll need to wear eclipse glasses or similar protective eye gear while aiming your camera or even just observing the eclipse."

Feeling ambitious? Here are a few more tips.

Or if you're not inclined to capture the moment visually, you lean into some other forms of creative expression. Indiana, for example, has named Linda Neal Reising the official poet in the state for this year's eclipse.

As former NPR reporter and eclipse superfan David Baron shared with Life Kit , viewing totality "[is] like you've left the solar system and are looking back from some other world."

So consider focusing on being present in the moment to enjoy the celestial spectacle.

More resources to enjoy the eclipse

• Sharing the eclipse with tiny humans? Check out these kid-friendly total solar eclipse learning guides from Vermont Public's But Why, and this great explainer from KERA Kids on the difference between a solar and a lunar eclipse.
• Want to see how a solar eclipse alters colors? Wear red and green on Monday
• Plan to wander into the wild for the best view? Here are some tips from outdoor experts.
• Tips from Bill Nye on the best ways to enjoy the eclipse.

NPR will be sharing highlights here from across the NPR Network throughout the day Monday if you're unable to get out and see it in real time. NPR's Emily Alfin Johnson compiled these resources.

• 2024 eclipse

More From Forbes

Planning a vacation here’s your 2024 summer travel insurance guide.

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The joy of a summer vacation. But do you have protection for your trip?

Planning a vacation this summer? Yeah, you and just about everyone else.

More than 9 out of 10 Americans say they'll travel more this year, according to a recent Nationwide Travel Insurance survey . Most of those trips will happen in June, July and August.

Not just that, but 40 percent of the respondents say they'll spend more this year than last year. So how do you protect your vacation investment?

Travel insurance is the standard answer, but what kind of insurance — and how do you find it? That's the question many Americans are wrestling with as they make their travel plans.

Protecting your vacation is a serious concern this summer, experts say.

“Travelers are beefing up their trip protection with security advisory and extraction protection," notes Dan Richards, CEO of The Global Rescue Companies .

It's not just that they're spending more. It's that there's more to lose. The ongoing war in Ukraine, the Hamas attacks on Israel, and other violent conflicts have made travel insurance a key part of trip planning.

This summer may break travel records, experts say.

Gmail And YouTube Hackers Bypass Google s 2FA Account Security

Apple confirms innovative iphone 16 pro upgrade, wwe smackdown results winners and grades after wrestlemania 40, it's going to be a busy summer for travel.

Overall policy sales for the 2024 summer travel season are up this year, but there's a spike in sales for policies in August, which is typically the busiest time of the summer. "Sales are up more than 25% over last year," says Stan Sandberg, co-founder of travel insurance site TravelInsurance.com .

Western Europe continues to be the most popular summer destination for Americans, with some notable hotspots. Travel insurance sales for Greece are up over 60% this year compared with 2023, followed by Norway and Portugal, which are up 57% and 52%, respectively, according to Sandberg.

Everyone's travel insurance needs are different, according to the pros.

What should you insure when you travel this summer?

Laura Heidt, the insurance desk manager for Brownell Travel in Birmingham, Ala., says there are some things every travel insurance policy should cover this summer.

"I always recommend people insure for the unexpected, such as flight delays, missed connections and medical coverage while out of the country," she says. "If you are willing to forgo the cancellation and delay coverages, which are typically the most expensive parts of a policy, you should still, absolutely, cover yourself with at least the medical component."

Heidt says she's seen a 10% boost in travel insurance sales for this summer compared with the same time last year, and many people are opting for the pricier "cancel for any reason" policies, which allow you to cancel your trip and receive a partial refund of your prepaid, nonrefundable travel expenses.

Travel insurance companies are seeing a similar trend.

"A majority of travelers choose a comprehensive travel insurance plan which includes coverage for trip cancellation, emergency medical, lost or delayed baggage and delay," explains Tim Dodge, vice president of marketing at Arch RoamRight .

He says this year, travelers are purchasing travel insurance on average within 11 days of their trip deposit to receive the additional benefit of the waiver exclusion for pre-existing conditions.

If you're traveling with kids, you'll need extra travel insurance protection.

Get a policy that's tailored to your needs

Travel insurance comes in all shapes and sizes. So you'll want to try a few on for size before you buy. You can actually do that, since most policies have a "free look" period that makes them fully refundable for the first week or two (depending on the policy).

"It's important to consider your specific travel plans and any potential disruptions in order to protect your investment," says Robert Gallagher, president of the US Travel Insurance Association (USTIA).

He says traditional plans offer coverage for unexpected cancellations, interruptions, delays, emergency medical expenses and lost or delayed baggage. For international travel, USTIA advises opting for a plan with emergency medical and medical evacuation coverage.

It also depends on who you're traveling with. For example, if you're traveling with your children, you'll want to consider a family-friendly priced travel insurance plan. But your destination also matters, says Carol Mueller, vice president at Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection (BHTP).

"For young families, I typically recommend the ExactCare plan due to its pricing of two children at no additional cost for every one adult on the policy," she says. "However, for families venturing abroad, I’d suggest considering a plan like BHTP's LuxuryCare, which is designed to meet the distinctive needs of a high-investment vacation.”

You have choices when it comes to family coverage. For example, Allianz’s OneTrip Prime plan also includes coverage for kids 17 and younger when traveling with a parent or grandparent.

Medical evacuations can be expensive.

Look beyond travel insurance for extra protection

Mike Hallman, CEO of the air medical transport and travel security program Medjet , says MedjetHorizon memberships are selling briskly. They offer 24/7 security and crisis response, as well as transportation to a hospital at home if you're injured. Travelers are skittish even if they aren't going bungee-jumping.

"With geopolitical tensions still growing — all the riots in France, Italy, Ecuador and other tourist destinations over the last year — and crime causing the threat level to be raised for the Bahamas and Jamaica, it’s no wonder," he adds.

He makes a good point. Travel insurance can cover many of the events you're likely to encounter, such as a missed connection, lost luggage or a medical emergency. But it's also important to know what isn't covered — and to make plans accordingly.

Beware of travel insurance "overconfidence"

The summer travel season is still a few months away, but insurance experts are worried. Yes, they've seen a general uptick in insurance sales, but some travelers remain unprotected.

"We've started to see early signs that travelers are exercising less caution and are slightly less likely to sign up for travel insurance," says Joe Cronin, CEO of International Citizens Insurance .

By comparison, travelers purchased plenty of medical insurance in 2020 and 2021 because of the pandemic. Cronin believes travelers were terrified of getting stuck with COVID-19 in a foreign country without insurance.

"To those who are thinking about traveling internationally without travel insurance, my recommendation is to spend a few minutes looking deeper before deciding," he adds.

Some types of insurance, such as a standalone medical policy, cost just a few dollars a day. A medical evacuation membership is also affordable. And even full-featured travel insurance policies can be cost-effective when you consider the benefits.

"Don’t put your summer travel memories, or your investment, at risk by forgoing the right vacation coverage," says Daniel Durazo, director of communications at Allianz Partners USA . "With international travel peaking during the summer season, an unprotected trip can leave travelers on the hook for costs resulting from an unexpected trip delay or medical emergency abroad."

Bottom line: Seriously consider travel insurance to protect your trip — and don't be overconfident. You never know what might happen this summer.

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Moscow Travel Guide: Best Things to Do + More [2023]

· everything to know about visiting moscow, including the best things to do and how to get around. ·.

Moscow is Russia’s vibrant capital city, and it also happens to be the largest city in all of Europe. The city’s long and infamous history makes it one of the most unique places we have ever visited.

The architecture ranges from centuries-old palaces to uniform, gray concrete buildings. The people range from cold and private to warm and welcoming. Moscow is a city is strong juxtapositions, and we learned a lot during our time there.

This post will break down all you need to know about visiting Moscow, including the best things to do, how to get there, how to get around, and more.

The Best Things to Do in Moscow

1. explore the red square.

The Red Square is the heart of Moscow. Most of the city’s top attractions can be found here, including just about everything on this list. The Kremlin, St. Basil’s Cathedral, and Lenin’s Mausoleum are all located here, and the State Historical Museum and GUM are not far from here, either.

The Red Square is a common home for parades, protests, and seasonal celebrations. There are massive Christmas celebrations here, with food vendors and carnival rides set up in numbers.

2. Check Out the Ziferblat

The Ziferblat is a café in Moscow that is unlike any café we have ever been to. While most cafes charge you for your drinks and food, the Ziferblat charges you for your time.

Upon arrival, you are given a clock. When you leave, the barista calculates how much time you spent in the café and charges you accordingly. This concept was created to help visitors to be more intentional with their time, and the cafe itself is incredibly charming.

For a detailed look at everything you need to know before you visit, make sure you read my post about visiting the Ziferblat Cafe in Moscow .

3. Marvel at St. Basil’s Cathedral

St. Basil’s Cathedral is one of the most iconic churches in the world, and it was the single thing we were most excited to see while in Moscow. Built almost 500 years ago, St. Basil’s Cathedral is recognized by its colorful domes and whimsical style. The church is of the Russian Orthodox faith, and the inside is just as wondrous as the outside.

St. Basil’s Cathedral is located on the edge of the Red Square, making it incredibly convenient to visit. Entrance for non-worshippers costs 800 rubles, and tickets can be bought at the church

4. Explore the Kremlin

The Kremlin is the largest active fortress in Europe, and it is the site of most of Russia’s government affairs. In addition to government buildings, the Kremlin Complex is filled with courtyards, towers, and museums that are open to the public. If you have the time, you could spend a couple of days fully exploring all that there is to see in the Kremlin.

5. Walk Through Lenin’s Mausoleum

Vladimir Lenin is one of the most important figures in Russian history, and his body is located perfectly embalmed in a mausoleum in the Red Square. The Mausoleum is open to the public to visit, and as long as you are willing to go through a few security checks, it is easily one of the best things to do in Moscow. Its convenient location in the Red Square makes it a can’t miss attraction.

There is absolutely no photography allowed inside the Mausoleum. Do not test this rule.

6. Wander Along Arbat Street

The Arbat is a very popular street in Moscow that is lined with stores, cafes, and other touristy attractions. It is one of the oldest streets in the city, dating back to the 1400s. This street is both quaint and trendy, and there are many walking tours that introduce tourists to the neighborhood’s wonders and highlights.

7. Catch a Show at the Bolshoi Theatre

As a lover of the arts, it is hard to think of Moscow and not think of ballet. Russia has always been a top dog in the world of fine arts, and Bolshoi Theater is one of the best places to catch a performance. We were lucky enough to attend an Opera here, and it is a venue that you don’t want to miss out on if you enjoy opera, ballet, or orchestral performances.

8. Visit the State Historical Museum

The State Historical Museum is one of the most respected museums in Moscow. Despite its name, it is not really focused on the history of Russia as a nation. Rather, it contains a collection of artifacts from all throughout Russia’s history.

The museum’s collection is very broad in nature. It houses some items from indigenous tribes that used to occupy the region, pieces collected by the Romanov family, and more.

9. Wander Around GUM

GUM is an absolutely massive mall within walking distance of the Red Square. It isn’t just the size that draws visitors here; it’s the sense of luxury. The mall is so beautiful inside, much like the metro stations.

While visiting a mall might not sound like it belongs on a bucket list, this mall does. You will not want to miss out on visiting GUM while in Moscow.

10. Admire the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour

While St. Basil’s Cathedral is the most iconic church in Moscow, it isn’t the only one. The Cathedral of Christ the Saviour is absolutely stunning, with massive golden domes. It is the tallest Orthodox church in the world, and it is the seat of the Orthodox Patriarch of Moscow.

It is located just about a mile from the Red Square, just south of the Kremlin Complex. You can walk to it from the Red Square in about 20 minutes.

How to Get to Moscow

Flying to moscow.

Moscow has three major international airports: Sheremetyevo (SVO) , Domodedovo (DMO) , and Vnukovo (VKO) . All three of them are directly connected to downtown Moscow by the Aeroexpress trains, which leave every 30 minutes throughout the day. By Aeroexpress train, you can expect to get to the city center in 25-45 minutes depending on the airport that you fly into.

Sheremetyevo is the biggest and busiest of the three airports, and it is the one you are most likely to fly into – especially if you are coming from outside of Europe or the Caucus region. We flew into Sheremetyevo on a direct flight from New York City.

I usually provide backup airport options, because flying right into the city isn’t always the cheapest way to get where you’re going. Unfortunately, when it comes to Moscow, don’t really have a choice other than to fly right into Moscow. It is a very remote city, and it is usually the cheapest place to fly into in Russia as a whole.

Since Sheremetyevo is so busy, you will probably find a great flight option anyway. I wrote in  my post about finding cheap flights  that using hub airports will lead to more affordable airfare, and the same logic applies here. Even though Russia’s national airline, Aeroflot, is no longer a member of the SkyTeam Alliance, Moscow is still a major hub connecting passengers from all over the world.

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Train or Bus to Moscow

Trains and buses are one of the most popular ways to get around Europe. However, they’re of very little use when you’re trying to get to Moscow.

Moscow is hundreds of miles from the nearest major cities. The only major European city that can even be reached within 8 hours on the ground is St. Petersburg, and even the Baltic capitals of Riga, Vilnius, and Tallinn are over 12 hours away.

If you want to get to Moscow, the best option is almost always to fly. While the train routes to Moscow are scenic, they simply take forever.

How to Get Around Moscow

METRO | TROLLEYS | TRAMS | BUSES

Moscow has one of the most memorable metro systems in the world. Its metro lines are very deep underground, and the stations are absolutely stunning. Each station has its own unique style, but all of them contain escalators that seem to go on forever.

The system was built in an effort to showcase the power of the Soviet Union and its bright future. The plans were a form of propaganda, but they resulted in what is still one of the most visually appealing subway systems on earth.

Moscow’s metro system isn’t just pretty. It is also very useful and accessible. The system has 17 lines that connect the city and its surrounding area.

But wait; there’s more!

The Moscow metro system is also incredibly affordable, with each ride costing less than a dollar. The metro is by far the best way to get around Moscow, as it is almost impossible to beat the connection times and the low cost to ride.

Tickets can be bought at electronic, English-speaking kiosks in stations, or directly from ticket counters at certain larger stations. There are also day passes available, which are a very solid option if you plan on riding the metro several times per day.

The metro is by far the best way to get around Moscow.

In addition to the metro system, Moscow also has a network of buses, trams, and trolleys. This system is nowhere near as convenient or well-connected as the metro, though, and is likely of little use to you during your trip. There is no Uber in Moscow, but a similar app named Yandex is available if you need a ride in a pinch.

How Many Days Do You Need in Moscow?

Moscow is the biggest city in all of Europe, and it is absolutely loaded with things to do. You could spend weeks in Moscow and still find new things to do. Of course, most travelers don’t have that kind of time to spend in one place!

I recommend spending no less than three full days in Moscow, and ideally closer to five or seven.

Moscow is very spread out, and it can take some time to get from one major point to another. There are also so many places that are nice to just sit back and relax, which is hard to do when you’re in a hurry trying to cram activities into just a few days.

If you only have a week to visit Russia, I’d advise spending all of the time in one city. If you decide to split your time between Moscow and St. Petersburg, I recommend not trying to squeeze in any day trips beyond those two cities.

When Is the Best Time of the Year to Visit Moscow?

There are two different ways to approach this question. Personally, I think the best time to visit Moscow is around Christmas and New Year’s Day. While the weather will be absolutely freezing, Moscow is a surreal winter wonderland in December and January.

We were in Moscow right before Christmas. While it was very cold, you can always bundle up. Exploring the Christmas markets and pop-up ice skating rinks throughout Moscow is one of my favorite memories from anywhere I’ve traveled, and I dream of going back to do it again.

If you aren’t fond of the cold, Moscow is beautiful in the summer. It tends to get pretty cold in the shoulder seasons, so if you want warm weather, you should plan to visit in the summer. Moscow actually gets pretty warm in July and August, and there are a bunch of fantastic places to soak up the sun within the city.

The best time to visit Moscow is either around Christmas or from late May to August.

Is Moscow Safe to Visit?

While Moscow is a truly wonderful city, there’s no denying that visiting Russia comes with risks. As the country is run by an infamous communist dictator, concerns about visiting are valid. While we didn’t experience any sort of threat or negative treatment during our time in Moscow, we visited in a peaceful time.

In our experience, Russia doesn’t seem to detain normal Americans or Westerners to use as pawns. As a regular person, as long as you don’t commit any crimes, there is a slim chance you will run into any issues. However, Russia will not hesitate to enforce its laws against foreigners, and illegal behaviors will likely land you in a very compromising position.

Russia will not hesitate to enforce its laws against foreigners, and illegal behaviors will likely land you in a very compromising position.

To make matters worse, Russia has a bad reputation for gang violence. While the Russian mafia has very little interest in normal Western tourists, they won’t hesitate to pick a fight with anyone who ventures into their sphere of influence. If you seek out illegal substances or activities, you could be a target of the mafia.

If you seek out illegal substances or activities, you could be a target of the mafia.

Finally, since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, things are all very different. Russia is currently at war, and there are battles raging within 8 hours of Moscow. While it is still relatively safe to visit, that could change at any time as the war with Ukraine continues.

Is Moscow Worth Visiting?

Without a doubt, Moscow is worth visiting. It is one of the most unique major cities we have ever visited, and we hope to make it back one day. The Russian Orthodox churches are stunning, the city’s history is unlike any other, and the food is to die for.

While many visitors prefer St. Petersburg to Moscow, I think Moscow deserves a lot of hype of its own. Moscow is the beating heart of Russian culture and history, and it’s a place I highly recommend checking out if you have the chance.

That’s all we have for you about Moscow! I hope this post was helpful as you plan your trip to Russia’s capital.

Have you been to Moscow? Or is this your first time visiting? Comment below if you have anything to add to our travel guide!

Hi, I'm Greg. I'm an avid traveler who has traveled to over 50 countries all around the world with my wife and kids. I've lived in Italy, Mexico, China, and the United States, and I dream of moving abroad again in the future. With this blog, I provide my audience with detailed destination guides to my favorite places and pro-tips to make travel as stress-free as possible.

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Peter Dutton’s office billed taxpayers almost $6,000 for staff to travel with him when he attended Gina Rinehart party

Exclusive : Opposition leader travelled at own expense to lavish party, but documents reveal two staff also made the trip to Perth

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Peter Dutton’s office claimed nearly $6,000 in public expenses for staff and security to travel to Perth with the opposition leader when he attended Gina Rinehart’s lavish birthday party.

Dutton’s office has said he travelled at his own expense to the party for Australia’s richest woman , which included a horseriding performance, multiple large cakes and onstage pyrotechnics. But travel information obtained under freedom of information shows members of Dutton’s team – which his office said included a staffer and a security detail – claimed travel from Melbourne to Perth and back again on 29 February, the night of the party on the banks of the Swan River.

It was reported in March that Dutton attended Rinehart’s party after the end of a parliamentary sitting week, before appearing in Melbourne the next morning to campaign for the Dunkley byelection. The Australian Financial Review reported Dutton was spotted flying from Canberra to Melbourne, then travelling on to Perth before returning to Melbourne that same evening – potentially joining Rinehart’s party for as little as an hour.

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Dutton was criticised at the time by 2GB host Ben Fordham for choosing to fly to Perth instead of spending more time campaigning in Dunkley, calling the opposition leader’s decision “a bad call” and suggested he should have “brushed” the party to campaign more in the crucial byelection.

“Peter Dutton spent more time on the aeroplane than he did at the party, which sounds like a waste of time to me,” Fordham said.

Labor’s Jodie Belyea won the byelection against Liberal challenger Nathan Conroy by a 53-47 margin.

The Independent Parliamentary Expenses Authority (IPEA), the government body which manages parliamentarians’ work expenses, released information under FoI on Thursday to show Dutton’s office claimed flights between Melbourne and Perth on the day of – and the day after – Rinehart’s party. All were classified as having been claimed by “personal staff”, rather than Dutton himself. Guardian Australia understands that any claim for Dutton himself would have been recorded and classified differently on the documents.

IPEA records show staff from Dutton’s office claimed a Melbourne to Perth flight on 29 February, the day of the party, costing $2,221.63. The same day, staff also claimed a Perth to Melbourne air fare, at $2,680.80.

The following day, 1 March, was another staff claim for a Perth to Melbourne air fare at $1,028.93.

In total, the three air fare claims between Melbourne and Perth came in at $5,931.36.

Guardian Australia contacted Dutton’s office for clarification on the claims. A spokesperson responded that the opposition leader travelled with one staff member and his security detail, which they said was appropriate and within travel rules.

Dutton is typically accompanied in public by a security detail, as are other senior politicians like prime minister Anthony Albanese and deputy PM Richard Marles.

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Dutton’s spokesperson also referred back to his remarks in March, at the time of the initial reporting on his Perth trip.

“The air fares were at my expense, there was no accommodation. I flew back on the redeye so that I could be back into Melbourne at 4.30 the next morning,” Dutton said at the time.

“My security detail operates exactly the same as the governor general and the prime minister.”

The lavish celebration for Rinehart, according to her company’s websites, included “a horse show backed by the fantastic Aussie music, The Man from Snowy River, with riders … carrying large Australian and company flags”.

The Perth lord mayor, Basil Zempilas, told 6PR radio he attended the event, calling the horseback show “an incredible sight”, and saying the pop star Guy Sebastian had sung the national anthem.

Last year Dutton was flown to another Rinehart party at Hancock Prospecting’s Pilbara mine by another billionaire rich-lister , where he praised the mining magnate and her family as “pioneers” who had “given so much to this country”.

• Peter Dutton
• Gina Rinehart
• Australian politics
• Western Australia
• Liberal party

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Travel Itinerary For One Week in Moscow: The Best of Moscow!

I just got back from one week in Moscow. And, as you might have already guessed, it was a mind-boggling experience. It was not my first trip to the Russian capital. But I hardly ever got enough time to explore this sprawling city. Visiting places for business rarely leaves enough time for sightseeing. I think that if you’ve got one week in Russia, you can also consider splitting your time between its largest cities (i.e. Saint Petersburg ) to get the most out of your trip. Seven days will let you see the majority of the main sights and go beyond just scratching the surface. In this post, I’m going to share with you my idea of the perfect travel itinerary for one week in Moscow.

Moscow is perhaps both the business and cultural hub of Russia. There is a lot more to see here than just the Kremlin and Saint Basil’s Cathedral. Centuries-old churches with onion-shaped domes dotted around the city are in stark contrast with newly completed impressive skyscrapers of Moscow City dominating the skyline. I spent a lot of time thinking about my Moscow itinerary before I left. And this city lived up to all of my expectations.

Travel Itinerary For One Week in Moscow

Day 1 – red square and the kremlin.

Metro Station: Okhotny Ryad on Red Line.

No trip to Moscow would be complete without seeing its main attraction. The Red Square is just a stone’s throw away from several metro stations. It is home to some of the most impressive architectural masterpieces in the city. The first thing you’ll probably notice after entering it and passing vendors selling weird fur hats is the fairytale-like looking Saint Basil’s Cathedral. It was built to commemorate one of the major victories of Ivan the Terrible. I once spent 20 minutes gazing at it, trying to find the perfect angle to snap it. It was easier said than done because of the hordes of locals and tourists.

As you continue strolling around Red Square, there’s no way you can miss Gum. It was widely known as the main department store during the Soviet Era. Now this large (yet historic) shopping mall is filled with expensive boutiques, pricey eateries, etc. During my trip to Moscow, I was on a tight budget. So I only took a retro-style stroll in Gum to get a rare glimpse of a place where Soviet leaders used to grocery shop and buy their stuff. In case you want some modern shopping experience, head to the Okhotny Ryad Shopping Center with stores like New Yorker, Zara, and Adidas.

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To continue this Moscow itinerary, next you may want to go inside the Kremlin walls. This is the center of Russian political power and the president’s official residence. If you’re planning to pay Kremlin a visit do your best to visit Ivan the Great Bell Tower as well. Go there as early as possible to avoid crowds and get an incredible bird’s-eye view. There are a couple of museums that are available during designated visiting hours. Make sure to book your ticket online and avoid lines.

Day 2 – Cathedral of Christ the Saviour, the Tretyakov Gallery, and the Arbat Street

Metro Station: Kropotkinskaya on Red Line

As soon as you start creating a Moscow itinerary for your second day, you’ll discover that there are plenty of metro stations that are much closer to certain sites. Depending on your route, take a closer look at the metro map to pick the closest.

The white marble walls of Christ the Saviour Cathedral are awe-inspiring. As you approach this tallest Orthodox Christian church, you may notice the bronze sculptures, magnificent arches, and cupolas that were created to commemorate Russia’s victory against Napoleon.

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Unfortunately, the current Cathedral is a replica, since original was blown to bits in 1931 by the Soviet government. The new cathedral basically follows the original design, but they have added some new elements such as marble high reliefs.

Home to some precious collection of artworks, in Tretyakov Gallery you can find more than 150,000 of works spanning centuries of artistic endeavor. Originally a privately owned gallery, it now has become one of the largest museums in Russia. The Gallery is often considered essential to visit. But I have encountered a lot of locals who have never been there.

Famous for its souvenirs, musicians, and theaters, Arbat street is among the few in Moscow that were turned into pedestrian zones. Arbat street is usually very busy with tourists and locals alike. My local friend once called it the oldest street in Moscow dating back to 1493. It is a kilometer long walking street filled with fancy gift shops, small cozy restaurants, lots of cute cafes, and street artists. It is closed to any vehicular traffic, so you can easily stroll it with kids.

Day 3 – Moscow River Boat Ride, Poklonnaya Hill Victory Park, the Moscow City

Metro Station: Kievskaya and Park Pobedy on Dark Blue Line / Vystavochnaya on Light Blue Line

Voyaging along the Moscow River is definitely one of the best ways to catch a glimpse of the city and see the attractions from a bit different perspective. Depending on your Moscow itinerary, travel budget and the time of the year, there are various types of boats available. In the summer there is no shortage of boats, and you’ll be spoiled for choice.

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If you find yourself in Moscow during the winter months, I’d recommend going with Radisson boat cruise. These are often more expensive (yet comfy). They offer refreshments like tea, coffee, hot chocolate, and, of course, alcoholic drinks. Prices may vary but mostly depend on your food and drink selection. Find their main pier near the opulent Ukraine hotel . The hotel is one of the “Seven Sisters”, so if you’re into the charm of Stalinist architecture don’t miss a chance to stay there.

The area near Poklonnaya Hill has the closest relation to the country’s recent past. The memorial complex was completed in the mid-1990s to commemorate the Victory and WW2 casualties. Also known as the Great Patriotic War Museum, activities here include indoor attractions while the grounds around host an open-air museum with old tanks and other vehicles used on the battlefield.

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The hallmark of the memorial complex and the first thing you see as you exit metro is the statue of Nike mounted to its column. This is a very impressive Obelisk with a statue of Saint George slaying the dragon at its base.

Maybe not as impressive as Shanghai’s Oriental Pearl Tower , the skyscrapers of the Moscow City (otherwise known as Moscow International Business Center) are so drastically different from dull Soviet architecture. With 239 meters and 60 floors, the Empire Tower is the seventh highest building in the business district.

The observation deck occupies 56 floor from where you have some panoramic views of the city. I loved the view in the direction of Moscow State University and Luzhniki stadium as well to the other side with residential quarters. The entrance fee is pricey, but if you’re want to get a bird’s eye view, the skyscraper is one of the best places for doing just that.

Day 4 – VDNKh, Worker and Collective Farm Woman Monument, The Ostankino TV Tower

Metro Station: VDNKh on Orange Line

VDNKh is one of my favorite attractions in Moscow. The weird abbreviation actually stands for Russian vystavka dostizheniy narodnogo khozyaystva (Exhibition of Achievements of the National Economy). With more than 200 buildings and 30 pavilions on the grounds, VDNKh serves as an open-air museum. You can easily spend a full day here since the park occupies a very large area.

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First, there are pavilions that used to showcase different cultures the USSR was made of. Additionally, there is a number of shopping pavilions, as well as Moskvarium (an Oceanarium) that features a variety of marine species. VDNKh is a popular venue for events and fairs. There is always something going on, so I’d recommend checking their website if you want to see some particular exhibition.

A stone’s throw away from VDNKh there is a very distinctive 25-meters high monument. Originally built in 1937 for the world fair in Paris, the hulking figures of men and women holding a hammer and a sickle represent the Soviet idea of united workers and farmers. It doesn’t take much time to see the monument, but visiting it gives some idea of the Soviet Union’s grandiose aspirations.

I have a thing for tall buildings. So to continue my travel itinerary for one week in Moscow I decided to climb the fourth highest TV tower in the world. This iconic 540m tower is a fixture of the skyline. You can see it virtually from everywhere in Moscow, and this is where you can get the best panoramic views (yep, even better than Empire skyscraper).

Parts of the floor are made of tempered glass, so it can be quite scary to exit the elevator. But trust me, as you start observing buildings and cars below, you won’t want to leave. There is only a limited number of tickets per day, so you may want to book online. Insider tip: the first tour is cheaper, you can save up to $10 if go there early.

Day 5 – A Tour To Moscow Manor Houses

Metro Station: Kolomenskoye, Tsaritsyno on Dark Green Line / Kuskovo on Purple Line

I love visiting the manor houses and palaces in Moscow. These opulent buildings were generally built to house Russian aristocratic families and monarchs. Houses tend to be rather grand affairs with impressive architecture. And, depending on the whims of the owners, some form of a landscaped garden.

During the early part of the 20th century though, many of Russia’s aristocratic families (including the family of the last emperor) ended up being killed or moving abroad . Their manor houses were nationalized. Some time later (after the fall of the USSR) these were open to the public. It means that today a great many of Moscow’s finest manor houses and palaces are open for touring.

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There are 20 manor houses scattered throughout the city and more than 25 in the area around. But not all of them easily accessible and exploring them often takes a lot of time. I’d recommend focusing on three most popular estates in Moscow that are some 30-minute metro ride away from Kremlin.

Sandwiched between the Moscow River and the Andropov Avenue, Kolomenskoye is a UNESCO site that became a public park in the 1920’s. Once a former royal estate, now it is one of the most tranquil parks in the city with gorgeous views. The Ascension Church, The White Column, and the grounds are a truly grand place to visit.

You could easily spend a full day here, exploring a traditional Russian village (that is, in fact, a market), picnicking by the river, enjoying the Eastern Orthodox church architecture, hiking the grounds as well as and wandering the park and gardens with wildflower meadows, apple orchards, and birch and maple groves. The estate museum showcases Russian nature at its finest year-round.

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If my travel itinerary for one week in Moscow was a family tree, Tsaritsyno Park would probably be the crazy uncle that no-one talks about. It’s a large park in the south of the city of mind-boggling proportions, unbelievable in so many ways, and yet most travelers have never heard of it.

The palace was supposed to be a summer home for Empress Catherine the Great. But since the construction didn’t meet with her approval the palace was abandoned. Since the early 1990’s the palace, the pond, and the grounds have been undergoing renovations. The entire complex is now looking brighter and more elaborately decorated than at possibly any other time during its history. Like most parks in Moscow, you can visit Tsaritsyno free of charge, but there is a small fee if you want to visit the palace.

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Last, but by no means least on my Moscow itinerary is Kuskovo Park . This is definitely an off-the-beaten-path place. While it is not easily accessible, you will be rewarded with a lack of crowds. This 18th-century summer country house of the Sheremetev family was one of the first summer country estates of the Russian nobility. And when you visit you’ll quickly realize why locals love this park.

Like many other estates, Kuskovo has just been renovated. So there are lovely French formal garden, a grotto, and the Dutch house to explore. Make sure to plan your itinerary well because the estate is some way from a metro station.

Day 6 – Explore the Golden Ring

Creating the Moscow itinerary may keep you busy for days with the seemingly endless amount of things to do. Visiting the so-called Golden Ring is like stepping back in time. Golden Ring is a “theme route” devised by promotion-minded journalist and writer Yuri Bychkov.

Having started in Moscow the route will take you through a number of historical cities. It now includes Suzdal, Vladimir, Kostroma, Yaroslavl and Sergiev Posad. All these awe-inspiring towns have their own smaller kremlins and feature dramatic churches with onion-shaped domes, tranquil residential areas, and other architectural landmarks.

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I only visited two out of eight cities included on the route. It is a no-brainer that Sergiev Posad is the nearest and the easiest city to see on a day trip from Moscow. That being said, you can explore its main attractions in just one day. Located some 70 km north-east of the Russian capital, this tiny and overlooked town is home to Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius, UNESCO Site.

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Sergiev Posad is often described as being at the heart of Russian spiritual life. So it is uncommon to see the crowds of Russian pilgrims showing a deep reverence for their religion. If you’re traveling independently and using public transport, you can reach Sergiev Posad by bus (departs from VDNKh) or by suburban commuter train from Yaroslavskaya Railway Station (Bahnhof). It takes about one and a half hours to reach the town.

Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius is a great place to get a glimpse of filling and warming Russian lunch, specifically at the “ Gostevaya Izba ” restaurant. Try the duck breast, hearty potato and vegetables, and the awesome Napoleon cake.

Day 7 – Gorky Park, Izmailovo Kremlin, Patriarch’s Ponds

Metro Station: Park Kultury or Oktyabrskaya on Circle Line / Partizanskaya on Dark Blue Line / Pushkinskaya on Dark Green Line

Gorky Park is in the heart of Moscow. It offers many different types of outdoor activities, such as dancing, cycling, skateboarding, walking, jogging, and anything else you can do in a park. Named after Maxim Gorky, this sprawling and lovely park is where locals go on a picnic, relax and enjoy free yoga classes. It’s a popular place to bike around, and there is a Muzeon Art Park not far from here. A dynamic location with a younger vibe. There is also a pier, so you can take a cruise along the river too.

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The Kremlin in Izmailovo is by no means like the one you can find near the Red Square. Originally built for decorative purposes, it now features the Vernissage flea market and a number of frequent fairs, exhibitions, and conferences. Every weekend, there’s a giant flea market in Izmailovo, where dozens of stalls sell Soviet propaganda crap, Russian nesting dolls, vinyl records, jewelry and just about any object you can imagine. Go early in the morning if you want to beat the crowds.

All the Bulgakov’s fans should pay a visit to Patriarch’s Ponds (yup, that is plural). With a lovely small city park and the only one (!) pond in the middle, the location is where the opening scene of Bulgakov’s novel Master and Margarita was set. The novel is centered around a visit by Devil to the atheistic Soviet Union is considered by many critics to be one of the best novels of the 20th century. I spent great two hours strolling the nearby streets and having lunch in the hipster cafe.

Conclusion and Recommendations

To conclude, Moscow is a safe city to visit. I have never had a problem with getting around and most locals are really friendly once they know you’re a foreigner. Moscow has undergone some serious reconstruction over the last few years. So you can expect some places to be completely different. I hope my one week Moscow itinerary was helpful! If you have less time, say 4 days or 5 days, I would cut out day 6 and day 7. You could save the Golden Ring for a separate trip entirely as there’s lots to see!

What are your thoughts on this one week Moscow itinerary? Are you excited about your first time in the city? Let me know in the comments below!

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24 comments.

Ann Snook-Moreau

Moscow looks so beautiful and historic! Thanks for including public transit information for those of us who don’t like to rent cars.

MindTheTravel

Yup, that is me 🙂 Rarely rent + stick to the metro = Full wallet!

Mariella Blago

Looks like you had loads of fun! Well done. Also great value post for travel lovers.

Thanks, Mariella!

I have always wanted to go to Russia, especially Moscow. These sights look absolutely beautiful to see and there is so much history there!

Agree! Moscow is a thousand-year-old city and there is definitely something for everyone.

Tara Pittman

Those are amazing buildings. Looks like a place that would be amazing to visit.

Adriana Lopez

Never been to Moscow or Russia but my family has. Many great spots and a lot of culture. Your itinerary sounds fantastic and covers a lot despite it is only a short period of time.

What was their favourite thing about Russia?

Gladys Parker

I know very little about Moscow or Russia for the\at matter. I do know I would have to see the Red Square and all of its exquisite architectural masterpieces. Also the CATHEDRAL OF CHRIST THE SAVIOUR. Thanks for shedding some light on visiting Moscow.

Thanks for swinging by! The Red Square is a great starting point, but there way too many places and things to discover aside from it!

Ruthy @ Percolate Kitchen

You are making me so jealous!! I’ve always wanted to see Russia.

Moscow is in my bucket list, I don’t know when I can visit there, your post is really useful. As a culture rich place we need to spend at least week.

DANA GUTKOWSKI

Looks like you had a great trip! Thanks for all the great info! I’ve never been in to Russia, but this post makes me wanna go now!

Wow this is amazing! Moscow is on my bucket list – such an amazing place to visit I can imagine! I can’t wait to go there one day!

The building on the second picture looks familiar. I keep seeing that on TV.

Reesa Lewandowski

What beautiful moments! I always wish I had the personality to travel more like this!

Perfect itinerary for spending a week in Moscow! So many places to visit and it looks like you had a wonderful time. I would love to climb that tower. The views I am sure must have been amazing!

I was lucky enough to see the skyline of Moscow from this TV Tower and it is definitely mind-blowing.

Chelsea Pearl

Moscow is definitely up there on my travel bucket list. So much history and iconic architecture!

Thumbs up! 🙂

Blair Villanueva

OMG I dream to visit Moscow someday! Hope the visa processing would be okay (and become more affordable) so I could pursue my dream trip!

Yup, visa processing is the major downside! Agree! Time and the money consuming process…

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A History of Moscow in 13 Dishes

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The online eclipse experience: People on X get creative, political and possibly blind

The 2024 total eclipse is caused by a rare alignment in celestial spheres that will send millions of people in the path of totality outside to peer at the sky.

People have booked their Airbnbs years in advance , eclipse glasses are selling out and forecasters have been warning of cloudy skies for weeks.

Regardless of how otherworldly this event is and how much planning people have dedicated to experiencing it in person, the internet is being the internet and providing an eclipse experience of its own.

GIFs, quips and skits are flooding social media platforms like X on Monday.

Here are some of the best social media reactions to the eclipse:

Solar eclipse 2024 live updates: See latest weather forecast, what time it hits your area

Forgot your eclipse glasses? So did the internet

Proper eye safety is recommended for looking at the sun during an eclipse, and several places like Warby Parker and public libraries have been giving them away for free.

But some poor souls didn't secure their pair in advance, and the internet knows it:

"I don’t have eclipse glasses and I don’t trust myself not to look at the sun," one user posted on X.

"During the eclipse, it’s important not to stare at the Sun directly, as it will take this as a provocation. Look away to the sides to indicate clearly that you are not a threat to the Sun. Do NOT run away; this will activate the Sun’s predation instinct, and then God help us all," another posted .

Viral moment: Looking back (but not directly at) Donald Trump's 2017 solar eclipse moment

Some people are making their own eclipses

*flips ipad around*, of course, it's getting political.

Several supporters of former President Donald Trump have also made their own footage showing Trump eclipsing President Joe Biden , indicating their hope for the 2024 presidential election.

"Biggest Event of 2024," wrote one user , with a picture of Trump "eclipsing" Biden attached.

But many people are reminiscing about the 2017 eclipse, when Trump seemingly looked up at the sky without glasses .

Biden joined in poking fun at him in a post saying, "don't be silly, folks – play it safe and wear protective eyewear," a presumed nod to Trump's viral moment.

Contributing: Eric Lagatta, Natalie Alund

‘Back to the Future II’ Gave Us One of Godzilla’s Weirdest Storylines

When are we getting Godzilla on a hoverboard?

The Big Picture

• Back To The Future II inspired Godzilla vs. King Ghodorah , leading to the only Godzilla film featuring time travel.
• Time travel allows films like Back to The Future and Godzilla vs. King Ghodorah to explore intriguing "what if" scenarios.
• The unique twist of time travel in Godzilla vs. King Ghodorah changed Godzilla's motives and created a memorable installment.

Time travel has been a staple trope in cinema for decades , and it really became popular in the 1980s with films like The Terminator , Star Trek, and Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure . It allows audiences to use their imaginations and dream of what the future could look like, with its endless possibilities. But perhaps the most famous entry into the time travel genre is the Back To The Future trilogy, which follows Marty McFly ( Michael J. Fox ) and Doc Brown ( Christopher Lloyd ) as they travel to various decades, both in the past and future.

In the first film, Marty, a teenager living in 1985, gets trapped in the 1950s when he uses the DeLorean time machine to quickly escape a terrorist group that is after Doc Brown after he promised them plutonium. He finds the Doc Brown of the past to help him figure out how to get back to his own time. In the second feature film, Marty has to travel to the future to stop his kids from falling down a dark path. It turns into a huge dystopian tale as Biff Tannen ( Thomas F. Wilson ), the notorious villain in every film, gets ahold of the DeLorean and makes some changes to the past. But did you know that Back to the Future Part II directly influenced one of the most weird and wonderful Godzilla films?

Back to the Future 2

After visiting 2015, Marty McFly must repeat his visit to 1955 to prevent disastrous changes to 1985...without interfering with his first trip

How Did 'Back To The Future II' Inspire Godzilla vs. King Ghodorah?

The director of 1991's iconic Godzilla vs. King Ghodorah, Kazuki Ômori , said in a 2022 interview with Medium that the success of Back To The Future II made Godzilla co-creator, Tomoyuki Tanaka , think about the possibilities of a Godzilla adventure featuring time travel. Even though he was initially against the idea of time travel, thinking that it was too much for him and that if you add time travel, there are too many possibilities. According to Ômori, Tanaka saw that Back To The Future II had higher attendance rates than his Godzilla vs. Biollante in 1989, which led him to consider and pursue the idea. Thus, it gave us one of the best of the Heisei era (refers to a political period in Japan), Godzilla vs. King Ghodorah . It is still the only Godzilla film featuring time travel.

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In Godzilla vs. King Ghodorah, Godzilla, usually the film's antagonist, becomes the world's savior as he defeats the golden-scaled, three-headed King Ghodorah . In this installment, the Futurians travel back in time from the year 2044 to warn the people of Japan that Godzilla will come back to ruin them. Their plan of action is to travel back to 1944 with Terasawa ( Kôsuke Toyohara ), psychic Miki Saegusa ( Megumi Odaka ), and Professor Hironori Mazaki ( Katsuhiko Sasaki ), a paleontologist, and stop Godzilla from ever being created by the 1954 Castle Bravo H-bomb test. Their mission succeeds, but little do the people of 1992 know that the Futurians plan on creating another monster of their own using three Dorats to create King Ghodorah.

We later figured out that the Futurians were part of a political party known as the Equal Environment Earth Union. Their goal was to extort Japan because it was becoming increasingly corrupt. Once the travelers return to 1992, they see Ghodorah terrorizing the nation. So, their best solution is to recreate Godzilla to defeat the creature. It turns out that Godzilla wasn't gone after all but was in the depths of the ocean, and after Godzilla absorbed the nuclear submarine, he became even bigger than before. Godzilla and King Ghodorah duke it out in an epic battle , Godzilla decapitating one of Ghodorah's heads, and they both plummet into the ocean. But we know Godzilla won by the monstrous scream he lets out at the film's end, letting audiences know he shall return.

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This bizarre plot of Godzilla vs. King Ghodorah was the first and last of its kind. It had time travel, giving the film a new twist and changing Godzilla's motives. During the earlier films, Godzilla was a symbol of nuclear war, a world gone wrong, and something humans couldn't take back after creating it . But Godzilla was absolved of this wartime connection when he was deliberately created using the nuclear submarine; Godzilla became a force to help Japan save their nation. But since the time travel aspect seemed to be popular enough, why didn't they make another one featuring time travel? Maybe to keep the uniqueness of the film, or because once is enough. Either way, the film is one of the better installments within the ever-growing franchise.

Time travel films like these work so well because they explore the possibilities we ask ourselves every day. What if you could go back and fix this horrible mistake you made? What if you could take back what you said? How would your life be different? Films like Godzilla vs. Ghodorah , The Terminator, and Back to The Future explore these questions differently but always make audiences consider the possibilities. An idea they all explore is the effect fixing the past has on the future. Even with the technological advances in these films, it's interesting to see how they explain it to someone who has no idea what a hoverboard or cyborg is.

What Other Films Inspired 'Godzilla vs. King Ghodorah'?

Back to The Future II wasn't the only influence for Godzilla Vs. King Ghodorah . Kazuki Ômori told Medium that some of the biggest inspirations for the film were The Terminator and Aliens . The influence of The Terminator is evident; like in Godzilla vs. King Ghodorah , The Terminator ( Arnold Schwarzenegger ), who is a cyborg assassin, has to go back in time to save the future. His target is Sarah Connor ( Linda Hamilton ), but he ends up befriending and protecting her when secrets about the future are unraveled. Similar to The Terminator , everyone in Godzilla vs. King Ghodorah seems to have ulterior motives, like the Futurians who end up creating King Ghodorah and John Connor ( Edward Furlong ), who was the one who sent the T-1000 assassin, giving both films good plot twists.

It's almost time to evacuate another town as we reunite for another adventure in the MonsterVerse . Godzilla X Kong: The New Empire , premieres next month and will pit Kong and Godzilla against a colossal threat that will challenge the existence of the monsters and our own.

Back to the Future Part II is available to rent on Amazon.

Rent on Amazon

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• HomeTowne Studios by Red Roof Fort Lauderdale $67+
• Flight Atlanta - Fort Lauderdale (ATL - FLL) $43+
• Flight Raleigh - Fort Lauderdale (RDU - FLL) $44+
• Flight Philadelphia - Fort Lauderdale (PHL - FLL) $46+
• Green Tortoise Hostel Seattle $59+
• Travelodge by Wyndham Seattle By The Space Needle $122+
• Holiday Inn Seattle Downtown $127+
• Flight Denver - Seattle (DEN - SEA) $78+
• Flight Ontario - Seattle (ONT - SEA) $89+
• Flight San Diego - Seattle (SAN - SEA) $91+
• Fabhotel Royal Residency Lakdikapul $20+
• Katriya Hotel & Towers $26+
• Royalton, Hyderabad $42+
• Flight New York - Mumbai (JFK - BOM) $486+
• Flight New York - New Delhi (JFK - DEL) $518+
• Flight New York - Ahmedabad (JFK - AMD) $567+
• Best Western Sapporo Odori Koen $28+
• Smile Hotel Premium Sapporo Susukino $30+
• Nest Hotel Sapporo Ekimae $32+
• Flight Los Angeles - Tokyo (LAX - NRT) $448+
• Flight San Francisco - Tokyo (SFO - NRT) $516+
• Flight Ontario - Tokyo (ONT - NRT) $603+
• Royal Grove Waikiki $111+
• Kuhio Banyan Club $118+
• Pacific Marina Inn $127+
• Flight Los Angeles - Honolulu (LAX - HNL) $217+
• Flight Oakland - Honolulu (OAK - HNL) $226+
• Flight San Francisco - Honolulu (SFO - HNL) $256+
• Super 8 by Wyndham Dallas Love Field Airport $54+
• Dallas Love Field Inn $60+
• Comfort Inn Dallas North Love Field Airport $67+
• Flight Atlanta - Dallas (ATL - DFW) $50+
• Flight Chicago - Dallas (ORD - DFW) $50+
• Flight Chicago - Dallas (MDW - DFW) $51+
• OYO Hotel And Casino Las Vegas $26+
• The STRAT Hotel, Casino & Tower $29+
• Four Queens Hotel and Casino $45+
• the D Las Vegas $46+
• Flight Burbank - Las Vegas (BUR - LAS) $23+
• Flight Los Angeles - Las Vegas (LAX - LAS) $31+
• Flight Oakland - Las Vegas (OAK - LAS) $47+
• Flight San Francisco - Las Vegas (SFO - LAS) $61+
• Freehand Chicago $35+
• Chicago Getaway Hostel $46+
• Travelodge by Wyndham Downtown Chicago $103+
• Flight Atlanta - Chicago (ATL - ORD) $33+
• Flight Atlanta - Chicago (ATL - MDW) $37+
• Flight Dallas - Chicago (DFW - ORD) $51+

San Francisco

• Hi San Francisco Downtown Hostel $51+
• The Mosser $73+
• Chancellor Hotel On Union Square $114+
• Flight Ontario - San Francisco (ONT - SFO) $36+
• Flight Phoenix - San Francisco (PHX - SFO) $59+
• Flight Los Angeles - San Francisco (LAX - SFO) $63+

Washington, D.C.

• Generator Hotel Washington DC $70+
• Days Inn by Wyndham Washington DC/Connecticut Avenue $123+
• Georgetown Residences by LuxUrban, Trademark Coll by Wyndham $148+
• Hotel Harrington $164+
• Citizenm Washington DC Noma $168+
• Beacon Hotel & Corporate Quarters $174+
• Henley Park Hotel $192+
• Hyatt Place Washington DC/US Capitol $196+
• Morrison Clark Historic Inn $200+
• Citizenm Washington Dc Capitol $200+
• Arc Hotel Washington DC, Georgetown $201+
• Washington Plaza Hotel $202+
• Flight Atlanta - Baltimore (ATL - BWI) $37+
• Flight Orlando - Baltimore (MCO - BWI) $42+
• Flight Boston - Baltimore (BOS - BWI) $56+
• Flight Houston - Baltimore (HOU - BWI) $72+
• Flight Dallas - Baltimore (DFW - BWI) $73+
• Flight Los Angeles - Baltimore (LAX - BWI) $83+
• Flight Chicago - Baltimore (ORD - BWI) $86+
• Flight Dallas - Washington, D.C. (DFW - DCA) $95+
• Flight Boston - Washington, D.C. (BOS - DCA) $123+
• Flight Minneapolis - Washington, D.C. (MSP - DCA) $125+
• Flight Boston - Washington, D.C. (BOS - IAD) $129+
• Flight Houston - Washington, D.C. (HOU - DCA) $139+
• Hotel Boutique Casa Mallorca $70+
• Suites Malecon Cancun $71+
• Avani Cancún Airport Hotel $84+
• Flight Dallas - Cancún (DFW - CUN) $165+
• Flight Orlando - Cancún (MCO - CUN) $180+
• Flight Houston - Cancún (HOU - CUN) $182+

United States

• Flight Newark - Fort Lauderdale (EWR - FLL) $51+
• Flight Newark - Miami (EWR - MIA) $55+
• Kauai Palms Hotel $192+
• Tip Top Motel $194+
• Kauai Beach Villas $220+
• Flight Los Angeles - Hawaii (LAX - USHI) $192+
• Flight San Francisco - Hawaii (SFO - USHI) $249+
• Flight Seattle - Hawaii (SEA - USHI) $275+
• Super 8 by Wyndham San Diego Hotel Circle $85+
• California Suites Hotel $93+
• Best Western Seven Seas $105+
• Flight Phoenix - San Diego (PHX - SAN) $48+
• Flight Denver - San Diego (DEN - SAN) $57+
• Flight San Jose - San Diego (SJC - SAN) $57+
• Shared Living Not A Hotel $34+
• Super 8 by Wyndham Phoenix West $53+
• Hometowne Studios by Red Roof Phoenix - Dunlap Ave. $56+
• Flight Ontario - Phoenix (ONT - PHX) $38+
• Flight Salt Lake City - Phoenix (SLC - PHX) $48+
• Flight Los Angeles - Phoenix (LAX - PHX) $57+

Los Angeles

• Boutique Hostel $34+
• Freehand Los Angeles $41+
• City Center Hotel Los Angeles $104+
• Four Points by Sheraton Los Angeles International Airport $108+
• Rotex Western Inn $108+
• La Quinta Inn & Suites LAX $125+
• USC Hotel $129+
• Flight Oakland - Los Angeles (OAK - LAX) $55+
• Flight San Francisco - Los Angeles (SFO - LAX) $58+
• Flight Dallas - Los Angeles (DFW - LAX) $66+
• Flight Chicago - Los Angeles (ORD - LAX) $74+
• Flight Denver - Los Angeles (DEN - LAX) $79+
• Flight Houston - Los Angeles (HOU - LAX) $82+
• Flight Houston - Los Angeles (IAH - LAX) $82+
• Selina Gold Dust $52+
• Motel 6 Miami. Fl $73+
• La Quinta Inn by Wyndham Miami Airport North $81+
• Miami Gardens Inn & Suites $84+
• Days Inn by Wyndham Miami International Airport $91+
• La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Miami Airport East $97+
• Holiday Inn Express & Suites Miami-Kendall $112+
• Radisson Red Miami Airport $113+
• The Palms Inn & Suites Miami, Kendall, Fl $114+
• Holiday Inn Miami West - Airport Area $117+
• Courtyard by Marriott Miami West/FL Turnpike $123+
• Flight Atlanta - Miami (ATL - MIA) $42+
• Flight Philadelphia - Miami (PHL - MIA) $47+
• Flight Chicago - Miami (ORD - MIA) $52+
• Flight Chicago - Miami (MDW - MIA) $55+
• Flight Baltimore - Miami (BWI - MIA) $60+
• Flight Raleigh - Miami (RDU - MIA) $63+
• Flight Boston - Miami (BOS - MIA) $68+
• Flight Charlotte - Miami (CLT - MIA) $75+
• Flight Detroit - Miami (DTW - MIA) $76+
• Flight Houston - Miami (HOU - MIA) $77+
• Hometowne Studios by Red Roof Denver - Glendale/Cherry Creek $64+
• Super 8 by Wyndham Denver Stapleton $75+
• Days Inn & Suites by Wyndham Denver International Airport $97+
• Microtel Inn & Suites by Wyndham Denver Airport $100+
• Comfort Suites Denver International Airport $101+
• Quality Inn & Suites Denver International Airport $101+
• Baymont by Wyndham Denver International Airport $101+
• Flight Minneapolis - Denver (MSP - DEN) $38+
• Flight Detroit - Denver (DTW - DEN) $63+
• Flight Chicago - Denver (ORD - DEN) $68+
• Flight Houston - Denver (IAH - DEN) $68+
• Flight Atlanta - Denver (ATL - DEN) $69+
• Flight Ontario - Denver (ONT - DEN) $69+
• Flight Orlando - Denver (MCO - DEN) $75+
• Hi Boston Hostel $61+
• Found Hotel Boston Common $101+
• Ramada by Wyndham Boston $153+
• Flight Baltimore - Boston (BWI - BOS) $52+
• Flight Philadelphia - Boston (PHL - BOS) $58+
• Flight Miami - Boston (MIA - BOS) $68+
• Ramada Plaza by Wyndham Atlanta Airport $63+
• La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Atlanta Airport North $100+
• Sonesta Atlanta Airport North $105+
• Flight Detroit - Atlanta (DTW - ATL) $36+
• Flight Baltimore - Atlanta (BWI - ATL) $37+
• Flight Chicago - Atlanta (MDW - ATL) $37+
• Generator Madrid $34+
• C&h Aravaca Garden $39+
• Toc Hostel Madrid $44+
• Flight New York - Madrid (JFK - MAD) $367+
• Rodeway Inn Fairgrounds-Casino $68+
• Econo Lodge Airport at RJ Stadium $69+
• Tampa Inn Near Busch Gardens $70+
• Flight Philadelphia - Florida (PHL - USFL) $46+
• Flight Newark - Florida (EWR - USFL) $51+
• Flight Chicago - Florida (ORD - USFL) $52+
• Flight Atlanta - Tampa (ATL - TPA) $45+
• Flight Cincinnati - Tampa (CVG - TPA) $48+
• Flight Raleigh - Tampa (RDU - TPA) $53+

New Orleans

• Ramada by Wyndham New Orleans $68+
• Wyndham Garden Hotel Baronne Plaza $93+
• Hampton Inn & Suites New Orleans Canal St. French Quarter $102+
• Flight Orlando - New Orleans (MCO - MSY) $47+
• Flight Dallas - New Orleans (DFW - MSY) $60+
• Flight Chicago - New Orleans (ORD - MSY) $63+

Frequently asked questions about KAYAK

How do i find travel deals on kayak.

Simply use one of our travel search engines to scan for prices gathered from hundreds of travel sites. KAYAK’s search results pages have loads of filter options to help you find deals, discover exactly what you’re looking for and make booking seamless. Plus, there’s no extra fee from KAYAK.

How can I use KAYAK to manage my travel bookings?

KAYAK Trips creates a travel itinerary for you that will give you flight status alerts, can be shared with friends and more. Simply forward your booking confirmations to [email protected] or use the KAYAK app and sync your email account to keep all your travel plans organized in one app, even if you didn’t book with KAYAK. You can share your holiday plans with friends and family and also check out your travel stats for past vacations, like how far you’ve traveled, your most popular cities and how many times you’ve traveled around the world. Even if you don’t have signal, don’t worry, as you can access Trips to check out your itineraries whilst on the road. Your data is safe and secure with us and you won’t have to re-enter credit card info when booking future trips. If you want to make changes or cancel bookings, then you should contact the travel provider, which is provided on the booking confirmation.

What makes KAYAK a great travel app?

On the KAYAK app for iOS and Android you’ll find all the great travel offers found on the website and much more. There are special mobile rates and app only deals that allow you to save even more money. Plus, you can get notifications straight to your phone letting you know when prices for your next trip have dropped. But the KAYAK app is much more than just a travel app. Use the Trips function to manage your travel itinerary and get up to date status alerts on flights, check-in changes and to store your boarding pass. Even if you’re in the middle of nowhere on your travels, you can still access your travel notes via Trips, as no internet connection is required.

What are KAYAK Price Alerts?

Instead of manually checking back in on the price of your next flight or stay, let KAYAK do the hard work for you with KAYAK Price Alerts. Once you’ve saved your search, our data will determine how the price will rise or fluctuate over the coming days. You’ll then get a push notification letting you know when’s the perfect time to book.

Take a closer look at the plans for the main regions of Neom, Saudi's epic megacity project

• Saudi Arabia is plowing on with its ambitious Neom project, despite reported setbacks.
• The Kingdom has said "millions of cubic meters of earth and water" are being moved each week.
• Here's a closer look at the main regions that officials plan to build as part of the project.

Saudi Arabia 's futuristic and highly ambitious Neom megacity has been billed by officials as a place where people can "dream big."

First announced in 2017, Neom is being constructed in Tabuk, located on the northern tip of the Red Sea.

In February, the Kingdom released a promotional video sharing updates on Neom's progress. The video claimed the project was "progressing rapidly," adding that "millions of cubic meters of earth and water" were being moved each week.

Denis Hickey, the chief development officer for The Line, said: "We've done a lot of the foundation work literally and figuratively. We are ready to go. I think the construction of The Line is unique in terms of its industrialization and its modularized approach."

"We think there's an opportunity to create a better model for a city to interact with the landscape and nature and the environment and we think The Line is going to be an example to the rest of the world," Hickey said.

The kingdom has been funneling money into the 26,500 km² megacity, with costs projected to reach around $1.5 trillion for the development . The Line — a key part of the project — was planned to be finished by 2030, but recent reports suggest developers may be facing financial difficulties.

In February, The Wall Street Journal reported that Saudi Arabia was borrowing to help fund an array of ambitious projects, including Neom. A month later, Bloomberg reported that the Gulf kingdom has significantly reduced estimates for the number of people expected to settle in The Line .

Neom is the flagship project of the Vision 2030 plan announced by Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

Saudi wants its Vision 2030 projects to boost residency, provide better opportunities, and help the nation diversify beyond fossil fuels — but it remains to be seen whether expectations will match up with reality.

Neom is designed to comprise several regions. Here's how officials say the city will be laid out.

The Line is the most well-known section of Neom.

Officials say the city is set to be contained within two 1640-foot-high mirrored skyscrapers positioned 656 feet apart. According to Neom's website, the city will have no roads, cars, or emissions and run on 100% renewable energy.

The city was originally planned to accommodate nine million people by 2030. However, Bloomberg reported that this estimate was recently downgraded to less than 300,000 people by the same deadline.

US studio Morphosis is reportedly working on the glossy city, with several more architects on board to design smaller sections .

Related stories

Several e xperts have raised ethical issues about the city, claiming it could be fitted with Chinese technology to gather data on residents as part of a sweeping surveillance program.

Located on the coast of the Red Sea, Neom officials have announced plans for an octagonal city, which they claim will house a "next-generation" sustainable port.

If completed, the plan is for Oxagon, as it's being called, to spill partly into the sea, with a section set to float above on the shore. Neom officials have made the bold claim the floating part of the city will be the "world's largest floating structure."

Planners have also claimed the city will cover 48km² and house 90,000 people by 2030, as set out in the Vision 2030 plans .

Saudi officials claim Sindalah, a luxury island resort, will be the first region of Neom to be completed.

Developers have said they want the island to act as an "exclusive gateway to the stunning Red Sea," adding that they planned to welcome the global yachting community and luxury visitors.

The resort is set to feature several luxury spots, including a beach club, a spa and wellness center, and a yacht club.

Located in the mountains of the Tabuk region, Trojena has been designed to be Neom's ski and adventure resort.

Neom's website says the region will host 36 km of ski slopes. The site is also aiming to generate 10,000 jobs, per Neom's promotional site.

Saudi plans for Trojena to play host to 700,000 tourists annually by 2030.

The Gulf Of Aqaba

Saudi plans for the Gulf of Aqaba coast include several of Neom's main tourist destinations, including Epicon.

Plans for Epicon include an "ultra-luxury" hotel and resort and include a residential offering. Official statements say it will feature two towers, one 738 feet tall and another 902 feet tall.

If completed, the Gulf of Aqaba will include Leyka, a natural valley with three boutique hotels; Xaynor, an exclusive beach club; Siranna, a "luxury hospitality experience," and Aquellum, a community built inside a 1,476-feet high mountain range.

There are plans for the region to also host several other luxury escapes and wellness retreats.

Watch: Death toll in Morocco earthquake rises to 2,700

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Advertisement

Sharks amass off san diego, whale makes them look like 'tadpoles’, share this article.

A gray whale that has been spotted several times recently off San Diego has been documented swimming among schooling leopard sharks.

The accompanying footage was captured off La Jolla by Trystan Snodgrass, who remarked Friday via X that the leopard sharks “look like tadpoles” compared to the juvenile whale.

The sharks are shown scattering as the whale swims lazily toward them.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Trystan Snodgrass (@drone_dude_trystan)

A day earlier, Snodgrass posted footage showing the same whale swimming beneath surfers as they sat on their boards south of Black’s Beach.

The whale, nicknamed “Junior,” was also spotted Sunday in Mission Bay, and has been sighted sporadically off San Diego since January.

That could indicate that the whale did not migrate all the way to Baja California’s lagoons along with thousands of other gray whales or, if it did, that it did not stay long.

Gray whales are currently migrating back to summer feeding grounds off Alaska.

It’s not uncommon for juvenile whales to lag during the migration, or to explore on their own for extended periods.

It’s likely that the whale featured by Snodgrass is attempting to feed on crustaceans that live in the sand.

Leopard sharks, which can measure 5-plus feet, amass off La Jolla in late spring and summer to mate and hatch their young.

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Situation in Haiti April 5, 2024

U.s. citizens in haiti, update april 12, 2024, information for u.s. citizens in the middle east.

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Our passport agencies and centers :

• Process all applications we receive from acceptance facilities and by mail, and
• Serve customers by appointment only who have urgent travel to a foreign country in the next 14 calendar days, or need a foreign visa in the next 28 calendar days

The U.S. Department of State runs each passport agency and center. An agency and center is different than acceptance facilities which may include post offices, libraries, and local government offices.

Avoid the stress of needing to visit a passport agency or center for urgent travel. Apply early at an  acceptance facility  or  renew by mail .

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Follow these steps to make an appointment:

• Go to our  Online Passport Appointment System .
• Enter information about your travel plans to see if you qualify for an appointment. You may make an appointment for up to seven members of your household.
• Enter your email address. We will email you a code which you must enter to continue making an appointment. Check your junk or spam folder if you do not see the code in your inbox.
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• Check your email for a message confirming the details of your appointment. The system will hold your appointment for 15 minutes. If you do not confirm your appointment within 15 minutes, you will need to start over.
• If you need to cancel or change the appointment, click the link in the confirmation email to get information about your appointment. 

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If you are deaf or hard of hearing, call  1-888-874-7793  for TDD/TTY teletype services. 

• We will provide you unique information that we will check on the day of your appointment to confirm your appointment is legitimate. If you are not the appointment holder, the passport agency or center will not be able to see you.
• If you need to cancel or change your appointment, please call us. We will give your appointment to a new customer calling to make an appointment. You cannot transfer your appointment.

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How do i know which location is processing my application and has my documents.

The first two digits of your nine-digit passport application locator number allow you to know which agency or center is working on your application. You can find your application locator number by checking our Online Passport Status System . 

How and when should I contact a passport agency or center by mail?

You can find an agency or center's mailing address on each agency or center webpage. You can contact our locations by mail if:

We sent you a letter : If we need more information to process your application , we will send you a letter in the mail. Send the information to the full mailing address in Sterling, VA listed on your letter. Do not send information to the agency’s physical address.

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