Know the Risks – Different countries’ health and safety risks change all the time. Just recently, we’ve seen spikes in malaria in the Bahamas and yellow fever spread in Brazil far beyond the regions previously considered risk areas. Educating yourself before you go will help ensure that you have a safe and enjoyable trip. Products like International SOS’s country guides will provide you with the most current information on everything you may need to know, including travel tips and information on health risks, medical care standards, and security alerts.

Plan for the Unlikely, But Possible – Take measures ahead of time to ensure you know how to best safeguard your health and safety when traveling to foreign lands. Find out what immunizations you need and ensure that you get them. Leave detailed copies of your itinerary with friends and family back home. Purchase a translation dictionary in the language of your destination. Enlist the services of a travel assistance company who can help you locate credentialed medical or security providers. This includes the ultimate failsafe of evacuating you when the medical or security situation puts you in harm’s way. These bits of planning will make all the difference when the unthinkable happens.

Back it Up – Ensure that you have access to your vital documents even when abroad. Scan in copies of your passport, driver’s license and credit cards and email them to yourself at an account you can access from the Internet. Invest in a service that will provide access to your medical records online no matter where you are. Ensure that your emergency contacts are listed in multiple places.

Stay Connected – A country’s security and health status can change at a moment’s notice. Sometimes you cannot rely solely on governments to keep you informed. Companies like International SOS provide e-mail medical and security alerts from the time you book a trip until you safely return home.

Rely on Experienced Professionals in Emergencies – Whether you forget your blood pressure medicine or are caught in the middle of a civil uprising, remember that you are not alone – your assistance company should be able to help you deal with anything that arises. Your passport was stolen and you are unable to communicate with local police? They can translate. In the middle of a natural disaster and need to get home? They can help you evacuate and repatriate. Travel assistance companies are experienced in helping travelers with whatever they need. Make sure you carry your travel assistance company’s phone numbers with you wherever you go – if you need them, you’ll be happy you did.

As told by John G. Rendeiro, Jr., Vice President, Global Security and Intelligence for International SOS Assistance, Inc. Rendeiro has more than 25 years of experience keeping the U.S. State Department’s travelers and expatriates safe around the world.

1. Take a single-destination trip. Instead of a driving trip incorporating several stops, head for one destination. Cities where attractions are accessible by foot or public transportation can help cut costs.
   Examples: In Grand Junction, Colorado’s major western slope vacation destination, for instance, a $1 shuttle runs from major hotel areas to downtown attractions. In Telluride, Colo., visitors have no need for a car at all once they arrive, thanks to the town’s free shuttle bus system and the world’s only energy efficient free gondola.
2. Consider going all-inclusive. Staying at one resort that offers a multitude of services, amenities, and activities can mean significant savings. For families with children (or adults!) who like to try their hand at many activities – and then get tired or bored – it can be especially helpful. Dude ranches are increasingly popular all-inclusive options for singles, couples, and families, and can range from rustic adventures on working ranches to world-class resorts. Example: Dude & Guest Ranches of Grand County, Colo.
3. Bypass the rental car. If you won’t absolutely need a car when you arrive at your destination, use public transportation to get there when possible. Airport shuttles, buses, and trains offer good alternatives. If you’re in an area where you’d be using taxis frequently, however, compare costs to determine if a rental car would be more economical. Better yet? Try vacationing in places where you can walk to everything. Even in the wide reaches of the American West, walkable towns abound. Examples: Ouray, Grand Lake, Telluride, Colo.
4. Get out of your car. Even if you are taking a vacation by car, think about constructing a trip that isn’t all driving. Go hiking, bicycling, or horseback riding. You’ll save money and likely lose a few inches, too. Examples: Mesa Verde Country, Colo., Southwest Colorado Travel Region.
5. (Don’t) follow the crowd. Off-season doesn’t have to mean winter in New England. Many U.S. destinations offer plenty of off-peak and shoulder-season rates in late spring, early summer, and late summer. Ski resorts generally offer significant savings before Christmas and in January and early February. And no matter where or when you travel, be sure to ask about any discounts. More lodging properties, restaurants, and attractions than ever are offering discounts this year thanks to a sluggish economy.
6. Create your own meal plan. Bed and breakfast inns and many hotels include breakfast. Spend a few minutes in the morning making sandwiches, or pay a visit to the local market, deli, and/or produce stand to make a fun, inexpensive lunch.
7. Take it a step further and incorporate agritourism, one of the tourism industry’s fastest-growing sectors, into your family vacation. Kids (and adults) enjoy learning first-hand how and where food is produced. Buying straight from the source saves in the big picture, too: You eliminate food’s travel and transport, and lessen your carbon footprint. Example: Delta County, Colo.
8. Think outside the (lodging) box. Bed and breakfast inns, historic inns, and rentals of condos, townhomes and houses all can offer interesting, value-priced accommodations. In many areas, hostels are no longer just for the college crowd. Home exchanges are becoming popular vacation options, and some Web sites listing exchanges also list homes in which the owners are open to renting part of their homes without an exchange. Also consider trading homes with a friend or relative, or house sitting.Even if you want to forego a tent, cost-saving camping options include rental cabins, yurts, or RVs (borrowed, rented, or owned – as long as you don’t eat up the savings by driving too far). Bring food and linens and “rough it” so you can splurge on an activity while there.
9. Visit loved ones. Staying with friends or relatives is a time-honored money-saver. Just be sure to treat them to a nice meal out and spring for a grocery shopping trip while you are there — and pick up after yourselves.

As told by Colorado travel expert and member of the Society of American Travel Writers, Gaylene Ore, president of Ore Communications in Granby, Colo.

1. How often do you travel: I have to be disciplined because I have a family and a business here in New York. I usually travel about 8 days per month whereas in my ‘previous life,’ I used to travel 20 days per month.

2. Favorite Hotel: I spend my professional life ever challenging my list of favorite hotels so this is a difficult question. The best way to answer this question is to defer to my most recent hotel stay at Nimb hotel in Copenhagen. Another one of my all time favorites is Como Shambhala Estate at Begawan Giri in Bali - a truly amazing setting. It’s a place where you can really rest your mind.

3. Dream Trip: Namibia - I want to see the red dunes, surf on the coast, and take a safari. I’d also love to see the German ghost towns.

4. Worst Travel Story: I was working for Michelin in the early 90’s and was on a sales trip at a gold mine in the Philippines. Suddenly, some guys with guns came in and took me to a bungalow and kept me hostage and warned me I wouldn’t be going anywhere for a while. There was no explanation given, so the reasons remain unclear. The fire arms were pretty scary - especially hearing them the distance - but what was more terrifying was my roommate, an enormous flying cockroach. In the end, the guards found it so funny that I was so overwhelmingly afraid of this cockroach that they actually let me go after one night. I am forever indebted to that cockroach.

5. iPod travel mix - My passion for music is equal to my passion for hotels, so much so that I created a Web site dedicated to soundtracks for your travels called Tablet Tunes. My favorite mix on that site is Volume 3, with songs from Blur, Sigur Ros, Mylo, and many others. You can find the full list here.

After spending countless nights on the road in dreary, indistinguishable hotel rooms, Laurent Vernhes co-founded the Web site www.TabletHotels.com. The objective of TabletHotels.com is to be the definitive destination for global nomads who seek more than just a place to sleep.

Don’t Pack the Kitchen Sink, but Don’t Forget Key Items for Ski Trips!

No matter where you go, when, or for how long, the details can make the difference between a fun-filled, relaxing trip and misery. For a trip full of (good) memories, don’t forget to pack:

1. Sunscreen, lip balm, sunglasses: Higher altitudes, sunny days, and reflection from the snow can produce severe sunburns, even with temperatures in the 30s and 40s.
2. Moisturizer: Higher altitudes, especially in the western United States, bring very dry air. Bring along a favorite moisturizer and use it liberally.
3. Layers: Weather can change in minutes, literally. When you’re out in it all day, be prepared to take layers on and off to stay comfortable and dry. Focus on wicking fabrics and avoid cotton to stay warm.
4. Water bottle: When you’re active and at altitude, it’s easy to become dehydrated and not know it. Fill your bottle with water on your way to the slopes – in the car, train, bus, or plane – and keep drinking throughout your trip. Plenty of water also helps to prevent headaches often associated with visits to higher altitudes.
5. Toys, books, and games: If you’re traveling with the family, be sure to bring something to entertain the kids. Even the most energetic may have some “quiet” time.
6. Swimsuits: For you and the kids. Most hotels have hot tubs and indoor pools.
7. A good book: Most skiers like to take some time off from skiing and just rest.
8. Good walking shoes: You won’t be in ski boots all the time, and you’ll want to be comfortable walking around town, the hotel, and to restaurants. Ladies, no high heels – they don’t work on snow and ice.
9. Thin socks: Skiers often make the mistake of bringing thick socks in the hope of keeping warm feet in those ski boots. In reality, thinner socks made of a wicking material will keep your toes and feet much warmer.
10. Groceries: Whether you’re driving or flying, try to keep some healthy snacks on hand. Here’s one time you can feel really good about eating often. Small, frequent meals throughout the day can put extra energy into active days, particularly at altitude.

From Neil Hastings, director of sales and marketing for Mountain Lodge at Telluride, an exclusive, slopeside, upscale resort featuring an eclectic blend of rustic elegance and western charm. At 9,500 feet in the San Juan Mountains, the resort offers private luxury cabins, condominiums, and lodge rooms.

With the end of the recession nowhere in sight, the country has gone into freeze mode. Hotel and airline analysts have downgraded their already grim forecasts and consumers are considering abandoning their upcoming vacation plans.

Hotel occupancy rates are down, pointing to the continued growth of the vacation rental industry.

Widely considered to be the new hotels, vacation rentals offer prices competitive with or lower than hotel rates, making them a more attractive option for a budget-conscious traveler during these tough times. Savings of anywhere from 25% to 50% from a traditional hotel/resort vacation are not unheard of, and when you offset that against increased airfare costs, vacation rentals offer a much more affordable vacation – and an almost unlimited selection of destinations.

This is also true for short term rentals in major cities, as business travelers look for cheaper alternatives to hotels.

Vacation rentals gain popularity with consumers, offering savings and value
Recent studies show that almost half of vacationers now consider booking a vacation rental when researching their trip plans because they provide increased comfort and flexibility for a considerably lower rate than traditional lodging choices. Vacation rentals often offer all of the same amenities as hotels (pools, hot tubs, and exercise facilities) but at substantial savings. Also, as they offer full kitchen facilities, travelers can save a bundle by avoiding eating out. Many vacation rentals offer added value and convenience by providing laundry facilities as well. If privacy is a consideration, having multiple rooms or choosing a location off the beaten path is ideal.

More properties are available for rent, offering consumers a broader selection
Websites like www.arubavacationrentals.com and www.goparkcity.com provide the necessary tools to efficiently search through and book tens of thousands of vacation homes around the world. Such Web sites allow greater transparency to the consumer, ensuring that what they are booking online will be what they find upon arrival.

Consider an exotic vacation rental abroad
Vacation rentals are available in countries where the dollar can still be stretched. Consider a furnished apartment in the South of Spain; Jumeriah, Dubai; Alajuela Costa Rica; or The Hague in Holland, among many other exotic locales. When choosing a destination city other than the standard tourist destination or by staying outside the major cities, you can drive your costs down even further. A bit of digging can really unearth a world of possibilities… and you can save a lot of money!

‘Staycations’ and more localized vacations becoming more popular as airline costs soar
Due to fuel surcharges, increased baggage rates and cutbacks on flight availability, about 1.3% fewer Americans flew this summer than in 2007, according to the Air Transport Association – and the recession is far from over. ‘Staycations’ provide a needed break at terrific savings. The ‘staycation’ concept is simple. Consumers check into a local vacation rental and enjoy down time in their own city. Expenses are minimal compared to a vacation involving travel and give vacationers the opportunity to experience their own cities in a new and different way.

Travelers seek more customizable vacations, avoiding packages and their associated fees
Consumers are often frustrated with fees and penalties charged by hotels and resorts when their plans don’t meet minimum stay requirements. Typically, vacation rentals don’t apply costly restrictions that can increase costs or inconvenience vacationers. With travelers taking shorter trips, this alone can present a considerable savings.

Travelers take more short trips and fewer long vacations
A common myth is that vacation rentals are only available for vacations of a week or more but in reality, 60% of vacation-rental stays are for fewer than seven nights. So even if travelers are only looking to get away for a weekend, they can take advantage of the savings and convenience of a vacation rental.

Whatever your budget, whether dictated by cash flow or time frame, this flagging economy is no reason to resort to armchair travel! With the low prices offered by vacation travel, even people on a tight budget can get more than that annual free trip around the sun!

As told by Rob Käll, president of Bookt, a leading provider of comprehensive web solutions for the vacation rental industry.

• On planes, organize your carry-on bag for easy access to things like reading materials, work papers or reading glasses to make life less obnoxious for your traveling neighbors.

• Two words, “Emergency Exit.” With a packed plane, it won’t matter if you choose window over aisle because either way, you’re going to be uncomfortable once everyone’s on-board. Emergency Exits offer more leg and surrounding room.

• For commuting around the city, or to other cities, I usually pack a few healthier snack options. It’s less expensive than grabbing rest stop or fast food fare and it is less likely to make me want to curl up for a nap like I would want to after a fatty, sugary snack binge.

• I pack along Elations, a liquid joint supplement drink. I actually work for a company that represents Elations, but this stuff has really helped cease the snap, crackle, pop my joints seem to suffer through - loudly – when I’m on the move. Combined with a few road-altered yoga poses, drinking Elations has kept me feeling active, even if my daily schedule might be keeping me glued to my seat. If you’re stuck in tight spots having Elations shipped to your client’s office for when you arrive or grabbing a few extra for longer trips helps too.

• An iPod, a good book or magazine are essentials for drowning out travel background noise. I have a designated travel playlist with a collection of my most favored mellow indie artists to block out the world around me when things get too noisy or obnoxious.

• I travel out of Chicago O’Hare [editor's note: a Boingo Wi-Fi location] a lot, and although I would recommend finding your exit first before venturing off to the nearest food stop (to allow maximum time to rush back to your departure gate) I still would highly recommend the Skyline Bar for its salmon sandwich, fries and fast service. They are located by Gate C8-10.

• I have to make the trek from Chicago to Cleveland pretty frequently. It’s not too bad of a drive, just pretty long and boring, but the Middle Ridge Service Plaza [ed's note: Another Boingo Wi-Fi location] is a good place to stop. Along the way it feels like the same five restaurants are offered, but this location, between Exits 135 and 142, has Panera Bread, Starbucks, Popeye’s, Manchu Wok, Burger King, TCBY and Great Steak. In other words, a few more options when you’re stopping for gas.

As told by Candace Corner, a 26 year-old, freelance public relations assistant who works on LiveElated.com, among other projects. On a daily basis, she bikes or packs into the crowded subway trains to and from work, but also travels out-of-state for business and to visit her family in Cleveland. All her extra income seems to go into traveling, whether it’s Ohio to visit the family, or Europe for a chance to see a little more of the world.

I was thinking back on my favorite travel stories, trying to find a common thread. What was it that allowed me to shop at a flea market, complete with vintage clothing sellers and vendors of chicken feet and assorted edible bugs, at 1:30 in the morning in Taiwan? Or to have the best steak au poivre of my life served to me by my new very good friend, the head chef of a restaurant in St. Maarten? Or to wander off from the rest of my group and have a life changing experience in Smoot, Wyoming?

In every case, I was able to have these incredible experiences by breaking out of the routine and doing something different. Now maybe that sounds obvious, but as long as I’ve listened to the advice of others, gone with group decisions, stayed to the printed itinerary, I’ve had, well, routine experiences. It’s only from busting out and doing something deliberately different that I got to have some of the best travel experiences of my life.

Walk, walk, walk

I was in Brussels on business, and my girlfriend was along for the trip. We were staying at the Metropole, a 19th century landmark hotel in such beautiful condition, and with such amazing service, we felt as if we had gone back to 1895 every time we entered the lobby or rode the brass and mahogany elevator.

On the weekend, we picked up a map of the city and walked. We left the hotel with no plan, and no destination, and without asking the concierge for ideas or checking the guidebooks. So we walked and walked, and walked, letting the city unfold for us as it chose to. We came across one town square where elaborate preparations were underway for the filming of a movie or television show. In another square we bought what I think were called funnel cakes, and feasted on cones of Belgium’s unique, crisp interpretation of the fry.

We finished with a visit to the Brussels flea market (excellent) and late lunch at a rooftop café with fresh baguettes and insanely great home made lemonade.

Trash the plan

On a business trip to Boston, I threw out my “required” plans and salvaged an otherwise exhausting and dreary visit to the city. I have been an exhibitor, no exaggeration, at over 25 Macworld shows in the U.S. and overseas. I had my own company, a manufacturer of Mac peripherals and software. The Boston show is every August, an awful time to for a Californian, or anyone else, to be in Boston. One year I decided to take my seven-year-old son with me.

The first two days, I woke him at eight, made him get his suit and tie on (because I thought it looked cute), and dragged him to the exhibit hall in time to open our booth. On the third day, he wouldn’t get out of bed. I told him he had to, and he said, “Why? You’re the boss!” I realized that going to the show would suck, and I wanted more sleep and I didn’t want to get dressed up either. So I said screw it, and told him, “You’re right. Go back to sleep. When we feel like getting up we’ll eat and go do whatever you want.” We went to the Boston Tea Party ship, the Children’s Museum, did some shopping and some eating and just hung out together. It was one of my best dad days ever, realized because I was willing to trash my existing plan and just have fun.

Hang with the locals

When I was 13, my parents sent me to a summer “camp” made up of VW buses that traveled the Western U.S. The 4th of July held much promise that year. We were in Wyoming, where fireworks were cheap and legal, and for some reason, the counselors let us buy as many as we wanted. (This is less surprising when you know that one of the counselors also let me steer the van for about 20 minutes on a deserted Nevada highway.)

We stopped in at a ranch in Smoot, Wyoming to have some dinner, light off some fireworks and spend the night. The rancher’s daughter was gorgeous, 16 (an older woman!), and for some reason, interested in me. During the fireworks display, she whispered in my ear, “Wanna go pick some berries?” Even at 13, I was smart enough not to answer, “I don’t like berries,” so she took me by the hand and led me up the hill where the berries grew.

Once we got the berry patch, we went through the motions of picking a few handfuls, and then, continuing her direct style of conversation, she said, “I like making out with boys. Do you like to make out?” Again, I didn’t reveal that I had thus far in my life had no opportunity to evaluate the whole making out thing. Instead, we made out, and it was not too bad.

Afterwards, we walked down the hill and she invited me into the ranch house to meet her dad and hang out. While my fellow campers were setting up tents and drinking from canteens, I was sitting next to her, playing the piano and drinking hot chocolate. Screw those losers, was all I could think. The next day, I dropped by the ranch house to see my new girlfriend, only to find her at the piano with a tall cowboy. She acted as if she didn’t recognize me, and a few minutes later, the two of them walked out, got into a pickup truck and drove away. Turns out he was something of a local rodeo star, and she was nothing more than a serial makeout artist.

Your travels will most likely not bring you to Smoot. The point is, by getting to know a “local” instead of hanging out with the rest of the campers, I saw Wyoming from a unique and memorable perspective. And I guess I’ll have to save the Taiwan and St. Maarten stories for another time.

As told by Joel Postman. Joel is the principal of Socialized, a consultancy that helps companies make effective use of social media in public relations, marketing and corporate communications. His background includes over a decade of Fortune 500 communications leadership, with three years at Hewlett-Packard, and four years as the speechwriter to the CEO of Sun Microsystems. Joel’s new book, SocialCorp: Social Media Goes Corporate, will be published by New Riders later this year.

How often do you travel? How many days are you on the road?
I have always traveled very frequently for work. In my prior role as a new product development manager in the telecommunications industry, I traveled at least 4 or times a month all over the Midwest, in cities like Cleveland, Milwaukee, Schaumburg, and Columbus, OH.  In my current role of CEO/President of a real estate start-up, I travel frequently to Chicago and Kansas City.  Once we launch the new Web site, I will be traveling all over the place!

Wouldn’t leave home without…
Whenever I travel, I must have my Tablet PC, digital camera, Flip videocam, iPhone, cashmere blanket, fashion magazines, and bottled water.

Favorite Hotel?
My favorite hotel is the The New York Palace Hotel in Manhattan.  It has the most luxurious rooms and the best location of any hotel I’ve ever stayed at.  The beauty products in awesome bathrooms were to die for!

Favorite Destination – work and pleasure.
My favorite destination for both work and pleasure would have to be New York, and specifically Manhattan. I am in love with the restaurants, nightlife, and especially the shopping in New York. Whenever I go there for business, I always extend my stay for a little fun time.

iPod music travel mix
My iPod travel mix is very eclectic: it includes Oscar Peterson, John Coltrane, Paramore, John Mayer, and Jay-Z of course!

Andrea Gaddie is the CEO/President and co-founder of iEnfluence, a Web 2.0 real estate start-up. Before she co-founded iEnfluence, Andrea was the vice president of technology at a large real estate brokerage in Indianapolis. And, she’s a Boingo user.

We’re past summer - travel’s peak season - and now is a great time to start thinking about ways to save money on travel this Fall. High gas prices, rising hotel rates and packed airlines make it more challenging to find a travel deal these days, but there are still lots of ways to save money. I’m lucky to work in the travel industry and see trends and opportunities that the average consumer doesn’t. But I’m happy to share what I’ve learned! Here are eight easy tips to help you steal a deal the next time you travel.

• Book hotels just before or after holidays. One of the best times to book hotels is the weekend before or the weekend after a major holiday such as Labor Day weekend or Memorial Day weekend. Fewer people are likely to travel at these times so hoteliers are eager to fill up their beds. Another good time is the period between Thanksgiving and the holidays.
• Be flexible with airfares. For great airfares, it’s a little trickier these days. Check out alternative airports to see how that impacts the fares. Use online tools to see if there are savings flying on alternative dates.
• Plan your dream destination. The TripStarter® tool at Hotwire.com® allows you to research the best time to visit a destination based on historical flight and hotel prices. The hotel prices are particularly important as people often focus on flights prices and forget that the total hotel cost can often be more than the flight. The TripStarter tool also includes weather and local events.
• Be the contrarian. Where there are crowds, there are high prices. Head for the mountains when everyone else is going to the beach. Go to Vegas midweek or in summertime. Enjoy a city break over a weekend. Go to Europe in October when the weather can still be mild but the prices drop significantly. Visit our nation’s capital in August when DC empties out.
• Let the deal decide the destination. Several travel sites offer newsletters – Hotwire just launched Travel-Ticker.com, based on its popular newsletter with more than 11 million subscribers. If you’ve got vacation days stored up, watch for a deal that’s right for you and then jump on it as soon as you see it. These kinds of deals sell out fast. If the price is right, a beach vacation will be a blast whether it’s in Hawaii or the Caribbean.
• Go Local. Avoid airport crowds and contribute to the regional economy by vacationing at destinations within a 2-4 hour drive of your home town. For San Francisco, where I’m based, I’ll often find staycation deals in Carmel, Monterey, Napa Valley and Lake Tahoe.
• Check out the best value vacation cities in America. Hotwire did the analysis in its Travel Value Index and uncovered the 10 U.S. cities that offer the best combination of discount travel, affordable entertainment and overall appeal. The top three for 2008 consists of Phoenix, Dallas-Fort Worth and Orlando.

In wrapping this up, I’d like to invite you to check out Hotwire.com. Hotwire has special relationships with major travel providers to help them fill airline seats, hotel rooms and rental cars that would otherwise be unsold. Because we don’t show certain details (like exact hotel name) until after booking, our hotel, airline and rental car partners give us negotiated prices not available anywhere else. Selling this way allows Hotwire to obtain lower prices, and gives bargain-seeking travelers deals not available anywhere else.

As told by Barbara Messing, Vice President, Travel Ticker and New Business Development. An avid traveler with stamps from over 50 countries on her passport, Barbara Messing applies her passion for travel to her role as vice president of Travel Ticker and new business development at Hotwire.

Next time you travel through Phoenix for work or pleasure - or live in the metropolitan Phoenix area and are going on a trip - here are some hidden gems at the airport that you might not know about.

If you are traveling with your pet - or your pet is brought to you to say hello when you get home - Sky Harbor has two Pet Parks: The Bone Yard just West of Terminal 4 and the Paw Pad, just West of Terminal 3.

The pet parks are very popular - with both guests and employees. The working Police dogs and service animals use them, in addition to traveling pets that come with their owners to greet friends and relatives.

Sky Harbor is very pet-friendly - often, you can see quite a few dogs in the terminals and once, I even saw a ferret on a leash in Terminal 3 a couple of years ago.

The pet parks offer a safe fenced area for dogs to stretch their legs, get a drink of water and use the restroom. Free “mutt mitts” are provided for clean-up by pet owners.

Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport also has two “Cell Phone lots” where drivers can wait free of charge until their friend or family member walks out to the curb and is ready for pick-up. These cell phone lots have restrooms and flight information displays, and allow airport visitors to save parking fees, save gas (by avoiding circling the terminals) and reduce stress.

For travelers with a little extra time - and families with children - we have art displays in all three terminals and a free museum in the lobby of Terminal 4. We also have free children’s play areas: In Terminal 4 in the international concourse (near gates B15 - B28), in Terminal 2 behind security on the far south end of the concourse and in Terminal 3 - South Concourse.

And, in Terminal 2 we have a Military and Veterans Hospitality room. It is located pre-security, upstairs from the lobby.

As told by Julie Rodriguez, Public Information Manager at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, “America’s Friendliest Airport”