It’s possible, but there are a few rules you need to follow.

As of August 2021, there were more than 850,000 drones registered in the United States by the FAA. According to Philly By Air, more than 500,000 of those are registered for recreational purposes, meaning a whole lot of people are now having fun flying their new toys all over the place.

Ready to take your drone on the road? Here’s everything you need to know about traveling with a drone.

Yes, you can take a drone on a plane — but there are a few rules.

As DJI explains, yes you can take a drone on a plane as either a piece of carry-on luggage, or as a piece of checked luggage, depending on its size. But, no matter what, you must take out the drone’s batteries and put those in your carry-on bag.

“This is because bags aren’t stored in a pressurized environment, and temperatures won’t fluctuate as strongly in the passenger cabin,” DJI notes. “Also, with your bag in an overhead compartment, airline staff can respond quickly in an emergency.”

Be aware of your battery size.

While you can bring both your drone and batteries on a flight, the batteries need to be under a certain size. According to the Federal Aviation Administration, if your drone’s batteries come in below 100 Wh, you can carry as many as you want on the flight, however, if your batteries are between 101 and 160 Wh, you can only bring up to two per flight.

“These limits allow for nearly all types of lithium batteries used by the average person in their electronic devices,” the FAA’s website explains. “With airline approval, passengers may also carry up to two spare larger lithium-ion batteries (101–160 Wh) or Lithium metal batteries (2-8 grams). This size covers the larger after-market extended-life laptop computer batteries and some larger batteries used in professional audio/visual equipment.”

Check out all the local flying laws before you depart.

There’s nothing worse than diligently packing up all your gear, getting it on a plane, and arriving only to be told: “no flying allowed.” Before you depart on your trip with your drone in hand, make sure to research local flying and photography laws, and apply for any necessary permits before it’s too late.

For example, the Pilot Institute notes that the National Park Service does indeed allow people to fly drones in the park, but (and it’s a big but), only if “it is done in the aid of scientific studies or research.” Sorry, but you can’t legally fly one in a national park just to get a sick Instagram shot.

As the policy states, “Launching, landing, or operating an unmanned aircraft from or on lands and waters administered by the National Park Service within the boundaries of [any park] is prohibited except as approved in writing by the superintendent.” So please, just don’t even try it.

And outside the U.S., things can get even more strict. For example, if you attempt to fly to the country of Morocco with a drone, it will be seized at the airport.

“Anyone caught in Morocco with a drone must expect the drone to be confiscated,” Drone Traveller explains. “In addition, a fine of 1,165 Dirhams (about 110 Euros) must be paid. If you declare your drone upon entering the country, you can hope that you will get it back when leaving it.”

Moral of the story: research, research, and research some more on your intended destination’s laws. The same goes for attractions and theme parks like Disney World, which absolutely does not allow the use of drones.

In the United States, FAA rules apply, too.

The Pilot Institute importantly adds, no matter where you fly in the U.S., there is still a set of rules put forth by the FAA that you must follow. This includes rules for both recreational flyers and commercial flyers.

“This means that drone flight over crowded areas is still prohibited, as well as over moving vehicles,” the Pilot Institute adds. “If you’re flying under Part 107 rules and don’t have the appropriate waiver, make sure to ground your drone once night-time comes around.”

And, regardless of if you’re a commercial or recreational flyer, make sure to carry any necessary credentials or permits at all times in case you’re asked for them by officials.

See all the FAA rules and regulations for flying a drone here.

Can you still have fun with a drone on your travels?

Though the above seems daunting, the answer is yes! You absolutely can still have fun and take fantastic images with a drone all over the globe. TL;DR: Look at your airline’s drone policy, pack your batteries correctly, and get a local permit if you need. Then, read up on a few drone photography tips and see a few photos for inspiration, then go forth and take the best images of your life.

Experts weigh in on tipping etiquette.

Ask most travelers what they tip for room service, and chances are you’ll be met with a blank stare. Tipping is tricky, yet necessary, but the etiquette can vary depending on where you are.

“It’s the most awkward thing to tell someone what to tip because [expectations are] so different everywhere,” says Julie Danziger, managing partner of Embark Beyond in New York City. “Especially for Americans who are used to tipping in one way, which other countries might take as an insult.”

There are no hard and fast rules for tipping, so do what makes you most comfortable, and don’t be afraid to ask your host or travel advisor for guidance. Try not to stress over it — we’ve all gotten it wrong at times. Fortunately, there are some guidelines to keep you on top of the tipping trends at home and abroad. Read on for tipping advice from travel and etiquette experts.

When to Tip for Room Service

Tipping for room service is expected in destinations where tipping is customary and when a room service charge has not already been added to the bill. For those staying abroad, where tipping customs may not be as clearcut, do your homework, says Lizzie Post, co-president of the Emily Post Institute in Waterbury, Vermont. “Take the time to look up standards for the area,” she says.

Tipping is customary in Canada, for example, as it is in the U.S. It’s also customary in the Caribbean, the Middle East, Mexico, and parts of Europe and South America, but the standard tip amount in these regions is less than in the U.S. Places like the U.K., Australia, and much of Asia do not have as much of a tipping culture.

At top-tier hotels like the Ritz-Carlton, guests should expect to pay gratuity on top of a service charge, says Danziger, who rarely sees such fees omitted from bills. And if you’re unsure whether your hotel has a service charge, just ask.

If you’re paying with a card, Betty Jo Currie, founder of Currie & Co. Travels Unlimited in Atlanta, says to find out if tip is included. If you’re not paying by card, you may decide to leave a little cash. “I generally leave $5 or so,” she says, noting how little these workers are compensated. Just because there’s a service charge and gratuity included doesn’t mean the person who brought up your food will receive it.

“Ask whether the person is receiving tips from the actual bill,” says Danziger.

How Much to Tip for Room Service

Danziger finds applying the same mentality she uses when dining at American restaurants to be helpful. “As Americans, usually we’re trained to double the tax or pay 18% or 20% on top,” she says. Assuming the food came from the hotel, it should be fine to do the same for room service. (If it didn’t, you can pretend it did, Danziger says.)

The most recent “Gratuity Guide” from the American Hotel and Lodging Association, published in 2014, confirms that 15% to 20% is standard in the U.S. where a room service charge hasn’t already been added to the bill. In regions where tipping is expected but the amount is less, you might tip 5% to 15% — it’s important to do your research in advance.

That standard applies to full-service chains and boutique hotels all the same. “Logically, one would think motels would provide less service and thus require less in terms of tips,” Currie says, but that isn’t the case.

While Post stresses that tipping is a personal decision, she warns against tipping based on the type of establishment you’re staying in. “You want to make sure workers feel valued for the work they’re doing,” she says. “If it’s not as high class, don’t decrease your tip because of that.”

Currie agrees, saying, “if the service is good, my amount wouldn’t change — and I urge others to think the same way.”

How Much to Tip for Other Hotel Services

The standard tipping amount for hotel bartenders and waiters is the same as the rule of thumb for room service: 15% to 20%, depending on how satisfied you are with the service. The AHLA recommends tipping courtesy shuttle drivers and door staff $1 to $2 per person. It says you should tip housekeeping and bell staff $1 to $5 and adds that these workers should be tipped every time their services are used. Tip the same amount for parking attendants, but only when you retrieve your car.

Tip the concierge $5 to $10 “depending on how involved the service,” the AHLA says, and for “delivery of special items” the standard is $2 for a single item and $1 for each additional item.

Ahead of the summer holidays, long flights and luxe locales await. But, here’s why holding back on drinking alcohol in flights is recommended.

Summer brings the promise of hearty holidays, novel destinations, and bucketloads of experiences. Whether you’re travelling to a tropical wonderland or a chalet in the hills, chances are rife that a long-haul flight is in tow. And while refilling the champagne flutes and downing bubbly mid-air is seemingly exotic, scientists recommend otherwise. We break down key findings from a study conducted by researchers at the Institute of Aerospace Medicine at the German Aerospace Center in Cologne (Germany) about the impact of alcohol consumption on a flight and its corresponding effect on the heart.

Long haul flights and alcohol: A deceptive pair

Published in the journal Thorax, the research builds on the known fact that sleeping on a plane throttles the fall in blood oxygen saturation (Spo2) because of the drop in oxygen partial pressure in aircraft cabins. The study digs into the collective impact of atmospheric partial pressure (also called hypobaric hypoxia) and alcohol consumption on the passengers’ heart rate, blood oxygen saturation, and sleep.

The experiment: The researchers mustered 48 participants who were divided into two groups. While the first group was required to sleep in a sleep laboratory with atmospheric pressure similar to sea level, the other was exposed to that of an aircraft at cruising altitude. Further, these groups were divided into two sub-groups each, one that consumed alcohol and the other that didn’t. Post this, they were required to sleep for four hours. The study was conducted for over two nights.

While science contests the consumption of alcohol in general, the activity takes a worse form mid-air. Alcohol is an active somnogen (a substance that causes sleepiness) which furthers rapid eye movement, cognitive impairment, heightened heart rate during sleep, difficulty in concentration, and even memory disorder.

“Together these results indicate that, even in young and healthy individuals, the combination of alcohol intake with sleeping under hypobaric conditions poses a considerable strain on the cardiac system and might lead to exacerbation of symptoms in patients with cardiac or pulmonary diseases. Cardiovascular symptoms have a prevalence of 7% of inflight medical emergencies, with cardiac arrest causing 58% of aircraft diversions,” the study authors mentioned in the paper. The study also mentions, “Our findings support the recommendations of the BTS Clinical Statement on Air Travel to avoid alcohol in the 12 hours preceding and during air travel when suffering from obstructive sleep apnea syndrome or obesity hypoventilation syndrome.”

In a nutshell, if you choose to indulge in spirits of any kind, it’s highly advisable to refrain from pouring a glass mid-air and wait until you reach the destination.

Whether you’re planning a trip to the serene hills or to beautiful beaches, your itinerary must include taking care of your skin and hair while travelling. Here are some skincare and hair care tips when travelling.

Holiday = travel = fun times! Whether the distance is short or long or the destination is hills or beach or just an adventure trek, travelling is always exciting. Travelling, even if it is for work sometimes, is a beautiful experience. But if you become very laidback about your hair and skin care during travel, you may end up spoiling it!

The new location, new climate, disrupted eating routines and the stress of travel can impact the skin and hair negatively. It could result in dull hair days, breakouts, acne flare ups, dry lips, tan lines and more problems. However, you need not worry because skin and hair during travelling are not a tough task.

Hair care and skin care tips for travelling

Here are some tips to make sure your skin and hair remain healthy during your sojourns.

1. Research the weather

When going to a new place, don’t guess about the weather and climate. Read about it and make a note of it. Your choice of moisturiser, face wash, shampoo and sunscreen and even the makeup that you will carry depends on whether the weather is cold, rainy or dry. For example, you would require a pore cleansing and hydrating skincare in humid weather whereas you would require creamy moisturiser in cold weather.

2. Follow your regular skincare routine in holidays too

Skin and hair cells never go on a break and therefore there should be no break in your skincare routine too. A consistent routine is the key to happy hair and skin days. Carry your regular skin care products in travel-size bottles to avoid spilling and baggage weight.

3. Essentials are all you need

You don’t need to bring your dresser everywhere you go. Carry key ingredients that you use in your normal routine as well like cleanser, toner, moisturiser, night cream and sunscreen. Also, don’t forget to carry disposable makeup wipes to remove the makeup.

4. Keep the moisturiser in your purse

Hydrate your skin with a moisturiser before you board the flight or before driving with the air conditioner. Keep reapplying it to keep the skin hydrated. You can even carry some hydrating sheet masks for a quick skin revival. Products with rich hyaluronic acid and vitamin C content should be your preferred choice.

5. Carry a toner

Toner is good to mattify greasy skin and re-energising travel skin. However, if you don’t have a toner, use a blotting paper. It will help soak the oil right up and prevent dirt build-up. They also work well on sensitive skin.

6. Stay hydrated

Make sure you have a water bottle with you at all times. Keep sipping water at regular intervals. Many people avoid drinking water when travelling but this is not a good idea. Lack of water can affect your skin and hair in a bad way. Not drinking water robs the skin of its radiance and the hair of its shine. Always drink water.

7. There is no way around sunscreen

You can leave everything at home, but not the sunscreen. You need to apply it before you step out of the house and keep reapplying every 3-4 hours. Yes, even on your flight and in the taxi! Sunscreen helps in preventing tanning, skin damage, pigmentation and premature ageing. Use a gel-based sunscreen during summers and cream based one in cold weather. Use an SPF of more than 30.

8. Cover your hair with a scarf or hat

Protect your hair from dirt and pollution and the harsh sun by covering it. This also prevents scalp ageing and makes sure your hair stays younger and darker longer.

9. Keep the hair tied up

We know it is tempting to let the hair flow in the wind and get those celebrity-like selfies and photos but they are may not be doing good for your hair. Continuous exposure to heavy wind can damage your hair. The wind carries with it dirt and particles that cause greasy scalp, clogged pores and tangled hair that become prone to breakage. Keep the hair tied into a bun or a braid to prevent hair damage.

10. Keep the makeup basic

Too much makeup runs a risk of running down and dirt gets stuck in it. Also, if you are not able to remove it, it can cause breakouts, skin pigmentation, dry skin and even fine lines. You don’t want that. So, keep the makeup to the bare minimum.

11. Avoid using hotel toiletries

Your skin is unique and needs specific products and unknown toiletries are not going to help your skin and hair. They are not often the top quality and are made for general use. Your skin or the scalp can react to the product adversely. Hence, don’t use these products unless necessary. Or read the ingredients carefully before use.

Travelling should be fun and not spent worrying about skin and hair. Follow the given tips, and you won’t have to worry about anything. Keep good skin and hair products handy and customised for travelling.