Your Essential Guide to Travel Guidebooks

All travel guide books are not created equal! Ever get your hands on a shiny new guide book to find out that it might be more tailored to singles when you’re traveling with your family?

Or maybe you’re tired of spending hours in the travel section of Barnes and Noble when all you really need a detailed map?

Each guide book has its own little niche; check below to see which series is best for you.

Dreaming of Belize © Caitlinator

Frommer’s: Best for Newbies

Who, what, where, when, and how. That’s what you’ll get from a Frommer’s travel guidebook. Whether its your first time away, or your first time in a new city, these thick volumes tell you quite literally everything you need to know about wherever you’re going. The basic facts and history sections are simple additions that aren’t exactly necessary, but so helpful when getting acclimated to a new spot; just one little plus that makes these guides so comprehensive!

These books can be quite expansive though, so after studying up in trip prep, it might be best to buy Frommer’s “day to day” series, which highlights local walks, special interest tours, and day by day itineraries, complete with map. Together, the guides make for a confident and savvy traveler before and during your trip.

Visit: www.frommers.com

Moon: Best for Nomads

With five (five!) very different guidebook categories, Moon has just about everyone covered. But with it’s wide variety, Moon offers travel guides that reach destinations not always reached by competitors. Whether you pick up Handbook, the comprehensive information series; Spotlight, the quickie on-the-run book; or Metro, the discreet city helper, you’ll find a good deal of info about spending time in the outdoors. What to wear, how to eat, temperature, and transportation – all covered.

But, in addition, Moon offers a full Outdoors guide, with in-depth looks at camping areas, biking trails, fishing holes, and much more.

If that’s not enough and you’re looking to settle down for awhile, try the Living Abroad series, which offers amazingly helpful advice in tackling finances and employment, setting up house, and blending in like a native.

Visit: www.moon.com

Lonely Planet: Best for Movers and Shakers

There are many types of travelers: tourists, nomads, weekend warriors … and Lonely Planet has every single one covered. Start with their comprehensive Shoestring guides which make exploration on-the-cheap a breeze.

If you’re a niche adventurer, LP presents activity guides on walking, hiking, parks, and activities.

And if you’ve been around the travel block a few times, you can give their City series a try, which interviews in-the-know residents for great tips on local hot spots – and these thin books are carry-on friendly!

Plus, they’re available via Twitter with a personal wealth of knowledge.

Visit: www.lonelyplanet.com

Wallpaper Guides: Best for Chic Travelers

Need to know every hot spot in a hurry? Don’t wanna look like a tourist? Grab yourself a Wallpaper travel guide. These tiny books have drawn-in the design conscious with their Pantone-like hues based on location.

Aside from aesthetics, they pack a surprising amount of information in such a tiny booklet. Plus, the packaging gives you an extra boost of confidence whether you’re main objective is safety or attractive hot natives.

Visit: www.phaidon.com/travel

© malias

NFT Guides: Best for Settlers

Moving to a new area? Pick up one of these tiny little black books even if you’re staying for years. Each NFT Guide (stands for Not for Tourists) packs in info only locals know: which watering hole offers half price drinks during Happy Hour, which shopping district is nearest the farmer’s market, etc.

While visitors will love the behind the scenes look at how the city runs, and the cheat sheets with local emergency information and basic city knowledge, lifers also have something to gain by stocking their bookshelves with the series.

Not a paper person? NFT apps are available for download in the iTunes store and offer nearly as much info as your favorite little print guides.

Visit: www.notfortourists.com

Zagat: Best for Biz Travelers

Zagat? A travel guide? Sure is. Ever get stuck on a business trip with nowhere to dine but the local Applebee’s, or have to rely on recommendations from the office mailman – a native of your travel destination? Instead of chancing important client meetings (or just a bad tummy ache), hit up your Zagat guide. Besides simple restaurant advice, they offer maps, basic city info, and even books that specialize in city lifestyle and general travel.

Plus, the diminutive size and sleek outfitting makes this a great option to throw in that carry-on. As a bonus: regular users who submit reviews are eligible to receive free guides!

Visit: www.zagat.com

Rick Steves: Best for Travel Writers in Training

Rick Steves might be the globe’s most traveled man – and he documents these excursions to boot. Though anyone can pick up a guide to Paris, or Sydney, or Reno, or wherever they go, Rick’s descriptive jaunts leave readers feeling inspired. So inspired, in fact, that it may be time to start a travel journal of their own! If you fit into the “travel as an inspiration” category, take a cue from Rick’s detail oriented trips (look closely at how he highlights street corner shops and ticket booths!) and pick up your own notebook in the airport bookstore.

Visit: www.ricksteves.com

Fodor’s: Best for Must-See

As far as travel guidebooks go, Fodor’s is one of the top sellers. But why? Though these hearty books have all the basic info, transportation knowledge, and general keys that other books have, they follow with themed chapters of to-do listings that leave The New Yorker quivering in fear.

Ice skating in NYC’s boroughs? You’re covered. Best beaches in the Caribbean? No problem. The thinner Flashmaps series provides only the best to-do’s from it’s parent book, but includes page by page of detailed map for those who like to get a little lost. Other guides include Citypack, a wallet sized guide, kids and family guides, and the Compass books, with inside info from local journalists.

Visit: www.fodors.com

What type of traveler are you? What guidebook perfectly fits your travel style? Let us know in the comments below!

One more thing: travel guides can be seen as an essential travel item but of course it’s incredibly important to make sure you have sufficient travel insurance for your trip also.

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