How to Use the Internet's Best Travel Forums to Plan Your Trip

Chances are, someone has been there, done that, before me. So why not use the information others can provide?

Joining a travel forum is simple. In fact, you may already belong to a few.

If you don't, let me walk you through the process.

You will first have to register. It's free, and you only have to give out the information you feel comfortable sharing. You'll need a user name (choose something you'll remember - your user name will appear on your forum posts, or conversations) and a password (ditto). Armed with these, you're ready to jump into the fray.

Morocco - travel forums can give you great travel ideas
Photo: Marcos Zion via Flickr CC

Most forums have a section for new members, or 'newbies'. It's called something like 'Introducing Yourself.' Don't worry - it'll be obvious.

Post there first. Say hello, tell people who you are - a few sentences are more than enough. Upload a photo of yourself (or a cartoon or caricature if you'd rather). The point is to signal to people you are interested in taking part in the forum and that you'll be posting regularly.

Then find a thread that interests you and jump in. Either ask a question, or if you can, answer one, all in the spirit of giving back in as well as taking out.

Just a word of caution - what you'll be reading are people's personal opinions, not necessarily facts, so exercise your judgment.

What kind of questions might the best travel forums deal with? Here are a few:

• Do you know a great hostel in Mumbai/Dubai/Kashkai or anywhere?
• How can I cope if loneliness hits?
• Is the yellow fever vaccination still required by Tanzania?
• Should I reserve a place to stay for my first night in Bangkok?
• What size backpack should I take for six months?
• Has anyone else here traveled solo, and what was it like?
• I want to fly RTW through Africa and Latin America. What is the best way to do this?
• I'm looking for a travel companion for an overland journey across Africa/Asia/Latin America...

Best travel forums - the biggies

The other major travel forum is Lonely Planet's Thorn Tree Travel Forum. It's probably the biggest of its kind and is a gold mine of travel information. I'm less partial to its tone than to  that of BootsNAll but it has the most members, the majority of whom are knowledgeable and passionate about travel.

Both of these travel forums cover a breathtaking range of issues. They have destination sub-forums, usually by continent or region, but what makes them stand out are their  sections on speciality travel.

Where is the best Turkish spice bazaar? Ask the forum
Photo: Marcos Zion via Flickr CC

Some of the more speacialized threads might be about senior travel, women's travel, gay and lesbian travel, travel gear, responsible travel, adventure travel, travel with disabilities, making money, travel inspiration, solo travel... and I'm just scratching the surface. Have a browse and you'll see what I mean.

Two other major travel forums worth mentioning - even though they're not particularly aimed at independent travelers - are Fodor's travel forum and TripAdvisor forums. They're both hugely helpful on specific destination information and recommendations from others.

Best travel forums - small is beautiful

A forum doesn't have to have hundreds of thousands of members to be worth visiting. Many smaller online travel forums are friendly, erudite, funny, helpful, and at times even quirky.

Examples of travel chat forums that fit some of the above criteria could be Aardvark Travel (check out their Space Travel and Food sections) or TravelPod (look through their Couchsurfing and alternative accommodations).

There are hundreds more - these are just the ones I tend to visit.

Best travel forums - if you're looking for something special

So far I've mentioned the more general forums - but there are plenty of specialized travel forums. Let me give you a sampling of what you might find out there:

• specific destination forums, by searching such things as 'Russia travel forum' or 'travel forum Asia'
• thematic travel forums, for example food forums - Mouthfuls is a good example of a forum that combines travel and the food theme
• specific types of transportation forums, like RVing, cycling, or take a look at one of the best, The Hubb, for those of you who travel by motorcycle
• and if you're looking for work, why not try job-related travel forums? Many professional forums have sections on overseas work and travel. One of the best of its kind is Dave's ESL Cafe, if you want to teach English as a foreign language. Or if you want to make your job portable and take it with you, try Working Nomad