Not all that long ago, nearly everyone who planned an independent vacation made a stop at the bookstore to pick up travel guidebooks. Europe on $25 a Day, Europe Through the Back Door and the budget-minded Let's Go series were just a few of the guidebooks available. Travel guidebooks explained how to do everything from choose your destination to find the restroom closest to Rome's Colosseum.
With the arrival of the Internet, things began to change. Travel guidebook authors and publishers created websites that included travel tips, bulletin boards and maps. Savvy travelers read and printed out the information relevant to their itineraries.
The smart phone revolution has changed travel planning once again. Applications ("apps") for smart phones help travelers do everything from avoiding traffic jams to finding lodging. The days of lugging around three or four guidebooks per trip are gone.
Or are they?
Let's take a closer look at the advantages and disadvantages of travel guidebooks.
Travel Guidebook Advantages
Travel guidebooks offer a level of detail unavailable from most travel websites. For a compact historical, cultural and geographical reference to any part of the world, you can't go wrong with a well-written travel guidebook.
Travel guidebooks are easy to use. Most are indexed, and all follow some kind of logical format. You don't need to be an expert in website navigation or a computer whiz to use a travel guidebook.
Not all areas of the world have Internet access and cell phone coverage. If your travels take you to a rural area or a developing country, a travel guidebook could become your best friend. Guidebooks don't require batteries or a special cell phone; all you have to do is stop by a bookstore or use your computer to purchase the guidebooks you need.
Disadvantages of Travel Guidebooks
Travel guidebooks are heavy. If you take a book or two with you in your daypack, you might end up wishing you had packed the ibuprofen as well. Of course, you can always tear out the pages you plan to use on your trip and carry them in a lightweight folder.
Many travel guidebooks are updated annually, but some are not. You might find yourself using outdated information if you use a travel guidebook series that updates less frequently. However, some travel guidebook series websites include sections for updates, reader comments and user feedback, all of which can help you find up-to-date information relevant to your travel plans.
Travel guidebooks can be expensive, especially compared to the free information available online. The tradeoff lies in the details. If you need only basic travel facts, you might want to save money and skip the guidebook purchase. On the other hand, if you are detail-oriented or headed to a part of the world with sporadic connectivity, you may want to splurge on a guidebook or two.
The Bottom Line
In spite of the proliferation of travel websites and smart phone applications, travel guidebooks are still relevant. In fact, for especially intrepid travelers, those who venture off established pathways, travel guidebooks are still essential resources.
