Do you bring a tablet?

I look up info in advance, and make notes or prints if necessary. My iPhone works well for booking train tickets, researching restaurants, using Maps and other tools for navigating. If you are a reader, another consideration is whether you need an iPad or Kindle for e-books on flights and for downtime.

I bring my Samsung tablet. For various reasons, I find myself having to send and receive a lot of emails almost daily, and the thought of doing that on the phone makes my head hurt. And I find it much easier to research just about anything on the tablet than on the phone. I know other people do just fine with a phone, but I find the tablet worth the weight. And since I do so much writing on it, my weight "splurge" is a separate bluetooth keyboard, another pound or so.

Edit to add: Is this the same Bill G from the Tulsa area? Who used to come to our travel meetings before life got in the way?

I am just the opposite I shrank from the too bulky to carry around tablet to a big smart phone.
I like how the apps hold everything tickets etc. and the quality of the smart phone photos make carrying a 35mm camera obsolete

I take my iPad Mini, although I don't often carry it daily. I use it mostly for books on the plane, in the hotel, researching sights, etc. at the hotel.

To reduce weight and to ease the burden on myself, I have permanently downsized how much I carry on and I no longer take a laptop or iPad...I can get everything done on my iPhone. I have never missed either one, and I sure don't miss the extra weight.

I use my iPad Mini as an eReader as well as to watch video.

I do too much stuff to only bring a phone. I either bring an iPad or a laptop; usually a laptop because it’s easier for me. I’d rather dump something else that weighs a pound than leave behind a tool that makes it much more convenient to check email and do all the other things I do electronically.

Hmmm, maybe I'm an oddball. I have my phone, tablet and my Microsoft Surface laptop on every trip. The phone is mandatory, my tablet has a 7.5" screen and I like it on the flight for moviesand as an eReader because it's easy to hold. Up until now I've needed my Surface if work related issues came up, now that I'm retired I just feel naked without it. I'd rather sacrifice a couple of pairs of underwear to fit it in.

Yes we both bring our ipads (and phones). We check luggage so the weight is not a concern. I want a bigger screen for some of my research and planning once there plus it has ebooks and I download shows and movies for the plane and evenings in the hotel.

I bring my Samsung Galaxy tablet in addition to Google Pixel phone. I too have a hard time with the small screen. Yes, the weight is a pain but I think I need to have it on hand.

Similar to Rebecca, I take an older ipad mini that I use as an ereader and for internet in my hotel in the evening and when traveling on planes and trains. I keep books I am reading, but fiction and guidebooks, synched with my phone. I could probably learn to manage with just my phone, but when I'm tired in the evening, I appreciate the larger screen.

I dont care about my Samsung tablet's weight. It, and my phone are in my personal item, not my carryon when in transit. Otherwise it's in my hotel room. The phone is fine for many things, but I refuse to get eye strain in my down time when reading, watching videos, catching up on email or researching online.

Also bring an iPad mini. I downsized from the regular iPad a few trips back and really appreciate carrying a lighter smaller device. I wouldn’t want to only have my phone even though I could manage. So much nicer to have a bigger screen to edit pictures, what’s app video with my husband etc.

Yes. My Ipad is in my daypack, but I check my rollaboard so weight is not a concern.

Another vote for the iPad Mini.

An iPad and a kindle paperwhite. I check a bag so it’s not a problem. Both devices are nice to have for the long flight over and back. I don’t sleep well on planes so I really need movies or books to help pass the time. Both stay in the room while I’m out and about.

I'm like Allen, used my laptop for work related stuff for trips through 2023 and now have a hard time letting go. However, like others, my phone screen is just not as comfortable for research as my laptop (Lenovo thinkpad, so pretty light) and travel info is easier to locate. My husband usually totes his old, smaller Kindle as well as his Ipad pro and small keyboard. I also always think I need my laptop so I can get to cleaning up my computer, organizing photos, and writing...but it's usually wishful thinking.

I downsized from the regular iPad last Christmas to an iPad mini that my husband bought me. I love the size and reduced weight of it. I also bring an iPhone - the smaller size one. I have three main reasons I bring my iPad:

• The larger size is needed for me to review each day’s photos. I go through them in the evening when I am relaxing in my room and delete the lesser of duplicates and any photos I don’t want to keep.

• My eyes are tired by the end of the day, so it’s much easier to read & type with the iPad instead of the iPhone. Sometimes I want to do some last-minute research on something I saw that day.

• The iPad is my backup in case my phone is lost or damaged.

There are plenty of ways to reduce the weight total of your luggage. I am down to 13.5 pounds total on my back, using the Cotopaxi Allpa 35L, plus a Sherpani tote (purse tucked inside) that comes to 5 pounds. That was my total for a month in Italy this year.

My vote is also on the side of the iPad Mini. I read every night and just couldn’t be without it and the Kindle app! I know I can read on my phone but I like the bigger page size on the iPad Mini.

I travel with my iPad with the keyboard cover to use instead of a laptop. But I am a writer, so I prefer using a keyboard. Also use it as my ebook reader and to watch videos. While I can do these things on the phone, my eyes prefer the larger screen.

Yes, I always travel with my ipad. I sprang for a new one earlier this year, so it is lighter than my old one (especially as I bought an Air), but still bigger than an ipad mini.

As most others have said, I use it in the evenings, in my lodging, to research information, read/send emails, go through photos, etc. I don't take it out and about with me during the day.

I would love to try out a Mini for travel but can't really justify having two ipads, and I use my "big" one all the time at home. So it's the full-size one for me for now (but not the absolute biggest - I have the 11-inch size, not 13-inch). I also keep things lighter by not going with a heavy case, and my Bluetooth keyboard is a separate piece and folds up and is quite light but has great keys. It was a recommendation from Frank II on this forum although he has moved on to something else.

My MacBook Air goes on the plane with me as do my Kindle Fire and, of course, my phone. Not only do I appreciate the large screen but I cannot tolerate the small keyboard of my phone--too many "fat finger" issues.

I just use my smart phone whose screen is large enough for most transactions. However, my sister always brings her Chrome book and really considers this an important part of her essentials for travel.

I've been bringing a MacBook Air with me to Italy every year for many years, but I do notice that my new one is bigger and heavier than my old one. My iPhone is tiny (and I like it being tiny so it fits in my tiny purse), but I do a lot of work while traveling. I am retired but my volunteer job requires a bunch of writing and editing, emailing, spreadsheets, tricky research (like to non-English websites and things I need to copy and paste), finding photos, zoom meetings, and using a clunky old database, so it would drive me crazy to work on my phone. It's work I love to do and I don't think of my annual 5-week trips to Europe as a vacation, just me packing up and living somewhere else for a while.

Oh, and it bugs me to use Google Maps and Calendar on my phone --- something about wanting to see everything laid out at once on a bigger screen instead of just my walking or driving route or just one day's or one week's activities.

We are planning a trip to Sicily in the spring and there will be an unusual amount of moving around and short stays and hotels rather than apartments (all of which I am mostly at peace with, thanks to Jean from Idaho!), so it would be wise to leave my laptop at home and otherwise pack much, much lighter than usual. However, I already feel the symptoms of withdrawal, or actually it's more like homesickness --- my phone is a useful tool, but I am bonded with my laptop.

Both my wife and I carry our iphones and ipads when we travel. The ipads stay in the hotel or room while we are out for the day. They are either locked up in the room safe or luggage.

I only bring my iPhone. I have never felt the need to take my laptop, iPad or even iPad mini with me. I can do everything I need to on it.

My husband and I both bring our iPads and iPhones, and last summer I bought a Kindle Paperwhite as my eyes don’t handle the glare on the iPad screen for reading. Our iPads are used on planes, trains and in our lodging. I switch out my preferred case for a lighter and thinner one when I travel. We carry our electronics in our personal bags (backpacks) as well as the chargers in case we ever have to gate check our bags.

I carry my iPad and iPhone because I don’t like doing my stuff on the tiny phone screen but the phone is convenient to carry daily. And he takes the laptop where the real day to day business takes place. The weight of these devices is outweighed (pun intended) by their utility. We usually check luggage anyway or sacrifice whatever, especially clothing if carry on only.

Edit: True confession. I am also a Luddite but making the transition. I fought it for years but it’s just too damn handy. :-)

...if people bring a tablet such as an iPad...

No. I'll admit to being a bit of a luddite, but no. Lived and traveled in Europe before there were such things and have just never felt the need for one. To me, they are just too much trouble and extra weight. Have nothing against those who take them, but it's just not my thing.

I always bring my iPad mini and also a Logitech ultra-portable keyboard. I love to do a blog for my family and friends as I go so I don't have to keep updating all of them separately. And it's nice to be able to have that blog as my journal of travel. I find that I forget the interesting minutiae, my feelings and observations. So having that keyboard and the iPad helps. I don't get hung up on social media or news or movies on it. I'd rather spend my time outside enjoying my travels. It's easier for me to edit pictures as I go too since I do that click, click, click camera thing on the bus to capture the scenery (and all the trees and posts in the pictures;)

I used to travel with a tablet. Now I travel with a very lightweight 11" Dell laptop usually.

Last trip I didn't carry any electronics as we were on a ship. Communications is not important enough to pay their charges for Wifi and internet. My wife carries a smartphone to use in ports. At home, I might make one cellphone call a month as I seldom even talk on the phone in my retirement.

Next trip will be on a repositioning cruise and then 10 days on the ground. I'll have the laptop with me then.

I think the replies here have convinced me to try a IPAD mini (and Bluetooth keyboard).

In all of the previous discussion I haven't seen any mention of one of my biggest gripes. I cannot stand what has happened to the "mobile" web, i.e. what you get in phone screens. "Desktop" is the other mode and there's a lot of code out there to detect what device you're on and switch to that type of presentation. The pop-ups, the UI tricks to get you to awkwardly click on things you don't want to, the...

But for a lot of people that's just what they're used to.

So, Tablets get the "Desktop" experience. I've got an old Surface 3 Tablet I used on my last trip but it's not that usable so update time. And I hate getting my first Apple device and having to learn a new Digital ecosystem but needs must.

I have an old Fire tablet that I bring. I like to have a couple of movies downloaded to it in case the inflight entertainment system is not working (or if they don't have any movies that interest me). I also use it to read books when I need to take a break from sightseeing. Although, it usually stays in airplane mode. I use my phone for research. The tablet stays in the hotel room.

I take my large iPhone (for obvious reasons) and my Kindle paperwhite (because it’s very easy on my eyes, especially when I read in bed before I fall asleep). I’ve thought about getting an iPad or mini since it has a bigger screen than my phone, which would be nice for reviewing and editing photos. But then I think — Why would I want to carry around something else that might encourage me to spend more time on a screen? Besides, my prime motivation is keeping the weight of what I carry as low as possible.

Yes to an ipad. Phone is just too small for most things. Among other reasons is accessing movies in English via Netflix, etc.

No, too heavy and not something I want to worry about replacing if lost or stolen.
Do you have your text enlarged? I have terrible eyesight and that helps a lot. But looking up a restaurant or opening time is about all use my phone for, plus maps.

I have been taking an iPad for 20 years. Never had a weight issue.

I have been taking an iPad for 20 years. Never had a weight issue.

iPad was first introduced in 2010, or 14 years ago...

You are right. Earliest for me was an iPad 2 in Hong Kong, 2011. When the minis came out I went with that and ever since. No weight issues. I do have a smart phone and now bring both.

I always take my iPad and iPhone. I use the iPad on the plane to read, play games, and watch movies I’ve downloaded. I also use it in the hotel for internet research for upcoming sites to visit and streaming video shows when available. I use the phone when I’m out and about.
I understand the desire to limit weight by those who only carry their smartphone, but after losing my phone in London earlier this year, I strongly urge folks to have some type of electronic backup device, especially if traveling solo like I was. Having the iPad saved me because I could immediately lock down my phone through my Apple account and at least had the option of carrying it with me for photos, etc.

Very interesting thread, thank you. And a good reminder to have a backup way to access things electronically if your mobile device disappears.

Agreed, I don't want to stare at my iPhone 12 mini to check websites, etc. I do lots of pre-planning, but plans can change! Something I haven't seen here is about battery life - I carry a back up charging 'block', but on planes my phone can still run low. The iPad mini (yes, another vote here) is a good alternative if the phone runs low.

I bring my iPad Mini that I bought (refurbished!) in 2016. It’s too old to get updates on the apps, so I basically use it as an e-reader for entertainment on the plane and as a last-ditch internet device in case my iPhone is lost or stolen.

When my iPad mini died several years ago, I decided not to bother with another one. Since then, I bring my iPhone and kindle. That's all I've needed. For entertainment, I read on the kindle and listen to books on the iPhone. I traveled domestically recently with my laptop as I needed it for the trip and would never take it again unless I needed it for a specific reason. Regarding only the phone, I locate the Apple Store on my map in the first and last major city, just in case I need a new one...and memorized my Apple ID. So, I guess I belong to the No Tablet group. Less is more, as they say.

I'd taken an Amazon tablet with me on every vacation for close to 14 years. I decided not to take it on our last trip, and getting used to only using my phone was much easier than I expected. Before the trip I used the tablet every day. Now I only use it as an alarm clock.

I decided not to take it on our last trip, and getting used to only using my phone was much easier than I expected.

Same here, and after leaving it at home on the last trip, I found I did not miss the iPad one bit...

And since I do so much writing on it, my weight "splurge" is a separate bluetooth keyboard

Jane, I do the exact same thing for the exact same reason. I have a "cover" for my Samsung tablet that both acts as a stand, and holds both the tablet and my mini form factor keyboard.

What's on MY tablet, you ask with welling curiosity?

• Google apps for writing trip reports and following trip itineraries (docs and spreadsheets, both in local storage)
• Google Maps of the areas I'm visiting stored in offline storage.
• A selection of music in .ogg format and Neutron Player to play it so I have something to listen to on the plane.
• The world's most addictive game, Balatro, for killing time on the plane / in airports.
• I use the tablet to store and edit photos from my Pixel phone using Google Photos so that I have my photos stored in three different places (phone, tablet and Google Drive).
• The Kindle app and a library of books to read (including travel guides!), as well at the New York Times and Atlantic apps.
• For communicating with friends and guides, I have Telegram (and Whatsapp on my phone)
• Firefox for web browsing (gotta keep up on the forum somehow!)
• Eufy home security app so I can see what's happening back at the homestead.

What's on YOUR travel tablet?

-- Mike Beebe

I bought an iPad earlier this year for our two trips to Europe (and domestic trips too). I use it instead of my Kindle and my husband appreciates it when reading the New York Times or reading longer emails. I could probably function with the phone alone, but I like the larger screen for looking things up in the evenings.

The inferiority of so called "smart" phones was driven home to me years ago when my partner's in-laws in Maine moved into a new house. They would drive into town using the instructions Siri gave them. The first time I went with them, I could tell something was wrong. Siri was obviously leading us on a much longer roundabout route into town. I had my phone with me, but on the small screen map, I couldn't tell the shortest way into town. If I was zoomed out to see the entire area, I couldn't see the names of the individual streets, but if I zoomed in to see the street name, I couldn't see how they all fit together.

So, when we finally got back to their house, I fired up my laptop and then I could see the shortest way into town. It wasn't the route Siri had been taking us on. There was a 400' long road connecting the shortest route into town that Siri didn't seem to know existed, but it was really there, and when we took it, we saved miles.

My point, the very small screens on phones make them useless for finding directions and many other things. That's why I want a laptop, or at least a tablet, when I travel. Add to that, I extensively use spreadsheets to organize my data, and it's difficult to see an entire spreadsheet on small phone screens.

A lot of what I use my electronic device for when I travel is writing - emails back home or entries in my journal. In HS, over sixty years ago I learned to touch type, i.e., type without looking at the keys. I find the phoney keyboards on phones a pain to use. Why must the keys be smaller than my fingertips?

Lee I am with you regarding the limitations of phones for maps etc. While I will use google maps to direct me to a specific address when walking ie to the hotel from the train station or to get to a specific restaurant, I still prefer seeing the ‘big picture’. During our recent week in Turin Italy, I was happy that the hotel still provides paper maps. It was very helpful to get an overview of the city with street names without having a bunch of extraneous bits added in. It was very helpful to see where the main museums and landmarks were in proximity to each other as we wandered around. Like so many aspects of daily life, a hybrid approach often has its merits.

I always pack my iPad mini. It fits in my crossbody bag and pocket of outerwear. I prefer the larger screen (compared to my phone) for research, journalling, reading, watching movies, booking travel, culling and editing photos…. just about everything except taking photos or checking maps or WhatsApp when out and about.

To save weight, I did not bring my iPad on our last trip and, boy, did I regret that decision. We ran into a travel snafu that I needed to navigate on my phone and my husband’s tablet which I am unfamiliar with. It would have been far easier to use my IPad. I will not travel without it again.

I'm on a mini vacation to Banff right now and I'm surprised that some tourists still carry their IPads around to use as a camera. That can't be convenient over a phone.

Hmmm, maybe I'm an oddball. I have my phone, tablet and my Microsoft Surface laptop on every trip. The phone is mandatory, my tablet has a 7.5" screen and I like it on the flight for moviesand as an eReader because it's easy to hold. Up until now I've needed my Surface if work related issues came up, now that I'm retired I just feel naked without it. I'd rather sacrifice a couple of pairs of underwear to fit it in.

Allan, you're not an oddball. I do exactly the same, for exactly the same reasons. The only difference is that I still do some engineering gig work in my retirement, and sometimes I still actually need it. Neither the tablet nor the Surface really takes up any space.