How to Use Twitter for Travel

In a previous post here at Vagablogging, Lea Woodward encouraged travelers to use Twitter. This micro-blogging service seems to be gaining more popularity among the masses, especially since it’s made it’s way to the mainstream media. Many renowned journalists, politicians, and celebrities are now using Twitter.

Although Twitter makes users prone to writing mundane updates such as what they had for lunch or what they’re watching on TV, this service can come in handy for the average traveler. Here are some ways you can use it:

Ask for recommendations and advice. Many of the people I follow often send out tweets like “I’m headed to South Africa in two months. Any suggestions for lodging/activities?” or “Currently in Buenos Aires. Which restaurant has the best steak here?” Since you’ll be getting responses in real time, Twitter becomes even more useful if you’re a more spontaneous kind of traveler.

Share your experiences on the road. While you can use conventional blogs to write about your travel experiences in-depth, Twitter can broadcast some essential updates in real time. This comes in handy because not all of your travel experiences can have a place in your blog posts. If you want to add photos to your “tweets”, you can use a service like Twitpic .

Bring more attention to your trip, especially if it’s for a good cause. Paul Smith, also known as the Twitch Hiker, spent last March traveling the world by accepting offers of transportation and lodging via Twitter. This travel and Twitter experiment of his helped him raise money and awareness for charity:water. If you’re traveling for humanitarian reasons, you’ll find that Twitter is a great way to spread the word about your trip and the causes you support.

Get out of trouble. Last year, journalism student James Karl Buck was arrested in Egypt for taking photos of a public demonstration. He sent out a message notifying his followers of what happened, and they proceeded to contact the US Embassy and press organizations to spread the word about his arrest. If you’re just starting out as a Twitter user and don’t have a lot of followers to turn to for travel emergencies, you can join the Twitter Travel Help group.

It might be intimidating to join Twitter at first, especially if you’re not used to keeping up with the latest tech trends, but it’s honestly one of the simplest applications I’ve ever used. And, because of the benefits I’ve listed above, it’s become a necessary tool whenever I’m on the road.

By the way, did you know that you could also get Vagablogging updates via Twitter?