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A Map Of Wireless Passwords From Airports And Lounges Around The World (Updated Regularly)

by Anil Polat | Apr 26, 2016 | Tech | 419

This map is now available in app form! WiFox is available on the App Store and Google Play.

Finding an open wireless connection in many airports isn’t always easy, or possible, without a password (or local phone number which is stupid). The difficulty of getting online is why I asked you for and created an always-up-to-date list of airport wireless passwords around the world. You’ve been sending me your tips regularly and I post on the foXnoMad Facebook page when there’s a new password or airport added.

Recently, reader Zach made a great suggestion that will make it easier for you to search, add, and keep up with this airport wireless password list.

The Map Of Airport Wireless Passwords

Below is a regularly updated map of all the airport wireless and lounge passwords you send and I come across on my travels. I’ll still be updating the original how to get wireless passwords from airports page with this information as well but now you can search around on the map directly.

Last update: November 29, 2024

You can also bookmark the map or this page to keep up with any future updates.

Please Send Me Any Passwords You Come Across

This list becomes more useful the more of you who send me passwords you find at airports. If you get any lounge passwords or for other access points, please leave a comment on this post or email me directly. (Even if the airport is already listed; since they tend to change frequently, the newer the update the better.) I’ll update the map to help your fellow travelers stay connected when they’re hopping from airport to airport.

Upgrade Your Wireless Superpowers

When you are snagging some wifi from a lounge, extending your laptop’s wireless range lets you sit further away from the source, which might mean the difference between a cold floor or a cushy cafe seat. The biggest boost to your wifi range is getting one of these USB wireless antenna. Once you do get connected, prevent network time restrictions from cutting you off and be sure to share with any friends you may traveling with.

Please don’t forget to send me any airport or lounge wireless passwords you come across from anywhere in the world! It will help me keep this list, plus the map, updated and help a lot of other travelers.

All Of The Bizarrely Large And Controversial Monuments Around Skopje, Macedonia

by Anil Polat | Apr 21, 2016 | Money, Travel, Travel Unravel | 4

stone bridge skopje

You may not think of Macedonia’s capital city Skopje often, but once you’ve been there one thing nearly impossible to forget are the Mario-super-mushroom sized statues everywhere. Massive bronze statues sitting high up on stone pillars with the central Macedonian Square lit brighter than the near side of the sun, you can’t initially help but be impressed.

As unusual as the sight is from afar, things get even strangers the closer you look.

Rapid Rise And Transformation

All of the gigantic monument construction in Skopje began in 2011, as part of a government project to rebuild landmarks lost in a large 1963 earthquake. Within 2 years, more than 20 new buildings and 40 statues had been constructed, including a 22-meter (72 feet) tall Alexander The Great in the middle of Macedonia Square. Oh sorry, it’s called “Warrior On A Horse” wink wink, so as not to completely piss off Greece, who among many things has a problem with Macedonia calling itself Macedonia.

skopje macedonia construction

Locals also have a strong disdain for the gross displays of manufactured nationalism with money that might be better spent elsewhere. Estimated costs for the Skopje 2014 project range from 90-565 million US dollars; nearly 6% of the Macedonian GDP in a country with 25% unemployment. Such large ranges for costs estimates usually indicate unaccounted money – in other words, corruption – in a nation that doesn’t score well in that particular category internationally.

There is something to be said however for the potential tourism effect; since Skopje 2014 began, the country has seen an increase of 500,000 annual tourists, up three times the 2011 average.

skopje big statue skopje man on horse statue

Arch Of Abortion

Macedonia is clearly spending all of this money, upwards of 168 million dollars a year, to bolster an infant tourism industry. That makes one particular inscription, a quote by Mother Teresa who was born here, on its iconic Porta Macedonia Arch odd indeed:

porta macedonia arch

“I think that abortion has become the greatest destroyer of peace today.”

Not the kind of message you expect to see on a tourist monument. Maybe, “welcome to Skopje” instead? Or perhaps another quote by Mother Teresa, “Never travel faster than your guardian angel can fly,” seems a little more travel-related?

Look Down On What Goes Up

The more you ask about Skopje’s newest landmarks with a dopey traveler’s naivete, it becomes increasingly clear Macedonians are very skeptical. You know there’s a big doubt when people look up at the 66-meter tall Millennium Cross (worth visiting I must say) and curse the government for building it while trying not to get struck by lightening.

skopje millennium cross

Though as a traveler passing through, you are drawn to the spectacle that illuminates memorable experiences like watching the universe from Macedonia Square. Skopje in particular becomes much easier to recommend because of the artificial ambiance that is contagious for everyone who visits these sights. A lot like Austin, Texas, Macedonia has chosen to keep Skopje weird, though I’m not sure how intentionally.

Take A Look At This Photo From Kawkaban, Yemen, Because It Doesn’t Exist Any More

by Anil Polat | Apr 19, 2016 | Pictures and Video, Security, Travel Journal | 6

yemen shibam walled city

The Old Walled City of Shibam in western Yemen was a place that made me feel what a shame Yemen’s terrible security reputation was reputation back in 2013, keeping most travelers from visiting. Back then there were parts of Yemen that were safe to visit (mostly) including Shibam, one of Yemen’s three UNESCO World Heritage Sites. But as unknown to most as the 2800 meter high Shibam was, so has been the destruction of its most popular attraction, the Kawkaban Fortress. Hardly any coverage in Western media was made of the airstrike that demolished the 12 centuries-old Kawkaban in February 2016. The only news in English I could find was this Facebook post by Eternal Yemen, the company that arranged my trip there.

I left Yemen with a sense that the best of a bad situation was likely to end soon and four months later a civil and larger proxy war began – making the country inaccessible. In addition to the 6,500 lives lost since then, historic sites like Kawkaban have been lost to humanity forever. So now once the site of one of humanity’s achievements, is ruble, marking the failing of our species; a lesson still not learned since the first stone of Kawkaban was laid 1,200 years ago.

How To Visit The Millennium Cross On Top Of Vodno Mountain In Skopje, Macedonia

by Anil Polat | Apr 14, 2016 | Advice, Green | 4

millennium cross Skopje

The Millennium Cross on Vodno Mountain’s highest point is one of the first sights you’ll notice from most everywhere in Macedonia’s capital city, Skopje. At 1,066 meters (3,497 feet) the views from the base of the Millennium Cross are impressive, although finding out how to get there isn’t exactly clear. Fortunately, that’s the most difficult part; once you have the directions visiting the Millennium Cross is pretty easy.

Get To The Bus Station Next To The Bus Station

You’re likely to be told about the “Millennium Cross” bus line and all the stops it makes throughout Skopje. But it doesn’t, so don’t wait around at bus stop 11 as I did only to find out the route is essentially unpredictable. Skopje is small enough that from most points in the city, like Macedonia Square, you can walk to the International Bus Station within 30 minutes. (It’s roughly 2 kilometers, 1.2 miles, away.) Next to the International Bus Station is a large parking lot you can call the national bus station.

millennium cross line skopje

Millennium Cross Line

Ask for the Millennium Cross line, which arrives every 30 minutes between 8:20 to 3:20 in the afternoon everyday.

millennium cross bus ticket

Explore Macedonia (the country’s official tourism board) keeps an updated list of the bus times here.

The red double-decker bus will have a lit sign saying Millennium Cross. You purchase your tickets directly from the driver; the cost is 35 Macedonian denar equivalent to .60 euro. The bus may make a stop or two along the 30 minute drive up to cable car station where you’ll wait in line for 10 minutes or so.

millennium cross cable car

Cable car cost is 120 denar, about 2 euro, for a round-trip. One way tickets are available as well, many bikers take the lift up, then cycle back down.

vodno mountain skopje view

Keep in mind that although they have a credit card machine it’s likely not to be working, so bring enough cash for the entire experience.

Once At The Top

First, plan to get to the Millennium Cross in the early afternoon at the latest, since the cable lift shuts down a little after 4pm, and the last bus leaves promptly after. (There will be a few taxis hanging around but you won’t be in a good position to bargain your way to anything near the normal 300 denar (5 euro) price.)

vodno mountain macedonia

You can’t go to the top of the 66-meter (217 ft) Millennium Cross but the views from Vodno from the small cafe or wooden porch on the opposite side of the mountain make for a nice afternoon. Afterward, you can make your way to Macedonia Square for an evening show of the universe I recommend you don’t miss.

The Romanian Streak Ends: Lisbon, Portugal Wins The 2016 Best City To Visit Travel Tournament

by Anil Polat | Apr 12, 2016 | Contests, Green, Money | 6

lisbon at night

For the first time in 3 years, the winner of The Best City To Visit Travel Tournament is not a Romanian city. Despite Targu Mures moving all the way to the final, Portugal was able to win the competition for the second time ever. Back in 2011, Porto won The Best City contest, and your votes will send me to Lisbon some time this year. Lisbon got a lot of help from Visit Portugal, the country’s official tourism board to counter a great Romanian effort.

best city 2016 bracket

Romania Not Gone

Starting with Sibiu back in 2013, followed by Craiova in 2014, then Targu Jiu last year, Romanians enthusiastically voted their cities the best, sending me to the beautiful country multiple times. I’ll be writing about Targu Jiu in the coming weeks, as well as highlighting why Romania’s wins aren’t so surprising, especially if you’ve been there before. For now though, the Romanian three-in-a-row streak ends and several trends still hold.

No city has ever won back to back tournaments.
No person has ever won back to back tournaments.
No city has ever won twice.
Prior to them winning the tournament, I’ve never been to the winning city.

A Prize For Lisbon

Congratulations to Mira, who originally nominated Lisbon several weeks ago. Back then I announced the person who nominated the winning city would win $500; in addition I would donate $500 to a local charity. Mira’s asked me to use her portion of the prize to contribute to a non-profit she’s selected. I’ll be writing about the organization when I visit Lisbon this year, hopefully to make the $1,000 contribution in person.

Thank You Everyone

The Best City To Visit Travel Tournament has grown every year thanks to your nominations, votes, and participation. Your involvement over the past few weeks and every year is greatly appreciated and I look forward to an even bigger contest next year!

Let me know if you have any suggestions or would like to see any changes to the tournament in the comments below. And if you’ve been to Lisbon or are from there, send me your travel tips too!

[Top photo by: Lacobrigo]

How To Travel The World With Literally No Money

by Anil Polat | Apr 7, 2016 | Advice, Money | 0

empty coin jar

There are plenty of low budget tricks to solve big budget problems but this isn’t a guide on how to save money to travel but rather how to do it without using currency. You don’t need a cent to travel the world and there actually ways to travel without using money. While elements of “traveling for free” might sound fantastical, it’s more than a thought experiment since it’s been done successfully before.

Barter Your Way From A To B

Although we’re talking about traveling without money, you will need skills, stuff, and a bit of extroversion to make the penniless conversion. German comedian Michael Wigge, a former live chat guest on this site, started off the hard way before realizing bartering was a viable solution for his travel plans:

“At first, Wigge scrounged for food from garbage bins, but he soon realized that “Dumpster diving wasn’t necessary. I could walk in and do a barter. I offered to clean the floor or the shelf or wash the dishes in the restaurant in exchange for an old sandwich.”

Michael notes that his bartering strategy differ depending on where he was in the world:

“In Latin America, he found that “people were very helpful if I went to their door and said, ‘Can I sleep here?’ There was this helpfulness, this hospitality, maybe because many people there are poor and they know how it feels. They didn’t care about my story. But in the U.S., it was more about the story. They would say, ‘This is cool. We want to help you reach your goal.”

How to Travel the World for Free: One Man, 150 Days, Eleven...

You can use some of Michael’s advice, which took him to through 11 countries and over 40,000 kilometers, to barter your way around the world. Here are some of the strategies he suggests on his website, How To Travel The World For Free.

panasonic lumix dmc zs 45

Bring a camera – Ideally a video camera, as it makes you look more important and professional, increasing the likelihood a stranger would want to work with you.
A notebook – Michael used his to develop an extensive contact list so he could arrange barter opportunities through a friend-of-a-friend method.

Essentially, Michael turned the endeavor into a project he was able to get others on board with. Take note of that, as a developing a good website or travel blog prior to your trip, along with a healthy list of media contacts, might be enough to for you barter your way around the world with.

Work On A Cruise Ship

Not only is this a great way to earn a lot of money (up to $6,000 a month) working on a cruise ship also allows you to travel to a number of locations around the world without expenses for room and meals. Most cruise lines offer staff some time to explore the destinations they stop in, plus you’ll have the opportunity of meeting a lot of international staff. (Remember the usefulness of contact lists mentioned above.)

hurghada beaches

Probably the hardest part of getting a job on a cruise ship is figuring out how to do it. There’s a lot of misinformation and even more shady sites you don’t want to waste time with. My friend and fellow blogger Wandering Earl began his world travels working on cruise ships and his book, How To Get A Job On Board Cruise Ships has all the information and forms you’ll need to get started.

How To Get A Job On Board Cruise Ships

Cruising around the world is also one of the healthier ways to travel if you make use of the crew-only gym and ligher food options.

Couchsurf, Hitchhike, And Camp

Potentially three terrifying words for some people, traveling for free isn’t always easy. Some parts of the world are also more favorable for hitching and camping in particular. Author Tom Parry hitchhiked across Australia with his girlfriend describing the difficulties, mostly in waiting around for a ride in his book, Thumbs Up Australia. Tom also shared some valuable lessons for any hitchhiker to improve their chances of getting a ride when I interviewed him.

nevada extraterrestrial highway

“There are certain essentials: get up early; find a good spot a substantial walk outside the town limits, preferably on a straight stretch of highway; attempt to be presentable but not too well-dressed; most importantly of all, have enough provisions for a lengthy wait in heat and/or heavy rain. If one is hitchhiking for a long time one should familiarize oneself with the possible routes and be prepared for any number of unexpected diversions.”

Once you get to your next stop however, you’ll need a place to stay. CouchSurfing is a site where members offer travelers a place to stay for free. GloboTreks has an excellent guide on how to CouchSurf around the world pointing out not to neglect the social opportunities (contact list!) and that it’s a lot safer than you may be thinking. Though if you’re still not convinced or would like to try it out before your freebie travels, Adventurous Kate describes how to CouchSurf without Couchsurfing.

So You Want To Go Camping For The Very First Time – Everything you’ll need to prepare.

Not For You? How To Get Closer To Free

You’ll notice that traveling without money means sacrifices, mostly to your timing, plans, and privacy. Obviously bartering around the world isn’t for everyone and you’ll need at least a tablet with an Internet connection to accomplish most everything mentioned above. You can of course work on saving more, even if you live on a third-world income, make random accumulated currencies useful, and learn to travel on $50 or less a day.

About Anil Polat

Hi, I'm Anil. foXnoMad is where I combine travel and tech to help you travel smarter. I'm on a journey to every country in the world and you're invited to join the adventure! Read More