Email address for travelling: what is it, and should you take it with you on a trip or while backpacking?

What is a travel e-mail address?

• A travel e-mail address is a temporary e-mail address is an additional or anonymous email address that you create for a specific period or purpose – for example, during your trip or backpacking adventure. Think of: Julieontheroad@provider.com or james.backpack@gmail.com.

What can you use a temporary email address for when traveling or backpacking?

• For contacting hostels, volunteer projects or travel buddies, without flooding your personal inbox.
• For signing up for wifi, tours or forums without sharing your main address (spam alert!).
• For emergencies: a trusted contact address for family or friends.
• For work or volunteering on the road, so that private and work remain separate.
• Many email address providers have options for auto-forwarding, with that function you can organize incoming mail traffic and still have some of the benefits of a temporary mail address

When do you take a temporary email address with you when traveling or backpacking?

• When you are traveling for a longer period of time and want to remain reachable without sharing your permanent mail address.
• To be able to separate your travel life from your 'normal' life so you can properly detach from your everyday life
• When you plan to sign up for many local services or platforms.
• When you are traveling for work or volunteer projects.

Where can you create a temporary e-mail address?

• This is possible with all e-mail providers.
• Or use temporary email services. These are useful for one-time verifications and short trips, but less so for long-term contact.