best travel resources

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Plan Your Next Trip with the 25 Best Travel Resources Online

Growing up as an “army brat,” Sydney could not help but develop a thirst for travelin...

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Ah, yes, the five stages of planning for a trip—dreaming, excitement, overwhelm, booking, and eagerness. Well, maybe something like that, right? Most trips involve doing some research, making reservations, and organizing excursions. For many, the hardest parts are getting started and staying within a budget. That’s why we’ve rounded up the 25 best travel resources to help you stay organized and achieve your trip planning goals!

It’ll require some planning and resources to get yourself here!

Whether you’re looking to find the best activities or get the best deals, these travel resources online cover all that and more. Some of them are only online, some are only mobile apps, and some are both—but all of them will help make planning the best trip ever a breeze .

While you may have heard of a couple of these travel tools, other ones have excellent reviews but haven’t achieved household name status (yet!). Either way, you’ll fall in love with them!

READ MORE: 8 Essential To-Do’s Before You Travel Abroad

25 best travel resources online, planning & research, 1. goabroad online advisor.

GoAbroad.com lists thousands of international programs (with reviews!) in 11 directories from studying and interning to working and adventuring abroad. Not sure where to start? Fill out the free GoAbroad Online Advisor form with a little bit about yourself and what you’re looking for, and ideal programs that meet your requests will surf right into your inbox!

Know what country you want to visit but not sure what documents it requires? Hate going through the long arduous process of applying for a visa? iVisa is an online passport and visa service that does all the hard work for you! It’s a safe, affordable, and reliable travel resource that processes your documents in a timely planner.

3. Lonely Planet

As the crème de la crème of travel advice websites, you’ve come to the right place with Lonely Planet. Learn about the top attractions, the best ways to get around, the best times to visit, and more about pretty much anywhere in the world all in one place. The top-notch travel descriptions and beautiful imagery will also pump up your excitement for your getaway!

4. Wanderlog

From gathering reservations to mapping routes, Wanderlog is both an online site and mobile app that helps you keep everything organized for your travel itinerary. You can even collaborate with friends while travel planning in real-time. It automatically stores plans for offline use too. Plus, you can read descriptions and reviews and explore top lists that other users made.

5. TripAdvisor

As another one of the best travel advice websites, TripAdvisor has you covered if you want to go somewhere but don’t know where to start. With millions of reviews and ratings, you’ll easily discover the best things to do, places to eat, places to stay, and even where to park in rural and urban destinations all over the world.

Finding & Booking Flights

6. skyscanner.

Both an app and a website, this travel resource boasts the cheapest flight prices thanks to its price trend tracker and multi-city searches. It has received thousands of rave reviews for helping people find, compare, and nab budget-friendly flights. You can also look for car rental and hotel deals with Skycanner too.

This free mobile app helps travelers save big on flight costs by notifying them when it’s the right time to buy. It also helps you find the cheapest days to travel, provides tips about airports, allows you to freeze future prices, and offers flexible dates and refundable ticket plans. You can book flights, hotels, and cars with Hopper too.

Accommodation & Lodging

Agoda’s a free online search engine specifically made to help you find hotels, hostels, and resorts with over 2 million properties listed worldwide. This site will help you get the best value for your lodging and even offers a best match guarantee, so if you find a better price on the web, they’ll refund the difference.

9. Tripping.com

More interested in a vacation rental? Tripping.com lists over 12 million accommodations to choose from in more than 190 countries. Whether you’re looking for a cabin or a condo, you’re bound to find an affordable and spacious vacation rental at a good price with this online tool.

10. Hostel World

With nearly 18,000 listings across 179 countries, and millions of reviews, this is a fantastic travel resource that helps budget travelers and backpackers find good deals on accommodations. You can find hotels, hostels, bed and breakfasts, rooms, dorms, and more all in one place on the site and the mobile app.

Transportation & Getting Around

11. alltrails.

Looking to hike, bike, walk, and explore the outdoors while you’re traveling? Can’t get more details beyond the driving directions on Google Maps? You’re in luck with AllTrails, which provides more than 200,000 detailed trail maps for your next adventure—and yes, you can download them for offline use too!

12. AutoSlash

AutoSlash helps you save hundreds of dollars on car rentals! This travel resource doesn’t rent out cars itself, but it does all the hard work for you—all you do is enter some information about your car rental needs, it searches all the car rental providers, and it emails you the best deals.

Whether you’re looking for flights, ferries, buses, or trains, Omio is a helpful site for your transportation needs in Europe and the U.S. You can book tickets on the app, and keep them tucked away on your phone. Many reviewers love how easy Omio is to use and also that you can compare prices for different transportation modes.

14. Rome2Rio

If you’re looking for travel resources that help you find the best way to get from Point A to Point B, you’ll love Rome2Rio. It’s a more robust transportation tool that lists flights, trains, buses, ferries, rideshares, and rental car info in more than 160 countries. All you gotta do is plug in your starting location and ending destination, and this app and website will find the best, most affordable route for you.

Food & Activities

15. atlas obscura.

If you’re looking for things to do beyond the landmarks, give Atlas Obscura a try to discover the “world’s hidden wonders” that other travelers recommend. This is one of the best travel resources online that suggests plenty of unusual attractions to visit and places to eat all around the globe. You can even sign up for small-group trips and online courses.

Whether you’re looking for relaxing activities or outdoor adventures, Klook lists a gamut of things to do at great prices. You can book activity tickets and tours on this online site and mobile app. Klook also provides transportation tickets and dining options, more specifically in Asia.

17. Get Your Guide

Get Your Guide is all about helping travelers book last-minute tickets to attractions, tours, and activities. Plus, the tickets have a flexible cancellation policy. Both an online site and mobile app, this resource lists over 40,000 activities for you to discover with insightful tips too.

As far as travel resources go for food, Zomato will help you find the best local eats so you can go beyond the corporate chain restaurants. Hungry for something healthy? Or something theme-related? This will help you discover anything your stomach desires all over the world with lots of reviews to boot.

19. HappyCow

For travelers who are vegan, vegetarian, or for those with special dietary needs, HappyCow offers an easy-to-use app to help you find restaurants, cafes, and grocery stores that meet those needs. With over 156,000 options in 180+ countries, this app makes it easier to avoid spending hours hunting down a place, or worse, feeling “hangry.”

You know how when you travel, you don’t always get a good Internet connection, or you have to be in airplane mode on flights? This can be frustrating when you’ve found things online that you’d like to read later (e.g. articles with restaurant or activity recommendations). With the Pocket app, you can download items when you’re online and save them to later watch or read while offline.

Banking & Insurance

21. digital wallet.

Digital wallets, or e-wallets, allow you to conveniently and contactlessly purchase items in stores, in apps, and online by using your phone instead of cash or plastic. Some examples include Apply Pay and Google Pay. Digital wallets offer enhanced security with how it stores cards and makes payments. You can also save your boarding passes, tickets, and transit cards.

While traveling, it can be hard to track spending and staying on top of a budget. But Mint makes it easy. Mint is a free mobile app that assembles your bills, credit cards, accounts, subscriptions and more all in one place. You can even get notified when bills are due and receive insights into how you can save more money—great for saving up for your next trip!

23. NordVPN

While you may rely on public Wi-Fi while abroad, you take the risk of scammers infiltrating your Internet connection and stealing financial information. Plus, you may not be able to access the same sites and streaming platforms you use at home while abroad. But NordVPN, a virtual private network provider, provides a secure connection and a means for travelers to watch their favorite shows too .

24. SafetyWing

When you travel, you’re open to more vulnerabilities, and you just never know if an accident, natural disaster, or illness will strike. And the last thing you want to worry about is affording a large bill down the road. SafetyWing offers an impressive travel insurance policy that even covers dental and trip delay at a very affordable price.

Most travel insurances don’t cover air-medical transport services, and if they do, they come with restrictions and other costs. Medjet offers both short-term and annual insurance options that cover transport both domestically and internationally. You just pay a membership fee for your insurance, and you don’t have to worry about any bills or paperwork after an incident.

Research Your Trip in Our Travel Article Directory

Do you have the best travel resources to plan your next trip.

Need a plan? The right resources will have you covered.

Planning a trip can feel like a whirlwind, but this list of the 25 best travel resources cover all the bases to make arranging your next getaway much easier. And daresay, more fun! With the vast majority of these tools, you’re in good company with reviews, advice, and recommendations from fellow travelers who have been in your shoes. Your next adventure awaits. Bon voyage!

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The 50 Best Travel Websites and Travel Resources 2024

March 28, 2024

Here’s my collection of the top 50 travel websites and travel resources for all stages of dreaming, planning, booking and remembering your trip based on decades of professional travel. 

The Best Travel Resources for Booking and Planning Your Trip 2024

As a regular contributor to  The Independent’s 50 Best Travel Websites feature , I know my way around travel websites. As a frequent traveller myself, I practically live on the things.

From dreaming about a trip, planning a trip, writing up a trip and reviewing trips for work, these are the travel resources, online booking sites, search engines and route planners I use to help me get the job done. Booking travel without travel agents has never been easier – even if it doesn’t feel like it at times.

So here’s my list of the best travel websites for 2024. It’s the best time to uncover the best places.

If you book or buy through the links on this page, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. However, we only ever recommend things we believe in and use ourselves. We also don’t earn a commission from all of these travel websites. Alas ;-)

The Best Hotel Booking Sites for Special Occasions

To find the best hotels needs a little bit of legwork. If you’re looking for somewhere beautiful to stay with a real travel experience, then try these sites first. If you’re looking for something more practical, jump on down to the next section.

Here are the top travel websites when it comes to boutique hotels:

Design Hotels

Beautiful, stylish and with up to 40% off for members, the chic and sleek Design Hotels website is a firm favourite of mine. Membership is free, quick and easy on the eye.

Best Loved Hotels

Best Loved Hotels gathers together properties from the UK and Ireland that show a real passion for what they do. From countryside manors to city break boltholes, I’ve stayed in several of their properties and have loved each one.

Mr & Mrs Smith

You may be forgiven for thinking this gorgeous collection was all about romance, but beyond finding great places for anniversaries and honeymoons, Mr & Mrs Smith cover great child friendly places too. Not just a website for inspiration, you can book directly on the site.

Small Luxury Hotels

The name says it all. Small Luxury Hotels   collect together independently minded hotels on their website and promise – and deliver – an authentic travel experience.

Leading Hotels of the World

Another website that wears its heart on its sleeve, Leading Hotels of the World gather together more than 375 luxury properties (including resorts) around the world.

MyBoutiqueHotel.com

With a great eye for design, MyBoutiqueHotel.com , as the name suggests, sources boutique hotels from around the world available for direct booking. Properties are combined into an easy on the eye collection, with curated lists for main cities plus the ability to create your own shortlists as you narrow down your choice. Membership is free and the themed lists save hours of research. You’ll find budget and luxury boutique hotel choices and can drill down to those suitable for work, for the kids, for romantic getaways and more.

The Best Hotel Booking Sites for the Best Deals and Specifics

These are the best travel websites for 2024 for booking flight and hotel packages together or for searching for accommodation when you have very specific needs. These online travel agencies let you trawl through thousands of places to stay in the blink of an eye. Plus, several offer exceptional hotel deals for your next adventure.

cozycozy.com

Describing itself as a search engine for accommodation, CozyCozy.com is an exciting newcomer on the hotel booking block. It rounds up offers from hotels, rentals, hostels, treehouses and boats into one easy to use platform. You’ll find the giants, like Booking.com and AirBnB and VRBO, as well as smaller accommodation solutions too. By searching with Cozycozy.com, you can save yourself a lot of time. They won’t cover everything. But they come pretty close.

A few more things to note. They guarantee that the price you see is the price you pay. They have a range of filters that go further than the rest (think searching for a hairdryer or washing machine.) And, my favourite. They have an “unusual” tab that opens up possibilities you may never have known existed. Yurt for one anyone?

Lastminute.com

I’ve grown old with Lastminute.com , originally because I fell in love with the name. But over the years, I still find them useful for last minute city break or resort based holidays (vacation packages if you’re from the US.) They’re an online travel agency with easy to navigate interface and lots of last-minute deals!

Expedia is SO big and all-encompassing that it’s sometimes easy to get lost within the website. But that’s also its strength for when your travel plans don’t fit into the travel sites I’ve mentioned above.

TripAdvisor

The great green travel website can really give you an inside look at a hotel. Yes, some of the reviews are fake but even the bad reviews can be helpful. One person’s “bad review” because there was no nightlife is another’s blissful discovery if they want a quiet, relaxing stay.

Plus, you get the benefit of booking through a trusted source with backup. AND the TripAdvisor community is really helpful if you have specific niggly questions about tourist destinations or are looking for great ideas.

Booking.com

Booking.com offers more search filters for hotels than anything else I’ve come across in the travel industry. When the specifics really matter (rather than the sense of atmosphere or design) then I turn to Booking.com It’s a powerful hotel search engine, with guest houses and self-catering options as well.

Top tips for finding the best travel deals

• Look for off peak options whenever you can.
• Don’t just stick to the big booking websites. Check out the smaller, unique travel websites as well.
• Consider flying from regional airports.
• Have a system! Our handy Travel Toolbox © will help with this.

Finding Great Flight Deals

There is, quite simply, an art to finding a good flight. Not just in terms of cost but also in terms of comfort and connection. It really is a useful life skill to be able to skip the travel agent and find what you want yourself.

With that in mind, check out our guide to the  best flight booking hacks for savvy travellers here.  

Then, get acquainted with the following flight search engines, for both domestic and international flights.

Skyscanner is the travel agent boyfriend or girlfriend with special deals you never had. Skyscanner listens, remembers your birthday, cleans your windscreen and empties the bin even when it isn’t its turn.

Well, OK, it doesn’t do any of that but  it DOES make it very, very easy to look for flights. Instead of forcing you to enter the same details in, or tie you to a date, Skyscanner uses filters and choices that simplify the flight-finding process. You can also search by price and switch currencies between dollars, euros, sterling and more. For both domestic and international travel.

If you have any flexibility in your planning, Skyscanner can let you search through the whole month for the best fare, slide filters for time of day, number of connections, just about anything. The only weak spot is searching for flights with infants, where the system is a little glitchy. Other than that, it’s one of the best airfare sites.

Don’t be put off by the watery name. Kayak is a meta search engine that crawls the web for flights and lets you sift through the results with ease. If you’re committed to finding the cheapest flights, then make sure you check everywhere you can.

Google Flights

Fellow travel professionals swear by Google Flights, although it’s never quite become one of my favourites. The strength of using Google’s software is that it responds quickly to real time changes. Perfect if your flight has just been cancelled because of weather or some other external event and you need to find your way home quickly.

You can even use Siri. “Hey google, give me search results for flights to New York!”

Travel experiences await.

The Best Travel Websites for Driving Holidays

You’re in road trip heaven here. We love road trips and have everything for them. Check out these great resources for planning a road trip.

Your Road Trip Toolkit

• The road trip essentials you need to know about
• The Ultimate Road Trip Planner  with printables and handbook
• 101 fun road trip questions for your next drive
• I nspiring road trip quotes for your instagram caption ideas.

AA Route Planner

This is another travel website that I love for its simplicity. Want to know how to get from A to B? Enter it in the AA Route Planner. It shows you a map and clear journey times in a split second. You can just leave it at that or add in stop off points and adjust for traffic and so on. The only problem is that it only covers driving in Europe.

MapQuest offers fantastic coverage of the United States and is free and easy to use to help plot our road trips.

Google Maps

Google Maps , on the other hand, cover the world. But it’s slightly more fiddly to use. It’s a lifesaver while actually on the road but it’s also useful in planning.

You can save destinations, plot itineraries and tweak public maps for your own trips. And – did you know that you can download maps and directions offline? Indeed, you can. It’s not only an online travel site.

Car Rental Travel Resources

I’ve driven cars all around the world and used all kinds of car rental companies and rental cars. Sometimes needs must but these days, wherever possible, I book through a reputable, international company. Then I look for car rental deals.

Hertz is one of my favourites. It’s so widespread and well-organised. Plus, as an inside tip, if you sign up to their Gold members programme (for free) you can quickly get lots of benefits.

However, for more of a search comparison site, I use Holiday Autos and then open RentalCars.Com in a new tab.

• Don’t forget to download your free copy of our car rental checklist here.

Healthy Tray of Treats Room Service at One Aldwych, Covent Garden

The Best Travel Resources for Health

Centers for disease control and prevention.

Clearly, you should consult your own doctor before you travel. But, the CDC Travel Website is the one my medical friends recommend. So, don’t rely on it entirely. You do need an appointment with a real person. But it’s helpful to get an idea of what vaccinations and medication you are likely to need for certain countries before you decide to book. This applies all the more if your situation has changed due to a recent illness or pregnancy.

The Best Travel Websites for Saving Money

Money saving expert.

Martin Lewis’ Money Saving Expert website firmly focuses its attention on a UK audience. It provides regularly updated and researched guides on essentials from currency exchange to travel insurance and finding cheap flights.

They also crunch the numbers with credit cards, publishing spreadsheets and tables to help you navigate the world of credit card rewards and the best way to save money.

Travel Insurance

I’d always recommend checking out the guide above before you book. But one of my favourite places to go for travel insurance is Heymondo.

Roaming Costs: Airalo

Unless you have roaming fees included in your usual phone package, remember to switch off mobile data when you travel.

Instead, embrace the brilliance of an eSIM. That means, you switch SIM cards without having to physically pop the plastic cover out of your phone using the back of an earring, hoping you don’t lose it before you head home again.

I’ve tested Airalo all across the world, including North America, Europe and the Middle East. It’s fantastic. So quick. So much money saved.

Train Travel Resources

Db rail planner for train travel in europe.

I love the DB site. It covers almost all of Europe and has an English version online travel website that is so easy to use.

National Rail Journey Planner

National Rail itself may be long gone but as a travel website, the National Rail Journey Planner is the best I’ve found to negotiate the different rail networks of the UK.

Eurail (Formerly InterRail)

Forget the sweaty backpacker image. The Eurail network includes First Class rail travel through glossy transport hubs. You can buy a range of rail passes or simply use their maps, itineraries and suggestions to help you plan your rail trip through Europe.

Heathrow Express

This remains the fastest way to reach the city centre of London from London’s Heathrow Airport, as well as Paddington Station, the gateway to the west, southwest and Wales. Using the Heathrow Express website in advance, you can book tickets for as little as  £5.50. Plus, children 15 and under travel for free.

The Elizabeth Line in London

A sneaky little bit of inside info. To save money on the Heathrow Express, take the slightly slower “normal” train from Paddington to Heathrow instead. Costs a fraction of the price and is generally more comfortable.

If you’re looking to travel through Japan, then you can’t miss their high speed shinkansen trains. They’re part of what Japan is famous for. Buy your Japan Rail pass before you go to get the best deals as a tourist.

The Best Travel Websites for Honeymoons and Anniversaries

While you can build your own honeymoon through the travel resources above, niche travel website 101 Honeymoons takes the hard work out of the equation for you. It filters honeymoons by month, interest and family situation, with trusted input from some of the top travel writers in the trade.

My Favourite Cruise Travel Resources

Everyone has different tastes. I prefer smaller cruises with plenty of cultural and adventurous options and excursions. Look for cruise lines which aim to introduce people to the destination and respect local customs rather than just keep people on the ship.

I would highly recommend Avalon Waterways for cruises in Europe and beyond and Uncruise Adventures for small ship cruising in Alaska.

In 2022, I took my first giant cruise with Princess Cruises – and you can read what that was like here.

The Best Tour Companies

It took me years to believe it but sometimes joining a tour, just for half a day, is a great way of connecting with locals and learning new skills.

These days, it’s easier than ever to find just the tour you need as one of the latest trends has become a permanent fixture. In popular destinations, it’s also useful to use these sites to skip the queues and buy your tickets in advance.

You can search for recommendations on travel blogs (ahem) or head straight to the big search sites.

I’ve tested both of these across the world and would highly recommend them:

• Get Your Guide has great cancellation policies and an easy booking process.
• Viator has a huge collection of local guides, transfers from the airport, cooking classes and more.

The Best UK Travel Websites

Self catered cottages.

For ease of use, the app that comes with Sykes Cottages makes it easy to plan a trip away in snippets of down time in a busy life. Quality Cottages sweeps some gorgeous luxury cottages into view in Wales.

Glampingly remains my favourite site for finding quirky yet comfortable glamping spots in Europe. Want to know why? Check out this collection of the best treehouse holidays in the UK.

With a mix of glamping and alternative places to sleep, C anopy and Stars fills in the gaps.

A special, self-catered foodie twist

To add a sense of luxe to your self-catered holiday, order in a gourmet meal from One Fine Dine. This private jet catering company now packages up incredible meals with full instructions on how to finish them off and plate them up. Adds a lovely sense of occasion to a self-catered trip away.

In Conclusion

And one last note. Are you American and wondering why I’m not talking about dream vacation packages? I am, we just call them holidays in the UK. And car rentals are hire cars. And travel guides are, well, travel guides. I guess some things stay the same after all ;-)

Did you enjoy this collection of the best travel websites and travel resources for 2024? Bookmark this list of travel websites on Pinterest for later.

For more travel tips, check out our travel resources on how to plan your next trip here.

Our Favourite Travel Resources for 2024

• Download your FREE pre-trip checklist
• Download your copy of the Ultimate Travel Packing Checklist

Some of the best travel resources can be those you create yourself. Here are some creative travel journal ideas to get you started. Future you will be grateful!

Borders Of Adventure

Leading Culture and Adventure Travel Blog by Becki Enright. Looking at the world with a different angle to change perceptions of misunderstood places, for the best in travel.

Travel Resources

Having go-to travel resources you can always rely on is always helpful when you travel a lot. Even if you don’t plan too heavily when mapping out your next adventure, there’s still all manner of research and preparation that has to be done before and during any trip.

Finding the Best Platforms and Websites for Trip Planning

Scrolling through travel resources, top tips lists and relevant booking websites can essentially be the boring element of travel, but you never know what useful information and money-saving tips you might stumble upon.

Whether it’s securing the best flight deals, planning train and bus journeys or looking into tours that cover more the trickier to travel destinations (or where you cannot travel to independently), these travel resources are my regular go-to information hubs for planning and booking everything that’s needed for great exploration.

This post contains affiliate links to handpicked partners, including tours, gear and booking sites. If you click through or buy something via one of them, I may receive a small commission. This is at no extra cost to you and allows this site to keep running. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Small Adventure Group Tours

Sometimes, you don’t want to travel alone. While I’m rarely on group trips unless it’s necessary, tours are a great option should you be travelling to a destination that is tricky to navigate or a destination that doesn’t allow independent travel for particular nationalities. Or, if you are simply looking for others to enjoy the experience with. But which tour do you choose?

G Adventures – Tours with Positive Social Impact

I’ve travelled with G Adventures since 2004, when I first visited Asia. I typically use them for big treks and places where tours are mandatory or necessary. I like their community ethos, the use of local guides, socially responsible travel practices, such as animal, indigenous and child welfare and giving back to community projects and charities.

You can find G Adventures reviews in the following articles on destinations where I took their trips.

• G Adventures Peru – Responsible travel in Peru and on the Inca Trail
• G Adventures Kilimanjaro – Lesmosho route and Serengeti safari
• G Adventures Tibet – Overland from Nepal
• G Adventures Ecuador Amazon – Local Living in the Amazon Rainforest
• G Adventures Colombia – Lost City Trek and Caribbean Coast
• G Adventures Everest Base Camp – EBC Trek and Kathmandu
• G Adventures Iran – Discover Persia tour
• G Adventures Egypt – Egypt Upgraded trip

Dragoman – For Overlanding Adventures

Dragoman is one of the leading overland travel experts, and I travelled around Mongolia for three weeks with them. Their huge trucks are like transformers, opening out into lots of compartments that house tables, chairs, tents, and other storage – like a mobile home for the more adventurous. I highly recommend them for exploring more desolate and vast landscapes that would be hard to traverse solo.

Currently, they are pausing operations, ready to hit the ground running once they have recovered from the pandemic. 

Travel Resources for Planning a Travel Trip

From visas to sightseeing highlights, airline rules and pre-booking, here’s my top pick of online travel planning tools. 

Project Visa

The one essential element of pre-planning before arrival in any destination is to know whether you need to have a visa beforehand or whether you can get one on arrival.  Project Visa is one of my top three go-to travel resources when planning my next trip – it lists the visa requirements of all countries, and also outlines where embassies for that particular country are all over the world, should you need to apply before arrival.

Fast becoming the new go-to travel resource over the trusty guidebooks,  Wikitravel  lists everything from must-see sites to decent accommodation, concisely and knowledgeably.

Trip Advisor

Everyone knows about Trip Advisor , and even though it was once known only as space for those wanting to vent their negative experiences, some elements of it, with a little digging, can be a comprehensive travel resource, ranking properties and attractions and hosting useful forums for discussion.

Hand Luggage Guides

From Emirates to EasyJet, hand luggage allowances vary from one flight carrier to the next. Expedia pulled together a very helpful hand luggage guide , where you to quickly check the exact sizes of the hand luggage and hold weights you’re able to carry on board a flight. I’ve been caught out a few times with my small suitcase, which has been OK in size for one flight carrier, but slightly too big for another.

This travel resource also allows you to determine which airline is the best value for money when it comes to the all-important inclusion of luggage allowance.

Overseas Attractions

Overseas Attractions  is a quick fix guide and booking service for local attractions in all regions of the world – a great resource should you be short on time for elaborate online searches or without a guidebook.

Sourcing the Best Travel Guides

Lonely planet.

I don’t use Lonely Planet Guidebooks religiously in every place, but I do use them for quick reference or to show a local when I need some direction. I’ve tried using PDFs but much prefer the print, especially since I often use it to call ahead for accommodation or the address and language translations. I buy mine from Amazon to score the best deals, but always keep an eye out on the Lonely Planet Publications website for sales.

Travel Resources for Booking Hostels and Hotels

Hostels, guesthouses, boutique apartments, and hotels — the choice is endless, but here’s where I start my accommodation search. 

Booking.com

I use Booking.com to search for deals on hotels, local guesthouses and hotels in areas where hostels and other budget accommodations may not be as widespread. You can also browse accommodations according to preferences, such as those near the main monuments and attractions, the beach or shopping districts, which I think is a nifty addition.

• Find the perfect hotel in your budget → 
• Find apartments →
• Search for resorts →
• Book a villa →
• Find local B&Bs →
• Search for guest houses →

HostelWorld

HostelWorld has always been my quick-fix travel resource for hostel bookings. However, I still cross-reference properties on other platforms such as Booking and Agoda – room allocation varies, and what you may find is booked up on one may not be on the other.

YHA Hostels

For a long time, YHA Hostels carried the ‘traditional youth hostel’ reputation while most others market an independent niche, theme, or modern style. However, with a £25 million investment, the face of YHA hostels across England and Wales changed with creative makeovers to its range of buildings, castles, mansions, and campsites.

I last stayed in the YHA London St Pancras. I got a private room right in the heart of London before an early flight – a cheaper and more sociable option than an airport hotel. Lounge spaces are funky, the atmosphere more inviting, and the food is cheap and plentiful. The bedrooms are still rocking that ‘school trip’ hostel look, and I hope in time that changes, but as a hostel chain emerging from a years-old bland reputation, I highly recommend giving YHA a chance.

Budget Hotel Brands with Style

Budget hotels don’t have to be bland, and there’s a rise in budget-boutique offerings on the market. It pays to shop around for deals when you book directly. For example, Point A Hotels (currently in the UK and Ireland) offers a 10% discount on every booking as a member, on top of seasonal sales. 

Also, consider the stylish budget brands of high-end hotels. Moxy is Marriot’s affordable offering, and Spark by Hilton is the global brand’s latest budget offering. 

Couchsurfing

Couchsurfing is a great travel resource for meeting people in new cities, since events and meetups are regularly listed, alongside general forums should you need any assistance. It’s worth having an account set up just for these things alone.

Websites for Working In Exchange for Free Accommodation

Are you on the road for a long time and want to conserve funds? Consider working in exchange for free accommodation and some meals. 

WWOOF’ing International

WWOOF’ing International links volunteers to organic farms and smallholdings where you can learn about ‘organic lifestyles’ in exchange for free food and accommodation. Each continent has its dedicated WWOOF (Willing Workers on Organic Farms) site that you need to sign up to, and lists an overview of the average minimum hours and how many opportunities are available.

Help Exchange

Help Exchange involves volunteering in exchange for free accommodation and food on farms, backpacker hostels, lodges, horse stables, and even sailing boats. It’s free to join, and you fill out a few simple infoboxes before searching for relevant job posts worldwide.

TEFL Certification

Thinking about getting a TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) qualification and using it on your travels to volunteer? A TEFL certification is a valuable skill, transferable in dozens of countries. Here’s what to know about using TEFL abroad for volunteering and everything you need to know to get started. 

Travel Resources for Finding Cheap Flights

It’s worth searching for flights across multiple platforms to find the best deals. You can also cross-reference the price directly on the flight operator’s website. Here are my go-to flight search sites. 

Skyscanner  is my default flight search platform, mainly because the comparison tool for prices and timings is easy to use, and since I’ve always found great deals through them. The iPhone app is just as handy too.

Momondo compares over 700 flight sites for the best deals, and I use it alongside Skyscanner to check for the best prices. It also has a great blog resource for extra inspiration.

WhichBudget

WhichBudget has been around for many years and was one of the first of its kind. After spending some time on the site I managed to find some similar flights deals to my other two go-to resources, with only small differences.

Opodo is another popular and well-established search engine for flights and is one of the platforms I use to cross-reference deals before making a final decision. I’ve always heard about money-saving hacks for flights when booking on specific days of the week and months of the year, and Opodo released a flight purchasing overview. It turns out that booking a flight on Saturday can make you save you around 4%. 

Travel Resources for Finding Cheap Rail Tickets

It’s always best to find the best train ticket booking platform once you are in a destination or head to the station directly to book tickets. However, there are some reliable information and booking platforms dedicated to train travel.

Worldwide Train Travel Tips: Seat61

Seat 61 is the ultimate train resource. This site has saved me on many occasions, especially in Asia, where language barriers have made finding out about train times and ticket bookings slightly difficult. The Man In Seat 61 details train times for almost every destination and includes ferry timings and other useful transit information.

READ MORE: For further insight on Europe rail travel, check out my Europe Train Travel Tips

Booking Trains in Europe: Omio

The great thing about  Omio (formerly GoEuro) is that you can plan your trip across multiple transport platforms, including flights, trains and buses, in Europe. For example, following some time in Germany, I wanted to source the quickest and cheapest way to get to Istanbul. A quick search on Omio told me to get a train from Dresden (where I was) to Berlin and a flight from Berlin to Istanbul. This handy Europe travel resource saves you a LOT of time, working out the best overall route, listing the cheapest to most expensive and shortest and longest route options.

Booking Trains in the UK: Network Rail & Trainline

I use Network Rail mainly for the timetables, as it lists all the routes and timings for all the trains across the UK.

I then revert to The Trainline to make a booking since it lists advance ticket discounts and money saved on choosing alternative times.

Round The World Trip Planning and Booking

Here’s how to book your RTW ticket and map out the optimal place to start and finish. 

Flight Centre

Flight Centre offers travel planning, advice, and booking services and is a widely connected resource with outlets worldwide. Normally, following a request, an agent will be assigned to you.

Travel Resources for Finding Comprehensive Travel Insurance

The most important thing you need to have with you while on the road is insurance. Read about finding the best travel insurance , including the common misconceptions of policies and the small print you might miss, then check out these top travel insurance providers. 

Safety Wing

Safety Wing is new to the travel insurance market and aims to build a global social welfare safety net. Alongside travel coverage, it also focuses on extensive medical travel insurance – a great option for those looking to work abroad or be in one place outside their home country for a while. Safety Wing’s other unique positioning is that it is made specifically for remote workers and digital nomads, where you don’t have to be on home turf to book your policy. Coverage policies are sold as 28-day auto-renewable subscriptions, with the option to cancel or pause anytime.

Covermore was my main insurance provider when I lived in the UK and the only provider who agreed to renew my policy after one year while on the road. I was able to extend for a further six months—after that, I couldn’t. Covermore offers comprehensive coverage, including personal items and electrical goods, as well as a huge list of adventure activities without a hideous excess charge. 

Help With Buying Travel Gear / Travel Packing

I’m often asked about what I pack for long trips, my top recommendations for equipment and my favourite and trusted travel brands. Being on the road for so long has meant testing out many items to find my top picks and knowing exactly what to pack. 

• For an extensive overview of what I pack for each trip, check out my list of the best travel gear, which I have tried and tested over the past decade.
• Are you looking to stay connected on the road? Check out my Travel Wifi Review . 

Finding the Best Pre-Paid Cash Travel Cards

Don’t lose money on high interest rates and conversion fees when using your normal bank card abroad. Research the right pre-paid travel cash card for you and which has the best rates when you apply. 

Travelex Money Card

Travelex Travel Money Card was my first prepaid cash card as the rates were once lower, loading money onto it straight from my bank account. It’s a more secure way of withdrawing money abroad and you are only charged a flat usage fee on purchases, which is much better value than traditional Credit and Debit cards.

I then reverted to  Caxton FX , which I’ve found is a lot easier to use. It has an instant cash load function, allows you to switch currency balances easily, and has an easier online user interface. It remains a popular choice among travellers.

Money Supermarket

Money Supermarket is easy to navigate and use. I use this website for all manner of quick comparisons, from the best savings accounts and credit cards to the best travel insurance deals. It is ideal for setting up a savings account before travelling and being financially prepared when you are on the road.

Travel Tips and Inspiration

Below are some travel resources I have written or which I recommend to help with saving, pre-planning and independent travel.

Travel and Money

• How to Financially Plan a Round The World Trip

Travel and Transport

• Handy Tips For Travelling Europe By Train
• Travel in Spain by Train – An AVE Guide

Travel Advice & Top Tips

• How to Tell Your Parents You Are Going Travelling
• Excuses Not to Go Travelling & How to Overcome Them
• Things a Solo Female Traveller Needs To Do Before Leaving
• Travel Insurance & Medical Conditions – A Guide
• Travel Insurance & Natural Disasters – A Guide
• A Traveller’s Review of TripAdvisor’s FlipKey Rentals
• 40 Best Gifts for Travellers – The Ultimate Travel Gift Guide
• Article Archives
• Work with me
• Privacy Policy

33 Travel Resources: The Best Tools for All Your Travels

After 22+ years of traveling and living abroad, we’d like to share with you our best battle-tested travel resources .

From the first steps of getting inspired to booking the best flight and from the safest way to pay to the easiest way to stay connected…

These are 33 travel tools that will help you plan and enjoy your trips to the fullest!

Use the icons for easier navigation.

Note : This article contains affiliate links . In case you purchase something through one of these links, we may receive a small commission at no extra cost for you. Thank you for helping us keep creating the free content on this website!

How to Find Your Next Destination

Use a combination of travel blogs, forums, videos, and guidebooks to get inspired and research your next destination.

We often get inspired for our next destinations by fellow travel bloggers.

We hope our website will help you choose your next trip as well. To start immediately, check our latest blog posts at 33 Travel Tips for the most actionable travel advice online!

Tip : If you don’t know where to find great travel blogs, try searching travel directories, such as itravelnet.com and davestravelcorner.com .

Where to Look for General Travel, Safety, and Visa Tips

Before even starting to plan your travels, get to know the current health, safety, and visa requirements .

Depending on where you’re from and what your destination is, some of the following travel resources might not be applicable. Nevertheless, they’re worth mentioning as you never know where your next adventure takes you.

• U.S. Department of State Travel Website . Check warnings, advisories, and current safety measures for all travelers.
• European Union’s Official Website – Schengen Visa Requirements . A list of all the visa requirements for visiting European countries in and outside the Schengen Area.
• Transportation Security Administration . Everything you need to know about security screenings and what you can and cannot bring on a flight.
• World Health Organization . The latest news about any ongoing disease or emergency.
• CDC’s Travel Page . Information about alerts and emergencies regarding international travel for U.S. citizens as well as other travelers visiting the United States.

Tip : If sieving through countless websites to find the information you need for your trip isn’t your cup of tea, let us do the heavy lifting for you. We’ll compile a handy travel checklist tailored to your needs, so you don’t have to waste time and money on boring research.

How to Find the Best Flights

Here are the top travel resources for finding the best flights to your chosen destination. Some will even give you great ideas about where to travel to depending on your budget , airport , and dates .

We recommend using at least two of them to have a better understanding of the available connections and price ranges.

• Google Flights . Hands-down the best starting point for any flight search. Currently, they even tell you the luggage policies on your selected connection.
• Omio . A great search engine for all possible connections between destinations – flights, trains, and buses.
• Kiwi.com . This travel tool is capable of finding some unbelievable hidden gems (we mean flights ).
• Momondo . The Explore function can locate the cheapest flights from a chosen airport. This might give you unexpected travel ideas to discover.
• Kayak . Similar to Momondo , we use Kayak mostly to find the cheapest flights from our nearest airport. Sometimes we just want to escape without a particular destination in mind.

And here are our tips for finding the best flights :

• Be as flexible with your dates as possible.
• The moment you find a fare that matches your budget , buy the ticket.
• Don’t forget your comfort needs . Traveling for 30+ hours with 4 connecting flights isn’t worth saving $50!
• Sign up for frequent flyer programs and airlines’ newsletters to receive their current promotions and travel deals.
• Set Google Flights alerts and track your preferred flights. Book the moment you know your dates and the price is right for you.

Tip : Use Wikipedia to search for your starting and destination airports. Then, check the list of airlines that serve them. You might find additional ideas for connecting or direct flights from nearby airports.

Where to Book the Best Accommodation

When searching for the best accommodation , use several different websites to compare prices and availability.

As with flights, book the moment you find a match for your dates and budget.

Our recommended accommodation booking sites are:

• Booking.com . It is probably the biggest accommodation booking search engine right now. You can find anything from luxurious villas and all-inclusive resorts to bungalows and city apartments.
• Hotels.com . Although not as huge as Booking.com , it sometimes has better deals for the same hotels. Additionally, you can sign up for their rewards program and earn free nights .
• AirBnB . In many destinations, renting an apartment from a local is a much better option than a hotel room. Make sure to read all reviews and choose hosts with impeccable records.

Where to Book the Best Tours and Day Trips

Do you want to save yourself the hassle of organizing every aspect of your trip yourself but still have some flexibility?

Why not join a few day trips or tours at your destination while planning everything else yourself?

Here are our favorite tour booking tools:

• Get Your Guide . Use Get Your Guide if you wish to book your tours/tickets in advance. Use it if you want to buy them last-minute as well. Whatever your travel style – well-prepared or spontaneous – it has you covered.
• Viator . Find activities for your next trip and book them comfortably with Viator . You can reserve your spot and pay later.

Tip : You can use these links to book entrance or skip-the-line tickets to almost any attraction as well. Also, there’s free cancellation up-to 24 hours prior to the booked activity.

How to Access Your Money on the Road

Although you can use credit and/or debit cards virtually anywhere in the world, there are situations when this is not the best payment option .

For example:

• Your bank may block your credit card because they notice a seemingly suspicious overseas transaction.
• The ATMs at your destination might charge exorbitant fees.
• It might be faster and safer to use a payment app than typing your credit card’s number online.

Here are several tools and services which will make paying for that delicious burrito or awesome show a breeze:

• Xoom . Use it for fast and secure transfers. In some countries, the ATM fees add up quickly. With Xoom, you can send money to yourself and receive it in a bank at your destination. The fees are much more affordable that way.
• Western Union . It’s not the cheapest way to send and receive money, but their offices are virtually everywhere. If, God forbid, you end up without a penny in your pocket, use them as a last resort for receiving emergency cash.
• WeChat . The multi-purpose app has you covered for messaging, social media, and payments. You might not use it at home, but if you’re traveling to China, that’s what you’ll need.

How to Find the Best Public Transportation Options

If you’re not renting a car and driving yourself, getting from one attraction to another or from one stop on your itinerary to the next can be tricky.

We use the following travel resources to find the available public transportation routes :

• Google Maps . Use its public transportation routing option.
• Discover Cars . Your own wheels can take you where public transport can’t. For the best deals, we recommend Discover Cars.

Tip : Timetables and routes aren’t constantly updated, except for big cities and popular destinations. Check the carrier’s website if unsure how recent the information is.

How to Score the Best Deals on Cruises

Do you want to score a good deal on a cruise vacation ?

The following travel resources have you covered:

• CruiseDirect . This search engine gives you not only extensive information on available cruises anywhere in the world but also provides special discounts available nowhere else .
• SeaRadar . Rent a yacht easily and enjoy your greatest sailing adventure.
• Marella Cruises . The leading UK cruise vacation provider, part of the TUI family.
• Iglu Cruise . Find amazing sailing and cruise holidays in every season.

How to Stay Connected While Traveling

Wanna check your boarding times on the road?

Or call your mom to tell her you’ve arrived safely?

Here’s the combo we use to stay connected while traveling:

• Surfroam – internet access for travelers . The only SIM card you’ll ever need on your travels. After trying a few options, we believe this is the best travelers’ SIM card for mobile internet.
• Viber . If you still need to make a phone call, you can bundle the mobile internet SIM card with a prepaid call-out credit from a VoIP app. Viber works best for us, but there are other options as well.

Why do we believe this is a great combo?

• You have only one SIM card for all your future trips.
• You don’t pay exorbitant prices to your home country’s mobile provider.
• You avoid buying a local prepaid card and ending up with unused credit .
• It’s extremely easy to check your remaining credit and top-up your card .
• It works in almost any country in the world . It even works in countries where most other travelers’ cards don’t!

Tip : If you have a SIM card from an EU member country, you can use it within the whole European Union without additional roaming charges .

The Best Travel Apps to Use During Your Trip

In addition to the above travel tools, use these apps at your destination to make the most out of your trip. With their help, you’ll navigate through any foreign country easily.

• Google Translate . We especially love the Conversation mode. You need to be online to use it – but you already know our recommended way to stay connected on the road 🙂
• Google Maps . Navigation has never been easier. Whether you need to find the way from your accommodation to the beach or how to travel from the airport to your hotel, Google Maps is invaluable. You can even download your destination’s map at home and use it offline.
• Google Lens . The visual search is amazing for figuring out what you’re looking at. No matter if it’s a menu in a foreign language, a stunning building, or an exotic flower.
• Currency Converter . When traveling, you constantly need to know how much you’re paying for your lunch or coffee. Or how much of the local currency you need to withdraw. Currency converter apps are a savior. We use the one from Oanda Corp. , but others will do the job as well.
• E-book Reader . Whether you want to read a novel on the beach or take a guidebook with you, Amazon Kindle is probably your first choice for e-book app/reader. However, e-books come in different formats. If your Kindle doesn’t support them, there’s also the Play Books app for your smartphone.
• VPN . Some countries block certain websites. For example, China is notorious for its Great Firewall . To access your favorite services, you’ll need a VPN app. Here’s a list of the ones we’ve used that you might find helpful as well:
• Hola Free VPN Proxy ,
• Tunnel Bear ,
• ExpressVPN ,

Tip : Download any necessary information for offline usage before your trip.

Which Travel Resources Do You Use?

These are our best battle-tested travel resources, tools, and apps .

We use them in the different stages of our travel preparation, as well as during our trips and holidays.

Did we miss a travel resource that you love?

Shoot us a message ; we’ll test it and share our opinion about it.

Happy travels and stay safe!

P.S. Overwhelmed by all the options and steps you need to do before enjoying your vacation? Let us do all the work for you! Book our expertise and profit from a customized travel itinerary , tailored exactly to your needs.

• New Zealand

41 Insanely Helpful Travel Planning Tools and Apps

Due to the global pandemic, travel looks different right now depending on where you're going from/to. Please check for travel restrictions and adhere to all local guidelines before planning a trip to any destination you may read about on this site.  Please note: this post may contain affiliate links. If you purchase something by clicking the links, I will get a small compensation, at no extra cost to you.

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Traveling can be overwhelming. Whether it’s the planning process up front, figuring out the details when you’re actually in your destination, or even settling the finances after the fact. Luckily, there’s an app for that! Turns out the saying is true, and even when it comes to all the nitty gritty details of travel planning, there really is an app for everything. These are the best travel planning tools to help make the process easier and put the power of organization at your fingertips!

Best Apps for Finding Flights

1. skyscanner.

Airfare is usually the culprit for the most expensive part of a trip. Luckily, there are a number of useful travel apps that can help you find cheap flights.

SkyScanner is one of the absolute best free resources for this! On their app, select the “Explore” tab at the bottom, input your home airport, and set the destination to “Everywhere”. For the date of travel, you can select the Whole Month, Cheapest Month, or Anytime to get the most flexibility.

Now SkyScanner brings up all the destinations that are cheapest to travel to! Just like that.

If you select a Destination from the list, it will show you a rundown of the cheapest travel dates and costs.

Once you find a cheap flight, I do recommend booking directly through the airline or through your travel credit card portal. Sometimes SkyScanner will direct you to some shady websites for booking and they often have poor ratings. Avoid them if you can!

Recommended by me (Alanna) from this blog (Periodic Adventures)

Hopper is a great, free app if you know your travel destination and a ballpark of (or exact) dates. It watches flight prices for you then notifies you when the lowest prices come up. It can also predict when the lowest fare will arise.

You can set up notifications so you don’t miss the deal!

Hopper is also helpful because it shows a color-coded calendar that displays the best priced days in green with the highest priced days in red. This helps give you ranges of dates that are lower priced than others.

This helpful tool is great if you’re traveling on a budget .

Apps to Find Accommodation

3. booking.com.

The app from Booking.com is definitely one of the best and most useful apps for traveling. With it, you will find the best accommodations all over the world.

The great thing is, the app is completely free and on top of that, has a great Genius (loyalty) program. That pays off if you travel often! The more often you book accommodations, the better the discounts, and there are often free upgrades and sometimes a free breakfast is included in the room rates.

Under “bookings” you’ll find all your bookings summarized. Very handy if you are planning a round trip, for example, or want to check the past bookings.

In addition to the practical accommodation search, you can also find a search function for car rentals. There is also a booking program for taxis (eg pick up from the airport, or from the ferry) and you can now even book excursions and entrance tickets. In principle, you have almost everything you need to organize a trip in one app – it doesn’t get much more practical than that!

Recommended by PlacesofJuma

One of the best free apps that you should be using for all of your travel planning is Airbnb. Airbnb is a well-known and popular free app that provides travelers the opportunity to book unique accommodations around the world. The online platform connects people who want to list or rent their property for short-term use. 

How it works is you search the app by filtering your results with your desired dates and destination. From there, you can browse the selection of accommodations and select the one that is the best fit for you.

Airbnb is ideal for a group of people traveling together. Depending on the type of Airbnb, it typically can be cheaper than hotels, especially for a large group splitting the costs. It also is beneficial for longer stays since you usually have access to a kitchen and have more space than a hotel room. 

Another feature Airbnb offers is experiences. They provide memorable activities hosted by a local tour guide in the destination you are visiting, such as a street food tour in Sicily, Italy. On the tour, you explore the local markets and taste the delicious and authentic Sicilian cuisine as you discover the magical streets of Palermo.  

Airbnb has been a reliable and incredible resource for travel planning over the last ten years. It helps you plan an epic vacation by finding those hidden gem accommodations and booking a one-of-a-kind local experience.

Recommended by Alisha from  Travel Today Work Tomorrow 

5. HostelWorld

If you are looking to book the perfect hostel while travelling , then one app you should always have on your phone is Hostelworld . With this free app , you can find a huge selection of hostels all around the world, keep track of all hostels and countries you have stayed in, and there is even a function to chat to travelers staying at the same accommodation as you beforehand. 

Especially as a solo traveler, it is a great idea to book your hostels with Hostelworld, as you can find a lot of information about what to expect at the hostel. You can find out if there are social common areas, see which activities the hostel is offering, and filter hostels based on your preferences to find the best hostel for you. 

Hostelworld makes it very convenient to book your next hostel on the go and keep track of all your booking information in one place. Most hostels also offer free cancellation, so it is easy to cancel them as well if your travel plans change unexpectedly.

Recommended by Becky from Beckspore Travel

Maps Apps so You’re Never Lost

The app Maps.Me is free to use for iOS, Android and BlackBerry users and serves as a GPS navigation app that every traveler should have installed on their phone. It includes worldwide maps and is the perfect open-source alternative to Google Maps and Apple Maps. Once downloaded on your phone, there is no need for an internet connection, and you never have to worry about saving mobile data during your travels again. There is also the possibility to save your favorite locations within the app and to share them with other people.

Another amazing feature of Maps.Me is the great amount of predesigned travel guides you can find within the app. Whether you are traveling in the city or wanting to explore the outdoors, Maps.Me provides numerous travel guides for your specific destination and routes. To sum it up, the offline usage, appealing design, and user-friendliness make Maps.Me an absolute must-have on every trip.

Recommended by Carolin from  happywhenabroad

7. Google Maps

While it may seem basic, Google Maps is inarguably one of the most helpful (and free! ) travel planning apps. Most people think of Google Maps primarily as a GPS tool to navigate between destinations, but it’s so much more than that. You can search for and compare prices at gas stations or pick the coffee shop with the absolute best reviews on your route.

Given its integration with the public transit systems of countless cities around the globe, from Rome to Tokyo, you can effortlessly figure out how to get around, whether or not you have a car.

Another handy tool is the ability to save or “pin” destinations within the app, which can be super helpful whether you’re trying to save cool hikes around your hometown or plan out the best stops along a road trip to the Utah national parks . Plus, if you’re headed someplace with spotty cell service, there’s even a way to download maps so you can access them- and a ton of information, like businesses’ opening hours- while you’re offline.

Whether you’re headed to the streets of Bangkok or going on an epic road trip through the United States, Google Maps is every traveler’s best friend.

Recommended by Jessica from Uprooted Traveler

Apps to Stay on Top of Your Travel Budget

8. travelspend.

TravelSpend is the handiest and easiest app to use for recording all of your travel expenditure. All you have to do is plug in how much you spent in the local currency and the app does the rest by translating the expenditure into your home currency. The app also allows you to categorise your spending so you can keep track of what you’re spending your money on. 

However, the best feature is its ability to set an overall budget for a specific length of time. The app will then work out your average expenditure per day to prevent you from going over budget. 

Whilst the basic version of the app is free, a premium version is available for £15.99 for the year or £1.33 per month . This will allow you to edit multiple documents/trips and eliminate ads (amongst other benefits) which the free version does not. However, there are constantly offers of up to 50% so it’s definitely worth keeping an eye out for these deals. 

Overall, this app is an absolutely god-send and allows you to keep track of all your spending no matter where you are in the world.

Recommended by Alex and Leah from Alex and Leah on Tour

9. XE Currency Converter

One of the most useful and free apps that you’ll (almost) always use when you’re planning a trip is a currency converter. 

Because especially in the planning phase, you are not familiar with the new currency yet.

An accommodation of, let’s say 2.319.000 Vietnamese Dong per night, doesn’t mean anything yet.

Can you afford that? Is it expensive? Or is it really cheap?

Sure, you can look up the exchange rate yourself, and you’ll find that one US dollar equals 23,190 Vietnamese Dong (meaning that your accommodation will cost 100 US dollars a night). But it’s so much easier if an app just does the calculation for you.

One of the most popular converter Apps is XE Currency Converter. It not only converts the number you put in straight away, but it also shows the exchange rates of the past. And this is information which you can use as soon as you arrive at your destination. When there is a good exchange rate with your home currency, it might be time to hit the ATM again and withdraw a large bulk.

Recommended by Lara from The Best Travel Gifts

Wise (previously called Transferwise) is a free app available on iOS and Android. Through the Wise app you can access a multicurrency travel card that can be loaded with multiple currencies and used around the world.

The app is particularly good for travelers who are visiting several different countries on their trips as it avoids the need to get cash out in different currencies. You can add the Wise card to your digital wallet and use Apply Pay or equivalent to purchase things while travelling. This means you don’t need to carry an extra physical card or cash so it’s great for security. However, you can order a physical card if you prefer to have that option too.

You can load up the card via bank transfer, Apple Pay, Google Pay or a range of other methods and the conversion rates at Wise are usually much lower than the rates at major banks or travel exchange companies. Wise is ideal for expats as you can use the app to transfer between bank accounts in different currencies for low fees.

Recommended by Kate from Kate Abroad

11. SplitWise

Planning a group trip can be incredibly difficult as is, so when it comes to splitting the cost, it can get confusing. But don’t worry, there is an app for that!

SplitWise makes splitting any bill incredibly easy! When I planned my family vacation to Disney World , I used it to figure out how much each family group owed and how much individuals owed.

To use the free app , you’ll need to add the people in your group and each expense. For each expense you can select who it was paid by and how you want to split the expense.

For this you can split equally between each person, split by exact amounts (if different people owe different amounts of the expense), split by percentages, split by shares (if you need to split by family or by night), and split by adjustment if certain people owe more than others.

Overall, this is such a useful app when you’re traveling in a group!

Useful Apps for Road Trips and Camping

12. roadtrippers.

If you are thinking about taking a road trip, one of the best travel planning apps you can invest in, is  Roadtrippers . Specifically designed to help you plan a road trip anywhere in the world, the Roadtrippers app will assist you with routes, accommodations, restaurants, attractions, gas, and so much more.

And whether you are creating your own road trip routes, or using one of the app’s pre-made trip guides, planning your adventure couldn’t be easier. You can even collaborate with other users to create joint itineraries when creating your trip!

And the advantages of using this app don’t end in the planning stages. While you are on the road, Roadtrippers will give you live traffic or road closure updates, estimate your arrival time, and suggest new routes if needed.

Unfortunately, the free version of this app no longer gives you enough waypoints to really create a decent road trip. The free version , however, will allow you to take the app for a ‘test drive’ and see if it’s the right fit for you.

If you decide to take the plunge, the $29.99 per year subscription fee for Roadtrippers Plus will give you full access to all the app’s great features. If you love road trips, then this app is definitely worth the small fee.

Recommended by Marianne from Pasta Pretzels and Passports

13. GasBuddy

GasBuddy is a free travel app used to find the cheapest gas prices in your area or along a travel route.

The app uses your location to find the closest gas stations and then displays the prices of each one. You can search for specific types of gas, such as regular, premium, or diesel. The app also has a feature that allows you to see the prices of gas stations nearby on a map, and you can even enter your destination and see prices along your route.

GasBuddy is an excellent tool for finding the cheapest gas prices, and it makes route planning convenient if you’re taking a road trip or traveling in an RV. You can even refer to the app for gas station reviews when selecting where to fill up.

In addition, GasBuddy offers its Pay with GasBuddy program. It’s also a good way to save on fuel costs because you can apply for a debit card that links to your checking account, which allows you to save up to 25 cents per gallon at participating gas stations.

The app is available for free on iOS and Android devices and is the perfect tool for saving money at the pump.

Recommended by Morgan from The Home That Roams

14. iOverlander

iOverlander is a must-have app for anyone taking a road trip or  driving abroad . It is an extensive, crowd-sourced database of places to stay and gas stations as well as border crossings on international itineraries. From wild-camping and unofficial car-camping spots to campgrounds and quality hotels, it offers more information than any other resource that tries to compete with it. 

The best part is that  iOverlander   is free to use . It does ask for donations though, so anyone who finds it helpful should consider giving even a small amount to help the site stay running. 

There is an iOverlander app. However, it is a bit limited. Most of the helpful information is on their website, which is pretty mobile-friendly. This can be cumbersome if you’re accessing it while driving. Instead, it’s best to do research on the site ahead of time or have a passenger do research while the driver focuses on the road.

Recommended by Brodi from Our Off Beat Life

15. Park4Night

Van lifers, campers, and road trippers: the next time you’re looking for a safe spot to catch some Z’s, consult Park4Night to find the best hidden gems. 

Pop open the map feature to browse the best overnight spots near you and check out its reviews (often featuring photos from past campers) to make sure the location fits your vibe. Filter your search by free or paid spots, parking lots or nature escapes, rest and picnic areas, campgrounds, accommodations, day-to-night parking, off-road spots, and whether or not you require services like water, power, toilets, etc. The app also allows you to organize the list by distance, creation date, locality, country, number of comments, and their rating. If you stumble upon a sweet spot, add it to the app for other users to enjoy too! 

If you’re venturing off-grid, consider upgrading to the paid option to unlock advanced features like their off-line mode, which allows you to download maps and use the app without an internet connection. You’ll also get a satellite map option, advanced search filters, no advertisements, and more.

Recommended by Eva from Wander in Raw

16. Campermate

The Campermate app should be at the top of your camping checklist   if you are visiting New Zealand and Australia and are taking a road trip, camping or campervanning.  It is completely free to download and is packed with useful features.

If you are camping or driving a motorhome, you can find freedom campsites (free), local campgrounds, dumpsites, showers, access to water etc. You can even find good campervan day parking and filter by the type of campsite you are looking for. It is extremely easy to use and the search by map feature is fast and simple.

Even if you are just taking a road trip, the app is super handy.  You can find public toilets, fuel stations, rubbish bins, playgrounds, EV charging stations and even road warnings.  

It also has a great community where you can review and comment on the locations, for example if a dump station is often full, or a campsite is noisy, providing great extra information to make your road trip decisions.

Written by Jennifer Parkes from Backyard Travel Family: Active Family Travel Specialists in New Zealand

Recommended by Jennifer Parkes from Backyard Travel Family

17. WikiCamps

Wikicamps is an essential travel planning app for campers or campervanners.  The app is available for different regions, each technically with its own paid app .

Separate Wikicamps apps can be found for the USA, Canada, UK, New Zealand, and Australia, with the cost ranging from $1.99-4.99 .

It is an invaluable tool when  campervanning New Zealand , or on a US road trip, for example. It can help you discover free places for boon docking safely or find a campsite with full facilities if you’re in desperate need for a shower! As it has the option to work offline, you can research on the go without having to worry about cell service.

In addition to helping you find both paid and free campsites, it’ll also help you discover places you can find water taps, points of interest, cell service, showers, dump sites and more. As the content is user-generated, it provides one of the largest databases of camp-related amenities and it is regularly updated. You can read real-person reviews on each site, helping you to plan your travels effectively and find plenty of hidden-gems along the way.

Recommended by Sophie and Adam from We Dream of Travel

18. Campendium

Campendium is a helpful app for RVers and tent campers alike. It is most commonly used for finding campsites (both free and paid) but there are a lot of extra helpful features in the app as well. There is both a free and paid version . 

The free version of Campendium allows you to search for campsites with filters for price, distance and reviews. It primarily shows public land, RV parks, parking lots that allow overnight parking, and dump stations. Each campsite shows the amenities provided, the cost, and has detailed reviews from other campers letting you know everything about the location…both the good and the bad. 

The paid version which is available with a Roadpass Pro account provides extra features like smoke map overlays, cell coverage overlays, cell service reports, hiking trails, and more. It c osts $49.00/year but does have a 7-day free trial. 

If you are looking for  amazing boondocking locations  or just need a helpful app to find the best campsites, Campendium is an excellent option. 

Recommended by Janae from Adventures with TuckNae

19. The Dyrt

This is a very helpful app for road tripping and hiking. “The Dyrt,” as it’s called, is a camping app with thousands of campgrounds in the United States for tents, RVs, trailers, glamping, and more.

One of the most handy features of this app is the map and filter of all nearby campgrounds, making it easy to find somewhere to stay in the area where you’re traveling. It also has lots of campground pictures and reviews from other travelers, as well as a bunch of info and details about each campground’s amenities like showers, picnic tables, trash disposal, cell phone reception, WiFi, and more.

The  Dyrt app is free , but there’s also a paid version for $35.99 per year . The main difference in the paid version is a trip planner and offline search, plus discounts at more than a thousand campgrounds across the United States. If you’re not sure about the paid version, they also offer a 7 day free trial so you can check it out before buying!

Recommended by David & Intan at The World Travel Guy

Apps for the Outdoors

20. alltrails.

AllTrails is a hiking app that has various features that help you get the most out of your outdoor adventures! The app helps you discover new hiking trails, find information about trails, read reviews of trails, track your outdoor activities, and stay safe while in the outdoors. 

The best part about AllTrails is that it’s community based. Through the app you’re able to connect with other outdoor enthusiasts and share your experiences. This is a fantastic feature because it means you can access real-time information. For example, reading through the recent reviews will provide you feedback about the trail as well as helpful info about its current conditions. 

Another great feature of AllTrails is how easy the app makes it to find trails that are near you. When traveling, the app will show you trails that are close to your location, so you’re able to discover trails that you otherwise may not have known about. 

The free version of AllTrails is totally sufficient for most people. The paid version, AllTrails Pro, costs $29.99 per year . It’s ideal for people who spend time outdoors regularly, especially in regions that are remote, because AllTrails Pro provides many offline features.

Recommended by Erin from Pina Travels

Related read → How to plan foolproof hiking itineraries

21. Recreation.gov

Do you love spending time outdoors and taking trips in nature? If so, you’ll definitely want to check out the recreation.gov app to help you plan adventures on federally managed land in the U.S! This app is great for finding information about national parks, national forests, lakes, rivers, and other federally managed recreational areas. It’s really easy to use and can help you plan your next outdoor adventure.

You can use the recreation.gov app to find  camping in National Parks . You can also apply for permits and lotteries or buy tickets for tours. This handy app makes trip planning a breeze – you can book campsites, apply for backcountry permits, and more in no time.

So, if you love recreating on federal lands in the U.S., this app will help you plan fantastic outdoor adventures.

Plus, the app is totally free to download and easy to use. Get started planning your next adventure today— download the recreation.gov app!

Recommended by Ashlee from The Happiness Function

22. National Park Service

If you love exploring the  US National Parks , you absolutely need to download the NPS app! With this app you’ll have access to information about all the National Parks, National Monuments, and National Historic sites! There are more than 400 sites on the app, and it’s all completely FREE !  Its free to download the app, and there are no in-app purchases either! 

You can use the app in three different ways.  The first way is if you know where you want to go already.  Just type in the name of the Park, and all of the information will pop up. From this screen, you can see what the hours are, the fees and any important notifications like closures or permits. You can also see what there is to do at that park, such as hikes, or drives, and what services are offered there.  

The other way to use the app, is if you are exploring somewhere new, and just want to see if there are any sites nearby that may interest you.  You can open the app, turn on your location and ask the app to find parks near you.  This is a fun way to find National Park Hidden Gems when you are traveling! 

The final way to use the NPS app is to use it to learn more about the parks, plan trips and keep track of which parks you have visited. There are areas to add personal lists, like favorites, or places you want to visit. You can also watch webcams from different parks to help you learn more about them.  

The best feature of the app, and what makes it a must have, is the ability to download information.  Most often, while in a National Park, you will not have good cell service or wifi.  The NPS app lets you download all of the information you’ll need so you have access to it even when you don’t have service.  You will be able to locate hiking trails, services, visitors centers, and maps even when you don’t have service.  This is so much easier than taking screen shots of different things you need, and then trying to find them all later! 

Recommended by Chantelle from Flannels or Flip Flops

The Komoot maps, outdoor navigation, GPS tracking and trail & route guide helps you discover off the beaten path destinations and prevents you from potentially dangerous mistakes when traveling in Nature.

Komoot is a freemium model and you’ll get 1 free region to download to your phone so you can navigate even without mobile service.  With mobile service you can use all regions.

The user interface is phenomenal and you can also publish your routes to its social network to stay up to date with your friends’ adventures. 

It includes routes for hiking, bike touring, mountain biking, road cycling and running.  

If you want to download more regions they are $3.99 each or $29.99 for the entire world .  If you want full access to plan multi day bike or hiking trips, it costs $59.99 per year and it will also include the maps of the entire world. 

Recommended by Morgan Fielder from Crave the Planet

24. Tide Times

Going on a coastal journey of any sort, understanding your tide times is an absolute must! Many beaches can be impassable at high tide, or natural phenomena you’ve driven out of your way to see only possible to view when its low tide or vice versa. Whether you’re camping and on foot, making road-tripping stops, or seeking out the day’s biggest swell, My Tide Times is a simple but invaluable daily planning app for travelers.

The great part is, My Tide Times App is free and easy to use . With location services on it will automatically display the tide times at your nearest coastal location, or you can search over 30 countries using 9000 weather stations.

The app allows you complete control whether you use feet or meters, kilometers or miles, and 12 or 24-hour clock, as well as the ability to change the underlying map and contrast if you’re hard of sight.

Tide Times is great not just for the current day’s information but up to 2 months in advance if you’re a true planner! You additional get sunrise and sunset times along with moon information and swells to completely capture the most important points of every day while you travel.

Recommended by Family Road Trip

25. My Aurora Forecasts and Alerts

If you are planning to visit Norway or  Iceland during winter  to see some of the best Northern Lights, make sure to download this app. My Aurora Forecast & Alerts is perfect not only for professional Aurora watchers but also for those who would love to see this natural phenomenon for the first time.

This free app is simple to use and will notify you when there is a huge chance of seeing the Northern Lights in your current location. You can also check the long-term forecast to see which days are the best to watch the sky at night. 

In the My Aurora Forecast & Alerts app, you will see a few diagrams showing cloud coverage, solar wind, density, etc. It also shows the best Northern Light locations in real-time, so if you are planning a spontaneous trip to see Aurora Borealis, look no further than My Aurora Forecast & Alerts.

Recommended by Paulina from ukeveryday

Reliable Transportation Apps

26. citymapper.

When traveling to a new city, navigating the public transportation system can be daunting. However, there are now many apps that can help make transportation planning easier. One of the most popular is Citymapper.

Citymapper is a popular transportation planning app that is available for cities around the world. It provides information on public transportation options, including bus, train, and subway routes and schedules. Citymapper also offers walking directions to help users get to their destinations.

If you’re planning a trip to a new or unfamiliar city, consider downloading Citymapper. The app is free to download and use , and it is available for iOS and Android devices.

To use the app, simply enter your destination and the app will show you the best routes to take, with a recommended route. You can also view information on transit times such as when the bus or train will arrive, how much it’ll cost, and how long it’ll take you to get to your destination.

One con to the Citymapper app is that it’s only set up for medium to large cities mostly in Europe and the United States. So before you go, double-check that Citymapper has the information for your destination city for easy traveling and creating memorable experiences .

Recommended by Pafoua from Her Wanderful World

27. Ridesharing apps around the world

An essential part of travelling is getting around the place you are visiting.  For some destinations public transport or walking is suitable, but there’s no doubt you’ll find a time when you need to book a taxi or private driver.

In some destinations you can simply wave down a taxi, but in many places taxis can be less frequent, not to mention dishonest. Ridesharing apps remove the stress of negotiating and finding a driver by handling the entire process on your phone.

Ridesharing apps vary in prices and uptake all around the world.  Regions like Southeast Asia will be a lot cheaper with rides costing as low as $1 in places like Cambodia.

The global market leader in ridesharing apps is of course Uber .  Having this app installed on your phone is a must regardless of where you’re heading as it’s the most widely used app.  This should be the first app you check wherever you are.

Lyft is the main competitor to Uber and works in pretty much the same way, however, coverage is limited to only North America.

Grab is the market-leader in Southeast Asia and is a great alternative to Uber.  Being tailored to this region means you can also order food, scooter rides / rentals and hire a driver by the hour within the app. This makes getting to  activities in Singapore , Vietnam or Indonesia incredibly simple with Grab.

Gojek is Grab’s largest competitor in Southeast Asia and offers comparable services – it’s worth having both installed if you’re in this region.

Finally, Bolt is a major player in the ridesharing space throughout Africa and Europe .

Recommended by Delilah from Our Travel Mix

28. Rome2Rio

Rome2Rio is an essential travel planning app for helping you determine the best way to get from point A to point B for your schedule and budget.   It’s a huge time saver when doing travel planning.  Plus, it’s free !

Let’s say that you want to travel from London to  Paris .  You just enter your origin and destination cities and your desired travel date into the app.  Then Rome2Rio works its magic and provides you with a comprehensive list of all of your transit options. 

In this example, Rome2Rio came up with eleven different ways to get to Paris—everything from trains, to flights, to rideshare, to driving and using the car ferry.  The app lists the travel time and cost ranges for each option.  It also flags a recommended option (in this case, the train) and the cheapest option (in this case, the bus).

Once you’ve selected your preferred method of transit, drill down to learn more details (for example, to view the train schedules).  Continue to drill down and you will be transferred through to a sister site (Omio, Expedia, blablacar), where you can purchase your tickets.

Recommended by Lisa Garrett of Waves and Cobblestones

Related read >> 4 day Paris itinerary

29. Wanderu

Wanderu  is the easiest one-stop shop to find, compare, and book cheap bus or train tickets anywhere in the US and Europe. It’s the perfect, free app for planning cheap transportation between cities in advance, but also comes in handy when plans change unexpectedly. Instead of paying an arm and a leg for a last-minute flight, you can purchase a bus or plane ticket for a fraction of the price.

All the big names in ground travel, including Greyhound, Amtrak, MegaBus, VIA Rail Canada, and so many more partner with Wanderu to help make buying tickets simple. With so many different carriers, you’ll find that most routes have a variety of different schedules, amenities, and, most importantly, prices. When you book through Wanderu, you’ll get your ticket via the carrier’s website with the best possible price and no additional fees. 

Wanderu can also help find car rentals and cheap hotel rooms once you’ve got your trip.

All in all, Wanderu is the best app for last-minute adventures or planning your next trip on a budget. 

Recommended by Rachel from Bucket List Places

Essential Communication Tools for Traveling

Yolla is an app that I accidentally stumbled upon when I was frustrated in a foreign country and I have used it many times since then. It’s an app that helps you call a local number to any country for a lot more affordable price than using roaming services or calling from your local sim card in your current location.

It saved me so much money when I had to call my bank when my bank card was blocked in France. I was able to call airlines to fix my travel booking during the height of the pandemic.

After installing the free app , you can add credits using your bank cards or PayPal. Depending on the payment method, you can top up from $5, $10, and up without other extra fees and it doesn’t expire. Once it’s ready, simply type in the number you are calling including the country code. You have to be connected to the internet to use the app.

Recommended by Elizabeth of Three Week Traveller

31. Polar Steps

Family and friends, you gotta love ’em. And you do! But when travelling away from your loved ones it can be overwhelming attempting to keep everyone updated on your adventures. You want to share the fun things you’re doing and the magical places you are going, but when do you have the time? You are focusing on your adventure!

Enter Polar Steps, the best free travelling app for keeping the important people in your life apprised of your adventures, without having to inform them one by one!

Sure, social media can do the same, but not everyone’s grandmother or best friend is online anymore. By sharing your unique link, your friends can view the travels and photos you post in the app without being required to sign in to the app, have a Facebook account, or wade through any other information paywalls.

It also has a range of privacy settings, so you can limit who can see your link and whether they can see your future plans or just where you’ve visited so far. You are in full control of the information you share!

The added trip planning features and local guide info make Polar Steps one of the best travelling apps to take with you, wherever you go.

Recommended by Shev from Shev Strolls

32. Google Translate

One of the best travel apps is Google Translate. It’s extremely helpful when traveling to a country where you don’t speak the native language. Google Translate covers more than 50 languages, which is great for international travel.

Google Translate is a free app and you should definitely download it prior to leaving on your trip. When traveling internationally to a place where you don’t speak the language, learning a few key phrases are helpful. For everything else, there’s Google Translate.

The app can help you communicate directly from person to person by listening and translating via voice. You can also take photos in the app and it automatically downloads to your preferred language. This is helpful for street signs, menus and more!

Whether you’re enjoying the  best beaches in Manuel Antonio , Costa Rica, exploring the famous shrines in Kyoto, Japan or marveling at the incredible coast in Cinque Terre, Italy, you’ll want Google Translate on your phone!

Recommended by Nikki from She Saves She Travels

33. WhatsApp

WhatsApp is the go to communication app for millions around the world. What sets it apart is that it sends texts and makes calls solely through WiFi. This means you don’t need to worry about SIM cards or an international data plan when communicating between countries.

Another perk of WhatsApp is that it is fully encrypted so not even the app itself can see your messages. You can send your location securely through the chat as well as photos, videos, and voice messages.

The best part is that WhatsApp is completely free !

This app was essential for my Birthright group trip to Israel and I’ve used it to communicate with my family who were traveling in India and Thailand at the same time!

Other Helpful Travel Tools and Apps to Add to Your Arsenal

34. find me gluten free.

For some this may not be the most popular or important travel planning app you’ll read about in this list, but for those travelers with food sensitivities, it definitely is. The most critical and important part of travel planning for those with food sensitivities like celiac disease or non-celiac gluten sensitivity is, w here can we eat?

While some destinations clearly cater to food allergies and sensitivites (like   Topolino’s Character Breakfast at the Riviera Resort in Walt Disney World), it can be hard to know which places will be food allergy friendly. The Find Me Gluten Free app helps take the guesswork out of choosing celiac friendly restaurant locations.

They have both a free and a paid (premium) version . The premium subscription is $19.99 USD per year which allows for no ads, specialty filters, and more. The great thing about this app is that it’s mainly being used by a community of other celiac or gluten sensitive people. With this the reviews have more value and tackle pertinent questions. So, be sure to download this app. 

Recommended by Dr. Rachel from TheRxForTravel.com

35. Day One

Day One is an easy-to-use journal app. First created in 2011, this iOS app is also available for Android phone users on Google Play. Day One is a free app with a subscription for additional features called Day One Premium ($34.99/yr) . You can use it with iPhones (free version) and sync with iPads, Macs and Apple Watches (premium version). 

The best things about this app are its simplicity and versatility. You can write a long journal each day or simply take a photo with a short, descriptive sentence. 

The premium version bumps it up a notch. You can use the automatic location and weather logging, create multiple journals, incorporate video clips, add sounds, and use tags to categorize journal entries creating a powerful search tool. 

Day One Premium also provides unlimited encrypted storage to ensure all data and entries are kept private and secure. You can save or export your journal in a PDF file or order a printed book of all your journal entries (for an extra fee).

Start writing and add a photo from your camera roll. It’s as simple as that. You can easily revisit the journey via timeline, media grid, or calendar view.

Recommended by Megan from Time.Travel.Trek.

36. Get Your Guide

Get your Guide  is a fabulous traveling app that allows you to book day trips and excursions online. This means no more visiting an agent and negotiating the price and terms. You also don’t have to wait till you reach your destination, you can plan and pre-book before your trip.

Get your Guide is particularly helpful with  destinations in Europe  and North America, but also covers other popular tourist places around the globe. Apart from excursions, you can also book specialized guided tours by locals (e.g. food tours), airport transfers, admission tickets to attractions, and hop-on hop-off bus tickets. From browsing to booking, the whole user experience of the app is fluid and effortless.

Similar to TripAdvisor, in Get Your Guide you can see ratings and reviews for the tours, so even if you don’t book with the app, you will still get helpful insights to help you plan.

The app is available for free in the play store and the apple app store, you only have to pay for booking the tours.

Recommended by Vidyut from Triplyzer

37. TripCase

TripCase is a fantastic free app that is intended to take the pressure off organizing your next trip! This app is available on both iOS and Android and it helps organize all your travel details into one location.

Forget searching through your email account for your hotel confirmation or looking up your flight status on Google, TripCase manages all these details for you.

With TripCase, as soon as you book your flights, hotels or transportation, you can forward the confirmation email to [email protected] from the email linked to your account. The intelligent app then pulls your travel details into your account and consolidates these bookings into their corresponding trips.

In TripCase you can review your trip’s upcoming itinerary and easily ensure accommodation and transportation are booked for each leg of your trip by reviewing the ‘timeline view’ which provides a high-level overview of which activities or transportation you have booked on which date.

One of the best features is the flight status updates. The app will track your upcoming flight, letting you know which terminal and gate the departure is from and will send out notifications if there is a change to your flight.

This app is so handy in organizing all the small details of your upcoming trip that it is a must-have for all travel lovers!

Recommended by Roxanne from Wild About BC

38. PackPoint

Figuring out what to pack for your destination is always a challenge but packing just got a lot easier with PackPoint. PackPoint is a free mobile travel planning app for iPhones and Androids. 

The simple interface makes it user-friendly to create a custom packing list based on a multitude of factors, including the weather forecast of your destination, trip length, activities you’ll be doing, and even whether or not you will be doing laundry.

What makes PackPoint so helpful is the detail in which it can generate your custom packing list. Once you tap Begin Packing, you’ll have a complete packing list that takes into account all the variables you’ve inputted about your trip!

You can continue to customize the list by adding your own items or deleting suggestions provided by the app that don’t fit your personal needs, helping you maximize space in your suitcase . And you can stay organized by checking each item off within the app as you pack! 

To customize your trip even more and have access to integrations with the apps Tripit and Evernote, you can pay $2.99 for PackPoint Premium .

Recommended by Michela from She Goes the Distance

A helpful app that most travelers probably overlook is a period tracker app. While ‘time of the month’ apps tend to be used by those looking to track their ovulation calendar to help aid pregnancy, these apps can also be used by people who want to know when their period is due, so they can plan accordingly.

Women’s health apps, such as Flo, provide various options to track menstruation, predict cycles, and record symptoms. This allows you to get to know your body a little bit better.

Knowing when to expect symptoms such as cramps and tenderness can help you plan comfortable trips. In addition, some travelers may prefer to avoid certain activities while on their period, so they will find the predictions helpful.

For example, if you use a menstrual cup and are working out the best time to do a multi-day  East Coast road trip  in an RV with no running water, you might consider the road trip outside of your period window. 

Flo, and other health apps, are available on IOS and Android and tend to have a free tier with adverts and a premium option to remove ads. Flo has a 1-month subscription for $9.99, 3-month subscription for $19.99, 6-month subscription for $39.99, 1-year subscription for $49.99. 

Recommended by Amanda from Hey! East Coast USA

40. Wanderlog

The Wanderlog app is a fantastic app that allows you to cut down on the various travel apps you’re currently using by being a conclusive app. It manages your itinerary, lodging, flight overview, and route management to ensure you’re saving time on transportation.

This app is also great because you can see top-tier guides and itineraries related to the place you’re visiting; this is essential to make sure you’re not missing out on any crucial and unique excursions.

Another noteworthy helpful point is this app recommends places to explore, optimal routes, and highly rated restaurants of various styles.

Wanderlog is a free app that can be used for most of the planning portion. However, you’ll be missing out on valuable features such as using the app while offline, real-time flight deal notifications, optimization of travel routes, and importing of lodging, flights, and rentals via your Gmail. Access to these premium features will cost $49.99 annually and is well worth the price due to the well-rounded features that allow you to eliminate using multiple sources. All in all, this travel app is a must-have for planning your next trip. 

P.S. Make sure to tag a friend in your planning as it allows tripmates to be added.

Recommended by Sierra and Yesenia from The Sisters Who Voyage

41. Theme park apps

If you’re planning to visit a theme park during your travels you should absolutely add the park’s app to your phone before your trip.

For example, the Walt Disney World app allows you to manage your group’s plans, reserve Genie+, schedule dining reservations, and more!

You can even download the Play Disney Parks app to have interactive experiences around Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge (Batuu).

Another great perk of these apps is ride wait time monitoring.

When I visited the Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Orlando , I found it very helpful to set wait time notification so if the wait time for specific rides dropped below a certain time, the app would let me know. No more waiting in long lines, when the wait time will be shorter later!

Looking for more planning resources?

• How to plan a trip with a step-by-step walkthrough
• Tips for finding the best things to do on your vacation
• Useful tips for traveling cheap
• Ideas for how to travel as a college student
• How to plan out your vacation budget using Microsoft Excel
• Walkthrough on how to plan a local trip

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My Travel Essentials

• Travel Insurance  – Going on an international trip? Don’t forget travel and medical insurance with SafetyWing .
• Travel Card  – If you’re new to travel hacking, fear not! My favorite card for beginners gives you $750 in rewards when you spend $4,000 in the first 3 months, plus lounge access, 10x points on hotel bookings, and free TSA pre-check!
• Get Your Guide  – Check out Get Your Guide for a one-stop-shop for booking travel activities.
• Booking.com  – This is my favorite hotel search aggregator, specifically for reading reviews. On Booking.com , the reviews can be searched for keywords like WiFi, breakfast, pool, amenities, etc.! So helpful!
• Anti-pickpocket bag – Worried about having your valuables swiped? PacSafe makes the best travel bags with zippers and straps that lock and with mesh steel enforced fabric.
• Give the Gift of Travel  – This is the perfect gift for travelers in your life! Tinggly allows you to gift experiences around the world, perfect for birthdays, weddings, or anniversaries.
• Staycation Idea  – Check out Resort Pass , which gives you day passes to resorts so you can use their pool, spa, and fitness center, a great staycation idea!

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Alanna Koritzke

Recent PhD graduate and hyper-planner of Periodic Adventures, my goal is to share travel inspiration, budget tips, detailed guides, and fun travel stories!

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I definitely need to check out some of these apps. Do you also have a find Veggie/Vegan restaurants app?

I’ve heard good things about HappyCow for finding vegan spots, but it does cost $3.99 to download. Probably worth it though!

Fabulous post! I’m familiar with many of them and was delighted to find some new ones I didn’t know about before.

I’m glad to hear that Heather!

Such a helpfull post, thank you for sharing it. I know some of these apps, but I found out that there are some other apps I have to download!

I’m glad to hear that! happy to help!

what a great list! Would also recommend ATM Fee Saver – it helps find fee free and lower fee ATms abroad along with withdrawal limits for foreign card holders, use it quite a bit, helps in saving up on those costs! Worth adding to your list!

Ooh yes, great addition! That’s certainly helpful!

Caroline Smith

Your blog is not just a guide; it’s a travel companion. The practical tips and advice make it clear you’ve been there and done that. I appreciate the insider insights that will undoubtedly enhance my travel experience.

I’m so glad to hear that!

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Travel Resources

After years of full-time travel, I’ve tried out tons of different travel websites, gear and resources.  I’ve spent hours each week trying to figure out how to travel cheaper and better. This is a collection of the best travel resources when it comes to transportation, accommodation, gear, travel insurance, and more.

All of these items listed here are products that I have personally used and recommend to others. Here we go!

Booking Cheap Travel

Skyscanner for flights.

Not all airlines show up in all flight search engines. They do in Skyscanner. My favorite thing about Skyscanner is that it has “everywhere” as a destination option. Perfect when you want to see where you can fly for cheap! You can also choose an entire country, i.e. fly to Italy. Skyscanner also lets you search within a full month if you have flexible dates.

Omio for trains

Omio is an easy one-stop shop for booking cheap train travel. While many countries require you to go through their own websites, often in different languages, Omio keeps it easy and helps you book your flights for cheap.

RentalCars.com for rental cars

RentalCars.com shows you all the car rentals available across a variety of platforms, making sure you get the cheapest price every time.

Booking Accommodation

Booking.com for hotels.

Booking.com is what I almost always use to book hotels. Excellent selection of hotels, great interface, usually very low prices, and no fees.

TrustedHousesitters for house sitting

House sitting is a great way to travel on the cheap — you receive free accommodation in exchange for taking care of people’s homes and pets while they’re away. TrustedHousesitters has the largest selection of all the house sitting directories, and they vet all users for safety.

Booking Tours

G adventures for group tours.

G Adventures is the one tour provider that I’ve traveled with and recommend. They’re great for solo travelers, they keep their groups small, and they’re sustainability-minded. They have cool tours all over the world .

JayWay Travel for custom private tours in Europe

JayWay Travel builds custom tours for independent travelers in Central, Eastern, and Southern Europe. They are great for planning trips to tougher destinations, or if you want something special. I’ve worked with them in Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Ukraine.

Booking Activities

Airbnb experiences for tour, and activities and cheap photo shoots.

All kinds of tours and experiences by local guides. I find that they tend to have unique and enthusiastic individuals as guides, rather than big organizations. Airbnb Experiences is a great cheap alternative for photo shoots but the quality often isn’t as good as Flytographer.

GetYourGuide for tours and activities

A fabulous selection of fun tours and activities all over the world. I find that GetYourGuide tends to pick out the best stuff.

Viator for tours and activities

The greatest collection of tours around the world — food tours, day trips, transfers between cities, anything. Whatever you’re looking for, they’ve got it.

Couchsurfing for meetups

I don’t use Couchsurfing for its original purpose, cheap accommodation — instead, I use Couchsurfing to find local meetups and events in different cities.

Meetup.com for meetups

Meetup.com has meetups for everything you could possibly be interested in.

Travel Insurance

World nomads.

World Nomads travel insurance is great and can be extended as many times as you’d like, reporting claims is simple, and the site is easy to navigate. As with all insurance, be sure to read the fine print and make sure it’s right for you.

Money While Traveling

Charles schwab — if you’re american.

If you’re an American who travels frequently, you should use Charles Schwab for your debit card. Almost every American I know does. They refund all ATM fees at the end of the month (including pricey international ATM fees) and they don’t charge foreign transaction fees. You’ll never search for an in-network ATM again.

Transferwise — all nationalities

You should always have a backup debit card hidden in your luggage while traveling, and if you don’t have one, I recommend opening an account with Transferwise. You can have accounts in different currencies and they are the absolute BEST for receiving international transfers. And they give you a contactless card, which is very important to have if you’re traveling Europe (many public transit systems in Europe only take contactless cards).

(For people who work online and take international payments, Transferwise is a must — roughly half of my international transfers to my Schwab account don’t go through.)

Chase Sapphire Preferred Visa

The best travel credit card for most people — big sign-up bonuses (often 100,000 points), and Chase Ultimate Rewards never expire and can be transferred into dozens of different partners’ points systems. A great starter point card before you move onto even bigger bonuses.

Other Helpful Travel Sites

Probably my favorite travel site out there — Rome2Rio shows you all the different ways to get between two cities. Especially useful in Europe.

This incredibly comprehensive guide is chock full of information on train and overland travel around the world. Want to know how to get around a certain country? Seat61 will tell you.

The Points Guy

My favorite resource for navigating the world of earning free travel through points and miles and finding out current deals. The Points Guy tends to report deals before anyone else!

FlightsFrom

I’ve been waiting for this site for years — it lists exactly where you can fly nonstop from every airport. Essential for people who want as few connections as possible.

Travel Gear

Pacsafe portable safe.

This is the #1 product I recommend my readers buy. If there’s no safe in your lodging, put your belongings in here and lock it to the sturdiest thing in your room. Use it with a quality combination lock  so you don’t have to worry about losing the key.

Osprey Sojourn 60L  

This wheeled backpack is what I use for most long-term trips today. The Osprey Sojourn is built like a tank: it is so strong and sturdy, yet not too heavy. While it can technically be worn as a backpack, I prefer to use it as a rolling suitcase.

eBags Medium Packing Cubes  and Flight 001 Spacepak

Packing cubes are amazing — they let you pack more efficiently, fit in more than you thought you could, and “unpack without unpacking.” The eBags ones are long and narrow and I use one for tops, one for bottoms, and one for underwear, bras, bathing suits, and socks. I use the flat Spacepak for dresses and larger items.

LowePro Fastpack 250

This is my day bag — it holds my technology and photography equipment, as well as my valuables, and never leaves my side while in transit. My favorite part is the laptop slot on the side, which makes airport security so much faster!

Safety Whistle

This is an important safety item. A loud whistle brings attention. If you’re trapped under something, if you’re lost or isolated, if you’re endangered, using your whistle will alert people to your location.

Rubber Doorstop

Another safety item. If you have a private room, you’ll have a lock, but just in case, shoving a doorstop beneath the door will make it difficult for people to enter your room. Just in case.

Abeo B.I.O.system Balboa Metatarsal Flip-Flops  and Tevas Tirra Sandals

I need to wear supportive shoes due to arch issues in my right foot, and these are the two kinds of sandals that I can wear comfortably. I live in the Abeo flip-flops when in warm climates; the Tevas are very light and perfect for more athletic activities.

Travel Photography

Nikon d5100 camera  and tamron 17-50 f/2.8 lens.

I’ve been using this combination for my photography since April 2013. It’s a good combination for your first DSLR, and it’s worked for me so far, though I do plan to upgrade to a better model within the next year.

SanDisk 32 GB Memory Cards

SanDisk builds quality memory cards. I recommend getting at least two, just in case something happens to one of them.

All-in-One Memory Card Reader

Don’t even think of plugging your camera into your computer! This memory card reader will fit cards of all sizes and make an easy transfer to your computer.

Adobe Photoshop Lightroom

Lightroom is my primary photo editing software, and now both Photoshop and Lightroom are available in a set for just $10.99 per month.

Technology and Digital Resources

Macbook pro.

There used to be a debate about whether a Macbook Air or Macbook Pro worked better for digital nomads. But today, it doesn’t matter — the MacBook Pro computers are so light that they’re easy to tote around the world.

Kindle Paperwhite (wifi only)

If you don’t have a Paperwhite, you don’t know what you’re missing! It’s so much better than the basic Kindle, with a nice weight, smooth material, and a touch screen. Best of all, it’s backlit, so you can read in the dark as easily as you can on the beach. Make sure you get a case, too — while I can’t find the one I have,  this one is nice, cheap, and comes in several colors.

Getting a Kindle made me a voracious reader once again. I can’t tell you how happy that has made me.

MyCharge 6000 Peak Rechargeable Power Bank

Whenever I take this out, people always ask me about it. My MyCharge holds enough power to charge an iPhone four times and can charge an Apple device, USB cord, or micro device. I use it daily. Oh, and it talks! “Charging complete.” That always cracks people up.

MAXAH Universal Converter

This universal converter will have you covered for almost everywhere in the world. (Keep in mind that some countries with unusual plugs, like South Africa, are best off picked up upon your arrival in the country.)

Mini Power Strip

While I use the product linked above, you may prefer this different model because it includes USB chargers. For the times when you return from a long time without power and need to charge everything you own in a hurry, from computer to phone to Kindle to multiple camera batteries, this lets you charge several devices from a single outlet.

Seagate Expansion 2TB External Hard Drive

External hard drives are a good thing to have, period, and they’re essential if you have a Macbook Air and lots of pictures. This is a quality hard drive for a good price.

Do not make the mistake of not backing up your photos! SmugMug allows you to store unlimited photos and HD video for $60 per year. There are also cheaper plans.

Hard drives can fail and laptops can be stolen. Keep important documents — in fact, ALL of your documents — backed up on Dropbox, including copies of your passport and credit cards.

Boingo has wifi hotspots around the world and a variety of plans for you to access them. You’ll find Boingo hotspots in just about every major airport, and I found it absolutely essential in Japan and South Korea, as these countries are dominated by membership wifi networks (and Boingo is a partner). I’ve used Boingo everywhere from coffee shops in Germany to hotels in South Africa.

Everyone knows about using Skype for video calls home for free — but it’s also very useful for cheap calls anywhere in the world, whether it’s your bank at home or a hostel abroad. I top up $10.00 about twice a year.

Travel Blogging Resources

How to start a travel blog in six easy steps.

Looking to start a travel blog? Or any other kind of blog? This post will show you how to set up a self-hosted WordPress blog with screenshots to guide you.

Reggio Digital Studio for web hosting (experienced bloggers)

After having worked with several hosts over the years, I’m now happy to be hosted by Reggio Digital Studio, who built a modern site for me, brought it into the present, and are invested in the long-term success of my site without price-gouging me.

BlueHost for web hosting (new bloggers)

The best choice for beginners — quality web hosting for a low price. Bluehost has an easy-to-use interface, one-click WordPress installation, very helpful (and easy-to-get-hold-of) customer service, and rates as low as $4.95 per month.

Mediavine for display advertising

Mediavine is a great display advertising network that cares about your long-term success.

Keysearch for keyword research

Keysearch is a great, easy resource for planning out posts to write for SEO.

ShareaSale , Commission Junction , JVZoo , and Amazon associates for affiliate marketing

My most-used affiliate networks that help make me money on the things you buy.

ConvertKit for email list

An email list is, by far, the most important thing you can have and something you should start immediately. Today the best product on the market is ConvertKit. It’s sophisticated and allows you to set up your lists with different sequences and categories — it’s essential for the world today.

Kate’s Favorite Travel Reads

The Ridiculous Race by Steve Hely and Vali Chandrasekaran — Two young comedy writers (they went on to write for 30 Rock !) decide to race each other around the world without airplanes. I’ve never laughed so hard from a travel memoir in my life.

The Sun Also Rises by Ernest Hemingway — My favorite book of all time. This novel depicts the wild lives of the “lost generation” expats living in Paris and traveling around Europe in the 1930s.

Into Thin Air by John Krakauer — After reading this memoir, you will join me in swearing that you will never, EVER attempt to climb Mount Everest. Journalist John Krakauer happened to be on the disastrous expedition of 1996.

Love With a Chance of Drowning by Torre DeRoche — When you fall in love with a man planning to sail across the Pacific and he invites you to join him, you don’t let your fear of water stand in the way. This hilarious, sweet and heartfelt memoir was written by a friend of mine.

The Post-Birthday World by Lionel Shriver — No writer moves me like Lionel Shriver. After I read this novel, I couldn’t stop thinking about the characters for months. It’s not as travel-oriented as the others, but it absolutely nails life as an American expat in London.

Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil by John Berendt — Savannah is a CRAZY city, y’all. This “nonfiction novel” will blow you away — it doesn’t seem like a place like this can be real. Savannah is painted as a closed-off town with characters that would even Dickens would think are extreme.

Mastering the Art of French Eating by Ann Mah — You’ve just moved to Paris with your beloved husband — but as soon as you arrive, he gets transferred to Baghdad for a year. What can you do? Well, you spend a year diving into French food and writing about it. Delicious, sweet memoir.

Moonlight in Odessa by Janet Skeslien Charles — A fun and surprising novel about life in Odessa, Ukraine, in the 1990s, which at that time was run by the Mafia, and a brilliant young woman who takes a job working for a mail-order bride company.

Wild by Cheryl Strayed — Cheryl lost her mother, her marriage, and was descending into heroin addiction. So she decided to spend months hiking the Pacific Crest Trail on her own, despite having zero experience. A beautiful, real, transformative memoir about the power of solo female travel.

When You Are Engulfed in Flames by David Sedaris — I love David Sedaris’s witty essay collections, but this one has some particularly great travel moments, including a lengthy story about using a trip to Japan to quit smoking.

Bringing Up Bebe by Pamela Druckerman– Why are French children so polite and well-behaved? An American writer and her British husband raise three children in Paris and compare French and Anglo parenting firsthand. Even if you’re not a parent, it contains fascinating nuances about French culture, behavior, and priorities.

Where’s You Go, Bernadette? by Mara Semple — A fun, quick and unusually buoyant beach read. This novel takes in a wacky artist who goes missing and her daughter and husband’s journey to Antarctica to find her.

Crazy Rich Asians by Kevin Kwan — Another fun beach read about the stratospherically rich Chinese living in Singapore and their quirky behavior. While the characterization leaves a bit to be desired, this is a fascinating culture to discover for a few hours and you can tell the author knows a lot about this world!

Tales of a Female Nomad by Rita Golden Gelman — At age 48, following a sudden divorce, Rita decided to sell her possessions and become a nomad, living simply among locals for months to years at a time, from Mexico to Bali to the Galapagos. What she was doing was revolutionary at the time — she’s like our digital nomad grandmother!

Eat, Pray, Love and its sequel, Committed , by Elizabeth Gilbert — Loved, reviled, and justifiably famous, because Elizabeth Gilbert is one of the most joyful writers alive today. These books are beautifully self-aware and showcase the healing power of travel.

Drink, Play, F*ck — A funny faux memoir told from the point of view of Gilbert’s husband, who goes on to drink in Ireland, gamble in Vegas, and, um, get busy in Thailand.

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Home » Travel Resources

Travel Resources

In our travels to over 50 countries, we’ve learned a lot of lessons and tried out all kinds of websites, booking tools, gear, and travel resources. This is a collection of the best travel resources we’ve found for trip planning, packing, and buying gear, along with our personal recommendations for how we travel and what we use.

Pre-Trip Planning

Booking flights & accommodations, driving overseas, packing tips, technology & electronics, travel guides & inspiration.

Building a timeline and checklist

Getting ready for a trip is always exciting. There’s lot of anticipation of the fun you’ll have, but it’s a time for planning, too. Here are some of our top tips:

• Passports – If you don’t have a passport, apply as soon as possible. If you do, check the expiration date. Many countries require that your passport be valid for six months beyond your stay and/or that it has a certain number of blank pages, so think about renewing yours if you’re cutting it close. In the US, it’s possible to renew your passport by mail.
• Visa requirements – Some countries require visas to enter the country depending on the origin of your passport, so check visa requirements well before your trip. US citizens can check the State Department website for details. Canadian citizens can find entry requirements here .
• Vaccines – Depending on where you’re traveling, you may need to get travel immunizations. Visit the CDC travel website or the World Health Organization’s Country-specific Reports to see what immunizations are required and recommended for different countries. It may also be a good idea to go to a pharmacy or clinic that specializes in travel vaccines because they can help you uncover potential issues you may not be aware of.
• Insurance – If your insurance doesn’t cover you and your possessions overseas or there’s a chance your plans may change, consider travel insurance . From health insurance to trip cancellation, there are different types of travel insurance policies that have varying coverage and prices to meet your needs. Travel insurance may not always be necessary, but it’s generally better to be protected.

For even more details about what we put on our checklist, check out our article .

Flight booking and travel hacking

Kayak Kayak is our favorite search engine for flights originating in the US. It’s not perfect, but it’s a great place to get a sense of availability, costs, and options across airlines.

Skyscanner Skyscanner is great if you’re looking for flights between countries outside the US because it taps into airlines that Kayak may not – especially regional carriers and budget airlines. It’s also a good option for finding flights from a specific country to “anywhere.”

Expedia Expedia’s extensive search options may return different airline combinations and prices than other websites.

The Points Guy A great resource for understanding the best ways to earn points and miles is The Points Guy. They always have the most current deals, often before anyone else.

Nomadic Matt’s Travel Hacking Guide Budget travel expert Matt Kepnes provides tips and tricks for traveling for free with points and miles.

Points.com We recommend using an online points or mileage tracker like Points.com to keep track of points/mileage balances.

Accommodations

Booking.com Booking.com is a great search engine for finding hotels, B&Bs, and other types of accommodations at low prices.

Airbnb Using Airbnb to rent a room, an apartment, or a house can be a great way to have a very different experience in a city than staying in a hotel, often at a lower cost. Sign up through this link and you’ll get credit on your first stay. (For more details on getting the most our of Airbnb, check out our post.)

VRBO Similar to Airbnb, VRBO has a wide selection of vacation rentals.

Driving can be a great way to see areas of a county that aren’t accessible (or at least convenient to reach) by public transportation. It also lets you set your own schedule and have more flexibility in your trip.

Tips and Advice

We’ve rented cars and driven in countries all over the world. Here are a few of the most important things we’ve learned and some resources for making driving abroad a stress-free experience.

• Get an International Driving Permit (IDP) – Strictly speaking, an IDP is not required in every country, but it can be beneficial to have, and your rental agency may ask for it. Check the local laws in the country where you will be driving (such as on the U.S. State Department website ). It is well worth the $20 investment and you can get it at your local AAA .
• Book ahead – Outside the US, many airports are smaller and have a more limited selection of rental vehicles. You can also get stuck with a car type that is not conducive to your trip (such as not getting an automatic if you need one). Over time, we’ve found that it is best to rent from a major international chain (i.e., Hertz, Sixt, etc.) that can provide services in English if something goes wrong. However, in recent years, we’ve been extremely impressed with the prices and customer service provided by reputable consolidators like Auto Europe and RentalCars.com .
• Get insurance – Most countries require some type of insurance. You can obtain insurance coverage through the purchase of a specialty policy or get coverage through your travel insurance or credit card benefits.
• Learn the rules of the road – Learn all of the internationally recognized road signs and make an effort to learn country-specific signs. Your rental agency may provide you with an overview of common road signs and our book is also helpful in this.

Even more information about the ins and outs of driving overseas is available in our ebook, The Essential Guide to Driving Abroad . It covers topics, including:

• Driving on the left side of the road vs. right
• The International Driving Permit explained
• Booking a rental car
• Demystifying rental car insurance
• Rules of the road overseas
• Driving in Europe, Asia, Africa, and Australia
• Road guide with an overview of traffic and parking signs

Rental Cars

Hertz Hertz operates in 150 countries around the globe. They have good deals, reliable service, and an extensive network.

Sixt Sixt is one of the largest rental car companies with over 4000 locations in over 105 countries. They focus on the premium rental car market, but at economy prices. We’ve always found good value with Sixt.

Auto Europe Auto Europe is a rental car aggregator that searches at least nine different car companies for the best deals. Auto Europe car rentals are not exclusive to Europe – you’ll find deals all over the world. We’ve used them almost exclusively over the last few years on our international trips.

Samsonite Omni PC Hardside Spinner 20 This lightweight, hard-sided suitcase is a great carry-on option

Osprey Meridian Wheeled Luggage This versatile bag can be wheeled like a roller or carried like a backpack, so it works for whatever your needs are or whatever terrain you’re facing. We love it so much, we own two.

Some of our best packing tips and resources:

• Use packing cubes – Packing cubes are great for separating different types of clothing or outfits, and they’re very helpful for organizing a bag of any size
• Cover your shoes – Shower caps make perfect covers for your shoes to help ensure your clothes don’t get dirty and your shoes don’t get scratched
• Follow the 3-1-1 rule – You can fly with a quart-sized bag full of 3.4-ounce (100 milliliters) containers of liquids, gels, and creams. Make sure to only use a quart-sized bag (not gallon-sized) and separate it from your carry-on luggage when you go through security.
• Use travel container alternatives – For a short trip, you may not need all the liquid that can fit in a 3.4-ounce travel-sized container. If you can manage with less, try filling contact lens cases with the products you need and save the room.
• Bring a spot treater – Throw in a Tide To Go that will let you address any minor spills along the way.
• Ask yourself if you need it –If an item isn’t absolutely essential, leave it at home. If it turns out you truly need it, you can almost always buy one on your trip.

For even more information, see our full article on packing tips .

Carry-On Essentials

Noise canceling headphones Great noise canceling headphones are necessary for tuning out.

Eye mask and ear plugs A plush eye mask and ear plugs is the best combination we’ve found to help with sleep on a long flight.

E-reader For those times that you don’t feel like carrying a magazine or dealing with the bulk of a book, it’s Kindle all the way.

Multi-purpose charger This all-in-one charger works for a variety of tablets, phones, and even cameras.

Resealable plastic bags Quart-sized bags are great for taking liquids through airport security, but they’re great for other things, too. They can be used to organize cords, batteries, or other small things. They’re also great for packing damp items like bathing suits that may not have dried completely.

First aid kit

A small first aid kit is a must for us. While many of these things can be found when traveling, when you’re sick or have hurt yourself, it can be hard to get to a pharmacy in a timely manner.

• Neosporin or a similar triple antibiotic cream
• Benedryl or other anti-histamine pills
• Moleskin for blisters
• Deet product (if going to an area with Zika)

Photography

Nikon D5500 We’ve used a Nikon for nearly a decade. This one makes a great travel camera, especially when paired with a 18-55mm lens. It offers all the benefits of a DSLR at an attractive price-point.

Sony Cyber-shot RX100 IV A pocket-sized camera, it works well in low-light, shoots in RAW, and takes great video.

Fantasea Underwater Housing Specially designed for the Sony Cyber-shot RX100 III and RX100IV digital cameras, the housing is depth rated to 60m/200 feet. We use it for pretty much anything involving water. (For other non-photographic snorkeling gear we use, see our in-depth post here .)

GoPro Hero 5 GoPro set the standard in the action-camera market.

TomTom Bandit Slightly bulkier than the GoPro, the TomTom Bandit is a sleekly-designed waterproof camera. The Bandit also excels in still photos, making it an exceptional all-in-one action camera.

See our full article for more recommendations on travel cameras .

Kindle Read anything you want on the road.

Otterbox Defender iPhone Case This case will protect your phone from just about anything you can do it. It’s saved our screens many times.

WD 4TB Black My Passport Ultra Portable External Hard Drive After a couple of failed laptops, we back up everything religiously, and 4 TB last a long time.

Guide books

Our favorite guide books are the Rick Steves Europe series because he provides great logistical information and Frommer’s , which usually include nicer restaurants and recommendations for things like shopping, spas, and more high-end experiences.

Travel books

• The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
• On the Road by Jack Kerouac
• The Geography of Bliss by Eric Weiner
• Atlas Obscura: An Explorer’s Guide to the World’s Hidden Wonder s by Joshua Foer
• Seven Years in Tibet by Heinrich Harrer
• Travels with Charley in Search of America by John Steinbeck
• The Longest Way Home by Andrew McCarthy
• Turn Right at Machu Picchu by Mark Adams
• The Great Railway Bazaa r by Paul Theroux
• The Umbrian Thursday Night Supper Club by Marlena de Blasi
• Cruising Attitude by Heather Poole
• The Turk Who Loved Apples by Matt Gross
• The Year of Living Danishly by Helen Russell
• Wild by Cheryl Strayed
• Notes from a Small Island by Bill Bryson
• The Sun Also Rises by Ernest Hemingway
• Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer
• Destinations of a Lifetime: 225 of the World’s Most Amazing Places by National Geographic
• 1,000 Places to See Before You Die: Revised Second Edition by Patricia Schultz

Travel movies

• Lost in Translation
• Into the Wild
• Best Exotic Marigold Hotel
• Midnight in Paris
• Monsoon Wedding
• Little Miss Sunshine
• Long Way Down
• Lawrence of Arabia

Some links may be affiliate links, which means Travel Addicts may earn a few pennies to help with the web hosting, all at no additional cost to you. Our recommendations are unbiased and are based on our own personal usage and research.

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Friday 30th of July 2021

One more site worth adding is the EU261 regulation. According to this regulation, in the EU we -- passengers - are protected. That includes also travelers from other countries and continents. If flight gets delayed or cancelled, airlines often have to pay compensation or take care of passengers. For example, if KLM cancels a flight, it has to take care of its passengers by providing free food and accommodation in some cases.

Tuesday 3rd of August 2021

@Lance Longwell, true. With some airlines it takes forever, with some, like Ryanair - often you get nothing, if we believe passenger reviews, but it's still worth making a claim. Because, if we, passengers, don't ask for this money, it won't improve itself.

Lance Longwell

There's the law and then there's the reality. We were protected under EU261 and then had to spend 2 years battling Vueling to honor its obligations under the law. EU261 is great in principle, but lacks 'teeth' and is largely up to companies if they want to follow it. It's good for travelers to know, but they should moderate their expectations in terms of dispute resolution.

35 BEST TRAVEL PLANNING TOOLS AND APPS

Travel planning tools and apps are critical for a great trip. Knowing how to plan a trip will help you pull it off seamlessly.

First, put yourself in a “plan to travel mindset.” Next, research the best travel planning tools you can find to help you plan a trip that will be truly memorable.

From logging on to Google Maps to get directions anywhere to using booking.com for hotel bookings and rental cars to knowing where to go for cheap flights. It pays to have the best apps and travel tools to ensure your best trip.

Here are some of the best travel planning tools and apps we’ve identified, contributed by frequent travelers to help you with your travel plans for your next trip. Most are available in the App store.

Best Travel Planning Tools and Apps

Table of Contents

Plan your foreign currency needs

One of my favorite travel planning tools is XE Currency .  With this app, you plug in an amount in whatever currency you want converted, then select the currency you want to convert to and voila! It’s the best way to organize your foreign currency.

Say you think you’ll need abut US$100 every day while you’re in Spain. Insert US$100 into XE and select Euros. This is a great tool for verifying the amount of money you need from an ATM abroad, converting restaurant bills, and so much more. 

It helps you keep a grasp on your spending while you travel.  Quotes are live and, it converts all currencies and, being an app, its ready when you are.

XE Currency Converter also has a handy tool to assist you in keeping tract of your business expenses. Just fill it out as you go along and print out/ submit when you’re done.  It’s like having a private assistant. One of the best travel planning tools.

This travel planning tool will save you money and time and give you peace of mind. It’s one of the most useful tools I use regularly to plan travel.

Talek blogs at Travels with Talek   

Quickly identify best camping sites

Simply download the app, and search the area you want to camp. You select an area of the country (big or small!), national park or not, set your filters, and browse the campsites.

There’s something for every type of outdoorsy traveler: glamping, KOAs, national parks, and even dispersed camping in national forests.

The filters are great for finding spots to fit your preferences, as you can search by price (I often use it to find free camping), rating, hike-in vs car camping, and much more. 

The Dyrt is so fun and addicting to play around with, I’ve planned dozens of dream camping trips with it. A cool feature is the downloadable topo map option.

This allows you to find and plan travel to your campsite in those off-the-beaten-path areas where you might not have cell service.  One of the best travel planning tools for the outdoor lover.

Kaisa blogs at Glam Granola Travel

Save your itinerary and tips to Google Sheets

Easy and free to use, Google Sheets, is the Google equivalent of Excel.

When planning a trip, we tend to use many sources to gather information, which can sometimes mean anything we’ve found has the possibility of being lost or forgotten about.

So inputting all of the information discovered into one sheet makes it simple to access and plan your travel itineraries.

If you’re going on the trip with others, you can also share the sheet and work on it together to help plan the trip of a lifetime!

Creating new sheets for every adventure I go on, I use the same layout each time, and it’s simple to create a new one for every trip you go on. I tend to split the sheet into three tabs; itinerary, things to do/see and sources.

Available as an app, it’s helpful on the go as you’re able to access the sheet wherever you are in the world, even if you have no WiFi.

If you couldn’t fit something into one of the days, for example, you can move your itinerary round, to ensure you’ve seen everything you wanted on your trip! How’s that for cool travel planning tools?

Kim blogs at The Adventure to Me

Shoot for cheaper airline tickets

The cost of your flight is pretty much guaranteed to be one of the most expensive parts of any trip abroad.

Having the free app Hopper up my sleeve has been a life-saver every time I’ve been planning a trip to South America , the region that I cover as a guidebook author and blogger.

Hopper works like a charm. It’s one of my favorite travel planning tools. All you need to do is plug in the dates you intend to fly (or you can set up a few different options if they’re yet to be fixed) and it’ll tell you when it predicts flight tickets will be at their cheapest.

It does this by looking through years of historical flight pricing data and using this to determine whether buying now, three months in advance or even just three weeks out is likely to be the kindest to your pocket and score you the cheapest flight.

Sure, it can be a little bit of a gamble as it’s using historic data, not a crystal ball.

However, it has personally helped me score extraordinarily cheap flights to Easter Island, as well as some pretty sweet deals between the UK and Colombia, so it’s one of the travel planning tools that I now use on each and every trip. It’s a great travel planning app.

Steph blogs at Worldly Adventurer.com

Map your city

One of the best travel planning tools for detailing a city break is the Citymapper App.

I use it almost every day for getting around my home town of London, but it’s equally useful for finding the easiest, quickest, cheapest or fastest way around in any one of 41 cities around the world, including Paris, Berlin, Rome, Istanbul, Vancouver, Tokyo, Sydney, Mexico City and Singapore and other popular destinations.

The app is so brilliant because it merges information on every available type of transport in that city.

Not sure if it’s quicker to get the bus, train, taxi or walk? Citymapper will give you every alternative and show you all possible routes so you can decide.

It tells you how much each type of transport costs and includes helpful hacks, like which exit to take from the station or where to stand on the platform.

It’s also connected into real-time travel updates so it will tell you how long you have to wait for the next bus or if your service is disrupted.

The best part is that you don’t have to BE in that city to use it. Just click the settings button and you can easily switch cities, allowing you to plan your trip in precise detail before you even get on the plane.

Bella blogs at Passportandpixels

Staying loyal to a specific booking app pays off

For example, Hotels.com, a booking platform (which also comes with an app) where you can find accommodations all over the world offers a program that allows its customers to get a free night after 10 stays.

What’s great is that the value of your free night is based on the average price of 10 properties where you stayed, so if you stay at more expensive accommodations, your free night will cover the price of mid-range-to-expensive accommodation.

Likewise, if you stay at less expensive hotels, the value of your free night will be lower, and you might have to pay the difference if you want to use your free night for a stay at a more expensive property.

In addition, users also collect points which can boost their status over time and provide better prices on many accommodations. The app tells you about your status based on your bookings and overall history.

You should especially follow this advice if you are doing a road trip along the West Coast USA and need to watch your travel expenses.

However, it’s not just Hotels.com that rewards loyal customers. Many other platforms such as Booking.com offer free nights and perks for those users who stay with them for a while.

Daria blogs at The Discovery Nut

Use an itinerary planning app

GPSmyCity is an app that features self-guided city walks in 1,000+ cities worldwide – from Voodoo tours in New Orleans to the  best things to do in Moscow . Of course, this essential tool also provides travel inspiration.

The app includes detailed tour route maps and powerful navigation features, to guide you from one sight to the next. You can follow GPSmyCity’s expert guides or take their suggestions and create your own custom walking tours.

It’s a great way to plan and explore all of the best tourist attractions on your own and at your own pace. Another awesome thing about this app…you have the option to “upgrade” any walking tour and download it, so it will work offline.

No internet connection, no cellular data, no problem! (It costs $1.99 per tour to upgrade, or you can get a yearly subscription for $12.99 for unlimited upgrades.) This way you can access offline maps and offers a user-friendly interface.

I, personally, love this because any time we are on a trip and trying to navigate…finding a data connection can be tricky. Plus, having GPS running in the background drains your battery life, big time.

But these are problems you won’t have to worry about with GPSmyCity!

Lindsey blogs at Have Clothes Will Travel

Compare flight prices with search engines

One of the most important things about traveling is finding the best flights possible.

The definition of a “good” flight really depends on your travel preferences. Some people want long layovers to skip out of the airport and do some quick explorations of the city.

While others just want to get there as fast as possible. But something we can all agree on is we want cheap flights!

The best way to do this is with online flight search programs like the popular Skyscanner ( https://www.skyscanner.nl/ ) and the less known flight finder from the popular Youtube channel Yestheory ( https://travel.yestheory.com/flights/ ).

By using both these websites you are able to find the absolute best and cheapest flights for your dates and destinations.

One great feature includes making multi-route plans like flying Amsterdam, to Singapore to Bali to Amsterdam.

Plus, you can see the prices per month and use this to find the absolute best time to fly.

Be sure to use these websites for planning your your leisure or business trip and enjoy great flights that make people look at you in shock when you state how much they were!

Samantha blogs at Samseesworld 

Score free resources

The free version of Touring Plans is great to use to plan out your family’s  Magic Kingdom  itinerary  as it is customizable to your needs. You can input things like the rides and attractions you’d like to visit and your desired break times.

It will also make suggestions about the best way to minimize wait times when it comes to the rides. The best thing about it though is that you can get an updated plan if you make changes to it throughout the day.

Websites and apps like these are very helpful, especially those with free versions, and should be used to make your trip planning easier – especially those travelling with young families.

Plan your train journeys

The Man in Seat 61 ( www.seat61.com ) offers a comprehensive guide on train travel around Europe and other continents and is an excellent travel planning tool.

The website was created by an independent traveler who shares information, his experience, as well as gives advice on best train routes all around the world.

If you plan on having a trip with a train anywhere, this is your best option for go-to travel resource, hands down.

You can find various information about timetables, prices, train station and the best train options for you depending on the country you plan on going to.

It goes as far as providing photos of different train cabins or even vending machines for train tickets at particular stations.

Also, you can get detailed instructions on how to book train tickets and where to find official vendors.

It is so detailed that yo most likely won’t even need to check any other resource page for the information you’re looking at.

Organize a hassle free-by-day itinerary

My all-time favorite app to use while traveling is Sygic Travel.

It’s completely free to use, and I actually stumbled upon it while trying to plan out my last-minute itinerary while I was visiting Vienna last spring! What’s so great about Sygic

Travel is that it will literally plan your whole day of travel for you. So, all you have to do is have a set plan of everything you want to do and see, and the app will do the rest!

An account is absolutely free to make. Once you make an account, you tell the app everything you want to do, and then you will get an itinerary that will reorganize your day in a way so you spend the least amount of time on transportation.

In addition, the app will give you directions from place to place, and you can let the app know whether you’d like to walk, use public transportation, or drive. It has saved my butt when I’ve been on a time crunch many times, and I can’t recommend it enough!

Use a guidebook as a journal

As much as I love technology to help with some travel planning tasks, I’m also old school. I LOVE travel books from Lonely Planet.

They are always my first stop when I’m planning a trip. They do have a decent website, however, I prefer the physicals guide books as these become working documents.

I start on their itineraries page, and them write notes and draw stars on other places I want to add into my own itinerary.

Throughout the book I highlight anything I think is really important as well as cover the pages with other helpful information I have found on notes.

Sometimes I will get a tip-off from a local or another traveler and rather than just write it on my phone, I find it much easier to write it on the margins of the location or note it on the map.

Another advantage is that the book doubles as a travel journal and travel guide. You always know what you did on what date. Here’s a tip. Put tickets in the relevant pages.

My shelves are full of old Lonely Planet guidebooks which also serve as a great mementos of my trips.

Becki blogs at Meet me in Departures

Plan around your travel highlights

Planning a trip is fun, but sometimes it can be stressful as well. What do I need to pack? What area should I stay? What are the main attractions I have to see in this city?

One of the best travel planning tools that has helped me seamlessly plan my trips is an app called Visit A City . The best part about the app is that it’s completely free to use. Visit A City features over 7000 detonations.

Just type in the destination you’re going to and you’ll be given an option of popular attractions in the city, day tours and trips you can take from that destination, things to do in that city, walking and biking tours, and customized itineraries.

My favorite feature about this app is that you can tell it how many days you plan on being in that city and it will create a custom suggested itinerary of the things to do and see for you.

You can even create your own itinerary based on their suggestions on the app as well.

All in all, Visit A City app helps you create a personal travel guide that’s packed with valuable information right on your phone.

Disha blags at Disha Discovers

Get from point A to point B many different ways

One of the most useful travel planning apps I have come across is Rome2Rio .

The app lets you find routes to some of the most remote places.

The app has additional local bus, train and ferry route details that even google maps doesn’t know about. With direct links to timetables of local transports, the app really lets you plan for the off-the-beaten path hidden gems.

Say you want to go from Havana to Hanoi, New York City to New Delhi or anywhere else. 

This cool little app will not only show you all the transportation options and alternative routes, it’ll tell you the itineraries, the cost and even the seasonality!  Just plug in the trip origin and destination and see all the different ways to get there.

Many times I’ve saved tons of cash by finding an alternative airport to fly into then taking local transportation to my final destination. 

Or, I found that I can get somewhere by a different option like a ferry making the trip that much more fun. I’ve even use the app to help me identify a brand new destination to visit that I would not have thought of before.

How cool is that!? This is definitely one of my favorite travel planning apps.

Merryl blogs at Merryl’s Travels and Tricks

Planning your trip ahead of time can make all the difference between a hectic, stressful trip and a relaxing, fun-filled vacation. That’s where mobile travel apps come in.

We asked our fellow travel bloggers what their recommendations for the best travel apps for Europe, Asia, and the Americas are. Here’s what they had to say.

The Best Travel Apps for Europe, Asia, and the Americas

Find the perfect venue.

Drinkspal is the perfect mobile app for anyone visiting a new town and looking for the perfect venue.

You can filter down on what you’re specifically looking for, so it could be a pub that has WiFi within a 5 mile radius, but then you can further filter to find ones that are dog friendly, sell bottles of prosecco at under £15, sells Thai food and has a beer garden.

While many apps or sites list the different venues in a city you might visit, none have successfully allowed you to filter down until you reach the perfect option.

But the best little addition is the drink deals and highlighted bars that are offering happy hour, meaning you can pick the bar in your area that will save your pennies, meaning your money can go towards the important things in life, such as activities and experiences.

Obviously, this is a completely free app and doesn’t take up a huge amount of space on the phone.

Tom Bourlet blogs at Spaghetti Traveller .

Complete immigration forms on line

U.S. Customs and Border Protection created the Mobile Passport app so that passengers can complete immigration forms on their smartphone and use a shorter line when they arrive in the United States.

You will love the time that it will save you! It’s similar to the Global Entry program but it is free! Unfortunately, only US Citizens and visitors from Canada can use the app at select airports and ports, but they are looking to expand the program.

You can download the app and set up your profile before you travel.

Once you land, answer the standard questions inside the app. After you have WiFi or data on your phone, submit your answers.

Within a few seconds, you will receive a receipt with a barcode that is valid for four hours. Once in the immigration hall, find the designated mobile passport line.

When it is your turn, show your passport and the barcode to the customs officer. It’s that simple!

Anisa blogs at Two Traveling Texans .

This travel search engine is available in the form of an app making finding cheap flights on the go pretty simple. All you have to do is entire your dates and destination and all the work is done for you.

The app isn’t unique to searching for just flights as you can use the app for hotels and rental cars. What I like about the app is the ability to search to anywhere from your chosen destination should you need some travel inspiration.

There is also the option to search by month, which comes in handy when doing some travel planning.

If you do know your exact travel dates however, the app’s easy interface makes it easy to see all pricing and flight details brought up from the search.

Skyscanner is one of the best tools to help you get great travel deals by finding the best routes, best flights and best time to score your best travel experience.

The app also provides recommendations for last-minute trips with pricing for a variety of destinations. Skyscanner is free to download.

Rai blogs at A Rai of Light .

Get accurate directions quickly

The best travel app that I love using is Google Maps. I’ve used it all over Europe and North America and think it’s the most reliable directions app.

My favourite and most used feature of Google Maps is the directions functionality.

Just input the address of wherever you want to go and it will give you directions in multiple formats: walking, cycling, driving, public transit and rideshare (if available).

The directions are different depending on your mode of transportation and are super easy to follow.

Google Maps is also great for planning a route and we use it this way all the time for planning our motorcycling trips.

You can add multiple destinations and stops in between and Google will tell you how many kilometers are between each stop as well as the elevation change. Very handy on a motorcycle!

I’ve even used Google Maps offline when traveling, which is great if you don’t want to use cellular data or don’t have an internet connection.

Download a map ahead of time and you’ll be able to use a map and track your location without using cellular data.

Lesley blogs at Freedom56 Travel .

Adam Groffman blogs at Travels of Adam .

Keep your expenses in check on the road

Our recommendation for the best travel app for Europe, Asia, and the Americas is the travel budget app – Trail Wallet. It was created by travel bloggers Never Ending Voyage several years ago.

As bloggers on the road continuously, it is important for us to keep to a budget. Our first year we used an Excel spreadsheet and to be honest it was time consuming.

Trail Wallet has simplified our life on the road whilst keeping our expenses in check. We create a trip, which for us is a year, add in our daily budget, the categories and the currencies we will be using.

As soon as we have an expenditure we enter the cost into the app, into the category, add the amount, and press save and away we go.

The app calculates our daily spend, what is remaining, our average spend and our total for the trip. We can even add a note, e.g., the restaurant we had lunch in.

We can even view our expenditure in a graph. The app cheekily gives us a reminder if we blow the budget for the day.

Trail Wallet has been a time saver for us. It is available as a download from iTunes and is suitable for iPhones and iPads.

Jane Dempster-Smith blogs at To Travel Too .

Listen to music on the go

In general, music is an essential part of my life. I like to listen to music in the background to match my mood and to motivate me to get things done.

When I first started using the Spotify app, I got hooked because it solved different problems for me. First, it’s pretty easy to create playlists and categorize my music accordingly.

Second, I have access to my music library with all my devices, and everything gets synchronized no matter if I’m using Android or iOS.

Third, Spotify offers me several ways to discover new music and keep growing my library, such as a personalized playlist created just for me or by showing me my friend’s public playlists.

Also, as you’ve probably already guessed, I pay for a Premium subscription so I get some extra perks, like no ads. Plus, I’m able to listen to my music offline as well.

The two playlists I always have on my phone are my Roadtrip and Running ones. The first one has songs that are fun to listen to while on a ride, and the second is mostly upbeat pumping music to drive my pace while jogging.

Also, sometimes when I travel, I search for music that relates to a destination to enhance my travel experience and even give me some insight into the local culture.

Bianca blogs at Nomad Biba .

Converse in any language

Google Translate has been an absolute lifesaver on my travels and is my top recommendation for the best travel apps for Europe, Asia, and the Americas.

While I try to learn a few words or phrases in the local language of the country I’m visiting, there are situations that come up that just can’t be solved with “delicious” or “thank you very much”.

With Google Translate, you can type in the phrase you’d like to say in English (or your native language), and it will translate it into the language of your choice.

Say you want to be sure the meal you ordered is vegetarian, or you want to know what time the next bus arrives.

You can choose to either have your phrase spoken so the person you’re interacting with can hear it, or you can show them the translated text.

My husband and I have used this to flag down a local man in Vietnam and tell him, “Our motorbike has a flat tire,” to which he helped us back to his home where he fixed the tire and his wife served us noodle soup.

Sometimes you have the opposite problem: You want to know what something in another language means.

Perhaps you’re reading a menu and you want to know exactly what you’re ordering.

You can either type in what you see, or you can use the photo-to-text feature. Simply snap a shot of the text in question, highlight it, and it will be translated for you.

This is especially helpful when you’re traveling in a country, like Thailand, where the alphabet is totally different from what you’re used to and typing it would be extremely difficult.

One thing I’d recommend is when you’re planning a trip, be sure to download the language package for the country you’re visiting ahead of time.

That way, you can use the app even if you don’t have cell service or Wifi (aka you’re on the side of the road in the middle of nowhere and desperately need directions!).

Katie Diederichs blogs at Two Wandering Soles .

Plan trips and share details with others

Sometimes the most useful things are free and right front of us. One such thing is the Apple Notes app. It’s my favorite app for planning my trips. I start it with a list of blogs to read. Gradually I build it up to have all the information in one place, including:

• Airline, car and hotel booking numbers, timing and other notes.
• Lists of things to see and places of visit
• Restaurant recommendations

During the course of my planning, I shortlist the categories and end up with an itinerary, which I refer to during the entire trip.

Some of my favorite features are:

• The ability to share the notes doc with everyone on the trip so we can all use it simultaneously.
• Notes is easily accessible and everyone with an iPhone has the Notes app at their fingertips – no need to install or learn a new app.
• The app is simple to use and has all the features I’ll ever need in my planning – tables, pictures, formatting etc.
• Notes syncs to iCloud when a connection is available. All the notes are available on all my devices, seamlessly. It doesn’t need WiFi. It always just works online or offline.

It really makes staying organized when I travel a snap!

Jyoti blogs at Story at Every Corner .

Convert currency on the go

GlobeConvert is a fantastic little app for travel. When you’re moving through multiple countries it can be hard to keep up with exchange rates.

In Southeast Asia one day we were in Cambodia using US Dollars, the next in Vietnam where it was nearly 30,000 Dong to the Pound! That takes a lot of working out.

A conversion app like this shouldn’t be that noticeable. It needs to do its job and nothing more.

For this, GlobeConvert is fantastic. It’s really fast, has large touchscreen buttons which make it easy to use and resets with one touch (quick tip, hold down the backspace key to reset all digits rather than tapping multiple times).

Importantly, it also doesn’t need to use data. You can refresh the exchange rates when you have a WiFi connection, and after that it will work without using expensive roaming charges.

You can add favourite currencies if you’re traveling to a lot of different countries and quickly swap the exchange rate between your home country and others.

It seems quite a boring app to recommend, but once you’ve used it you’ll see exactly why I won’t use a different one ever again.

Ben Reeve blogs at The Sabbatical Guide .

Hail a cab in China (there’s an English version)

If you are traveling to China, then you need to download the Didi app. In short, Didi is the Chinese version of Uber/ Lyft, and it’s the most popular ride-sharing app in China.

Similar to Uber/ Lyft, you can use Didi to book different types of cars and services. The major difference is that Didi also calls taxis for you in addition to regular drivers and some services provide a premium service.

Without Didi it’s virtually impossible to flag down a taxi on the streets in China now.

Once you download the Didi App (there is an English version) you can register with your non-Chinese phone number or Wechat, another very important app in China that’s similar to WhatsApp but much more.

There are four different categories on Didi, Luxe, Express, Premier and Taxi.

Taxi is pretty self-explanatory and actual fare is charged by meter. Luxe is when you want to schedule your ride with a luxury car and suited driver and it’s best for business purposes.

Express is similar to regular Uber and under Express there is “Express Pool” like Uber Pool, Express (like regular Uber/Lyft) and “Select”, which has newer cars and more experienced drivers.

Premier is a service with professional drivers and drivers with 5 stars and hence more expensive. Payment with Didi is simple, you can add a foreign credit card or simply use cash.

Most Chinese people use Ali pay or WeChat Payment but as a traveler, you may not have those set up, so cash or credit card works better.

Serena blogs at Serena Lenses .

T ranslate in China and elsewhere

Baidu Translate is a real lifesaver during your trip to China and is my recommendation for one of the best travel apps for Europe, Asia, or the Americas.

You don’t have to be worried about the language if you download this app before your trip. It’s a voice translation app that works for text-to-text translation.

There are many other popular languages you can translate from English by using this app. Baidu Translate is approved in China, so there’s no chance to be blocked.

You can download it for free on your iPhone or any Android phone. I loved most the voice translation feature of this app. Just turn on the speaker before speaking in English, and it will accurately translate in Chinese and vice versa.

This app also supports camera translation and can translate the text from the image. However, all features are only accessible when you’re online.

Baidu Translate doesn’t work in an offline mode; you must have a good Internet connection when using this most useful and best voice translation app based in China.

Nafisa Habib blogs at My Own Way to Travel .

Count your daily steps and stay motivated

Everyone likes getting something for nothing, am I right? My current favourite travel app is the Sweatcoin app. Sweatcoin converts your daily outdoor steps into currency, which can then be traded in for goods, services and gift cards.

The reason I love this app for traveling is because that’s when I walk the most. Whether you are out exploring a city on foot or hiking in the mountains, every step you do is a little piece of gold.

To start earning things for steps you would be doing anyway download the Sweatcoin app and create an account. The app will run in the background on your phone and use your phones GPS signal to track your steps. You don’t need to have mobile roaming turned on.

5,000 daily steps become 5.00 coins, 10,000 become 10.00 and so on. There are different monthly subscriptions that enable you to convert more steps per day.

Each subscription charges you a varying amount of coins each month (all made from your own steps – no real money is involved).

This app is a great app to motivate you to move even when you are at home and why not start earning something from your steps.

Erin blogs at Curiously Erin .

Plan your road trips

There’s nothing better than a good road trip.

Stock up on the snacks. Put together an awesome playlist. Gather a couple of friends, or go it solo, and hit the open road.

The key to a successful road trip is the planning, which makes Roadtrippers the perfect companion, especially since it’s web AND mobile friendly!

You don’t have to think about how to fit everything in because Roadtrippers takes all of your bucket list locations and creates the best possible route between them.

A huge bonus is the app also estimates how many miles you can expect to drive, AND about how much money you’ll spend on gas.

These are two factors that are very important when it comes to budgeting out a road trip, and two things you don’t need to worry as much about thanks to Roadtrippers.

Once you’ve planned out your trip you can then save it, share it with friends, and even edit it on the go if you have any last minute changes!

An additional perk, and probably one of the best features in my opinion, is the ability to find “hidden treasures” along your route, all thanks to the phone navigation synching which can help you find things in your own city, or in the locations you travel through, that you didn’t even know existed!

Lindsey Messenger blogs at Seven Day Weekender .

Get customer reviews before you commit

We’re full-time RV travelers and are always looking for tools that can help make our road trips easier to plan. One of my favorite apps is TripAdvisor. I love that I can use it on my phone or laptop to accomplish more than one task.

The first thing I use it for is to find campgrounds.

TripAdvisor has such a large collection of reviews that I always feel confident in the location before we show up.

Another terrific feature of the reviews functionality is that visitors can post their own photos.

This way you see what a resort looked like last week, not when it was first opened.

TripAdvisor also has a feature that allows you to message other users if you have questions on their reviews. I’ve actually used the feature a few times and have almost always received an answer.

Finally, TripAdvisor is great once we’ve arrived at a destination to help us find great activities and restaurants.

The other users always provide helpful tips for visiting different destinations.

I also really appreciate how the restaurants are sorted by type of food and price so I can find those that best fit our needs at the time.

Julie Chickery blogs at Chickery’s Travels .

One app that we always use on our trips and suggest everyone download is Maps.me. Maps.me is a free app that provides offline maps to users of Android, iOS, and Blackberry.

When we install the app, no map comes with it, but we only have to select the region and the country we want and download it. Being able to use all the maps information without needing to have mobile data is the biggest advantage of Maps.me.

And, it’s a crucial advantage if you don’t have a local sim card and with the steep prices of roaming data.

With Maps.me you can search and navigate to hotels, attractions, streets or whatever you are looking for.

One thing that I really like about Maps.me is how easy it is to search hotels within the app. The maps show the hotels that are on booking.com and gives information about rating and pricing.

This is great if you arrive at a town without a hotel booked.

Another thing Maps.me excels at (I believe it’s even better than Google Maps) is navigation on foot.

Maps.me has an incredible amount of trails marked and a remarkable detail, even in very remote locations.

When doing a hiking trail, I prefer to use maps.me, even if I have mobile data because it usually has the trail marked while google maps sometimes doesn’t.

Jorge and Claudia Bastos blog at Travel Drafts .

Find off-the-beaten-path locations to include in your itinerary

Here is yet another Maps.me recommendation.

Whether I’m planning a trip from home or while I’m already on the road, my number one travel tool is the free app Maps.me.

As you probably already guessed, Maps.me is an app that provides a map. It’s comparable to Google Maps. Except, Maps.me is much more accurate when it comes to biking and hiking trails and navigating in lesser developed countries in general.

Seriously, anything from small street vendors, hidden waterfalls, local supermarkets, and unknown gas stations are marked on Maps.me. Are you looking for off-the-beaten-path hikes, deserted beaches, or viewpoints?

I guarantee you can find them on this app. I even use Maps.me to navigate hikes that normally require guides! How’s that for one of the coolest travel planning tools!

When I’m planning a trip I always mark all the places I would like to visit on the map to get a general idea of how far apart they are.

Next, I use Maps.me to make a rough itinerary, and lastly, I use Maps.me to navigate to all my destination without using data!

Because the best part about Maps.me is that you can download the map of your destination and use all of Maps.me’s features when you’re offline, making Maps.me the perfect app for both planning your trip and for navigating during your trip!

Lara blogs at Bothe Feet on the Road

Organize your multi-city trips

Organizing a multi-city, multi-country trip can become really stressful really quickly.

I used to rely on emails, individual apps, and even printouts to try to keep everything organized, but inevitably things would get overlooked, or I’d be missing a crucial bit of information along the way.

Just before our last large overseas trip to the US and New Zealand, I heard about Tripit and it was an absolute game-changer!

We were organizing things at the last minute and it could have been a really complicated job – but Tripit made it easy. As soon as you book anything – accommodation, flights, car, etc. – all you need to do is forward your confirmation email to Tripit and all the information uploads into the app automatically. Magic!

You can enter things manually too if you prefer, but when booking multiple flights, places to stay and cars, it was incredibly useful to just flick an email through and everything would be input automatically.

Having all the information in one place also helped spot any gaps in our itinerary – like nights that still needed to be booked! And having all our booking references and flight times in one place while we were traveling was a real godsend.

You can even access it while offline! I still use the Tripit app now, even when booking short breaks, as it becomes a handy reference point of your past travels too!

Nadine Maffire blogs at Le Long Weekend .

Stay vegan while traveling

As a vegan world traveler, HappyCow is the app that I use the most when planning where I am going to eat during my travels. HappyCow is a global directory of vegan restaurants, vegetarian restaurants, and restaurants with vegan options all over the world.

It’s crowd-sourced, which means that users are adding new entries, photos and restaurant reviews every single day.

The HappyCow website has been around for nearly 20 years, but recently it has grown exponentially, thanks to the increased interest in veganism and plant-based eating.

And of course, now that there’s an app version, it’s even more convenient to use.

During the trip planning phase, one of the first things I do is take a look at HappyCow to see what kind of dining options there are in my destination.

But even if I don’t have time to do much pre-trip research, the app makes it really easy to find veggie food on the go.

Just click the “show everything nearby” button, and you’ll instantly see all the dining options that are closest to your current location, along with photos, user reviews and opening hours.

Even if you don’t identify as vegan or vegetarian, HappyCow is a great way to discover healthy alternatives to the fast food that it’s so easy to fall back on when traveling.

Wendy Werneth blogs at The Nomadic Vegan .

Locate vegetarian options beforehand

More Happy Cow raves! If you are a vegan or vegetarian traveller, then you might already know it’s not always easy to find hearty food.

The HappyCow app flags all the local vegan and vegetarian restaurants, along with places with great options and is one of the best travel planning tools for vegetarians.

Users can leave reviews to flag issues and give advice – for example, ‘ask for the veggie burger without mayo to make it vegan’, ‘best place for dairy-free ice cream’ and directions to hidden food stalls.

You can easily search for places in order of which is closest to your location and review the ratings, before bringing your restaurant of choice up on the map.

In challenging countries, this can save hours of researching meal times beforehand. This has been a lifesaver for me, particularly in countries known for their meaty diets.

For example, when travelling in Tokyo I discovered a whole network of amazing, vegan Buddhist restaurants through this app which I’d have never have found on foot.

Cassie blogs at Cassiethehag

I discovered Evernote about 5 years ago and fell in love with it instantly.

Evernote is a note-taking app with a free version and premium version with more functions and abilities. I like this app mostly because it’s simple and easy to use.

That’s the most important thing for me. I’m able to quickly bring up the app, jot down notes, and have all my notes sync across all my devices.

So something I type at home on my Evernote desktop app will show up on my phone when I’m out shopping or traveling.

Another big thing I love about Evernote is its ability to create folders for notes and be able to easily move them around when needed.

For example, when I travel to several cities/countries at a time, I like to create a new folder for each country, and within each folder, I can create separate notes that contain itinerary info, things to-do list, and a journal where I can document my trip!

Evernote is integral to keeping me organized while I’m traveling. If you have the premium version, you’re also able to upload pdf files, photos, itineraries, etc.

I can’t do without it in life! There are many note-taking apps nowadays but if you’re looking for simple and effective, Evernote is all that!

Jason blogs at Mint Habits .

Did we miss any? Let us know what your recommendations are for the best travel planning tools and apps.

If you’re looking for more travel tips, you might like this post:

• Travel Safety Tips You Need to Know

Here is a list of great reference books on travel planning tools and apps. Real time and money savers.

BTW, if you are getting ready for your trip, make sure to take advantage of these useful,  money-saving links  to book your trip:

• Research and  book your flight  with  Skyscanner . I have found them to be the best because they list all airlines including the budget ones. You are always sure of having researched all options.
• For  car rental around the world, Discover Cars has flexible pickup and drop-off options, I recommend   Discover Cars .
• Book your accommodation  with  Booking.com . I find they have a wide selection and a nice, user-friendly, transparent website.
• Protect your trip  and, more importantly, protect yourself with travel insurance. I use  Travelinsurance.com  and have been very happy with them.
• Looking for a  small group tour  to unforgettable destinations with top professionals?  Intrepid Trave l is your choice.
• For more  general tours  to any destination or attraction,  book with   Viator . Check them out.
• Need a visa?   Get your visa  for all countries with   Passport Visa Exp ress.
• Looking for a cool walking tour to explore a city? My favorite walking tours are offered by Take Walks.
• Food and drink tours are the best way to enjoy a city. And Devour Tours are my favorite.
• Looking for a good VPN to protect your security, privacy and freedom online while traveling? Nordvpn is your best option.
• The best and most economical way to stay connected while traveling is with an Airalo eSIM.

I personally use, and can recommend, all the companies listed here and elsewhere on my blog. By booking through these sites, the small commission we earn – at no cost to you – helps us maintain this site so we can continue to offer our readers valuable travel tips and advice.

Want more travel planning tools and tips? Check out these handy guides or this post on travel apps for your international trips .

Talek Nantes

7 thoughts on “35 best travel planning tools and apps”.

Thank you for reading!

what a great list. Would also like to add ATM Fee Saver mobile app – it gives a list of ATMs in foreign countries with no fees or lower fees than others along with withdrawal limits etc., found it quite helpful while travelling. worth to add it to your list!

Thanks. I’m always learning looking for new tips.

Awesome Post… Like it.

Great post! I would perhaps add https://holiwise.com/ – they help you find travel destinations based on your preferences.

Thanks for the tip and for reading.

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The Best Travel Resources to Save Time & Money

S ince selling our possessions to travel back in 2012, we've discovered plenty of ways to save money while seeing the world. For us, budget travel is not about doing everything as cheaply as possible. It's about creating the trip you want – no matter what your travel style – for less.

Below is a list of all of the resources we personally use to help us stretch our travel dollars. Simply scroll or click on a section you want to check out below.

• 1.1 Flights
• 1.2 Hotels and Hostels
• 1.3 Car & RV Rentals
• 3 Insurance
• 4 Trip Planning
• 6.1 Luggage
• 6.2 Specialty Travel Gear
• 7 Photo Backup

Booking Sites

Hotels and Hostels

Car & RV Rentals

GetYourGuide has similar benefits to Viator – browse and pay online, and conveniently receive your voucher via e-mail, which you can print or display on your smartphone. However, GetYourGuide has a different selection (and different prices) than Viator , so it's worth comparing the two if you want to ensure you get the best price.

Trip Planning

One of the best ways to save money on a trip is to plan it yourself . You'll also be more likely to dodge tourist traps and have an authentic experience. Here's the tools we use to plan our own trips!

In general, you want a few cards to bring (not just one – in case it gets lost!). Fee-free currency conversion, a good points or cashback program, and ideally one Visa and one Mastercard (some countries only accept one or the other).

• A (cashback/points) credit card with 0% currency conversion fees
• ATM withdrawals using a card with no international withdrawal fees
• As a  last resort , converting your money at an exchange booth.

The card that you should use depends on the country you're from, so check out our full guide on the best travel credit and debit cards  for the full rundown!

Specialty Travel Gear

Photo Backup

Best Travel Resources

By Author Rossi Thomson

Posted on Last updated: 25th October 2021

Categories Resources , Travel

These are the best travel resources that I use when planning my travels.

Each has been tested dozens if not hundreds of times on the road. .

They work great to plan your trip ahead of time, book plane and train tickets, help you pick accommodation, streamline your sightseeing, and save you money on activities and travel as a whole.

The best bit is that their websites are very easy to use. Most of them, like Omio and Tourscanner , collate a lot of information from many different providers. This way, I can compare prices, times, and packages on the same screen without the need to open many different tabs in my browser and constantly switch between them to see who is offering what. 

I hope that you find these travel brands and products as useful as I do.

Give them a try and let me know what you think!

Best Travel Resources and Sites to Book Your Next Trip

Book plane, train, and bus travel.

[mks_two_thirds] Omio is my favourite company to search for and book tickets for planes, trains, buses, and even ferries. They cover public transport and plane travel in Europe, UK, USA, and Canada. I can check prices and travelling times at a glance. Omio’s search engine pulls up a page with results from several different travel brands and transit companies. This way, I can see immediately who offers the cheapest prices and the shortest times and I can book my tickets on the spot. It saves me a lot of hassle and switching between the sites of different travel companies. It really makes travel planning so much quicker and easier.[/mks_two_thirds]

[/mks_col] 

Book Accommodation

Booking.com.

[mks_two_thirds] Booking.com is the best to find accommodation when planning a trip. I have been using it for years now. I like that it shows me a great selection of hotels and other forms of accommodation to fit my specific travel needs. I may be looking for a B&B , a guesthouse , a villa or a resort , it’s all there! I love that I can order the results based on many different filters. ‘Distance from city centre’ and ‘Price (lowest first)’ are my favourite filters. I particularly appreciate the reviews left by fellow travellers as they give me a good idea of what exactly to expect. What’s your most favourite thing about Booking.com? Let me know![/mks_two_thirds]

Stay22 is a new way to book accommodation anywhere in the world. I started using it this year and I am impressed. It shows me all available options and their prices in the location I am interested in. I just need to fill in an address or the name of the city or town in the search bar at the top and the map gets populated with dozens of different hotels, B&B’s, hostels, and houses. I can then move the map in any direction, zoom in and out, click on a listing that interests me, and make a booking directly. I like how visual it is and how it gives me an immediate idea of location and pricing. It’s a great app to use! The best bit is that it shows you not just accommodation but also activities and tours in the surrounding area! See what I mean by clicking on ‘Accommodation’ in the top right corner of the map and then select ‘Experiences’ from the dropdown menu. 

[mks_two_thirds]Having a car at your disposal when you travel is such a great way to be able to see more and do more. I love the flexibility of visiting destinations that are off the beaten track and not depending on public transport to get places. This is why before each trip, I check prices for car rentals and Europcar is my favourite company to rent from. What’s yours?[/mks_two_thirds]

Book Tours and Experiences

Tourscanner.

Tourscanner is my favourite search engine for tours and travel activities. Here you can find the best offerings by the most well-established tour companies. I just click on the link and type in my destination in the search box on the home page. Next, a page with a long list with results by many different tour operators loads and I just need to make my choice. It’s very easy and it gives me a great visual idea of prices and offerings. This way I can compare tours and activities provided by different operators without having to open many different websites. It’s super easy and it helps me get tickets for sought-after exhibitions as well as book some truly exciting local experiences.

Buy Travel Books

[mks_two_thirds] Travel books and guidebooks are a great source of inspiration for new travel experiences and destinations. They also come in very handy when travel planning. With its quick deliveries and enormous catalogue, Amazon makes it very easy for me to buy new titles either in printed format or for my Kindle phone app . This way, I always have at least three books on the go and new books are arriving weekly. Do you love reading books? Which travel book is your favourite?[/mks_two_thirds]

In Conclusion

Getting ready for a trip is easy with the right resources.

In this blog post, I shared with you my favourite travel brands, companies, and products. They help me buy tickets, book accommodation and pick great experiences when I am travelling.

Above all, they make it easy for me to always keep an eye on prices and find travel inspiration for my next destination.

I hope that you will find these travel resources as useful as I do.

Enjoy booking your next trip.

Thank you for reading! Please, leave me a comment, pin the images below or use the buttons right at the top and at the end of this page with my best travel resources to share it on social media.

For more useful information like this, please, like my blog’s page on  Facebook  and  subscribe  to my strictly no-spam newsletter.

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10 Travel Resources I Always Use (as a pro travel writer)

Dear reader: This article contains links to products and services that I may be compensated for, at no extra cost to you.

When it comes to travel, I am a serious planner. While I understanding spontaneous travelers, I am certainly not one of them. In fact, I am often guilty of overplanning. But for me, planning and looking forward to an upcoming trip is half the fun!

Below I’m going to introduce the main resources I always use for planning and actually booking all my trips. And as a travel addict for more than 20 years and full-time travel writer, I go on a lot of trips!

Table of Contents

Lonely Planet Guidebooks: Initial Research

Travel guidebooks may be a dying form, but I still use them for every trip. Often I only need a few chapters from a book, which can be purchased individually for less than $5 on the Lonely Planet website . Still, for me nothing beats having the whole, physical book, which I usually purchase here on Amazon .

Why bother when you can find all the information for free online? Well, I’ve always loved the way LP packs and organizes a huge amount of information into their books. Unlike blogs and other online resources, which are often written by non-experts (or people who haven’t even been to that place!), LP authors are trusted experts.

After I decide on a country, I’ll skim though the entire LP for it. This ensures I have a solid understanding of what attractions are there, where they are, how long I will need to see them, how much it will cost, best time to go, and so on.

At this point in my planning, I just like to get a general idea of how many days I’ll need for the purpose of booking my flight; I don’t make a detailed daily itinerary until later (we’ll get to that below!)

Budget Calculator: Start Saving for My Trip

Once I’ve figured out roughly when I want to go on a trip, as well as how much money I’ll need to execute it, it’s time to start setting aside the cash I need. I use this free budgeting calculator to manage my monthly expenses. It helps me to realize where I’m spending too much money (you’d be surprised; give it a try!) and figure out which expenses I have decrease to set aside more money for my trips.

Traveling frequently is undeniably expensive, but there are so many ways you can cut down on spending, not to mention ways to travel cheaper. But I’ll save that for a different article altogether!

Kiwi.com: Finding Flight Deals

There are countless flight booking websites out there, and many of them use dubious strategies to make more money from you. For example, they advertise super low prices, but the prices suddenly go up when you get to the check out screen. Or they pressure you into thinking a flight is almost sold out so you have to buy seats RIGHT NOW.

To be honest, this is why I actually DON’T recommend using any online third party to book your flights, Kiwi included. When COVID devastated the travel industry, thousands of travelers lost flights and never got their money back from many of these companies.

What I do recommend, however, is using Kiwi.com to find unusually good flight deals or routes (AKA “travel hacking”), then actually booking them with the airline. Booking direct is almost always a better idea when it comes to any changes or refunds, and they are usually easier to contact.

Kiwi has some really cool features to do this. First, when you search for a specific flight, you can add a radius to your destination, so it will suggest possible cheaper alternative routes to nearby cities. Second, if you aren’t even sure where you want to go, just type “anywhere” as your destination and it will show you some low-priced possibilities!

Skyscanner and Google Flights are two others that I also usually try for the sake of comparison.

Booking.com and Agoda: Booking Hotels

When it comes to booking accommodations for my trip, my two favorite resources are Booking and Agoda.

In terms of user interface, I like Booking the best. I find it the most user-friendly. I love the map feature that lets you set various filters and compare prices right on the map. I also love the genius discount which gives you free breakfasts and/or discounts after so many stays in a year. Making bookings on Booking is very straightforward, and cancelation policies are always very clear; you can often cancel a booking for free up to a certain date.

Here’s my referral link for Booking.com . The prices will be the same for you, but I’d get a tiny commission if you booked anything.

I don’t like Agoda’s interface as much, but what Agoda does offer is more selection and often slightly cheaper prices for accommodations in Asia specifically. And because my website is mostly about Asia, I find myself using and recommending Agoda more often for h0tels in Asia.

Here’s my referral link for Agoda .

Another plus of these booking websites is the hotel reviews, which can only be written by people who ACTUALLY stayed in them (unlike TripAdvisor).

Why I No Longer Use or Recommend Airbnb

I used to use Airbnb quite a bit, but I am no longer willing to support them. Traveling with young kids, especially in Europe, I must admit that we found lots of great Airbnb apartments with kitchens.

However, Airbnb has a long list of ethical breaches , including (but not limited to) driving up property prices for locals, forcing locals out of their own neighborhoods, and operating illegally in certain cities and countries.

From a blogger’s perspective, you may have seen lots of us recommending them with a “free voucher for your first stay” so that we could get the signup bonus on our end too; well, they silently cut that program out in 2021, as well as their short lived affiliate program, so that was the final nail in the coffin for us ever using or recommending Airbnb again.

As an ethical alternative to Airbnb, try using Fairbnb.coop , traditional B&Bs on Booking.com or Agoda, or whenever possible, just book directly with the hotel.

Travel Blogs: Detailed Itinerary Planning

Once I’ve booked my flights and hotels, it’s time to get down to the more serious, day-to-day itinerary planning. This is when I turn to my fellow travel bloggers for ideas and start making a schedule of what I want to see and do every day.

Unlike travel guidebooks, travel bloggers can be hit or miss. The information can be more recent than guidebooks, but it can also be outdated and unreliable. They can be more honest, but they can also be fake.

I guess more caution is needed here. But definitely travel blogs often serve to fill in the gaps of places that may have been missed in guidebooks, newer hot spots, or they paint a more honest realistic picture of attractions rather than just trying to make all of them sound amazing.

GoogleMaps: More Planning and Discovering New Local Spots

More and more in recent years I find myself doing a huge amount of travel research and planning using GoogleMaps . From reviews of attractions/hotels/restaurants and route planning to finding the exact location of trailhead or whether a neighborhood looks desireable to stay in.

Often before (or after) I book a hotel, I’ll just zoom in and scan the neighborhood for cool local spots or restaurants. Sometimes these up-and-coming places aren’t mentioned in travel guidebooks or blogs, or haven’t made their way up the rankings in TripAdvisor yet.

As a travel blogger who loves to publish extremely detailed guides, I also use this method for finding awesome things to do in destinations that haven’t been covered by other bloggers yet.

TripAdvisor: Filtering out Overrated Spots

To get a balanced perspective, I always also read reviews of attractions and restaurants on TripAdvisor (for hotels, I tend to stick to the booking sites, where only people who actually stayed there can leave a review).

On TripAdvisor, people tell it like it really is. No one is trying to inspire readers or upsell a destination. If you want to find out the possible downsides of a famous attraction, here you are.

Having said that, people are more like to write a review when they had an extreme experience (either extremely good, or more often, extremely bad). Therefore, you always have to take reviews with a grain of salt and read between the lines.

Also do consider that a lot of TripAdvisor reviews are fake. I tend to scan for reviewers that have many past reviews, write many details, and share both the good and bad.

Cookly: Finding Cooking Classes

Cooking classes a great way to experience local culture and bring some useful knowledge back from your trip. I recommend using Cookly to find cooking courses in whichever city or region your are visiting. There are probably more options than you’d imagine!

Klook: Finding Travel Deals in Asia

If you are heading to Asia, I would strongly recommend using Klook. You can find all kinds of awesome discounts and deals on things that you are probably going to be buying anyway on your trip, such as train tickets, restaurant vouchers, attraction entrance fees, and more. Sometimes you can save you up to 50%!

If you sign up for Klook with my referral code , you’ll get a discount on your first booking.

GetYourGuide: Travel Savings in Europe and Beyond

My final recommended travel resource is Get Your Guide, especially if you are planning a trip to Europe. Like Klook, they have discounts on all kinds of travel services and entrance fees, but they are especially good for small group tours.

We used Get Your Guide to book several small tours and activities on our trip across Europe with our kids, and we were never disappointed!

Here’s my GetYourGuide referral link .

Well, that brings us to the end of my recommended travel resources. I know there are many more out there, but these are the ones I always use. What am I missing? Which ones do you always use? Let me know in the comments below!

Related Posts

1 thought on “10 Travel Resources I Always Use (as a pro travel writer)”

Thank you for the info about Fairbnb.coop — I had never heard of them previously but it’s brilliant.

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• About the Wonderlusters
• How to Start a Travel Blog
• 300+ Best Travel Websites

300+ Best Travel Websites and Resources in 2020

Travel better and smarter for less with this incredible collection of 300+ of the world’s best travel-related websites and resources . Here are the most visited travel sites from around the world, brought together in one place, categorized by topic and ranked by popularity. You won’t see travel planning as a burden anymore.

Stop wasting time on search engines. Instead, add this page to your favorites! It will become your reference to help you: ⭐ Book flights, hotels and car rentals; ⭐ Know the alternatives in terms of accommodation and travel; ⭐ Plan your next destinations at the best price; ⭐ Find activities for your next destinations; ⭐ Find and share extraordinary travel experiences; ⭐ Save a lot of time and money; ⭐ And much more!

Disclosure Some of the links below are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, we will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. Your support is truly appreciated.

Booking Platforms (15)

Hotel Booking (8)

Cheap Flights (16)

Car Rentals (16)

Home Sharing (12)

Discount Travels (11)

Airlines (38)

Ridesharing & Carpooling (12)

Hotel Chains (12)

Mile & Points (10)

Trains & Buses (19)

House Swap (4)

Travel Insurance (11)

Hostels (5)

Best Travel Blogs (29)

RV Rentals (7)

Banking & Budget (9)

Trip Planners (8)

Cruises (13)

Travel Forums (7)

Tours & Activities (15)

Travel Communities (7)

Work & Travel (7)

Helpful Travel Sites (12)

Maps & GPS (10)

Useful Travel Apps (10)

Photos & Cloud Storage (7)

How to use this tool?

To refine your results, several options are available to you:

• Use the search box to make a quick find;
• Select any category of interest;
• Filter sites by keyword;
• Locate the ⭐ next to my favorite sites. They won’t disappoint you ?

Note: although most sites are global, some of them are specific to one or more countries.

How were these sites selected?

This compilation of travel resources is the result of countless hours of research that have raised Poly as an expert in travel planning. The flawless world tour he organized for my own family is a testimony to this.

We selected these sites based on the criteria of popularity and added value for our readers.

The site’s popularity

Marketing obviously contributes a lot to making a product or service popular. But without a value proposition, a website can’ t stay at the top for long. The most popular sites therefore generally have a superior service offering that sets them apart from the others.

On this page are listed the most popular websites in every category, which will meet most of your travel needs:

• Your flight, hotel and car rental reservations;
• Your housing and transportation alternatives;
• Your time and money savings options;
• Your insurance and travel fund management;
• Your tools to help you better plan your next trips;
• Your meetings and interactions with locals and other travelers;
• Your need for new inspiration;
• And your other travel-related needs.

The value we bring to our readers

A most popular site is not necessarily the best. Thus, there are some less popular sites that offer a service with a potential to take it to the top of the list .

For your best interest, we have included several less popular sites that you will appreciate, simply because we also appreciate them personally!

How are these lists ranked?

Establishing a ranking of the best travel sites is an intrinsically flawed process, as it is totally subjective. 10 people can do it in 10 different ways.

That’s why we preferred to do it in an objective way, using the Alexa site that ranks websites from all over the world according to traffic.

Is this method reliable? Traffic is one indicator among others. It is not necessarily better than another. Alexa’s traffic measure is by no means the most accurate and is certainly not flawless. But we chose this indicator because it is free and open to the public.

The websites are therefore not ranked in terms of quality, but in terms of popularity. This criterion remains consistent in each list, which implies that the best sites do not necessarily rank first in their respective categories. That said, we are confident that the site samplings in each category do represent the best sites in their category overall.

The traffic of a site can evolve rapidly. Some sites will disappear and other sites that will prove more valuable to travelers will appear, ensuring that you get periodically updated lists. That being said, traffic patterns are not likely to change dramatically. It is therefore quite likely that the lists will not change much from one update to the next.

How to submit a site to these lists?

If you know of essential sites that are not included in these lists, or if you would like to suggest new categories, please feel free to submit them to us via the contact form . If we believe they are relevant here, we will happily add them.

Please note that we will be particularly selective, as this page is not intended to be an exhaustive and worthless travel directory. Please understand, therefore, that we will assess the sites submitted to us according to the same combined criteria of popularity and added value to our readers, in line with the sites currently listed here.

Any comment?

We love hearing from travelers from all over the world. Feel free to tell us how our site has helped you make your travel arrangements easier by commenting below, or by sending us a message on our contact form or via Facebook .

such great information for bloggers I am a professional blogger thanks.

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57 Of The Best Travel Resources To Help You Plan Your Trip

Disclaimer – This post contains affiliate links. That means if you buy through my link, I may receive compensation at no extra cost to you.  

Travelling is one of the most enriching experiences you can have in your life. It offers a chance for self-discovery, seeing new places, meeting new people, and creating memories that will last a lifetime. But with so many options, from choosing a destination to booking accommodations, it can be overwhelming to plan a trip.

As a travel expert and frequent traveller who has travelled regularly to over thirty-five countries and has lived in four countries, I often get asked what the best travel resources are out there. Whether you’re planning a road trip, a beach vacation, or a European tour, it’s essential to be well-prepared for your trip. In this comprehensive guide, I’ll go over all the best travel resources that you can use to book and plan your trip, from start to finish.

Table of Contents [ expand ⬇️ ]

The Best Platforms To Plan & Research Destinations

The first step in planning a trip is researching your destination. There are many great resources out there to help you learn about different destinations, from travel blogs to guidebooks and more. Here are a few of the best resources for researching destinations:

1. Lonely Planet : Lonely Planet is one of the most well-known and respected travel guidebook companies out there. They offer a wide range of guidebooks on destinations all around the world, as well as a website filled with useful information, travel tips, and more.

2. TripAdvisor : TripAdvisor is one of the largest travel review websites out there. You can find reviews and opinions on just about any destination you’re considering, as well as useful information on hotels, restaurants, and more. There are plenty of a ctive travel forums for trip guidance and tips. 

3. Travel blogs: There are countless travel blogs out there, written by travellers just like you. They can be a great source of information and inspiration, and can also help you get a sense of what it’s like to travel to a particular destination. Some of my personal favourite travel blogs are The ufuoma , Travel with a pen , Being Christina Jane and of course mine . 

4.  Social Media: With social media platforms like Instagram , Facebook , TikTok and Twitter, we’re now more connected online on a global level. I love using Instagram and TikTok to discover new places and get tips from travellers and locals. Both social media platforms work similarly to Google and you can search for things to do in a city using their search function or through hashtags. I’ve found unique tours, local photographers, hairdressers and much more through Instagram. I use Facebook to join groups. There are hundreds of community travel groups or groups specifically for a destination which is a great way to connect with people, ask questions, advice and gain loads more tips. I love Twitter connecting with locals and travellers who are usually happy to share more information about a destination with you. It’s also great for finding out more current news about a destination, especially when there is a reactive situation taking place. I’ve used it to help me find local news on up-to-date COVID-19 measures during the pandemic in Tokyo and much more! 

5. Foreign travel advice : I use this website to search for a country or territory to find the latest information on entry requirements for UK residents, coronavirus, safety and security, entry requirements and travel warnings. This website is run by GOV.UK and you can sign up for email updates for a specific country. This came at a clutch during the initial pandemic when travel was more unpredictable and some countries were changing their entry requirements every other week. 

The Best Websites To Find Flights Tickets

Once you’ve decided on your destination, the next step is to book your flights. There are many websites, travel consultancy companies and travel agencies that can help you find the best flight deals, so it’s worth doing some research to find the best option for you. Here are a few of the best resources for booking flights:

6. Skyscanner: Skyscanner is my personal favourite flight search website/travel aggregator that can help you find the best deals on flights. They also have a handy “Everywhere” feature that can help you find the cheapest flights to any destination, regardless of where you’re starting from.

7. Kayak : Kayak is a popular flight search website that can help you compare prices from a wide range of airlines and travel agencies. You can also use their “Explore” feature to find cheap flights to destinations worldwide.

8. Airlines’ websites: Don’t forget to check the websites of the airlines themselves! They often offer great deals and promotions that you won’t find anywhere else. Once I find a good flight deal on travel fare aggregators, I’ll usually book on the airline website as they offer more flexibility than 3rd parties. 

9. Google Flights: Google Flights is a comprehensive flight search engine that allows you to search for flights based on your preferred dates, destination, and budget. One of the standout features of Google Flights is the price tracking feature, which allows you to track the price of a flight and receive notifications when the price changes. This can be incredibly useful if you’re looking to book a flight but want to wait for a better deal.

10. Hopper : Hopper is a popular travel website and app that specialises in helping users find the best deals on flights. With Hopper, you can search for flights based on your preferred dates and destination, and the app will provide you with a colour-coded calendar that displays the cheapest flights for your chosen dates. Hopper also uses historical data and AI technology to predict future flight prices, so you can determine the best time to book your flight. Additionally, Hopper offers a “Price Watch” feature, which allows you to track the price of a flight and receive notifications when the price changes, making it a great option for those who are looking to book a flight but want to wait for a better deal. Use my code: joyceo9vy to get £20 off your next hotel booking. 

11. Expedia : This travel technology company offers a variety of websites, all designed to help you with your travel needs, from car rentals to hotel bookings. Expedia’s websites, including CarRentals.com, Expedia.com, HomeAway, Hotels.com, Hotwire.com, Orbitz, Travelocity, Trivago, Venere.com, and VRBO, are all geared towards providing you with the best travel experience possible. With Expedia and its websites, you can easily compare prices from multiple airlines and travel agencies to find the best deal on your flight as they use travel fare aggregators and travel metasearch engines. Additionally, Expedia offers a “Flight Price Guarantee,” which ensures that you get the best price on your flight.

12. Kiwi : Kiwi is best for flight hackers who are looking to DIY your trip. It’s a comprehensive flight search engine that allows you to find the best deals on flights.  You’ll want to try their NOMAD and multi-city feature which helps you find the cheapest price if you want to visit multiple cities or countries. It’s my go-to website I like to use when I want to look for flights with multiple stopovers and want to do long layovers.

13. Momondo : Momondo offers a comprehensive flight search engine, helping users find the best deals on flights. Momondo offers a range of flight options, including budget airlines, making it a great option for those who are looking for cheap flights. Additionally, Momondo provides a “Price Calendar”. 

14. Wakanow : This is the number one leading African travel company where you can find the best for finding flight deals within Africa and beyond. You can pay in local African currencies such as Naira, Ghana Cedis and Gambian Dalasi as well as Great British Pounds and Dollars. Wakanow also has the ‘pay small small’ feature where you can put down a 25% down payment on flights and pay in instalments, allowing you to spread the rest of your costs. 

Travel Smart Tip:   Use flight aggregator websites such as Skyscanner,   Kayak,   Momondo ,   Google Flights and   Kiwi . Don’t buy the first ticket you see, always compare prices on these websites which could save you costs! I find that the features on the Kiwi and Kayak websites are great for booking a multi-city trip. 

The Best Websites To Find Cheap Flight Deals & Error Flights Tickets

15. Jack’s Flight Club : Jack’s Flight Club is the UK’s leading cheap-flight finding membership service. We notify our members about the most ridiculous flight deals to destinations all over the world. With an average saving of over £400 per ticket, you can be sure that our membership is worth every penny.

16. Going (formally known as Scott’s cheap flights): provide you with daily deals on flights leaving from airports across the USA . You can select your preferred US departure airport and sign up for their premium package which will give you access to their error fairs and be the first to know when flight deals drop. 

17. Secret Flying: This is the best website to find cheap flight deals and error flights from anywhere in the world.  They post deals from Europe, the US, Canada, Oceania, South America, Africa, Asia and more regions. I personally recommend this website because it caters to a global audience, enabling travellers to find inexpensive flight deals between countries. Secret Flying inspired me to plan a 2-in-1 trip, where I booked a 10-day vacation to Italy but cut it short and spent 4 days in Mykonos, Greece after spotting a flight ticket for less than £20.

Here are a few other websites that provide flight deals:

18. Airfare Spot

19. The Flight Deal  

20. TravelPirates

21. Airfare Watchdog

The Best Websites to Find Accommodation

Once you’ve booked your flights, the next step is to find a place to stay. There are many great options out there, from hotels and resorts to vacation rentals and more. Here are a few of the best resources for finding accommodation:

22. Booking.com :  is one of the largest online travel agencies , and they offer a wide range of accommodation options in destinations all around the world. You can also read reviews from previous guests to help you make an informed decision. Booking.com is my favourite because of the user-friendly interphase, and the genius loyalty programme where you can build up your travel rewards and receive discounts, free breakfast and free room upgrades on selected hotels. 

23. Airbnb: Airbnb is a popular platform that allows you to rent out rooms or entire homes from residents in destinations all around the world. This can be a great way to get a more authentic experience and save money on accommodation costs.

24. Hotels.com : One of the standout features of Hotels.com is its rewards program known as One Key. This program enables you to earn and utilise points called OneKeyCash across Hotels.com as well as its affiliated websites, including Expedia and Vrbo.

25. Agoda: Agoda is another Asia-based OTA (online travel agency) that offers a wide range of hotels and various lodging types, including hostels, private houses, and even extended stays globally but it is specifically great for finding those amazing and unique stays in Asia. I’ve used it many times when travelling to Thailand and other Southeast Asian countries as I found that it offered even better rates than other popular OTA’s. Agoda also offers the AgodaVIP program, an exclusive membership tier that provides users with additional discounts and perks as they accumulate bookings and loyalty to the platform.

26. Expedia: This is the one-stop travel site to book everything from flights, hotels car rentals and more. Expedia is the parent group Bundle your stay with a car rental or flight and you can save more. Expedia offers a free program called Expedia Rewards designed for frequent travellers who relish saving money on their journeys. Once you start collecting points, you unlock exclusive perks and get instant access to savings worth 10% or more on select hotels.  While Expedia is renowned for its exceptional deals, one of its standout features is its remarkable search filters. These filters are instrumental in streamlining your search process and finding the right accommodation catered to your needs. 

27. Hostelworld: This is a  global hostel-focused online booking platform, that is ideal for budget travellers who want to travel on the low but also meet new people.

28. Skyscanner Hotel search: While Skyscanner is known as a flight search engine, I recently discovered that you can search for hotels. Although it’s convenient to view pricing options for each hotel, there isn’t an extensive array of filtering options available. The map feature is helpful if you prefer locating a hotel based on its geographical location. I do like using it to search for hotels to see if I can find it at a more affordable rate. 

29. Google Hotel Search: Did you know that you can search for hotels directly on Google? Similar to Skyscanner Hotels and Tripadvisor, Google functions as a search engine for hotel listings. When using Google for hotel searches, you won’t actually make reservations through the platform; it merely serves as a tool to help you find the best hotel prices. 

30. American Express Travel

American Express offers more than just credit cards; they operate Amex Travel, a travel portal similar to online travel agencies (OTAs). It’s accessible even if you don’t hold an American Express credit card, although having one provides added benefits.

Amex Travel’s pricing typically aligns with other OTAs. However, if you have the Platinum Card® from American Express or The Business Platinum Card® from American Express , you can earn 5x points for prepaid hotel bookings made through Amex Travel. Additionally, booking fees for flights through Amex Travel are waived if you hold one of these cards. There are lots of perks for card members when booking hotels, like room upgrades, guaranteed 4 pm check-out, complimentary Wi-Fi and more.

One drawback when using Amex Travel is the necessity to create an account and log in to view the final pricing. The displayed prices do not include taxes and fees, which can be somewhat misleading if you’re not logged in.

Travel Smart Tip: Booking directly through a hotel’s website can often be the best choice for various reasons, whether you’re considering Hilton, Marriott, or any other hotel chain. If you happen to be a member of a hotel’s loyalty program and are aiming to either accrue or uphold elite status, your preference would likely lean towards making a direct reservation. When you opt for direct booking, you may be able to access reduced rates exclusively on the hotel’s website. 

The Best Websites to Book Activities and Tours

One of the best parts of travelling is getting to experience the incredible activities and sights that your destination has to offer. There are many resources out there to help you plan and book your activities, so you can make the most of your trip. Here are a few of the best resources for planning activities that I personally use:

31. Viator: is a well-known website that offers a wide variety of over 300,000  tours and activities around the world. They offer everything from sustainable travel options, and city tours to adventure activities, and they have a large selection of tours to choose from.

32. Getyourguide:   is another popular website that offers over 60,000 tours and activities in many destinations around the world. They offer a wide range of tours, including walking tours, food tours, and outdoor activities. If I’m not scrolling through Viator, I’m also looking at GetYourGuide as they also offer unusual and one-of-a-kind local tours exclusive to this platform.

33. Tripadvisor: This is the number 1 travel review website that also offers tours and activities. They have a large selection of tours to choose from, and they also provide user reviews to help you make an informed decision.

34. Airbnb Experiences: This is a platform that allows locals to offer unique experiences to travellers. They offer a range of experiences, from cooking classes to adventure activities, and they’re a great way to connect with locals and get authentic experiences. I’ve found some of the most unique and fun tours on this platform like the time I did a fun baking class with a nutritionist in Japan . 

35. Guruwalk : offers ‘free’ walking tours organised by local guides around the world. It’s a great way to experience a new city through a local lens. I usually like doing a walking tour in the first few days of a new destination as it helps me familiarise myself with my surroundings. Plus I can ask the local guide for more info on the best local food spots and hidden gems.

36. Showaround: Showaround is an app that facilitates connections between travellers and locals who are enthusiastic about showcasing the best of their home cities. If you’re seeking a genuine and off-the-beaten-path experience, this app is a fantastic choice. During my solo trip to the Philippines, one of the standout moments was spending a day with friendly Filipino locals. My goal was to explore Cebu, visit historical sites, and savour the local cuisine. I arranged an affordable, customised tour through Showaround, and what I truly appreciate is that it allows you to directly support the local economy. Although we had to alter our plans due to bad weather, we still had an enjoyable time. Experiencing Cebu City through the perspective of Cebuanos was an amazing experience and they taught me so much about their culture. It’s incredible how you can connect with people from diverse backgrounds and cultures, and they warmly embrace you.

Some locals on Showaround even offer free tours, either to practice their English or simply to engage with travellers from different cultures. My Showaround adventures have taken me to Ghana, Turkey, Sweden, and Israel. In Israel, I had a unique tour exploring the sacred city of Jerusalem and was graciously invited to partake in a traditional Shabbat dinner with my tour guide’s family.

37. Klook: Klook is a booking platform on which travellers can book hotels, cars, tours and activities, tickets to attractions, and shows at great prices. Thanks to the convenient app, travellers can access the most popular attractions and hidden gems at their fingertips. I find Klook to be great if you’re looking for amazing unique tours in Asia. 

39. WeGoTrip : WeGoTrip is an online platform that facilitates the booking of audio excursions and self-guided tours in over 35 countries, primarily available in English. Travellers have the opportunity to engage with audio excursions crafted by seasoned tour guides and local experts. 

40.  Go City : Multi-attraction passes for the top tourist destinations worldwide at up to 50% off the initial cost of entry into attractions and some tours. 

The Best Websites To Book Transport and Car rentals

Rail, train & bus travel.

41. Trainline: Trainline Europe’s leading train and coach app and website. Collaborating with more than 210 rail and coach companies, Trainline facilitates travel for its customers to a multitude of destinations spanning 45 countries. The primary objective is to seamlessly integrate all rail, coach, and additional travel services into a user-friendly experience, enabling customers to access the most competitive prices and real-time travel insights while on the move. I personally used this for many years to book train tickets across the UK and when I’m travelling within Europe to cities like Venice and Verona.

42. Rome2Rio: is a comprehensive travel planning platform that offers users the ability to search, compare, and book various transportation options for their journeys. This platform provides information on flights, trains, buses, ferries, and driving routes, making it easier for travellers to plan their trips efficiently and find the best routes and prices for their specific needs. Rome2Rio is a valuable tool for those looking to explore various travel options and make informed decisions about their travel itineraries. I also love it for mapping out road trips when travelling. 

43. Flixbus US: FlixBus is a prominent long-distance bus transportation company that operates across Europe and the United States. It offers an extensive network of routes, connecting numerous cities and destinations. Back when I was a university student, I used to use FlixBus to get to London because of its affordable fares, modern buses, and a range of onboard amenities. It’s a popular choice for budget-conscious travellers seeking comfortable and eco-friendly travel options. 

Airport Transfers

45. HolidayTaxis: HolidayTaxis is a globally recognised ground transportation company that has received awards for its excellence. It specialises in offering airport transfer services in more than 21,000 resorts across cities in 150 different countries. They offer a variety of vehicle options for solo and large group sizes, including shuttles, private taxis, and large coaches, ensuring that every traveller’s needs are met.

46. Kiwitaxi: is an online booking platform for individual transfer services and private car tours. KiwiTaxi operates in over 100 countries worldwide, with more than 500 airports and 117500 routes, including popular destinations in Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas.

47. 12Go: 12Go is an online platform that streamlines travel bookings and reservations for a wide range of transportation options throughout Asia. This user-friendly platform empowers travellers to book trains, buses, ferries, flights, and more across multiple Asian countries, simplifying the process of planning and coordinating their trips. The primary objective of 12Go Asia is to offer travellers a convenient and all-encompassing tool for accessing transportation services throughout the Asian region. 

You can also book airport transfers on Expedia and Booking.com . 

48. Discover Cars: is an Award-winning car rental comparison website (World Travel Awards, Financial Times 1000, Inc. 5000). Customers can find, compare and rent a car globally. – over 10,000 locations worldwide. 

49. Rentalcars: The world’s biggest online car rental service (present in 160 countries worldwide). You can also hire car rentals on Gocity and Skyscanner and would recommend comparing rates with all the platforms I’ve mentioned. 

The Best Travel AI Resources To Plan and Book Your Trip

50. GuideGeek: This is like the Chat GPT version of travel. Imagine having your own personal AI travel assistant where you can ask pretty much any travel-related question to plan your holiday. It works on Whatsapp and it will provide you with quick responses to topics like the best restaurants and bars in a city, hotel and Airbnb recommendations, custom itineraries, safety info and local slang to know plus much more.

51. TravelArrow: is an all-in-one travel assistant that helps you get the best deal on your next vacation. Reveal hidden deals and discounts, save money, and travel better. Travelarrow helps you save on travel from revealing Priceline’s hidden saver deals to easily converting your Google Flights search to Kayak, Skyscanner, and much more! TravelArrow runs in the background to help you travel better.

52. PlanMoreTrips: a free service that helps you save money when booking flights, hotels, Airbnbs, cars, or really anything. Just install the free PlanMoreTrips Chrome extension and then you can visit any travel websites like Google Flights, Airbnb, Expedia, etc and they will help you save money on your trip.

Important Things You Need To Plan Your Trip

Travel insurance .

As a frequent traveller who’s experienced mishaps and unplanned situations during my travels, I cannot stress the importance of having travel insurance. Travel insurance is essential when you travel. It’s not just important; it’s the single most crucial thing you should have in your travel toolkit. The unpredictability of travel means you never really know what could happen, and it’s worth noting that most regular health insurance plans don’t cover you when you’re abroad.

Travel insurance serves as your safety net, covering a wide range of scenarios, from injuries and illnesses to protecting the valuable belongings you bring along on your journey. It’s there to shield you from the unexpected, be it accidents, trip cancellations, or any other unforeseen mishaps that might crop up.

53. Safety Wing : Safety Wing is a global travel medical insurance provider that caters to the needs of digital nomads, remote workers, and travellers. Their insurance plans are designed to offer comprehensive coverage for medical expenses, emergency evacuation, and other travel-related issues. Safety Wing’s flexible and affordable policies are popular among those who lead a nomadic lifestyle or travel extensively, providing you with peace of mind and protection while on the road.

54. MoneySuperMarket Travel Insurance: is a service provided by MoneySuperMarket, a leading comparison website in the United Kingdom. This platform allows individuals to compare and purchase travel insurance policies from various providers. MoneySuperMarket Travel Insurance assists travellers in finding the most suitable and cost-effective insurance coverage for their trips, helping them make informed decisions to ensure their peace of mind while travelling.

Travel smart tip: Always check the policies and terms and conditions to know exactly what is covered and not in your travel insurance policy. 

An eSIM, short for “electronic SIM,” is a digital SIM card that is embedded within a device, such as a smartphone or tablet, rather than being a physical, removable card. E-sims enable users to switch between mobile carriers and plans without needing a physical SIM card replacement. They offer greater flexibility and convenience for managing mobile connectivity, especially when travelling or when you need to change your cellular plan. E-sims have become increasingly popular in recent years as they simplify the process of connecting to different mobile networks.

55. Airalo: is the world’s first eSIM store that solves the pain of high roaming bills by giving travellers access to eSIMs (digital SIM cards). More than one million people are already using Airalo’s eSIMs. With eSIMs from Airalo, travellers can download and install a digital data pack for over 200 countries/regions and get connected anywhere in the world as soon as they land.

56. Ajo: If you are travelling on the African continent, Ajo helps you stay conveniently connected when travelling to countries like Ghana and Nigeria. Use ‘ TRAVELWITHJOYCE ‘ code and get 5% off your data plan with  Ajo .  

Travel Card To Use Abroad

57. Monzo: Monzo is a digital bank that offers a prepaid debit card and a mobile app that I use for managing finances while abroad. Some of my favourite perks are competitive exchange rates and doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees when you make purchases abroad. This can save you money compared to using traditional banks. Monzo’s app provides various budgeting tools, such as categorizing expenses and setting spending limits, making it easier to manage your finances on the go. Monzo offers free ATM withdrawals up to £200/month, you can set budgets for your spending and you receive instant messages to track your spending habits. 

In conclusion, there are many travel resources available to help you book your trip. From websites for booking flights and accommodations to travel packages and tours, there are options for every type of traveller. By taking advantage of these resources, you can make the travel booking process stress-free and ensure that your trip is a success.

These are just a few of the many travel planning websites that can help you plan your trip with ease and confidence. If you’re limited with time or find travel planning stressful, outsource a travel consultant who can help with finding the best deals and help you travel with ease. 

What’s your favourite travel resource to plan your trip?

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You may also enjoy:, exotic fruits that will up your cooking …, 5 top things to do in venice, 12 tips to travel more with a full-time …, #foodtravelseries ep.8: a taste of france.

Great resources! Your list simplifies trip planning with helpful tools and tips. Thanks for making travel preparation easier and more efficient!

Thank you Carl, I’m glad to hear!

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Nomadic Matt's Travel Site

Travel Better, Cheaper, Longer

My Best 61 Travel Tips to Make You the World’s Savviest Traveler

Most people aren’t born savvy travelers. It’s something that only comes with on-the-road experience. Travel savviness is a process born of missed buses, foolish behavior, cultural unawareness, and countless tiny errors. Then, one day, you begin to seamlessly move through airports and integrate yourself into new cultures like a fish to water.

In the beginning, you just make a lot of travel mistakes.

But I want to help speed up the process and help you avoid my mistakes ( and I often make a lot of them ), so I put together this giant list of my best travel tips that cover everything under the sun to help you reach your full travel ninja potential.

I’ve learned these tips over the last sixteen years being a nomad.

These tips for traveling will have you saving money, sleeping better, getting off the beaten path more, meeting locals, and just being a better traveler.

So, without further ado, here are the best 61 travel tips in the world:

1. Always pack a towel. It’s the key to successful galactic hitchhiking – and plain common sense. You never know when you will need it, whether it’s at the beach, on a picnic, or just to dry off after a shower. While many hostels offer towels, you never know if they will or not, and carrying a small towel won’t add that much weight to your bag.

Make sure it’s a lightweight, quick-drying towel since regular towels are too bulky and heavy (and they take a long time to dry). Dry Fox travel towels are my favorite (use the code “nomadicmatt” for 15% off your purchase)!

My favorite bag is the Flash Pack from REI . Other companies offering high-quality bags are Osprey, Nomatic, and MEC (for Canadians).

This article has more tips on finding the best travel backpack for your needs.

The same rule applies to suitcases. Don’t take a huge suitcase because they are a pain in the butt to lug around, especially if you’re traveling long term (short term, not so much). I like Level 8 suitcases. They are durable, quite spacious, nicely designed, and well-priced (luggage can be pretty damn expensive). Plus, they have a TSA lock built into the zipper. You can click here to learn more and buy one .

I also recommend packing cubes , which are essential if you’re going to be living out of a backpack for a few weeks (or months), or you just want to keep your suitcase better organized. They come in a variety of sizes, allowing you to store items big and small. They’re great for making it easy to find everything in your backpack or suitcase.

3. Pack light. Write down a list of essentials, cut it in half, and then only pack that! Plus, since you bought a small backpack like I said above, you won’t have much room for extra stuff anyways! Take half the clothes you think you will need…you won’t need as much as you think. It’s OK to wear the same t-shirt a few days in a row.

I love Unbound Merino , as their travel clothing can be worn daily for weeks without getting smelly. They are super light and they look sylish too. I really love the material, they’re comfortable, they hardly ever need a wash, and they last forever!

Click here for more packing tips .

4. But take extra socks. You’ll lose a bunch to laundry gremlins, wear and tear, and hiking so packing extra will come in handy. Take a few more than you need. Trust me on this. Nothing beats a fresh pair of socks!

Here’s a list of all my best hostels around the world . If you’re planning on backpacking Europe , it’s worth getting HostelPass , a card that gives you up to 20% off hostels throughout Europe. It’s a great way to save money, and they’re constantly adding new hostels too. I’ve always wanted something like this and so I’m glad it finally exists. Use code NOMADICMATT for 25% off.

6. Take an extra bank card and credit card with you Disasters happen and things get stolen or compromised. I once had a card duplicated and a freeze put on it. I couldn’t use it for the rest of my trip. I was very happy I had a backup. You don’t want to be stuck somewhere new without access to your funds. This happened to a friend once and they had to borrow money for me for weeks while they waited for their new card to arrive.

Here are some helpful articles on banking:

• How to Avoid Banking Fees While Traveling
• 22 Ways to Cut Your Expenses and Have Money for Travel
• How to Pick the Best Travel Credit Card

7. Make sure to use no-fee bank cards. Don’t give banks your hard-earned money. Keep that for yourself and spend it on your travels. Get a credit card and debit card that doesn’t charge a foreign transaction fee or an ATM fee. Over the course of a long trip, the few dollars they take every time will really add up!

Here’s an article that will tell you how to do that.

8. Don’t fly direct. When booking flights, sometimes it is cheaper to fly in to airports close to your final destination, and then take a train, bus, or budget airline to where you need to go.

To use this method, find out how much it is to go directly to your destination. Then, look at prices to nearby airports. If the difference is more than $150 USD, I look to see how much it is to get from the second airport to my primary destination.

My favorite flight search engine is Skyscanner . This is my go-to website for finding cheap flights. It searches a lot of different airlines, including many of the budget carriers that larger sites miss.

Here are some more tips on finding cheap flights!

Here are some helpful articles on solo travel:

• Why I Travel Alone
• The Joy of Solo Travel
• Travel: The Ultimate Personal Development Tool
• How to Overcome Being Alone
• Reading People: One Skill Travel Has Taught Me

10. Always visit the local tourism information center. This is probably one of the most underused travel tips in the world. Tourism information centers know about everything going on in town. They can point you to free activities, special events happening during your stay, and everything in between. They even offer discounts on attractions and transportation. It is their job to help you experience the destination better. It’s amazing how many travelers skip this when they are visiting somewhere but, as a savvy traveler, you know to use this resource!

11. Take free walking tours. Besides being free, these tours will give you a good orientation and background of the city you are visiting. I love, love, love taking walking tours when I travel. You pass the time, you get to pepper the guide with questions, and you get to learn so much about where you are. Here are some of my favorite walking tour companies around the world:

• The Best Walking Tours in New York City
• The Best Walking Tours in London
• The Best Walking Tours in Paris
• The Best Walking Tours in Berlin
• The Best Walking Tours in Amsterdam

And while free walking tours are great, sometimes it’s worth it to take a paid walking tour if you’d like to dig deeper into a particular aspect of the destination. Walks is one of my favorite paid walking tour companies, offering in-depth history and cultural tours in cities around the world (especially Europe). Its small-group tours also tend to offer exclusive behind-the-scenes access you can’t get elsewhere.

For fellow foodies, Devour Food Tours has all kinds of amazing food tours around Europe.

12. Don’t be afraid to use a map. Looking like a tourist isn’t as bad as getting really lost and ending up in the wrong neighborhood. Don’t be afraid to use a map or ask for directions and look like a tourist. After all, you are one!

13. But don’t be afraid to get purposefully lost. Wandering aimlessly through a new city is a good way to get to know it, get off the beaten path, and away from the tourists. You might be surprised by the hidden gems you find. I like to wander around and try to find my way without using Google Maps. Travel is the art of discovery and you never know what cool little spot you’ll come across.

14. Ask hostel staff for information — even when you aren’t staying there. Hostel staff deal with budget travelers all day, every day. They know exactly where to go for cheap meals and attractions. They also tend to be locals so they know the city very well. Ask them for all sorts of information. Even if you aren’t staying in one, just pop in and ask for help. They’ll usually give it.

15. Sign up for flight deals. When it comes to travel, your flight(s) will likely be your biggest expense. Save money by signing up for flight deal websites. You’ll get epic flight deals straight to your inbox, saving you time and money. Also be sure to sign up for airline newsletters, since that is where they will announce their sales first. The best websites for finding travel deals are:

• Going (formerly Scott’s Cheap Flights) – The BEST for upcoming US flight deals.
• The Flight Deal – Great for global flight deals.
• Holiday Pirates – The best for European flight deals.
• Secret Flying – A great site for flight deals from around the world.

16. Don’t buy a money belt — they’re stupid. Thieves know they exist and being seen with one basically shouts, “Look at me, I’m a tourist with money! Rip me off!” The more you can blend in and act like a local, the easier it will be to get deals and avoid touts. If you’re worried about pickpockets, keep a better eye on your stuff!

17. When you go out, take only what you need. Limit the amount of cash and bank cards you carry with you when you go out, so if something does happen, you can easily recover. Never take more than one credit card or ATM card with you. My rule for cash is to limit what I carry to $50 USD.

18. Always carry a lock. Carry a small combination lock with you when you travel. They come in handy, especially when you stay in dorms. Most hostels use lockers, so budget travelers need to provide their own travel lock to keep stuff secured. While you can usually rent or buy them at hostels, it’s much cheaper just to buy one before you go. (Just don’t use one with keys because if you lose the keys, you’re screwed!)

19. Make extra copies of your passport and important documents. Don’t forget to e-mail a copy to yourself too. You never know when you might need to have some sort of documentation with you and might not want to carry your original. Additionally, if your passport gets stolen having a copy will come in handy for your police report.

20. Learn basic phrases in the native language of your destination. The locals will appreciate it and it will make your interactions easier. You don’t need to master the language but learning a few things like “Hello,” “Goodbye,” “Thank you!”, “Where’s the bathroom?” will go a long way to endearing yourself with the locals. They’ll like that you tried.

Here are some tips on how to learn a language .

Here are some posts that highlight my favorite reads:

• 13 Travel Books That Will Give You Serious Wanderlust
• The Best Travel Books
• 12 Books to Take You Around the World

22. Don’t be ashamed to walk into a Starbucks or McDonald’s. Sometimes familiarity is comforting and both places have free wifi and public restrooms you can use. (Just don’t eat the food at McDonald’s! That shit is gross and unhealthy for you! You can get it back home!). Libraries and most modern coffee shops also have free Wi-Fi too.

23. Always get behind business travelers when in security lines. They move fast since they are usually in a rush and travel light. They know the drill. Line up behind them as much as possible. You’ll speed through the line!

24. Never get behind families in airport security. They take forever. It’s not their fault. They just have a lot of stuff because of the kids. Try to avoid getting in lines with lots of kids. It’s going to take a while.

25. When you check in to the hotel, don’t be afraid to ask for an upgrade. They have a lot of flexibility when it comes to assigning upgrades at check-in. It never hurts to ask. Often times they can accommodate you if the hotel isn’t full. Just be super nice!

Note: If you stay in hotels frequently (or want to), it might be worth it to get a hotel credit card . You can earn points on your everyday spending at home and convert those points into free stays. The best cards come with status, making upgrades more likely too!

26. Write down your experiences. Even in this hyper-technological age, I think everyone needs to write more during their travels so they have something to look back on. I never leave home without a journal. Not only do I use them for work (I’m constantly taking notes and writing down ideas) but I also use them to keep track of my travels.

Simple travel journals work great for journaling during your trip as well as for writing down logistical information like directions, contact information, and language tips.

If you want a travel journal that isn’t just blank pages but rather has space for itinerary planning, places to jot notes in the local language, inspirational quotes, and more, grab our new travel journal. It was designed specifically with travelers in mind, so you can take notes as well as write down stories and reflections during your travels.

27. Lunchtime is the best time to visit historical sites. Be a contrarian. You’ll have fewer crowds getting in your way as big tour buses, groups, and most travelers head to lunch. It’s always best to visit an attraction super early, late, or when people eat. You’ll have even the most popular places to yourself!

28. Never eat in a touristy area or near a tourist attraction. As a general rule, I walk five blocks in either direction before I find a place to eat. The closer you are to tourist attractions the more you are going to pay and the worse the food (and service). Use websites like Yelp , Google Maps , or Open Rice to find some delicious and popular restaurants around you.

Additionally, never eat anywhere the menu is in like 6 languages! That means the restaurant is just for tourists!

29. Locals don’t eat out every night and neither should you. Go grocery shopping. You can learn a lot about locals’ diets by seeing the type of food they buy. Plus, it will save you a lot of money. You won’t regret it. Cook your food, save money, and surprise yourself!

30. Eat at expensive restaurants during lunch. Most expensive restaurants offer lunch specials featuring the same food they would serve for dinner but for a fraction of the cost! That’s the best time to eat out when you travel.

I share more tips on how to eat cheaply around the world here.

31. Pack a headlamp. This is a handy tool for both backpackers and anyone looking to do any hiking or camping. If you’re going to be staying in a hostel, having a headlamp is helpful when you need to check in or out but don’t want to disturb your fellow travelers by turning on the lights. They’re also helpful in emergencies.

32. Carry a basic first-aid kit. Accidents happen, so be prepared. I always take band-aids, antibacterial cream, and ointments for minor cuts and scrapes. You never know when you’re going to need it and you can’t always get it when you travel.

You can either assemble a first aid kit yourself ( here are some tips for doing so ), or purchase a pre-made kit online .

33. Don’t believe the cheap flight myths. Don’t drive yourself too crazy trying to get the absolute cheapest fare. There are a lot of myths online about how to find cheap flights, but there is no magic bullet or one secret ninja trick. It’s not cheaper to book on a particular day of the week, or if you search in an incognito window.

Spending five hours to try to save $10 will cause you a lot of stress. Once you find a flight deal that you’re happy with, book right away, as airfares change by the minute. Remember, you usually have a 24-hour window to cancel in case you need to.

Here are some article on how to save money on flights:

• 5 Steps to Booking a Cheap Flight Online
• How to Always Find a Cheap Flight
• Where I Find the Best Travel Deals

34. Use Meetup, the sharing economy, and hospitality websites to meet locals. These websites will help you get an insider’s perspective on your destination by connecting you with locals in the places you visit. The sharing economy has changed the way people travel allowing you to meet locals, get off the tourist travel, and save mega money! It’s a triple win – and I use these resources all the time when I travel.

Here’s an article on how to use the sharing economy (and what websites to use) when you travel.

35. Be open to strangers. Not everyone bites. Say hi to people on the road. Turn strangers into friends. Remember they are just like you! They want to live a happy, full life and have hopes and dreams too! You never know. You just might make some lifelong friends.

36. But keep your guard up. Some people do bite, so keep a healthy level of suspicion. You don’t want to fall for any travel scams or get yourself into uncomfortable situations. Be open but cautious. Here is a list of travel scams to avoid.

• My Favorite Restaurants in Europe
• The Best Places to Eat in NYC
• How to Eat Cheap Around the World
• 30+ Places to Eat in Tokyo
• How to Eat Around the World on a Vegan Diet

38. Avoid taxis. They are always a budget buster. Never, ever take a taxi unless you absolutely have too!

39. Take a reusable water bottle through airport security and fill it up at your gate. Single-use plastics are common in a lot of countries around the world. They’re also polluting our oceans and destroying the environment. Drink from the tap when you can — you’ll save money and help the environment. If you’re going somewhere where you can’t drink the water, be sure to get a water bottle with a filter. I love Lifestraw .

40. Get city attraction cards. If you are going to visit a lot of museums and other attractions in a short period of time, a city pass is going to save you money on admission (plus most provide free public transportation too!).

41. Take pictures of your luggage and clothes. If your bag gets lost, this will help identify it more easily and speed up the process of having your travel insurance reimburse you.

42. Carry emergency cash. Because emergencies happen, like that time in Romania when I couldn’t find an ATM and needed money for the bus to the hostel. I usually try to keep around $200 USD in emergency cash in case something happens!

43. Get good shoes. You walk a lot when you travel. Don’t beat up your feet. Love them as much as they love you, and they’ll take you to amazing places.

My favorite shoes for traveling are Suavs shoes , which are versatile and durable. They’re comfortable and great for exploring a new city all day, but also look nice enough that you can dress them up if you want to at night.

44. Get vaccinated. Because falling prey to an illness in a foreign country is not fun — and many countries require you to get vaccinated in order to visit them. So regardless of your opinion on the subject, you just might have to.

Here is an article on how to stay healthy on the road.

45. Learn to haggle. Haggling is a fun, playful way of not getting charged the foreigner price. It’s the art of negotiating and one that will help you throughout all of life, not just at the market.

Here are some articles to help you get started with using points and miles:

• Points and Miles 101: A Beginner’s Guide
• How I Earn 1 Million Frequent Flier Miles Every Year
• The Best Travel Credit Cards
• The Ultimate Guide to Picking the Best Travel Credit Card

47. Take a jacket. Nights get chilly.

48. Eat street food! If you skip the street food, you miss out on culture . Don’t be scared. If you’re nervous, look for places where kids are eating. If it’s safe for them, it’s safe for you.

49. Get travel insurance. Travel insurance is the most important thing to get that you never want to use. If something goes wrong, you don’t want to be out thousands of dollars in bills. Travel insurance will be there if you get robbed, flights get canceled, you get sick or injured, or have to be sent home. It’s comprehensive and, for just a few dollars a day, one of the best investments you can get for a trip.

You may think you’re superman/woman but so did my friend who broke her arm, didn’t have insurance, and had to pay thousands out of pocket. Insurance was there when I had to replace my camera and when I popped an eardrum scuba diving! Get it! Here are some tips on how to find the best travel insurance.

My favorite companies are:

• SafetyWing – A budget-friendly choice for travelers who need basic coverage. They are affordable, have great customer service, and make it easy to make a claim. If you’re on a tight budget, go with SafetyWing!
• Insure My Trip – The best insurance for those over 70 years old.
• Medjet – This is a membership program that provides emergency evacuation coverage should you get into a dire situation while traveling and be hospitalized. Medjet is meant to supplement your regular travel insurance.

50. Be patient. Things will work out in the end. No need to rush. You’ll get to where you are going in due time. Travel is about the journey, not the destination.

51. Be respectful. Locals are willing to help you out, but there’s probably a language barrier, so keep your cool when something doesn’t go your way. If you don’t, you’ll end up just looking like an asshole tourist.

52. Don’t over plan your trip. Let your days unfold naturally. Schedule two or three things and let the day fill in the rest on its own. It’s less stressful, and letting the day just take you is one of the best ways to travel. Here’s my advice on how not to over plan your travels!

53. Relax. See Be patient .

54. Be frugal — but not cheap. Don’t be pennywise but pound-foolish. Look for deals and don’t waste money, but don’t miss out on great experiences or walk 10 miles to save a couple of dollars. Time is money. Spend them both wisely.

55. Take earplugs. Anyone who has ever stayed in a hostel knows that earplugs are a necessity. Snorers are everywhere and you need your sleep.

But even if you’re not going to be in a hostel, they’re still helpful for sleeping well if your accommodation is located on a busy street, or for sleeping in buses, overnight trains, and other types of transportation. A good night’s sleep is priceless — be prepared!

These earplugs are reusable and work much better than the cheap foam ones, blocking out any distracting noises.

56. Always carry a power bank. Batteries die. Your good mood shouldn’t.

We all travel with numerous electronic devices like phones and tablets, but it can be hard to keep them all charged. An external battery solves that problem.

57. Remember that you’re not alone even if you’re traveling solo. Traveling alone never means you’re really alone. Wherever you go, there is a network of travelers who will be your friends, give you advice or tips, and help you out. They will guide you, point you in the right direction, and be your mentors. You aren’t out there on your own. You’ll make lots of friends and tons of memories.

If you’re not sure about traveling on your own for the first time, you can always join a group tour, such as those we offer at The Nomadic Network . I’ve designed all the itineraries myself to ensure they cover the highlights, get you off the tourist trail, and connect you with friends and locals.

59. Pre-book your tickets to attractions, activities, and excursions online. If you’re planning to do any activities or excursions on your trip, book them online. Companies usually offer a discounted price when compared to buying in person. Not only that but you’ll be able to pay with a credit card, giving you some extra protection as well as more travel points!

Many major attractions also allow you to reserve your spot and skip the line. Always look online to see if this is an option. This will you to avoid wasting time in multi-hour lines and go right in. I’ve seen people wait hours for the Paris Catacombs, Louvre, London Churchill War Rooms, churches, temples, historic fortresses, and more. Pre-book the day before, skip the line, get to see more during your day!

Get Your Guide is my favorite place to book activities in advance. It’s a huge online marketplace for tours and excursions, with tons of options in cities all around the world, including skip-the-line attraction tickets, cooking classes, walking tours, and more!

60. Avoid TripAdvisor. TripAdvisor is fine when you need opening hours or an address, but when it comes to reviews I ignore it completely. People always leave a negative review when something bad happens but rarely leave a positive review when something good happens so the reviews tend to be skewed.

On top of that, it’s very easy to create fake reviews and make a place seem better than it is. Many hotels and restaurants hire firms to artificially inflate their reviews on the platform. Additionally, TripAdvisor has been known to take down reviews that are overly negative as well as reviews on sexual assault. Use TripAdvisor with caution. Or better yet, don’t use it at all.

61. Finally, wear sunscreen. For as the Baz Luhrmann song “Everybody’s Free (To Wear Sunscreen)” goes:

If I could offer you only one tip for the future, sunscreen would be it. The long-term benefits of sunscreen have been proved by scientists Whereas the rest of my advice has no basis more reliable Than my own meandering experience.

Book Your Trip: Logistical Tips and Tricks

Book Your Flight Find a cheap flight by using Skyscanner . It’s my favorite search engine because it searches websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is being left unturned.

Book Your Accommodation You can book your hostel with Hostelworld . If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com as it consistently returns the cheapest rates for guesthouses and hotels.

Don’t Forget Travel Insurance Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:

• SafetyWing (best for everyone)
• Insure My Trip (for those 70 and over)
• Medjet (for additional evacuation coverage)

Want to Travel for Free? Travel credit cards allow you to earn points that can be redeemed for free flights and accommodation — all without any extra spending. Check out my guide to picking the right card and my current favorites to get started and see the latest best deals.

Need Help Finding Activities for Your Trip? Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace where you can find cool walking tours, fun excursions, skip-the-line tickets, private guides, and more.

Ready to Book Your Trip? Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel. I list all the ones I use when I travel. They are the best in class and you can’t go wrong using them on your trip.

Got a comment on this article? Join the conversation on Facebook , Instagram , or Twitter and share your thoughts!

Disclosure: Please note that some of the links above may be affiliate links, and at no additional cost to you, I earn a commission if you make a purchase. I recommend only products and companies I use and the income goes to keeping the site community supported and ad free.

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More From Forbes

The best places to travel, according to a ranking of where people want to visit again.

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An amazing part of traveling is discovering a new place, but there’s something special about returning to a beloved destination—which also speaks volumes about what makes a place stand out as one of the best.

So what are the places travelers want to return to the most?

Travel insurance specialists InsureandGo recent issued a report ranking the places that travelers are most eager to revisit . To come up with this list, the researchers looked at almost 500 countries, cities and global tourist attractions, then analyzed thousands of comments on Reddit and numerous online reviews to uncover the places that hold the greatest allure for repeat visits.

“There’s no end to the experiences you can have while traveling, with so many different countries and cities around the globe just waiting to be explored,” Russell Wallace, travel insurance expert at InsureandGo, said in a release. “In some instances, however, traveling to the same place repeatedly can in fact, provide a richer experience. Bringing with it a deeper understanding of a destination, along with local insights and maybe even discovering some hidden gems.”

A spring view of Fujiyoshida and Mt. Fuji in Japan, the country that travelers want to visit most.

Topping the list of countries that travelers yearn to revisit is Japan, which is renowned for its rich culture and diverse offerings. With an impressive 324 mentions on Reddit discussions alone, Japan has clearly enchanted visitors with its captivating blend of tradition and modernity, from the bustling streets of Tokyo to the serene landscapes of Kyoto.

Following closely behind Japan are Italy and Spain, two perennial favorites among globetrotters. With 294 and 209 mentions respectively, these Mediterranean gems captivate visitors with their culinary delights, stunning coastlines and architectural wonders.

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When it comes to cities, London—with its iconic landmarks like Buckingham Palace and the Tower of London—reigns supreme as the ultimate destination for repeat visits. Rounding out the top five on the list: Paris, Barcelona and New York City (a tie), then Rome.

When it comes to tourist attractions, Dollywood was named the place travelers want to return to most. Set in the heart of Tennessee’s Smoky Mountains, this theme park—partly owned by the legendary Dolly Parton—delights visitors with its unique blend of entertainment, nostalgia and Southern hospitality. Disneyland in California came in at number two. A number of locations tied for the fifth spot on the list, including Yosemite National Park, England’s Blenheim Palace and Tokyo Disneyland.

Read on for the lists of the places people want to return to; you can find more lists—including the top 50 tourist attractions in the full report .

Japan was named the country people want to return to most. Pictured here: the historic Higashiyama ... [+] district in Kyoto.

Top 10 Countries People Most Want To Return To

5. Thailand

10. Germany

Union Jacks on Oxford Street in London—the city travelers want to return to most.

Top 10 Cities People Most Want To Return To

1 . London, England

2 . Paris, France

3 . Barcelona, Spain (tie)

3 . New York City (tie)

5. Rome, Italy

6. Tokyo, Japan

7. Amsterdam, Netherlands

8. Berlin, Germany

9. Edinburgh, Scotland

10. Mexico City, Mexico

Dollywood sign near the entrance to the theme park in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.

Top 10 Global Attractions People Most Want To Return To

1. Dollywood - Tennessee

2. Disneyland Park - California

3. Stone Mountain Park - Atlanta

4. Warner Bros Studio Tour - London

5. Blenheim Palace - Oxfordshire, U.K. (tie)

5. Busch Gardens - Florida (tie)

5. Crazy Horse Memorial - South Dakota (tie)

5. Grand Canyon National Park - Arizona (tie)

5. Hampton Court Palace - London, U.K. (tie)

5. Tokyo Disneyland - Tokyo, Japan (tie)

5. Universal Studios Florida - Florida (tie)

5. Yosemite National Park - California (tie)

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Is Belize Safe To Visit In 2024? Your Guide To Belize Travel Safety

Written By: The Planet D

Published On: May 3, 2024

Belize is gorgeous. We should know; we just returned from a two-week trip. The mainland is covered in a dense, tropical jungle, while offshore, it has the Belize Barrier Reef—an acclaimed spot to scuba dive and snorkel. As if that wasn’t enough, you’ve also got the history of Mayan ruins to experience at sites like Altun Ha. Basically, we totally understand why you want to visit. Belize is in a league of its own.

Unfortunately, you will need to take some extra safety precautions, though. Staying safe in Belize requires you to go beyond the usual “check general travel advice and book basic travel insurance.” The country has quite a few instances of crime, gang violence, and drugs, which can leak into tourist areas.

In this guide, we’ll prepare you for staying safe in Belize. We just returned from a visit to Cay Caulker, Ambergris Cay, and San Ignacio and felt really safe. If you take the right precautions you can enjoy this country worry-free like we did. So, don’t rule out scuba diving and sightseeing Mayan ruins just yet; here’s what you need to know.

Is Belize Safe? A Quick Summary

We know that not everybody has the luxury of time. If you’re in a rush, check out these main bullet points for a quick overview of safety in Belize.

•  Belize experiences a notably high crime rate for violent crime, including homicide, sexual assault, and armed robbery.
•  Belize has a lot of gang violence, which occasionally results in shootings in public places.
• The border areas, Caracol, and Belize City (particularly the inner-city region of Southside Belize City) all experience a high crime density.
• Belize has a lot of natural disasters like hurricanes, so visitors should take caution when traveling during hurricane season.
• Road standards in Belize are considered poor by international standards.
• There have been incidents with water activities resulting from poor safety procedures and measures.

Travel Advisories: Officially Speaking, Is Belize Safe?

Officially speaking, Belize is possible to visit and not barred as a “red list country” or “do not travel” area by the USA , Canada or the UK. Instead, it’s widely advised to take increased caution if you visit Belize.

The  US Travel Advisories for Belize  suggest that you exercise increased caution throughout the country, escalating its concerns specifically for Belize City. It advises that you “reconsider travel”, marking the city as a Level 3 zone despite the rest of Belize securing a milder Level 2 warning.

The US advisory acknowledges that gang violence in Belize City tends to occur below the Haulover Creek River and rarely crosses into tourist areas. However, as a whole, it advises that risks are high, especially given the historical crime in the city.

The advisory emphasizes that violent crimes like sexual assault and armed robbery can – and do – occur in daylight, even in public areas. It’s wise to take extreme safety precautions when traveling throughout Belize.

The Canada Travel Advisories for Belize are quite similar to the US advisories. Belize in general has an Exercise a high degree of caution warning due to high levels of violent crime throughout the country. There is also a warning to Avoid non-essential travel to Southside Belize City, south of the Haulover Creek River, due to gang and drug-related violence, including murders and shootings.

Tourists should not even venture to this part of Belize city. Gang warfare is really prevalent here, and it is easy to be caught in the crossfire.

The  UK travel advisories for Belize  echo an almost identical sentiment. They advise that Belize has “one of the highest murder rates in the world” and hint at inadequate policing, saying that “police capacity is limited and many crimes remain unsolved.” Like the US and Canada advisory, they particularly emphasize the dangerous nature of travel around Belize City, especially the Southside.

The UK advisory also warns of muggings across Belize, including San Pedro, Caye Caulker, Placencia, and San Ignacio. It highlights the increasing risk of sexual assault and rape, too, warning against solo travel and venturing down quiet streets.

Violent Crime in Belize

As you now know, Belize has a pretty nasty mix of crime scattered throughout the country, particularly in Belize City, which is prone to gang-related violence. It has an overall  crime index of 53.15 , notably higher than the US at 49.34 and the UK at 47.61. Most concerning is the fact that this crime rating has increased over the past three years. Crime in Belize is common, and unfortunately, it seems like it’s going to stay.

The most common crimes in Belize are:

• Dealing of drugs
• Theft from property, which includes hotels and tourist accommodation
• Sexual assault
• Murder and grievous bodily harm
• Verbal or physical abuse
• Muggings and armed robbery

Moreover, there are concerns over policing, too:

• Corruption and bribery
• Lack of inefficiency of police response

We’ll discuss police effectiveness in a second, but many crimes go unsolved. Corruption may be involved in your police interactions, although you can still call 911 for assistance from local authorities in an emergency.

Belize City experiences a disproportionate amount of gang-related violence and crime, so visitors should exercise a high degree of caution. While gang members typically operate out of tourist areas, affected areas are close enough to the city center that unsuspecting tourists may wander into trouble, or conflict may spill over.

The rest of Belize still requires you to exercise caution, with high levels of robbery and opportunistic crime, some of which are violent.

Police in Belize

Onto the police in Belize, as promised. Well, you already know that the general consensus with the Belizean police is that they’re often underfunded and lack the capacity to actually punish or react to many criminal cases.

Local authorities and outlets are overrun. Your best method of protection from petty crime is excellent travel insurance.

On a slightly different note, you should make sure that you are sticking to the right side of local laws, like holding an IDP if you rent a car and avoiding any illegal drugs.

Natural Disasters in Belize

Belize has a bad rep when it comes to natural disaster risk. The country has a coastline that opens onto the Caribbean Sea, so you should exercise caution during hurricane season, between June and November, particularly from August to October.

These months are fraught with hurricanes and severe storms. As a knock-on effect, Belize often experiences flooding and sea level rises. There is the threat of tsunamis, but there has never been one in recent history, just some warnings a few years back.

We recommend trying not to travel during these months or at least subscribe to weather warning alerts. On average, the country experiences seven hurricanes a year, so it pays to avoid the season entirely.

How To Stay Safe in Belize in Case of Natural Disaster

If you decide to visit Belize during this high-risk period, we’d suggest visiting pre-armed with a list of ways to stay safe in case of natural disasters. Here are a few tips you can use to keep safe in the face of disasters like flooding and hurricanes:

1. Have an Evacuation and Shelter In Place Plan

It’s wise to have a plan to evacuate (this could be travel insurance to get compensation if you have to book an early flight home or a “go-bag” to evacuate to a different region in Belize). You should also have a shelter plan, checking ahead of time with your accommodation to see what support they offer.

2. Know The Area

Do some basic research on the area you’re staying in beforehand. You should know where the closest police stations, hospitals, and practical places like the highest ground (in case of flash floods) are. Knowing this layout will help you in case of emergency when every minute matters.

3. Subscribe to Alerts

Subscribe to alerts from the US Embassy in Belize , local media, and disaster-related alerts from companies like the  National Hurricane Center Atmospheric and Oceanic Administration .

Weather in Belize

Of course, the best way to understand the risk of seasonal natural disasters is to understand the weather in Belize. Knowing the country’s weather breakdown by season can really help lower the risks of travel.

Overall, you should know that Belize has a subtropical climate, mostly split into a dry and rainy season. The rainy season lasts from June until November, coinciding with its hurricane-prone season. The dry season runs from February until May. Temperatures sit between 70 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit all year round.

We’ll take a closer look, though.

Spring: March to May

March to May in Belize is mostly dry, with temperatures between 75 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit. May is the warmest choice, while late March to early April is the busiest time with all the spring break crowds.

Summer: June to September

This is Belize’s official wet season. Despite temperatures sitting at their highest between 80 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit, coastal areas may notice a drop with all the winds. This is when Belize has its highest risks of hurricanes and floods. We’d recommend giving it a swerve.

Fall: October to November

Fall is still a little iffy, with frequent rain despite the drop in the risk of hurricanes. Temperatures hover at around 75 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit, but you should still expect a slight chill in the blustery coastal regions. Only a few tourists bother visiting at this time of year, as the rain can cause flooding and, in general, doesn’t make for a pleasant stay.

Winter: December to February

Winter marks the beginning of the dry season—hooray! December is always a slow start, with the rain dragging its feet a little before disappearing. However, January and February are notoriously dry and are the months when tourism picks up again.

Temperatures are mild, between 70 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit, but the slightly cool, drier weather is ideal for sightseeing. A win is a win, right?

5 Tips For Staying Safe in Belize

As mentioned, travel insurance alone won’t cut it when visiting Belize. A great way to stay safe is to tick all the basics (travel insurance  will  be more helpful than ringing 911 if a camera gets swiped). However, as a general rule, you must build on the basics with more specialized strategies to stay safe in Belize.

1. A Spare Wallet is Your Best Friend

When visiting Belize, carrying a spare wallet with old (or lesser-used) cards and loose cash is a great idea. This is mostly for if you are traveling in the larger cities. Mugging can get everyone. There’s no guarantee you won’t fall foul of this unlucky crime, so why not be prepared?

You should  never  resist a mugger. So, instead, offer an alternative that doesn’t really impact you.

2. Don’t Scrimp on Transportation

There are so many countries where you can cut costs by taking public transport. Belize isn’t one of them. Skip low-cost transportation and always choose the more secure options. We opted for private transfers which were safer and faster. This is non-negotiable in Belize, especially when it comes to things like night buses.

3. Leave Your Luxury Fashion Sense At Home

Flashy jewelry and even particularly eye-catching outfits might look amazing, but we’d advise leaving them at home. You want to avoid drawing attention to yourself with anything designer or expensive-looking. Instead, dress down and make your goal to blend, not catch eyes.

4. If In Doubt, Skip Belize City

Belize City is by far the riskiest place in the country. If you are unsure whether you feel confident taking active safety measures, just skip it. There are easier places to stay safe in Belize, like Caye Caulker. It’s easy enough to cut it out of your itinerary.

5. Do Your Season Research

Finally, do your season research. As you learned in the section above, Belize’s climate changes on a monthly basis despite its overall dry versus wet season. It’s best to avoid the peak hurricane risk months.

You should also keep in mind that rainier and off-season months attract fewer tourists. This means fewer crowds and more isolated tourist areas, which can actually put you at more risk of opportunistic crime. It’s a bit of a catch-22 when heavy crowds tempt pickpocketing. Still, in general, peak months are better to avoid being isolated for more violent crimes.

Belize Emergency Numbers

• Police (Countrywide): 90/911
• Fire and ambulance (Belize City only) : 90
• Police (Belpoman): 822-2222

Is Belize Safe for Families?

We’d say that areas like Caye Caulker and Ambergris Cay are safe for families with travel-savvy parents. If you are an experienced traveler and are spending the money to stay in extra-secure, beautifully-located accommodations with reputable tours and transfers, Belize is safe for families. Just keep in mind that it may be a better holiday to take with older children who you can explain basic safety precautions to.

For families without that pre-existing travel experience, we recommend choosing a different place to visit. Save Belize for a little later after you’ve had a few practice runs.

• Take accommodation seriously when traveling as a family, and refrain from scrimping on security or location. 
• Choose your destination in Belize carefully, selecting traditionally “safe” areas like Caye Caulker.

Is Belize Safe for Solo Travelers?

Belize is a bit of a challenge for those visiting solo, but equally very rewarding. If you’ve had plenty of solo travel experience, you’ll find it manageable, and there’s a great hostel scene for making new friends. Experienced solo travelers are often even more conscious of safety precautions than those in a group, so Belize can actually be better suited to solo travel in that sense.

Still, as a general rule, Belize is best experienced in a group to limit the risk of muggings and more sinister crimes like sexual assault. You can book things like group tours and guided day trips to help you stay safe while traveling to Belize alone. If visiting solo, avoid non-essential travel at night, take care in rural areas, and don’t indulge in excessive alcohol consumption.

• Take group tours where possible and avoid walking alone at night.
• Choose well-located hotels or hostels.

Is Belize Safe to Take Public Transportation?

Public transportation is relatively safe in Belize, but be prepared for an intense experience. So-called chicken buses are brightly painted public buses operating in suburban and urban areas. They are typically packed but a cheap way to get around. Be a little mindful of pickpocketing, altercations, and bag snatching, but otherwise, this method of public transportation is safe.

At night, throw all that out the window. You should avoid public transportation at night at all costs, as it creates a much higher risk for violent crime. Get a registered taxi instead, or avoid unnecessary night travel.

The safest way to get around Belize is by registered taxis, which you can recognize from green license plates. Uber doesn’t exist here, so green license plates will undoubtedly become your next best friend. You definitely want a registered taxi driver, as it offers an extra security layer. It is a good idea to check out the Government Of Canada’s recommendation on public transport.

You can also rent a car and drive around Belize in private vehicles relatively easily. However, you should exercise a high degree of caution at night, ideally avoiding all nonessential travel after dark. You should also be prepared for regular police checkpoints, where you must display a form of ID and your International Driving Permit. Be mindful of only ever using official border crossings and be aware of the risk of armed robberies at places like traffic lights in urban areas or opportunistic crime on remote roads.

Are Medical Facilities Safe in Belize?

Medical facilities in Belize are mixed. There are two types of facilities: public and private hospitals. Private hospitals are generally a better option as they’re better funded, so they have better medical supplies and more to invest in adequately trained professionals. However, access to either can be seriously limited, especially if you’re staying in rural areas.

We’d suggest checking where your nearest hospitals are before visiting. Ensure you are up-to-date with all your vaccinations and routine health checks before departure. And make sure you have good travel insurance if it becomes a better idea to fly home. This is particularly the case if the hospital doesn’t have a specific, niche type of medication or treatment available on immediate demand. Belize’s best hospitals are great for minor injuries, but if you have a more serious problem, it may be advisable to seek treatment elsewhere.

Is Belize Safe? Top FAQs

We’ll leave that question up to you—do you feel confident using all the information above to plan a safe trip? Belize receives  nearly a million visitors  each year, the vast majority of whom travel the country with no issues. It is all about choosing destinations where  you  feel comfortable taking responsibility for your safety, and we all know some countries make this more challenging than others. Belize is challenging but not impossible. We love it.

Here are a few common FAQs to help clear the question of “should you, shouldn’t you” up.

Is Mexico or Belize safer?

Mexico and Belize are roughly on a par. Mexico has some Level 4 areas (marked as “do not travel”) but has a clearer area for safe tourism in Cancun and along the Mayan Riviera coastline. Belize has only one Level 3 area (“marked as reconsider travel”) but less clearly marked areas for safe tourism. It depends on where you plan to travel.

Is Belize or Costa Rica safer?

Costa Rica is marginally safer, as it is only marked as Level 2 by the US Travel Advisory. In contrast, Belize City is marked as a Level 3. However, both Belize and Costa Rica are flagged for violent crimes, including sexual assault. It’s best to approach both countries with increased caution.

When not to go to Belize?

August and October are the worst times to go to Belize. These are the months when you can experience the most storms and hurricanes, which can be dangerous. It is smack in the middle of hurricane season.

What is the safest part of Belize?

Caye Caulker and San Pedro are the darlings of Belize, two areas known for being comparatively “safe” across the country.

So, Is Belize Safe To Travel In?

No, Belize isn’t a traditionally safe place to visit. However, there are levels to the risks you take; are you planning a trip to Southside Belize City or Caye Caulker? Are you visiting on a tour? Or are you going solo? How much travel experience do you have? What are the current updates, and what time of year are you going?

For those willing to take water-tight safety precautions, Belize vastly rewards your extra efforts. There’s no denying the country is beautiful. We have a  perfect one-week itinerary  here if you’d like some inspiration.

Stay safe and enjoy. The best safety precaution is knowledge, and we hope you have a fantastic time.

More Belize Resources For Planning Your Trip

Discover San Ignacio, Belize- Your Ultimate Guide To Adventure

20 Best Things to Do in Caye Caulker Belize

The Perfect One Week in Belize Itinerary: Jungle And Island Adventures

• 26 of the Best Things to Do in Belize
• The Great Blue Hole In Belize: How To See This Natural Wonder

Travel Planning Resources

Looking to book your next trip? Why not use these resources that are tried and tested by yours truly.

Flights: Start planning your trip by finding the best flight deals on Skyscanner

Book your Hotel: Find the best prices on hotels with these two providers. If you are located in Europe use Booking.com and if you are anywhere else use TripAdvisor

Find Apartment Rentals: You will find the cheapest prices on apartment rentals with VRBO . 

Travel Insurance: Don't leave home without it. Here is what we recommend:

• Allianz - Occasional Travelers.
• Medjet - Global air medical transport and travel security.

Need more help planning your trip? Make sure to check out our Resources Page where we highlight all the great companies that we trust when we are traveling.

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About The Planet D

Dave Bouskill and Debra Corbeil are the owners and founders of The Planet D. After traveling to 115 countries, on all 7 continents over the past 13 years they have become one of the foremost experts in travel. Being recognized as top travel bloggers and influencers by the likes of Forbes Magazine , the Society of American Travel Writers and USA Today has allowed them to become leaders in their field.

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Top 5 best travel agencies for flights in 2024

The best travel agency for business travel, 1. travelperk.

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The best travel agencies for leisure travel, 2. cheapflights.

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5. Liberty Travel

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Is it cheaper to fly with a travel agent?

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THE 10 BEST Resorts near Electrostal History and Art Museum, Elektrostal

Resorts near electrostal history and art museum, property types, distance from, traveler rating, hotel class.

• Best Value Properties ranked using exclusive Tripadvisor data, including traveler ratings, confirmed availability from our partners, prices, booking popularity and location, as well as personal user preferences and recently viewed hotels.
• Traveler Ranked Highest rated hotels on Tripadvisor, based on traveler reviews.
• Distance from Electrostal History and Art Museum See properties located closest to the place of interest first with confirmed availability for your dates from our partners.

Claudia Looi

Touring the Top 10 Moscow Metro Stations

By Claudia Looi 2 Comments

Komsomolskaya metro station looks like a museum. It has vaulted ceilings and baroque decor.

Hidden underground, in the heart of Moscow, are historical and architectural treasures of Russia. These are Soviet-era creations – the metro stations of Moscow.

Our guide Maria introduced these elaborate metro stations as “the palaces for the people.” Built between 1937 and 1955, each station holds its own history and stories. Stalin had the idea of building beautiful underground spaces that the masses could enjoy. They would look like museums, art centers, concert halls, palaces and churches. Each would have a different theme. None would be alike.

The two-hour private tour was with a former Intourist tour guide named Maria. Maria lived in Moscow all her life and through the communist era of 60s to 90s. She has been a tour guide for more than 30 years. Being in her 60s, she moved rather quickly for her age. We traveled and crammed with Maria and other Muscovites on the metro to visit 10 different metro stations.

Arrow showing the direction of metro line 1 and 2

Moscow subways are very clean

To Maria, every street, metro and building told a story. I couldn’t keep up with her stories. I don’t remember most of what she said because I was just thrilled being in Moscow.   Added to that, she spilled out so many Russian words and names, which to one who can’t read Cyrillic, sounded so foreign and could be easily forgotten.

The metro tour was the first part of our all day tour of Moscow with Maria. Here are the stations we visited:

1. Komsomolskaya Metro Station  is the most beautiful of them all. Painted yellow and decorated with chandeliers, gold leaves and semi precious stones, the station looks like a stately museum. And possibly decorated like a palace. I saw Komsomolskaya first, before the rest of the stations upon arrival in Moscow by train from St. Petersburg.

2. Revolution Square Metro Station (Ploshchad Revolyutsii) has marble arches and 72 bronze sculptures designed by Alexey Dushkin. The marble arches are flanked by the bronze sculptures. If you look closely you will see passersby touching the bronze dog's nose. Legend has it that good luck comes to those who touch the dog's nose.

Touch the dog's nose for good luck. At the Revolution Square station

Revolution Square Metro Station

3. Arbatskaya Metro Station served as a shelter during the Soviet-era. It is one of the largest and the deepest metro stations in Moscow.

Arbatskaya Metro Station

4. Biblioteka Imeni Lenina Metro Station was built in 1935 and named after the Russian State Library. It is located near the library and has a big mosaic portrait of Lenin and yellow ceramic tiles on the track walls.

Lenin's portrait at the Biblioteka Imeni Lenina Metro Station

5. Kievskaya Metro Station was one of the first to be completed in Moscow. Named after the capital city of Ukraine by Kiev-born, Nikita Khruschev, Stalin's successor.

Kievskaya Metro Station

6. Novoslobodskaya Metro Station  was built in 1952. It has 32 stained glass murals with brass borders.

Novoslobodskaya metro station

7. Kurskaya Metro Station was one of the first few to be built in Moscow in 1938. It has ceiling panels and artwork showing Soviet leadership, Soviet lifestyle and political power. It has a dome with patriotic slogans decorated with red stars representing the Soviet's World War II Hall of Fame. Kurskaya Metro Station is a must-visit station in Moscow.

Ceiling panel and artworks at Kurskaya Metro Station

8. Mayakovskaya Metro Station built in 1938. It was named after Russian poet Vladmir Mayakovsky. This is one of the most beautiful metro stations in the world with 34 mosaics painted by Alexander Deyneka.

Mayakovskaya station

One of the over 30 ceiling mosaics in Mayakovskaya metro station

9. Belorusskaya Metro Station is named after the people of Belarus. In the picture below, there are statues of 3 members of the Partisan Resistance in Belarus during World War II. The statues were sculpted by Sergei Orlov, S. Rabinovich and I. Slonim.

10. Teatralnaya Metro Station (Theatre Metro Station) is located near the Bolshoi Theatre.

Teatralnaya Metro Station decorated with porcelain figures .

Taking the metro's escalator at the end of the tour with Maria the tour guide.

Have you visited the Moscow Metro? Leave your comment below.

January 15, 2017 at 8:17 am

An excellent read! Thanks for much for sharing the Russian metro system with us. We're heading to Moscow in April and exploring the metro stations were on our list and after reading your post, I'm even more excited to go visit them. Thanks again 🙂

December 6, 2017 at 10:45 pm

Hi, do you remember which tour company you contacted for this tour?

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unwto tourism highlights 2022

Un tourism | bringing the world closer.

Unwto 2021: a year in review, 2021: tourism united, resilient and determined.

2021 has been a year of learning and adapting for tourism. It has proven that only by working together can the sector overcome challenges and embrace opportunities.

Gathering the global tourism community and developing concrete actions, UNWTO has led tourism’s response with the vision of not only restarting, but doing so in a more inclusive, innovative and sustainable way.

January - March

As global tourism faced up to a second year of unprecedented crisis , UNWTO began 2021 by counting the cost so far . At the same time, however, the emergence of vaccines brought hope . The Global Tourism Crisis Committee met to explore what this meant for safe travel and the restart of tourism, while the announcement of the winners of the UNWTO Global Start-up Competition recognized the role culture and creativity will play in tourism’s restart and recovery .  

April - June

Collaboration and innovation were the focusat the start of the second quarter. UNWTO partnered with IATA on a new Destination Tracker to give both tourists and destinations clear, impartial and trusted advice. And a new Start-up Competition was launched to find the best ideas for accelerating rural development through tourism. In May, the launch of the Best Tourism Villages by UNWTO generated significant interest from Members in every global region. 

July - September

As destinations in Europe welcomed tourists back for the peak summer season, UNWTO highlighted the role of  digital solutions for the safe restart of the sector. But UNWTO also looked ahead, to a more sustainable future , working with key partners to  reduce plastic waste and consumption across every part of the sector. Together, we celebrated World Tourism Day around the theme of Tourism for Inclusive Growth, a message of solidarity and determination that was echoed on a global scale.

October - December

The final quarter of 2021 began with cautious optimism as UNWTO’s Barometer showed signs of improvement in tourist arrival numbers during the summer season in the northern hemisphere. A new partnership with Netflix will bring the message of tourism as a driver of opportunity to a massive global audience, while in November, UNWTO was tourism’s voice at COP26 and signatories to the landmark Glasgow Declaration keep growing. Finally, against the backdrop of the UNWTO General Assembly , the programme of work for the coming biennium was approved and 77% of Members voted to secure a second mandate for the Secretary-General from 2022-2025.

Growing and Moving Forward

UNWTO brings together political leaders from across the globe to deliver a strong, coordinated response. Governments, destinations, fellow UN agencies and international organizations met at key international events joining efforts to rethink tourism. Institutional coordination has proven crucial to find the solutions that build a smarter, greener and safer tourism.

Leaving Nobody Behind

The pledge to ‘ leave nobody behind ’ means nobody should miss out : Not now as we support the sector in the face of crisis, and not in the future as tourism starts again. Tourism is a proven driver of equality and opportunity. And that’s why we turn words into actions, delivering guidelines and action plans , to ensure everyone can enjoy the opportunities tourism brings.

A Shared Vision

Advancing the transformation of the tourism sector , partnerships are the only way forward. In 2021, UNWTO signed agreements with international organizations and the private sector to step our vision for the future of tourism: innovation , education , sustainability , green investment , rural development.

From business as usual to Covid-19

Looking to the future

• Regional Support Office for Asia and the Pacific (RSOAP)
• Member States in Asia and the Pacific
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World Tourism Barometer: September 2022

UNWTO updates World Tourism Barometer and reports international tourism back to 60% of pre-pandemic levels from January to July 2022

Below are excerpts from the September 2022 release of the UNWTO Tourism Barometer :

• The steady recovery reflects strong pent-up demand for international travel, especially in the months of June and July which are part of the Northern Hemisphere summer season. The easing or lifting of travel restrictions in an increasing number of countries also contributed to boost results.
• International tourist arrivals almost tripled (+172%) in January-July 2022 compared to the same period of 2021. Numbers climbed from -64% in January 2022 (versus 2019) to -28% in July, the strongest month since the start of the pandemic.
• Asia and the Pacific (+165%) saw arrivals more than double in the first seven months of 2022, though they remained 86% below 2019 levels.
• The ongoing recovery can also be seen in outbound tourism spending from major source markets. Expenditure from France was at -12% in January-July 2022 compared to 2019 while spending from Germany stood at -14%. International tourism spending remained at -10% in Belgium, -23% in Italy and -26% in the United States.
• The uncertain economic environment seems to have reversed prospects for a return to pre-pandemic levels in the near term. 61% of UNWTO Panel of Experts now see a potential return of international arrivals to 2019 levels in 2024 or later while those indicating a return to pre-pandemic levels in 2023 has diminished (27%) compared to the May survey (48%).

Know more about the global tourism sector performance from January to July 2022 by checking the UNWTO World Tourism Barometer Volume 20, Issue 5 .

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TOURISM TRENDS 2022

11 Aug TOURISM TRENDS 2022

The situation for tourism remains rather unusual as a result of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

The crisis has marked a significant change for everyone, and above all for tourism, one of sectors hit hardest by the virus. 2020 was the year in which international tourism came to a near-complete standstill, and the only alternatives were domestic and local tourism.

2021 has seen some improvements, but only in a very subtle way as restrictions are still in place and many countries keep their borders fully or partially closed.

It is difficult to make an estimate for 2022 as it is not known how the pandemic will evolve. However, it is possible to talk about the new tourism trends that are likely to emerge over the coming year: – International travel with restrictions still maintained by both destinations and airlines in order to offer 100% security to the consumer.

– Reinforcement of COVID-19 testing; two years after the pandemic, COVID testing will still be in place as a preventive measure. – Conscious travel will be advocated. Travel to more distant destinations, but with prolonged durations of stay, as consumers look to enjoy as much of each place they visit as possible. – Green travel. Climate change is a problem that is present and growing. Consumers now are much more responsible and aware of the reality they live in on daily basis.

– A new trend is the “ed-ventures”. It is about combining education and holidays for the youngest members of the family. While adults may need to telework or attend meetings, their children can be doing workshops and learning in a playful way.

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Metallurgicheskii Zavod Electrostal AO (Russia)

In 1993 "Elektrostal" was transformed into an open joint stock company. The factory occupies a leading position among the manufacturers of high quality steel. The plant is a producer of high-temperature nickel alloys in a wide variety. It has a unique set of metallurgical equipment: open induction and arc furnaces, furnace steel processing unit, vacuum induction, vacuum- arc furnaces and others. The factory has implemented and certified quality management system ISO 9000, received international certificates for all products. Elektrostal today is a major supplier in Russia starting blanks for the production of blades, discs and rolls for gas turbine engines. Among them are companies in the aerospace industry, defense plants, and energy complex, automotive, mechanical engineering and instrument-making plants.

Headquarters Ulitsa Zheleznodorozhnaya, 1 Elektrostal; Moscow Oblast; Postal Code: 144002

Contact Details: Purchase the Metallurgicheskii Zavod Electrostal AO report to view the information.

Website: http://elsteel.ru

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Turn Your Curiosity Into Discovery

Latest facts.

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40 facts about elektrostal.

Written by Lanette Mayes

Modified & Updated: 02 Mar 2024

Reviewed by Jessica Corbett

Elektrostal is a vibrant city located in the Moscow Oblast region of Russia. With a rich history, stunning architecture, and a thriving community, Elektrostal is a city that has much to offer. Whether you are a history buff, nature enthusiast, or simply curious about different cultures, Elektrostal is sure to captivate you.

This article will provide you with 40 fascinating facts about Elektrostal, giving you a better understanding of why this city is worth exploring. From its origins as an industrial hub to its modern-day charm, we will delve into the various aspects that make Elektrostal a unique and must-visit destination.

So, join us as we uncover the hidden treasures of Elektrostal and discover what makes this city a true gem in the heart of Russia.

Key Takeaways:

• Elektrostal, known as the “Motor City of Russia,” is a vibrant and growing city with a rich industrial history, offering diverse cultural experiences and a strong commitment to environmental sustainability.
• With its convenient location near Moscow, Elektrostal provides a picturesque landscape, vibrant nightlife, and a range of recreational activities, making it an ideal destination for residents and visitors alike.

Known as the “Motor City of Russia.”

Elektrostal, a city located in the Moscow Oblast region of Russia, earned the nickname “Motor City” due to its significant involvement in the automotive industry.

Home to the Elektrostal Metallurgical Plant.

Elektrostal is renowned for its metallurgical plant, which has been producing high-quality steel and alloys since its establishment in 1916.

Boasts a rich industrial heritage.

Elektrostal has a long history of industrial development, contributing to the growth and progress of the region.

Founded in 1916.

The city of Elektrostal was founded in 1916 as a result of the construction of the Elektrostal Metallurgical Plant.

Located approximately 50 kilometers east of Moscow.

Elektrostal is situated in close proximity to the Russian capital, making it easily accessible for both residents and visitors.

Known for its vibrant cultural scene.

Elektrostal is home to several cultural institutions, including museums, theaters, and art galleries that showcase the city’s rich artistic heritage.

A popular destination for nature lovers.

Surrounded by picturesque landscapes and forests, Elektrostal offers ample opportunities for outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, and birdwatching.

Hosts the annual Elektrostal City Day celebrations.

Every year, Elektrostal organizes festive events and activities to celebrate its founding, bringing together residents and visitors in a spirit of unity and joy.

Has a population of approximately 160,000 people.

Elektrostal is home to a diverse and vibrant community of around 160,000 residents, contributing to its dynamic atmosphere.

Boasts excellent education facilities.

The city is known for its well-established educational institutions, providing quality education to students of all ages.

A center for scientific research and innovation.

Elektrostal serves as an important hub for scientific research, particularly in the fields of metallurgy, materials science, and engineering.

Surrounded by picturesque lakes.

The city is blessed with numerous beautiful lakes, offering scenic views and recreational opportunities for locals and visitors alike.

Well-connected transportation system.

Elektrostal benefits from an efficient transportation network, including highways, railways, and public transportation options, ensuring convenient travel within and beyond the city.

Famous for its traditional Russian cuisine.

Food enthusiasts can indulge in authentic Russian dishes at numerous restaurants and cafes scattered throughout Elektrostal.

Home to notable architectural landmarks.

Elektrostal boasts impressive architecture, including the Church of the Transfiguration of the Lord and the Elektrostal Palace of Culture.

Offers a wide range of recreational facilities.

Residents and visitors can enjoy various recreational activities, such as sports complexes, swimming pools, and fitness centers, enhancing the overall quality of life.

Provides a high standard of healthcare.

Elektrostal is equipped with modern medical facilities, ensuring residents have access to quality healthcare services.

Home to the Elektrostal History Museum.

The Elektrostal History Museum showcases the city’s fascinating past through exhibitions and displays.

A hub for sports enthusiasts.

Elektrostal is passionate about sports, with numerous stadiums, arenas, and sports clubs offering opportunities for athletes and spectators.

Celebrates diverse cultural festivals.

Throughout the year, Elektrostal hosts a variety of cultural festivals, celebrating different ethnicities, traditions, and art forms.

Electric power played a significant role in its early development.

Elektrostal owes its name and initial growth to the establishment of electric power stations and the utilization of electricity in the industrial sector.

Boasts a thriving economy.

The city’s strong industrial base, coupled with its strategic location near Moscow, has contributed to Elektrostal’s prosperous economic status.

Houses the Elektrostal Drama Theater.

The Elektrostal Drama Theater is a cultural centerpiece, attracting theater enthusiasts from far and wide.

Popular destination for winter sports.

Elektrostal’s proximity to ski resorts and winter sport facilities makes it a favorite destination for skiing, snowboarding, and other winter activities.

Promotes environmental sustainability.

Elektrostal prioritizes environmental protection and sustainability, implementing initiatives to reduce pollution and preserve natural resources.

Home to renowned educational institutions.

Elektrostal is known for its prestigious schools and universities, offering a wide range of academic programs to students.

Committed to cultural preservation.

The city values its cultural heritage and takes active steps to preserve and promote traditional customs, crafts, and arts.

Hosts an annual International Film Festival.

The Elektrostal International Film Festival attracts filmmakers and cinema enthusiasts from around the world, showcasing a diverse range of films.

Encourages entrepreneurship and innovation.

Elektrostal supports aspiring entrepreneurs and fosters a culture of innovation, providing opportunities for startups and business development.

Offers a range of housing options.

Elektrostal provides diverse housing options, including apartments, houses, and residential complexes, catering to different lifestyles and budgets.

Home to notable sports teams.

Elektrostal is proud of its sports legacy, with several successful sports teams competing at regional and national levels.

Boasts a vibrant nightlife scene.

Residents and visitors can enjoy a lively nightlife in Elektrostal, with numerous bars, clubs, and entertainment venues.

Promotes cultural exchange and international relations.

Elektrostal actively engages in international partnerships, cultural exchanges, and diplomatic collaborations to foster global connections.

Surrounded by beautiful nature reserves.

Nearby nature reserves, such as the Barybino Forest and Luchinskoye Lake, offer opportunities for nature enthusiasts to explore and appreciate the region’s biodiversity.

Commemorates historical events.

The city pays tribute to significant historical events through memorials, monuments, and exhibitions, ensuring the preservation of collective memory.

Promotes sports and youth development.

Elektrostal invests in sports infrastructure and programs to encourage youth participation, health, and physical fitness.

Hosts annual cultural and artistic festivals.

Throughout the year, Elektrostal celebrates its cultural diversity through festivals dedicated to music, dance, art, and theater.

Provides a picturesque landscape for photography enthusiasts.

The city’s scenic beauty, architectural landmarks, and natural surroundings make it a paradise for photographers.

Connects to Moscow via a direct train line.

The convenient train connection between Elektrostal and Moscow makes commuting between the two cities effortless.

A city with a bright future.

Elektrostal continues to grow and develop, aiming to become a model city in terms of infrastructure, sustainability, and quality of life for its residents.

In conclusion, Elektrostal is a fascinating city with a rich history and a vibrant present. From its origins as a center of steel production to its modern-day status as a hub for education and industry, Elektrostal has plenty to offer both residents and visitors. With its beautiful parks, cultural attractions, and proximity to Moscow, there is no shortage of things to see and do in this dynamic city. Whether you’re interested in exploring its historical landmarks, enjoying outdoor activities, or immersing yourself in the local culture, Elektrostal has something for everyone. So, next time you find yourself in the Moscow region, don’t miss the opportunity to discover the hidden gems of Elektrostal.

Q: What is the population of Elektrostal?

A: As of the latest data, the population of Elektrostal is approximately XXXX.

Q: How far is Elektrostal from Moscow?

A: Elektrostal is located approximately XX kilometers away from Moscow.

Q: Are there any famous landmarks in Elektrostal?

A: Yes, Elektrostal is home to several notable landmarks, including XXXX and XXXX.

Q: What industries are prominent in Elektrostal?

A: Elektrostal is known for its steel production industry and is also a center for engineering and manufacturing.

Q: Are there any universities or educational institutions in Elektrostal?

A: Yes, Elektrostal is home to XXXX University and several other educational institutions.

Q: What are some popular outdoor activities in Elektrostal?

A: Elektrostal offers several outdoor activities, such as hiking, cycling, and picnicking in its beautiful parks.

Q: Is Elektrostal well-connected in terms of transportation?

A: Yes, Elektrostal has good transportation links, including trains and buses, making it easily accessible from nearby cities.

Q: Are there any annual events or festivals in Elektrostal?

A: Yes, Elektrostal hosts various events and festivals throughout the year, including XXXX and XXXX.

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• Victor Mukhin

Victor M. Mukhin was born in 1946 in the town of Orsk, Russia. In 1970 he graduated the Technological Institute in Leningrad. Victor M. Mukhin was directed to work to the scientific-industrial organization "Neorganika" (Elektrostal, Moscow region) where he is working during 47 years, at present as the head of the laboratory of carbon sorbents.     Victor M. Mukhin defended a Ph. D. thesis and a doctoral thesis at the Mendeleev University of Chemical Technology of Russia (in 1979 and 1997 accordingly). Professor of Mendeleev University of Chemical Technology of Russia. Scientific interests: production, investigation and application of active carbons, technological and ecological carbon-adsorptive processes, environmental protection, production of ecologically clean food.   

Title : Active carbons as nanoporous materials for solving of environmental problems

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2022 has been the year to rethink tourism. Countries around the world turned UNWTO's vision for a greener, smarter and more inclusive sector into real action. 2020 showed the relevance of tourism for sustainable development. 2021 laid the foundations for the transformation of the sector. In 2022, we made it happen. 2022 began on a positive note.

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