Over years of travel (mostly solo), I’ve tried and tested multiple different travel resources out there to make my tips more seamless – and even cheaper! Below you’ll find my favorite resources and platforms for making travel a breeze!
For Accommodations
Unless I’m using credit card points (DM me on Instagram if you’re looking for a good travel credit card!), I always use a booking platform to find hotel stays when traveling. I like that I can filter through different properties, read reviews, and get a feel for multiple hotel stays on one website. Below you’ll find my favorite hotel and rental property resources.
Booking.com
TO BOOK HOTEL STAYS AROUND THE WORLD
I love using booking platforms (like Booking.com) to search for multiple different hotels in one place. That way I can compare prices, set different filters, look at ratings, and more.
Expedia
TO BOOK HOTEL STAYS AROUND THE WORLD
When I first started to use Expedia, I mostly did it to search for hotels. However, now I find myself also using Expedia to search for car rentals, experiences, and more! I love that the website is clean and organized and that I can easily book multiple facets of travel in one place.
VRBO
FOR RENTAL ACCOMMODATIONS AROUND THE WORLD
VRBO is another one of my go-to platforms when I’m looking for vacation rentals while traveling. The platform has a variety of different rental properties around the world so its easy to compare options and choose what’s best for me.
For Experiences
Devour Tours
FOOD TOURS IN EUROPE & USA
I’m a huge foodie and believe that one way to get to know a destination is through its food. That’s why when I travel, I love to join Devour Tours (when available). Something that I think is unique to Devour Tours, is that there are multiple different experiences to have in one city. For example, if you visit Paris you can have a food tour that is solely focused on pastries, or you can have a food tour solely focused on one neighborhood in Paris.
Take Walks
WALKING TOURS IN EUROPE & USA
Take Walks believes in discovering the world one step at a time. They focus on small group tours in select cities so that each traveler can have a special experience.
Viator
TOURS AROUND THE WORLD
Overall, my go-to platform for finding experiences around the world is Viator. You can find a Viator tour in almost every country, city, and town around the world; and you can book everything from cooking classes, to food tours, to city tours. There are over 300,000 experiences listed on Viator.
For Transportation
Transportation can be one of the trickier things to book when traveling, and I’ve tried MANY different platforms when it comes to booking buses, trains, ferries, and rental cars. Now, I continue to use the same resources when booking transportation because I’ve tried so many different platforms and these are the ones I like the most! Below you’ll find my favorite resources for transportation.
Bookaway
FOR BUS, FERRY, & TRAIN TRANSPORTATION AROUND THE WORLD
With Bookaway you can book different modes of transportation like buses, ferries, and trains. The platform allows you to easily compare all of your options so that you can choose the one that’s best for you.
Discover Cars
FOR CAR RENTALS AROUND THE WORLD
My go to car rental platform is Discover Cars. Not only are you able to compare prices of rental cars across multiple rental companies, but I also love that Discover Cars is reliable and can be found in almost every country around the world. I’ve used Discover Cars on more than one occasion and have no complaints.
Also, if you’re planning to rent a car in a country where you’ll need an international drivers license, I recommend either visiting your local AAA store or getting a license online through International Drivers Association.
Ferryscanner
FOR FERRY TRANSFERS THROUGHOUT EUROPE
Ferryscanner mostly operates in Europe (although it does have a few routes in Africa and the Caribbean) and allows you to compare ferry companies and prices when sailing through Greece, Italy, Ireland, and more! It’s an ideal platform for an island hopping adventure.
Going
FOR CHEAP FLIGHTS FROM THE UNITED STATES
Going has found me hundreds of cheap flights throughout my years of traveling the world. I’ve saved hundreds of dollars by signing up for their premium membership (although the free version isn’t too shabby either). If you’re new to Going, I suggest starting with the free version (all you have to do is put your email address in) and then you can decide if its worth it to pay for the premium or elite membership.
Omio
FOR TRAIN TRAVEL THROUGH EUROPE
One of the most popular ways to travel throughout Europe is via train! There are hundreds of train routes that will connect you to destinations throughout the continent, and it’s generally a cheaper (and more comfortable) way to travel. Omio allows you to see and compare different train options so that you can choose the best option for yourself!
Skyscanner
FOR FINDING & COMPARING FLIGHTS AROUND THE WORLD
I like to use Skyscanner to find flights and compare flight prices amongst different airlines. One of my favorite features on Skyscanner is the ability to search “everywhere” to find the most affordable destination to fly to based on my “home” location. Using this feature has taken me to countries I wouldn’t have ever thought of visiting.
Welcome Pickups
TO RESERVE AN ENGLISH SPEAKING DRIVER THAT WILL PICK YOU UP AT THE AIRPORT
Welcome Pickups is available in select cities through the world and it allows you to book a taxi that will be waiting for you at the airport with an English speaking driver. While it’s more expensive that hailing a taxi when you get to your destination, it does give you peace of mind to know that you’ll have an English speaking driver waiting for you and knowing where you’re going before you land.
12Go
FOR BUS & TRAIN TRAVEL AROUND THE WORLD
12Go is another great resource for booking bus and train travel. Its located in many countries throughout the world and was originally created in Singapore.
Travel Gear & Products
Below you’ll find the travel gear and products that I bring on every single trip I take. I’ve traveled with most of these things for years and if they wear out, I buy the exact same one again.
AirTags
IN CASE LUGGAGE GETS LOST
After I lost two bags en route to Saudi Arabia, I went out and bought AirTags. Now, I always put an AirTag in my bags – even if I have my bag on me. This gives me tremendous peace of mind, especially if I check a bag because I can track it and ensure that it got on the airplane with me. (I use these keychains to keep track of my AirTags).
ARMRA Colostrum
SUPPORT YOUR IMMUNE SYSTEM WHILE TRAVELING
It’s no surprise that your immune system takes a hit when traveling… after all, you’re being exposed to new environments, time zones, and germs. As a frequent traveler, I do my best to stay “well” while traveling, which is why I pack ARMRA Travel Sticks with me. ARMRA is a colostrum-based supplement that helps strengthen your immune barrier, keeping you healthy and energized even when your routine is off. It’s easy to toss in your carry-on and take daily, so you can focus on enjoying your trip instead of fighting off a cold. Use code “KYLEENELSON” for 15% off your order.
CALPAK
LUGGAGE
In my 6+ years of (almost) full-time travel, I have tried many different luggage brands. I originally bought my first CALPAK back in 2018 when I was taking off on a 5-month solo adventure through Europe and Southeast Asia. After I had put it to good use and worn it down to the point where a wheel popped off (it was my fault – not the suitcase, trust me ;)), I switched gears to another brand. However, I returned to CALPAK once I realized that their luggage was superior to anything else I had previously tried.
Corkcicle
REUSABLE WATER BOTTLES WHILE TRAVELING
I can’t travel without having a reusable water bottle on hand (especially in countries that charge for water or are heavy on plastic use). My Corkcicle has saved me more than once, not only because I always have water handy, but it also keeps my water cold for hours on end!
Manta Sleep
TO SLEEP ON AIRPLANES/WHEN TRAVELING
I’m one of those people that can’t sleep if it’s at all light. That’s why when I travel (especially overseas), I always bring my Manta Sleep mask. Manta Sleep masks are comfortable to wear, don’t fall off of your head when sleeping, and completely block light out while still allowing you to open your eyes.
Nordace Travel Backpack
I bought my first Nordace backpack in 2018 when I was traveling solo for 5-months. This backpack fit SO MUCH that from the moment I took my first flight with it, I knew it would forever be a staple. I have now had my Nordace for six years and it’s just starting to get worn out. But you best believe that I will be repurchasing another for my next six years of travel!
Packing Cubes
TO SAVE SPACE & HELP YOU ORGANIZE
I never used packing cubes until my recent trip around the world in 2023. When I realized I would have to pack very lightly for an entire year, I started to see if there were any products that would help me save space so that I could essentially pack more. That’s when I discovered packing cubes. Not only are packing cubes great for space, but I like them more for organizational purposes. I throw all of my swimming suits in one, or all of my socks and underwear, etc. Then when I’m searching for underwear I can pull out my packing cube instead of going through my entire bag. Packing cubes are also great to separate clean and dirty laundry too!
Misc. Travel Needs
Travel Insurance – SafetyWing
TRAVEL INSURANCE FOR TRIP PROTECTION & MEDICAL COVERAGE
When traveling abroad, I highly recommend purchasing travel insurance to ensure that you’re covered if something goes wrong. I’ve made many mistakes when traveling, and traveling without travel insurance has been a big one! When I travel, I now use SafetyWing to insure my trip and give me peace of mind in case anything were to go wrong.
Read why I recommend travel insurance…
- Why You Need Travel Insurance – From a Nurse’s Perspective
- 9 Most Important Things to Know About Travel Medical Insurance
eSim – aloSIM
FOR CELL PHONE DATA AROUND THE WORLD
If you want to stay connected when you travel, I recommend using a SIM card to avoid roaming fees and connect to the local data wherever you are. In my opinion, eSIMs are a bit more expensive than getting a physical SIM, but are much more convenient if you’re traveling for a short period of time and don’t wan to deal with finding a SIM card. When I travel and need data, I use aloSIM – use code “KYLEE5” to receive 5% off your plan.
eVisa – iVisa
E-VISA’S FOR COUNTRIES THAT REQUIRE A VISA
Some countries around the world require you to have a visa to visit (especially if you’re traveling through Asia). One thing that I like about using iVisa is that you can put where you’re from and where you’re going and the platform will let you know whether or not you need a visa (which takes the guess work out of figuring out if you need a visa or not). And while using iVisa to get an e-visa can be more expensive than showing up and getting a visa on arrival, it calms my nerves to know I already have a visa in hand and it saves time because I don’t have to wait in a visa line when I arrive.
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning I get a commission if you decide to purchase through my link, at no cost to you. Passports and Preemies is also a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees.
