trip planning resources
Ready to start planning? Check out these go-to travel resources. Some links on this page are affiliate links, which means that I earn a small commission if you buy or book through those links (at no extra cost to you). Happy travels!
travel planning + road trips
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Rome2Rio is an absolute necessity for travel! This site consolidates all of your travel options into one platform (plane, train, car, etc) so that you can see the exact steps needed to get from point A to point B.
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Quickly & easily compare rental car prices from multiple brands. I often use this to search options first, and then double check the prices directly on the car rental company’s site.
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The absolute best site / app for finding and booking sightseeing tours, attractions, excursions, things to do and fun activities around the world. Save money and skip lines!
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Viator is a global experiences marketplace, connecting travelers with epic tours and activities - featuring anything from wine tastings to walking tours to cooking classes and more.
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Radical Storage gives you a safe luggage storage solution, eliminating problems with early arrivals or late departures and having no place to store your bags! They operate in over 70 countries with more than 5000 bookable storage points.
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A must-have app for road trips. Plan out your next route, and discover epic attractions to visit along the way. Make sure to download the app to reference as you travel!
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TransferCar is a free one-way car rental! You drive the rental car from a pre-determined pick-up to drop-off location for the rental car company. Available in New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, Brazil and North America!
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iOverlander is a database of places specifically for overlanders and road-trip travelers. It includes camping (both free and paid sites), hotels, restaurants, mechanics, water, propane filling stations, etc.
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The Dyrt is a must-use platform for finding campgrounds, reviews, and campsite tips. You can also book campgrounds for tents, RVs, cabins, and glamping, or find totally free camping all on the site.
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I use this app on a weekly basis! AllTrails is one of the very best hike planning sites, with an extensive collection of trails around the world.
travel credit cards
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American Express Platinum Card
Travel perks: Global Entry / TSA PreCheck credit, Priority Pass Membership, Centurion Lounge access, other lounge access depending on flight carrier, yearly hotel credit, yearly airline fee credit, Membership Rewards® Points on all purchases (to use for free flights / hotels later!), and much more.
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Chase Sapphire Reserve Card
Travel perks: Priority Pass Membership (access to 1,300+ airline lounges worldwide), Global Entry / TSA PreCheck credit, primary rental car insurance, $300 annual travel credit, Chase Ultimate Rewards® Points earned on all purchases (to use for free flights / hotels later!), and much more.
accommodation
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Booking.com is a great spot to start your accommodation research. From there, I cross-check prices with the hotel’s website, or book directly on Booking if there’s a great deal.
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AirBnb is a tried-and-true favorite for amazing lodging across the globe. Cozy cabins, treehouses, castles - you name it, they have it.
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VRBO is another must-use site when looking for vacation rental homes and unique stays.
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Hostelworld is my go-to site for hostel research, reviews and bookings around the world. I personally love mixing hostel stays into my travels - the community experience is unlike any other type of accommodation.
flights
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(Previously Scott’s Cheap Flights). Emails that I actually look forward to! Sign up and get amazing cheap flight deals delivered right to your inbox. Also, you can sign up for a premium plan to get access to exclusive flight deals.
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Skyscanner is one of my must-use travel search sites. Either plug in your exact dates, or use the “whole month” search function to find the cheapest flight options across various airlines.
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Google Flights is the best place to start your flight research. Use this to search for the cheapest flight dates, set tracking alerts for when prices drop, and more.
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WayAway is a flight aggregator that pulls the best rates on flight searches, and the WayAway Plus membership plan offers cashback on flights, accommodation, car rentals, tours, and more.
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A great resource for plane seat maps, seat reviews & the best places to sit, and amenity info about your upcoming flight so that you can book the very best spot available.
photography gear
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My go-to site for new camera gear & accessories from all major brands.
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The very best site for purchasing high quality pre-owned camera gear, or selling your used gear.
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Camera gear backpacks that you’ll want to carry everywhere. I would never travel without mine!
for digital nomads & long term travel
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I’ve used WorkAway in various countries for sustaining long-term travel, and have loved every experience. This is the world's leading site for volunteer & work opportunities abroad - often in exchange for your accommodation and meals! My personal favorite experience was volunteering at a coastal bed & breakfast.
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Selina is a network of accommodations throughout the world for digital nomads, providing guests with beautiful & comfortable places to stay, travel, and work abroad indefinitely.
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Remote Year is a curated trip service specifically for Digital Nomads. You can choose to book 1, 4 or 12 month long trips in epic destinations - with every detail sorted out for you before departure!
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Another great work exchange website for opportunities around the world. Search by location and/or job type to find opportunities that offer accommodation in exchange for your volunteer time. This can be anything from organic farm help to working the front desk at a hostel!