The Best Travel Resources

Google Flights

Google Flights is one of my favorite tools for finding deals on flights and is usually my first stop when initiating a ssearch for upcoming travel. I normally start here and narrow things down before diving deeper with one of the other sites below. Unsurprisingly, it’s a fast, mighty, and, very user-friendly flight search engine. Their interface allows you to filter your search with several toggle options (e.g., Multi-City, Times, Airlines, Connecting Airports, Duration) and conveniently displays the historical price history for similar trips to gauge if flight prices are low, typical, or high compared to the average.

BEST FOR: Overall Flight Searching

Skiplagged

Skiplagged popularized the tactic of “skiplagging” (also known as “hidden-city ticketing” or “throwaway ticketing”). Essentially, a traveler will book a ticket to a destination that they ultimately have no plans on traveling to, with a connection at the intended destination (the “hidden” city). They will then walk away at the connection destination and basically throw away the remaining segment. Why do this? Because often the indirect flight (two-leg) is cheaper than the direct flight (one-leg). Skiplagged works by displaying the original price to reach that connection destination. While this concept can seem a bit intricate and the tactic is generally unnecessary, it can sometimes be used to drop your flight costs. My general advice is that this be used scarcely as a last resort and not routinely. Use it only for one-way trips (or separate tickets), avoid checking a bag (packing an ultra-light carry-on bag in case of no overhead bin space), and avoid providing a frequent flyer/loyalty number to prevent being tracked (given airlines frown upon this practice). Remember that you always run the risk of flight schedule changes and unintentionally being routed elsewhere!

BEST FOR: Scoping Out Airfare Loopholes

StudentUniverse

StudentUniverse makes it affordable for students and those under the age of 26 to travel anywhere they want. They have negotiated with dozens of airlines and offer exclusive student flight discounts that cannot be found anywhere else. Although the site specializes in student and youth discounts, most promo codes apply to all ages. A large portion of my international travels has been made possible thanks to this site.

BEST FOR: Student & Young Adult Discounts

Going (previously Scott’s Cheap Flights)

Going is a genuinely fantastic subscription service that gives you even greater access and visibility into available travel deals (e.g., weekend getaways, domestic, international). The site operates on a “freemium” model which lets you sign up for free flight deal alerts as a Limited member while upgrading to a paid Premium or Elite membership grants you access to first-to-know notifications and more deals, including airline mistake fares.

BEST FOR: Subscription Flight Deal Notifications

AeroLOPA

AeroLOPA is a portfolio of aircraft seating plans laid out in detail to help you decide where to sit on board your next flight.

BEST FOR: Making Sense of Airline Seat Maps & Scoping Out the Best Seats

Airbnb

From private rooms to an entire property — Airbnb lets you book a place to stay anywhere in the world. I tend to use Airbnb for extended stays while traveling with a larger group, and when searching for a particular type of property. Their website also lets you book many destination experiences which can be especially useful for solo travelers looking to meet new people.

BEST FOR: Home Away From Home & Unique Properties

Priority Pass

Priority Pass offers more airport lounges, in more cities, and in more countries than any other competing network. Their club spaces give you the chance to sit down and sprawl out, enjoy pre-flight food and drinks (including complementary alcohol at most lounges), and surrender yourself to a bit more peace and tranquility than what you would find around the terminal. In addition to lounge access, members also benefit from airport dining, retail, and spa discounts where available. You can purchase the pass directly or attain it as one of the perks bestowed by the leading travel credit cards. I have seriously elevated my comfort and saved a fortune on pre- and post-travel dining both domestically and internationally by having this pass.

BEST FOR: Independent Airport Lounge Access

GetTransfer

GetTransfer lets you pre-book transfer rides, taxis, and hourly drivers all over the world for the best price possible. They will match the lowest price and return the difference in cost if needed. Included in their service, is free waiting ranging from 15 to 60 minutes depending on the pickup location. The company commands an extensive fleet of vehicles (including buses, helicopters, and small airplanes).

BEST FOR: Airport & Hotel Transfers

U.S. Trusted Traveler Programs

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security currently offers five separate Trusted Traveler membership programs (of which only four apply to air travel) to facilitate the security screening process and/or getting through customs and board protection through the use of expedited lanes:

• TSA PreCheck: Expedites departures from U.S. airports for eligible U.S. citizens and U.S. lawful permanent residents.
• Global Entry: Expedites entry into the U.S. (by air, land, and sea) from international destinations for eligible U.S. citizens, U.S. lawful permanent residents and select foreign nationals. | Includes TSA PreCheck.
• NEXUS: Expedites entry into the U.S. (by air, land, and sea) from Canada for eligible U.S. citizens, U.S. lawful permanent residents, Canadian citizens, Canadian permanent residents, and Mexican nationals. | Includes TSA PreCheck.
• Sentri: Expedites entry into the U.S. (by air and land) from Canada and Mexico for all eligible U.S. citizens, U.S. lawful permanent residents, and all foreign nationals. | Option to include TSA PreCheck.

TSA PreCheck and Global Entry are perhaps the two most common of these four programs. These two programs can be applied to and purchased separately or have the cost included in the benefits package of one of the leading travel credit cards. If you travel often these two programs can save you a COLLOSAL amount of time passing through security or customs and with the added convenience of not having to remove shoes, laptops, 3-1-1 liquids, belts, or light jackets during screening. If you’re running a bit behind or traveling during peak season, this can mean the difference between making or missing your flight.

BEST FOR: Expedited Security Screening

CLEAR

CLEAR is a private expedited airport security program that uses biometrics (your eyes or fingerprints) to confirm your identity instead of using traditional ID documents. Note that once in a while the CLEAR kiosk will randomly select you to show a physical ID so don’t avoid traveling with one altogether! While CLEAR is not a substitute for or affiliated with one of the government-managed Trusted Traveler Programs listed above, you can actually be a member of both of these programs and have them complement each other — providing the quickest and surest route through airport security. Any U.S. citizen and legal permanent resident who is at least 18 years old is eligible for enrollment in CLEAR.

BEST FOR: Expedited Identity Verification

Tripadvisor

No doubt you’ve heard of Tripadvisor. They were one of THE original pioneers in online travel. If you’re starting to plan a trip and looking to jumpstart your planning with advice on what to do, where to clear stay, where to eat, etc. from those who have been there before, then this is where I’d start. That’s just the beginning. Tripadvisor also helps lets you book experiences, accommodations, and restaurant tables and helps you discover noteworthy places close by.

BEST FOR: Destination Must-Sees & Fellow Traveler Opinions

Lonely Planet

If you’ve heard of Tripadvisor then it’s very likely that you’ve also heard of Lonely Planet. Lonely Planet is the largest guidebook company on the planet and there’s something to be said about the way their books jolt you, or gradually move you along, into realizing all those years of destination dreaming are finally a reality (or that with a bit of planning very well could be!). While each of their travel guidebooks remains an amazing destination resource, I’ve found that, in recent years, their edge has shifted to digital discovery and inspirational travel content. Notwithstanding this paradigm shift, Lonely Planet is still one of my favorite sources of preplanning travel information and guidance — from attractions and entertainment to restaurants and transportation.

BEST FOR: Travel Inspiration & Discovery

GetYourGuide

This booking platform helps you find incredible travel experiences wherever you’re headed. Such experiences include skip-the-line tickets to the world’s most iconic attractions, walking tours by top local experts, immersive food and beverage tours, cooking and craft classes, and others you simply won’t find anywhere else.

BEST FOR: Uniqueness, User-Friendly Searchability & Exclusive Local Tours

Viator

Like GetYourGuide, Viator is an online tour and excursion marketplace only that it’s much bigger and thus, has a more extensive listing of tours and activities. Nonetheless, I’ve found Viator to be a bit overwhelming at times given the vast amount of options available. That being said, you’ll always find what you’re looking for given their global presence. While GetYourGuide’s tours, on average, tend to be more unusual and of higher quality, Viator outcompetes it in quantity. Viator also lets you “book now pay later” and offers a price match guarantee. Both are equally as reliable so my advice is that you check both sites out and go with whichever experience speaks to you!

BEST FOR: Convenience & Comprehensive Tour/Excursion Inventory

Rome2rio

Should you plane, train, automobile, ferry, or walk? Rome2rio searches any city, town, landmark, attraction, or address globally to help you compare and optimize your options. This is an incredible platform and a massive timesaver when planning routes both locally and abroad.

BEST FOR: Identifying the Fastest & Cheapest Travel Routes

Wise (previously TransferWise)

Wise is a safe, trustworthy, and cost-effective way of transferring and exchanging money internationally. It is the service I use to send money to and from abroad. Compared to other services they charge as little as possible and, having used them for some time now, I know they’ve worked to incrementally lower their fees with the goal of even making some of their services free. They also offer an international card and multi-currency accounts which lets you have one account for transferring, spending, and receiving money — no matter the currency and where you are in the world. Talk about a travel hack.

BEST FOR: Sending/Receiving Money Overseas, International Debit Card & Universal Bank Account

Splitwise

Splitwise is an amazing tool for tracking, organizing, and allocating shared expenses while traveling with others. The tool is easy to use yet incredibly robust in its features. Rather than spinning your wheels on who and how much, the tool lets you split equally, by amount or percentage. Splitwise ensures that anyone who pays is reimbursed correctly while minimizing the number of payback transactions. I use this tool on every single group trip. It also works with over 100 currencies, allows you to categorize expenses, and integrates with other payment applications.

BEST FOR: Tracking Shared Expenses & Balances Owed

Chase Sapphire Reserve Card

This is my favorite travel credit card and the one I book most of my travel with. It’s one step up from the original Chase Sapphire Preferred card. If you’re based in the U.S. and comparing different travel credit cards this is where I would start. From free flight redemptions to airport lounge access throughout the globe, using this card is truly one of the ultimate expressions of travel hacking. Top benefits of the card include no foreign transaction fees, a $300 travel credit (offsetting the $550 annual fee by more than 50%), 3% back on travel purchases, 3% back on dining worldwide, complimentary Priority Pass airport lounge access, Global Entry/TSA PreCheck/Nexus credit, 5% back on flights purchased through Chase, and 10% back on hotels and rental car purchased through Chase. This card usually comes with a pretty sweet welcome bonus ranging from 60,000 to 80,000 Ultimate Rewards points. Lastly, Visa is accepted pretty much anywhere in the world that accepts card payments.

BEST FOR: All-Around Travel Rewards

American Express Gold/Rose Gold Card

The American Express Gold card is another top-tier credit card that offers both travel and dining rewards and more. Similar to the Chase Sapphire Reserve card, if you love to travel and explore the restaurant scene (or just love to eat), this is an excellent all-around card for you. It has an annual fee of $250, no foreign transaction fees, 4X the points on dining worldwide, 4X the points on U.S. supermarkets, 3X the points on flights (booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com), $120 in Uber cash, and up to $120 in dining credit at select locations. Like most of the leading travel credit cards, it usually comes with an enticing sign-up bonus ranging from 60,000 to 75,000 Membership Rewards points as well as a one-time statement credit. Note that American Express has lower acceptance rates internationally compared to Visa or Mastercard so be sure to carry a backup card when traveling outside the U.S.

BEST FOR: Dining Rewards

American Express Platinum Card

The American Express Platinum card is one of the premier and most prestigious credit cards on the market and is all about luxury travel benefits. Like the American Express Gold card, it’s backed by the service and reliability of American Express. Perhaps the most noteworthy attribute of this card is its unrivaled lounge access — granting you complimentary lounge access to the iconic American Express Centurion Lounges, Priority Pass Lounges, Delta Sky Club (when flying with Delta), and other partner lounges. Additional benefits of the Platinum Card include 5X the points on flights (booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com), 5X the points on hotels (prepaid through amextravel.com), $200 in Uber Cash, periodic credits for both Global Entry/TSA PreCheck and CLEAR, a $155 Walmart+ credit, a $240 digital entertainment credit, a $200 credit for airline incidental fees (e.g., checked bags, in-flight purchases), elite status with Hilton and Marriott, Global Dining Access with Resy, and more. Whether some or all of these perks collectively end up offsetting the steep $695 annual fee will totally depend on you! The American Express Platinum card’s welcome offer usually ranges from 80,000 to 125,000 Membership Rewards. As noted above, not all merchants abroad accept America Express so always carry a Visa or Mastercard as a backup.

BEST FOR: Lounge & Special Dining Access

Capital One Venture Rewards Card

If you’re looking for a mix of simplicity and powerful rewards then look no further than the Capital One Venture Rewards card. It has no foreign transaction fees, lets you earn unlimited 2 miles per dollar spent on every purchase, unlimited 5 miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, periodic credits for both Global Entry/TSA PreCheck, elite status with Hertz, car rental insurance, and 2 visits per year to Capital One Lounges or Plaza Premium Lounges. Miles earned can be transferred to over 15 different airline and hotel partner programs. All of this with an annual fee is only $95. The Venture Rewards card’s new cardmember offer tends to be 75,000 Bonus Miles. Like the Chase Sapphire cards, this is a Visa card so it’s bound to be accepted virtually anywhere when traveling internationally. If you’re looking for a more elevated Capital One Venture card with greater rewards, check out the Venture X Rewards card.

BEST FOR: Simplicity, Value & Flexible Miles Redemption

Allianz Travel

Allianz Travel Insurance is one of the most recognized providers and typically my provider of choice. One of the many reasons why I’ve gone with them for years is that they offer very reasonably-priced annual policies which cover multiple trips throughout the year with no limit on how many trips you can take and without having to re-purchase or renew ahead of the next trip. Ideal for your out of office odysseys! On top of that, Allianz offers multiple plans which you can tailor to your specific needs, with most plans even covering preexisting medical conditions (assuming particular requirements are met).

BEST FOR: Annual Policies & Short-Term Travel

SafetyWing

SafetyWing is a travel and medical incident insurance built specifically for digital nomads. It can be purchased while already abroad, covers home trip visits, and operates like a monthly subscription. The company also provides health insurance for remote workers and entrepreneurs.

BEST FOR: Digital Nomads, Remote Workers & Long-Term Travel

World Nomads

World Nomads is most popular with active travelers given that their policies cover more adventure sports than most other providers (e.g., bungee jumping, sky diving, cave diving). The simplistic structure of their plans is also a big draw. World Nomads offers two plans — a Standard Plan and an Explorer Plan — each with different benefits, limits, and coverage sub-limits.

BEST FOR: Flexibility & Adventure Activities

ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN is my VPN (Virtual Private Network) provider of choice. It lets me browse the internet and watch my favorite shows while abroad as if I were back home in my living room. With VPN servers in 94 countries, ExpressVPN lets you unblock the websites you love and stream videos (e.g., Netflix, Hulu, BBC) and music (e.g., Spotify). You can do all of this and more with greater privacy, security, and speed on your phone, tablet, and/or computer. I’ve tried several VPN services out there and always come back to this one.

BEST FOR: Online Privacy Protection & Speed

Airalo

Airalo is the world’s first eSIMs (digital SIM cards) store. It solves the pains of high roaming bills, desperately searching for Wi-Fi, wasting time looking for a local SIM vendor, and losing connectivity (or having none). This lets you get connected anywhere in the world the second you land. You simply download the app and install access by country, region (e.g., Europe, Latin America, Asia, Caribbean Islands, Africa, Middle East), or globally through a digital data pack for over 200 countries/regions.

BEST FOR: Staying Connected Affordably Wherever You Go

T-Mobile

It’s no coincidence that I’ve been a loyal T-Mobile customer for over a decade. After traveling through dozens of countries worldwide and regularly researching options to remain connected, I can comfortably claim that they offer the best value for most frequent international travelers. While additional upgrades and one-off international passes are available for purchase based on individual needs, even their most basic domestic plans deliver international benefits, including 5GB of high-speed data, unlimited basic data, and texting in 215+ countries at no additional cost.

BEST FOR: Pre-Included International Phone Benefits

AllTrails

AllTrails is an awesome resource that lets you find the best hiking, biking, and running trails all over the world. Each trail includes details on trail length, route type, difficulty level, different waypoints, how to get there, elevation gain, and more. It also includes trail reviews and photos from the user community. You can search by country, region, city, park, trail name, point of interest, or trail features and even save trails of interest and track the ones you’ve completed. If you’re an outdoor enthusiast this is a must-have!

BEST FOR: Scoping Out Trails

Outdoorsy

Known as the “Airbnb of RV rentals,” Outdoorsy provides peer-to-peer RV rentals for those looking to rent one. They provide access to a broad range of travel vehicles, from driveable camper vans and trucks to towable haulers and trailers. Their platform also lets you filter your search by vehicle type, price, delivery options, amenities, and more. It also lets users leave and read detailed reviews from past rentals for greater insight and visibility.

BEST FOR: U.S. RV, Camper Van & Travel Trailer Rentals

Camper Travel

Like Outdoorsy, Camper Travel lets you rent RVs but with a few differences. Firstly, they’re international! If you’re looking to travel through another country by RV, this is one of your best resources. In addition to the U.S., their site offers rentals in Australia, New Zealand, Canada, South Africa, and all throughout Europe. Additionally, rather than being peer-to-peer, they function as a travel aggregator, thus casting a wider net and providing access to numerous RV rental companies and providers from which to choose.

BEST FOR: International RV, Camper Van & Travel Trailer Rentals

Recreation.gov

Recreation.gov is the U.S. government’s centralized travel planning platform run by several federal and state organizations. It’s a one-stop shop for information on outdoor and cultural destinations and activities. This is the best place to start if you’re planning an outdoor trip in the U.S. and need to locate public tent and RV campgrounds, acquire a vehicle permit, obtain a pass (e.g., park, activity, parking), purchase tickets, book tours, review general guidance, or source trip ideas.

BEST FOR: U.S. Outdoor Inspiration, Permits & Finding Public Campsites/Lodging

National Park Service | America The Beautiful Annual Pass Series

The National Park Service is the U.S. federal agency responsible for managing all national parks, monuments, and other properties. It’s the golden source for anything and everything related to the national park system and any specific national park you may be visiting. If you’re planning on visiting multiple U.S. national parks throughout the year or on one trip, then the America The Beautiful Annual Pass is an absolute must! It’s only $80 for a whole year as opposed to paying per vehicle ($20-$35), per person ($10-$20), or per motorcycle ($15-$30) each time you enter the park.

BEST FOR: U.S. National Park Trip Planning, Campgrounds & Annual Passes

The Good Sam Directory

If you’re an RV, camper, or trailer travel enthusiast, Good Sam has one of the only published directories for locating privately owned RV parks and campgrounds across the U.S. and Canada. Listings include useful information like park/campground contact details, ratings (e.g., facility, restrooms, appeal), opening seasons, pricing, activities, park layout, amenities, and discounts.

BEST FOR: Finding Private U.S. & Canada RV Parks/Campgrounds

PADI (Professional Association of Diver Instructors)

If you’re looking to dive beneath the waves and explore the other 70% of our planet PADI is the best place to start. PADI is the world’s largest ocean exploration and diver organization and operates in 180+ countries and territories with 6,600 dive centers and resorts worldwide. Getting scuba certified was one of the most incredible decisions I ever made and I cannot recommend it enough. Whether you’re looking to get certified, book a scuba vacation, or save the ocean, PADI has you covered. You’ll never forget taking that first breath underwater…

BEST FOR: Scuba Diving & Ocean Conservation

DAN (Divers Alert Network)

DAN is a group of not-for-profit organizations dedicated to continuously improving diving safety. If you scuba dive regularly or plan to increase your number of dives, DAN’s membership and insurance options (e.g., dive accident insurance, travel insurance, liability insurance, and equipment insurance) will give you the most comprehensive dive-related insurance protection for the price. Additionally, their website and programs are a great resource for any and all topics pertaining to diver health, medical services, accident prevention, and general safety.

BEST FOR: Dive Insurance, Diver Health & Diver Safety

U.S. Department of State: U.S. Passports & U.S. Visas

If you’re wondering how to apply for a U.S. passport, have to report one stolen, need to rush your passport processing, are searching for answers to frequently asked questions, or require assistance with any related topic, the U.S. Department of State’s website has everything you need. Moreover, if you’re a citizen of another country and are seeking to enter the U.S., this is the best place to start for accurate and up-to-date information on U.S. visas and entering the U.S.

BEST FOR: U.S. Passport Applications/Renewals & Visa Solicitations

CIBTvisas

CIBTvisas is a leader in global mobility that provides several services focused on ensuring timely, safe, and secure travel. Most notable are their leading global travel visa and passport expedition services (as quick as same day) which can benefit individuals or travel groups needing faster turnarounds. Additionally, they provide itinerary reviews and up-to-date guidance on ever-changing travel regulations which come in handy depending on one’s destination. They can serve as a key resource for travelers looking to navigate confusing, often conflicting, updates on travel and its impacts.

BEST FOR: Travel Information & Expediting Passports + Visas

U.S. Department of State: International Travel

In addition to its U.S. Passports and U.S. Visas sections, the U.S. Department of State’s International Travel webpage is an excellent top-level resource for up-to-date safety and security information, including country-specific travel advisories, customs and import restrictions, local laws and special circumstances, currency restrictions, required vaccinations, and entry/exit requirements.

BEST FOR: Before You Go International Travel Information

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

The CDC website is your one-stop resource for all matters pertaining to traveler health such as destination-specific travel health notices, recommended vaccines and medicines, travel clinics, and other health-related advice for travelers.

BEST FOR: Travel Health Notices & Vaccine Information

Radical Storage

Radical Storage eliminates the luggage hassle with early arrivals to or late departures from your accommodation by letting you store your luggage easily. You simply find a location online, book, and proceed to drop off your luggage for storage. This service operates in over 70 countries and 500 cities with more than 5,000 storage points. It’s safe and reliable, and any luggage you leave with them is covered by a guarantee of up to $3,000.

BEST FOR: Storing Luggage Anywhere

Calm App

Calm is a multifaceted subscription app featuring a wide variety of audio content that inspires mindfulness. Their offerings include guided meditations, soundscapes, background music, masterclasses, sleep stories, a wisdom series, inspiring stories, breathing exercises, self-check-ins, and more. I’ve gotten into the habit of using this app daily at home and increasingly more and more when I travel. It has helped lower my stress levels by facilitating my ability to disconnect and unwind. Most sessions and tracks in the app can be pre-downloaded for listening offline such as on a flight or anywhere with little to no connectivity. This powerful tool can be immensely grounding, uplifting, and energizing to one’s mental well-being, especially when paired with your travels.

BEST FOR: Meditation, Stress Management, Sleep Stories & Overall Mindfulness

Fabulous App

Fabulous is an all-in-one routine and self-care app for everyday life. It takes an easygoing approach to self-improvement by having you pick from multiple “Journeys” based on your main goals (e.g., better sleep, healthy eating, overcoming burnout, moving on from disappointment, changing one’s thought patterns, leading a more joyful life) and forging lasting habits along the way. For me personally, the app serves as a gentle reminder to prioritize my well-being and regularly nudges me in the right direction. Travel can be a great time to realign, stay mindful, pick up new habits, and not lose sight of existing ones. Just as with the Calm app, I highly recommend it as you (and others) will certainly start to notice compounding results — internally and externally.

BEST FOR: Self-Care, Motivational Coaching, Creating Structure & Building Healthy Habits