Traveling, whether across continents or just a weekend getaway, involves a ton of decisions, from choosing flights to finding the perfect accommodations to managing finances to ensuring a smooth travel experience.
To alleviate the difficulty and enhance your adventures, I’ve put together a collection of MY MOST TRUSTED travel resources. This includes every part of the travel experience, from the moment you book your flight to the time you rest your head in a comfortable bed.
These are not just random suggestions; they are the very products and services I use and rely on in my own travels.
Consider this your personal travel toolkit, crafted BY ME to make your life easier and your journeys more enjoyable.
(Disclaimer: Some links in this post may be affiliate links, meaning if you click on the link and make a purchase, I receive a small commission. This is at no extra cost; you may even receive a small discount. See disclosure for more information. As an Amazon Associate, I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases.)
Best Accommodation Options
Booking.com: I use and love Booking.com for its user-friendly interface, extensive accommodation options, and competitive prices. The platform’s flexibility in booking, free cancellations on many properties, and Genius loyalty program with additional discounts make it my go-to for stress-free travel planning.
Agoda: Agoda is an online travel booking platform that offers a wide range of accommodation options, including hotels, resorts, and vacation rentals, across the globe. You can use Agoda to search, compare prices, and make reservations for lodging, it is especially popular for travel in Asia.
VRBO: VRBO, or Vacation Rentals by Owner, is a platform where travelers can find and book vacation rental properties directly from property owners. I use and love VRBO because it provides a wide selection of unique and often more spacious accommodations, offering a personalized and immersive experience that traditional hotels can’t match.
HostelWorld: is an online platform that specializes in booking accommodations at hostels and budget-friendly lodging options around the world. Travelers can use Hostelworld to search, compare prices, and make reservations for hostels in various destinations. It’s a popular choice for budget-conscious travelers.
Best Travel Credit Cards
Amex Platinum: The American Express Platinum Card is favored by travelers for its rewards, airport lounge access, and annual travel credits of $500. It offers a range of benefits, including Global Entry/TSA PreCheck, fine hotel and resort perks, extensive travel insurance, and potential elite status in hotel loyalty programs. Earn 90,000 Welcome Bonus Membership Rewards points when you sign up.
Amex Cobalt: The American Express Cobalt Card is ideal for travelers due to its impressive rewards structure, offering bonus points for travel-related spending. It provides flexibility in redeeming points for travel expenses, dining, and more. With travel insurance, lounge access, and no foreign transaction fees, it’s a valuable credit card option. Earn up to 30,000 Welcome Bonus Membership Rewards points when you sign up.
Best Travel Insurance
Safety Wings: Securing travel insurance before your trip is essential. It’s the top item on your packing list that can potentially save you a significant amount of money, time, and stress. Personally, I never embark on a journey without travel insurance, and I strongly recommend it to everyone. My preferred choice is Safety Wings.
AirHelp: AirHelp is a company that assists air passengers in claiming compensation for flight disruptions, such as delays and cancellations, in accordance with air passenger rights regulations. They simplify the claims process and charge a fee only upon successfully securing compensation for passengers.
Best Car Rental
Discover Cars: Discover Cars is a car rental platform that offers a convenient and efficient way to book rental vehicles worldwide. I love Discover Cars because it provides a user-friendly interface, competitive prices, and a wide selection of rental options, making it easy to find the perfect vehicle for my travel needs.
Economy Bookings: Economy Booking is a platform specializing in affordable car rental reservations globally. I appreciate Economy Booking for its budget-friendly options, user-friendly website, and extensive network of rental providers, ensuring I can secure cost-effective transportation for my trips without compromising quality or convenience.
RentalCars.com: is an online platform that specializes in car rental bookings worldwide. It allows you to search, compare, and book rental cars from various providers in numerous destinations.
Travel Transportation
Skyscanner: My number one tool for booking flights. To get the best deals on Skyscanner, start by entering flexible travel dates or searching “Everywhere” for destination inspiration. Set up price alerts to monitor fare fluctuations, and be ready to book quickly when prices drop.
The Trainline: Trainline is my favorite way to search, compare, and book train journeys, making it easier to plan and secure tickets for rail travel across different regions.
Rail Europe: is a platform that simplifies train travel across Europe. I love it because it offers a one-stop solution for booking European train tickets, passes, and rail tours. It provides access to a vast network of European railways, making it easy to plan flexible and scenic journeys, explore multiple countries, and enjoy the convenience of train travel in Europe.
Omio: Omio is a travel booking platform that helps users plan and book various forms of transportation, including trains, buses, flights, and ferries across Europe and other parts of the world. It offers a convenient way to search, compare prices, and book tickets for different modes of travel, making it easier for travelers to plan their journeys.
12GO: 12GO Asia is my go-to platform for traveling in Asia. It streamlines the booking of transportation services, from trains to flights, making it easy to explore this diverse continent.
Best Airport Transfers
GetTransfer.com: GetTransfer.com is an online platform for booking private and shared airport transfers and transportation services. It has a straightforward booking process, competitive pricing, and a wide range of transportation options.
Kiwitaxi: Kiwitaxi is a transportation service that offers convenient airport transfers and taxi bookings in various destinations. It offers a reliable and punctual service, user-friendly booking platform, and competitive rates.
Travel EXTRAS
Priority Pass: Priority Pass is a membership program that grants access to a network of airport lounges worldwide. I love it for travel because it enhances the airport experience. With Priority Pass, I can relax in comfortable lounges, enjoy complimentary amenities, and escape the crowds during layovers or delays. It adds a touch of luxury and convenience to my journeys.
Internet Abroad
Airalo: I use and love Airalo for international internet access because it offers a convenient and cost-effective solution for staying connected while traveling. With a wide range of affordable data plans in various countries, Airalo eliminates the hassle of searching for local SIM cards. It provides seamless connectivity and helps me stay productive and connected wherever I go. USE CODE: SAM326 for $3 OFF YOUR FIRST PURCHASE
Best Tours & Tickets
Get Your Guide: GetYourGuide is an online platform that provides travelers with a wide range of tours, activities, and experiences to book in destinations around the world. It offers a convenient way to explore and discover unique experiences such as guided city tours, museum visits, outdoor adventures, and more. Users can browse and book activities in advance, often with skip-the-line options, making it easier to plan and enhance their travel itineraries. GetYourGuide is a popular choice for travelers seeking to make the most of their destination experiences.
Tiquets: Tiqets is an online platform for booking tickets to museums, attractions, and activities worldwide. It simplifies travel planning by offering skip-the-line tickets, mobile access, and a wide range of cultural experiences. Use Tiqets to save time and access top attractions effortlessly, enhancing your travel itinerary and experiences.
Big Bus Tours: Big Bus Tours is a global hop-on, hop-off bus tour operator, offering a convenient way for travelers to explore major cities, visit landmarks, and learn about local attractions.
Viator: Viator is an online platform that offers a wide array of tours, activities, and experiences worldwide. I use and love Viator because it simplifies travel planning by providing access to a diverse range of curated tours and activities.
GoCity: Go City, formerly known as Smart Destinations, is a company that offers multi-attraction passes for various cities around the world. These passes provide travelers with access to a range of popular attractions, tours, and activities in a particular city for a single, discounted price.
EatWith: Join local hosts near you or abroad for intimate dinner parties, hands-on cooking classes, and interactive workshops.