Here is a list of all the travel resources and tools I use when planning domestic and international trips. Out of the millions of choices that exist, these are the ones that work for me.
My Go-To Travel Planning Resources
These are my go-to sites, products, and services for trip planning.
First Steps: How to Research a Vacation Destination
Pinterest – I add all pins that catch my eye to dedicated destination boards as part of the dreaming stage of trip planning. Then I revisit those boards when I’m ready to move on to the planning and booking stages.
Instagram – You’d be amazed at the number of “folders” I have with travel tips to help me plan trips to places near and far.
Google Maps – I use Google Maps as an on-the-go repository for every museum, hotel, restaurant, trail, Little Free Library – you name it – that I see or hear about and would probably like to visit one day. I tag each place with a green flag or sometimes make a dedicated themed list (typically filming locations), then reference those places later. Or sometimes, I bring it up when I’m playing it by ear on a trip just to see what’s nearby.
US State Department – This is my first stop for planning international travel. Here, you can find travel advisories for all countries, information about passports, visas, embassies, and other traveler resources, and enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP).
Flights
Hopper – Like many other apps on the market, this one predicts the best time to purchase flights and sends you notifications. Features I love are the color-coded calendar and detailed price forecast.
Flight Connections – Gathering my thoughts… Stay tuned!
Kayak, Skyscanner, and Google Flights – I use these three sites mainly for price comparison. The map features on these sites are great for determining where you can fly for a set price.
For instance, say you aren’t sure where you want to travel but have $300 for a roundtrip flight. Set your departure city and price limit, and then everywhere you can fly for up to that price will be displayed.
JetBlue True Blue Points – When flying in the US, I try to stay loyal to JetBlue. I like the brand’s dependability and the service I’ve received at check-in and in-flight. Additional card benefits include no foreign transaction fees, a discount on in-flight services and food, and trip protection.
Earning True Blue points is incredibly easy, and using the Barclaycard site (the bank that issues the card, formerly American Express). Since using this card in early 2015, I have redeemed points for one roundtrip flight to Cancun, Mexico, and a one-way flight to San Francisco, California, and I still had a balance left over to add to.
Flight Deals – Subscribe to services like Airfare Watchdog, Scott’s Cheap Flights, Travel Zoo, and Dollar Flight Club to get the best flight deals in your inbox.
Flight Aware – Live flight tracking to ensure your flight is on time.
Accommodations
Booking.com – Search for and reserve accommodations of all kinds, including hostels, hotels, B&Bs, and apartments. Use the map view feature to understand nearby attractions, restaurants, etc. Read the fine print first, but most reservations include fee-free cancellation.
Booking also has a loyalty program for frequent travelers called Genius. Book accommodations five times on their site to become a Genius and access additional discounts and perks at participating accommodations. Genius discounts and perks include a 10% discount, complimentary breakfast, airport shuttle service, welcome drinks, and more.
TripAdvisor – I’m one of those who will read accommodations reviews on TripAdvisor. I always take the reviews with a grain of salt because most reviewers confuse personal preference with helpful information. I appreciate customer photos because the perfect, professional photos don’t always portray the property honestly.
Airbnb – Unique, quality rentals in the exact locations as typical hotels but for a fraction of the price. Rent a room, apartment, or house in towns and cities worldwide.
Housesitting – Gathering my thoughts… Stay tuned!
Read my accommodation reviews to see what I think of the places I’ve stayed!
Transportation
Rome2Rio – This is my go-to site for bus and train options between destinations. Rome2Rio links directly to all services available and includes a schedule and cost estimate from the search results. Provides flight, hotel, and car rental options, as well.
Google Maps – I use downloaded Google Maps if I’m in a place with poor cell service or for walking directions without narration.
Chronotrains – Gathering my thoughts… Stay tuned!
Car Rentals – I try to use my own two feet or local public transportation as frequently as possible, but occasionally, I rent a car. Sometimes, having your own wheels makes things more accessible and timely. I use Kayak to comparison shop and then reserve the most affordable car rental available through Enterprise, Thrifty, or Hertz.
Road Trips
Apple Maps – My go-to app for GPS driving directions in the car, mostly because my Siri is Australian.
US Toll Calculator – Gathering my thoughts… Stay tuned!
Make My Drive Fun – Gathering my thoughts… Stay tuned!
Travel Time – Gathering my thoughts… Stay tuned!
Travel Insurance
Even if you think nothing will ever happen, the peace of mind that insurance coverage provides is priceless. I haven’t had to file a claim yet, but I don’t feel like the money spent on insurance was wasted!
Pre-covid, I bought travel insurance for 25-50% of my trips, but now I always get it. I use my Jetblue Mastercard to purchase flights, hotels, etc., because of their travel insurance benefits, but I buy an additional overall plan from the companies below sometimes, too.
Allianz Travel Insurance – I have insured flights, luggage, and a rental car for domestic trips using Allianz Travel for several trips over the years.
World Nomads – I’ve secured trip insurance through World Nomads before for a reasonable price.
Tours + Activities
Get Your Guide – Use GYG to book tours, activities, and tickets to attractions in destinations worldwide. Use the Get Your Guide app to access search, purchase, and mobile ticket features. They offer free cancelation and a full refund 24 hours in advance if plans change.
Viator – Book activities and tours in more than 1500 destinations across the globe! They have everything from traditional activities like walking tours to more unique and once-in-a-lifetime experiences like helicopter tours. You’ll find tickets for various activities, including short tours, whole-day events, and multi-day trips.
Big Bus Tours – Gathering my thoughts… Stay tuned!
Airbnb Experiences – Gathering my thoughts… Stay tuned!
Resort Pass – Gathering my thoughts… Stay tuned!
North American Reciprocal Museum Association – Gathering my thoughts… Stay tuned!
Travel with Food Allergies
Equal Eats – Gathering my thoughts… Stay tuned!
Spokin – Gathering my thoughts… Stay tuned!
Technology + Communication
There are many ways to keep in touch with family and friends while you travel, as long as you have an internet connection. With these apps, you don’t have to worry about tracking down or paying for local SIM cards (unless you want to). Here are some communication apps that I have used.
WhatsApp – Free voice calls, video calls, and text messaging.
Facebook Messenger – Catch up with friends with quick messages or make video or voice calls. All three work on your laptop, cellphone, or tablet.
Google Hangouts – Offers the same as the above apps: free messaging, video calls, and voice calls. Staying connected has never been easier!
VPN – A VPN encrypts your internet connection to secure your online activities and personal information, especially when traveling internationally or using public Wi-Fi. Before leaving for New Zealand, I bought a subscription to KeepSolid VPN Unlimited, which works on my iPhone and MacBook.
Banking & Finances
XE Currency – Get up-to-the-minute currency exchange rates online with a convenient smartphone app.
Charles Schwab Online Bank Account – Since Charles Schwab is an online bank with no ATMs anywhere in the world, they will automatically reimburse fees charged to your account. These fees add up, especially if you mess up currency conversion and must withdraw money multiple times. To make this work, you must apply for a High Yield Investor Checking Account. Don’t be intimidated by that title! Although the application process is multi-stepped and may take a couple of weeks, the savings over time will be worth it.
Budget Your Trip – Gathering my thoughts… Stay tuned!
My Go-To Travel Blogs
The Budget-Minded Traveler – OK, so I was a regular contributor for BMT for a long time, but a reader long before that. Jackie touches on every aspect of planning international travel, from choosing a destination and getting passports/visas to accessing money while abroad and safety/packing tips. I used the shit out of her travel tips in my early days of international travel, and it helped me save money!
Wanderful – Gathering my thoughts… Stay tuned!
Guide Books
Lonely Planet, DK Eyewitness, or Fodor’s Travel Guides – I like certain aspects of these book brands and buy one over the other for different reasons. For city/region guides, I lean toward DK Eyewitness Travel Guides and switch between Lonely Planet and Fodor’s Travel Guides for whole country guides.
I try to buy from local and independent bookstores as often as possible.
Travel Rewards Programs
JetBlue True Blue – The points you earn from using their credit card (or other easy ways to earn points, like Points for Surveys) never expire, and redeeming them for flights is a breeze.
Award Wallet – Keep track of all your award programs in one place. Includes airline and hotel reward programs and others like Panera, Starbucks, and Regal Crown Club. First-time users get a free upgrade with this code: free-iigwmp
Entertainment
Here’s how I pass the time during travel days and downtime.
Kindle Fire – I have a fully loaded Kindle Fire that I bring with me everywhere. I’m a mood reader, so I need options, and a Kindle can hold thousands of ebooks. Besides reading ebooks on it, I can browse the internet, play games, and watch TV or movies on streaming apps. I mostly borrow ebooks from the library.
Pro Tip: If you want to buy ebooks, you can save loads of money by signing up for the BookBub newsletter.
Audiobooks – These are a great alternative to listening to music while traveling and are especially helpful for those prone to motion sickness. Hi, that’s me, the one prone to motion sickness. Try Audible or one of the several alternatives for cheaper or free audiobooks.
Lingo Cards – A deck of cards serves many purposes, including entertainment during flight delays, making friends at hostels, and having something else to do besides constantly scrolling social media. As a bonus, Lingo Cards also help you learn French, Spanish, Italian, and many more languages. Thank you to Lingo for sending me these cards to try!
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