I’ve used countless travel planning websites and apps over the years, and I’ve slowly found out which are the ones I consistently reach for when planning a trip. Below are my favorite travel planning resources, from hotel booking websites to eSIM and VPN providers. Some of these are affiliates, but I promise I use every single one myself, or I wouldn’t recommend them here.

• Kiwi.com: I love using Kiwi to find affordable flights, especially when I have flexible dates and destinations. I love the map feature that allows me to see the cheapest flights from my departure city, especially since I usually travel on a budget.
• Skyscanner: I used Skyscanner a lot before switching to Kiwi, and I still occasionally use it to find cheap flights. I like that I can search for flights from an entire country, and I particularly like that I can choose “Anywhere” as a destination when I’m just looking for cheap flights, but I don’t have a destination in mind.

Note: I use the websites above mainly for research. I then usually book directly on the airline website, unless there is a big price difference.

• SafetyWing: I use this travel medical insurance (I have the Complete plan) and I couldn’t recommend it enough if you travel frequently. While the subscription-based plan is what they’re known for, you can also buy insurance for specific dates. I have a dedicated article about SafetyWing that you can find at the bottom of this page or here.

• Booking.com: This one is my go-to anywhere I go. I’ve been using it for over 15 years, and I consistently find the best options. Being a Genius level 3 gives me lots of cool perks and discounts!
• Agoda: I use this one mostly in Asia, as an alternative to Booking.com. It has a huge offering with good prices, and you can often get discounts.
• Airbnb: I occasionally book entire apartments or rooms through Airbnb, mostly for long-term stays or in very expensive destinations.

• Omio: This is the app I use the most for booking bus, train, and ferry rides pretty much anywhere in the world, but especially in Europe. It’s super easy to use, has a lot of options, and you often get discounts.
• 12Go: When traveling around Asia, 12Go is the best option for booking buses, trains, and ferries. I’ve used it extensively in Thailand, Vietnam, and Malaysia.
• FlixBus: I’ve used FlixBus a lot, mainly in Europe, but also in the US. It’s usually my go-to for cheap bus rides. I sometimes book it through Omio because it’s more convenient to have everything in one app.
• Traveling: I used this a lot when traveling around the Balkans. You won’t find most bus companies on the other websites and apps, so this is your go-to for places like Croatia, Montenegro, Bosnia & Herzegovina, and Serbia.
• DiscoverCars: If you want to rent a car, I highly recommend DiscoverCars because it has lots of options and great prices. I don’t often rent a car, but when I do, this is my go-to website.
• BlaBlaCar: This is usually a last-resort option for me, but it has saved me in a few situations when I had no other way to get from one place to the next, or when buses or trains were particularly expensive.

• Uber: I guess Uber needs no introduction. I’ve used it a lot around Europe, especially in Portugal, Romania, and Spain.
• Bolt: This is a great alternative to Uber, often cheaper in some countries like Portugal and Romania. It’s very popular in Europe.
• Grab: If you travel to Asia, Grab will be your best friend. Scooter rides are the best invention ever, but you can also get car rides.
• PickMe: This is the main ride-hailing app in Sri Lanka. They also have Uber, but PickMe is usually a better option.
• GG: Another very specific ride-hailing app, this time for Armenia. They don’t have Uber or Bolt, so it’s either GG or Yandex Go (which I never managed to use).

• Google Maps: Another app that doesn’t need an introduction. I save all the places I want to visit or that I love on Google Maps. It’s my most used app.
• Maps.Me: This is the best map I’ve found for hiking trails. Download the offline map on wifi so you can navigate anywhere. It has countless trails and is super easy to use.

• GetYourGuide: I used to be skeptical of organized tours, but sometimes these are the best way to experience a place or try out a new activity. GetYourGuide is my go-to app for booking these activities, especially in Europe.
• Viator: Viator is similar to GetYourGuide, and I now use them interchangeably, depending on which one has the best offering. Viator has a larger global offering compared to GetYourGuide.
• Manawa: Manawa is a much smaller activity-booking platform, with fewer destinations available, but a stronger focus on adventure sports and outdoor experiences. They also focus on activities organized by local providers.
• GuruWalk: This is one of my favorite finds of the past few years: a platform to book free walking tours. You book your tour without paying anything upfront and tip your guide, who is typically a local expert or tour guide.

• Airalo: Airalo’s eSIMs have been a game changer for me! I’ve been using it consistently since 2022. I now alternate between this one and Saily.
• Saily: I discovered Saily a while ago and started using it as an alternative to Airalo when the plan is more affordable. I typically check both and pick the cheaper one.

• NordVPN: I’ve been using NordVPN for years now, and it’s always worked seamlessly. Whether it’s to access streaming platforms abroad or to use apps restricted in certain locations, NordVPN has done it for me.

• Xe: If you need an easy-to-use currency converter, I highly recommend Xe. You can store lots of currencies at the same time, so you can easily check exchange rates for different countries.
• Revolut: Lastly, I have to mention my favorite digital bank. I’ve traveled with friends who used their regular bank’s cards abroad and always complained about huge fees. That doesn’t happen with Revolut. I have lots of free withdrawals in most countries, the best conversion rates, virtual cards, and lots of perks on the Metal plan. I won’t stop recommending this to any traveler!

I hope these resources will help you make the most of every trip, from the planning stage to getting around while abroad. I’ll keep updating this page if anything new comes up! I also sometimes get discounts from brands I partner with, and I share them all in my monthly newsletter. Sign up here to receive them straight to your inbox, along with the latest blog posts!

Finally, I have a few detailed blog posts about some of the resources and gear I am using, with more on the way. Browse them below!

This page contains affiliate links. If you buy through these links, I may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products or services I have tried and/or find useful and reliable.