TRAVEL RESOURCES

My go-to travel companies for when I book my own trips.

Planning your next adventure but no idea where to start?

Whether you’re heading off on an epic round the world journey or booking a staycation close to home, the sheer amount of travel options out there can be overwhelming.

But don’t stress, I’m rounding up all my favourite travel resources from over 10 years of travelling (and five years working at a youth travel agency) to help you streamline the booking process and go straight to trusted, highly-rated operators that I’ve used personally.

From accommodation providers to online travel agents to tour operators and everything in between, here’s everything you need to plan the perfect trip.

FLIGHTS

Skyscanner

By far the best flight search engine in the world and the only way I find flights. Skyscanner is a flight aggregator, so rather than just showing you the flights loaded into their system (like certain airlines or travel agents would), they show you all the different fares available across all airlines, all destinations and all websites, to ensure you get the best deal.

Search Skyscanner

Direct airline websites

Once you find a flight you want in Skyscanner, it gives you a list of the booking options like online travel agencies and direct airline websites. Online travel agencies (a.k.a. OTAs, like Momondo, Kayak, eDreams and GoToGate) are often cheaper however they can be much harder to rebook if anything goes wrong.

I generally opt to book direct with the airline, unless I could save hundreds with an OTA and I decide it's worth the risk.

ACCOMMODATION

Booking.com

Booking.com is probably the leading accommodation booking engine globally, with a brilliant selection of hotels, apartments and guesthouses for all budgets, plus a loyalty scheme that offers discounts, free upgrades and included breakfasts.

Search Booking.com

Hostelworld

Whether you want a cheap as chips dorm room at a budget backpackers or a fancy private room at a boutique hostel, Hostelworld has you covered. I particularly like their review system which is broken down into value, security, location, atmosphere and more.

Search Hostelworld

Airbnb

For self-contained homestays, longer-term rentals and funky accommodation, Airbnb is worth a look. Keep in mind that Airbnb often has stricter cancellation policies and can have additional cleaning fees and security bonds, so look closely before you book.

Agoda

If you're travelling around Asia, Agoda has a good range of all accommodation from apartments and homestays through to luxury hotels.

Book direct

In my experience, booking.com often has cheaper rates than booking direct however you might get extras like free parking and breakfast by booking direct, so it's always worth cross-checking before you lock in your stay.

Trusted Housesitters

I haven't used this myself yet but I've met loads of digital nomads and long-term travellers who swear by it! Great option if you're flexible on where you want to travel.

Sign up to house sit

TRANSPORTATION

RentalCars.com

A rental car aggregator (like Skyscanner but for cars) with flexible bookings and a price match guarantee.

Search rental cars

Eurail

Europe's best rail pass that covers train travel through 33 countries, with options ranging from a short one-country pass to a three month unlimited travel pass.

Omio

A handy website for finding and buying bus, train and ferry tickets in Europe and the USA.

Trainline

The best way to book train tickets around the UK and they now offer trains and buses in Europe too.

Search Trainline

Rome2Rio

Rome2Rio will get you from A to B, no matter where A or B is! Simply put in your origin and your destination and it'll show you all your journey options, including flights, buses, trains, driving and local transport.

Search Rome2Rio

TOUR OPERATORS

Get Your Guide

Find all the best things to do in one easy marketplace, from adrenaline-rushing adventures to city tours and everything in between.

Search Get Your Guide

Klook

Another activity and experience marketplace with things to do all around the world, but particularly great for travelling in Asia.

Viator

Viator is basically TripAdvisor's competitor to Get Your Guide and Klook, with more of a focus on North America experiences.

Contiki

Contiki runs group tours all over the globe for travellers aged 18 to 35. They have a range of tour styles, from the classic fast-paced European Contiki to in-depth tours to events and festivals. I've been on three (USA/Canada, Europe and Thailand/Malaysia) and loved them.

G Adventures

G Adventures offers small group tours for up to 15 travellers, with more of a focus on adventure, local living and sustainable tourism. I've been on two (Thailand/Cambodia/Vietnam and Indonesia) and had a Cuba one booked before the world turned upside down. Hopefully I can do it in 2022!

Search G Adventures

Travel Talk

Travel Talk is a Europe, Middle East and Africa tour company that offers brilliant value for money, a great option for Kiwi and Aussie expats living in Europe and the UK. I travelled with them to Turkey and Jordan, and would love to do their Morocco tour in the future.

Search Travel Talk

Medsailors

Everyone should spend a week at sea with some of their favourite humans at least once in their life. I can absolutely recommend Medsailors Croatia, and I hope to rebook my cancelled Greece trip this year.

Search Medsailors

One Life Adventures

I had back-to-back One Life tours booked to the Philippines and Sri Lanka in March 2020, but we got quarantined on a private island on day 3 of the first tour (it's a long story!). Nevertheless, these guys are legends in the Asia tourism scene.

Search One Life

TourRadar

TourRadar is the best way to check and see what tours are available in your chosen destination and/or for your travel dates.

Search TourRadar

TRAVEL INSURANCE

Cover-More

Every country has different insurance options so I can't test them all, but the travel insurance I use for every single trip is Cover-More's comprehensive policy, called the 'Options' plan. Cover-More is available in Australia and New Zealand and has fantastic coverage for medical, luggage and travel delays/cancellations, as well as automatically covering loads of adventure activities.

World Nomads

If you're not from New Zealand or Australia, World Nomads is one of the most highly-recommended travel insurance providers available to travellers around the world because they have policies that are accessible after you've already left your home country, which isn't the case with many insurers. They can be a bit pricey but the coverage for medical, cancellation and loss/damage is up there with the best, so they're worth the money.

Safety Wing

Safety Wing is a relative newcomer to the insurance scene but they've definitely plugged a hole, offering medical insurance for nomads and long-term travellers, with added benefits like Covid cover (medical and quarantine) and weekly/monthly payment options. Their personal belongings cover is very limited, as is their cover for travel delays and cancellations, so check the policy details to make sure it provides the coverage you need.

OTHER TRAVEL STUFF

There are a number of other products and companies that aren’t specifically travel-related but that I use on a daily basis on the road, like:

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