Finding the perfect place to stay can make or break your trip. Whether you’re looking for budget hostels, luxury hotels, or unique vacation rentals, these top booking platforms offer the best options:

VRBO – Best for Vacation Rentals & Private Stays

VRBO is best for families & groups looking for full-home vacation rentals.
 Key features include being able to book entire homes, pet-friendly options, and it’s great for long stays. 
Pricing varies by property, but there are especially great deals for extended stays. 


Find vacation rentals on VRBO here

Hostelworld – Best for Budget & Social Travelers

Hostelworld is best for backpackers & solo travelers looking for budget-friendly stays
. They have 17,000+ hostels to search and book worldwide, verified reviews, and a higher chance that you’ll stay somewhere with a social atmosphere.
Everything from low-cost dorms to affordable private rooms are available.


Book hostels with Hostelworld here

Booking.com – Best for Hotels, Apartments & Everything in Between

Booking.com is best for travelers who want the widest range of accommodations. 
Key features include free cancellations, no booking fees, and 24/7 support
. They list everything from hotels to private rooms and apartments, and unique stays.


Book with Booking.com here

Expedia – Best for Bundling Hotels with Flights & Cars

Expedia is best for travelers who want to save by booking flights, hotels, and their car rentals together. 
Key features include package deals, a VIP rewards program, and access to last-minute deals. There are discounts for bundling multiple services.


Find deals on Expedia here

Agoda – Best for Asia Travel & Discounted Hotel Rates

Agoda is best for travelers booking hotels in Asia and beyond
. Key features include exclusive mobile discounts and “Secret Deals” on hotels, apartments & resorts
There are frequent flash sales
 as well.

Get hotel deals on Agoda here

Trivago – Best for Comparing Hotel Prices Across Multiple Sites

Trivago is best for travelers who want to compare hotel prices from multiple booking platforms. 
Key features include side-by-side price comparisons and real-time hotel availability. Trivago will show the best price from multiple booking sites, so you always know where to book for the best price. 


Compare hotels on Trivago here

Trip.com – Best for Booking Hotels & Transport in Asia

Trip.com is best for travelers booking stays, trains, and flights in Asia
. Key features include exclusive rates, loyalty rewards, and integrated transport options.
 You’ll often find great deals on hotels, flights & travel packages.


Book with Trip.com here

Which one should you choose?
 For vacation rentals, VRBO is the best choice. HostelWorld is great for budget and social travelers, while Booking.com offers the widest selection of accommodations. Expedia is perfect for bundling hotels with flights, Agoda has great deals for Asia, Trivago helps you compare prices, and Trip.com specializes in Asia travel.

Exploring a new destination is more than just seeing the sights—it’s about experiencing the culture, food, and history firsthand. Whether you're looking for guided tours, food experiences, or self-guided adventures, these top platforms can help you find the perfect activity:

Viator – Thousands of Tours & Activities Worldwide

Viator is best for travelers looking for guided tours, skip-the-line tickets, and unique experiences. 
Key features include access to over 300,000 bookable experiences, flexible cancellation, and 24/7 customer support
.


Find tours on Viator here

GetYourGuide – Handpicked Experiences & Local Tours

GetYourGuide is best for travelers who want expertly curated experiences with reliable reviews. GetYourGuide is good for searching and booking skip-the-line tickets and exclusive experiences and they make booking on your phone easy.

Book with GetYourGuide here

TripAdvisor – Top-Rated Activities with Traveler Reviews

TripAdvisor is best for travelers who rely on in-depth reviews before booking activities. 
Every experience has verified traveler reviews and you can compare prices for similar tours across various providers.


Discover experiences on TripAdvisor here

EatWith – Unique Food Experiences with Locals

EatWith is best for foodies looking for authentic dining experiences around the world. You’ll find everything from invites for a home-cooked meal to cooking classes and private dining with locals.



Book a food experience with EatWith here

GuruWalk – Free & Budget-Friendly Walking Tours

GuruWalk is best for budget travelers looking for local, tip-based walking tours
The operate on a pay-what-you-want model and work with passionate local guides offering unique city tours. 
It’s free to book, just remember to tip your guide at the end
.

Join a walking tour with GuruWalk here

WeGoTrip – Self-Guided Audio Tours for Independent Travelers

WeGoTrip is best for travelers who love exploring at their own pace with expert narration. WeGoTrip provides GPS-based audio tours, insider tips, and no fixed schedules. 
Pricing is affordable with one-time payments per tour.


Start a self-guided tour with WeGoTrip here

Which one should you choose? 
For classic guided tours, go with Viator or GetYourGuide. If you want top-rated tours with traveler reviews, TripAdvisor is great. EatWith is perfect for food lovers, GuruWalk offers tip-based walking tours, and WeGoTrip is best for self-guided explorers.

Scoring the best flight deals can make a huge difference in your travel budget. Whether you're looking for mistake fares, cashback rewards, or AI-powered price predictions, these top flight booking services can help you save:

Going – Find Mistake Fares & Huge Flight Deals

Going is best for travelers looking for deeply discounted flights and mistake fares
. Key features include alerts for mistake fares & flash sales, premium membership for exclusive deals, and international & domestic coverage. 
There are free & paid plans available (premium starts at $49/year).


Get cheap flight alerts from Going here

Hopper – AI-Powered Price Predictions & Alerts

Hopper is best for travelers who want to book at the perfect time for the lowest price
. Key features include price prediction technology, a fare freeze option, and hotel & rental car deals.
 It’s free to use, but there are small fees for certain features like fare freeze.


Check flight prices on Hopper here

WayAway – Cashback on Flights & Travel Bookings

WayAway is best for travelers who want to earn cashback on flights and more. 
Key features include up to 10% cashback on flights & hotels, a premium membership option for extra perks, and price comparison from major airlines & OTAs.
It’s free to search, but the WayAway Plus membership includes even more cashback perks ($44.99/year)
.

Save on flights with WayAway here

CheapOair – Discounted Flights from Major Airlines

CheapOair is best for travelers looking for budget-friendly flights from multiple airlines. 
Key features include discounted fares, price match guarantee, 24/7 customer support, and bundle savings on hotels & car rentals. 



Find cheap flights on CheapOair here

Which one should you choose? 
If you want exclusive mistake fares and flight deal alerts, Going is a great choice. For AI-powered price tracking and predictions, Hopper helps you book at the right time. If you love cashback on flights and travel, WayAway is your best bet. And for classic flight searches with discount fares, CheapOair

Trainline - Only relevant for Euro train travel, Trainline is a great starting point for searching, comparing, and booking trains all over Europe across all major lines. They're also official retailers of the Eurail Pass - a single train pass that lets you travel across 33 European countries.

For the rest of the world, try Bookaway and/or 12Go for searching, comparing, and booking train tickets and other transfers, especially in Asia and Central America.

Bookaway & 12Go - both of these are my go-to’s for vetted local ground and sea transportation (both public and private) that include 24/7 support, honest reviews by travelers, and accurate information about every ride

GetTransfer.com - a booking service for transfers with a personal driver and car rentals at competitive prices

BusBud - an online bus-booking platform that has compiled the world’s largest selection of bus tickets. Wherever you’re traveling, you can easily compare bus tickets from different companies and book the best option for your next trip.

DiscoverCars.com - an award-winning car rental comparison site where you can find, compare, and rent a car globally. They include all mandatory fees, taxes, and extras in the quoted price and offer 24/7 support and free cancellation.

Amazon - There’s usually a flood of packages from Amazon arriving before each and every one of my trips. Amazon is an affordable way to stock up on all sorts of travel gear, including what I consider to be my travel quintessentials.

REI - REI is where I purchased my first travel pack nearly a decade ago. For quality travel and outdoor gear, there’s no better spot. Check out the REI Outlet for even deeper discounts on name brand gear.

Osprey - If you’re in the market for a durable and lifetime-guaranteed travel backpack, this is the brand I went with. I have their Farpoint travel pack. I love how it’s carry-on size and has a detachable day pack.

Gregory - Another worthy travel and outdoor gear brand, with a lifetime guarantee for its products, Gregory is who I purchased my trekking pack with. Their Amber 44 hiking pack has come with me on two Caminos and a walk across Norway so far.

Travel insurance is a must-have to protect yourself from unexpected trip cancellations, medical emergencies, lost baggage, and more. Whether you're a backpacker, digital nomad, or luxury traveler, these top-rated travel insurance providers offer coverage to fit your needs:

WorldTrips – Flexible & Budget-Friendly Travel Insurance

WorldTrips is best for travelers looking for affordable, customizable coverage
. Key features include comprehensive medical coverage, trip interruption protection, and options for adventure sports. 
Pricing varies based on trip details.


Get a quote from WorldTrips here

Squaremouth – Compare & Find the Best Plan

Squaremouth is best for travelers who want to compare multiple insurance providers in one place
. Key features include side-by-side policy comparisons, thousands of verified customer reviews, and a best-price guarantee. 
Pricing varies based on provider and coverage, but customizable plans are available.


Compare plans on Squaremouth here

World Nomads – Insurance for Adventurous Travelers

World Nomads is best for backpackers, digital nomads, and travelers engaging in outdoor activities. 
Key features include coverage for adventure sports, emergency medical expenses, trip cancellations, and gear protection.
Pricing is based on trip details.


Get insured with World Nomads here

Which one should you choose? 
For an affordable, flexible travel insurance plan, WorldTrips is a solid option. If you want to compare multiple providers and find the best deal, Squaremouth is your go-to. If you’re an adventure traveler looking for specialized coverage, World Nomads is the best fit.

When traveling, protecting your online privacy and securing your data on public Wi-Fi is essential. A reliable VPN helps you browse safely, access region-locked content, and keep your personal information secure. Here are two top-rated VPN services I recommend:

NordVPN – Fast, Secure & Reliable

NordVPN is best for speed, global server coverage, and strong security features
. Key features include servers in 60+ countries, military-grade encryption, a no-logs policy, and advanced security tools
. Pricing starts at $12.99/month or $59.88/year
.

Get NordVPN here

Surfshark – Affordable & Feature-Packed

Surfshark is best for unlimited device connections, affordability, and strong privacy features. 
Key features include no device limits, a CleanWeb ad blocker, MultiHop for extra security, and a no-logs policy
. Pricing starts at $15.45/month or $44.85/year
.

Get Surfshark here

Which one should you choose? 
Both NordVPN and Surfshark are excellent for travelers. If you want the fastest speeds and an extensive server network, go with NordVPN. If you need a budget-friendly option with unlimited device connections, Surfshark is a great pick.

Staying connected while traveling is essential, and international roaming fees can add up quickly. With an eSIM or universal SIM, you can enjoy affordable mobile data worldwide without the hassle of switching physical SIM cards. Here are three top options I recommend:

Airalo – Easy, Affordable eSIMs Worldwide

Airalo is best for travelers who want a seamless, no-fuss eSIM solution. Its key features include voverage in 200+ countries, instant activation, pay-as-you-go data plans, and no physical SIM is required. 
Affordable regional and global data plans are available.

Get Airalo here

Saily – Flexible Data Plans with Great Coverage

Saily is best for frequent travelers who need flexible, long-term data options. Saily’s eSIMs work in 130+ countries, offer competitive pricing, include a user-friendly app, and ensure top-tier network coverage. There’s a variety of short- and long-term plans available.

Get Saily here and use code SPECIAL5 for 5% off at checkout

Drimsim – A True Universal SIM with Call & Text Support

Drimsim is best for travelers who need data, calls, and texts in one SIM
. Key features of a Drimsim SIM are that it works in 190+ countries, there are physical SIM + eSIM options, no contracts ever, and real-time billing. 
Pricing is pay-as-you-go based on usage
.

Get Drimsim here

Which one should you choose? 
If you want a quick, affordable eSIM for short trips, go with Airalo. For flexible data plans and great coverage, Saily is a strong option. If you need both mobile data and traditional calls/texts, Drimsim is your best bet.

Learning a new language can enhance your travel experience, helping you connect with locals and navigate new destinations more easily. Whether you want to learn the basics for an upcoming trip or achieve fluency over time, these top language-learning programs have you covered:

Babbel – Quick, Practical Lessons for Real Conversations

Babbel is best for travelers who want to learn useful phrases and start speaking quickly. 
Key features include short, interactive lessons, speech recognition for pronunciation practice, and real-world dialogues
. Pricing is subscription-based with affordable monthly plans
.

Start learning with Babbel here

Rosetta Stone – Immersive, Visual Learning Method

Rosetta Stone is best for visual learners who want a deep, immersive language-learning experience. 
Key features include full-language immersion, speech recognition technology, and access to 25+ languages. 
There are monthly, annual, and lifetime plans available.


Try Rosetta Stone here

Pimsleur – Audio-Based Learning for On-the-Go Practice

Pimsleur is best for busy travelers who want to learn through listening and repetition
. Key features include 30-minute audio lessons, hands-free learning, and scientifically proven memory techniques.
Pricing is subscription-based with a free trial available.


Learn with Pimsleur here

Which one should you choose?
 If you want quick, practical lessons for real-world conversations, Babbel is a great choice. For a fully immersive, structured learning experience, go with Rosetta Stone. If you prefer learning through listening while commuting or on the go, Pimsleur is your best bet.

RadicalStorage is a great option when you have time to kill before/after your flight or hotel check-in and nowhere to store your bags. They currently operate in over 70 countries and 500 cities and have more than 5000 storage points strategically located in the main city areas. There’s a fixed price of 5€ per bag per day with coverage up to 3000€/$/£ per bag. You can book through their website or app.

Learn More

Priority Pass grants you access to 1,500+ airport lounges all over the world, with more being added each year. There are three different membership plans to choose from - Standard, Standard Plus, and Prestige. The Standard plan starts at $99 for the year.

Learn More

TrustedHousesitters - I joined this platform in early 2023 and have since pet sit all over Europe and the U.S. It’s the greatest travel hack and a great tool for both budget-conscious travelers seeking a free place to stay and for pet owners in need of someone to watch their pet, plants, and house while they’re traveling. Both pet owners and sitters are fully background-checked and you can see reviews to get a sense of who you’re booking with and their previous experience.

Use my link and get 25% OFF your TrustedHousesitters membership

AllTrails - If you, like me, love to get outdoors while you travel, this is a must-download. The AllTrails app includes a full rundown of all local trails and routes for running, walking, cycling, and hiking. It means you can explore more and let the app be your guide.

Learn More