TRAVEL RESOURCES

Hotels

Airbnb: This has become a popular platform when it comes to booking accommodation. If you are looking for an apartment or a home, Airbnb is one of my personal favorites when booking a place to stay. It is typically cheaper than a hotel and you can even find really unique homes around the world.

Agoda: My number one go to for hotel bookings as they hook you up with great deals! This app also puts your bookings for hotels, car rentals, flights, and excursions on itinerary for your convenience.

Booking.com: I’ve used this website on the hosting and booking side, so I really like this platform. It has properties around the world that you can book, and it is a great website to look at! They also have a rewards program that you can use for future stays.

VRBO: A great site for all accommodation types whether it be home, condo, or something different than your typically hotel. I have found stunning properties at an affordable price here and this site is great for groups!

Hostelworld: I know this isn’t technically a hotel, but it is one of my favorite cost effective options for incredible hostels all around the world. This is also a great option if you are a solo traveler or if you want to meet other cool people traveling like you!

Transportation

Uber: This has easily become my favorite mode of transportation when I travel because it is easy to use and tells you the trip cost before getting into the vehicle. If the place you are traveling to uses this, I highly recommend it before others.

Turo: If you are looking to rent a car during your stay but want something more personal than a rental from the airport, this is the platform to use! It is similar to Airbnb, just for cars. Locals rent their cars and will meet you at the airport with the keys typically for easy pickup/drop-off. You can also choose whatever model you want, from your everyday vehicle to exotic sports cars.

Amtrak: You may think that driving or flying are the main ways to travel but trains are also a great option! Amtrak runs all across the United States for cheap prices and you can sleep on an overnight trip and wake up in your destination which is always nice.

Greyhound: Buses are another great way to travel in the United States if you aren’t looking to take a car or flight. These buses have free wifi, stop frequently, have storage for large bags underneath the bus, and are safe for children and those with disabilities.

Cheap Flights

Google Flights: If you’re looking for flights and are flexible with your dates of travel, this is one where you can look through every day of the year and google will tell you the cheapest times to fly from any origin to destination.

Kayak: Another great site that tells you the best time to fly to and from any destination. They even have a map of destinations for your budget to explore the world. This is one of the first places I check for flights since it compares them from tons of websites.

Languages

Duolingo: A great app created to help you learn a new language fast. It teaches you at the perfect speed and will help you become an expert in no time. I used this to help with my French after not practicing it for years, and to learn the basics of Spanish prior to my Mexico trip.

Google Translate: I always try my hardest to learn at least the basics of the main language spoken in countries I visit but it’s hard to remember it all sometimes. This is a great app to download because you can also take pictures of a sign and it will translate it to your language.

Activities & Excursions

Airbnb Experiences: Whenever I consider traveling to a new place, I always look on the experiences page of Airbnb to see what activities I can do during the time I plan on visiting. I booked my tours in Thailand and New Zealand on this app and had an incredible time on all of them.

Viator: I came across this app this year and it is honestly where I book so many of my tours! It’s easy to use and I have never had a bad experience using it.

TripAdvisor: This is a fantastic app that tells you about the rankings on things to do in the place you’re traveling to. I just started using it this year because you can write reviews and it also helps out other travelers looking for things to do in the area.

Credit Cards

American Express: I love my AMEX card because you get 4x points at restaurants and supermarkets worldwide. Points can easily transfer to any airline or hotel partners. Plus it has no foreign transaction fees and comes with a lot of helpful travel benefits like car, trip, missed connection, etc., coverage!

Chase Sapphire: These cards are great because if you eat out, travel, buy groceries, or use streaming services, you get a nice points return that adds up quickly. The Chase travel portal is a nice benefit and the cards give you car rental, baggage or trip delay, and travel insurance options.