Tools & recommendations
Travel resources
Everything I actually use and trust from the gear I've carried across 60 countries to websites and apps I use to plan every single trip
Websites, Apps & Gear
The websites, apps and physical gear I use on every single trip
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Getting There
Useful tools for planning your flights and buses
The main flight aggregator I use. Set up email alerts to track specific flights or routes
Lounges are a lifesaver when traveling. I'm not sure I'd pay for this on my own, but it comes free with many premium credit cards
One of many aggregators for booking buses and trains in Europe. Depending on the region, I would use a similar website for planning routes
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How I Plan
Helpful tools for planning your itinerary and figuring out logistics & transport
Perhaps the #1 tool for planning trips. Shows every possible route by plane, bus, car and ferry between two points
One of the best route-planning tools out there. Plan your trip day by day and easily reorder or add new locations
A simple note-taking app I use for trip notes and itineraries
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Booking Platforms
Where I book my next night on the trip
The best hostel booking platform. The chat feature is useful for meeting other backpackers
The premier booking aggregator. I mainly use it for the loyalty program and cash back
Often cheaper than hotels. I book mostly Airbnbs when I'm working remote
The most comprehensive booking aggregator, with a lot of properties you won't find elsewhere
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Apps I Use
Helpful apps that I use on almost every trip. Don't overcomplicate it!
Download the offline maps and save every location you plan to visit before you land
Great for planning hikes. The offline maps help you stay on track when you're out on the trails
eSIMs are a great way to stay connected. I always download one before landing in a new country
The investor checking account has a debit card with no ATM fees, making getting cash simple anywhere
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Tours & Day Trips
For the days I'd rather not plan logistics myself
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Gear I Carry
I also invest a lot of time finding the right gear for travel. Here are some of my favorites
My main bag for the last 3 trips. I like to travel light, and it expands from 30L to 38L while still fitting under the airplane seat
Packing cubes are key for staying organized while backpacking. I like the compression and durability of these
A reliable waterproof bag for my toiletries
Helpful blogs & videos
The independent writers and creators I actually turn to before a trip
Reading
Favorite blogs
I spend a lot of time on other travel blogs while researching my next trip. Here are some of my favorites
The best blog on Central America. I used it extensively for past trips to Guatemala, Nicaragua, El Salvador and Mexico
One of my favorite travel blogs, with extremely detailed guides on the Caucasus and the Balkans
A great all-around blog with guides on almost every country you can think of
Detailed articles on countries, FIRE and travel blogging. A bit dated, but I used it to plan my recent trip to Greece
Watching
Favorite YouTube
Where I go for inspiration and country-by-country planning
One of my favorite backpacking channels, with great country guide playlists. I used her channel to plan my trips to Australia and Central America
Home to some of the most incredible travel drone footage on YouTube, and thorough country guides to match
A couple making well thought out travel guides. I use their tips on almost every trip, including Türkiye, Albania and Portugal
A smaller channel with travel guides on lesser-visited countries, including Central Asia and North Africa