Best Travel Resources

After years of perfecting my part-time travel, I’ve used tons of websites and brands in an effort to make each trip as cost-efficient, enjoyable, and hassle-free as possible. I’ve pulled together a list of my favourite resources that I personally use when I travel.

Finding Cheap Flights

• Expedia
  Expedia is a popular travel booking website that allows users to search for and compare flights from multiple airlines. One of the main benefits of using Expedia to search for flights is that it provides a convenient and user-friendly platform for finding the best deals on airfare. Additionally, Expedia often offers special deals and discounts on flights, making it a cost-effective option for booking travel.
  
• Hopper
  Hopper is a phone app that will watch flight prices for you and alert you when you should buy to get the best price. I only wish I could give it a window (say, for 5 days in July) to watch instead of exact dates but I still find it to be a really handy app.
• The Points Guy
  One of the cheapest ways to flight is on points. But how do you collect points fast enough to make it worthwhile? The Points Guy knows all there is to know about it.
• Rewards Canada
  Being based in Canada, the points game is a bit different for us, so I like to follow Rewards Canada to get the scoop on new Canadian specific points news and tips.
• Airfare Watchdog
  This site is especially handy if you live in the US. They’re always finding great deals out of American airports.

Accommodation

• Booking.com
  One of the big kahunas of hotel searches and bookings. Booking.com has a huge selection of rooms at good rates.
• Agoda
  I find Agoda to be the most useful when searching for places to say in Asia and Central America.
• VRBO
  VRBO (Vacation Rentals by Owner) is a vacation rental platform that allows homeowners to list their properties for rent, and provides a convenient way for travelers to search and book those rentals.
• AirBnB
  If you want a different experience than you’re typical hotel or B&B, trying searching AirBnB for homes, apartments, cabins, cottages, and everything else you can think of. You can book an entire place or just someone’s spare room.
• HostelWorld
  I’ve recently started staying in hostels when I’ve been solo and wanted to travel a bit cheaper. HostelWorld is my go-to resource for finding great hostels abroad.

Travel Insurance

• SafetyWing
  If you don’t already have travel insurance through your employer or another plan. Nomad Insurance from SafetyWing is a global travel medical insurance that covers people from all over the world, while outside their home country – COVID-19 coverage included. You can buy it even if you are already abroad.

Activities

• Viator
  Trying to figure out what activities and tours are available in the place you’re travelling to can be difficult which is why I use Viator to help me find and book things.
• GetYourGuide
  GetYourGuide is another great resource for discovering and booking tickets to attractions around the world.
• CityPASS
  If you’re going to be spending some time in one city, it’s worth checking out to see if they have a CityPASS so that you can bundle your tickets and save some money.

Transportation

• DiscoverCars.com
  DiscoverCars.com is a car rental comparison website that allows users to search and compare car rental rates from multiple providers. They partner with a wide variety of car rental companies, providing a range of options for car types, models, and rental locations.
• Rome2Rio
  My first stop when trying to figure out the best way to get from one city to another is Rome2Rio. They pull together buses, trains, flights, and taxi costs to show you your options.
• Lyft
  If you want to be able to hail a ride, track your driver, and pay via an app, check out Lyft for an Uber alternative. Use code MELISSA752145 when you sign up. ;)

Travel Gear

• Eagle Creek
  I use the Specter Compression packing cubes and I love them. Eagle Creek is a trusted name in travel gear and I wouldn’t hesitate to use anything from them.
• Osprey
  I use an Osprey Farpoint 70L as my backpack when I travel to places where I think paved roads might be questionable. I love how it opens as a suitcase and has a detachable day pack.
• Briggs & Riley
  Five years ago I bought a 25″ BRX suitcase from Briggs & Riley and no matter how much I beat on it, it holds up brilliantly.
• GoToobs
  Say goodbye to leaking shampoo bottles. Even when I’m not travelling carryon only I like to bring my own shampoo and I love these bottles since they’ve never leaked on me.
• See more of the gear that I use on a regular basis…

Note: Some of the above links are affiliate links, which at no extra cost to you, will earn me a small commission and reduce the costs of running this site. If you have any questions about these products, please let me know!