Last updated in September 2020
When it comes to travel planning, it’s no secret that a little prior research can go a long way. Planning for your next big adventure can sometimes seem like a daunting task. Fortunately, after years of wandering, I’ve got a few tricks up my sleeve!
I’ve pulled together some of my favourite tried and tested travel tools and resources that I couldn’t live without, and that are guaranteed to help you plan the best adventures ever.
Flights
My go-to websites for finding cheap flights are Skyscanner and Momondo. These free price comparison websites allow you to browse from hundreds of airlines from around the world to find the best deal. In need of inspiration? In Skyscanner, click on ‘search everywhere’ and it ranks all the different flights and destinations in order of price.
If you do have a destination in mind, you can view the best value time to travel there by selecting ‘find cheapest month’. I use this feature a lot for when I’m flexible about when I can travel and want to make savings.
For finding amazing flight deals also check out Airfarewatchdog.com. This handy website monitors airfare deals, and you can sign up to email alerts from your home airport.
Another great tip is to sign up to the Scott’s Cheap Flights and Jack’s Flight Club newsletters, providing regular cheap flight email alerts. They’re both great at finding incredible flight deals to destinations all over the world.
Accommodation
One of my favourite things about travel is finding special places to stay. For hotels, I often find great deals on Booking.com. It’s a popular search and booking engine with no nasty hidden fees.
For planning trips on a budget, Hostelworld.com is a great resource. Hostels are an ideal option for solo travellers looking for good value and a more sociable experience. I first stumbled across the site in 2011 before my first backpacking trip and have been using it ever since.
These days, my favourite way to find accommodation on a budget is through Airbnb. This excellent website allows you to rent an entire property, or just a room, from a local. Airbnb has revolutionised the way we travel, providing a ready-made home in almost every country in the world for a very reasonable price.
Finally, I never plan a trip without at quick scroll of TripAdvisor. It hosts millions of travel recommendations and reviews including accommodations, restaurants, experiences and more. It’s a great tool for comparing prices and seeing how a hotel ranks on location, cleanliness, service etc.
Travel insurance
Getting adequate travel insurance before each trip really is a must. Although the cost can be a pain, if something bad happens when you’re on the road it could potentially save you thousands. I recommend World Nomads who offer reliable, comprehensive cover, including medical, evacuation, baggage and a range of activities at affordable rates. You can buy World Nomads insurance even when you’ve left home, which is rare for travel insurance companies.
Health
Fellow Brits will be familiar with this NHS fit for travel website, which is a useful starting point for finding out what immunisations you will need for your trip. Some destinations, such as parts of Thailand for instance, will also require you to take malaria tablets. Be sure to seek an appointment with a travel nurse at least a few weeks before you intend to travel. They can advise you what injections you will need.
Money
Banks charging you for withdrawing your own money abroad can be incredibly frustrating, but there are a couple of good options I’d recommend for avoiding withdrawal fees:
The first is a Monzo card and current account. Monzo withdrawals from an ATM are fee-free in the UK and European Economic Area (EEA)*. For other countries, you can take out £200 for free every 30 days. It’s a really good option for short-term breaks, controlled via a fully secure and easy to use app on your phone.
The second, is the app-based Starling Bank account which charges no fees on transactions or withdrawals abroad – a great option for long-term travel or if you travel often.
* Update: From 31 October 2020, if you use Monzo to withdraw more than £250 over a 30-day period in the UK or EEA will be charged a fee of 3%.
Guidebooks and Websites
My first port of call for travel inspiration is usually other travel websites and blogs.
Pinterest is also one of my most used travel planning sites! Once you have a destination in mind, discover travel guides, local tips, reviews, stunning photography and start creating your virtual board for your destination. It’s by far the easiest way to organise all inspiration and information from across the web in one place.
It’s always good to have a guidebook in your bag too for reference, for when you’re without internet or you want to disconnect from screens for a while. Lonely Planet and Rough Guides are my guidebooks of choice.
Apps
There are also a few apps I’d recommend to help you plan your adventures:
Google Maps: Probably my most frequently used app while on the road, Google Maps allows you to store your maps offline so you can still find your way around even when there’s no data or Wi-Fi. I also use it to save all of the places I want to visit into one handy place. Once I’ve saved all of the spots I want to see in a map, I then use it to design my itinerary and efficiently explore a neighborhood. To create your own unique destination map, visit Google Maps and select Your Places > Maps > Create Map.
Mapps.Me: An excellent resource for hiking, find your trail of choice marked in this free app and view it offline once downloaded. I’ve yet to find a footpath that isn’t on here.
Google Translate: Again, you can also store a phrasebook offline for those need to be understood moments.
Citymapper: An amazing free tool that tells you what public transport you should take to get around a city. Simply enter your start and end point and Citymapper does the rest. I honestly use this app in London nearly everyday. It also has maps for a host of major cities around the world including Paris, Berlin, New York and Tokyo just to name a few.
Duolingo: Duolingo is a great little app for learning basic phrases in another language in a fun and engaging way. With over 30 languages in the app, it’s a great way to brush up on the local language and is perfect if you don’t have loads of time and just want to practice five to ten minutes per day.
XE: An excellent world currency converter.
Disclaimer: Some of the above links are affiliate links. If you choose to purchase using the above buttons, I receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. This helps towards the upkeep of this website for which I am very grateful.
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