As I have traveled the world over the past 9 years (it will be 10 in February 2025!), I have found a list of resources that help me on my journey. These tools have been tested on the road and are sure to make your travels smoother as they have made mine. I regularly find that I use these daily in smoothing over the occasional travel hiccup.
Each link and recommendation comes with a brief description, giving you insights into how it helps me run this website and live my life of digital nomad travel and remote work.
Please note that some of the links on this page are affiliate links, and I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you if you decide to make a purchase through them. This helps support my travels and allows me to continue providing valuable content and recommendations.
Flights
This section provides everything you need to efficiently plan and book your travel itinerary. Find the best deals on flights and travel packages tailored to fit your journey’s requirements. When I set out to plan a new destination, I always start with flights as they are the most expensive and least flexible part of my travels, and so I am always looking to find a good deal.
Going.com
Formerly known as Scott’s Cheap Flights, Going.com sends out regular email newsletters of deals in Economy and Business class airfares from 40-90% off the normal rates. There a free tier which offers decent deals, but their paid levels are where the service truly shines. One downside is this service only identifies deals from airports in the US.
Google Flights
The power of Google, but for flights. I almost always start here, looking up city pairs to see which airline flies between them, if there are any nonstop options, and to get a general feeling for what the price of a given route will be.
Kiwi
The travel search engine that pioneered “Self Transfers” – the idea that you can book two unrelated carriers and that you are then responsible to deplane, collect your bags, then recheck in for a new carrier during your layover. This might seem like a hassle, but it can save you hundreds of dollars. They also provide a much more flexible flight search engine than bigger sites such as Kayak or Expedia.
Points Yeah
I only just started using these guys in the last few weeks. This site allows you to search award seat availability across more than 20 major airlines programs. After I find regular flight routes on Google Flights, I’ll often stop here next to see if there are any great point deals with airlines I have miles with or banks I can transfer points from. They also have a hotel award booking search functionality!
Flighty App
The hands-down best flight tracking app in the business. I love the features it contains, and I gladly pay for the Pro edition. It is my go to companion whenever I find myself in an airport or planning a flight.
Priority Pass
Priority Pass is a subscription service that you access to over 1,300 airport lounges worldwide. Enjoy amenities such as Wi-Fi, free snacks and beverages, and comfortable seating, making an otherwise dull airport experience, enjoyable. I have Priority Pass included as a benefit on one of my credit cards, but you can also purchase a standalone membership using the link above.
Accommodation
Reserve your ideal stay with ease using this list of my favorite booking platforms. From luxurious hotels to cozy hostels and charming vacation rentals, find the perfect place to rest and recharge, no matter where you find yourself.
Booking.com
Booking.com is arguably the leader in accommodation search. With one of the widest selection of choice anywhere in the world, I will often have a look and see what is out there using Booking.
Hostelworld
The best site to look for hostel dorm and private room accommodation. I’m a bit over dorm rooms at this point in my travels, but I do love the social scene that hostels provide, so I will usually book a hostel private room if I’m traveling to a city where I don’t have friends.
AirBnB
Airbnb has struggled in recent years with bans and ever-increasing hidden fees, but it still provides opportunities to stay in locally-owned properties and immerse yourself in the community, oftentimes better than the hostels and hotels I have stayed in.
Travel Insurance
Ensure your health and belongings are protected wherever your travels take you with reliable travel medical and gear insurance. This section features trusted providers offering comprehensive coverage options that safeguard your well-being and equipment, giving you peace of mind so you can focus on enjoying your adventures without worry.
SafetyWing
I use and recommend SafetyWing for travel health insurance. I switched about a year ago from another of the big names in travel insurance and I’ve been consistently impressed by the team at SafetyWing. They also offer fun giveaways frequently and it is run by a team of fully remote travelers so they get the lifestyle and the challenges it provides.
Insure My Equipment
I travel with a lot of camera and tech gear and while programs like SafetyWing cover some of it, for the last few years, I have chosen to hold gear specific insurance. Insure My Equipment do exactly what it says on the tin and they are a great option for those of us with high performance equipment. They also cover loss and damage which is a real concern for me with the extreme sports I occasionally participate in.
Transportation
Explore a variety of transportation options that ensure you move smoothly from point A to point B, whether it’s renting a car for freedom on the road or using local apps to navigate public transport systems.
DiscoverCars
DiscoverCars is one the top-rated car rental search engines that offers competitive pricing and a wide range of vehicle options across the globe. They regularly feature local car rental agencies that can often provide better pricing than the huge multi-nationals like Hertz or Sixt.
12go
This site is my go to when I am planning travel in Asia. They search buses, minivans, private taxis, ferries, trains and more. In many countries, like Thailand, your best bet might be a private transfer and I haven’t found another search engine that handles these varied options better.
Rome2Rio
The best site for figuring out how to get from Point A to Point B anywhere in the world. When I am totally stumped, I turn here to figure out my options. I prefer their app over their website, as the latter has gotten overly clunky in recent years, but the app still shines.
Trainline
Trainline provides a comprehensive platform for booking train and bus tickets across Europe, streamlining my planning process. Once I find a train route on 12go or Rome2Rio, I jump on Trainline and see what prices they are offering. Note: sometimes they have a markup, especially with Deutsche Bahn, so price compare if you are in Germany!
Uber/Lyft
Ride-sharing services like Uber and Lyft offer a convenient, reliable, and often the most affordable way to navigate cities around the world. I have been to many cities where ride-sharing apps are often much cheaper and safer than generic taxis. But they are not available in all locations, so be sure to read up ahead of time.
Seat61
Seat61 is a the nerdiest site on the internet for those that love train travel. Founded by a former railway employee, this website offers detailed, practical advice for navigating rail services across all continents, complete with route options, and ticket booking tips. Indispensable if you find yourself traveling by rail!
Tours and Activities
Dive into the heart of your destinations with curated tours and activities that highlight authentic experiences, from guided walks to adventure sports.
Viator
Viator is a company that specializes in curating and booking travel experiences and tours around the globe. While organized tours are usually not my thing, I do appreciate that Viator connects travelers with local guides. Some locales, like Egypt are very difficult to do without a local guide, so I look here when I need one.
GPSmyCity
GPSmyCity is a true hidden gem of an app. It offers self-guided walking tours and travel articles packed with over 1,000 cities! I love it for its self-paced nature and it is perfect when you just want to stroll, get “lost” and take in local sights all while learning something new.
Free Walking Tour
Anytime I am in a new city, I always look to see if there are any free walking tours. They provide an authentic and affordable way to explore a city’s culture, history, and landmarks with the guidance of knowledgeable local guides. These tours operate on a tips only, based on your experience and budget. Always try and give a fair rate!
Travel Resources and Learning
Enhance your travel knowledge with tools and resources that help you learn languages, connect with fellow travelers, and gain deep insights into your destinations through comprehensive travel guides and books.
Lonely Planet
Lonely Planet Guidebooks are an essential travel companion for adventurers and explorers looking to dive deep into their destinations. I don’t carry physical books with me, but I do have multiple Kindle versions of their books that travel with me on my iPad. These comprehensive guides offer expert advice, detailed maps, and insider tips on everything from major attractions to hidden local favorites.
Culture Trip
Culture Trip enriches your travel experience by providing a unique blend of travel inspiration, cultural insights, and local expertise through engaging articles, videos, and curated city guides. While not as regularly updated as Lonely Planet, I feel like their recommendations are usually less stuffy and more connected to what hip new things are happening in a given city.
FlyerTalk
FlyerTalk is the granddaddy online community for frequent flyers and travel enthusiasts, offering a wealth of information on airline programs, travel deals, and loyalty rewards. Discuss travel hacks and get the latest insights on maximizing your travel experience through miles and points.
Subreddit r/travel serves as a vibrant community hub where travelers from around the world share advice, experiences, and photos. If I can’t find an answer on Google or Flyertalk, I head here for the hive mind that is Reddit.
Remote Business Resources
From reliable communication platforms and cloud services to project management tools and secure VPNs, these resources are carefully selected to ensure productivity and connectivity, no matter where in the world your work takes you. Find everything you need to streamline your workflows and maintain efficiency while embracing the remote lifestyle.
Travel Payouts
Travel Payouts is an essential affiliate marketing platform tailored specifically for travel bloggers and website owners looking to monetize their content. By providing access to a wide range of travel-related affiliate programs, Travel Payouts helps you earn commissions by linking your audience to services they can use, enhancing your blog’s revenue potential while adding value for your readers. This is the only affiliate network I use on NomadPhotographer and I have been pleased with it so far.
ConvertKit
ConvertKit is a powerful email marketing tool designed to help bloggers and content creators effectively build and manage their audience. For those starting a travel blog, ConvertKit offers user-friendly features for creating personalized email campaigns, automating responses, and segmenting subscribers, enabling you to keep your readers engaged with regular updates, travel tips, and tailored content that fuels their wanderlust. I will be launched a new quarterly newsletter here on Nomad Photographer. Join at the end of this article to stay in the loop for when it launches!
Airalo eSIM
Airalo is a game-changer for digital nomads and remote workers, offering eSIM services that allow you to instantly connect to local data networks in over 190 countries. With Airalo, you can avoid hefty roaming charges and complicated SIM card setups, ensuring you stay connected with reliable internet access for seamless work and communication, wherever your nomadic lifestyle takes you. They are the only eSIM I use and recommend. They have been a game changer for me.
ExpressVPN
With servers in 94 countries and easy-to-use apps for all devices, ExpressVPN ensures that your online activities are secure and your internet connection remains fast and reliable, essential for accessing global content and maintaining productivity while on the move. I use them in every day life to get access to streaming services that may be blocked in a random country, to do all my banking, and to do any other sensitive browsing online.
Do you use any of these services or apps? I’m always on the lookout for more ways to make travel smoother, so if you have a favorite, be sure to share it in the comments below!
