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On this page, you’ll find my best recommendations for travel planning resources to help you plan your dream trip, right from this space!
From my favorite lodging accommodations, to where to score the best and least expensive flights (plus my recommendations on how to do it), how to pack effectively, and much more.
I hope this list helps travel planning run smoother.
🏨 Best Lodging Accommodations 🏨
Booking.com
Booking.com is my go-to resource for finding the best options for accommodations. It’s a one-stop shop for lodging, airfare, and car rental needs.
I often use this site to compare all my lodging options and see which site gives me the best deal on places to stay, depending on the type of trip I want, the length of stay, and so much more.
✅ Book your hotel with Booking.com
HostelWorld
HostelWorld is such an amazing place to check out the best deals on hostels all over the world.
When I was studying abroad, and at the beginning of my travel journey, I used HostelWorld quite a bit to find the best hostel deals.
If you’re a bit weary of staying in hostels, HostelWorld offers a wide selection of hostels for different preferences, from single rooms and boutique-style hostels to budget-shared rooms in the most central locations and more.
💡 Pro tip: Are you a student? Score a discount when booking through Hostelworld! All you have to do is follow a few steps to confirm your student status, and you’re on your way to saving extra money on your stay! Click the link, scroll to the bottom where it says “student discount” and answer a few questions.
✅ Book your room with HostelWorld
✈️ The Best Flight Search Engines ✈️
Skyscanner
Skyscanner is my favorite flight search engine if you’re looking for flexible flights, the best dates and destinations along with an amazing rate, and so much more!
I absolutely love their “Can’t decide where” button and the month-by-month pricing because it offers the best prices to travel during different points throughout the year.
Catch me browsing destinations and prices there in my free time!
✅ Book your next flight with Skyscanner
Google Flights
Google Flights is another flight search engine I’ve been loving for a while and will often use to compare with the search results I get with Skyscanner.
I like that Google Flights shows you different filters that Skyscanner doesn’t like, how much the price may increase if you bring a carry-on, and other selections you can use to personalize your trip and price.
Not to mention the big map that allows you to see your best deals worldwide and, if you’re flexible, the different times throughout the year when it’s best to book. If you’re a visual person, you’ll love this feature.
✅ Book your flight on Google Flights
💡 Pro tip: I often use these sites to start my flight search and see if I can spot a good deal. When I find one, I go directly to the airline’s website to find that deal and book directly through the airline’s site. I’ve had instances where I’ve booked from third-party sites directly and didn’t get a confirmation of my flight purchase because it didn’t go through, and other annoying things that I’ll spare you the details. These sites are great for finding good flight deals, so you can look for them on the airline’s site and book there.
🚊 The Best Rail Service To See and Travel Throughout Europe 🚊
Rail Europe has to be one of the most popular train service providers in Europe to see many countries in one sitting, literally.
Not only is train travel comfortable, full of beautiful sights, and fun in itself, but it can also be an affordable way to travel comfortably throughout Europe, especially if you have the time.
I have traveled on Rail Europe in the past and was impressed with how comfortable the experience was, not to mention the price I scored!
I cannot recommend this rail service enough if you want to ride the train in Europe.
✅ Book your train tickets with Rain Europe
If you’re wanting to travel between the UK and Paris, I recommend Eurostar.
The Eurostar is the famous train that travels between London and Paris in a little over 2 hours, as well as other countries like the Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany.
Going at a speed of 186 MPH, the Eurostar offers great, and timely service, their trains are clean and comfortable.
I’ve taken it from London to Paris and can only say great things about it. Plus, because both stations are centrally located in the city, it’s easy may be easier to get to your lodging from the station, and shorter than if you’re arriving from the airport.
✅ Book your train tickets with Eurostar
💡Pro tip: Want to travel by train throughout Canada and the U.S.? Amtrak and VIA Rail Canada are good options. Like Rail Europe, they offer comfort and beautiful sights throughout North America at reasonable prices. Just make sure to check in advance! These are two additional rail services that I have traveled with, and I recommend them as well if you’re interested!
🚍 Best Companies to Book Bus Travel 🚍
Looking for to travel between one place to another? Check out my favorite bus booking sites for bus travel worldwide.
📲 The Best SIM Card To Connect To Data Abroad 📲
Staying connected while on your travels is not only helpful but essential.
Whether figuring out the public transport to your lodging or booking an Uber, having a phone with data is important!
The eSIM I recommend is Maya Mobile. As an American, this is the only eSIM I’ve used in Europe, and it’s worked every single time.
I love their straightforward, reasonable pricing, flexible plans (no contracts), helpful customer service, and easy eSIM installation and activation.
For a more in-depth look, check out my review of Maya Mobile and why I think you should try it out the next time you’re planning international travel!
✅ BUY your Maya Mobile eSIM
>> Read More: 5 Of My Best Tips On How To Navigate Any Foreign City
Create Your Travel Itinerary With These Tour Service Providers
Viator
Viator is my favorite tour booking site. Whenever I am traveling, I look for tours on Viator. Whether it’s a food tour, a haunted walking tour, or a day trip, Viator has, in my opinion, the widest selection.
I recommend doing at least one tour while traveling to a new city. You can learn even more about the city beyond the gorgeous facades of the buildings. Plus, it’s a great way to meet other travelers, especially if you’re a solo traveler.
✅ Book your tour with Viator
Get Your Guide
Get Your Guide is another great resource that I love to use to plan trip ideas, experiences, and tours all over the world.
I will compare the tours (and prices) with reviews I see on Get Your Guide and Viator, and pick the best one for the type of tour experience I want.
✅ Book your tours with Get Your Guide
Free Walking Tours
Who doesn’t love a free walking tour? I know I do!
Here are my recommended free walking tour companies. I’ve personally used them and can say I’ve only had great experiences with knowledgeable tour guides.
Also, these companies offer free tours in most major cities worldwide.
Want to save money for travel…the easy way?
Acorns App
Let me tell you that the Acorns App is hands down one of the easiest ways to save spare change and turn it into travel funds.
Since I opened my account with them, I have managed to save up a nice chunk of change for travel solely by rounding up spare change and investing a small amount of money monthly.
I completely recommend downloading and opening an account with Acorns so you can start saving all your spare change from your coffee and grocery runs and depositing it into your Acorns account.
Set it on autopilot, and check back to see how much you’ve racked up from literally doing your day-to-day shopping.
I can’t recommend it enough! Click here to open up your account with them and get an automatic $5 invested into your account on Acorns!
✅ Start your travel fund here with Acorns
>> Read More: How I Easily Saved An Extra $1,000 For Travel Using The Acorns App
Helpful Travel Gift Guide Posts
10 under $10: Travel Books That Every Wanderluster Must Read
5 {Very} Last-Minute Gift Ideas for Travelers
5 Unique And Meaningful Gift Ideas For Travelers
Helpful Travel Planning Posts – Tips on saving money for travel, managing travel stress/fears, travel budget tips, etc.
11 Tips You NEED For Traveling On A Budget
How I Easily Saved An Extra $1,000 For Travel Using The Acorns App
How To Overcome Your Travel Fears
28 Tips To Keep In Mind When Planning An International Trip
5 Of My Best Tips On How To Navigate Any Foreign City
Helpful Travel Planning Posts – Products, gear, and tools I recommend to travel with
The Best Plastic-Free Toiletry Alternatives For Hair, Skin, and Body
18 SUPER Useful Things To Pack For Your Next Trip
The 8 Best Travel Day Bags For Every Occasion
10 Incredibly Useful Car Accessories For Your Next Road Trip
My go-to travel clothing staples
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My favorite travel accessories
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My favorite travel and beauty products
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The best luggage/bags and travel storage
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