Travel Resources
Planning your next adventure? Whether you're a seasoned traveler or embarking on your first journey, having the right tools can make all the difference. Here, you'll find a curated list of essential travel resources—from handy apps to eSIMs and travel insurance—to help you travel smarter and stress-free. These recommendations are ones we personally trust (and use on a regular basis on our travels), and some may contain affiliate links, which means we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Happy travels!
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is essential for protecting yourself against unexpected events, such as medical emergencies, trip cancellations, or lost luggage. It provides peace of mind, ensuring you're covered when things don't go as planned. While our credit cards do cover us for some things, the medical insurance doesn’t last long term. We now always use SafetyWing as our travel medical insurance (it also has some other coverages like trip interruption/cancellation and lost luggage). They make it very easy to set up and coverage continues month-to-month for up to a year (or until you cancel it).
eSIMs
eSIMs offer a hassle-free way to stay connected while traveling, eliminating the need for physical SIM cards or searching for local data plans. With just a few taps, you can activate a mobile plan instantly, making it incredibly convenient for any destination. While we highly recommend shopping around various providers and plans, we’ve found Airalo typically has great prices and coverage. If you’re heading to multiple countries, don’t forget to also check out their regional eSims.
Priority Pass (airport lounge access)
Having lounge access at airports is a game-changer, offering a quiet and comfortable space to relax, enjoy complimentary food and drinks, and refresh before your flight. It transforms layovers into a much more pleasant experience. For us, having lounge access has entirely changed travelling through airports from something we dread to a much more relaxing and enjoyable experience. If you don’t already have a credit card that provides lounge access, signing up directly through Priority Pass is a great option!
VPN (Virtual Private Network)
Using a VPN while traveling is crucial for safeguarding your data on public Wi-Fi networks and ensuring your online privacy. It also helps you access content or websites that may be restricted in certain countries, giving you more freedom and security while abroad. We’ve used quite a few VPNs throughout the years but the one we always seem to stick with is SurfShark.
Airport/City Transfers
While public transport can be convenient in some destinations, it’s often time-consuming and confusing in others. Pre-booked airport transfers provide a faster, hassle-free option, ensuring you reach your accommodation smoothly and without stress, especially after a long flight. We use Welcome Pickups all the time and always find them simple, helpful and most important they typically have the best prices. Having pre-booked airport transfer also ensures you avoid the dreaded taxi scams!
Tours
Viator offers an incredible range of tours and experiences worldwide, from island-hopping adventures to immersive street food tours. With options for every type of traveler, it's a one-stop platform to explore unique activities at your destination. We frequently use Viator to book our tours around the world.
