Planning a trip requires so much research into the best companies and resources to use. I’ve used hundreds of companies over my last 10 years of travel, and so many have been hit or miss.
To cure that pain, I’ve curated the best ones below. These are the resources I trust, and are where all my travel planning and booking starts. Use them to book your trips, too!
Travel Resources
Flights
I always start my flight research with Google Flights. It uses the ITA matrix, which pulls information directly from airlines, and is the fastest flights search engine. It also has real-time price tracking.
Skyscanner is great for comparing prices across smaller OTAs and budget airlines, often uncovering lower fares and mistake deals. It’s slower than Google, though, so I use it after Google Flightts.
Going (formerly Scott’s Cheap Flights) sends personalized email alerts for cheap flights from my departure airport, ideal for snagging international deals. This is great if you have flexible travel dates.
PointsYeah helps me maximize my frequent flyer miles by finding the best award flight options across loyalty programs. If I want to fly business, I usually start here.
Similar to PointsYeah, Point.me is a mileage search engine. You need a paid subscription, but if you have an Amex, there’s an Amex-only free version.
Before pulling the trigger on a flight, I always check SeatGuru, a site that provides detailed airplane seat maps and reviews by fellow passengers, to ensure that I pick the optimal seat.
Accommodation
I think Booking.com has the largest selection of hotels and vacation rentals in the world, and it has transparent pricing, flexible cancellation policies, and reliable reviews from verified guests, which I value highly.
I am a Fora Travel advisor, which allows me book personalized trips with exclusive perks and insider knowledge. If you have dates for a luxury hotel you’d like to book, please reach out and I’ll see if I can VIP you via Fora.
I usually look into Airbnb if staying in a more rural location, looking for a longer stay, or booking for a large group. For these types of stays, Airbnbs give me greater flexibility to cook and live like a local, or spend more time with friends.
Transportation
Whenever I rent a car, I check Kayak first. I find that it usually has the cheapest car rental options, as its search engine searches all transportation options across multiple platforms.
If you are traveling Europe using trains, use Trainline. Trainline simplifies booking train tickets across Europe, offering real-time schedules, mobile tickets, Eurail passes, and fare comparisons.
Sometimes Expedia has really good deals bundling transportation with accommodation, providing competitive deals on flights and car rentals, plus loyalty points to save on future trips.
Tour Companies
GetYourGuide is my first stop for guided tours. They provide a wide range of vetted tours, skip-the-line access, and reliable customer service, ideal for exploring popular attractions with high-quality guides.
Viator offers an extensive selection of tours and activities across thousands of destinations, with competitive pricing and verified reviews, making it great for finding diverse, budget-friendly options.
I use Airbnb Experiences for unique, local-led activities like cooking classes or cultural tours, offering authentic, immersive experiences often not found elsewhere, though sometimes pricier.
Gear
Camera Gear
This gear list needs an update, but it includes most of what we carry with us when we travel, including a compact mirrorless camera, a versatile lens, a lightweight travel tripod, and hard drives I love.
Remote Work
My remote work setup includes a lightweight laptop for performance and portability, a noise-canceling headset for clear calls in noisy cafes, and the best charging setup to enable seamless productivity on the go.
Other Misc
I never travel without my Apple tracking devices, a rehydration mix I swear by, a universal adapter I’ve been using for years, and a blackout eye mask that makes sleeping on planes much more comfortable.
Clothing
I recently discovered Unbound Merino, with its lightweight, odor-and wrinkle-resistant merino wool apparel, perfect for packing minimally. Also really great for having style while hiking.
Alo Yoga makes such versatile activewear with soft, durable fabrics, ideal for both light activities and casual travel outfits. They’re also great to lounge in, which is always a plus on long travel days.
Lululemon is classic for athleisure, and I love their high-quality, comfortable leggings and sweaters for long flights. They are also my go-to for my workouts when I’m traveling.