Travel Resources
Here for you to read is my useful list of resources and tools that have gotten me through all of my travel adventures. Everything I recommend on this page is solely because I make use it currently or have used it previously, and would genuinely recommend to anyone to make their travel experiences better.
If you’re planning your trip at the moment (or are looking to get away in the near future), enjoy the content here on Travel Dave and would like to give back to some of the partners I use, then this is a great way to do so.
Please note that some of the links here are affiliate links – at no additional cost to you I earn a commission if you make a purchase through the link on this page. Thank you for your continued support in keeping Travel Dave Running!
If you have any questions about any of the products or services mentioned below, please email me personally and I will be happy to assist you with any enquires.
Flights
Momondo
My go-to search engine for finding affordable flights is Momondo. Scan the market and see what’s possible all in their convenient platform. Searching for any date or any destination, Momondo helps to find the best flight to suit your needs. I’ve been using this site for a long time and they’ve never disappointed – probably saving me thousands over the years on flight tickets. Go and see what you could find and start planning your next adventure with Momondo today.
Accommodation
Booking.com
This is my favourite and default site to use when looking for accommodation. Booking.com has thousands of properties to choose from including everything from hotels to apartments, and you can even find hostels on there too.
One thing to mention is that you can get free cancellation on some bookings – and you’re guaranteed the absolute best price on the internet. Those are some of the main reasons why I love to use them on my travels, and their awesome app that keeps all your bookings in one place is just the cherry on top.
Airbnb
A great way to find a local home wherever you might be travelling – you can either stay with the owner, or have the whole place to yourself. Loads of options for travellers with different needs and budgets. I once booked an apartment in Malaysia which had access to an infinity pool for much less than a hotel stay, how about that! If you haven’t used Airbnb before, why not give it a try for yourself? I have An AirBnB £34 discount you can use towards your first trip. How about that!
Hostelworld
Hostels are a great way to meet other travellers, especially if you’re travelling solo. Hostels are also a great way to save money on your travels for those on a budget. Hostel World has a wonderful community of excellent hostels to choose from, with a wide variety on offer.
CouchSurfing
A great way to connect with locals and travellers, I loved using Couchsurfing in my early days of travelling. If you want to stay in a local home, cook local dishes, or hang out with a like-minded individual who knows your destination like the back of their hand, then CouchSurfing is worth trying for sure.
Travel Insurance
Safety Wing Travel Insurance
Safety Wing is my travel insurance company of choice.
If I can give you one extremely valuable travel tip to take away today, that would be to absolutely not leave home without travel insurance. You just never know what is going to happen when you’re on the road, and having good travel insurance will keep you covered and has saved the day for me many times.
Safety Wing have wonderful easy to use website to book the plan you want as well as top customer service to help you out when you need it most.
I like that they understand the needs of nomads and travellers and have great plans and options to choose from. be sure to check them out.
Please prepare before you go and grab some travel insurance coverage, you might not need it, but you will be grateful if (and when) you do.
Tour Companies and Activities
GetYourGuide
Connect with local guides in hundreds of destinations around the world for affordable rates. Looking for an out of this world local experience? Use the GetYourGuide to search for guided tours and activities and read reviews from other visitors to find the most unique experiences. From Game of Throne scene tours with local extras around Dubrovnik, to exploring the floating markets of Bangkok – you never know what you might find. So give it a go and jazz up your next travelling adventure with a local operator. I always find it hard to trust local prices and booking offices. GetYourGuide has a great selection of budgets and activities to choose from to help with your decision.
G Adventures
Joining a tour group is a great way of meeting new people on your travels, especially if you’re travelling solo. It’s also a wonderful introduction for first time travellers to get comfortable in this new environment. Join a local tour guide who will help share their country with you as you explore all four corners of the world. Go on an adventure and try out a tour company such as G Adventures who focus on tours for 18-35 travellers.
Trains and transportation
12GO Asia
Want to know the best way to get from A to B, from one destination to the next? 12GO Asia has the answer with its handy travel search engine. If you’re a terrible planner like me and want the quickest and easiest option, then chuck your travel journey into 12GO Asia and they will easily help you map out prices, dates, travel duration and transport options to best suit your needs. It’s that easy to use and they have an app to make it even more simple.
InterRail and Eurail Pass
Want to go on an adventure around Europe? My second ever adventure was around Europe by InterRail pass when I was 17 back in 2006. Having one pass to cover one month of rail travel around Europe, (anywhere you want!) unlocks endless possibilities. Amsterdam one day, Brussels the next then onwards to Paris, life in the slow lane is a wonderful way to travel and explore the best of Europe.
Be sure to look into this option if you want to try something a little different and you’re up for an adventure! The pass is cheaper for those under the age of 28 and from the EU. Just to be clear: InterRail pass is for Europeans and Eurail pass is for international visitors to Europe (Different prices for EU residence).
VPN Security
Express VPN
If you’re not using a VPN, you should. Many free public wifi spots are open and free, but not protected leaving you vulnerable to data theft. Simply browse whilst using a VPN to ensure you have a safe connection and protect your data on your travels. I love to use VPN Express and I have done ever since 2011 when I first discovered them.
It’s a very easy and affordable VPN, and best of all you can try them out for free. Great way to stream content from your home country whilst abroad too. I also use VPN Express when booking flights to mask my IP address and find cheaper flights. Many reasons why you should use a VPN in the first place – and VPN Express is my go-to choice.
Mobile Global 4G Data
Skyroam SOLIS
Want to know how I stay connected on the road? Skyroam SOLIS is my answer. With unlimited 4G global WiFi at your fingertips, simply load up a 24 hour pass on your portable device and connect up to 5 devices at one time. It’s that easy and simple and comes in useful when you need a connection whilst travelling. Use TRAVELDAVE coupon code at checkout to grab a discount.
Lounge Pass
Priority Pass
My hidden secret that I love to share! Long-gone are the days when it was easy to get airline status.
If you’re not loyal to one airline like me and want to grab some of the perks such as lounge access on your next trip, be sure to sign up for a Priority Pass.
With thousands of choices around the world, Priority Pass gives you access to airport lounges for discounted prices.
I love to use Priority Pass if I have some time to spend at an airport and normally arrive early to take the stress out of flying.
Once you’ve calculated the expensive costs of general airport prices such as drinks and food you might as well go and enjoy a lounge with comfy seating and high-speed internet for around the same price you would have spent anyway.
I love to use the app to have a look at the lounge options in advance to see if it’s worth arriving early. Some lounges even have shower access which is great for super early flights, and you can grab breakfast too. Be sure to check out Priority Pass if you’re a frequent flyer.
Uber
Arrived in a new country and just want to get to your hotel as quick and easily as possible? We have all been here – Uber offers a wonderful global solution. You can even book your Uber when you land and your driver will wait for you. Pay with your debit card so you don’t have to worry about local cash straight away. I’ve done this all around the world from Nairobi, Kenya to Dubrovnik, Croatia. Uber is safe and secure and easy to use for global travellers. Want to try Uber? Use my Uber discount link to save on your first Uber ride so you have nothing to lose, give it a try on your next trip.
Travel Money
Monzo Card
My go-to travel debit card – the pre-paid card from Monzo. Works using their app and gives you wonderful exchange rates, including in euros and dollars. There are no spending fees, but free ATM withdrawals are limited to £200 per calendar month.
Guidebooks
Lonely Planet Guidebook
Buying a Lonely Planet guidebook is like my official stamp saying that my trip is happening! I love buying this guidebook when I’m ready to go somewhere and inspire my wunderlust to travel. A great resource to help with your trip planning, to gain local knowledge and awesome travel tips and generally be prepared for the trip ahead. Lonely Planet pretty much covers all corners of the globe and I love the simple lay out of the information making it easy to read and follow the maps and instructions.
Blogging Resources
Super Star Blogging Course
Travel Blog Success was a course that helped me learn all the core basics I needed to excel at travel blogging from the early days. Fast forward to today, it has never been easier to learn how to start travel blogging. Travel Blog Success has become an even bigger resource since it merged with the Super Star Blogging course, created by the travel blogging guru Nomadic Matt to become an even bigger, more useful learning tool.
Looking to become a better blogger, photographer, or writer? Super Star Blogging is an online travel media school and partnered with industry experts to teach you the skills you need to succeed in the digital travel space. Find a step-by-step course that features monthly webinars, Facebook groups, teacher feedback, and tons of expert interviews and guest lecturers.
Best of luck with your journey towards getting started with a travel blog.
Bluehost Website Hosting
Bluehost is the most popular hosting company on the web and great value for bloggers looking at starting out. Their prices are affordable enough to give blogging a go for year and see how it works for you without breaking the bank. If you’re looking for a good valuable hosting company with wonderful support and customer service, I recommend Bluehost to start off with. I’ve since gone on to purchase a dedicated server with another host, but due to the high costs of running, I wouldn’t recommend my current host for beginner bloggers.
Disclosure: Many of the links on this page are affiliate links (to Amazon and other affiliates), meaning that if you decide to make a purchase, at no extra cost to you, I will earn a small commission. That being said, everything I recommend on this page is because I use it now, or have used it previously, and recommend it fully. Thank you.