After traveling full-time for more than three years (and counting!), I’ve become an expert on travel resources.
Discover my go-to recommendations for solo travelers to ensure a stress-free journey. These resources are my secret to living off my savings for so long!
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Find Cheap Flights
Google Flights — Google Flights is an easy way to compare flights from various carriers. I love their “any date” feature. I like to set alerts for price changes on routes I’m considering so I know the right time to book.
Skyscanner — I track all my flights on Skyscanner before I buy them. Skyscanner is great for finding cheap flights.
Expedia — I’ve found amazing deals for my trips on Expedia. They offer competitive prices, and their website is user-friendly. I always check out their deals before booking any flights or hotels.
Staying Connected
Airalo — I polled a bunch of travel bloggers, and this is by far the most popular eSIM for travel. If you want the internet set up as soon as you land and avoid the hassle of physical SIM cards, this is the one!
Surfshark — Protect yourself and unlock global Netflix with this VPN – it’s how I watch all the Real Housewives while traveling. 2-year plans are currently 86% off + 3 months free ($2.19/month)!
Best Accommodation Resources
HostelWorld — I alternate between staying in hostels and getting private rooms when I’m backpacking. HostelWorld makes it easy to find the perfect hostel. love that you can sort the reviews by the type/age of travelers, so I can make sure I’m not checking into a party hostel full of 18-year-olds by mistake.
Booking.com — There are so many hotels, hostels, and even apartments here! I use Booking.com constantly to read reviews and find the best prices on hotels. And now that I’m a Genius Level 3 I get even better discounts, plus money-back rewards!
Expedia — I’ve found amazing deals for my trips on Expedia. They offer competitive prices, and their website is user-friendly. I always check out their deals before booking any flights or hotels.
Agoda — My go-to for stays in Asia! Agoda often features accommodations that cater specifically to the needs of travelers in Thailand and beyond. The prices are usually awesome on Agoda!
Trivago — I love using Trivago to find great deals on hotels worldwide.
Vrbo — The world’s leading marketplace for vacation rentals. Sometimes it’s cheaper to rent an apartment than to stay in a hotel!
Trusted Housesitters — a fantastic way for pet lovers who are willing to housesit in exchange for a free place to stay. Trusted Housesitters is my #1 choice when I house-sit for free accommodations. Get 25% off TrustedHousesitters annual Memberships with the link above + code CATISOUT25.
Read My Honest TrustedHousesitters Review.
Best Tours
Viator — It’s so easy to find the most epic tours with Viator. I always sort by the highest reviews and read the most recent reviews. Tours are my favorite way to meet other solo travelers!
TripAdvisor — TripAdvisor is owned by the same company as Viator and generally offers the same tours, so it’s just a matter of personal preference.
GetYourGuide — If you don’t see the tour you want on Viator, try GetYourGuide. They’ve been growing a lot over the last couple of years and have so many great tours!
Klook—One of Asia’s most popular tour booking sites, Klook sometimes has more tour options (and better deals) than the ones above!
Guru Walk — I take a FREE walking tour as soon as I arrive in a city for the first time. These tour guides work for tips, so they’re usually awesome! Tip $10-15 USD per person, depending on the city and how satisfied you are with the tour.
Rental Car Resources
DiscoverCars — Compare prices between all of the major rental car companies at once, ensuring you are getting the best deal on your ride.
Getting Around
12Go — This is the best for booking bus, train, and ferry trips!
Omio — This is my favorite app for booking trains in Europe!
My Travel Essentials
SafetyWing — My #1 travel safety tip is to NEVER travel without insurance! When you’re away from home, SafetyWing has your back. With 24/7 travel assistance and trip cancellation coverage, we make sure that no matter where you go, you’ll have the peace of mind of knowing that if something unexpected happens, help is just a call away.
Power Bank — The last thing you want happening when you’re traveling is for your phone to die (I rely on my phone for maps, translation, and pretty much everything). This power bank lasts for a long time, so you can charge multiple devices easily.
Portable Monitor — If you’re a digital nomad like me, you will love this portable monitor. It fits easily in my day pack and is powered with a single cord. I’m so much more efficient with two screens, and I can never go back!
Handheld Rechargeable Fan — This has been a lifesaver! I always have this fan in my backpack and keep it charged.
Teva Sandals — I wear sports sandals 80% of the time when I’m traveling. They are comfortable for long walks and have great tread for light hiking. I also use them in the water!
Apple AirPods Pro — These are essential for long planes and bus rides. I don’t go anywhere without them!
iPhone Case with Strap — I get the most comments from travelers about this phone case with a crossbody strap. Everyone wishes they had one. It’s the best.
Kindle — This is my absolute favorite travel item! I love reading and always have several books downloaded. Do I miss real books? Sometimes, but my bag is heavy enough already without lugging around heavy books. Plus it’s waterproof so you can read in the pool! Pro Tip: Download the Libby app to borrow e-books from your local library!
Check out all of my favorite items!
Blogging & Freelance Writing
If you’re interested in starting a profitable blog, this SEO course is the best. I love learning how to blog from a woman who consistently earns $30,000 per month and recently earned $100,000 in just one month! This blogging course is updated regularly and is worth the investment. I’m a big fan!
I’ve been freelance writing for other travel blogs for more than a year now as a way to earn extra $$$ while I travel. This course teaches you how to become a paid freelance writer without any prior experience.
Thinking of starting an email list for your business? I loved the free Kit plan so much that I opted into the paid version – and I’m already seeing results.