Follow the Journey

Travel Resources

Having explored over 60 countries as a full-time traveller, these are the sites and services I actually use to book and plan trips. Tried and tested over years on the road. Affiliate links where they earn me a small commission at no extra cost to you.

How to Find Cheap Flights

Skyscanner - my go-to flight comparison tool. Use the customisation features to narrow down when and where you want to go and track price changes.

Google Flights - an easy way to compare flight prices. The price-watch feature flags drops on routes you are tracking.

Priority Pass - get into lounges worldwide with a single membership. Feels like business class even when your ticket says coach. My full Priority Pass guide covers what is included.

Hopper - the Hopper app is popular in the US and covers flights, hotels and car rentals. Useful for on-the-go price comparison.

Best Accommodation Sites

Booking.com - the site I use most for getting consistent prices across hotels, apart-hotels and other accommodation types.

Expedia - one of the best search tools when I am unfamiliar with how a destination is laid out. Their map view is genuinely useful for new cities.

Airbnb - mixed bag, but I use it for longer-term stays where having a kitchen and a workspace matters.

VRBO - lower service fees than Airbnb and tends to have more independent, home-like properties (less of the converted-garage feeling). Worth a look in Europe.

Hostelworld - do not sleep on hostels (sleep in them). I did not think I was the target audience for hostels, but in Australia and New Zealand the hostels often have private and ensuite single rooms at a great price.

Tours and Day Trips

Viator - the biggest global tours and excursions platform, with very clear ratings and easy refund policies on most experiences.

GetYourGuide - has different inventory to Viator, particularly for longer trips in places like Ireland or smaller European cities. I check both before booking.

Rental Car

Discover Cars - compares prices across well-known and local hire suppliers. The cheapest rate is usually here, and the insurance add-ons are clearer than on the major rental sites.

Travel Gear

The kit I actually pack lives in two dedicated guides: