Our Go-To Resources for Travel Planning
As you might have guessed, our arsenal of travel tools has grown and changed since we started our nomad life back in 2023. We’re constantly learning, adapting, and upgrading our resources. Oh, and fair warning—this page gets updated whenever we find something shiny and new, or discover something we can no longer recommend – so keep checking back!
Important Travel Info
Hotels & Accommodation Resources
Find the perfect place to stay with our curated accommodation resources. From budget-friendly hostels to unique house-sitting opportunities, explore diverse lodging options.
- Expedia – Stays, Flights, Cars, Packages, Things to do, Cruises
- Booking.com – online booking site for accommodations around the world
- HostelWorld – a global hostel-focused online booking platform
- Trusted House Sitters – take care of someone’s pet and house in exchange for accommodations! Jeff and I have done this domestically and it so much fun!
- VRBO – the world’s leading marketplace for vacation rentals
We’ve also written detailed reviews of places we’ve stayed:
- Our Review of a budget-friendly studio apartment in Buenos Aires
- Our Puerto Viejo Accommodation Review: Brisas del Caribe
- Our List of the Top 8 Affordable Places to Stay in London England (2024)
- Our Review of the Studio Coliving Hotel in Panama City, Panama
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Transportation and Logistical Resources
Flights
- Expedia – Stays, Flights, Cars, Packages, Things to do, Cruises
- Skyscanner – We love using Skyscanner because they have the “Whole Month” and “Everywhere” options.
- Omio – Book train, bus, flight and ferry tickets – Travelers worldwide can easily explore Europe, the United States, and Canada, while comparing transportation options and finding the right price for their budget.
Offers an Essential Workers Discount – DOWNLOAD THE APP - Onward Ticket – Most countries require that you have proof of onward or return travel in order to be admitted. If you have a sort of indeterminate end date to your travels – or your next journey is via ground transportation where maybe it’s not convenient to buy a tickets 40 or 90 days in advance – Onward Ticket that will sell you a legit short term reservation for a nominal fee.
- Flight Deals – Faredrop – Too many travel dreams and not enough time to search for deals? We’ve got you. FareDrop has a Limited Plan that’s completely free and will send you 3 deals a week from your home airport… if you want even more deals than that, you can go Pro! Plus you can play around with their deal search feature!
Public Transit Maps & Apps
- Busbuds – Buy Bus & Train Tickets online for local and international trips. Find cheap routes.
- Expedia – Stays, Flights, Cars, Packages, Things to do, Cruises
- Omio – Book train, bus, flight and ferry tickets – Travelers worldwide can easily explore Europe, the United States, and Canada, while comparing transportation options and finding the right price for their budget.
Offers an Essential Workers Discount – DOWNLOAD THE APP - Flixbus – offers safe and comfortable long-distance travel in Europe. Since its founding in 2013, FlixBus has created the largest transport network in Europe, covering 26 countries and serving more than 60 million passengers.
- iMoova – Connects you with companies that need help moving their vehicles from one location to the next. For as little as $1/day, you can explore the open road and discover the world around you.
Travel by Train
- RailEurope – helps travelers find their own path by guiding and offering tools and inspiration for traveling by train in Europe.
- Trainline – They work with over 210 rail and coach companies to help their customers travel to thousands of destinations across 45 countries.
- TheManinSeat61 – a website that helps you plan and book train journeys across Europe. It covers routes, times, fares, tickets, maps, tips and more for travelling by train in Europe.
Tours & Activities
These online marketplaces help travelers connect with local tour guides and experiences – all over the world:
- Our Viator Shop – when we find interesting tours and activities we save them here
- Expedia – Stays, Flights, Cars, Packages, Things to do, Cruises
- GetYourGuide
- GuruWalk
- TripAdvisor
Luggage & Storage Solutions
Smart luggage choices can transform your travel experience:
- Radical Storage – Secure luggage storage for early arrivals or late departures.
- Portable luggage scale – avoid overweight baggage fees
- Unisex Money Belt – Keep your valuables safe.
- Packable daypack – Compact and versatile for day trips.
- Find the right luggage for you – investigate your options – what works for someone else might not work for you
Packing and Traveling Essentials
Packing can be a puzzle, but these essentials make it easier:
- Crossbody Sling Bag
- Bagsmart Weekender Bag
- Packable Rain Jacket
- Long Sleeve Sun Shirt
- Compression socks
- Lightweight Quick Dry Cargo Hiking Pants
- Short Sleeve Wool Shirt
- Foldable water bottle
- Versatile travel blanket or
- Compression Packing Cubes: Save space and stay organized.
- Laundry detergent sheets: Perfect for sink washing.
- Public Toilet Survival Kit: – Buy preassembled or make your own with a Small Pencil Pouch containing;
- Travel Size Sanitizing Wipes (for cleaning handles and your hand – please do not flush!)
- Toilet Paper (enough for one or two uses)
- Small coins in local currency
Technology & Communication
Instant Messaging & Call Apps
With data or WIFI, you can constantly check in with your folks back home while sending them crazy food pics. There are plenty of free chat apps to stay in touch when you travel. Some popular ones are Whatsapp, Line, Skype, Hangouts, iMessage, FB Messenger, and much more. For more privacy and security, we chose Signal.
- Line – convenient when you’re in Japan and Taiwan though users are sharing that there are issues
Skype – Microsoft is discontinuing this service- Google Meet & Chat
- iMessage – for iPhones only
- FB Messenger
- Signal – this is our preferred resource – Signal is an independent nonprofit. They’re not tied to any major tech companies, and they can never be acquired by one either. Development is supported by grants and donations
Data Plans
International travelers should consider getting an international data plan. Without an international data plan, using your phone abroad can result in exorbitant roaming fees. Every text, call, and megabyte of data used is typically charged at a higher rate when connected to foreign networks, potentially leading to bills of hundreds or even thousands of dollars
- GigSky – International eSim Data Plans – they have a data plan for cruises too!
- Airalo – International eSim Data Plans << this is who we use
VPN – researching…. researching…. we use Norton, but though
Must-Have Travel Gadgets
Because the right gadgets can make or break your trip.
Here are the MVPs of our travel kit—the gadgets we won’t leave home without:
- Portable Mini Travel Fan – Sandra is sooooo glad she bought one… she gets cranky when the room or bus is stuffy!
- Backup Power for Phone – Never be “that person” frantically hunting for an outlet.
- Folding Hangers – Compact, lightweight, and perfect for drying clothes in a pinch.
- RFID Blocking Sleeves – A tiny investment for peace of mind.
- Neck Headphones – Because comfort > giant over-ear headphones
- Bluetooth Transmitter – Listen to in-flight movies with your Bluetooth headphones!
- Multiple USB Wall Charger with power adaptor – Fewer plugs, more power, no stress.
Travel Apps and Tools
We wrote more detailed articles, you can find there here:
👋 New Here? We’re Jeff and Sandra, American expat and senior nomads, living abroad, on a budget, one country at at time. Most days, we’re just doing what we’ve always done— making ourselves a home, working on projects, cooking, and running errands, wherever home might be at the moment. Sometimes that means checking out local activities and visiting museums and historical sites; other times, it means finding out which local restaurant has the best pizza or empanadas and which grocery store sells peanut butter.
This life isn’t always glamorous; but it’s ours—and we’re here to share with you what we learn.
Travel Insurance and Financial Planning
Travel insurance and financial preparedness are vital for peace of mind:
- Chase Sapphire Preferred Credit Card
- Top 5 Retirement Calculators
- Cash on Hand: The Smart Traveler’s Guide to Financial Preparedness
- Travel Insurance: Check out our post on the sticker shock of travel insurance and how to find the best coverage.
International Travel Tips
Prepare for smooth international travel with these tips:
- Carry-On Luggage Size Chart for 145+ Airlines
- View our post on Dining Out While Traveling and more
- Schengenicity 101: Navigating the Complexities of Extended Stays in Europe
- Prescription Refills – Planning an extended period overseas? What You Need To Know About Prescription Refills Abroad
Additional Resources
TJT’s Kosher Restaurants Directory 2023 Worldwide
Traveling Soon?
Checkout these helpful resources!
👉Don’t forget to grab your Free Itinerary Checklist
We hope this resource page inspires and equips you to plan your next adventure. As always, we’re here to share what we learn and discover. Bookmark this page and subscribe to our blog for updates—happy travels!