Disclaimer: This page contains affiliate links. If you click one of them I will earn a small commission, it won’t cost you anything extra.
Over the years of travelling around the world, I’ve tried a lot of travel apps, gear and services. Some were useful, some were completely forgettable, and a few became things I now genuinely rely on whenever I travel. Those are the ones that made it onto this page.
You won’t find a never-ending list of “must-have” products or things I’ve added simply because they come with an affiliate link. Everything here is something I’ve personally use and can honestly recommend – from booking platforms and travel apps to practical gear that makes my trips a little easier.
I’ve organised everything into categories, so you can quickly find what you need and get back to planning your trip.
Where to Stay
Finding the right place to stay can make a huge difference to your trip.
I use Booking.com for almost all my accommodation in Europe. It usually has the best selection and prices, and many rooms come with free cancellation.
For trips around Asia, I normally use Trip.com. It often has better deals there and a great selection of hotels, from simple guesthouses to more luxurious stays.
Want my personal hotel recommendation for a specific destination? Most of my blog posts include a place I’ve stayed at and genuinely recommend.
Staying Connected
I used to be that person who sorted out a SIM card only after arriving, which sometimes meant spending the first few hours without internet. Not anymore! Now, the first thing I sort out before any trip is my eSIM. I use Saily because it’s quick to set up before the flight, and I have internet as soon as I land – no searching for a SIM card at the airport.
Money & Payments
I pay for basically everything abroad with Wise. Real exchange rates, no ridiculous bank fees, and I can hold and spend in multiple currencies from one card. It’s the one thing on this list I’d genuinely say every traveller should have.
Travel Insurance
Don’t skip this one. I use SafetyWing – it’s simple, affordable, and built for people who travel often or for long stretches. Just make sure you sort it out before your trip, so you’re covered from the start.
Protect your trip with SafetyWing
Staying Safe Online
Airport Wi-Fi, hotel Wi-Fi, café Wi-Fi – I connect to all of it while travelling, so I’d rather not take any chances with my personal data. I use NordVPN to keep my connection private and secure, especially when I’m working, checking my bank account or booking the next part of my trip on public Wi-Fi
Eco-Friendly Travel Gear
Sustainable travel is something very close to my heart, so I couldn’t leave this section out. My number one recommendation: a proper filtered water bottle. I’ve been using my WaterWell filtered water bottle for years while travelling around Europe, Asia, Australia and beyond and I genuinely swear by it. It means I don’t have to think twice about drinking tap water wherever it’s safe to do so, and it cuts out a stupid amount of single-use plastic over a trip.
For more on travelling lighter on the planet, check out my eco-friendly packing guide and 7 travel essentials posts.
Getting Around
For getting around once I’ve landed, it depends on where I am. In Europe, I mostly use Bolt, or Uber when Bolt isn’t available. In Southeast Asia, Grab is an absolute must-have. In China, I use DiDi through Alipay – another app you definitely need there. And in Australia, it’s usually Uber or DiDi. Download whichever app works at your destination before you go, so you’re not fumbling around with it at 11 pm while trying to find a ride.
Tours & Experiences
When it comes to guided tours and activities, you won’t find links to big generic marketplaces like GetYourGuide or Viator here. Many of them still list wildlife experiences I would never promote: elephant riding, tiger selfies and all that nonsense – even after their recent policy updates. If I find a booking platform I’ve personally used and feel comfortable recommending, I’ll add it here.
For Fellow Creators
If you’re a travel creator looking to monetize your content, Travelpayouts is the affiliate network behind several of the links on this page (Booking.com, Trip.com and more). It’s free to join and gives you access to hundreds of travel brands in one dashboard, with a Drive tool that makes turning your content into working affiliate links pretty painless.
A Couple of Honest Notes
I only recommend things I’ve actually used myself – nothing on this page is here because a brand paid for placement. If I stop using something, it comes off this list.
I’m far from a perfect traveller, but I try to make better choices whenever I can – from cutting down on single-use plastic to being careful about which tours and wildlife experiences I support. That also affects what makes it onto this page. If something feels harmful, wasteful or simply doesn’t sit right with me, I won’t recommend it – affiliate commission or not.
This page will keep growing as I find (and test) new things worth sharing. If there’s something you swear by that isn’t here, tell me in the comments – I’m always looking for a reason to try new gear.
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