RESOURCES + RECOMMENDATIONS
Friends and readers often ask us for travel advice, so we wanted to make an ultimate list of resources that we use frequently to aid in budget travel.
*This page is under construction. Check back (or subscribe) for a wealth of more information and photos in the coming weeks.*
*This page is under construction. Check back (or subscribe) for a wealth of more information and photos in the coming weeks.*
Disclaimer: Some links on this website are affiliate links, from which we make a small commission at no extra expense to you.
We only recommend services and products that we use ourselves and would never promote anything we don’t love! So if you happen to purchase anything through the links below, thank you.
We only recommend services and products that we use ourselves and would never promote anything we don’t love! So if you happen to purchase anything through the links below, thank you.
CONTENTS
TRAVEL GEAR
OSPREY Aether 70 Backpack – I’ve had three backpacks, two of them 40 L and this one 70 L. Osprey is a good, sturdy brand and I have no complaints about this pack so far. I fill my bag about half full so it is suitable to carry on. Really, you don’t need 70 liters to travel indefinitely (in warm weather at least), so I would recommend something smaller. Go into a store and try on different packs to find what fits you best and then buy online as it’s almost always cheaper. A good bag makes all the difference when you’re tired, hangry, and walking around looking for accommodation.
Klean Kanteen Stainless Steel Bottle with Sport Cap – We've been through many water bottles, but this one is the best. BPA free, can hold hot and cold liquids, has a loop for easy carrying, and a sport cap so it won’t spill easily. When traveling, we fill up our bottles with clean water with every opportunity to avoid having to buy plastic bottles. We've gone for weeks without buying a single plastic bottle because there are refill stations at many hotels and restaurants.
KEENS Whisper Sandal – These are the best travel shoes as they’re versatile, study, and comfortable. I can walk on the road, on mountains, and through water. I prefer them to open-toe shoes so my toes are protected – there have been many times I was thankful I had on my KEENS when I accidentally kicked a rock. As we get older, we realize the value in taking care of your feet. It's worth it to spend money on high quality shoes.
Uniqlo Heat Tech – We discovered the power of these in Korea. The thin, lightweight, and stylish leggings and shirts really keep you warm. We travel with them even in warm climates. They come in handy while in the mountains of northern Thailand or Da Lat, Vietnam and also on cold plane and bus rides. They don't take up much room in your bag, either.
Kindle Paperwhite -“But I love the feel of a book!” you say. We know, we know. We've heard it, We've said it, and we agree. But the practicality of having a Kindle far outweighs the preference for a physical book when traveling. We have thousands of hours of entertainment and information in one device, which would equate to an entire library which we wouldn’t be able to carry with us. The Paperwhite is great because the screen light allows you to read on dark train rides or when your dorm mates are asleep. A Kindle is also superior to a tablet because the screen is easy on the eyes. An absolute must when traveling.
OSPREY Aether 70 Backpack – I’ve had three backpacks, two of them 40 L and this one 70 L. Osprey is a good, sturdy brand and I have no complaints about this pack so far. I fill my bag about half full so it is suitable to carry on. Really, you don’t need 70 liters to travel indefinitely (in warm weather at least), so I would recommend something smaller. Go into a store and try on different packs to find what fits you best and then buy online as it’s almost always cheaper. A good bag makes all the difference when you’re tired, hangry, and walking around looking for accommodation.
Klean Kanteen Stainless Steel Bottle with Sport Cap – We've been through many water bottles, but this one is the best. BPA free, can hold hot and cold liquids, has a loop for easy carrying, and a sport cap so it won’t spill easily. When traveling, we fill up our bottles with clean water with every opportunity to avoid having to buy plastic bottles. We've gone for weeks without buying a single plastic bottle because there are refill stations at many hotels and restaurants.
KEENS Whisper Sandal – These are the best travel shoes as they’re versatile, study, and comfortable. I can walk on the road, on mountains, and through water. I prefer them to open-toe shoes so my toes are protected – there have been many times I was thankful I had on my KEENS when I accidentally kicked a rock. As we get older, we realize the value in taking care of your feet. It's worth it to spend money on high quality shoes.
Uniqlo Heat Tech – We discovered the power of these in Korea. The thin, lightweight, and stylish leggings and shirts really keep you warm. We travel with them even in warm climates. They come in handy while in the mountains of northern Thailand or Da Lat, Vietnam and also on cold plane and bus rides. They don't take up much room in your bag, either.
Kindle Paperwhite -“But I love the feel of a book!” you say. We know, we know. We've heard it, We've said it, and we agree. But the practicality of having a Kindle far outweighs the preference for a physical book when traveling. We have thousands of hours of entertainment and information in one device, which would equate to an entire library which we wouldn’t be able to carry with us. The Paperwhite is great because the screen light allows you to read on dark train rides or when your dorm mates are asleep. A Kindle is also superior to a tablet because the screen is easy on the eyes. An absolute must when traveling.
TRAVEL TOOLS
SkyScanner – We use this tool first when searching for flights because this engine usually includes budget airlines such as AirAsia.com. After finding the cheapest flights, we usually go to the website of that particular airline and compare prices. Be sure to sign up for "price alerts" so you can get updates on the price changes daily. Another nice option is to choose the destination, "everywherë", and see the cheapest flights from any particular airport. Great if you have flexibility and are looking for an adventure.
CouchSurfing – We search on CouchSurfing first before looking into hostels in destinations. We can go on and on about the benefits of CouchSurfing and have incredible stories and friendships through these experiences. We are working on a guide on using the site properly and increasing your chances of getting hosted in the future, so stay tuned.
AirBnB – We used this only once, but plan to use it more in the future to help locals and get that feel of CouchSurfing, but with more comfort. We met a great person in Bangkok who was full of information and resources. AirBnB has some unique spaces up there.
HelpX – We use this to seek volunteer opportunities. Workaway is another resource, but I read the HelpX stays more up-to-date with hosts. The membership is $29 for two years (can be used for one person or even a couple), but it is well worth it, especially compared to WWOOF which is more expensive and you need to purchase a membership for each country.
Uber – We have never actually used Uber, but we used a similar service in India called Ola. Getting into a taxi and trusting a stranger to drive you to the correct destination can be risky, especially as a solo traveler. It seems that most of the scams that happen in Asia are among taxi drivers. With Uber or Ola, you get a good driver and a fair price. Everything is recorded on the map so it is a safer way to travel if you feel apprehensive about hailing down any taxi.
Cleartrip (India) – Used this in India constantly to book train tickets. Everyone told us to book trains ahead of time as they sell out quickly. They’re not kidding! As a non-Indian, you have to go through a few loopholes in order to reserve, like emailing them with your passport attached. Sign up before leaving for India.
Seat61 – All about trains. Incredibly detailed.
Agoda – In some countries, it is cheaper to book a private room than a dorm (if you’re traveling with other people, that is). I’ve often gotten cheaper prices through Agoda than any other hotel booking site. Never had a problem with booking on Agoda.
Booking – Similar to Agoda, except you usually don’t have to pay anything until you get to the hotel and pay in cash. Sometimes, this is preferred for us, especially if we get to the hotel and it is not as we expected.
World Nomads Travel Insurance – It is a horrible idea to travel without traveler’s insurance. At any moment, anything can happen that is out of your control. We've met several travelers who got injured from riding a scooter around town. A trip to the hospital may suck all of your money away and thus end your travels. Insurance is something that you need to have, but hope you never have to need it. I’ve been to doctors and clinics in Korea, India, and Thailand, but they were cheap enough that I paid out of pocket. Read the fine print and list of activities covered when deciding which kind of insurance you want. Always wear a helmet and be safe!
SkyScanner – We use this tool first when searching for flights because this engine usually includes budget airlines such as AirAsia.com. After finding the cheapest flights, we usually go to the website of that particular airline and compare prices. Be sure to sign up for "price alerts" so you can get updates on the price changes daily. Another nice option is to choose the destination, "everywherë", and see the cheapest flights from any particular airport. Great if you have flexibility and are looking for an adventure.
CouchSurfing – We search on CouchSurfing first before looking into hostels in destinations. We can go on and on about the benefits of CouchSurfing and have incredible stories and friendships through these experiences. We are working on a guide on using the site properly and increasing your chances of getting hosted in the future, so stay tuned.
AirBnB – We used this only once, but plan to use it more in the future to help locals and get that feel of CouchSurfing, but with more comfort. We met a great person in Bangkok who was full of information and resources. AirBnB has some unique spaces up there.
HelpX – We use this to seek volunteer opportunities. Workaway is another resource, but I read the HelpX stays more up-to-date with hosts. The membership is $29 for two years (can be used for one person or even a couple), but it is well worth it, especially compared to WWOOF which is more expensive and you need to purchase a membership for each country.
Uber – We have never actually used Uber, but we used a similar service in India called Ola. Getting into a taxi and trusting a stranger to drive you to the correct destination can be risky, especially as a solo traveler. It seems that most of the scams that happen in Asia are among taxi drivers. With Uber or Ola, you get a good driver and a fair price. Everything is recorded on the map so it is a safer way to travel if you feel apprehensive about hailing down any taxi.
Cleartrip (India) – Used this in India constantly to book train tickets. Everyone told us to book trains ahead of time as they sell out quickly. They’re not kidding! As a non-Indian, you have to go through a few loopholes in order to reserve, like emailing them with your passport attached. Sign up before leaving for India.
Seat61 – All about trains. Incredibly detailed.
Agoda – In some countries, it is cheaper to book a private room than a dorm (if you’re traveling with other people, that is). I’ve often gotten cheaper prices through Agoda than any other hotel booking site. Never had a problem with booking on Agoda.
Booking – Similar to Agoda, except you usually don’t have to pay anything until you get to the hotel and pay in cash. Sometimes, this is preferred for us, especially if we get to the hotel and it is not as we expected.
World Nomads Travel Insurance – It is a horrible idea to travel without traveler’s insurance. At any moment, anything can happen that is out of your control. We've met several travelers who got injured from riding a scooter around town. A trip to the hospital may suck all of your money away and thus end your travels. Insurance is something that you need to have, but hope you never have to need it. I’ve been to doctors and clinics in Korea, India, and Thailand, but they were cheap enough that I paid out of pocket. Read the fine print and list of activities covered when deciding which kind of insurance you want. Always wear a helmet and be safe!
APPS
Maps.me – Download maps and use your GPS (you won’t need data or WiFi for it to work) to help navigate new territory. I use this daily.
Trabee – Recording daily purchases and budgeting during travel.
Trover – Sort of like Instagram, but focused on discovering cool hidden spots while traveling. You can see some neat photos based on location. This is Lianne's account.
XE Currency – Stay updated on the current exchange rate
TripAdvisor – Good app to read reviews about restaurants, hotels, activities, and to browse the forums in various cities. Take every review with a grain of salt, though. Every person’s experience and values differ. We don’t mind having a squat toilet, for example, but others might complain about that.
Triposo Guides – Download entire travel guides in a particular country to use offline.
WhatsApp, Kakao, Line – All are ways to communicate with people. People in Thailand and India use WhatsApp, Kakao in Korea, and Line in Taiwan & Japan.
Maps.me – Download maps and use your GPS (you won’t need data or WiFi for it to work) to help navigate new territory. I use this daily.
Trabee – Recording daily purchases and budgeting during travel.
Trover – Sort of like Instagram, but focused on discovering cool hidden spots while traveling. You can see some neat photos based on location. This is Lianne's account.
XE Currency – Stay updated on the current exchange rate
TripAdvisor – Good app to read reviews about restaurants, hotels, activities, and to browse the forums in various cities. Take every review with a grain of salt, though. Every person’s experience and values differ. We don’t mind having a squat toilet, for example, but others might complain about that.
Triposo Guides – Download entire travel guides in a particular country to use offline.
WhatsApp, Kakao, Line – All are ways to communicate with people. People in Thailand and India use WhatsApp, Kakao in Korea, and Line in Taiwan & Japan.
FINANCE
Charles Schwab High-Yield Checking Account & Debit Card – For Americans, the Charles Schwab debit card is the best one out there for travelers. Online banking is easy to use. Best of all, no ATM transaction fees worldwide! Those $5 every time you take out money can really add up…that’s enough to pay for a dorm bed! Save a bunch by getting this card before you go off and wander the world.
Capital One Venture Miles Rewards Credit Card – We do not know much about building and using miles, but we've enjoyed this credit card. Useful for purchasing big items like plane tickets and hotel reservations. Easier to dispute credit card purchases versus a debit card purchase as well. This card not only builds miles so you can subsidize travel costs, there are no foreign transaction fees! We've used this in Indonesia and Japan to pay for expensive meals when we treated our CouchSurfing hosts. Be smart about having a credit card though – only use money that you have (unless it’s an emergency). Build up your credit score to help you in the future.
Mint – Keep track of all of your banking accounts.
Charles Schwab High-Yield Checking Account & Debit Card – For Americans, the Charles Schwab debit card is the best one out there for travelers. Online banking is easy to use. Best of all, no ATM transaction fees worldwide! Those $5 every time you take out money can really add up…that’s enough to pay for a dorm bed! Save a bunch by getting this card before you go off and wander the world.
Capital One Venture Miles Rewards Credit Card – We do not know much about building and using miles, but we've enjoyed this credit card. Useful for purchasing big items like plane tickets and hotel reservations. Easier to dispute credit card purchases versus a debit card purchase as well. This card not only builds miles so you can subsidize travel costs, there are no foreign transaction fees! We've used this in Indonesia and Japan to pay for expensive meals when we treated our CouchSurfing hosts. Be smart about having a credit card though – only use money that you have (unless it’s an emergency). Build up your credit score to help you in the future.
Mint – Keep track of all of your banking accounts.
BOOKS
- Stop Stealing Dreams: What are Schools for? by Seth Godin (free)
- The One World Schoolhouse: Education Reimagined by Sal Khan, founder of Khan Academy
- Linchpin: Are You Indispensable? by Seth Godin
- A People's History of the United States by Howard Zinn
- Sacred Economics by Charles Eisenstein (free)
- A Whole New Mind: Why Right-Brainers Will Rule the Future by Daniel Pink
- The Volunteer Traveler's Handbook by Shannon O'Donnell
- Walden on Wheels: On The Open Road from Debt to Freedom by Ken Ilgunas
- The 4-Hour Workweek: Escape 9-5, Live Anywhere, and Join the New Rich by Tim Ferriss
- Tuesdays with Morrie: An Old Man, a Young Man, and Life's Greatest Lesson by Mitch Albom
