MY FAVORITE TRAVEL PLANNING COMPANIES
Here's a list of my personal favorite companies and websites that help with trip planning. The team and I use them every time we plan a trip! Skyscanner - My go-to website for finding cheap flights. I start all my trip planning here. Going - If you're flexible with where and when you can go, this cheap flight site sends incredible deals straight to your inbox. They've saved me a fortune over the years! SafetyWing - I never leave home without travel insurance. You shouldn't either. SafetyWing is one of the cheapest options out there and is perfect for budget travelers. Intrepid - My go-to company for multi-day tours. If you don't want to travel solo, go with Intrepid. Their tours are fun, educational, and have a strong emphasis on sustainability. Booking.com - This is the best website to find cheap hotels. I like its easy-to-use interface and no-money-down policy. I book all my hotels here. (If you prefer hostels, use Hostelworld). HostelPass - This card gives you up to 25% off select hostels throughout Europe. It’s a great way to save money and they're constantly adding new hostels too. Use the code NOMADICMATT to get 25% off. Rome2Rio - A free website for finding the optimal travel route between destinations. It compares driving, buses, trains, flying, ferries — you name it! BlaBlaCar - BlaBlaCar lets you share rides with vetted local drivers. You simply request a seat, pay a small fee, and off you go. It’s a cheap and interesting way to get from point A to point B. Get Your Guide - Looking for things to see and do during your trip? This search engine has pretty much everything. Walking tours, entry tickets, food tours, day trips — it's all here! I always scan their app to see what's available (and to see how much activities cost). Walks - This is my favorite walking tour company. Their tours are always amazing because they use expert local guides and take you to places no other companies go to. I can't recommend them enough. Worldpackers - This platform offers travelers a chance to find work and volunteer opportunities, including farm stays, home stays, hostel jobs, sailing jobs, and more. It's ideal for frugal long-term travelers. Trusted Housesitters - A website that connects you with people in need of pet sitters. In exchange for looking after their animals, you get access to free accommodation. It’s an amazing resource for long-term travelers looking to travel slowly. For more travel planning companies, you can check out my full list here. The Man in Seat 61
This website is the ultimate guide to train travel anywhere in the world. It has the most comprehensive information on routes, times, prices, and train conditions. If you are planning a long train journey or some epic trip by rail, consult this site. Japan Rail Pass
The Japan Rail Pass is a flexible transportation pass used for navigating Japan. Similar to the Eurail pass in Europe, it turns expensive bullet trains into budget-friendly modes of transportation. You honestly can’t visit Japan without one. Discover Cars
Discover Cars is a car rental aggregator that can help you find the best deals for your next road trip. It pulls data from over 8,000 car rental locations to ensure you always find a great deal! RVshare
RVshare is like Airbnb for RVs. You can browse privately owned RVs all around the country, find one that suits your needs and budget, and then rent it directly from the owner. It’s super affordable and makes RVing easy and accessible. Devour Food ToursDevour has all kinds of amazing food tours around Europe. If you’re a foodie who wants to learn more about the history and culture behind each dish, these tours are the best on the continent. I take them every chance I get.
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WorkAwayThis is another wonderful job-finding website! Workaway is a lot like HelpX except this website has more paid job opportunities (though it also has volunteer positions too).
WorldpackersWorldpackers offers travelers a chance to find volunteer experiences overseas (much like Workaway and HelpX). In addition to hostels, it can help you find experiences with NGOs, home stays, and eco-projects all over the world!
myTEFLmyTEFL offers the standard TEFL programs, but they also help you find a job and provide an additional 6 months of access to their content so that you can use it once you start teaching. (Use the code “matt50” for 50% off!)
HelpxHelpX is one of the best places to find work and volunteer opportunities when you travel. It includes farm stays, home stays, B&Bs, hostels, and sailing boats that invite volunteers to stay short-term in exchange for food and accommodation.
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