My Favorite Travel Resources

I have been living abroad and traveling long-term for over a decade. These are the tools, services, platforms, and gear I actually use and have been tried-and-tested across multiple countries. This is the top travel resource guide I'd recommend to anyone studying abroad, a three-month trip through Southeast Asia, or anything longer!

This page contains affiliate links. If you purchase through my links I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products and services I personally use or genuinely believe in.

Travel Insurance

SafetyWing Travel Insurance

The travel insurance I personally use and recommend. Monthly subscription, covers 185+ countries, and you can buy it even after you have left home. Sort it before you go and if something comes up, you will be really glad you did.

explore plans

World Nomads

A better fit for shorter trips, adventure activities, and anyone who needs trip cancellation coverage. Traditional single-trip policy with a defined start and end date rather than a rolling subscription.

explore plans

Accomodation

Booking.com

My default for hotels and guesthouses across Europe and Southeast Asia. Comprehensive inventory, flexible cancellation policies, and easy filtering by the things that actually matter. Works for everything from budget guesthouses in Chiang Mai to mid-range hotels in Rome.

learn more

Hostelworld

The best platform specifically for hostel bookings. Better filtering and more detailed reviews than Booking.com for what actually matters to hostel travelers. Use this when you specifically want a dorm bed or social hostel.

learn more

TrustedHousesitters

House sit anywhere in the world in exchange for looking after someone's home and pets. One annual membership fee gives you access to free accommodation across hundreds of destinations globally. One of the best hacks for long-term, flexible travelers.

learn more

Money & Banking

Wise (previously TransferWise)

Converts at the real mid-market exchange rate with minimal fees and holds multiple currencies. No more getting hit with bad conversion rates every time you use an ATM abroad. Set it up before you leave — the card takes a few days to arrive.

Charles Schwab Checking

Reimburses every ATM fee worldwide with zero foreign transaction fees. The best card for American travelers going abroad, full stop. No affiliate link here — just a genuinely good recommendation.

learn more

Getting Around

12Go Asia

Books overnight buses, sleeper trains, and inter-island ferries across Southeast Asia. Research and pre-book routes from home before you arrive. Covers Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, the Philippines, and more.

learn more

Skyscanner

My first stop for finding flights. The "search everywhere" feature shows the cheapest destinations from your airport on any given date. Also good for finding the cheapest month to fly if your dates are flexible.

learn more

Google Flights

Free and the best tool for tracking flight prices over time. The price calendar shows the cheapest days to fly and the alert feature notifies you when fares drop on routes you are watching. No account required.

learn more

Get my best travel tips straight to your inbox

Ang Around The Globe is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.