Tools, platforms, gear, and services we personally use and trust — curated from years of living out of a backpack.
Our most-used planning tool, hands down. We build custom maps with pinned hotels, restaurants, and sights before every trip. Offline maps are a lifesaver in low-signal areas.
Visit Google MapsA brilliant free tool to create visual, collaborative itineraries. We use it to organise driving routes, estimate travel times, and share plans with each other before departure.
Visit WanderlogEnter any two locations and Rome2Rio shows every possible route — plane, train, bus, ferry, car — with estimated costs. Perfect for comparing options in unfamiliar countries.
Visit Rome2RioWe compare car rental prices across dozens of suppliers in one search. Especially useful in places like Hokkaido or the Azores where having your own wheels makes all the difference.
Visit RentalcarsWhen we want a guided experience or need transfers sorted, Klook is our go-to, especially across Asia. Good prices, instant confirmation, and easy mobile vouchers.
Visit KlookWe always double-check visa requirements before booking. iVisa handles e-visas and visa-on-arrival applications for a growing list of countries with a clean, fast interface.
Visit iVisaExcellent for tracking prices over time and spotting cheap dates with the calendar view. The price graph makes it obvious when to book and when to wait.
Visit Google FlightsGreat for open-jaw searches and "everywhere" searches when we're flexible on destination. Often catches deals that Google Flights misses on budget carriers.
Visit SkyscannerOur tip: Always book directly with the airline after finding the price on a comparison site. It makes seat selection, rebooking, and refunds far simpler if anything changes.
Our first stop for hotels. Free cancellation filters, genuine guest reviews, and often the widest selection. We almost always find something solid here even for last-minute trips.
Visit Booking.comFor longer stays, we lean on Airbnb. Having a kitchen and feeling at home in a neighbourhood beats a hotel room when you're staying five nights or more in one spot.
Visit AirbnbOften has lower prices than Booking.com for accommodation across Southeast and East Asia. Worth a quick comparison check, especially for Japan and Thailand.
Visit AgodaWhen we want something a little different — cabins, glamping, farm stays — Hipcamp consistently surprises us with beautiful, under-the-radar options away from crowds.
Visit HipcampIf you travel frequently or for extended periods, SafetyWing's subscription-based model is hard to beat. Coverage kicks in globally, it's affordable, and renewing while abroad is seamless. We've had it active on every trip for the past two years.
Visit SafetyWingGood for shorter, adventure-heavy trips. They cover a wide range of activities like hiking, diving, and motorbiking that many standard insurers exclude.
Visit World NomadsCompetitive pricing and reliable claims handling. Particularly strong for medical coverage and the app makes everything from extensions to claims easy to manage on the go.
Visit HeyMondoPlease don't skip this. Every seasoned traveller we know has a story about needing insurance at least once. A single medical evacuation can cost more than years of premiums.
The bag we've used for three years straight. Fits in overhead bins globally, has a separate laptop sleeve, and the hip belt makes it comfortable for long transit days.
Shop OspreyCompressing cubes that genuinely make a difference. We pack by category (tops, bottoms, cables) and can unpack into a drawer in minutes wherever we land.
Shop Eagle CreekThe real exchange rate with minimal fees — saved us considerably over years of travel.
Visit WiseGreat for holding multiple currencies with instant spending notifications.
Visit RevolutPro tip: Always carry a small amount of local cash for your first day — taxis from the airport, market snacks, tips. ATMs aren't always accessible right when you land.
We switched to eSIMs a couple of years ago and haven't looked back. Airalo has affordable data plans for most countries, and you can activate them on the plane before landing.
Visit AiraloUseful when connecting to public Wi-Fi at airports, cafés, and hotels. We also use it to access home streaming services while abroad, which is a bonus.
Visit NordVPN