Hi! My name is Matthew Kepnes aka Nomadic Matt. I help people travel on a budget and have more unique cultural experiences. If that's the type of travel you love, subscribe to my newsletter and I'll help see you more for less.
My Favorite Travel Planning Resources
Reader,
I know a lot of people are dreaming of winter trips (I'm planning a trip to Thailand).
To help you plan those trips, I wanted to re-share some helpful trip-planning blogs and a list of my recommended companies. These resources will ensure you have fun, stay safe, and save money!
TRAVEL PLANNING BLOG POSTS
First, here are a few blog posts worth checking out. They have tons of practical tips as well as suggestions for where to go if you're on a budget:
- 16 Easy Steps for Planning a Trip
- 10 Destinations Under $50 a Day
- What I Pack for My Travels
- My Best 61 Travel Tips
- The 20 Best Tropical Islands in the World
- How to Travel with a Theme
- 10 Places to Travel on a Budget
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.
***
I love travel planning — but it can be overwhelming when you're just getting started. By using the websites above, you'll not only save time and money but help you have an epic trip abroad.
Sincerely,
Nomadic Matt
P.S. - Booking a trip soon? Here are some resources to use: By using our links when you book, at no extra cost to you, we earn a small commission. This allows us to produce free articles that help you travel cheaper and better.
Nomadic Matt!
Hi! My name is Matthew Kepnes aka Nomadic Matt. I help people travel on a budget and have more unique cultural experiences. If that's the type of travel you love, subscribe to my newsletter and I'll help see you more for less.
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