Below are some useful resources that I personally use or have used and recommend. If you have questions about any of the resources or have a resource you’d like to recommend, feel free to contact me.
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Depending on your needs and circumstances, Airbnb may be a great option for you. Depending on the length of your stay and how many people are with you Airbnb can often save you lots of money and you can get your own place. If you use this link to book your first stay you get $40 free!
Are you looking for a free or very inexpensive accommodation option? Couchsurfing is a great option that provides you with more benefits than just a "couch" to sleep on. You'll get to stay with a local which allows you to learn more about the place, culture, etc. Sign up here.
If you're going to be staying in hostels, then Hostelworld is for you! It's easy to use, has hostels all over the world, and makes booking hostel accommodation so much easier than going to individual websites. Get started here!
Skyscanner makes searching for airfare easy. It searches many airlines at once so you don't have to jump from site to site. It also searches many budget airlines that other similar sites don't do. Start your search here!
The Charles Schwab online checking account and debit card is a must have for anyone traveling internationally. You can use your debit card at any ATM worldwide that accepts VISA and they don't charge any fees. If any fees are charged by the ATM/bank, Charles Schwab reimburses you those fees at the end of each month. In addition, the customer service is great. Find out more here.
N26 is a completely digital/online German bank that is growing in popularity around the world. They have been in business for several years in Germany and Europe and have expanded into the USA in 2019. Like Charles Schwab, there is a free account option which comes with a Mastercard debit card that can be used at any ATM worldwide that accepts Mastercard. Find out more information here. If you use the following code when signing up, you will receive $5 for free after spending $15 with your new debit card. Code: ca36545@n26
I personally use and recommend World Nomads for your travel insurance needs. World Nomads provides many options and they’re easy to work with. Find out more information here.
Deutsche Bahn’s website and app are a must-have resource if you’re in Germany and using trains. I used it daily while I was in Germany to find stations, book tickets, check the status/times of trains, etc. Download the app from your app store or visit their website here.
If you’re traveling to Europe and will be using trains as a mode of transportation then definitely check out Eurail. Eurail has many different passes and options so you’ll have to do your research. Depending on your itinerary and needs it may be cheaper to by a Eurail pass or it may be cheaper to buy tickets separately through the train companies direct. Begin your research here.
If you're looking for one of the cheapest ways to travel around Europe, look no further than FlixBus. FlixBus offers cheap tickets (starting at around $5.50 or €) in over 25 European countries. Depending on your destination, it may be cheaper or faster to fly, so always check airlines as well (I took a €10 flight from Berlin to Budapest which saved travel time on a bus). Visit their website or download the app on Android or iOS.
Uber is simple and easy to use. Open the app, select where you need to go, and wait for your driver to arrive. I’ve used it in several countries and haven’t had any problems. Download the Uber app on iOS or Android and use invite/promo code “taylork4773ue” to receive your first ride free after signing up!
Will you be going through U.S. Customs? If so, you should check out the Mobile Passport app. It allows you to breeze through customs by utilizing the app to fill out the forms and go to a dedicated and faster line. It’s currently available at select airports and cruise ports but is constantly implemented at new locations. Download the app in the app store or visit the website here to find out more and breeze through customs on your next trip!
The Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) is a free service to allow U.S. citizens and nationals traveling and living abroad to enroll their trip with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate.
Benefits of Enrolling in STEP:
- Receive important information from the Embassy about safety conditions in your destination country, helping you make informed decisions about your travel plans.
- Help the U.S. Embassy contact you in an emergency, whether natural disaster, civil unrest, or family emergency.
- Help family and friends get in touch with you in an emergency.
Head over to the STEP website now to enroll and register your next trip abroad.
Lonely Planet is the leader in travel guidebooks and other resources for traveling. Whether you’re looking for articles, photos, top places to see, or anything else, more than likely Lonely Planet has it! Head on over to the site to get a wealth of information on your next travel destination.
Surfshark is an award-winning VPN service that protects your privacy and secures your identity. Whether you're traveling abroad or want to unlock country-specific content on Netflix, Surfshark is for you. Use this link to sign up and receive a free month.
With traveling comes along visas and every country’s requirements are different. VisaHQ makes it easy to search and see if you need a visa for your nationality and the country you’ll be visiting. They also offer services to help you get your visa(s) by simply following a few instructions, paying a fee, and letting them handle the rest. This can be useful if you simply don’t have the time or if you don’t live near an office to get the appropriate visa. Find out if you need a visa for your next trip here.
