TravelHub

Travel resources

The tools we actually use to travel better

Flights, beds, insurance, trains, eSIMs and more. These are the 53 sites and apps the TravelHub team keeps going back to, sorted by what you need. Bookmark this page before your next trip.

No sponsored placements, and no commission: every link goes straight to the company's own website.

Built into TravelHub

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Getting there

Flights

Where we start every flight search. Compare widely, stay flexible on dates and airports, then book directly with the airline where you can.

Looking down on a green coastline and the Atlantic from above

Once you've booked, add the flight to My flights to track the distance, CO₂ and countries you've visited. Open My flights

  1. Google FlightsFlexible dates

    A fast, clean search across almost every airline. The date grid and price graph show at a glance when it's cheapest to fly, and price tracking emails you when fares drop.

  2. SkyscannerBudget airlines

    Great for "Everywhere" searches when you know when you want to go but not where. It includes many low-cost carriers that other engines miss.

  3. KayakPrice forecasts

    Combines results from airlines and booking sites, with a handy hint on whether prices are likely to rise or fall.

  4. GoingDeal alerts

    A deal-alert service: tell it your home airports and it emails you when unusually cheap fares appear. There's a free tier to try.

Where to sleep

Accommodation

From dorm beds to swapping homes, these are the platforms we use most. Always read recent reviews and check the location on a map before you book.

A quiet riad courtyard with white curtains and a fountain

First trip on a budget? Hostels 101 in Backpacker's corner explains how to choose one and what to expect. Read Hostels 101

  1. HostelworldHostels

    The biggest hostel booking site, with honest guest ratings for cleanliness, safety and atmosphere. Many hostels offer private rooms too.

  2. Booking.comHotels & apartments

    Enormous choice of hotels, guesthouses and apartments, many with free cancellation, which is ideal while your plans are still taking shape.

  3. AirbnbLonger stays

    Whole homes and private rooms, often with a kitchen and weekly or monthly discounts. Check the total price including fees before you commit.

  4. TrustedHousesittersFree stays

    Look after someone's home and pets while they're away, and stay for free. There's an annual membership fee, and it suits slow travellers who love animals.

  5. HomeExchangeHome swaps

    Swap homes with other members, at the same time or using points. A great way to live like a local for a week or two.

Peace of mind

Travel insurance

Never travel without it. Check the policy covers medical treatment and repatriation, the activities you plan to do and any existing medical conditions.

UK traveller? A free GHIC card gives you state healthcare in the EU and some other countries, but it's not a replacement for travel insurance. Read our GHIC guide

  1. SafetyWingNomads & long trips

    Subscription-style cover you can buy while already abroad and cancel any time. Popular with digital nomads and long-term travellers.

  2. World NomadsAdventure activities

    Flexible policies that cover a long list of adventure sports, and you can extend while you're on the road.

  3. True TravellerUK & EU residents

    Backpacker-friendly cover for UK and European residents, including cover for travellers who are already overseas.

  4. InsureMyTripUS residents

    A comparison site for US travellers, showing policies from many insurers side by side.

Things to do

Tours & experiences

Day trips, food tours and small-group adventures. Brilliant for solo travellers who want company, and for places that are hard to explore alone.

Cones of colourful spices outside a market stall

  1. GetYourGuideSkip-the-line tickets

    Tours, attraction tickets and activities in thousands of cities, many with free cancellation up to 24 hours before.

  2. ViatorDay trips

    A huge marketplace of tours and excursions, with lots of reviews to help you choose.

  3. Intrepid TravelSmall-group trips

    Small-group adventures led by local leaders, from a few days to several weeks. Ideal for a first trip somewhere more challenging.

  4. G AdventuresBudget group travel

    Sociable small-group tours with a range of travel styles, from basic to comfortable, and plenty of solo travellers.

  5. WalksExpert-led tours

    Small-group walking tours in Europe and the US, including early-entry visits to busy sights like the Vatican and the Colosseum.

  6. EatwithFood & cooking

    Dinners, cooking classes and food tours hosted by locals in their own homes. Delicious, and a great way to meet people.

Trains, buses & cars

Getting around

Overland travel is cheaper, greener and often more scenic than flying. These tools make it easy.

A white bullet train waiting at a platform

Watch your train or flight move in real time on TravelHub's live maps. Open live trains

  1. The Man in Seat 61Train know-how

    The legendary free guide to travelling by train anywhere in the world: routes, timetables, classes and how to book.

  2. TrainlineUK & Europe tickets

    Book trains and coaches across the UK and Europe in one app, with live times and mobile tickets.

  3. OmioCompare modes

    Compares trains, buses and flights side by side, so you can see the fastest and cheapest way between two places.

  4. Rome2RioRoute ideas

    Type in any two places and see every way to get between them, with rough times and prices. Perfect for planning.

  5. FlixBusCheap coaches

    Low-cost long-distance buses across Europe and beyond, with Wi-Fi and power sockets on most routes.

  6. InterrailRail passes

    One pass for unlimited train travel in up to 33 European countries. (Not living in Europe? Look for Eurail instead.)

  7. Japan Rail PassJapan by train

    The official site for the JR Pass. Compare the pass price with individual tickets for your route first, as it doesn't always save money.

  8. FerryhopperIsland hopping

    Compare and book ferries in Greece, Italy, Spain and beyond, with easy mobile tickets.

  9. BlaBlaCarRide sharing

    Share a car journey with a driver going your way, and split the cost. Popular in France and Spain.

  10. Discover CarsCar hire

    Compares rental companies worldwide, with clear details on fuel policies, deposits and insurance.

Spend smarter

Money & cards

Avoid foreign transaction fees and poor exchange rates, and always carry a back-up card kept separately from your main one.

When a card machine or ATM asks, always choose to pay in the local currency, not your home currency.

  1. WiseMulti-currency

    Hold and convert dozens of currencies at the real exchange rate with a small, transparent fee, and spend abroad with a debit card.

  2. RevolutEveryday spending

    An app-based account with fee-free spending abroad up to plan limits, instant card freezing and budgeting tools.

  3. XE CurrencyExchange rates

    Check live mid-market exchange rates, so you know what a fair price looks like at a bureau or ATM.

eSIMs & apps

Staying connected

Land with data already working, and keep the essentials offline in case you lose signal.

A woman photographing a beach and city skyline with her phone

  1. AiraloeSIM data

    Buy a local or regional data eSIM in a few taps before you fly. Check your phone is unlocked and supports eSIM first.

  2. HolaflyUnlimited data

    eSIMs with unlimited data plans for many countries, handy if you work or stream on the road.

  3. Organic MapsOffline maps

    Free, privacy-friendly offline maps based on OpenStreetMap, with hiking trails and walking routes.

  4. Google TranslateTranslation

    Point your camera at a menu or sign to translate it instantly, and download languages for offline use.

  5. CitymapperCity transport

    The best app for public transport in big cities, with live departures and step-by-step directions.

Pack smart

Gear

Buy well once and it lasts for years. You need less than you think, so start with a good bag and comfortable shoes.

The interactive packing checklist in Backpacker's corner saves as you tick. Open the packing list

  1. OspreyBackpacks

    Comfortable, well-designed travel packs, including carry-on sizes that open like a suitcase, with a strong repair guarantee.

  2. Cotswold OutdoorUK outdoor shop

    Outdoor clothing and kit from many brands, with expert staff in stores across the UK and Ireland.

  3. REIUS outdoor co-op

    The US outdoor co-operative, with a huge range of gear, rentals and member perks.

  4. DecathlonGreat value

    Affordable, practical kit for almost every activity, from rain jackets to packing cubes.

  5. PatagoniaBuilt to last

    Durable outdoor clothing backed by a repair programme and second-hand marketplace.

  6. LifeStrawSafe water

    Filter bottles and straws that make tap and stream water safer to drink, saving money and plastic.

Travel for longer

Work & volunteer abroad

Swap a few hours of help a day for free accommodation, or find paid work that funds your next adventure. Always check visa rules first.

Young travellers chatting in a bright hostel corridor

  1. WorldpackersVolunteering

    Volunteer at hostels, eco-projects and NGOs in exchange for a bed and often meals, with reviews from other volunteers.

  2. WorkawayCultural exchange

    Thousands of hosts worldwide, from families to farms, offering accommodation for a few hours' help a day.

  3. HelpXHelp exchange

    A long-running site for help-exchange stays on farms, in homestays and at hostels.

  4. WWOOFOrganic farms

    Live and learn on organic farms around the world. Each country has its own WWOOF organisation and membership.

  5. Dave's ESL CafeTeaching English

    One of the oldest job boards for English teachers abroad, with listings and forums.

Before you go

Safety & entry rules

Official sources only. Rules change, so check a few days before departure, and again before each border.

  1. GOV.UK foreign travel adviceUK travellers

    Official UK advice for every country: safety, entry requirements, health and local laws.

  2. US travel advisoriesUS travellers

    The US State Department's country advice, entry information and the STEP alert service.

  3. SmartravellerAustralian travellers

    Australia's official travel advice, with clear risk levels for each destination.

  4. Travel to Europe (EES & ETIAS)Visiting the EU

    The EU's official site for the new Entry/Exit System and the upcoming ETIAS travel authorisation.

  5. IATA Travel CentrePassport & visa rules

    The database airlines use to check passport, visa and health requirements for your route.

Got everything? Now the fun part.

Sketch your route day by day, then log every flight and train as you go.

Plan my trip

Details and prices change, so always check the company's own site before you book. Know a resource we should add? Tell us through the Support page.