TRAVEL RESOURCES
Airfare
Skyscanner
My go to resource for finding cheap flights. The "Explore" future is amazing for finding cheap flights when you don't know where to go next
Google Flights
Tied with skyscanner as the traveler's best flight research resorce. Google Flights is great for uncovering cheap flights with smaller airlines in Asia.
Momondo
A powerful airline booking tool that covers nearly every airline out there (unlike Google Flights). Momondo is your best bet for planning flights in Africa. Also, Momondo's analytics let you easily figure out the cheapest days and times to fly.
Scott's Cheap Flight
Accommodation
Hostelworld
My #1 resource for booking cheap and comfortable accomomdation while traveling. Hostelworld let's you book hostels but makes picking a good one easy via ratings (aim for an 8.0 or higher) and reviews (read those closely if you prefer comfy beds or a quiet atmosphere).
Booking
When hostels are scarce or you need some privacy, switch over to Booking.com. Booking delivers hotels, hostel, homestays, and B&B's with a convenient to book interface and process. From Laos to Arabia, when Hostels were scarce (or low quality) I turned to Booking.
Couch Surfing
A growing platform that every traveler should be on - just start building your profile and "references" now. Couchsurfing is great for finding a free place to stay with a local guide but is equally great for starting and finding meetups with local travelers, with no obligation to stay with them. This is a great platform that every traveler should be on.
Gear
REI
For all things camping and travel related, REI is my starting point. For backpacks, clothing, and shoes, I always come here first. With a 1 year, unconditional guarantee on gear, annual rebates, "yard sales", and a plethora of other perks, its easy to get addicted.
World Nomads
As most insurances don't cover you outside of your home country, World Nomads steps in for travelers. Covering everything from routine medical issues, like infections and stomach bugs, to emergency evacuations and stolen luggage, World Nomads is where its at. When I needed insurance for the Everest Base Camp trek, in case I needed airlifting out due to altitude sickness, I turned to World Nomads.
Amazon
For generic travel items, where function matters much more than brand, I go with Amazon to save my hard earned cash
T-Mobile
50+ countries and T-Mobile has kept me connected for most of the way and allowed me to keep my same number throughout the journey. T-Mobile One allows free texts and data from nearly anywhere, meaning I can get further off the beaten track and still get to Google when I'm close to trouble
Lonely Planet
The original travel guide and still a great starting point for new travelers. If you're new to backpacking, I highly recommend picking up a regional Lonely Planet guide until you get the hang of things. When I'm starting in a completely brand new country and region, I still pickup a digital copy to start
BackCountry
Transportation
Google Maps
Google's data makes Google Maps priceless when traveling. Google's public transport mapping function is a priceless complement to Rome2Rio.
Rome 2 Rio
Need to get between two places and have no idea where to start? Rom2Rio. Start there. This app and website combines planes, trains, boats, and rentals to inform you of how to get to your destination.
Get By Bus
For the Balkans and part of Europe, Get By Bus is your best bet for finding bus companies, timetables, and bus stations via the internet
Gear Brands I Recommend
REI
The same way I love REI, I love there gear. A great value for the price with simple, intuitive design and a 1 year unlimited warranty. Make REI.com your go to site for starting travel gear research
Eddie Bauer
For true dirtbags! Couch surfing not only connects you with free places to sleep in the spare spaces of fellow travelers, but also functions as a social network connecting you with locals that bear a true traveler's personality
GORUCK
Maker of nearly bulletproof backpacks, backed by a lifetime guarantee. The one backpack I carry is a GORUCK and I love it. Highly recommended.