Convenience Big Store: These companies will save you a ton of money on your trip!

ConvenienceBigs,

As you plan your trip and start booking flights, hotels, hostels, transportation, and everything in between, I wanted to send you a list of my favorite companies.

They are included here because they consistently find deals, offer world-class customer service and great value, and overall, are better than their competitors.

So, if you're wondering who you should book your trip with, here are my suggestions:

(Don't want to read this now? Download this complete list of ALL my favorite travel companies and have it handy on your computer, tablet, or phone for when you need to book your travels!)

Airfare

Momondo - This is my all time favorite search engine and I make it a point to start all my flight searches here. They always find the best deals and search the largest number of providers are the world.

Skyscanner - This great website searches a lot of different airlines, including many of the budget carriers that larger sites miss. While I always start with Momondo, I use this site too as a way to compare prices.

Accommodation

Airbnb - This site connects with homeowners who rent out their homes/apartments. You'll get all the comforts of home, the ability to stay in a non-touristy part of town, get local knowledge, and pay a fraction of the cost of a hotel room. (If you're new to Airbnb, get $40 off your first stay!)

Hostelworld - The best hostel accommodation site out there with the largest inventory, best search interface, and highest availability. And, since they bought their competitor Hostelbookers, they are the biggest – and basically only – game in town.

Couchsurfing - This allows you to stay on people's couches or in their spare rooms for free. It's a great way to save money — while meeting locals who can tell you much more about a city than you will find out through a hostel or hotel. The site also has groups where you can arrange to meet up for events in your city.

Priceline - One of my favorite hotel sites because it allows you to bid on hotels and can lower the cost of your hotels by as much as 60%. If you're looking at staying a big hotel, this site should be where you go first.

Agoda - The best website for budget accommodation for Asia. They have the most robust inventory and offer the best rates. When I travel around Asia, I don't use anyone else.

Booking.com - The best all around booking site that constantly provides the cheapest and lowest rates. They have a no money down policy, great interface, and the widest selection of budget accommodation. In all my tests, they've always had the cheapest rates out of all bookers.

Travel Gear/Products/Services

World Nomads Travel Insurance - I've been buying my travel insurance from World Nomads since 2006. They have great customer service, competitive prices, and in-depth coverage. I'll never switch. It is the one thing I NEVER travel without, and I urge you to stay covered on the road!

Lonely Planet Guidebooks - I like the look of their guides, as well as their layout, size, weight, and emphasis on budget travel. Their quality isn't as amazing and backpacker friendly as they used to be but I haven't given up on them yet and no one can touch the range of destinations they cover. Best of the worst in my opinion!

REI Backpacks and Gear - This sporting and outdoor store sells a wide variety of backpacking gear. I've had the same REI backpack with me for the last six years and it's as good now as it was the day I bought it. Their products last a long time. (If you're Canadian, I love MEC!) Here's for more info on what to look for in the perfect pack.

Rail Europe - If you are going to visit Europe and plan to take a lot of long train trips, get a rail pass. You will save money. I've saved hundreds of dollars. The math just works out for long train trips. Here's a breakdown of how passes save money.

T-Mobile - If you are a traveler and live in the U.S., get T-Mobile. T-Mobile gives their users contract-free plans (starting at $50 per month) with free international data and text messaging in 210+ countries — plus all calls while in those countries are only 25 cents a minute. I've been using them for years and love them.

Grassroots Volunteering - Use this to search for local volunteer organizations and social enterprises abroad that keep the money within the community. If you're looking to volunteer, consult this site!

Tours/Agents

Intrepid Travel - Intrepid is my favorite multi-day tour operator and I take at least two tours a year with them. They offer good small group tours that use expert guides and leave a small environmental footprint. It's win-win for everyone. As a reader of this site, you get exclusive deals!

STA Travel - A good company for those under 30 or for students. They offer discounted airfare as well as travel passes that help you save on attractions.

Vayable - I enjoy this site because it allows you to experience niche, offbeat, and interesting tours that bigger tour companies might not run (like a street art tour in Los Angeles). Plus, the groups tend to be very small, making for a more intimate experience.

Transportation

The Man in Seat 61 - This site is the ultimate guide to train travel anywhere in the world. It has the most comprehensive information on routes, times, prices, and train conditions.

Rome 2 Rio - This website allows you to see how to get from point A to point B the best and cheapest way possible. Just enter your departure and arrival destinations and it will give you all the bus, train, plane, or boat routes that can get you there as well as how much they cost. One of the best transportation website out there!

Bla Bla Car - BlaBlaCar is a ridesharing website that lets you share rides with vetted local drivers by pitching in for gas. You simply request a seat, they approve, and off you go! It's a cheap and much more interesting way to get from point A to point B than by bus or train!

Gumtree - This Craiglist like site is an amazing resource for travelers. You can find travel partners, rideshares, jobs, second hand gear, homestays, and much more. It is an amazing website for travelers of all kind!

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Please email me if you have anything questions or want to know if a company you found is any good. I'm here to help you travel better, so don't be shy!

Until next time!

Travel safe,

Nomadic Matt

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