Trusted companies
It is sometimes overwhelming how many options there are whenever we are planning a trip. From booking the flight, to the accommodation, activities, etc. For this reason, I have decided to make this page. This is a list of companies I have used (and keep using) and I trust, and I want to share them with you. This is a page under continuous construction, so if you have any suggestions, let me know!
*Disclosure: some of the links below are affiliate links. This means that Feast of Travel earns a commission, at no additional cost to you, if you make a purchase through them. If you are ready to use any of them and want to help sustain Feast of Travel, please use the links below. If you are uncertain of what these commissions are or if they could affect you in any way, please contact me and I'll be happy to answer your questions. I only recommend companies that I have used and I think they offer a good service.
1. Accommodation booking
Booking.com is my go to website for hostel and hotel booking. Probably the biggest selection and with reward plans and frequent discounts.
Agoda is very similar to Booking.com. It's hard to beat Booking's prices, but I often check on both websites to see which one has the best offer!
Airbnb is the main app for homestays (both whole apartment and room rental). Almost the only app I use when traveling in Western countries.
Couchsurfing is a free accommodation community in which you can stay on someone's couch. Great way to meet local people.
Misterbnb is similar to Airbnb for gay travelers. Best way to get to know the local gay scene.
Hostelworld is the perfect tool if you're a budget traveler looking for cheap accommodation in Hostels. I usually still use Booking.com, but Hostelworld is targeted to only hostels.
2. Flight search engines
Skyscanner is a world-leading flight search engine that will help you compare fees and find the best route for the best price. It also has an "Everywhere" function when you are not fixed on a destination. Skyscanner is fee-free!
Momondo is similar to Skyscanner. I try to compare both when I buy plane tickets and take the best offer.
Expedia is usually a bit more pricey than Skyscanner but they have occasional offers that make the flights cheaper. Make sure to pay attention to the service fees!
Lastminute.com is very useful, as the name suggests, when you need to buy last minute plane tickets. Make sure to have a look every now and then if you are flexible.
eDreams is yet another flight search engine that you can include in your searches. Not always the best deals but worth a look.
Kiwi is similar to the previous ones, but with much more flexibility in their searches (baggage options, connecting flights...)
3. Full service airlines
Lufthansa is the biggest airline in Europe.
Etihad, with base in Abu Dhabi, is a very good and cheap option to fly between Europe and Asia.
Qatar, with base in Doha, is a more luxurious way to fly between Europe and Asia. My favourite airline.
Emirates is, probably, the most expensive and luxurious airline I've flown with. Also good for Europe-Asia trips. Based in Dubai.
4. Low cost airlines
Norwegian is my favourite low cost airline by far. Perfect for in-Europe trips and best price (usually by half) for Europe-America trips. EDIT: I must say that lately Norwegian is giving more problems.
Vueling has good and frequent offers for Europe and North Africa. Based in Spain.
Air Asia is usually cheapest local airline for flights between Southeast Asian countries.
EasyJet is probably the cheapest here and probably the worst, but very good offers and much better than Ryanair.
Transavia is a low cost company from KLM that operates mainly in Europe but with destinations in Africa and the Middle East.
5. Transportation
Omio is the a train search engine that even include flights! You can use it for everywhere, but works best in Europe.
12Go is a website for bus and train booking in Asian countries.
BlaBlaCar is a car sharing app in which you can book seats in someone else's car for a pre-defined trip.
Interrail is a fantastic European train ticketing system in which you can buy a ticket that can be used in most trains in Europe for an amount of time, regardless of distance.
RailEurope specializes in European railways.
FlixBus is one of the best (and cheapest) bus companies for inter-country travel in Europe.
6. Activities
GetYourGuide is a company focused on organized attractions and tours that really eases visits on a destination. Very helpful for day trips.
Viator is a booking platform for activities and tours all over the world.
SANDEMANs is my favourite company when it comes to free tours in Europe. They're the original one too!
Klook is the best activity booking website to use in Southeast Asia, but you can also use it in many other countries!
Civitatis is another great tool to find amazing tours, online tickets for attractions and all sorts of activities when traveling!
Tiqets is one of my favourite platforms to book activities in advance, especially in European capitals, where the lines get long and the tickets sell out.
7. Car rental
Rentalcars is the world's largest car rental company, with well regarded resources all over the world.
Discover Cars is a car rental deal search engine with straightfoward booking process and excellent customer service.
Sixt is one of the best car rental companies.
Budget is one of the cheapest car rental companies.
Avis has very good offers depending on the country.
Europcar offers good cars at a good price in Europe.
8. Travel gear
Lonely Planet has great country and city guides as well as beautiful travel coffee table books.
Amazon is where I buy most of my travel gear (and everything else really).
NordVPN is my constant companion VPN to protect myself online when I travel (and even at home!).
Tropicfeel is an amazing travel gear brand that offers the best all terrain sneakers as well as incredible backpacks. Get a 10-15% discount in this link.
Revolut is the best prepaid credit card for traveling. It offers the official exchange rate without commission and two ATM withdrawals a month anywhere in the world for free.
Osprey is my favourite brand of outdoor backpacks and my Osprey Fairpoint is my long-time travel companion across the world.
9. Useful apps
Revolut is the best prepaid credit card for traveling. It offers the official exchange rate without commission and two ATM withdrawals a month anywhere in the world for free.
Splitwise is an app for cost sharing in group travel. I even use it for my flat.
Hopper is an app for watching good prices for specific trips.
Maps.me is a great maps app that allow for offline GPS tracking and guidance. While similar to Google Maps, there's a lot more data on forest trails, etc.
Stippl is a travel planning app that lets you intuitively plan your next trips in a beautiful layout.
Polarsteps is a beautiful kind of image-based travel journal/tracker that shows your travel memories on the map following your trips and itineraries.
10. Travel insurance
World Nomads is a travel specialized insurance company that can prevent many unexpected situations during your trips!
Iati seguros is a Spanish insurance company that offers very adaptable packages at a very good price.
11. Airport and travel aids
Airalo is an eSIM purchase service that allowes you to download and install digital data packages for 200+ countries/regions.
Gettransfer.com is a chauffeured car service that I sometimes use for airport transfer when traveling with my family, but you can use for much more!
Radical Storage provides travellers with luggage storage services in over 70 countries and 500 cities.