Travel Essentials

Plan, book, connect, and travel with confidence

We’ve tried it all, from SIM cards that failed at the worst moments to ATMs that swallowed our cards. Some services left us stranded, while others became non-negotiable essentials. This page shares the tools that stuck; the booking sites, apps, and services we rely on to plan, connect, and move around the world with fewer headaches.

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How We Manage Travel Finances

Simple, secure, and built for life abroad

Banking abroad used to mean constant stress — cards blocked without warning, surprise fees at ATMs, and hours wasted on calls to banks back home.

Over the years, we’ve built a system that works: a mix of travel-friendly cards, travel nous, and digital security. Together, this means we can pay confidently, move money easily, and protect our accounts wherever we are.

💡 Good to know: Always carry a backup card in a separate place, just in case one gets lost or blocked.

AFFILIATE PROMOTION

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Tools We Use

Booking, transport, and connectivity made easy

From our first flight searches to the final airport ride, these are the platforms that simplify travel planning and execution.

Trusted Housesitters

Stay in homes worldwide while caring for pets

Free accommodation for house/pet sitting.
Thousands of listings in the US, UK & more.
Annual membership unlocks unlimited sits.
A budget-friendly way to travel long-term.

Join Trusted Housesitters

Sign up to THS with our link and get 25% off your annual membership

Expedia

All-in-one booking with strong rewards

Flights, hotels, cars, cruises
Bonus points on packages
Gold status perks like upgrades
Excellent customer service

Book With Expedia

SAVE CAD 30 when you spend CAD 230

Vrbo (Vacation Rentals)

Find unique stays for your next trip

Wide range of vacation homes and rentals.
Great for families, groups, or long stays.
Verified hosts and secure booking process.
Better value than hotels for extended trips.

Go to Vrbo

Over 2 million bookable vacation rentals across an array of rental property types

Google Flights

Flexible flight search with price tracking

Calendar view to spot cheaper dates
Price alerts for chosen routes
Explore the map for “anywhere” inspiration
Great first stop before booking

Find Flights

See prices on the date calendar 6 months in advance

12Go

Easy booking for buses, trains, and ferries

12,000+ destinations worldwide
Clear timetables and comparisons
QR code tickets, no printing
Handy member dashboard

Book With 12Go

Book in advance for great deals

Klook

Tours, tickets, and activities made simple

Great for hard-to-DIY trips
Licensed guides and vetted operators
Frequent promo codes
Huge coverage across Asia and beyond

Book With Klook

Get 5% off of your first booking on the Klook app with code: BetterOnApp | Get 5% off of your first Hotel booking on the Klook app with code: HotelOnApp

Turo

Peer-to-peer car rentals with flexibility

Economy to luxury vehicles
Often cheaper than agencies
Long rentals up to 6 months
Contactless pickup options

Book With Turo

Sign up and save 30% off your first private car hire booking with Turo

GigSky eSIM

Instant global data with no SIM swap

Works in 190+ countries
Buy plans directly in the app
Hotspot sharing included
Saved us in Langkawi when local SIMs failed

Get 10% off GigSky

SAVE 10% on your first order over $4 with code: CLOSERLIVES10

Holafly (eSIM + Subscription Plans)

Unlimited data with simple subscriptions

Coverage in 200+ countries with one eSIM
Choose monthly or yearly unlimited data plans
Use hotspot sharing for laptops and tablets
Cancel anytime, no long-term commitment

Get Holafly eSIM

SAVE 5% on your first order using code: CLOSERLIVES5

Hotels.com

Stay anywhere, earn rewards along the way

Thousands of hotels and resorts worldwide.
Collect nights & earn free stays with Rewards.
Flash deals and last-minute discounts.
Simple booking and cancellation policies.

Book Hotels

A one-stop shopping source for hotel pricing, amenities and availability

Booking.com

Huge selection with last-minute hotel deals

Genius rewards unlock discounts
Budget to luxury stays
Easy filters and cancellation options
Good for spontaneous bookings

Book on Booking.com

Book accommodations, flights, rental cars, and other travel services worldwide

Airbnb

Unique stays and long-term discounts

Over 30 bookings for us in 3 years
Safety protections for renters
Wide variety from rooms to villas
Discounts for monthly stays

Book on Airbnb

We have enjoyed over 50 bookings, and have had fantastic experiences almost every time

Kiwi.com

Smart routing and budget flight options

Mix airlines for cheaper trips
Price alerts for flexibility
Often best for short-haul flights
Watch out for add-on upsells

Book With Kiwi

If you are a budget traveler looking for the most affordable flight options, Kiwi is the place to be

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SafetyWing (Nomad Insurance)

Affordable health insurance for travelers

Covers medical care in 180+ countries.
Flexible monthly subscription, cancel anytime.
Includes COVID-19 and emergency coverage.
Built for nomads and remote workers.

Get SafetyWing Insurance

Global medical and travel coverage for when you get sick or injured abroad, for nomads and remote workers

GetYourGuide

Book experiences and tours with ease

Explore activities in 150+ countries.
Skip-the-line tickets for major attractions.
Verified reviews and licensed local guides.
Flexible cancellations for peace of mind.

Go to GetYourGuide

Find the best activities with the help of over 8 million trusted reviews

Wanderlog

Plan trips, map stops, and track bookings

One place for flights, stays, sights
Price-drop hotel alerts
Calendar syncing
Collaborative planning offline

Use Wanderlog

With Wanderlog's all-in-one hotel search, you never need to switch tabs again

The image shows the word "Saily" in bold black text on a bright yellow background. The lower part of the letter "S" and the "a" feature wavy lines, symbolizing waves.

Saily (eSIM)

Affordable data for global travelers

Connect in 200+ countries instantly
Easy setup, flexible local and regional plans
Competitive pricing for light and heavy data
5% discount available with our affiliate code

Get Saily ESIM

SAVE 5% on your first order using code: SPECIAL5

Simbye (eSIM)

Instant mobile data in 190+ countries

No physical SIM swap needed.
Affordable regional and global plans.
Easy setup through the Simbye app.
Great option for flexible, short-term trips.

Get Simbye eSIM

SAVE 10% on your first order

A smartphone screen displays a list of countries with their flags, including Italy, Malaysia, Mexico, Japan, Spain, Taiwan, Turkey, and Thailand, on a white background.

Need Connectivity? Compare the Best eSIMs

Find the right eSIM for your travels

We’ve tested multiple providers on the road — GigSky, Saily, Holafly, and more. To help you choose, we built a full comparison page covering features, pricing, and our personal picks.

See Our eSIM Comparison

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Free Country Guides

Plan smarter with our growing library of guides

Every destination has its quirks, from SIM cards and transport to customs and currency. Our free country guides bring all the essentials together, plus our stories and tips from the road.

Explore Country Guides

AFFILIATE PROMOTION

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A person stands at a modern hotel reception desk, holding luggage. The counter is brown with a white top, and there is a painting and several signs indicating rules on the wall behind the desk. The lobby has warm lighting.

Find Hotels for Your Next Trip

Book smarter with our interactive hotel maps

We’ve partnered with Stay22 to bring you hotel and apartment options close to the places you actually want to be. Our maps compare prices across platforms so you can find the right stay at the right price — without endless searching.

Browse Hotels Here

Helpful Reads From Our Blog

How we plan, book, and connect on the road

We’ve written extensively about connectivity and planning. These posts share our real experiences, from SIM card struggles to the apps we now consider travel staples.

Why GigSky eSIMs Are Essential for Travel

Travel light and stay connected with GigSky eSIMs. With coverage in 190+ countries, instant setup, and no roaming charges, it’s the must-have digital travel essential.

Find Out More

A green hand icon and the words "Simbye eSIM" appear in front of a digital globe, surrounded by network, technology, and communication icons—highlighting how eSIM helps you stay connected wherever you travel.

The Future of Travel: Simbye eSIM

Forget roaming charges and lost SIMs. Simbye eSIM makes travel connectivity seamless, secure, and affordable. It's perfect for remote workers, and global explorers alike.

Find Out More

15 Top Apps & Websites for Full-Time Travel

From money-saving apps to easy-to-use booking tools, here’s our curated list of resources we’ve tested and loved across over our 4+ years of full-time travel.

Find Out More

Explore More Travel Resources

Four categories, all built from tools we trust

Shopping

Curated gear, lifestyle products, and our own Travel & Lifestyle Emporium.

Shop Now

Earn Online While Traveling

How we teach, create, and monetize content while living your dream.

Monetize Your Travels

Banking & Money-Saving Tools

Cut fees, stay secure, and manage money abroad with confidence.

Discover Banking Tools

Resource Hub

Your starting point for everything: top picks, categories, helpful reads & more.

Get Your Essentials

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Stay Connected

Tools, tips, and inspiration direct to your inbox

Our fortnightly newsletter shares travel resources, deals, and the products we use to make life on the road easier. Join us for behind-the-scenes updates and curated finds.

AFFILIATE PROMOTION

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Work With Us

Partner with Closer Lives and reach a global audience

We collaborate with travel platforms and booking services that make journeys smoother. If your product belongs in the toolkit of modern travelers, let’s connect.

Get in Touch

Some of the links on this page are affiliate links. This means if you click through and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission — at no extra cost to you.

We only recommend resources we’ve personally used or genuinely believe will add value to your travels. These partnerships help us keep Closer Lives running, so thank you for supporting our journey.

ℹ️ Read our Affiliate Disclosure

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Join Our Community

Jenn & Leon at Closer Lives

Closer Lives was created to bring people, places, and stories closer together. Through travel, culture, history, poetry, and personal experience, we share the moments that shape how we see the world, and ourselves.

If you enjoy thoughtful travel guides, real experiences, and creative storytelling, you’re in the right place. You can also explore our Travel & Lifestyle Emporium, featuring inspirational travel pieces designed by us and shipped worldwide.