Useful Travel Links

Moderator's note: To cut needless repetition, please take a look here before you post a related thread.

Time & time again the same questions are asked, and I find myself posting the same stuff. Most of this stuff is just things I've read on the internet... I figured this would be useful for some

Flights
http://www.skyscanner.net/ - similar to Kayak
http://www.kayak.co.uk/
http://www.cheapflights.co.uk/ - budget deals you won't find elsewhere
http://www.attitudetravel.com/ - VERY USEFUL low cost carrier list worldwide
http://www.jetstar.com/gx/en/index.aspx - a few area specific - Asia
http://www.airasia.com/gb/en/home.html - Asia
http://www.tigerairways.com/sg/en/ - Asia
http://www.statravel.co.uk/

Gear
http://www.amazon.co.uk/ - you'd be surprised how good this shop is for outdoor stuff
http://www.gaynors.co.uk/ - VERY good, located in Ambleside
http://www.millets.co.uk/home.html - HIGHSTREET
http://www.blacks.co.uk/home.html - H
http://www.cotswoldoutdoor.com/ - H
http://www.ellis-brigham.com/ - H
http://www.nomadtravel.co.uk/ - H

Package holiday - not really my expertise but...
http://www.expedia.co.uk/
http://www.lastminute.com/
http://www.thomson.co.uk/

Packing
http://www.travelindependent.info/

Trains & transport
http://seat61.com/ - This website includes info on how to buy tickets in all countries
http://www.tfl.gov.uk/ - For the countless tube & train questions
http://www.busabout.com/ - Bus version of interrail

Vaccinations & general health (Malaria etcetera)
http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/list.aspx - also includes malaria map. This is like the best site on the net for medical knowledge.

Visa
http://projectvisa.com/ - they have links to all government websites

Insurance
http://www.insureandgo.com/ - cheap & claimed no problems

Money
http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/travel/cheap-travel-money

Safety considerations
http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travel-and-living-abroad/travel-advice-by-country/
http://www.lonelyplanet.com/asia/travel-tips-and-articles/76192?affil=twit

General advice
http://wikitravel.org/en/Main_Page - VERY GOOD for basic knowledge! Includes info on visas & country entry points (something I find very very useful for planning my route).

Accommodation
http://www.travellerspoint.com/accommodation.cfm
http://www.hostelbookers.com/ - my personal favourate
http://www.hostelworld.com/

Volunteering (re: other thread)
http://www.workaway.info/
http://www.wwoof.org/
http://www.helpx.net/index.asp
http://www.vso.org.uk/
http://www.volunteersouthamerica.net/ - South America specific
http://www.freevolunteering.co.uk/ - Work in progress but has some useful links
http://goodintents.org/staffing-or-employment/voluntourism-what-could-go-wrong - Advice on the benefits of volunteer work & if/how they help the local communities

Forums
http://boards.bootsnall.com/ - slow but sometimes useful
http://www.lonelyplanet.com/thorntree/index.jspa - fast general travel advice
http://www.indiamike.com/ - india specific (mostly) & some general advise
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/ - very good camera specific forum

If anyone has any other links, specifically those about insurance (I know nothing of this) link away!

(edited 12 years ago)

Scroll to see replies

Reply 1

Ewan

A few other links which are country specific (I wanted to keep the OP to the point)

http://www.yetizone.com/ - trekking in Nepal
http://www.trekinfo.com/forums/index.php - Himalayan trekking forums
http://trek.micahimages.com/Ladakh/ladakh_trekking.htm - Trekking in Himalayas

Yea... I'm researching trekking at the moment xD

(edited 13 years ago)

Reply 2

gemini89

Good post - there are so many similar/recurring threads here! A mod should hopefully make this a sticky, hint hint.

The link I always seem to be giving out is http://www.backpackerboard.co.nz/ -info on all aspects of travel in New Zealand also with job and car adverts and notices.

There's also an Australian version at http://www.backpackerboard.com/ though not as well updated/used as the NZ one I don't think.

When I was researching my gap year in 2007, I primarily used the forums at http://gapyear.com/ ....not that I'm trying to send people away from here, but there is a thread there (searchable) for basically every aspect of RTW (and some area-specific travel like SEAsia and Australia) you can imagine, from some really experienced people. Not as active now as it used to be though.

edit - Insurance wise, I always recommend http://www.aceinsure.com/travel/ (though the website doesn't seem to be working right now) - I've never managed to find cheaper backpacker type insurance, which includes some 'extreme' activities such as bungy jumping, skydiving etc.

(edited 13 years ago)

Reply 3

kirstied

If you find that FairFX is the travelcard that you want to use/works out best, if you go through this link the card is free (rather than £9.95) and they give you £2.50 when you top up more than £250. http://www.fairfx.com/ref/3q7qy

Reply 4

Ewan

Should be noted that some countries do not allow you to volunteer while on a tourist visa.

Reply 5

JustLau

Original post by kirstied

FairFX is the best value travelcard folks. I researched this extensively. Best rates, and free (with this link or) if you top up a certain amount, at least when I got mine.
Ignore what the post office, thomas cook etc tell you, theirs are not the best! It's a mastercard btw, so pretty much everywhere accepts it.

For insurance:

http://www.worldnomads.com/travel-insurance/ are recommended
www.insureandgo.com I've used and claimed with - no problems from them, they have a good range of cover options too, including all the optional extra adventure sports.

For gear, Cotswold is the best high street store, and all their staff are well trained, so will get you the right gear.

www.nomadtravel.co.uk is another source of quality gear, with 4/5 stores nationwide. They also have travel clinics

For up to date country information

http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travel-and-living-abroad/travel-advice-by-country/

and if you don't believe what the UK gov says, try some others:

http://www.smartraveller.gov.au/zw-cgi/view/Advice/ Australia
http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_4965.html USA

They're all pretty similar though really, but sometimes one is more detailed.

Reply 6

username220598

Thanks for this thread Ewan, needs to be stickied.

Reply 7

Ewan

Added links

Reply 8

~*starlight*conquest*~

Another good insurance is 1-stop Travel.

Maybe a link for a good currency exchanger?

Reply 9

username220598

I always use this comparison tool for travel money: http://travelmoney.moneysavingexpert.com/holiday-money/

In fact Ewan linked to it in the OP :facepalm2:

Reply 10

Ewan

Original post by ~*starlight*conquest*~

Another good insurance is 1-stop Travel.

Maybe a link for a good currency exchanger?

Currency exchanging is pointless, all airports have ATMs & if you have the right card the rates are just as good or better. I suppose if you wanted some cash to take with you (although it's not necessary!) then the site above is quite good. I think this is a good point to make because people still worry lots about this very topic.

EDIT: LOL that site even points out what I was on about :teehee:

(edited 13 years ago)

Reply 11

username220598

I still like to preorder cash to pickup from Travelex at whatever airport I'm flying from so I am not having to worry about finding a cashpoint at the airport/city in the middle of the night. Will be doing the same again for Monday when I fly to NYC even though I have my Caxton card ready to go :colone:

Reply 12

Olibert

http://www.vagabondish.com

This is a really informative and inspiring website. They write articles on all aspects of travelling, from doing it solo to how to cope with your insatiable appetite for travel.

Reply 13

~*starlight*conquest*~

Original post by Ewan

I thought Japan was all about carrying cash? And I would avoid card overseas withdrawl fees and if I picked the right one, and the right day, I could have a better rate than in June if the value of the yen rises or pound drops?

Reply 14

Ewan

Original post by ~*starlight*conquest*~

No, there are ATMs you can use in Japan (I can't remember the exact bank right now though). It is true that most ATMs don't work with western cards in Japan mind you, but I still wouldn't advocate carrying around large amounts of cash anywhere in the world.

Look at the post I linked to in the OP - some cards have no withdrawal fees.

You could get a better rate now than later because of currency fluctuations that is correct. However you could also get a worse rate, and either way the profit you will make by waiting (or indeed not waiting in this case) would likely be small. It's not something really worth thinking about unless you know a lot about FX trading, and even then the kind of numbers we're talking about aren't likely to gain you very much profit.

(edited 13 years ago)

Reply 15

Olibert

STA Travel are offering return flights to Bangkok, Kuala Lumpar, SE Asia in general for £2 return plus taxes.

I've just had a look at the dates 18th August - 7th October and it came back as £347 inc taxes. Bargain. a) I wish I hadn't already booked my flights and b) I wish I could actually travel on these dates.