Welcome to our Travel Toolbox—a curated collection of the tools, websites, and services we use regularly as a full-time travelling family. After years of exploring the world slowly, we’ve tested a lot, kept what works, and gathered our go-to resources right here.
These are the platforms and products we truly rely on—whether it’s booking flights, finding accommodation, managing our finances, or working remotely.
We only share what we trust and personally use. Some of the links below are affiliate links. This means that, at no extra cost to you, I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through them. It’s a simple way to support the work we do and help keep our content updated and ad-free. Merci!
✈️ Airfare & Flight Finders
Where we search for the best deals and flexible routes.
Skyscanner is the flight search engine I always come back to. It consistently finds great deals, and the calendar view makes it easy to spot the cheapest days to fly. It even checks the smaller booking sites most others skip, so you feel like no option is left behind. I almost always book my flights through here.
Google Flights is perfect when you’re feeling open and curious. Just type in your departure airport and explore flight prices all over the world on a map—it’s a great way to see where you can go for less. I use it when I want to get a sense of routes, connections, and general fare trends
🛏️ Places to Stay
Our favourite platforms for booking accommodation as a family.
Booking.com is usually our go-to for accommodation. It has a huge selection—especially in Europe, where I often find some of the best deals. The platform is easy to use, and I love that you can usually book without paying upfront. That said, it’s not always the best option depending on where you are. In many parts of Asia, I recommend booking just one or two nights in advance, then finding a place on site—it’s often much more affordable and gives you greater flexibility. The more you book, the more perks you unlock through their Genius loyalty programme. At the highest level, you even get VIP status—which can be really worth it. Just keep in mind: if you don’t make enough bookings within six months, you lose your status.
As a family of five, Airbnb has been incredibly useful for us. We often need more space than a standard hotel room can offer, and Airbnb gives us that flexibility—especially when we’re in Asia, where we’ve used it the most. That said, it does require a bit of extra attention. Always read the full description and reviews carefully—some important details are sometimes added right at the end of the listing. Don’t hesitate to message the host with questions or even to discuss the price. If you’re flexible and don’t book too far in advance, you often have a better chance of getting a discount—especially close to the check-in date.
HomeExchange is a network that connects people for home swaps, with over 200,000 members in 155 countries—an incredible platform for finding swaps around the world.
For families, one of the biggest advantages is the financial savings. Staying in a home offers more space and comfort than a hotel, including amenities like a kitchen, living room, multiple bathrooms, and even a washer/dryer or pool. Sometimes, you get more than you’d expect from a hotel!
The platform is secure, with verified profiles, reviews, and ratings. You’re exchanging homes with like-minded people who care for each other’s places. While it does require some flexibility and patience, the rewards are definitely worth it.
HelpX is another way to travel, offering volunteer opportunities in exchange for accommodation and meals. While it may not have as many options for families as it does for solo travelers, small groups, or couples, you can still find hosts around the world who are happy to welcome a family in exchange for volunteer work.
We’ve used both Workaway and HelpX. To be honest, I’m not a fan of Workaway—it’s more expensive and doesn’t provide better opportunities or hosts than HelpX (though it does offer more paid job opportunities). We’ve had some challenging experiences with both platforms, meeting people we didn’t really click with. But as they say, a bad experience can turn into a great story, and I’ve heard of many families who’ve had wonderful experiences with HelpX.
So, while HelpX can be hit or miss, it’s still worth considering for your travels. The key is to approach it with an open mind, knowing that, like any adventure, it may come with its fair share of ups and downs.
💳 Travel Cards & Banking
How we manage money and avoid fees while abroad.
Wise is a must-have tool for digital nomads, travelers, and anyone living life on the go. It allows you to pay and get paid in multiple currencies with minimal fees, using the real exchange rate. Whether you’re traveling the world or working remotely, Wise lets you manage your money seamlessly, no matter where you are.
We’ve been using Wise since 2016, when we moved to Australia and needed a smart solution to transfer our euros to our Australian bank account without paying high fees. With Wise, you can have both personal and business accounts, and access a multi-currency wallet. This means you can hold and spend money in over 50 currencies, making payments around the world with ease—whether you’re booking flights, paying for accommodation, or buying groceries.
Opening a Wise account is free, and there are no monthly or annual fees. Plus, you don’t need to make any minimum monthly payments. They offer a free digital Visa debit card, and if you need a physical card, you can get it at a low cost (or for free if you use our referral link). Wise also gives you cashback on what they earn with your money, which I find to be a really transparent and fair way to do business. While most bank cards have a maximum spending limit relative to what you earn, Wise offers a huge spending limit as long as you have the money in your wallet. And let me tell you, when you need to buy five plane tickets at once, that extra flexibility is incredibly handy! For digital nomads and frequent travelers, Wise is an absolute game-changer. It makes managing money across borders simple, flexible, and cost-effective.
Boursobank Ultim (formerly Boursorama) is an excellent option for travelers and digital nomads looking for a free and efficient payment solution. Since its launch in June 2019, it stands out for its zero foreign exchange fees when withdrawing or paying abroad, even outside the Eurozone. This makes it an ideal choice for frequent travelers.
With no account fees and no hidden charges, Boursobank Ultim offers a Visa debit card with immediate payment. It’s available with no income requirements for a free account, or with a deferred payment option for those who meet income conditions (net monthly income of €2400 or €5000 in savings). To open the account, a minimum deposit of €500is required.
The account comes with a range of features:
Free mobile payments via Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay.
Travel insurance and assistance included, etc.
However, the only downside is that there is a 1.69% fee on foreign ATM withdrawals after the first three per month outside the Eurozone.
For travelers, Boursobank Ultim offers a comprehensive, no-fee solution with high limits and solid insurance, making it a great choice for both everyday use and travel. For more frequent withdrawals, it’s smart to pair this card with Wise for low-fee transfers and payments abroad.
💻 Working Remotely
Tools that keep our business running from anywhere.
NordVPN is an essential tool for digital nomads, travelers, and anyone who needs secure, unrestricted internet access on the go. A VPN (Virtual Private Network) creates a secure connection between your devices and the websites you visit, ensuring privacy, security, and access to content worldwide.
With NordVPN, you can mask your IP address and choose servers from specific countries or cities, offering multiple benefits:
Protection on Public WiFi: Public networks are common targets for hackers, but NordVPN hides your internet traffic, ensuring a secure browsing experience even on unprotected WiFi.
Secure Browsing: It protects against data collection by government agencies, ISPs, and marketers by encrypting your online traffic.
Access to Global Content: NordVPN allows you to bypass geographic restrictions, enabling you to access domestic content or international streaming libraries, no matter where you are.
Multiple Device Coverage: NordVPN is compatible with desktops, laptops, tablets, and smartphones, keeping all your devices secure.
For digital nomads, NordVPN is the best choice due to its solid reputation for reliability and security. It’s often offered at significant discounts (up to 72% off for annual plans). By using our referral link, you can also enjoy 3 extra months for 1-year or 2-year subscriptions, and 1 extra month for monthly plans.
While it may come with a higher price tag, investing in NordVPN means investing in your online security, privacy, and freedom to access content wherever you are. Whether you need to book flights, watch your favorite show, or simply browse securely, NordVPN is indispensable for an unrestricted internet experience during your travels.
Hostinger is a leading web hosting provider that’s trusted by millions of users around the world, making it an excellent choice for anyone who wants to build and manage a website with ease. Whether you’re a small business owner, a freelancer, or a digital nomad starting your own online project, Hostinger offers a wide range of services to meet your needs.
Here’s why Hostinger stands out:
Affordable Pricing: Hostinger provides some of the most competitive prices in the industry. With shared hosting plans starting as low as a few dollars per month, you can get started without breaking the bank. There are also various plans designed for more advanced needs, such as VPS and cloud hosting.
Reliable Performance: With high uptime rates (99.9%) and fast loading speeds, Hostinger ensures that your website stays live and performs well, which is crucial for user experience and SEO rankings.
Easy-to-Use Interface: Hostinger’s custom control panel is designed to be user-friendly, making it easy for beginners and experienced developers alike to manage websites, domains, and emails.
24/7 Customer Support: Whether you’re experiencing an issue or need help setting something up, Hostinger’s customer support team is available 24/7 via live chat, email, or tickets.
Free Domain & SSL: With many hosting plans, you get a free domain and SSL certificate, which are essential for a professional online presence and for securing user data.
Global Reach: Hostinger has data centers in multiple regions, ensuring your website can load quickly no matter where your audience is located.
For digital nomads or anyone with a flexible lifestyle, Hostinger provides the tools to create and manage websites from anywhere, without sacrificing quality or security. It’s an excellent choice for individuals and businesses looking for affordable, high-performance hosting with reliable customer support. Whether you’re building a blog, e-commerce store, or portfolio, Hostinger gives you the resources you need to succeed online.
🛡️ Travel Insurance Essentials
Peace of mind while exploring the world.
Whether you’re a solo digital nomad or a family heading off on a world trip, having proper travel insurance matters—and we’ve learned that the hard way.
A lot of travellers believe their credit card insurance is enough, but in reality, that kind of coverage is usually limited to short trips and doesn’t include things like extended medical treatment, emergencies, or long-term travel needs.
For a while, we were with SafetyWing, which looked like a simple solution. But from experience, we can’t recommend it—we had issues with unclear coverage and unresponsive support, which made us feel uneasy and unprotected.
Recently, we made the switch to Genki, and so far, it’s been a much better fit—especially for our family. Genki is backed by a German insurance company and offers clear, transparent coverage with no sneaky terms.
Why Genki makes sense for world-travelling families (and nomads too):
Monthly payments, no long-term commitment
Global coverage, including outside the EU
Covers both individuals and families, even young children
Includes outpatient, inpatient care, emergency services
Often no need to pay upfront for hospital visits
Up to 2 years of continuous coverage through the Genki Explorer plan
We’re still early in our journey with Genki, but we’re already feeling more confident knowing our family is protected in case anything happens. It’s a reassuring option if you’re planning a big trip and don’t want to worry about the fine print.
Our advice: Don’t leave without proper travel insurance—Genki is one to check out.
🚗 Getting Around
Sites we use for car rentals, train travel, and more.
FlixBus: Affordable, Comfortable Travel Across Europe (Even With Kids!)
Back in 2023, we travelled from Madrid to Paris with FlixBus, taking a night bus with our three kids and all our suitcases—and honestly? We were really pleasantly surprised.
The buses were clean, modern, and comfortable, with reclining seats, individual lights and chargers, and enough space to rest. There were several stops along the way so we could stretch, use the bathroom, and grab something to eat. And guess what? We actually managed to sleep!
The journey was smooth, and for the price—less than €100 for all of us—it’s hard to beat. If you’re travelling on a budget, especially as a family, FlixBus is a great alternative to flying or taking the train. It’s also a nice way to enjoy the scenery while getting from one country to another.
It may not be luxurious, but it’s reliable, affordable, and perfectly doable with kids—and sometimes, that’s exactly what you need on the road.
BlaBlaCar: Affordable Ridesharing for Flexible Travellers
When you’re looking for a budget-friendly and flexible way to travel between cities—or even countries—BlaBlaCar is a fantastic option. It’s a trusted ridesharing platform where drivers post their planned journeys and offer available seats to passengers heading the same way. You simply book a ride, meet your driver, and go.
We’ve used BlaBlaCar several times, and it’s always been a smooth, friendly experience. You can choose your driver based on their profile and reviews, and most trips are much cheaper than trains or flights. It’s also great if you’re travelling last minute—you’ll often find rides the day before or even the same day.
For families, it can work well too, especially with older kids or teens. Just be sure to check with the driver if you’re travelling with children or need extra space for luggage. Some drivers are happy to accommodate, especially for longer journeys where company is appreciated!
Whether you’re a digital nomad, a student, or a family on a world trip, BlaBlaCar is a smart way to save money and meet locals on the road. It’s part of the adventure—and part of our toolkit when hopping from city to city in Europe.
Grab: The Essential App for Getting Around (and Eating!) in Asia
If you’re travelling in Southeast Asia, Grab quickly becomes a must-have. It’s more than just a ride-hailing app—it’s a lifesaver for families, digital nomads, and travellers who want to move around safely, easily, and affordably.
We use Grab all the time, whether it’s to get across town, head to the airport, or have dinner delivered after a long travel day. Rides are very affordable, even for a family of five with luggage, and the app is super intuitive. You just pin your pickup and destination, choose your vehicle type, and you’re good to go. It’s especially handy when travelling with children—you don’t have to negotiate prices or explain your route, and you can always track the car on the map.
Beyond transportation, Grab is also our go-to for food delivery. From local street food to international favourites, you can have meals delivered right to your hotel, Airbnb, or wherever you’re staying. It’s convenient, fast, and the prices are often just a little more than eating out.
Grab is available in many countries across Southeast Asia, including Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Philippines, and it adapts to the local context in each one.
For families travelling in Asia, Grab makes everything easier—no stress, no surprises, just reliable transport and food at your fingertips.
OUIGO: Budget-Friendly High-Speed Trains in France
If you’re travelling across France and want to keep your transport costs low, OUIGO is a fantastic option. It’s the low-cost version of the TGV (France’s high-speed train), offering super affordable fares for both short and long journeys—often starting at just a few euros!
We’ve used OUIGO to travel with the kids, and it was a great surprise: the trains were clean, on time, and just as fast as regular TGVs, getting you from city to city quickly and comfortably. It’s ideal for families, with plenty of luggage spaceand optional extras like power outlets or extra legroom for a small fee. You can even choose to bring more suitcases for just a few euros more.
Whether you’re heading from Paris to Marseille, Lyon, Bordeaux, or even the south-west coast, OUIGO connects many major cities and smaller towns. The only thing to keep in mind is that OUIGO usually departs from specific train stations (like Marne-la-Vallée instead of Paris Gare de Lyon), and you need to be at the station at least 30 minutes before departure.
If you’re exploring France and travelling on a budget, especially as a family, OUIGO is one of the best ways to move around fast without breaking the bank.
🎒 Gear We Love
Tried-and-tested travel essentials we actually pack.