Best Travel Tools
Best Travel Tools – From short European getaways to longer scouting trips, I’ve tested dozens of travel resources and narrowed them down to the essentials that save the most time, money, and stress. These are the services I personally use and trust — the same tools that help me redefine retirement and shape a lifestyle with more freedom.
Some of these are affiliate links. I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through them. It doesn’t cost you anything extra, and it helps support The Nomadic Pensioner.
💳 Best travel tools —Travel Money
Wise
A multi-currency travel card with real exchange rates and low fees. Hold 40+ currencies, get local bank details in multiple countries, and spend worldwide with ease.
The physical card costs a one-time £7. However you can often recover that on your first trip thanks to better exchange rates than most supermarket travel cards. Even on small transactions. A free virtual card is also available in the app if you don’t need the physical card right away.
Order Your Wise Card
TopCashback UK
Earn cashback on everything from travel bookings to groceries. Your everyday spending can help fund your next trip. New members often get a welcome bonus on top of their first cashback payment.
💡 Tip: To make sure you get your welcome bonus, sign up in the same session you click this link. Closing the page and coming back later can mean the bonus doesn’t track.
Join TopCashback for Free
🌍 Best travel tools — Booking & Transport
Expedia
My go-to platform for booking flights and hotels, where I find the best deals by bundling them together. Expedia offers exclusive One Key Member Prices you won’t see on other booking sites. Plus frequent flash sales on top destinations.
You can book flights, hotels, car hire, or complete holiday packages in one place, saving both time and money. Once you sign up for free, you’ll unlock member-only discounts of up to 15%. Plus the ability to collect OneKeyCash for future trips.
💡 Tip: Read to the end of this page for my favourite way to stack Expedia discounts with extra cashback.
GetYourGuide
My main tool for finding and booking tours, attractions, and activities worldwide. With instant confirmation and free cancellation on many options, it’s perfect for locking in popular experiences before you travel — and for planning on the go.
You’ll find everything from skip-the-line tickets and guided city walks to boat trips, cooking classes, and day excursions. I use GetYourGuide to save time, avoid long queues, and make sure I don’t miss the must-see highlights of each destination.
Browse Things To Do on GetYourGuide
12Go Asia
My go-to platform for booking trains, buses, ferries, and transfers across Asia. With clear pricing, confirmed seats, and no last-minute haggling, it takes the stress out of getting from A to B.
It’s a major part of my upcoming Vietnam trip, where I’ll be using overnight coaches with beds. Saving both travel time and hotel costs. You can go to sleep in one city and wake up in another.
or simply book a quick transfer between towns without the hassle.
TrainPal
A smart booking tool that finds split-ticket savings for UK and European train travel automatically — often cutting the cost of your journey without changing your route.
I’ll be using TrainPal for my upcoming France trip to book UK train tickets, the Eurostar, and onward European connections, all while maximising savings and earning cashback where possible through my travel card.
Find Train Ticket Deals on TrainPal
🔐 Best travel tools — Travel Tech & Security
🔐 Security Essentials
NordVPN
A virtual private network (VPN) that keeps your data secure on public Wi-Fi and lets you access your usual websites and streaming services while abroad. It’s an essential tool for safe online banking, booking travel, and checking personal accounts when using hotel, café, or airport networks.
I use NordVPN to protect my logins, avoid regional content blocks, and keep my browsing private while travelling. It’s simple to install on phones, tablets, and laptops, and you can connect multiple devices at once.
NordPass
A secure password manager that stores all your logins in one encrypted vault, so you only ever need to remember one master password.
It’s ideal for travel — no more worrying about forgetting a password while abroad or writing them down. NordPass auto-fills your details on websites and apps, works across all devices, and keeps your accounts safe even if your phone or laptop is lost.
📱 Travel Tech I Actually Use
SanDisk Ultra 256GB microSDXC Card
Perfect for expanding storage on my Moto G24 and keeping photos, videos, and offline maps all in one place. Reliable, fast, and small enough to tuck away in your wallet or travel pouch.
🔗 Shop on Amazon
TUXINSUN 20000mAh Power Bank
This compact high-capacity power bank charges my phone multiple times and even powers other gadgets while I’m on the move. With fast PD charging and an LCD display, I always know exactly how much juice is left.
🔗 Shop on Amazon
🔑 Best Travel Tools Special Bonus Tip – Stack Your Savings
Want to stretch your travel budget even further?
Once you’ve signed up for both TopCashback and Expedia, you can combine them to earn double rewards on the same booking:
- Join TopCashback using the link above.
- Sign up for Expedia (free) to unlock One Key Member Prices and loyalty rewards.
- When you’re ready to book, log into TopCashback first, search for “Expedia,” and click through to book your flights, hotels, or packages.
✅ You’ll get Expedia’s member-only discounts plus cashback from TopCashback on the same booking — a win-win for any traveller.
Affiliate Disclaimer:
Some links on this best travel tools page are affiliate links. This means I may earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase, at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products and services I use and trust.
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