DIgital Travel Resources
What digital travel resources do other travels use? Here are many of my digital resources.
This page is by no means the ultimate list for all things travel but building blocks for you to start planning your travel.
One resource that I use found handy is Twitter, it wasn’t a resource that I used much till lately, but many companies are using Twitter to let people know of problems.
Surface travel resources
Amtrak: App and website
The Hiawatha arriving in Sturtevant, WI
Amtrak has over 500 destinations, by train and connecting services, and Amtrak is the primary way I travel. If you have never about travel by rail, give it a try. Also, check out my guides to traveling on Amtrak.
Amtrak has both a mobile and regular website plus apps for the major platforms. Amtrak also has an Amtrak Alerts Twitter account that is handy for finding out what is going on.
I also have a helpful travel resource is my Amtrak link page, also check out my page on saving money on Amtrak.
AMsnag: Website Only
AMsnag is a helpful site to find the cheapest Amtrak tickets based on date and accommodations. This site can display up to 30 days of fares at one glance, plus allowing you to filter the results based routes (if there is more than one) and what accommodation you need. If there is more than one route available, you can filter everything to just what you want to see.
Sidenote: AMsnag does have a learning curve for people starting, and you do need to know the three-letter station codes for stations you are using. Once you get the hang of the site and what Amtrak offers, it will quickly become a handy site for picking dates for a trip based on cost if you are flexible or in the planning stage.
Seat61.com: Website Only
If you are thinking of riding the rails overseas, this site can help you out.
Trains and buses are a great way to see the country at ground level.
Wanderu: Website and App
Wanderu is a resource for people looking to book surface journeys (instead of flying). This site can help plan out a route using trains and buses or even the combination of the two using transportation sources that you may not have known existed.
Other surface travel presence suggestions
I would suggest that you download the app for the carrier that you are taking such as Amtrak, Greyhound, and even local transit.
I ride Chicago public transportation a lot, so I have the Ventra App, plus Metra On TIme app to help me plan my trip faster, buy tickets, and keep an eye on how much money is on my tap cards. Getting the app for your local public transportation could help you out, or temporarily download the app for the public transport for wherever you are going.
Flying Travel Resources
Google Flights: Website Only
Google Flights is an excellent resource to find the best deals for air travel. This site allows you to view flight information from several airports at once.
The view from a window seat
For example, Milwaukee Mitchell (MKE) and Midway (MDW) are the airports I use the most, and if I want to return to San Francisco, I can check prices and schedules with just one search from both airports at the same time.
So, if you have flexibility with your trips, this site is a time saver.
FlightAware: Website and App
This app can give you more information about your flight and your plane than the airline can.
The FlightAware app can inform you if your aircraft is waiting for you the airport you are at or if it’s en route, or what airport is it still at instead of being at your airport.
The TSA: Website and App
For those who fly often, the TSA website should be in your favorites or download the app. The TSA informs both new and experienced travelers what you can carry on the plane or what you need to pack in a checked suitcase.
When You Fly Download That Airline Apps
When you fly, I would suggest you download the app for your airline; you can always delete it later. With my experiences flying Delta and Southwest, having the app on my phone was handy for my travel. I used my phone to hold my tickets, both the TSA and the airline scan your phone for getting through security and boarding. The app can often give you updates like information on gates and delays.
Luggage and travel gear resource suggestions
Tortuga
Tortuga is an independent travel backpack company, and I have been using one of there bags for years. If you are looking for a single bag travel backpack, I recommend this company.
Tortuga backpacks founders and staff are travelers, so they know what travelers need and want.
Matterful.co
Not a luggage company, but Chase gives honest bag reviews and other travel gear suggestions.
This site is a useful guide for purchasing your next travel bag and accessory. There is some adult language on his videos, but he has excellent “unboxing” videos with honest reviews.
Ebags
This site a great place to get wheeled luggage and travel accessories. Ebags carries about everything that you need for traveling. I have purchased several bags for myself and others from them. Depending on what you are looking for in life Ebags my be an excellent resource for you.
Audio Travel Resources
The right podcast can motivate you to get going.
Podcast:
Podcasts can be a useful travel resource; with a wide variety of topics from inspirations to helping you plan your next adventure, a podcast can change your world or world view!
Give them a try; I find them useful.
Extra Pack of Peanuts (EPOP)
EPOP is the first travel podcast that I listened to, and I still am subscribed. EPOP offers several insightful podcasts called “Destination Diaries,” discussing cities and countries. This podcast also covers travel tips and stories. I bought my Tortuga backpack based on their recommendation. Even if you are not a world traveler, you can benefit from a listen and the archives.
Zero to Travel
Zero to Travel is an excellent complement to EPOP. The guy’s team up on another podcast called Location Indie, and it’s about location independence.
I have applied tips I learned from Jason on this podcast to improve my travels. His passion for travel is infectious and can brighten your day if you are down. I sometimes listen to this podcast just for his enthusiasm, even if the topic is irrelevant.
Travelogue
This roundtable-style podcast discussion on all things relating to travel.
The podcast shows a realistic approach to travel sharing both highlights and warts of the subject with a practical perspective to round both out. Additionally, they tell the real stories of people working in the industry. They are no longer producing new podcasts, but the archives are handy.
Beyond Bourbon Street
If New Orleans is on your horizon, this is a must-listen podcast. Mark has a passion for his city and loves to share his knowledge. If you are on the fence about visiting New Orleans, after a few podcasts you’ll be booking a trip to the Cresent City.
Most people know about Bourbon Street, but as the title implies, there is so more to this city than just one street or for that matter more than only the French Quarter.
Mark bi-weekly podcasts cover history, current events of the city and greater area, including places to go and things to see, and what and where to eat and drink.
For more great podcast suggestions, check out Kev’s Favorite Podcast.
YouTube is an excellent resource for not only entertainment but for learning
Travel Resources on YouTube
There are certainly a lot more than I have listed, but here below is a list of people that I have followed and learned from over the years. Use them as a starting point to find the vloggers that are right for you.
Hey Nadine
“Nadine” covers a variety of topics on travel. I enjoy learning her thoughts. Her approach is helpful for the ladies, and she knows how to pack for the ladies better than I do.
Vega Brothers
The brothers’ have some cool travel Vlogs that I have enjoyed. They have an excellent video on suggestions on what to pack, what to buy as a traveler. They also cover where to travel to as a world traveler.
Wolters World
Mark offers a great series of vlogs, including locations and helpful travel information, including what to do and what not to do as you see other countries. He has many great videos on travel scams and how to be a better traveler.
Apps can be valuable when you travel (those apps can be used to share your trip)
Other Travel Recourse Apps
Google Maps
I use Google Maps a lot when I am working on booking trips to find out how to get around. This app can give you both visual and audio instructions to get to your destinations plus can be used to see is what is around the area you are at or going to see.
This app gives you directions for driving, walking, biking, public transport, and rideshares.
Side note: I own an iPhone X and found myself using Apple Maps more often for driving, especially more extended trips, because of its accessibility on the lock screen. Apple Maps works best if you are using it as you go but not the best tool for planning trips, and that is where Google Maps shines better.
Many transportation companies (Amtrak, Southwest, local transportation such as Metra) will tweet out delays and also can be a way to get ahold of the carrier. You can also follow fellow travelers such as me!
Thanks for checking out my travel resource page
I hope that these travel resources can help you with your next journey. If you think I should add something or have more questions, feel free to reach out to me.
Safe travels my friends!
Kev