Travel Resources
Years of traveling and photography have refined my packing and travel resources, what gear I take on trips, which flight search engines I use, what credit card I use, where I find places to stay that are the best value, and so much more.
I only recommend what I actually use (or the closest thing I can find with the best reviews), and I’m sharing all of it here – so keep reading for all my recommendations!
Here’s what resources you can expect to find in this page:
What to Pack
Luggage
✅ LEVEL8 Luggage – Suitcases
LEVEL8 makes high-level suitcases and backpacks, and I own the Voyageur 2-piece set in this stand-out green color! The handle is wide so you don’t have to pack around it, and the cases are super lightweight with built-in pockets on the inside for amazing packing capability.
✅ Travel Backpack that opens like a Suitcase
The Tortuga Travel Backpack 40L is perfect for replacing the need for a suitcase on trips of a week or more, and there are also more sizes and brand options, plus accessories, in my guide here!
✅ Nylon Crescent Crossbody Bag
I’m currently using this on my trip, and it’s perfect for a personal item for the plane and day-to-day activities when I don’t bring my day pack!
✅ Apple AirTags
I use Apple AirTags to track my bags so they don’t get lost in transit!
✅ AirTag Covers
I use these AirTag Covers for my AirTags, and they work fabulously – plus I can keep track of them easily because they’re all different colors!
✅ My Packable Daypack
This daypack packs into a small pouch for a daypack that can get dirty – the camera insert case I listed above fits in here as well! It’s lightweight, plus it has places for drinks on both sides… and I can vouch for it as I’ve been using it on multiple trips now!
✅ Best Budget Camera Travel Bag
This BAGSMART Vintage Padded Camera Shoulder Bag is the perfect carrying case for travel! It’s waterproof, and has pockets for accessories – plus, you can remove the strap and use it as an insert!
✅ Best Budget Waterproof Camera Backpack
The BAGSMART DSLR Camera Bag Backpack is waterproof, plus comes with Anti-Theft, 15 Inch Laptop Compartment & Tripod Holder! Plus, you can choose your color!
Electronics
✅ Bose Wireless Bluetooth Noise-Canceling Headphones
If you want to actually cancel out the noise on flights, these are your best bet!
✅ Bose Noise-Cancelling Earbuds
You can also opt for these earbuds that will drown out those crying babies and snoring adults!
✅ JLab – Best Budget Bluetooth Headphones
I swear by these! They’re great for the fit, volume control, and also for talking on the phone – there’s not as many issues as with other ones in this price range!
✅ Apple Earpods that plug into smartphones
These work for iPhone 7 & up with the proper connector. I always bring this as a backup for when my bluetooth headphones run out of charge!
✅ Apple Earpods with a regular headphone jack
These are especially important to remember to bring in your carryon for listening to the TV, since they either take regular headphone jacks or they have the weird two-pronged connectors, but then they’ll give you headphones.
✅ Universal Power Adapter
This one works for the US, UK, EU, AUS & more countries!
✅ Anker Portable Charger
These are the lightest on the market, as well as top-rated by multiple experts! Necessary for a backup to charge your phone and bluetooth headphones, and especially for if you find yourself without an outlet, or without a converter!
✅ Mini Portable Charger With Built-In Cable
This is a handy charger for iPhones that has a built-in cable for those times when you really can’t get to your things.
Reading/Listening
✅ Audible
Audible is Amazon’s place for all things audiobooks and podcasts – it’s perfect for travel and everyday life! It’s harder than ever for me to sit and read because I do that all day long, and I love that I can listen while driving, walking down the street, shopping or eating out solo.
Audible members get a number of free credits per month (I get one per month) for certain books, and then podcasts and many other books are free!
📚 Sign up for Audible Here to see if it works for you!
✅ Kindle Paperwhite
While I sometimes bring an actual book I’m reading on a trip, it’s not really smart to bring more than one for space purposes – not to mention, it’s easy for books to get messed up in a bag (pages and cover bent, etc). A Kindle is the best way to bring all the books you want to read on the plane, the beach or in the airport.
I especially love that I can download pdfs onto my kindle to read without the horrible light I get on my phone screen! Then, when I’m waiting around I can catch up on all those free downloads (when I was a student, I used this for school-related reading, too)!
Clothing+Laundry
✅ Hypo-Allergenic Earthbreeze Fragrance-Free Laundry Detergent Sheets
These are the greatest invention EVER… I’ve replaced liquid detergent with them. You can use for washing machines and hand washing, and they’re perfect for packing because they aren’t liquid and are super lightweight.
✅ My Favorite Microfiber Towel
This is a a yoga towel that doesn’t take up too much space in your luggage and is great for the beach and showers, so you won’t have to rent one or go without!
✅ Lightweight Cargo Pants
These are perfect for summer/fall travel: I have some like these and they’re great for everything, plus easy to pack!
Other things to pack
✅ Reef-safe, allergen-free sunscreen: Badger
This sunscreen has only a few ingredients and is free of chemicals & allergens! I have eczema and I’ve been LOVING this stuff. It doesn’t bother my super-sensitive skin at all, plus it’s reef-safe!
✅ Sleep Masks
I’ve been using these for years – they’re the best because they have contours for your eyes and nose, and they’re adjustable. Also, this is a pack of 3 which is great so you have extras if one gets lost or dirty!
✅ Padlock for Hostels & Luggage Storage
These will save you money, especially at hostels because you can avoid having to rent a padlock!
✅ Self-Cleaning Water Bottle
This sanitizes your water using UV!
✅ Eno Hammock
These are the BEST hammocks, and they’re easy to pack because they fit into a pouch. They hang up on any trees by fitting around the tree, and they’re so comfortable you can sleep in them.
👉 Check out this double-nest Eno hammock from REI
✅ US National Parks Passport
I love my National Parks book, because every time I go to a National Park, I get a stamp like on my International passport! It’s so fun 🙂
👉 Get Your US National Parks Passport Here!
Best snacks to pack for travel
👉 Garden of Life Raw Organic Protein Unflavored Powder Packets: Perfect for having the protein I need – no sugar or fake sweeteners, none of my many allergens, & easy to pack!
👉 Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides Powder Supplement: More protein that also helps my skin, easy to put in coffee or to use when I don’t eat breakfast soon enough.
👉 ALOHA Organic Plant Based Protein Bars – Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough: These are the ONLY protein bars I’ve found that are entirely allergen-free for me: no nuts, gluten, grains or dairy and minimal sugar!
👉 Salmon Jerky: I first heard about this on a health podcast, and bought some on my next flight – I don’t usually eat jerky because it’s so tough, but this one isn’t tough at all! And it’s really healthy.
👉 Mini Clif Bars: These have been amazing for when I get hungry and there’s no food around – I brought a box’s worth on a 2-month trip abroad and finished almost all of them by the end, they really came in handy. They have oats and sugar, but they’re better than a lot of what’s out there.
My Eczema & Allergy Survival Resources
I use these when I travel and every day at home! See above for allergen-friendly snacks, then here are more of my discoveries that are LIFE-SAVING:
👉 Zinc & Tencel-lined gloves to wear on the plane and at night with emollient of choice to keep dryness at bay, from The Eczema Company (I thought these would be stifling and avoided buying them for years, and once I used them I bought more so I have them every night! They’re not like any other gloves).
👉 CALM Magnesium powder (unflavored): This helps with sleep, digestion and eczema in general. Figure out how much you need by how much it affects you – start with 1/2 tsp and go from there!
👉 Ashwagandha Supplement: Taking this twice a day helps with anxiety, which affects eczema – especially important while traveling!
👉 Hypo-Allergenic Earthbreeze Fragrance-Free Laundry Detergent Sheets: These are the greatest invention EVER… I’ve replaced liquid detergent with them. You can use for washing machines and hand washing, and they’re perfect for packing because they aren’t liquid and are super lightweight.
👉 Sleep Masks: I’ve been using these for years – they’re the best because they have contours for your eyes and nose, and they’re adjustable. Also, this is a pack of 3 which is great so you have extras if one gets lost or dirty!
👉 NOW Supplements, Saccharomyces Boulardii, 5 Billion CFU Probiotic, 60 Veg Capsules: These are for travelers’ diarrhea (for people with and without eczema) to avoid taking antibiotics when possible.
👉 Vaseline Body Balm Stick Anti-Friction For Dry Skin Unscented: This is somewhat controversial, but Vaseline is the only thing I can use on my skin currently. I just discovered this and it’s perfect to use wherever and whenever without so much mess! On the plane, I use this and put on the above-mentioned gloves – amazing.
👉 The Healthy Skin Show: I personally have benefitted SO MUCH from Jenn Fugo when it comes to eczema and skin rash education, and now I work with her clinic. I’m still in the months-long protocol, but I can 100% attest to its benefits for my own eczema at this point! My current trip is the first one in years without a flare-up or severly irritated skin.
👉 Ollois homeopathic allergy medicine: These are lactose-free, and I’ve been using them awhile now and they’re amazing! I still take Allegra along on trips, when my allergies tend to be worse, too.
👉 Glycine Powder: Amino acids are extremely important for healing eczema. Go to Jenn Fugo’s website (because I can’t give medical advice) and she recommends this powder, plus another supplement, as a start for working on healing skin rashes.
Photography Gear
Check out even more photo gear on the photography page!
✅ Memory Card
I use SanDisk Extreme Pro memory cards with my DSLR. These memory cards prevent many issues with photography and video that happen with lower quality memory cards.
✅ 4-In-1 Travel Tripod
This tripod works for for cameras and smartphones plus doubles as a selfie stick, monopod and as trekking poles! Made with durable and lightweight (2.8 lbs.) aluminum alloy, and it’s super affordable.
✅ Portable External Hard Drive
Seagate is one of the best brands for these, and they hold up well – plus, this one is 2TB so it’ll last awhile!
✅ Camera case insert bag
My new obsession: it’s water-resistant, and it fits into any backpack or bag! I use this to switch between my carry-on backpack and day pack.
✅ GoPro HERO10 Black Accessory Bundle
I’ve been using this on my latest trip & it’s so perfect – great for water activities as well as easy video and photos, not as cumbersome as my camera with better quality than my iPhone! The videos are SO smooth!
✅ HSU Floating Hand Grip Waterproof Monopod Compatible with GoPro
I wasn’t wanting to keep spending money, and I found this. After using it multiple times snorkeling in French Polynesia, I can say it’s definitely high-quality!
Photo Editing Software
Luminar Neo: This is great for beginners and intermediate users, plus it works as an add-on extension for Lightroom & Photoshop (I use all three of these programs)! You can do all the same things, removing backgrounds is a breeze and they have filters and presets. There’s also an app so you can edit photos from your smartphone on the go. Use code MUKI10 for 10% off!
Photography Gear Posts
Best Camera Straps for Backpacking
The Best Cameras for Surf Photography for Every Skill Level
5 Best DSLR Cameras Under $300
The 9 Best Mirrorless Cameras Under $1000 For Travel Photography
21 Best Cheap Cameras For Travel Photography Beginners
The Best Travel Photography Gear For Beginners (for all types of photography)
10 Best Intermediate-Level Cameras For Travel Photography
The Best Cameras For Skiing And Snowboarding (For Every Skill Level)
8+ Best Cameras For Cold Weather + Winter Photography Tips
33 Unique Gifts For Photographers
Flight Search Engines
WayAway is a flight aggregator that helps you find the cheapest flights and gives you cash back! Use MUKI-TRAVELS for 10% off WayAway Plus.
Google flights is my go-to for searching for flights at the cheapest rates from the airlines.
Travel Credit Card
I use the Chase Sapphire Preferred Credit Card, which gives me points that I can use on travel and is one of the best all-around travel cards for points!
Where to Find Places to Stay
Booking.com – The top accommodation booking platform in the world, with no booking fees, and my go-to for hotel rooms, apartment stays and more!
Budget & Working Accommodations
👉 Working In A Hostel: Everything You Need To Know In 2023
Hostelworld – A search engine to find hostels.
Trusted Housesitters – If you’re not allergic to animals (like I am), you can sign up for this. There’s a yearly fee, but you get housesits and you can stay free while caring for people’s pets!
Couchsurfing – Where to find places you can stay on people’s couches and save a lot of money.
WWOOF – A platform that connects people with organic farms where you can stay for a few hours of work per day.
Travel Insurance
Best International Travel Insurance (Real-World Picks + What I Use)
Travel Credit Cards with insurance: Many travel credit cards have some insurance for travel. For instance, the Chase Sapphire Preferred Credit Card is what I use, and it includes insurance for rental cars and baggage. Check with your card to see what’s included!
Where To Find Group Tours + Activities
Viator: Check out my Viator Shop here with all my recommended tours
Airbnb Experiences – Book short experiences and tours wherever you are, in advance up to last-minute depending on the tour!
Internet and Phone Options for International Travel
Airalo eSIM is the world’s first eSIM store, already used by over 1 million travelers. With Airalo, you can download and install a digital data pack for over 200 countries/regions and get connected anywhere in the world as soon as they land. I use Airalo and it’s saved me from problems with physical SIM cards, which don’t always work – plus, you can get service right away when you land!
Google Fi: This is Google’s phone plan, and it works all over the world. You only pay for the data you use (or you can get unlimited data).
Where To Find Rental Cars & Transportation
Discover Cars is my go-to for renting cars!
Look these up wherever you download apps:
Uber
BlaBlaCar
Zipcar
GetTransfer: Booking site for transfers and car rentals
Kiwitaxi: International airport transfers in 100 countries
Flixbus: Train travel with the largest transport network through Europe
Ways To Get Around
Obviously, Google Maps is the most common and you can pre-download maps so you don’t have to rely on Internet. But, if you’re having issues you can also use:
More Travel Tips
43 Flying Hacks For Solo Overseas Travel (Step-by-Step)
Blogging Resources
LyricalHost: I use Lyrical for my website hosting, and they’re the absolute best with customer service, site speed and more! Use the code MUKI10 for 10% off your first hosting plan payment.
WordPress: I use WordPress.org to make and design my website.
Adobe Creative Suite: I use Lightroom and Photoshop to edit photos, plus other programs for logo and graphic design and video editing.
Canva: I use Canva to make quick, simple graphics for my site.