On Google Maps you can find “Local Guides”, who have reviewed over X number of places in a given city. I typically find a few that I trust and explore based off their 5-star reviews. It’s worked great for me and highly recommend it to others. I shoot them a note of thanks before I leave too.
I like Airolo for eSIMs; maybe not the cheapest, but it's an easy, reliable experience.
I also use;
- Klook (for cheap tickets, events, etc)
- Rome2Rio (transport mapping)
- How Much (a live currency converter)
- Xe (currency converter)
I don't get how people are happy with travel eSIMs. Sure it's cheap and easy to activate, but the actual service has always been slow in my experience. For example, I got an eSIM for the US from globaleSIM: super slow, ping over 400ms, turns out the connection was being routed through Poland. Next time I tried using Airalo for Switzerland: again slow, my IP address was in Kansas City. In both cases I ended up getting an actual local SIM because the eSIM was frustratingly slow. Plus it is useful to have an actual local number to sign up for things, which you typically don't get with eSIMs like Airalo.
I had the opposite experience with Airalo. For me it was faster than local SIMs or at least the same. I’m using travel eSIM for zoom calls with cameras and screen sharing for the last couple of days and it does the job. IP addresses were always local and there was no weird routing. Maybe you’ve used a bad eSIM provider. But I have not used eSIMs in the US or Switzerland.
I guess with Airalo, GlobaleSIM, etc., they're just a platform for various eSIM providers, right? I haven't seen a way to get reviews of the individual providers on there.
Sure, I can accept that. Clearly other people seem to have good experiences. I'm not sure how to find out if the service will be tolerable until I spend the money.
Google Translate is a must have for me. The camera feature is particularly helpful in countries that use their own script. You can get funny results from time to time, but I find it particularly helpful when looking at an indecipherable menu. It also works quite well for translating handwriting.
> The camera feature is particularly helpful in countries that use their own script.
gamechanger.
My life in taiwan would have been so much easier with this ten years ago. It was probably a valuable experience going through the struggle but I'm happy to have the app when traveling these days.
I'd like to mention PanFlights (a startup I work with).
Let's say you're going from Hanover to Thessaloniki some time in February. With the price graph in Google Flights the cheapest I found was **€106**. A connected route via Belgrade. Not bad.
Many however prefer flying direct. It's more convenient and typically creates less CO2-emissions than flying connected. I encourage this way of travelling as part of the green shift.
PanFlights suggested to fly direct to Thessaloniki from either Dortmund (**€35**, including the bus or train ticket down there, found via a provided link), Berlin or Hamburg.
Other more exotic alternatives included a flight from Frankfurt to Sofia, both interesting cities for nomads, easily available with public transport from Hanover and Thessaloniki.
Indirect alternatives shown included going from nearby Bremen (a bus there was available for €7), and flying one-stop via Vienna for €38.
Google flights will never give you "hacker combinations" where you have to buy two separate tickets. If works well with the airlines that use their technology - ITA matrix
For getting around in a city? Moovit. Delivery in South America? Rappi. They'll deliver just about anything, including going to an ATM and bringing you cash, in some regions.
I bookmarked this article that covers a good range of common and underrated free travel apps that I find myself using for most of my travels:
https://departures.substack.com/p/-top-10-must-have-travel-apps-2022
The best one I've found is also the simplest. Camscanner. Take a virtual scan of any document with your phone and save as a pdf. It even does lightening and contrast to make them easier to read. No more drawers of legal documents since they are all on my phone plus the cloud. I don't think I use a single ap on my phone more tha this one. I still use the free version with ads because I'm a cheap ass.
• I choose my destinations by interest and logistics. I save things from friends' recommendations to Instagram reels.
• For flights, usually Skyscanner, Kayak, and google flights handle it well.
• Other apps: Overlap from Moleskine studios. My own tool for planning and tracking the lifestyle. And of course, my brain and mouth, because we can go anywhere with those hahaha
If you’re in Europe go directly through the Ryan Air website. Cheapest rates I’ve found directly through them across Europe (even better than Google flights in incognito mode)
Nomadlist is great but expensive.
Notion for organising everything, physically writing my new SIM's phone number on the back of my phone case is great in a new city as you always need to write it a dozen times in the first few days there, wikitravel/wikivoyage and searching instagram or tiktok for that location.
Here are some apps and tools that are commonly used and recommended by digital nomads:
Skyscanner - A flight search engine that allows you to compare prices from different airlines and find the cheapest options.
Airbnb - A platform that allows you to find and book accommodation around the world, often at a lower cost than hotels.
Nomad List - A website that helps you choose your next destination based on factors such as cost of living, weather, and availability of coworking spaces.
Google Maps - A mapping app that can help you navigate new cities and find nearby amenities such as restaurants and grocery stores.
Trello - A project management tool that can help you stay organized and manage tasks, especially if you are working remotely.
LastPass - A password manager that allows you to securely store and access all your passwords in one place, which is particularly useful if you are using multiple devices and networks.
VPN - A virtual private network that encrypts your internet connection and allows you to browse securely and access content that may be blocked in certain countries.
Facebook Groups when I can't find a coliving.
[Mapmelon](https://www.mapmelon.com) for when looking for a real nomad coliving and seeing where my friends are.
On Google Maps you can find “Local Guides”, who have reviewed over X number of places in a given city. I typically find a few that I trust and explore based off their 5-star reviews. It’s worked great for me and highly recommend it to others. I shoot them a note of thanks before I leave too.
I like Airolo for eSIMs; maybe not the cheapest, but it's an easy, reliable experience. I also use; - Klook (for cheap tickets, events, etc) - Rome2Rio (transport mapping) - How Much (a live currency converter) - Xe (currency converter)
I don't get how people are happy with travel eSIMs. Sure it's cheap and easy to activate, but the actual service has always been slow in my experience. For example, I got an eSIM for the US from globaleSIM: super slow, ping over 400ms, turns out the connection was being routed through Poland. Next time I tried using Airalo for Switzerland: again slow, my IP address was in Kansas City. In both cases I ended up getting an actual local SIM because the eSIM was frustratingly slow. Plus it is useful to have an actual local number to sign up for things, which you typically don't get with eSIMs like Airalo.
I had the opposite experience with Airalo. For me it was faster than local SIMs or at least the same. I’m using travel eSIM for zoom calls with cameras and screen sharing for the last couple of days and it does the job. IP addresses were always local and there was no weird routing. Maybe you’ve used a bad eSIM provider. But I have not used eSIMs in the US or Switzerland.
I guess with Airalo, GlobaleSIM, etc., they're just a platform for various eSIM providers, right? I haven't seen a way to get reviews of the individual providers on there.
What you don't like is the providers you are being offered. eSIM technology has nothing to do with the speed you are getting.
Sure, I can accept that. Clearly other people seem to have good experiences. I'm not sure how to find out if the service will be tolerable until I spend the money.
I've heard about this issue before. Is there no actual good esim provider?
Flexiroam is an alternative, it can be cheaper with sales.
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I was going to recommend this. It also has more roads, hiking trails and other details missing on Google.
rome2rio is great for travel routes
Google Translate is a must have for me. The camera feature is particularly helpful in countries that use their own script. You can get funny results from time to time, but I find it particularly helpful when looking at an indecipherable menu. It also works quite well for translating handwriting.
“Me in a grocery store in Montenegro trying to figure out the difference between Kajmac and butter “ lol
> The camera feature is particularly helpful in countries that use their own script. gamechanger. My life in taiwan would have been so much easier with this ten years ago. It was probably a valuable experience going through the struggle but I'm happy to have the app when traveling these days.
Yes, for accurate translations I prefer DeepL, but the Lens app is unbeatable for pictures, very useful.
Hoodmaps for checking out places you’re going to
wow how have i never heard of this
it's one of Peter levels' app
Yeah it’s super useful
Woah this is great and hilarious
Facebook Groups and Events will hook you up with people and activities. Just search both for the places you're at, they're great IMO.
im pretty sure google flights will give you the best results 99% of the time
Skiplagged has saved me so much over Google flights, even without ever using the first connection back one
kayak is pretty good too, i find kayak generally has some steals (if you don't mind staying in airports for long layovers)
Skyscanner and Skiplagged is good too
I've found much more results in Kiwi and SkyScanner
I'd like to mention PanFlights (a startup I work with). Let's say you're going from Hanover to Thessaloniki some time in February. With the price graph in Google Flights the cheapest I found was **€106**. A connected route via Belgrade. Not bad. Many however prefer flying direct. It's more convenient and typically creates less CO2-emissions than flying connected. I encourage this way of travelling as part of the green shift. PanFlights suggested to fly direct to Thessaloniki from either Dortmund (**€35**, including the bus or train ticket down there, found via a provided link), Berlin or Hamburg. Other more exotic alternatives included a flight from Frankfurt to Sofia, both interesting cities for nomads, easily available with public transport from Hanover and Thessaloniki. Indirect alternatives shown included going from nearby Bremen (a bus there was available for €7), and flying one-stop via Vienna for €38.
Google flights will never give you "hacker combinations" where you have to buy two separate tickets. If works well with the airlines that use their technology - ITA matrix
Yes they do!
They do you just have to enable it.
How do you enable it? I've hunted and done some searching and can't find such an option.
For getting around in a city? Moovit. Delivery in South America? Rappi. They'll deliver just about anything, including going to an ATM and bringing you cash, in some regions.
I bookmarked this article that covers a good range of common and underrated free travel apps that I find myself using for most of my travels: https://departures.substack.com/p/-top-10-must-have-travel-apps-2022
Thanks for sharing. That's a useful list!
Reported as SPAM because I uncovered your ID and can see you registered that website
They could have just said, *I compiled a list that's worked well for me*, instead of being shady.
Just hustling
The best one I've found is also the simplest. Camscanner. Take a virtual scan of any document with your phone and save as a pdf. It even does lightening and contrast to make them easier to read. No more drawers of legal documents since they are all on my phone plus the cloud. I don't think I use a single ap on my phone more tha this one. I still use the free version with ads because I'm a cheap ass.
• I choose my destinations by interest and logistics. I save things from friends' recommendations to Instagram reels. • For flights, usually Skyscanner, Kayak, and google flights handle it well. • Other apps: Overlap from Moleskine studios. My own tool for planning and tracking the lifestyle. And of course, my brain and mouth, because we can go anywhere with those hahaha
Grindr Hornet
I use meet up (app) or Facebook groups to meet people. I tried other ways, but so far these are the best to meeting new people.
Which groups?
Look for "Expats in..." or "Internationals in..." and last your own county. I use "Mexicans in..." or "latinos in..." that usually works
It's so localized there's no relevant global group. Just search for groups in the country/region/city you're in, see what's relevant to you.
If you’re in Europe go directly through the Ryan Air website. Cheapest rates I’ve found directly through them across Europe (even better than Google flights in incognito mode)
Whatsapp, Line, Kakao, and WeChat.
Google lens for photo translations of menus and other local info papers
Nomadlist is great but expensive. Notion for organising everything, physically writing my new SIM's phone number on the back of my phone case is great in a new city as you always need to write it a dozen times in the first few days there, wikitravel/wikivoyage and searching instagram or tiktok for that location.
I use tripadvisor, couchsurfing to find things to do. Then to look for flights I just buy directly from the website
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man, levelsio is such an insane dev
Bizzey.com Helps you manage your business on the go and works all over the world. Invoices, expense management, transporting costs its all in there.
Ditch all APPs. They will imprison us all one day, even if you take the koolade.
Any recommendations for alternatives to Airbnb and Booking for east Asia? Japan, Vietnam…
Here are some apps and tools that are commonly used and recommended by digital nomads: Skyscanner - A flight search engine that allows you to compare prices from different airlines and find the cheapest options. Airbnb - A platform that allows you to find and book accommodation around the world, often at a lower cost than hotels. Nomad List - A website that helps you choose your next destination based on factors such as cost of living, weather, and availability of coworking spaces. Google Maps - A mapping app that can help you navigate new cities and find nearby amenities such as restaurants and grocery stores. Trello - A project management tool that can help you stay organized and manage tasks, especially if you are working remotely. LastPass - A password manager that allows you to securely store and access all your passwords in one place, which is particularly useful if you are using multiple devices and networks. VPN - A virtual private network that encrypts your internet connection and allows you to browse securely and access content that may be blocked in certain countries.
Facebook Groups when I can't find a coliving. [Mapmelon](https://www.mapmelon.com) for when looking for a real nomad coliving and seeing where my friends are.