Travel Easier
Whether you’re a lone Digital Nomad getting ready to roam the world or, like me, a worldschooling parent with family in tow, there’s a lot of things to consider when you’re getting ready for your journey. Travel opens up the world and lets you discover so many incredible things, but, as with anything worth doing, it can also be challenging.
This section of my blog is designed as a place where readers can find my articles on the things we’ve learned that have made our travels easier, as well as recommendations for services and products that have helped us during our own travels.
Resources for Staying Connected while traveling
Google Fi
For international travelers who want to stay connected every step of the way, I have yet to find a phone service provider as great as Google Fi!
Google Fi’s Unlimited Plus and Flexible plans both do an incredible job of providing cell service across a myriad of countries for the same price that you would pay for service at home. This is particularly useful if you plan on hopping between several different countries in a short period of time!
However, if you spend most of your time outside the States, there are a few shortcomings you need to be aware of. You can read more about my thoughts on Fi in my article, “Connecting at Home and Abroad – Is Google Fi Worth It?“.
Saily eSIM (Link)
Saily is one of the newer eSIM services out there, but it has a couple things going for it that make it my personal pick for staying connected.
First, it comes from the same people who made NordVPN, which I’ve been using for years and who I trust to put their user experience first. Secondly, I gave them a try on day 1 and found the whole process to already be streamlined and easy to use!
Read more about my experience…
Airalo (Link)
Airalo lets you connect using eSIMs from a wide variety of countries. You can buy and install your eSIM from within the Airalo app before you ever get on the plane, meaning you’ll have internet access from the moment you land, all without having to wait in line for a local SIM!
Prices aren’t quite as cheap as using local providers, but the convenience trade-off makes this a great choice for families that don’t use a ton of data or who are staying in a place for less than a month.
Interested in giving Airalo a test-run?
Get up to 15% off an Airalo eSIM and stay connected while traveling without having to replace your US SIM with a local card!
Just follow one of my affiliate links in the box below and use one of these coupon codes at check out:
- NEWTOAIRALO15 – 15% off your first Airalo eSIM (New users only) See terms and conditions
- AIRALOESIM10 – 10% off your next Airalo eSIM (Available for existing users!) See terms and Conditions
This promo lasts until the end of the year, so be sure to check it out before the end of 2024 to get your discount!
Also check out…
Nomad Internet
While the previous two were about keeping your cell phones connected while traveling abroad, Nomad Internet is different. For one, it’s a complete home internet solution, not a cell plan. And for another, it only works in the United States, not while traveling overseas.
But! If you’re planning on traveling across the States in a camper or RV, Nomad Internet is basically impossible to beat for its ability to keep you connected!
Read more about it at…
Resources for staying safe while abroad
Nomad Insurance by SafetyWing (Link)
Unexpected things happen when you’re traveling across the world. It just comes with the territory. Nomad Insurance is there for you when it happens.
They cover a wide variety of emergency medical situations, as well as things like lost bags and trip interruption. You can read more about why I think Nomad Insurance is a great choice for travelers in my article, The Best Way To Stay Safe When Traveling With Kids: Travel Medical Insurance.
NordVPN (Link)
In an increasingly connected world, staying safe digitally can be almost as important as staying safe physically! VPN’s are incredibly useful digital tools for protecting you privacy online. They do everything from protecting you from insecure websites to allowing you to watch your favorite streaming services from outside the country.
I’ve used NordVPN for years at this point, and highly recommend it to those looking for a robust and inexpensive VPN option. You can read more about it in my article, Why a cheap VPN is an amazing tool for any international traveler.
Resources for finding great deals on Flights
WayAway+ (Link)
Way Away is a flights search engine that has several great features that help you find great prices on flights all over the world. It does a decent enough job, though it finds basically the same prices as other search engines. However, it really shines when you subscribe to WayAway+!
Once you have a subscription, you can start getting money back on flights, car rentals, hotels, and more when booked through the WayAway website! If you do a lot of traveling, this can add up pretty quick.
Use the promo code FieldTrip to get an extra 10% off your membership!
Also check out…
Resources for helping you choose a destination
Going.com
Going.com used to be Scott’s Cheap Flights, and it still lives up to that name’s legacy. It’s an email subscription that regularly drops updates on the cheapest flights coming out of your airport of choice, including mistake fares (for paying customers). We’ve found several great deals using Going.com, including the tickets to Ecuador that we used to get to the Galapagos Islands!
If you don’t know already know where you’re headed, I highly recommend choosing a place based on what deals are available on Going!
Wanderlog
I started using Wanderlog as an easy way to create nice looking maps for my blogs that included pins, links, and more. It works great for that, but where it really shines is as a travel planner and location discovery platform. Which makes sense, as that’s what it’s designed to be!
When I head to a new location, I often find myself mapping out all the locations we’re planning on visiting using Wanderlog’s map. It helps me get a clearer picture of where things are and in what order I should visit different locations. Plus, if you decide to pay for their pro plan, Wanderlog has built in trip expense tracking, AI assisted planning features, and more.
All Traveling Easier Articles
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A Practical Guide to Managing Money while Traveling
Whenever we’re planning our next destination, we prefer spending that time thinking about the fun parts of living in field trip. We look forward to seeing incredible architecture, learning the science behind a local cup of coffee, or exploring…
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Are Luxury Family Vacations Really Possible?
When most of us picture a luxury vacation, we imagine quiet infinity pools, white tablecloth dinners, or spa days that stretch into the afternoon. Then we look at our actual travel companions: small humans who spill juice, wake up…
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Traveling with an Itinerary vs. Traveling without one – And why neither way is the “right” way
Most trips start the same way: flights booked, accommodations locked in, a spreadsheet or Google Doc slowly filling up with must-see sights and carefully timed plans. There’s comfort in that. Structure feels responsible. Prepared. Grown-up. And sometimes, that’s perfect….
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What does ‘vacation’ mean for families that travel full-time? 4 Suggestions for ‘taking a break’ while traveling
There’s a common sentiment going around that traveling full-time means always living on vacation. But, while there are definitely some vacation-esque perks to living a nomadic existence, anyone who’s tried it can tell you that it’s definitely not all…
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Finding Quiet Moments even in the Busiest Cities
Big cities have a pulse. You feel it the moment you step onto the pavement: horns, voices, movement; everything demanding your attention. And yet, inside that energy, there’s always a softer rhythm waiting for you if you know where…
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Saily Vs HolaFly – Which eSIM service is better for frequent travelers?
As someone who’s both constantly traveling and constantly online, I’m always looking for ways to stay connected abroad without paying airport-SIM prices or spending my first hour in a new country trying to find a phone shop that actually…
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Saily’s new Ultra Plan is the best choice for mobile data across multiple countries – (Saily vs. Google Fi)
For better or worse, internet access has become a near necessity for traveling the world. Whether you’re trying to translate signs in the airport, checking your bank balance, or asking ChatGPT for the best noodle shop near you, our…
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4 great ways to add more screen space to your laptop
Very few things help productivity quite as much as having the screen real estate to see more things at once. It’s the reason so many professionals have elaborate multi-monitor displays in their home offices. But as more people are…
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Headed to Thailand this year? Here are 5 Tips that will Help you make the most of your Vacation
Thailand is an incredibly magical place. Whether you’re exploring white sand beaches and lush forests or eating your way through the bigger cities, there’s a lot to love. But with that said, it does help to prepare a little…
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5 Easy Tech Upgrades that make International Travel feel like coming Home
As someone who has been traveling internationally non-stop for basically a decade (plus or minus a road-trip across the States), you could say that I’m pretty hooked on the entire “travel as a lifestyle” thing. And you’d be right!…
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Smooth Sailing – 5 Essential Tips for Stress-Free Family Travel Preparation
From packing the appropriate essentials to planning your itinerary, preparation is essential for a well-executed family trip! A little organization and a thinking a few steps in advance will help your family stay on the road to a stress-free vacation. Read on for some tips on what you can do to make your next family trip a little less stressful!
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20+ Most Useful Digital Tools for Traveling the world with Kids
Whether you are just getting started traveling with your kids or if you’re planning your 50th trip, these are the digital tools that can help you get the most out of your time overseas!
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Best Phones for Traveling the World
In particular, there are a handful of features that are incredibly important for your phone to have if you plan on using it while traveling internationally. If your phone doesn’t have these features, it’s possible that it won’t offer the travel experience that you’re expecting.
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The Best Way To Stay Safe When Traveling With Kids: Travel Medical Insurance
No matter how safe your destination might be, you never know what might happen. But, you definitely can make sure your family is as prepared as possible for when it does.
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Best “On the Go” Internet for Long-term Campers in America
Whether it’s for work, school, or a family movie night, there are a lot of reasons why being sure of having an internet connection while camping is important. Especially if you’re planning on camping long term. Luckily, I’ve got you covered.
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You didn’t say this was going to be stressful…
With so many amazing things to see and do, it almost seems like a given that the whole travel experience will be fun and stress-free. But the reality is that that’s rarely the case. Considering a few things ahead of time is the key to helping your family to thrive while traveling.
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Great Multiplayer Games For Keeping In Touch While Traveling
There are tons of great ways for kids to keep in touch with friends while traveling. Messaging platforms can be a great choice when kids have a lot to say, or kids can join online classes or clubs if they need a more organized time together. But sometimes kids need a place to hang out that falls somewhere in between. Online games fill that niche.
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Best Online Clubs And Classes To Help Kids Have Fun And Make Friends
By its very nature, travel has a way of making connections with friends more difficult. But it is something that can be mitigated through an intentional effort to create and maintain connections with other kids. These are some of the best online clubs and classes that we’ve found for helping kids build and maintain friendships while traveling.
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Best Messaging Apps to help kids stay connected while traveling
Luckily, since internet connectivity is available in most places across the globe, keeping in contact with friends is easier than ever! As long as you have that internet, staying in touch with friends is as simple as choosing the right app.
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Why WayAway+ is My New Favorite Way to Find Flights
It happens every time. You’ve excitedly planned the perfect trip for your family. You’ve figured out exactly which locations to check out, which events to splurge on, and know exactly how you’re making this trip an educational experience to…
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16 amazing products and services for making traveling with kids simpler
These are the services and devices that we regularly use in our lives that help make family travel much easier to manage.
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Why a cheap VPN is an amazing tool for any international traveler
Despite having been a customer of NordVPN for 7+ years at this point, this is the first time I’ve gotten around to writing a dedicated post on why VPNs are essential for anyone traveling internationally. And that’s a shame because it really is one of the most useful tools in any traveler’s bag of tricks!
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How to Use Libby on Kindle E-Readers to Read Library Books for free!
Whether we’re looking for educational books for the kids to read or checking out a beach read for ourselves, it all starts with downloading the Libby App.
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Prime Day Deals for Field Tripping Families – 2022 In Progress
Before I even get started I want to remind you that you don’t actually need any of this stuff to have a successful family field trip! That being said, having the right equipment can definitely make things easier, more…
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Multiple Marvelous Marvel Locations you can actually visit
For as long as I can remember, I’ve always loved a good story. Whether it’s an epic audiobook on the road, a fun family movie, or simply catching up with friends after a long time apart, stories have the…
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23 Easy Travel Gifts For Kids On The Go (Updated for 2024)
As a family that is constantly traveling, the gift-giving season can often be a struggle. Since we have limited space in our suitcases, anything we decide to get the kids either needs to be something that we can use…
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5 Simple Things That Help An Airbnb Feel Like Coming Home
As someone who is constantly traveling from place to place, I’ve ended up spending a lot of time in different Airbnbs. They work better for us than hotels, especially with kids. Having the extra room to spread out a…
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Gadgets on the Go – 5 Car Accessories to Keep Your Tech Rolling
For many people out there, the main reason for travel is to get away from it all and disconnect. I am not one of those people. Instead, whether you find me in the heart of a city, on wide-open…
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Is Google Fi’s Simply Unlimited Plan Useful for Digital Nomads?
I am what you could call an internet aficionado. I like the internet, and I use a lot of it, which is why I like having access to unlimited plans whenever possible. Counting how much data I’ve used in…
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Boards Abroad – Getting Your Gaming Fix on the Go
Recently, I had the chance to contribute to an article about some of the best games for people who love to travel that was all about games that you can play at home that can add value to your travel. It’s…
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The Guide to Guides: Should I Get One, or No?
There are some great reasons for having a guide along with you, and you may very well want one. After all, if each place is unique, it makes sense to find someone that can tell you how it’s unique. But also, there are plenty of times when you wouldn’t want a guide. Either way, as soon as you pass into the gates of whatever wonder you’re about to explore, you have to make the decision. Do I want a guide or no?
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The Best Ways to Connect to the Internet while Abroad
I absolutely love being a digital nomad! There are so many great things about it, from being able to live almost anywhere while earning an income online, to being able to flex my work schedule around the needs of…
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5 things under $100 that actually helped my productivity
Recently, there was an article that caught my eye entitled 5 Products Under $100 that Helped my Productivity. I’m always looking for ways to help my workflow, so I was intrigued. But instead of helpful recommendations, what I found…
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Best Portable Monitors for Working and Travel
Very few things help productivity quite as much as having the screen real estate to see more things at once. It’s the reason so many professionals have elaborate multi-monitor displays in their home offices. But as more people are…
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Reading eBooks – How Do I Read ePubs and Mobis
Recently, I released the first of my Field Notes books, Field Notes – Virginia 2020. It was a super exciting day for me, and I eagerly gave out a few copies of the ebook to some of my friends…
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Work From Anywhere – The Portable Desk Experience
Working from the road sounds like a dream come true, and in many ways it is! I love the freedom that comes from being able to work from anywhere, whether it’s from a hotel room overlooking the ocean, or…
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Power Anywhere – Keeping Laptops Powered On The Go
One of the best parts of working as a digital nomad is the ability to work from literally anywhere, whether that be in a quiet office space or as far into the wilderness as you can get while still getting a cell signal. But no matter where you work, making sure your laptop battery is charged can be a make or break challenge.
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Ready or Not – Changing Phones Makes Google Fi Even Better
It’s not a secret that I’m a fan of Google’s MVNO, Google Fi. I’ve used it for years at this point, but apparently, I’ve not been using it to its fullest potential. One of Google Fi’s biggest draws is…
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Connecting at Home and Abroad – Is Google Fi Worth getting in 2025?
While I absolutely adore being able to travel around the world, I absolutely do not adore being without access to the internet. There are a large number of services that promise to keep you connected, no matter where you are. But as it turns out, each of them has its upsides and its downsides. However, for the last 5 years or so, my personal choice for worldwide connectivity has been the US-based cell provider, Google Fi.
