Welcome to the 360 Escapes Best Travel Hacks and Resources Page!
Why trust my recommendations? Simply because these are the resources that have consistently provided me with value for money and significantly uplifted the quality of my adventures. From finding hidden gem accommodations to snagging the best deals on flights, these hacks have been my trusty companions on every journey.
I’m not just sharing these resources, I am passing on the keys to unlocking a smoother, more enjoyable travel experience. Whether you’re a seasoned globetrotter or a novice setting out on your first expedition, these tools are bound to make a noticeable difference in your travels.
Best for Cheap Flights
In the world of travel, finding the best deals can sometimes feel like searching for a needle in a haystack. Enter Google Flights, the savvy traveller’s best friend and a game-changer in the hunt for affordable airfare. This nifty tool has revolutionized how I search for flights, offering a user-friendly platform that’s as informative as it is intuitive.
Kiwi is my top choice for its multi-airline hacker fares, making it easy to find the cheapest prices for complex routes. Plus, with their Kiwi Guarantee for missed connecting flights when booked with different airlines.
Kiwi.com offers an extensive database of low-cost flights from both traditional and budget airlines, an interactive map, and more. Find great fares with ease using Kiwi.com!
Trip.com‘s user-friendly interface, competitive prices, and extensive network of travel options make it easy to find precisely what you’re looking for, no matter your destination or budget. Their reliable customer service always assists with any questions or issues, giving you peace of mind throughout your travels.
How Far in Advance Should You Book Your Flight?
To find the best deals, it’s important to be flexible with your travel dates. With that flexibility, you may be able to score a roundtrip ticket to Thailand for as low as £450, which is less than half the regular price that I frequently encounter. However, keep in mind that there is no guarantee these deals will be available before your preferred travel dates. In general, great deals are much more unpredictable compared to regular prices.
There is no absolute rule for booking travel, as it can vary widely. However, if your travel dates are not very flexible, it’s generally more difficult to find a great deal. In this case, you should aim to book your trip between one and five months in advance, depending on your destination and whether you are travelling during peak periods. If you have more flexibility with your dates, you can afford to book a little closer to your departure. Most importantly, be sure to check for deals every day!
Best for Flight Refunds, Delay, Cancellation or Overbooking
Compensair is a UK based online service that helps air travellers to receive up to £450 compensation from airlines in case of a flight delay, cancellation, or denied boarding. Compensair takes care of all the paperwork, negotiations with the airlines, and legal proceedings.
Free flight check which takes less than a minute!
Best for staying Connected
International roaming and getting local SIM cards are outdated and so were last year 🙂
Airalo eSIMs can be purchased and set up in just a few minutes, making them the perfect choice for modern digital nomads and frequent international travellers.
I rely on eSIMs to simplify and cut the costs of roaming charges. Airalo is a top eSIM provider for travellers, offering coverage in over 200 countries and regions globally.
When purchasing, you can select your desired data amount and duration. Keep in mind that most Airalo eSIMs only support data, not phone calls or text messaging.
To stay connected while travelling, I use online messaging services like WhatsApp or Messenger.
- Most iPhone models released after the iPhone 11 are eSIM-compatible
- Many Android phones support eSIM, including the Google Pixel series, Samsung Galaxy series
Best for Accommodation
Booking.com is the largest hotel/accommodation booking site globally, offering a great loyalty program that makes accommodation more affordable. I appreciate their free cancellation policy on many listings.
Additionally, Booking.com provides a price match guarantee. If you find the same hotel, accommodation type, and cancellation policy on the dates you’ve booked at a cheaper rate on another online hotel reservation app or website, they will match the price.
Best for Asia Accommodation
Agoda is a top choice for travellers around the world, thanks to its user-friendly platform and wide range of options. One of its standout features is the flexible payment options, including “Book Now, Pay Later.” This feature allows you to secure your booking without having to make an immediate payment, which can be a lifesaver when planning your travel budget.
Agoda is the leading booking site in that region.
You’ll likely find more options here for your next trip to Asia.
Best Guides & Tours Companies
Discover budget-friendly day and multi-day tours in hundreds of cities worldwide on the Viator website. They offer a wide selection of “skip the line” tickets for the most popular attractions.
Similar to Viator, Get Your Guide offers a 24-hour full refund for most bookings, while Viator offers free cancellation and the option to reserve now and pay later. Also Get Your Guide offers some hard to find and exclusive activities.
Spending Money Aboard
It’s essential to use a bank card that doesn’t incur fees or interest when spending overseas and withdrawing money.
Commission charges can really stack up if you are not spending like a local.
Revolut – free cash withdrawals worldwide up to £200 per month. After this amount, you pay just 2% interest. The card itself costs £5. You can hold multiple currencies at one time.
Monzo – free cash withdrawals worldwide up to £250 per month. After this amount, you pay just 3% interest.
Wise – an online bank account is incredibly useful when transferring money overseas. You can send money all around the world with minimal fees, receive payments, and hold multiple currencies.
You can also order a Wise card by Mastercard which lets you withdraw up to £200 with 0% interest at ATMs around the world.
Xe.com
Currency and exchange rate website. Knowing the exchange rate beforehand does help a lot. I always try to think in local currency when I travel and memorise the rate, so I can easily convert abroad. When I receive the change back, I instantly know the amount.
I can’t count how often I’
I’ve seen tourists overpay for things or just don’t know how much money they have in their pockets because they don’t know the rate. Going to some countries in Asia can be tricky because of all the extra zeros!
In Vietnam £1 = 32,547 Vietnamese Dongs.