Links

OVERLAND TRAVEL

The Man in Seat 61 is a really useful website for checking out the details of overland journeys all over the world. Don't take the prices or timetables as gospel because of course they change (although the site is usually pretty good), but this site does tell you where you can buy tickets for each journey, and shows you some of the most common overland routes - I found this really helpful duiring an overland trip from Singapore to Beijing.

FLIGHTS

This site is really good for booking international flights - it's a price comparison site that doesn't actually sell the tickets, so they're not after your comission and they don't have quotas - they bring up all the flights sold by online agents and direct from airlines, so if you're just after a flight rather than a package holiday, look here. This site has saved me so much money! It's not just for flights out of the UK - you can use it anywhere! Not all the budget airlines are included, so if you're taking a short flight it might be worth checking out some budget airlines too.

Attitude Travle is a generally useful website, but the best thing I've found is this directory of budget airlines! Great if you're flying within one country or continent. Listed by country.

HOSTELS & BUDGET ACCOMMODATION

Hostelbookers and Hostelworld are both useful sites if you're travelling on a budget. You can pre-book hostels and budget hotels anywhere in the world, just paying a deposit online, which is great if you're travelling at a busy time of year or arrivng in town late at night. Both sites also have customer reviews of the hostels. Also useful for pre-booking trips at your destination.

GENERAL ADVICE & TRAVEL COMMUNITY

Trip Advisor is a site packed with reviews by other travellers, photos, and general advice on healthy travel, dangers to avoid, best places to go etc. Also has a forum where you can swap advice with other travellers.

VISAS, SAFETY & OFFICIAL ADVICE

The Foreign & Commonwealth Office is a useful website for up-to-date news about each country or area. There's also advise on getting visas, immunisations & travel health, respecting local customs, the history of each country, and loads of other useful, official advice. It's aimed mainly at British nationals but alot of the advice would be useful to any nationality, particularly if you're venturing off the beaten track.

TRAVEL FOR STUDENTS & UNDER 26s

STA is a travel agent with a difference - they mainly cater for students and under 26s, and it's often cheaper if you're in one of these categories. They can organise flights, hostels, tours, busses, insurance, and also provide you with an international Student or Youth ID card. There are websites based in many different countries, so if theis link isn't for you, just google STA travel in your home country.

sarah@arcticdownunder.co.uk