TPT Masterlist
This is our compilation of travel essentials and the hotels, attractions, and tours we have tried in various destinations around the world, sorted by country and city. You’ll also find links so you could easily compare the latest rates and book them.
But before checking out the list below, take note of these promo codes that you can use so you could get big discounts on some of these booking websites. For these codes to work, make sure to book using the links provided on this page.
- KLOOK
Promo code: TPTKLOOK5
Discount: 5% OFF on hotels and most attractions, capped at PHP 500. P7000 minimum spend.
✅ Instantly redeem the discount here! - KLOOK
Promo code: THEPOORTRAVELERKLOOK
Discount: Up to PHP 300 OFF on hotels and most attractions. Up to 5X use.
✅ Instantly redeem the discount here!
- AGODA
Promo code: AGODATPT
Discount: 10% OFF - AIRALO eSIM
Promo codes: THEPOORTRAVELER
Discount: 15% OFF on eSIMs!
Instantly get discount here! - PGA SOMPO
Code: WORTHIT
Special rate on travel insurance
Book here! ✅
HONG KONG
Hotels We Tried
🔥🔥🔥 GET P500 HOTEL VOUCHER HERE! 🔥🔥🔥
- iClub Sheung Wan Hotel. Close to MTR Station and delicious restaurants!
- Four Points by Sheraton Hotel (Tung Chung). Ideal for visiting Disneyland Hong Kong and Ngong Ping 360 or Big Buddha. Has FREE shuttle service to airport and Tung Chung MTR Station.
- Marriott Hotel Hong Kong SkyCity. Ideal for groups/families because rooms are good for 4 pax. Close to the airport. Great if you’re visiting Hong Kong Disneyland and Ngong Ping cable car.
- iClub Mong Kok Hotel (Mong Kok). Great if you’re into shopping, but located on the other side of Mong Kok. Close to bus stations.
- Victoria Inn (Tsim Sha Tsui). Budget option. Located in Mirador Mansion. The building is old, but the inn itself, while cozy, is clean and well-maintained.
Book Before Your Trip
- Octopus Card — MUST-HAVE!
- Discounted eSIM. Use promo code THEPOORTRAVELER for 15% OFF.
Key Attractions
- Disneyland Hong Kong — MUST-VISIT! ✅
- Victoria Peak Tram — MUST-VISIT! ✅
- Ngong Ping 360 and Tai O Pass — MUST-VISIT! ✅
- Ngong Ping Cable Car Ticket only
- Madame Tussaud’s Hong Kong
- Bus Transfer to Macau — MUST-DO! ✅
- Aqua Luna Victoria Harbour Cruise
- M+ Museum Ticket
JAPAN
Osaka
Hotels We Tried
🔥🔥🔥 GET P500 HOTEL VOUCHER HERE! 🔥🔥🔥
- APA Hotel Shin-Osaka Ekimae (Budget). Close to Shin-Osaka Station. Best for those visiting other prefectures by shinkansen or bullet train. ✅
- Red Roof Inn & Suites NAMBA (Mid-Range). Close to Dotonbori! Great, central location! ✅
- Hotel Hanshin Osaka (Mid-Range). Great view of the city. ✅
- Hotel Chuo Oasis (Budget Inn). It’s been 10 years since we last stayed here, so a lot might have changed.
- First Cabin Hanshin Nishi Umeda (Capsule Hotel). Flight-themed and stylish.
Must-Haves Before Your Trip
- Japan visa
- Visit Japan Web form
- Osaka Amazing Pass — MUST HAVE! ✅
- Kansai Train Passes, depending on your itinerary. Find out the best pass for you here!
- Discounted eSIM. Use promo code THEPOORTRAVELER for 15% OFF.
Key Attractions
- Universal Studios Japan, super popular theme park. ✅
- TeamLab Botanical Garden, amazing outdoor teamLab site. ✅
- Osaka Castle, the city’s main icon — FREE if you have Osaka Amazing Pass!
- Harukas 300 (Abeno Harukas), tallest building in Osaka with great view and projection mapping. ✅
- Umeda Sky Building Observatory, great view with sparkling floor at night — FREE before 3pm if you have Osaka Amazing Pass!
- Kyoto and Nara Day Tour ✅
TAIWAN
Taipei
Hotels We Tried
🔥🔥🔥 GET P300 HOTEL VOUCHER HERE! 🔥🔥🔥
- Walker Hotel Ximen, very close to MRT Ximen Station and Ximending main area. ✅
- Hotel Attic, also in Ximending area.
- Just Sleep at NTU, close to MRT Gongguan Station and across the Gongguan Night Market. It’s a university area so lots of affordable options.
- K Hotels Linsen, near convenience stores and attractions in Zhongshan District; 12-minute walk from the nearest MRT Station.
- Hotel Cham Cham, mid-range hotel in Banquiao district with good food options, close to MRT Banquiao Station.
NEW ZEALAND
Must-Haves Before Your Trip
- New Zealand Visa
- Traveller Declaration Form
- Discounted eSIM. Use promo code THEPOORTRAVELER for 15% OFF.
Auckland & Rotorua
Hotels We Tried
🔥🔥🔥 GET P300 HOTEL VOUCHER HERE! 🔥🔥🔥
- Auckland: SkyCity Hotel, centrally located full-service hotel, just next to the iconic Sky Tower. ✅
- Rotorua: Rock Solid Backpackers, a budget-friendly hostel in the city center.
Tours and Attractions
- Sky Tower Auckland (ticket only) ✅
- Hobbiton Movie Set Tour, you can choose if you want ticket only or with transfers from Auckland or Rotorua. You can also add a Waitomo Glow Worm Caves stop. ✅
- Auckland-Hobbiton-Rotorua One-Way Tour, pick up in Auckland, tour Hobbiton, drop off in Rotorua
- Wai-o-Tapu Geothermal Wonderland (ticket only)
- Waitomo Glow Worm Caves (no transfers) ✅
Queenstown
Hotels We Tried
- Black Sheep Backpackers, a relatively affordable hostel close to the center.
Tours & Attractions
- Milford Sound Cruise & Day Tour ✅
- Skydive Queenstown by NZONE ✅
- Bungy Jumping at Kawarau Bridge (original site by AJ Hackett) ✅
- Mt. Cook Day Tour from Queenstown ✅
- Queenstown to Christchurch One-Way Tour (pick up in Queenstown, Tour Mt. Cook and Lake Tekapo, drop off in Christchurch)
- Lord of the Rings Safari Glenorchy Day Tour
Christchurch
Hotels We Tried
🔥🔥🔥 GET P300 HOTEL VOUCHER HERE! 🔥🔥🔥
- Haka House, a newly renovated 19th century house. Loved our stay here. But no elevators.
- Hotel Give, a hotel across Botanic Gardens and Art Centre. We didn’t actually try this ourselves, but our travel companion did and he loved it.
Tours & Attractions
- Christchurch Gondola Ticket ✅
- Botanic Gardens Tour ✅
- Lord of the Rings Edoras Tour (with roundtrip transfers from Christchurch)
- Mt. Cook and Lake Tekapo Tour (from Christchurch, with roundtrip transfers)
- Christchurch to Queenstown One-Way Tour (pick up in Christchurch, tour in Lake Tekapo and Mt. Cook, drop off in Queenstown) ✅
