When I did travel nursing most of the benefits were the same. There was maybe a difference in travel reimbursement if you didn't need a rental car or if you arranged your own housing. For the most part they paid for everything except cable. They would give you so much for travel or if you had to make your own travel for a short notice contract they would pay all for the flights. There are usually other travelers there so you can *network* on companies and places to avoid. You have to know that if they have resorted to travelers at their higher costs that there is a problem there. You just go in and do your job. Don't get into the politics. Do the best job you can for your patients!!! If the deal seems to good to be true ... it is just that.You need to make sure you have guaranteed hours and length of contract. I would suggest for the first contract you stay within 7 hrs of drive time to home. That way you can still drive home if it is a hard contract. I did travel nursing for 7 of my 30 yrs of nursing and I had only 2 contracts that I hated. I finished them and never broke a contract. You should go with an established company then google them for their reputation. Go to sites like this to see if they are on the hit list for ones to avoid. I would not try to do my own housing until you have the feel for it. You can go to sites like this for places that are good and VS. Also with companies that are good and those that are bad. I will tell you that you should avoid Emerald Coast Agency and in the past Faststaff had a bad repution as well as cross country agency. Good Luck!!!! My most favorite contracts were in Santa Rosa CA and New London CT so if you could go there that would be awesome!!! Nina