I get asked regularly by friends, “Can you help me plan my trip? I’ve been on the internet, but there are just too many travel websites I don’t know where to start.”
If that sounds like something you’d say, then read on this post is for you.
Putting together your own travel itinerary will save you money, but it does take considerable research. To save you time I’ve put together this guide on the best travel planning websites based on my many years of travel experience.
This article may contain compensated links. Please read my disclaimer policy for more info.
Flight Websites
When planning travel, airline tickets are often the most expensive part. Over the years I’ve learnt that you have to compare several flight booking sites to get the best deal on airline tickets.
Flight Comparison Websites
Flight comparison sites are a great way to get an overview of airline travel. Below you’ll find three of the best airfare sites, and it’s worth checking all of them as prices can vary.
Skyscanner is always my starting point when I’m looking for flights. Compared to some flight booking websites, it has a user-friendly interface which makes it easy to search for plane tickets to and from any destination.
You can search for specific dates or the whole month, and your results will take you to the cheapest flight booking site.
If you have a preferred choice of carrier for your airline travel you can select only to show those plane ticket websites in your results.
You can search for one way, return and multi-stop flights and, it’s worth trying different combinations to get the best cheap airline tickets for your trip.
Monmondo has a colourful and easy to use interface. It’s very similar to Skyscanner, but there are some slight differences.
Its intuitive search system makes it the best website for flights across multi destinations. You can’t book directly through the website like you can with Cheapoair, but, it will direct you to the best cheap flight sites for your route.
Whereas with Skyscanner you can bring up the whole month to search for the lowest prices, with Momondo you put in your preferred dates, and it brings up a graph along the top of the screen. If you have some flexibility, you can use the chart to find cheap travel days.
CheapOair is one of the best comparison-online booking sites for business class. It’s also the best website for flights around the world.
Unlike Skyscanner your results don’t bring up a list of the best place to book flights, CheapOair compares flight search engines, and you reserve directly through them.
When paying for your flights you’ll often see an option for adding a promo code. Cheapoair regularly releases promo codes which offer discount travel.
Flight Deal Websites
There’s no such place as the best website for cheap flights but if you are flexible with dates, its worth signing up to the websites below. These sites will send you emails with the cheap flight deals as and when they are released.
Airfare Watchdog
Airfare watchdog is a site that searches thousands of fares each day to find the cheapest flights available on trips you want to take. If you sign up to there newsletter, they’ll send you regular deals for flights from your chosen departure airport.
Scotts cheap flights
By signing up to Scotts Cheap Flights, you’ll get alerted by email when the best flight deals come up from your selected departure airports. If you’re flexible on dates and when you can book a trip, this can save you lots, especially when long-distance book travel.
Useful travel sites related to flying
Sleeping in Airports
While you may not wish to sleep in an airport sometimes, like on long layovers, you may have no choice. Sleeping in Airports gives you all the information about airports, including sleeping, shopping, food and facilities.
Seat Guru
Once you have your airline tickets, check seat guru before confirming your seat. You can search for your flight and discover which are the best seats and more importantly, which are the seats to avoid.
Seat Guru will also tell you about the charging sockets, inflight entertainment and food. You can read the reviews, and there are often photos, so you know what to expect.
Priority Pass
Enjoy your visits to airports more by relaxing in an airport lounge. Most lounges offer food and beverages, including alcoholic drinks so that it can save you money at the airport.
Priority pass gives you access to over 1,200 airport lounges in more than 130 counties. If you travel regularly, Priority Pass is excellent value for money and makes time spent in an airport much more enjoyable.
Project Visa
Some countries require you to get a visa to enter.
Project visa is a website which has updated information on entry requirements for all countries, regardless of your nationality. It’s always worth checking in advance of booking whether you need to apply for a visa before your arrival.
Embassy Pages
Embassy pages is often left off travel sites list, and hopefully, it’s not a website you’ll ever need. However, its good to be aware of this website, which lists all embassies, and consulates around the world.
Hotel Booking Websites
Like airline websites, there’s a multitude of hotel sites to choose from when looking for the best accommodation. It’s worth checking a few as not all hotel booking sites have the same options and prices can vary between them.
Agoda is one of the best hotel deals websites on the internet. The site uses a mix of agency and merchant offers, and sometimes, you pay online, while other times you pay at the end of your stay.
There are thousands of hotel choices around the world on this site.
You can search for your travel dates in a location, and it will bring you up a list of all the hotels and apartments in that area. There is a map view if you want to see exactly where a hotel is, and there are lots of filter options.
You can filter, by price, accommodation type, by facilities, ratings and lots more. Each place has a review score, and you can read reviews by other travellers.
Agoda gives you the price of an accommodation per night and it has a loyalty points scheme like other discount hotel websites. You’ll also find reviews on Agoda which tend to be more honest than on other sites. Hence, it’s worth reading through them even if you go somewhere else to book.
Many of the accommodation choices offer free cancellation, and there’s an option to look for homestays/apartments in the menu.
Booking.com is very similar to Agoda; in fact, they are owned by the same parent company.
There’s an extensive inventory available, and you can filter searches in a similar way to Agoda.com.
One of the features that makes it the best hotel booking site is that you can cancel your reservation free of charge. There’s also a loyalty bonus scheme if you book regularly with them; it’s one of the best discount hotel sites.
With booking.com you pay at the hotel when you check out, so you don’t need a credit card to make most bookings.
Unlike hotel websites, Airbnb focuses on homes and rooms to let in peoples houses. You can rent an entire house, and it will be much cheaper than staying in a hotel.
If I’m visiting a place for than a week or more AirBnB is where I book accommodation as I prefer to have more space and facilities like a kitchen.
People rent out their homes all over the world, and I’ve used Airbnb as far away as Easter Island. The host usually greets you and fills you in on local amenities and what’s best to do in the area. You can join Airbnb using this link.
Tripadvisor
TripAdvisor is not just a review website; you can get some excellent travel hotel deals, apartments and camping sights on the website. The site compares prices from cheap hotel booking sites such as booking.com and Expedia and provides you with the best option.
Priceline
If you don’t have a preference about exactly which hotel you stay in, Priceline allows you to bid for the best price from travel companies.
For hotels you can name your location and star rating, then bid for the best price on the hotel.
Priceline also has an express deals option which offers up to 60% savings on hotels if you are a flexible traveller. The site won’t give you the name of the hotel, but it will provide you with the location and star rating.
Rail Travel Online Websites
Seat 61
If you want to know about travel tickets for trains, the best website is without a doubt, Seat 61. Wherever you’re travelling in the world, Mark Smith from Seat 61 has it covered.
With information on routes, train class, time tables and rail passes you’ll find everything you need to know about rail travel here.
Interrail
If you’re travelling around Europe by train and you’re from a European country, Interrail is the best place to purchase a rail pass. However, rail passes are only a good option these days if you are travelling for several months and want to be flexible in your itinerary.
Eurail
International visitors who wish to travel to Europe by train can purchase rail passes at the Eurail website. A pass is only good value for money if you plan to travel across several countries and can be flexible in your itinerary.
Rail Europe
If you want to travel by train in Eastern Europe, Rail Europe is the online travel agent to visit. You can also book other train travel across European countries on this site although it’s worth comparing the prices with Eurail first.
International rail
For worldwide train travel, International rail is an online travel agency where you can purchase tickets and rail passes for many routes around the globe. Its the best online train trip planner for famous journeys such as the Tran-Siberian Railway or the Ghan.
The Trainline.com
If your travelling by train in the UK, thetrainline.com has information on routes, departure times and fares. Prices vary enormously on trains in the Uk, so it plans to do your research.
Rail companies release the cheapest fares approximately 90 days before travel. For longer journeys such as London to Manchester booking tickets in advance is significantly less expensive (a couple of hundred pounds) than on the day).
Best Bus Travel Sites
Long-distance bus journeys are often the cheapest way to travel, but they can also be the quickest in places like Australia and Malaysia.
Busbud
Busbud connects thousands of cities across 80 different countries. You can compare costs, routes and departure times on your selected journey and book online in your home currency. It’s simple and easy to use, which is why its one of the best booking sites for bus travel.
12go.Asia
12go.Asia is the best travel planner website for Asia. You can book buses, trains, transfers, flights and boats on this website.
It’s a fantastic website, and I used it to plan all my bus travel and ferries when travelling between the islands in Malaysia.
Car Hire Online Travel Sites
Hiring a car can be a great way to explore your destination. You can opt for one way car hire, which can be a fantastic way to get from A to B and see more of the country.
One way car hire can be expensive, so remember to check the drop off fees. It’s worth checking a couple of sights to get the best deal and not every destination is covered by a single company.
Airport Rentals
Airport Rentals is one of the top travel sites for car rental. There customer service team are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week and car rentals are available throughout the world.
They’ll price match any vehicle should you find it cheaper elsewhere on the web and most cars have free cancellation.
Rental Cars
Rental Cars is a good alternative to Airport Rentals, especially in cities, but I have found that it doesn’t include specific destinations such as Botswana.
Motorhome Republic
Hiring a motorhome means that you have accommodation on wheels and it can be a fantastic way to travel through destinations such as the Great Ocean Road in Australia. Motorhome Republic also hires fully equipped vehicles for self-drive safaris.
Blablacar
Blablacar is a website where you can find people who are driving in the same direction as you.
You can book online, and you can check the driver’s profile online before you book. You can also find out about what other people say and get the drivers rating.
Its a unique way to travel and your journey is insured. There’s also a ladies only option if you’re a little apprehensive about using this service.
Blablacar operates in 22 countries and has over 80 million drivers and passengers. It’s affordable and can often be a relaxed, friendly way of travelling.
Travel Insurance
The saying if you can’t afford insurance you can’t afford to travel is so true. You never know when something might go wrong, whether it be a delayed flight that causes you to miss a connection, missing luggage or worse an accident.
I always use World Nomads for travel insurance; they are a well-known company, that provides an excellent service. Why choose them?
Travel insurance: simple & flexible
You can buy and claim online, even after you’ve left home. Travel insurance from WorldNomads.com is available to people from over 130 countries. It’s designed for adventurous travellers with cover for overseas medical, evacuation, baggage and a range of adventure sports and activities.
Seven Things you should know about travel insurance from WorldNomads.com
Trusted reliable underwriters
WorldNomads.com is backed by a suite of strong, secure, specialist travel insurers who provide you with great cover, 24-hour emergency assistance and the highest levels of support and claims management when you need it most.
Value for money with the cover you need
WorldNomads.com provides cover for what’s important for travellers from over 130 countries. By focusing on what you need and leaving out what you don’t, World Nomads prices are some of the most competitive online.
Flexibility when you need it most
Had a change of plans? You can buy more cover or claim online while you are still away. You can even buy a World Nomads policy if you’re already travelling.
Cover for a range of adventure activities
From skiing & snowboarding in New Zealand to whitewater rafting in Colorado, WorldNomads.com covers a range of adventure activities, giving you peace of mind to get the most from your travels.
World Nomads keeps you travelling safely
All WorldNomads.com members have access to up-to-date travel safety alerts, as well as travel safety advice and tips online through the World Nomads Travel Safety Hub.
More than just great value travel insurance
All WorldNomads.com members can learn the local lingo through a series of iPod & iPhone Language Guides and can stay in touch with family and friends with an online travel journal.
Commitment to exceptional customer service
We want to make sure you get the most from WorldNomads.com. You can find out more about why travel insurance is important for your trip.
If you have any questions about your travel insurance or travel safety in general, please contact WorldNomads.com directly.
Best Route Planner Website
So you’ve got an idea of where you’d like to go, but your not sure what is the best way to get there and travel around, well Rome to Rio is the website to use.
You can get all travel options on this site from planes, buses, trains and ferries.
Top Travel Websites for Tours
If your travelling solo group tours can often save money and be a way of meeting people. If you don’t mind sharing, it can significantly cut down your traveller price.
Tours also take the hassle out of planning travel as the company makes all the arrangements for you.
Intrepid tours
Intrepid specialises in all types of adventurous tours and caters for all age groups. There Peregrine trips offer more premium accommodations, but you’ll find a mix of age groups on most adventures.
Group sizes tend to be around 10 or less, and you get plenty of free time on trips.
G Adventures
While G Adventures used to be aimed at the younger tourist, it now has a partnership with the National Geographic. These tours offer a higher level of comfort and more upmarket accommodation.
Usually, tours take groups of 15 people, and there’s no single supplement if you’re travelling solo.
Best Trip Booking Sites
While sightseeing around a city may be straightforward, it’s often simpler to book a day trip to see some of the local attractions within the area. Although it can be cheaper to book day trips with local tour operators, this is not always the case.
Trip websites compare local agents and provide you with a choice of companies. You can book ahead, online, which saves you the hassle of having to organise things when you get to your destination.
Viator
Viator works with nearly 200,000 travel agents and as a global network with an estimated 9 million visitors each year. The website has days trips and multi-day tours across the world, and I’ve always found there services to be excellent.
Get your guide is one of the trip booking sites that’s growing fast. It’s a German-based company that offers similar tours to Viator, but you’ll often find more unique things to do on there.
It’s best for local guided trips such as food tours, but in recent years it has branched out, and their list of activities has grown considerably.
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Hi, I’m Fiona Berry- I live in Lancashire in the North of England, but my job as an instrumental music examiner takes me all over the world. Travel has enriched my life in so many ways and allowed me to experience different cultures, make new friends and see extraordinary sights. Through this blog, I share my knowledge and expertise so that my readers have all the resources they require to ensure their travels provide unique and unforgettable memories to destinations that are beyond the ordinary.
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