Planning your trip can be overwhelming, especially if you’re new to traveling or don’t do it often. Travel resources like flight deal websites, hotel booking platforms, and car rental services can make the process easier.
You may wonder: Where to find flight deals? Which websites offer reliable hotels or budget hostels? Should you rent a car or rely on public transport? Is travel insurance necessary? Are any guided tours worth considering?
These are common questions many travelers have.
We aim to show you that booking flights, hotels, and rental cars can be simple—and to inspire you to have an unforgettable trip.
(Note: This post may contain affiliate links. We earn a small commission if you make a purchase, at no extra cost to you.
Accommodation
Accommodation often takes a large portion of a travel budget.
If you’re backpacking on a shoestring budget or staying at a luxurious resort, you’ll need a place to stay each night.
We’ve stayed in campgrounds, hostels, boutique hotels, rental apartments, and 5-star resorts.
These are the sites we use to find the best deals on accommodation.
Booking.com
Booking is a top accommodation platform known for its user-friendly interface, verified reviews, and advanced search filters.
The free Genius loyalty program offers exclusive discounts and perks for members.
With a vast selection of properties worldwide, it provides options for nearly any destination. The interactive map feature helps refine searches efficiently, and the best-price guarantee ensures competitive rates.
Hostelworld
Hostelworld is a top platform for finding budget-friendly accommodations, particularly hostels. It offers an extensive database of properties worldwide, making it a great choice for cost-conscious travelers.
The detailed review and rating system helps users choose highly rated stays, while the social features, such as chat and user profiles, make it easy to connect with fellow travelers.
The easy-to-use interface allows for quick searches based on price, location, and amenities.
With flexible booking options, it’s a reliable choice for both solo travelers and groups.
Tours
Guided tours provide a convenient, informative, and comfortable way to explore new destinations, whether for first-time adventurers or experienced travelers. They offer expert insights, hassle-free planning, and access to unique experiences.
From hiking scenic trails and snorkeling in tropical waters to exploring remote jungles and spotting wildlife, guided tours can enhance any journey.
While experiences may vary, selecting the right tour is key.
These platforms help simplify the process, making it easier to find reliable and well-reviewed options.
GetYourGuide
Get Your Guide is a top online marketplace for tours and excursions, offering a wide range of experiences worldwide.
From walking tours and cooking classes to guided day trips and adventure activities, it provides options for every type of traveler.
The platform is user-friendly, features verified reviews, and offers competitive pricing.
A major advantage is the ability to compare and book tours in one place, saving time and eliminating the need to search multiple websites.
Viator
Viator stands out as a leading platform for booking travel experiences, offering a vast selection of tours and activities across the globe.
What makes Viator particularly appealing is its extensive database, featuring everything from classic guided tours to adrenaline-pumping adventures tailored to various interests and preferences.
Other standout features include a seamless booking process, verified customer reviews with ratings, flexible tour options, and competitive pricing.
No matter your destination or travel plans, there’s a good chance you’ll discover an unforgettable experience on this platform.
Insurance
In short, travel insurance provides coverage for emergency medical expenses, lost or stolen luggage, trip cancellations, emergency support, and more.
It offers peace of mind, ensuring you’re protected in case things don’t go as planned.
Remember, medical costs can be sky-high in some countries if you fall ill or get injured.
Although travel insurance is an extra cost, it can save you a significant amount in unexpected situations.
Safety Wing provides affordable, easy-to-use travel insurance that covers almost every single country in the world.
Their monthly or annual plans are ideal for long-term travelers and digital nomads as it’s one less thing to worry about when abroad.
Note that SafetyWing also offers travel insurance for specific dates, so you should be covered.
World Nomads
World Nomads offers simple and flexible travel insurance designed for all types of travelers.
It covers a wide range of needs, including emergency accidents, medical expenses, baggage loss or theft, trip cancellations, repatriation, and more.
One of the standout features is their coverage for over 200 adventure activities, making it an ideal choice for those seeking active adventures.
From hiking and scuba diving to skiing, World Nomads has a plan to match your travel style.
Transportation
The right mode of transportation for your trip depends on various factors like your budget, time limits, the distance to travel, destination, and personal preferences.
From buses and trains to flights and bikes, the best option will align with your needs and the kind of experience you’re seeking.
Each choice offers its own set of benefits, helping you move from one place to another efficiently.
Ultimately, transportation is a key part of every journey, influencing how you experience the world around you.
Skyscanner
Skyscanner is our favorite flight search engine that compares prices from multiple airlines. We use it all the time.
It offers one of the best ways to find cheap flights and get a sense of fares, routes, and connections.
We also like flexible search options and price alerts for specific dates, routes, and destinations, which is perfect for travelers with flexible travel plans.
12Go
12Go is a popular online platform for booking various transportation options across Southeast Asia.
It compares and books a wide range of travel methods, including buses, vans, trains, planes, taxis, and ferries.
By simply entering departure and arrival destinations, travelers can easily find convenient ways to get from point A to point B, streamlining the travel planning process.
This platform simplifies the often complex task of navigating different transportation systems, making travel more accessible.
With its user-friendly interface, it’s ideal for both seasoned travelers and newcomers to the region.
Rental Cars
Rental Cars is a leading platform for booking rental cars, comparing prices from over 800 companies to ensure the best deals are available.
With transparent pricing, a wide variety of vehicle options, extra discounts, and competitive rates, it provides an easy way to find the right car for any trip.
Road trips are a fantastic way to explore, offering the freedom to experience destinations at your own pace.
Some places are simply meant to be discovered by car, making the journey itself a key part of the adventure.
Hotels
Here’s a list of our go-to hotel booking websites.
While we typically use them to find and book stays, we always make sure to compare prices directly on the hotel’s own website to see if there are any better deals or special offers available.
- Hotels.com is a reliable hotel booking platform with a wide selection of accommodations, though it’s used less often than Booking.com.
- Their loyalty program allows travelers to earn a free night after collecting 10 stamps, with the reward night’s value based on the average price of the 10 stays. Simply sign up to start earning.
- It’s a good idea to print your reservation, as there have been cases where issues arose, such as hotels attempting to charge extra for meals included in the booking.
Flights
When planning vacations, we typically compare flight options across various websites, but more often than not, we book directly with the airline for the best experience.
Here are the websites we use to find the best options:
- Skyscanner – Skyscanner is excellent for comprehensive travel planning. When you search for flights, you can also find hotels and destination guides, along with suggestions for other nearby places to explore, giving you plenty of options for your trip.
- Momondo – Momondo is another great platform for booking flights. It offers an easy-to-read graph for comparing prices and allows you to sort flights by “best,” “quickest,” or “cheapest” options. Similar to Kiwi, it has an “Explore” feature where you can discover the cheapest flights available for your selected dates.
- Kiwi.com – Kiwi stands out for its unique features. You can view flights on a map, helping you find the best prices. They also include trains and buses in the search, offering alternative routes if they lead to cheaper flights. The “Nomad” function is perfect for those looking to extend their trip, offering longer stopovers in cities for a lower ticket price. Plus, they offer a connecting flight guarantee for added peace of mind.
Additional platforms worth checking:
- Google Flights – A powerful tool for tracking flight prices, with a user-friendly interface and options for flexible dates and routes.
- Expedia – A popular booking site offering flight, hotel, and car rental deals. Their “Bundle and Save” option often gives great discounts when booking multiple travel services together.
- Kayak – Kayak compares a wide range of airlines, helping you spot great deals. It also features price alerts to keep track of price changes.
These websites provide comprehensive tools and competitive options, ensuring travelers can find the best flight deals for their trips.