Flights, Accommodations, Car Rentals, and Vacation Packages
I love to travel. Whether planning an actual trip or just armchair traveling, I’m up for that next adventure! That’s why I’ve come up with my eight favorite travel planning sites. Read on to discover more. (Note: I’m an affiliate with Scott’s Cheap Flights.)
MetaSearch Engines/Apps
- Google Flights: When it comes to researching the best flight, Google Flights is tops. I use Google Flights to find the best flight times, connections, and prices. In fact, the site will track your search, checking daily to inform you of significant price changes. Tip: Be careful, the site also returns options from nearby airports. Also, when booking, reserve via the airline’s website. It’s easier to make a change with the airline rather than with a third-party site.
- Skyscanner: Another metasearch engine, Skyscanner helps you research and book travel for flights, hotels, and car rentals. I prefer to use Google Flights for airfare but Skyscanner for lodging, but you choose! I love the company motto: “We’re the travel company that puts you first.” Tip: Travelers have the ability to leave reviews about airlines on their site.
- Hopper: Hopper is not only a cone-shaped container. It’s a travel app that uses data-driven tools to help you book travel. I ‘ve used Hopper for domestic hotels and international car hires and received the best price over other sites. I like their hotel price freeze deal; freezing the price for up to 60 days. And while not a concern for me, I still value their “no penalty for young drivers.”
Free Subscription Travel Deal Services
- Travelzoo: I’ve been a member of Travelzoo for a long time. The company publishes travel deals and tips, including last-minute and trending deals. In 2010, I first booked a self-drive vacation package in Ireland that was tremendous and cheap! In 2021, I used their Top 20 Deals section to book a nice hotel in Washington D.C. at a great price. Whether you find their deals through the email newsletter or persuing their site, I highly recommend signing up as a member.
- Scott’s Cheap Flights: Sign up as a member and set your favorite departure airports, and you’ll receive emails with uncommon deals and helpful travel guides. In fact, it was through Scott’s Cheap Flights that I discovered our Thanksgiving-time airfare deal to Portugal (just $438 round-trip from Washington DC to Porto, Portugal.) Scott’s also clued me onto the new budget airline, Norse Atlantic Airways. Perfect timing, since we are planning a trip to Oslo, Norway next summer. (Note: I did a test search for the dates of Oct. 17 to Oct. 27, 2022, and found that a trip from New York to Oslo roundtrip was $261.13 for an economy-lite fare.)
- Gate 1 Travel: As an online tour agency, Gate 1 Travel offers escorted tours, river cruises, independent vacations, and international vacation packages. I haven’t traveled with Gate 1, but I’ve heard great things. Actually, we booked a self-drive tour last March but canceled due to Covid-19. For approximately $1600, two of us received airfare from New York to Milan, Italy, car rental, lodging, breakfast, luggage allowance, and attraction suggestions. What a deal! Sign up for their weekly specials and follow them on Facebook.
Lodging Sites
- Airbnb: It’s hard to believe that Airbnb has only been around since 2007. From that time, it’s quickly grown to 6 million active listings worldwide. If you’re looking for an alternative to a hotel, you’ll find it on this site. From entire houses, apartments, yurts, houseboats, trailers, and treehouses to a guest room in a private home, a suite in an established Bed and Breakfast, and even a space in a windmill or shepherd’s hut, you’ll have plenty to choose from. That’s if you book early enough. Tip: While budgeting for your trip, keep in mind that Airbnb charges a cleaning fee, service fee, and taxes.
- Booking.com: I’ve used plenty of other websites to book lodging, ranging from Hotels.com to Tripadvisor, but I always seem to come back to Booking.com. Their prices are consistently low and their website is clean and easy to use. With over 28 million listings, I always find what I’m looking for. Tip: Booking.com usually offers free cancellation for most rooms
Photo Credits:
Pexels.com
Hannah Rusch
Resources:
TSA: What Can I Bring?
U.S Dept of State: Bureau of Consular Affairs: Travel Advisories
U.S Dept of State: Bureau of Consular Affairs: Passport Application Status