Traveling planning can be a daunting task. There is so much out there on the internet, which can leave you feeling overwhelmed. On top of that, you don’t want to plan for the wrong things and miss the right ones. From here forward, get those thoughts out of your mind.
Travel planning should be fun and exciting. Having been to over 10 countries and countless cities, I’ve had my fair share of travel planning experience. Here are the resources I use time and time again that makes planning for your next trip fun and exciting.
Here are my top travel planning resources!
Travel Insurance
I remember when I used to think I didn’t need travelers insurance. Then I got sick in Rome and desperately needed medical help.
Travel insurance will give you peace of mind knowing that wherever you are in the world, you are covered should anything happen.
Never would I want something to happen to you, but better to be safe than sorry. I recommend Travel Guard by AIG.
They are there for you should you have to cancel for work, crazy weather conditions, medical issues, and even if your luggage is lost or stole. Learn more about Travel Guard coverage here.
Booking Flights
We all dream and search for cheap airfare. Finding that perfect moment when suddenly that $1200 flight becomes $400. But how do you know when and where to look for these unicorns?
Check these booking sites for the lowest fare and set up price alerts.
Find cheap airfare from trusted airlines. What I love most about Skyscanner is their flexible search feature. Not sure when you want to travel? You can search by the month or select “cheapest month”. Not sure where you want to go? Just type “everywhere” in the destination to box and find your next adventure.
One great thing about CheapOair is their Price Match Promise. They also have a filter option that allows you to travel by price. What that means is say you’re looking for weekend getaway flights under $199, then search their flights by price and explore the possibilities.
Check Out Our Roundtrip Fares UNDER $199 at CheapOair
One Travel is a top travel website for booking affordable flights, hotels, and vacation packages to popular destinations around the world. If you’re a student looking to travel without breaking the bank, then search One Travel. They specialize in student travel and offer 24/7 real human support if needed.
Fly and Stay Cheap! Save up to $10â—Š off our Fees on Flights with code FLY
Accommodations
There’s no place like home or is there? Find your perfect comfort while on the road in a cozy hotel or unique Airbnb. These are my favorite websites for booking accommodations.
Booking
What I love the most about Booking.com is their pay at hotel option. If ever I’m booking a trip in advance I would like to lock in cheap rates in advance without having to pay all the costs upfront. Every property is different so make sure to look first when completing your reservation.
HostelWorld
I don’t know how I would have survived backpacking Europe if it wasn’t for Hostelworld. I would have been searching foreign streets aimlessly I guess. But seriously, HostelWorld is my #1 travel resource for booking hostels around the world. I’ve used them in the U.S.A and Europe. Every single trip to Europe, I’ve used them at least once. Great site with amazing filters.
You can filter your search by ratings, wifi, breakfast, location, etc. I always check the “breakfast must be included” box as a way to save money on at least one meal of the day.
Trip Advisor
Trip Advisor recently got a new facelift in 2018. The platform is now easier than ever to search for hotels, flights, and vacation bookings. Of course, the reviews are still there. They not only help you find the best travel deals, but they also have useful forums to help answer all your travel questions.
Hotels Combined compares prices across all the top booking sites like Expedia, Hotels.com, Agoda and more to find you the cheapest rate. Feeling spontaneous? You can check their daily hot deals, or create a wishlist for places you’d like to stay in the future. Think of it as a hotels bucket list.
Airbnb is a great way to stay in local settings when traveling. They have Hosts offering 5 million+ unique places to stay in over 191 countries. I’ve stayed in an Airbnb in Los Angeles, Prague, and Munich. Each one has been an incredible experience. I couldn’t recommend Airbnb more for a local experience in unique homes. My only tip is to make sure you always read the reviews beforehand and reach out to the host with any questions.
Get $40 off your first stay of $75 for more, or $15 of your stay of $50.
Transportation
Tickets from $2.99
Rail Europe is the largest provider of rail and train tickets across Europe.
Planning Tours & Activities
These resources make planning activities fun. I personally love organized tours as a way to meet fellow travelers and gain a deeper insight into places. For bargains, I love purchasing city passes that give me access to top attractions and more. These are a few of my favorite places to plan my itinerary.
Viator is a Trip Advisor company that provides you direct access to over 100,000 activities around the world – from Moulin Rouge in Paris to Ziplining in Punta Cana. No matter where you’re headed, check Viator for tours, museums, activities in more. They will most likely have whatever you’re looking for. You can even purchase Disneyland Paris tickets on Viator. Seriously, they have it all.
CityPASS is all about helping you gain access to top attractions for half the price. I used CityPASS on my trip to Chicago and was blown away by the ease of using my passes and how quickly I zipped inside – cutting all the long general admissions lines. Currently, CityPASS can only be purchased for destinations around the United States with one exception, Toronto.
Get Your Guide is all about affordability. Travelers have the option to tour amazing destinations without breaking the bank. I booked my New Years Danube River Cruise in Budapest from Get Your Guide and had the most wonderful time ringing in 2018. I had a great time and started the year off with a little more money still in my pocket.
Stay Connected with VPN & Wi-Fi Hotspots
VPN (virtual private network) will allow you to be safe and secure on your own private network. Many of us travel with devices such as cell phones and laptops. That’s why a VPN is crucial for optimal safety of your information.
My go-to VPN: Nord VPN
Wi-Fi hotspots are great for rural areas or countries with ancient internet connections. Remember those dial-up days? Ha. Ok, so I haven’t found any place that bad, but I have been in hostels with terrible internet. Sometimes I would go days without a signal making it hard to check-in with family back home.
My go-to Wi-Fi Hotspot: Skyroam Wifi Hotspot which comes with a 1-yr data subscription and coverage in over 130 countries. If you’re looking for a pay-as-you-go hotspot then grab this one with their pre-paid cards.
Shop my must-have travel essentials
Psst. . . If you’re looking for more travel tips check out these sections:
How to Save Money to Travel | Packing Guides | Hotel Reviews | Travel Safety TipsÂ
All opinions are 100% my own (tried and tested). This page contains affiliate links. I earn a small commission (at no cost to you) when you purchase through these links, which helps me keep my lights on and order pizza from Dominos! I am extremely grateful. Thank you.
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