Plan Your Trip With These Travel Resources
Trip Planning
Planning a trip means juggling a lot of details, from flights and hotels to transportation, cruises, and tours. These are the travel resources I use to research options, compare prices, and book our trips.
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Flights
Google Flights
Google Flights is usually my first stop when I’m paying cash for airfare. I use it to compare fares across most airlines, check flexible dates, and track prices over time. Once I find the flight I want, I book directly with the airline.
PointsYeah
I use PointsYeah when I’m looking at booking flights with credit card or airline points. It lets me search award availability across multiple programs in one place, which makes it easier to compare options before transferring or using points.
Accommodations
⭐️ Booking.com
Booking.com is our go-to for international hotel bookings. I like the large selection, useful filters, and the number of properties that offer flexible cancellation. I tend to use it when our plans aren’t set and I want flexibility.
Hotels.com
We use Hotels.com for shorter stays and when we’re comparing hotel prices across a destination. Its free One Key membership earns rewards toward future stays, so I’ll usually check it alongside Booking.com before deciding where to book.
Vrbo
I check Vrbo when we want more space than a traditional hotel, whether that’s for a longer stay or a trip with family. It’s useful for finding entire homes with kitchens, multiple bedrooms, and room for everyone to spread out.
Expedia
I check Expedia when I want to compare hotels, flights, and car rentals in one place. I’ll look at package pricing and bundle deals when I’m booking several parts of a trip at once.
Airbnb
We use Airbnb when a rental makes more sense than a hotel. I always check reviews and the full price with fees before booking, and I’ll browse Airbnb Experiences for local tours, classes, and activities too.
Cruises
Cruise Critic Boards
I still check the Cruise Critic boards when I’m researching a ship, cabin, or port. The forums are full of firsthand experiences, and I can usually find details that never make it onto a cruise line’s website.
Cruise Direct
I check Cruise Direct when I want a quick look at fares across several cruise lines. It’s an easy way to compare sailings and see if there are any deals or extra perks before deciding where to book.
Cruise Compete
Cruise Compete lets you request quotes from multiple travel agents for the same sailing. It’s a good way to compare rates and extras, but I still pay attention to who I’ll be dealing with after the booking.
Vacations to Go
We’ve booked last-minute cruises through Vacations To Go and scored some great rates. Their agents have been easy to work with, and we’ve had great customer service whenever we’ve booked with them.
Costco Travel
Costco Travel is worth checking if you’re a member. Some cruise deals come with extra perks like onboard credit or Costco Shop Cards, so I like to compare what they’re offering before booking elsewhere.
Travel Books
I still like having a travel guide in hand when I’m planning a trip. I usually buy one or two, mark up the pages, and use them to learn more about the history, culture, and logistics before we go. It’s part of how I plan and get excited for a trip.
Getting Around
Train and Bus
For train and bus travel in Europe, we usually use Trainline to compare routes, times, and prices. We’ve booked tickets through it with U.S. credit cards without any trouble.
Tour Guides
⭐️ Viator
Viator is usually the first place I check for tours and shore excursions. I like comparing options, reading reviews, and finding tours with flexible cancellation.
Get Your Guide
I check GetYourGuide to compare tours, attraction tickets, and local experiences. Sometimes I find options there that I don’t see on Viator, so I check both.
Free Tours By Foot
I check Free Tours by Foot for walking tours in a new city. Some are pay-what-you-wish with a small booking fee, while others have a set price.
Where to Start?
Not sure where to begin? These guides can help you choose a trip, budget, plan, and avoid common travel mistakes.
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